Sports

Perfect game boosts Rash to PBA win

Anchorage bowler Sean Rash is back on the winning track -- and because his victory in the PBA's Wolf Open included a perfect game during the televised portion of the tournament, he earned double the prize money.

Rash rode a 300 game to his first victory in the United States in two years. He earned $10,000 for the win and an extra $10,000 for rolling the perfect game during CBS Sports Network coverage of the tournament in Shawnee, Okla.

"It seems like forever (since my last title in the U.S.), but it's only been two years since I won the Tournament of Champions," Rash said in a PBA press release. "Winning's everything. It doesn't matter if it's in a parking lot in Alaska or wherever."

It was the 14th perfect game and eighth tournament championship in PBA play for Rash, 31, who joined the tour in 2005.

The 2011-12 PBA Player of the Year, Rash recorded the 300 in his first of four playoff games. In those four games, he threw 37 strikes on 48 attempts for a total pinfall of 1,004, leaving only two open frames along the way.

He left four open frames for the entire tournament.

"The one thing I'm proud about this week is that I bowled 52 games and missed four spares," Rash said. "That's what I really work on at home. I don't practice throwing strikes very much."

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The 300 game was the 23rd nationally televised perfect game in PBA history and the first since 2011.

"I was a little nervous because I had the front eight (strikes) a few years ago in Medford (Ore.) and I've had a few other chances," Rash said. "You just want to make a good shot to give yourself a chance. It was a great feeling, one of those you'll never forget."

Rash, a Dimond High graduate who lives in Montgomery, Ill., had to come from behind to win the match right after that.

After using the perfect game to beat Ohio's Chris Loschetter 300-236, Rash needed three strikes in the 10th frame to edge Sweden's Martin Larson 225-221 in the second playoff match. Then he defeated a pair of Texans, beating Mike Fagan 241-214 in the semifinals and Chris Barnes 238-179 in the championship.

Rash has earned nearly $900,000 in prize money during his career.

Reach Beth Bragg at bbragg@adn.com or 257-4335.

By BETH BRAGG

bbragg@adn.com

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