Green 4
Chris Barnes
vs
Blaise Bedolla
This is going to be a real
test for Chris. His back is still not right and after 14
games yesterday and the stop and go of 21 games of
match-play along with the mental pressure and stress
involved. I really hope he is able to survive the test. It
is amazing how the different pressure and stress levels
effect the physical fatigue factor. 7 games may not seem
like much but I promise you it is different than the
practice games at home. I understand that Blaise has been
working on his game and there seems to be enough hook in the
middle that his ball reads friction. Blaise is dangerous
when he can find friction.
Green 3
Tommy Delutz Jr
vs
Ritchie Allen
Tommy seems to be gaining
confidence each week. The middle of the lane should begin to
hook pretty quick because Ritchie tends to over-shell most
of the time. I think Tommy can get through this match
without having to get too deep and his natural speed is a
better match-up than Ritchies.
Green 2
Tommy Jones
vs
Jim Tomek Jr.
The fact that Jim made match
play doesn't surprise me but some how I overlooked him. You
can never over look Tommy especially when he made his late
rally during qualifying. I expect the same type of late
rally in this match. Jim will be in the match but Tommy has
just proven all too often that the end of the match usually
goes his way. The breakdown transition just seems to match
up to Tommy's game better than anybody's on tour.
Green 1
Steve Jaros
vs
Patrick Allen
It would be disrespectful to
think a left hander has much of a chance against a right
hander this week. But staying on one pair is a different
story. The oil is long but it is thin. If you can break it
down right it can become very scoreable later in the match.
I expect that to be the case with Patrick. The same can be
said for Steve as well. So that makes this match a lot more
even and even tip towards Patrick.
Based on the fact that
Patrick is bowling confidently and Steve is searching.
Blue 4
Paul Fleming
vs
Brian Himmler
Sometimes things come out of
stands and hit you in the head and make you a little more
aware of what is going on. I guess Paul had one of those
occasions in a conversation we had before the break. After
qualifying he made a point to come up and shake my hand on
the truck. I had no idea what he was talking about since I
hadn't said anything but Happy New Year since we had been in
Medford. Still not sure what I said that helped since when
Paul and I talk we can't seem to stop. Well your welcome
Paul but give yourself the credit all I did was hit
you in the head.
Blue 3
Brian Kretzer
vs
Joe Ciccone
Good match-up. The biggest
difference in this match will be which bowler is effected by
the early friction the most. Both can get slow and create
recovery. Brian will probably move more than Joe just
because he likes to stay left. Joe's ball doesn't seem to
see early friction as much as other bowlers ball roll. I am
very confident if what Brian will do but Joe can fool me. I
don't understand his moves sometimes. I know what he is
looking for but he gets a little too locked in on one thing
sometimes and doesn't see when things are different as well
as he should.
Blue 2
Brian Voss
vs
Mike Wolfe
It is nice to see Mike
becoming a regular in match-play. You can see his hard work
is paying off. And I have a feeling that Brian will see some
of the effect of Mike's increased knowledge of lane play in
this match. If the early transition happens like I expect it
too I don't think Brian will be able to stay with Mike late
in the match.
Blue 1
Nathan Bohr
vs
Amleto Monacelli
I
am quite excited about
Nathan's progress as his game is starting to come together.
The artistic side of him is starting to come out. The
pictures are clearer and his ball is not as sensitive to
transition. The problem he has in this match is Amleto is
seeing those pictures much clearer than I have ever seen
him, and he is bowling awesome. Amleto will be a tough draw
for anybody in this tournament. But one of the things I like
about Nathan is his desire to beat the best. You have to if
you are going to win on tour.
Black
4
Tony Reyes
vs
Bill O'Neil Tony
seems to be taking advantage of his new found confidence
since he gained his exemption through the "Final Frame"
event a couple weeks ago. Bill has an effect on his
opponents ball reaction that may be difficult for Tony to
overcome. Tony's slower speed could be an advantage but If
the field gets too dry in the front that he can't use it, he
doesn't have a high enough rev rate to beat Bill.
Black
3
Walter Ray Williams Jr
vs
Michael Haugen Jr.
Finally a draw that won't be able to take
advantage of Walter and the way he breaks down the lane.
This should be a high scoring affair. As these two will
widen the target and hook spot. The difference will be carry
and possibly the lane draw. Some lanes just don't play as
nice as others. I am a little concerned Walter may use too
rolly a ball for too long.
Black
2
Eugene McCune
vs
Brad Angelo I
have to give Brad a little time to get back to bowling shape
after an extended layoff. He should have a better natural
match-up this week. Every 3rd or 4th frame one of those opps
shots grips in and it has split more times than not in
qualifying. Lets hope the 14 games of qualifying have gotten
the opps out of his game.
Black
1
Mika Koivuniemi
vs
Dave Traber
These two met a couple tournaments
ago on a different pattern. Mika won that match because he
followed the transition better and that was on a condition
that Dave had a good natural match-up. Props for Dave
getting there this week on a pattern that isn't as natural.
But Mika has a clearer picture and Dave is a good draw for
him. The only chance Dave has is to strike more than he is
suppose to on this pattern. I really feel Mika is at the top
of his game right now and he knows that he can win any match
he is in.
Red 4
Chris Collins
vs
D. J. Archer
Keep your eye on Chris
Collins he is starting to get some things figured out. He
has the right ball roll all ready. It is only a matter of
time for Chris Collins. D.J. has some unique skills but I
don't think they match up to bowling on the same lane for
very long without a defined hook or hold spot. My
experiences have been bowlers learn through trial and error.
