Previsky rewrote Cal record books
Trinity’s Olivia Gray and California’s Aaron Previsky are the Observer-Reporter’s Player of the Year in softball and baseball.
California’s Aaron Previsky set the program’s single-season RBI record.
The ball rang of the bat of a Bentworth player and sailed more than 300 feet into the alley in left-center field in the fifth inning of this May 1 game. The sound itself made California High School baseball fans cringe. If it fell for a hit, the Bearcats would increase their lead and all but end the Trojans’ hopes of a top seed in the WPIAL Class A playoffs with one section game remaining.
That’s when everyone in attendance, including Bentworth’s players, learned to never underestimate Aaron Previsky. The California senior centerfielder, who was playing shallow, sprinted backward and made a diving catch.
As Previsky trotted back to California’s dugout, all head coach Nick Damico could do was smirk. The Seton Hill recruit dislocated his shoulder making the catch, but popped it back in place when he returned to the dugout and delivered an RBI double later in the game to help the Trojans defeat the Bearcats, 9-5.
“Aaron basically solidified the one seed for us in the regular season,” Damico said. “He took over during those 18 games. He hit everything. It’s unbelievable what he did. He’s a special player.”
What Previsky did was rewrite the record books of one of the more storied programs in the WPIAL. He batted .486 with six home runs, 39 runs, 15 stolen bases, 11 doubles, two triples and a school-record 52 RBI. He helped the Trojans return to the WPIAL Class A championship game, where they lost to Greensburg Central Catholic. California advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals, where it lost to Juniata Valley.
The record-breaking season earned him the distinction of Observer-Reporter Player of the Year. He is the fourth consecutive California player to receive the honor.
“This season went a little too fast, but I’m ready to move on to college,” Previsky said. “I don’t remember many of the big hits, to be honest. It was a blur, but the couple I do remember are exciting to look back on. I hit for power for the first time in four years and I was happy to finally be back to that spot.”
The speedy, power-hitting right hander helped the Trojans transition from a team built on defense and pitching to one of the most feared offenses in the WPIAL. California scored 259 runs – 45 more than 2014 – to break the program’s record.
Much of the success had to do with the Trojans’ No. 3 hitter: Previsky, who reworked his swing to take advantage of his newfound spot in the batting order.
“A lot of people talked about how I’ve had a different swing every year,” Previsky said. “I wasn’t trying to be the same because you always have to make adjustments, but I was trying to focus on hitting the ball and not doing too much.”
It worked. Previsky doubled his RBI output from his junior season, when he was named first team all-district, and his final year of high school baseball was a whirlwind of change.
Previsky was moved to catcher during preseason workouts to fill the void left by Jake Columbus. It was the first time in four years he had played the position, but the Trojans needed an experienced battery mate for senior pitcher Garitt Woodburn.
After five games, the experiment ended. Damico missed Previsky’s speed and athleticism in center field. Junior Casey Zajicek took over at catcher and the rest is history.
“That was probably the best move we made all year,” Damico said bluntly. “It wasn’t just the play against Bentworth. He probably took away 15 or 20 hits throughout the season once we put him there that would have been flared singles or line drive hits. He’s going to be missed in the outfield next year because of how good he is.”
That’s one of the many facets where Previsky will be missed. His speed on the base paths kept opponents honest, and his leadership was critical for a team that lost the bulk of its starters from the WPIAL championship season in 2014.
Previsky grew up in California wanting to wear maroon and gold. He still remembers the 2006 WPIAL Class A title game when he wanted to be on the field, and looked up to the players who helped rally the small towns of California and Coal Center.
After a successful high school career, Previsky feels proud to serve as a role model for the young baseball players in the area. Now, he hopes to continue making them proud by excelling at the next level.
“I know my brother already told me he wants my number when he gets to high school,” Previsky said with a laugh. “There are a couple kids in youth baseball that I know look up to all the kids on the high school team. Their eyes lit up whenever our names were announced. It’s an amazing feeling.”