<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742781939543.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah&nbsp;&ndash; In the final game of the three-day series against Utah, Kansas was able to walk away with a nine-inning 5-4 victory. With the win, Kansas improved to 14-12 overall and 3-3 in conference play. Utah fell to 10-23 overall and 2-4 in Big 12 play. "We focused on bringing competitive energy today. Our mental toughness was a game changer, and we had a no-quit attitude," said Kansas head coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/jennifer-mcfalls/526" rel="smarttag" rev="526">Jennifer McFalls</a></dfn>. "I'm really proud of the way we fought, especially our pitching staff.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/katie-brooks/6906" rel="smarttag" rev="6906">Katie Brooks</a></dfn>&nbsp;had a great start, Diggs (<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kennedy-diggs/15857" rel="smarttag" rev="15857">Kennedy Diggs</a></dfn>) kept them off balance, and K Wash (<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kaelee-washington/15853" rel="smarttag" rev="15853">Kaelee Washington</a></dfn>) closed it out. It's reassuring to have a pitching staff we can depend on. While we didn't win the series, the most important thing is we responded well today, and now we look ahead to a big week." Kansas started Brooks in the circle, recording the first out and a strikeout before junior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/aynslee-linduff/6968" rel="smarttag" rev="6968">Aynslee Linduff</a></dfn>&nbsp;secured the final out in right field. The Jayhawks opened the second inning with a single from junior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/campbell-bagshaw/6868" rel="smarttag" rev="6868">Campbell Bagshaw</a></dfn>. A hard-hit ball by&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/natalie-marshall/6919" rel="smarttag" rev="6919">Natalie Marshall</a></dfn>&nbsp;moved Bagshaw into scoring position, and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/september-flanagan/6890" rel="smarttag" rev="6890">September Flanagan</a></dfn>&nbsp;followed with a solid hit to left field, driving Bagshaw home to give Kansas the early lead at 1-0. Kansas kept the Utes off the bases through the second inning and showed a gritty half-inning in the top of the third, by scoring two runs which came from&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/aynslee-linduff/6968" rel="smarttag" rev="6968">Aynslee Linduff</a></dfn>&nbsp;who singled down the left field line, driving in Presely Limbaugh. Later in the inning, Linduff advanced to third and scored on a rundown involving&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/natalie-marshall/6919" rel="smarttag" rev="6919">Natalie Marshall</a></dfn>, extending Kansas' lead to 3-0 heading into the bottom of the third. As in the previous two matchups, the Utes fought back, overcoming a three-run deficit to tie the game, keeping Kansas from holding onto its early lead through the fifth inning. In the top of the sixth inning, the Jayhawks pushed to answer back, with Flanagan drawing a walk and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/karsen-griggs/15854" rel="smarttag" rev="15854">Karsen Griggs</a></dfn>&nbsp;hitting a standup-up double, setting up Kansas in a great position to earn a lead once again. Senior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/candace-yingling/15862" rel="smarttag" rev="15862">Candace Yingling</a></dfn>&nbsp;made a key appearance at the plate as a pinch hitter, delivering a hard-hit grounder down the third base line. The play allowed Flanagan to cross the plate, regaining the lead for Kansas at 4-3. <dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/hailey-cripe/6977" rel="smarttag" rev="6977">Hailey Cripe</a></dfn>&nbsp;got the Jayhawks started with a 10-pitch at-bat, finally placing a hit through the second baseline. However, Utah quickly retired Kansas, leaving the game's outcome in the hands of the Jayhawks' defense. Utah found an answer to tie the game, and both teams battled through nine innings. In the top of the ninth, Kansas began to rally. With the most consistent hitters, Limbaugh and Linduff, reaching base, Cripe, who had been solid all game, delivered an RBI single to center field, scoring Limbaugh and giving Kansas a 5-4 lead. The Jayhawks remained strong through nine innings, holding the Utes scoreless and securing their first win of the series with a final score of 5-4. &nbsp; UP NEXT Kansas will next hit to road to play at Missouri on Wednesday, March 26, in Columbia, Missouri. The contest from Mizzou Softball Stadium will start at 8 p.m. Central and the game will be televised on ESPNU. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Pitchers of Record Win:&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kennedy-diggs/15857" rel="smarttag" rev="15857">Kennedy Diggs</a></dfn> Line: 4.1 IP, 3 H,&nbsp; 1 R, 2 BB, 2 SO Save:&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kaelee-washington/15853" rel="smarttag" rev="15853">Kaelee Washington</a></dfn> Line: 1 IP, 1 H,&nbsp; 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO Loss: Hailey Maestretti Line: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2&nbsp; SO &nbsp;
<h3>Up Next Kansas concludes its series with Utah and faces a quick turnaround as they prepare to take on Border Showdown rival Missouri at home on Wednesday, March 26, at 8:00 p.m. CT.</h3>
&nbsp; &nbsp; Notables
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<li>Freshman&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/karsen-griggs/15854" rel="smarttag" rev="15854">Karsen Griggs</a></dfn>&nbsp;recorded her second double of the season</li>
<li>Junior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/aynslee-linduff/6968" rel="smarttag" rev="6968">Aynslee Linduff</a></dfn>&nbsp;recorded five putouts, the most for Linduff in a single game this season</li>
<li><dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-amezcua/15852" rel="smarttag" rev="15852">Bailey Amezcua</a></dfn>&nbsp;recorded two hits against Utah, matching her season-high for hits in a single game.</li>
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🥎 KU picks up win in series finale at Utah