Youth bowler Autumn Hepler rolled her first 600 series at just the right time. The 13-year-old tossed games of 231, 213 and 169 for a 613 series during the Pepsi Scholarship District Tournament held recently at Family Bowlaway in Butler. She held a 149 average at the time.

Hepler will compete in state tournament May 16 and 17 at Family Bowlaway.

Persic's 19 straight strikesBruin Lanes proprietor Dan Persic began Tri-County Men's League play recently with 12 strikes in a row for a 300 game. Persic then began the next game with seven straight strikes en route to a 284 game. He finished the night with a 177 game and a 764 series.

Looking for bowlersThe Butler County Men's Traveling League is in search of bowlers for next season. The league is a nonhandicap league consisting of three-person teams that travel the various bowling centers of Butler County.The start time of most matches is 8 p.m., much earlier than in the past seasons. Team average cap is 640.If you are ready to step up to the next level, contact Brian Marcellus at 724-789-9596 for information.

PBA updateMike Scroggins defeated Norm Duke 191-173 to capture the Masters, the final PBA event of the year. It was Scroggins second major win of his career and sixth PBA title.Scroggins won the 2005 Masters, also beating Duke.The event marked the end of the 2008-09 season. Wes Malott was named the PBA Player of the Year based on points earned.

Tip of the WeekLeague season is winding down and your team has finished in last place or next to last for the third season in a row. Getting old, isn't it?Now is the time for leagues to discuss an expanded playoff system to give more teams a chance to compete for the league title, and, in some cases, more prize money.Consider adding an extra team or two to the playoff mix by taking wild-card teams or by splitting a season into fourths instead of halves, crowning a different first-place team without a team repeating as champion of a particular fourth.The more teams, the better. Just look at the NHL and the excitement of the number of teams in contention right up to the final night of the season. Just some food for thought on banquet night.

Top scores•

Armco A: Steve Sofi, 266 game; Zach Grey, 614 series, Shawn Kloker, 255 game•

Firearms: Mike Hilliard 278 (688), Kristi Erkens 297 (564)•

Kelly Automotive: Jim Smith 268 (673), Mike Evans 682 series, Matt Senepole 273 game•

Coins League: Carol Browne 204 (549)•

Armco C: Matt Fry 278 (747), Joe Tirk 244 (653), Bob Gardner 246 (649)•

Tri-Co. Men's: J. Frieters 264 (708), T. Adams 276 (671), M. Gibson 255 (666)

Last danceThis is my final column of the season. I want to thank Eagle sports editor John Enrietto for his continued support of the column and of bowling in Butler County. I also want to thank everyone who contributed this season.Have a great summer, and we'll see you on the lanes in September.Ron Willison is the bowling columnist for the Butler Eagle.