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Mizzou softball drops 1-2 series against No. 4 Alabama
Tigers struggle to capitalize on scoring opportunities against top-ranked Crimson Tide
Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:03pm
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The Mizzou softball team went 1-2 in a weekend series against No. 4 Alabama at the Mizzou Softball Complex. After dropping the opening game 2-1, Mizzou bounced back to win the second game 5-2 before falling 4-3 in the rubber match. The Tigers struggled to generate consistent offense against the powerful Crimson Tide pitching staff, with four of their six conference losses coming by just one run.
Why it matters
This series highlighted the Tigers' continued struggles in SEC play, as they now sit at 1-5 in conference. Despite showing flashes of potential, Mizzou has been unable to consistently capitalize on scoring opportunities against top-ranked opponents. The team's inability to string together hits and get runners in scoring position has been a recurring issue that head coach Larissa Anderson is working to address.
The details
In the opening game, Mizzou starter Marissa McCann allowed two solo home runs that proved to be the difference in the 2-1 loss. Freshman Abby Carr provided the lone Tigers' run with a seventh-inning homer. Game 2 saw Mizzou rally from an early 2-0 deficit, scoring three runs in the third inning and adding two more later to win 5-2. Cierra Harrison and Carr combined to hold Alabama's offense in check. In the series finale, Carr's second and third home runs of the weekend weren't enough as Alabama scored four unanswered runs to win 4-3.
- The series took place at the Mizzou Softball Complex over the weekend of March 22, 2026.
- Mizzou is now 1-5 in SEC play after the series.
The players
Larissa Anderson
Mizzou's head softball coach, who is working to help the team improve its offensive production and capitalize on scoring opportunities against top opponents.
Abby Carr
A standout freshman for the Tigers, Carr hit three home runs in the series against Alabama, including two in the final game.
Marissa McCann
Mizzou's starting pitcher in the opening game, who allowed two solo home runs that proved to be the difference in the 2-1 loss.
Cierra Harrison
Mizzou pitcher who started Game 2 and allowed two runs over 4.1 innings, with Carr finishing the game in relief.
Jocelyn Briski
Alabama's starting pitcher in the opening game, who threw a complete game and limited Mizzou to just three hits.
What they’re saying
“You're not going to have three hits in a row off a team like Alabama. That's not going to happen. But we have to get somebody on and we have to be able to get in scoring position somehow. If that's sacrificing or stealing a base, then we have to capitalize on those opportunities. We didn't have those opportunities with people in scoring position.”
— Larissa Anderson, Mizzou Head Coach
“Abby Carr, she's just a special athlete that I enjoy coaching. So unbelievably competitive and clutch in everything that she does.”
— Larissa Anderson, Mizzou Head Coach
“They're so close, they're so close. And it's just recognizing the moment, not throwing away at-bats.”
— Larissa Anderson, Mizzou Head Coach
“They're learning from every single one and they're just going to continue to get better. That's the exciting thing. They're going to get better from every single moment that they're experiencing.”
— Larissa Anderson, Mizzou Head Coach
“We had the lead in that game and that was one of the things that we talked about yesterday. Getting the lead early and trying to keep it. It's unfortunate that we let it slip away.”
— Larissa Anderson, Mizzou Head Coach
What’s next
Mizzou will hit the road to face SIUE at 5 p.m. Tuesday, then will return to conference play with a series at Auburn starting Friday.
The takeaway
This series highlighted the continued challenges Mizzou faces in competing against top-ranked SEC opponents. While the Tigers showed flashes of potential, particularly with the emergence of freshman Abby Carr, their inability to consistently generate offense and capitalize on scoring opportunities proved costly. As the team heads into the next stretch of conference play, finding ways to get runners on base and drive them in will be crucial to their success.
