LORAIN — The last time Dale Csuhta used exclusively urethane equipment, he topped the eight-game qualifier during the PBA50 event at Strike Zone Lanes.
He employed the strategy again Saturday during qualifying for the PBA50 Ohio Lottery/Baldo Campana & Dave D’Entremont Memorial Central Open at Rebman Recreation with similar results.
The 68-year-old Wadsworth right-hander, who celebrated his birthday Thursday, averaged 238.25 over eight games, with a high of 290 and a low of 196, to lead a 58-player field by 45 pins heading into Sunday’s match-play rounds.
“I could go right up five (board) and I only had to move right one board or left one or sometimes two and keep the same target,” said Csuhta, who finished with 1,906 total pinfall. “I knew it was going to be in the pocket most of the time I let it go — unless I threw it badly.”
Throwing a Storm Pitch Black, Csuhta moved to the top of the leaderboard after four games. He had used a Hammer Purple during his run at Strike Zone.
“I never thought I could throw urethane, but I’m finding out there is a use for it so I always bring it with me,” Csuhta said. “I didn’t have to think. Just stand here and throw it there and it went to the pocket.”
Behind Csuhta during qualifying were North Olmsted right-hander Michael Clark Jr. (1,861), Rootstown right-hander Dean Billings (1.860) and Painesville right-hander Charles (Butch) Ferrell (1,812).
Being in the top four was important because those players receive two-round byes into the quarterfinals Sunday.
“That’s real important,” Csuhta said. “You don’t have to get up so early, eat breakfast and take my time getting here.”
Slots five through eight — which includes Robert Manning, Michael Haggitt, John Shreve Jr. and Brian Kretzer — receive first-round byes in the match-play format while those sitting in ninth through 16 spots must begin the day with best-of-three match play to advance.
Those matchups include Anthony Moses vs. Pete Kaczmarczyk, Akron’s Don Hogue against Rick Zakrajsek, Paul Lemond vs. Joe Scarborough and Chuck Lucia vs. Andrew Rettig. Match play begins at 10 a.m.
Rettig, who averaged 211.13, earned the final match-play spot by 18 pins over Elyria’s Keith Muskiewicz.
Under the casher’s round format used at Strike Zone, Csuhta finished eighth overall after 17 total games. New week, new format.
“I think the lanes are going to be the same. I had them the same in practice on Friday, and I’m hoping it’s the same (Sunday),” Csuhta said. “If I don’t have that, I’ll try a reactive ball and see if I can get lined up with that.”
His low game of 196 came in Game 8.
“I just could’t carry. I had a 4-9 (split), but the rest of the balls were in the pocket,” he added. “I don’t know if it was me or the lanes.”
More answers will come Sunday.
See complete qualifying results here: