(By Dylan Gutierrez ’25, special contributer)
Mackenzie Willey, a senior outfielder, joined the Lebanon Valley College softball team in the 2023 season following an impressive show of talent at Chesapeake College in 2022. Willey was named NFCA Academic All-American, NFCA All-American East and All-MD JUCO First Team Outfielder during her time at Chesapeake.
Willey, now a senior for the Dutchmen, talks about how she feels for the upcoming season.
“I am excited for all that the senior season has to bring, the thrill of the first hit, first win and the hope to make it to playoffs,” she said. “Most of all, to close this chapter of life playing the sport I love one last time, for the little girl who started to play this game all those years ago and dreamed of these moments,” she said.
Willey faces a big task going into the season, as she is one of three seniors. Willey speaks about her leadership role, specifically for the incoming class.
“I am the only vetted outfielder this season. I strive to be like the seniors before me,” she said. “[They] made me feel welcomed, challenged me to be 1% better every day, and not fear failure by going all out.”
Willey is talking of prior seniors Samantha Burns and Lindsey McCurdy. Both were outfielders whom she played alongside as the team made a run to the NCAA Regional Championships.
“The incoming class is extra special to me. I want to set a tone for them, a safe space to ask questions, not just about softball but in life as well,” she said.
Willey, coming into this season with big shoes to fill, sets her sights on building off last season’s success with goals of her own.
“After last season, a goal for myself is to have confidence in my abilities and that my time and work ethic will pay off and to trust the process,” she said.
Although she set goals for herself, her ability to focus on the team shows the leadership role she is filling.
“The team should focus on staying in the moment and working together,” Willey said. “Last year’s seniors helped when mistakes were made. They made up and picked their teammates up.”
Willey spoke on last year’s senior class, and what stuck with her as she heads into her last season here at Lebanon Valley College.
“I could write a whole book on all the advice that I have gotten, and lessons I have learned from last year’s seniors,” Willey said. “Specifically, Sam Burns, Lindsey McCurdy and Jordan Walter.”
Willey, as mentioned before, played alongside Burns and McCurdy in the 2024 season, while Walter was one of the Dutchmen’s starting pitchers.
“I learned to keep myself grounded in my faith, implementing the ‘I am second’ mentality in any success… I learned how to be a leader, to be understanding, to challenge those around me, to do the hard things, and above all else be a good person,” Willey said.
It seems as though Mackenzie Willey has grown into this new role of hers, as she looks to carry on last year’s legacy and bring success for herself and Lebanon Valley College in the upcoming season.