Completed Event: Softball at No. 7 Arkansas on March 1, 2026 , Loss , 3, to, 11
Final
Softball
3
at No. 7 Arkansas
11
Friday, March 13
Houston, Texas
6 p.m.
University of Kansas
at
Houston
Photo by: Brayden Crest/Kansas Athletics
Kansas Opens Big 12 Play at Houston
3/11/2026 12:33:00 PM | Softball
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas softball enters Big 12 play riding the momentum of a perfect 4-0 week, highlighted by a dominant home-opening series sweep and continued power throughout the lineup.
The Jayhawks opened the week with a 9-1 run-rule victory over Wichita State Shockers softball before returning to Arrocha Ballpark after five consecutive weeks on the road. Kansas then swept Utah State to begin its home schedule, capped by an 18-2 run-rule victory and a 14-0 shutout win.
In the series opener, Chloe Barber delivered one of the most dominant outings of the season, tossing a complete-game two-hitter with 13 strikeouts. Her 11th strikeout of the night marked the 250th of her career, finishing the game with 252.
The pitching staff continued its strong weekend in the finale, combining for a no-hitter, the program's first since 2006. Kansas now holds a 1.37 team WHIP, ranking No. 53 nationally and No. 5 in the Big 12, while recording three shutouts this season.
Offensively, Kansas produced one of its most explosive weekends in recent memory. The Jayhawks launched 12 home runs across the Utah State series, including six in a single game the program's first six-homer performance since 2011. Kansas also scored 10 runs in a single inning for the first time since 2015 and recorded multiple run-rule victories in the same weekend for the first time since 2016.
The power surge has become a defining trait for Kansas this season. The Jayhawks hold a .650 team slugging percentage, ranking No. 11 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12, while their 39 home runs rank No. 13 nationally and third in the conference. Kansas has also produced 239 hits this season, ranking No. 11 nationally, and sits sixth nationally in doubles with 52.
Freshman Ella Boyer was recognized for her standout performance earlier this week, earning Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors. Boyer launched two home runs against Wichita State and now has eight on the season, ranking among the Big 12 leaders in RBIs and RBI per game.
Veteran bats have also fueled Kansas' offense. Hailey Cripe has driven in 22 RBIs with six home runs this season, while Anna Soles leads the team in doubles with 10 and carries a .792 slugging percentage.
"We're really proud of how this group competed last week," head coach Jennifer McFalls said. "Our offense has shown it can be explosive, and our pitching staff continues to give us quality innings. Now the challenge is taking that same energy and execution into conference play."
Kansas carries that momentum into its Big 12 opener against the Houston Cougars softball. The Jayhawks hold a narrow 4-3 advantage in the all-time series and will look to extend their strong start as conference play begins.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans can follow the action via live stats and updates on the Kansas Softball X account, all games can be streamed on ESPN+
The Jayhawks opened the week with a 9-1 run-rule victory over Wichita State Shockers softball before returning to Arrocha Ballpark after five consecutive weeks on the road. Kansas then swept Utah State to begin its home schedule, capped by an 18-2 run-rule victory and a 14-0 shutout win.
In the series opener, Chloe Barber delivered one of the most dominant outings of the season, tossing a complete-game two-hitter with 13 strikeouts. Her 11th strikeout of the night marked the 250th of her career, finishing the game with 252.
The pitching staff continued its strong weekend in the finale, combining for a no-hitter, the program's first since 2006. Kansas now holds a 1.37 team WHIP, ranking No. 53 nationally and No. 5 in the Big 12, while recording three shutouts this season.
Offensively, Kansas produced one of its most explosive weekends in recent memory. The Jayhawks launched 12 home runs across the Utah State series, including six in a single game the program's first six-homer performance since 2011. Kansas also scored 10 runs in a single inning for the first time since 2015 and recorded multiple run-rule victories in the same weekend for the first time since 2016.
The power surge has become a defining trait for Kansas this season. The Jayhawks hold a .650 team slugging percentage, ranking No. 11 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12, while their 39 home runs rank No. 13 nationally and third in the conference. Kansas has also produced 239 hits this season, ranking No. 11 nationally, and sits sixth nationally in doubles with 52.
Freshman Ella Boyer was recognized for her standout performance earlier this week, earning Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors. Boyer launched two home runs against Wichita State and now has eight on the season, ranking among the Big 12 leaders in RBIs and RBI per game.
Veteran bats have also fueled Kansas' offense. Hailey Cripe has driven in 22 RBIs with six home runs this season, while Anna Soles leads the team in doubles with 10 and carries a .792 slugging percentage.
"We're really proud of how this group competed last week," head coach Jennifer McFalls said. "Our offense has shown it can be explosive, and our pitching staff continues to give us quality innings. Now the challenge is taking that same energy and execution into conference play."
Kansas carries that momentum into its Big 12 opener against the Houston Cougars softball. The Jayhawks hold a narrow 4-3 advantage in the all-time series and will look to extend their strong start as conference play begins.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans can follow the action via live stats and updates on the Kansas Softball X account, all games can be streamed on ESPN+
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
C
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INF
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LHP/UTL
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