PWBA WICHITA OPEN

PWBA WICHITA OPEN TO KICK OFF MIDWEST SWING OF 2017 PWBA TOUR

ARLINGTON, Texas - After three standard events in California and the first major of the year in the books, the Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour (PWBA) moves to the Midwest for four events, starting with the PWBA Wichita Open from June 1-3 at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kansas.

Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, N.Y., returns to Northrock Lanes as the defending champion, and to the scene of the crime where she committed an all-out assault on the pins.

After 15 games of qualifying, including three games of Cashers' Round competition, McEwan found herself outside of the match-play cut at the 2016 event with three games to bowl. After a quick adjustment, she fired 753 to sneak into match play as the 12th seed.

What transpired next was nothing short of incredible.

McEwan opened match play with games of 279, 268 and 276 for an 823 series, the first and only 800 series rolled by a PWBA player since the re-launch of the Tour in 2015. She followed with games of 276, 233 and 211 for a six-game total of 1,543, averaging more than 257 during match play to earn the top seed for the finals. 

McEwan's performance gave a new meaning to the phrase, "It's never over until it's over."

"I'm not normally an honor-score type of player," McEwan said. "I haven't had many high games or series in a row like that in the past, so it gave me a lot of confidence to be able to do it in that situation. I definitely have a different mindset about it not being over until it's over. There were times in the beginning of that tournament when I had no look and thought I was out of it. It just proves that it's never too late to turn things around."

Along with McEwan, all 2016 PWBA Wichita Open TV finalists will compete this week, including Colombia native Maria Jose Rodriguez of Austin, Texas, Shannon Pluhowsky of Dayton, Ohio, and Syaidatul Hamidi of Malaysia.

In 2016, Hamidi rolled the tournament's only 300 game, during the Group A stepladder final, to earn a spot into the TV finals. 

Hamidi, a member of Team Malaysia, competed in four events last year along with several of her teammates. This week she will be joined by Esther Cheah, Siti Rahman, Sin Li Jane and Shalin Zulkifli. 

Sweden's Sandra Andersson, the 2016 USBC Queens runner-up, is scheduled to compete along with Team Sweden teammates Nina Flack and Victoria Johansson. Japan will be represented for the first time this season by Nachimi Itakura, Mayumi Naitoh and Chika Terashita.

Locally, 17 competitors with Wichita State ties will compete, including 2017 women's Intercollegiate Singles champion Sydney Brummett, National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association First-Team All-American Hollyann Johansen, Go Bowling PWBA Players Championship winner Clara Guerrero, two-time PWBA champion Rocio Restrepo and 2009 NCBCA Most Valuable Player Sandra Gongora.

CBS Sports Network will televise the stepladder finals of 13 of the 14 PWBA Tour events which began May 23 with the USBC Queens, the first major event of the season, from the Raising Cane's River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The stepladder finals of the PWBA Wichita Open will be taped for broadcast June 25 at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley in Green Bay, Wisconsin, one of four telecasts at the Go Bowling PWBA Players Championship, the second major of the season, and will air Tuesday, July 4, at 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS Sports Network.

All qualifying and match play rounds of PWBA Tour events will be carried on Xtra Frame, the exclusive online bowling channel for the Professional Bowlers Association. Go to XtraFrame.TV for more information.

2017 PWBA WICHITA OPEN
(At Northrock Lanes, Wichita, Kansas)
(All times local)
Thursday, June 1 
4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Official Practice
7 p.m.: Pro-am 

Friday, June 2
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Official Practice
Noon:  Qualifying Round 1 (fresh oil, six games)
6 p.m.: Qualifying Round 2 (burn, six games) 

Saturday, June 3 
8:30 a.m.: Cashers' Round (fresh oil, six games)
1 p.m.: Round-Robin Match Play (burn, six games)
5 p.m.: Group Stepladder Finals (fresh oil)
7 p.m.: Pro-am 

About the PWBA
The Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) originally was formed in 1960. The PWBA Tour has events throughout the country, offering high-level competition and top prize money for women bowlers. The PWBA is supported by the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA) and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC)

LPGA SHOPRITE CLASSIC

ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer

Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club

Galloway, N.J.

