Perseverance – noun
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Doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Over 10 years ago I met a young kid named Will Mullen. Will worked extremely hard and earned himself a scholarship 5 years later to Western Michigan University in 2015. Will was taking his 87 mph fastball and his 6’4” frame to college with high hopes for a great career.
During the next 10 months, things did not go as planned. He lost it and started to question himself. Will persevered. In his Freshman Year, 2016, he did not play. He was redshirted. Returning home in a May of 2016, Will wondered if college baseball was in his future. Will persevered.
After working hard all summer, Will gave it another try for the 2017 season. Will did not play. Once again, his confidence was shaken. Will persevered.
He continued to work hard entering his third year at Western Michigan. Will was a red-shirt sophomore and he still had three years left. During the 2018 season, Will did not play. Will persevered.
How many baseball players would have spent the time and effort to find a way to get out of bed every day and work hard after three years of never seeing the field? Will found a way. During the 2019 season, Will earned a break.
2019: Made 28 appearances ... the 28 appearances is the third most in a single-season in school history ... led the team with four saves and posted a 3-4 record with a 4.50 ERA ... in 50.0 innings of work, allowed 25 runs on 63 hits ... posted a career-high five strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work at Central Michigan (4/26) ... pitched a career-high 4.2 innings, allowing no runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts vs. Northern Illinois ... recorded at least one strikeout in 18 of his 28 appearances ... during the month of April, made 10 appearances registering 21 strikeouts
Will Mullen was an Academic All-MAC Selection
Will persevered and now he will be entering his senior season.
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