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Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 19 Lincoln-Way Central

March 6, 2024
By: Pete Hamot
Assistant Director, Illinois & Wisconsin

The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 11, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next two weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2024 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2024 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Lincoln-Way Central Knights
Head Coach: Mitch Nowicki
Classification: 4A
Conference: SWSC
2023 Record (Finish): 23-13 (Regional Finals appearance)
Key Players Lost: Jack Novak (Illinois-Wesleyan) 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: Six
No. of Returning Pitchers: Six
Team Strengths: Veteran leadership, experience. 

NAME STATE CLASS POS COMMITMENT
Landon Mensik IL 2024 INF/RHP Xavier
Collin Mowry IL 2024 C Louisville
Braden Meyer IL 2024 C/1B -
Ryan Kotara IL 2024 RHP -
Ryan Schissler  IL 2024 RHP Wisconsin-Parkside
Kyle Maslan IL 2024 RHP Roosevelt
Gianni Leech IL 2024 RHP Joliet JC 
Joey Zietara IL 2024 RHP Morton College
Collin Senkpeil IL 2024 3B South Suburban JC
Luke Mensik IL 2025 RHP/INF Xavier
Liam Arsich IL 2025 OF/RHP Toledo
Filippo Baratta IL 2025 OF -

X-FACTORS

One of the most valuable things a team can have down the stretch is experience, and the Knights have plenty of it. C Collin Mowry (2024; Louisville commit) and INF/RHP Landon Mensik (2024; Xavier commit) are both heading into their fourth year on varsity, and they'll both be looked to not just as star players, but also for their leadership in tough situations. 

Mowry, a 6-foot-2, 233-pound Louisville commit, will certainly look to be a cornerstone in the Knights' already potent offense. His 2023 season was extremely impressive, as he turned in a .402 batting average in 117 at-bats to go along with 12 doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 34 RBIs and 34 runs scored. The right-handed hitter continued to surge on the summer and fall circuit, showcasing premium power and the ability to lift the baseball, and he's primed for perhaps his biggest spring yet. He also provides defensive versatility, as we've seen him at both corner infield positions, as well as behind the dish. 

Mensik on the other hand, will be another massive asset returning to the Knights lineup. He led the team in average a season ago, hitting his way to a .411 clip in 129 at-bats with 18 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 44 RBIs and 46 runs scored. He'll see a majority of his time at third base this coming spring, and he could also potentially see some time on the mound.

TEAM OUTLOOK

As previously mentioned, the Knights are an experienced club with a notable amount of seniors leading the charge. In addition to Mowry and Mensik both having four years of varsity experience under their belt - Liam Arsich (2025; Toledo commit), Braden Meyer (2024) and Luke Mensik will all be heading into their third year on varsity as well. 

Arsich returns a .342 batting average in 73 at-bats, also driving in 13 runs and scoring 14. The former Future Games participant has some loud tools that can be of use in multiple ways, starting with his speed. The 6.57 runner in the 60 will be a lockdown centerfielder for the Knights, and he has the arm to limit runners advancing on him (T93 mph). Already seeing some success with the bat, he has an upside swing that should continue to get better with added strength in the future. 

Mike Gurgone (2024), Landon Mensik, Mowry and Joey Zietara (2024; Morton College commit) will likely round out the infield positions for the Knights - with the aforementioned Arsich, Kyle Connelly (2024) and Filippo Baratta (2025) covering the outfield ground. 

Baratta, currently the No. 106 ranked player in the state, is looking to have a breakout year after seeing limited time on varsity last season. Listed at 5-foot-11, 165-pounds, the R/R prospect has a loose, flat swing with above-average speed to pair. 

Doing the catching for the Knights will be Braden Meyer. Now in his third year on varsity, Meyer turned in a .383 batting average last spring in 143 at-bats, also collecting five doubles, three triples, two home runs, 30 RBIs and 30 runs scored. He's a quality reveiver of the baseball and will also help limit the run game with a clean glove-to-hand and quality arm.  

The Knights will have some arms to back up their offense, with RHP Luke Mensik (2025; Xavier commit) looking like the potential ace of the staff. Currently ranked No. 36 in the state, the right-hander can run his fastball into the upper-80s, pairing with a high-spinning curveball and changeup to keep opposing hitters off-balance. Last spring, Mensik pitched to the tune of a 2.48 ERA in 42.1 innings, striking out 37 against 19 walks.  

Likely filling out the rotation behind Mensik will be Zietara, RHP Kyle Maslan (2024; Roosevelt commit) and RHP Gianni Leech (2024; Joliet JC commit) - with Maslan returning a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings pitched, and Leech bringing back a 3.97 ERA in 24.2 innings. 

The Knights will likely have Mowry and Landon Mensik coming out of the 'pen, and they'll be supported by the cast of RHP Ryan Schissler (2024; Wisconsin-Parkside commit), RHP Ryan Kotara (2024) and RHP Jackson Kotara (2025). 

Schissler, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-hander, put together an impressive 1.40 ERA in 25 innings last spring, and he'll be relied upon to take on a similar workload this spring in high-leverage situations. 

Ryan Kotara saw limited innings last spring, but he has shown extemely well in front of our staff with a fastball up to 88 mph and a sharp, sweeping curveball at 67-71 mph. 

Bottom Line

Overall, the Knights are a veteran group, with even some of their juniors already having more time on varsity than most seniors get in their career. Their lineup has a lot of familiar faces from a team that went 23-13 a season ago. With their core returning, except now a year older, look for the Knights to make some noise this coming spring.

Find more information on the 2024 Lincoln-Way Central program below:

+ Follow them on X: @LWCvarsity
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 homepage

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