Harbor Creek graduate Hayden Stippich, by a four-pin margin, won the 63rd annual Times-News Open after Sunday's final rounds at Eastland Bowl.
Hayden Stippich and Killian Kilpatrick confirmed a Mike Machuga bowling prophecy on Jan. 25.
Last year, Machuga won the Times-News Open for a sixth time. The Mercyhurst University women’s bowling coach became the fourth player who’s claimed as many.
Afterwards, Machuga told the Erie Times-News that his window for winning more was closing because of more talented – and younger – players in the field.
Machuga, now 49, didn’t mention Stippich or Kilpatrick by name.
Given the duo’s ages and bowling prowess, he didn’t have to.
Stippich, who’s about to start his second season on the PBA Tour, joined Kilpatrick as a champion for the 63-year old tournament. The 2019 Harbor Creek graduate finished first for its latest competition, which concluded at Eastland Bowl, by a four pins over the 2020 McDowell graduate.
“This is awesome,” Stippich said. “I don’t know when I’ll get to bowl in this again, so it felt pretty good to come back here and get my name on the list (of titlists). Don’t know when I’ll get (to enter it) again.”
Miniscule margin
Kilpatrick, the 2024 Times-News winner, defeated Stippich 258-227 in their first-place position round match. However, that wasn’t enough to overcome Stippich’s 65-pin advantage going into it.
Stippich won with a 16-round pinfall of 4,370 to Kilpatrick’s 4,366. Theirs was the second smallest margin-of-victory for that number of games, according to records compiled by tournament director Dave Hewett.
The late Pat Malone (4,111) beat Tom Lytle Jr. (4,110) for the 2005 Times-News Open title.
Kilpatrick finished second even though he twice beat Stippich during the tournament’s two days of head-to-head competition. The PBA regional member formerly won 268-244 during Jan. 24 action at Westway Lanes.
“I decided before the final that I wasn’t going to pay attention to a single thing (Stippich) did,” Kilpatrick said. “Just try to bowl the best game I could.
“I did most of what I needed to do. It just wasn’t enough.”
Past and future Cornhuskers
Taylor Kretz, the lone female among the tournament’s 16 finalists, placed eighth at 3,651. She went 8-8 against her all-male competition.
“These guys are hard to bowl against,” Kretz said, “but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Kretz expects to be absent the tournament for its near future.
The Fairview senior, who competes with McDowell’s co-op girls bowling program, recently signed a national letter of intent with the University of Nebraska. She’ll compete with its NCAA Division I program, which is to bowling what Penn State University is to men’s wrestling: elite.
Kretz also faced two former Cornhuskers, Mike Shady and Machuga, during match play. She lost to Shady 235-215 but beat Machuga 250-185.
“Going up against them makes anybody better,” she said. “It takes a lot of discipline, patience and understanding (to play them).”
Kretz spoke near the same Eastland lanes where she recorded a 300 on Jan. 14. Her latest perfect game was part of a 766 series she recorded during the Trojans’ Metro League victory vs. Erie High.
Change of plans
Dave Warren placed 12th overall after his 33rd tournament appearance. He went 6-10 in match play with a pinfall of 3,508.
Those updated statistics almost didn’t happen for Warren, who had a business trip to Florida previously scheduled for the weekend.
“I own a car dealership,” he said, “and we sponsor a World of Outlaws car that competed in the opening weekend of racing at dirt track in (Volusia County). They wanted me to be there, so I flew down (Jan. 22) and got back (Jan. 24).
“I ground through the first few rounds (of Jan. 24 match play) but still threw the ball well, so I’m not too disappointed.”
How they fared
Championship results for the 63rd annual Times-News Open after the final eight rounds of match play at Eastland Bowl:
1. Hayden Stippich 14-2 match play record and 4,370 pinfall; 2. Killian Kilpatrick 14-2 and 4,366; 3. Jeff Prue 11-5 and 3,874; 4. Nick Kightlinger 8-8 and 3,744; 5. T.J. Mitchell 8-8 and 3,732; 6. Mike Shady 8-8 and 3,713; 7. Mike Machuga 8-8 and 3,654; 8. Taylor Kretz 8-8 and 3,651; 9. D.J. Thompson 6-10 and 3,605; 10. (tie) Dalton Kaliszewski 7-9 and Brandon Wachob 8-8 at 3,536
12. Dave Warren 6-10 and 3,508; 13. Rodrick Baird 7-9 and 3,466; 14. Cody Jacobs 6-10 and 3,423; 15. Ryan Park 5-11 and 3,330; 16. Alex Ulrich 4-12 and 3,245
Contact Mike Copper at [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Harbor Creek graduate Hayden Stippch wins Times-News Open
Category: General Sports
