JOURNAL SPORTS
RUSTON — Airline product Elena Heng became just the fourth player to win multiple Rawlings Gold Glove awards, presented by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, after the Louisiana Tech sophomore was honored as the nation’s top collegiate softball centerfielder in 2026.
Heng won her first Gold Glove in 2025 as a freshman leftfielder.
Heng is the first player to win the award at multiple positions and the first mid-major player to earn two Gold Gloves. She joins Ciara Briggs (LSU, centerfield, 2022-23), Jocelyn Erickson (Florida, catcher, 2024-25) and Kendra Falby (Florida, centerfield, 2024-25) as repeat winners.
Named the 2026 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, Heng is one of three mid-major players to earn a Gold Glove this season. Since the award’s inception, only 10 Gold Gloves have been awarded to mid-major players, with two going to Heng.
The Bossier City native started all 56 games in center for the Bulldogs this spring and posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with seven outfield assists and 141 putouts. In two seasons at Tech, Heng has totaled 248 putouts, 14 outfield assists and no errors.
“Elena Heng didn’t just win back-to-back Gold Gloves, she has already built her legacy with grit, loyalty, and pride,” said Tech coach Josh Taylor. “She has stayed true to Louisiana Tech, proving that greatness shines brightest when it’s rooted in commitment. Two seasons. Two Gold Gloves. One Bulldog forever.”
At the plate, Heng batted .326 with 56 hits and 10 RBIs while leading the team with 35 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.
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 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 (available at LaTechSports.com) to closely examine finalists and select the winners at every defensive position.