Missouri jumped out to a 2-0 lead, scoring a run in each of the first two innings. Mercer tied the game in the bottom of the fourth and the game remained tied until the eighth inning.
In MU's half of the eighth, Jeni Schellert, who had been placed on second, advanced to third on a sacrifice by Kristen Burke. After a Joanne Loethen walk, Heather Kunkel tripled to center, scoring both Schellert and Loethen. Mercer was unable to score in the bottom of the eighth, giving Missouri the win.
Samantha Fleeman picked up the win in her first start with Mizzou. Fleeman went seven innings, giving up four hits and two runs and struck out eight. Erin Kalka came in to pitch the eighth and record the save.
Missouri is now 1-0 and will play Chattanooga in the second game of the tournament at 1:30 p.m.