<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741567713684.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
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WACO, Texas&nbsp;&ndash; Kansas softball secured its first series win of the season with a dominant 12-2 victory over Baylor on Sunday, March 9, winning the series 2-1. Multiple players contributed to the win, helping Kansas earn its 12th victory of the season. "We really challenged our offense today. We needed to do better than just three hits like yesterday, and we needed some timely hits. Players really stepped up for us. Bruno was a big spark early on, and then&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-tatum/6927" rel="smarttag" rev="6927" data-airgap-id="72">Emma Tatum</a></dfn>&nbsp;came through with a big home run when we needed it," said Head Coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/jennifer-mcfalls/526" rel="smarttag" rev="526" data-airgap-id="73">Jennifer McFalls</a></dfn>. "Overall, it was a great team performance. Sundays are tough, and day three is hard&mdash;it's all about mental toughness. From the start of the game, I felt like we had a different mindset today. It's huge to get that first conference series win, especially against a good Baylor team. This victory gives us confidence as we move forward, and having that first series win behind us is really important." Kansas started at the plate but struggled to generate offense in the early innings. However, the Jayhawks' defense stepped up, keeping Baylor off the scoreboard through the first two frames. In the third inning, Kansas broke through as junior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/aynslee-linduff/6968" rel="smarttag" rev="6968" data-airgap-id="74">Aynslee Linduff</a></dfn>&nbsp;delivered a two-run RBI, giving the Jayhawks a 2-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Kansas made a pitching change, bringing in senior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/katie-brooks/6906" rel="smarttag" rev="6906" data-airgap-id="75">Katie Brooks</a></dfn>&nbsp;to replace junior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lizzy-ludwig/6881" rel="smarttag" rev="6881" data-airgap-id="76">Lizzy Ludwig</a></dfn>. Brooks came up big, ending the inning with a clutch strikeout to escape a bases-loaded jam. Although Baylor managed to push one run across, Kansas still held a 2-1 advantage after three innings. The Jayhawks responded in the fourth when junior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-tatum/6927" rel="smarttag" rev="6927" data-airgap-id="77">Emma Tatum</a></dfn>&nbsp;launched a two-run homer, extending the lead to 4-1. The momentum continued in the fifth as senior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/olivia-bruno/6949" rel="smarttag" rev="6949" data-airgap-id="78">Olivia Bruno</a></dfn>&nbsp;crushed a two-run home run to left-center, pushing the Kansas lead to 6-1. Kansas tacked on another run via a bases-loaded walk, making it 7-2 heading into the sixth inning. Kansas put the game out of reach in the sixth, erupting for five runs in the frame. The highlight of the inning came from Tatum, who smashed a three-run double to cap off the scoring. The Jayhawks secured the 12-2 run-rule victory, marking a statement win over Baylor. This victory marked Kansas' first win in a conference opener since 2019. Additionally, the Jayhawks' 12-2 win over Baylor marked their largest margin of victory against the Big 12 opponent. Pitchers of Record Win:&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/katie-brooks/6906" rel="smarttag" rev="6906" data-airgap-id="79">Katie Brooks</a></dfn>&nbsp;(3-1) Line: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 SO Loss: Sadie Ross (2-5) Line: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 2 SO Up Next Kansas concluded its 20-game extended road trip and will open its home schedule with a midweek game against Wichita State, set for 5 p.m. CT on Wednesday, at Arrocha Ballpark. The game can be streamed on ESPN+. Notables:
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<li>The series win against Baylor marked Kansas' first victory in a conference opener since 2019.</li>
<li>&nbsp;It is the first time in program history that Kansas softball has won a series against Baylor in back-to-back seasons.</li>
<li>&nbsp;Junior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-tatum/6927" rel="smarttag" rev="6927" data-airgap-id="80">Emma Tatum</a></dfn>&nbsp;continues to surpass her career high in home runs, adding another in the third game of the series. This marks her third of the season.</li>
<li>Senior&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/olivia-bruno/6949" rel="smarttag" rev="6949" data-airgap-id="81">Olivia Bruno</a></dfn>&nbsp;added another home run to her career, marking her fourth of the season.</li>
<li>&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/karsen-griggs/15854" rel="smarttag" rev="15854" data-airgap-id="82">Karsen Griggs</a></dfn>&nbsp;earned her first hit, double, and RBI on the season</li>
<li>&nbsp;The Jayhawks scored 12 runs against the Bears in the final game on Sunday, March 9, while holding Baylor to just two. This marked their largest margin of victory against the Big 12 opponent.</li>
<li>Kansas played only six innings against the Bears, securing a run-rule victory&mdash;the first time the Jayhawks have achieved this feat against Baylor.&nbsp;</li>
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🥎 KU dominates Baylor for series win in Waco