The #11 Valparaiso bowling team kicked off action at the Kutztown Invitational in Reading, Pa. on Friday afternoon with a 3-2 record.

Valpo opened play on Friday taking on #17 Sacred Heart and got out to a quick start, putting up a 233 in the first game of the four-game baker match to jump out to a 99-pin lead.  But despite extending the lead to 100 pins after the second game, the Crusaders eventually fell, as SHU posted a 254 in the final game for a 779-744 victory.

The Crusaders then fell to host #12 Kutztown, 725-664, but rebounded with a solid 787-695 win over SUNY IT.  Valpo trailed by 11 pins midway through its next match against Hampton, but exploded with games of 255 and 225 to roll to an 804-665 victory.  The Crusaders carried that momentum into their final match of the day against Southern, posting games of 213 or better in each of their first three games en route to an 811-778 win to close the day’s action.

“We had a rough start to our day in spite of an opening 233 game versus Sacred Heart, but we settled in during our third match and our play was pretty consistent the rest of the day,” said Crusader head coach Stephen Anthony.  “I was pleased with how we came together and finished the second half of the day.  I believe this momentum will carry us through tomorrow as we start the official tournament with team games.”

Valpo closed Friday with a pin count of 3,810, good for sixth place among the 23 teams in action and just 75 pins out of fourth place.  Friday’s totals will be used for seeding purposes as the main tournament begins Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. CST.