Jayhawks Drop Final Two Games at USF-Rawlings Invitational

Sunday, February 8

Tampa, Fla.

8:30 a.m. CT

University of Kansas

2-2

Michigan

4-1

Kansas

Michigan

Jayhawks Drop Final Two Games at USF-Rawlings Invitational

2/8/2026 2:55:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Season Stats 2.8 Box Score 1 Box Score 2

TAMPA, Fla. – Kansas closed out the USF-Rawlings Invitational with losses to Michigan and Florida on Sunday, falling 4-2 to the Wolverines before dropping an 11-2 decision to the Gators.

The Jayhawks built early momentum against Michigan, taking a 1–0 lead and later moving in front 2–1 before the Wolverines rallied late for the comeback win. Against Florida, Kansas relied on steady pitching through the first three innings but could not generate offense until late, as the Gators used a big fifth inning to secure the victory.

How It Happened | vs. Michigan

The Jayhawks got their bats going first after Ella Boyer singled through the left side to bring home Aynslee Linduff.
Michigan responded with a home run to even the score at 1-1. With two Wolverines on and two outs, veteran pitcher Chloe Barber worked out of the jam by recording back-to-back strikeouts to keep the game tied.
Barber and the defense stayed solid over four straight innings, allowing only one runner to reach base during that stretch.
The Kansas offense manufactured a hard-earned run at the top of the fifth when Cripe lifted a flyout to right field that allowed Brinley Ramirez to score, giving Kansas a 2-1 lead.
Michigan rallied in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game again at 2-2 on a home run. With no outs and a runner on third, Barber recorded her seventh strikeout of the game, but the Wolverines were able to squeeze a run across to take a 3-2 lead.
Michigan added another run on a single to right field to extend its lead to 4-2. Kaelee Washington entered in relief of Barber and struck out the final batter of the inning to give Kansas one last chance heading into the top of the seventh.
Despite putting a runner on base with a chance to tie, Kansas couldn't capitalize and dropped its fourth game of the year, 4-2.

PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Gabby Ellis (2-0)
Final line: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO
Loss: Chloe Barber (0-1)
Final line: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 8 SO

How It Happened | vs. Florida

Florida threatened early with a two-out double in the first, but Kaelee Washington stranded the runner to keep the game scoreless.
Kansas put a runner on in the bottom of the first after Presley Limbaugh drew a leadoff walk, but Florida starting pitchersKeagan Rothrock struck out two to escape the inning.
Washington continued to work efficiently through the second, allowing just a two-out double before retiring the side, while Rothrock struck out the side in the bottom half to keep the game scoreless.
Florida broke through in the third. A leadoff single and another base hit set the table before an RBI groundout brought home the game's first run for a 1–0 Gators lead.
Kansas threatened in the bottom of the third after Bailey Amezcua reached and moved to third, but Rothrock escaped the jam with a strikeout and a popout.
Both pitchers traded scoreless fourth innings, with Washington retiring the Gators in order and Kansas leaving a runner at third.
Florida broke the game open in the fifth, using a two-run home run and three doubles in the inning to score six runs and extend the lead, 7-0.
The Jayhawks chipped away at the deficit in the inning as leadoff hitter Presley Limbaugh started the rally with a single to second. Anna Soles followed with a triple to score Limbaugh, and Ella Boyer added a sacrifice fly to center field to bring Soles home and cut the lead to 7–2.
Kansas was unable to score any more runs in the final stretch of play and ultimately fell to the Gators, 11-2.

PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Keagan Rothrock (3-0)
Final line: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 SO
Loss: Kaelee Washington (1-1)
Final line: 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 0 BB, 1 SO

Up Next
Kansas will remain in Florida to face FGCU in a midweek matchup Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 4 p.m. CT. Fans can stream the game on ESPN+ or follow along on the Kansas Softball X (Twitter) account and via live stats.