Ernie Schlegel stunned a sold-out Robert Morris College Sewall Center crowd as he captured his sixth PBA title at the Bayer/Brunswick Touring Players Championship.

The 52-year old defeated Randy Pedersen m the true match, 237-236, to win the $40,U00 top' and his first "major title. He also earned a three-year exemption into the Brunswick World Tournament of Champions. Schlegel Vancouver, Wash., garnered the largest paycheck of his career in his 741st tournament. He holds the PBA record for most tournaments bowled.

"After being out here 28 years I finally captured my first 'major',"Schlegel trailed early in the title match after Pedersen opened with three consecutive strikes. Schelegel then took a one-pin lead in the fifth frame and never trailed. Pedersen stepped up in the 10th frame needing a strike and sixpins for the win. A perfect shot turned into a solid eight-pin and the match was Schlegel's. Pedersen fell to theground as Schlegel whipped the crowd into a frenzy as he proclaimed "I am the greatest...l am the greatest."

A dejected Pedersen pocketed $22,500 for second. It was the first time Pedersen lost from the top-seeded position in seven title matches. His 11th title came earlier this year in Louisville, Ky., from the top spot.

Schlegel advanced to the title match after narrowly getting past PBA Hall of Famer Brian Voss, 226-218 in the semifinal game. Voss could have won the match if he had struck in the 10th frame. Instead, he left the 4-10 split and settled for third-place money of $15,000.

The game before, Voss defeated fellow PBA Hall of Famer David Ozio, 280-247. Ozio, trying to become only the second player this ear to win back-to-back titles, won $10,000 for fourth.

In the opening game of the stepladder finals Ozio beat Brian Himmler, 264-164. Himmler was competing in his first championship finals and took home $7,500.