By Jim Hunter
March 15, 2010 — As a fellow bowler in the Merchants League at Plaza Lanes, this columnist has witnessed a few 300 games this season.
One gem will be remembered forever.
In only his second week of action after an eight-week layoff due to brain surgery, Mark Fried electrified the Merchants League with his second career 300 game en route to a 723 series.
A perfect game after brain surgery? The incredible Fried did it.
“It’s pretty amazing,” said Fried in a recent telephone interview.
It’s the second time and two years that Fried has come back after undergoing brain surgery. After experiencing non-stop throbbing headaches last year, Fried had several tests done and it was determined that he had a cyst that needed removed.
He was headache-free for the first few months, but the headaches started coming back, and unfortunately, the cyst came back.
No other choice but operation No. 2.
Hopefully, it will be the last.
“I feel good, and hopefully, when I go in for my MRI on March 22, the results will be good,” he said.
Fried’s bowling results have been sky-high as of late. In his third week of action, the right-hander rolled a 714 series.
In regards to his 300 game, Fried handled the 10th frame as well as he fielded a ground ball during his stellar slow-pitch softball days — smoothly.
“My heart was pounding, but I was able to throw three good balls,” he said. “I honestly didn’t think I would get my timing back this quickly.”
Welcome back, Mark!!!
Hanks rolls three 7s
Natalie Hanks continues to amaze this columnist.
In a one-week stretch recently at Lost Lanes, Hanks tossed three 700 series.
Not 600s ... but 7s.
Hanks’ impressive results: 240, 258 and 278 games for a 778 in the Found Lounge Scratch League, 245, 221 and 288 games for a 754 in the Found Lounge Mixed League and 226, 257 and 225 games for a 708 in the Wednesday Ladies League.
In other women’s action, Becki Baird fired 245 and 238 games for a 680 in the Merchants League at Plaza Lanes ... Kristy Wolf shot games of 212, 244 and 223 for a 679 in the Tuesday Nite Swingers League at Plaza Lanes ... Coming through with a 219 in her last games, Amanda Anthony tossed a 614 in the Sunday Mixed League at Cochranton Lanes ...
‘Zeke’ smokin’ hot
A la Hanks, Dave “Zeke” Zelasco is one special kegler.
In three consecutive weeks in the Merchants League at Plaza Lanes, the smooth-shooting Zelasco topped 700.
Zeke’s biggest night: 290, 258 and 238 games for a whopping 786 series. He also had 729 and 717 totals.
Men’s other high roller: Jeff Harbaugh. The powerful right-hander fired games of 233, 279 and 248 for a 760 in the Pioneer League at Cochranton Lanes.
