Gikas and Couto Represent Endicott on ECAC New England Softball All-Star Team

2014 ECAC Division III New England Softball All-Stars

CENTERVILLE, Mass. – Freshmen Chrissy Gikas (Danvers, Mass.) and Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, Mass.) were both named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Softball All-Star Second Team after their contributions in securing Endicott's 14^th conference title and 10^th Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship since the program's first season in 1994.

Gikas, a second baseman, and Couto, a third baseman, were two of three representatives from the CCC to be recognized with all-region honors. University of New England senior Amanda Vaudreuil also earned a spot on the ECAC New England Second Team. Both Gikas and Couto were previously named to the All-CCC First Team as they helped the Gulls claim the regular season and conference tournament title for the first time since the 2011 season.

Gikas batted .393 with a .419 on-base percentage and a .438 slugging percentage in her rookie campaign in the Blue and Green, scoring 15 runs and driving in 13 with six stolen bases. Gikas proved to be a tough out throughout the season, striking out just seven times in 93 trips to the plate. The freshman also proved to be integral in Endicott's offensive approach in advancing runners with four sacrifice hits. In the field Gikas was a strong presence, committing just seven errors with a .947 fielding percentage as she played in 37 of Endicott's 41 games this season.

Couto was a powerful bat in a Gulls lineup that averaged over five runs per game of offense as she batted .363 with 25 runs batted in and 22 runs scored. Her four homeruns were tied for the most on the team and she knocked 11 extra-base hits overall. Couto sported a .431 on-base percentage and a .549 slugging percentage. Couto played well in the field with a .957 fielding percentage, committing just five errors at the hot corner in 37 games played.