Panthers face the Brewers in exhibition game

For a third straight year, the Milwaukee Panthers baseball team will face the Milwaukee Brewers in an exhibition game at Maryvale Baseball Park in Arizona on Feb. 24.

“It’s a unique opportunity that only three or four colleges have in the country,” said Panthers head coach Scott Doffek. “We are extremely thankful the Brewers have given us the chance.”

With the Brewers gearing up for the start of spring training games, right-handed pitcher Hiram Burgos will start against the Panthers. The past two years, the Panthers used nine pitchers in each matchup.

Wisconsin’s only Division I college baseball program, the Panthers opened the 2017 season on Feb. 17 and have a 1-3 record with their lone win coming against Illinois.

“For us it’s a good way to see good competition,” Doffek said. “Although it’s an exhibition, we are still coming out to compete. I know our guys really look forward to it and so do the coaches.”

When the teams squared off two years ago, it marked the first time the Brewers faced a collegiate team in an exhibition contest since they played Arizona State University in 1983. The Brewers beat the Panthers, 8-0, in 2015.

A year ago, the Panthers held the early 2-1 lead before the Brewers prevailed, 11-2.

“It’s a great experience for us to play against the major league team from the state,” said UWM preseason All-American catcher Daulton Varsho. “It’s a great experience for us and to try and play the best.”

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