The Oregon softball pitching pipeline doesn’t appear to be ending any time soon.
The Ducks received a 2016 verbal commitment from Maggie Balint, a right-handed pitcher from West Grove, Pennsylvania early Sunday morning. Balint is a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania and attends Avon Grove High School.
“Coach Mike White is definitely the reason I decided on Oregon,” Balint said. “He’s a great guy and his background is phenomenal. I don’t know who wouldn’t want to play from him. From the start, I’ve always been a big fan of Coach White and Oregon.”
Balint said Oregon’s recent postseason successes influenced her decision because she wants to join a program with a winning background. She picked the Ducks over Texas A&M, California and Minnesota.
Balint joins Miranda Elish as the Ducks’ other 2016 pitching commit. Balint visited Eugene last weekend on an official visit and committed in-person to the coaching staff.
“My number one goal is to be in a Women’s College World Series,” Balint said. “I want to win one, and I want to be the pitcher who helps do that.”
Balint also factored the new Jane Sanders Stadium, set to be completed before the 2016 season, into her decision. She described a program’s facilities as a “must-have” when considering a school.
Dubbed by FloSoftball as “arguably the top uncommitted pitcher who was left on the market,” the high school senior had a 0.35 ERA and a 19-4 record heading into postseason last year. She also hit .493 at the plate, with three home runs and 18 RBI.
Balint was named all-state in 2015 by the Pennsylvania High School Softball Association for Class 4A.
“Balint has great stuff and she’s a heck of a competitor,” said Brian Stackhouse, head coach at nearby Downington East High. “She throws the ball pretty hard and she’s got a real variety of pitches, but her best thing is her control.”
Balint originally committed to Delaware during her sophomore year, but reopened her recruitment during her junior year, according to the Philly Inquirer. Her riser is her best pitch but she also throws a fastball, change-up, knuckleball, curveball and screwball, she said in May.
Balint will sign her Letter-of-Intent in November.
“I have so many goals I hope to accomplish at Oregon, both in the weight-room and on the field,” Balint said.
Here’s a highlight video of Balint:

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