Ackerman, Barnett earn ABCA/Rawlings-NAIA Gold Glove honors

NAIA Release

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Bellevue University's Alec Ackerman (shortstop) and Conner Barnett (right fielder) were both named to the ABCA/Rawlings-NAIA Gold Glove Team, as selected by the NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association All-America Committee today.

This was the 15th season of the award, which started in 2007, in which nine players were chosen based on their defensive success. There was no team selected during the 2020 season.

Bellevue was the only school to have two players named to the Gold Glove Team. 

The duo become the fifth and sixth different Bruins (seventh selection) to be recognized with an NAIA Gold Glove and marks the fifth selection of a BU player in the last six seasons. They join Brett Chamberlain (C, 2009), Jake Browne (C, 2016 and 2017), Matt Evans (3B, 2018), and Cody Banks (2B, 2021) as Bruins to have won the award.

Ackerman posted a .966 fielding percentage while helping turn 33 double plays. 

Ackerman, who was named an NAIA second-team All-American, took home NSAA Player of the Year honors this season after serving as the anchor in the three-hole of the Bruin lineup while playing outstanding defense at short. He hit .378 with team-leading totals of 19 home runs, 166 total bases, 38 extra-base hits, and 74 RBIs. Additionally, he ranked second on the team with 69 runs scored, 88 base hits, 17 doubles, and a .712 slugging percentage. He was also successful in 7-of-9 stolen base attempts on the season.

Barnett registered a .990 fielding percentage with just one error on the season.  

Barnett earned first-team all-NSAA accolades while also being named to the NSAA Gold Glove team. He batted .388 with 13 home runs, 13 doubles, 14 stolen bases, and 57 RBIs.  

Bellevue wrapped up its 2022 season last week at the Avista NAIA World Series. During the campaign, the Bruins posted a 49-13 overall mark, going 25-2 in conference play winning both the NSAA Regular-Season and Tournament titles. BU took the league's lone automatic bid as they made their 24th NAIA National Tournament Appearance, hosting their fourth Opening Round at Don Roddy Field, and advancing to the program's 15 Avista NAIA World Series. 

2022 ABCA/Rawlings-NAIA Gold Glove Team