Today's Summer Rewind highlights a golden moment for WPI Softball, as sophomore second baseman Riley O'Brien capped a stellar season by earning the 2025 NFCA Division III Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Flawless in the field and dangerous at the plate, O'Brien became just the third player in program history to receive a national defensive honor from the NFCA.
WORCESTER – WPI Softball's Riley O'Brien (Wynantskill, NY) was selected as one of nine recipients of the 2025 NCAA Division III Rawlings Gold Glove Award, as revealed by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA ) and announced today.
O'Brien, a sophomore second baseman for the Crimson and Gray, was a 2025 All-NEWMAC First Team selection and earned First Team honors on the NFCA Division III All-Region II Team. The 2024 Tucci/NFCA Division III Softball Freshman of the Year Award finalist built on a stellar rookie campaign with another outstanding season, excelling on both sides of the ball.
In the field, O'Brien was flawless as she handled 184 defensive chances without an error, totaling 105 putouts and 79 assists for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Offensively, she led the team in total bases (83), ranked second in slugging percentage (.669), and hit .355 with 16 doubles, 7 home runs, 30 RBIs, and 21 runs scored.
"Riley earning the Gold Glove at second base is the byproduct of having an individual goal, committing to the work needed to accomplish that goal, and staying in the present moment," said WPI head coach Heather Ross. "She made a name for herself last year in her freshman season because of her strong offensive year, and while her offense still proves to be strong, she really focused on developing her defensive quickness and strength both on the field and in the weight room."
Ross added, "Having 68 assists and 0 errors at a high traffic position like second base is a tremendous accomplishment, and it's been so fun and rewarding to watch the development of Riley in her first two seasons with us."
O'Brien becomes the third player in program history to receive a national defensive award from the NFCA, joining 2024 Gold Glove teammate outfielder Virginia McKinney (Larchmont, NY) and 2015 Golden Shoe recipient and WPI Hall of Famer Nina Murphy-Cook '18.
Recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, presented by the NFCA, were selected by the 10 regional representatives of the NFCA's NCAA Division III 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.
O'Brien helped WPI to a 25-16 overall record and a 13-7 finish in the NEWMAC as the Engineers reached the 25-win mark for the first time since 2022 and the sixth time in the last 10 seasons.
