Former OSU star suffers 2nd Olympic Loss

<p align="justify"> (Sydney-AP) -- Former Oklahoma State star Michelle Smith is in a very unfamiliar position.<br><p align="justify">In spite of an Olympic record 21 strikeouts, Smith and her American

Wednesday, September 20th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Sydney-AP) -- Former Oklahoma State star Michelle Smith is in a very unfamiliar position.

In spite of an Olympic record 21 strikeouts, Smith and her American teammates lost their second straight game, 2-0 to China in 14 innings.

A single off Smith's leg drove in one run and a wide throw to first by the second baseman let the second run score.

Smith also took the loss in the last game against Japan, which broke the U.S. team's 112 game winning streak.

She pitched five and two-thirds innings, giving up two unearned runs.

The U.S. team is 2-2 in the preliminary round and should easily make the medal round, but a loss to Australia Thursday (Wednesday night CDT) would cost them a possible bye in the medal round.