Wingspan: How have you been preparing for the upcoming season?

Willingham: “My main way of preparing for this season is showing up early before school with some of my teammates and getting extra work in. I personally am working really hard on my pitching, so playing catch and conditioning my arm whenever I have free time has been a big part of my preparation. Other than that, working extra hard in the weight room and taking quality reps in the outfield has helped me prepare.”

Wingspan: What is the team’s greatest strength?

Willingham: “I think our biggest strength is sharing a common goal and working really hard to accomplish that goal. We didn’t get as far as we wanted to in the playoffs last year, so the program as a whole has been really dialed in and determined to make a strong playoff push this season. We’ve all been really good at putting excuses to the side and getting the work done.”

Wingspan: What’s been the team’s biggest struggle in the past?

Willingham: “In the past, we’ve tended to lose energy and focus towards the end of games and it has cost us a fair amount of wins. Our team is really good at getting ahead of teams early, but a big focus this year has been sustaining high intensity throughout entire games. We all have a chip on our shoulder following last season, so I think this year we’ll have great intensity each and every game.”

Wingspan: Do you have any Pre game rituals?

Willingham: “I’m not too superstitious, but I’ll listen to the same music before every game and go through the same arm stretch routine before every start. Before leaving the dugout, I’ll say a quick prayer, and I always make sure to skip over the foul line while running out to the field. I’ve done these things ever since my freshman year, and they’ve turned into small habits that I make sure to do before every game.”

Wingspan: What’s your favorite part of baseball?

Willingham: “My favorite part of baseball is being able to be part of a family with my teammates and coaches. Competing at a high level can be stressful at times, but the bonds I’ve created with the team has made my baseball experience incredible beyond words. Showing up to practices and games with my teammates has been something I’ve cherished about baseball.”

Wingspan: How has baseball changed your life?

Willingham: “Throughout the course of my life, baseball has taught me that failure is guaranteed, whether it’s on or off the field. Just like you may not get your dream job or make a good grade on your test every attempt, you’re not going to get on base or strike someone out every single time. Baseball has really helped me dial down my “perfectionist” mindset and understand that it’s okay to mess up.”