JOURNAL SPORTS

A year after starring for Airline High School, outfielder Elena Heng of the Louisiana Tech softball team has been awarded a Rawlings Gold Glove, recognized as the nation’s best defensive left fielder by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Heng is just the second true freshman in the four-year history of the honor to win a Gold Glove.

Heng is the first Louisiana Tech player to win the award and is one of seven players from the mid-major level to earn a Gold Glove since 2022.

The Bossier City native started all 57 games in left field for the Bulldogs. She played every inning this season and was named to the All-CUSA Freshman Team. She did not make an error while recording 107 putouts with 114 chances.

Heng showcased her strong arm with a team-high seven outfield assists, while utilizing her speed to take away would-be extra base hits.

The Gold Glover batted near the top of the Bulldogs’ lineup for much of the season, finishing with a .321 average, 60 hits, 40 runs and six RBI. Her 40 runs led the team, while she also stole a team-high 16 bases. Heng led the team with 19 multi-hit games.

The top nine defensive players from all collegiate divisions (NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NCAA DIII, NAIA, NJCAA DI, NJCAA DII, NJCAA DIII, Cal JC, NWAC) are annually recognized with the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented by the NFCA. In 2022, the inaugural recipients from NCAA Division I were announced at the NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. In 2023, the award expanded to include all the collegiate divisions.

Recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented by the NFCA, were selected by the NFCA’s NCAA Division I 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.