Bowling: Scott Mattingly wins another high-average crown

Scott Mattingly has been a scoring juggernaut from the first day he began bowling at the Virgin River Bowling Center beginning with the 2020-21 season.

So it’s not surprising he captured the high-average scoring title for the 2025-26 season at that venue which features some of the top bowling talent in Mesquite.

And a deep dive looking at his scoring stats tells the story leading to his 228 average. Amazingly, his lowest series, yes, his lowest series this season in his M.S.L. was a 640 rolled on November 24th, 2025. And his highest series was a 771 during which he also tossed a 300 game.

Additionally, his 228 is now the highest average ever by a bowler in Mesquite as it eclipsed the previous high of 226 held by Jeremy Telford in the 2023-24 season which is the only season Mattingly has did not win the high average crown since his first season in 2020-21.

And another amazing stat I found on the superb League Secretary program is the fact over the course of Mattingly’s season he averaged 219 in all of his first games, 221 in his second games, before bolting higher for an eye-popping 235 average in all his third games, and that’s not a typo.

Next, let’s switch gears here for a tad to his aforementioned 300 before coming back to averages. Specifically, his perfecto is his fourth in Mesquite bowling which makes him the all-time leader. He had been tied with Sal Diaz and the late Darwin Wimer at three perfecto’s. And I still believe a third 300 by Doug Love is doable.

Now let’s pivot back to more ink on averages from this season. And it begins with Michael Ramirez and his explosive strike ball being a major factor helping him post the next best average, a 220 in his Early Risers League and his outstanding season included a 300 and 298 along with a season-high 781 series.

Meanwhile, Austin Finster finished with the next best average, a 217.83 compiled in his Wednesday Men’s League where a 289 was his highest game along with an electrifying season-high 807 series, and Jeremy Telford posted a 217.44 average and his top-notch season included his second 800 series, an 816 and high game of 279.

And Sal Diaz enjoyed another standout season finishing with a 215 average in the W.M.L. with a 740 and 280 his best two scores, Alfred Oliveira v racked up a 213 average in his Kings & Queens League with a 740 and 280 his two best scores, and Mark Burkhardt won accolades for his bowling skills helping him log a 212 average and season-best scores of 726 and 290.

And Jeremy Turlington wrapped up his M.S. L. with a 211 average and high scores of 720 along with a 278 and with a resume that sports a career-high 840 series and multiple 300s between Salt Lake City and St. George, seeing him throwing another honor score or two in Mesquite is certainly doable, while Jacoby Ford’s humongous season was highlighted by a pair of 300s and an 800 series helping him finish the season with a 211 average and more honor scores in his upcoming season would not be a surprise.

Looking forward to the 2026-27 season one guarantee is Mattingly will be in he thick of the high-average race. Another sure bet is Mike Saldivar will finish with one of the top averages as he will be returning for a full season after averaging 216 in 24 games this season with season-high 699 and 279 scores.

Finally, the next column in the coming days will cover highlights from women’s bowling including who won the coveted high-average crown for the 2025-26 season.