Bowling: Mesquite’s Sal Diaz and his two-handed delivery wows with the stunning improvement in his game

Sal Diaz is only in his sophomore season of bowling, but a run of 600s is further validation of the stunning improvement in his game from his 2021-22 rookie season.

A quick dive into his stats listed in the extraordinary League Secretary program tells the electrifying story of how his game has taken flight.

In his 2021-22 freshman campaign, he finished the season with a 148 average over 84 games in City High Rollers League play at the Virgin River Bowling Center, with his best scores a 555 series, and out of two deuce games the entire season, a 211 was his highest.

Well, in stark contract, over this past summer he joined two leagues to continue working on his game. However, and most important of all, he dropped his one-handed delivery in favor of a two-handed one and his game has been flourishing ever since.

Again, his two summer league states tell the story. In his City High Rollers League he finished with a 179 average over 42 games with his highs a 617 series and 268 game. And in his Kings & Queens II summer league, he finished with a 187 average over 42 games with his best scores a 630 series and 249 game.

And just last week in the City High Rollers League he tattooed the 1-3 pocket with 19 strikes en route to a personal-best 635 series on consistent games of 214, 211 and 210. And the week before that, he punched out a pair of 600 scores with a 623 and 617.

So, look for his scores to continue climbing in altitude as he’s definitely on a trajectory of becoming a top-notch bowler. And with his punishing strike ball, orchestrating a 700 series before the clock runs out on the 2022-23 season is definitely doable.

Diaz graduated from Virgin Valley High School in 2018, is a left-hander in everything except his bowling, has been skateboarding since 2013, and high on his bucket list is a trip to Japan during one of the many cherry blossom festivals that take place annually.

In other pin action, James Hartley put on a clinic in picking up spares as he was 15-of-16 on his spare shots, and along with clean games of 217 and 210, his sole open was on a 7 pin leave in a 233 en route to a very efficient 660 series.

Meanwhile, Michael “Smurffzzz” Ramirez who wasn’t even bowling at this time last year fired a personal-best 650 series with 19 strikes and games of 231, 220 and 199.

And sparked by a clean 237, Bob Marget (546) is a new bowler in Mesquite who’s been doing a really good job cutting down pins, and Darren Simonds (647-224) should be seeing his scores rip higher in coming weeks.

Dan Aslin exchanged his hiking boots for his bowling shoes and sparked by a 233, delivered a season-high 638 set. Hey, if you’re looking for info on some great hikes, chatting with him is a must.

Doug Love (610) who grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania and has bowled a pair of 300s at the VRBC fired a 245, and so did Austin Finster (609) who’s one of the young guns in local bowling and packs lotsa revs.

Jeff Branche (621) is an avid Ohio State fan and what he did to the pins in a 236 game is what his Buckeyes did to the Penn State players on the field this past Saturday, while Ricky Trujillo punched out nine strikes in a 235.

Jeff Harmes (601) put together an 8-bagger in a 234, Johnny Harper tossed a nice season-high 222, and also in Early Risers League play, Bob Davis of Scenic, Arizona logged a season-high 216.

Meanwhile, Ken Thompson and his good ball speed pocketed a 208, Ivan Trujillo garners his first ink for a 202, Juan Morgana tossed five strikes in a 201, and Frank Ferreira who’s bowled a 300 at the VRBC booked a 200 on the nose.

In women’s bowling action, Sandy Sheppard took high-set honors with a 599 including a 212 game, and Diane Marget worked the lanes for another competitive outing.

Bev Cormani (547-204) edged out Evelyn Hooley (545) for the next best score as well as three sticks ahead of Lori Jo Turner (544) who’s game is clearly hampered by back issues.

Southpaw MaryAnn Davis (544) put up another competitive score, Cindy Peterson scratched out a 501, and Mary Posey showed no mercy in mowing down 500 pins.

Debbie Hansen (520) led the single game scoring parade with a standout 240, Gayla Ruesch (507) popped a 209, and Robin Drury registered a 205.

Amy Kesl captures her first ink after bowling a season-high 490 series and season-high 179 game in her Gamblers 4 Aces League … Anita Sorensen who is an outstanding medal-winner in horseshoes tossed a season-high 162 game and eclipsing her previous high of the season, a 152 … Paula Kenny smacked a season-high 176 in Kings & Queens League play … Francine Gastelum merits ink after shattering per previous 190 high game of the season with an outstanding 196 effort in City High Rollers League play. Gastelum loves puzzles, classic rock, and before retiring and changing her zip code to one in Mesquite, she worked for 28 years in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Mike Saldivar 666-233; Scott Mattingly 657-245; Kelly Williamson 637-224; Larry Willis 634-224; Harold Hendrick 633-230; Jon Fjeld 617-224; Wayne Donnafield 612-221; Dean Baum 605-255; Jan Kusy 607-257; Rob Hartman 600-223; Dennis Craft228; Randy Kezior 225; Bruce Hooley 225; Dean Sheppard 224; Dylan Kesl 223; Dave Pershing 220; Frank Addamo 212; Gil Niimi 210; Max Burgess 207; John Collins 206; Garth Turner 206; Dave Cirbo 206; Dave Houghton 204; Harry Uncles 203; Bob Robbins 203; Randy Henderson 202; Randy Henderson 202; Ernie Kala 202; John Gerger 201; Ed Hoepfner 201; Doug Heiden 201; Dan Erhart 200; Al Gans 200.