Cincinnati Bearcats Baseball Camps
Scott Googins was named the 28th head baseball coach at the University of Cincinnati on June 6, 2017 and will enter his fourth season in the spring of 2021.
Prior to a pandemic-shortened 2020, Googins led the Bearcats to one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2019. Despite a slow 1-9 start, UC found itself as the No. 2 seed in the American Athletic Conference Tournament where they were yet to win a game. After winning its first three, UC went on to trounce UConn 22-5 to win the AAC Tournament title and advance to the NCAA postseason for the first time in 45 years. With the automatic bid, the Bearcats were shipped west to reigning CWS champion Oregon State for NCAA Regional action. On the big stage the win streak continued with a dramatic 7-6 victory over the national-host Beavers. The magic came to an end with a loss the next day to eventual CWS runner-up Michigan. UC’s historic 2019 season came to a close with a 31-31 final tally.
Googins’ had made magic in the Queen City before and proved he could do it again in his second year of 2019. The team broke numerous records during the campaign. Six Bearcats earned All-AAC Tournament honors with AJ Bumpass being named the tournament MVP. Three players were named to the Corvallis Regional All-Tournament Team. Bumpass was later drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. The win over Oregon State marked Googins’ 400th in his storied career.
In his first season, Googins guided UC to its best finish since 2011 as the Bearcats finished at 28-28 overall and an even 12-12 in American Athletic Conference play, one of the toughest RPI conferences in
the nation. UC led the nation in double plays, turned a triple-play for the fifth time in school history and earned numerous individual achievements. Shortstop Manny Rodriguez was drafted in the tenth round while pitchers Cam Alldred and J.T. Perez also were selected in the MLB draft. All three were all-conference honorees (Rodriguez and Perez on First Team, Alldred on Second), marking the first time UC has ever had two first team honorees and three total honorees in AAC history. Nine different players earned weekly conference accolades throughout the season.
In addition, Connor McVey tied for fifth all-time in single season sacrifice flies, Perez tied for fifth in starts and Alldred had the seventh-most strikeouts in a season in UC history. McVey was honored as the 2017-18 AAC Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Catcher Joey Thomas landed on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List and pitcher Nathan Moore was honored as a Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar, as the awards came both on the field and in the classroom. An impressive 23 Bearcats landed on the AAC All-Academic Team for having a 3.0 GPA or better. After posting a 3.20 fall GPA and 3.26 GPA in the spring, UC was recognized by the American Baseball Coaches Association with the Team Academic Excellence Award.
Googins made the move across town after 12 seasons as the head coach at Xavier. The all-time winningest coach in XU history, he compiled a 341-357 record with four NCAA Tournament appearances including back-to-back regional finals berths in 2016 and 2017 and six regular season or conference tournament championships.
Googins led Xavier to a 34-27 finish in 2017. The Musketeers won their second-straight BIG EAST Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals for the second-straight year. Rylan Bannon was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year and the Musketeers featured six all-league selections.
During his 12 seasons at the helm at XU, Googins earned coaching accolades as the 2009 ABCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year, the 2008 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and the 2016 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year. Additionally, 11 of his players were chosen in the MLB First Year Player Draft since 2005, including Seth Willoughby whose fourth-round selection by the Colorado Rockies in 2012 was the highest pick in program history.
The Xavier program soared to new heights under Googins’ tutelage, earning its first Atlantic 10 Championship and first NCAA victory in 2009. Its first BIG EAST Championship win and second NCAA tournament victory came in 2014 before back-to-back BIG EAST Championship titles and NCAA Regional Championship appearances in 2016 and 2017.
Before taking the head coaching role at Xavier, Googins was an assistant at Miami (Ohio) from 2000-04. During his tenure working primarily with the outfielders, the RedHawks made four straight Mid-American Conference Tournament appearances. Two of his players left for the professional ranks with one garnering All-American honors before his departure. Googins also was in charge of academics, travel and field maintenance and the team recorded the highest GPA among men’s teams at Miami under his guidance.
He was an assistant at Indiana from 1992-99, working with the Hoosiers’ catchers, outfielders and hitters. He was a part of the 1996 Big 10 Championship team and traveled to the Wichita State Regional in the NCAA Tournament. Off the field, Googins assisted in the recruiting process, facility and field maintenance, academic progress and the supervision of student managers.
A native of Granville, Ohio, Googins was a three-year varsity letterwinner at Ohio Wesleyan in Delaware, Ohio. He moved into a coaching role as a senior and stayed on after graduation, coaching first base and working with the team’s catchers.