May 31, 2017

Anna Nordqvist will be looking for a three-peat this week at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer.

“I seem to be playing really well here over the last couple years,” Nordqvist said with a smile. “I think it’s definitely challenging with the wind. A little softer conditions this year, so it’s going to be playing a little bit different. You’re going to he have to hit good golf shots. A lot of times with the greens being small and undulated you have to hit good iron shots, and I think that really fits my game.”

Despite the recent success, the seven-time LPGA winner decided to make some major changes in the offseason.

“Well, this year I’ve kind of made a couple changes over the winter and made a couple changes recently,” Nordqvist said. “It’s been more about trusting myself. I have a lot smaller team. Right now I don’t have a swing coach. I don’t work with a trainer anymore. Just been a lot about trusting myself.”

The transitions were all part of a new approach to the 2017 season from Nordqvist.

“My 9th year on tour, so I feel like I know what works the best for me, so I’ve been trying to do my own thing. Having Kyle on the bag about a year and a half now and I feel like we’re a really good team. So I feel like we’re doing our on thing out there, and I feel like that’s paying off.”

SHOPRITE ANNOUNCES FIVE YEAR EXTENSION

Wakefern Food Corp., Eiger Marketing Group and the LPGA today announced a five-year sponsorship extension that will extend ShopRite’s commitment to the tournament through 2023. Originally known as the Atlantic City Classic, the tournament began in 1986 and was officially changed to the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 1992 when Wakefern Food Corp. became the title sponsor.

“We’re thrilled that the ShopRite LPGA Classic has been extended through 2023,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “Over the past 25+ years, ShopRite has become family to the LPGA and Atlantic City feels like home. We are excited that our partnership with Wakefern will allow this tradition to continue for many years to come.”

This year’s event marks Wakefern’s 26th year as a supporter of women’s professional golf. In 2016, ShopRite was recognized with the Commissioner’s Award signifying its long-standing commitment to the LPGA.

“We are proud of our long running partnership with the LPGA and commitment to this great golfing event,” said Joseph Colalillo, chairman and CEO of Wakefern Food Corp., the marketing and distribution arm of ShopRite. “The annual tournament features the world’s top female golfers while also raising money for a variety of charities and community-based organizations. We look forward to a future filled with more great golf and good work with our friends at the LPGA.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ACER

$30,000,000 - Since 1992, ShopRite has donated more than $30 million to charities through its relationship with the LPGA. Each year, the company awards millions in grants to dozens of companies including charities and organizations that work with veterans, special needs, hospitals, terminal diseases and more

27 - Juli Inkster has competed in Atlantic City 27 times throughout the years, the most of any player

62 - Low round at the ShopRite LPGA Classic which has been shot four times most recently by Karine Icher in 2016

AMELIA LEWIS HAS SPECIAL VISITOR AT SHOPRITE

If you’re walking around the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club this week, you may notice 2011 LPGA rookie Amelia Lewis has a special crowd following her. Alia Scotka a 14-year old from Crestview, Florida won the 2016 Amelia Lewis Girls National Championship (13U division), and as the winner gets the chance to follow Amelia at the 2017 ShopRite LPGA Classic to experience “life on the LPGA Tour”. 

As part of her week on the Tour Alia and her father, who got her into the game of golf at age six, get the red-carpet treatment complete with a host family and inside the ropes passes. On Tuesday, Alia went inside the ropes with Amelia for a practice round with Sandra Gal. And on Wednesday, Amelia and Alia took over the LPGA Instagram account during the pro-am and practice, check out some of the photos here https://www.instagram.com/lpga_tour/

QUICK HITS

Nordqvist, a seven-time LPGA winner, is attempting to be the first player to successfully defend a tournament title this season

Through eight events in 2017, Nordqvist has made seven cuts including a win at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup and an additional top-10 finish

In seven appearances in Galloway, Nordqvist has collected two wins, five top-5 finishes and has yet to finish outside of the top-13

In her last eight rounds at Stockton Seaview she has fired rounds in the 60s, including her tournament-low score of 64 in Round 1 of the 2016 ShopRite LPGA Classic

Nordqvist played collegiately at Arizona State University, who took home the 2017 NCAA women’s golf title a week ago today

RAILRIDERS TAKE TWIN BILL

RailRiders Earn Twin Bill Sweep

Adams Hurls One-Hit Gem in Game One Victory

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) grabbed two wins against the Columbus Clippers at PNC Field on Wednesday. The RailRiders (30-20) blanked the Clippers (23-29) 6-0 in the opening tilt before holding on for a 4-3 triumph on the backend of the doubleheader.  

