Jayhawks Drop First Conference Game in Extra Innings to Houston

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas built a 9-5 lead behind Ella Boyer's ninth home run, three total homers, and seven RBIs in the game, but could not hold. Struggles on the mound and defensive miscues allowed Houston to tie with a four-run homer in the seventh and walk it off in extra innings. The Jayhawks took their first conference loss of the season to the Cougars and now drop to 18-8 overall.

How It Happened | vs. Houston

Kansas made their mark fast with a home run from Ella Boyer, her ninth of the season, bringing around Aynslee Linduff, who had reached on a fielder's choice previously.
Chloe Barber got the start in the circle. The first out came from Anna Soles on an unassisted groundout at first, followed by a strikeout from Barber. Houston threatened with a bases-loaded situation and scored a run on a wild pitch, but a short pop-up to left field got the Jayhawks out of the inning, with Kansas still in front 2-1.
Lizzy Ludwig relieved Barber in the second inning, recording a strikeout, fielding a contested bunt to first base for the second out, and Presley Limbaugh snatched the third in the outfield.
To start the bottom of the third, Tehya Pitts converted a foul-ball defensive play in left field. Kansas defense stayed sharp with another defensive snag on the line from Kadence Stafford and closed the inning with a fly out to right.
Kansas continued to struggle at the plate and could not score another run. Going into the bottom of the fourth.
After a single to left field by Houston, Partridge came in to pitch. A single from Houston gave them an additional run, tying the game at 2-2. No other damage was done, with Kansas' defense securing three outs from the outfield going into the fifth inning.
KU finally took the lead back at the top of the fifth off a Houston error, with Audri Youngblood scoring on an overthrow from the Cougar catcher for a 3-2 lead.
Houston answered back, scoring on a Kansas passed ball and a single to take a 5-3 lead going into the sixth.
Boyer and Cripe got things going for Kansas in the top of the sixth with two singles. Kadence Stafford came up to the plate and worked an 0-2 count; the next pitch was lifted to deep center field for a home run, her fifth of the season, giving Kansas the lead back 6-3.
The Jayhawks added insurance runs, with Pitts scoring on a Cougar passed ball for a 7-5 lead going into the last inning.
In the top of the seventh, Cripe launched a deep home run to center field, plating two more runs and giving Kansas a 9-5 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.
Houston tied the game with a four-run homer, sending it to extra innings, and then won by loading the bases and walking it off on a walk.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

Win: London Park (3-3)
Final line: 5.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 3 BB, 0 SO

Loss: Kaelee Washington (5-2)
Final line: 3.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 4 BB, 2 SO

UP NEXT

Kansas continues its series against Houston tomorrow at 3 p.m. CT. Fans can stream the game on ESPN+, follow along with live stats, or keep up with the action on the Kansas Softball X account.

University of Kansas Athletics