Maulbeck's Big Series can't lift Madison Bowling Squad

ROCKAWAY - Standout performer Jason Maulbeck bowled a series-high 737, but his efforts were not enough for the Madison High School bowling team, which fell 7-0 to Jefferson in an Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference matchup Tuesday at Rockaway Lanes.

The Falcons improved their NJAC-leading point total to 77 out of a possible 84, while the sixth-place Dodgers remain at 22. Two points are awarded for each head-to-head game won, with an additional point given to the team with the higher three-game combined total.

The Dodgers put up solid efforts across the board, with Connor Smith (210 in the third game) and Javier Parades (159 in the first) each reaching season highs Tuesday. But they were no match for a balanced, consistent and excellent Jefferson squad that lived up to their season record. Four of the Falcons' five bowlers bowled at least one 200 game, and none bowled less than a 162 in any of the three games.

The match's highlight came in the third and final game, as Maulbeck and Jefferson's Heather Van Dyk put on a spectacular individual duel, in which Van Dyk eventually triumphed, 278-268. Van Dyk is the NJAC's leading female bowler, averaging 195 pins per game.

Entering the 10th frame, Maulbeck led Van Dyk by a single pin. He opened the third game with three straight strikes before picking up a spare in frame number four. He struck out in frames five through nine. Van Dyk recorded a strike in every frame except the fifth.

But in the final frame, Maulbeck flinched ever so slightly, leaving one pin standing on his second throw. While he finished with an outstanding 268, just 10 pins short of his season high, Van Dyk finished her game with three strikes in the final frame.

Maulbeck proved to be the best, most consistent bowler in the match, recording a 233 and 236 in games one and two. But Jefferson comfortably won by margins of 175 and 95 pins. Chris Sandham paced Jefferson in the first two games, scoring 244 and 210, respectively, en route to leading the Falcons with a 626 series. In game three, Van Dyk was one of three Jefferson bowlers to finish above 200, and the Falcons won again by 175.

Jefferson's third-game and series totals, 1,077 and 3,009 respectively, were each the second-highest of their kind in the NJAC this season.

For Madison, Harrison Mills bowled well above his average of 149 per game, thanks to scores of 190 and 177 in games two and three.

TEAM SCORING

Madison    826  846     902  -  2574

Jefferson   991  941  1077  -  3009

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

Madison (22-55)

Jason Maulbeck 233-236-268--737

Connor Smith     170-170-210--550

Harrison Mills    138-190-177--505

Javier Parades    159-150- 98--407

Lance Carriere    126-100-149--375

Jefferson (77-7)

Chris Sandham      244-210-172--626

Matt Barone            199-208-215--622

Heather Van Dyk   171-171-278--620

Rich Thompson     215-190-213--618

Evan Harris             162-162-199--523