SUNCOAST PBA SENIOR STORYLINES

                                         SUNCOAST PBA SENIOR U.S. OPEN STORYLINES

PBA50 superstars eye career milestones in first major of the 2016 PBA50 Tour season

LAS VEGAS (May 25, 2016) -- The world’s greatest bowlers ages 50 years and older will compete in the first major tournament of the 2016 PBA50 Tour season when the Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open presented by 900 Global returns to the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas May 29-June 3.

Several of the PBA’s all-time great players will be trying to add another milestone to their legendary careers in the fifth stop of the season including defending champion Pete Weber’s bid to become the first player to win four consecutive PBA50 Tour Tournaments.

Bowling fans will be able to catch all the action – start to finish – on pba.com’s online bowling channel Xtra Frame. For subscription and schedule information click on www.xtraframe.tv.

Here’s a look at several compelling storylines for the 14th annual event:

Defending champion Pete Weber will try for a record fourth consecutive PBA50 Tour title:  Defending Senior U.S. Open champion PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber, off to a blazing start in the 2016 PBA50 Tour season, will try to become the first player ever to win four consecutive PBA50 Tour titles. The reigning PBA50 Player of the Year finished fourth in the season-opening Pasco County Florida Open and since then won the United Healthcare Sun Bowl In The Villages, Mooresville Ford Open and Johnny Petraglia BVL Open in successive weeks. Weber currently shares the record for PBA50 consecutive titles with fellow Hall of Famer Tom Baker of King, N.C. who set the mark in 2006.

Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open is still looking for its first three-time winner: PBA Hall of Famers Amleto Monacelli of Venezuela, and Tom Baker of King, N.C., will be trying for a record third PBA Senior U.S. Open title. Monacelli, a 20-time PBA Tour and five-time PBA50 Tour winner won the event in 2012 and 2013. Baker, a 10-time PBA Tour and 12-time PBA50 Tour winner also won the event back-to-back in 2005 and 2006.

Baker, who currently is tied for second in career PBA50 Tour titles with Gary Dickinson and Dale Eagle with 12, will also try to move into second place by himself behind all-time titles leader John Handegard with 14 wins.

PBA legend Johnny Petraglia trying to become oldest player to win a PBA50 Tour title: PBA Hall of Famer Johnny Petraglia is trying to become the oldest player to win a PBA50 Tour title at age 69. In more than 50 years of PBA competition, Petraglia has won 14 PBA Tour and eight PBA50 Tour titles. He is the only player in PBA history to win a PBA Tour or PBA50 Tour national title in six different decades. He’s still competitive with a best finish of fourth in 2015 and a fourth-place finish this season.

Senior U.S. Open is first of four PBA50 Tour majors: For the first time in the more than 30 year history of the PBA50 Tour, players will have the opportunity to compete in four majors. After the Senior U.S. Open, the remaining majors are the USBC Senior Masters, PBA50 Treasure Island Resort & Casino PBA World Championship and PBA50 National Championship.

Players vying for season-ending PBA50 Tour TV finals: The top eight bowlers from the 2016 PBA50 Tour points list advance to the PBA Challenge held in conjunction with PBA World Series of Bowling VIII in Reno in December. The top two PBA Challenge competitors in the PBA50 division advance to a final to air exclusively on PBA’s online bowling channel Xtra Frame, following an eight game match play round.

Hall of Famers competing in the Senior U.S. Open: Eight PBA Hall of Famers are entered in the Senior U.S. Open including Walter Ray Williams Jr., Pete Weber, Tom Baker, Norm Duke, Parker Bohn III, Brian Voss, Johnny Petraglia, and Dale Eagle.

Past Champions: Five Past Senior U.S. Open champions are entered including Pete Weber (2015), Norm Duke (2014), Amleto Monacelli (2012-2013), Ron Mohr (2011) and Tom Baker (2005-06).

Challenging format: The PBA Senior U.S. Open is considered the most demanding test for players because of its grueling format and challenging lane conditions. Like the U.S. Open on the PBA Tour, the Senior U.S. Open demands patience, quality shot-making and a strong mental game over 42 games of qualifying and match play. The top four players will then meet in the stepladder finals to determine the winner.

