15-year-old Fernandez bowls a 300

HERMON – Practice provided perfection for 15-year-old Tony Fernandez of Bangor, who rolled a 300 game at the Heritage Bowling Center here Saturday morning.

Fernandez, who logs lots of practice time at the 10-pin facility, rolled off 12 consecutive strikes for the perfect game, which was the last game in a three-game series during action at the Youth Bowling League.

“To my knowledge, it’s the first time anyone this young has bowled a 300 game in the state of Maine,” said 54-year-old Larry Clark, who manages Heritage Bowling Center on weekends. “He (Fernandez) puts in an exceptional amount of practice – much more than most kids.”

Fernandez bowled a 211 in his first game and carded a 188 in the second. The crowd of young bowlers sensed something special was happening in his third game, Clark said, and started watching when Fernandez started the seventh frame.

“I was surprised that at the age of 15 he dealt so well with all the pressure entering the 10th frame,” Clark said, explaining Fernandez needed three straight strikes in the 10th to hit 300. “He basically threw the same ball into the 10th frame.”

Fernandez bowled on the team “Brooklyn Boys” of Bangor. His teammates also enjoyed a fine series with Brian Johnson recording a 619 and Terry Robinson a 587. Fernandez finished with a 698.