Stanczyk Takes Pitcher and Player of the Year HonorsComplete Release in PDF Format
May 26, 2004 INDIANAPOLIS - When people say Ben Stanczyk is one-of-a-kind player they certainly aren't kidding. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee junior more than proved that point as he became the first player in the 24-year history of the Horizon League/Midwestern Collegiate Conference to be named the league's Pitcher and Player of the Year in the same season as the league announced its 2004 all-league teams here Tuesday (May 25). The righthander, who was named to the All-Horizon League First-Team, was joined by teammates Matt Alexander and Ross McCoy who were honored as second-team selections with McCoy also earning All-Newcomer Team accolades. "This is just great for Ben," UWM head coach Jerry Augustine. "To do what he does is incredible. He is one the true aces in the league and one of the best hitters in the league. He is a special player and has been our go-to-guy all season." Thanks to his work on the mound Stanczyk became UWM's third hurler to ever win the league Pitcher of the Year award, joining former teammate Mikel Schaefer last season and Quintin Oldenburg in 2001. With a seven-inning, nine-strikeout performance in Wednesday's (May 26) league tournament win over Wright State, Stanczyk became Milwaukee's single-season strikeout leader with 95 while running his record to 7-3 with a team-best 3.43. Stanczyk has been even better versus league foes as he improved his record to 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA while striking out 53 with just four walks. When not pitching the third baseman has become UWM's most potent offensive threat as he leads the team in hitting (.378), home runs (9) and RBI (40). With two hits in Wednesday's game the Waukesha native ran his career-best hitting streak to 14 games with a .483 average, three homers, and 15 RBI during the stretch. Alexander, a senior, emerged as one the league's premeir hitters from the start of the season and is currently in the midst of a career and team-best 15-game hitting streak. With two more hits on Wednesday No. 14 improved his batting average to .375 to go with a league-high 78 hits and a team-best 14 doubles. The rightfielder began the season on a 13-game hitting streak, 12 of which were multiple hit games. The freshman McCoy burst onto the scene in 2004 and has become one of the most dangerous bats in the Horizon League. The tall first baseman pounded two hits and a double on Wednesday to improve his season average to .315 and slugging percentage to .511. McCoy currently leads the team in triples with three while ripping 11 doubles and six longballs to go with 34 RBI, 34 runs scored and six stolen bases. McCoy has hit in 13-straight games with seven doubles, a triple and two home runs during the streak. "I'm happy for Matt because he has worked so hard to become a really good player," Augustine said. "Ross has really blossomed of late and has become a true threat in the middle of the lineup. It's always nice to have players recognized by other coaches in the league."
The Panthers will return to action Thursday (May 27) with a second round Horizon League Tournament game versus No. 1 seed Illinois-Chicago. Game time is set for 10:30 a.m. at Eastwood Field in Niles, Ohio.
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