March 26, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After splitting the two schools’ doubleheader Thursday, the 22nd-ranked Notre Dame softball team defeated tournament host Purdue, 4-0, in the final game of the Boilermaker Invitational. With the win, the Irish moved to 22-8 overall and finished second in the tournament with a 3-1 record, while Purdue fell to 16-15.
The game was scoreless through four innings with each team recording two hits apiece and advancing one runner to third base. In the top of the fifth, the Irish scored the first run of the game when junior Danielle Klayman (San Diego, Calif.), who went 3-for-3 for the game, singled up the middle to start the inning, stole second and then scored on sophomore Jennifer Kriech’s (Indianapolis, Ind.) single up the middle.
Notre Dame added another run on almost the same play in the top of the sixth when freshman Andria Bledsoe (Higley, Ariz.) singled up the middle to score sophomore Jarrah Myers (Carbondale, Kan.) from second base. The Irish then moved their lead up to 4-0 on junior Melanie Alkire’s (Union City, Calif.) RBI-single to center field and Purdue pitcher Meagan Dooley’s bases-loaded walk of freshman Andrea Loman (Riverside, Calif.).
Notre Dame pitcher Jennifer Sharron (Agoura Hills, Calif.) earned her 11th win of the season to move to 11-4 overall. Sharron allowed just two hits and struck out seven in recording her seventh solo shutout of the season.
Alkire and Kriech were named to the all-tournament team along with Skeeter Nixon (Purdue), Jessica Jones (Purdue), Crystal Inman (Purdue), Christin Evans (Bradley), Gina Calderone (Bradley), Grete Hornstrom (Kent), Jamie Kraus (Kent), Stephanie Volpe (Michigan) and Marie Barba (Michigan). Michigan’s Melinda Moulden was named the tournament MVP after leading her team to a first-place finish with a perfect 4-0 record in the six-team field.
The Notre Dame softball team plays host to three doubleheaders next week beginning on Wednesday at 4p.m. versus non-conference foe Eastern Michigan. The Irish open BIG EAST Conference play against Connecticut Friday at 4 p.m., followed by another doubleheader versus Providence Sunday at 11 a.m.
2000 Boilermaker Invitational – – West Lafayette, Ind.
Final Standings 1. Michigan 4-0
2. Notre Dame 3-1
3. Bradley 3-1
4. Purdue 2-2
5. Kent State 0-4
6. Toledo 0-4
All-Tournament Team Melanie Alkire, Jennifer Kriech – Notre Dame
Skeeter Nixon, Jessica Jones – Purdue
Crystal Inman – Purdue
Christin Evans, Gina Calderone – Bradley
Stephanie Volpe, Marie Barba – Michigan
MVP – Melinda Moulden – Michigan