High school friendships often fade away as people head into college, but for former Ellsworth softball players Sidney Bartels and Autumn Earney, continuing their softball careers at Bethel has gotten them even closer.

The two started to get to know each other during Ellsworth’s first state tournament appearance in 2019. The team eventually lost to Seymour in the semifinals of the tournament, but the connection between Earney and Bartels had begun to grow.

“When we first went to state for softball, it was the first time in school history and Sid was on the team,” Earney said. “She was one of the freshmen that was able to play, and she had a huge impact on the team.”

From that point forward the two knew they had a growing bond.

Earney eventually graduated from Ellsworth in 2021, joining the Bethel University’s softball team for a 37-7 season in 2022. The infielder had individual success as well, earning a spot on the 2022 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) All-Conference team.

During the recruiting season, Earney’s former Ellsworth teammate Bartels, a part of Ellsworth’s class of 2022, was interested in attending Bethel. When Earney first heard this, she knew the team could use Bartels, and was eager for a reunion.

“When I saw Sid have interest in Bethel I knew, I’m like we’ve got to get here,” Earney said. “Even my coach, I remember at her recruiting process she was like, ‘We need Sid.’ I’m like, ‘I know.’”

Bartels toured Bethel because she felt it could advance her knowledge in environmental science. Bartels wanted to find a place that provided both a strong education and an opportunity to play softball at the next level, and Bethel provided just that.

The tour only assured Bartels of her decision to attend the school, with the coaches and Earney discussing the perks of the university.

“We always kind of had that love and respect as a teammate, as a friend,” Bartels said. “I think it’s just really special being in this phase of life, and then seeing a friendly face around campus.”

The first memory that came to mind when Earney was thinking about the best memories of college softball so far was Bartels picking up her first career hit.

“Being able to grow up with her, and then seeing that in itself was just so cool,” Earney said.

Both players enjoy seeing each other’s success just as much if not more than their own.

The two had no shortage of success during their first year as college teammates, posting a 36-5 record in addition to a 20-0 record in the MIAC.

Something that has come with their success has been praise and support from the Ellsworth community. Earney takes the support to heart, saying it is one of the most rewarding parts of college softball.

“It’s really special to grow up in a small town,” Earney said. “We’re playing for something bigger than ourselves.”

Bartels had similar things to say about representing Ellsworth on the college stage, discussing how the town has played a big part in her life.

“It’s just an honor that we can both represent how great of a town Ellsworth is,” Bartels said. “Just show them who we are as people and just how great we were raised.”

Now, as teammates, the two have found the same type of success they had at Ellsworth, each making the 2023 MIAC All-Conference Team. The two were among Bethel’s top hitters in many hitting statistics.
Bartels, who had success during her freshman season, credited some of it to having Earney by her side. Balancing classes and softball became a little easier with Earney’s advice.

“It makes it immensely easier,” Bartels said. “Going in blind would be super tough, but just knowing that Autumn’s there, and she’s an upperclassman, she obviously knows what it’s like, what classes are like.”

Bartels described Earney as someone who always brightens the mood of the team with jokes and funny moments.

“She’s definitely someone that the coaches pick on and that everyone picks on,” Bartels said. “She’s like the team clown, but it’s just really great being able to come into the dugout and see Autumn’s face.”

Bartels said bringing this friendship past high school has been special, and hopes the friendship continues for the remainder of their lives.