Pine Grove Area's Jamie Dinger and Meadow Umbenhauer celebrate getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the first inning of the PIAA Class 3A State Softball Championship on June 11, 2026, at Penn State's Nittany Lion Softball Park.. The Cardinals won 7-1. (Photo by Angie and Mike Williams / Captivating Dezigns)

PINE GROVE — Pine Grove Area senior pitcher Jamie Dinger announced on Instagram on Thursday that she has made a verbal commitment to continue her academic and softball careers at Elizabethtown College.

Dinger said on the post that she will study occupational therapy at Elizabethtown.

A Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association All-State first-team pitcher in Class 3A, Dinger was the winning pitcher the past two seasons as the Cardinals captured back-to-back PIAA Class 3A state championships at Penn State’s Nittany Lion Softball Park.

In 2026, Dinger went 15-2 in the circle with a 0.79 ERA. In 107 innings, she struck out 128 and walked just 17. For her career, she’s 35-6 with a 0.98 ERA, striking out 377 in 277.1 innings.

At the plate, Dinger batted .375 with three home runs and 24 RBIs this past season.

Cardinals hire 2 head coaches

PINE GROVE — The Pine Grove Area Athletic Department announced the hiring of a pair of varsity head coaches to fill vacant positions.

Joe Drumheller has been selected as PGA’s head baseball coach, and Gerald Salen has been hired as the Cardinals’ track and field head coach.