OKLAHOMA CITY — Players and staff from the Oregon softball team lingered on the field at Jane Sanders Stadium following the Ducks' final regular-season home game, a win over Utah on May 6.
The team's strength and conditioning coach, Mark Dillon, was taking in the scene when he felt a tap on his shoulder from behind. When Dillon turned around, sophomore pitcher Maggie Balint leapt into his arms, tears streaming down her face.
The highlight of the Ducks' 8-1 victory that day was a two-inning relief appearance by Balint, her first outing at The Jane in more than a month due to a back injury.