Mark Miller

Lake Oconee Academy junior Ty Hiter comes set in the stretch, preparing to deliver a pitch to the plate in Game 1 against Early County. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Lake Oconee Academy junior Ty Hiter comes set in the stretch, preparing to deliver a pitch to the plate in Game 1 against Early County. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Titans sweep Early County to advance

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
During the final week of the regular season, Lake Oconee Academy didn’t look like a No. 1 seed, as four straight losses heading into the postseason left a sour taste in the team’s mouth. But by Friday, that feeling had been replaced with a fresh start.
LOA’s Jake McDonald (7) at the plate during the season opener against Bulloch Academy on Feb. 9. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

LOA’s Jake McDonald (7) at the plate during the season opener against Bulloch Academy on Feb. 9. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Titans want to be hunters in region

Lance McCurley
Friday, March 6, 2026
Nearly a month into the season, the Lake Oconee Academy baseball team finds itself right where head coach Mark Miller hoped it would be — tested, developing, and ready for the games that matter the most.
Lake Oconee Academy junior Jon Harris Funderburke is one of two returning starting pitchers for the Titans in 2026. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lake Oconee Academy junior Jon Harris Funderburke is one of two returning starting pitchers for the Titans in 2026. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

New year, same expectations for LOA baseball

Lance McCurley
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Lake Oconee Academy’s baseball program has grown accustomed to high expectations, and as the season opens next week, head coach Mark Miller says that mindset remains unchanged.
Lake Oconee Academy’s Jon Funderburke was named the Region 8-A Division II Player of the Year. FILE PHOTO

Lake Oconee Academy’s Jon Funderburke was named the Region 8-A Division II Player of the Year. FILE PHOTO

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Titans rack up All-Region baseball awards

Lance McCurley
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Lake Oconee Academy’s baseball team had a successful season and advanced deep in the state playoffs.After the season concluded, the Titans had nine players selected for the All-Region team.
Lake Oconee Academy senior pitcher William King walks off the mound after being replaced by reliever Ike O’Neal in game two against Bowdon on May 7. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lake Oconee Academy senior pitcher William King walks off the mound after being replaced by reliever Ike O’Neal in game two against Bowdon on May 7. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Bowdon eliminates Titans from playoffs

Lance McCurley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
On May 7, Bowdon swept Lake Oconee Academy in the Elite Eight, ending the Titans’ hopes of winning a state title.The Red Devils (27-9) defeated LOA 7-1 and 15-8 to secure a spot in the semifinal round of the state playoffs.
Lake Oconee Academy’s William King (right) celebrates with teammates after his walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of game three against Clinch County to secure the series win. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lake Oconee Academy’s William King (right) celebrates with teammates after his walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of game three against Clinch County to secure the series win. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

King’s HR lifts Titans to clinch series over Panthers

Lance McCurley
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Lake Oconee Academy’s William King hit the home run of a lifetime last Thursday against Clinch County.King blasted a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning, helping the No. 1 seed Titans secure a 3-2 victory against the No.
Lake Oconee Academy players celebrate their victory after defeating Towns County 6-1 in game one of a doubleheader on April 1, securing the team’s second-straight Region 8 A Division II title with the win. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lake Oconee Academy players celebrate their victory after defeating Towns County 6-1 in game one of a doubleheader on April 1, securing the team’s second-straight Region 8 A Division II title with the win. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Titans capture region title for second year in a row

Lance McCurley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Last week, Lake Oconee Academy’s baseball team secured its second consecutive region championship.The Titans swept Towns County and won the first two contests of the three-game series to capture the league title.
LOA’s Evan Burton rounds the bases after hitting a single during a game earlier this season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

LOA’s Evan Burton rounds the bases after hitting a single during a game earlier this season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

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Offense leads to Titans sweeping Red Devils

Lance McCurley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
The bats sprang to life last week for Lake Oconee Academy’s baseball team during a series against Lincoln County.The Titans outscored the Red Devils 33-3 in their first region series of the season, improving their record to 6-5.
LOA’s John Funderburke contributed a lot last season as a freshman on the mound and at the plate. He’s expected to take on a more significant role this season for the Titans. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

LOA’s John Funderburke contributed a lot last season as a freshman on the mound and at the plate. He’s expected to take on a more significant role this season for the Titans. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

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Titans ready to build off historic season

Lance McCurley
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Lake Oconee Academy baseball is coming off its best season in program history and wants to build off that success this year.In 2024, the Titans won a program record 26 games, captured their first region championship, and made their longest postseason run.
Lake Oconee Academy senior Ian Watson (9) was recently named the Class A Division II Region 8 Player of the Year. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lake Oconee Academy senior Ian Watson (9) was recently named the Class A Division II Region 8 Player of the Year. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

LOA's Ian Watson never dreamed of such an honor

Lance McCurley
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Lake Oconee Academy’s Ian Watson didn’t believe the news when he was named Region Player of the Year.The senior shortstop recently learned of the announcement before the Titans’ historic playoff run ended.“I’m very honored. I never thought I would’ve won it in a million years,” Watson said.
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