The Milwaukee Brewers are in the middle of Cactus League play preparing for the upcoming season, but the Club already has one game on their 2015 exhibition slate. The Brewers today announced plans to play an exhibition game against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team at Maryvale Baseball Park on a date to be determined.

“This game will be great for baseball in the state of Wisconsin,” said Brewers President and General Manager Doug Melvin. “It’s a good opportunity for our organization to support the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee program, and will give our players a chance to connect with some of the state’s top young amateur talent.”

This is the first time the Brewers have faced a collegiate team in an exhibition game since 1983 when they played the Arizona State University men’s baseball team. It will mark the first time the Brewers have ever played the Panthers in an exhibition.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to play the Milwaukee Brewers,” UWM Athletic Director Amanda Braun said. “UWM and the Brewers have had a long-standing partnership and we are proud to add to that partnership. The Panthers are the only Division I baseball team in the state, so we are Milwaukee neighbors with the Brewers in the baseball community and this will be a great way to celebrate the start of the season for both of us in 2015. It’s a tremendous opportunity for the team, our fans and the UWM community. It’s also great for Brewers fans and a nice way to bring our alumni together in a fun way in early spring.”

The Panthers play regular season games each year at Miller Park. This year, the Panthers are set to play at Miller Park on May 15 vs. Wright State after the Brewers game at noon that day. The Panthers compete in the Horizon League and went 29–21 last season, including a Horizon League championship. Their first home game of this season is scheduled for March 26 vs. Edgewood at Henry Aaron Field in Milwaukee.

“First and foremost, I want to start by thanking the Milwaukee Brewers organization for this opportunity,” UWM baseball head coach Scott Doffek said. “I also want to thank Tom Luljak and Amanda Braun for helping to arrange this. This will be a fun day and a great experience for our team. All of our student-athletes look up to the Major League players and aspire to one day play at that level. This will also be a wonderful way to showcase our University and to engage our alumni in Arizona in a unique way.”

In the 2013 MLB First Year Player Draft, the Brewers selected Josh Uhen from UWM in the fifth round. Uhen was named the Horizon League’s top pro prospect by Baseball America and was the highest-ever draft choice in Panther baseball history. Five players from the UWM baseball program have been selected by MLB teams over the past three seasons.

Now, back to the last time the Brewers played a college team in an exhibition. In that game versus Arizona State on March 22, 1983 the Brewers won 6–3 behind a three-run homer by Roy Howell.

— JOHN

johnandcait@brewers.com