Baseball is a game of opportunity.

When those opportunities present themselves, a team must make the most of them.

Pine Grove was able to do just that against Northwestern on Wednesday night in the quarterfinals of the District 11 Class 4A tournament.

The No. 3 seeded Cardinals’ timely hitting with runners in scoring position, coupled with the No. 6 seeded Tigers struggles to take advantage of scoring opportunities, helped them come away with a 8-3 victory and a trip to the 4A semis.

“They were able to get on the board first 1-0, and we were able to punch back right away and tie the game in the fourth,” said Northwestern head coach Chad Cooperman. “The fourth was a big opportunity for us with bases loaded and the middle of our order up, but we were only able to come away with one run. If you’re going to win games in the month of May, those are the types of situations you need to take advantage of.

“But that’s baseball. Their pitcher made some really nice pitches when he needed to and he battled and competed out there.”

With the missed opportunity by the Tigers in the top of the fourth, the game went to the bottom of the inning knotted at one.

Pine Grove then got things going at the plate, starting the inning with a double from Dan Zimmerman, followed by an RBI double from Garrett Brandt. Owen Hanneviq then was able to bring in Brandt on a sacrifice fly to center field to quickly put the Cardinals up two.

After pitcher Ethan Hannevig sat down Northwestern in order in the top of the fifth, Pine Grove continued to gain separation in the bottom of the frame, extending its lead to 6-1. The Cardinals trotted nine batters to the plate, scored three runs on two hits, an error, two walks and a hit by pitch. Jacob Strubbar and Brandon Unger both had hits in the inning with Unger knocking in a run.

“We were able to hit the ball pretty well today against a really quality team and quality pitching. Most importantly, we were able to come through with hits at the right time,” said Pine Grove head coach Keith Lehman. “I thought we drove the ball into the gaps, which was able to get runners in for us, and Ethan struggled a bit with his secondary pitches, but his velocity was still very good and that kept them off balance. Credit to Northwestern though, they kept battling and never gave up. But in the end we live to see another game.”

The Tigers didn’t give up, showing signs of life in the sixth to cut the deficit to three, which was the result of a two-run double from Justin Augustus.

However, Pine Grove was able to answer right back, adding insurance, coming through with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to again hold a five-run advantage as the game headed into the seventh inning.

Northwestern wasn’t able to get anything going after the Cardinals turned a nifty double play and pitcher Hunter Deichert - who came in to relieve Hannevig in the sixth - ended the game with a strikeout.

“It was good to see this team grow. We had a great blend of young players and senior leadership. I want to thank our seniors for that,” said Cooperman. “We started out 2-5, and at one point reeled off nine straight wins. We battled to get here and I’m proud of this team for getting better and growing throughout the season.”

Zimmerman led the Cardinals in hitting on the day, coming through with three hits and an RBI. Ethan Hannevig had a nice day at the plate as well with two hits and two RBIs. Augustus led the Tigers with two RBIs.

Hannevig was wild at times on the mound, as he walked five batters and had three hit by pitches, but only gave up two hits over five innings, striking out seven.

Northwestern 000 102 0 - 3 5 1

Pine Grove 001 232 - 8 12 1

Boyer, Lichman (5), O’Donnell (5), George (6) and Augustus; E. Hannevig, Deichert (6) and D. Zimmerman. W - E. Hannevig. L - Boyer.