ZooKeepers Dominate Mustangs Behind Newman’s Bat in 12–2 Rout

Hooker Field – June 15, 2025

The Asheboro ZooKeepers bounced back in a big way Sunday night, unleashing a 12-run, 12-hit barrage on the Martinsville Mustangs in a lopsided 12–2 Coastal Plain League victory at Hooker Field. Kruise Newman starred at the plate, and the ZooKeepers improved to 9–4 on the season.

Five-Run Second Sets the Tone

After a scoreless first, Asheboro exploded in the second inning, capitalizing on wild pitching and timely hits. Newman (Tennessee Wesleyan) opened the scoring with a two-run double before Cole Kitchens (Southern Indiana) blasted a three-run homer to left, capping a five-run frame and putting the ZooKeepers in control early.

Newman Sparks Another Big Night

Newman wasn’t done. The outfielder added an RBI single in the third and a solo homer in the sixth, finishing 3-for-5 with four RBIs, a double, and a home run. He raised his season average to .385 and now has 10 RBIs in just 13 games.

Diaz, Kitchens Add Firepower

Catcher Yariel Diaz (Barton College) continued his hot streak, going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Kitchens finished with three RBIs and two hits, while Elijha Hammill (Niagara) and Davis Germann (Morehead State) each reached base multiple times and scored runs.

Darling and Barnett Shut Down Mustangs

Starter Connor Darling (Penn) tossed 4.2 strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out four. Caden Barnett (Presbyterian) entered in the fifth and earned the win with 3.1 innings of two-hit relief, giving up one run and striking out one.

Final: ZooKeepers 12, Mustangs 2

The game was briefly delayed by rain in the eighth inning, but it didn’t slow Asheboro’s momentum. The ZooKeepers scored in five different innings, played clean defense, and turned two double plays to seal a wire-to-wire win.

Next Game:
📍 Asheboro ZooKeepers vs. Holly Springs Salamanders
📅 Monday, June 17 – 6:30  PM at McCrary Park
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