TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati baseball team opens the 2024 season with a three-game series at Jacksonville this weekend.
The weekend begins with a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 2 PM and concludes with an 11 AM contest on Sunday. Both of Friday's games are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+.
The 2024 season will feature a couple important firsts for Bearcat Baseball; it will be the first baseball season as a member of the Big 12 Conference, and also the first under head coach Jordan Bischel.
// BISCHEL ERA BEGINS
Jordan Bischel became the 33rd head coach in Bearcat Baseball history on June 21, 2023.
Bischel comes to UC from Central Michigan, where he served as head coach for five seasons. He also spent four seasons as head coach of Northwood, an NCAA Division II program in Midland, Mich., and two seasons at the helm of NAIA program Midland University in Fremont, Neb.
He sports a 314-156 (.668) career record as a head coach at the NCAA level, a stretch that includes nine winning seasons, eight conference championships, and three NCAA Regional appearances. Bischel's CMU squad advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
// 2024 SCHEDULE
Cincinnati's 56-game slate includes 30 contests against Big 12 opponents and 10 opponents that made an NCAA Regional appearance last season. UC will play 10 of 12 possible Big 12 opponents for a total of 30 Conference games. The Conference season will begin the weekend of March 8 and culminate on the weekend of May 18. UC's home Big 12 opponents are Kansas (March 15-17), TCU (April 5-7), Houston (April 19-21), West Virginia (May 3-5), and Oklahoma (May 16-18).
// D1BASEBALL ACCOLADES
Five Bearcats were highlighted as top prospects and impact freshmen by D1Baseball in the organization's Big 12 preview.
Two Bearcats were represented in the Big 12 Conference prospect ranking for the upcoming 2024 MLB Draft, headlined by junior first basemen Tommy O'Connor coming in at No. 33. O'Connor batted .303 (23-for-76) with two doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 19 RBI in 2023.
Josh Kross, a transfer from Eastern Michigan, came in at No. 38 for the 2024 MLB Draft. He batted .376 (86-for-229) with 43 runs scored, 18 doubles, 15 home runs and 70 RBI. He was named MAC Freshman of the Year, First Team All-MAC and Freshman All-America by College Baseball Newspaper.
In addition, UC had a pair of two-way players recognized on the top prospect list for the 2025 MLB Draft. Christian Mitchelle came in at No. 19, followed by Griffin Hugus at No. 28.
Mitchelle is a transfer from Central Michigan, where he was named All-MAC Second Team after batting .307 (58-189) with 53 runs scored, 13 doubles, three home runs and 29 RBI as a freshman. He also served an important role as a relief pitcher in 2023, making 11 appearances with a 3.18 ERA.
Hugus, an AAC All-Freshman Team selection in 2023, batted .234 (29-for-124) with seven doubles, one triple, two home runs and 20 RBI. He made 18 appearances on the mound with a 1-2 record and two saves.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Nathan Taylor was selected to D1Baseball's impact freshmen list at No. 23. He was named West Clermont's Most Valuable Pitcher three years in a row and struck out 53 batters in 36 innings as a senior.
// NEW FACES
Cincinnati's 2024 roster features 21 new players, including 12 transfers and nine true freshmen.
Christian Mitchelle (Central Michigan), Hunter Jessee (Indiana), Michael Conte (Central Michigan), Ryan Insco (Central Michigan), Keegan Allen (West Virginia), Seth Logue (Kentucky), Joey Hurth (Indiana State), Luke Sefcik (Central Michigan), Will Murphy (DePauw), Josh Kross (Eastern Michigan), Dalton Pearson (Georgia State), and Marc Carney (Central Michigan) all join the Bearcats from previous institutions.
Gavin Ehrhardt (Avon, Ohio), Nathan Taylor (Amelia, Ohio), Noah Wicks (Arvada, Colo.), Charlie Niehaus (West Chester, Ohio), Joey Canzoni (Walton Hills, Ohio), Carson Marsh (West Chester, Ohio), Bradley Coulter (Taylorsville, Ky.), Drew Erdmann (Hudson, Ohio), and Carson French (West Chester, Ohio) are UC's true freshman.
// ABOUT JACKSONVILLE
Jacksonville posted a 34-24 record last season and welcomes back a pair of preseason All-Americans. Pitchers Evan Chrest and Chris Lotito earned preseason recognitions from D1Baseball and the CNBWA, respectively. Chrest was also named preseason all-conference by the ASUN along with infielder Justin Nadeau.
// NEXT UP
UC hosts Northern Kentucky this Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 3 PM in its home opener. Fans will be able to enjoy $1 hot dogs and hot chocolate at the game.
// SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2024 Cincinnati Baseball season are now on sale! Cincinnati is set to host 26 games inside UC Baseball Stadium this spring, including five series versus Big 12 opponents. Season tickets cost $75 for adults and $50 for children (4-12), seniors (65+), military and UC faculty/staff.
To purchase new season tickets, visit cpaw.me/SeasonTickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX (1-877-228-7849). Group packages will go on sale in early February.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @GoBearcatsBASE on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change due to weather. All schedule changes will be announced on Twitter at @GoBearcatsBASE.