Googins and his wife, Jody – a former volleyball standout at Xavier – live in West Chester, Ohio, with their daughter, Ellie, and two sons, Tommy and Charlie.
// CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
– 2016 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year
– 2009 ABCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year
– 2008 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year
– Three NCAA Tournament appearances (2009, 2014, 2016, 2017)
– Three BIG EAST Tournament Championships (2014, 2016, 2017)
– BIG EAST Regular Season Championship (2016)
– Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship (2009)
– Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship (2008)
– Xavier’s first NCAA Tournament win in baseball
– 11 players selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft since 2005
– Highest MLB Draft pick in XU history (Seth Willoughby, 4th round)
– Five 30-win seasons (2016, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009)
– Googins’ Xavier teams recorded five of the 10 winningest seasons in school history
– XU school record 39 wins in 2009
– Produced XU’s second Louisville Slugger All-American (Andre Jernigan, 2016)
– Produced XU’s first Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American (Nate Soria, 2015)
// CAREER MILESTONES
– Feb. 16, 2006 – First Win – at East Tennessee State, 10-5
– May 1, 2009 – 100th Win – vs. Saint Joseph’s, 9-6
– May 30, 2009 – First NCAA Tournament win – vs. Sam Houston State, 9-6
– Feb. 24, 2013 – 200th Win – at UAB, 12-4
– May 19, 2016 – 300th Win – vs. Villanova, 1-0
// YEAR-BY-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
2018
In his first season at UC, the Bearcats had their best finish since 2011 with a 28-28 overall record and 12-12 in conference play, including road wins over No. 12 Indiana and No. 10 ECU. Three players earned AAC honors, the most ever for UC.
2017
Xavier finished the season at 34-27 after collecting a second-straight BIG EAST Championship and advancing to the Regional Finals for the second-straight year. Rylan Bannon was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year and the Musketeers featured six all-league selections.
2016
The Musketeers won 18 of their final 22 games to capture a BIG EAST regular season and tournament title. XU also made its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament in three years, winning a pair of games to reach the program’s first-ever regional championship in Nashville, Tenn.
2014
Googins led Xavier to a fourth 30-win season in six years. The 2014 team closed the season with a remarkable postseason run, winning three-straight games to claim the program’s first BIG EAST Championship. After falling to host-school Vanderbilt in the opening game, Xavier defeated Clemson for its second NCAA tournament win in school history.
2013
Googins led the Musketeers to a 32-26 finish. The season concluded with a 6-1 record in the final seven regular-season games and a return to the Atlantic 10 tournament. XU finished one game out of first place in the A-10 regular season standings with a 16-8 conference record, but earned a four seed in the conference tournament. The record in conference play marked the seventh-straight winning A-10 record for Googins.
Xavier and Googins made a strong run in the Atlantic 10 tournament by defeating George Washington and top-seeded Saint Louis in their first two games. Tough losses to Charlotte, the tournament’s host, and Saint Louis in an elimination game closed out the Musketeers’ final season in the A-10 with a 32-26 overall record and a third-place tournament finish.
2012
In 2012, Googins led the Musketeers to a 28-28 record overall and a 13-11 record in conference play. After strong non-conference wins at No. 4 North Carolina and two against Michigan, Googins and Xavier finished 2012 with a 10-5 record in their final 15 games and just missed making the Atlantic 10 Tournament for a sixth-straight year.
2011
Googins led the 2011 Musketeers to their fifth straight Atlantic 10 Tournament, fifth-straight 20-win season and second 30-win season in three years. The 2011 edition of the Musketeers boasted five players earning Atlantic 10 honors including conference Player of the Year, Ben Thomas. Thomas became Xavier’s all-time leader in homeruns and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants.
2010
In 2010, XU saw six players honored by the Atlantic 10 and junior pitcher Tommy Shirley was drafted in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Houston Astros.
2009
In 2009, the Musketeers tallied a program-best 39 wins and posted an overall winning percentage of .650 (39-21), third-best in the record books. In conference play, Xavier went 18-9, one win shy of tying the record for A-10 wins set in 2008. XU went 5-1 in the Atlantic 10 Championship to capture its first-ever tournament crown and earned the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Six Musketeers were named to the 2009 A-10 All-Tournament team, including Billy O’Conner who was named Tournament MVP. Four Musketeers earned mentioned on A-10 All-Conference teams following the regular season, including Jordan Conley who was the first XU player to ever make both the First Team (relief pitcher) and the Second Team (short stop) rosters.
Googins led the 2009 Musketeers to the school’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win, a 9-6 victory over Sam Houston State, in the Houston Regional hosted by Rice. Bobby Freking earned a spot on the All-Regional team and following the season Ben Thomas earned mentioned on the ABCA All-Mideast Region Second Team.