SUNCOAST PBA SENIOR U.S. OPEN WINNERS

2015     Pete Weber

2014     Norm Duke

2013     Amleto Monacelli

2012     Amleto Monacelli

2011     Ron Mohr

2010     Mark Williams

2009     Wayne Webb

2008     Wayne Webb

2007     n-Rick Minier

2006     Tom Baker
2005     Tom Baker

2004     David Ozio

2003     Dave Soutar

n-non-member

SUNCOAST PBA SENIOR U.S. OPEN PRESENTED BY 900 GLOBAL SCHEDULE

Suncoast Bowling Center, Las Vegas (All times Pacific)

  

Sunday, May 29

8 - A Squad practice

9:15 a.m. - B Squad practice

10:30 a.m. - C Squad practice

Monday, May 30

7 a.m. - A Squad, 6 qualifying games

10:45 a.m. - B Squad, 6 qualifying games

2:30 p.m. C Squad, 6 qualifying games

Tuesday, May 31

7 a.m. - B Squad, 6 qualifying games

10:45 a.m. - C Squad, 6 qualifying games

2:30 p.m. - A Squad, 6 qualifying games

Wednesday, June 1

7 a.m. - C Squad, 6 qualifying games

10:45 a.m. - A Squad, 6 qualifying games

2:30 p.m. - B Squad, 6 qualifying games

(Based on 192-player field, top 48 advance to match play)

           

Thursday, June 2

8 a.m. –  6 games round robin match play

1 p.m. -  6 games round robin match play

Friday, June 3

8 a.m. - 6 games round robin match play

12:30 p.m. - 6 games round robin match play

            Top 4 advance after 42 games advance to stepladder finals

4:15 p.m. – Top 4 stepladder finals

2016 USBC QUEENS RESULTS

SIXTEEN PLAYERS REMAIN AT 2016 USBC QUEENS

LAS VEGAS – After four days of competition at the 2016 United States Bowling Congress Queens, only 16 players remain in contention for the coveted tiara and $20,000 top prize, which will be earned live on CBS Sports Network on Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Among the undefeated competitors after the opening round of match play Tuesday are top seed Birgit Poppler of Germany and Team USA member Stefanie Johnson of Grand Prairie, Texas, who each have had very different experiences this week at The Orleans Bowling Center.

Poppler led the field of 256 competitors by averaging more than 240 through 15 games of qualifying but needed to rely more on her spare game Tuesday as she averaged nearly 215 in her three wins, including a 644-609 victory against Kaidee Sutphin of Mount Dora, Florida, to remain in the winners' bracket.

“I always started pretty well in the first game and was able to build a lead,” said Poppler, whose 15-game qualifying mark of 3,601 was the second-highest in tournament history. “I wasn’t striking as much, so I just tried to make my spares and stay patient. For tomorrow, I’m going to try to do what I did today and stay patient. Hopefully, I can keep it going. I might need to strike more tomorrow.”

Johnson did not record a game higher than 226 in her first 13 games of qualifying but fired 279 and 240 in her final two games to edge her way into the double-elimination match-play bracket in the 53rd position.

Johnson continued to show a flair for the dramatic in match play, defeating Singapore’s Jazreel Tan in a roll off after the two tied at 674 in the opening round of match play.

In her last match Tuesday, Johnson delivered two strikes and nine pins in the final frame to hold off a charging Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, 687-686. Kulick, a two-time USBC Queens champion, fired a 278 in the final game.

“I tried a couple of different things throughout qualifying but just never saw the picture,” said Johnson, the 2015 Professional Women’s Bowling Association Rookie of the Year. “I had nothing to lose, so I ended up making a big move right with a great ball choice and never looked back. Today was not an easy road. Two of my matches came down to the final frame, and being able to perform in those moments just reminds me of why I do what I do. Those are the moments you prepare for and want to be in.”

Joining Poppler and Johnson in the winners’ bracket are 2013 Queens champion Diana Zavjalova of Latvia, Singapore’s Hui Fen New and Bernice Lim, Sweden’s Sandra Andersson, Malaysia’s Sin Li Jane and Robyn Renslow of Brentwood, California.

The double-elimination bracket started with the 64 bowlers who advanced through three rounds of qualifying, and now only 16 remain with the opportunity to advance to Thursday’s stepladder finals.

The elimination bracket includes Kulick, Indonesia’s Tannya Roumimper, Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, New York, Rocio Restrepo of Louisville, Ohio, Brenda Padilla of Mansfield, Texas, Natasha Roslan of Malaysia, Jennifer Higgins of Westerville, Ohio, and Lindsay Boomershine of Perry, Utah.

Defending champion and USBC Hall of Famer Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, New York, won her opening match but lost her next two matches to be eliminated. Her run at a third Queens title ended after she fell to 2015-2016 National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Most Valuable Player Brittany Smith of Des Moines, Iowa, 646-625.

Match play will continue Wednesday at noon Eastern live on Xtra Frame, the online bowling channel for the Professional Bowlers Association. To subscribe to watch the action on Xtra Frame, visit XtraFrame.TV.

The final two players in the winners’ bracket Wednesday will meet in a three-game match, with total pinfall determining the top seed for the stepladder finals.

