Mulling with Mully, A Interview With The Bobcats Ace

This past Saturday Jessica Mullins pitched a perfect game against the UTEP Miners as she led the Bobcats to a 7-0 win and her ninth win this season. This was also her 78th career win, which is fourth all time on the Bobcats career win list. She currently trails Chandler Hall (80 wins), Nicole Neuerburg (107 wins), and Randi Rupp (110 wins).

Mullins has had another great start to the year posting a 9-2 overall record with an ERA of .082 and 74 strike outs thus far. Today she was ranked the number nine pitcher in the first in season rankings by Softball America.

I recently caught up with her and had the opportunity to ask her some questions. You can find the full interview below.

Bobcats Insider: Thank you for your time today.

Jessica Mullins: No problem, always willing to answer any questions!

BI: Alright, let’s jump into it. At what age did you first start playing softball?

JM: I started playing softball when I was nine, but started pitching when I was ten. My first position was left field because I was fast and had a strong arm.

BI: What is your favorite sports memory so far?

JM: My favorite sports memory so far is beating Alabama and Texas my junior year in one weekend. Overall felt like a blur to me because I was so focused on giving my best for our team, but the praise and support we got from our fans and school were unmatched. I love our university.

BI: Who has been your favorite coach to play for?

JM: Obviously, my favorite coach I have played for is Coach Woodard. She has supported me to grow not only as an athlete, but as a woman. Her impact on my life has allowed me to be prepared for anything that comes my way in life after college.

Photo courtesy of Mulling with Mully blog

BI: Do any songs get you hyped for games?

JM: One song that has stuck with me for the past 3 years is Hollywood by Nickelback. Not sure why but I listen to it at least once before every game to get me in the zone.

BI: Do you have any pregame rituals?

JM: I am not superstitious. I don’t have rituals, but I do prepare my mind. Like I stated before, I like to visualize my success against batters. This just helps build confidence and makes it seem like I’m not facing the batters for the first time. The only “ritual” I may have is drinking a sugar-free red bull before the game. (Haha)

BI: Who are some of your favorite athletes?

JM: Some of my favorite athletes that I have looked up to are Amanda Scarborough, Cat Osterman, and Jennie Finch. They have all inspired me to understand that I am more than my sport and have influenced me to pursue my aspirations outside of softball.

BI: Do you have any influence on the number you wear?

JM: I have worn the number 4 for as long as I could remember. I found out at an early age that the meaning of the number 4 represents strength and stability. It also symbolizes that when you see the number 4, you are receiving love and support from your guardian angels. Since I have known this, I have never wanted to stop being number 4. When I got to college, I was notified that the number 4 was unofficially retired in honor of Randi Rupp’s accomplishments. I was a little disappointed, but I accepted the fact that I had to change my number. To my surprise, they decided to bring the number out of retirement for me. Now, I play for my reason that I stated when I was a kid and for her.

BI: It feels like this year’s team has a strong camaraderie and that the team is having lots of fun out there. How does this boost the team’s confidence and help the team to be on their “A” game each day?

JM: As a team, we trust each other. We worked hard at the beginning of the season to have a strong mindset. We have also built our relationships to have more communication with each other. Not just random talking, but productive communication. As a veteran led team, I believe that us older girls take great pride in leaving a legacy for our younger girls to follow. In turn, the younger girls are very receptive to our leadership. All around, we all love each other and encourage each others’ successes like sisters in a family. Bonds like this aren’t seen in many teams. I haven’t witnessed this in my 13 years of playing softball. This is by far my favorite team I have ever played on and it just makes it that much more special that it’s my last year to go out with a bang.

BI: Does anyone motivate you to play better?

JM: In college, I have learned that my biggest motivator is myself. Other than me, my grandma motivates me a ton to play well. I play for her every single day. With her getting older, I want to give her all I can in my career. She has given me so much in life that has grown me into the woman I am today and playing to the best of my ability is just one way I know I can give back to her. She is my best friend.

BI: Do you play any other sports? If so, what have you learned from them that you apply to softball?

JM: The first sport I played was basketball. I played from little dribblers until 8th grade. I also ran track from 7th grade till my senior year of high school. Both of these sports taught me to work hard and that, ultimately, softball is my passion (haha). In high school, I would have to go right after school to a 3 hour softball practice and then straight to the track to get my workout in. The team wasn’t there, but I knew I had to get my work in. When I ran track, my best events were high jump and long jump. In turn, those allowed me to learn how to push off the mound harder when I pitch. I actually hold a couple of records in middle school for track in Tarkington. I’d be interested to know if those records are still in my name.

BI: Besides softball, what else do you enjoy doing?

JM: I enjoy cooking/baking, because that is a hobby my grandma and I enjoyed doing before I came to college. She taught me all I know, and now, it’s a stress relief for me because it makes me feel at home. I also enjoy hunting. Before I started playing sports, my dad would take my brother and I hunting. I shot my first deer at 8 years old. Hunting brings me back to my roots and makes me feel whole. My favorite thing to do around San Marcos is drive down back roads and find little “hole-in-the-wall” places to experience. I love to adventure and enjoy being in the hill country. It is absolutely beautiful here.

BI: Tell us something about you that not many people know.

JM: Two things that people don’t know about me is I am a HUGE Nickelback fan. I pretty much know every single song from every single album. I saw them in concert last summer and it was by far the best night of my life. The other thing a lot of people may not know about me is I hate the color pink. Well, I wouldn’t say hate, but I heavily dislike it. I don’t own anything pink and I will not willingly buy pink things.

BI: What is the best advice you have ever been given?

JM: The best advice I was given was by a coach I had in 12U. She had told me one day “Be so strong that they can’t ignore you.” I live this in softball and in life in general. I want to be great in everything I do so I can’t be ignored in anything I do.

BI: Do you have a saying or motto you live by?

JM: The best motto I have ever been given was from my Uncle’s neighbor when I was in high school. He is like family to me. He said to me one day “Take no prisoners” and to this day, I live by that statement when I throw.

BI: What other position would you want to play besides your current position?

JM: I’d want to play center field because I admire how much our centerfielder, Piper Randolph, sacrifices everything to catch every ball sent her way. It just seems like a fun position to play.

BI: If you could be in any movie or TV show, which one would it be?

JM: If I had to choose a movie, I would want to be in the movie Divergent. Specifically in the faction called dauntless. I love the adventure and strength that is portrayed within those people. If I had choose a TV show, I would want to be in Swamp people. I honestly just want to catch an alligator. I’d love to feel the rush that they feel.

BI: Favorite type of music and favorite artist?

JM: My favorite type of music is country/rock. My favorite artists are Jason Aldean and Nickelback.