CINCINNATI\u00a0\u2013 The University of Cincinnati baseball team begins its 2026 season with a three-game series at Jacksonville State this weekend.<\/p>\n
Opening Day for the Bearcats is this Friday, Feb. 13 with first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET. Game two of the series will be held on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET and the series will conclude on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET. Friday\u2019s game and Sunday\u2019s game will both be broadcast on ESPN+.<\/p>\n
This weekend\u2019s series will be the first time the Bearcats and Gamecocks have ever faced off on the diamond.<\/p>\n
Head Coach Jordan Bischel<\/a> is entering his third season at the helm of the program and will be looking to build off a successful 2025 campaign. Bischel, who agreed to a contract extension through the 2031 season in August, led UC to an at-large NCAA Tournament berth last year, the first NCAA Tournament trip for UC since 2019 and first at-large berth since 1974. The Bearcats also won six games against ranked opponents, a school record.<\/p>\n While UC will be without the services of 2025 Big 12 Player of the Year Kerrington Cross<\/a> and third-round MLB Draft selection Landyn Vidourek<\/a>, among others, the returning talent combined with several intriguing newcomers should surely position the Bearcats to field an exciting team once again in 2026.<\/p>\n Cincinnati\u2019s transfer portal class this past season ranked among the Top 30 nationally, and this group of true freshmen comprised the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history before the Class of 2026 bested them. All that to say, there is plenty of talent coming to Clifton.<\/p>\n Among returners, Preseason All-American catcher Jack Natili<\/a> and two-time All-Big 12 pitcher Nathan Taylor<\/a> leads the charge. Outfielder Conlan Daniel<\/a> (Wright State) and pitchers Logan Knight<\/a> (North Dakota State) and Adam Brouwer<\/a> (Northern Illinois) are expected to play big roles this weekend making their Cincinnati debuts.<\/p>\n NEW FACES FOR 2026<\/p>\n Nineteen newcomers are on the roster this season, 11 true freshmen and eight additions from the transfer portal.<\/p>\n Cincinnati’s freshman are: RHP Chad Brown<\/a>, RHP Connor Blue<\/a>, OF Joe Dusell<\/a>, RHP Alex Gonzalez<\/a>, C Enzo Infelise<\/a>, 1B Nolan Jaworowski<\/a>, RHP Tucker King<\/a>, OF Luke Kosko<\/a>, OF Quincy Mazeke<\/a>, INF Jackson Reardon<\/a>, and INF Ben Voegele<\/a>.<\/p>\n The eight transfer additions are: RHP Adam Brouwer<\/a> (Northern Illinois), OF Conlan Daniel<\/a> (Wright State), RHP Charlie Dieruf IV<\/a> (Miami (OH)), LHP Brennan Eager<\/a> (Louisiana Monroe), RHP Logan Knight<\/a> (North Dakota State), RHP Dominic Mauro<\/a> (Northwood), RHP Dillon Schueler<\/a> (UIC), and INF Jackson Smith<\/a> (Bradley).<\/p>\n ABOUT JACKSONVILLE STATE<\/p>\n The Gamecocks made it all the way to the CUSA Championship Game last year, falling in 11 innings. Head Coach Steve Bieser, entering his third year with the program, had the Gamecocks finish at No. 60 in the RPI last year, their highest-ever finish. Jax State brings back 69% of its total production from a year ago, which ranks 15th nationally. Friday starter Steven Cash was a preseason all-conference selection, posting a 4.59 ERA over 86.1 innings last season.<\/p>\n NEXT UP<\/p>\n After this weekend\u2019s series at Jacksonville State, UC will have a midweek contest at No. 9 Auburn on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Then the Bearcats will visit UAB for four games (Feb. 19-22).<\/p>\n UC\u2019s home opener is set for Tuesday, Feb. 24 vs. Bowling Green at 4:00 p.m.<\/p>\n