Senior (2005):
The co-captain compiled a 6-0 record and a 1.26 earned runaverage in a season in which she fought through arm trouble. Thesenior recorded three shutouts, including one in the last start ofher collegiate career, a 4-0 victory against Maryville College(Tenn.). The senior was chosen as the conference Athlete of theWeek following that performance. O'Brien graduated as the school'sall-time leader in career ERA (0.90) and strikeouts (340). In hercareer, she helped Emory to two conference championships, two NCAAregional 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's0.76 ERA ranked her 22nd nationally in Division III and broke herown school record set in 2003. O'Brien also led the team instrikeouts (135), complete games (15), and shutouts (eight). At theUAA 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 asingle-game Emory record. At the NCAA regionals, O'Brien did notallow a run in 18 1/3 innings, including two complete-gameshutouts. In her first outing of the year, Feb. 14, O'Brien threwthe first perfect game of her career, blanking University of theSouth (Tenn.), 2-0. Twice, O'Brien was named UAA Player of theWeek.
Sophomore (2003):
O'Brien was named first-team all region, all-tournament atNCAA regionals, and first-team all-conference. She finished 12th inthe nation in wins and 13th in earned run average in the final NCAADivision III statistics report. O'Brien compiled a 19-2 record witha 1.05 ERA, the latter setting a school record and the former beingone shy of the school record. She tied a school record with eightshutouts this season. Her 87 strikeouts in 120 1/3 innings pitchedled the team. At the NCAA Division III softball World Series,O'Brien did not allow an earned run while making three appearancescovering 14 1/3 innings pitched. Her 0.00 ERA was lowest among allparticipants in the World Series. O'Brien did not allow an earnedrun over six consecutive appearances, from Feb. 23-March 10. In theconference tournament, O'Brien did not allow an earned run over 132/3 innings just missing the 15 innings needed to officially breakthe conference record. She struck out a season-high 11 batters andallowed just two hits in a five-inning complete-game win over AgnesScott (Ga.) April 2. From April 5-19, O'Brien made five starts andthrew five complete-game shutouts.
Freshman (2002):
The freshman pitcher was 26th nationally in earned runaverage 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. Shecompiled a 16-3 record with two saves. In 119 and two-thirdinnings, O'Brien yielded 98 hits, walked 46 and struck out 95. Shewas named conference Athlete of the Week for her performance in theRoanoke (Va.) Tournament. In the five-game tournament, O'Brienpicked up three wins, two of them by complete-game shutouts, andone save. The save came in dramatic fashion against the No. 10ranked team in the country as she entered the game in the bottom ofthe last inning with a one-run lead and the bases loaded beforestriking out two to end the game. O'Brien had a season-high ninestrikeouts against Rochester (N.Y.) and Maryville (Tenn.).
Career Statistics:
For career statistics, clickhere.
Quote:
"A highly prestigious university. . . a nationally rankedsoftball program. . . beautiful weather. . . what else can you askfor?"
