Feb. 17, 2003

TAMPA - In the midst of its biggest offensive surge of the young season, the Notre Dame softball team was stopped by the one thing it had no control over -- time.

Thanks to poor weather in the Tampa area, the Irish saw Monday's game with Rhode Island at the USF/Wilson Tournament delayed two hours from its original 10 a.m. (EST) start. Because of the delay, and the fact that Notre Dame was scheduled to catch a 4 p.m. flight back home, the umpires and tournament officials declared prior to the game that no new inning would begin after 2 p.m., and that five complete innings would be required to make the game official.

Notre Dame promptly blitzed URI to the tune of 12 runs in the first four innings. However, the offensive outburst also resulted in the game lasting longer than anticipated. When the fourth inning ended, the Irish led 12-0, but the 2:00 time limit had elapsed. Therefore, the game was cancelled and all statistical records were voided.

The Irish (2-2) will return to action Friday at 5 p.m. (EST) when they take on defending national champion California in the opening round of pool play at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.

-- ND --