Jacobs Earns Rawlings Gold Glove Award

DECATUR, AL – Calhoun sophomore catcher Tessa Jacobs has been named a recipient of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), recognizing the nation's top defensive performers at each position.

Jacobs earned the honor in the NJCAA Division I Battery category following a standout sophomore season that helped lead the Warhawks to their most successful campaign in more than a decade.

A native of New Market, Alabama, and graduate of Buckhorn High School, Jacobs served as the backbone of Calhoun's defense throughout the 2025-26 season. Appearing in 61 games, she posted an outstanding .992 fielding percentage while committing just two errors throughout the full season. Her defensive impact extended far beyond routine plays, as she recorded 224 putouts, 19 assists, and threw out 38 percent of opposing baserunners attempting to steal.

Jacobs' ability to control the game from behind the plate played a major role in Calhoun's success, helping guide a pitching staff that powered the Warhawks to one of the program's best seasons in recent memory.

While her defensive excellence earned national recognition, Jacobs was equally valuable in the batter's box. The veteran catcher finished the season with a .355 batting average, collecting 59 hits, second-most on the team, and drove in a team-high 45 runs, 13 more than any other Warhawk. She also compiled a .512 slugging percentage, an .882 OPS, and 17 extra-base hits.

Perhaps most impressive was her consistency at the plate. Across 178 plate appearances, Jacobs struck out just eight times, giving Calhoun one of the most reliable offensive producers in the conference.

Head coach Denton Bowling credited Jacobs' leadership and influence as one of the defining factors in the Warhawks' success. "Tessa was the heartbeat of our team this season," Bowling said. "Her performance speaks for itself, but what made her special was the way she led every day. She set the standard for how we prepare, compete, and represent this program. The impact she had on our younger players is something they'll carry with them long after she's gone. When you combine that leadership with the level of play she brought to the field, it's easy to see why she's receiving this recognition."