James Franks is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Higley High School for AZPreps365.com

In March 2020, Mark Fernandez and Jake Willerup were starting their baseball seasons in Downey, California and in San Mateo, California. One year after their seasons were canceled due to COVID-19, both players moved east to Gilbert, Arizona, where they now play for the Higley Knights. 

The move to Arizona was not the original plan for the Willerups. 

“Originally, the plan was to stay in California,” Willerup said. “I was going to play football in the winter and play baseball in the spring.”

After California announced that the football season was going to start in the spring, the Willerups headed to Arizona. The Willerups knew that Arizona’s restrictions would be looser than California’s, he said. 

Fernandez also headed to Arizona for a chance to play again after the abrupt ending to the 2020 season. 

“It broke me,” he said. “Putting all that work in just for it to end right away did not feel good.” 

 

New Beginnings

For Willerup, baseball has always been a part of family life. 

“Jake and I always played catch and Wiffle ball in the backyard,” said Jake’s father, Paul. Jake also learned to play the game from his mother, Lisa, who was a high school softball player. 

Fernandez began to enjoy baseball after watching himself improve each time he went out on the field. 

“I saw myself improving a lot,” he said. “I started to like the game after seeing my physical abilities. It made me fit right into the game.” 

When Willerup, a center fielder, and Fernandez, a pitcher, first stepped onto the field at Higley High School, nerves kicked in.

“At first I was nervous,” Fernandez said. “Growing up, I've always stayed with one team. I never had the option or was given the option to go play for another team.”      

Those nerves lasted only for a brief moment as the Knights put in extra effort to get to know their new teammates.

“I was incredibly surprised at how nice and welcoming the kids were,” Willerup said. “They all introduced themselves and even the coach set up some players to see me on the first day and make sure I felt welcomed.” 

Fernandez also had a chance to feel the love from his new team. 

“The players welcomed me with open arms,” he said. “It made me very comfortable to be myself. I didn't have to be someone that I am not.” 

 

Completing the Team

While Fernandez and Willerup were getting to know their new teammates at practice, coach Terry Dietz noticed how their athleticism was an advantage for the team. 

“I saw that Jake had had some real dynamic skill sets,” Dietz said. “He’s probably one of the strongest baseball players that I've ever been around, and he has some really refined ability.” 

When evaluating Fernandez, Dietz saw him grow and improve after each practice. 

“He took huge leaps and bounds day by day,” he said. 

Dietz was even more impressed by the character of both boys.

“Both of them are incredible young men,” he said. “They were a seamless fit into our culture.”

The seamless fit by Willerup and Fernandez has helped bolster a Higley team that is starting the 2021 season with a 7-1 record. 

 

Goals for 2021    

After the 2020 halt, both boys attempt to make their presence known when they are on the field in 2021. 

“I am trying to make up for last season,” Fernandez said.  “I am putting all the frustration and hard work that I've been working on over the past couple of months into the season.”

Willerup has been looking forward to playing in an area that is known for competitive high school baseball and is ready to compete alongside local talent. 

“I'm excited that I get the chance to play high school baseball in such a baseball mecca,” he said. “I worked hard in the offseason and I'm glad that now I'm able to show my abilities on the field.” 

 

Brotherhood

The 2021 Higley Knights varsity baseball team already has a unique story to tell as they play during the middle of a pandemic. The circumstances of the 2021 season also allowed for new friendships to be made. 

Teammate Cody Mowers was excited to create new memories with Willerup and Fernandez. 

“We honestly clicked right away,” he said. 

Mowers strengthened his friendships with Willerup and Fernandez while away from the field through a weight training class they are all enrolled in, he said. Mowers grew to enjoy being close with his new teammates. 

“They're just great to be around,” he said. 

While taking a risk to resume playing baseball by moving to a new state, Fernandez noticed a drastic change in chemistry when compared to his old team. 

“I'd say my experiences here over the past couple of months (at Higley) have been better than my three and a half years in California,” he said. 

Willerup is grateful for his time with the Knights, he said. 

“We all love each other,” he said. “I appreciate how we play as a team and I think it takes our game to the next level.”