The Cardinals (26-2) will face undefeated Sharon (24-0) in the PIAA Class 3A State Championship on Thursday, June 11, at 1:30 p.m. at Penn State. The matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Pine Grove Area enters the championship game riding an eight-game postseason winning streak that includes a Schuylkill League championship, a District XI title, and victories over Littlestown, previously unbeaten Mifflinburg, and Mid Valley in the state tournament.
The Cardinals opened postseason play with wins over Schuylkill Haven and Tri-Valley before defeating Blue Mountain, 5-1, to claim the Schuylkill League championship. They followed with District XI victories over Palisades and Northern Lehigh before advancing through the state bracket with a dramatic 5-4 win over Littlestown, a 3-0 shutout of Mifflinburg, and a 7-1 semifinal victory over Mid Valley.
Pine Grove Area is making its eighth appearance in the PIAA softball tournament and owns a 17-5 record in state tournament play. The Cardinals previously captured state championships in 2019 and 2025 and finished as runners-up in 2017.
Senior outfielder Callee Leffler has enjoyed one of the most prolific seasons in school history. Through June 8, she was batting .652 with 43 hits, 65 runs scored, 49 RBIs, and 17 home runs. She also established school career records for home runs, runs scored, triples, stolen bases, and walks.
Leffler has also been selected to participate in the prestigious PGF All-American Softball Game in Huntington Beach, California, on July 25. The event will feature 40 of the nation's top high school players and will be televised on ESPNU.
In the circle, junior pitchers Jamie Dinger and Chelcy Clark have combined for a remarkable season. Dinger owns a 14-2 record with 120 strikeouts and a 0.76 ERA, while Clark is undefeated at 12-0 with a 0.56 ERA. Together, the duo has helped Pine Grove Area post a team ERA of just 0.68.
The Cardinals have also reached several milestones during the 2026 campaign. Leffler surpassed 150 career hits, 100 RBIs, 100 stolen bases, and 200 runs scored, while Hannah Aungst recorded her 100th hit, 100th RBI, and 100th career run. Dinger eclipsed 300 career strikeouts and Clark reached the 200-strikeout milestone.
Head coach Ryan Leffler has guided Pine Grove Area to unprecedented success during his 12 seasons at the helm. His teams have compiled a 235-64 record, won six 20-win seasons, five District XI championships, five Schuylkill League titles, and two state championships. He was named PIAA Softball Coach of the Year following the Cardinals' 2025 championship season.
The Cardinals' senior class, which includes Leffler, Hannah Aungst, and Tailyn Bohr, has amassed an 86-16 record over four seasons and will look to close out its remarkable career with another state championship trophy.
Standing in the way is a Sharon team that has recorded 20 shutouts and is led by junior standout Madelyn Vogan, who enters the title game with a 0.19 ERA, 344 strikeouts in 148 innings, and a .615 batting average. The Penn State commit has also hit nine home runs this season.
With two championship programs set to meet for the first time, Thursday's Class 3A final promises to be one of the marquee matchups of the 2026 softball season.