onefrombills
02-25-2009, 03:17 AM
LAS VEGAS - Orin Baugher of Spokane, Wash., and Robert Harvey of Boise, Idaho, didn't know each other before bowling with the same group of teams this year at the USBC Open Championships, but the two had the chance to get further acquainted as they shared the spotlight on the tournament lanes Tuesday.
Baugher capped off his day at Cashman Center with games of 267, 258 and 248 to move into the Regular Singles lead with a 773 series, while Harvey struck on four of his last six shots to secure his spot atop the Regular All-Events standings with 1,957. Steven Vance of Norcross, Ga., previously held the top singles spot with 747, and Ed Ilano of Auburn, Ga., was the all-events leader with 1,931.
Baugher, who was recruited by a friend to fill one of two openings for this year's tournament, was battling flu-like symptoms throughout his trip to Las Vegas this week and nearly missed his doubles and singles squad because he thought they bowled later in the day. Posting a big score was a much-appreciated happy ending.
"I was so sick yesterday and really didn't feel that well today, but after starting singles with eight strikes, I was able to relax and focus a little more," said Baugher, who made his second Open Championships appearance and added 568 in doubles and 499 in team for a 1,840 all-events total. "My expectations were higher this year since I knew what to expect, so to bowl as poorly as I did in team and then show up late today was pretty disappointing. I'm just glad I was able to figure it out and finish the way I did."
Harvey, who recently bowled the USBC Masters at Cashman Center, started his 21st Open Championships with a 695 series in team and knew that with a couple of good sets on the lanes Tuesday, he could make a run at the all-events lead.
Since he arrived in town early, Harvey had the opportunity to see how other bowlers were playing the lanes at the time he would be bowling, and he was able to devise a well-rounded plan of attack that included the same reliable bowling ball that has helped him break 1,900 each year since 2006.
"I knew I had a good chance after last night, but a lot depended on the carry today," said Harvey, who had 641 in doubles and 621 in team. "I ended up playing a lot deeper than I did in team, but I hit the pocket a lot and the pins fell. I know my score isn't going to hold up, but right now, I'm able to say that I've led all-events at the national tournament, and that's really cool."
Bowling on the same squad as Baugher and Harvey on Tuesday, Troy Schultz of Clarion, Iowa, and Eric Douglass of Goldfield, Iowa, cruised into the Classified Doubles lead with a 1,204 total. Joel Olson and Cory Forcht of Greenfield, Iowa, previously held the lead with 1,137.
Schultz and Douglass both have enjoyed previous success on the tournament lanes, having teamed up to help Torkelson Construction of Clarion, Iowa, to the Classified Team title in 2006.
This time, Schultz led the pair with a 697 series, while Douglass contributed 507.
"I probably bowled more games this week than I have all year, so I didn't really expect to come out and bowl this well," said Schultz, who had 569 in team and 567 in singles for a 1,833 all-events total in his Regular Division debut in those events. "I made a switch in practice to a ball I hadn't thrown in five years, and everything seemed to click. Also, even though Eric didn't throw a lot of strikes, he made his spares, and that was key. It's definitely nice to see our names up on the leader board again, even if it is just for a couple of days."
On Monday night, Pro Zone 3 of Mission Hills, Calif., moved into the Classified Team lead with 2,696.
George Marquez led the way with a 603 series and was followed by Hermie LeBaquin (568), Luis Boone (555), Mamerto Jablan (521) and Veronica Boone (449).
Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.
Baugher capped off his day at Cashman Center with games of 267, 258 and 248 to move into the Regular Singles lead with a 773 series, while Harvey struck on four of his last six shots to secure his spot atop the Regular All-Events standings with 1,957. Steven Vance of Norcross, Ga., previously held the top singles spot with 747, and Ed Ilano of Auburn, Ga., was the all-events leader with 1,931.
Baugher, who was recruited by a friend to fill one of two openings for this year's tournament, was battling flu-like symptoms throughout his trip to Las Vegas this week and nearly missed his doubles and singles squad because he thought they bowled later in the day. Posting a big score was a much-appreciated happy ending.
"I was so sick yesterday and really didn't feel that well today, but after starting singles with eight strikes, I was able to relax and focus a little more," said Baugher, who made his second Open Championships appearance and added 568 in doubles and 499 in team for a 1,840 all-events total. "My expectations were higher this year since I knew what to expect, so to bowl as poorly as I did in team and then show up late today was pretty disappointing. I'm just glad I was able to figure it out and finish the way I did."
Harvey, who recently bowled the USBC Masters at Cashman Center, started his 21st Open Championships with a 695 series in team and knew that with a couple of good sets on the lanes Tuesday, he could make a run at the all-events lead.
Since he arrived in town early, Harvey had the opportunity to see how other bowlers were playing the lanes at the time he would be bowling, and he was able to devise a well-rounded plan of attack that included the same reliable bowling ball that has helped him break 1,900 each year since 2006.
"I knew I had a good chance after last night, but a lot depended on the carry today," said Harvey, who had 641 in doubles and 621 in team. "I ended up playing a lot deeper than I did in team, but I hit the pocket a lot and the pins fell. I know my score isn't going to hold up, but right now, I'm able to say that I've led all-events at the national tournament, and that's really cool."
Bowling on the same squad as Baugher and Harvey on Tuesday, Troy Schultz of Clarion, Iowa, and Eric Douglass of Goldfield, Iowa, cruised into the Classified Doubles lead with a 1,204 total. Joel Olson and Cory Forcht of Greenfield, Iowa, previously held the lead with 1,137.
Schultz and Douglass both have enjoyed previous success on the tournament lanes, having teamed up to help Torkelson Construction of Clarion, Iowa, to the Classified Team title in 2006.
This time, Schultz led the pair with a 697 series, while Douglass contributed 507.
"I probably bowled more games this week than I have all year, so I didn't really expect to come out and bowl this well," said Schultz, who had 569 in team and 567 in singles for a 1,833 all-events total in his Regular Division debut in those events. "I made a switch in practice to a ball I hadn't thrown in five years, and everything seemed to click. Also, even though Eric didn't throw a lot of strikes, he made his spares, and that was key. It's definitely nice to see our names up on the leader board again, even if it is just for a couple of days."
On Monday night, Pro Zone 3 of Mission Hills, Calif., moved into the Classified Team lead with 2,696.
George Marquez led the way with a 603 series and was followed by Hermie LeBaquin (568), Luis Boone (555), Mamerto Jablan (521) and Veronica Boone (449).
Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.