Early struggles against Flushing almost cost the boys bowling team its perfect record on Wednesday, Dec. 12, though the team pulled off a narrow 16-14 victory over the Raiders in the end.

The Hornets lost the first Baker game by a mere seven pins but were beaten handily in the second Baker, with only 209 pins to the Raiders’ 258. This put the team 10 points behind Flushing.

Senior Kyle Langworthy, anchor, led the team with a 279-pin tally in the first set of individual games, narrowly missing a perfect game of 300.

He said he was attentive to his team’s needs rather than his own achievement.

“To be honest, I was just kind of focused,” Langworthy said. “I wanted to make sure we won.”

With a pinfall of 268, junior Ethan Burke helped the team battle back as well.

Even as a young member of the team, freshman Gage Slagor bowled a 214 to keep the comeback alive.

After the first set of individual games, which added up to a 1,081-976 count in favor of Kearsley, the Hornets cut their

deficit to a 12-7 margin.

In the second set, the Hornets fought for The Hive and continued their resilience.

Burke slammed 211 pins, giving him a total of 479 over his two contests.

Showing his usual leadership, Langworthy bowled 204 pins in his second individual game. His 482-pin night led the Hornets overall.

Slagor earned his stripes by throwing a clutch double strike in his 10th frame, securing the clinching point for Kearsley.

With a total of 941 pins to Flushing’s 868 in the second set and a narrow 122-pin lead in overall play, the Hornets were able to soar to victory and keep their league title hopes alive.

Langworthy feels Slagor is a valuable asset to the team.

“Gage is probably the most talented,” Langworthy said. “He’s just young.”

He believes the team will be in good hands in the future.

“With the upcoming eighth-graders and the guys coming back next year, the team will be set,” Langworthy said.

Kearsley is in second place in the Metro League with a 4-0 record after defeating Flushing, as Owosso defeated Clio on Wednesday, Dec. 12, moving the Trojans into first place at 5-0.

The Hornets will travel to Monitor Lanes, Bay City, to compete at the Bangor John Glenn holiday tournament Saturday, Dec. 15.