ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict athletic department celebrated the accomplishments of the 2025-26 athletic year in May with its annual student-athlete celebration. Twelve Bennies were announced as finalists for the annual CSB Rookie of the Year award, presented to the top newcomer of the season in each sport.

Pitcher Kaitlyn Pink (Delano, Minn.) was selected as softball's nominee for the award. 

Pink appeared in 37.0 innings across 15 games. She ended her rookie season with a 3.41 ERA and a 5-2 record with one save. She also struck out 23 batters to nine walked. 

Pink made her collegiate debut in the Bennies' opening series vs. Wisconsin-Stout on Feb. 21 where she threw 1.2 innings with a pair of strikeouts. She pitched a season-high 5.1 innings against Wisconsin-Eau Claire a week later, allowing four earned runs off nine hits with four strikeouts in one of her two losses of the season. She earned her first collegiate win against Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) on March 6, dealing 4.2 scoreless innings with a strikeout and just two walks. 

She was 3-1 against conference opponents in 13.1 innings. She allowed 10 earned runs in seven games played and struck out eight MIAC batters to four walked. 

CSB collected a school-record 36 wins (36-11 overall) and captured both the MIAC regular-season and playoff championships en route to its seventh NCAA postseason appearance. The Bennies ended their season ranked second in Division III in walks (216), 12th in RBI (302), 13th in total runs (333) and 19th in home runs (34).