In 2009 XU set school records for: at bats (2135), runs scored (445), hits (663), doubles (114), RBI (396), innings pitched (534.0), pitching strikeouts (446) and saves (14). Thomas tied the school record for home runs in a season with 16 and Conley eclipsed his own school record for saves in a season which was set in 2008 as he posted 13. Conley’s two-year saves total of 23 set the new XU career saves mark as well.
Following the 2009 season, Danny Rosenbaum was selected in the 22nd round of Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player draft by the Washington Nationals. Rosenbaum was the 652nd pick overall, making it the third consecutive year and fourth time since 2005 a Musketeer had been chosen in the draft. Two other Musketeers were picked up as free agents: Billy O’Conner and Jordan Conley.
2008
The Musketeers made it to the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Tournament in 2008 for the first time in school history after winning the team’s second all-time A-10 regular season title. XU won a record-breaking 19 conference games and did not lose a single A-10 series.
Overall, the team finished with 27 wins after playing an extremely tough non-conference schedule that included eight games versus nationally ranked opponents, and posted a stellar 19-8 A-10 mark. For his outstanding leadership, Googins was named the 2008 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year. As a team, the Musketeers recorded new school records in hits (587), strikeouts (414) and tied the school record for saves with 12 in 2008. The team also tallied a program second-best mark in at bats (2050), doubles (109) and innings pitched (520.0).
Two Musketeers were drafted in 2008, including Charlie Leesman who was selected in the 11th round as the 330th pick by the Chicago White Sox, the second highest draft pick in school history. Additionally, Michael Lucas was signed as a free agent by the White Sox.
2007
In just his second season as the head coach, Googins guided his squad to the most conference wins in school history (17) at the time, while the team also set a new mark by sweeping four A-10 series in 2007. As a team, Xavier finished 29 wins overall and 17 in conference play. The 29 wins tied for the fifth most in school history and the team also won two games in the A-10 Championship, which was the most by any Musketeer squad in five trips. The trip to the A-10 Championship marked the first appearance for XU in four seasons.
After starting the 2007 campaign with a 4-18 record, Googins engineered one of the best turnarounds in school history as XU went 17-3 over the next 20 games. Additionally, the 2007 squad broke its previous school record in fielding percentage, marking two of the three best fielding percentages in school history over Googins’ first two seasons. The Blue and White also finished the year tops in school history for at bats (2052), hits (561), saves (12) and innings pitched (523.0).
Not only did school records fall but Xavier tied a seven-year-old NCAA record for most hits in the second inning at Richmond as XU tallied 12 hits (all singles and doubles) to score 14 runs. The Musketeers followed that performance with a 23-run effort at Toledo, which ranked tied for third-most in school history.
The end to a great season saw Xavier senior Jordan Wolf become the fourth highest Musketeer to be drafted as he was taken by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round. For his efforts during the year, Wolf was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team.
2006
In his first season as skipper, Googins led the Musketeers to a 19 wins and a number of statistical milestones as XU recorded the program’s second-best fielding percentage of all time at .964. The 2006 squad also produced high marks in hits (482), walks (227), total bases (660) and triples (nine).
2005
Googins was an XU assistant coach during a 2005 campaign which saw Xavier send its first player into the MLB Draft since 2001 and place one player on the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team.
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Scott Googins was named the 28th head baseball coach at the University of Cincinnati on June 6, 2017 and will enter his fourth season in the spring of 2021.
Prior to a pandemic-shortened 2020, Googins led the Bearcats to one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2019. Despite a slow 1-9 start, UC found itself as the No. 2 seed in the American Athletic Conference Tournament where they were yet to win a game. After winning its first three, UC went on to trounce UConn 22-5 to win the AAC Tournament title and advance to the NCAA postseason for the first time in 45 years. With the automatic bid, the Bearcats were shipped west to reigning CWS champion Oregon State for NCAA Regional action. On the big stage the win streak continued with a dramatic 7-6 victory over the national-host Beavers. The magic came to an end with a loss the next day to eventual CWS runner-up Michigan. UC’s historic 2019 season came to a close with a 31-31 final tally.
Googins’ had made magic in the Queen City before and proved he could do it again in his second year of 2019. The team broke numerous records during the campaign. Six Bearcats earned All-AAC Tournament honors with AJ Bumpass being named the tournament MVP. Three players were named to the Corvallis Regional All-Tournament Team. Bumpass was later drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. The win over Oregon State marked Googins’ 400th in his storied career.
