Commander Trophy League: 552nd MXS #2 strikes past 552nd MOS #1

Published Dec. 6, 2007
By John E. Banks
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The battle of the maintenance squadrons took place with much fanfare and anticipation on Nov. 28 at the Tinker Bowling Center. The result was a well-rounded sweep by the 552nd Maintenance Squadron #1 3109-3032.
   The match got off to a roaring start as both teams stepped onto the lanes and delivered key shot after key shot. The advantage was held by the 552nd Maintenance Operations Squadron #1 due largely in part to their definite and decided handicap advantage. Their advantage was 255-175.
   "Our key to winning game one was our consistent team bowling effort and our ability to make key strikes and spares when we need to," said Michael Smith, 552nd MXS #2 captain.
   "I was able to strike out in the 10th frame and teammate Paul Couch ability to give us a strike and a spare in the 10th gave us the win," said Smith. In the second game of the match 552nd MOS #1 bowler Phillip Parker was able to get his side going with stringing together five strikes in a row and giving his side a early 765-687 advantage through the first seven frames.
   Undaunted by this challenge, the quartet of Nicholas Gelrup, Aaron Lathrop, Smith and Couch regrouped over the final three frames of the game. Smith and Couch rallied their side by rolling a 193 and 208, respectively; enabling their team to garner a hard fought 1030-1029 victory.
   "It was a tough game, however we pulled it out in the end," said Smith. In the final game of the match, it was much of the same as the previous two games. The 552nd MOS #1 quintet of Scott Homan, Christie Beckham, Tony Fennel, Carrie Hampton, and Parker got out to an early lead only to be surpassed by a valiant 552nd MXS #2 team. Smith and Couch threw key strikes in the eight and ninth frames to secure the victory and total pins for the match. The result was a close battle with the 552nd MXS #2 winning game three 1013-967.
   "This was a tough match and opponents were challenging us all the way," said Couch. "We didn't bowl our best, but we did enough to take all eight games," said Couch.
   The victory by the 552nd MXS #2 gave them a season record of 48.0-48.0, while the loss dropped the 552nd MOS #1 to 34.0-62.0 on the season.