Hewlett and Lawrence Open Varsity Bowling Season

The and boys and girls varsity bowling teams opened their 2010-2011 season by facing off against each other at Baldwin Lanes on Monday evening, with each side scoring a victory.

The Hewlett Bulldogs boys varsity team returned home with a win against Lawrence ending the match 6-5. The competition was neck and neck, and came down to the final frames of the deciding game.

Lawrence had a powerful start, ending the first game of the match over 100 points ahead. The Bulldogs retaliated in the second, leading to a heated final game.

Hewlett boys coach Nick Paxinos said he was very proud of his team's victory and was confident in what this season will bring.

"We got off to a slow start; we weren't really prepared with the playing conditions," he said. "Once we settled in we played as we expected to."

By the ninth frame of the concluding game the score was knotted at 604. Hewlett's success carried through and the Bulldogs prevailed over the Tornadoes 817-749 in the final game of the match. Ben Bernstein delivered for Hewlett with a high series of 688.

Lawrence boys' coach Joe Martillotti said he saw today's match as a disappointment but is determined to use the loss as motivation for the remainder of the season. Martillotti said he was proud of the team's efforts and especially pleased with the solid performace of Nick Mayo.

On the ladies' end, Lawrence prevailed over Hewlett 8-3, kicking the season off with an impressive triumph.

The Lady Tornadoes dominated the first two games, quickly shutting out Hewlett's Lady Bulldogs. Lawrence's Reyna Castillo exhibited a breakthrough performance for her team, earning a score of 138 in the first game. Castillo was accompanied by Joanna DiResto, who earned 113 points in the first. 

Although Hewlett was quickly defeated, the Lady Bulldogs made a comeback in the third game winning 487-473. Hewlett Head Coach Brett Kornblun named Nicole Gordon one of their key players for the day's match, also adding that she brings high hopes to the team. 

"We need to work on consistency," Kornblun said. "From game to game we have to really step it up and consistently bowl the same scores."

Lady Tornadoes head coach Hugh Walker, who is a first-time coach this season, said he was very excited to start his coaching career with such a performance.

"I just hope that the girls can increase their scores and will want to come back next season," Walker said.