The Lake Oconee Academy softball team will begin its 2025 season this week against George Walton Academy.
The Titans have been practicing all summer, preparing for the season opener Aug. 1, against the Bulldogs.
LOA recently competed in a preseason tournament at Briarwood Academy, where the Titans faced the host Bucaneers, as well as Glascock County and Harlem. The Titans finished with a 3-1 record at the Briarwood Bash.
McDaniel thought his team faced some quality competition and also wanted to see his players face good pitching.
“I was looking forward to seeing how the girls responded to live pitching against different opponents instead of cage work and batting against our pitchers,” McDaniel said. “[Those teams] are very strong programs, very well coached, have great pitching, and play complementary softball. The girls were challenged mentally and physically. They rose to the occasion, not shying away from some tough and crafty throwers.”
LOA’s offensive output was impressive, scoring 29 runs in four games. The Titans got a lot of their firepower from the bottom of the order, too, which excited McDaniel, who hopes it continues into the regular season.
Lady Titans Laura Beth Harris, Addison Kelley, and Elizabeth Moore each had strong performances at the plate.
McDaniel was pleased with the offensive output, but said he was most proud of how his players didn’t back down.
“The most impressive of all was looking really into the girls’ eyes and seeing a very fierce focus and eagerness to finally take the field together,” he said. “A lot of times, when teams have hard throwers, you will hear a little bit of anxious thoughts from players pregame and in the dugout when they get their first view of their opponent. I listened closely, and what I heard made me smile hard enough for my face to crack.”
Still, though the Titans were dominant, the first-year head coach also identified some weaknesses, which were expected. He said he’s been preaching all summer long to his players about how there will be growing pains, especially early in the season.
McDaniel just wants to see them adopt an attitude that there’s always room for improvement.
“There will always be those growing pains in a ‘game of failure,’ but that’s part of the process,” he said. “We welcome those times because they will build character in the girls, and that will hopefully radiate this season and beyond.”
Right now, though, McDaniel remains focused on getting off to a good start this year.
“I’m excited to hit the field Friday against George Walton for our home season opener,” he said.“George Walton is coached by a very fine staff with a great group of players, so we will certainly be tested right out of the gate. I’m excited for our ladies and even more excited to trust the process and see it play out.”