ZooKeepers start off hot, win first six games

ASHEBORO — With just over a week gone in the Coastal Plain League season, the Asheboro ZooKeepers have already shown they can win in a number of different ways.

There have been close wins, blowout wins and come-from-behind wins. And for the first six games of the season, they have been doing nothing but win. Something great to see as the long, grueling CPL campaign begins to hit its stride. 

“They have performed very well, come to play every day,” ZooKeepers Manager Mark Weidemaier said as his team started 6-0, the only team in the CPL not to have lost at that point. “They come to work early and they come to play.”

Asheboro has recorded two victories over Boone (11-1 and 15-3), two wins over Forest City (7-5 and 19-9), a win over Holly Springs (6-4) and a win over Martinsville 8-7.

“I think it means they are resilient,” Weidemaier said. “I think they bonded early. One of the things I noticed was how quickly they bonded.”

Asheboro did suffer its first loss of the season last Saturday, falling to Holly Springs 8-4.

The offense averaged 11 runs per game through the first six as Asheboro has received contributions from players up and down the lineup. Sylas Boris 

(Lenoir-Rhyne) was hitting .435 with a home run and six runs scored, leadoff hitter Daniel Stephens (UNC Pembroke) was hitting .409 with 10 runs, 11 RBIs and three home runs, Cameron Alston 

(USC-Aiken) was hitting .393 and Michigan State’s Reggie Sharpe was hitting .375 from the number nine slot in the batting order. UNC Wilmington’s Josh Martinez has stabilized the catching position.

Asheboro was first in the league with a .327 team batting average.

“They are playing for the logo on the front of the cap,” Weidemaier said. “Summer baseball is a revolving door, so this is somewhat unique. You are constantly recruiting.”

While the offense has certainly done its share, the pitchers, for the most part, have been solid as well. The team was second in the league in ERA at 3.78 behind only Morehead City’s 2.30 ERA. The ZooKeepers have received contributions from many players, including Ian Anderson (University of Southern Indiana), who has pitched five scoreless innings in relief with six strikeouts. He already has two wins and a save to his credit.

“Everyone got really comfortable with each other right away,” said Anderson, a right-hander. “Summer ball is a little more free than school ball, so discipline is important.”

Ben Shepherd (USC-Aiken) with a 1.29 ERA and Kyle Rudolph (Michigan State) with a 1.80 ERA are also off to fast starts. Tyler Stillson (Case Western Reserve University), Carlos Gomez (Campbellsville University) and Max Whitmore (Georgetown) are expected to see plenty of action as the season progresses.

The ZooKeepers had five home games this week (June 8, 10, 11, 13, 14), all starting at 6:30 p.m. at McCrary Park in Asheboro.