CCC Athletes of the Week Awards
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) released the final week of the spring Athletes of the Week awards. With the title in hand the Endicott softball team swept this week's awards as seniors Nell O'Connor (Harwich, Mass.) and Jesse Bilafer (Concord, Mass.) along with freshman Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, Mass.) were all recognized for their efforts last week helping lead the Gulls to a CCC Championship victory.
CCC Pitcher of the Year and this week's Pitcher of the Week, O'Connor helped lead the Gulls through of a sweep of the double elimination round of the CCC Tournament as she earned two wins on 20 innings pitched earning five strikeouts and a 2.07 ERA. The senior posted two complete games in the week to help lead her squad to the programs 10th conference title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.
Player of the Week, Bilafer posted a strong week in the field and at the plate. The shortstop posted a .750 batting average and knocked in six RBIs, and a homerun on her 12 at bats. Bilafer's week was highlighted by a homerun in the CCC Championship game over Western New England which ended up being a 12 inning game that came out in the Gulls favor to earn the title.
Rookie of the Week, Couto helped lead the Gulls to a CCC title as she had a hand in the game winning run in the championship game. Couto blasted two doubles in the contest and had an RBI. In the 12th inning the third baseman doubled to get in scoring position before teammate, sophomore Sam DiBella (Danvers, Mass.) followed with another double to send Couto home to clinch the title. Couto posted three RBIs on the week while recording a homerun and two doubles on her 11 at bats.
With the championship triumph the Blue and Green have earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament where they will travel to Williams for a Friday afternoon faceoff with the Ephs, and see action with Tufts and Lesley at the regional site. Game start times are TBA, stay connected on ECGulls.com for updates.
