MIAC RELEASE

ARDEN HILLS, MINN.—The Bethel University Royals landed senior catcher Sidney Bartels, senior outfielder Mandalyn Franks, and junior Abby Otterness on the 2026 MIAC Softball All-Conference Team.

2026 MIAC Softball Awards
Player of the Year: Olivia Tautness (Saint Benedict)
Pitcher of the Year: Ellie Peterson (Saint Benedict)
Rookie of the Year: Hannah Yeager (St. Olaf)
Coach of the Year: Rachael Click (Saint Benedict)

This marks Bartel's second career trip to the MIAC All-Conference Team after landing on the team as a freshman in 2023. The Ellsworth, Wisconsin native led the Royals in hitting with a .430 (49-of-114) batting average, 31 runs scored, 16 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 36 RBI, a .684 slugging percentage, 14 walks, five hit by pitches, a .500 on-base percentage, and six stolen bases.

The Ellsworth, Wisconsin native had 13 multi-hit performances on the season, which included a 2-for-2 outing that included two home runs (one grand sam), eight RBI, and two runs scored in a 12-2 (5 innings victory over Augsburg on April 29.

Over 153 career games played, Bartels has a .343 (140-of-406) batting average, 33 doubles, 91 runs scored, seven triples, 11 home runs, and 16 stolen bases.

Mandalyn Franks's second-straight trip to the MIAC Softball All-Conference Team ended with a .345 (49-of-142) batting average, seven doubles, two triples, 17 RBI, 12 walks, and eight stolen bases. Her 14 multi-hit performances included a perfect 4-of-4 outing at the plate in a 4-1 victory on May 2. Defensively, Franks committed just two errors for a .971 fielding percentage.

Over 147 career games played, Franks has a .306 (128-of-418) batting average, 17 doubles, five triples, one home run, and 14 stolen bases.

Otterness's third-straight MIAC Softball All-Conference selection consisted of a .400 (52-of-130) batting average, 47 runs scored, eight doubles, seven triples, a team-leading eight homes, 24 RBI, a .754 slugging percentage, 21 walks, a .484 on-base percentage, and 17 walks.

The Mayer, Minnesota native also contributed with 11 appearances and three starts in the pitching circle. She accumulated 26.1 innings pitched, 16 strikeouts, 36 hits, a 2.92 ERA, and a .303 opponent batting average.

Otterness hit a home run on each side of a 5-4 loss, and 12-4 (5 innings) win against St. Olaf on April 11.  Her 2-for-4 performance against the Oles in game two were among her 17 multi-hit games in the season.

Through 115 career games, Otterness has a .393 (147-of-374) batting average, 25 doubles, 14 triples, 17 home runs and 90 RBI.

In addition, junior Camryn Thurow was named to the 2026 MIAC Softball All-Conference Honorable Mention. That marked her second career honorable mention distinction after earning it in 2024.