Chance Adams (3-1) fanned a career-high 12 hitters while tossing six innings of one-hit ball in the opening game. He walked two batters. Adams’ stellar outing was backed by home runs from Tyler Wade and Dustin Fowler who each finished with two hits and two RBI.

Michael Peoples (1-3) allowed six runs on 10 hits over six innings. Wilkin Castillo plated a run on the first of his three hits and Ji-Man Choi ripped an RBI-double to center in the third.

SWB, playing as the visiting team, had to hang on for the victory in the final game. Ernesto Frieri earned his seventh save by inducing a force out of the tying run in the seventh. He yielded a two-run homer by Adam Moore. Tyler Jones (3-1) got the win with 2.2 scoreless innings in relief. Jones allowed one hit and a walk while matching a season-high with five strikeouts.

Chris Narveson (0-3) took the loss in his first outing since coming off the disabled list. He allowed a run-scoring single to Cito Culver and a two-run double to Eddy Rodriguez in the third.

Donovan Solano earned a bases-loaded walk in the top of the seventh to force home what proved to be the decisive run.

The 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Champion RailRiders meet the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians) for the final time in the 2017 regular season on Thursday night at PNC Field. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. Left-hander Caleb Smith (3-0, 2.93) gets the starting nod against southpaw Ryan Merritt (4-5, 3.99). Every Thursday home game at PNC Field is Thirsty Thursday with $1 Bud Light and Pepsi products. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

MONACELLI LEADS IN PBA50 EVENT

Monacelli Averages 234 to Lead

PBA50 Northern California Classic Qualifying

BRENTWOOD, Calif. (May 30, 2017) – Amleto Monacelli averaged 234 to take top qualifier honors after the second round of the PBA50 Northern California Classic presented by MOTIV Tuesday at Harvest Park Bowl.

The PBA Hall of Famer finished qualifying with a 3,751 16-game pinfall total bowling 1,818 for eight games in Tuesday’s second round after leading the first round with 1,933. He bowled games of 259, 217, 238, 225, 258, 255, 188 and 178 in the second round.

Monacelli found it difficult to adjust to the changing lane conditions in the last two games of the round but bowled well enough early to retain his lead.

“It seemed like the oil was really pushing down the lane at the end of the round,” said the 20-time PBA Tour and seven-time PBA50 Tour titlist. “Everything was going well for the first six games but then when I moved inside the ball wouldn’t hook back and if I moved right it would hook early.

“It was a good learning experience because I learned that I need to be very open-minded for match play,” the 55-year-old added. “It’s possible I may need to use totally different equipment and make adjustments that I haven’t had to make yet.”

The top 16 players advanced directly into Wednesday’s match play rounds with an additional 22 players advancing to a cashers round Wednesday morning that will determine eight additional match play spots. After match play, the top five players will advance to the stepladder finals that will get underway at 6:30 p.m. PT.

Monacelli, the 2015 Northern California Classic winner, has three top-10 finishes this season with a best of fourth in the Johnny Petraglia BVL Open. His last PBA50 Tour win came in the 2016 PBA50 National Championship.

Monacelli finished 34 pins ahead of Kenny Parks of Hammond, Ind., in second with 3,717. Brian Cooper of Henderson, Nev., finished qualifying in third with 3,715, followed by two-time PBA50 Player of the Year Ron Mohr of Las Vegas with 3,714, and Brian Kretzer of Dayton, Ohio, with 3,679, to round out the top five.

Defending champion Noel Vazquez of Sacramento, Calif., qualified 18th with 3,452 to advance to the cashers round.

