ROHNERT PARK, Calif-  Senior pitcher Nick O'Brien became the fifth player on this year's west region champion Sonoma State baseball team to sign a professional contract this week when he inked with the Joliet Jackhammers of the independent Northern League.

The Jackhammers play their home games in Joliet, Illinois and are managed by former major leaguer, Wally Backman.  Through Tuesday's games, the Jackhammers are 15-15 and tied for fourth in the Northern League. 

O'Brien had a solid senior season for the Seawolves in 2008, appearing in a team-high 23 games, the fourth-highest total in school history..  He was 4-3 with a 3.52 ERA and four saves in 61.2 innings of work.  O'Brien struck out 43 and walked just nine.  In his two year career, O'Brien was 7-4 and he saw action in 39 games. 

Former SSU All-American Feh Lentini plays for the Winnipeg Goldeyes, another franchise in the Northern League.

O'Brien becomes the fifth player on SSU's 2008 roster to sign a professional contract.  Four others were selected in the Major League Draft (Travis Babin- Mets, Konrad Thieme- Marlins, Kevin Asselin-White Sox, Matt Means- Padres).  All have signed contracts and will be beginning their professional careers soon.

Joliet Jackhammers website