Newman’s Blast, Bullpen Shine as ZooKeepers Hold Off Salamanders
McCrary Park – June 12, 2025
The Asheboro ZooKeepers continued their hot start to the Coastal Plain League season Thursday night, riding an early home run from Kruise Newman and clutch bullpen work to a 4-2 win over the Holly Springs Salamanders at McCrary Park.
With the win, Asheboro improved to 8-2, while the Salamanders dropped to an even 5-6. The ZooKeepers used timely hitting and an efficient pitching trio to stay undefeated at home.
ZooKeepers Strike First with Power
Asheboro wasted no time grabbing momentum in the bottom of the first. After Sal Laimo (Barton College) singled to lead off the game, Newman (Tennessee Wesleyan) launched his first home run of the season deep to left, giving the ZooKeepers a 2-0 lead.
Salamanders Respond in the Second
Holly Springs answered right back in the second, stringing together four hits, including a Parker McCoy RBI double and a sacrifice fly by Jake Stanley, to tie the game at 2-2. ZooKeepers starter Carter Daniels (North Carolina A&T) escaped further trouble, leaving the bases loaded to keep the game even.
McKenzie Delivers the Difference
In the fourth, catcher Cooper McKenzie (Bowling Green) came through with a big two-out, two-run double down the left field line to score Newman and Jarrett Pokrovsky (Maryland), putting Asheboro back on top 4-2, a lead that would hold the rest of the way.
Bullpen Slams the Door
Left-hander Reilly Byers (Walters State) took over in the fourth and delivered 4.2 scoreless innings in relief, scattering four hits while striking out four. He earned the win, improving to 1-0 on the season.
Kaden Fuller (Western Carolina) pitched a clean ninth to earn the save, his second of the year, as the ZooKeepers’ staff combined to strand 11 Salamanders on base.
Final: ZooKeepers 4, Salamanders 2
Despite being out-hit 11 to 6, Asheboro made the most of its opportunities, backed by a shutdown bullpen and solid defense. The win keeps the ZooKeepers among the CPL’s top teams heading into the weekend.
Next Game:
Asheboro ZooKeepers at Boone Bigfoots
Friday, June 13 – 7:00 PM at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium Listen live: https://zkbaseball.mixlr.com