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A perfect game at Mariner Lanes

By DEREK LARIVIERE, Bowling
Published September 18, 2007

Frank Billy's perfect game last week marked the second such effort at Mariner Lanes this season. The 300-game was the third ever for Billy, who recorded his last one in 2003 in Illinois.

His 742 series was good for fourth in the county for the week out of the reported scores. Last season, Billy competed in the Gator High Rollers League at Spring Hill but decided to move to Mariner for the Monday night league. He averaged a 211 at Spring Hill.

Russ Little also shined on the Coca-Cola Classic stage with a 299 game the same evening. Little has two 300 games under his belt, both coming at Mariner since 1999. His 299 on Monday was his first such score. He previously had a 298 and four other times had thrown 11 strikes in a row.

His success Sept. 10 seemed to come out of nowhere after throwing a 159 to start the night. He followed that game with his 299, but then he wrapped up the series with only a 171 game. The 629 series was an enigma as Little has been a solid 200 bowler for years. Last season, he averaged a 200 even in the Friday Early Mariners League.

The highest women's scores also came from that same league when Anita Hearl shot a 248 high game and 670 high series during the Coca-Cola Classic League. Hearl always has found her name atop county scoring lists, but her move to Mariner from Spring Hill might be the reason for her high series. Hearl led the way as a rare four women tossed 600 series this week.

Fundraiser: Spring Hill Lanes will host a Bowl-A-Thon on Sunday at 1 p.m. to benefit breast cancer research. This event will raise money for a group of local women headed by captain Michelle Bishop who plan to walk in the annual 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness.

There will be door prizes and other raffles. The cost is $15 per person to bowl three games and includes shoe rental. For more information, contact Ida Zuidema at the bowling center at (352) 683-7272.

[Last modified September 17, 2007, 20:04:53]