By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School bowling teams lost to tough visiting Liberty-Benton in a dual match at Southgate Lanes to end the regular season on Senior Night Friday, January 30.

The Pirate boys fell by a very high score of 3,068 pins to 3,004. The Eagle margin of victory was just 64 pins despite a Pirate record high total for a match.

In the girls match, the Pirates lost to a good Eagles squad by a 2,420-1,413 pin count.

BOYS RESULTS
“It was a great senior night,” said Bluffton head bowling coach Ben Nye. “The boys came up short, but it sure wasn't from a lack of effort. Seeing highs in team totals means everyone is bowling their best. To put up the best block of Baker games of the season on top of that was amazing.”

Bluffton lost game one 1,053-995 of the opening round, but rolled to a   1,043-916 bounce-back victory in the second match. The Pirates won the opening round series by 69 pins, 2,038-1,969.

In the five-game Baker Series, the Pirates rolled a strong 214-171-204-165-212=966 set. Bluffton won only the opening contest of the five Baker games, although they lost the fourth match by only two pins. 

The Eagles rolled a 207-192-255-167-278=1,099 Baker Series, taking four of the five games. L-B won the Baker round by 133 pins to rally and win the overall match. The 278-212 final Baker game lifted the Eagles to the match win.

“Emmitt Kidd's 235 game and 428 series are new personal record-highs,” Nye noted. “The two-game team total and overall total are also new program highs.“ 

Coby Dailey rolled a 211-222=433 opening round set to pace the Pirates and finish second by 11 pins in the 10-player field. Dailey added four strikes in the Baker Series.

Kidd bowled a 193-235=428 series, and added four strikes in the Baker round.

Joziah Salazar bowled a fine 204-218=422 set. Salazar added seven strikes in the Baker series. Weston Johnstone bowled a 203-191=394 series, and he rolled five strikes in the Baker Series. 

Elijah Nye contributed a solid 184-177=361 series, andhe  racked up seven Baker round strikes. 

The Pirate boys ended the regular season with a solid 5-3 record in dual matches.

GIRLS RESULTS
The L-B girls won the first game easily, 766-467, then captured game two by an 816-511 count. The Eagles cruised to victory in the opening series by 604 pins, 1,582-978.

Bluffton rolled a 40-98-95-84-88=435 Baker Series as they lost all five games of the set. L-B bowled a 181-134-159-191-173=838 Baker Series to dominate round two by 403 pins.

Laney Kiene bowled a 178-150=328 opening round series to pace Bluffton and finish second overall in the nine-player match. She added three strikes in the Baker Series.

Charlotte Kidd rolled a 127-112=239 set. Elana Navarro rolled a 91-136=227 series. Natalie Richards tallied a 71-113=184 series.

“The girls did great tonight, but we ran into a very tough L-B team,” Nye said. “Capping off our regular season, this team has put in so much work all year to improve their games. 

“I can't wait to see what they can do at the NWBC tournament and sectionals. New high-game score tonight of 178 from Laney Kiene,” Nye added.

The Bluffton girls finished the regular season 0-8 in dual matches.

UP NEXT
The Pirates host the Northwest bowling tournament on Friday, February 6, at 6:00 p.m. at Southgate Lanes.