The final four competitors in the elimination bracket will face off in a shootout round to determine the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 seeds for the show. The highest three-game set from the round will earn the third seed, the second highest will be seeded fourth and the third highest will earn the final spot in the stepladder. The lowest series will be eliminated and finish in sixth place.

The Queens is the first major of the 2016 PWBA Tour season.

For more information on the USBC Queens, visit BOWL.com/Queens.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body of bowling as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). USBC conducts championship events nationwide including the largest participation sporting events in the world – the USBC Open and Women’s Championships – and professional events such as the USBC Masters and USBC Queens.

Founded in 1895, today USBC and its 2,500 state and local associations proudly serve more than a million members. USBC is headquartered in Arlington, Texas, working toward a future for the sport. The online home for USBC is BOWL.com.

2016 USBC QUEENS
At The Orleans Bowling Center, Las Vegas
Tuesday's Results

MATCH PLAY
Double elimination, three-game matches decided by total pinfall

ROUND 1
(Winners remain in winners bracket. Losers move to elimination bracket).

(1) Birgit Poppler (a), Germany, def. (64) Josie Earnest, Nashville, Tenn., 641-626.
(32) Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, Calif., def. (33) Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, 715-616.
(48) Tish Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo., def. (17) Stephanie Schwartz (a), Racine, Wis., 681-611.
(49) Kaidee Sutphin, Mount Dora, Fla., def. (16) Kristina Wendell, Kingston, N.Y., 631-611.
(9) Siti Rahman, Malaysia, def. (56) Syaidatul Hamidi, Malaysia, 653-615.
(24) Hui Fen New, Singapore, def. (41) Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, 701-581.
(25) Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, Ohio, def. (40) Cassandra Leuthold, Lincoln, Neb., 669-608.
(8) Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., def. (57) Kamilah Dammers, Aruba, 671-586.

(5) Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., def. (60) Catherine Maher (a), Ottumwa, Iowa, 639-549.
(28) Lindsay Boomershine, Perry, Utah, def. (37) Verity Crawley (a), Babson Park, Fla., 680-675.
(44) Emily Fagan (a), Berkeley, Calif., def. (21) Erin McCarthy, Omaha, Neb., 660-593.
(53) Stefanie Johnson, Grand Prairie, Texas, def. (12) Jazreel Tan, Singapore, (10-10, 10-9) after a 674 tie.
(13) Sydney Brummett (a), Fort Wayne, Ind., def. (52) Kristina Mickelson, Ord, Neb., 670-638.
(20) Daria Kovalova (a), Wichita, Kan., def. (45) Katie Ann Sopp-Schroeder, White Bear Lake, Minn., 642-630.
(36) Katie Garcia (a), Wichita, Kan., def. (29) Laura Plazas (a), Bel Aire, Kan., 622-606.
(61) Sandra Andersson (a), Sweden, def., Shayna Ng, Singapore, 580-577.

(3) Jenny Wegner (a), Sweden, def. (62) Brandi Branka, Fairview Heights, Ill., 678-630.
(35) Tannya Roumimper, Indonesia, def. (30) Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 700-620.
(46) Robyn Renslow (a), Brentwood, Calif., def. (19) Hollyann Johansen (a), Wichita, Kan., 694-671.
(14) Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, def. (51) Stephanie Martins, Brazil, 627-581.
(54) Amanda Greene, Romney, W.Va., def. (11) Brittany Smith (a), Des Moines, Iowa, 674-585.
(43) Kristin Quah (a), Singapore, def. (22) Daphne Tan, Singapore, 703-639.
(27) Clara Guerrero, Pflugerville, Texas, def. (38) Katelyn Simpson (a), Emmett, Idaho, 703-589.
(6) Sin Li Jane, Malaysia, def. (59) Dena Buxton (a), Australia, 707-571.

(7) Joey Yeo (a), Singapore, def. (58) Mariana Ayala, Euless, Texas, 632-561.
(39) Natasha Roslan, Malaysia, def. (26) Anne Marie Duggan, Edmond, Okla., 704-517.
(23) Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., def. (42) Correen Lieber (a), Issaquah, Wash., 758-619.
(10) Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, def. (55) Keli Callahan (a), Las Vegas, 777-613.
(50) Brenda Padilla, Mansfield, Texas, def. (15) Leanne Hulsenberg, Pleasant View, Utah, 629-621.
(47) Victoria Johansson (a), Sweden, def., Cherie Tan, Singapore, 719-599.
(31) Bernice Lim (a), Singapore, def. (34) Jennifer Higgins, Westerville, Ohio, 666-657.
(63) Syazwani Sahar, Malaysia, def. (2) Daria Pajak (a), Poland, 678-623.