In his first season, Googins guided UC to its best finish since 2011 as the Bearcats finished at 28-28 overall and an even 12-12 in American Athletic Conference play, one of the toughest RPI conferences in
the nation. UC led the nation in double plays, turned a triple-play for the fifth time in school history and earned numerous individual achievements. Shortstop Manny Rodriguez was drafted in the tenth round while pitchers Cam Alldred and J.T. Perez also were selected in the MLB draft. All three were all-conference honorees (Rodriguez and Perez on First Team, Alldred on Second), marking the first time UC has ever had two first team honorees and three total honorees in AAC history. Nine different players earned weekly conference accolades throughout the season.
In addition, Connor McVey tied for fifth all-time in single season sacrifice flies, Perez tied for fifth in starts and Alldred had the seventh-most strikeouts in a season in UC history. McVey was honored as the 2017-18 AAC Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Catcher Joey Thomas landed on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List and pitcher Nathan Moore was honored as a Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar, as the awards came both on the field and in the classroom. An impressive 23 Bearcats landed on the AAC All-Academic Team for having a 3.0 GPA or better. After posting a 3.20 fall GPA and 3.26 GPA in the spring, UC was recognized by the American Baseball Coaches Association with the Team Academic Excellence Award.
Googins made the move across town after 12 seasons as the head coach at Xavier. The all-time winningest coach in XU history, he compiled a 341-357 record with four NCAA Tournament appearances including back-to-back regional finals berths in 2016 and 2017 and six regular season or conference tournament championships.
Googins led Xavier to a 34-27 finish in 2017. The Musketeers won their second-straight BIG EAST Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals for the second-straight year. Rylan Bannon was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year and the Musketeers featured six all-league selections.
During his 12 seasons at the helm at XU, Googins earned coaching accolades as the 2009 ABCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year, the 2008 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and the 2016 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year. Additionally, 11 of his players were chosen in the MLB First Year Player Draft since 2005, including Seth Willoughby whose fourth-round selection by the Colorado Rockies in 2012 was the highest pick in program history.
The Xavier program soared to new heights under Googins’ tutelage, earning its first Atlantic 10 Championship and first NCAA victory in 2009. Its first BIG EAST Championship win and second NCAA tournament victory came in 2014 before back-to-back BIG EAST Championship titles and NCAA Regional Championship appearances in 2016 and 2017.
Before taking the head coaching role at Xavier, Googins was an assistant at Miami (Ohio) from 2000-04. During his tenure working primarily with the outfielders, the RedHawks made four straight Mid-American Conference Tournament appearances. Two of his players left for the professional ranks with one garnering All-American honors before his departure. Googins also was in charge of academics, travel and field maintenance and the team recorded the highest GPA among men’s teams at Miami under his guidance.
He was an assistant at Indiana from 1992-99, working with the Hoosiers’ catchers, outfielders and hitters. He was a part of the 1996 Big 10 Championship team and traveled to the Wichita State Regional in the NCAA Tournament. Off the field, Googins assisted in the recruiting process, facility and field maintenance, academic progress and the supervision of student managers.
A native of Granville, Ohio, Googins was a three-year varsity letterwinner at Ohio Wesleyan in Delaware, Ohio. He moved into a coaching role as a senior and stayed on after graduation, coaching first base and working with the team’s catchers.
Googins and his wife, Jody – a former volleyball standout at Xavier – live in West Chester, Ohio, with their daughter, Ellie, and two sons, Tommy and Charlie.
// CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
– 2016 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year
– 2009 ABCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year
– 2008 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year
– Three NCAA Tournament appearances (2009, 2014, 2016, 2017)
– Three BIG EAST Tournament Championships (2014, 2016, 2017)
– BIG EAST Regular Season Championship (2016)
– Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship (2009)
– Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship (2008)
– Xavier’s first NCAA Tournament win in baseball
– 11 players selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft since 2005
– Highest MLB Draft pick in XU history (Seth Willoughby, 4th round)
– Five 30-win seasons (2016, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009)
– Googins’ Xavier teams recorded five of the 10 winningest seasons in school history
– XU school record 39 wins in 2009
– Produced XU’s second Louisville Slugger All-American (Andre Jernigan, 2016)
– Produced XU’s first Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American (Nate Soria, 2015)
// CAREER MILESTONES
– Feb. 16, 2006 – First Win – at East Tennessee State, 10-5
– May 1, 2009 – 100th Win – vs. Saint Joseph’s, 9-6
– May 30, 2009 – First NCAA Tournament win – vs. Sam Houston State, 9-6
– Feb. 24, 2013 – 200th Win – at UAB, 12-4
– May 19, 2016 – 300th Win – vs. Villanova, 1-0
// YEAR-BY-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
2018
In his first season at UC, the Bearcats had their best finish since 2011 with a 28-28 overall record and 12-12 in conference play, including road wins over No. 12 Indiana and No. 10 ECU. Three players earned AAC honors, the most ever for UC.
