March 16, 2000
FULLERTON, Calif. – The third-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils put an end to Notre Dame’s 11-game win streak by scoring the deciding run in the bottom of the seventh inning to win 2-1 Thursday at Fullerton Junior College in day two action of the 2000 Kia Classic. The Irish fell to 15-5 with the loss and 0-6 all-time against the Sun Devils, who improved to 27-4 in 2000.
Notre Dame got on the board first in the top of the third inning when junior Dani Klayman (San Diego, Calif.) got on base on a bunt single to third, stole second and then scored on sophomore Jenny Kriech’s (Indianapolis, Ind.) RBI triple to center field.
The third-ranked Sun Devils tied the score at 1-1 when shortstop Kara Brun knocked a 2-0 pitch over the left field fence, marking the first run Irish pitcher Jennifer Sharron (Agoura Hills, Calif.) had given up in a career-best 37.1 consecutive innings.
Notre Dame threatened in the top of the sixth inning with the bases loaded and one out after a walk and two infield singles to shortstop. Sun Devil pitcher Kirsten Voak, who replaced starter Erica Beach on the mound, then got Irish freshman Andria Bledsoe (Higley, Ariz.) to go down swinging and then got freshman Andrea Loman (Riverside, Calif.) to hit into a fielder’s choice force out at second base.
Arizona State got two runners on to start the inning on a bloop single to right field and an intentional walk. The two runners then advance to second and third on a passed ball, but the runner on third was then tagged out for the first out of the inning on a fielder’s choice play. The Sun Devils scored the winning run when pinch hitter Andrea Rodgers hit a ground ball up the first base line that Loman was unable to handle, scoring the run from third.
The Irish conclude pool play of the 2000 Kia Classic Friday morning against the University of Texas-Austin at 9 a.m. at the Cal State Fullerton Softball Field.