<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746415461059.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
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LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;&ndash; Kansas softball fell to UCF 8-6 on May 4 in its final home game of the season at Arrocha Ballpark. UCF improved to 32-21-1 (12-12 Big 12), while Kansas dropped to 22-27 (6-18 Big 12). Junior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lizzy-ludwig/6881" rel="smarttag" rev="6881">Lizzy Ludwig</a></dfn>&nbsp;got the start for the Jayhawks, retiring UCF's first three batters. Kansas went hitless in the bottom half of the inning. UCF recorded the game's first hit in the second, but Kansas ended the frame with a double play to keep the game scoreless. In the bottom of the second, the Jayhawks came alive. Senior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/olivia-bruno/6949" rel="smarttag" rev="6949">Olivia Bruno</a></dfn>&nbsp;launched a solo home run to center field&mdash;her 12th of the season, tying her career high.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/natalie-marshall/6919" rel="smarttag" rev="6919">Natalie Marshall</a></dfn>&nbsp;followed with an RBI single, and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-tatum/6927" rel="smarttag" rev="6927">Emma Tatum</a></dfn>&nbsp;added a two-run homer to give Kansas a 4-0 lead. UCF got on the board with a run in the third. After a pitching change, freshman&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kaelee-washington/15853" rel="smarttag" rev="15853">Kaelee Washington</a></dfn>&nbsp;entered for Kansas and helped turn another double play to limit the damage. The Knights tied the game in the fourth with three runs. Freshman&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kennedy-diggs/15857" rel="smarttag" rev="15857">Kennedy Diggs</a></dfn>&nbsp;took over in the fifth, holding UCF scoreless for two straight innings. Kansas had a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth but left a runner in scoring position. In the sixth, Kansas loaded the bases and Tatum delivered again with a two-run single up the middle to reclaim a 6-4 lead heading into the final inning. Diggs recorded Kansas' first strikeout of the game in the seventh, but UCF loaded the bases with one out. Bruno came in for a relief appearance, but the Knights rallied for four runs, capped by a three-run homer to center field. Kansas couldn't respond in the bottom half, sealing the 8-6 loss. Up Next Kansas closes out its regular season and is set travel to Oklahoma City to compete in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament from May 7-10.&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3 data-end="1742" data-start="1718">Pitchers of Record</h3>
Win:&nbsp;Kaitlyn Felton (12-4) Line: 5.1 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 9 SO Loss:&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/olivia-bruno/6949" rel="smarttag" rev="6949">Olivia Bruno</a></dfn>&nbsp;(4-6) Line: 1.0 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 SO
<h3 data-end="1884" data-start="1870">Notables</h3>
<ul>
<li data-end="1988" data-start="1885">Bruno's second-inning home run tied her season high with 12, matching her total from freshman year.</li>
<li data-end="2064" data-start="1989">Tatum recorded her fourth home run of the season and totaled four RBIs.</li>
<li data-end="2132" data-start="2065">Washington made her team-leading 24th appearance in the circle.</li>
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🥎 KU falls to UCF in home finale