Gavin Gallaher Earns Gold Glove for UNC Baseball

A Strategic Move Leads to Recognition

OMAHA, Neb. — Gavin Gallaher made a decision that paid off in a big way, earning him a Gold Glove. As the University of North Carolina (UNC) baseball team prepared for the 2026 season, Gallaher and head coach Scott Forbes had a conversation about a position change. After spending his first two seasons at third base, Gallaher was ready to shift to the middle infield as a shortstop.

“Well, I just told him that I knew I'd been playing the wrong position for the past two years,” Gallaher said with a smile on Friday, June 19, at Charles Schwab Field. “No, but seriously, I'm always – I said from day one, my goal, I just wanted to be in the lineup. I wanted to contribute to the team. So wherever that was, that was the best thing for the team. That's what I was going to do, and the past two years, it was third base. This year it was second base.”

Transitioning to Second Base

But what about shortstop?

“We talked about it. I told (Forbes), actually I told him some time in the fall I think, that I was going to be our starting shortstop. That's where I wanted to be. But at the end of the day, Jake Schaffner's a pretty good shortstop,” Gallaher said, cracking another smile. “So, just working up the middle, it took some hard work. But it was like going back home, really.”

It’s safe to say the move to second base ended up being the right call as Gallaher became UNC’s second player to win a Rawlings Gold Glove award since the teams were first introduced in 2007, joining former outfielder Vance Honeycutt (2024).

A Versatile Athlete

“We recruited Gavin as a middle infielder, but obviously, we like to recruit athletes that can play all over. … But he's played some outfield. He can move all over. He's willing to do so. There's no ego involved,” Forbes said. “And he was right. We put him and Jake Schaffner at shortstop, and we wanted to see who was going to win that job. And I felt like it was better – me and my staff felt like it was better – for our team for Gavin to play second and Jake to play short. And he's done a phenomenal job.”

Gallaher ranks fourth nationally and first among non-catchers in defensive runs saved (19.37), leading a defense that is seventh nationally in fielding percentage (.983) and tops among the teams that competed at the 2026 College World Series.

Defensive Excellence

He has a career-best .983 fielding percentage and a career-low five errors. The All-ACC selection has logged 100 putouts and 195 assists, starting all 66 games as a co-captain.

“He's gotten better and better and better. And he had to work really hard to become a great third baseman,” Forbes said. “I think the middle was a little more natural for him. But you don't get as good as he's been without a lot of reps. So he's put that work in.”

Through nine NCAA Tournament games, Gallaher has committed just one error, posting a .977 fielding percentage. His stellar defensive play has helped UNC (53-12-1) reach the CWS finals against Oklahoma (41-22). Game 1 is set for Saturday, June 20 (3 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Recognition from Former Coaches

Even former UNC coach Mike Fox, who led the Tar Heels to seven College World Series appearances, has taken notice of Gallaher’s impressive move to the middle infield.

“I’m a former middle infielder,” Fox said, “so boy, when I watch Gavin at second base, holy Moses.”