New head coach Jordan Bischel leads Cincinnati Bearcat baseball into Big 12 competition

University of Cincinnati baseball's 33rd head coach will soon lead the Bearcats into the Big 12 as they prepare for their first season under Jordan Bischel.

Hired last June, the former Central Michigan coach will try to turn around a team that went 24-33 last season. The difficult part is Big 12 baseball features four teams in the preseason top 25. TCU is ranked No. 5, Texas No. 16, Texas Tech No. 21 and Kansas State No. 24. UC will play all of those teams during the regular season except for the Longhorns.

"It's exciting with some really good opponents and great atmospheres," Bischel said. "We have a few weeks of non-conference to see what we need to work at."

The team had its First Pitch banquet Feb. 1 in the Gravity Club of Nippert Stadium. The first games are coming soon on Feb. 16,17 and 18 in Florida against Jacksonville.

Bischel has 314 wins on his resumé, including nine winning seasons and eight conference titles between Central Michigan and Northwood (Michigan). With the Chippewas of CMU, he went to three NCAA Regionals.

"It's a hurdle you've got to get over but I think if you believe in how you're preparing and believe in your teammates in what you're doing, it starts to naturally sink in that you can compete with some high-level teams," Bischel said of the Big 12.

Baseball Bearcats to watch

D1 Baseball mentioned several UC players in their preseason look at the Big 12. That list involved two players from last year, two transfers and an incoming freshman.

Tommy O'Connor

The junior LHP/first baseman hit .303 for the Bearcats last season with eight home runs.

Griffin Hugus

The sophomore RHP/utility player made the American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team hitting .234 with two homers in 38 games. On the mound, he had 18 appearances and was 1-2 with two saves.

Josh Kross

A first baseman/catcher transfer from Eastern Michigan, Kross was the MAC Freshman of the Year with a .376 average, 15 home runs and 70 RBI.

"He's a dynamic kid," Bischel said. "A switch-hitter, just a tough out that competes at the plate. He'll be a big addition for us along with Dalton Pearson coming from Georgia State (center fielder, .285)."

Christian Mitchelle

The sophomore RHP/infielder transfer from Central Michigan hit .307 and was named All-MAC Second Team. He also had 23 steals and was 1-0 pitching with a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings.

Nathan Taylor

Taylor is a freshman lefty from West Clermont High School where he was First Team All-Enquirer and Honorable Mention All-State.

Other local 'Cats

Hunter Jessee

The grad student outfielder/designated hitter transferred from Indiana where he hit .281 with six homers, making 54 starts in 56 games last season. Jessee played at Kings.

"I had a good career at Indiana," Jessee said. "(It's) a little bit of change of scenery to get back to what I do good. We'll see how I do in the Big 12. Big environments, we'll have a lot of good competition."

Max Palmieri

Also from Kings, the redshirt senior infielder hit .375 with two homers in six games for the Bearcats in 2023.

Lauden Brooks

The junior infielder hit .231 in 38 starts at second base along with two home runs in 40 games. Out of McNicholas, Brooks initially played in the Big 12 at Texas Tech.

"Out of high school some of the guys around here maybe overlooked Cincinnati a little bit," Brooks said. "We couldn't have chosen a better place to come back and play."

Cole Harting

The senior outfielder was a captain last season hitting .232 with 10 homers and 38 runs batted in 53 games. Harting played high school ball for the Mason Comets.

"The new coaching staff has prepared us for all the challenges and adversity we'll face," Harting said. "I feel very confident going into this year. The Big 12 I hear has awesome fans, awesome stadiums."

Brenden Garula

The sophomore lefty made seven appearances last year striking out eight in 8 1/3 innings. At Mason, he was First Team All-State.

Landyn Vidourek

The sophomore RHP/utility player from Badin hit .248 for the Bearcats with four homers and 20 RBI in 42 games.

Josh Hegemann

A senior left-handed outfielder, Hegemann hit .314 with 13 RBI in 43 games last season. He also played for the Badin Rams.

Kory Klingenbeck

The redshirt junior catcher from Elder played in 17 games last year with two starts.

Michael Conte

A junior transfer from Central Michigan, the former Walnut Hills right-hander was 3-1 in 18 appearances for the Chippewas with 23 strikeouts.

Charlie Niehaus

The freshman infielder for Moeller was All-Enquirer for the Crusaders' Ohio Division I championship team.

Seth Logue

The redshirt senior RHP transferred from Kentucky where he was 1-4 in 14 games. Logue also played at Moeller.

Carson Marsh

A freshman RHP from Moeller's 31-3 state championship team. Marsh had a season ERA of 0.00.

Carter Earls

The junior LHP from Fenwick has made five appearances the last two seasons.

Will Murphy

The redshirt freshman RHP pitched in three games at DePauw. His senior year at CHCA he had five wins and a 0.75 ERA.

Carson French

The freshman from Lakota East threw two high school no-hitters.

Alex Shea

The redshirt senior from St. Henry made 24 appearances for the Bearcats last season, going 2-3 with 33 strikeouts in 34 innings.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats Big 12 baseball has local flavor with some new transfers