 | | | 5/29/2008 12:01:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |  | Staff Photo: Ben Hager
Brookwood’s Ronnie Freeman frames up a ground ball in practice this week in preparation for Friday’s state final matchup against Walton. |
| | The Freeman File | • Who: Ronnie Freeman
• Sport: Baseball
• School: Brookwood
• Class: Junior
• Favorite movie: 300
• Favorite food: Grilled Chicken
• Favorite athlete: Frank Thomas
• Favorite music artist: Casting Crown
• Noteworthy:
• Leads the Broncos in hits (48), singles (35) and batting average (.471), is second in on-base percentage (.513) and third in RBIs (34)
• His .471 average ranks fourth among all Gwinnett County hitters with at least 25 at bats
• Hit .463, good for sixth in the county, with 20 RBIs after being brought up to the varsity as a sophomore a year ago
• Has six home runs in 102 at bats after not hitting any in 67 at bats last season
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Quiet Freeman stands out for Brookwood
Junior leads high-scoring team in hits, batting avg.
By David Friedlander
Staff Writer
SNELLVILLE - As a junior on a baseball team featuring a very accomplished senior class, it's difficult for Ronnie Freeman to stand out.
Throw in the fact said team has many heavy hitters, plus Freeman's quiet nature, and it's a wonder the Brookwood catcher/first baseman ever gets noticed.
But make no mistake. Opposing pitchers have found out Freeman may by the Broncos' version of Teddy Roosevelt by speaking softly and carrying a big stick - and using it effectively.
He has been a major factor for the top-ranked Broncos (32-3) during their run to the Class AAAAA state finals, where they will take on defending champion Walton beginning with a doubleheader Friday.
"His bat is very consistent," Brookwood coach Rick Howard said. "When you have a senior-laden team, (being in their shadow) is bound to happen. But there's not doubt how much he's contributed to the team."
Freeman's contribution can easily be seen in the numbers. He leads the Broncos with 48 hits (including 35 singles) and a .471 batting average, and also ranks among the team's top-five in home runs (6), RBIs (34), on-base percentage (.513) and slugging percentage (.716).
And while he may not necessarily be the first name that comes to mind in a Brookwood lineup with several seniors having a career-year like Jordan Erisman, Ross Heffley, Seth Adkins and Chase Hawkins, Freeman doesn't mind flying under the radar.
"It actually takes a lot of pressure off me," Freeman said. "I've definitely learned a lot (from the seniors) about being in a leadership role and how to play loose.
"I'm just trying to be a better hitter and see the ball better."
Freeman is doing just that this year, though it's not like he'd been in a slump even while struggling to find his place on varsity as a sophomore a year ago.
Even then, it took a while for him to emerge from the shadows of older players, especially Adkins, who was understandably entrenched as the starter behind the plate.
But he soon gave Howard an eyeful.
"As a sophomore, we really didn't have a spot in the lineup for him (at the beginning of the season)," Howard recalled. "But I watched him swing the bat with the (junior varsity), and we felt like we had a hole on the varsity (about midseason). So, we brought him up.
"The next thing you know, he's going 4-for-4 one game and 3-for-5 in another, and he ended up being a big contributor."
Freeman was so big of a factor in Brookwood's run to the state semifinals last season by hitting .463 in just 67 at bats - good for sixth in the county - with 20 RBIs, Howard was determined to find a place in the lineup for him even with Adkins still the incumbent.
"We needed to give Seth some rest every now and then, especially during the playoffs," Howard said.
"And when Chase is pitching, we had to find somebody to play first base. So, we tried (Freeman) there.
"He came along slowly there at first, but he's starting to pick it up. That goes back to his work ethic."
Freeman admitted learning a position he'd never played before was a difficult challenge for him, though he never let it affect other parts of his game.
"It was a pretty tough transition to first base," Freeman said. "Chase gave me a lot of help, and that made the transition go pretty well."
While Freeman's fielding has improved, the biggest jump in his game this season may be his power numbers.
Not only does the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder have a chance to double his RBI total of last year with a good series this weekend, he's also found his home run stroke.
He's blasted six out of the park this season - including two mammoth shots to the deepest part of the ballpark in each of the last two rounds.
"I had zero last year," Freeman said. "I'm just trying to stay inside the ball and good pitches to hit. I just try to drive the ball each time up and not worry about hitting it out of the park. I really wasn't expecting this many home runs."
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Saturday, August 02, 2008 
