Wolfe, Pluhowsky top Hall of Famers to claim PBA titles at AMF Thruway

Wolfe, Pluhowsky top Hall of Famers
to claim PBA titles at AMF Thruway

Facing two of the game’s legends, Mike Wolfe and Shannon Pluhowsky showed the poise that has made them two of the top young stars in bowling.

The 31-year-old Wolfe slowed down the incredible early-season run of all-time Denny’s PBA Tour titles leader Walter Ray Williams Jr., denying him a second consecutive victory with a, 256-225, win in the 2007 Etonic Championship at AMF Thruway Lanes in Cheektowaga.

Pluhowsky, only 25, defeated United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Hall of Famer Tish Johnson, 227-217, to win the second-ever PBA Women’s Series event.

Wolfe and Williams were dead even through five frames until Williams struggled with three consecutive taps, leaving a 10-pin, his third solid 8-pin of the day and a 4-pin. Wolfe then took the lead with strikes in the 6th and 7th frames.

Williams tried to keep the pressure on in the 10th, but he could only manage one strike, and Wolfe, needing just a mark in the 10th for the win, struck to capture his third career title.

"You know you’re going to have to get at least eight strikes to beat him and you just hope some of them are strung together," Wolfe said. "(Williams) was on an unbelievable run and it’s just an indescribable feeling to beat him when he’s on a run like this."

Wolfe advanced to the final with a, 236-235, win over Chris Barnes in a match that went down to the final frame. Barnes held a slim 10-pin lead until a nine-spare in the 9th frame. Working on a four-bagger, Wolfe evened the match with a strike in the 9th, but left a 10-pin with his first shot in the 10th, missing his chance to shut Barnes out. Wolfe then left another 10-pin on his fill ball, giving Barnes a chance to win with a nine-spare and a strike. Instead, Barnes left the 2-4-5, falling short by one pin.

Williams advanced to the finals with a, 247-226, win over Mike DeVaney.

In the second-ever PBA Women’s Series title match, Pluhowsky took the early lead with three strikes in the first four frames, but Johnson stayed close. Johnson had a chance to take the lead in the 9th frame with a strike, but a nine-spare allowed Pluhowsky to keep control. The Team USA member finished with a nine-spare and a strike in the 10th, forcing Johnson to double in the 10th to win. The southpaw left a 6-10 with her first shot however, giving Pluhowsky her first PBA Women’s Series title.

Wolfe (New Albany, IN) earned $25,000 and an exemption for the 2008-09 season for his win while Pluhowsky (Phoenix, AZ) pocketed $10,000. Williams earned $13,000 for second while DeVaney and Barnes took home $6,000 each for third and fourth, respectively. Johnson earned $6,000 for placing 2nd.

Jack Jurek of Lackawanna was the high Western New York finisher, placing 20th. He was edged by Robert Smith, 4 games to 3, in their best-of-seven match. Rich Ferraro of Rochester not only led the Wednesday Qualifying Round with the help of a 299 game, but qualified for match-play and placed 30th. He ran into a red-hot Patrick Allen who defeated him, 4 games to 0. Jurek and Ferraro each cashed for $2,200.

Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga placed 5th in the PBA Women’s Series and collected $3,500. Johnson fell to eventual champion Pluhowsky, 4 games to 3, in the Round of 8. Johnson also notched a 300 game during Thursday’s qualifying.

Click here to see where all the WNY entrants finished.

The Denny’s PBA Tour and PBA Women’s Series are now in Merrillville, IN, for the 2007 Lake County Indiana Classic presented by United Way. The nationally televised ESPN finals air this Sunday, November 18 at 1:00pm.