The Kansas softball team closed out the Kajikawa Classic with a 4-1 loss to Utah on Sunday morning at the Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium. The loss moves KU to 1-4 overall on the year.
It was a back-and-forth battle between the Jayhawks and the Utes early, with neither team being able to score a run through the first three innings of action. Utah broke the drought in the fourth inning by putting up the first run of the day. KU responded in the fifth thanks to back-to-back doubles by Ashlyn Anderson and Tarin Travieso to even the score.
Utah was able to regain the lead in the sixth with a solo shot to left field and then tacked on another two runs in the seventh to secure the win. KU senior Hailey Reed pitched six innings and finished with three strikeouts and just two earned runs.
The Jayhawks next will travel to Clearwater, Fla., to compete in the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational. KU will face Missouri in the first game, with first pitch scheduled for noon Thursday.