The Northern California Classic is being covered live by PBA’s online bowling channel Xtra Frame. For subscription and schedule information visit www.xtraframe.tv.

PBA50 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLASSIC

Presented by MOTIV 

Harvest Park Bowl, Brentwood, Calif., Tuesday

SECOND ROUND

(after 16 games. Top 16 players advance to match play. 17th-30th places plus eight PBA60 players advance to cashers round which determines eight additional match play finalists)

1, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 3,751.
2, Kenny Parks, Hammond, Ind., 3,717.
3, Brian Cooper, Henderson, Nev., 3,715.
4, Ron Mohr, Las Vegas, 3,714.
5, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3,679.
6, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 3,611.
7, Mike Keough, Stockton, Calif., 3,583.
8, Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 3,580.
9, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 3,579.
10, (tie) Dennis Horan Jr., Oakley, Calif., and Andrew Frawley, Australia, 3,553.
12, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., 3,540.
13, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 3,500.
14, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore., 3,481.
15, Rob Rice, Sunnyside, Wash., 3,479.
16, Hugh Miller, Mercer Island, Wash., 3,464.
17, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 3,462.
18, Noel Vazquez, Sacramento, Calif., 3,452.
19, Brian LeClair, Delmar, N.Y., 3,434.
20, Mike Dias, Lafayette, Colo., 3,430.
21, Scott Hansel, Stockton, Calif., 3,425.
22, Dale Eagle, Twin Falls, Idaho, 3,389.
23, Skip Pavone, San Jose, Calif., 3,384.
24, n-Scott Luba, Dublin, Calif., 3,383.
25, John Burkett, Southlake, Texas, 3,378.
26, Michael Haugen Jr., Phoenix, 3,367.
27, Joe Goldstein Sr., San Bruno, Calif., 3,366.
28, John Dudak, Orland Park, Ill., 3,365.
29, Warren Nelson, Hemet, Calif., 3,337.
30, Don Blatchford, Santa Monica, Calif., 3,316.
31, Craig Miller, Tracy, Calif., 3,315.
32, (tie) Marty Deh, San Jose, Calif., and ss-n-Paul Appling, Camarillo, Calif., 3,314.
34, Christopher Keane, Cape Coral, Fla., 3,309.
35, (tie) Rick Meneley, Santa Maria, Calif., and ss-Nick Morgan, Sacramento, Calif., 3,298.
37, Peter Knopp, Germany, 3,297.
38, (tie) Joseph Petrovich, Tracy, Calif, and ss-Willie Wells, Arlington, Texas, 3,288.
40, n-Joe Baca, Elk Grove, Calif., 3,283.
41, ss-Steven Jansson, Barnes, Wis., 3,281.
42, David Bolles, Stockton, Calif., 3,280.
43, n-Al Bella, Pittsburg, Calif., 3,268.
44, Pete Thomas, Oklahoma City, Okla., 3,262.
45, Mark Mazzulla, Brentwood, Calif., 3,245.
46, Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 3,242.
47, ss-Ty Dawson, Sunnyvale, Calif., 3,241.
48, Rodney Garrick, San Francisco, 3,233.
49, ss-Jim Hageman, San Jose, Calif, 3,224.
50, Don Herrington, Ballston Lake, N.Y., 3,221.
51, Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 3,207.
52, ss-Eddie Katz, Lakewood, Calif., 3,201.
53, Doug Kempt, Arcadia, Calif., 3,198.
54, ss-Tom Carter, Columbus, Ohio, 3,188.
55, Kevin Foley, Reno, Nev., 3,187.
56, Juergen Siemers, Brentwood, Calif., 3,166.
57, Patrick King, Yankton, S.D., 3,164.
58, (tie) n-Don Sutherland, San Jose, Calif., Mark McCreary, Livermore, Calif., and Dave Dayton, Reno, Nev., 3,161.
61, n-Dennis Jones, Fremont, Calif., 3,153.
62, Timothy Bell, Sacramento, Calif., 3,150.
63, Glenn Morgan, Carson City, Nev., 3,139.
64, Ted Staikoff, Black Hawk, S.D., 3,137.
65, Rick Francis, Linden, Calif., 3,118.
66, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 3,100.
67, Edward Silva, Manteca, Calif., 3,089.
68, n-Steven Soto, Port Orchard, Wash., 3,088.
69, n-Troy Silfies, Pine Grove, CA, 3,078.
70, Jim Gordin, Modesto, Calif., 3,074.
71, Steve Davis, Manteca, Calif., 3,070.
72, Tim Pierce, Portland, Ore., 3,061.
73, Lew Elting, Carlsbad, Calif., 3,055.
74, Paul Mielens, Menomonie, Wis., 3,023.
75, James Storts, Westfield, Ind., 3,015.
76, Stan Winters, Simi Valley, Calif., 2,993.
77, Joe Beck, Montgomery, Ala., 2,986.
78, Bill Hewlett, Las Vegas, 2,970.
79, Fred Cole, Visalia, Calif., 2,952.
80, Mark Fennell, Seattle, 2,924.
81, Larry Galloway, Lakewood, Calif., 2,903.
82, Gerald Calvin, Thousand Oaks, Calif., 2,896.
83, n-John Dorsett, Concord, Calif., 2,894.
84, Mike Watson, Grass Valley, Calif., 2,844.
85, Don Lane, San Francisco, 2,824.
86, Galen Keas, Alda, Neb., 2,784.
87, Francesco Favaloro, Brentwood, Calif., 2,738.
88, Steve Stein, Staten Island, N.Y., 2,158.
89, Mike Saraiva, Napa, Calif., 1,350, withdrew

