Softball Falls to Late Rally by Florida in SEC Opener

Saturday, March 7

Gainesville, Fla.

12 p.m.

Missouri

7-14, 0

Florida

24-1, 0

MIZ

FLORIDA

Softball Falls to Late Rally by Florida in SEC Opener

3/7/2026 2:45:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

The Tigers are now 7-14 this season, as they move to 6-7 in SEC openers.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Mizzou softball (7-14, 0-1 SEC) dropped its SEC opener to Florida (24-1, 1-0 SEC) as the Gators rallied late to take the first game of the three-part series, 5-4, on Saturday, March 7, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

The Gators took the first game away from the Tigers after hitting a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning. MU is now 6-7 all-time in SEC Openers and 11-24 in conference-opening series.

The Gators were the first to strike in this one, as a solo home run in the second inning opened the game's scoring. However, Mizzou was able to capitalize on a leadoff hit-by-pitch in the top of the third, as the Tigers' RBI leader junior Abby Hay (16) added two more with a bases-loaded double, making it 2-1.

MU added to its lead at the top of the fourth, but not before the Gators left bases loaded, as former Tiger Madison Walker popped out to Hay in the bottom of the third.

Sophomore Madison Uptegrove recorded her first home run of the season in the top half of the fourth, as a high shot to left field carried over the wall, extending it to 3-1. The fourth was beneficial to both teams, however, as UF hit a two-run home run to tie it at 3-3.

After the home run, senior RHP Courtney Donahue relieved McCann after she allowed three earned runs and five hits in 3.2 innings.

Donahue would get out of several jams, including stranding two runners in the bottom of the fifth. In the sixth, UF took the lead off the pitcher, as she gave up a two-run home run, putting the Gators up 5-3 heading into the final inning.

Freshman Sidney Forrester started the potential rally with a leadoff double to left field, junior Haidyn Sokoloski pinch ran for the right fielder, and eventually came around to score on a groundout to the second baseman. However, the rally stalled there, as Florida went on to win 5-4.

GAME NOTES

Larissa Anderson is now 379-233-1 all-time.
The Tigers are now 6-7 in SEC openers, and 11-24 in the SEC opening series.
Mizzou is now 8-20 against the Gators all-time and are 7-14 against Florida in SEC games. Coach Anderson is now 4-9 when she faces the Gators.
Freshman Addy Waits collected her second career multi-hit game.

NEXT UP

Mizzou faces Florida in Game Two of the SEC Opening Series starting at 3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET tomorrow here at the Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Games Two and Three will both be broadcast via the SEC Network.

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