Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Photo by: Jessica Marshall Vernof
Foran Receives Gold Glove Recognition; First in Program History
5/27/2026 5:35:00 PM | Softball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Bella Foran became the first Florida Atlantic softball player in program history to earn a DI Rawlings Gold Glove Award following her 2026 sophomore season, announced by the NFCA on Wednesday.
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Head Coach Jordan Clark
"What a huge honor to be the first in program history to win the prestigious Rawlings Gold Glove Award. This award is the highest defensive achievement a student athlete can receive for their position. We are so proud of Bella for her amazing season and continuing to put FAU on the map nationally."
FORAN'S SEASON
Recognizing the nation's top nine defensive players, one at each position, Foran takes the lone left field spot which she patrolled for the Owls in 47 starts on the way to 34 wins and a berth in the American Conference Championship Semifinal for the third consecutive season.
In the outfield, Foran recorded a remarkable 146 putouts, an average of 3.1 per start and 49 more than the closest Owl outfielder, with a fielding percentage of .993. She assisted on six additional outs and contributed to two double plays, making good on 152 out of 153 total defensive chances.
She tallied at least three putouts in 28 games with a season high of eight achieved twice.
Tough plays to make in left consistently turned into outs snagged by Foran, with several highlight dives and catches on the run. Her 146 putouts are by far the most among any Gold Glove outfielder in the award's history, 22 more than the closest competitor.
For the Hoover, Alabama native, this marks yet another accolade after just two seasons. She most recently earned an NFCA All-Region third-team nod for the second year in a row as well a spot on the College Sports Communicator Academic All-District Team.
Head Coach Jordan Clark and her staff have produced nationwide top 10 defenses for three straight seasons, including finishing ninth in fielding percentage in '26 (.981). The only other teams in that category's top 10 each year over that timespan are Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Florida Atlantic under Coach Clark now has three consecutive years with a national postseason honor from the NFCA under its belt, following back-to-back All-American Selections for Trinity Schlotterbeck in 2024 and Autumn Courtney in 2025.
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.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball, or for the most up-to-date information, go to www.fausports.com.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Jordan Clark
"What a huge honor to be the first in program history to win the prestigious Rawlings Gold Glove Award. This award is the highest defensive achievement a student athlete can receive for their position. We are so proud of Bella for her amazing season and continuing to put FAU on the map nationally."
FORAN'S SEASON
Recognizing the nation's top nine defensive players, one at each position, Foran takes the lone left field spot which she patrolled for the Owls in 47 starts on the way to 34 wins and a berth in the American Conference Championship Semifinal for the third consecutive season.
In the outfield, Foran recorded a remarkable 146 putouts, an average of 3.1 per start and 49 more than the closest Owl outfielder, with a fielding percentage of .993. She assisted on six additional outs and contributed to two double plays, making good on 152 out of 153 total defensive chances.
She tallied at least three putouts in 28 games with a season high of eight achieved twice.
Tough plays to make in left consistently turned into outs snagged by Foran, with several highlight dives and catches on the run. Her 146 putouts are by far the most among any Gold Glove outfielder in the award's history, 22 more than the closest competitor.
For the Hoover, Alabama native, this marks yet another accolade after just two seasons. She most recently earned an NFCA All-Region third-team nod for the second year in a row as well a spot on the College Sports Communicator Academic All-District Team.
Head Coach Jordan Clark and her staff have produced nationwide top 10 defenses for three straight seasons, including finishing ninth in fielding percentage in '26 (.981). The only other teams in that category's top 10 each year over that timespan are Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Florida Atlantic under Coach Clark now has three consecutive years with a national postseason honor from the NFCA under its belt, following back-to-back All-American Selections for Trinity Schlotterbeck in 2024 and Autumn Courtney in 2025.
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.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball, or for the most up-to-date information, go to www.fausports.com.
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, May 12
Tuesday, May 05
Thursday, April 23
Wednesday, April 22