Jayhawks Cruise to 9-1 Run-Rule Win Over Wichita State

Wednesday, March 4

Wichita, Kan.

6 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

15-7

Wichita State

10-8

Kansas

Wichita State

Jayhawks Cruise to 9-1 Run-Rule Win Over Wichita State

3/4/2026 9:04:00 PM | Softball

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WICHITA, Kan. – Kansas dominated Wichita State on Thursday night, scoring early and often to secure a 9-1 run-rule victory. Ella Boyer and Hailey Cripe each hit home runs in the first inning, and timely hitting from Kadence Stafford, Presley Limbaugh, and Campbell Bagshaw helped Kansas extend the lead and close out the game in five innings.

"I'm proud of the way our team came out swinging and stayed locked in from start to finish," head coach Jennifer McFalls said. "The energy was great, and our players executed both at the plate and in the field. It's a great way to set the tone heading into our home opener."

Kaelee Washington earned the win in the circle, allowing just one run over five innings, while Kansas' defense remained sharp throughout. With the 9-1 run-rule victory, the Jayhawks notched their ninth run-rule win of the season and improved to 15-7 overall.

How It Happened | vs. Wichita State

In the top of the first, Kansas got its bats going quickly as Boyer and Cripe each launched a home run, their sixth of the season, to give KU an early 3-0 lead.
Washington got the start in the circle, and the defense quickly retired the Shocker offense with a flyout, a pop-up, and a fielder's choice, sending Kansas back to the plate.
The Jayhawks added another run in the second off a Limbaugh hit that plated Bagshaw, extending the lead 4-0.
Washington recorded the first strikeout of the game, and the defense retired the side to move to the top of the third.
Kansas had a quiet fourth inning, and the Shockers added a run on a solo home run.
The Jayhawks responded in the next frame with another Boyer home run, her second of the night and seventh of the season. Kansas kept the momentum going as Stafford followed with a triple to drive in Cripe, extending the lead to 7-1. An additional single from Bagshaw and an infield single by Limbaugh pushed the Jayhawks further ahead, making it 9-1.
With the Shockers' final at-bat, the Kansas defense held strong. Washington started the inning with a strikeout, followed by a lineout to center, and Tehya Pitts made a clutch catch on a shallow fly to seal the game, giving Kansas a 9-1 run-rule victory.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

Win: Kaelee Washington (4-1)

Final line: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 SO

Loss: Ryle Nihart (3-5)

Final line: 4.1 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 2 BB, 1 SO

UP NEXT

Kansas now turns its focus to its first home opener of the season against Utah State, scheduled as a doubleheader on Friday with first pitches set for 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Jayhawks will close out the home opener weekend on Saturday with a 12 p.m. start. Each game can be streamed on ESPN+, followed live on the Kansas Softball X account, or tracked via live stats.