After dropping the first game of the semifinals to Meadville/Cochranton, Armstrong’s back was to the wall.
That’s when the River Hawks bowled their best.
Armstrong rallied to win the semifinals in three games, then swept top-seeded New Castle in the finals, winning the Western PA Regional boys team bowling championship Friday.
Armstrong won 210-149 and 190-178 in the finals.
The champs were led by Nicholas Eckman, who took second in qualifying with a 719 series and 256 game. Meadville/Cochranton’s Landon Plyler led with a 736. Seton LaSalle’s Brody Dilla (707), the WPIBL boys singles champ, and New Castle’s Jeffrey Natale (7-2) and Jordan Austin (695) rounded out the top five.
New Castle (4,190) was the top team in qualifying, followed by Armstrong (4,061), Laurel Highlands (3,976), Hempfield (3,957), Penn-Trafford (3,901) and Meadville/Cochranton (3,862).
In the quarterfinals, Hempfield and Penn-Trafford waged a three-game battle with the Spartans winning the first game, 149-137, the Warriors winning the second game, 198-154, and Hempfield moving on with a 187-156 win.
Also, Meadville/Cochranton swept Laurel Highlands, 218-188 and 190-145.
In the semifinals, Armstrong battled past Meadville/Cochranton, losing the first game 202-167 then winning the next two 201-265 and 220-190. New Castle swept Hempfield, 187-160 and 237-147.