MILWAUKEE - The 1998 UWM baseball team had its best season in school history, going 33-15-1 and earning the No. 1 seed in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference baseball tournament.

In addition to the success UWM achieved against opponents, the Panthers broke 10 school records last year. Team records broken included most wins (31), highest winning percentage (.684), highest team batting average (.329), most runs scored (376), most hits (513), most runs batted in (339), most home runs (51) and most stolen bases (66). Jeff Stoss, a senior first baseman last year, set school standards for most runs in a season (53) and most runs batted in (52).

Three seniors from last season's team went on to play professional baseball.

Lee Jaramillo, the Panthers' catcher last season, was drafted in the 31st round by the Milwaukee Brewers. He played outfield for the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League, batted .269 with 22 RBIs and two home runs. His 16 doubles led the team.

Jon Schreiner, the school's all-time leader in saves, was signed as a free agent by the Montreal Expos. He pitched in 13 games for the Jupiter Expos of the Gulf Coast League, where he compiled a 1-1 record with a 1.80 ERA. He was called up to the Cape Fear Crocs of the South Atlantic League. He went 2-0 with the Crocs, pitching 10 innings with a 1.80 ERA in three games.

Mike Casper, who was the Panthers' No. 1 starter last season, signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals. He appeared in 19 games for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League, where he had a 3-2 record with a 2.87 ERA in 37 innings. He tallied 23 strikeouts and 10 walks on the season. His strikeout to walk ratio was second-best on the team.