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Pair of Preble graduates join Booyah

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By Rich Palzewic

Sports Editor


ASHWAUBENON – A pair of 2020 Green Bay Preble High School graduates – Max Wagner and Ryan Stefiuk – joined the Green Bay Booyah baseball club this summer.

The duo joined West De Pere pitcher Ben Hampton on the roster.

Wagner, an infielder, was recently named the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year and is a Clemson University commit, while Stefiuk, a pitcher, will be heading to Vanderbilt University.

“It’s pretty cool,” said John Fanta, vice president of the Booyah. “Max, the (2020) Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year is from Green Bay, so the chance to bring him in when a spot in the infield opened up was a no-brainer, and we’ll add Stefiuk in the middle of the month. The goal is to promote baseball in the area, so having a few local players is great.”

Wagner posted a .457 batting average during his high school career with 28 doubles, 86 runs scored, 69 RBI, 36 steals and recorded a .569 on-base percentage.

Max Wagner

“Ever since I was little, I thought it would be cool to play for the Bullfrogs/Booyah,” said Wagner. “I’ll get to face college pitching before I even get to college – I’m excited.”

Wagner said it will be special to play with Stefiuk and Hampton.

“To have three local high school players playing for their hometown team is awesome,” he said. “We’re all good friends.”

Through four games, Wagner is hitting .273 (3-for-11) with a walk.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound left-handed Stefiuk pops the mitt about 93 mph.

“I’m excited,” said Stefiuk, who’s been in Cincinnati for most of the summer playing for the Midland Redskins. “I didn’t know what to expect with COVID, but as soon as the Booyah reached out to me, I wasn’t hesitant at all. I’m excited to get back to Green Bay and join the team.”

Ryan Stefiuk

Stefiuk said he’s added about 10 pounds to his frame, which also added about 2-3 mph to his velocity.

“I feel lots better about myself, and I’m stronger,” he said. “I was pretty skinny before.”

Stefiuk said he was in Cincinnati through the weekend of July 12.

“It’ll be something special to pitch in front of my family and friends again in Green Bay,” he said. “With the high school season getting cancelled, it was tough hanging up the cleats for Preble.”

Stefiuk said he will report to Vanderbilt sometime in mid-August.

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