2017
Xavier finished the season at 34-27 after collecting a second-straight BIG EAST Championship and advancing to the Regional Finals for the second-straight year. Rylan Bannon was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year and the Musketeers featured six all-league selections.
2016
The Musketeers won 18 of their final 22 games to capture a BIG EAST regular season and tournament title. XU also made its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament in three years, winning a pair of games to reach the program’s first-ever regional championship in Nashville, Tenn.
2014
Googins led Xavier to a fourth 30-win season in six years. The 2014 team closed the season with a remarkable postseason run, winning three-straight games to claim the program’s first BIG EAST Championship. After falling to host-school Vanderbilt in the opening game, Xavier defeated Clemson for its second NCAA tournament win in school history.
2013
Googins led the Musketeers to a 32-26 finish. The season concluded with a 6-1 record in the final seven regular-season games and a return to the Atlantic 10 tournament. XU finished one game out of first place in the A-10 regular season standings with a 16-8 conference record, but earned a four seed in the conference tournament. The record in conference play marked the seventh-straight winning A-10 record for Googins.
Xavier and Googins made a strong run in the Atlantic 10 tournament by defeating George Washington and top-seeded Saint Louis in their first two games. Tough losses to Charlotte, the tournament’s host, and Saint Louis in an elimination game closed out the Musketeers’ final season in the A-10 with a 32-26 overall record and a third-place tournament finish.
2012
In 2012, Googins led the Musketeers to a 28-28 record overall and a 13-11 record in conference play. After strong non-conference wins at No. 4 North Carolina and two against Michigan, Googins and Xavier finished 2012 with a 10-5 record in their final 15 games and just missed making the Atlantic 10 Tournament for a sixth-straight year.
2011
Googins led the 2011 Musketeers to their fifth straight Atlantic 10 Tournament, fifth-straight 20-win season and second 30-win season in three years. The 2011 edition of the Musketeers boasted five players earning Atlantic 10 honors including conference Player of the Year, Ben Thomas. Thomas became Xavier’s all-time leader in homeruns and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants.
2010
In 2010, XU saw six players honored by the Atlantic 10 and junior pitcher Tommy Shirley was drafted in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Houston Astros.
2009
In 2009, the Musketeers tallied a program-best 39 wins and posted an overall winning percentage of .650 (39-21), third-best in the record books. In conference play, Xavier went 18-9, one win shy of tying the record for A-10 wins set in 2008. XU went 5-1 in the Atlantic 10 Championship to capture its first-ever tournament crown and earned the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Six Musketeers were named to the 2009 A-10 All-Tournament team, including Billy O’Conner who was named Tournament MVP. Four Musketeers earned mentioned on A-10 All-Conference teams following the regular season, including Jordan Conley who was the first XU player to ever make both the First Team (relief pitcher) and the Second Team (short stop) rosters.
Googins led the 2009 Musketeers to the school’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win, a 9-6 victory over Sam Houston State, in the Houston Regional hosted by Rice. Bobby Freking earned a spot on the All-Regional team and following the season Ben Thomas earned mentioned on the ABCA All-Mideast Region Second Team.
In 2009 XU set school records for: at bats (2135), runs scored (445), hits (663), doubles (114), RBI (396), innings pitched (534.0), pitching strikeouts (446) and saves (14). Thomas tied the school record for home runs in a season with 16 and Conley eclipsed his own school record for saves in a season which was set in 2008 as he posted 13. Conley’s two-year saves total of 23 set the new XU career saves mark as well.
Following the 2009 season, Danny Rosenbaum was selected in the 22nd round of Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player draft by the Washington Nationals. Rosenbaum was the 652nd pick overall, making it the third consecutive year and fourth time since 2005 a Musketeer had been chosen in the draft. Two other Musketeers were picked up as free agents: Billy O’Conner and Jordan Conley.
2008
The Musketeers made it to the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Tournament in 2008 for the first time in school history after winning the team’s second all-time A-10 regular season title. XU won a record-breaking 19 conference games and did not lose a single A-10 series.
Overall, the team finished with 27 wins after playing an extremely tough non-conference schedule that included eight games versus nationally ranked opponents, and posted a stellar 19-8 A-10 mark. For his outstanding leadership, Googins was named the 2008 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year. As a team, the Musketeers recorded new school records in hits (587), strikeouts (414) and tied the school record for saves with 12 in 2008. The team also tallied a program second-best mark in at bats (2050), doubles (109) and innings pitched (520.0).
