Quick Facts
Biography
Melanie Jane Roche (born 9 November 1970 in Bankstown, New South Wales) is a softball player from Australia, who won a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics and 2000 Summer Olympics, a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics along with a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Participating in 4 Olympic Games and winning 4 Olympic Medals is an Australian Olympic Record. Roche was a two-time First Team All-American at Oklahoma State University, where she played from 1990-1993. While in college, Roche tallied 774 strikeouts in 658-2/3 innings, a ratio that is tied for 28th all-time. She was inducted into the OSU Hall of Honor on 2 September 2011.
Roche has played professionally in Japan since 2001 at Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo and with her current team Renesas Electronics from Takasaki. In her down time she studies audio engineering, has a keen interest in science (physics) and music.
Roche is a softball pitcher best known for her angular velocity and her competitive nature.
Mel Roche released her first CD "In Full Flight" on 5 June 2010. Many of the songs have been inspired through her 16-year Olympic Journey.