D. J. is in the error state right now
Red 3
Tim Criss
vs
Mike DeVaney
Interesting match-up. I see
this match-up as giving the natural match-up advantage to
Tim Criss because of his slower speed. I don't really think
Tim will give Mike anything to throw at. Mike can get slow
enough but I don't like the gaps in his equipment this week.
I think he needs something that will turn the corner better.
If Mike can get a spot blown open early he could come from
behind late.
Red 2
Robert Smith
vs
Tom Daugherty
This will be a circus act.
With as deep as the breakpoint is going to be and
considering how these two bowl, you might as well bring out
the clowns, trick ponies and the show dogs. They will be
throwing balls over gutters, through hoops and hopping to
miss the slick spots. Robert is better at that than Tom so I
favor Robert
Green
Round of 8
Ritchie Allen
vs
Patrick Allen
Ritchie has done a good job
of matching up to the breakdown this week against two
bowlers playing in the same area. I don't expect Patrick to
play in the same part of the lane (of course not, that was
suppose to be funny) Than being the case I expect his
scoring pace to be a little lower. I also think Patrick will
break down a higher scoring area of the lane than Ritchie.
Blue
Round of 8
Brian Himmler
vs
Mike Wolfe
Having the early advantage
seems to have been the difference this week because the
lanes change so quickly it is hard for one bowler to
maintain the advantage for very long. If the bowlers can
break them down together the scoring pace goes up. That
should happen in this match and should come down to carry
late in the match.
Black
Round of 8
Mika Koivuniemi
vs
Walter Ray Williams Jr.
Another rematch match for Mika and Walter.
Mika got the last win and has the carry advantage this week.
Walter got the big jump on Tony and never let Tony get back
in the match. I don't see that happening in this match. I
expect the match to be an early strike fest and if Mika can
get the match into later games I expect him to have the
carry advantage
Red
Round of 8
Tom Daugherty
vs
Tim Criss
Tom and Tim both got through
matches I didn't think they would. I can't remember the last
time either bowler made a show. I have to believe that Tom's
rev rate will be the difference in this match.
Green
Round of 16
2
Blaise Bedolla
vs
Ritchie Allen
Ritchie
took advantage of his opponent not matching up to the thin
oil transitions in the first match but that won't happen in
this match as Blaise wants all the hook he can get. This
will come down to who bowls better and who gets the breaks.
Right now that is probably Ritchie. At least it was this
morning. Both players are very streaky. Anything could
happen
Green
Round of 16
1
Jim Tomek Jr
vs
Patrick Allen
I would like to see Jim
progress in the area of a weakness in this match. He needs
to learn to follow his own transition better to get to the
next level. Patrick is already there and should have the
advantage in this match because of that.
Blue
Round of 16
2
Brian Himmler
vs
Joe Ciccone
I like Joe's match-up because
of his natural speed. I don't think Joe is going to burn up
a spot for Brian to take advantage of. Joe's ball roll is
good for the thinness of the applied oil and breakdown. The
breakdown should effect Brian quicker than Joe. So I have to
side with Joe because he will get to see the lanes change
before he has to move.
Blue
Round of 16
1
Amleto Monacelli
vs
Mike Wolfe
Amleto got in trouble in his
first match by starting too deep. He was very fortunate to
get through the first match. It took some mistakes from his
opponent to allow him this opportunity. I don't see anything
he will do to effect Mike's strategy. I will side with Mike
on this match because I expect Amleto to make the same
mistake as he did in his first match.
Black
Round of 16
2
Walter Ray Williams Jr.
vs
Tony Reyes I just
don't see Walter being able to strike with Tony later in
this match so he better get a jump on Tony. Tony has the
natural speed advantage over Walter. I don't think Walter
will struggle with the pocket much but as thin as the front
is, I expect it will be hard for Walter to stay in one spot
and string strikes. Tony should be able to stay ahead of the
moves because he will be the deeper player on the lane.
Black
Round of 16
1
Mika Koivuniemi
vs
Brad Angelo I
don't want to whine about Brunswick guys having to bowl each
other and awful lot but this match reminds me of the fact.
Mika has the reaction advantage but that may be what Brad
needs to win. Brad is a great chaser. I may have to watch
the intensity level of this match as I don't expect either
one of these two to back down from confrontation.
Being on the same team doesn't mean
the same thing in bowling as it does in other sports. The
feathers may fly in the match but I know how much respect
these two have for each other. Mika says don't be whimp Rick
- Pick one.
Red
Round of 16
2
Tim Criss
vs
Chris Collins
This is pretty much the first
match of the day for these two as both Tim and Chris were
given gifts this morning. I am on the Chris Collins band
wagon right now and have high expectations for Chris. Tim
Criss has a good natural speed match-up to get to the pocket
but I don't expect him to be able to string em if the match
calls for it.
Red
Round 16
Wes Malott
vs
Tom Daugherty
How do I
pick this match. Tom already surprised me once this morning
with his win over Robert Smith. Robert never shot a game
over 213. I don't expect Tom to have the luxury against Wes.
Red 1
Wes Malott
vs
Tom Baker
Big Wes
loves oil down lane. He really separates himself from the
field when there is a combination of oil down lane and dry
heads. He deals with the high volumes down lane better than
most of the high speed rev guys because he doesn't have to
use as much speed. Tommy definitely has his hands full this
week.

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