For the first time in program history, a Freed-Hardeman Lion has earned a national Gold Glove Award. Junior Sean Rooney was named an NBCA-Rawlings NAIA Gold Glove winner.
Awarded by the National Baseball Coaches Association, the NBCA-Rawlings NAIA Gold Glove is awarded to the top fielder at each defensive position. Honored as the nation's top first baseman, Rooney ended the season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, putting out the runner 447 times. The San Jose, California native tallied 21 assists while being involved in 38 double plays.
"Sean has great hands, great footwork, and great decision-making. He gave the other defenders confidence that they had to freedom to try to go out and make a play and Sean would be on the other end to complete the play," said Rooney's skipper for the last two seasons, Jonathan Estes.
New head coach Jess Trask said that it was "super comforting knowing we have gold glover, Sean Rooney. He works very hard at his craft and has earned this tremendous accolade. It is not just his talent as a defender but his high baseball IQ and leadership qualities that make him very valuable to our team."
Source: https://www.gofhulions.com/sports/bsb/2021-22/releases/20220621j62l4a