The weekend begins with a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 2 PM and concludes with an 11 AM contest on Sunday. Both of Friday's games are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+.
The 2024 season will feature a couple important firsts for Bearcat Baseball; it will be the first baseball season as a member of the Big 12 Conference, and also the first under head coach Jordan Bischel.
// BISCHEL ERA BEGINS
Jordan Bischel became the 33rd head coach in Bearcat Baseball history on June 21, 2023.
Bischel comes to UC from Central Michigan, where he served as head coach for five seasons. He also spent four seasons as head coach of Northwood, an NCAA Division II program in Midland, Mich., and two seasons at the helm of NAIA program Midland University in Fremont, Neb.
He sports a 314-156 (.668) career record as a head coach at the NCAA level, a stretch that includes nine winning seasons, eight conference championships, and three NCAA Regional appearances. Bischel's CMU squad advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
// 2024 SCHEDULE
Cincinnati's 56-game slate includes 30 contests against Big 12 opponents and 10 opponents that made an NCAA Regional appearance last season. UC will play 10 of 12 possible Big 12 opponents for a total of 30 Conference games. The Conference season will begin the weekend of March 8 and culminate on the weekend of May 18. UC's home Big 12 opponents are Kansas (March 15-17), TCU (April 5-7), Houston (April 19-21), West Virginia (May 3-5), and Oklahoma (May 16-18).
// D1BASEBALL ACCOLADES
Five Bearcats were highlighted as top prospects and impact freshmen by D1Baseball in the organization's Big 12 preview.
Two Bearcats were represented in the Big 12 Conference prospect ranking for the upcoming 2024 MLB Draft, headlined by junior first basemen Tommy O'Connor coming in at No. 33. O'Connor batted .303 (23-for-76) with two doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 19 RBI in 2023.
Josh Kross, a transfer from Eastern Michigan, came in at No. 38 for the 2024 MLB Draft. He batted .376 (86-for-229) with 43 runs scored, 18 doubles, 15 home runs and 70 RBI. He was named MAC Freshman of the Year, First Team All-MAC and Freshman All-America by College Baseball Newspaper.
In addition, UC had a pair of two-way players recognized on the top prospect list for the 2025 MLB Draft. Christian Mitchelle came in at No. 19, followed by Griffin Hugus at No. 28.
Mitchelle is a transfer from Central Michigan, where he was named All-MAC Second Team after batting .307 (58-189) with 53 runs scored, 13 doubles, three home runs and 29 RBI as a freshman. He also served an important role as a relief pitcher in 2023, making 11 appearances with a 3.18 ERA.
Hugus, an AAC All-Freshman Team selection in 2023, batted .234 (29-for-124) with seven doubles, one triple, two home runs and 20 RBI. He made 18 appearances on the mound with a 1-2 record and two saves.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Nathan Taylor was selected to D1Baseball's impact freshmen list at No. 23. He was named West Clermont's Most Valuable Pitcher three years in a row and struck out 53 batters in 36 innings as a senior.
// NEW FACES
Cincinnati's 2024 roster features 21 new players, including 12 transfers and nine true freshmen.
Christian Mitchelle (Central Michigan), Hunter Jessee (Indiana), Michael Conte (Central Michigan), Ryan Insco (Central Michigan), Keegan Allen (West Virginia), Seth Logue (Kentucky), Joey Hurth (Indiana State), Luke Sefcik (Central Michigan), Will Murphy (DePauw), Josh Kross (Eastern Michigan), Dalton Pearson (Georgia State), and Marc Carney (Central Michigan) all join the Bearcats from previous institutions.
Gavin Ehrhardt (Avon, Ohio), Nathan Taylor (Amelia, Ohio), Noah Wicks (Arvada, Colo.), Charlie Niehaus (West Chester, Ohio), Joey Canzoni (Walton Hills, Ohio), Carson Marsh (West Chester, Ohio), Bradley Coulter (Taylorsville, Ky.), Drew Erdmann (Hudson, Ohio), and Carson French (West Chester, Ohio) are UC's true freshman.
// ABOUT JACKSONVILLE
Jacksonville posted a 34-24 record last season and welcomes back a pair of preseason All-Americans. Pitchers Evan Chrest and Chris Lotito earned preseason recognitions from D1Baseball and the CNBWA, respectively. Chrest was also named preseason all-conference by the ASUN along with infielder Justin Nadeau.
// NEXT UP
UC hosts Northern Kentucky this Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 3 PM in its home opener. Fans will be able to enjoy $1 hot dogs and hot chocolate at the game.
// SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2024 Cincinnati Baseball season are now on sale! Cincinnati is set to host 26 games inside UC Baseball Stadium this spring, including five series versus Big 12 opponents. Season tickets cost $75 for adults and $50 for children (4-12), seniors (65+), military and UC faculty/staff.
To purchase new season tickets, visit cpaw.me/SeasonTickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX (1-877-228-7849). Group packages will go on sale in early February.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @GoBearcatsBASE on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change due to weather. All schedule changes will be announced on Twitter at @GoBearcatsBASE.