In a packed Buckeye Lanes on Saturday, plenty of jaws dropped behind lanes 25-26. 

The Saint Ignatius cheering section, composed of parents, grandparents and general fans of the Wildcats, marveled at the scores on the screens above the Alley Cats. 

In an effort more reminiscent of a late-season match than the season opener, the Wildcats roared past the Westlake Demons. The men of Jim Viets won the OHSAA point by over 100 pins, 2,006-1,952, downing a strong competitor in the Greater Cleveland Interscholastic Bowling League (GCIBL).

With a relatively young team in place this season, growing pains could have been expected and an easy excuse for a loss. But the Wildcats showed no signs of rust or uneasiness.

At the onset of the first game, the Wildcats looked a bit shaky. Two bowlers started with opens in the first frame. But the Alley Cats quickly found a rhythm, with four of five bowlers knocking down strikes in the second frame.

Ryan Wallenhorst looked great from the start. The junior stayed clean throughout all of the first game, hitting four big spares in a row at one point. Wallenhorst eclipsed the 200-mark with an opening score of 201.

Alex Madeja bowled with his hair on fire, staying clean the whole way through. The senior finished Game 1 with 4 strikes in a row, turning a solid game into an oustanding one. His tally of 236 led the way for the Wildcats. 

Dylan Huss experienced some difficulty with the "Bourbon Street" oil pattern at first, but came into his own down the stretch. Huss knocked down five strikes in a row to hit 200 for the first game for the Wildcats. 

Ben Gehrlein notched a solid first game, as well. After two strikes to begin the season, Gehrlein hit several spares in a row. The junior tallied a pair of strikes in the 9th and 10th frames, completing a 174.

Noah Virant rounded out the Wildcats in the first game. The senior tallied several strikes in a nice game of 172, a solid way to open the 2019-20 campaign.  

Despite compiling a 983 in the first game, the Wildcats' score did not win the opening game. The Demons managed to squeak by the Wildcats, 1,012-983. But Alley Cats would not be bested in the second game. 

The story of the second game was Wallenhorst. The junior ripped off five consecutive strikes to start the game. Just 2 pins – one on the 6th frame and one on the 9th frame – separated him from a perfect game in the first 9 frames. Wallenhorst's marvelous clean sheet left him with a 249 in the second game, a total of 450 for the two games. Cool as the other side of the pillow, Wallenhorst will be beast this season.

Gehrlein also provided a huge score in the second game. From the fourth frame on out, Gehrlein was lights out. It was as if he opened a can of spinach after the third frame – Gehrlein knocked down strike after strike. For the game, the junior tossed a 215, showcasing an incredible burst that shows his potential.

Madeja, Virant, and Huss all flirted with 200 games, too. Only an open on 10th frame stopped Madeja from hitting 200 pins for the second straight time. Virant notched 6 strikes for a 191, with just a couple early opens preventing him from scoring higher. Huss completed his second stanza with a 182, rounding out a team tally of 1,023 that bested Westlake by 87 pins.

The Wildcats enjoyed a 54-pin leading entering the 4 baker games, by no means a safe lead against the Demons.

With Sean Ward and Larry McGarry III stepping into the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the bakers, the Wildcats started out solidly. Anchored on the back end by Wallenhorst, the Alley Cats tabbed a 176, beating Westlake by 45 pins.

The Demons erased some of the deficit with a much-improved score in the second baker game. Westlake edged the Wildcats, 201-183. But the Alley Cats slammed the door shut on a comeback in the third baker. The men of Ohio City peaked with a mark of 213, far outpacing Westlake's 154. The Demons did win the fourth and final baker, 185-144, but the Wildcats' built-up advantage provided a clear victory. 

The Alley Cats won the OHSAA point, the scratch points (3-2), and the handicap (5-0). Not a bad way to start the season.

A new alley, oil pattern, and foe line up next week, leaving little time to rest on laurels.

Next Saturday, the Wildcats will do battle with the St. Edward Eagles. Rollhouse Parma will host Week 2 of GCIBL action, with the "Beaten Path" oil pattern awaiting the teams.