TANKARDSTOWN, Ireland – After signing on with head coach Jenny Rohn to transfer to WMU late last month, right-handed pitcher Kailey O'Connor headed overseas to play for Team Ireland in the 2023 WBSC (World Baseball Softball Confederation) Women's Softball World Cup.
 
In the first game for Team Ireland on Tuesday, O'Connor was dominant in the circle, yielding just one hit in a five-inning, complete game shutout victory over Botswana. She piled up four strikeouts, and also chipped in at the plate with an RBI and a run scored in the 7-0 win for the tournament hosts. O'Connor's 0.00 ERA is tied for the best in the tournament.
 
"Playing for Ireland is a blessing," O'Connor said. "Not only am I able to play for my country, but I have also met talented girls that share the same passion and love for the game. Being able to represent an entire country is something that not a lot of people can do, and being a role model for the upcoming generations is what pushes us to be the best athletes on and off the field."
 
Through three games of group play, Team Ireland stands at 1-2, with games against Great Britain and Team USA remaining before the knockout rounds begin.