Plessinger earns PBA East Region title at Lancaster

After two grueling days of competition and a seemingly endless series of pressure-packed shots, Jimmy Plessinger couldn’t help tearing up after winning the PBA East Region Leisure Lanes Open in Lancaster on Sunday.

“It was a very exciting and emotional time when I realized what had happened,” said Plessinger, who became only the fourth York County bowler to win a PBA East Region title.

“I worked so hard over the past two days. It seems like there was pressure on every shot, every game and every match.”

The 30-year-old right-hander, however, minimized the pressure in the championship match against Tommy Gollick, a southpaw from Oberlin, Pa. Plessinger took command early as he nailed seven consecutive strikes.

Gollick, the PBA East Region points leader, couldn’t keep pace as Plessinger coasted to a 265-200 victory. Plessinger had the match locked up by the ninth frame.

“It’s been an intense two days,” offered Plessinger, who collected $2,500 for the win. “I had to come through in so many ‘must do’ situations. I felt such a sigh of relief when I knew I had won.

“This is definitely my top bowling moment,” he added. “It’s a great feeling.”

After qualifying 14^th in a field of 86 bowlers, Plessinger had to battle to reach the championship match. He defeated Terry Miller of York, three games to two, to advance. Miller, who owns two PBA East Region titles, qualified third.

“I didn’t want to have to bowl Terry, who is my best friend,” said Plessinger. “But, we knew one of us had to lose.”

Plessinger won the decisive fifth game against Miller, 214-194, to earn the right to face Jeremy Elder of Clayton, Delaware. Plessinger defeated Elder two games to one.

Plessinger’s toughest challenge Sunday came against Kevin Smith of Harrisburg in the semi-final match.

The two entered the 10^th frame tied at 183. Smith opened the final frame with a strike and then left a four-pin split. He chopped two pins off the split to finish with a 221.

Plessinger opened with a 9-pin spare and needed a strike to win or nine pins to tie. Although he tugged his final shot, he cashed in a strike to finish with a 222.

“Winning a PBA East Region title is a huge boost to my confidence,” said Plessinger, whose previous top finish was 11^th. “It definitely gives me more motivation to compete against these guys.”