No. 8 Duke softball falls to No. 15 Missouri, No. 21 Northwestern, before coming back with win over Kentucky

A homerun-size distance from the “Best Beach in America,” Duke softball took the field against the fiercest felines the NCAA has to offer.

After opening their Clearwater, Fla., trip in dominant fashion, the eighth-ranked Blue Devils spent the rest of their weekend battling No. 15 Missouri, No. 21 Northwestern and Kentucky. Despite the idyllic weather, Saturday’s slate proved to be the toughest day of the young season, as Duke dropped games against the Tigers and the first species of Wildcats. The Blue Devils managed just four total runs, all against Northwestern, in a stark contrast to Friday’s prolific offensive display. Come Sunday, however, the reigning ACC champs found their form facing the blue-clad Wildcats with a 6-3 victory to end their NFCA Leadoff Classic appearance.

“We want to be challenged,” head coach Marissa Young said. “We have a tough schedule, which is only going to prepare us for the postseason. And so it's really about learning from the moments that come up early on, and figuring out how we can continue to get better as a team.”

Slow starts plagued the Blue Devils Saturday, despite no shortage of opportunities. In the bottom of the third inning against Missouri, shortstop Jada Baker chased an upstairs Cierra Harrison riseball to strand third baseman Ana Gold on second — the third straight inning where Duke had failed to drive in a runner in scoring position. While Cassidy Curd dealt five innings of one-run ball in another stellar start for the junior phenom, the Tigers immediately capitalized on her departure by spotting a nine-run top of the sixth — a two-out rally that created a 10-3 lead too great to overcome so late in the game.

But Duke had no time to linger on the defeat; less than two hours later, Young’s squad matched up against Northwestern, this time as the away team. Again, several chances to strike early presented themselves, but the Blue Devils couldn’t make the most of their opportunities. With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the third, only Thessa Malau’ulu crossed the plate, as Wildcat Lauren Boyd struck out back-to-back batters to get out of the jam. After surrendering the game-tying run, Boyd buckled down to deliver four more shutdown innings and a complete game. 

For Northwestern, the third inning was a critical spot offensively, like it had been for Missouri. With a runner on first, freshman Kaylie Avvisato ripped a double down the left-field line to recapture the lead. Moments later, Northwestern extended that lead courtesy of a passed ball and finally ceased its outbreak after a Riley Grudzielanek double one-hopped the left-center fence, driving in the half-inning’s third and final run. Neither team scored again, as Duke fell 4-1 in its second defeat of the day.

Early Sunday, however, the Blue Devils made clear that they were not in for a repeat of the day before. Against Kentucky, Curd commanded the circle once again, allowing three runs throughout seven effective innings. After a dominant sophomore season that set her up for a preseason All-ACC selection, the Port St. Lucie, Fla., native was clearly right at home in the Sunshine State. Across tournament play, Curd gave up only four runs and earned a 2-0 record.

“Cassidy Curd did a great job for us in the circle this weekend,” Young said. “[She] was named to the All-Tournament team as well.”