Christine O'Brien

	Position:	Pitcher
	Height:	5-4
	Bats:	Right
	Throws:	Right
	Hometown:	Feasterville, PA
	High School:	Villa Joseph Marie
	Major:	Psychology
	Parents:	Michael & Karen

Senior (2005):

The co-captain compiled a 6-0 record and a 1.26 earned run average in a season in which she fought through arm trouble. The senior recorded three shutouts, including one in the last start of her collegiate career, a 4-0 victory against Maryville College (Tenn.). The senior was chosen as the conference Athlete of the Week following that performance. O'Brien graduated as the school's all-time leader in career ERA (0.90) and strikeouts (340). In her career, she helped Emory to two conference championships, two NCAA regional championships and two NCAA World Series appearances.

Junior (2004):

O’Brien was named to the all-region third team, all-conference first team, and NCAA regional all-tournament team. Her all-region selection was the third of her career. O’Brien’s 0.76 ERA ranked her 22nd nationally in Division III and broke her own school record set in 2003. O’Brien also led the team in strikeouts (135), complete games (15), and shutouts (eight). At the UAA tournament, O’Brien won three games and compiled an 0.21 ERA, striking out more batters (36) than innings pitched (33.1). O’Brien’s 13 strikeouts against Brandeis (Mass.), March 11, set a single-game Emory record. At the NCAA regionals, O'Brien did not allow a run in 18 1/3 innings, including two complete-game shutouts. In her first outing of the year, Feb. 14, O’Brien threw the first perfect game of her career, blanking University of the South (Tenn.), 2-0. Twice, O’Brien was named UAA Player of the Week.

Sophomore (2003):

O’Brien was named first-team all region, all-tournament at NCAA regionals, and first-team all-conference. She finished 12th in the nation in wins and 13th in earned run average in the final NCAA Division III statistics report. O'Brien compiled a 19-2 record with a 1.05 ERA, the latter setting a school record and the former being one shy of the school record. She tied a school record with eight shutouts this season. Her 87 strikeouts in 120 1/3 innings pitched led the team. At the NCAA Division III softball World Series, O’Brien did not allow an earned run while making three appearances covering 14 1/3 innings pitched. Her 0.00 ERA was lowest among all participants in the World Series. O’Brien did not allow an earned run over six consecutive appearances, from Feb. 23–March 10. In the conference tournament, O’Brien did not allow an earned run over 13 2/3 innings just missing the 15 innings needed to officially break the conference record. She struck out a season-high 11 batters and allowed just two hits in a five-inning complete-game win over Agnes Scott (Ga.) April 2. From April 5–19, O’Brien made five starts and threw five complete-game shutouts.

Freshman (2002):

The freshman pitcher was 26th nationally in earned run average in the NCAA statistics prior to the national finals. O'Brien finished with a 1.05 earned run average, a school record. She allowed one or less earned runs in 15 of 19 starts. She compiled a 16-3 record with two saves. In 119 and two-third innings, O'Brien yielded 98 hits, walked 46 and struck out 95. She was named conference Athlete of the Week for her performance in the Roanoke (Va.) Tournament. In the five-game tournament, O'Brien picked up three wins, two of them by complete-game shutouts, and one save. The save came in dramatic fashion against the No. 10 ranked team in the country as she entered the game in the bottom of the last inning with a one-run lead and the bases loaded before striking out two to end the game. O'Brien had a season-high nine strikeouts against Rochester (N.Y.) and Maryville (Tenn.).

Career Statistics:

For career statistics, click here.

Quote:

"A highly prestigious university. . . a nationally ranked softball program. . . beautiful weather. . . what else can you ask for?"