Kansas Homers Its Way to Doubleheader Sweep at Arrocha

Friday, March 6

Lawrence, Kan.

1 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

16-7

Utah State

10-11

UTAH STATE

Kansas

Kansas Homers Its Way to Doubleheader Sweep at Arrocha

3/6/2026 8:53:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Season Stats 3.6 Photo Gallery

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas opened the home portion of its schedule in dominant fashion, sweeping a doubleheader against Utah State at Arrocha Ballpark. The Jayhawks powered their way to a 7-1 win in Game 1 behind six home runs and a dominant performance from Chloe Barber in the circle, before erupting for 18 runs in five innings to secure an 18-2 run-rule victory in Game 2.

Barber delivered one of the most impressive pitching performances of the season in the opener, tossing a complete game with 13 strikeouts while allowing just two hits and one run. Her 11th strikeout of the day marked the 250th of her career, bringing her total to 252. In Game 2, Kansas' offense continued to roll, highlighted by Bailey Amezcua's first collegiate grand slam as the Jayhawks recorded their 10th run-rule win of the season and improved to 17-7 overall while remaining perfect at Arrocha Ballpark.

"I'm really proud of the way our team showed up today," head coach Jennifer McFalls said. "Our pitchers set the tone in the circle, and the offense stayed aggressive all day. When we're swinging the bats like that and playing clean defense behind our pitchers, we can be a very tough team to beat."

How It Happened | vs. Utah State (Game 1)

Barber earned the start in the home opener and the Kansas defense backed her early, recording three quick outs in order to begin the game.
Kadence Stafford got the Jayhawks on the board in the second inning, sending the first pitch she saw over the fence to give Kansas a 1-0 lead.
Barber continued to dominate in the circle, striking out the side in the second inning with one looking and two swinging.
Kansas extended its lead in the third when Aynslee Linduff launched a home run, pushing the Jayhawks ahead 2-0.
Presley Limbaugh added another long ball later in the inning, blasting her first collegiate home run to deep center field to make it 3-0.
The Jayhawks added insurance runs in the middle innings as Anna Soles and Hailey Cripe each recorded home runs, while Campbell Bagshaw later drove in Kadence Stafford to stretch the lead to 7-0.
Utah State broke through in the sixth with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 7-1.
Barber closed the door in the seventh with two more strikeouts and a putout at first base, securing Kansas' 7-1 victory in the home opener.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

Win: Chloe Barber (5-3)
Final line: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 13 SO
Loss: Rylie Pindel (4-3)
Final line: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 SO

How It Happened | vs. Utah State (Game 2)

Utah State struck first in the opening inning, scoring two runs on a single and a fielder's choice to take a 2-0 lead.
Kansas answered immediately as Linduff doubled to start the rally and later scored on a single from Soles. Ella Boyer drew a walk before Cripe tied the game with an RBI single to make it 2-2.
Blakely Barber settled in during the second inning, recording two strikeouts while the defense helped close the frame with a flyout.
The Jayhawks broke the game open in the second inning, plating five runs. Linduff delivered an RBI double to score Limbaugh before Boyer launched a three-run home run. Bagshaw later added an RBI single to extend the lead to 7-2.
Kansas added five more runs in the third inning, highlighted by an RBI single from Boyer, a two-run single from Bagshaw and another RBI single from Limbaugh. Stafford also scored on a fielding error to push the lead to 12-2.
The offense continued to roll in the fourth inning, exploding for six runs. Emma Tatum delivered a two-RBI single before Amezcua capped the inning with a grand slam to deep center field, extending the Jayhawks' lead to 18-2.
Utah State was unable to answer in the fifth inning, sealing the 18-2 run-rule victory for Kansas and giving the Jayhawks a 2-0 start at home.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

Win: Blakely Barber (3-1)
Final line: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 SO
Loss: Jazmin Ramirez (0-1)
Final line: 0.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 0 SO

UP NEXT

Kansas will close out its opening home series against Utah State on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. Fans can stream the game on ESPN+, follow along through the Kansas Softball X account, or track the action via live stats.