NFCA names Couto, Gikas and O'Connor All-New England

NFCA All-Region Release

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released their annual All-Region Teams and Endicott senior Nell O'Connor (Harwich, Mass.) along with freshmen's Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Chrissy Gikas (Danvers, Mass.) were named All-New England for their performance on the field this past spring. All three players have been recognized for the first time in their careers.

Couto, a First Team All-CCC third baseman in her rookie year, batted a .363 with 37 hits and 22 runs on 102 at bats. The freshman wrapped up the season tied for second on the team in doubles with seven while being tied for a team high, four homeruns. Couto also posted an impressive 25 RBIs and a .549 slugging percentage in her rookie campaign while posting a .957 fielding percentage. The NFCA named her Second Team All-New England for her efforts.

Gikas, a First Team All-CCC second baseman posted an impressive .393 batting average in her rookie campaign, good for second on the team. Gikas recorded 35 hits and scored 15 runs in her 89 at bats while bringing in 13 ribbies with a .438 slugging percentage. The second baseman, known for her speed both offensively and defensively holds a .947 fielding percentage while going 6-11 in stolen bases. She was named Third Team All-New England by the NFCA.

O'Connor, the two-time CCC Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-CCC selection posted a stellar season in the circle for the Blue and Green. The senior went 15-4 on the season while recording a 1.68 ERA in her 20 appearances. O'Connor hurled 13 complete games this season while pitching just over 116 innings. The pitcher helped lead the Gulls to a sweep of the CCC Tournament bringing home the programs 10^th conference title and first since 2011. The NFCA named her Third Team All-New England for her performances in the circle this spring.

Endicott wrapped up the season at 27-13-1 (14-4) while claiming the 2014 CCC Championship and earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. There the Gulls drew a competitive Williamstown Regional facing NESCAC powerhouse Williams and #1 Tufts along with Lesley. The Blue and Green came back from a tough loss in the double elimination round defeating Lesley and avenging their loss to Williams to face reigning National Champions, Tufts in the Williamstown Regional finals before being ousted by the Jumbos.]

New England Region

First Team

P Allyson Fournier Tufts University

P Amber White Bridgewater State University

C Johanna Clair Tufts University

1B Samantha Rosetti Eastern Connecticut State University

2B Kelsey Ayers Amherst College

3B Ashley Brillon Wheaton College

SS Emilyrose Havrilla Wellesley University

OF Kaitlin Silkowitz Amherst College

OF Donna Leet Amherst College

OF Amanda Genovese Brandeis University

UT Anya Kamber Brandeis University

DP McKenzi Golden Lesley University

AL Gina Martucci Smith College

AL Jessie Richardson Coast Guard Academy

AL Allison Graebner Williams College

Second Team

P Lauren Giglio Tufts University

P Emma Harrington Williams College

C Ashtyn Coleman Wellesley University

1B Cassie Ruscz Tufts University

2B Gracie Marshall Tufts University

3B Rachel Couto Endicott College

SS Rebekah Jackson Plymouth State University

OF Mattie Brett Eastern Connecticut State University

OF Sara Hedtler Tufts University

OF Nicole McDonough Worcester Polytechnic Institute

UT Kristin Gallagher Worcester Polytechnic Institute

DP Kylee Ruther Western Connecticut State University

AL Amanda Vaudreuil University of New England

AL Ali Michalik Williams College

AL Jayne Ellis Wellesley University

Third Team

AL Erin Weber Western Connecticut State University

AL Mariah Crisp Keene State University

AL Chrissy Gikas Endicott College

AL Alyssa Hancock Eastern Connecticut State University

AL Sheri Liggiero Newbury College

AL Liana Moss Brandeis University

AL Kristina Bove UMass-Boston

AL Lindsay Johnson Wellesley University

AL Jess Catuarano Western Connecticut State University

AL Marissa Bruno Curry College

AL Abigail Ostrom Trinity College

AL Nell O'Connor Endicott College

AL Sam Hebert Plymouth State University

AL Madison Sullivan Brandeis University

AL Abby Rutt Wesleyan University