Michael Wielansky

Michael Wielansky of The College of Wooster baseball team earned a prestigious American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Gold Glove Award, the coaches association announced on Wednesday.

Wielansky, who just completed his sophomore year at the College, sported a near-perfect .986 fielding percentage this spring at shortstop, and only had three defensive miscues in 216 chances. The slick-fielder was part of 27 twin killers on the season, and made several highlight-reel plays on the year including a sliding back-handed stop against the University of Pittsburg-Greensburg.

"This is a tremendous way for Michael to cap off an unbelievable sophomore campaign," said head coach Tim Pettorini. "I couldn't be happier for him and the message it sends. Talent is great, but hard work and dedication is the real separation for special players."

Additionally, the St. Louis, Mo. native played a key role in Wooster's .978 team fielding percentage, a clip that ranked as the third-highest in Div. III.

Notable, Wielansky is the first Gold Glove winner from Wooster, and the award has been distributed since 2007. The Gold Glove Award is one of the most prestigious honors distributed by the coaches association as only one student-athlete is chosen each season per position.

Last month, Wielansky was voted to the ABCA All-America first team, and he was selected as the Mideast Region Position Player of the Year.