Cole Russo Presented With Gold Glove as Nation's Top Defensive First Baseman
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and Rawlings Sporting Goods have announced the 2025 ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams in all eight divisions of collegiate baseball and high school. The national champion University of Tampa was among the award winners as first baseman Cole Russo was honored as the best defensive player at the position following the 2025 season. The ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove winners have been selected since 2007 in the collegiate and high school ranks and have featured many future Major League Baseball players.
Russo, a senior first baseman from Tampa, Fla., appeared in 62 games as Tampa's primary first baseman. He concluded the 2025 season with 410 putouts and 27 assists in 439 total chances, committing just 2 errors. He also completed a perfect regular season without committing an error through team's first 51 games. He posted an outstanding .995 fielding percentage throughout the season.
The ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Awards are selected by ABCA coaches committees at each level: NCAA Div. I, II & III, NAIA, NJCAA Div. I, II & III, Pacific Association Division, and High School. Click here for complete release.
The ABCA/Rawlings Award Program is one of the most comprehensive in all of sports, honoring All-America and Gold Glove teams in nine divisions of amateur baseball as well as All-Region teams in five divisions.
The ABCA/Rawlings All-America teams date back to 1949 starting with one collegiate All-America team. Other divisions subsequently added until the current total of nine was reached. The first ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams were recognized in 2007, making this the 18th year the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Awards have been presented in the collegiate and high school ranks (no awards were presented in 2020 due to COVID-19).
2025 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. II Gold Glove Team |
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Pos. |
Player |
Cl. |
School |
State |
| C | Blake Wilhoite | Jr. | Angelo State | TX |
| 1B | Cole Russo | Sr. | Tampa | FL |
| 2B | Michael Soper | Sr. | Westmont | CA |
| 3B | Jacob Steele | Sr. | Central Missouri | MO |
| SS | Jancarlos Colon | Sr. | Southern New Hampshire | NH |
| OF | Jack Whalen | Jr. | Seton Hill | PA |
| OF | Kade Faircloth | Sr. | Newberry | SC |
| OF | Elijah Cook | Jr. | Azusa Pacific | CA |
| P | Nick Niebur | Sr. | Texas-Tyler | TX |
About Rawlings
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide. Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes of all skill levels. Rawlings' unparalleled quality and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®, and an approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®. For more information, please visit Rawlings.com or by phone at (314) 819-2800.
About the ABCA
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 41 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include nine divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel Baseball.