LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. revealed the nine recipients of 2026 NCAA Division III Rawlings Gold Glove Awards ®, presented by the NFCA, on Thursday afternoon.
Pitcher Emma Adams of Virginia Wesleyan and Trine right fielder Karley Trine — both seniors who are competing in the NCAA Division III World Series starting today at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Va. — lead this year’s recipients.
In fact, all of this year’s honorees except for Central junior catcher Rylee Dunkin are seniors.
Tufts’ Haley Leimbach earned her second career Gold Glove at first base and first since the inaugural award presentation in 2023. The Jumbos have had a Gold Glove recipient every year, including three straight awards by pitcher Sophia DiCocco from 2023-25.
Texas Lutheran second baseman Caelee Clark, East Texas Baptist third baseman Malory Pyle and Illinois Wesleyan shortstop Anna Beckman round out the Gold Glove infield. Clark gives the Bulldogs a third straight year with honorees and fourth winner overall, while Pyle is the second-ever winner for the Tigers. Beckman is the fourth program recipient for the Titans, and second straight at shortstop, following Jen Kuhn’s selection at that spot last year.
Left fielder Sam Flowers extends Salisbury’s Gold Glove run to three seasons, following Emily Stockman’s selection the past two years at catcher, while Wisconsin-Stout center fielder Payton Dolecki joined Flowers and Trine in the outfield.
Recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, presented by the NFCA, were selected by the 10 regional representatives of the NFCA’s NCAA Division III 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.
2026 NCAA Division III Rawlings Gold Glove Awards®, presented by the NFCA
Pitcher: Emma Adams, Virginia Wesleyan University
Catcher: Rylee Dunkin, Central College
First Base: Haley Leimbach, Tufts University
Second Base: Caelee Clark, Texas Lutheran University
Third Base: Mallory Pyle, East Texas Baptist University
Shortstop: Anna Beckman, Illinois Wesleyan University
Left Field: Sam Flowers, Salisbury University
Center Field: Payton Dolecki, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Right Field: Karley Trine, Trine University
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
.
About National Fastpitch Coaches Association
The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!
