FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             Contact: Tom Lima

June 23nd, 2025                                                          Director of Media and Broadcast Operations

                                                                                   By Ethan Poole– Analyst

                                                                                    (401) 824-6314 - broadcast@newportgulls.com

Finbar O’Brien (Gonzaga) was honored as the NECBL pitcher of the week earlier today for his sparkling performance last Tuesday against the North Shore Navigators. He is the first Newport pitcher to win the award since week one of last season, when Adam Maher received the honor.

O’Brien was incredible against North Shore last week, he pitched five full innings of no-hit baseball, only allowing one baserunner and striking out 11 batters, he eventually became the first Newport starting pitcher to win a game this year. Newport needed him to dominate, as they won the game by the slimmest of margins: 1-0. O’Brien has been spectacular this year, striking out 20 batters in 12 innings and not yet giving up an earned run. The sophomore pitched to a 5.79 ERA in 71.2 innings with the Gonzaga Bulldogs in 12 appearances, including seven starts.

O’Brien is a cornerstone of a rock solid Gulls pitching staff led by new pitching coach Kevin Smith, the team has a 4.08 ERA to start the year and lead the league in strikeouts with 166. Newport, sitting at 9-6, will need O’Brien and the rest of the staff at full strength in their quest for a third straight NECBL championship.