Semb living out childhood dream as Iowa Hawkeyes pitcher
IOWA CITY, Iowa (BVM) — For Will Semb, the University of Iowa baseball team’s fall season was a moment he had been waiting for for almost two years.
The freshman right-handed pitcher had used it as a goal as he began the long and arduous journey through recovery from Tommy John surgery which he underwent toward the end of his junior season in high school. The surgery meant that Semb would not play another game of high school baseball.
“It was really tough in general,” Semb said. “You have to change your mindset a little bit and focus on the end goal.”
The De Pere, Wis. native’s end goal was Hawkeye baseball. At the time of the injury and even after it, Semb was one of the best high school baseball players in the state. After making varsity as a freshman, college coaches quickly took notice of the young right-handed pitcher.
“Marty (Iowa baseball recruiting coordinator) had seen him in the summer when he was younger and he really liked how he competed,” Hawkeyes head coach Rick Heller said. “He had a fast arm and could really spin it so we put him on our radar. Felt like he was a great fit for our program.”
Semb felt the same way, making his commitment to Iowa official in November of his senior year.
“It was really good in general just because all your hard work finally pays off and you realize every kid’s goal of playing a collegiate sport is now actually coming into play,” Semb said.
Once on campus and with the team this fall, Semb knew he had made the right choice.
“I love it here,” Semb said. “I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”
However, it wasn’t all easy. Semb hadn’t played in a real game since his junior year of high school and he struggled during his first few outings of fall ball. The early struggles did not discourage Semb, however. They made him work harder. With each pitch, he worked to get back to where he had been prior to the surgery and everyone took notice of his dedication.
“The great thing is he’s such a mentally tough kid that it didn’t set him back; it just inspired him to work harder,” Heller said. “He started out kind of slow, but he finished strong. … It solidified the fact that we had made a really good decision with Will and why we chose Will.”
With the fall ball season over now, Semb feels like he is pitching better than he ever has.
“Now I feel like I’m finally coming back,” Semb said.
His focus is now on the upcoming season. There has been no official word yet on what the baseball season will look like, but all are hopeful it can go on safely. Until then, Semb will just keep striving to be the best and make the most out of the opportunity he has.
