Upcoming Event: Softball versus Bethune-Cookman on February 6, 2026 at 8 a.m. CT
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8 a.m. CT
Softball
vs Bethune-Cookman
Friday, February 6
Tampa, Fla.
8 a.m. CT
University of Kansas
vs
Bethune-Cookman
Kansas Softball Set to Open Season at USF-Rawlings Invitational
2/5/2026 11:22:00 AM | Softball
Lawrence, Kan. — Kansas softball opens the 2026 season in Tampa, Florida, at the USF-Rawlings Invitational, where the Jayhawks will face Bethune-Cookman, Illinois State, South Florida, Michigan and Florida from Feb. 6-8.
"We're excited to get this group on the field," said Head Coach Jennifer McFalls. "We return a lot of experience and added depth, and the work this team put in during the offseason gives us the opportunity to compete in a lot of different ways as we continue to build our identity from day one."
Kansas throws its first pitch of the season Friday at 8 a.m. CT against Bethune-Cookman. Historically, the Jayhawks have faced each team in the field multiple times, with the exception of Michigan, whom Kansas has faced only once.
Kansas returns 18 players and adds nine newcomers, including three transfers. The Jayhawks have expanded their pitching staff to nine arms, highlighted by experienced pitchers Lizzy Ludwig, Kaelee Washington, Kennedy Diggs and Wichita State transfer Chloe Barber, who served as the Shockers' No. 1 pitcher in the circle.
Among the returners is starting shortstop Hailey Cripe, who hit two home runs in 2025 and posted the team's second-best batting average at .329 while finishing with a .948 fielding percentage. Cripe also earned NFCA All-Region Third Team honors.
Senior Presley Limbaugh also returns as a key defensive and offensive leader after earning a spot on the All-Big 12 Defensive Team. She finished last season with a .358 batting average, 58 hits and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
The Jayhawks will begin the USF-Rawlings Invitational with two games on Friday against Bethune-Cookman (8 a.m. CT) and Illinois State (1 p.m. CT), one game on Saturday against USF (2 p.m. CT) and will finish with two games on Sunday against Michigan (8:30 a.m. CT) and Florida (11 a.m. CT).
Fans can follow the action on the Kansas softball X account for in-game updates and live stats here. The game against South Florida will be streamed on ESPN+
"We're excited to get this group on the field," said Head Coach Jennifer McFalls. "We return a lot of experience and added depth, and the work this team put in during the offseason gives us the opportunity to compete in a lot of different ways as we continue to build our identity from day one."
Kansas throws its first pitch of the season Friday at 8 a.m. CT against Bethune-Cookman. Historically, the Jayhawks have faced each team in the field multiple times, with the exception of Michigan, whom Kansas has faced only once.
Kansas returns 18 players and adds nine newcomers, including three transfers. The Jayhawks have expanded their pitching staff to nine arms, highlighted by experienced pitchers Lizzy Ludwig, Kaelee Washington, Kennedy Diggs and Wichita State transfer Chloe Barber, who served as the Shockers' No. 1 pitcher in the circle.
Among the returners is starting shortstop Hailey Cripe, who hit two home runs in 2025 and posted the team's second-best batting average at .329 while finishing with a .948 fielding percentage. Cripe also earned NFCA All-Region Third Team honors.
Senior Presley Limbaugh also returns as a key defensive and offensive leader after earning a spot on the All-Big 12 Defensive Team. She finished last season with a .358 batting average, 58 hits and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
The Jayhawks will begin the USF-Rawlings Invitational with two games on Friday against Bethune-Cookman (8 a.m. CT) and Illinois State (1 p.m. CT), one game on Saturday against USF (2 p.m. CT) and will finish with two games on Sunday against Michigan (8:30 a.m. CT) and Florida (11 a.m. CT).
Fans can follow the action on the Kansas softball X account for in-game updates and live stats here. The game against South Florida will be streamed on ESPN+
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP/UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP/UTL
/ Softball
RHP
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