Sophomore third baseman Sonny Ledford (Rio Americano, pictured) won the BIG 8 Conference Gold Glove Award for corner infielders it was announced on Wednesday.  The BIG 8 Conference has a representative for Pitcher, Catcher, Middle Infielder, Corner Infielder, and Outfielder.  The winners of each category go on to a vote against the winners of the other 5 Northern California Conferences as well as the 7 Southern California Conference winners. 

"Sonny is the most dynamic defensive player we have had here in a long time", said Head Coach Doug Jumelet.  "His range and reactions at third base are rare, big league caliber.  And his ability to throw accurately from any angle made him a game changer at third base for us."

Ledford won the respect of the conference coaches for the great plays that he made as well as for his ability to make the routine ones.  His first step allowed him to take away the bunt as a weapon for the opposition as well.  Ledford won the award despite missing 4 weeks due to a broken jaw suffered in the 5^th game of the season.

This is the firsts time in the 8 years that Rawlings has sponsored the award that an A.R.C. infielder has been the recipient.  In 2016 Micah Gunter (Valley Christian) won the award for the Pitchers category.