April 20, 1999
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – In their longest game of the season, the Notre Dame softball team lost 3-2 in 11 innings to visiting Loyola University Chicago Tuesday in a non-conference game at Ivy Field. The night cap was called after the first inning due to inclement weather. With the loss the Irish fell to 30-17 overall and the Ramblers improved to 16-27.
After a scoreless first inning, the Irish got on the board in the bottom of the second after sophomore Lizzy Lemire hit her 14th double of the year and came around to score on a throwing error by Rambler third baseman Sue Stanley. Loyola, however, mounted a rally in the third after three straight batters singled with one out to load the bases. Rambler catcher Jackie Geraci then hit a slow grounder to Irish shortstop Melanie Alkire, who tried to get the force out at home, but came up unsuccessful, tying the score at 1-1. Loyola then added another run one batter later on an RBI ground out by designated player Ashley Gibbons to take the 2-1 lead. The Irish responded two innings later when Alkire hit her seventh home run of the season on a 1-2 pitch to knot the score at 2-2.
The game remained 2-2 until the top of the 11th inning when Stanley singled and later scored on designated player Kim Cummings’ game-winning double to right-center field. Rambler pitcher Erin Smith (9-7), who earned the win after pitching all 11 innings, then retired the Notre Dame side in order in the bottom half of the inning to preserve the victory. Irish hurler Jennifer Sharron (12-7) took the loss after pitching a little over 10 innings and giving up one run and eight hits.
The Irish travel to Connecticut, Saturday, April 24, and Providence, Sunday, April 25, for two BIG EAST doubleheaders. Notre Dame’s next home game is April 27 versus IUPUI at 4 p.m.