The Beacons (32-15) will make their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance today against No. 16 Linfield College (Ore.) in the first round of the Division 3 College World Series.

During a season in which the well-traveled Beacons set the school record for wins despite playing just four “home’’ games, in Waltham, they have proven their ability on the road.

“We don’t think about it like, ‘We have to get on the bus today,’ ’’ said pitcher Mike Andriano. “We think, ‘We get to play baseball today.’ ’’

The program has struggled for most of its 29-year history, with a career winning percentage of .359 heading into the 2010 season. After winning the Little East Conference tournament as the No. 4 seed and the New England regional as the No. 7 seed, observers were quick to tag them a Cinderella squad. But the Beacons bristle at the label, noting they steamrolled nationally ranked opponents Tufts and Eastern Connecticut State during their eight-game winning streak.

“It’s no fluke that we’ve won [in the playoffs],’’ said coach Brendan Eygabroat. “The players work hard and there’s a lot of talent.’’

Second baseman Ryan Walsh (.406, 59 RBIs) was named a Division 3 third-team All-American and was joined on the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association all-region team by pitcher James Dalton (8-1, 2.45), who will start against Linfield (34-11). Also making the NEIBA squad were Drew Tambling (.371, 9 HRs), Mark McCormack (.359, 52 RBIs), and Tim Fontaine (.335, 11 HRs), giving the Beacons more All-Region players than any team in the area.

The transformation from doormat to contender can largely be attributed to the development of the team’s hitters, who exploded to set school records in nearly every offensive category: home runs (49), runs (437), and slugging percentage (.489). Opposing pitchers don’t get a break in the Beacon lineup; eight starters hit over .300.

“Our goal is to put the pressure on the defense,’’ Eygabroat said. “We’ve been aggressive with steals, bunts and hit-and-runs.’’ The result is 126 stolen bases, the sixth-highest total in Division 3. Led by Tambling (34), Walsh (31) and McCormack (23), the Beacons were successful on more than 81 percent of their attempts.

But if UMass-Boston is to win the title, the pitching must stay hot. Dalton has completed five of his last six starts and Andriano has allowed just three earned runs in 16 2/3 playoff innings. Despite an up-and-down season from the bullpen, freshman Daniel Heefner has allowed one hit in 7 1/3 postseason innings, bridging the gap to closer Tony Damon.

Eygabroat acknowledges the Beacons didn’t start the season with national title expectations. “But goals are always changing,’’ said the coach, who is in his sixth year at the helm. “As we go, the dreams continue to grow and get a little bigger.’’

The run to the World Series may eventually help the Beacons break ground on a stadium. But for now, the squad is content to adopt opposing fields.

“We turn every field we go into our home field,’’ said Fontaine.

The Beacons are in uncharted waters, entering a double-elimination bracket with top-ranked Johns Hopkins and second-ranked Heidelberg. But the Beacons have to get past West Region champion Linfield, coached by former Yankee Scott Brosius.

“Scott Brosius needs to realize this isn’t Yankee Stadium,’’ said Andriano. “This is ‘Beaconville.’ ’’