Kansas Sweeps Second Day at Joan Joyce Classic

Friday, February 20

Boca Raton, Fla.

10:15 a.m. CT

University of Kansas

8-5

Villanova

0-12

Villanova

Kansas

Kansas Sweeps Second Day at Joan Joyce Classic

2/20/2026 5:32:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Season Stats 12.20

Boca Raton, Fla. – Kansas opened the second day of the Joan Joyce Classic in Boca Raton with back-to-back victories, taking down Villanova 8-1 and Southern Indiana 9-1. The Jayhawks showcased timely hitting, power from the middle of the lineup, and strong pitching performances in both games.

Both wins highlighted Kansas' depth and resilience. Blakely Barber and Lizzy Ludwig combined for seven scoreless innings, while the offense exploded for 17 total runs over the two games. Hailey Cripe's fifth home run of the season provided a key spark against Southern Indiana, and the team's timely hitting throughout the lineup helped the Jayhawks control both contests from start to finish.

"The team came out with the right energy and stayed disciplined at the plate," said head coach Jennifer McFalls . "The offense was a big lift, but it was the consistent pitching and hitting in both games that really set the tone. I'm proud of how the players executed from start to finish."

How It Happened | vs. Villanova

Villanova threatened in the top of the first with three singles, but Barber worked out of the jam and stranded the bases loaded to keep the game scoreless. In the bottom half, Aynslee Linduff put Kansas on the board with a solo home run to center, giving the Jayhawks a 1-0 lead.
Barber continued to settle in during the second, allowing just one hit and keeping Villanova off the board. Campbell Bagshaw recorded a single in the bottom half, but Kansas left one runner stranded.
Villanova tied the game in the third on a solo home run. At the next Kansas at bat, Emma Tatum answered with a double to right-center and advanced to third on a flyout, but Kansas was unable to bring her home as the game remained tied, 1-1.
Barber delivered a 1-2-3 fourth inning, and Cripe responded in the bottom half with a solo home run to left field, putting Kansas back in front, 2-1.
Kansas broke the game open in the fifth. After Barber induced a double play to erase a leadoff walk in the top half, the Jayhawks erupted for six runs on seven hits. Tatum and Presley Limbaugh opened the inning with singles before Linduff roped a two-RBI double down the right-field line. Anna Soles drew a walk, and Cripe followed with an RBI single. Ella Boyer capped the rally with a three-run home run to left, extending the lead to 8-1.
Kennedy Diggs entered in relief in the sixth and worked out of trouble, stranding a pair of runners with help from the defense. Kansas went down in order in the bottom half.
Diggs closed the door in the seventh with a scoreless frame, securing the 8-1 victory for Kansas.

PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Blakely Barber (2-1)
Final line: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 SO
Loss: Lexi Kobryn (0-3)
Final line: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 SO

. How It Happened | vs. University Southern Indiana

Lizzy Ludwig set the tone early, striking out two and retiring the side in order in the first inning. Kansas put a runner in scoring position after Presley Limbaugh singled and stole second, but the Jayhawks were unable to push a run across.
Ludwig continued to deal in the second, recording another scoreless frame against the Eagles.
Southern Indiana threatened in the third with a walk and a single, but Ludwig worked out of the inning to keep the game scoreless. In the bottom half, Tehya Pitts singled and advanced to third before Linduff delivered an RBI double down the right-field line to give Kansas a 1-0 lead.
Ludwig stranded a runner at third in the fourth to preserve the lead. The Jayhawks then broke the game open in the bottom half, scoring six runs on six hits. Soles and Ava Wallace opened with singles before Kadance Stafford drove in a run with a base hit. Pitts added an RBI single, and Linduff followed with a two-RBI single.
Cripe capped the inning with a two-run home run to left-center, her fifth of the season extending the Kansas lead to 7-0.
In the fifth, Southern Indiana capitalized on a Kansas error to plate an unearned run. Lila Partridge entered in relief and limited further damage.
Southern Indiana put two on in the sixth, but Partridge and the defense erased the threat, highlighted by a caught stealing at third. Kansas added two insurance runs in the bottom half as Brinley Ramirez singled, Cripe followed with a base hit, and Ella Boyer doubled to right-center to drive in both runs, sealing the 9-1 victory.

PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Lizzy Ludwig (1-0)
Final line: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO
Loss: Kylie Witthaus (0-2)
Final line: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 0 SO