"Heart-wrenching" is how Riverside High School softball coach Pam McCarty described Monday's loss in the PIAA Class AA semifinals.

"It's tough to lose a game like that," said McCarty of the Panthers 1-0 loss to Bald Eagle Area. "The two teams were evenly matched in every category -- pitching, hitting and defense. The game came down to who would get a break. Unfortunately, we did not get the break."

Bald Eagle, the District 6 champions, got the only run of the game in the top of the third inning. Courtney Switzer singled, moved to second on an error and scored on Lily Glunt's two-out single.

"We had a game plan and Kari [Falk] followed it to the letter," McCarty said of the Panthers' senior pitcher. "We saw stories on the Internet that pointed out Bald Eagle had hit 22 home runs [this season], so we knew they could hit. Kari gave up four hits and all four were singles. Unfortunately, two came in the same inning."

Riverside also had four hits in the game, but none in the same inning.

"We've faced good pitching throughout the playoffs," McCarty said. "[Bald Eagle pitcher Megan] Shaw wasn't any better than the other pitchers we've faced in the postseason. We just couldn't come up with the key hits we've been getting all year."

Riverside finished the season with a 20-2 record.

"Kari pitched four shutouts in seven playoff games and allowed only three runs," McCarty said. "You can't ask for much more than that."

Riverside qualified for postseason play by tying Mohawk for the Section 5-AA title. The Panthers were seeded No. 1 in the 16-team WPIAL Class AA bracket and opened the playoffs with a 5-1 win against South Fayette, then posted a 1-0 victory against No. 8 Deer Lakes in the quarterfinals.

Riverside claimed its third WPIAL title berth in six years with a 2-0 win against No. 5 Bishop Canevin in the semifinals. The Panthers captured their second consecutive title with a convincing 8-0 win against No. 6 Sto-Rox.

"We set three goals for the season -- to win a section title, win a WPIAL title and win a PIAA title," McCarty said. "We reached two of those goals and came very close on the third. It's disappointing, but I'm very proud of my girls."

Riverside opened the PIAA playoffs with a 4-1 win against District 9 champion Karns City. The Panthers advanced to the semifinals with a 5-0 shutout of Greensburg Central Catholic, the WPIAL's fourth-place finisher.

Bald Eagle earned its title berth with three consecutive wins against WPIAL teams. The Eagles posted a 3-1 win against WPIAL third-place finisher Bishop Canevin in the first round, then recorded a 7-0 victory against WPIAL runner-up Sto-Rox in the quarterfinals.

"Bald Eagle has one of the best programs in the state," McCarty said, referring to the fact that Bald Eagle is making its fourth title appearance in six years. "I wish them the best of luck in the title game."

Bald Eagle (23-3), last year's PIAA runner-up, will face Brandywine Heights (26-0) in the title game tomorrow at noon at Shippensburg University's Robb Field.

"I felt so bad for the girls," McCarty said. "We all cried after the game. In fact, I woke up [Tuesday] morning and cried again. These girls have worked so hard. Maybe they were trying too hard. I told them to relax and enjoy the game, but that's easier said than done when you're playing in a game of this importance."

Riverside will have four starters graduate: Falk, shortstop Leah Prisuta, second baseman Kessi Osborne, and her twin sister and center fielder, Kalli.

"It's so sad to see them go," McCarty said.

"All four have been starters since their freshman year. They have played a big part in our success. It will be tough to replace them."

Sophomore third baseman Emily Pritts will move to the mound next year to replace Falk.

"Emily pitched a few games for us this year and threw a no-hitter against Beaver Falls," McCarty said.

The vacancy at shortstop could be filled by eighth-grader Nicole Mansfield.