Remember When?: Hard-hitting Sto-Rox next for Trojans

By Brian Herman

Sports Editor

California High’s baseball team had to go against one of the WPIAL’s top pitchers in Neshannock’s Mark Tanner Monday with no success. 

The Trojans were held to one hit in a five inning 10-0 defeat in the Class A semifinals.

Thursday, the Trojans will take on possibly Class A’s best hitting team in Sto-Rox at 3:30 p.m. at Beth-Center in the third place consolation contest. 

“There’s a lot on the line for us,” said fifth-year California coach Don Hartman. “We’re playing for a spot in the PIAA playoffs and pride. We got trounced by Neshannock and had Tuesday off to clear our heads. We want to bounce back and show we belong.” 

California (18-4) won’t be facing an easy test in Sto-Rox (17-2). 

Before getting shut down by Carmichaels’ lefty Jared Lapkowicz, 4-1, Monday in the semifinals, the Vikings were averaging 11 runs a game. 

“They’re a very solid team and strong from one to nine in the lineup,” said Hartman. 

Thirteen of Sto-Rox’s wins were by 10 runs, including an 11-1 pounding of Canevin in the quarterfinals to avenge the Vikings’ lone defeat during the regular season. 

The Vikings, who blanked Beth-Center, 9-0, in their first round game, feature one of the WPIAL’s premier all-around stars in pitcher-centerfielder Adam DiMichele. 

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