Shafer's latest regional title is his third of the season and 26th of his career.

Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, New York, went 7-4-1 in match play and finished with a 20-game total of 4,593 pins to record a 146-pin victory over Brian LeClair of Albany, New York, in the PBA Bethmann-Russell Syracuse Open presented by Radical at Flamingo Bowl Sunday.

Shafer led qualifying but lost his first three matches, giving the lead to LeClair. After making a ball change, Shafer won out to race away to victory. LeClair, with a 227 position-round game, held on to second over Rick Graham of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by two pins.

In addition to his third regional win of the season and the 26th of his career, Shafer earned $2,500 and improved his competition points lead to 43,000 points over LeClair in the battle to see who represents the East Region in the PBA Regional Finals, which will be held during the PBA World Series of Bowling VI in Las Vegas. LeClair earned $1,300 as the runner-up and Graham earned $1,100 for finishing in third place.

The event also was the second of three PBA Women’s Regional events for women. Kristina Wendell of Poughkeepsie, New York, qualified for match play for the second time and virtually guaranteed her spot in the PBAW Regional Finals in Las Vegas as well as a paid entry into the World Series of Bowling. Her eighth-place finish earned her $780 and increased her point lead to 17,788 points over Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, who was unable to compete in the event.

Next weekend is the PBA Mil-Ray Foods Eastern Open presented by Columbia 300 in Deptford, New Jersey.  The event will be the third and final PBAW tournament for the PBA East Region.

PBA BETHMANN-RUSSELL SYRACUSE OPEN
presented by Radical
Flamingo Bowl, Liverpool, N.Y., Sunday

Final Match Play Standings (after 20 games, including match play bonus pins)

1, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 7-4-1, 4,593, $2,500.

2, Brian LeClair, Albany, N.Y., 8-4, 4,447, $1,300.

3, Rick Graham, Lancaster, Pa., 7-5, 4,445, $1,100.

4, Johnathan Bower, Middletown, Pa., 6-5-1, 4,433, $1,000.

5, Ray Edwards, Middle Island, N.Y., 7-5, 4,323, $900.

6, John Chapman, Brampton, Ont., 7-5, 4,234, $850.

7, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 5-6-1, 4,190, $800.

8, Kristina Wendell, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 5-7, 4,179, $780.

9, Kevin Donovan, Painted Post, N.Y., 4-8, 4,146, $760.

10, Jeff Voght, Canajoharie, N.Y., 6-6, 4,141, $740.

11, Steve Ferraro, Kingston, N.Y., 5-7, 4,123, $720.

12, John Ferraro, Kingston, N.Y., 3-8-1, 3,922, $700.