Jayhawks Fall Short in Competitive Matchups Against Clemson and FAU

Thursday, February 6

Boca Raton, Fla

1 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

0-1

Clemson

1-1

Kansas

Clemson

Jayhawks Fall Short in Competitive Matchups Against Clemson and FAU

2/6/2025 9:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 KU vs. Clemson Box Score KU vs. FAU Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Kansas Softball team opened the 2025 season with games against Clemson and FAU on Wednesday at Joan Joyce Field in Boca Raton, Fla. The Jayhawks fell just short to both Clemson (4-3) and FAU (3-2) on the first day of the Paradise Classic Tournament.

"I thought we competed really well today," said Kansas head coach Jennifer McFalls. "In game one, we were right there with a chance to win. When you have runners in scoring position in the final innings, you have to find a way to push one across. Hopefully, tomorrow we come in with a stronger mental approach and find a way to get it done"

Game One
For the first game of the 2025 season, the Jayhawks faced No. 25 Clemson. Kansas batted first and wasted no time getting on the board. Junior Aynslee Linduff led the charge with a double to center field. Standing on second, she was soon brought home by senior Olivia Bruno, who singled to right, driving in the first run of the season.

Junior Lizzy Ludwig got the start in the circle, and Kansas quickly recorded the first out with a groundout to Kadance Stafford. However, No. 25 Clemson responded with two runs of their own. The Jayhawks ended the inning after Ludwig forced a groundout, sending the game to the top of the second

In the bottom of the second, the Tigers added two more runs, making the score 4-2 in favor of Clemson. Senior Katie Brooks took over in the circle for Ludwig. Despite Clemson extending Kansas' deficit, the inning ended with a groundout back to Brooks. The Jayhawks looked to spark their offense as they headed into the top of the third.

Kansas started the top of the third strong as Presley Limbaugh reached first on a walk. Olivia Bruno followed, reaching on a fielder's choice, and an error by the second baseman allowed Limbaugh to advance to second. The Tigers' struggles continued when Campbell Bagshaw reached on another error, loading the bases with one out. Hailey Cripe then reached on a fielder's choice, and a throwing error by the catcher allowed Limbaugh to score, cutting Clemson's lead to 4-3.

The Jayhawks maintained strong defense throughout the rest of the game and entered the top of the seventh with a chance to rally, trailing by just one run. Limbaugh sparked the offense with a single, followed by a Linduff walk to put runners in scoring position. Despite the late-game push, Kansas was unable to bring them home, as a strikeout and a lineout ended the inning. The Jayhawks put up a competitive fight, but Clemson held on for the win.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

Win: Brooke McCubbin (1-0)
Final Line: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 5 SO
Loss: Lizzy Ludwig (0-1)
Final Line: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 0 SO

Game Two
In their second game of the day, the Kansas Jayhawks faced off against Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Freshman pitcher Kennedy Diggs made her collegiate debut on the mound, while Kansas opened the game at the plate but struggled to find early momentum. FAU came out swinging, taking a quick 2-0 lead after the first inning.

The Jayhawks got their first baserunner in the second when Cripe drew a walk, but they couldn't capitalize offensively. However, the defense stepped up, holding FAU to just one hit in the inning and keeping the Owls off the board.
Kansas made its first pitching change in the bottom of the third, bringing in freshman Kaelee Washington for her collegiate debut. She made an immediate impact, recording her first career strikeout and retiring the side without allowing a hit. Despite solid pitching, the Jayhawks entered the fifth inning trailing 3-0.
Kansas broke through in the fifth, sparked by Cripe getting hit by a pitch and sophomore September Flanagan drawing a walk. An FAU error allowed Cripe to score, followed by an RBI from Limbaugh that brought in Flanagan, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The Jayhawks carried that energy to the bottom of the inning, holding FAU hitless.

In the sixth, Kansas looked to build on its momentum. Bruno reached base for the first time, but the Jayhawks couldn't push across the tying run. Washington continued to impress in the circle, retiring all three batters she faced.
Needing one run to extend the game, Kansas was unable to rally in the seventh, falling to FAU 3-2. Despite the loss, the Jayhawks saw promising performances from their young pitchers and fought until the final out.

PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Autumn Courtney (1-0)
Final Line: 7 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 3 BB 12 SO
Loss: Kennedy Diggs (0-1)
Final Line: 2.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 0 SO

Up Next
The Jayhawks will compete in day two of the Paradise Classic, facing Wisconsin and Missouri State. First pitch against the Badgers is set for 12:30 p.m. CT.