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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745199105348.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
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AMES, Iowa&nbsp;&ndash; Behind a composed performance in the circle from&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/katie-brooks/6906">Katie Brooks</a>&nbsp;and an explosive showing at the plate, Kansas softball powered its way to a 13 to 5 run-rule win over Iowa State on Sunday afternoon in Ames. After a pair of tough losses to start the series, the Jayhawks responded with energy and execution on both sides of the ball,&nbsp; highlighted by timely hits, a statement home run from&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/olivia-bruno/6949">Olivia Bruno</a>, and a confident outing from Brooks, who made her 57th career start in the Crimson and Blue. "I'm really proud of&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/katie-brooks/6906">Katie Brooks</a>&nbsp;today. She gave up a two-run homer but answered right back the next inning&mdash;she stayed confident and competitive in the circle," said head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/jennifer-mcfalls/526">Jennifer McFalls</a>."We played good defense behind her and got timely hits when we needed them. Most importantly, we just need to focus on ourselves, bottle up this momentum, and take it back to Lawrence with us." Brooks took the circle for the third game of the Iowa State series, making her 11th start of the season and the 57th of her Kansas career. Brooks made quick work of the Cyclones in the first inning, retiring the side with ease and giving the Jayhawks their second opportunity at the plate. The Jayhawks sparked some offensive momentum in the top of the second, starting with freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/ava-wallace/15856">Ava Wallace</a>&nbsp;reaching first on a hard-hit ground ball to shortstop.&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/anna-soles/6934">Anna Soles</a>&nbsp;followed with a double to center field, driving in the first run of the game and putting Kansas on the board. <a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/presley-limbaugh/6855">Presley Limbaugh</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/hailey-cripe/6977">Hailey Cripe</a>&nbsp;kicked off the third inning with back-to-back singles, setting the stage for&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/olivia-bruno/6949">Olivia Bruno</a>. Down 0-2 in the count, Bruno crushed a pitch to deep center field, giving Kansas a commanding 4-0 lead over Iowa State. In the bottom of the third, Iowa State applied some pressure with a two-run homer, cutting Kansas' 4-0 lead in half. The Jayhawks kept their composure, escaping the inning without further damage thanks to a heads-up foul ball catch in right field by&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/aynslee-linduff/6968">Aynslee Linduff</a>. Kansas responded effectively in the fourth, plating five runs to extend their lead. The scoring began with a&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/hailey-cripe/6977">Hailey Cripe</a>&nbsp;double that brought home&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/karsen-griggs/15854">Karsen Griggs</a>&nbsp;and Limbuagh with ease, while pushing&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/aynslee-linduff/6968">Aynslee Linduff</a>&nbsp;to third. Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/campbell-bagshaw/6868">Campbell Bagshaw</a>&nbsp;followed with a blast to right-center, clearing the bases and giving the Jayhawks a commanding 9-2 lead. Iowa State made its presence known at the bottom of the fourth, pushing across three runs with aggressive offense and cutting the Kansas lead to 9-5.&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/katie-brooks/6906">Katie Brooks</a>&nbsp;held her ground, ending the rally with a clutch strikeout to send the Jayhawks back on offense. The Kansas offense kept rolling in the fifth, tallying four hits and four more runs. The Jayhawks saw contributions across the lineup, with&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-amezcua/15852">Bailey Amezcua</a>, Limbaugh, Linduff, and Bagshaw all delivering at the plate. The juniors came up clutch as well, each driving in a run to stretch the lead to 13-5 heading into the bottom of the fifth. The Jayhawks brought the Cyclones to their final three outs, holding a commanding 13-5 lead, and they stayed locked in, shutting the door and keeping Iowa State off the board. With a strong defensive stand, Kansas closed out the game in five innings, securing a dominant run-rule win and their lone victory of the weekend.&nbsp; Pitchers of Record: Win:&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/katie-brooks/6906">Katie Brooks</a>&nbsp; (5-7) Line: 5.0 IP, 5&nbsp; R, 6&nbsp; H, 3 BB, 4 SO Loss: Jaiden Ralston (8-7) Line: 3.0&nbsp; IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 1 SO Up Next Kansas will return to Lawrence briefly before hitting the road again to take on Kansas City. The Jayhawks will then be back home for a three-game series against No. 22 Oklahoma State at Arrocha Ballpark. Notables
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<li>&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/anna-soles/6934">Anna Soles</a>&nbsp;earned her 13th hit of the season and 16th hit of her Jayhawk career.&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/olivia-bruno/6949">Olivia Bruno</a>&nbsp;launched her eighth home run of the season for Kansas, now sitting just four shy of matching her all-time single-season high.</li>
<li>Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/campbell-bagshaw/6868">Campbell Bagshaw</a>&nbsp;earned her second home run of the season and her fifth overall&nbsp;</li>
<li>The Jayhawks earned their 8th run rule of the year after defeating Iowa State 13-5</li>
<li>The Kansas softball team collected 13 RBIs in their Sunday contest against Iowa State, marking the second-highest RBI total in a game for the Jayhawks this season. Their season-high stands at 22 RBIs, achieved during a 23-0 victory over East Texas A&amp;M on March 1, 2025</li>
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🥎 Jayhawks run-rule Cyclones in series finale