Two Musketeers were drafted in 2008, including Charlie Leesman who was selected in the 11th round as the 330th pick by the Chicago White Sox, the second highest draft pick in school history. Additionally, Michael Lucas was signed as a free agent by the White Sox.
2007
In just his second season as the head coach, Googins guided his squad to the most conference wins in school history (17) at the time, while the team also set a new mark by sweeping four A-10 series in 2007. As a team, Xavier finished 29 wins overall and 17 in conference play. The 29 wins tied for the fifth most in school history and the team also won two games in the A-10 Championship, which was the most by any Musketeer squad in five trips. The trip to the A-10 Championship marked the first appearance for XU in four seasons.
After starting the 2007 campaign with a 4-18 record, Googins engineered one of the best turnarounds in school history as XU went 17-3 over the next 20 games. Additionally, the 2007 squad broke its previous school record in fielding percentage, marking two of the three best fielding percentages in school history over Googins’ first two seasons. The Blue and White also finished the year tops in school history for at bats (2052), hits (561), saves (12) and innings pitched (523.0).
Not only did school records fall but Xavier tied a seven-year-old NCAA record for most hits in the second inning at Richmond as XU tallied 12 hits (all singles and doubles) to score 14 runs. The Musketeers followed that performance with a 23-run effort at Toledo, which ranked tied for third-most in school history.
The end to a great season saw Xavier senior Jordan Wolf become the fourth highest Musketeer to be drafted as he was taken by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round. For his efforts during the year, Wolf was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team.
2006
In his first season as skipper, Googins led the Musketeers to a 19 wins and a number of statistical milestones as XU recorded the program’s second-best fielding percentage of all time at .964. The 2006 squad also produced high marks in hits (482), walks (227), total bases (660) and triples (nine).
2005
Googins was an XU assistant coach during a 2005 campaign which saw Xavier send its first player into the MLB Draft since 2001 and place one player on the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team.
JD Heilmann started his second stint as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati in the summer of 2017.
In his first year, Heilmann guided JT Perez and Cam Alldred to all-conference accolades and saw both move on to professional baseball. During the historic 2019 season, his pitching staff included two 12-strikeout performances (sophomore Garrett Schoenle and freshman Evan Shawver) and saw the second-most saves in a single-season by any UC closer in history (13 by Korren Thompson).
Heilmann previously coached at UC from 2009-13, serving as the Bearcats pitching coach and recruiting coordinator and was responsible for bringing former All-American and current Chicago Cubs infielder Ian Happ to the Queen City.
He joined Head Coach Scott Googins’ staff after working as the general manager of the Midland Baseball program, overseeing 18 amateur teams with ages ranging from 8-18. He also served as Prep Baseball Report’s scouting supervisor (2016-17) and Scouting Director (2014-16) and was an associate scout for the Atlanta Braves (2015-17).
Heilmann is regarded as one of the top pitching coaches in college baseball and is known for his ability to develop and relate to pitchers.
He overtook a Cincinnati pitching staff that posted a 6.73 ERA in 2009 and shrunk the group’s ERA to 4.25 in 2010, which ranked third in the BIG EAST Conference and 26th nationally.
Under Heilmann’s tutelage, seven Bearcats went on to pitch in professional baseball. Six were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft – right-handers Connor Walsh (2014), Zach Isler (2012), Christian McElroy (2012) and Dan Jensen (2011), and lefties Brian Garman (2010) and Kevin Johnson (2010) and Ryan Atkinson (2015) signed a free-agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Additionally, Heilmann mentored Andrew Strenge, who was named a 2010 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and a PingBaseball.com Third-Team Freshman All-American after breaking the BIG EAST single-season ERA record with a 0.62 ERA in conference-only contests.
Under the direction of Heilmann, third-team all-conference performer Andrew Burkett anchored the back end of Cincinnati’s bullpen in 2010 and broke Cincinnati’s single-season saves record with 14 after entering the campaign with one career save.
Prior to Cincinnati, Heilmann served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Xavier University for seven seasons and in 2009, he helped the Musketeers to a school record for wins en route to their first Atlantic-10 Conference Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. From that squad, left-handed pitcher Danny Rosenbaum was drafted in 22nd round by the Washington Nationals and Jordan Conley signed as a free agent with the Florida Marlins.
A season earlier, Heilmann led an XU pitching staff that posted a league-best ERA of 3.39 in Atlantic-10 play, which included 2008 draft pick Charlie Leesman and free-agent signee Michael Lucas. Leesman was the second-highest draft pick in program history.
