Bryanna French is the OVC’s late-game weapon in the circle
In the 2026 season, Eastern Illinois senior pitcher Bryanna French turned into a trusted finisher and starter, finishing 10-6 with a 3.57 ERA over 106 innings while adding five saves and 67 strikeouts; the Panthers also used her heavily in relief during a late-season surge, and the OVC named her First Team after a standout year. She looks like the kind of pitcher coaches love: durable, tough in pressure spots, and versatile enough to win games from either the bullpen or the rotation.
