Dominant Pitching and Timely Hitting Lift Zookeepers Past Blowfish
Lexington County Baseball Stadium – June 25th, 2026
LEXINGTON, S.C.— The Asheboro Zookeepers put together one of their most complete performances of the season Thursday night, combining dominant pitching with timely offense to earn a 4-1 victory over the Lexington County Blowfish at Lexington County Baseball Stadium.
Behind five scoreless innings from starter Bryce Smith and a bullpen that allowed just one run, Asheboro improved its road trip with another impressive victory while holding Lexington County to just seven hits.
The Zookeepers wasted little time getting on the board.
Cameron Austin worked a leadoff walk to begin the game before advancing into scoring position. Brady McGu8ire followed with a run-scoring double to left field, giving Asheboro an early 1-0 advantage just four batters into the game.
An inning later, the offense struck again.
Thomas Cano-Piszel reached with a one-out single before advancing into scoring position. Josh Martinez delivered an RBI groundout to bring Cano-Piszel home, doubling the Zookeepers’ lead to 2-0.
While the offense provided early support, Smith controlled the game from the mound.
The left-hander scattered four hits across five shutout innings, allowing just one walk while striking out six. Smith consistently worked ahead in counts and limited Lexington County’s opportunities, helping Asheboro maintain control through the middle innings.
The Zookeepers added another insurance run in the fourth.
Wilmis Castro drew a walk before eventually coming around to score as Martinez picked up his second RBI of the night, stretching the lead to 3-0.
Lexington County threatened for the first time in the fifth after a leadoff double by Beau Rurey, but Smith worked around the scoring opportunity to preserve the shutout before turning the game over to the bullpen.
Brenden Cole followed with a scoreless sixth inning, striking out two while allowing just one hit.
The Blowfish finally broke through in the eighth when Emory Guilford delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-1, but the Zookeepers answered immediately.
Leading off the top of the eighth, Sylas Boris singled before advancing into scoring position. McGuire came through once again with an RBI double—his second extra-base hit of the night—to restore Asheboro’s three-run cushion at 4-1.
Braxton Walker then shut the door in the ninth, retiring Lexington County to earn the save and secure the Zookeepers’ victory.
McGuire led the Asheboro offense with a 2-for-4 night, collecting two doubles and two RBIs. Martinez also drove in two runs, while Boris finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. Cano-Piszel added a hit and scored a run, while Austin reached base twice and crossed the plate in the opening inning.
As a staff, Asheboro’s pitching was the story of the night. Smith earned the win after fice scoreless innings, Cole added a clean frame in relief, Caydon Laird allowed one run while striking out two over two innings, and Walker closed out the final inning to pick up his second save of the season. Together, the four combined for 10 strikeouts while limiting the Blowfish to only one run.
The victory was a breath of fresh air for the Zookeepers as they recieved contributions throughout the lineup and continued to pair offensive power with shutdown pitching to finish their week of away trips on a high note and regain their spot atop the Coastal Plain League West Division standings.
Asheboro will return home to McCrary Park Saturday night to take on the Boone Bigfoots as they look to build on Thursday’s strong all-around performance.