ROUND 2 - WINNERS BRACKET

Poppler def. Parkin, 648-617
Sutphin def. T. Johnson, 580-565
New def. Rahman, 643-595
Restrepo def. L. Johnson, 675-643
Kulick def. Boomershine, 711-622
S. Johnson def. Fagan, 659-604
Brummett def. Kovalova, 679-588
S. Andersson def. Garcia, 682-616

Wegner def. Roumimper, 695-624
Renslow def. Pluhowsky, 629-628
Greene def. Quah, 773-584
Jane def. Guerrero, 691-641
Roslan def. Yeo, 692-672
Zavjalova def. McEwan, 736-695
Padilla def. Johansson, 772-589
Lim def. Sahar, 742-649

ROUND 2 - ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,200)

Dorin-Ballard def. Earnest, 618-560
Leuthold def. Dammers, 688-665
Schwartz def. Wendell, 689-549
Hamidi def. Asbaty (in roll off after 574 tie)
Crawley def. Maher, 652-611
Plazas def. Ng, 680-505
McCarthy def. J. Tan, 639-607
Sopp-Schroeder def. Mickelson, 692-603

Barnes def. Branka, 616-599
Simpson def. Buxton, 608-545
Johansen def. Martins, 651-588
Smith def. D. Tan, 670-601
Ayala def. Duggan, 704-621
Higgins def. Pajak, 711-652
Callahan def. Lieber 658-640
C. Tan def. Hulsenberg, 665-661

ROUND 3 - WINNERS BRACKET

Poppler def. Sutphin, 644-609
New def. Restrepo, 704-657
S. Johnson def. Kulick, 687-686
Andersson def. Brummett, 615-550

Renslow def. Wegner, 638-616
Jane def. Greene, 633-616
Zavjalova def. Roslan, 683-628
Lim def. Padilla, 748-632

ROUND 3 - ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,300)

Pluhowsky def. Dorin-Ballard, 634-609
Quah def. Leuthold, 594-582
Roumimper def. Schwartz, 676-631
Hamidi def. Guerrero, 758-647
McEwan def. Crawley, 698-652
Johansson def. Plazas, 564-539
McCarthy def. Yeo, 727-635
Sopp-Schroeder def. Sahar, 593-571

T. Johnson def. Barnes, 642-614
Rahman def. Simpson, 720-587
Parkin def. Johansen, 747-542
Smith def. L. Johnson, 646-625
Fagan def. Ayala, 647-594
Higgins def. Kovalova, 695-610
Boomershine def. Callahan, 631-597
Garcia def. C. Tan, 622-612

ROUND 4 - ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,400)

Pluhowsky def. Quah, 689-678
Roumimper def. Hamidi, 667-633
McEwan def. Johansson, 663-604
McCarthy def. Sopp-Schroeder, 665-649
T. Johnson def. Rahman, 699-609
Smith def. Parkin, 729-649
Higgins def. Fagan, 635-587
Boomershine def. Garcia 682-556

ROUND 5 - ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,600)

Kulick def. Pluhowsky, 678-653
Roumimper def. Brummett, 671-588
McEwan def. Sutphin, 746-596
Restrepo def. McCarthy, 680-662
Padilla def. T. Johnson, 659-498
Roslan def. Smith, 695-641
Higgins def. Greene, 664-653
Boomershine def. Wegner, 652-622

FLORES GOES 2 FOR 3 IN LOSS

B-Mets Can’t Get Into the Flo’ in 3-0 Loss

BINGHAMTON, NY –The Binghamton Mets managed only five hits and were shut out by the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 3-0, Tuesday night at NYSEG Stadium. New York Mets Major League rehabber Wilmer Flores went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and logged seven innings at first base.
The game was scoreless until the fifth when Tyler Pill walked the opposing pitcher Adalberto Mejia with one out. Rando Moreno followed with a single and with two outs, Austin Slater roped a double to center, scoring Mejia and Moreno to give Richmond a 2-0 lead.
Mejia baffled B-Mets batters through seven shutout innings. Binghamton managed only four hits against the lefty and struck out seven times. Mejia (1-1) picked up his first win of the season.
Richmond added one run in the eighth as Ryder Jones led off with a walk and later scored on an Ali Castillo single to make it 3-0.
Pill (3-4) took the loss with two runs allowed on five hits in six innings. He walked four and struck out four and has now lasted at least six innings in seven straight starts. Pill notched his sixth quality start in his last seven appearances.
Flores led the B-Mets offensively with his 2-for-3 mark in the first game of his rehab stint. He was pulled after seven innings at first base. Matt Oberste was 2-for-4 with a double and L.J. Mazzilli went 1-for-1 after entering as a defensive replacement.
Game three of the four-game series is set for 6:35 P.M. on Wednesday with RHP Rainy Lara getting the start for the B-Mets. He will be opposed by Richmond LHP Andrew Suarez. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 6:20 P.M. on Newsradio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Mets channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: The B-Mets were shut out for the third time in 2016…Tyler Pill walked a season-high four batters…Alberto Baldonado went allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings in his Double-A debut.
Season tickets and mini packs are on sale now and may be purchased in person at NYSEG Stadium or by visiting www.bmets.com or calling (607) 723-METS.
Be sure to follow the B-Mets on Facebook, Twitter and at the team’s official website (www.bmets.com) for more team information. Fans can also stay up to date with all the action on the field by visiting “B-Mets Buzz with Tim Heiman” at bmets.mlblogs.com

