WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. – Through five innings in Monday’s PIAA Class 1A semifinal, the Berlin Brothersvalley softball team was poised to earn a berth in the state final.
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Berlin shortstop Coral Prosser (left) puts out Union’s Erykah Reighert on a steal attempt at second base in the top of the fourth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin pitcher Elena Ritchey throws to a Union batter in the top of the first inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union shortstop Olivia Williams throws to first base to put out Berlin’s Elena Ritchey after getting Sam Walker at second base in the bottom of the first inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin’s Callie Ritchey hits a lead-off single off of Union pitcher Korynne Shannon in the bottom of the second inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union pitcher Korynne Shannon throws to a Berlin batter in the bottom of the second inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union shortstop Olivia Williams fields a ball hit for single by Berlin’s Coral Prosser in the bottom of the third inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin’s Bryn Prosser hits a double off of Union pitcher Korynne Shannon in the bottom of the fourth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin second baseman Audra Handke throws to first base to put out Union’s Samantha Confer in the top of the fifth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union’s Irelyn Fisher celebrates after hitting a 2-run home run off of Berlin pitcher Elena Ritchey to spark a go-ahead rally in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union’s Nevaeh Hunt hits a double off of Berlin pitcher Elena Ritchey in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin relief pitcher Sam Walker delivers to a Union batter in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union’s Maggie Joseph celebrates in front of Berlin second baseman Audra Handke after hitting a 2-run go-ahead double inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin second baseman Audra Handke chases a ball hit for a 1-run double by Union’s Samantha Confer in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin shortstop Coral Prosser fields a late throw as Union’s Samantha Confer reaches for a 1-run double in the top of thew sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union’s Samantha Confer celebrates after scoring on a double by Olivia Williams in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal against Berlin, at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union third baseman Maddy Settle tags out Berlin’s Bena Barna trying to reach third base on a single by Bryn Prosser in the bottom of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union shortstop Olivia Williams makes a catch in shallow left field to put out Berlin’s Madison Will in the bottom of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin catcher Elsie Barna fields a late throw as Union’s Erykah Reighert scores on a double by Olivia Benedict in the top of the seventh inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin shortstop Coral Prosser applies a late tag to Union’s Olivia Benedict on a 1-run double in the top of the seventh inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union third baseman Maddy Settle tags out Berlin’s Elena Ritchey at third base to end a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union third baseman Maddy Settle celebrates after tagging out Berlin’s Elena Ritchey at third base to end a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union third baseman Maddy Settle celebrates after tagging out Berlin’s Elena Ritchey at third base to end the PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin shortstop Coral Prosser (left) puts out Union’s Erykah Reighert on a steal attempt at second base in the top of the fourth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin pitcher Elena Ritchey throws to a Union batter in the top of the first inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union shortstop Olivia Williams throws to first base to put out Berlin’s Elena Ritchey after getting Sam Walker at second base in the bottom of the first inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin’s Callie Ritchey hits a lead-off single off of Union pitcher Korynne Shannon in the bottom of the second inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union pitcher Korynne Shannon throws to a Berlin batter in the bottom of the second inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union shortstop Olivia Williams fields a ball hit for single by Berlin’s Coral Prosser in the bottom of the third inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin’s Bryn Prosser hits a double off of Union pitcher Korynne Shannon in the bottom of the fourth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin second baseman Audra Handke throws to first base to put out Union’s Samantha Confer in the top of the fifth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union’s Irelyn Fisher celebrates after hitting a 2-run home run off of Berlin pitcher Elena Ritchey to spark a go-ahead rally in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union’s Nevaeh Hunt hits a double off of Berlin pitcher Elena Ritchey in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin relief pitcher Sam Walker delivers to a Union batter in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union’s Maggie Joseph celebrates in front of Berlin second baseman Audra Handke after hitting a 2-run go-ahead double inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin second baseman Audra Handke chases a ball hit for a 1-run double by Union’s Samantha Confer in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin shortstop Coral Prosser fields a late throw as Union’s Samantha Confer reaches for a 1-run double in the top of thew sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union’s Samantha Confer celebrates after scoring on a double by Olivia Williams in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal against Berlin, at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union third baseman Maddy Settle tags out Berlin’s Bena Barna trying to reach third base on a single by Bryn Prosser in the bottom of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union shortstop Olivia Williams makes a catch in shallow left field to put out Berlin’s Madison Will in the bottom of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin catcher Elsie Barna fields a late throw as Union’s Erykah Reighert scores on a double by Olivia Benedict in the top of the seventh inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Berlin shortstop Coral Prosser applies a late tag to Union’s Olivia Benedict on a 1-run double in the top of the seventh inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union third baseman Maddy Settle tags out Berlin’s Elena Ritchey at third base to end a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union third baseman Maddy Settle celebrates after tagging out Berlin’s Elena Ritchey at third base to end a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
Union third baseman Maddy Settle celebrates after tagging out Berlin’s Elena Ritchey at third base to end the PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
But the District 5 champions’ historic and often magical season hit a detour in the top of the sixth inning, as defending PIAA champion Union reeled off six consecutive hits and scored seven runs to overcome a four-run deficit in the Scotties’ 8-6 victory.
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Union third baseman Maddy Settle tags out Berlin’s Elena Ritchey at third base to end a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
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Union third baseman Maddy Settle tags out Berlin’s Bena Barna trying to reach third base on a single by Bryn Prosser in the bottom of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
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Berlin pitcher Elena Ritchey throws to a Union batter in the top of the first inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
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Union third baseman Maddy Settle tags out Berlin’s Bena Barna trying to reach third base on a single by Bryn Prosser in the bottom of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
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Berlin second baseman Audra Handke chases a ball hit for a 1-run double by Union’s Samantha Confer in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
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Berlin relief pitcher Sam Walker delivers to a Union batter in the top of the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 1A semifinal at West Mifflin High School in West Mifflin, PA., Monday, June 8, 2026.
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Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at (814) 532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.