Bowling Digest: In-Vince-able Mazzanti bounces back strong from injury: PBA Senior: Jackson Open

Vince Mazzanti Jr., of Levittown, Pa., battled valiantly through a debilitating right quadriceps injury to defeat a red-hot Roger Bowker, 2-1, in the title match of the PBA Senior Jackson Open at Airport Lanes on August 18.

The No. 22 seed Mazzanti, who had suffered burst blood vessels in his right leg a few weeks earlier, took the first game, 264-233, by striking on eight consecutive shots beginning with the 4th frame.

"I didn't want to quit. I never want to quit," Mazzanti said of the leg pain, which contributed to his 67th place finish after the first round of qualifying. "I could have packed it in, but that's just not me. If I bowl in pain, I might as well strike. There's no use bowling in pain and not striking."

Mazzanti continued his incredibly torrid pace in the second game, beginning the contest with six straight strikes while Bowker, the eighth seed from Ocala, Fla., made the mistake of opening n the 4th frame. Bowker opened again in the 7th, helping Mazzanti to the 246-193 victory and his second career title. He also won the 2003 PBA Senior Lake County Horseshoe Casino Open in Hammond. Ind.

In the semifinals, Mazzanti, the 2002 PBA Senior Rookie of the Year who works for AMF as a district pro shop manager in his life off of the lanes, doubled in the 10th frame to clinch the second game, 248-238, and advance past No. 5 seed, Roger Kossert of Brandon. Fla., to the championship.

In his semifinal match, Bowker defeated No. 3 seed Gary Smith of East Peoria, Ill., 2-0. Bowker struck in frames 2-9 in the first game, taking the high-flying, high-scoring contest by the final score of 257-222.

The ailing Mazzanti trooped through a total of 44 games during the week, and took home an $8,000 winner's check for his efforts.

Bowker, another PBA Senior tour rookie finding substantial success in 2004, earned $4,500 for his runner-up finish. Kossert and Smith received $3,000 apiece for finishing tied for third place.

Jackson Open

August 18, 2004
Olympia Lanes, Hammond, Ind.

Rank, Name               Avg./Games    Earnings

1. Vince Mazzanti Jr.      245.5/4       $8,000
2. Roger Bowker            229.8/4        4,500
3. Roger Kossert           216.5/2        3,000
3. Gary Smith               205/2         3,000

Championship Finals

Semifinal      Bowker def. Smith      2-0
Semifinal    Mazzanti def. Kossert    2-0
Final        Mazzanti def. Bowker     2-0