Jon Funderburke and Maddox Robinson were the heroes of the day, delivering a pair of stellar pitching performances that propelled Lake Oconee Academy to a series sweep over the Emanuel County Institute, securing the team’s place in the semifinal round of the Class A Division II state playoffs.
The Titans (26-5) defeated the Bulldogs the Bulldogs 4-0 and 6-1 in Saturday’s doubleheader at home.
LOA coach Mark Miller emphasized how big those two performances were against a tough ECI team.
“Jon (Funderburke) and Maddox (Robinson) stepped up big-time on the mound for us,” Miller said. “ECI is an excellent offensive team with a great approach at the plate, so holding them to one run in two games is enormous. Our guys kept them off-balance and were consistent on the bump.”
Funderburke was nearly dominant in game one, pitching a complete seven-inning game. The freshman right-hander only gave up two hits and surrendered one walk with six strikeouts in the win.
Funderburke retired nine straight hitters from the second through fourth innings while his team built up a lead. Ian Watson and Funderburke had RBI singles in the fourth, giving the Titans a 2-0 lead.
After Funderburke retired three of five batters in the fifth, LOA plated two more runs, extending its lead to 4-0.
Cameron Kelley’s one-out double scored Dylan Hiter. Kelley scored a few batters later as Griffin Stanford, who replaced Watson after he was ejected for a play at the plate, came up clutch.
During the bottom of the fourth, Watson tried to advance home plate.
As the Region 8 Player of the Year slid into the bag, he tried to protect himself from the tag, although the umpire ejected him.
With Watson out for game two, Miller adjusted his infield rotation around, with three freshmen starting. The plan was to start Ty Hiter at pitcher for game two, but Robinson got the mod on the bump.
Robinson was effective, pitching a complete seven-inning game, only giving up one unearned run on three hits. The senior right-hander walked three and struck out three in game two against the Bulldogs.
“(Maddox) threw 111 pitches and was unbelievable,” Miller said. “We went with him because he has the same pitch selection as (Jon) Funderburke. And seeing them struggle (against Funderburke), that’s why we went with Maddox. Plus, we thought it gave us the best chance to win.”
Robinson got run support early.
LOA put three runners on base to start game two before Funderburke singled, bringing around Kelley and Hayden Brown. ECI got a run back in the bottom of the first, but the Titans never trailed.
Lake Oconee Academy scored one run each in the third and fifth innings, taking a 4-1 advantage into the seventh. The Titans added two more runs in the final frame, as a single by Ike O’Neal scored Ethan Burton.
O’Neal crossed the plate several batters later as the Bulldogs’ pitcher balked.
Robinson also got help from LOA’s defense, especially with three freshmen starting in the field.
“To do what they did was pretty special, and they even turned a double play,” Miller added. “We shut ECI down and played our game of taking what we can get and playing small ball. We walked out of the series with a sweep and I was honestly a little shocked, but now it’s on to the next round.”
Lake Oconee Academy will next host defending Class A Division II state champion Charlton County (34-2), The Titans and Indians will play a doubleheader this Friday.
If necessary, game three will be played on Saturday.