Different path took Malvern’s O’Brien to UNC

Since his father starred in basketball at La Salle High and Drexel, Chris O'Brien was expected to follow the same sports path.

But when O'Brien began to develop an above-average fastball and quality off-speed stuff, it was clear his future was on the diamond and not the hardwood.

"Once my dad realized I was pretty good in baseball, he was fine with me picking one sport and concentrating on that," Chris O'Brien said.

O'Brien, a top-notch lefthander ticketed for the University of North Carolina, heads Malvern Prep's bid for the program's first Inter-Academic League championship since 2008. Last season, the Friars went 7-3 and placed third.

"That's a big goal of mine, to bring back the banner to Malvern," the 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior said.

In 1981, O'Brien's father, also Chris, led La Salle to its first Catholic League hoops championship since 1963. After a year at Air Force Academy Prep, the savvy point guard went on to Drexel.

"He actually played baseball when he was at La Salle," young Chris said. "He gave it up after his sophomore year."

Before going to Malvern Prep, Chris O'Brien spent two years at Episcopal Academy.

"It was a personal decision to leave," he said. "I wanted to find a better comfort level, academically and athletically. I definitely found that here."

Last season, while earning Inquirer second-team all-Southeastern Pennsylvania honors, O'Brien went 7-0 with a 2.47 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 45 innings. He was a first-team all-league selection.

"He's a real bulldog on the mound, knows how to attack hitters," Friars coach Freddy Hilliard said. "He's been a great team leader."

The lefty mixes a fastball clocked in the 86- to 88-m.p.h. range, a change-up, and knuckle-curveball.

"I try to go after hitters early in the count," he said. "Then, if it's a righthanded hitter, I'll go with the change-up. If it's a lefthanded batter, I'll use the curve."

Malvern Prep's staff is bolstered by two solid righthanders, Joe Ravert (1.37 ERA last year, with 27 strikeouts in 31 innings) and Sean O'Keefe. "If it's not the best starting rotation in the area, it has to be right up there," O'Brien said.

In football, O'Brien was a key contributor as a strong safety. After he earned all-league honors as a junior, his senior season was cut short when he suffered a broken clavicle against Inter-Ac rival Haverford School in Week 9.

"It's probably the most painful thing I've ever experienced," he said. "Luckily, the doctors said it wouldn't have any effect on me come baseball season. And I'm fine now. Everything is good."

O'Brien was first noticed by college recruiters while pitching for the Philly Bandits, a team that showcases amateur prospects, three years ago.

The Drexel Hill resident chose North Carolina over East Carolina, Duke, and Villanova. Neumann-Goretti's Mike "Zoom" Zolk, a fleet-footed second baseman, also will play for the Tar Heels.

"I took in a weekend series last spring and really fell in love with the school," said O'Brien, who plans to major in economics or international business.