UNC’s Gavin Gallaher Named a Rawlings Gold Glove Winner

Chapelboro.com’s coverage of Carolina baseball in the Men’s College World Series is proudly presented by High & Rubish Insurance Agency.

UNC second baseman Gavin Gallaher has been named a Rawlings Gold Glove winner by the American Baseball Coaches Association, officially recognizing him as the best defensive second baseman in the country.

Gallaher, originally from Apex, is currently in his junior season at UNC, though 2026 marked the first year he had played second base collegiately. Gallaher spent his first two years with the Diamond Heels at third base, but made the move back to his natural second base position following the departure of Jackson Van De Brake in the offseason. Since moving back, Gallaher has anchored a UNC defense which currently boasts a .983 fielding percentage, seventh-best in the nation. Carolina also ranks fourth in the country with 59 double plays turned this season — 38 of which have involved Gallaher.

“Gavin Gallaher is the definition of a baseball player,” head coach Scott Forbes said. “Old school, can play all over the field. Doesn’t care where he plays. Played two years at third, tough position to learn. Moved over to second. Our middle infield has been outstanding. We had him and Jake Schaffner at shortstop pretty much the whole fall, and then I told him he was playing second. And he don’t care. He just wants to win.”

Gallaher has fielded 300 chances this season and made only five errors, and his personal fielding percentage of .983 mirrors the team’s overall mark. His 19.37 defensive runs saved also rank first among all non-catchers nationally. Gallaher is the second UNC player ever to be named a Gold Glove winner, after All-American and two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year Vance Honeycutt received the honor in 2024.

Gallaher and the rest of the Diamond Heels will be back in action in Game 1 of the national championship series in Omaha against Oklahoma Saturday at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

Click to find more Carolina baseball coverage from Chapelboro.com, onsite in Omaha! Proudly presented by High & Rubish Insurance Agency.

Featured image via Associated Press/Ben McKeown

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UNC's Gavin Gallaher Named a Rawlings Gold Glove Winner

Diamond Heels second baseman Gavin Gallaher has been named a Rawlings Gold Glove winner by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

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