DAYTON, Tenn. - The Bryan College Lady Lions put on a masterclass in pitching Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader against Columbia (SC) by identical 5-0 scores and allowing just one hit in each game to open conference play in dominant fashion.

It was a day that belonged to Bryan's pitching staff from first pitch to last. In the opener, Maddie Lee took the circle and was virtually untouchable, spinning a complete-game shutout while scattering just one hit over seven innings. Lee struck out five, walked one, and hit a batter — but Columbia could never string anything together. Lee worked 89 pitches, and while she surrendered an error-aided baserunner in the sixth, the Lady Lions never wavered defensively behind her when it counted.

The second game brought more of the same. KP Smith stepped into the circle and matched her teammate stride for stride, also tossing a complete-game shutout and holding Columbia to a single hit over seven innings. She walked two and struck out five, leaving the Columbia lineup baffled throughout. Smith threw just 82 pitches in the efficient gem, the kind of performance that sets the tone for a program.

Across both games, Columbia managed just two hits combined in 14 innings of softball.

Offensively, Bryan showed plenty of pop to complement their pitching. Game 1 featured a different cast of offensive contributors. Brooklyn Malone came through with a two-RBI single in the second inning to blow the game open, while Ava Garay added a run-scoring single and Lily Taylor chipped in another RBI. Savanna Schaffer drove in a run as well. Bryan plated three in the second inning to take command and never looked back, adding an insurance run in the fifth on a Cana Green pinch-run sequence capped by a Taylor RBI single.

In Game 2, it was a balanced attack that did the damage. Juliana Santillanes went 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, Lily Taylor contributed a 3-for-3 afternoon with an RBI, and Ava Saul delivered the big blow — a two-run double in the fifth inning that stretched the lead to five. Lakyn Lockhart also drove in a run with a key single in the second inning to get Bryan on the board.

Bryan improved to 9-7 and 2-0 in AAC play. If Saturday was any indication, the Lady Lions' pitching depth could be a force in the conference this spring. Surrendering one hit in back-to-back games is a feat that speaks for itself. 

The Lady Lions are back in action on Monday for a non-conference double-header against Shawnee State (OH) at 4:00 and 6:00 pm.