Despite an early conference loss, the Reeths-Puffer boys bowling team still has every intention of competing for the O-K Green title, and the Rockets took another step in that direction with an easy 26-4 victory over Caledonia on Monday.
It was the Rockets’ second win a row and left the team with a 4-2 overall mark and a 2-1 record in the conference standings.
R-P started out strong, winning both baker games 189-179 and 191-159, plus the baker bonus points, to take a 10-0 lead. The first baker game was very close, and the Rockets did not secure the win until Liam Copenhaver threw three strikes in the tenth frame.
The Rockets won the first regular game 891-750. Tanner Bahr, Karsen Boeskool, Carter Hekkema and Copenhaver won their individual matchups, giving R-P a huge 18-1 lead, which guaranteed the victory in the match.
R-P won the second regular game 827-766. Sean Brennan and Peyton Estepp won their individual games, and the Rockets had a 24-4 advantage.
Tanner Bahr
The Rockets also won the two bonus points for the combined regular game pin total.
Tanner Bahr was the top Rocket of the night with a 437 series.
“This was a great team win for the R-P boys,” said head coach Craig Alderink “By securing the victory early, we were able to get some of the younger guys into the lineup and they too rolled some solid scores and gained valuable experience.”
The Rockets also competed in their own invitational tournament on Saturday at Northway Lanes.
They were one of four teams in the 26-team field to qualify for the playoffs following the preliminary rounds.
R-P lost to Mona Shores in a close semifinal matchup, 373-356.
Copenhaver finished 12th out of 150 bowlers in the individual standings.
The Rockets will face Mona Shores again, this time in a conference dual match, on Wednesday.