Drawing a walk might not sound like the most glamorous feat in baseball.

But for Southeast Missouri State University's Clemente Bonilla Jr., it's been part of his ticket to a fabulous freshman season -- and an almost certain school record.

Entering today's 5 p.m. game at Belmont (Tenn.), Bonilla has walked 38 times, which puts him just one shy of the single-season mark set by Steve Bieser in 1989.

But walks have only been part of the first-year success story of the California native, who has opened plenty of eyes with his .331 batting average -- which ranks third on the squad -- and his team-leading .485 on-base percentage.

"Clemente is just having a fantastic season," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "He really isn't a surprise to me. I've known what kind of player he is, both mentally and physically."

Bonilla, listed at 5-feet-9 and 175 pounds, has wreaked all kinds of havoc from the leadoff spot in the Indians' order. In addition to his batting average and on-base percentage, he also has three home runs, 10 doubles and 18 runs batted in.

"He's a fabulous leadoff guy," Hogan said. "His on-base percentage is unreal and his average is unbelievable for a freshman."

Bonilla, who has played third base much of the season after spending some time at designated hitter, doesn't sound cocky -- only confident -- when he says he isn't all that surprised at the type of success he's having.

"I'm a confident person," he said. "I always felt that if I ever got the opportunity, I'd take advantage of it."

Bonilla was thrust into a prime-time role for the Indians early in the season partly because of injuries. But Hogan believes he would have worked his way into the lineup anyway.

"He would have gotten some opportunities early, but with the injuries we had, it's been incredibly important to have somebody like this step up," said Hogan.

Hogan first learned of Bonilla -- who is from El Toro in Southern California -- when he helped coach a 14-year-old national select team that competed in Hawaii. Bonilla was on that squad.

"He showed signs of being a special player then," Hogan said. "His dad was there for the tournament and I got to know him quite well. Otherwise, I would not have known about him and would not have had the connection with his father."

Bonilla virtually re-wrote the record books at El Toro High School, which has a rich baseball tradition. He was contacted by Southeast again as a senior and was looking to leave California for a while.

"I want to live in California again when I'm older, but I wanted to leave for a while and SEMO seemed like a good opportunity," he said. "They gave me the best scholarship and I really liked the coaches."

Wait a minute. Leave sunny Southern California for the frigid Midwest winters?

"The weather is kind of funny. I froze my butt off at the beginning," said the personable Bonilla with a laugh. "But I like it here a lot. I wasn't used to snow. I've been in my first snow fights here. That's one of the reasons I came, to see different things."

Bonilla's father, Clemente Sr., played baseball at Long Beach State and has made it out to quite a few Southeast games this season.

"It's nice to have my parents here for some games," he said.

But Hogan figures it's even nicer to have the son here for several years.

"All the credit goes to Clemente for what he's doing. He's a hard worker and he stays after it," said Hogan. "He's a joy to have."