A funny thing happened to Mike Hilliard on his way to bowling an 816-series early this season.

He tried to miss a shot — and missed it too good.

Hilliard, 40, of South Butler rolled his second career 800 — and highest series so far this year in the county — by putting together scores of 296, 279 and 241 during a Men's Traveling League night at Sherwood Lanes.

He produced 11 consecutive strikes in the first game, but wanted no part of a perfect game.

"I've got seven of those," he said. "I've rolled a couple of 299s, too, but I've never rolled a 298."

The United States Bowling Congress gives rings to sanctioned bowlers for 300, 299 and 298 games.

"I want a ring for a 298 because it's the one I don't have," Hilliard said.

He still doesn't.

Hilliard said he adjusted a half board to the right for his final shot of the game, hoping to leave the 4-7 or 6-10. Instead, he left the 3-6-9-10.

No big deal as far as he's concerned.

"I'll get it eventually," Hilliard said of the 298. "My attitude toward bowling is that there's always a next game. That's the beauty of it."

He almost had another chance for the 298 in the second game that night. Hilliard began the game with eight straight strikes — giving him 20 in as many tries — before leaving the 9-pin in the ninth frame.

"It was a solid hit. The pin just stood up," he said.

There's plenty of next games for Hilliard. He bowls in four leagues per week, averaging 210 in the Wednesday Traveling League, 204 in the Saturday Firearms League at Family Bowlaway, 205 in the Monday Buckhorn League and 197 in the Tuesday Strikes & Spares League, also at Family.

"I used to bowl five nights a week, but the price of bowling is an issue today," he said. "I'm comfortable with four leagues."

Hilliard has bowled four perfect games at Bon-Aire and the other three at Sherwood. He bowled a 300 and 299 at Sherwood last year.

His first 800-series was an 809, which he also bowled in the Traveling League.

Hilliard did not begin bowling until 1990 and didn't roll his first perfect game until 2000. He's averaged nearly two per year since.

"My wife rolled a 300 before I did," he said.

Sharon Hilliard rolled a perfect game in 1998. The couple bowls together in the Firearms League, where she averages 157.

When Hilliard first began bowling, his average was in the 130s.

"A friend of mine showed me how to throw a hook," he said. "I played around with it and my game just off."

Bowling can be a frustrating game to many, but Hilliard is not among them.

"A lot of people get frustrated over a game," he said. "They beat themselves up over a missed shot here or there.

"I just treat every game as a new game, a new opportunity to get what I want. There are going to be ups and downs."

And that 298 is what he wants.

"I'll get it," he promised. "I don't know when, but I'll get it."