McKissick Shuts the Door as Zookeepers Top Zebulon

McCrary Park – July 18th, 2026

By: Camden Hurst

ASHEBORO, N.C.— After falling behind early, the Asheboro Zookeepers answered with steady offense and dominant relief pitching to defeat the Zebulon Devil Dogz 7-5 Saturday night at McCrary Park.

Zebulon struck first in the third inning, plating three runs on RBI hits from Andrew Ray, Andrew Hartman and Callum Donnelly to take a 3-0 lead.

The Zookeepers responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning despite collecting just one hit. Reggie Sharpe drew a walk and then scored on a passed ball before Wilmis Castro followed with a single. Chazz Grossington then lifted an RBI single to left field to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Zookeepers took their first lead of the night in the fifth. Drue Saenz opened the inning with a single before advancing into scoring position. Sharpe drew his third walk of the evening, and Castro delivered again with an RBI single to give Asheboro a 4-3 advantage. Grossington followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to two runs.

Asheboro continued to add insurance in the sixth when Saenz drove home another run with an RBI sac-fly before Peller crossed the plate in the seventh after reaching base to stretch the lead to 7-3.

The Devil Dogz threatened in the ninth, scoring twice on a pair of RBI singles, but Alex Graber recorded the final out to secure his first save of the season.

While the offense produced just five hits, the Zookeepers capitalized on their opportunities. Zebulon pitchers issued 13 walks and hit three batters, allowing Asheboro to manufacture runs throughout the night. Sharpe reached base four times after drawing three walks and scoring once, while Castro finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs and Grossington drove in two runs.

Nathan McKissick was the difference on the mound. Entering in relief after the fourth inning, the right-hander tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits while striking out six. McKissick worked around three walks and stranded multiple inherited runners to earn his first win of the summer.

“I had all three pitches throwing for a strike,” McKissick said. “I was able to get weak contact, put the ball in play and trust my fielders.”

Starter Elvin Ramos allowed three runs over three innings before Landon Johnson delivered a scoreless fourth inning to bridge the game to McKissick.

The victory gives Asheboro another important win as it continues its push at the top of the Coastal Plain League West standings. The Zookeepers will look to carry that momentum into Sunday’s matchup against the Martinsville Mustangs as they continue their homestand at McCrary Park.