CLAREMONT — The Stevens High bowling team opened the season with a win over last year’s state champions in the finals of the Baker match at Maple Lanes on Saturday.

The Cardinals defeated Merrimack Valley 2-0 (189-165, 160-125). 

In the first round, top-seeded Stevens, which finished second in last year’s state tournament to the Lions, beat fourth-seeded Milford 2-0 (160-128, 137-133) while Merrimack, the second seed in the Baker match, defeated third-seeded Coe-Brown.

In the qualifying round, the top five scores for Stevens were Devyn Corliss (210, 268), Ethan St. Aumand (170, 215), Cody Pellerin (184,193), Maddox Foster (208,139) and Steve Rhueme (140,160). The team average was 191.