Jayhawks Earn First Win of the Season with Dominant Shutout Over Missouri State

Friday, February 7

Boca Raton, Fla.

12:30 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

0-3

Wisconsin

1-1

Wisconsin

Kansas

Jayhawks Earn First Win of the Season with Dominant Shutout Over Missouri State

2/7/2025 8:23:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 KU vs. MO St.Box Score KU vs. Wis. Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Kansas softball found its rhythm on the second day of the Paradise Classic with a commanding 8-0 win over Missouri State behind a dominant pitching performance from freshman Kaelee Washington and a four-RBI outing from junior Hailey Cripe,

The win over Missouri State gave Kansas its first win of the season following a loss to Wisconsin, 6-3, earlier in the day.

"We're just trying to find our identity right now. It's not the physical piece—it's the mental piece," said head coach Jennifer McFalls. "We need to be grittier, tougher in the field, and find ways to battle through tough games. I thought our response in the second game was really positive. We're getting contributions from different players, and it's going to take all of us as we continue to figure out who we are."

Game One
In their first game of the day and third of the season at the Paradise Classic, the Kansas Jayhawks faced the Wisconsin Badgers. Senior pitcher Katie Brooks made her season debut, starting strong by allowing only one hit and recording two strikeouts through the first three innings, keeping the game scoreless.

The Jayhawks' offense ignited in the bottom of the third inning. Junior Presley Limbaugh and junior Aynsle Linduff each singled, setting the stage for senior Olivia Bruno, who delivered a sacrifice fly to bring Limbaugh home. Junior Hailey Cripe followed with an RBI double, scoring Linduff and giving Kansas a 2-0 lead.

Wisconsin responded in the fourth inning, narrowing the gap to 2-1. In the bottom half, junior Campbell Bagshaw doubled and later scored on an RBI by freshman Ava Wallace, extending the Jayhawks' lead to 3-1.

The game took a turn in the top of the sixth inning when the Badgers mounted a five-run rally, highlighted by a grand slam, to seize a 6-3 lead. Following this, Kansas brought in freshman pitcher Kaelee Washington to replace Brooks.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Jayhawks threatened with consecutive hits from Bagshaw and Wallace, putting runners in scoring position. However, they couldn't capitalize, leaving the score at 6-3 in favor of Wisconsin.

Kansas was unable to mount a comeback in the seventh inning, resulting in a 6-3 loss to Wisconsin, marking their third defeat of the season.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

Win: Gabi Salo (1-0)

Final Line: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO

Loss: Katie Brooks (0-1)

Final Line: 5.1IP, 9 H, 5R, 1 BB, 3 SO

Game Two
In their second game of the day at the Paradise Classic, the Kansas Jayhawks secured their first win of the season with an 8-0 shutout against Missouri State. Freshman pitcher Kaelee Washington delivered an impressive performance, pitching four scoreless innings, allowing only three hits, and recording two strikeouts. Junior Lizzy Ludwig took over in the fifth inning, maintaining the shutout by not allowing any hits or walks.

Offensively, the Jayhawks were led by junior Hailey Cripe, who went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in four runs. In the top of the second inning, freshman Ava Wallace singled and was brought home by a Cripe RBI, giving Kansas an early 1-0 lead.

The Jayhawks' offense erupted in the fourth inning. Junior Campbell Bagshaw and sophomore September Flanagan each singled, setting the stage for Cripe, who delivered a two-RBI single to left field, extending the lead to 3-0. Senior Natalie Marshall then singled, advancing Cripe to third. A wild pitch allowed Cripe to score, and freshman Bailey Weber followed with an RBI single, bringing home Marshall. Junior Presley Limbaugh capped the five-run inning with an RBI double, pushing the lead to 6-0.

Kansas added two more runs in the seventh inning. Bagshaw scored on a sacrifice fly by Flanagan, and Cripe contributed her fourth RBI of the game with a single, bringing the final score to 8-0.

With the victory, the Jayhawks improved to 1-3 on the season.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

Win: Kaelee Washington (1-2)

Final Line: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 SO

Loss: McKenzie Vaughan (0-1)

Final Line: 3.1 IP, 7 H, 5R, 0 BB, 3 SO

Up Next:
Kansas wraps up its five-game tournament with a morning matchup against Ole Miss. First pitch is set for 8 a.m. CT