Asheboro Ends It Early, Defeat HiToms 11-1

McCrary Park – July 24th, 2026

By: Camden Hurst

ASHEBORO, N.C.— Cameron Austin drove in four runs, including a two-run home run, as the Asheboro Zookeepers erupted for six runs in the fifth inning to defeat the High Point-Thomasville HiToms 11-1 in a seven-inning run-rule victory Friday night at McCrary Park.

The win moved Asheboro to 25-14 on the season and kept the Zookeepers atop the Coastal Plain League West Division standings.

High Point-Thomasville struck first in the opening inning when Tate Sirmans singled to left to score Hunter Keen for a 1-0 lead. The HiToms threatened for more, but Brady McGuire cut down Branton Jernigan at the plate after he attempted to score from third, limiting the damage to a single run.

The Zookeepers answered in the second.

After Chazz Grossington reached base, Austin lined an RBI double to right field to tie the game before AJ Malzone, who had drawn a walk earlier in the inning, came home to give Asheboro a 2-1 advantage.

Asheboro added to its lead in the fourth. Koy Swanson singled before Austin launched a two-run home run over the right-field wall, extending the Zookeepers’ lead to 4-1.

The game broke open an inning later.

Grossington reached on a missed throw that allowed Daniel Stephens, Reggie Sharpe and McGuire all to score, pushing the lead to 7-1. Swanson followed with an RBI triple to right field to plate Malzone, and another run scored on a wild pitch before Tyler Peller capped the inning with a solo home run to right field in the sixth, giving Asheboro an 11-1 advantage.

Austin finished with a double, a home run and four RBIs, while Swanson collected two hits, including a run-scoring triple. Grossington drove in three runs, and Peller added his solo homer to complete the offensive outburst.

Carlos Gomez earned the win on the mound after limiting the HiToms to one run while working around traffic on the bases. He was followed by Chris Troyer, who closed out the final innings to secure the run-rule victory.

Asheboro finished with nine hits and took advantage of timely hitting and High Point-Thomasville miscues, scoring 11 runs in just six offensive innings.

The Zookeepers will look to carry the momentum from the convincing win into their next Coastal Plain League matchup in High Point against the HiToms Friday, July 25 as they continue their push atop the West Division.