300 games (1) – Walter Ray Williams Jr.

PBA OPENING ROUND TOUR FINALS

Svensson, Tackett Pace Opening Round of Main Event PBA Tour Finals

Young PBA stars win two matches as round-robin match play qualifying begins

ORLANDO, Fla. – Sweden’s Jesper Svensson, a six-time PBA Tour winner at age 22, and EJ Tackett of Huntington, Ind., PBA’s reigning Player of the Year at age 24, paced the opening round of round robin match play qualifying in the inaugural Main Event PBA Tour Finals at Main Event Entertainment Orlando.

The first two rounds of match play aired Tuesday night on CBS Sports Network.

Svensson, a two-handed left-handed player and PBA’s 2015 Rookie of the Year, easily defeated fellow two-hander Anthony Simonsen of Austin, Texas, 268-233, and Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., 268-217, in his first two matches in the Group One bracket. Tackett, a high-rev right-handed power player, got past Tommy Jones of Simpsonville, S.C., 237-222, and Ryan Ciminelli of Cheektowaga, N.Y., 227-200, in his first two matches in Group Two.

With his 2-0 start and grand total of 636 pins, including 50 bonus pins for each match win, Svensson jumped into a 132-pin lead over Rash in the race for seeding positions for the Group One stepladder finals that will air on Tuesday, June 13. Australia’s Jason Belmonte was third in Group One with a 1-1 match play record and 485 total pins. Simonsen was winless in his first two matches and sat in fourth place with 436 pins.

“I moved my hand position a little after my first three shots,” said Svensson of the three single pins he left and converted before throwing strikes on his next nine shots against Simonsen. “That did it. After that, I just tried to throw the ball good and hoped it would strike.”

Tackett finished the opening round with 564 total pins, 78 pins ahead of Ciminelli. Jones, who lost both of his matches, was third with a 467 total and England’s Dom Barrett with fourth with a 1-1 match play record and 462 pins.

Tackett, who left eight single pins to go along with 16 strikes in his two matches, said, “There were a couple of shots where I got around the ball a bit, but I haven’t had anything worse than a nine-count. Basically, in this format you have to win matches. If you win all four, you don’t have to bowl big games to be in it at the end.”

Round One qualifying will conclude with Svensson meeting Belmonte and Rash bowling Simonsen in Group One, and Tackett vs. Barrett and Ciminelli vs. Jones in Group Two, followed by a position-round matches in each group. The final Round One matches will air on CBS Sports Network on Tuesday, June 6, at 9:30 p.m. EDT. Group One and Group Two stepladder finals will air on June 13 and June 20, respectively, followed by the Main Event PBA Tour Finals telecast on June 27.

