Feb. 25, 2000
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – In a game which spanned more than five hours, the University of Missouri Tigers pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning on a sacrifice fly to defeat Notre Dame in softball action Friday at the Morning News Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. Irish sophomore pitcher Michelle Moschel (1-2) took the loss as the Irish fell to 4-2 on the season and Missouri improved to 7-4.
Missouri took the early lead in the bottom of the first inning when first baseman Christy Skouby was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a single and then scored on a passed ball.
Starting pitchers Jennifer Sharron (Agoura Hills, Calif.) of Notre Dame and Missouri’s Ingrid Werner then continued to duel over the next five innings, which were broken up with a two-hour rain delay in the top of the fourth inning.
Notre Dame finally got on the board in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs all with two outs. Ahead 4-1 going into the bottom half of the inning, the Irish could not hold on as the Tigers knotted the score at 4-4.
With the international tie breaker in effect (runner placed on second to start each half inning), the Irish advanced a runner to third base in the eighth and the ninth, but were unable to convert. Finally in the 10th inning and with Moschel replacing Sharron on the mound, Missouri’s Karen Williams was placed on second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and then scored on a sacrifice fly to right field.
The Irish were expected to play another game against Missouri Friday night and then are scheduled to play a doubleheader versus tournament host Arkansas Saturday starting at 4 p.m., weather permitting.