KRUGER NAMED NFCA NATIONAL GOLD GLOVE WINNER

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Hutchinson Community College sophomore centerfielder Kaibryn Kruger earned a prestigious postseason award on Thursday being named to the Rawlings National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/NJCAA Division I Gold Glove team.

Kruger is the first Blue Dragon softball player in program history to be named to the NFCA National Gold Glove Team.

A sophomore from Silver Lake who will continue her playing and academic career at Pittsburg State University, is a two-year starter in center field for the Blue Dragons. Hutchinson went a combined 79-25 and two Jayhawk Conference championships in Kruger's two seasons in the program.

During the 2026 season, Kruger was a tremendous defensive asset in center for the Blue Dragons. Kruger made a number of catches where she had to make long runs and head-long dives to complete plays.

Kruger had 112 total defensive chances this season with only one error and five outfield assists.

The Blue Dragon centerfielder was also named to the second team of the All-KJCCC postseason team and earned a spot on the Region 6 Tournament all-tournament team. 

Offensively this season, Kruger hit .315 (46 for 146), hitting .423 over her last 27 games. Kruger had a team-high 11 home runs with 41 RBIs, 66 runs scored and a team-high 39 stolen bases.

The Gold Glove award is the second major award won by Kruger at Hutchinson. As a freshman, Kruger was a second-team NFCA/NJCAA Division I All-American.

Kruger's Gold Glove was also third major NFCA Award won by a Blue Dragon player. In addition to the eight NFCA All-America players in Blue Dragon history, Sarah Rothe was the NFCA/NJCAA Division II Catcher of the Year in 2014 and last season Bailey Backhaus was the NFCA/NJCAA Division I Golden Shoe Award winner.