Marlins Hold off Zookeepers Before Rain Ends Contest

McCrary Park – June 28th 

ASHEBORO N.C.— The Asheboro Zookeepers battled back multiple times but couldn’t overcome an early deficit, falling 10-7 to the Morehead City Marlins in a game that was called after eight innings Sunday night at McCrary Park due to weather.

After a lengthy rain delay halted play during the eighth inning, the teams briefly returned before another round of rain forced the game to be called. Because the game had already reached official status, the score stood as final with Morehead City earning the victory.

The Marlins wasted little time taking control, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Jon Howard highlighted the inning with a two-run home run, while RBI hits from Bray Touchstone and Jovan Gill helped Morehead City build an early 4-0 advantage.

Asheboro answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Blake Brookins put the Zookeepers on the board with a two-run home run to left field, trimming the deficit to 4-2.

Morehead City added three more runs in the third inning. Ethan Dillon delivered a two-run homer before Gill drove in another run with a sacrifice fly to stretch the Marlins’ lead to 7-2.

The Zookeepers responded again in the bottom of the third. Chazz Grossington doubled before Josh Martinez lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Asheboro’s first run of the inning. Daniel Stephens later added an RBI single to cut the deficit to 7-4.

The Marlins extended their advantage once more in the fourth when Howard drove in two runs with his second homer of the night, giving Morehead City a 9-4 lead.

Asheboro mounted one final push in the fifth inning. Wilmis Castro opened the inning with a home run before Grossington added an RBI single later in the frame, pulling the Zookeepers within two runs at 9-7.

Takuma Sato settled the game down after replacing starter Ben Shepherd in the fourth inning. The right-hander tossed 4 1/3 innings, allowing just one unearned run while striking out four to keep Asheboro within striking distance.

Morehead City added an insurance run in the eighth inning on an RBI double by Dillon, extending its lead to 10-7 before the weather once again interrupted play.

The Zookeepers finished with 13 hits, led by Brookins, who went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Castro also enjoyed a strong night, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run, an RBI and three runs scored. Grossington collected two hits, including a double, while driving in a run, and Stephens added two RBIs.

Despite the offensive production, the early surge by the Marlins proved too much to overcome as Asheboro dropped the rain-shortened contest.