KENNEDY TWP — First-inning jitters don't make quitters.

Karns City proved as much Monday afternoon at Lind Field despite suffering a 4-1 PIAA Class AA softball playoff loss to two-time WPIAL champion Riverside.

The Gremlins, playing in the first state tournament game in the program's history, committed two errors while allowing three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

"You could see how nervous we were," KC coach Mike Simpson said. "Our defense is usually solid and (Riverside) had a couple of big hits in there.

"Once we got through that first inning, we settled down and played a nice ballgame."

The Panthers won their 15th straight game, but scored only one run the rest of the way. Kalli Osborne led off the fourth with a double to deep left and wound up scoring on an infield error.

Three of Riverside's four runs were unearned.

"Brandi (Dunkle) definitely pitched well enough to win," Simpson said. "She was outstanding."

Riverside combined two singles, two infield errors and an RBI groundout to third to put up its three-spot in the first. Osborne had a single to knock home the third tally.

"We were never comfortable, even after getting those early runs," Riverside coach Pam McCarty said. "You never have enough runs. Any team can come back on you at any time."

As effective as Dunkle was, however, Riverside senior Kari Faik was every bit as impressive against the Gremlins.

Karns City's lone run was a solo homer to center by sophomore Brooke Hiles leading off the fifth. It was Hiles' second homer to center in as many postseason games.

"She squared up a fastball and nailed it," McCarty said.

The run was only the second allowed by Faik in the Panthers' last seven games. Riverside has outscored its opposition 125-14 this season.

Besides the home run, Karns City got only one other runner as far as second base. That occurred in the first inning, when Samantha Bly reached on a force play and stole second with two outs.

The Gremlins never had two runners on in an inning against Faik, who struck out seven and walked one.

"Our bats never got going," Simpson said. "That girl was very, very good."

While Riverside has won three WPIAL titles in McCarty's 12 years as coach, Monday marked the program's first PIAA tournament win under her tutelage.

"It's a monkey off our back," McCarty said. "I was more nervous about this game than any other we've played this year."

Karns City's loss meant the end of high school careers for four starters: Bly, Dunkle, Lisa Kaylor and Haley Bachman.

Bly and Dunkle were four-year starters and co-captains.

"I'm proud of our season and proud of our girls," Simpson said. "Everything came together this year."

Karns City 000 010 0 — 1 5 3Riverside 300 100 x — 4 5 0W: Kari Faik (7 IP) 7 K, 1 BB.

L: Brandi Dunkle (6 IP) 4 K, 0 BB.

Karns City (10-5): Lauren Downs 1B, Brandi Dunkle 1B, Lisa Kaylor 1B, Brooke Hiles HR, Sarah Young 1B

Riverside (19-1): Leah Prisuta 1B, Chelsea Evans 1B, Stefanie Kaiser RBI, Kari Faik 2B, Kalli Osborne 1B 2B RBI