Zach Novakowski has always been one of the top players on the baseball team since his freshman year. However, now as a junior he is taking more of a captain role. Check out his aspirations for the future and what he has done so far in his high school career.
April Male Athlete of the Month: Zach Novakowski
Name: Zach Novakowski
Sport: Baseball
Grade: 11th
Position: Second Baseman
Recent Team Results: Loss against Paramus 6-7
Baseball has always been a part of Zach Novakowski’s family. Novakowski’s mindset throughout high school has been no different.
“I started [playing] around three [years old], just following the footsteps of my brothers,” Novakowski said. “I have always looked up to him and admired him. We were always competitive and he continued to push me.”
Two of Novakowski’s brothers play college baseball at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. For Novakowski, baseball is always treated with the utmost importance For example, he did not play football this season to focus on the sport he loves.
“I just wanted to focus on baseball [because] my goal is to play college baseball,” Novakowski said. “I didn’t want other distractions and wanted [to focus] on baseball year-round.”
Despite starting the year with a 2-4 record, the team has been able to come together and rally a few wins together to have a respectable 7-5 record. Novakowski knew they had to go out there and compete and continue to fight for every win.
One of Novakowski’s x-factors is his versatility. This year, he has played multiple positions, including infield, outfield, and catcher. PV baseball coach Will Lynch is hopeful Novakowski can continue his offensive production. Additionally, he brings the tenacious defensive side to baseball, saving runs and hits from everywhere on the diamond.
“[Novakowski] continues to help us offensively as well and leads our team in hits and runs scored,” Lynch said. “We hope he continues to help us be successful and competitive going forward.”
Novakowski describes how Lynch pushes him to be the best and expects a lot from him and his teammates. The relationship between the two has allowed them to be so successful in the years they have been together.
Following the success of last year’s team, replicating those same accomplishments is a tough goal. Novakowski describes winning the title as “it is the greatest feeling in the world.” After graduating big players such as Cole Porter, Zach Traina, and Mason Baronian, repeating a sectional title will be a challenge for the PV baseball team. Yet, Novakowski thinks PV is up for the challenge, and the team is heading only in the right direction.
“In the beginning, we were struggling and we were not all together,” Novakowski said. “We are starting to play as one and all starting to [play] together as a team.”
For Novakowski, success comes from hard work and playing together as a team.