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Sunday, November 05, 2000

Debby Rush kept pitching strikes 3/4 all on the Brooklyn side.

After converting a 10-pin in the first frame, Rush strung together 10 consecutive strikes on her way to a personal-high 287 for the Sharp Ladies at Sharpsburg Lanes.

"I don't know the odds of 10 straight Brooklyn strikes," said Rush, who averages in the neighborhood of 170 and had a 171 and 162 in her first two games. "I can't explain it. It just happened. I was in a trance the last couple frames."

The 620 series was her best, and her first 600 in about six years.

"I don't know what I did to make the adjustments in the last game," said Rush, 49, a right-hander who has been bowling 20 years. "This was completely out of range from what I normally do. I'd like to see if I can do it again.

"If you did it all the time, where would the challenge be? I'm nervous about bowling again Tuesday because I want to see if I can still bowl."

She laughed. "I'll probably never see scores like this again, but maybe there's another one out there. I don't know."

This is the first year for the Sharp Ladies at Sharpsburg. They were known as the Arsenal Belles when they bowled at Arsenal Lanes in Lawrenceville.

Traveling along

Doc Pritchard's 269 and three-game 699 series were the highlights in the Pittsburgh Area Scratch Travel League at Nesbits' Lanes in Plum. Pritchard, of Kennedy Lanes, averages 192.16. Rich Wahlster (Sheffield Lanes) has a league-high 221 average, and Pines Plaza Lanes is in first place.

League leaders

John Fechter's 237.17 average for 30 games tops the Bud Lite $12,000 Classic at South Hills Bowl.

Can you top this?

John Harlan Jr., a once-a-week-bowler who averages 162, had a night to remember with personal bests of 289 and 730 in the St. Catherine League at Dormont Lanes.

A rare trifecta

The team of Steve Sterenchak, Kathy Deceseare and Mike Buchwach each had a 149 game during the first match of the night in the Thursday House League at Arsenal Lanes in Lawrenceville.

The tournament trail

Jim Erlich, Natrona Heights, picked up $1,000 by winning the Saunier Wilhem-sponsored handicap tournament based on 250 average at Plaza Lanes in Natrona Heights. He defeated Frank Piraino Sr., Washington, Pa., in the two-game final series, 472-463. The low qualifier was Tom Sposaro with a 701 three-game series.

Griff Williams defeated Rich Cardimen, 204-141, to win Week 4 of the Miller Lite Head-to-Head weekly Sunday tournament at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes. Entry fee is $20. Call Shawn Endler, 412-590-8323.

Perfecto

Paul Bingham rolled a 300/721 for Paterik's at North Versailles Bowl.

What's happening

Saunier-Wilhem is sponsoring two tournaments today:

A 40-and-over event at AMF Bowling City in Mt. Lebanon, with $1,000 guaranteed for first place. Entry fee is $29.

An open handicap based on an average of 250 at Stan's White Oak Bowl in McKeesport, with $1,000 for first place. Entry fee is $29.

A memorial open handicap tournament in honor of Tommie Roberts, a popular district woman bowler, will be at Swissvale Arcade Lanes next Sunday. It is a 3-6-9 event, with each bowler getting free strikes in the third, sixth and ninth frames of every game. The handicap is based on 90 percent of 220.

The first-place prize is $500 based on 100 entries. Entry fee is $15. Squad times are 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m.

All proceeds will be donated to the YABA Traveling League for junior bowling scholarships in honor of Tommie Roberts. For more information, call 412-271-9899.

Crafton-Ingram Lanes have openings in the Saturday Night Couples League. For details, call 412-921-0200. Crafton-Ingram has Cosmic Bowling on Thanksgiving night. Call for reservations.

Fond memories

The regulars at Arsenal Lanes in Lawrenceville will miss Marvin Odille, who had worked there more than 40 years when he died Oct. 22 at the age of 62.