BATS EDGE RAILRIDERS 5-3

 

Bats Edge RailRiders in Series Opener

Jake Cave Finishes a Home Run Shy of the Cycle

 

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) fell 5-3 to the Louisville Bats on Tuesday night at PNC Field. The loss was only the third for the RailRiders (26-20) in 11 games against the IL West. The Bats improved to 23-21.

Cody Reed (3-2) worked around his Triple-A season-worst seven hits to limit SWB to two runs across six innings. He struck out seven. Brady Lail (2-1) shouldered the defeat despite a quality start. He surrendered three runs total in the first two innings, but finished the night with four straight scoreless frames. Wandy Peralta earned his first save with Louisville despite allowing a run in the ninth.

Outfielder Jake Cave teamed with Cesar Puello for the RailRiders only runs. Cave doubled in the fifth and came around on Puello’s second home run of the year, an opposite field shot to the right corner. Cave singled in the sixth and tripled to center in the ninth. Puello drove him in with a sacrifice fly to center, capping a three RBI effort.

Juan Perez homered on the game’s third pitch to give the Bats a lead they would not relinquish. The advantage grew to 3-0 on a two-run double by Rafael Lopez in the second. After Puello’s homer cut the deficit to one at 3-2, Louisville tallied runs in the seventh and eighth to build the margin back to three.

The RailRiders and Bats have a quick turn around on Wednesday. It’s School Day at PNC Field with a first pitch scheduled for 10:35 a.m. Left-hander Phil Coke (2-0, 0.00) starts for SWB against Major League rehabber Anthony DeSclafani (0-0, 0.00) For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

    

