Late Rally Falls Short as Zookeepers Drop 7-4 to HiToms

McCrary Park – June 10th, 2026

ASHEBORO, N.C. – The Asheboro Zookeepers spent most of Wednesday night searching for the offensive spark that has powered them through the first month of the Coastal Plain League season. Despite a late push in the final two innings, the Zookeepers were unable to overcome an early defecit, falling 7-4 to the HighPoint-Thomasville HiToms at McCrary Park.

Asheboro entered the night leading the league in runs scored, but the HiToms’ pitching staff kept the Zookeepers quiet for much of the evening. High Point-Thomasville starter Justin Mabe from UNC Chapel Hill set the tone, allowing just one hit across five scoreless innings while striking out six.

The HiToms struck first in the third inning when Branton Jernigan drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. One inning later, High Point-Thomasville created separation with a three-run fourth. Tyler Parks doubled a run home before Charlie Slabaugh delivered a two-run double to extend the lead to 4-0.

Tyler Stillson gave Asheboro a solid start, allowing just one run through his first three innings of work, but the fourth inning proved costly as the HiToms capitalized on their opportunities.

After being held to just two hits through the first seven innings, the Zookeepers finally found life in the sixth when Brady McGuire launched a solo home run to left field. The blast, his second homer of the season, cut the defecit to 4-1 and briefly energized the home crowd.

High Point-Thomasville answered in the seventh, scoring twice to push its lead to five at 6-1.

The Zookeepers refused to go quietly. In the bottom of the eighth, Chazz Grossington singled and Sylas Boris worked a wwlk before Brady Schallmoser lined a two-run double into right field, cutting the defecit to 6-3. The hit gave Asheboro its biggest offensive moment of the night and brought the tying run to the on-deck circle.

The HiToms added insurance in the ninth, but the Zookeepers mounted on one final threat in their last at-bat. Will Oates reached on a single to second base before Connor Christenson, making his Zookeepers debut, drove a two-out RBI double into the gap to score Oates and make the score 7-4. Christenson finished with a hit and an RBI in his first appearance with Asheboro.

McGuire led the offense with a 2-for-4 night that included the solo home run and two runs scored. Schallmoser collected two hits and two RBIs, while Christenson added the RBI double in the ninth.

Although the comeback fell short, Asheboro showed flashes of the offensive power that has made it one of the leagues most dangerous lineups. The Zookeepers finished with seven hits but were unable to generate the sustainted rallies that have become their trademark this season.

High Point-Thomasville matched Asheboro with seven hits of its own, but timely extra-base hits from Parks and Slabaugh proved to be the difference as the HiToms handed the Zookeepers a 7-4 defeat.

The Zookeepers will try to start up another streak Thursday, June 11 when they take on the Lexington County Blowfish at McCrary Park.