BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) released its softball postseason awards on Tuesday and four Gustavus student-athletes were named All-Conference. Kayla Herda (So., Farmington), Madi Mueller (Jr., North Mankato), Piper Otto (Sr., Brooklyn Park), and Maizie Anderson (Fy., Rosemount) were selected as All-Conference, while Caitlin Olafsson (Fy., Woodbury) was named honorable mention.
In her sophomore year, Kayla Herda led the team with a .341 batting average, starting in all 42 of the Gusties’ games. Herda also led the team in hits (47), runs (35), at-bats (138), triples (2), total bases (60), and stolen bases (21-22). In the field, Herda had 56 putouts, three assists, and two errors for a .967 fielding percentage.
Mueller earned her third All-MIAC honor after receiving the accolade in both of her last two seasons. Mueller started 32 games and posted a .283 batting average after hitting 26-for-92. She scored 24 runs with nine doubles, one home run, nine RBI, a .413 slugging percentage, and a .387 on-base percentage. Mueller made a collection of impressive plays in center field, totaling 68 putouts with five assists and one error for a .986 fielding percentage.
Otto earned her third consecutive MIAC honor, as she was named honorable mention in 2021 and All-Conference last season. Otto owned a 2.01 ERA and 11-7 record, pitching 14 complete games and 125.1 innings. Otto recorded a team-leading 76 strikeouts and held opponents to a .259 batting average. Her ERA ranked third in the conference, while her 76 strikeouts were fifth.
In her rookie season, Maizie Anderson posted a 3.21 ERA, appearing in 18 games and making 15 starts. Anderson posted a record of 8-7 with seven complete games and 89.1 innings pitched. Anderson wasn’t far behind Otto in the conference standings, as her 75 strikeouts ranked sixth overall.
Olafsson earned MIAC honorable mention honors after posting a .320 batting average, starting in all 42 of the Gusties’ games. Olafsson was second among Gustie starters in runs (29), hits (41), total bases (55), at-bats (128), and slugging percentage (.430). Her 33 RBI led the team and was good for second overall in the MIAC. In the field, Olafsson made 88 putouts with 41 assists and 13 errors for a .908 fielding percentage.
The MIAC also announced its 2023 All-Playoff Team, which included Herda and Otto. Herda went 3-for-4 against St. Catherine in the Gusties’ opening playoff game, while Otto was crucial in both playoff appearances, pitching two complete games and allowing only nine hits with 13 strikeouts.
Saint Benedict and Bethel split the conference’s major awards. The Bennies’ Gabby Spencer was named Player of the Year and pitcher Ellie Peterson was named Rookie of the Year, while Bethel’s Kayla Simacek was named Pitcher of the Year and Head Coach Penny Foore was named Coach of the Year.