Q&A: Annie Willis

Annie Willis, a star in the Mississippi State maroon, is heading into her second season in the league. As a rookie last season, she dominated in the circle. A league-leading 2.06 ERA as a newcomer is impressive, and she looks to build upon her first-year performance. We got a chance to sit down with Willis and get to know the woman behind the pitcher.

Photo courtesy of Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Tell us where you grew up and how you got started in softball?

I was born in Marietta, Georgia but I grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. I am the fourth child out of five children in my family. My three older siblings were involved in sports, so when I got old enough, I wanted to be a part of sports as well. My older sister started playing softball first and that is when I decided I wanted to play softball too. I started playing t-ball when I was about four and I have never stopped playing. Funny thing- I actually started off my career wanting to be a catcher. My sister took pitching lessons in Birmingham, which was about a two-hour drive from our house, and my dad would always take me too. One day I asked my dad if I could give pitching a try and I never looked back.

You had a stellar college career at Mississippi State. What would you say is your most memorable performance during that time?

I loved every opportunity that I got during my time at Mississippi State and I will always be grateful for the people I met and got to play with while being there. My most memorable performance during my time happened in one of the last few games of my college career. It was the final game in the regional championship against Florida State. That moment and that feeling of being in the circle and playing for something way bigger than myself, alongside a group of people all fighting for the same goal, is unmatched. I don’t think I will ever be able to recreate that feeling of being in the circle in that amazing situation and being a part of creating history for the Mississippi State softball program.

Do you have a mentor for pitching, or anyone that you continue to learn from?

I have a few different mentors for pitching that I will always be grateful for because, without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My two pitching coaches when I was growing up were Kerri Foster and Amber Torres Reimers. These two women set my pitching foundation and showed me the pitcher I really could become, and I am so grateful for them. My pitching coach at State was Josh Johnson. He is someone who brought a completely different side of pitching to light for me and made me think about pitching in ways that I never would have done on my own. He is constantly learning and teaching his pitchers everything he can so that we all can be the best that we can be. Josh is someone that I will always be able to go back to regarding pitching, or really anything, and he will always be willing to help me.

Photo courtesy of Kit Mohr

This past year, you got drafted to participate in the first ever WPF (exhibition) season! Describe that feeling.

Honestly, I describe it as a dream come true! As a little girl, playing professionally was always something I dreamed of doing, but historically there hasn’t been much chance of being able to do it. I have a deep appreciation for the people in the world today who are fighting for women’s sports, fighting to be able to have a professional platform so that many more girls can grow up with the dream of playing professionally and see their dreams become reality. I wasn’t a player that got a lot of recognition in the collegiate softball world and that was OK. I love the game and was blessed with the opportunity to play for amazing coaches on an SEC team, with really talented, supportive teammates, and for me- that was enough. But playing professionally was always in the back of my mind so being drafted was such an awesome, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I think in some ways it’s hard to accurately describe those feelings. I was so blessed with this opportunity, and I am forever grateful for it.

What are your goals for the 2023 season?

My goals for next season are about the same as the goals that I have for myself in every season that I play. I always just want to be the best pitcher that I can be in whatever role is asked of me. I want to be the best teammate that I can be. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself and in the WPF league, we are onto something special. This is exactly what I dreamed of doing once I finished my college career, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of WPF! I just want to continue getting better every day and to continue growing my love for and knowledge of the game of softball each day that I can. I want to be a part of giving other young girls and young women the chance to keep living their softball dreams.

Follow along with Annie’s journey on Instagram at @annie_willis14.