Michael Ramirez showcases a standout season with a 300 game

Michael Ramirez is an ultra-talented two handed bowler who’s explosive strike ball proved pivotal in paving the way for him to be one of two bowlers who’ve delivered the best overall scoring production over the last two seasons at the Virgin River Bowling Center. And here’s betting a couple Benjamin Franklin bills you’ll concur after reading this.

So let’s launch this endeavor by first looking at the most important measuring stick by far, averages. First, Ramirez finished his 2024-25 season with a 219 average, and the only bowler who finished that season with a higher average was Scott Mattingly with a 222. And yes, it’s the same story in the just completed 2025-26 season when Ramirez booked a 225 average over 69 games, but again, Mattingly’s 228 was the only bowler who posted a higher average.

Next, let’s take a look at how his series scores stack up in comparison with all other bowlers. Well, in the 2024-25 season his 771 set was only topped by the trio of Dalton Smith’s jaw-dropping 845, Al Gans’ inspiring 5-star 781 effort, and Scott Mattingly’s umpteenth 700, a 776. And in the 2025-26 campaign which is now in the books with all the stats on the great League Secretary program, only Jeremy Telford’s 816, Jacoby Ford’s 809 set. and Austin Finster’s 807 proved to be higher than a 793 by Ramirez..

And since we’re on a roll here, let’s keep this baby going by looking at the single game scene. Well, after scouring all the stats, Ramirez also excelled with an awesome 300 game on February 11, 2026, and joining him with the only other 300s this season were Jacoby Ford with two, and Scott Mattingly with one.

Amazingly, Ramirez only began his league bowling journey in the 2021-22 season which he finished with a 179 average over 42 games. And that’s when bowling became a passion and he was determined to improve his game and spent lotsa time practicing and actually recording his practices. And all his hard work paid huge dividends leading to a breakout 2022-23 season highlighted by his first 600 and 700 series scores, and ever since, it’s been a three-year rocket ride to where he’s one of the top two scoring leaders in multiple categories in Mesquite bowling over the last two years.

Switching gears here to the Mesquite Merchants Men’s League scores from the last week of the season saw John Hollaway lead all scoring with a 731 including a standout 280 effort, and Mike Yoder is another heckuva good bowler who popped a 726 throwing games of 256, 237 and 233.

Meanwhile, Bruce Hooley’s stellar 702 came with games of 255,225, 222, and Brian Collins delivered another high-octane performance pounding out a monster 696 with a 257 game.

In other action, Doug Love’s 680 proved for the umpteenth time this season he can still hang with the best and also has a legit shot at a third 300 game in Mesquite bowling, and it is great seeing Tony Urias rack up a hard-hitting 662 including a 242 game.

Southpaw Dennis Craft thumped the lanes mowing down 638 pins, Chad Klein popped a 621 and he’s a former Mesquite Long Drive champion, and Robin Drury spanked the lanes with a 607 and 243 game and back in his heyday Al Gans will tell you Drury was an outstanding bowler in the Evergreen State.

In single game play, Sal Diaz (684) is another top-notch young two-handed bowler who has converted the 7-10 split and wrapped up the season with a 267 effort, Steve Uhrig (652) did a bang-up job mowing down pins in a 255 game, and Logan Hendrick (620) delivered an energized 247.

Bob Marget chucked a 236 and he’s a huge Minnesota Twins fan, Roman Perez navigated the lanes for a 224, while Stan Benally booked a 221, and Joshua Kaschmitter fired a 208.

Next week’s column will feature highlights from the men’s 2025-26 season, followed a week later doing the same for women bowlers.

HIGH SCORES

Scott Mattingly 716-258; Doug Schaan 684-259; Austin Finster 681-255; Clay Ring 662-245; Michael Ramirez 648-244; Milan Carr 638-225; Mark Burkhardt 629-225; Mike dunlop 627-222; Gary Smith 616-218; Dan Aslin 605-236; Brent Schlesinger 237; Jacoby Ford 227; James Hartley 225; David Johnson 222; Myles Benally 220; Sampson Miller 216; Alan Jacobson 214; David Pershing 212; Ed Hoepfner 212; Al Gans 206; Mike Johnson 203; Dave Castro 201; Ernie Kala 201.