SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Shippensburg University's Caitlyn Martell was named a recipient of the 2026 NCAA Division II Rawlings Gold Glove award on Thursday afternoon by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), one of just nine players nationally to receive the honor.
 
The Rawlings Gold Glove award recognizes the nine best defensive players in the nation, awarding one Gold Glove to each position.
 
Martell was named Division II's Gold Glove winner at shortstop.
 
The Raider senior becomes the first player in the history of both Shippensburg University and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) history to earn the prestigious award.
 
A native of Morrisville, Pa., Martell appeared and started in 56 games at shortstop for the Raiders during the 2026 season.
 
Martell was a captain and a key piece to a Raider defense that ranked second in the nation in fielding percentage (.980). Individually, she boasted a .985 fielding percentage (97 putouts and 105 assists). In 205 total chances, Martell committed just three errors.
 
During the regular season, Martell was ranked 18th overall in the PSAC in fielding percentage even when factoring in first baseman, catchers and outfielders.
 
The senior finished with a .967 career fielding percentage, totaling 358 putouts and school-record 516 assists. Martell, the program leader in games started, made all 225 of her starts at shortstop.
 
For Martell, this marks the fifth postseason accolade of the season after earning NFCA and Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Atlantic Region honors, PSAC Eastern Division Second Team honors and College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District ® honors.
 
Recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented by the NFCA, were selected by the NFCA's NCAA Division II 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.