Alley Cats leap from fifth to take final segment

Six teams were in contention for first place coming into final night of season SEE BOWLING, B7

The last night of any Niagara Five Pin Mixed Pro League segment is usually good for some excitement to see which of the top few teams will capture the segment title.

This last segment for the season proved that parity is a good thing, as any one of the top-six squads had a hance to reach the top of the heap.

While everyone was focusing on the battle between the top two teams, Tyler Wendel led his Rozie’s Café Alley Cats in through the backdoor as they leaped from fifth place to grab the final segment title for the 2021-22 season by a half-point in one of the closest finishes in league history.

The Alley Cats swept the Mr. Eavestrough Gutterballs 3-0 with a dominant performance as Wendel sparked the win with a solid 787 (276, 243, 268). He was pushed along by Mike Owen, who tossed a 729 (205, 262, 262), and Bill Stockill, who added a 706 (254, 216, 236).

The Gutterballs replied with Chris Disher’s 743 (240, 226, 277) and dropped to seventh place.

In the battle between the top two teams, the Cornhole Creations squad took two of three from the league-leading Scorecard Harry’s Half Pints, but failed to gain any ground and dropped to fourth place in the standings.

Sarah Stevens paced the winners with a 753 (318, 248). Payton Peters followed closely with a 746 (313, 230, 203) and Joe Thomas with a 743 (246, 259, 238).

The Half Pints, who settled for second place, were led by P.J. Cole, who saved his best outing for the last night of the season, rolling a solid 799 (253, 284, 262). Dave Pendlebury contributed a 657 (212, 246) and Lindsay Richardson a 654 (229, 236).

The Harbour Estates Winery Winey Loonies blanked the Global Financial Wizards 3-0 to jump into third place.

Brad Maurice had the hot hand for the Winey Loonies, throwing a steady 774 (245, 320, 209), while getting some help from Kile Robins, who shot a 748 (272, 306).

The Wizards, who dropped from fourth to fifth place, were led by Josh Robins’ 713 (322) and Nathan Marr-Schoenfeldt’s 660 (221, 234).

In the battle for the basement, the Lakeside Electrical Lightning knocked off the Dr. Allison Zaruk’s Main Street Chiropractic squad, 2-1, to finish in sixth place.

Shawn Pellizari saved his best effort of the season until the final

night, leading the Lightning with an 878 (300, 345, 233), while getting helped along by Kayla Ferguson’s 762 (275, 270, 217) and Larry Fast’s 701 (239, 300).

The Main Street Chiropractic squad was led by Vicky Robins’ 738 (313, 209, 216) and Brian McFarlane who carded a 727 (296, 226, 205).

Headpin Headliners Wendel captured his third men’s high average title with 253.4 and also rolled the highest men’s triple, 909 … Vicky Robins added to her consecutive ladies high average with 242.6, as well as the high ladies single, 386 … Sarah Stevens took home the ladies high triple title with a 962 … Men’s highest single of the season was the 397 rolled by Pendlebury.