KUNOVICE, Czech Republic — After enjoying her freshman season in Moraga, Saint Mary's Softball pitcher Kailey O'Connor has been added to Team Ireland in advance of the U-22 European Championship, being played this week in the Czech Republic. O'Connor is the fourth Gael to be named to a national team with international competition taking place actively.
 
O'Connor appeared in 24 games and made three starts for Saint Mary's as a true freshman, going 1-1 in the circle with a 9.96 ERA in 32.1 innings, the third most innings on the team. She had three outings on the season where she did not allow an earned run, including 1.2 perfect innings against eventual-NCAA Tournament participant, LMU. The first two strikeouts of her collegiate career came against Montana in her first collegiate appearance, where she allowed just one hit in 1.2 innings, and she went 4.2 innings on February 19 against Sacramento State for the longest outing of the season, where she allowed just one earned run.
 
The U-22 European Championship began on Monday in the Czech Republic, with Ireland beating Austria in Group C pool play 9-7. O'Connor was the starting pitcher in the game and went 4.2 innings, and was 3-4 at the plate, finishing a home run shy of the cycle. On Tuesday, Ireland plays Belgium and Spain to conclude pool play, with the tournament running through July 2 in an effort to crown a champion.
 
Complete information about the tournament, in addition to game times, brackets, and stats, can be found on their official website.
 
O'Connor joins current teammates Alex Casas and Allyssa Alano on national teams, while incoming Gael Chelsea Bennett was also named to an Australian U-19 squad.