Tri-County's Faith Boutin named MIAA Student-Athlete of the Month
Faith Boutin earned a Daily News All-Star selection as a softball player last spring. This past fall, the Tri-County Regional senior was a Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star.
While Boutin has athletic bona fides that speak for themselves, she recently earned recognition for her all-around impact not only for on the diamond or in the gym, but within her school and local community. On Wednesday, Boutin was one of two named MIAA Student-Athletes of the Month for December. North Reading’s Alex Carucci was the other.
The award recognizes two high school student-athletes on a monthly basis who “display excellence in the areas of academics, athletics and community service,” per the MIAA.
“Faith is an exceptional student, one that we do not come across often,” said Stephanie Caffrey, Boutin’s softball and volleyball coach as well as a physical education teacher at Tri-County. “Faith goes above and beyond for her school, her teams, her community and anyone else that needs her.”
While ranking sixth in her high school class of 215 students, the Seekonk resident Boutin also has scored highly in all competitions with SkillsUSA, an organization which serves those in vocational and technical high schools across the country. Additionally, Boutin is a volunteer for her church ministry, is active in Tri-County’s school events and the main influencer in the school’s Food Drive for the Franklin Food Pantry.
“Getting this award makes my heart so full,” Boutin wrote in a text message to the Daily News. “I have no words to describe how grateful I am! Sports have been such a huge part of my life, that I would not be where I am without them."
Faith Boutin is an all-around all-star
As a starter on the volleyball team for four seasons, Faith has won the Coaches Award and Unsung Hero Award as well as being named a Mayflower All-Star.
"I’ve played softball since I was 10, and have fallen in love with it more and more every season. I only started playing volleyball in high school," said Boutin, who is undecided on her college decision but plans to study nursing. "Ms. Caffrey believed in more than anyone. Enough to fill in a position (libero) that I didn’t even know existed as a freshman. With the support of my parents, family, peers, coaches, and teachers, they have shaped me into a person I am today!”
In the spring on the diamond, Boutin is as versatile a player as the team has. In her first year pitching in 2022, Boutin went 4-1. She also had a 95% fielding percentage while playing everything from pitcher to outfield to infield to catcher. At the plate, Boutin batted cleanup, hitting .449 with a .542 on-base percentage, nine doubles, two triples, one home run and 23 RBI. The speedster also stole 22 bases.
Entering her senior season, Boutin has a .535 batting average, .610 OBP, nine doubles, four home runs and three triples in 30 career varsity games.
“Faith is solid all around in the game of softball,” Caffrey said in the spring. “While an incredible catcher, Faith has spent most of the season playing whatever position our team needed that day. Between injuries and illness, along with catching, Faith has stepped in and played shortstop, second base, center field and pitched this season.
“She is the strongest player on the field at any given moment both mentally and physically and anyone who watches, just even warm-ups, would agree.”
Additionally, this summer Boutin will be part of America's Team, where a handful of girls are selected to represent the U.S. in Australia.
Monthly award recipients like Boutin receive a certificate of recognition, are featured on the MIAA website and social media, and are honored individually. Additionally this year, there is a $1,000 monetary prize that accompanies the award.
Tim Whelan Jr. is the sports coordinator for the Milford and MetroWest Daily News and Wicked Local. Follow him on Twitter @thattimwhelan.
This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Tri-County's Faith Boutin named MIAA Student-Athlete of the Month
