AUBURN - Lorrie Bradtke's break from bowling is officially over.

Bradtke, who won the women's portion of The Citizen Masters in 1995 and recorded second-place finishes in 2000 and 2003, quit the game to spend more time with her family.

“It was getting to a point when her kids were involved in a lot of things, and she wanted to be there with them,” said her aunt, Sharon Mills.

Bradtke began bowling again this season, and with some prodding from her children decided to enter the Masters. The right-hander responded mightily Saturday.

First she defeated last year's runner-up Angie Ryan, 664-616, and then rolled the first 700 of her career in getting past Mills, 717-508. The victories put Bradtke in position to add another big trophy to her collection. Typically, Bradtke was at a dinner-dance with one of her children Saturday night. Mills, who has lost to her niece before in Masters play, was plenty impressed with her effort on the lanes.

“I don't think she was out of the pocket more than two or three times in our match,” Mills said. “Lorrie has such a nice, smooth delivery. I think she was a little surprised at how well she did, but I wasn't.”

The women's field is down to 24 players. Play continues today, with squads set for 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Becca O'Donnell, like Bradtke, made her presence felt Saturday. The former runner-up roared past Cindy Bodner, 669-570, and then outscored Sharon Shoemaker, 636-552.

In 2006, Shoemaker beat O'Donnell twice on the final day to capture the title.

“Today I shot the ball better than I have all year,” O'Donnell said. “It was great to win against Sharon. She is an excellent bowler.”

Bradtke and O'Donnell will face off at 12:30 today in the winners' bracket.

The prolific day of scoring included 14 600s along with Bradtke's 700.

Patty Blowers won her matches in fine style. She defeated Kira Mettler, 613-557, and then added a solid 648 in getting past Marianne Viscardi, who rolled 504.

In a losers' bracket match, Jackie Gardner fired a 677 to defeat Michelle Crowley's 575. Earlier, Shoemaker had 654 to defeat Sharon Bennett, who had 567. In a winners' bracket match, Sara Chalupnicki tagged a loss on defending champion Denise Ryan, 623-618.

But clearly, it was Bradtke's day. Upon her return to the game, she rolled a pair of 600 series at Rainbow Lanes, Mills said. Saturday's performance only adds to her strong resume in Auburn bowling.

Perhaps there's another chapter yet to be written.