Ben was a two-sport star at Chagrin in baseball and soccer. He was converted to goalie for his last two years where he would be selected 3rd Team All-Ohio, 1st Team All Greater Cleveland, and 1st Team CVC. During his senior year, the team finished with only two losses, which were to eventual DIII State Champion Hawken, and DII State Runner-Up Walsh Jesuit in the District Finals. In baseball, Ben holds CFHS baseball career record for runs scored (104) and walks (70) and ranks in the top 5 in four other categories. He also has 3 single season records: Average – .570, Home Runs – 9, & Runs – 55, while also ranking in the top 5 in 5 other single season categories. His 55 runs in 2001 is tied for 8th in Ohio. His impressive play earned him numerous awards from 2nd Team All-Ohio, CVC M.V.P., and to the all-star teams by the Plain Dealer, News Herald and Sun Press in baseball. His senior year, Ben would lead the Tigers to a CVC title and to the regional title game, the furthest the baseball program has made it in postseason play. He would later sign to play for Division 1 Cleveland State Vikings where he would be a four year starter at shortstop. His collegiate honors included being selected to the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team (2002), All-Horizon League Championship team (2003), and Horizon League Player of the Week (2004). Additionally, he would receive the Paul O’Dea Scholarship for “the player who best exemplifies the dedication to baseball and sportsmanship as Mr. O’Dea.” Ben was a prospect of the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals before being sidelined from a torn shoulder labrum. However, Ben was still able to recover to be the starting shortstop his senior year.