MAIN EVENT PBA TOUR FINALS

Main Event, Orlando, Fla. (aired Tuesday on CBS Sports Network)

Round One, Round Robin Standings (after two matches, including 50 bonus pins for matches won):

Group One:

1, Jesper Svensson, Sweden, 2-0, 636.
2, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 1-1, 504.
3, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 1-1, 485.
4, Anthony Simonsen, Austin, Texas, 0-2, 436.

Match Play Results:

Rash def. Belmonte, 237-215.

Svensson def. Simonsen, 268-233.

Belmonte def. Simonsen, 220-203.

Svensson def. Rash, 268-217.

Group Two:
1, EJ Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 2-0, 564.
2, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1-1, 486.
3, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 0-2, 467.

4, Dom Barrett, England, 1-1, 462.

Match Play Results:

Tackett def. Jones, 237-222.

Ciminelli def. Barrett, 236-212.

Tackett def. Ciminelli, 227-200.

Barrett def. Jones, 249-245.

RAILRIDERS BLANKED BY CLIPPERS

RailRiders Blanked by Clippers

Tyler Austin Collects Two Hits in Rehab Appearance

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) scoreless innings streak stretched to a season-worst 19 innings on Tuesday night as the Columbus Clippers walked away with a 5-0 victory at PNC Field. The RailRiders (28-20) have dropped two straight while the Clippers (23-27) have won four in a row.

Julian Merryweather (1-0) tossed eight innings of four-hit ball in his Triple-A debut with Columbus. He struck out eight without walking a batter. Domingo German (1-1) allowed five runs on seven hits in his seven frames of work. German allowed a solo shot to Richie Shaffer in the second frame and surrendered four runs on five hits in the third.

Tyler Austin finished 2-for-4 in his fourth rehab outing with SWB and stroked a double to left in the first inning for his first extra-base hit during the stint.

The 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Champion RailRiders continue their series with a doubleheader against the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians) at 10:35 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Right-handerChance Adams (2-1, 2.12) gets the starting nod in the first game and left-hander Joe Mantiply (2-2, 2.53). For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

PONIES LATE LEADS SLIPS AWAY

Late Lead Slips Away in Trenton, 4-3

TRENTON, NJ – The Trenton Thunder erased a three-run deficit 

late and beat the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in walk-off fashion, 4-3, on Tuesday night at ARM & HAMMER Park. After the Thunder scored three runs in the eighth, Thairo Estrada bounced an RBI single up the middle in the ninth to send the Rumble Ponies to their third straight loss.

Stymied by Ponies starter Donovan Hand for seven scoreless innings, the Thunder finally forced Binghamton to dip into the bullpen in the eighth. Mark Payton ended the righty’s night with a two-out single. Owning a three-run lead, Luis Rojas handed the ball to Tim Peterson. Miguel Andujar greeted the righty with a double before Mike Ford zipped a two-run single up the middle. Two batters later, Rashad Crawford floated a blooper into shallow left field to tie the game.

In the ninth, Abiatal Avelino bunted and reached second when Matt Oberste failed to snag Peterson’s throw to first. Following a sacrifice bunt, Estrada threaded a single into center to push the Thunder to the series-opening victory.

Binghamton’s offense was packed into the sixth in their third turn through the order against Trenton starter Domingo Acevedo. Following hits by Luis Guillorme and Kevin Kaczmarski, Tomas Nido put the Ponies on the board with an RBI groundout to short. Cody Decker followed by lacing a run-producing double to left before Kevin Taylor ended Acevedo’s night by punching an RBI single to left.

Trenton’s comeback spoiled a stellar outing from Hand. He went a season-best 7-2/3 innings and scattered five hits. He matched a season-high with seven strikeouts and retired 11 of 12 batters from the fifth into the eighth. The only run on his tab crossed the plate under Peterson’s watch.

Peterson (1-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and recorded two outs in his first save.

Cale Coshow (1-2) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the victory.

The Rumble Ponies (28-18) continue their three-game series against the first-place Trenton Thunder on Wednesday at 7:00 PM. RHP Corey Oswalt takes the mound against LHP Josh Rogers. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 6:45 PM on News Radio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn.

