LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Paige Sinicki was named the 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove award winner at shortstop on Wednesday. The junior from Henderson, Nev., becomes the first player in Oregon softball history to win a Gold Glove.
“It is such a blessing to receive this award at such an amazing University with teammates and coaches who have pushed me to be the best that I can be,” said Sinicki. “I think the experience I have had over the past few years at Oregon has really helped me get to where I need to be both as a teammate and a player.
“Growing up, I would watch Major League Baseball with my parents and family, and seeing phenomenal Major League athletes win the Gold Glove was always something I aspired to be like,” said Sinicki. “Knowing that I am doing softball for something bigger than just the game pushed me to work beyond my limits. Being able to do it for the people I love and the Lord just brings me all the joy I could ever ask for.”
The 2024 Pac-12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Sinicki was the top fielding shortstop in the Pac-12 with a .975 fielding percentage. She was third in the conference with 105 assists and only made five errors in 184 chances.
Sinicki also had her best season at the plate in 2024 with a career-high .282 batting average. She hit six doubles, two home runs and drove in 16 RBI, while leading the team in sacrifice bunts with five. She was also a perfect 13-for-13 in stolen bases in 2024. Her 13 steals ranked ninth in the Pac-12.
“Paige is an elite athlete who has tremendous range at short and an exceptional feel for the game,” said coach Melyssa Lombardi. “But the thing that separates her is the effort she gives on every play, whether it’s in a game or in practice.
“Everyone sees the spectacular plays that she makes in games; we see her make those plays every day,” said Lombardi. “For Paige, the greatest reward is making plays for her teammates. I can’t think of a better player to be our first Gold Glove winner or anyone more deserving.”
Sinicki finished the season having started 125 consecutive games, a streak that dates back to the middle of her freshman season.
Sinicki if the fifth Duck overall to win a Golf Glove. Oregon’s baseball program has produced four Gold Glove winners: Mitchell Tolman (third base, 2015), Austin Grebeck (outfield, 2016), Gabe Matthews (first base, 2019) and Sabin Ceballos (third base, 2023).
Paige Sinicki, Jr., SS
· 2024 NFCA Rawlings Gold Glove (SS)
· 2024 Pac-12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year
· 2024 NFCA All-Pacific Region Second Team
· 2024 CSC Academic All-District
· Third in the Pac-12 with 105 assists
· Only five errors in 184 chances
· Was the top fielding shortstop in the Pac-12 with a .975 fielding percentage
· At the plate, hitting a career-best .282 with six doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI
· Stole 13 bases (ninth in the Pac-12) and was a perfect 13-for-13 on the season
· 125 consecutive starts
2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Team
P Libby Baker Troy
C Jocelyn Ericksen Florida
1B Peyton Toto Fullerton
2B Sydney Kuma Georgia
3B Riley Love Texas Tech
SS Paige Sinicki Oregon
LF Dakota Kennedy Arizona
CF Kendra Falby Florida
RF Kate Verhoef Fullerton
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. Any student-athlete that competed in the current championship year and was nominated by their head coach who is a member in good standing with the NFCA was eligible for consideration for this prestigious accolade.
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