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Players and coaches of the 2024 LOA Titans baseball team hold up the No. 1 sign to signify their final standing in Class A Division II Region 8 play this season, a first in the program's history. (CONTRIBUTED)
Last week, the Lake Oconee Academy baseball added two more accomplishments to its historic season, capturing the program's first-ever region championship and winning its 20th game.
The Titans (22-4) secured the region title by winning four consecutive region games in five days.
LOA head coach Mark Miller is extremely proud of his players for accomplishing such a historic feat.
“It’s a good thing anytime you win a region championship. I’m really happy for the program and the boys,” Miller told the Lake Oconee News. “We can always say we won the program’s first region title.”
He acknowledged how prepared his players were for the four-game region stretch to end the season.
“We talked to our players about how hard winning four games in five days would be,” Miller said. “Sometimes with baseball, you just never know what is going to happen, but we did it and I am proud.”
LOA started the week with a 16-0 thumping of the Georgia School for Classics and Innovations (GSIC).
A day later, the Titans beat Aquinas 16-5 on senior night before a road doubleheader last Thursday. They were dialed in and swept the Patriots 11-3 and 15-4, ending the year on a high note.
LOA’s momentum carried over into Tuesday’s doubleheader against Wilkinson County. The Titans, the No. 1 seed from Class A Division II’s Region 8 got an easy draw, with the Warriors (4-19).
Lake Oconee Academy run-ruled Wilkinson County in both games, winning 15-0 and 16-2 to advance. The Titans now get five days’ rest before hosting either Christian Heritage or Taylor County.
Heading into the next series, Miller is happy he didn’t have to use many arms on the mound this week against Wilkinson County. The second-year coach thinks pitching is the team’s strongest asset.
“If I had to say what is the strength of our team, it’s pitching. Our pitching, followed by our defense,” Miller said. “It’s not the pitchers I thought it would be, though. Our two freshmen have been great this year. We’ve also got a couple of seniors that back them up. We’ve really got six or seven pitchers on our staff and I feel like we’re pretty deep, which will help us in a three-game series.”
Freshmen Jon Funderburke and Ty Hiter are the team’s top pitchers. Trace Wood, Ike O’Neal, Maddox Robinson, and Dylan Hiter are a few other pitchers the Titans will rely on during the state playoffs.
Despite being a young team, Miller feels his squad can make some noise in the postseason.
“Even though we’re young, my guys are used to playing in big games,” Miller said. “We’ve got a few freshmen who don’t act like freshmen. As a team, though, we’re gamers. My guys have a little bit of an edge to them and love to compete. I am not too worried about them mishandling the moment.”
Lake Oconee Academy will host the winner of the Taylor County-Christian Heritage series next Monday.