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Lincoln-Way Central senior defies years of setbacks to become the school's first Class of 2026 baseball commit.
National Signing Day on November 12 marked a milestone moment for Mokena athlete Noah Sloane. Sloane who is a right-handed pitcher and short stop became Lincoln-Way Central’s first baseball commit for the class of 2026. The senior announced his commitment to University of Wisconsin - Platteville on October 22, choosing the Pioneers as his future collegiate team. At the National Signing Day, Head Varsity Coach Ryan Kutt had these to say about Sloane, “Noah worked extremely hard to get to where he is and where he is at on the baseball field right now. Noah’s work ethic is second to none and it showed during his time here at Lincoln-Way Central.”
From Tee Ball to Pioneers Commit
Sloane, now a 5-foot-9½, 170-pound middle infielder and right-handed pitcher started like most young players - playing tee ball and recreational league in Mokena to travel baseball.
In 2020, he represented Mokena at the GameDay USA Junior All-American Games in Arizona, competing alongside his younger brother. The duo helped lead their team to a championship title.
“Being on the same team with my brother and having that experience of winning the championship is definitely one of our favorite memories together as kids,” Sloane said.
Overcoming Challenges
Becoming the first baseball commit didn’t came easy. Despite his passion for the sport, he did not make the high school team because of his size and weight. Instead of giving up, Noah put in the work. Waking up early and lifting before everyone else, focused on his nutrition, worked with his coaches and trained through bitter Midwest winters in their shed or out in the yard to improve his skills. The results were dramatic: he added 44 pounds and increased his pitching velocity from 79 to 87 mph in just one year. Those gains put him on the radar of college coaches during the summer recruiting.
Sloane credits much of his development to his pitching and hitting coaches, Brian Forystek and Eric Welsh of Future Stars Baseball Academy in Mokena, as well as two seasons with Prestige Travel Baseball under coach Jon Guzzo. “They were coaches who saw my potential, pushed me to become better, and encouraged me during tough times,” Sloane said.
Why Wisconsin-Platteville?
The senior pitcher and middle infielder said his commitment to UW–Platteville was shaped by several key factors, including the campus community, coaching staff, engineering program, and the opportunity to stay reasonably close to home.
“Coach Harris, Coach Owens, and Coach Leigvold made me feel so welcome,” he said. “The team already felt like family. I was impressed with their player development program and the fact that the team does a lot to help those in need in their communities. The thought of having family and friends able to watch my games was also a huge part of my decision.”
Strong Support System
What keeps him going, Sloane said, is his faith in God and the support of his family and friends. “I’m fortunate to have a circle of really great friends who were there for me through the ups and downs.”
At the center of that support system, he added, are his parents. “My dad is my biggest advocate. It’s hard to see the end goal when you’re grinding and doing the work no one sees, but he helped me become more confident and believe that nothing is impossible. My mom is the heart of our home. Every time life throws a curveball, she’s always there to support and encourage us. She would remind us that life’s troubles should not define us but rather build us.”
Sloane Sets Goals Ahead of UW–Platteville
Though he won’t take the field for the Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers until Fall 2026, Sloane already has a clear vision for his collegiate career: contribute as a freshman, earn innings, and eventually establish himself as a pitcher touching 95 mph.
In the meantime, he remains focused on the work in front of him as he prepares for both the upcoming high school season and his collegiate summer team. “I’m very excited for what’s ahead, but I’m also taking each day one at a time to make the most of my time with family, friends, and teammates,” he said.
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