May 17, 2000

Dayton, Ohio -- UWM junior first baseman Eric Goerdt was named the MCC Newcomer of the Year and Jerry Augustine was named MCC co-Coach of the Year at the league's postseason awards banquet on Wednesday.

This is Augustine's second Coach of the Year award in four seasons. He guided the Panthers to their first-ever MCC regular season championship this season.

Goerdt leads the Panthers in batting average (.411) and RBIs (41). He was the Panthers' third consecutive MCC Newcomer of the Year (Steve Tylke in 1999 and Steve Johnson in 1998). Along with the Newcomer of the Year award, Goerdt was named to the MCC All-Newcomer team and the All-MCC first team.

Joining Goerdt on the Newcomer Team was junior shortstop Scott Gillitzer and junior second baseman Matt Houk.

Gillitzer was also named to the All-MCC second team, along with Chad Sadowski, who earned the honor as a pitcher.

Sadowski earned All-MCC first team honors as a designated hitter, joining teammates Darin Haugom and Andy Neary.

The Panthers have the top seed in the MCC Tournament, which begins on Thursday. UWM will play No. 6 Detroit in the first round.