Not much was going right for Jim Chisesi through the front half of his opening game. Big splits, open frames and a nagging ache could’ve added up to a subpar evening in the North-South-East-West league at Town & Country.
But a timely ball change kick-started a path to perfection.
“My daughter was sick and my back was bothering me earlier in the day. All during practice my back was killing me and I figured after a couple splits I needed to switch to a more aggressive ball,” said the 51-year-old Easton resident.
Chisesi put together a couple of strikes in the 10th frame just to finish with 172. But after that he took his game to another level, stringing 12 for his first-career perfect game.
“My back was feeling better by then and honestly I wasn’t thinking too much on what I had going,” he said. “I was more focused on winning the game.”
Chisesi breezed through the front nine and picked up one more to open the 10th. But that’s where a past attempt stopped him and he knew if he was to erase a career best 289 game, he’d have to remain aggressive.
Bowler feels no pain in 31-strike performance
“I didn’t want to spend too much time thinking. I knew what I had to do,” he said. “That shot was on line and I was thrilled because I knew I’d have at least 290 if I kept it out of the gutter. But there was one thing I remember hearing that stuck with me. I was told the 12th ball there was no pressure.”
He intently watched as his ball deposited the final 10 sticks in the pit — and in the process got the monkey off his ailing back.
”It was a fantastic feeling,” he said
Chisesi tacked on an even 200 in his final game for a 672 series, and even though it was an up and down evening, it helped his 206 average.
Malozzi goes to No. 1
There’s a new top series for the boys as Andrew Malozzi carded a huge 772 set at Town & Country on games of 247, 268 and 257, topping Kyle Caretta who shot 769 back in October.
Joining Malozzi over the 700 plateau was Aaron Heckman at Blue Valley, using a 267 single to finish out with 708.
Jenna Henderson just continues to churn out 600s and last week she nearly reached 700 before winding up with 694 at Oakwood. Henderson was joined by Kelsie Mannon with 652 that included a 279 game, and Katie Winch recording 605.
Chloe O’Donnell topped the girls at Town & Country with 650 followed by Kieona Strauss, whose first 600 of the season was a steady 627 effort.
Taylor Caretta, Molly Agnello and Amber Kishbaugh put up impressive numbers at Blue Valley. Caretta topped the trio with 662 followed by Agnello at 649 and Kishbaugh with 630.
Jason Mack couldn’t have been more consistent during a 837 series at Blue Valley, going 279, 280 and 278 and tying him for the sixth-best series on the season. Jordan Tittle scored the only other 800 with 816 at the Wind Gap center.
Mary Bechtel’s 767 at Blue Valley lands her in the sixth spot on the season’s Top 10 list. DJ Cryan picked up her ninth 700 on the season with a 710 at Blue Valley, followed by DK Stout at 707. Sammie Pearson used a middle game 268 en route to a 703 at Oakwood.
Jeff Hummel nabbed his second-career 300 and second on the season at Blue Valley. Rob Dutt joined him, giving Blue Valley 48 300s. Oakwood added two more familiar names to their coffers as Ron Heft and Walt Wormann helped bring the area’s season total to 115.
Dave Goodman is a freelance writer who covers bowling. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
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