After going 2-4 to start the season, Missouri softball’s struggles continued Friday at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational in Clearwater, Florida, as the Tigers lost 13-7 to NC State before falling in a tight 6-5 contest against No. 7 UCLA.

Against the Wolfpack, Mizzou showed late fight, scoring five runs across the fifth and sixth innings, but self-inflicted damage in the third inning ultimately put the game out of reach.

A few hours later, the Tigers responded with one of their strongest performances of the season, going toe to toe with a Women’s College World Series contender. Ultimately, a two-home run day from Megan Grant proved the difference as the Bruins held on for the one-run win.

NC State

NC State jumped on Missouri starting pitcher Cierra Harrison early, as home runs from Kendall Simmers and Hannah Church gave the Wolfpack a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

Missouri responded in the second with a two-run homer from Kayley Lenger, cutting the deficit to two.

Defensive miscues and control issues in the third inning proved costly. NC State opened the frame with a single to left field and a walk before a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Another walk loaded the bases, and a bunt attempt led to an errant throw from reliever Nathalie Touchet, allowing two runs to score.

A subsequent walk reloaded the bases, and a dropped ball allowed another run to cross. Harrison re-entered in relief, but with the bases still loaded, Lily Livingston capped the inning with a grand slam to push the Wolfpack’s lead to 11-2.

Despite the deficit, Mizzou remained resilient, cutting the nine-run gap to four across the fifth and sixth innings. Abby Carr and Madison Uptegrove each drove in runs with doubles, Saniya Hill recorded an RBI on a fielder’s choice, Abby Hay drew a bases-loaded walk and another run scored on an error.

NC State added two runs in the sixth on a ground-rule double and a single. Missouri finished with four hits and was unable to overcome the damage from the third inning.

No. 7 UCLA

Missouri looked like a different team against UCLA, which entered the invitational 5-0 with five straight run-rule wins and led the nation with 23 home runs.

Starting pitcher Marissa McCann kept the Bruins in check early, retiring UCLA in order in the first inning — the first time the Bruins had been held scoreless in an opening frame this season. True freshman Sidney Forester followed with the first home run of her collegiate career, giving Mizzou a 1-0 lead.

McCann remained steady through the second before UCLA broke through in the third on an RBI double from Kaniya Bragg. Missouri answered immediately, as Sophie Smith opened the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run to deep left field.

Later in the inning, the Tigers extended the lead to 5-1. Abby Carr delivered a two-RBI double, and Abby Hay followed with an RBI double of her own.

UCLA tied the game in the fifth when Grant launched a two-run homer, followed by a two-run shot from Bri Alejandre to even the score at 5-5.

Pitching in relief of McCann, Carr held the Bruins scoreless in the sixth before Grant struck again in the seventh, blasting her second home run of the day to give UCLA a 6-5 lead.

MU was unable to respond in the bottom of the seventh as the Bruins closed out the win.

Missouri fell to 2-6 on the season but showed flashes of potential against UCLA. The Tigers will face Northwestern and Florida Atlantic on Saturday as the urgency for a win continues to grow.