In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the University of Oregon softball team, the Ducks now have their first-ever national championship within reach, as they recently punched their ticket to the Women’s College World Series, which commences Thursday in Oklahoma City.

And they have their fabulous freshman, by way of southern Chester County, to thank for helping them get there.

In just her first year on campus, almost 3,000 miles from home, pitcher Maggie Balint has been a force in the circle.

The Avon Grove High School graduate currently sports a 21-3 record with a 1.23 ERA. Her 151 strikeouts lead the team, and opponents are batting just .171 against her.

With its sight set on a national championship, Oregon (52-6) opens the WCWS on Thursday at 7 PM against Pac-12 rival Washington.

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“I grew up watching the World Series, and now I’m going to be playing in it,” Balint said on Twitter. “It’s mind blowing! Dreams do come true.”

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association named Balint one of three finalists for its National Freshman of the Year Award.

“She comes up with big pitches in big situations,” Ducks coach Mike White told espnW. “That’s hard to teach. Whenever she digs herself into a hole, she digs herself right back out.”

“I’m super-stoked to be a part of this team,” Balint said. “The reason I came this far was because I wanted to go to a World Series and do what we’re doing now.”

Success is nothing new for the 5-foot-8 righthander, who was a three-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania, while at Avon Grove.

As a senior last spring, she led the Red Devils to their first-ever appearance in the state final. That season, she struck out 371 batters in 195 innings and compiled a 0.50 ERA, while limiting opposing hitters to a .090 batting average.

Balint’s mother Jennifer also pitched collegiately at St. John’s.