Kansas softball lost to the University of Central Florida in a close game on April 17, with the Knights securing a 6-3 win in extra innings at the UCF Softball Complex.
The game was significant as it marked the first contest of the series between Kansas and UCF. The Jayhawks initially led by two runs but could not hold off a late rally by UCF, which tied the game and then won with a walk-off home run.
Kansas took an early lead in the third inning after Anna Soles hit a sacrifice fly and Hailey Cripe added an RBI single. However, UCF narrowed the gap in the fourth inning and tied it up in the sixth when Samantha Rey drove in a run. In extra innings, Kendall Yarnell hit a three-run home run for UCF to end the game.
Pitcher Isabella Vega earned her sixteenth win of the season for UCF, pitching seven and two-thirds innings. Chloe Barber took her fifth loss for Kansas after entering during extra innings. Ella Boyer recorded her ninth double of this season, tying for third on her team. Hailey Cripe achieved her fifteenth multi-hit game, bringing her total hits to forty-eight this year. Anna Soles extended her hitting streak to eight out of nine games, while Presley Limbaugh reached base for seven consecutive games. Lila Partridge matched her season high by pitching six innings.
The teams are scheduled to play again Saturday at 4 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+.
