March 26, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Notre Dame softball team dominated Toledo Sunday in the final day of the Boilermaker Invitational, recording 12 runs on 13 hits to win 12-1. The Irish moved to 21-8 and 2-1 in tournament play with the win, while the Rockets, who are winless in three tournament games, fell to 6-9.
The Irish got on the board early, scoring the first run of the game after sophomore Jennifer Kriech (Indianapolis, Ind.) lead-off with a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and then scored on an RBI groundout to shortstop by junior Melanie Alkire (Union City, Calif.).
Notre Dame increased its lead to 5-0 by scoring four runs in their next at bat in the second inning. Kriech, junior Jennifer Sharron (Agoura Hills, Calif.) and Alkire all had RBI, while freshman Andrea Loman (Riverside, Calif.) walked, stole second and third and then scored on a wild pitch.
The Irish continued to build their lead with three in the third and two runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings. Toledo got its only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jenny Schaaf singled and then scored on a double off Irish relief pitcher Jessica Sharron (Agoura Hills, Calif.).
For the game, Jessica Sharron and Notre Dame starting pitcher Alkire, who moved to 6-0 with the win, allowed just three Toledo hits.
The Notre Dame softball team will play host Purdue at 3 p.m. in the final game of the Boilermaker Invitational. Notre Dame then 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.