In his first two seasons at Xavier, Heilmann’s primary on field duties were outfielders, base running, and bunting and he also assisted in local and regional recruiting. During those two years, he coached outfielder Jay Johnson, who was eventually a 13th-round draft pick by the Boston Red Sox.
Prior to coaching at Xavier, Heilmann briefly coached at Division II Northern Kentucky University and at local Division III power Mount St. Joseph. At both stops, Heilmann was in charge of the development of the pitching staff, as well as assisting in recruiting. While at Mount St. Joseph, Heilmann played a key role in the Lions’ success, which included a Heartland Conference Championship in 2000 and a NCAA Regional runner-up finish in 2000.
In addition to his years on the collegiate level, Heilmann spent five summers as both an assistant and head coach in the nationally recognized Midland summer baseball organization. He helped guide his teams to success on the national level, evidenced by a fourth-place finish in 1999 and two second-place finishes in 1997 and 2002.
Heilmann played for the Bearcats in 1997 earned a communications degree while completing his eligibility at the University of Cincinnati following a transfer from Ball State.
A 1993 Moeller High School graduate, Heilmann helped the Crusaders capture a State Baseball Championship, while earning All-City and All-League honors.
Heilmann and his wife Raegene have two children, Dax and Ryley.
Kyle Sprague joined the University of Cincinnati baseball staff in the summer of 2017.
His work on offense came through the loudest during the team’s historic 2019 season when the Bearcats’ bats went on a torrential pace during the postseason. During the 4-0 AAC Tournament run, UC broke the tournament records for runs (51), RBI (47) and hits (60). Seven homeruns and four in the championship game were also AAC Tournament records. The 22-5 title win over UConn was the largest margin of victory ever in the tournament while they tied for the most number of hits in a game. Eleven different players got a hit during the 4-0 tournament week. All six all-tournament honorees were offensive players with slugger AJ Bumpass named tournament MVP.
During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, UC ranked 12th in the nation in triples per game, 14th in doubles per game, 21st in on-base percentage, 30th in scoring and 31st in slugging percentage.
Sprague came to UC after two seasons on Head Coach Scott Googins’ staff at Xavier University as the volunteer assistant coach. Sprague directed XU’s camps, assisted in all facets of the program and coached first base during games.
“Kyle has been with me the past two years and is a great addition to our staff here at UC,” Googins said. “He brings a lot to the table – he does an unbelievable job with developing infielders and is on the cutting edge with hitters. He’s a young up-and-coming coach who’s very energetic and passionate about what he does.”
During his two seasons at Xavier, the Musketeers won a BIG EAST Conference regular season championship (2016), two-straight league tournament championships (2016 & 17) and played in consecutive regional finals in the NCAA Championship (2016 & 17).
Sprague worked with hitters and infielders and assisted with outfielders at Xavier. The Musketeers set a school record with a .977 fielding percentage in 2017 after tying the previous record with a .974 mark in 2016.
He mentored six Xavier players who went on to play professionally, including:
2017 second-round selection Zac Lowther, eighth-rounder Rylan Bannon, 18th-round pick Garrett Schilling and 22nd-round choice Greg Jacknewitz. Dan Rizzie and Andre Jernigan were 13th and 14th-round picks in 2016.
Sprague has previous experience in the American Athletic Conference having served as a volunteer assistant coach at UCF in 2015.
At UCF, Sprague was in charge of the Knights’ outfielders and coached first base during games, while aiding the development of the team’s infielders and catchers along with hitting responsibilities. The Knights achieved a program-best No. 6 ranking during the 2015 campaign.
Sprague guided seniors JoMarcos Woods and Erik Barber in 2015 to career bests in the outfield and at the plate, garnering recognition on The American All-Conference team. Woods posted a .323 avg. with five homers and 32 RBI, while Barber compiled a .313 avg. and a team-high 11 homers.
Under Sprague in 2014, all three of the Knights outfielders – Erik Barber, Sam Tolleson and Derrick Salberg – were honored to one of The American’s three all-conference teams. Salberg tallied a .992 fielding pct., while junior JoMarcos Woods led all position players with a .994 pct.
While at UCF, Sprague aided the development of four players – Eric Skoglund (3rd), Dylan Moore (7th), James Vasquez (25th) and Mitchell Tripp (36th) – who were all selected in the MLB Draft.
Before coming to Orlando, Sprague held the volunteer assistant position during the 2012-13 season at Gardner-Webb. While with the Runnin’ Bulldogs, catcher John Harris was a Johnny Bench Award nominee and the team set a program best in fielding pct. at .969.
