Wins and losses often dominate conversations about a team’s success, but for first-year Union High School softball coach Brian Lane, the 2025-26 season was about something much bigger than the final record.
The Lady Spartans finished 4-13 overall and 0-10 in Carolina 1A/2A Conference play, but beneath those numbers was a program undergoing significant change. In his inaugural season, Lane inherited a team that was searching for direction and began laying the groundwork for what he hopes will become a stronger culture, both on and off the field.
While the victories may have been limited, the progress made behind the scenes offered Lane reason for optimism.
“Being my first year was a little tough because I had to come in and change the culture,” Lane said. “I had to get my fingerprint on some things. I think this coming year will be a lot better because I’ll have had another year of working with them during the summer and throughout the offseason.”
The season began with promise as Union picked up victories over Westover twice and earned a pair of wins against Seventy-First during a five-game stretch in March. Those early successes helped the Spartans reach four wins before conference competition intensified.
As the season progressed, Union faced a difficult schedule that included matchups against perennial conference contenders East Columbus, East Bladen and Lakewood. The losses mounted, but Lane remained focused on developing habits and accountability that would outlast any single season.
“I saw some resistance at first,” Lane admitted. “But once we started getting into my plans and changing some things, I think they started understanding what we were trying to do. I just hope the girls coming back continue improving and buying into our style of play.”
More than
wins and losses
For Lane, changing the culture extended far beyond softball fundamentals.
The first-year coach emphasized responsibility, communication and commitment as much as he did hitting, fielding and pitching.
“When I talk about changing the culture, that’s everything,” Lane explained. “That’s on and off the field. Coming to practice. Coming on time. Letting me know when you’re not going to be there. Communication.”
According to Lane, one of the challenges he inherited was a program that lacked unity.
“There were different groups and cliques,” he said. “Things weren’t going good, and I was trying to change all of that. I think it got a little bit better toward the end of the season.”
That progress may not always show up in a box score, but Lane believes it is essential to building a competitive program.
“You can’t be divided within a team,” he said. “We have to be together.”
Throughout the season, Lane worked to create an atmosphere where players felt valued and connected.
“I told them when I took over that I wanted to make them feel special,” Lane said. “Sometimes softball and baseball get left behind because everybody talks about football or basketball. I wanted them to feel important.”
Whether it was player introductions, pregame ceremonies or social media recognition, Lane made it a point to celebrate his athletes.
“On game day, I try to make them feel special,” he said. “We do lineups, player introductions, things like that. I want people to come out and see that we’re like a family. We’re going to have fun whether we win or lose.”
Leaders leave
their mark
Union’s leadership came largely from a senior class that helped guide the team through a period of transition.
Captains Haily Hazelwood and Alexis Davila-Cruz served as important voices within the program throughout the season.
“Haley did a good job helping get the team ready and communicating about practices and games,” Lane said. “Alexis was kind of like the team mama. She kept everybody in order, including me sometimes.”
Lane laughed while recalling moments when Davila-Cruz would remind him to stay focused.
“She’d tell me to stop cutting up when it was time to get serious,” he joked.
While their contributions may not always appear on a stat sheet, Lane believes both seniors helped establish a stronger sense of accountability within the program.
Their departure leaves big shoes to fill, but Lane already sees the next generation of leaders emerging.
A bright
future ahead
Despite graduating several seniors, Union returns a nucleus of players that Lane believes can help elevate the program in the coming years.
At the top of that list is rising senior Rachel Jackson.
Jackson earned team MVP honors this season and became one of the team’s most dynamic players after unexpectedly stepping into the catcher position.
“Rachel had 25 stolen bases this year,” Lane said. “She didn’t start out as a catcher and really didn’t know she was going to have to play that position. Our starting catcher got hurt, and we threw Rachel in there.”
The transition wasn’t easy.
“She didn’t want to play it at first, but she learned it and got a lot better,” Lane said. “I think she’s going to be a standout next year. If she puts the work in, she may have an opportunity to play somewhere after high school.”
Joining Jackson as a key returning senior will be Brylie Register, a versatile infielder who played second base and shortstop.
“Brylie is awesome in the field,” Lane said. “She’s one of those players you can count on defensively.”
The returning roster also includes several younger players who gained valuable varsity experience this season, including sophomores Kaylee Lewis, Riley Pope, Breona Naylor, Hannah Mote and Makayla Spell, along with freshmen Ashlyn Spell and Sophia King.
Lane believes that experience, combined with a full offseason of development, could pay dividends next spring.
The work
starts now
While the season officially ended weeks ago, Lane insists the foundation for next year’s team is already being built.
Summer workouts are scheduled to begin immediately, with players expected to spend time in the weight room and continue developing their skills throughout June and July before reconvening later in the year.
The offseason commitment, Lane said, will reveal which players are serious about helping the program improve.
“You can tell the ones who want it,” Lane said. “The workouts are optional, but if somebody is working all summer and somebody else waits until February to pick up a ball, there’s going to be a difference.”
Lane hopes his players understand that success requires effort long before the season begins.
“You don’t just wake up and become great,” he said. “You’ve got to put the work in behind the scenes.”
That message has become one of the cornerstones of his rebuilding effort.
Measuring
success differently
For many coaches, a 4-13 record would be difficult to celebrate. Lane sees it differently.
The wins over Westover and Seventy-First provided encouraging moments, but he believes the true victories occurred in the gradual shift of the program’s culture.
The goal now is to continue building.
“Expectations next year are to improve on those four wins,” Lane said. “If we can get to six wins, I’d be happy with that.”
The coach quickly added that he isn’t limiting his team’s aspirations.
“I’m not trying to win a state championship right now,” he said with a laugh. “But if it happens, we’ll take it.”
For now, Union softball is focused on taking the next step.
The record book will show a four-win season, but Lane sees something more important: a program beginning to establish an identity, a team learning accountability and a foundation being laid for future success.
In Union’s softball dugout, the rebuilding process is underway, and the Lady Spartans believe their best days are still ahead.