Central Michigan University Athletics
Second-year coach Jordan Bischel and the CMU baseball team opened practice on Friday in the turf bay at the IAC.
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Second Act
1/27/2020 12:41:00 PM | Baseball
Chippewa baseball looks to pick up where it left off
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Back to work.
The Central Michigan baseball team was remarkable in 2019, Jordan Bischel's first season at the helm of the program.
The Chippewas got started on Friday as Bischel put his squad through its paces during the first full-squad workout of 2020 in the turf bay at the Indoor Athletic Complex.
"We had good energy today, I'm sure every team in the country had good energy today," said Bischel, who last spring led the Chippewas to the Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament championships and to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1995. "The question is tomorrow, and the next day, (and) when we come back for a few days; can we maintain that?"
The Chippewas open the season with a four-game series at UNLV beginning on Feb. 14. The early season schedule includes trips to Florida, Alabama and Arizona. CMU's first game in the Midwest is slated for March 20 at Northern Illinois, which also serves as the Chippewas' MAC opener.
CMU is slated to entertain Davenport on March 24 in its home opener at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium.
"You really have to hit the ground running with (the season opener in) three weeks and we've got to be sharp, and that's kind of what I challenge our guys with: We've got to be almost game ready at this point," said Bischel, who last season earned the MAC Coach of the Year Award.
The Chippewas went a combined 13-6 on its winter trips a year ago and then went a blistering 22-5 in league play, winning their final 15 regular-season games in succession. They rolled through the MAC Tournament, winning their three games by a combined 32-11 score.
CMU then went 1-2 in the NCAA Regional in Starkville, Miss., opening with a 6-5 victory over Miami (Fla.).
One major component of that success, Bischel said, was team chemistry. It took time to percolate a year ago, and it will take time to solidify this season, he said.
"I think as a group, they're starting to care about each other, like each other," he said. "It takes time to build that. The chemistry we had at the end of last year wasn't there in August and September (2018) and I think we're headed in the same direction."
The Chippewas return several veterans such as All-American shortstop Zavier Warren, pitcher Cam Brown, catcher Griffin Lockwood-Powell, third baseman Zach Heeke, and outfielder Zach Gilles.
"They're really good teammates," Bischel said of his veteran core. "They work hard; they prepare; they're approachable. They're good to our young guys, and that helps when those guys are welcoming of the new group."
The Chippewas face the challenge that any defending champion does: Wearing the bulls-eye.
"We want to play teams that obviously are going to challenge us," Bischel said. "I think what's really nice about our schedule is that most of the teams we play are teams that would compete at the top of our league, and that's where we want to be.
"We're going get to feel that out early. It should be fun for our guys. What will be unique this year is we're going be circled on a lot of team's schedules. I mean we had pretty good success last year (and) it's a brand-new year, but people are going to know we're pretty good and we're going to take some best shots."
The Central Michigan baseball team was remarkable in 2019, Jordan Bischel's first season at the helm of the program.
The Chippewas got started on Friday as Bischel put his squad through its paces during the first full-squad workout of 2020 in the turf bay at the Indoor Athletic Complex.
"We had good energy today, I'm sure every team in the country had good energy today," said Bischel, who last spring led the Chippewas to the Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament championships and to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1995. "The question is tomorrow, and the next day, (and) when we come back for a few days; can we maintain that?"
The Chippewas open the season with a four-game series at UNLV beginning on Feb. 14. The early season schedule includes trips to Florida, Alabama and Arizona. CMU's first game in the Midwest is slated for March 20 at Northern Illinois, which also serves as the Chippewas' MAC opener.
CMU is slated to entertain Davenport on March 24 in its home opener at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium.
"You really have to hit the ground running with (the season opener in) three weeks and we've got to be sharp, and that's kind of what I challenge our guys with: We've got to be almost game ready at this point," said Bischel, who last season earned the MAC Coach of the Year Award.
The Chippewas went a combined 13-6 on its winter trips a year ago and then went a blistering 22-5 in league play, winning their final 15 regular-season games in succession. They rolled through the MAC Tournament, winning their three games by a combined 32-11 score.
CMU then went 1-2 in the NCAA Regional in Starkville, Miss., opening with a 6-5 victory over Miami (Fla.).
One major component of that success, Bischel said, was team chemistry. It took time to percolate a year ago, and it will take time to solidify this season, he said.
"I think as a group, they're starting to care about each other, like each other," he said. "It takes time to build that. The chemistry we had at the end of last year wasn't there in August and September (2018) and I think we're headed in the same direction."
The Chippewas return several veterans such as All-American shortstop Zavier Warren, pitcher Cam Brown, catcher Griffin Lockwood-Powell, third baseman Zach Heeke, and outfielder Zach Gilles.
"They're really good teammates," Bischel said of his veteran core. "They work hard; they prepare; they're approachable. They're good to our young guys, and that helps when those guys are welcoming of the new group."
The Chippewas face the challenge that any defending champion does: Wearing the bulls-eye.
"We want to play teams that obviously are going to challenge us," Bischel said. "I think what's really nice about our schedule is that most of the teams we play are teams that would compete at the top of our league, and that's where we want to be.
"We're going get to feel that out early. It should be fun for our guys. What will be unique this year is we're going be circled on a lot of team's schedules. I mean we had pretty good success last year (and) it's a brand-new year, but people are going to know we're pretty good and we're going to take some best shots."
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