May 18, 1999

CHICAGO-The UWM baseball team turned a second seed in the MCC Tournament into an automatic berth at the NCAA Regionals.

The Panthers defeated UIC, 10-2, and Butler, 10-2, on Monday to win the tournament.

Five UWM players were selected to the All-Tournament team, including tournament MVP Chad Sadowski. The junior pitcher/first baseman picked up a pair of victories from the mound and a pair of home runs from the plate. Joining Sadowski on the All-Tournament team were first baseman J.J. Kotarak, second baseman Steve Tylke, centerfielder Darin Haugom and catcher Todd Ludwig.

In the championship game against Butler, Sadowski pitched a complete-game five hitter, allowing just one earned run. He struck out five and walked one. From the plate, he went 2-4 with a home run and two RBIs.

Tylke gave UWM the lead for good in the first inning with a single that scored Brett Huebner. Kotarak followed by hitting a three-run home run.

Senior leftfielder Steve Johnson added a solo home run in the fifth inning.

To get to the championship game, UWM defeated UIC, 10-2 earlier on Monday. Mike Oiler picked up the win on the mound by pitching seven innings and allowing just one earned run. Dave Risser and Jason Crawford each pitched an inning of relief.

From the plate, Brett Huebner's grand slam capped off a seven-run second inning. UIC never threatened after that.

Next up for the Panthers is the NCAA Regionals. The pairings will be announced on Monday, May 24, at 2 p.m. on ESPN.