VERSAILLES – The Coldwater Cavaliers boys bowling team, last year’s state champion, was looking to keep its 2012-13 season record unblemished along with locking up the West Ohio High School Bowling Conference title Saturday.
The Versailles Tigers had different plans. Not only did they want to knock off the only undefeated team in the conference, they needed to win to keep their hopes alive for next season’s Ohio High School Kickoff Bowling Championships in Columbus.
When Versailles matches up against Coldwater in high school bowling, the fans can expect a close and an exciting match to watch. This year was no different.
“(Coldwater coach) Rick Hartings and I have been friends for a long time, and coaching against Rick makes this match even a little more intense,” Versailles boys bowling coach Doug Davidson said.
The first game started off very close and ended up with Versailles rolling 984 to Coldwater’s 957. The second game the Cavaliers went on a terror and won the game 1,094 to 1,019. With five baker games to go, the Tigers found themselves down a total of 48 pins.
The first baker game went to Versailles 182-181. Coldwater continued to keep the heat on the Tigers by winning the second baker game 220-212.
“After the second game and our brief huddle, the looks on the boys’ faces told me they were not ready to throw in the towel,” coach Davidson said.
The momentum shifted to the Tigers after a huge 233-157 third baker game. The Tigers kept it rolling in the fourth baker game, winning 200-182. With one game to go, Versailles built a 39-pin lead.
“This is what Coldwater thrives on and this is why they won the state championship last year and are undefeated this year,” coach Davidson said. “I expect them to roll a good game this last game. Stay as relaxed as you can and fill frames. Let’s put this thing away.”
The game was extremely close all game with a couple of open frames from the Cavaliers and the Tigers. Going into the 10th frame, if the Coldwater anchor Mitch Kanney rolled three strikes, it would force the Tigers anchor, Michael Davidson, to at least get a spare to win the match. Kanney went spare strike and Davidson rolled three strikes in the 10th to seal the victory for Versailles.
Versailles was led by Michael Davidson with a 245 and 244, Ben Ahrens with a 212 and 200, Nathan Peters with a 208 and Dustin Ruhe with a 197.
Versailles will face New Bremen Saturday in Lima.]
Complete league standings and statistics can be seen at www.wohsbc.com.