#14 Valparaiso put together one of the highest scoring matches in program history as part of a 4-2 day to open play at the Columbia 300 Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn. on Friday.

The Crusaders tallied 4,551 pins over Friday’s six four-game baker matches, good for seventh place in the 29-team field and just 46 pins out of sixth position.  Fairleigh Dickinson leads the team standings with 4,950 pins.

Valpo opened the tournament against #19 Alabama State, rallying after falling behind by eight pins after one game as the Crusaders posted three straight 200+ efforts in a 796-699 win.  The Crusaders dropped their second match of the day to #17 North Carolina A&T, as they were unable to make up a two-pin deficit entering the final game, falling by a 713-699 final.

Valpo bounced back in a big way against #20 Delaware State in the next contest, going over 200 in all four games with a high game of 247 in an 899-669 victory.  The 899 pinfall for a four-pin baker match was the second-best all-time in program history, trailing only a 920 the Crusaders posted against UW-Whitewater in 2012.

The Crusaders made it back-to-back wins with a 647-633 win over Bethune-Cookman in the next match, and then extended the streak to three straight victories, holding off #12 Sacred Heart 746-717.  Valpo couldn’t end the day on a winning note, however, falling to #16 Long Island by a single pin, 765-764.

Valparaiso (56-58) continues action from Vanderbilt on Saturday with the second of three days of action.