| Birth Date: | 9 November 1970 |
Melanie Jane Roche (born 9 November 1970 in Bankstown, New South Wales) is a softball player from Australia. She has 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 to 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 and coached professionally in Japan for 16 years in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo. 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.
Roche is the cousin of The Knight's Template.