Jayhawks Respond with Win Over Villanova to Close Boca Weekend

Saturday, February 21

Boca Raton, Fla.

8 a.m. CT

University of Kansas

9-6

UMass

6-7

Kansas

Massachusetts

Jayhawks Respond with Win Over Villanova to Close Boca Weekend

2/21/2026 5:16:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Season Stats 12.21

Boca Raton, Fla. – Kansas closed out the weekend with a 4-1 victory over Villanova, responding after a difficult run-rule loss earlier in the day. The Jayhawks relied on timely hitting and steady pitching to secure the bounce-back win.

"It was a long weekend, and we've got to figure out how to not beat ourselves in games as we did earlier," said head coach Jennifer McFalls. "That was a tough loss for us, but the important thing is learning from it and growing. I loved the way we bounced back; we found a way to win. That's important."

After falling behind 1-0 to Villanova in the second inning, Kansas responded immediately and gradually built separation behind RBI efforts from Emma Tatum and Hailey Cripe before a two-run home run in the sixth by Kadence Stafford provided insurance. The bounce-back performance came just hours after an 8-0 run-rule loss to UMass, as the Jayhawks tightened up defensively and limited mistakes while Kaelee Washington held Villanova scoreless over the final five innings to secure the win.

. How It Happened | vs. UMass

Kansas threatened early in the first inning as Aynslee Linduff and Hailey Cripe recorded back-to-back singles, and both moved into scoring position on a double steal. However, UMass worked out of the jam to keep the game scoreless.
After a scoreless first from both sides, UMass broke through in the second. A walk and two singles loaded the bases before a run-scoring single put the Minutewomen on the board. A three-RBI double extended the lead, and a wild pitch added another run to cap a five-run inning.
Kansas looked to answer in the third after Presley Limbaugh singled to lead off the frame, but a pair of fielder's choice plays erased the threat. UMass added two more runs in the bottom half, taking advantage of defensive miscues to extend the lead to 7-0.
The Minutewomen added another run in the fourth following an error and an RBI single. Kansas put a runner on in the fourth after Anna Soles was hit by a pitch and moved to third, but the Jayhawks were unable to capitalize.
Tehya Pitts singled in the fifth to give Kansas its fifth hit of the game, but UMass closed out the inning to secure the 8-0 run-rule victory.

PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Lizzy Blanchett (2-4)
Final line: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO
Loss: Chloe Barber (3-3)
Final line: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 2 SO

. How It Happened | vs. Villanova

Villanova threatened in the first with a walk and a single, but Kaelee Washington worked out of the inning to keep the game scoreless.
The Wildcats struck first in the second after a hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice bunt moved a runner into scoring position. An RBI single to right field gave Villanova a 1-0 lead.
Kansas responded in the bottom half. Ava Wallace doubled to right-center, and Emma Tatum followed with an RBI triple to tie the game at 1-1. The Jayhawks drew two walks later in the inning to load the bases, but Villanova escaped the jam to keep it even.
Washington settled in over the next two frames, retiring the side in order in the third and stranding a runner in the fourth. She continued to mix speeds effectively, keeping Villanova off balance as the game remained tied.
Kansas broke through in the fifth. Presley Limbaugh singled to center and stole second before advancing to third on a sacrifice fly. Hailey Cripe delivered an RBI double to left field to give the Jayhawks a 2-1 lead.
Washington allowed just one single in the sixth and worked around it to preserve the advantage. In the bottom half, Wallace singled to open the inning, and after an error extended the frame, Kadance Stafford launched a two-run home run to left, stretching the lead to 4-1.
Washington closed the door in the seventh with back-to-back strikeouts followed by a groundout, sealing the 4-1 victory for Kansas.

PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Kaelee Washington (2-1)
Final line: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 SO
Loss: Chloe Zych (0-1)
Final line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 0 SO

Up Next
Kansas concludes its time in Boca Raton at the Joan Joyce Classic and will return home for a few days before competing in the Woo Pig Classic from Feb. 27 to March 1. The Jayhawks will face Omaha, Boise State and Charlotte before wrapping up the weekend against Arkansas.