SPORTS

Bowling: Hildreth tops McLaughlin for trophy

Submitted story

BUCYRUS – The finals for the 49th Bill Rahm Invitational were at Suburban Lanes on Saturday.

Undefeated Keith Hildreth faced once-beaten Don McLaughlin. Both bowlers were one and two in their career averages for bowlers with more than 100 games.

Hildreth bowled 258 to McLaughlin’s 222 the first game to take a 36-pin lead. McLaughlin responded with a fine 267 to Hildreth’s 188 to take a 489 to 446 lead after two games.

Both men bowled well the third game with McLaughling shooting another 260 game, 268 to Hildreth’s 223.

After three games, McLaughlin held an 88-pin lead 757 to 669. Both bowlers struggled slightly in the fourth game, with McLaughlin winning 207 to 205. The final tally ended up McLaughlin 964, and Hildreth 874.

This gave each bowler one loss, setting up a fifth-game tie-breaker. Hildreth won the coin toss and decided to finish first. After McLaughlin missed a ten pin in the fourth frame, Hildreth took a 15-pin lead.

Hildreth left the 7-10 split in the seventh to get the match back within five pins but then struck out the final five balls to shut out McLaughlin.

Hildreth won the fifth game and the match 245 to 227.

For the tournament, records were set for 300 games (4), 250 games (55) and 700 series (25). A scoring record also was set with a 228.45 average for 242 games.

Mitch Long and Jim Ross tied for fifth and received $100 each. Shawn Ridgeway finished fourth, setting records for 300 games (2) 1,000 series (3) and average 245.00 for his six matches and earned a check for $150. Butch Pangallo finished third and received a check for $250. McLaughlin received the runner-up trophy and a $300 check. Hildreth received a green blazer, the championship trophy and a check for $500.