Kutztown defeats Bermudian in semis

Sadie Berger led off the bottom of the first for Kutztown with a bunt single.

The Cougars didn’t turn that hit into a run, but it certainly foreshadowed what was to come in Thursday’s District 3 Class 3A semifinal at Kutztown Community Park.

Largely behind the bunt, Kutztown overwhelmed Bermudian Springs 15-0 in four innings to advance to Tuesday’s district final and clinch a berth in the PIAA playoffs.

The second-seeded Cougars (18-5) will face fifthseeded Susquenita in the championship game Tuesday, site and time to be determined.

It will be Kutztown’s 16th appearance in a district final and first since winning the program’s ninth championship in 2019.

“I’m really pleased with the effort we have right now,” Kutztown coach Kevin Conrad said. “And we’re still young, which is really impressive. And I just said to the girls over here, that was one of my wishes, that I want to get this team with those young girls to the state tournament, just to let them experience that.”

Things figure to be tougher for the Cougars going forward than they were Thursday against the third-seeded Eagles (17-4), who committed six errors and walked seven.

Kutztown took full advantage.

The Cougars scored three in the second, using their baserunning to put pressure on Bermudian.

Ashley Noecker led off with a walk. Courtesy runner Miranda Morstatt then stole second and went to third on a throwing error by the catcher. MaKayla Drey’s groundout made it 1-0.

With two outs, Marisa Berger walked and stole second. She scored on a double by Sadie Berger, who was driven home by a single by Sammy Furst.

Kutztown then put its bunting talents on display in a nine-run third inning.

“It’s an important part of the game and we’re blessed,” Conrad said. “We’ve got some girls that can really handle the bat and we’ve been working on that a lot. We’ve got above average speed, so it’s a good recipe to challenge them, make them make the plays.”