PERFECT GAME William Dawson's dream game helps team capture third place

Wedgewood owner Ed Zitnik has made several improvements to his lanes.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
In Matthew 20:16, it is written that the first shall be last and the last shall be first.
William Dawson's last game on April 18 was a first when the 37-year-old South Sider bowled his first 300 and 700 series in B & amp; B Mixed at Holiday Bowl.
Dawson's sequence of games of 187, 257 and 300 concluded his 2003-2004 B & amp; B season with a 744 set.
After leaving one pin in the fifth frame of the second game, Dawson struck out and proceeded to throw 12 more strikes to finish with 19 straight.
The 180-average bowler had some incentive that Sunday afternoon.
"Our team was trying to get into first place," Dawson said. "My teammate said, 'I don't care if your name gets called for jackpot, just make sure we win the game.' "
Dawson's team (No. 1) finished third and didn't make the rolloff, but the day sticks in his mind.
"My girlfriend pages me using 418 as a code. The day I hit the 300 was 4/18. I didn't know about the date until I got a printout of the scores."
It's also the date they first met.
Dawson, who has been bowling less than five years, takes three balls with him to the lanes. On the 18th, he used the one that hooks the most by cutting through lane oil.
Dawson's 300 experience was nerve-wracking, but he managed to survive.
"It was the most nervous feeling I've ever had," he said. "I got pretty shaky at the end. It was like being pulled over by the police; even when you know you got your license, you wonder why they pulled you over."
Dawson said his mentor, Mark Heath, has urged him to join a summer league to keep the rhythm going.
"He told me to keep going to get better instead of relaxing until next year. Mark has a better average than me, so I never thought I'd get a 300 before him. He's like a coach to me."
A week later, after the championship was decided, Team 9 of captain Mildred Cross, Rose Gordon, Leon Taylor and John Nuzzo was on top, while runner-up was Team No. 7 with captain Janice Smith, Joan Fuller, Jeff Fuller and Patricia Clinkscales.
William Dawson, a 1986 East High graduate, does landscape work with his father, John.
During B & amp; B Mixed's payout today, Dawson is hoping that the bowler who saved his best for last will be the first in purse.
Wedgewood improvements
Wedgewood's Ed Zitnik has made several improvements to his lanes since taking over in November.
Zitnik has installed a 12-x-8 TV in the Grist Mill and purchased parts to elevate machine performance.
Projects scheduled for this summer include: new carpet for the entire center, new seating in the bowling area, floor tile replaced with carpet at main entrance areas, removal of the empty storage room in the seating area behind lanes 49 & amp; 50, pool room remodeled and tables re-covered and relocation of the service bar from behind lanes 1 & amp; 2.
Scholarship bowling
The Mahoning Valley High School Bowling Scholarship Traveling League started its second season last week.
The league, open to all YABA bowlers attending high school or college, runs for nine more Wednesdays at 3:30. Sessions are at different centers each week.
The cost is $10 a week. Bowlers will roll three games and earn scholarship dollars based on total pinfall. For more, contact Lauren Bachinger at (330) 792-5177.