Sydney, Aquilina Reserve, Blacktown, 25 September 2000, Games of the XXVII Olympiad: Lisa FERNANDEZ of the United States in action in the softball semifinal against China. The United States went on to win the gold medal. Credit : Getty Images/Nick Wilson

Born: 22 February 1971

Birthplace: Lakewood (United States)

Nationality: United States

Sport: Softball

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Atlanta 1996

Sydney 2000

Athens 2004

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 3

Other results:

World Championships

Gold: 3 (94, 98, 02)

Strikeout queen

Multi-talented softball player Lisa Fernandez represented the United States both as a pitcher and at third base. At the 1996 Olympics, she batted .348 (8 for 23) and had an earned run average of only 0.33. In a round-robin game against Australia, she pitched a perfect game for 9 2/3 innings but then gave up a home run to Joanne Brown and lost the game.

In the semifinals, she shut out China in a 1-0 victory and then picked up a save in the final, also against China. In the final of the1998 World Championship, Fernandez shut out Australia on one hit and also hit a home run to score the game's only run.

Fernandez returned to the Olympics in 2000. She pitched 21 2/3 innings and gave up only four hits and one run. In a preliminary round game against Australia, she set a performance record by striking out 25 batters in 12 2/3 innings, but the Australians won anyway on a home run by Peta Edebone.

Fernandez faced Australia again the final. This time she held them to one hit and one walk, while striking out 13, as the U.S. won 1-0. Fernandez holds the Olympic career strikeout record with 59. The pitcher in second place has only 47 strikeouts. At the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, Lisa Fernandez and the American team won the gold medal, beating the Australian team 5-1.