Sto-Rox High School softball coach Bill Palermo was obviously disappointed with the results of last Thursday's WPIAL Class AA title game against Riverside.

But he wasn't disappointed with the effort turned in by his young squad in their 8-0 loss to Riverside at California University's Lilly Field.

"I'm so proud of this team because we're so young," Palermo said. "We have two freshmen and four sophomores in our starting lineup.

"Riverside is an experienced team that was in the championship game last year. I knew coming into the game that Riverside had the better team. We would have to play an almost perfect game to beat them."

Instead, Riverside pitcher Kari Falk turned in an almost perfect performance. She allowed only one hit and faced the minimum of 21 batters. A single to right field in the fourth inning by Kerry Connolly was Sto-Rox's only hit. But Connelly didn't stay on base long. She was doubled up on a line shot back to the mound, which erased the Vikings' only scoring opportunity.

"We kept it close for three innings," said Palermo, as neither team scored until the fourth inning. "Our inexperience showed in the fourth inning. We got ourselves into a jam and Riverside capitalized on our mistakes."

Riverside sent 11 batters to the plate in the fourth inning and scored seven runs. Falk and Madison LeBron combined to drive in four runs during the rally. Sto-Rox pitcher Kristen Olejar had a tough day, walking two batters, hitting another, and committing an error that allowed two runs to score.

"I've been around this sport for 31 years and I've never seen a bracket as tough and as competitive as this AA bracket," Palermo said. "There were only two teams that recorded three wins in this bracket, and we were one of them. My girls should be very proud of that."

Sto-Rox (18-4) was seeded sixth in the 16-team bracket after placing second in Section 1-AA. The Vikings opened with a 2-1 win against Mount Pleasant, then recorded a 5-1 win against No. 6 seed McGuffey in the quarterfinals, and claimed their title game berth with a 4-3 win against No. 7 Greensburg Central Catholic in the semifinals.

"The experience we gained in this bracket will no doubt help us next year," Palermo said. "These girls will know what to expect in big games like this."

Riverside was making its 11th appearance in a WPIAL title game and claimed its fifth gold medal. Sto-Rox was making its 14th title game appearance and finished second for the fourth time.

"We were hoping to break the record we share with Baldwin for the most WPIAL titles," said Palermo, referring to the fact that Sto-Rox and Baldwin have won 10 titles each. "Maybe next year we'll get another chance."

Palermo was happy to see the Vikings rebound from their loss to Riverside with an impressive 7-4 win against District 5 champion Chestnut Ridge in the first round of the PIAA playoffs on Monday.

"Chestnut Ridge came into the game with a 22-0 record," Palermo said. "My scouting report showed a potent offensive attack. I told the girls we would have to score five or six runs to beat this team."

Palermo made a few position changes after the Riverside game.

"I moved Talia Smarra back to shortstop to solidify our infield," Palermo said. "That allowed Chelsie Washington to move back to center field. And I put Erin McBane behind the plate again. The changes make us a stronger defensive team."

The win against Chestnut Ridge advanced Sto-Rox to today's quarterfinals. The Vikings will face District 6 champion Bald Eagle Area, last year's PIAA runner-up, at noon at Forest Hills High School near Johnstown. Bald Eagle Area posted a 3-1 win in the first round against Bishop Canevin, the WPIAL's third-place finisher.

"Bald Eagle Area has been to the PIAA title game three of the past five years," Palermo said. "We are looking forward to the challenge."