LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. revealed the nine inaugural recipients of 2023 NCAA Division II Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, presented by the NFCA, on Thursday afternoon.
Angelo State University senior second baseman Ashlyn Lerma, announced Wednesday as an NFCA All-American and New Balance Golden Shoe winner, leads the recipients, who are being recognized as the best defensive players at their respective positions in NCAA Division II for the 2023 season.
Lerma represents one of nine programs earning these inaugural honors. Joining her in the infield are Caldwell University senior first baseman Maya Rodriguez, University of Texas at Tyler junior third baseman Michelle Arias and Pittsburg State junior shortstop Gabby Schultz.
Biola University junior hurler Raylene Roybal and California State University, Monterey Bay sophomore catcher Ally Alcayaga make up the battery winners.
Rounding out the 2023 winners are the outfielders – University of North Georgia sophomore Jolie Lester (left field), Cal Poly Humboldt senior Micaela Harris (left field) and University of Central Oklahoma freshman Rylee Lemos (right field).
Arias, Lester and Lemos are currently representing their programs at the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, presented by the NFCA, were selected by the NFCA’s NCAA Division II All-America Committee, following regional voting to identify the finalists at each position. The group utilized fielding statistics and school-submitted video to closely examine finalists and select the winners at every defensive position. Any student-athlete that competed in the current championship year and was nominated by their head coach who is a member in good standing with the NFCA was eligible for consideration for this prestigious accolade.
Pitcher
Biola
(.968 fielding %, 93 chances, 3 errors)
Catcher
Cal State Monterey Bay
(.997 fielding %, 314 chances, 1 errors)
First Base
Caldwell
(.998 fielding %, 470 chances, 1 error)
Second Base
Angelo State
(.990 fielding %, 198 chances, 2 errors)
Third Base
UT Tyler
(.966 fielding %, 178 chances, 6 errors)
Shortstop
Pittsburg State
(.994 fielding %, 169 chances, 1 errors)
Left Field
North Georgia
(1.000 fielding %, 77 chances 0 errors)
Center Field
Cal Poly Humboldt
(.991 fielding %, 106 chances, 1 errors)
Right Field
Central Oklahoma
(1.000 fielding %, 84 chances, 0 errors)
About Rawlings
Established in 1887, Rawlings is an innovative leading global brand and manufacturer of premium baseball and softball equipment, including gloves, balls, and protective headwear. Rawlings' unparalleled quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings.
Rawlings is the Official Baseball, Helmet, Face Guard and Glove of Major League Baseball, the Official Baseball of Minor League Baseball and the Official Baseball and Softball of the NCAA and the NAIA. The company is headquartered in St. Louis. For more information, please visit www.Rawlings.com
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About National Fastpitch Coaches Association
Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its vast library of digital education, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to an extensive Awards & Scholarships platform, to NFCA Webinars and a National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 6,700 members today!
