Decent choices; poor execution

Game 1

X 9/ 9/ X 8/ 8/ 81 9/ X 9/X - 184

I've been experimenting with surface changes to my Melee Cross, so I decided to put it at 1500 grit plus some polish to start. I came out flush strike, 4-pin, solid 8-pin, strike, but then I really started to lose my feel and look with the Cross. After two very poor shots in the fifth and sixth, I decided to be proactive and switch to the Brute Strength. I went ripped 4-9, half-10, strike, two-pin before striking on the fill to start with a very lackluster 184. Still, I felt that the Brute Strength was the right ball, so I was optimistic heading into Game 2.

Game 2

8/ X X 9/ X X 9/ X X XX9 - 247

Other than a missed release in the first that led to a 2-8, I was pretty flush in the pocket the rest of the way with only a stoned 9-pin and two half-10s derailing the strike train. When all was said and done, I had erased the -16 start and gotten myself to +31 through two.

Game 3

6/ 7/ 9- X X X 6/ X 9/ XX6 - 207

I tried to keep the momentum from Game 2 going, but I just didn't throw any good shots through the first three frames. Couple that with the Brute Strength starting to struggle due to too much friction, and I was in the hurt locker early on. Recognizing this, I balled down to the Melee Jab, and I had just the look I wanted/needed. I packed the next three shots before completely throwing one out the window in the seventh. I struck in the eighth and threw a really nice shot in the ninth, but I smashed another stone 9-pin, which took a lot of the wind out of my sales. I doubled in the 10th before missing the fill ball off my hand to leave the bucket and finish with a modest 207.

I finished at +38 for the night which, though below average, really isn't terrible, especially considering my lackluster shot-making. If nothing else, at least I made the right ball choices at the right times tonight. I was also given a reminder of just how good the Melee Jab is when the lanes start to dry out up front. All in all, I don't have too many complaints about this performance; I just hope that next week is even better.