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2 Perfect Games Kick Off Season

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By BOB AUSTIN Tribune correspondent

Published: October 3, 2007

Mike Lewis accomplished his first lifetime perfect game the hard way - without use of a thumb.

To Lewis, however, the absence of his thumb in the bowling ball is 'au natural.' He has been doing it for a long time.

Ron Mitchell uses thumb and fingers and they've paved the way to five 300s, with the latest in the Oakfield Lanes Dick Stowers League.

The two opening-game perfectos highlighted another big week around Tampa's bowling circles as the 2006-2007 winter league season gets into full swing.

Lewis went 300-179-184 - 663 in the Pin Chasers Veterans Keglers League and the expected nerves didn't set in until he stood on the approach for strike No. 11.

'That strike went a little high,' said Lewis, 'but it carried. No. 12 was buried.'

Lewis, 46 and an employee of UPS, said the lanes then dried out so quickly, causing his dramatic drop.

Mitchell went 300-213-225 - 738 and the opening perfecto was just perfect, with all strikes right in the 1-3 pocket.

'My warmup was good and the adrenalin was so high in that first game,' Mitchell said. 'However, I left the 4-6-7 split in the first frame of the second game and the adrenalin seemed to disappear.'

It was Mitchell's second 300 in Tampa. The other three were in Winter Haven.

OAKFIELD LANES: Mitchell's 300 was understandably the high score for the week, but plenty of Oakfield bowlers also showed their talents.

Don Yoshihara had 289-751, TC Hildebrand 279-747, Mike Decker 288-744, Scott Elder 279-743, Adam Drum 279-740, Quinn Seghi 279-733, Wesley Prochaska 279-700, Oscar Acosta Jr. 280-698, Jim Sneed 277-674, Jay Jaggers 288, Jerry Norman 279, John Miller 279, Rex Sconyers 279, Rich Bavilacqua 279 and Thomas Hardin 277.

Denise Sneed led the women with 248-664, while Debbie Parham had 247-648, Mary McGriff 263-642 and Melody Williams 244-625.

AMF UNIVERSITY: Mark Merrill's 268-732 paced the men, while Vicky Barnard's 214 and Lynn Helsel's 546 led the women last week.

Other good scores for the men were Darin Hays 242-713, Roger Baker 244-709, Brian More 247-681 and Marcus Stallard 265-664. Other women scores were Cassie Soderstrom 209-536, Ellen Ellis 205-531, Barnard 509 and Salley Finney 186-447.

PIN POINTS: Brian Fitzmaurice won the Pin Chasers Midtown PBA Experience Sweeper with 731, followed by David DeWitt with 704. The tournament is held every Wednesday evening at 9. Entry fee is $25. ... Alan Mai's 268-731 led the men, while Pam Stewart's 198 and Thi Tucker's 537 paced the women in the Pinarama Lanes Base Exchange League. Other good scores for the men were Bobby Cupp 243-687 and Eric Oglesby 660. For the women, Jewel Kozak scored 194, Kathleen Toler 536, Diane Tolzman 529 and Stewart 528. ... Don't forget the 'Garcia Pass It On Foundation' charity bowl on Oct. 15 at Splitsville on Channelside Drive. Tickets are $100.

Send local bowling news to bobaustin@verizon.net.

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