Bottino earns NFCA Northeast Region Third Team as a utility player

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Following a solid senior season, Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) of the Bryant University softball team was named to the 2016 NFCA Division I Northeast Region Third Team as a utility player, having played first base, third base and pitcher for the Bulldogs this year.

The senior accumulated eight runs off 25 hits, including two home runs in her final season in Smithfield. She batted .263 overall and .382 in conference play, while sitting second on the team with a .411 slugging percentage, helping her finish 10th all-time with a  .487 career slugging percentage. Bottino recorded the team's second most 14 RBI, including a season-high three on two different occasions.

She appeared on the mound in 17 games, earning a 7.00 ERA. The California native threw 14 strikeouts in 43.0 innings, recording her only two wins against Central Connecticut and Fairleigh Dickinson. She was a key in Bryant's success on defense, playing first base and third base, where she racked up 118 putouts and 33 assists, while recording a .956 fielding percentage. This season, Bottino was also named to the All-Northeast Conference Second Team as a utility player.

Bottino is one of 385 student-athletes from 157 programs to receive the accolade. The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association's 10 regions with first, second and third team selections. NFCA member coaches from each respective region voted on the teams, and all the honorees now become eligible for selection to the 2016 NFCA Division I All-American squads.