Kansas' Olivia Bruno during an NCAA college softball game on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Kansas’ softball seniors got sent off with a walk-off-win on Senior Day, and everybody is packing their bags for a trip to the Big 12 tournament.

KU grabbed a 3-2 victory on Sunday over Iowa State after freshman Hailey Cripe’s two-run double in the seventh inning completed a three-run, last-inning rally for the Jayhawks.

Just a few hours later on Sunday evening, the Jayhawks got their assignment for the Big 12 Softball Championships in Oklahoma City. KU will enter the tournament as the No. 6 seed, and will play No. 3 seed Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

KU finished the regular season 24-26 and 5-13 in league play. That left the Jayhawks tied for last in the seven-team league race, but KU got the sixth seed over Texas Tech due to a tie-breaker.

KU’s five wins in conference play actually were the most for the Jayhawks since 2016.

KU had to claw to the very end to get that fifth win of the season. The Jayhawks were down 2-0 when the last inning began. But senior Peyton Renzi drew a walk to start the inning. But Iowa State recorded two outs before freshman Presly Limbaugh got a hard-fought single to put runners on first and third. Senior shortstop Haleigh Harper produced a single to cut the ISU lead to 3-1.

That set the stage for Cripe. She doubled down the left field line, sending the ball deep enough to allow Harper to score the winning run from third.

It finished a big day for Harper, who was one of five seniors on the Jayhawk roster recognized during Senior Day. Harper, who played her high school ball in Manhattan, finished the game with three hits and one RBI.

The late-game offensive surge overshadowed a strong day on the mound for the Jayhawks. Sunday marked the 18th time KU pitchers have allowed two or fewer runs this season. KU was 15-3 in those games.

Junior starter Kasey Hamilton came up big for the Jayhawks, allowing just six hits and one run over five innings of work. Reliever Katie Brooks got the win, pitching two scoreless innings.

Sunday’s win ended up being a big one for the Jayhawks because it secured the No. 6 seed in the tournament, putting them ahead of Texas Tech. But KU had a chance heading into the weekend to climb even higher in the standings. KU lost two of three to Iowa State, and ended up finishing one game behind the Cyclones in the Big 12 standings.

If KU wins its first round game, the Big 12 tourney, the Jayhawks likely will face Texas in the second round. The No. 2 seed Longhorns are playing No. 7 seed Texas Tech. Awaiting everyone at the tournament is a true juggernaut. No. 1 seed Oklahoma is 49-1 this season, undefeated in league play, and has won 18 games in a row.

KU fans can watch the Jayhawks at 6 p.m. Thursday on ESPN+.