PWBA: Three Rivers Open: Barrette moves into third on the PWBA's all-time wins list - Pro Tour Results

Leanne Barrette further entrenched her name among the greatest bowlers of all time after defeating Marianne DiRupo, 225-166, in the title match of the Three Rivers Open at Princess Lanes. The win was her third of the 2002 PWBA season and the 26th of her career, the third-highest total in PWBA history. "It feels great to be bowling this well after 16 years on tour," Barrette said. "So many athletes start to struggle late in their careers. It's very satisfying to still be able to compete among some of the best bowlers in the world."

Barrette entered the finals as the tournament's No. 1 seed after finishing the 42-game preliminaries with an 18-6-0 match-play record, a 9,617 pinfall, and a 216.11 average. Her win earned her a first-place check of $9,000 and brought her within $7,000 of $1 million in career winnings.

In the title bout, Barrette recorded seven strikes and four spares. DiRupo, who earlier in the evening dispatched defending champion Michelle Feldman, 202-186, in the semifinals, never managed to get her game going in the finals. After failing to pick up the 6-10 spare in the 3rd frame, DiRupo couldn't convert a 3-6-10 split in the 4th. Although she would mark in all of the ensuing frames, she never threatened Barrette's early lead.

Three Rivers Open
September 19, 2002
Princess Lanes, Pittsburgh

Rank, Name            Avg./Games   Winnings

1. Leanne Barrette      225/1        $9,000
2. Marianne DiRupo      184/2         4,800
3. Michelle Feldman     199/2         3,000
4. Kendra Gaines        200/1         2,500
5. Rachel Perez         179/1         2,200

          Championship Finals

Match 1   Feldman def. Gaines     212-200
          Feldman def. Perez      212-179
Match 2   DiRupo def. Feldman     202-186

Final     Barrette def. DiRupo    225-166