The Sto-Rox softball team has won six WPIAL titles this decade, but this could be a down year for the perennial power.

Heading into this season, the Vikings already were dealing with the loss of seven players to graduation. Then, two projected returning starters sustained season-ending knee injuries while playing for the Sto-Rox basketball team. That has left veteran coach Bill Palermo with an inexperienced lineup that includes four freshmen and one sophomore.

"In the past, we've had challenges, and that's when we played our best," Palermo said. "This year, the challenge is big."

Sto-Rox went 17-4 against a challenging schedule in 2007, finished 12-0 in Section 1-AA and earned the top seed in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs. The Vikings were upset by South Park, 2-0, in the quarterfinals.

Gone from last year's team is shortstop Jessica Buranovsky, the PG West's Player of the Year who hit .470 with four home runs, 37 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.

Others who graduated include three all-section players -- pitcher Michelle Spisak, first baseman Mia Lunardi, and second baseman Sammi DiNardo -- as well as left fielder Cerine Cinkan, catcher Alison Hartwell and right fielder Ashley Crump.

In the past, losing players to graduation has been no big deal to the Vikings.

"It's never been a problem for us," Palermo said. "We've just reloaded and have been very good."

But then senior center fielder Nicole Thornhill and junior first baseman Jackie Movitch each sustained torn ACLs during the first week of the basketball season.

In addition, junior designated hitter Erin Long will not play this season because of medical reasons.

"Now, I've lost my No. 1 [Thornhill], No. 4 [Long] and No. 5 [Movitch] batters," Palermo said. "That's going to make it a challenge to maintain our level of play."

Two starters do return from the 2007 team: junior third baseman Kerry Connolly, an all-section center fielder last season who hit .325 with 13 stolen bases, and senior shortstop Nicole Murray, who hit .310.

The Vikings have two other senior starters, second baseman Caitlyn Klucick and right fielder Larissa Banks. Junior Kristin Olejar will be the team's No. 1 pitcher. The remainder of the lineup includes sophomore first baseman Alexa Golling, freshman catcher Erin McBane, freshman designated hitter Danielle Priddy, freshman left fielder Victoria Vuljanek and freshman center fielder Chelsie Washington.

"These kids playing this year, they are good, they're just not experienced," Palermo said. "We could be as good as any team in the section. It just depends if that inexperience shines through."

Palermo has embraced the uncertainty facing his team this season.

"I'm enjoying it," he said. "I've had to work harder, do more things, teach more things. I'm enjoying it more. Each year, we've come in expecting to win our section, and it's gotten a little monotonous.

"Now, we might not be expected to dominate the section and get far in the playoffs. That's making things exciting. I'm loving it more this year than I have in many years.

"These players will carry on the Sto-Rox tradition. It will be there again, whether it's by the end of this year, or next year. I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later."

The Vikings opened their season Tuesday with a 4-1 loss to Center in Section 1-AA. Sto-Rox is scheduled to play Beaver today.

Palermo, who has coached the Vikings since 1979, needs three wins to reach 500 for his career.

"Hopefully, it comes rather quickly," he said. "I don't think even one player on the team knows much about how many wins I need.

"They knew last year that I was coming close because they read it in the paper.

"To me, it means something that I was able to give something back to the community. But it's not a focus."