South Georgia State College outfielder Luke Boone has been named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings Sporting Goods 2024 NJCAA Division I Gold Glove Team.
The ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Awards are selected by ABCA coaches committees at each level: NCAA Div. I, II & III, NAIA, NJCAA Div. I, II & III, Pacific Association Division, and High School. The first ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams were recognized in 2007, making this the 17th year the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Awards have been presented in the collegiate and high school ranks (no awards were presented in 2020 due to COVID-19).
Boone was also named on the GCAA All Conference Gold Glove Team and selected for the GCAA All-Tournament Team. Boone is only the second South Georgia player to be named to the Gold Glove Team, joining pitcher Brice Baker in 2011.
“Luke put in a tremendous amount of effort this season, and his hard work paid off with this award,” says Hawks head coach Jeff Timothy. “He dedicated many hours with our assistant coach, Stewart Bailey, practicing and perfecting his outfield skills. We are proud of his efforts and excited for him. It’s impressive that he is the first South Georgia recipient since 2011, and that can be a point of pride for him as he moves forward.”
The freshman from Richmond Hill, Georgia, played in 47 of the 59 games for SGSC, and he did not commit a single error in 97 chances (94 putouts and three assists) in the field. He contributed to the offense with a batting average of .282 and an on-base percentage of .355. He ended the season with 40 hits, six doubles, two triples and seven home runs. He scored 32 runs and drove in 34 runs. Boone drew 15 walks and stole five bases.
SGSC baseball finished the season ranked No. 3 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA). The Hawks had an overall record of 30-29. They made an appearance in the 2024 GCAA Baseball Tournament held in Cartersville, Georgia as part of post season play.