The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 16, 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 2026 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 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Maine South Hawks
Preseason Rank: No. 6
Head Coach: Brian Lorenz
Classification: 4A
Conference: Central Suburban League South
2025 Record: 23-17 Super Sectional Lost to Libertyville
Key Players Lost: Constantine Coines, Eric Fugate, Jake Zabratanski, Alex Babich, Jack Etchason, Cole Mutchler, Joe Mule

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ROSTER PREVIEW

Returning Positional Starters: 9
Returning Starting Pitchers: 4
Returning Relief Pitchers: 4
Team Strengths: Pitching

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DATA CENTER

TEAM RANKS:

This data is sourced from the 2026 Illinois winter showcase circuit and the 2025 Illinois State Games, compiled by Prep Baseball. We took the top-three metrics recorded by players from each high school in the following categories. Here is how Maine South's top-three performers averaged across each category:

• Avg. Exit Velocity: 95.63 mph (No. 10 in the state)
• Max Exit Velocity: 100.33 mph (T-No. 28 in the state)
• Max FB Velocity: 89.67 mph (T-No. 8 in the state)
• Top 60-Yard: 6.73s (No. 12 in the state)

INDIVIDUAL DATA STAND-OUTS:

• Evan Adamczewski (2027) - 1B/OF - 5-9.9 , 190 lbs
  
  • max EV: 101.0 mph (90th pctile. in IL, 84th pctile. in 2027 class)
  • avg EV: 97.3 mph (No. 21 in IL, No. 11 in 2027 class)
  • bat speed: 72.3 mph (81st pctile. in IL, 78th pctile. in 2027 class)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.61s (T-No. 21 in IL, T-No. 11 in 2027 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.58s (T-No. 21 in IL, T-No. 13 in 2027 class)
• Henry Murphy (2028) - RHP/SS - 6-1 , 162 lbs
  
  • FB spin: 2321 rpm (95th pctile. in IL, No. 6 in 2028 class)
• Jack Gianikos (2026) - RHP - 6-4 , 175 lbs
  
  • max fastball: 90.0 mph (89th pctile. in IL, 82nd pctile. in 2026 class)
• Luka Stojakovic (2026) - C/OF - 5-9.8 , 186 lbs
  
  • avg EV: 93.7 mph (92nd pctile. in IL, 86th pctile. in 2026 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.62s (92nd pctile. in IL, 87th pctile. in 2026 class)
  • vert. jump: 27.2 in (91st pctile. in IL, 82nd pctile. in 2026 class)
• Nathan Cera (2026) - OF/RHP - 6-0.4 , 159 lbs
  
  • SL spin: 2589 rpm (No. 17 in IL, No. 11 in 2026 class)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.61s (T-No. 21 in IL, T-No. 9 in 2026 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.58s (T-No. 21 in IL, T-No. 7 in 2026 class)
• Peter Corthinos (2026) - C/2B - 5-6 , 155 lbs
  
  • bat speed: 73.6 mph (88th pctile. in IL, 74th pctile. in 2026 class)
  • rot. accel.: 20.0g (91st pctile. in IL, 83rd pctile. in 2026 class)
• Russell Hengels (2027) - RHP/3B - 6-4.3 , 215 lbs
  
  • max fastball: 93.0 mph (T-No. 16 in IL, T-No. 10 in 2027 class)
  • FB spin: 2178 rpm (81st pctile. in IL, 76th pctile. in 2027 class)
  • CB spin: 2361 rpm (86th pctile. in IL, No. 24 in 2027 class)

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X-FACTOR

RHP Jack Gianikos (2026; John A. Logan commit) has the potential to be the catalyst in what could be a special season for Maine South in 2026. Likely sitting atop a talented pitching rotation, he has the experience and high-level stuff to potentially be an All-State selection come seasons end. The 6-foot-4, 175-pound righty has a dynamic arsenal; headlined by an upper-80’s rise/run fastball that our staff saw up to 90 mph last summer, paired with a tight slider that has flashed above-average spin, and a heavy-fading changeup to round out his mix. If Gianikos can stay healthy and productive at the top of the rotation, this Hawks team could make a deep postseason run in 2026.

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NEWCOMER TO WATCH

RHP Henry Murphy (2028) is a young arm to know within the Hawks’ program, after our staff has become accustomed to seeing him perform at a high level. Recently at our Preseason All-State: Underclass event, he sat 84-85 mph with his fastball with above-average spin, while tossing in a slider for 75% strikes, and also working in a fading-changeup and a short cutter to complete his arsenal. Maine South has the luxury of having a talented and veteran pitching staff entering 2026, but keep an eye on what type of role Murphy can carve out for himself as he adds to this talented Hawks team.

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Maine South returns with championship aspirations after falling just short in 2025, losing to eventual state champion Libertyville in the Super-Sectional. The Hawks' strong foundation remains intact with nine returning positional starters and four starting pitchers, providing head coach Brian Lorenz with a veteran nucleus that already knows how to compete at the highest level. "We are returning a lot of key contributors from a team that made it to the Super-Sectional and lost to the eventual state champion," Lorenz noted. "Our top arms are returning along with newcomers that are going to make an impact on the mound."

The Hawks' pitching staff represents their greatest strength, anchored by senior RHP Jack Gianikos (2026; John A. Logan), who has topped out at 90 mph and gives Maine South an ace capable of matching up with anyone in the state. Fellow senior RHP Connor Griffin (2026) provides another reliable arm, while junior RHP Russell Hengels (2027) brings impressive upside with his 6-foot-4 frame and 93 mph fastball. LHP Sam Higgins (2026; Wisconsin-Oshkosh) will also return for the Hawks after missing last year due to injury. Sophomore RHP Henry Murphy (2028) adds another intriguing piece with elite spin rate metrics. OF/RHP Nathan Cera (2026) offers versatility with both his arm and speed, recording a 6.61 60-yard dash, while also being a key cog in the Hawks' lineup.

Offensively, the Hawks return experienced bats throughout the lineup, led by 1B/OF Evan Adamczewski (2027; Northern Illinois), who has been a starter since his freshman year and showcases elite offensive metrics with a 101 mph exit velocity. C/OF Luka Stojakovic (2026; Creighton) provides veteran leadership behind the plate, while SS/3B Alex Vale (2027) anchors the middle infield after starting since his freshman season. C/2B Peter Corthinos (2026) is another bat to know who will also help behind the dish.

Despite losing some key offensive contributors, Lorenz believes the combination of returning experience and incoming talent positions the Hawks well for another deep playoff run. "The heart of our order is all returning along with defense up the middle," he explained. "Expectations are high and this group has already been tested, it is a matter of fine tuning and seeing if they can come together."

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BOTTOM LINE

Maine South has the pitching depth and veteran experience to make another Super-Sectional run, with their ceiling potentially reaching the state tournament if the offense develops consistency around their proven core.

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Find more information on the 2026 Maine South program below:

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

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