WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Saint Francis University bowling team opens up the 2023-24 season at the Penguin Classic at the Holiday Bowl in Struthers, Ohio, on October 13-15.  The three-day event, hosted by Youngstown State University, will see the Red Flash face seven ranked opponents, most notably No. 2 Arkansas State and No. 3 Nebraska.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB
The Red Flash will get their first look at Niagara after the Purple Eagles added bowling and joined the Northeast Conference (NEC) as an affiliate member this offseason.

The Niagara County, N.Y., based school made bowling its 19th sport this offseason, hiring former Medaille boss Jeff Walsh as the program's first head coach. The Purple Eagles came into the season ranked one spot ahead of the Red Flash in the National Tenpin Coaches Association poll and roll into this weekend's tournament following a win in the Mercyhurst Fall Classic last weekend.

LAST TIME IN STRUTHERS
The 2023 edition of the Penguin Classic marks the fourth time Saint Francis will compete in Youngstown State's home tournament. Their best finish came in their first appearance, where they placed fourth overall in 2019.

The Red Flash placed ninth out of 14 teams in the Penguin Classic last season. Although the team struggled to find their footing, freshman Mackenzie Keane started her NEC Rookie of the Year campaign with a team-leading 23rd-place finish, bowling to a 191.63 average in her first collegiate tournament.

THE WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, October 13: Five baker matches, competition starting at 9:35 a.m.
Saturday, October 14: Five traditional matches, competition starting at 9:25 a.m.
Sunday, October 15: Three baker matches, competition starting at 8:25 a.m., followed by one best-of-seven baker match.

WHERE TO FOLLOW
The most up-to-date information can be found on the team's Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram pages. This tournament, along with most others, will be live-streamed on the team's Facebook page, and live score updates will be posted on the team's X page.