Louisville Slugger Independence Day TournamentSep 20, 2015 by Brentt Eads
Friday Focus: Two-Time State POY Maggie Balint
Friday Focus: Two-Time State POY Maggie Balint
Maggie Balint of PA Chaos Gold. Update: September 20, 2015Arguably the top uncommitted pitcher who was left on the market, Chaos Softball's Maggie Balint j
Arguably the top uncommitted pitcher who was left on the market, Chaos Softball's Maggie Balint just announced her commitment to Oregon Ducks Softball this morning on Twitter. Congratulations, Maggie!
Read about her stellar performance at the Boulder IDT this past summer below!
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Today we spotlight one of the top uncommitted players on the East Coast, but she won’t stay uncommitted very long after a huge effort at the Boulder IDT over the Fourth of July weekend.
Name: MAGGIE BALINT
Graduation Year: 2016
Position: Pitcher
High School: Avon Grove High of West Grove, Pa.
GPA: 3.1
Club: Pa Chaos Gold
Stats: She went 10-1 and struck out 65 in 49 innings, while allowing 11 runs, eight earned runs, 30 hits and 16 walks at the Boulder IDT.
Honors: Two-time Pennsylvania Gatorade State Player of the Year
Height: 5-10
Twitter: @BalintMaggie
College: Uncommitted
FloSoftball: Nationals are only a few weeks away. What are your thoughts heading into the home stretch?
Balint: My travel team is playing really well right now and we are going to take the momentum that we generated in Colorado right into Nationals. We proved to ourselves that we can compete with any team In The country and our goal is to win nationals in South Carolina.
Balint: Softball is the first sport I played and the one I love the most.
FloSoftball: What was it about softball that made you fall in love with the sport?
Balint: That I get to be with my teammates battling together, win or lose we fight as a team and have created lasting relationships.
FloSoftball: Was there a moment in your career when you thought, “Wow, I’m actually pretty good and might be able to play in college!”?
Balint: In my sophomore year of high school, college coaches started showing interest and I started to do really good in games. That’s when I realized I could actually play at a higher level.
FloSoftball: What was it like playing in front of so many college coaches at the Boulder IDT when you are still uncommitted?
Balint: Very exciting. I love to be center stage and enjoy pressure situations. Coaches watching me added to the excitement of the game.
FloSoftball: How many offers did you get coming out of the Boulder IDT?
Balint: There was a lot of interest from many schools by the end of the tournament. I was fortunate to have different schools from all over the country wanting me to come play for them.
FLoSoftball: What do coaches say they liked most about you and your game?
Balint: Almost every coach said the same thing … my presence on the mound.
FLoSoftball: What’s been the highlight of your athletic career so far?
Balint: (Being named) two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania is something I am very proud of. I am also so proud of our team making it to the championship game of the Boulder IDT tournament.
Fill in the blank … If I wasn’t playing softball, I’d be:____at the beach_____________
Last movie you saw and what did you think of it: Pitch Perfect 2. It was hilarious.
Favorite motto or philosophy of life: Play for the name on the front, not on the back.
If you were handed a $1,000 and had to spend it in one day, what would you do with it? Go buy lots of clothes and shoes.
What’s something that people would be surprised to learn about you? That I’m dyslexic.
What’s the one thing/object, besides your phone, that you can’t live without? My car.
Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals? No.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? A coach once told me in the middle of the inning after I just walked the bases loaded, “You got yourself into this, now get yourself out of it.” And it sticks with me when I am on the mound in stressful situations.
What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love? Running hills.
If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be? Run really fast.
Last song/CD you bought: “Alright” by Darius Rucker.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Paul Walker.
What did you want to be when you were little? Stand-up comedian.
Nickname: Moo.
Something on your “must do” list: Go away to college.
What is your hometown/area best known for and what makes you proud to say you’re from there? Mushrooms.
Follow FloSoftball on Twitter @FloSoftball.