Zookeepers Erupt for 15-Run Eighth, Cruise Past HiToms 19-2

Finch Field – July 15th, 2026

By: Camden Hurst

HIGH POINT, N.C.— The Asheboro Zookeepers turned a close game into a rout Wednesday night, exploding for 15 runs in the eighth inning to defeat the High Point-Thomasville HiToms 19-2 at Finch Field.

The Zookeepers entered the eighth with a slim 4-2 lead before sending 20 batters to the plate in one of their most dominant offensive innings of the season. Asheboro finished with 19 runs on 17 hits, including three home runs, while every starter reached base.

After three scoreless innings, the HiToms struck first in the bottom of the third. Jack Torbett doubled to lead off the inning before Hunter Keen followed with an RBI single to give High Point-Thomasville a 1-0 lead. Torbett later scored to make it 2-0.

Asheboro answered in the fourth when Daniel Stephens ripped an RBI double to score Thomas Cano-Piszel before Tyler Peller lifted a sacrifice fly to center, tying the game at two.

The Zookeepers took their first lead an inning later. Brady McGuire doubled to start the fifth before Cano-Piszel drove him home with an RBI groundout. Chazz Grossington followed later in the inning with an RBI single, extending Asheboro’s advantage to 4-2.

The offense then broke the game wide open in the eighth. Grossington highlighted the inning with a grand slam, while Drue Saenz and Wyatt Bush each launched two-run home runs. Asheboro also received RBI hits from Stephens, Peller, McGuire, Grossington and Austin during the 15-run outburst that put the game out of reach.

Grossington finished with one of the best offensive performances of the night, going 5-for-5 with a grand slam, six RBIs and two runs scored. McGuire added three hits and two RBIs, while Peller went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Stephens scored three runs and collected two hits, while Saenz drove in three runs and Bush added two RBIs.

On the mound, Olmedo Quezada started for Asheboro, allowing two runs on three hits over two innings. Takuma Sato earned the win with five scoreless innings of relief, surrendering just three hits while striking out two. Alex Graber closed the game with a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two.

The HiToms used seven pitchers in the loss after starter Luke Ridley allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings. High Point-Thomasville finished with seven hits, led by Torbett, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

With the win, Asheboro continued its strong late-season push behind another balanced offensive attack and dominant bullpen performance. The Zookeepers will look to carry that momentum into their next matchup against the HiToms on July 16th, as they continue their fight atop the CPL West standings.