Mizzou fell to No. 6 Alabama to open the weekend series 2-1.
Abby Carr hit a solo home run in the seventh and final inning for the Tigers’ only run.
The Crimson Tide took an early lead with a first-inning home run from Alabama hitter Brooke Wells. Marlie Giles added another homer in the fourth as the game-winning run.
Missouri relied heavily on its defense. Madison Uptegrove made a throw across the field for an out at first in the third inning. Addy Waits followed with a similar play in the fourth, throwing out a runner hustling to first.
The offense struggled against Alabama pitcher Jocelyn Briski, who struck out five while allowing three hits and one run. The team struggled finding solid contact, with several swings resulting in weak groundouts.
“We just have to be more aggressive early,” head coach Larissa Anderson said. “I’d like to see us be a little bit more aggressive and have our swing match the pitches that we’re swinging at.”
Marissa McCann allowed three hits and two runs while recording three strikeouts in four innings pitched. Courtney Donahue entered in the fifth and allowed two hits but no runs. Carr closed the game, pitching a scoreless final inning without allowing a hit.
Mizzou will continue its weekend series against Alabama at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mizzou Softball Stadium.