Fairfield opens bowling season with one win at Keokuk

KEOKUK ? The Fairfield bowling team threw out averages and practice frames Saturday stepping onto the lanes for the first time ever.

In the first competition of the season, and first meet in FHS program history, the Trojans fell to an experienced Keokuk squad in both varsity games at Arrowhead Bowl in Keokuk. The Fairfield JV boys posted a 1832-1782 before the varsity was downed 2646-2406 and the varsity girls were bested 2542-2081 by the Chiefs.

?We came into the game out-averaged, but it didn?t stop anyone from competing,? said head coach Lisa Greenig. ?There were several things we did well and I?m happy with the performance, but we also found some things that we need to work on and learned how important it is to convert spares.?

Based on preseason averages, several Trojans stepped up in a big way when the lights came on including Alyssa Chatfield?s 175 in game one, 51 pins above average, on her way to a two-game series score of 286. Kaylen Marlay (+22), Chelsey Wagner (+38) and Amanda Chatfield (+38) all eclipsed their personal average while Chatfield led the team with a 321 series (134, 187).

The girls? team combined for a high baker game of 164.

The boys team also showed marked improvement in its loss including a 158 (+22) game from Josh Cooper and 178 (+35) by Jeff Keller. Senior Derek Scearcy was the top Trojan rolling games of 210 and 188 to finish with a 398 series.

?We?ll be looking for Derek to step into a leadership position,? Greenig said. ?He should be able to help encourage the newer bowlers and offer tips.?

Keokuk?s Jakob Malloy hurled a 439 series and Zach Benedict rolled a 403 for the day?s high scores.

In the Fairfield JV victory Ben Hull bowled a 273 (135, 138) two-game series to lead the Trojans and the rest of the team stepped up in the baker game to take the match. Fairfield, with six freshmen bowling, posted baker games of 134, 150 and 154 ? all higher than the highest individual average ? to win the baker game 665-607 and complete the come from behind victory.

The Trojans will bowl again Saturday in their first home meet vs. Mount Pleasant beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Flamingo Lanes.