Baylor’s 3 straight home runs sink KU in first round of Big 12 tournament

By Henry Greenstein May 7, 2025

Kansas' Olivia Bruno pitches against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

No. 8 seed Baylor hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning to break open a tie game, and the ninth-seeded Kansas softball team lost 7-3 in the first round of the Big 12 tournament on Wednesday at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

After KU right fielder Aynslee Linduff had driven in Emma Tatum and evened the score at 3-3 in the top of the fifth, Big 12 batting champion Shaylon Govan and teammate Turiya Coleman homered off starter Katie Brooks for a total of three runs, then Karynton Dawson added one more against Olivia Bruno for good measure.

The Bears went up 7-3 and promptly shut out KU in the final two innings, avenging the Jayhawks’ series win at Getterman Stadium two months earlier and eliminating them from the tournament.

KU recorded just four hits on the day. Catcher Natalie Marshall homered once and walked twice. Govan and Dawson had two RBIs apiece for the Bears.

KU finishes its season at 22-28.

As much as the Jayhawks’ pitching faltered in the fifth frame, KU’s defense encountered some trouble earlier that allowed Baylor to get on the scoreboard in the first place.

After Leah Cran doubled down the right-field line with one out in the second inning, a fielding error by Campbell Bagshaw prevented what would have been a routine groundout, and Cran came around to score an unearned run.

Baylor’s advantage was short-lived as Marshall worked her way into a favorable count against lefty Lillie Walker and then hit the second home run of her career to even the score at 1-1. KU’s next three batters grounded out.

In a fast-paced fourth inning, after a first-pitch single by center fielder Brooklyn Carter, an error on Presleigh Pilon’s bunt attempt put two runners on with no one out for Govan.

Govan walked to load the bases. Coleman grounded into a double play but scored one run, and then Dawson doubled to left to add another.

The newly minted second-team all-conference player Bruno, a two-way standout all season long, doubled to the wall to lead off the fourth inning, and shortstop Hailey Cripe singled to put runners at the corners.

Consecutive ground balls were enough to bring in Bruno to make it 3-2. Bagshaw got caught stealing for the second out of the inning, however, and September Flanagan grounded out.

KU could not muster much offense as it attempted to rally late in Wednesday’s game. A pair of walks by Flanagan and Marshall presented a threat in the sixth, and Presley Limbaugh then got ahead in the count 3-1. But Sadie Ross, who replaced Walker in the circle, induced a groundout to end the inning.

Baylor advances to take on No. 1 seed Texas Tech on Thursday.

Kansas and Baylor players shake hands after the Bears won 7-3 in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas shortstop Hailey Cripe walks off the field at the game against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Olivia Bruno stops at third base against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Aynslee Linduff swings at a pitch against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Natalie Marshall comes into home plate after a home run against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Natalie Marshall celebrates against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Hailey Cripe makes a throw as Baylor’s Abi Flores slides in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Anna Soles reaches for the ball against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Anna Soles is tagged out by Baylor’s Shaylon Govan in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Hailey Cripe runs into first base ahead of Baylor’s Shaylon Govan in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Hailey Cripe swings at a pitch against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Hailey Cripe smiles with teammate September Flanagan against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ Olivia Bruno looks to make contact with a pitch against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Kansas’ September Flanagan throws at a game against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

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Written By Henry Greenstein

Henry is the sports editor at the Lawrence Journal-World and KUsports.com, and serves as the KU beat writer while managing day-to-day sports coverage. He previously worked as a sports reporter at The Bakersfield Californian and is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis (B.A., Linguistics) and Arizona State University (M.A., Sports Journalism). Though a native of Los Angeles, he has frequently been told he does not give off "California vibes," whatever that means.