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 Athlete of the Year award, presented to the top athlete of the season in each sport.

Shortstop Olivia Tautges '26 (Brainerd, Minn.) was selected as CSB softball's candidate for the honor. 

One of the most decorated players in program history, Tautges was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America first team in late May. She was also an NFCA All-Region IX first-team selection and was honored as the MIAC Player of the Year. She was named to the NFCA All-America third team in 2024.

A three-time (2024-26) All-MIAC selection and two-time MIAC Player of the Year (2024 and 2026), Tautges led the league in runs (62), hits (59), RBI (47), home runs (13), walks (52) and total bases (114). She was first on the team in batting (.440), slugging (.851), extra-base hits (26), on-base percentage (.600) and OPS (1.451). She was second on the team with 10 doubles and three triples for an offense that ranked 12th in NCAA Division III in RBI and 13th in runs scored at the end of its season. 

Tautges started all 47 of CSB's games at shortstop and finished fifth in the nation in on-base percentage, 10th in both home runs and runs, and 18th in total bases and runs per game (1.32). She led the nation in walks (52) and walks per game (1.11). During the second half of the season (April 12-May 16), Tautges was walked 35 times, which accounted for 37 percent of her plate appearances. 

Tautges ended her career as the program's all-time leader in home runs (32) and walks (76). She set a single-season record for runs (62), tied her own record for RBI in a season (47) and surpassed the single-season walk record by 29. 

An environmental studies and military science major, Tautges graduated on May 9 as a part of the Fighting Saints ROTC Battalion, which is comprised of students from Saint Benedict, Saint John's University and St. Cloud State University. She plans to commission as a field artillery officer.

Tautges was one of six players in Region IX and one of two from the MIAC to earn NFCA All-America recognition, joined by Saint Mary's junior utility player Makayla Steffes (third team).

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).