Nerves began to grow, but then another three strikes fell for him to complete a perfect game — Schmitt’s first-ever 300 score and the only one in recent Badin history that coach Becky Miller is aware of.
BOYS BASKETBALL COVERAGE
» Talawanda celebrates first boys hoops win
» Robinson’s heroics lift Hamilton past rival Middletown
» GMC-leading Lakota East notches ‘ugly’ victory at Fairfield
GIRLS BASKETBALL COVERAGE
» McNicholas edges Badin, salvages split of GCLC series
» PHOTOS: Terri Adams’ gallery from Badin-McNicholas
“I thought I was going to black out,” Schmitt said as he neared the end of the game. “When I rolled the last ball, I closed my eyes so I couldn’t see, but I opened when it hit and one of my teammates, Mark Brugger, was right in my face giving me a hug. After that, it was just excitement and relief going through my body knowing I wouldn’t have to worry about it, that it was done.”
The perfect game came out of nowhere for Schmitt, who played football for Badin and is in his first season of competitive bowling. He had topped 200 in just two games since doing it twice the first week of the season, and his average is 169.8.
Normally when he bowls for entertainment with friends, he is in the middle to high 100s.
“I was really surprised because 250 is my high, and that was the first week of the season and since then I’ve had trouble breaking 200,” Schmitt said. “Then I got that 300, so hopefully I’m not at my peak and I’m just on my way up.”
Schmitt normally fills the No. 3 spot in the lineup, but was playing in the No. 4 position for the Rams that day. He followed his perfect game with a 157 in the next one to finish up the match against Roger Bacon, a loss for the Rams on Jan. 25 at Northwest Lanes. However, he scored a 224 on Wednesday against McNicholas.
Rolling a perfect game motivates Schmitt to keep striving for perfection, and he said it gives him a little added confidence for the rest of the season. Miller said she hopes it helps push the other bowlers on the team to see that if Schmitt can roll a 300, it’s possible for them too.
“He’s a good bowler anyways, but it was a surprise to all of us,” Miller said. “It was awesome. He was just throwing the ball nice, getting every ball in the pocket, and the pins just fell for him.”
What was even more impressive to Miller was that Schmitt was able to achieve a perfect game despite an unusual, more difficult style of bowling.
Schmitt is a one-handed bowler and he doesn’t use his thumb, so it’s likely harder to control the ball while using just his middle and index fingers. He doesn’t know any difference because it’s how he’s always bowled.
“When I was growing up balls didn’t fit my thumb, so I either rolled it with no fingers or two,” Schmitt said. “Then I got my own ball that was a naturally curving one, so that made it a little easier.”
» RELATED: Wednesday’s high school scoreboard
Schmitt received his dad’s old ball earlier this school year before he even thought about joining the bowling team and planned to use it when he went out with friends.
He had never considered trying bowling as a sport until a teacher who helps coach the team convinced him to try it out as a way to keep busy after football season. Schmitt said he is having fun with the team and is glad he joined. He might never have rolled a perfect game if he hadn’t.
“I just joined for fun, but I feel like it’s helped me improve my game for sure,” Schmitt said. “If you get the first few balls, you’re set for the game. Once I find that sweet spot, I can’t miss it.”
About the Author