(Story courtesy of Texas Lutheran University Athletics Communications)
SEGUIN, Texas -- Texas Lutheran Softball third baseman Tavery Ortiz has earned the Rawlings Gold Glove award, announced by the NFCA this afternoon.
Ortiz collects TLU's third Gold Glove in program history after earning two a season ago. The award was introduced to Division-I softball in 2022 and introduced to all of college softball the following season.
Ortiz held down the hot corner all season long, but was especially effective in conference play - committing just one error in 79 total chances.
On the year, the Texas City native totaled 71 assists and 41 putouts with only one error and a .991 fielding percentage. Ortiz also played a major role in the Bulldogs sitting in the top three in the country in double plays, helping turn eight double plays this season.
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.
Along with being the third Gold Glove recipient in TLU's history, Ortiz is the third SCAC student-athlete to earn the prestigious award in softball. Texas Lutheran is tied with Tufts and Illinois Wesleyan for the most Gold Gloves since 2023 with three honorees each.
The full release can be read here.