TGUF,
I'm glad you posted this. I watched the game online and Sam got through a tough first inning, but made an outstanding defensive play on Tant Shepherd to get out of a small jam. He then went to work. In the sixth, he got two outs and still had a shutout before surrendering the two-run HR to Brandon Belt (a lefty). But then Sam had the presence of mind not to collapse, but rather to strike out Kyle Russell to end the inning. The Jayhawks then posted three runs to give Sam the chance at the win.
You are right about Sam - what a great person. He was a senior when older Hawk son was a sophomore. While the guys on the team were good guys, it was Sam who called little Hawk to tell him what the team would do for workouts, team meals, what jersey they would wear, etc. He took the time to include a sophomore and make him feel comfortable in what can be an intimidating situation at times. I guarantee you, my son has never forgotten that. And Sam was instrumental in talking to my son about NCTC, where Sam played two years before heading to Kansas.
Every once in a while, each of us in this community has run across a kid that just is a good kid, is respectful and sincere, and you walk away thinking, "Wow, do they still make those?"
Sam Freeman is one of "those" guys.
