Delta Softball: Back to Back Region 12 Champs

The Delta College Pioneers are Region 12 champions once again.

The Delta College softball team captured the 2026 NJCAA Division III Region 12 Championship in dominant fashion, overpowering the competition with a pair of commanding victories on their home field.

Delta opened championship weekend Sunday with a statement performance, blanking Owens Community College 13-0 in five innings behind an explosive offense and overpowering pitching from tournament MVP Geena Gauthier.

The Pioneers pounded out 12 hits in the run-rule victory while striking out nine Owens hitters and allowing no runs. Kortney Kotenko led the offensive attack, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Gauthier helped her own cause at the plate with two hits, two runs and an RBI, while McKayla Methner added two hits and an RBI.

Hannah Hycki scored twice and drove in a run, Taylor Belanger collected two RBIs, and Kennady Tiitola finished with two hits and two RBIs as Delta's lineup produced from top to bottom.

Delta wasted little time taking control, scoring in every inning and ending the contest after five innings. Makennna Matzke and Izabel Lathrom each crossed the plate twice as the Pioneers cruised into the regional championship game.

One day later, Delta completed the title run with an 8-3 victory over Terra State to secure the Region 12 crown.

Grace Zwetzig delivered a huge championship performance, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored to pace the offense. Makenna Matzke added three hits and three RBIs, while Korteny Kotenko chipped in two hits and two RBIs. Lathrom added two hits and an RBI, and Hannah Hycki drove in another run as Delta totaled 13 hits in the championship clincher.

Terra State managed just two hits through most of the contest before scoring three runs, but Delta's offense had already built a comfortable lead. Gauthier once again contributed both in the circle and at the plate, collecting a hit and a run scored while helping keep the Titans off balance throughout the game.

The regional championship capped an impressive postseason run for the Pioneers, who outscored Owens Community College and Terra State by a combined 21-3 margin over the final two games.

Following the championship, Gauthier was named Tournament MVP, while Zwetzig and Kotenko earned All-Tournament Team honors. Delta head coach Shelly Petoskey was also recognized as Region 12 Coach of the Year after leading the Pioneers to the championship season.