Mizzou softball overcomes early deficit, upsets Alabama

Things looked shaky for Mizzou early, as Alabama hit two solo home runs in the first inning to jump out to a 2-0 lead. But the Tigers refused to lose, powered by a 3-run third inning to shut down the Tide, pulling away with a 5-2 win for their first SEC win and taking down a top-5 program in the nation. Sophie Smith capped off the third inning with a crucial 2-RBI ground-rule double with the bases loaded in what ended up being the game-winning run.

She was one of two Tigers with two hits on the day. “We just have to get the right hit the right time,” head coach Larissa Anderson said. “We got that from Sophie Smith today.

” The other was Stefania Abruscato, whose main contribution was a solo home run in the fourth to extend the lead. She also added a walk on the day. “It was great to see that she zoned down a little bit more and jumped on pitches that she knows she can handle,” Anderson said.

While Abby Carr didn’t earn the win, she pitched the final 2 2/3 innings and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh for her first collegiate save. She allowed only one hit while striking out three. She came in relief for Cierra Harrison, who bounced back after a pair of early home runs to finish the day with 4 1/3 innings pitched, striking out five batters.