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKLY GLANCE

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS WEEKLY GLANCE
(For May 18 - May 24, 2016)
USBC Hall of Famer reaches 65 years at 2016 USBC Open Championships
United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Glenn Allison of Anaheim, California, became the 10th bowler in 113 years of USBC Open Championships history to reach 65 years of participation.
The 85-year-old right-hander made his milestone march down Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, on May 17 and received a plaque, chevron and custom ring to commemorate the achievement.
"Walking down that aisle is something I love doing every year, and it's a thrill to be here," said Allison, a four-time Open Championships titlist. "Amazingly, I didn't really know what this tournament was about until 30 years later when I looked back on the memories. I've made great friends over the years, and some I'm still chasing in pinfall."
Allison, who made his Open Championships debut at the 1947 event in Los Angeles, was joined on the lanes at the NBS by his longtime teammate and fellow hall of famer, Jimmy Schroeder of Tonawanda, New York, the 1976 Classic Singles champion and a 68-time tournament participant.
Schroeder and Allison are two of the 19 members of the tournament's 100,000-Pin Club and entered the 2016 tournament third and fourth, respectively, on the career pinfall list behind Bill Lillard Sr. (124,087) and Joe Norris (123,770).
This year, Schroeder added 1,278 pins to increase his total to 119,015, while Allison posted a 1,487 all-events total to finish his 65th event with a career pinfall of 117,292, a 196.1 average.
New leaders emerge in Regular All-Events, Regular Doubles at National Bowling Stadium
Jakob Butturff of Chandler, Arizona, now is the man to beat at the 2016 USBC Open Championships after throwing one of the biggest shots of his career May 21 at the National Bowling Stadium to sneak into the lead in Regular All-Events with a 2,124 total.
The 22-year-old left-hander calmly struck on his last shot to move past Robert J. Bures of Painesville, Ohio, who held the lead for more than two months with 2,122.
"I knew I needed a mark and good count in the 10th, and when I left the 7 pin, the first thing I did was take an extra deep breath," said Butturff, who finished his third USBC Open Championships appearance with 721 in doubles, 715 in team and 688 in singles. "It's easy to get frustrated in that moment and make a huge mistake, so I made sure to regroup and make the spare. Then, I threw one of the best shots of my life."
One squad later May 21, Greg Thomas of Irmo, South Carolina, and Chris Hill of Franklin, Wisconsin, moved into the lead in Regular Doubles with a 1,401 total.
The duo surged into the top spot with a 562 final game, which included a 296 game from Hill and 266 from Thomas. Thomas led the overall effort with a 720 series, and Hill added 681.
Three bowlers celebrate 50 years at 2016 USBC Open Championships
Jim Rollins of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, and Alfred Jones of Southhampton, Bermuda, each celebrated 50 years with a twist this week at the USBC Open Championships, while Bill Smith of New Hope, Minnesota, also reached the coveted 50-year plateau.
Rollins, an 82-year-old right-hander, became the 200th member of the event's 50-Year Club on May 17, while Jones, 81, became the first international competitor to reach the milestone May 18. Smith, 76, added his name to the list May 22.
Smith's Open Championships debut came in Detroit in 1961, Jones' first tournament appearance came in Oakland, California, in 1964 and Rollins made his first trip down Center Aisle three years later at the 1967 event in Miami.
Each bowler received a plaque, chevron and special lapel pin to commemorate the milestone.
Illinois ladies lead Classified Team at USBC Open Championships
After years of supporting their husbands, boyfriends and significant others at the USBC Open Championships, Belle Garcia and her friends decided they should take advantage of the trip and bowl as well.
Four years later, their appropriately named team, We Are Here Anyway of Naperville, Illinois, found its way to the top of the leaderboard in Classified Team with a 2,702 total May 19 at the National Bowling Stadium after posting games of 909, 935 and 858.
Susan Schlink led the way for the all-female We Are Here Anyway with a 638 series and was followed by Jan Schmidt (609), Kristine Kreuser (548), Garcia (500) and Catherine Gober (407).
Past champion leads two events at 2016 Bowlers Journal Championships
Sean Riccardi of St. Petersburg, Florida, used the momentum of a perfect game to secure the lead in Open Singles and Open Doubles at the 2016 Bowlers Journal Championships presented by USBC.
The 41-year-old right-hander added games of 248 and 219 for a 767 series at the National Bowling Stadium.
The clean set helped Riccardi and two-time Professional Bowlers Association Tour champion Brad Angelo of Lockport, New York, win a three-team battle for the doubles lead with a 1,459 total. Angelo also filled all 30 frames on the way to games of 259, 209 and 224 for a 692 finish.
Angelo and Kevin Bienko of Kenmore, New York, set the bar in Open Doubles with a 1,376 performance a day earlier.
A look ahead
There will be one live stream broadcast from the USBC Open Championships this week as defending Regular Doubles champions Mark Sleeper Jr. of Kaufman, Texas, and two-hander Anthony Simonsen of Princeton, Texas, make their way to the National Bowling Stadium to put their title on the line May 29 at noon Eastern.
Sleeper owns a perfect game at the Open Championships, which came at the NBS in 2014, and Simonsen is having a memorable 2016, which includes becoming the youngest bowler in Professional Bowlers Association Tour history to win a major, claiming the USBC Masters title in February, just after his 19th birthday.

For more information on the Open Championships, visit BOWL.com/OpenChamp.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body of bowling as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). USBC conducts championship events nationwide including the largest participation sporting events in the world - the USBC Open and Women's Championships - and professional events such as the USBC Masters and USBC Queens.

