ATHENS, Tenn. — Bryan College softball split a conference doubleheader with Tennessee Wesleyan on Friday, taking game one 3-0 before dropping a narrow 4-3 decision in game two.

Game 1: Bryan 3, Tennessee Wesleyan 0
In the opener, Bryan (17-14, 7-4) delivered a strong all-around performance behind a dominant outing in the circle from Maddie Lee. Lee tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out five to secure the victory.

Offensively, the Lions tallied nine hits and struck early. An RBI walk by Lily Taylor in the first inning gave Bryan a 1-0 lead. The Lions added insurance in the fourth when Lakyn Lockhart delivered a two-RBI single, bringing home two runs to extend the lead to 3-0. Juliana Santillanes and Lockhart each recorded multiple hits to pace the offense.

Tennessee Wesleyan threatened at times, but Bryan's defense and Lee's control in the circle kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard.

Game 2: Bryan 3, Tennessee Wesleyan 4
Game two saw Bryan (17-15, 7-5) jump out to an early lead once again. Ava Saul drove in a run with a single in the third inning, and the Lions added two more in the sixth, highlighted by an RBI hit-by-pitch from Savanna Schaffer and a run scoring on an error to take a 3-1 advantage.

However, Tennessee Wesleyan responded in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two runners on, Brooke Freeman delivered the decisive blow with a three-run home run, flipping the score to 4-3.

Bryan threatened in the seventh, putting runners on base, but was unable to push across the tying run. KP Smith took the loss in the circle despite a strong performance, allowing just two hits across six innings while striking out four.

Maddie Lee led the Lions offensively in game two with two hits, while Ava Saul also contributed with a pair of hits and an RBI.

Bryan will be heading to Montreat, North Carolina to take on the Cavaliers in a double header tomorrow afternoon.