VALDOSTA —
Open Bible pitcher Grant Freeman has signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Thomas University in Thomasville.
Freeman is grateful for the opportunity to play college baseball.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I love baseball. I didn’t think I would play in college, but I’m excited I am.”
“It’s great for Grant. I’m happy for him,” Open Bible head coach John Joye said. “He’s a good kid.”
Freeman was one of Open Bible’s top pitchers. Last season, the left-hander went 3-3 with a 5.78 earned run average, and had more strikeouts than innings pitched. He was an outfielder when he wasn’t pitching. He received the team’s Dedicated Warrior award at the end of the season.
He was chosen the Georgia Christian Athletic Association’s State Player of the Week one week last season, after earning a win on the mound and hitting .750 that week.
He helped the Warriors reach the state semifinals his junior and senior years.
“Grant has probably worked as hard as anybody we’ve had in the offseason to get better,” Joye said. “He didn’t get hit hard this year. He didn’t (get fatigued easily). He worked hard to get to where he was as a senior.”
“It was a lot of fun (playing for Open Bible). I liked all the people here, and the coaches,” Freeman said.
Freeman recently had a tryout at Thomas University, where the Night Hawks’ coaches had a chance to see him pitch. After watching him, they offered him a spot on their team.
“I went up there, had a little tryout and they liked what they saw,” he said.
Thomas only had one left-handed pitcher last season, and that pitcher was a senior. So Freeman could have an opportunity to pitch some innings right away for the Night Hawks.
Freeman throws a fastball, a curveball and a changeup.
“He knew that he was not a pitcher that was going to overpower hitters, so we really had to work this last offseason with off-speed pitches,” Joye said. “He gained a lot more control with his curveball, developed a very solid changeup. ... He has great movement on his fastball. While he’s not a power pitcher, he learned how to locate and he has great movement.”
Freeman also played basketball and soccer at Open Bible, and had a 2.8 grade point average in the classroom.
Last year, Thomas went 25-23. The Night Hawks compete in NAIA Division I.
Thomas University is a private four-year university with an enrollment of 1,040 students. It is located in Thomasville, only about 45 miles from Valdosta, which will make it possible for Freeman’s family and friends to watch him play in college. He plans to major in business.
“I didn’t really know anything about it, but I went there (for a visit) and I liked the school,” Freeman said. “I liked the coaches and the city of Thomasville.”
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Related Photos
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Open Bible’s Grant Freeman signs a letter of intent to play baseball for Thomas University. Seated: mother Kim Freeman, father Steve Freeman, Grant Freeman and Thomas assistant coach William Taylor. Standing: Open Bible head coach John Joye and assistant coaches Ward Holton and Craig Jenkins. Christian Malone | The Valdosta Daily Times
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Open Bible’s Grant Freeman signs with Thomas
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