Trio Of Gulls Earn NFCA All-Region Honors

Posted: May 23, 2023

BEVERLY, Mass. — Three members of the Endicott softball team have earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFC) All-Region honors.

Raven Comtois (Milford, N.H.) and Jaylin Couto (Taunton, Mass.) were named to the Division III Region II First Team, while Chloe Shapleigh (Lynnfield, Mass.) claimed a spot on the Third Team.

All three honorees are now eligible for NFCA All-America honors, which will be announced on Wednesday, May 31.

As a program, the Gulls have earned 71 All-Region honors, including 62 from the NFCA since 2002.

RAVEN COMTOIS | SR. | C

In 45 games played (all starts, 28 at C, 17 at DP), Comtois slashed .423/.482/.745 to go along with 34 runs, 63 hits — 12 doubles, 12 home runs — 17 walks, and 38 RBI.

She compiled a team-leading 20 multi-hit games (2 — 13 | 3 — 7) and tied for the team-high in multi-RBI contests (2 — 5 | 3 — 2 | 4 — 3).

Comtois also notched the longest hitting streak of the season (24 games, only one w/ 10+) and ended the season on a 26-game on-base streak.

Additionally, the senior catcher produced a .392 batting average with runners in scoring position and hit at a .388 clip with two outs (12 RBI).

This is Comtois' second career NFCA All-Region First Team selection and third postseason honor this spring (CCC Player of the Year, All-CCC First Team).

CCC RANKS: runs (6th), hits (2nd), doubles (5th), home runs (2nd), RBI (4th), total bases (1st, 111), walks (4th), batting average (2nd), on-base percentage (2nd), slugging percentage (2nd)

NCAA RANKS (as of 5/23): hits (35th), home runs (12th), home runs per game (20th, 0.29), slugging percentage (51st), total bases (11th)

JAYLIN COUTO | JR. | P

Couto registered a 16-4 record, one save, and a 1.24 earned run average (ERA) in 22 appearances (18 starts, 16 complete games) over 129 2/3 innings in the circle for the Gulls.

She yielded 96 hits, 32 runs (23 earned), and 20 walks alongside 87 strikeouts (4.70 K/7) and a .204 batting average against.

As a team, the Gulls went 14-4 in her 18 starts on the season.

Couto picked up marquee wins against Wesleyan (7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, career-high 13 Ks), No. 25 MIT (7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K), Babson (4/25), and Western New England (CCC Clincher, 6 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K).

This is her second career All-Region award and third postseason honor this season (CCC Pitcher of the Year, All-CCC First Team).

CCC RANKS: appearances (12th), games started (6th), wins (1st), saves (5th), complete games (2nd), shutouts (1st, 6), innings pitched (3rd), strikeouts (8th), strikeouts per game (12th), batting average against (4th), ERA (1st)

NCAA RANKS (as of 5/23): ERA (21st), hits allowed per seven innings (43rd, 4.91), shutouts (29th), victories (31st), walks plus hits per innings pitched (22nd, 0.84)

CHLOE SHAPLEIGH | SO. | 1B

In 44 games played (44 starts, 43 at 1B, 1 at DP), Shapleigh produced a .360/.416/.603 slash line accompanied by 32 runs, 49 hits — 13 doubles, 1 triple, six homers — 11 walks, 43 RBI (team-high), and one stolen base.

She tallied 18 multi-hit games (2 — 15 | 3 — 3) and tied for the team-high in multi-RBI contests (2 — 5 | 3 — 2 | 4 — 2 | 5+ — 1).

The Gulls were 35-8 on the season when Shapleigh started at first base.

Shapleigh also hit a team-best .451 with runners on, .432 with runners in scoring position, and .405 with two outs (14 RBI).

This is Shapleigh's first career All-Region award and second postseason honor this spring (All-CCC Second Team).

CCC RANKS: games (6th), runs (8th), hits (7th), doubles (3rd), triples (16th), home runs (3rd), RBI (2nd), total bases (6th, 82), walks (28th), batting average (13th), on-base percentage (14th), slugging percentage (5th)

NCAA RANKS (as of 5/23): RBI (76th)