OKLAHOMA CITY - Junior catcher Aly Kaneshiro has been recognized with a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented by the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) during a press conference at the Women's College World Series.
In its second year of existence, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award is presented to the top nine defensive players at their respective positions from all collegiate divisions. Following a round of regional voting, the NFCA All-America Committee utilized fielding statistics and school-submitted video to closely examine finalists and select the winners at every defensive position.
An NFCA All-West Region Third Team selection and Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honoree, Kaneshiro has been dynamic behind the plate. The Santa Clarita, California, native has anchored a defense showcasing a .978 fielding percentage, which ranks third in the Pac-12 and 11th in the country.
Kaneshiro has effectively shut down the running game, throwing out 13 of 23 baserunners to rank 29th in the nation in runners caught stealing.
One of five Cardinal players to start all 58 games, Kaneshiro has also helped support one of the most dominant pitching staffs in the nation, with Stanford boasting the country's best strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.33) and ranking fourth in ERA (1.55).
In addition to her defensive brilliance behind the plate, Kaneshiro leads the Cardinal in home runs (7) and RBI (40). She also ranks second in total bases (81) and third in hits (47) while batting .272 and slugging .468.
Stanford (45-13, 14-10 Pac-12) makes its third NCAA Women's College World Series appearance in school history on Thursday, facing No. 1 Oklahoma (56-1, 18-0 Big 12) at 11:30 a.m. PT on ESPN. The Cardinal also advanced to Oklahoma City in 2001 and 2004.
Stanford's 45 victories are its most since a 48-11 finish in 2009. The 40-win campaign is the first since 2012. Stanford compiled a 21-game winning streak from Feb. 12-March 17, representing the second-longest in school history, behind 28 in a row from Feb. 7-March 23 in 2009. A top-10 fixture in the polls, the Cardinal has been ranked as high as No. 5. Stanford has totaled 14 victories against top-25 opponents this season. The Cardinal is also 34-13 against teams ranked among the top-75 in RPI.
About Rawlings
Established in 1887, Rawlings is an innovative leading global brand and manufacturer of premium baseball and softball equipment, including gloves, balls, and protective headwear. Rawlings' unparalleled quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings.
Rawlings is the Official Baseball, Helmet, Face Guard and Glove of Major League Baseball, the Official Baseball of Minor League Baseball and the Official Baseball and Softball of the NCAA and the NAIA. The company is headquartered in St. Louis. For more information, please visit www.Rawlings.com.