The #21 Valpo bowling team sits atop the 14-team tournament field after the opening day of action at the Windy City Halloween Classic at River Rand Bowl in Des Plaines, Ill.
 
How It Happened

• Valpo opened the day, contested in the five-game baker format, against #RV Marian (Wis.). The Beacons earned a 954-879 win in the matchup, buoyed by a 212 in game tow and a 225 in game three.
• The Beacons were edged, 861-860, by Western Illinois in the next match. Valpo trailed by 63 pins after three games before coming up just shy of a come-from-behind win with games of 203 and 208 in the final two games.
• Valpo dominated Carthage in the third match slot, 1066-710 — the third-largest margin of victory in a five-game baker match in program history and a five-game total which is just one pin outside the program's top-10 chart. The Beacons broke 200 in four of the five games in the win, highlighted by a 227 in game three and a 243 in game five.
• After a 213 in game three against #20 Wright State, Valpo led by 30 pins, but the Raiders rallied for a 945-920 victory.
• The Beacons broke 200 twice in the final match of the day, but it was not enough as #10 Maryville picked up a 1021-935 win.
• Despite winning just two of its five matches on Friday, Valpo's total pinfall of 4,735 is enough to top the tournament field — 66 pins clear of Wright State in second position.

 
Next Up
Valpo (16-15) continues hosting the Windy City Halloween Classic on Saturday, with a set of five traditional team matches starting at 9:25 a.m.