4 All-Americans and a gold glove, Caldwell college softball racks up honors after dream season

Members of the Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute softball team have earned multiple national postseason honors following the program's historic run to the 2026 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Softball National Championship Game.

On June 2, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced its 2026 All-America team. National champion North Dakota State College of Science led the nation with four All-Americans, while Rowan College South Jersey Gloucester had three selections. National runner-up CCC&TI and Joliet Junior College each placed two student-athletes on the prestigious squad.

Representing the Cobras were sophomore pitcher Sadie Messer and sophomore utility player and pitcher Zoe Cheek.

Messer compiled an outstanding 18-3 record in the circle with a 2.35 earned run average, striking out 178 batters while posting a 1.32 WHIP. Cheek excelled both offensively and defensively, batting .446 with a .557 on-base percentage, 13 doubles, and 58 runs scored. In the circle, she finished 22-5 with a 2.13 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP.

The national recognition continued on June 4 when the NFCA announced the recipients of the 2026 NJCAA Rawlings Gold Glove Awards.

CCC&TI catcher Chloe Wilson was selected as the Division III Rawlings Gold Glove recipient at the catcher position, recognizing her exceptional defensive performance throughout the season. She registered a .979 field percentage with 248 putouts and 10 runners caught stealing.

On June 10, four Caldwell players were named to the 2026 NJCAA Division III Softball All-America Team Presented by Netting Professionals.

Messer earned first-team All-America honors, while Cheek, Wilson and Ally Greer were selected as second-team All-Americans.

Wilson hit .327 with a .431 on-base percentage, 13 home runs, 12 doubles, 49 runs batted in, and 23 stolen bases. Greer hit .400 with a .450 on-base percentage, 11 home runs, six triples, 18 doubles, 59 runs batted in and 53 runs scored.

The awards cap a season in which the Cobras captured the Region 10 Championship, NJCAA Appalachian District Championship and finished as the national DIII runner up with a 44-8 record.

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This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 5:43 AM.