ALPENA — Delwin “Del” Ochsner of Alpena has been selected for induction into the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026.
Ochsner will be recognized between the two evening Class B semifinal games on Saturday, Aug. 15, during the South Dakota State Amateur Baseball Tournament at Cadwell Park in Mitchell. The Hall of Fame banquet is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1, in Flandreau.
Additional banquet details will be announced at a later date.
A standout pitcher known for his power fastball, durability and competitiveness, Ochsner’s baseball career began on the family farm north of Alpena before advancing through local youth and American Legion programs. By age 14, he was already pitching in the state amateur tournament.
In 1972, he struck out 22 batters in an American Legion regional game to help Alpena win the regional championship.
Ochsner earned a full baseball scholarship to Iowa State University, where he developed into one of the program’s top pitchers. As a junior in 1975, he posted an 8-4 record with a 1.53 earned run average and earned All-Big Eight Conference second-team honors, drawing the attention of professional scouts.
Following college, Ochsner returned to Alpena and anchored the community’s amateur baseball team from 1976 to 1985. Pitching in the highly competitive Pony Hills League, he regularly faced the league’s top hitters and became known for his double-digit strikeout performances.
He helped lead Alpena to numerous state tournament appearances and also served as a sought-after pickup player during postseason play.
Ochsner’s accomplishments on the mound and his longtime commitment to amateur baseball earned him a place among South Dakota’s top players in the SDABA Hall of Fame.