Brunswick, Ga. – College of Coastal Georgia senior Rily Andrews was presented with the 2026 NAIA Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), on Tuesday, September 1^st at Howard Coffin Gym.
 
As a junior right fielder from Alma, Ga., Andrews recorded 78 putouts and two assists without committing a single error, compiling a 1.000% fielding percentage for the Mariners. Overall, Coastal Georgia led the Sun Conference with a .974% team fielding percentage. Andrews' productivity and proficiency helped pace the Mariners to a 38-14 overall record, a season which included a run to the NAIA National Softball Tournament. In addition to her award-winning defensive play, Andrews carried a .344 batting average with a team-high four home runs and 44 RBI.  
 
Recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented by the NFCA, were selected by the NFCA's NAIA 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.
 
Notably, Andrews joins Mackenzie Southerland, who earned a Golden Glove at Third Base in 2024, as current Coastal Georgia softball players to have won the prestigious honor.  
 
Andrews was recognized by College of Coastal Georgia President Dr. Johnnie Evans, Athletic Director Zack Rogers, head softball coach Mike Minick and her Mariner teammates.
 
Dr. Johnnie Evans, College of Coastal Georgia President
"Very proud of Rily for the standard that she is setting here at the College of Coastal Georgia, on the field and off the field. What an incredible honor, being the only NAIA player nationally to earn a Gold Glove at her position. It is truly a remarkable accomplishment. Riley is a great example of what Mariner student-athletes can accomplish."  
 
Zack Rogers, Coastal Georgia Director of Athletics
"What a great honor for Rily. I'm super excited for her and her hard work being reward. She is player who leads by example, just always putting in the extra work. She takes a lot of pride in being a team player. Again, super excited for her to receive this honor. Also, extremely happy for Coach Minick to have a second player receive a Gold Glove, that's really unheard of in such a short span. Just a real testament to the hard work of Coach Minick and his athletes."
 
Mike Minick, Coastal Georgia Head Softball Coach
"Rily, she was the left fielder the two previous seasons and then Jules came back from injury after missing the previous season, the whole year, so we moved Rily over to field right. She probably wasn't really happy at that at first, but she went over there and worked hard like she always does. She has probably the strongest outfield arm on the team, so it was good having her out there. She just continued to make play after play after play and ended the season with no errors. It's just the effort that she always gives and not pouting, having to go to a different position, she just goes over there and wins a Gold Glove. That says a lot about her."