Comets get the message(r): CC boys bowling team edges Cougars by 2 pins

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

SUMNER — In bowling lexicon, it’s called the “Messenger Pin”.

It’s an active piece of coated lumber that bounds wall-to-wall across the rack that takes out a standing 10-pin or 7-pin for a belated strike.

During the waning moments of their dual meet against Sumner-Fredericksburg Friday at Thunder Lanes, the Comets got a much-needed messenger for Keaton Ross’s second strike in the 10th frame of final Baker Round game.

It was the third strike in a row for the Comets, but they needed another strike … or nine for the win or eight for the tie … to overtake or catch the Cougars.

Ross, the then lone freshman on Charles City’s state-qualifying lineup last season, buried the team’s fourth strike in row as the Comets won the meet by 2 pins (2,380 to 2,378).

Going into the Baker Round, the Comets were down by 38 pins (1,621 to 1,583). But after bowling a 192 in the fourth Baker game, the Cougars did the Comets a favor by rolling a 133 in the fifth game while giving Charles City — which salvaged a 173 with the four-bagger — a chance for the come-from-behind victory.

In the individual round, Ross led the Comets with a 355 two-game series. Other marked individual scores for the Comets included those from Sullivan Gerleman (334), Xander Graeser (332), Cole Jones (293) and Jayden Lopez (269).

In the girls dual, Charles City came up a mark short of the Cougars, who prevailed 1,915 to 1,903.

Top individual rollers for Charles City were Jenya Stevenson (284), Isabel Crawford (274), Payton Hadley (259), Aliya Elsbury (235) and temporary southpaw Claire Girkin (221).

The Comet boys and girls will host their first home meet of the season this Friday (Dec. 9) at Comet Bowl against New Hampton and North Fayette Valley.