The American Baseball Coaches Association announced this week that Gavin Gallaher of the University of North Carolina and Ty Head of North Carolina State have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Rawlings Gold Glove Award, recognizing the nation’s most outstanding defensive performers in collegiate baseball.
Defensive Excellence Honored
Gallaher, who anchors the Tar Heels’ infield at second base, has compiled a career‑best .983 fielding percentage while recording just five errors over the course of the season. His 19.37 defensive runs saved place him fourth nationally and atop all non‑catchers, and his 100 putouts and 195 assists underscore a relentless pursuit of excellence. The award also highlights his flawless record in the NCAA Tournament, where he has yet to commit an error in nine games, a factor that has helped North Carolina advance to the Men’s College World Series Finals.
Head, meanwhile, completed the 2026 campaign without a single misplay in center field, finishing with 131 putouts and two assists while starting every one of the Wolfpack’s 56 games. His error‑free season marks him as the third player in NC State history to earn the Gold Glove and the first outfielder since Brett Williams to capture the honor, a milestone that resonates deeply with the program’s defensive legacy.
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented annually by the American Baseball Coaches Association, celebrates defensive brilliance across both collegiate and high school levels. By honoring Gallaher and Head, the association not only spotlights individual achievement but also reinforces the growing emphasis on defensive metrics in modern baseball strategy.