Lee, Pittsfield Pick up Wins at Cove Lanes
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. – The Pittsfield High bowling team this winter is doing a lot of traveling and a lot of winning.
On Wednesday, the Generals earned their second straight 3-0 dual win to start the season and take sole possession of first place in the Berkshire County High School Bowling League.
Ryan Russo rolled a 330 series to lead the way in Pittsfield’s 3-0 win over Mount Everett as the Generals followed up on their Week 1 win against Wahconah.
Not bad for a program that lost its home venue this summer when Ken’s Bowl shut down to make way for a cannabis grow facility.
Between the loss of its home and the general difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, you might think it would be hard for the PHS team to even have a team this season. But Pittsfield coach Mike Rooney said his bowlers are highly motivated.
“It was hard, but with all my bowlers bowling here on Saturday mornings, it was up to them,” Rooney said. “I said, ‘I’ll coach if you guys want to bowl.’
“They all got together and said, ‘Let’s do it.’ “
Dylan Carmel had the high game for Pittsfield on Wednesday, rolling a 170 in the 756-551 win over the Eagles in their first game.
Only Russo (162-168), Tyler Vosburgh (154, 127--281) and Justin Doyle (138, 141--279) bowled two-game series. Four other Generals each rolled a game apiece.
Russo’s 168 highlighted a 720-521 win over Mount Everett in the second game.
The Eagles, who were led by Tyler Smith (142, 135--277) dropped all three Baker format games to lose the third point of the match.
Wednesday’s other match saw Lee defeat Wahconah, 2-1, behind standout performances by Emily Holian and Aaron Armstrong.
Holian had the day’s top series. She rolled a 191 in each of her games for a 382 series.
Armstrong had the highest game of the day on his way to a 375 series (172-203). Lee’s Bella Kotek (200,138--338) was the only other competitor to roll a 200.
Wahconah got a 371 series from Cody Doyle (179-192) to lead the way. Quinn Lennon backed up Doyle with a 313 series (164-149).
After dropping a couple of competitive games by scores of 824-754 and 772-731, Wahconah bounced back to take two of three Baker format games to earn a match point.
With just five schools fielding teams this winter, it is a quieter scene on match days this winter.
Taconic, which had a bye on Wednesday, is the other team competing. Last week, Taconic earned a 3-0 win over Mount Everett.
“It’s hard for the North County schools [McCann Tech, Drury and Mount Greylock] to get down here all the time,” Lee coach Matt Fillio said. “Coming down for matches is one thing, but then you add in practices.”
The closure of Ken’s leaves the county with just two ten-pin bowling alleys and just one of them, Cove, is currently operating. Fillio is hopeful that when Greylock Bowl and Golf in North Adams resumes operation, the North County programs will begin again for the 2022-23 season.
When they do, they can only hope to pick up where they left off like Rooney’s Generals.
“These kids are great,” Rooney said. “They always have their heart in the game. They’re all good bowlers.
“They keep their bowling up as much as they can, and they always hope to bowl. And it shows. They’re all working on their games, and it’s just awesome the way they’ve come around.”
Season Standings
Pittsfield 6-0; 2. Taconic 3-0; 3. Lee 2-1; 4. Wahconah 1-5; 5. Mount Everett 0-6.
Friday’s matches at Cove Lanes
Lee vs. Mount Everett; Pittsfield vs. Taconic.