Georgia Southwestern’s Zoe Willis earns Division II Player of the Year

Zoe Willis continues to accumulate awards as her junior season with GSW softball comes to an end.

AMERICUS, GA- Zoe Willis has been the ‘it girl’ of Division II softball this season and now has the hardware to prove it, earning the Ron Lenz Player of the Year Award from the Division II Conference Commissioners Association. One of the two highest national titles in Division II.

“It’s like a dream come true actually. It’s like a dream I’m living in right now” Willis said.

As if it wasn’t already an honor to receive this award, Willis is the very first in league history to do so. She’s coming off a historic 2023 season that saw her lead Division II with 25 home runs, the second-highest single-season total in Peach Belt Conference history.

Additionally, she leads the division in slugging (.993), ranks fourth in total bases (151) and fifth in on-base-percentage (.563) and RBI’s (67).

Willis said she kept these numbers consistent throughout the season through simplicity.

“For me, the biggest thing was always managing to keep it simple. To know that I worked on what needed to be worked on and just applying it to the game was my best thing,” Willis said.

However, earning hardware is nothing new for Willis. Last season, she became the first Hurricane to ever be named the PBC Player of the Year and is the first GSW player to do so in consecutive seasons.

She is also the 2x Peach Belt Player of the Year (2022, 2023), 2023 South East Regional Player of the Year, named First Team All-Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for the second year in a row and the list goes on.

The junior second baseman and pitcher has proven to be a threat at the plate and in the field. Making 16 starts and 26 appearances for 104.2 total innings, to lead the team as a pitcher. She was 14-3 in the circle with a 2.54 ERA and 99 total strikeouts.

Even after having one of the greatest seasons any PBC player has ever had, Zoe believes there’s always room for improvement.

“Physically, I would definitely work on making sure I still hit good pitches and working around the zone when I am hitting. As well as working on being mentally prepared to not be too anxious in the box. As a pitcher, I definitely need to work on making sure I don’t miss much. I have to hit my spots and I have to be persistent on doing that” Willis said.

Willis says she spends a lot of her free time perfecting these skills.

“I love going and working out by myself. Hitting in our indoor is one of the best things for me to do. I go in at around 10 o’clock at night when I know nobody else will be in there. So, it’s just my time to correct and perfect myself” Willis explained. “I knew going into this season I had to perfect hitting. After I got Peach Belt Player of the Year last year, I realized pitchers were trying to pitch around me. So, I really had to adapt and learn how to hit balls I normally wouldn’t or that were outside of the strike zone. Which I have improved on, but hitting is definitely one of the most important things I work on.”

Although she has received a new trophy, she says her awards have more names on the plate than just hers.

“I will never accept any award without giving credit to my team. Softball is a team sport through and through. Yes, I make some good plays, yes, I work hard, but my team plays a huge role in that. My freshman year was not my best and after I was constantly going to my coaches, asking them how I could get better, asking for drills and they worked with me completely. Not to mention my teammates are just out of this world. Always encouraging and always positive and lifting each other up, especially when someone is getting down about their performance. Their vibes are amazing no matter what. Being here has definitely helped me as a player and as a person,” Willis stated.

With one season remaining, Zoe has already made history and began a legacy for the Hurricane softball program. However, the awards and accomplishments are not what she wants to be remembered for.

“I appreciate the awards, but I would rather be considered a leader than a great athlete. I’m not much of a loud leader, but I’m more-so with my actions. I want to be that example for current a new girl coming up that the extra work you put in and how you treat others is what makes or breaks you as a player. The type of person and teammate you are is more important than any stat or award in the long run,” Willis explained.