Mizzou triumphed in its final game of the Clearwater Invitational against No. 22/19 Duke in a 5-4 win Sunday morning. The Tigers ended the weekend with a 2-3 record.
Duke took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Missouri hitters struggled to get around the Blue Devils’ pitcher but began to pick up momentum in the fourth when Hay doubled to right field, followed by Stefania Abruscato notching a ball to center. Both runs brought it to a 4-2 deficit.
Relieving pitcher Nathalie Touchet slowed down Duke’s scoring and contributed significantly to the Tiger comeback. She allowed three hits and no runs.
Claire Cahalan scored off a wide pitch in the fifth and Madison Uptegrove doubled to center in the sixth to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead. The win was secured by freshman pitcher Abby Carr, allowing just two hits and no runs by Duke in the bottom of the seventh.
Reading strong pitches proved to be a challenge for Missouri this weekend, with the highest hit count being nine against UCLA, which ended in a 6-5 loss. On the brighter side, the Tigers’ did show strengths defensively. As they head briefly back to Columbia, hitting coach Jake Epstein will likely brush up on the offensive flaws.
Mizzou will next play in the McNeese Tournament, facing off against Houston at 1 p.m. Friday at Lake Charles, La.