Jayhawks Late Rally Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to Arizona State

Sunday, April 6

Tempe, Ariz.

3 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

17-17, 4-8

Arizona State

26-14, 8-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Kansas	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	3	4	0
Arizona State	2	0	2	0	0	0	X	4	6	1

Jayhawks Late Rally Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to Arizona State

4/6/2025 5:44:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

TEMPE, Ariz. - Kansas mounted a late comeback with two solo home runs in the fifth inning, but the rally fell just short as the Jayhawks dropped a 4-3 battle to Arizona State, closing out the series in Tempe.

The Jayhawks started at the plate, with junior Hailey Cripe recording the first hit of the game—a single through the left side. However, Kansas was unable to capitalize, leaving the first inning scoreless. Kaelee Washington took the mound and got the start for the Jayhawks. Arizona State responded quickly, hitting a home run to take an early 2-0 lead. Freshman. Washignton recorded her first strikeout of the day to end the inning.

Both defenses tightened up in the second inning, and neither team put up any runs on the scoreboard. Arizona State got back on the scoreboard late in the third inning to extend the Sun Devils lead to 4-0 heading into the fourth inning.

Kansas got their first run on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning, following an RBI single from sophomore Anna Soles bringing home senior Olivia Bruno to cut the Arizona State lead. Junior Lizzy Ludwig replaced Washington on the mound for the Jayhawks in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kansas' defense held Arizona State scoreless for the second inning of the day and entered the fifth inning down 4-1.

Kansas gained momentum in the fifth inning with two solo home runs from senior Natalie Marshall and junior Aynslee Linduff, cutting the deficit to 4-3. Marshall's home run was the first of her career and season, bringing her hit total to 10. Linduff's home run was her second of the season, with her last coming against Utah on March 21, and the sixth of her career.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Jayhawks went with their third pitcher of the day when Bruno replaced Ludwig on the mound. Bruno retired the first three batters faced, and the Jayhawk defense kept Arizona State scoreless for the second straight inning. Going into the sixth inning, the score was 4-3 in favor of Arizona State.

The Kansas defense continued its strong performance in the sixth inning, allowing just one hit and no runs for the third straight frame. However, the Jayhawks couldn't generate any offense and entered the final inning trailing by one.

Kansas fought to extend the game but was unable to bring in the game-tying run in the seventh, falling to Arizona State 4-3 and dropping the series 2-1.

Pitchers of Record:
Win: Kenzie Brown (14-4)
Line: 7 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 12 SO
Loss: Kaelee Washington (3-5)
Line: 3 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 SO

Up Next
Kansas concludes its series against Arizona State and returns home to host number 12th-ranked opponent Arizona from April 11-13.

Notables

Junior Hailey Cripe recorded her second successful stolen base of the season, making it her eighth stolen base of her career.
Anna Soles recorded her third stand-up double of the season, marking the fourth of her career.
Senior Natalie Marshall earned herself a sol0 home run, making it the first of the season and the first of her entire career
Aynslee Linduff recorded a solo home run, her second of the season and sixth of her career, tying her career high for home runs in a single season