Zookeepers Cruise Past Catawba Valley Stars in Exhibition Tune-Up

McCrary Park – July 8th, 2026

ASHEBORO, N.C.— The Asheboro Zookeepers continued to build momentum Friday night, using an explosive offensive performance and steady pitching to defeat the Catawba Valley Stars 12-2 in an exhibition game at McCrary Park.

Although the contest did not count in the Coastal Plain League standings, the Zookeepers treated it as an opportunity to keep their rhythm at the plate while giving several players valuable game action. Asheboro finished with 11 hits and took advantage of Catawba Valley miscues to score 12 runs.

The Zookeepers struck first in the opening inning and continued to apply pressure throughout the night, scoring in multiple innings while consistently putting runners on base. Asheboro capitalized on walks, hit batters and timely hits to build an early advantage before breaking the game open with several multi-run innings.

Offensively, the lineup received contributions from throughout the batting order including Reggie Sharpe, Perry Hargett, Thomas Cano-Piszel, Wyatt Bush and Tyler Peller. Several Zookeepers collected multiple hits while the middle of the lineup drove in runs to keep the offense rolling. Extra-base hits helped fuel the attack as Asheboro repeatedly turned scoring opportunities into crooked numbers.

On the mound, the Zookeepers’ pitching staff limited the Stars to just one hit while striking out a combined 15 batters. The staff of Quinn Saunders, Landon Johnson and McCall Biemiller worked efficiently throughout the evening, preventing the visitors from generating any sustained offense and allowing only two runs.

The exhibition also gave Asheboro an opportunity to get additional innings for several pitchers and game reps for players throughout the roster as the team prepares to return to CPLplay.

The Zookeepers will now turn their attention back to the regular season as they continue their push through the second half of the CPL schedule, taking on the Florence Flamingos on July 9. The two will finish up their postponed contest from May 30 at 5:30 p.m. and then start their next game at 7:30 p.m.