UVA Wise's Blaum Becomes First Player in School History to Win Rawlings Gold Glove

STORY COURTESY OF UVA WISE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

WISE - - UVA Wise senior catcher Tyler Blaum made history Wednesday evening as he became the first player in school history to be named to the Rawlings Gold Glove Team. 

The prestigious award caps a remarkable collegiate season for the Mechanicsville, Va. native who played error-free ball in 2021. Opponents attempted just 24 stolen bases against Blaum for the season as he threw out 11-of-24 would be base stealers. In a game against Coker, he threw out three attempted base stealers. 

Named the top defensive catcher in the South Atlantic Conference, Blaum is the only student-athlete from a SAC institution recognized on the NCAA Division II Rawlings Gold Glove Team.

He finished his career with the most hits by any catcher in school history at the plate, with 206 which ranks fourth in school history. Additionally, his 50 doubles are third most in school history while his 122 runs scored is fifth all-time. 

Blaum led the Cavaliers this season with a .362 batting average while adding a team-best 13 doubles and a team-high 42 hits; his 0.42 doubles per game led the SAC.

The ABCA/Rawlings Award Program is one of the most comprehensive in all of sports, awarding All-America Teams and Gold Glove Teams in nine divisions of amateur baseball as well as All-Region Teams in five divisions.

The first ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Teams were recognized in 2007, making this the 14th year the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards have been presented in the collegiate and high school ranks.

The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 13,000 members represent all 50 states and 25 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth.

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.