(EDITOR’S NOTE: Since May of 1999, the Times News Sports Department has featured an On This Date practically every day, highlighting an event that happened in the past. With the coronavirus putting a halt to sports locally and nationally, the On This Dates have been expanded to the stories that actually ran in the next day’s newspaper. Today’s On This Date story is from July 8, 1997).

By Joe Plasko

TIMES NEWS Staff

Trevor Krisak stood at the plate, a cobra poised to strike, hoping for a pitch against which he could uncoil.

He didn’t wait long.

Krisak deposited the first delivery from Tamaqua hurler Caleb Calarco well over the right field Bungalow fence to kick off what would be a Lansford homer barrage.

Teammates Vince Blasko and John Card also went yard as Lansford remained alive in the District 18 11-12 year-old losers’ bracket with a 5-1 triumph at Tamaqua.

Lansford will now face the defending champs when it travels to Hazle Township Thursday.

The Hazleton Nationals also stayed in contention Tuesday by knocking McAdoo out of the tourney with a 10-3 win at Correale Field.

Krisak, whose two-run shot in the first inning was his fourth circuit clout of the tourney, hadn’t been seeing too many pitches to hit in the last few outings. He wasn’t about to let an opportunity pass.

“Yes, I was very surprised,” said Krisak of the fastball he crushed as part of Lansford’s nine-hit attack.

“Trevor was around last year, and the word is out,” said Lansford manager Dave Koin. “He’s a big boy, and teams are being very selective with him. He’s not seeing a lot of fastballs, but he can also hit a curve ball very far, too.”

Tamaqua didn’t exactly give in to Krisak, either.

“The pitch he hit was about a foot outside and low,” said Tamaqua skipper Ron Calarco. “I told him after the game I would have to drive him to Mary D to find that home run ball.”

Ironically, the Lansford long ball surge came against a Tamaqua club that hadn’t surrendered a round-tripper in the tourney.

The Tamaqua mound corps also had not allowed more than four runs in any previous contest, a total Lansford matched in the first inning.

Jason Koin led off the frame with a single and was aboard for Krisak’s bomb. Blasko followed Krisak by drawing a walk, just ahead of Card’s two-run blast to left-center.

Card has also been one of the heroes for Lansford, which is making its deepest District 18 run in recent memory. On the mound, he is 3-0 for the tourney and against Tamaqua he fanned 11 while scattering five hits.

“John’s a good, disciplined pitcher,” said Dave Koin. “He knows how to move the ball around for a 12-year-old.”

Vince Blasko (2-for-2, with a homer and double) was responsible for Lansford’s other run with a solo shot in the third.

Tamaqua picked up its tally in the fifth on a single by Alex Zukus and a run-scoring double from Caleb Calarco, his second of the game.

“We hung tough,” said Ron Calarco. “We never let up, even when we got behind. Our defense shut things down.”

Tamaqua fared a lot better when the ball stayed in the Bungalow, including two scoreless frames of relief from Kyle Rehatchek.

In addition to two-hit outings from Krisak and Blasko and Card’s homer, Lansford’s other hits were a double from Trevor Lawrence and singles from Jason Koin, Phil Thompson and Steve Giordano.

Tim Knappenberger and Josh Engleman chipped in singles for Tamaqua, which was eliminated from the tourney with the setback.

Lansford, which has lost only to the Hazleton Nationals in district play, will now take on Hazle Township, which had its 12-game D-18 win streak snapped by Valley West. Dave Koin will take his chances.

“Everybody has this thing about Hazle Township, but they have to play between the lines like we do,” he said. “Our guys haven’t backed down from anyone yet.”

Tamaqua 000 010 - 1 5 1

Lansford 401 00x - 5 9 2

Calarco, Rehatchek (4) and Shickora; Card and V. Blasko. WP - Card. LP - Calarco. HR: L - Krisak (1st, one on); Card (1st, one on); V. Blasko (3rd, solo).