FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – The defending NCAA national champion McKendree University women's bowling team opened its 2022-23 season here Friday afternoon by recording a perfect 4-0 record on Friday's first day of the Bearcat Roto Grip Open held here at St. Clair Bowl. With a total pinfall of 4,901, the top-ranked Bearcats finished the first day of competition in first place overall as they averaged 196.0 per game.

On Friday, the Bearcats opened with a 992-932 win over Upper Iowa, before picking up a 928-869 win over 15th-ranked Maryville, a 1,025-917 win over 24th-ranked Lincoln Memorial and then ended the first day of action with a 967-873 win over third-ranked Nebraska.

The Bearcats will play five traditional games on Saturday as they will face 25th-ranked Newman, Kentucky Wesleyan, 21st-ranked Central Missouri, Quincy and Tusculum. Central Missouri picked up a win over Nebraska on Friday. The traditional format games are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

In addition to McKendree going 4-0 on Friday, Nebraska sits in second place with a total pinfall of 4,843 as they went 3-2 on the day, while Mercyhurst sits in third as they went 3-1 with a total pinfall of 4,833.

Results from Friday's Baker games and Saturday and Sunday morning's traditional game will determine the seeding for Sunday's bracket play. During the championship bracket play on Sunday, each team will play best-four-of-seven Baker style matches.