Although his summer at Wild Things Park was cut short, it looks like former Blackhawk and Slippery Rock infielder Joe Campagna was able to make an impression on the Washington Wild Things.

After recording a .303 batting average for the Slammin’ Sammies this summer, the New Castle native became the first player to sign a 2021 contract with the Washington Wild Things on Tuesday. Campagna also scored 22 times this season and hit five home runs, five doubles and drove in 12 runs.

“The Washington Wild Things are a great organization from the top down,” Campagna said in a statement on Tuesday. “They gave me an opportunity to play ball during tough times in 2020, and I could not be more thankful for that. I feel comfortable around the staff and the ballpark feels like home.”

When the Washington Wild Things organization put plans into place to have their four-team umbrella league at Wild Things Park, President and General Manager Tony Buccilli created the Slammin’ Sammies to add another team to the league. He went on to fill the team with several former WPIAL players who have played at high levels.

After his high school and college career, Campagna fit the mold Buccilli was looking for. In 2015 at Blackhawk, Campagna hit .475 and recorded a .625 on-base percentage. He went on to have a historical career at Slippery Rock.

The infielder finished in the top 10 in school history in home runs and RBIs and was top 20 in several other categories. He recorded a .317 batting average with 28 home runs and 125 RBIs with 36 doubles and five triples in his college career. When that success at the plate continued this summer, Buccilli thought Campagna earned his Wild Things contract.

“Joe certainly took advantage of the opportunity before him this year,” Buccilli said. “His added athleticism provides great versatility for us across the field. We saw some mature traits in his offensive game as a situational hitter and with his work ethic.”

With 2021 on his mind, he’s ready to do big things next season with his new team and can’t wait to get started.

“I love to win, and I feel like we have a team that could go all the way and take the whole thing,” Campagna said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)