Valparaiso University’s men’s golf team shot a second round score of 329 to finish the Dayton Fall Invitational in 15th place overall with a total of 660 on Tuesday as the Crusaders closed their fall schedule at the NEC South Course in Kettering, Ohio.

Valpo finished three shots ahead of IUPUI (663) while trailing 14th place Robert Morris (Pa.) by 13 strokes.  BallState won the team competition with a 36-hole total of 596 over the 7,055-yard, par-71 layout.  Justin Lower of Malone won the individual competition shooting an even par 142 (73-69).

“Overall this fall we found out where we stand with relative to other Division I programs,” head coach Mike Higdon said following play.

Michael Hesselman (Janesville, Wis./Edgerton H.S.) led the Crusaders in the tournament shooting 160, tying for 65th place overall.  He shot a team-low 79 in the final round to follow up his opening round 81 on Monday.  Austin Gaugert (Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger H.S.) was second for the Brown and Gold overall after an 83 on Tuesday to finish at 163 while Josh Kalita (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) carded 164 (83-81) for the two days.

Andrew Beischel (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay H.S.), playing as an individual, turned in Valpo’s second lowest final round score, shooting an 80 to finish at 165.

“With everyone so young on this team it is a building experience,” Higdon concluded.  “There are lots of positives from this fall to build upon as we work over the winter to get ready for the spring championship season.”