POSTGAME NOTES: Binghamton suffered their second walk-off loss of the season…the Ponies have lost three straight games for the first time since the first week of the season (April 9 – 11)…the Rumble Ponies last five games have all been decided by one-run

Tickets for Binghamton’s entire home schedule can be purchased at the NYSEG Stadium box office, online on www.bingrp.com and over the phone at (607) 722-FUNN.

RAILRIDERS DROP FINALE IN TOLEDO

RailRiders Drop Finale in Toledo

Dustin Fowler Collects Two More Hits

Toledo, Ohio – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) were held scoreless for just the third time on the season Monday night at Fifth Third Field. The Toledo Mud Hens (22-27) grabbed a 5-0 win to avoid getting swept in the four-game series. The RailRiders (28-19) finished their swing through the Buckeye State 4-2.

Drew VerHagen (3-3) scattered six hits and two walks over 7.1 innings for the Mud Hens. The right-hander struck out five. Luis Cessa (2-5) absorbed the defeat despite a quality start. The right-hander allowed an RBI-double to Argenis Diaz in the second and a solo shot to Bryan Holaday in the fifth. He scattered three hits and a walk across six innings with four strikeouts.

Michael Almanzar mashed a three-run homer off J.R. Graham in the eighth inning to cap the scoring.

Dustin Fowler finished 2-for-4 with a pair of singles. Fowler has eight hits in his last three games. Tyler Austin finished 1-for-3 and has collected a knock in all three games during his Major League rehab assignment.

The 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Champion RailRiders return home for seven games in six days on Tuesday, May 30. SWB plays host to the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians) at 6:35 p.m. Right-hander Domingo German (1-0, 3.29) gets the starting nod. Every Tuesday home game at PNC Field is $2 Tuesdays with $2 lawn seats and $2 tallboy specials, presented by La Tolteca. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

PONIES LOSE TO HARTFORD 6-5

Hartford Holds Off Pony Pressure, 6-5

BINGHAMTON, NY – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies fell one run short for the second straight day, losing to the Hartford Yard Goats, 6-5, at NYSEG Stadium Monday afternoon. Binghamton scored three times in the ninth, but stranded the potential game-tying run on first, sealing their first to back-to-back losing stretch since May 11 and 12. All four games of the series split were decided by one run.

Trailing by four runs entering the ninth inning, Binghamton got its first two men aboard. Cody Decker bashed a pinch-hit RBI double to the centerfield wall, scoring Kevin Kaczmarski from first and making it a 6-3 game. L.J. Mazzilli made it a one-run contest with his two-out two-run single, bringing Kevin Taylor to the plate with the tying run on first. Taylor grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

P.J. Conlon (5-3) allowed the game’s first run two batters in, eventually tossing six innings in the loss. He allowed five earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

Max White and Ashley Graeter collected back-to-back hits to begin the game, giving Hartford a quick 1-0 lead.

Mazzilli answered for the Ponies in the bottom half of the first, sending a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence for his second home run of the season. He would finish the afternoon with three hits and three RBI’s.

The Yard Goats gained the lead back on Ryan McMahon’s third-inning sacrifice fly and carried that advantage the rest of the way. Ahead 4-1 entering the sixth inning, Correlle Prime sent a solo blast down the left-field line, before Ashley Graeter’s solo shot in the seventh made it 6-1.

Colton Plaia singled home Kevin Kaczmarski in the bottom of the seventh, extending his hitting streak to six games and cutting the Yard Goats lead to four.

Jack Wynkoop (4-2) gave up two earned runs over seven innings with one strikeout.

The Rumble Ponies (28-17) begin a three-game series with division-leading Trenton on Tuesday evening. RHP Donovan Hand goes for the Ponies, while RHP Domingo Acevedo tosses for the Thunder. First pitch at Arm & Hammer Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 PM. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 6:45 PM on News Radio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn.

