800 Series For Orticari
By Jill D. Montgomery

Mike Orticari accumulated 801 points last week in a three-game series at Valley Bowl in Randolph. Orticari, who has bowled for 40 years, thought he's never reach the elusive 800-point plateau. (Herald / Tim Calabro)

The Valley Bowl, bowling alley in Randolph, has seen its second 800 series in just under 16 months, after never having one at the old Rose Bowl, ever. Sixteen months ago, Trevor Tabor hit an 800 series that unfortunately was in an unsanctioned league.

On July 1, Mike Orticari, Sr. hit a sanctioned 800 series with a 277 game, a 246 game and ended his night with a 278 game for 801 points. Orticari bowls in the Molson Challenge League on the team 3 Rights and A Left.

When asked how he felt, Orticari said, "It’s one of those feats I didn’t think I’d ever obtain. I think it meant more to me than the 300 game I got. It shows more consistency. I’ve bowled a long time and I didn’t think I’d ever get an 800 series."

Orticari has bowled for over 40 years and didn’t realize he was on target for the hard-to-obtain series. "I thought I was in the 700s." Mike’s wife Mary and about 35 other bowlers and spectators were taken by surprise as well. Orticari, who is a long-time resident of Randolph, bowled a 300 game back in 1995 at the old Rose Bowl.

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