2021 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

June 18, 2021

Donta Williams

Arizona Wildcats

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We are now joined by Donta Williams. Can you give us a brief statement about what it means to you to make it to Omaha this year.

DONTA' WILLIAMS: It's a dream come true. Our team has been through a lot this year, ups and downs. It's just a part of our identity, who we are. So it's a great feeling to experience it with the great group of guys we have. We're not done yet.

THE MODERATOR: Let's go to our first question.

Q. What is the feeling like in the clubhouse with all the guys knowing that through all the hard work, the frustrations, that you all made it to Omaha?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: It's definitely one that you can't really put in words, the expressions or the emotions. But just with the emotions and stuff like that, we can't take our foot off the gas. We're right back on it next practice, when the time comes for it.

Outside of where we need to be, it's a great moment. We're not looking too far ahead or too far behind us, we're being where our feet are.

Q. You're opening up the tournament with Vandy, technically the defending champs. Would you say as a team how you have played this year and the opponents you faced that this is something you wanted, knowing now you're going to go up against the best in round one?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: Yeah, I mean, you know, we have a lot of tasks at our way. We've prepared for moments like this ever since we stepped foot back on campus after COVID hit. So, I mean, I wouldn't want us to be in any other position.

Vandy is a great team. Our team, we like tough tasks. We like to get the job done. We're ready. We're going to be ready for their matchup.

Q. Are you aware of the on-base streak you've put together in terms of consecutive games?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: I've seen it a few times. I'm not really worried about that at all.

Q. What is your approach in that first at-bat or in general? Is it a matter of it doesn't matter how you get on base, just get on there and get something started?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: Right. Get the momentum going for my team. They like to call me the 'Engine'. Whatever I can do to get on base, base hit, walk, hit by a pitch, free bases, whatever, that's what I like to do. I know my game, whatever helps the team, I do it.

Q. Where do you think your offensive game has improved the most this season?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: I mean, just being able to be consistent. I don't think there's doubles or triples or anything that really stand out. Just being able to be the same person every time, every game. Just being more consistent, working with my teammates to get that going.

Q. How much do you think playing in Hi Corbett this year with the size of the outfield prepares you for a sizable outfield like TD Ameritrade?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: It's a big grass area. HiC is obviously really, really spacious. It's kind of similar. At the end of the day it's just a baseball field that you have to go catch a fly ball in. I don't really see any difference in it.

Q. Looking at your career, you've gotten better every single season. What do you think is the biggest factor behind the progress you've been able to make?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: Just being able to develop a good foundation of what I need to do off-season, getting with the coaches, Chief and Coach Jay, about the hitting approach, getting bigger, faster, getting in the weight room with Coach Krumpos, and just working on my mental game, too, will help a lot.

It's just getting 1% better every day.

Q. It's a team effort, right?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: Right.

Q. We've heard a lot about Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter heading into this game. What do you see when you look at them?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: Great pitchers. Can throw their fast ball up there, great off speed. We watch them on games and stuff. But I think we're going to be well-prepared for whoever we face. We have a great offensive plan throughout the whole year, so I think it's going to be a fun matchup for us.

Q. How do you prep for a matchup, a big stage, knowing that you're potentially going to be going up against a top-tier draft prospect on the mound? How do you mentally put yourself in the right space?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: We've been here before at some point in our lives. Every hitter has faced a top prospect. I think it's just not making the situation bigger than our plan. We talk about being where your feet are, not making any moment bigger than what it is. Just kind of treating it as another game. So that's what we're going to do.

We can't let the stage get too big for us. So just go back to -- right back to our training at the end of the day. See the baseball, put a great tool on it. That's what we're going to go into tomorrow's game doing.

Q. Is getting drafted into the Major Leagues something you're hoping to happen at the end of your career?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: Yeah, at some point. But I'm not focused on that right now. I'm trying to win a College World Series.

Q. Vanderbilt has I think six guys from the West Coast. Do you know any of them, played with any of them in the past?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: Yeah, I played with Jayson Gonzalez on the USA team. We've known each other for a couple years now, yeah.

Q. What is that going to be like to play against him?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: It's always fun to play against guys you grew up with playing, guys you haven't seen in a long time, especially the guys on the East Coast you don't really see much.

It's definitely cool. Childhood, seeing people be successful is always something you root for. I mean, you get out there, say, What's up, smiles and everything. But right when the first pitch goes, it's all competitiveness, they're not friends at that point.

Q. Coach Johnson has mentioned a couple times the year he was hired, you and Tony came out for a recruiting visit. That was six years ago. What are your thoughts from that point to now?

DONTA' WILLIAMS: Both Tony and I have grown so much. I remember being on the official at the same time. That's the first time I ever met Tony. Seeing him now versus back then, it's unreal. The dude has matured so much. The baseball game has gotten better. Good leadership and everything.

I'm just glad I get to experience the moment with those two, Coach Jay and Tony.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Donta, for joining us.

DONTA' WILLIAMS: Thank you, guys.