POSTGAME NOTES: The Binghamton bullpen allowed their first run since May 20 (18.2 innings)…L.J. Mazzilli recorded his first three RBI game of the season…17 of Binghamton’s 45 completed games have been decided by one run

Tickets for Binghamton’s entire home schedule can be purchased at the NYSEG Stadium box office, online on www.bingrp.com and over the phone at (607) 722-FUNN.

Simonsen Wins Wilmington Open

Anthony Simonsen Wins PBA Xtra Frame Wilmington Open

Twenty-year-old Texas two-hander wins third career PBA Tour title

WILMINGTON, N.C. (May 29, 2017)  - Texas two-hander Anthony Simonsen defeated top qualifier Rhino Page of Orlando, Fla., 224-177, to win the Professional Bowlers Association’s Xtra Frame Wilmington Open at Ten Pin Alley Family Fun Center Monday.

Simonsen, now 20, claimed his third career title and first since becoming the youngest player in PBA history to win a major title when he won the 2016 USBC Masters at age 19.

“I figured out the difference between the two lanes, and that was my advantage,” Simonsen said. “When it’s your day, it’s your day. I’ve been getting frustrated making TV shows and not winning, but you have to keep opening the door.”

Simonsen and Page both ran into early trouble in the title match, leaving four-count splits which neither converted. But Simonsen followed his third-frame split with a string of five strikes to take command of the match while Page struggled to carry strikes. A second unconverted split in the eighth frame ended Page’s hope for his first singles title since since early in 2009.

In a semifinal match duel between two of the PBA’s bright young stars, Simonsen ended EJ Tackett’s bid for an eighth career title, and fourth in PBA Xtra Frame events, 258-223. Simonsen struck on eight of his first nine shots, but the 24-year-old Tackett was right behind until back-to-back solid 10 pins in the eighth and ninth frames ended his rally.

In the opening match of the four-player stepladder, Tackett left the 3-4-10 split and opened in the first frame, but responded with a string of five strikes. Jason Sterner of Rockledge, Fla., struck on his first shot, but left splits and opened in two of the next three frames to dig a hole he couldn’t escape. Tackett won handily, 242-199.

Next up on the PBA Xtra Frame Tour is the third tournament in the seven-event Xtra Frame Storm Cup points series, the Xtra Frame Greater Jonesboro Open at Jonesboro Bowling Center in Jonesboro, Ark., next Saturday and Sunday. Both days of competition will be live streamed on PBA’s online bowling channel, Xtra Frame. For Xtra Frame subscription information, visit xtraframe.tv.

PBA XTRA FRAME WILMINGTON OPEN

Ten Pin Family Fun Center, Wilmington, N.C., Monday

Final Standings:

1, Anthony Simonsen, Austin, Texas, $10,000.

2, Rhino Page, Orlando, Fla., $5,500.

3, EJ Tackett, Huntington, Ind., $3,000.

4, Jason Sterner, Rockledge, Fla., $2,500.

Stepladder Results:

Match One: Tackett def. Sterner, 242-199.

Semifinal Match: Simonsen def. Tackett, 258-223.

Championship: Simonsen def. Page, 224-177.

Final Match Play Standings (after 24 games, including match play bonus pins):

1, Page, 10-2, 5,898.
2, Simonsen, 8-4, 5,811.
3, Tackett, 8-4, 5,799.
4, Sterner, 8-4, 5,732.
5, Dom Barrett, England, 8-4, 5,665, $1,800.
6, Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 6-6, 5,602, $1,500.
7, Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 4-7-1, 5,407, $1,300.
8, BJ Moore III, Greensburg, Pa., 6-5-1, 5,381, $1,250.
9, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 5-7, 5,361, $1,200.
10, Shota Kawazoe, Japan, 5-7, 5,328, $1,175.
11, Ildemaro Ruiz, Venezuela, 4-8, 5,288, $1,150.
12, Bill O'Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 6-6, 5,271, $1,100.
13, Josh Blanchard, Mesa, Ariz, 5-7, 5,265, $1,075.
14, Jeff Evans, Supply, N.C., 6-6, 5,222, $1,050.
15, Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 3-9, 5,158, $1,025.
16, Isaac Kim, Lebanon, Pa., 3-9, 4,992, $1,000.