Founded in 1895, today USBC and its 2,500 state and local associations proudly serve more than a million members. USBC is headquartered in Arlington, Texas, working toward a future for the sport. The online home for USBC is BOWL.com.
2016 USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nev.
(Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfall)
As of May 24, 2016
REGULAR DIVISION
Team
1, Bowling Dynamics.com (Robert Lewis, Steven Roberts, Kelly Urrea, Warren Eales, David Cirigliano), Phoenix, 3,300. 2, Who's Eddie Byrd? Fort Worth, Texas, 3,241. 3, HornswogglerS, Staten Island, N.Y., 3,237. 4, S&B Pro Shop 1, Clinton Township, Mich., 3,216.  5, Wickliffe Lanes, Mentor, Ohio, 3,202. 6, Logo Infusion Original, Las Vegas, 3,200. 7, Linds Lakers 1, Brooklyn Park, Minn., 3,187. 8(tie), The Warner Brothas, Louisville, Ky. and West Texas A&M 1, 3,184. 10(tie), Bowlerama Lanes, Urbandale, Iowa, and Bowlers ER, Des Plaines, Ill., 3,181.
Doubles
1, Greg Thomas, Irmo, S.C./Christopher Hill, Franklin, Wis., 1,401. 2(tie), Matthew Zitnik, Mayfield Heights, Ohio/Jason Bowles, Euclid, Ohio, and Nick Heilman/Andy Mills, La Crosse, Wis., 1,341. 4, David Ewald, Macomb, Mich./Nicholas Wissinger, Clinton Township, Mich., 1,337. 5, Kevin Tatrow, Bel Aire, Kan./Will Barnes, Austin, Texas, 1,335. 6, Scott Honeysett/Michael Bradfield, Lansing, Mich., 1,334. 7, Michael Lisch, Zionsville, Ind./John Bauerle Jr., Indianapolis, 1,331. 8, Samuel Lantto, Eden Prairie, Minn./Todd Savoy, Superior, Wis., 1,330, 9(tie), Jay Nephew, Houston/Robert Raymond, Pflugerville, Texas, and Jonathan Wilbur, North Clarendon, Vt./Todd Lathrop, Colchester, Conn., 1,328.
Singles
1, Robert J. Bures, Painesville, Ohio, 815. 2, Matt Smallin, Glenburn, N.D., 785. 3, Camden Rokita, Springfield, Ill., 779. 4, Jacob Genz, Rock Island, Ill., 772. 5, Tim Janz, Beaver Dam, Wis., 770. 6, Jimmy Clark, Topsham, Maine, 767. 7, Daniel Vick, Pittsford, N.Y., 765. 8, Will Barnes, Austin, Texas, 764. 9, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 763. 10, Aaron O'Brien, St. Louis, 760.
All-Events
1, Jakob Butturff, Chandler, Ariz., 2,124. 2, Robert J. Bures, Painesville, Ohio, 2,122. 3, David Cirigliano, Phoenix, 2,097. 4, Joe Massey, Flora, Ind., 2,086. 5, Justin Crumley, Washington, Mo., 2,075. 6, Warren Eales, Chandler, Ariz., 2,064. 7, Matt Smallin, Glenburn, N.D., 2,060. 8, Tim Hill, Lincoln, Calif., 2,058. 9, Jeffrey Grego, Fort Wayne, Ind., 2,056. 10, Camden Rokita, Springfield, Ill., 2,055.
Team All-Events
1, HornswogglerS (Ray Smarsh, Manuel Gonzales, Dan Dunleavy, Rusty Thomsen, Alex Cavagnaro), Staten Island, N.Y., 9,719. 2, Bowling Dynamics.com, Phoenix, 9,710. 3, Junior Team USA Support 1, Eagan, Minn., 9,672. 4, Crankers Arn't Us, Aurora, Colo., 9,599. 5, Wickliffe Lanes, Mentor, Ohio, 9,598. 6, S&B Pro Shop 1, Clinton Township, Mich., 9,587. 7, Linds Lakers 1, Brooklyn Park, Minn., 9,582. 8, Rose Bowl Lanes, Rochester, N.Y., 9,561. 9, Vick-tamizers, Lititz, Pa., 9,555. 10, Team NABR, West Henrietta, N.Y., 9,525.

CLASSIFIED DIVISION
Team
1, We Are Here Any Way (Kristine Kreuser, Catherine Gober, Belle Garcia, Susan Schlink, Jan Schmidt), Naperville, Ill., 2,702. 2, Yeah Spare IV, Sacramento, Calif., 2,656. 3, Bay Area Express 8, San Mateo, Calif., 2,618. 4, T-Rays, Jamestown, N.D., 2,607. 5, Team Bazinga, Las Vegas, 2,582. 6, Scotty's 3, Alexandria, Minn., 2,570. 7, Yeah Spare III, Sacramento, Calif., 2,555. 8, Just Bowling, Fremont, CA., 2,533. 9, Plato Woodwork 1, Gaylord, Minn., 2,531. 10, Malad Gun Club, Malad City, Idaho, 2,529.
Doubles
1, David Hjelm, Wheaton, Minn./Gary Sundby Jr., Dalton, Minn., 1,155. 2, Eric Douglass, Goldfield, Iowa/Mike Thielen, Eagle Grove, Iowa, 1,147. 3, Cassandra Tatum, Neptune, N.J./David Jenkins III, Tinton Falls, N.J., 1,119. 4, Randy Robinson/Crystal Forkner, Higginsville, Mo., 1,118. 5, Kathy Yourkavitch/Jerome Jackson, Kutztown, Penn., 1,117. 6(tie), Nicholas Razink, Benson, Minn./Tyler Grabow, Twin Brooks, S.D., Mandy Quaas, Hutchinson, Minn./Jeremy Quaas, New Hope, Minn., and Tom Trecha, Owosso, Mich./Elbert Sidel Jr., Morrice, Mich., 1,111. 9, Deirdre Sumpter, Havre de Grace, Md./Lee Wainwright Jr., Aberdeen, Md., 1,110. 10, Mitchell Martin/Julie Martin, Buchanan, Mich., 1,104.

