Merritt Ainslie

L-R: Georgia Pacific Madison-Plywood employees stand alongside Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce President, Shey Daniels, and accept the 2024-2025 Business of the Year award. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce hosts annual meeting

Skyla Morris

Thursday, September 18, 2025

The Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting at Empire Mills on Sept. 11.During the occasion, the Chamber acknowledged multiple highlights from the past year and announced the 2024-25 Business and Community awards of the year.

Morgan County’s Ty Tillery (23) delivers a pitch during a home game against top-ranked Harlem on April 17. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Diamond Dogs rack up Region 4-AAA honors

Lance McCurley

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Despite a disappointing end to the year, the Morgan County baseball team had a successful 2023 season. The Diamond Dogs also racked up a lot of postseason awards, with a lot of players landing spots on the All-Region 4-AAA First and Second Teams. There were also a few individual awards won as well.

Ainslie won over 150 games as the head coach of Morgan County’s baseball program. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Ainslie reflects on time at Morgan County

Lance McCurley

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Morgan County head coach Merritt Ainslie will not be returning next season after eight years at the helm. The Lake Oconee News reached out to Ainslie for comment and he reflected on his time with the Bulldogs. “Baseball is what gets inside you, lights you up,” Ainslie stated.

Morgan County junior Zach Moore (13) slides into home plate as the Bulldogs took a 3-2 lead over Columbus in game three on Monday. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Morgan falls to Blue Devils in game three

Lance McCurley

Thursday, May 4, 2023

The series between Morgan County and Columbus in the second round of the Class AAA state playoffs came down a game three, which is where the Blue Devils came away with a big 6-4 win.

Morgan County first baseman Drew Ainslie (7) makes a dive to tag first and get the runner out in last Monday’s game against Savannah Country Day. BRENDAN KOERNER/Staff

Diamond Dogs top Hornets to advance

Brendan Koerner

Thursday, April 27, 2023

After winning the region, the Morgan County baseball program hosted its first series as the area’s No. 1 seed in the GHSA Class 3A State Playoffs earlier this week. The Diamond Dogs faced the Savannah Country Day Hornets last Monday in a double-header that started at 5 p.m.

Drew Ainslie (7) gets to set in the batter’s box and awaits a pitch against Hephzibah LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Bulldogs remain undefeated in region play

Lance McCurley

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Morgan County baseball continued its domination of region teams last week with two more victories. The Bulldogs swept Hephzibah and improved to 6-0 in Region 4-AAA competition. However, in between those two games, Morgan County lost a close decision to non-league opponent Social Circle.

Bulldog freshman Drew Ainslie (7) slaps a line drive into right field in a loss to Apalachee last week. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Diamond Dogs take two from Salem, drop one to Apalachee

Lance McCurley

Thursday, March 30, 2023

The Morgan County baseball team (8-8, 5-0) was busy last week as it played three games. The Bulldogs completed the sweep of region foe Salem but dropped a contest to non-region opponent Apalachee.

Morgan County freshman pitcher Ty Tillery (23) delivers a pitch from the mound against Cherokee Bluff on Monday. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Diamond Dogs snap losing streak

Lance McCurley

Thursday, March 16, 2023

MCHS eighth-year head coach Merritt Ainslie told the Lake Oconee News last week that he likes scheduling tough competition for his squad, especially because it will only help them in the long run.

Morgan County senior Jack Harper (2) hits a blooper up the middle in a scrimmage against Walnut Grove last week. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Diamond Dogs expect region title, playoff berth in 2023

Lance McCurley

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Morgan County baseball has seen a lot of success under head coach Merritt Ainslie and entering his eighth year, the Bulldogs are primed to make another deep run in the state playoffs.

Morgan County senior Samuel Schofield recently announced he will attend and play for Georgia State University after graduating from high school. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

BASEBALL: Schofield to continue career on the diamond at Georgia State

Lance McCurley

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Morgan County senior Samuel Schofield has loved the game of baseball since he was a little boy and recently announced he will continue his career in college, playing for Georgia State. Schofield said he’s happy to finally have his decision nailed down.

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