READING — If one thing is to be true. That is to not count Pine Grove’s softball team out.
The Lady Cardinals were down to the last three outs down 4-0. Pine Grove stormed back scoring six runs in the top of the seventh inning and another four in the top of the tenth inning for a 10-8 win against Kutztown. With the win Pine Grove advances to the PIAA 3A semifinals.
“You got to believe and they believed today,” said Pine Grove’s coach Ryan Leffler who was full of emotions. “The last inning they fought and they have done that all year for us.”
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Pine Grove celebrates senior Madison Shiffer’s (10) home run as Pine Grove and Kutztown Area face off in the playoffs at Exeter High School, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Pine Grove junior Callee Leffler (7) yells out from third base as Pine Grove and Kutztown face off in the playoffs at Exeter High School, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Pine Grove sophomore Jamie Dinger (99) delivers a pitch as Pine Grove and Kutztown Area face off in the playoffs at Exeter High School, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Pine Grove junior Hannah Aungst (19) connects with the pitch as Pine Grove and Kutztown Area face off in the playoffs at Exeter High School, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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The Pine Grove softball team celebrates after beating Kutztown Area in the playoffs at Exeter High School, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Pine Grove junior Hannah Aungst (19) runs to first base as Pine Grove softball takes on Trinity at Pine Grove Area High School, Monday, June 2, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Pine Grove celebrates senior Madison Shiffer’s (10) home run as Pine Grove and Kutztown Area face off in the playoffs at Exeter High School, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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SEE FULL PHOTO GALLERY: Pine Grove softball beats Kutztown 10-8 earning spot in the 3A semifinals
Pine Grove finished the game with 10 hits, led by Jamie Dinger who had four. Chelcy Clark had a team-high four RBIS and Shiffer had a big home run. Dinger recorded six strikeouts on the mound and Clark pitched three innings on the mound only giving up two hits.
“The team’s performance was outstanding,” said Dinger. “We had our faults but we always come back and execute in the end.”
Kutztown struck first in the bottom of the third inning. Felicia Oldt hit a three-run homer to make it 3-0.
The Lady Cougars added another run in the fourth inning to go up 4-0 after a bases loaded walk.
Dinger and Clark kept Kutztown off the board over the next two innings to give their offense a chance.
Pine Grove started the seventh inning with back-to-back singles thanks to Shiffer and Addison Zimmerman. Dinger and Tailyn Bohr hit RBI singles the next two at bats, to make it 4-2 giving Pine Grove fans renewed hope.
Lily Flynn came up next and hit a bunt single. Clark followed and delivered as she hit a two-run single to tie it 4-4.
Meadow Umbenhauer gave the Lady Cardinals a 6-4 lead after a bunt error to first base, getting Pine Grove fans up to their feet with excitement.
“I was proud of the fight,” said Leffler. “It was a classic game.”
Kutztown didn’t go down easy as they tied it up at six in the bottom of the seventh inning. Oldt drove in a run on an error and Jade Fitzgerald tied it on a sacrifice fly. Pine Grove got out the inning after forcing a groundout.
The Lady Cardinals got runners on in the top of the eight and ninth innings but could not capitalize. Kutztown went down in order in the eighth and ninth innings.
Shiffer came up clutch to start the tenth inning. Shiffer launched a two-run home run to give Pine Grove a 10-8 lead.
“I was honestly just going for a base hit, with a smooth swing,” said Shiffer. “I knew the first pitch in there she was going to throw it inside. So I was ready for it and I just turned on it,” said Shiffer.
Following two singles and a sacrifice bunt. Clark came up next and hit a two-run single to make it 10-6 giving Pine Grove some breathing room.
“We have fight and we never stop believing that we can’t win,” said Shiffer.
The Lady Cougars started the bottom of the tenth with two on. After a fielder’s choice Brianna Bauscher hit a sacrifice fly to make it 10-7. Following a line out Klara Schnore hit an RBI single to make it 10-8. Dinger came in to get the final out for Pine Grove with runners on first and third. Dinger forced a pop out to end the game and give Pine Grove the win.
“It feels amazing,” said Dinger. “For this team to come all the way from the very first non-league game. We’re coming out on top.”
Pine Grove will meet Mid Valley Monday with a time and place to be determined for a spot in the 3A title game.
“This team here set the goals high which we always do,” said Leffler. “We are going to take it one game at a time but we have work to do. I am proud of them.”
Pine Grove 10 — Leffler CF 5 0 1 0, Aungst SS 5 1 0 0, Shiffer 1B 5 2 2 2, Zimmerman RF 5 1 1 0, Dinger P 5 1 4 1 , Bohr C 4 2 2 1, Flynn 2B 4 1 1 0, Clark P 5 0 2 4, Umbenhauer 3B 4 0 0 0
Kutztown 8 — Berger CF 4 1 0 0, Gehris 5 2 1 0, Oldt C 4 3 1 3, Fitzgerald RF 4 0 1 1, Bauscher P 2 0 1 0, Blank 2 1 0 0, Dietrich 1B 2 0 0 0, Schnore LF 4 0 1 1, Kutz 3B 4 1 0 0, Morstatt 2B 3 0 0 0
PG (25-2) — 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 4 — 10
Kutz (23-5) — 0 0 3 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 — 8
2B — Dinger; 3B — Leffler; HR — Shiffer, Oldt;
Pine Grove
IP H R ER BB SO
Dinger 7.0 3 5 3 3 6
Clark 3.0 2 2 2 3 1
Kutztown
Bauscher 10.0 13 9 7 0 6