Jayhawks Walk It Off in Extra-Inning Thriller Against Marshall; Jayhawks finish Road Trip 3-2

Sunday, March 2

Norman, Okla.

11 a.m. CT

University of Kansas

10-7

Marshall

6-11

Marshall

Kansas

Jayhawks Walk It Off in Extra-Inning Thriller Against Marshall; Jayhawks finish Road Trip 3-2

3/2/2025 4:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Norman, Okla- Home runs from Olivia Bruno and Hailey Cripe, along with a stellar defensive effort, helped Kansas softball secure a 4-3 extra-inning victory over Marshall.

Emma Tatum's leadoff single and heads-up base running set the stage for junior Campbell Bagshaw, who delivered the game-winning RBI to seal the walk-off win for the Jayhawks.

With the win, Kansas improved to 9-7 on the season and has won two of its last three and eight of its last 10 games.

"I was really proud of our pitching staff, with Kaelee Washington and Katie Brooks keeping us in the game. In the final inning, Emma Tatum did a great job leading off and finding a way to get on base, and Gigi laid down a perfect bunt to move her over while beating the throw herself. That set the stage for Campbell Bagshaw, who came through with a clutch opposite-field hit to bring in the winning run," Kansas head coach Jennifer McFalls said, "But we don't score without Emma's heads-up baserunning—tagging up on a pop-up to the catcher and getting into scoring position was a game-changer. Overall, I'm just really proud of our team's fight and chemistry. A few weeks ago, we might not have won a game like this, but we're learning how to battle and find ways to win."

Kaelee Washington made her fifth career start in the circle for KU. Marshall threatened early, putting runners in scoring position in the top of the first inning. The Herd then hit a single, but a strong relay from the outfield and a perfect tag at the plate from senior Natalie Marshall kept the Herd from scoring in the top of the first.

The Jayhawks were unable to generate any offense in their first at-bat, but after quickly retiring three outs in the top of the second, they returned to the plate. Bruno hit a home run, putting the Jayhawks on the board and giving them a 1-0 lead.

Marshall answered back in the top of the third with two runs of their own, taking a one-run lead. Going into the bottom of the third, the top of the Jayhawks' lineup was due up. Presley Limbaugh battled at the plate and drew a walk. Then Cripe stepped up and smoked a home run to left-center, driving in two runs and giving Kansas the lead back at 3-2.

The Jayhawks were able to keep Marshall off the scoreboard in the fourth inning, before senior pitcher Katie Brooks replaced Washington on the mound. Marshall was then able to grab a run in the top of the fifth inning, tying the game at 3-3.

In the sixth inning, Marshall was able to get a runner in scoring position with only one out, but the Jayhawks defense was able to hold Marshall scoreless heading into the bottom of the sixth. Kansas was able to get two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh but were unable to score the go-ahead run and finished regulation tied 3-3.

Kansas continued its strong defensive performance in the eighth inning, keeping Marshall scoreless once again. With a chance to close it out in the bottom of the eighth, the Jayhawks rallied with great effort. Tatum reached first on a hard-hit ball to the infield, followed by September Flanagan laying down a perfect bunt to reach safely and move Tatum to second. Heads-up base running by the junior after a tag on an infield pop fly allowed Tatum to advance safely to third. Bagshaw then stepped up and delivered a hard-hit ball to the infield, bringing Tatum home from third for the game-winning run, securing a the 4-3 victory for Kansas.

Pitchers of Record
Win: Katie Brooks (2-1)
Line: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 SO
Loss: Paige Maynard (3-3)
Line: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 SO

Up Next
Kansas now transitions into Big 12 conference play with a road trip to Waco, Texas, to face Baylor. The Jayhawks will take on the Bears in a three-game series from March 7-9