BEVERLY, Mass. – In a year that saw Endicott baseball consistently break new ground for the program, Tyler Hitchcock (Abington, Mass.) has set another milestone, becoming the first Gulls baseball player to be named All-America.
Hitchcock a senior right-hander was selected to the Third Team of the D3Baseball.com All America, a spot that named him among the best 22 pitchers in the country in Division III.
The year has already been filled with accolades for Hitchcock, who was named the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-CCC member. He was also named to the All-Tournament team at this year's NCAA Division III New England regional, where he helped the Gulls reach the championship round for the first time in the program's five trips to the national tournament.
Hitchcock was also named to the Second Team of the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) All-Region Team and the First Team of the D3Baseball.com All New England Team, which made him eligible for this All-America honor.
This season, Hitchcock posted a 9-1 record, throwing five complete games and holding an earned run average of just 1.89. Hitchcock tossed five and a third innings of one-run ball in Endicott's NCAA Regional opener against St. Joseph's, earning a no-decision, and then collected a victory in the Gull's win over Southern Maine in the winner's bracket championship, where he threw four innings of one-hit shutout relief.
In the CCC tournament, Hitchcock tossed seven innings of three-hit shutout ball during an elimination game against Salve Regina to help the Blue and Green reach the championship game, where they knocked off Western New England.
"Hitch was the true ACE of the staff this season. He took the ball against the elite teams on our schedule and gave us a chance to win every game he pitched," said Endicott Head Coach Bryan Haley, finishing his 6th season at the helm. "Earning a spot on the All-American Team is an extremely special type of recognition and honor, and I'm extremely proud of Tyler. Hopefully, he will be the first of many as we keep working hard to get better."
Hitchcock will end his Endicott career with 207 innings pitched and a career ERA of 3.65, good for seventh on the all-time Endicott record list. His career opponent's batting average (.257) is fourth in school history, and his record of 21-9 has him tied for third on the all-time wins list. Hitchcock is also tied for third in career complete games, with 12 and has two career shutouts.
"Not only has Hitch proven himself to be a great pitcher, but he has also proven himself to be a great young man," said Haley. "He is a great person, with a great attitude and has a one of a kind, sense of humor. I will miss working with him every day."
