LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Three standout juniors from the College of Saint Benedict softball team—Cat Smetana, Olivia Tautges, and Bryn Ruhberg—have been named to the 2025 NFCA Division III All-Region IX Second Team, as announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) on Friday, May 16.

The trio represents CSB among a select group of 383 student-athletes from 170 schools honored across the country. For Smetana and Tautges, it marks their second career All-Region recognition, while Ruhberg earns the prestigious honor for the first time.

With these selections, the St. Ben's softball program now boasts 30 all-time All-Region honorees, who have collectively earned 49 total selections. This year's group adds to that legacy, bringing CSB's total number of second-team selections to 17. It also marks the second time in three years that CSB has had three players earn All-Region honors in the same season.

The contributions of Smetana, Tautges, and Ruhberg were instrumental in leading the Bennies to a 26-14 overall record, including a second-place finish in the MIAC with a 17-5 conference mark. The team was 1-1 in the MIAC playoffs, claiming a 3-2 semifinal win over St. Olaf before narrowly falling to top-seeded Saint Mary's in the championship game, 5-3.

Cat Smetana – Infielder | Lake Elmo, Minn.

A consistent force at the plate and in the field, Smetana earned her second All-Region nod following a breakout season. The junior hit .380, ranking ninth in the MIAC, while also placing 12th in slugging percentage (.562) and 14th in OPS (.969). She drove in 40 runs (3rd, MIAC) and recorded 13 doubles (6th, MIAC). In the field, she was exceptional, posting a .986 fielding percentage with 276 putouts and 11 assists. Over her career, Smetana owns a .364 batting average, with 123 hits, 28 doubles, six home runs, and 68 RBI, alongside a career .993 fielding mark with 638 putouts.

 

Olivia Tautges – Shortstop | Brainerd, Minn.
Following her First-Team All-Region and NFCA Third-Team All-America recognition in 2024, Tautges turned in another outstanding performance this season. She batted .380 (tied 9th in MIAC), slugged .603 (8th, MIAC), and recorded a 1.027 OPS (8th, MIAC). She also drove in 27 runs (8th, MIAC), tied for the MIAC lead with five triples, and added three home runs. Defensively, she maintained a .969 fielding percentage with 69 assists and 79 putouts. Her career numbers are equally impressive: .383 batting average, 110 hits, 19 home runs (3rd all-time at CSB), 76 RBI, and a .679 slugging percentage.

Bryn Ruhberg – Utility (Catcher/Outfield) | Lino Lakes, Minn.

Ruhberg emerged as one of the MIAC's most versatile and outstanding hitters. She led CSB with a .383 batting average (8th in MIAC) and ranked 2nd in slugging percentage (.670), 3rd in on-base percentage (.504), and 3rd in OPS (1.174) in the MIAC. She added five home runs (5th, MIAC), 35 RBI (5th, MIAC), and led the MIAC with a 15 hit-by-pitches. Playing both catcher and outfield, Ruhberg hit an astounding .488 with an .837 slugging percentage in 22 games behind the plate, while batting .295 in 17 games in the outfield. She finished the season with a .973 fielding percentage, 93 putouts, and 16 assists. Over her three-year career, she owns a .323 average, five home runs, 19 doubles, and 54 RBI, and holds the school record for being hit by a pitch 26 times.