Jayhawks Clinch Second Big 12 Series with 10-5 Win Over Utah

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas clinched its second Big 12 series of the season with a 10-5 win over Utah, taking the series two games to one. Kadence Stafford led the way in the finale with five RBIs, setting both a career and season high for the junior and bringing her season total to 26.

Kansas has now surpassed last season's win total of 22, improving to 23-9 overall and 4-2 in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks also secured their second conference series victory of the season after recording just one in 2025. The win marked Utah's first two road losses of the season, while Kansas continues to hold strong at home.

"I thought we came out aggressive and really set the tone early," head coach Jennifer McFalls said. "Our offense stayed consistent, and we got key performances up and down the lineup. It's always big to win a conference series, and we'll look to carry that momentum into next weekend."

How It Happened | vs. Utah

Kansas quickly retired the top of Utah's order, going three up, three down behind starting pitcher Blakely Barber.
The Jayhawks loaded the bases in their first at-bat after Anna Soles singled to left to spark the rally. A September Flanagan single brought in Ella Boyer for an early 1-0 lead. Kadence Stafford kept things going with a stand-up double that drove in three runs, pushing Kansas ahead 4-0 at the end of the first.
Kansas stayed sharp defensively, ending the second inning with a double play, its second of the series that was turned by shortstop Hailey Cripe.
Utah threatened in the top of the third with the bases loaded, but Kansas worked out of the jam with a strikeout from Barber, followed by a flyout and a groundout to end the inning.
The Jayhawks added to their lead in the third as Stafford delivered again with two more RBIs, bringing her total to five on the day. Bailey Amezcua followed with an RBI single to score Stafford and extend the lead to 7-0.
Utah got on the board in the fourth with a single to right field, cutting the deficit to 7-2.
The Utes continued to chip away in the fifth with a two-run home run. Lizzy Ludwig entered in relief for Barber and recorded a strikeout looking before ending the inning with a groundout, keeping Kansas in front 7-4.
Kansas responded in the bottom half of the fifth, adding three more runs. Amezcua drove in a run with a single, and Aynslee Linduff followed with a double that brought in two more, extending the lead to 10-4.
Utah added one more run late, but the Jayhawks held on to secure the 10-5 win and clinch the series.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

Win: Blakely Barber (5-1)
Final line: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 SO
Loss: Raci Miranda (7-3)
Final line: 2.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 0 BB, 3 SO

UP NEXT

Kansas will now turn its attention to its next Big 12 opponent as it travels to Provo, Utah, for a three-game series against BYU beginning Thursday, March 26. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. CT.

University of Kansas Athletics