Singles
1, David Kettell, Lindenhurst, N.Y., 644. 2, Allan Johnson, Hawley, Minn., 627. 3, Matt Tschann, Paynesville, Minn., 626. 4, Andrew Hall, Safety Harbor, Fla., 614. 5(tie), Joseph Rhinehart, Albany, Ore., and John Keiper, Libertyville, Iowa, 613. 7, Randy Williams, Arlington, Texas, 609. 8(tie), Trudy Koberlein, Georgetown, Texas, and Audra Banko, Riverside, Calif., 605. 10(tie), Troy Schultz, Clarion, Iowa, and Michael Hanna, Lafayette, Ind., 602.
All-Events
1, Trudy Koberlein, Georgetown, Texas, 1,754. 2, Joseph Rhinehart, Albany, Ore., 1,735. 3, Bryan Herald, Chapman, Neb., 1,728. 4(tie), David Hjelm, Wheaton, Minn., and Robert Benjamin, Downers Grove, Ill., 1,713. 6, John McReady, Woodridge, Ill., 1,708. 7, George Kolstad, West St. Paul, Minn., 1,700. 8, Kevin Kwan, Long Beach, Calif., 1,695. 9, Jack Hsiao, Las Vegas, 1,685. 10, Frank Marrelli, Helper, Utah, 1,683.
# # #

FLORES REHAB WITH B-METS

Flores to Start Rehab with B-Mets on Tuesday

BINGHAMTON, NY – New York Mets infielder, and former Binghamton Met, Wilmer Flores will start a Major League rehab assignment tonight at NYSEG Stadium with the B-Mets. Flores is working back from a left hamstring strain which forced him to the 15-day disabled list on May 12. Binghamton plays the Richmond Flying Squirrels at 6:35 PM.
Flores, 24, has played 261 games across four seasons with the Mets. He hit .263 with 16 home runs and 59 RBI in 137 games in the Majors last season before helping the club capture the National League Pennant. Flores’ crowning moment came on July 31, 2015 when he belted a walk-off homer against the Washington Nationals two days after being nearly traded.
This season, he was 9-for-50 at the plate over 19 games before landing on the DL. He split time at all four infield positions.
Flores’ only season as a B-Met came in 2012 when he hit .311 with 8 home runs and 33 RBI. Signed out of Valencia, Venezuela as a 16-year-old in 2007, Flores made his pro debut with the Kingsport Mets (R) playing for then-manager Pedro Lopez.
Be sure to follow the B-Mets on Facebook, Twitter and at the team’s official website (www.bmets.com) for more team information. Fans can also stay up to date with all the action on the field by visiting “B-Mets Buzz with Tim Heiman” at bmets.mlblogs.com

RAILRIDERS WIN 2-0

Sanchez Homers, Bleier & Co. Blank Tribe

First Series Win at Indy in Six Years

Indianapolis, Ind. – Richard Bleier and three relievers combined on a four-hit shutout and Gary Sanchez fueled the offense with a blasted home run as the SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) beat the Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates) at Victory Field on Sunday afternoon, 2-0. The RailRiders (26-19) have won nine of 11 including a 5-2 road trip. The Indians (21-21) lost a home series to SWB for the first time in six years.

Bleier (2-2) gave up just three hits and two walks over his six innings of work, inducing a dozen groundouts along the way. He left with the lead thanks to Sanchez’s sixth home run of the season, a two-run no-doubter to left in the sixth inning off of the Pirates No. 1 prospect according to Baseball America, Tyler Glasnow (3-2).

Newcomer Neal Cotts tossed a perfect seventh in his SWB debut, James Pazos logged a scoreless and hitless eighth and Mark Montgomery worked around a Willy Garcia single in the ninth for his second save.

The RailRiders return home for a short three-game series and homestand against the Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds) on Tuesday, May 24 at 6:35 p.m. The $2 Twosday features $2 lawn seats (walk-up only), $2 tacos and $2 tall boy beers. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

OFF THE RAILS:

Gary Sanchez’s home run gave him a team-best 26 RBIs, snapping a tie with Aaron Judge. Sanchez also recorded his third stolen base of the season when he swiped second in the fourth inning.

Cesar Puello doubled on a 2-for-3 day with a walk.

Both of Mark Montgomery’s saves have come against Indianapolis in each of his last two outings. He had three total saves spread over his first three seasons and 54 outings with the RailRiders from 2013-15.

Al Pedrique’s club earned its sixth shutout win. Entering Sunday, only Indianapolis (8) owned more shutout triumphs.

The RailRiders went 0-for-5 with men in scoring position on Sunday and 3-for-26 on the series.

SWB’s hitters finished the game with 10 hits and 13 strikeouts.

The team stands a season-best seven games above .500.

The RailRiders finished the regular season 5-1 against the Indians. Indianapolis beat the RailRiders in last year’s first-round playoff series.

The entire IL North is off on Monday. The defending division champion RailRiders will enter their upcoming homestand in sole possession of first place in the division with a league-best 26 wins.