NEWS RELEASE – Ohio High School Athletic Association
Commissioner Daniel B. Ross, Ph.D.
For Immediate Release – May 31, 2017
City of Akron Contact – Ellen Lander Nischt, City of Akron Press Secretary,
[email protected]
Racers’ Standout AJ Andrews to be Honored by City of Akron and OHSAA Saturday
Outfielder is first female to be awarded a Rawlings Gold Glove
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The City of Akron and the Ohio High School Athletic Association will honor Akron Racers’ outfielder AJ Andrews Saturday prior to the first OHSAA softball state championship game at Akron Firestone Stadium. Andrews is the first female to be awarded a Rawlings Gold Glove in the 58-year history of the award, which has been given to 323 players.
Andrews, who plays right field for Akron of the National Pro Fastpitch League, won the award in November after becoming an online sensation for her numerous acrobatic catches. Many of those catches have happened at Firestone Stadium, which hosts the OHSAA softball state tournament beginning Thursday.
“As the first female to be awarded a Rawlings Gold Glove, AJ is an inspiration to athletes across the world, especially women and girls,” Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said. “The City of Akron is proud to honor AJ for her historic achievement.”
Andrews was the seventh overall pick in the 2015 NPF Draft after earning three All-SEC honors at Louisiana State University. She finished her college career among the school leaders in triples, walks and stolen bases, while regularly making highlight-reel catches. Andrews also earned a share of the league’s Rally Spikes Award for the most stolen bases during the 2016 regular season.
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