Dorin-Ballard ends her 2003 struggles with an easy win: PWBA: Greater Cincinnati Open - PRO Tour Results

After finishing in the top 10 in the first four PWBA events of the 2003 season, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard finally captured a title, winning the Greater Cincinnati Open with a 243-200 victory over Liz Johnson. "I've been struggling a little with my timing on TV," Dorin-Ballard said. "Sometimes I rush instead of taking my time and making a good shot."

Making good shots didn't seem to be a problem for the 20-time titlist. The six-time WIBC All-American strung together seven consecutive strikes in the 4th through 10th, putting the title bout out of reach by the 9th frame.

Johnson, who entered the finals as the tournament's top seed, labored to find the right line to play. The former PWBA Rookie of the Year gained some momentum in the 6th after she picked up the difficult 4-9 spare. She finally made a slight move to the right that enabled her to strike four times in her last six shots but at that point the deficit was too much. "By the time I got into the match, the oil had burned up in certain spots from the previous matches," Johnson said. "I thought I had a better shot to play but after I left the 4-6-7-10 in the 4th, I knew I had to move right. At that point Carolyn got rolling, so I was playing catch-up the rest of the match."

Greater Cincinnati Open

June 22, 2003
Super Bowl, Erlanger, Ky.

Rank, Name                     Avg./Games          Earnings

1. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard        234.5/1             $15,000
2. Liz Johnson                   200/1               8,000
3. Cheryl Daniels                222/3               6,000
4. Marianne DiRupo               191/1               5,000
5. Wendy Macpherson              225/1                4000

Championship Finals

Match 1                 Daniels def. Macpherson      237-225
                        Daniels def. DiRupo          237-191
Semifinal               Dorin-Ballard def. Daniels   226-207
Final                   Dorin-Ballard def. Johnson   243-200