RUSTON — Louisiana Tech softball's Elena Heng became just the fourth player to win multiple Rawlings Gold Glove awards, presented by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, after earning the honor as the nation's top center fielder in 2026. Heng won her first Gold Glove in 2025 as a freshman left fielder.
 
The top nine defensive players from all collegiate divisions (NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NCAA DIII, NAIA, NJCAA DI, NJCAA DII, NJCAA DIII, Cal JC, NWAC) are recognized with the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented by the NFCA. In 2022, the inaugural recipients from NCAA Division I were announced at the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. In 2023, the award expanded to include all the collegiate divisions.
 
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.
 
The sophomore center fielder is the first player to win the award at multiple positions and the first mid-major player to earn two Gold Gloves. She joins Ciara Briggs (LSU, center field, 2022-23), Jocelyn Erickson (Florida, catcher, 2024-25) and Kendra Falby (Florida, center field, 2024-25) as repeat winners.
 
Heng, who was named the 2026 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, is one of three mid-major players to earn a Gold Glove this season. Since the award's inception, only 10 Gold Gloves have been awarded to mid-major players, with two going to Heng.
 
The Bossier City native started all 56 games in center field for the Bulldogs and posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with seven outfield assists and 141 putouts. In two seasons at LA Tech, Heng has totaled 248 putouts, 14 outfield assists and no errors.

"Elena Heng didn't just win back-to-back Gold Gloves, she has already built her legacy with grit, loyalty, and pride," said head coach Josh Taylor. "She has stayed true to Louisiana Tech, proving that greatness shines brightest when it's rooted in commitment. Two seasons. Two Gold Gloves. One Bulldog forever."
 
At the plate, Heng batted .326 with 56 hits and 10 RBIs while leading the team with 35 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.

SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources.  Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the Bulldog Community Outreach which is the NIL collective that supports Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes.  Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.  
 
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand.  You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents.  By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way.  Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today.  You bark.  We bark.  Louder together.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Softball, follow us on X (@LATechSB), Instagram (@LATechSB), and Facebook (LouisianaTechSoftball).