Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Aaron Previsky
School: California
Year: Senior
Sport: Baseball
Previsky’s week: The Trojans’ center fielder led the Section 1-A champions to victories over West Greene, Mapletown and Bentworth.
He hit a home run, two doubles and drove in 10 runs during that stretch. The four-year starter now has a team-high 46 RBI this season, doubling his total from last spring.
Last week, he also broke the school record of 41 RBI in a season, set by T.D. Conway in 2012.
“He has really quick hands. He’s able to hit balls on both sides of the plate,” California head coach Nick Damico said. “He’s a lot more patient. He’s waiting for his pitch. He’s almost able to hit any pitch thrown to him, but he’s staying more disciplined.”
The stance: Last season, Previsky was named first team on the Observer-Reporter All-District Baseball Team after leading California to the WPIAL Class A title with a .450 average, 23 RBI, 31 runs, five triples and six doubles. It was another big offensive season for the Seton Hill recruit, but he was not satisfied.
The 6-2 right-handed hitter wanted more power, so he adjusted his batting stance for the fourth consecutive season. Before practices with his summer team, the Pittsburgh Spikes of the Western Pennsylvania Elite Baseball League, Previsky worked with manager Chase Rowe, the head baseball coach at La Roche College, on his swing.
Using Rowe’s help and advice from former California head coach Don Hartman, Previsky transformed his swing and his ability to drive the baseball. The results are showing.
He is hitting .566 with six home runs, 34 runs, nine doubles and three triples.
“The swing I am using right now is where (Rowe) got me to and that’s where I’m most comfortable right now,” Previsky said. “I feel I am more relaxed now after I finally made my decision where I was going to college. I’m not out there trying to impress anybody. I’m just going out there and playing the game I know how to play.”
Damico is not surprised. He knew Previsky was capable of being one of the top players in WPIAL Class A. That’s why he uses the center fielder as the Trojans’ No. 3 hitter.
“He really grew into the hitter we thought he was going to be,” Damico said. “The transformation from his sophomore year to last year, he basically had the same season, but now he’s really starting to hit for power.”
Title contenders: Despite losing five starters from last season, the Trojans were confident in their ability to compete for another WPIAL title. They began preseason workouts in October with a return to the championship game on their minds.
Underclassmen such as second baseman Johnny DeFranco and first baseman Nathaniel Luketich have helped ease the transition, and expectations have not changed. California (10-0, 16-1) clinched its 25th section title with a win Monday over Carmichaels and will likely enter the WPIAL Class A playoffs as the top seed.
“We’re just in a hunt to get back to where we all feel we belong and what we feel is our home – the WPIAL championship game,” Previsky said. “The WPIAL playoffs and WPIAL championship game are almost tradition at California High School because we have four titles, I think seven appearances. It’s more expected for us than it is hopes and dreams.”
Compiled by Lance Lysowski