Carton 'wins' bet against Boomer and East Islip bowlers

Craig Carton is no stranger to ruffling some feathers.

The co-host of WFAN's popular morning show, "Boomer and Carton in the Morning," even managed to tweak some teenage bowlers.

Over the winter, when co-host and East Islip product Boomer Esiason regaled Carton with the accomplishments of his hometown's girls bowling squad, Carton interjected by minimizing bowling as a pseudo-sport.

A challenge was levied from East Islip to Carton, so Thursday afternoon, Carton, Esiason and the WFAN staff bowled against East Islip's county runner-up squad at East Islip Lanes.

For Esiason, it gave him the opportunity to promote a group of hometown girls.

"I wanted to highlight their successes this year," Esiason said. "This was a way to do it."

In his first of three games, Carton squared off against East's top bowler, freshman Lena Sorrentino. Sorrentino spotted Carton 100 pins and allowed him to use bumpers. Sorrentino bowled a 249, while Carton scored a 156, securing him the sort-of victory.

Carton's win won him a $5,000 wager with Esiason. The money will be donated to the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which raises money for Cystic Fibrosis research.

While praising Sorrentino as "the best bowler here", Carton stayed true to his on-air persona.

"As a New Yorker, I back up what I say on the radio," Carton said. "I said I could beat a bunch of girls bowling, and really, I'm proving that."

Sorrentino, who bowled two 300 games during the regular season, proved to be slightly less boisterous than the verbose Carton.

"I didn't expect this many people to be here," Sorrentino said.

Carton bowled a 156 and 186 without bumpers in ensuing games that pitted East Islip against the WFAN staff. Carton, who says he bowls once or twice each year, came away impressed by his bowling prowess.

"I'm not a bowler," Carton said. "My score is indicative of the fact that you don't have to bowl much to be good at it."

"So, if I were these girls, I'd play hooky from bowling practice more often and go to the mall."

Much like their on-air banter, Esiason was there to curb Carton's enthusiasm.

"He will feel like he accomplished something today," Esiason said. "And as long as he's happy, I'm happy."