KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Bryan College softball program closed out its 2026 season on Friday morning in Kingsport with an 8-0 loss to Reinhardt University, bringing the curtain down on what has been a successful season for the Lady Lions. They finished 28-24 overall and 16-10 in conference play, good enough for fourth place in the AAC standings.
Against Reinhardt, Bryan starter
KP Smith worked into the third inning before the Eagles' lineup broke through, eventually handing the ball to
Maddie Lee. Reinhardt pitcher Anslie Pettit was dominant throughout, holding Bryan to four hits over five innings while walking three. The Lions put runners on base but could not find the timely hit to break through.
What the final score cannot capture is the exceptional body of work this group assembled over the course of the spring. Finishing fourth in the conference is no small achievement, and the Lions did it behind a roster that competed hard from wire to wire.
The postseason recognition was the most emphatic in recent memory.
Ava Saul and
Lakyn Lockhart were both named to the AAC All-Conference First Team, a distinction that speaks to how central each player was to everything Bryan accomplished this year. Saul additionally earned the AAC Freshman of the Year award, making her one of the most decorated first-year players in the conference.
Saul's debut season was precisely the kind of arrival programs dream about. Her presence in the lineup gave Bryan a dimension at the plate it had not had before, and her athleticism in the field was immediately evident. The award validates what her teammates and coaches saw from her on day one.
Lockhart, meanwhile, was a model of consistency throughout the season. Her work ethic and reliability at second base helped anchor Bryan's infield, and her selection to the All-Conference First Team alongside Saul reflects just how much she elevated her game this spring.
Two Lions were also recognized for their performances during the AAC Softball Tournament, with
KP Smith and
Lakyn Lockhart earning spots on the All-Tournament Team. Smith's pitching performances in the tournament kept Bryan competitive when the stakes were highest, while Lockhart's play at the plate and in the field made her one of the standout names of the entire bracket.
The Lions graduate seniors who gave everything to this program, and they do so knowing they leave it in a stronger place than they found it. With Saul and other key contributors returning, the foundation for the 2027 season is already in place. What this group built in 2026 — the wins, the conference standing, the hardware — gives the program real momentum heading into the offseason.
Bryan softball says goodbye to a memorable spring. The Lions' 28 wins, their four individual conference awards, and a fourth-place finish in the AAC are a legacy worth celebrating.
