(GREEN BAY BOOYAH) ASHWAUBENON, Wis. – The Green Bay Booyah have announced the return of Clemson infielder Max Wagner, Vanderbilt left-handed pitcher Ryan Stefiuk, West Virginia left-handed pitcher Ben Hampton and Dixie State left-handed pitcher Ben Hart for the 2021 season. The announcement marks the first player signings for the 2021 season and the return of three local standouts to the team.
“Coming off stellar high school careers we were thrilled to have Max, Ryan, & Ben join us during the abbreviated season last summer,” said Booyah Vice President & General Manager John Fanta. “First off, it’s good for baseball in the local community. It gives younger players someone to look up to and illustrates what you can achieve through hard work. Secondly, for the players themselves, getting an opportunity to get their feet wet against high-level collegiate competition, last summer, before setting foot on college campus is extremely valuable. I look forward to seeing the growth they have following their true freshman seasons at their respective universities.”
A native of Green Bay, Wagner will be playing his freshman season at Clemson this spring. The 6-0 Wagner was the 2020 Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year for Wisconsin, becoming the first metro player to win the award since 2002. He was a three-time player of the year in the Fox River Classic Conference and helped lead the Green Bay Preble Hornets to the WIAA Division 1 state tournament each season of his career. He finished his high school career with a 16-3 record and a 0.82 ERA on the mound as well. He also slashed .457/.569/.731 at the plate while in high school. Wagner signed a two-year contract as a high school senior last summer, making 15 appearances for the Booyah in his first taste of Northwoods League action.
Rejoining Wagner on the Booyah this season is high school teammate Ryan Stefiuk. The 6-4 left-handed hurler will be playing his freshman season at Vanderbilt this spring. Stefiuk was the top-rated southpaw and fourth-best prospect overall in the state of Wisconsin and the 15th-ranked southpaw nationwide in the Class of 2020 according to Perfect Game. Among his many accolades include a 0.90 career ERA in high school, four-time all-state first-team and 2020 Perfect Game Preseason All-America. He made seven appearances for the Booyah last summer.
Also returning to the Booyah is pitcher Ben Hampton. He will be playing his freshman season at West Virginia this spring. The 6-2 left-handed pitcher was ranked as the No. 22 overall prospect in Wisconsin by Perfect Game in 2020, was a Rawlings-Perfect Game Senior Preseason All-America High Honorable Mention, Bay Conference Pitcher of the Year, District Player of the year and an all-state selection. He struck out 112 hitters in 58 innings leading to a team MVP award after leading West De Pere to a state tournament appearance as a junior. He made four appearances for the Booyah in 2020.
Lastly, returning to the Booyah in 2021 is Ben Hart. Standing at 6-2, the left-handed pitcher will be playing his redshirt freshman season at Dixie State this spring. A native of Lakeside, California, Hart made seven appearances for the Dixie State Trailblazers in 2020, his true freshman season. He recorded 13 innings pitched, striking eight hitters, issuing three walks and posting a 2.08 ERA before COVID-19 put an early end to the season. As a member of the Booyah, he appeared in eight games (4 starts) spanning 28 innings. He struck out 23 batters while posting a 3.54 ERA.
“Ben did an outstanding job on the mound for us last year,” said Fanta. “We look forward to having him take on an even larger role on the staff going into this summer.”
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