Sprague has extensive experience as a camp instructor, working at the Marc Wilkins Baseball Academy from 2007-12 and for Cal Ripken Baseball in 2009. He also has served as a camp instructor at Clemson, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, LSU and Mississippi State, among others.
The Mansfield, Ohio, native graduated from Malone (Ohio) University with degrees in business administration and sports management. He played collegiately at Malone and Tiffin University.
Sprague and his wife Erin live in Cincinnati.
Lee Sponseller rejoined the Cincinnati baseball staff in August 2020 as the volunteer assistant coach.
In this role, Sponseller will work with the outfielders as well as the hitters and perform other duties necessary for the advanced development of the student-athletes. He was formally a member of the Bearcats staff as the volunteer director of player development for a short stint.
Sponseller previously coached at Ohio Dominican where he served as the volunteer assistant coach, handling the team’s hitting and outfielders as well as assisting with base running. He played at Ohio Dominican, finishing his career with a .367 batting average with 26 homeruns and 108 RBI. From there, he spent one year as a graduate transfer at Coastal Carolina, hitting .290 during the season with six homeruns and 42 RBI, including three grand slams.
Sponseller earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Ohio Dominican in May 2017 and graduated with an MBA from Coastal Carolina in August 2018. He currently resides in Mason, Ohio.
Andy Nagel joined the UC baseball staff on Aug. 31, 2015, as the Director of Baseball Operations. He brings an extensive baseball background, including an 8-year stint as an assistant coach at local Archbishop Moeller High School.
Nagel coached at Moeller from 2008 until 2015, running the JV program for the first two years and acting as a varsity assistant from 2010-15. His duties included working with the infielders, outfielders and pitchers on defense, as well as instructing the hitters and baserunners. He was in charge of the in-game defensive alignment and was the first base coach for the Crusaders.
In 2015 Nagel was named the Ohio High School Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year for the Southwest District.
The highlights of his eight-year coaching career include four Ohio state championships (2009, 2012, 2013, 2015), seven state semifinal appearances and seven regional championships. Moeller finished at the top of the Ohio Coaches Poll in 2010, 2011 and 2015 and was the city of Cincinnati Coaches Poll champion on four occasions.
Nagel tutored 60 student-athletes who went on to play collegiately and four players who were selected in the Major League Baseball draft.
He played at Moeller from 1984-1988 alongside MLB legend Ken Griffey, Jr., former MLB player and current St. Louis Cardinals bench coach David Bell and former MLB player Adam Hyzdu.
Nagel played collegiately at Walsh University and was named First Team All-Mid-Ohio Conference during his senior season. He graduated in 1992 with a degree in communications.
He and his wife Julie currently reside in Green Township, Ohio, with their three children, Jim, Tricia and Alex.
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2600 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH
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Cincinnati Bearcats Baseball Camps
Have some questions?
Check out some of our FAQs below
What is the Refund Policy?
There will be no cash refunds for cancellations to the Cincinnati Bearcats Baseball Camps. Those who cancel before the start of camp will be given credit toward the registration fees of a future Cincinnati Bearcats Baseball Camp.
Camp Questions:
If you have any questions concerning this camp or event, please contact Coach Lee Sponseller –baseball@ucmail.uc.edu or Jody Googins at jcdascoli@yahoo.com
What to Bring:
All players must bring their own baseball equipment including a pair of sneakers/turfs for the batting cage and in case of inclement weather. Molded spikes are preferred for camp.
Accommodations:
Unless otherwise noted our camps are not overnight camps. For our overnight camps, each player is responsible for transportation and hotel accommodations.
Inclement Weather Policy:
All camps will run rain or shine and there is no rain date scheduled. Players must bring appropriate footwear for any indoor activities i.e. sneakers or turf shoes.
Attendance Policy:
All camps and clinics are open to any and all entrants within the age specifications listed, on a first come first served basis. Any questions regarding camp, please email/or call the coach listed in the Event Contact Information section listed to the left.
Can Parents watch Camp?
Parents are highly encouraged to observe their child’s participation in camp. Coaches will be happy to answer any questions after the camp is over regarding what we worked on at camp that day. For safety and liability reasons, at no time is a non-camper allowed on the playing surface or area of the drills.
Will there be Medical Staff Present?
All camps held at UC have medical staff present. UC Athletic Training provides trainers for our each of our camp sessions. It is important to indicate any pre-existing medical conditions prior to camp on the required forms so our trainers can assist your child as needed.
Food:
Lunch is not provided at camp. However campers have the ability to bring food/snacks to eat at any of the breaks throughout the day or during any down time.