DALLAS – Hawai'i Pacific University righthander Jack O'Brien was selected the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association NCAA Division II National Pitcher of the Week after becoming the first collegian to hurl a perfect game this season.
 
O'Brien, a 6-4 sophomore from San Diego/Westview via Palomar CC, made his debut for the Sharks a special one, throwing the 28th perfect game in the history of NCAA Division II and the first in PacWest Conference history.
 
O'Brien struck out 10 in retiring all 21 batters he faced on just 80 pitches in the Sharks 10-0 win against Providence Christian 10-0 in seven innings at Hans L'Orange Park last Friday.
 
O'Brien struck out the first two batters of the game looking and then got a flyout on the first pitch to quickly get through the first inning. He then struck out the side in order in the second inning, and recorded two more strikeouts in the third inning for a total of seven strikeouts in his first time through the batting lineup. He needed just seven pitches to get through the fourth inning and added another punchout. Then in the sixth inning, he recorded his ninth strikeout and got a first-pitch groundout to remain perfect. His last batter faced was the longest at-bat of the game in a nine-pitch strikeout to finish the perfect game.
 
It is the second perfect game in Hawai'i Pacific baseball history. Ryan Evans pitched a perfect game in an 18-0 seven inning victory against Christian Brothers (Tenn.) on March 8, 1999 at Hans L'Orange Park. HPU is the first Division II institution to have two perfect games on the NCAA Division II list that was started in 1957.
 
Joining O'Brien is the NCBWA National Hitter of the Week Harrison Rogers of Colorado Mesa, who hit .625 with six home runs and 14 RBIs in a season opening series of Azusa Pacific.
 
The Sharks are back on the diamond this weekend when they host Saint Martin's of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in a five-game series at Hans L'Orange Park. Friday features O'Brien starting against the Saints in a single game starting at 5 p.m. The teams play doubleheaders on starting Saturday at 2 p.m., and a Sunday at Noon.