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Ward strikes gold in final frame Photo by Jim Craven / Mail Tribune Ricky Ward celebrates after nailing a strike on his last shot to win the inaugural Medford Open Sunday at Lava Lanes. This is Ward's sixth title. Ricky Ward defeats Ryan Shafer to win the inaugural Medford Open By TIM TROWER Mail Tribune Ricky Ward sacrificed a week on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour in order to give himself a chance to be successful the rest of the season. It didn't take long for the left-hander from North Fort Myers, Fla., to reap rewards from that decision. Ward put the finishing touch on a wildly successful inaugural Medford Open Sunday when, on his last ball, he got the strike necessary to defeat Ryan Shafer for the championship. Before an appreciative audience and cameras televising the event live on ESPN, he bowed his neck as he had so often during the week and went spare-strike in the 10th frame for a 215-214 triumph. It was the sixth title for Ward, who withdrew from last week's tournament in Kirkland, Wash., because he simply wasn't ready, physically or mentally, coming out of the holidays to compete. He used the extra time to prepare for Medford. "I sacrificed a week to make this a good swing for me," said Ward, referring to the last part of the season that ends in March. So far, so good. Ward, who defeated player-of-the-year favorite Parker Bohn III in the semifinals, had advised before the finals not to count him out too early. Rapidly developing a reputation as a clutch performer, he made it to the title match in part by coming from behind to defeat Dave Husted and Steve Hoskins in match play. "I believe this week was all about having heart, not giving up," said Ward, who earned $40,000 and a Rolex watch from the center. "I saw defeat a lot this week, but I was able to sidestep it, and it worked out great." One of the times he saw it was in the championship. Ward went into the 10th frame needing 20 pins to overtake Shafer. His first ball left the 7 pin, and his second ball almost did likewise, just clipping it for the spare. "On that shot," said Ward, "I pumped it instead of stroking it. I tried to guide it to the 7 pin, and it almost got me. That's what happens with the sport (oil) conditions in title matches with millions of people watching on TV." He usually can tell if a shot is good when it leaves his hand. "When it came off my hand, it was marginal," said Ward. "When it went down the lane, it was really marginal. Another inch and it could have been in the gutter. "I'm just glad the week didn't end that way. I've been practicing on the corners as much as I have anything else. I did my homework, and not to come through in that situation would have been very disappointing." Shafer, who earned $20,000, also thought Ward had missed the 7 pin. "You don't wish that on anybody," he said, adding that he thought Ward did the same thing on his strike ball to finish off the match. "I was surprised he carried the final shot. I thought he was going to leave another 7 pin. I was hoping for a tie and a one-ball rolloff. "But he made a great shot under pressure and won. That's all there is to it." Shafer, who defeated Rob Rice to get to the finals, seemed in control midway through the title match even though he wasn't getting the carry that he wanted. He hit the pocket 11 times but left seven single pins. He struck in every other frame. Shafer put together a turkey and led 118-98 through the fifth frame. But he spared the rest of the way until striking on his last ball in the 10th. Ward, meanwhile, rebounded with a turkey of his own from the sixth through eighth frames to climb back into contention. It ultimately came down to needing a strike on his last ball. "I didn't have to throw a strike," he said. "I had to make a good shot and give myself a chance to strike. That's just my philosophy. You can't throw a strike before you throw a good shot." His shot was plenty good enough. In the semifinals, Ward defeated Bohn, 203-190, and Shafer downed Rice, 204-169. Bohn, who has 28 career titles, and Rice, making his first TV finals appearance, tied for third, both earning $10,000. In the wild-card match, Rice beat Kevin Mitchell, 205-191. Mitchell, bowling in his first career finals appearance, earned $9,000. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.