With a lineup full of talented veterans, the Meridian baseball team has ideas of going a long way this season.
The coach, on the other hand, is under strict travel restrictions.
Mark Novak is waiting for a heart transplant and, since a match could suddenly become available at any time, he is never more than four hours away from the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.
“At any moment, I’ve got to be ready to get there,” Novak said. “If they get a heart that matches this way and that way, they are going to call and I’ve got to go. Now.
“It’s a little scary, but it’s a little exciting at the same time.”
Novak said the veins and arteries in his heart are small, which resulted in his having quadruple bypass surgery about 10 years ago at the age of just 38.
He started having problems again and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Another bypass was ruled out, so in the fall of 2015, a left ventricular assist device was installed to monitor Novak’s heart and help keep it beating until a transplant becomes available.
Novak was in the hospital for three months after the procedure.
As his heart recuperated, his thoughts turned to the diamond.
“There were many nights when I laid there in bed and thought about baseball,” he said. “I used to coach football and basketball, too, and I had to give those up, but when I asked the doctors if there was any reason why I had to quit coaching baseball, the they said that, as long as I wasn’t in the middle of the field, it would be good for me to get out.”
The device is with him 24/7. He can’t get it wet, so showers are out and he certainly can’t risk getting into the way of any line drives. So, he coaches from the bench and lets his assistants handle the on-the-field duties.
Meridian athletic director Mitch Bohn pitches in, along with former Mustangs Tanner Smith and Matt Bowen.
“It’s nice to have all four of us together,” said Novak. “It helps the kids get a lot of individual time with their coaches.”
When Novak was in the hospital thinking about this year’s team, it wasn’t like he was tossing and turning all night wondering if Meridian would ever win a game.
The Mustangs are loaded.
“We were ranked No. 2 in the state last year for most of the season and we have a lot of returning players,” he said. “We also have some new guys who are doing real well for us.”
The Mustangs won a third straight Jack Pine Conference pennant last year, but dropped a 13-9 decision to Beaverton in the district semifinals.
“I don’t think we gave up 10 runs in a game all season,” he said, “and then we turned around and gave up 13.”
This year’s team is determined to avoid another district demise and got off to an 8-0 start.
The offensive attack begins with senior twin brothers Christian and Monte Petre.
Christian plays center field and was all-state last season. He also brings a hint of speed to the top of the order, as evidenced by the fact that he was the Division 3 state champion in the 100 meters last year.
Monte plays right field and is also tough to keep quiet on the bases, hitting out of the two hole.
Senior Zac Spangler has been the starting catcher for three years; he has been recruited to Alma College and was all-league and all-district last season.
Another senior in his third season in the starting lineup is pitcher/first baseman Ben Blake, who bats in the clean-up spot and was also all-league and all-district last spring.
Senior Nick Arthur is a two-year starter who has made the switch from third base to second. He has already made a big impact this season, hitting a two-run homer in the championship game of the Breckenridge Tournament.
Senior Stryker O’Boyle is back for his third season as the starter at shortstop and freshman Hunter Merillat has taken the lineup by storm with a big bat. He plays third base when he isn’t pitching and, when he was pitching at Breckenridge, he took a no-hitter into the fifth inning.
“A lot of people were asking about how a freshman got to start right away on such a veteran team,” said Novak, “but I’ve been watching Hunter play his whole life and I knew what he could do.”
The Mustangs will also be counting on the likes of outfielders Jordan Shuler, Parker Reynaert and Nick Vance, pitcher Tommy King and third baseman Mike Bishop.
Junior pitcher Shane Yzquierdo looked sharp in a complete game victory over Bay City All Saints. He allowed just one run and struck out 10.
Novak is looking for all the help he can get.
“We have a lot of guys getting a lot of playing time to get us ready for the Jack Pine season and the state tournament,” he said. “Our conference is always tough we have Clare and Beaverton in our district again, so that isn’t going to be easy, either.
“Hopefully, we can make it four in a row in the Jack Pine and then make a run in the playoffs.”
Goals like that create a zest for life for Novak, a man who is not lacking for motivation to deal with his health issues.
“If you look around, there are a lot of people who are worse off than I am,” he added. “I have to carry this thing around, but I still have my family and I am still coaching baseball, which I love.”