Bowling: Brother Martin overcomes slow start to handle Jesuit

It was not your customary start for unbeaten Brother Martin Monday afternoon at AMF All-Star Lanes in Kenner.

The Crusaders found themselves in an unusual position, trailing in the tenth frame in game one to the Blue Jays. Brother Martin rallied with key shots in the clutch, won a close game and then went on to dominate the final two games in a 22-5 victory over the Blue Jays in New Orleans Prep Bowling League action.

Cody Schaffer, who came in as the top bowler in the state with a 225.9 average, fired a 703 series on games of 209-258-236 to pace the Crusaders.

“The first game, we started off a little bit slow and we ended up going 5-3,” Schaffer said. “Our home is Colonial Lanes but I like bowling at AMF. I just feel like the pins go down a little easier.”

Brother Martin edged Jesuit 5-3 in game one behind a 247 game by Jonathan Fernandez and a 215 game by Drew Gardner. Hunter Dunn fired a 206.

The Crusaders coasted to an 8-0 win in game two, firing a 1,315 game as Schaffer shot 258 while Dunn had a 226, Fernandez fired a 222 and Gardner shot 221.

Brother Martin finished off the match with a 6-2 victory in game three as Dunn finished off a 676 series with a 244 game while Schaffer had a 236.

Fernandez finished with a 667 series and Gardner had a 602 series for the Crusaders, Alex Barron was best for Jesuit with a 596 series, which included games of 225 and 201. Alex O’Neil finished with a 577 series and Jake Stiegler had a 571 series, including a 215 game.

Brother Martin, which has not lost a match in New Orleans Prep League action since 2013, won state in 2016 before falling short a year ago.

“We lost state last year so that kind of motivates us a little bit more,” Schaffer said.