Two-RBI double sends Jayhawks past Creighton in six-inning home opener

By Conner Becker Mar 5, 2024

Kansas third baseman Ashlyn Anderson celebrates an out with pitcher Kasey Hamilton against Creighton on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Arrocha Ballpark.

A two-RBI double by freshman Anna Soles was as fitting of an ending as Kansas softball could’ve asked for in an 8-0 six-inning romp over Creighton in Tuesday’s home opener at Arrocha Ballpark.

Seventh-year KU coach Jennifer McFalls had been sensing the first-year utility player’s potential for a while, too.

“She hasn’t had a lot of opportunities this season, so far,” McFalls said. “But, we saw her in (batting practice) earlier today and she looked great. We were just feeling like she had an opportunity to come up and get a big solid hit and she needed that probably as much as we wanted to see it from her.”

The hit, which cemented the Jayhawks’ (13-5-1) 10th consecutive win after a lengthy road trip to begin the season, drove in the eighth and final run needed to cruise past the Bluejays (11-7-0) in shutdown fashion behind senior starting pitcher Kasey Hamilton’s eight total strikeouts.

The Topeka native and Washburn Rural graduate was in her element, McFalls said.

“She was feeling it tonight,” McFalls said. “She was excited to be back home. Her attitude and her focus have been amazing this whole season and just wants to go out on a real solid note.”

After holding the Bluejays silent through the first, KU scored three runs on an error and three hits between sophomores Aynslee Linduff, Campbell Bagshaw and senior Ashlyn Anderson. A flyout to left field ended the inning with Anderson left on base.

Kansas junior infielder Campbell Bagshaw drives in two runs to start the game against Creighton on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Arrocha Ballpark.

Kansas pitcher Kasey Hamilton winds up to pitch against Creighton on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Arrocha Ballpark.

Hamilton worked promptly in the second, picking up two strikeouts as Creighton sophomore Ella Dalton and freshman Sydney Potter went down swinging. Creighton pitcher Brooklyn Patchen, after walking two KU batters to begin the second, exited the inning unscathed on three consecutive flyouts by the Jayhawks.

Creighton sophomore Mikayla Chairez singled up the middle to begin the third, followed by a third strikeout by Hamilton and a diving catch by senior Angela Price in center field. Asked about Price’s recovery from a long-term injury, McFalls said the senior’s athleticism has been more than noticeable since returning to the lineup.

“She’s such a gritty kid,” McFalls said. “She’s just providing us with great leadership and paying hard – that’s what I love. The senior class has really stepped up so far.”

Chairez found second on another single to left by sophomore Lily West, but Hamilton saved the inning with her second strikeout of the side, sending senior Emma Rosonke to the pine. Patchen added her second strikeout of the night in the bottom side.

The Jayhawks, holding on to a three-run lead at the top of the fourth, continued making quick work of the Bluejays’ order with Hamilton’s fifth strikeout, a groundout to second, and a lineout to sophomore shortstop Hailey Cripe.

What initially appeared to be a double for KU senior Sophia Buzard, who drove one clear to the left-field wall, was ruled out at second after a lengthy review. An error at shortstop by Creighton freshman Ashten Pierson allowed Price to reach first with two outs, but a flyout closed another runless inning.

Pitcher Kasey Hamilton celebrates one of her eight strikeouts against Creighton on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Arrocha Ballpark.

Kansas junior infielder Campbell Bagshaw drives in two runs to start the game against Creighton on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Arrocha Ballpark.

Creighton exited the fifth inning still holding onto just two hits, as Hamilton mowed down Chairez for her sixth strikeout before retiring the side. At bat, KU senior Addison Purvis pumped a double to left-center field setting up a one-RBI single by Bagshaw up the middle.

McFalls credited Purvis with setting up the chain of runs.

“She comes in, gets the opportunity and capitalizes on it,” McFalls said. “That’s what’s kind of the most exciting thing at the end of the game – getting answers from our bench. Those kids are a big part of our lineup and those are kids that can really swing it for us.”

Up 4-0 with one out, KU loaded the bases with Patchen’s third walk of the night. Two more RBIs, including a sacrifice flyout by junior Sara Roszak, gave the Jayhawks a nice two-run bump heading into the sixth.

Hamilton opened the sixth a tad uneasy, letting West reach base on a single and second off a passed ball, before delivering her eighth strikeout of the evening to correct the situation and bring KU back to the plate.

Creighton, turning to junior reliever Alexis Wiggins in the bottom of the sixth, stared down the winning run after Linduff and senior Lyric Moore each singled their way on base. Both runners advanced to third and second on a foul ball, as Wiggins then walked Purvis to fill the bags.

The walk set up KU’s mercy-rule hit by Soles, looking at a 1-2 count with one out on the board, who smashed in a two-run hit to seal the game outright.

Next, the Jayhawks travel to UCF for a three-game series beginning Friday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at UCF Softball Complex.

Box score

CU 000 000 X – 0 3 4

KU 300 032 X – 8 10 0

W – Hamilton; L – Patchen.

Highlights for KU: Hamilton 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; Bagshaw 3 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 3 RBI; Purvis 1 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 2B; Linduff 4 AB, 2 R, 1 H; Moore 4 AB, 2 R, 2 H; Cripe 3 AB, 1 R; Anderson 2 AB, 1 H, 2 RBI.