Softball Downs No. 22/19 Duke in Come from Behind Victory

Sunday, February 15

Clearwater, Fla.

8 a.m.

Missouri

4-7

Duke

7-3

Missouri

Duke

Softball Downs No. 22/19 Duke in Come from Behind Victory

2/15/2026 12:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

The Tigers scored five unanswered from the fourth inning on, as they got their third ranked win of the season.

Mizzou softball (4-7) rallied from down 4-0 to finish the weekend on a high note, as it bested No. 22/19 Duke (7-3), 5-4, in the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational finale on Sunday, Feb. 15, in Clearwater, Fla.

The Tigers completed their first come-from-behind victory of the season, as they head home from Florida with a 4-7 record, including a two-game winning streak.

Duke got on the board quickly to start this one, as it scored three in the opening frame – a sacrifice fly and a two-run home run. The Blue Devils would further add to the lead with a solo shot in the second to make it 4-0.

Junior Marissa McCann would start for the Tigers but be relieved after one and one-third innings, after allowing four earned runs on four hits. In relief, junior Nathalie Touchet started hot, striking out two as she cruised into the fourth inning.

In the top half of the fourth, the Tigers started their rally with a one-run double to right field from junior Abby Hay, who would later score via a sacrifice fly from junior Stefania Abruscato.

As Touchet continued to be successful on the mound, Mizzou made the Blue Devils pay for their mistakes. Junior Claire Cahalan would walk with two outs, and three wild pitches would score her, making it a one-run game at the top of the 5th.

Touchet's day would end in the bottom of the 5th, as she finished with three and one-third innings pitched, allowing three hits and zero earned runs. In her place would be freshman Abby Carr, who, with bases loaded and two outs, kept it a one-run game thanks to a strikeout.

Sophomore Madison Uptegrove would finally give Mizzou the lead, as a double to left center brought home two and gave the Tigers the 5-4 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Blue Devils got a chance to tie the ballgame, but a diving catch from the catcher, Abruscato, on an attempted sacrifice bunt, would be one of the most important highlights of the day. Duke would eventually fill the bases with two outs before a pop out to second base capped the comeback.

GAME NOTES

Larissa Anderson is now 376-226-1 all-time.
The Tigers are now 3-2 against Duke, having won the last two matchups. Mizzou also is 2-0 against them in Clearwater, Fla.
Mizzou is 1-1 against ACC schools this season.
Freshman Sidney Forrester set a new career high with three walks.

NEXT UP

Mizzou returns to action next weekend, as it faces a trio of opponents – Houston, McNeese State and Louisiana at the McNeese tournament starting Friday, Feb. 20, and going through Sunday, Feb. 22 in Lake Charles, La.

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