Walk-off home run drops KU softball

The Kansas softball team lost its first two games of the season Friday, including a 10-inning thriller to North Florida, 8-6, in the Osprey Invitational.

The Jayhawks forced extra innings with a RBI single from Annie Mehringer in the top of the seventh inning. But in the bottom of the 10th, North Florida’s Macayla Kelley hit a two-run, walk-off home run.

Earlier in the evening, the Jayhawks (5-2) lost to Georgia State, 5-4.

KU will face South Carolina State and Eastern Illinois on Saturday.

Kansas 020 200 110 0 — 6 11 1

N. Florida 000 410 010 2 — 8 14 3

W — Amanda Blanchard, 1-1. L — Mandy Roberts, 1-1.

2B – Jessie Roane (2), KU; Navia Pendrod, Macayla Kelley, Casey Estes, NF. HR – Macayla Kelley, NF.

KU highlights — Lily Behrmann, 2-for-5, RBI, walk; Erin McGinley, 2-for-5, 2 RBI; Roane,2-for-3, run, walk; Brittani Reid, 1-for-5, 2 runs.

Georgia State 5, Kansas 4

Georgia State 000 050 0 — 5 8 0

Kansas 001 000 3 — 4 11 0

W — Amanda Chance, 2-0. L — Alexis Reid, 2-1. S – Kinsley Jennings, 1.

2B — Reagan Morgan, Kristin Hawkins, GS; Brittani Reid, KU. HR – Kylee Love, GS; Taylor McElhaney, KU.

KU highlights — Lily Behrmann, 2-for-4, run; Erin McGinley, 1-for-3, 2 runs; Harli Ridling, 2-for-3, 2 RBI; Jessie Roane, 2-for-4, RBI; McElhaney, 1-for-3, run, RBI.