BELLEVUE, Neb. – Despite a season-ending 7-1 loss at Bellevue University, the College of Saint Mary softball team found plenty of positives Monday in its final time together on the field in 2026.

"We had a fun day at the ballpark,'' CSM Coach Carolyn Todd Bray said. "Bellevue was celebrating the opening of their new field and we were honored to be part of the celebration. Both teams played all their healthy players and got everyone in. Both teams pitched four different pitchers.''

As the Bruins (21-27) celebrated their new field at the Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex, CSM celebrated its lone senior, Kayla Reed.

"It was also an awesome way for us to honor Kayla Reed and her great career here at CSM,'' Bray said. "There were a lot of tears in the dugout after the game and lots of hugs for Kayla.''

Despite the outcome, the Flames turned in some outstanding defensive plays, including one in left field that was deemed borderline incredible.

"Positives from the game were some really big catches by Ella Christensen, Claire Koile and Adelia Dunlap,'' Bray said. "Dilly's catch was possibly one of the best catches I've seen all season. It was kind of a surreal moment as we celebrated four years of amazing catches from Kayla Reed in our outfield and then to have Dilly make that play, after she's made such great improvements all season, seemed like a passing of the torch in a way.''

CSM's run came in the top of the sixth, when freshman Kynzee McFadden led off by pounding a solo homer to center, her fourth of the year.

Makenna Earnest went 2 for 3 for the Flames, and Ella Watts' lone hit was a double.

The Flames finished the season at 8-31. Bray said a frustrating year in terms of team health and victories won't deter her program moving forward.

"We didn't do as well as we wanted in the win/loss column this year, but we're excited about the future,'' she said. "This is an awesome group of young ladies and we're looking forward to adding the recruits joining us next year.''