HiToms Stun ZooKeepers with Offensive Barrage at McCrary Park

McCrary Park – June 23, 2025

The Asheboro ZooKeepers ran into a buzzsaw on Monday night as the High Point–Thomasville HiToms exploded for 13 runs across the fourth and fifth innings en route to a 16–4 win at McCrary Park. Despite a solid start from Connor Darling and flashes of offense from Seojun Oh and Nathan Chrismon, the ZooKeepers couldn’t overcome the avalanche of runs in their most lopsided loss of the season.

Darling Strong Early, Trouble in the Middle Innings

Right-hander Connor Darling kept the HiToms off the board through three innings, striking out three and allowing just two hits. But once he exited, the HiToms took full advantage.

A pair of ZooKeepers relievers were unable to stop the bleeding as High Point–Thomasville sent 13 batters to the plate in a seven-run fourth and added six more in the fifth. Blaize Johnson’s three-run homer and two-run single gave him five RBIs, and Trey Bentley and Blake Gaffney each added multi-hit, multi-RBI performances.

ZooKeepers Show Life at the Plate

Asheboro managed to push across four runs of their own, highlighted by Seojun Oh’s two-run double and an RBI single from Chrismon. Oh and Chrismon combined for four of Asheboro’s eight hits, while Davis Germann and Yariel Diaz each reached base twice. But the ZooKeepers were unable to mount a serious rally against a HiToms bullpen that limited them to just two runs over the final three innings.

Final: HiToms 16, ZooKeepers 4

Despite the setback, the ZooKeepers remain above .500 at 13–6. Monday’s game marked the first time Asheboro allowed more than 10 runs since opening week. They also committed three errors defensively, adding to the struggles on a hot and frustrating night at home.

Next Game:

📍 Asheboro ZooKeepers vs Martinsville Mustangs
📅 Tuesday, June 24 – 6:30 PM at McCrary Park
🎧 Listen live: https://zkbaseball.mixlr.com