Eric Lawson is preparing for some big upcoming tournaments, and during a recent practice session at Oakwood the 17-year-old took the advice of coach Greg Rottengen and did a little rejuvenating to his bowling ball.

After a little clean and shine, Lawson went out and fired the highest boy's series ever rolled at Oakwood. His 254-300-256, 810 series erases the old mark of 805 set by Tom Evasick during the 2000-2001 campaign.

"I could tell right away the ball had more back end and more snap to it," said the Washington resident and junior at Warren Hills Regional High School. "It was like a brand-new ball."

After sailing through his opening game, Lawson peeled off the front seven before turning his thoughts to 300. He said the ninth ball was the most nerve-wracking because of the number of times that frame has stopped him. But not this time.

"The 10th frame I just told myself to do what I did the last frame. The first one was good, but pulled the 11th shot and it could've easily been a split," he said. "My thought after that one was that this was the real deal."

All Lawson could hear as he stepped up for the 10th frame was the music playing over the speakers. His final delivery was tuned into the 1-3 pocket, taking down the final 10 sticks.

"I was just asking it to please hook. It was a little light. When they all went down it was incredible," he said.

Still a little shaky, Lawson calmed the nerves by striking the first five frames and at that point thought about going back-to-back. The string of 17 stopped there and a couple of spares, including a very timely split conversion, left him needing one final volley of strikes for 800.

"I think the 10th frame wasn't as nerve-wracking as the 300 game," he said. "I wasn't quite sure what I needed but after I got the first two I wanted the last one to get the highest series I could. After that one I looked up and saw the scoreboard said 810 and I was like, 'Wow, I just did that.'"

His career day erased his previous highs of 283 and 752. Lawson's average has climbed to 206 and he has a ton of confidence heading into the tournament season.

Johnston stays hot

After what can be best described as a scoring slump, Anthony Johnston has turned up the wick and now owns four 800s in the past few weeks, adding his most recent at Oakwood on games of 249-279-299 for an 827.

Tim Belese wasn't far behind Johnston, totaling 823 on games of 277, 268 and 278. Brent Tishuk used a 299 solo effort at Blue Valley for an 813 set.

The season so far: Where's the scoring?

Corey Smith joined Lawson with a perfect game at Oakwood while John Sager sandwiched games of 230 and 211 around a 300 game at Bel-Pike. Fred Hagman Jr. posted his first-career 300 game at Blue Valley, bringing the season total to 121.

Jackie Silverman led a trio of ladies over the 700 barrier last week at Blue Valley with 719, followed by Kaitlyn Heckman at 712 and Mary Bechtel with 705. But it was Michele DeVries at Oakwood with the week's top series at 726.

Francis Vitelli racked up his sixth 700 series of the season thanks to a 712 at Oakwood.

The girls have tied their all-time record for 600s, adding a half-dozen more over the past week, led by Chloe O'Donnell with 653 at Town & Country. Jenna Garman connected for her first 600 on the season, using a 231 en route to 649 at the Bethlehem center.

The Jenna Henderson Oakwood show continues to roll along at a 212 pace aided by her most recent 641. Paige Piombino picked up 628, followed by Megan Starck at 608 and Kelsie Mannon with 607.

Dave Goodman is a freelance writer who covers bowling. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

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