LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - Wilmington outfielder Tristyn Stewart adds another first for the softball program, being named a 2024 NCAA Division II Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner as one of nine best defensive players in the country, presented by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
Tristyn Stewart (Centreville, Md.) becomes the first Wildcat to earn the prestigious award, given to one person at each position among all NCAA Division II programs. She is one of two 2024 NFCA All-Americans who earned Gold Glove this season, including Augustana's Gracey Brink, as the two met up at the NCAA Division II Softball Championships as well.
Stewart finished second on the team with a .424 batting average, leading the way with 81 hits and 57 runs scored. She hit three doubles as well as an inside-the-park homer, adding 21 RBI on the season. When she got on base, she was sure to move around the bags, stealing 54 bases while only being caught twice. She was also the NFCA Golden Shoe Award recipient for stolen base proficiency.
From the outfield, the speedster took away many hits with her line-to-gap coverage in left. She finished the year with 96 putouts and seven assists, throwing out an Adelphi runner at the plate in the regular season to record her lone double play of the year. She did not record an error on the season in 103 total chances.
Recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, 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 who 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.
AGATE:
2024 NCAA DII Rawlings Gold Glove Team:
P – Amiee Shanks – Lewis
C – Gracey Brink – Augustana
1B – Bridgett Morales – Rogers State
2B – Lawren Hayes – Alabama-Huntsville
3B – Regan Liles – Wingate
SS – Brenna Lokeinsky – Nova Southeastern
LF – Tristyn Stewart – Wilmington
CF – Kristy Alanis – Texas A&M International
RF – Brianna Gallagher – Catawba