Carr, Uptegrove Heroics Cap Five-Run Comeback for Tigers
In a stunning conclusion to the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational, Mizzou Softball freshman Abby Carr stared down a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the bottom of the seventh inning and induced a game-ending flyout to seal a dramatic 5-4 victory over No. 19 Duke. The win punctuated a furious five-run comeback for the Tigers, who trailed 4-0 after two innings.
Duke jumped on Missouri early, tagging starter Marissa McCann for four runs in the first two frames. The Tiger bats, quiet early, came alive in the fourth when an RBI double from Abby Hay and a sacrifice fly from Stefania Abruscato cut the deficit in half. An inning later, a wild pitch allowed Claire Cahalan to score, pulling Mizzou within one. The game's pivotal moment came in the sixth, when sophomore Madison Uptegrove drilled a two-run double to left-center, giving the Tigers a 5-4 lead they would not relinquish.
The victory marks Missouri’s third win over a ranked opponent this season and their second consecutive win against the Blue Devils, the same program that ended their Women's College World Series hopes in 2024. The bullpen was crucial, with Nathalie Touchet tossing 3.1 scoreless innings in relief before Carr entered to close the final 2.1 innings for the save.
QUICK HITS
- LSU Baseball Dominates: The defending national champion LSU Tigers completed an opening weekend sweep of Milwaukee with an offensive explosion, winning 21-7 in a seven-inning run-rule. Right fielder Jake Brown powered the attack, hitting two home runs, including a fifth-inning grand slam, and driving in a career-high six runs. The LSU pitching staff was equally dominant, setting a program record with 49 strikeouts over the three-game series.
- Lady Vols Stay Perfect: No. 3 Tennessee Softball improved to a perfect 10-0, capping a 5-0 weekend at the Clearwater Invitational with a commanding 9-1 victory over No. 7 Florida State. The Lady Vols now have six wins over ranked opponents this season. Ella Dodge sparked the offense with a three-run homer in the first inning as Tennessee cruised to another top-10 win.
- Aggies Sweep Tennessee Tech: No. 25 Texas A&M Baseball secured an opening weekend sweep, defeating Tennessee Tech 7-1 on Sunday. Pitcher Aiden Sims was brilliant in his first career weekend start, tossing six innings of one-hit, one-run ball while striking out a career-best seven batters to earn the win. The Aggies outscored the Golden Eagles 45-14 across the three-game set.
- Arkansas Softball Blanks Texas State: The No. 9 Arkansas Razorbacks finished a flawless 4-0 weekend at the States Up! Invitational with a 9-0 run-rule victory over host Texas State. First baseman Tianna Bell provided the power with two solo home runs, while pitchers Payton Burnham and Lillie-Faye McWhorter combined for the shutout.
- Ole Miss Tennis Wins 12th Straight: Ole Miss men's tennis fought back after dropping the doubles point to defeat Belmont 6-1. The Rebels swept the singles matches to secure their 12th consecutive victory and remain undefeated on the season at 12-0.
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