photograph by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World
KU head coach Jennifer McFalls walks off the sphere in disbelief after a late foul name during the Jayhawks’ sixth-inning comeback on Oklahoma State on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Arrocha Ballpark in Lawrence.
The Kansas softball group began robust with a pair of wins on Friday however misplaced late leads in every of its subsequent two video games and finally concluded its opening weekend in Tampa, Florida, with a 2-3 report.
Five totally different Jayhawks hit dwelling runs on the weekend and freshman Ella Boyer recorded a team-high 5 RBIs, however KU solely scored twice in every of its remaining two losses. Meanwhile, in the circle, a three-run sixth inning towards Michigan put a damper on a powerful debut weekend for Wichita State switch Chloe Barber, and sophomore Kaelee Washington, who began three of the 5 video games, received into hassle in the fifth towards Florida.
The Jayhawks began robust in the early hours of Friday morning at USF Softball Stadium after they shut out and run-ruled Bethune-Cookman, 12-0. Washington, fellow sophomore Kennedy Diggs and freshman Blakely Barber restricted the Wildcats to a complete of two hits. Boyer and fellow catcher Bailey Amezcua homered as soon as apiece with three RBIs every, and senior proper fielder Aynslee Linduff went 3-for-3.
KU’s offense was simply as potent later that day towards Illinois State in a second straight five-inning victory, with a 10-run inning that laid the groundwork for a 13-5 consequence. Campbell Bagshaw was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, and September Flanagan and Kadence Stafford hit dwelling runs as KU recorded 14 hits as a group. Lizzy Ludwig received into some hassle late, however ISU’s Hanna Meeks struck out swinging to go away the Cardinals eight runs down for the ultimate out.
The Jayhawks received off to a promising begin towards frequent foe South Florida, their host for the weekend, on Saturday. Two-way lefty Anna Soles hit a two-run dwelling run in the primary inning, and JUCO switch Tehya Pitts tripled in a pair extra runs in the fourth to make it 4-0.
Washington had largely cruised by way of the primary 4 1/3 innings earlier than a double by Dania Brooks and single by Kiley Strott put runners on the corners with one out. After pinch hitter Jocelyn Wilkes drove in the Bulls’ first run, Washington gave approach to Blakely Barber, who allowed one other RBI single after which a 3rd run after hitting two batters (with a strikeout in between). She was capable of get to Jamia Nelson to fly out to finish the inning with KU nonetheless forward 4-3.
The sixth inning produced nothing for the Jayhawks after Madi Hays received caught stealing, after which catastrophe struck: KU not solely relinquished its lead however allowed 9 runs in the underside of the sixth to get run-ruled. Barber received an out however conceded a three-run homer to Toryn Fulton and freshman Lila Partridge was unable to cease the bleeding in her debut because the Jayhawks misplaced 12-4.
KU additionally misplaced a hard-fought consequence the next day to Michigan. The two groups have been tied 1-1 in the fifth inning when freshman Brinley Ramirez took benefit of a fielding error to attain on Hailey Cripe’s flyout. Chloe Barber had allowed only one hit — a leadoff homer in the primary inning — when she gave up a second solo dwelling run to tie the rating in the sixth. Erin Hoehn and Avery Fantucci hit RBI singles to place the Wolverines forward 4-2, and a stroll by Soles gave KU its solely baserunner in an unsuccessful seventh.
The Jayhawks’ third and remaining loss got here towards Florida by a rating of 11-2. The Gators’ pitcher Keagan Rothrock restricted KU fairly successfully, and Florida stretched its lead from 1-0 to 7-0 in the fifth inning with two walks, two doubles, three singles and a house run. Soles tripled to attain Presley Limbaugh after which Boyer introduced Soles in with a sacrifice fly in a quick sixth-inning surge.
KU will stay in Florida and play a midweek highway date with Florida Gulf Coast at 4 p.m. Central time on Tuesday.