Zookeepers fall on the road

The Asheboro Zookeepers made the short journey up to Hooker Field in Martinsville, Virginia to face the Martinsville Mustangs.

The Zookeepers were coming off a home win against the Florence Flamingos while the Mustangs were coming off their first loss of the season at Forest City.

The Mustangs have one of, if not the hottest offenses in the CPL having scored at least five runs in all games but one.

The Game

In the first inning the Zookeepers offense was set down quickly 1-2-3 despite a great offensive outbreak against the Flamingos.

On the other side, Dylan Dickert would take the bump for the Zookeepers.

In his first inning on the mound he gave up an earned run on a base hit up the middle giving the Mustangs an early lead.

Playing from behind, the Zookeepers attempted to get the bats going but it would take a while for that to happen.

The first base runner for the Zookeepers would not come until the third inning when center fielder Evan Harding was hit by a pitch.

Harding was behind 3-0 in the count but mustered the HBP and got on base which turned out to be critical.

The lineup flipped over and the leadoff man Sal Laimo notched an RBI triple to tie the game at one.

From then on it the game became a pitchers duel.

Both Dickert and Ludy were seemingly both getting through three batters an inning with ease.

It would not be until the seventh inning until anything was mustered by either side.

In the seventh, the Zookeepers got multiple hits off the Mustangs bullpen which attributed to two runs of their own.

Catcher Matthew Rivera and right fielder Owen Blackledge both notched RBI singles to put the Zookeepers on top 3-1.

The Zookeepers lead did not last long as the Mustangs would fight back almost immediately.

Pitcher Alex Kean came into the game and notched the bases loaded with no outs.

He quickly exited the game in favor of newcomer Bryant Beranek.

Beranek was unable to get out of the jam that Kean created and the mustangs scored two runs to tie the game at three going into the ninth inning.

In the ninth, the Zookeepers had RJ Jimerson in scoring position but the bats were unable to get him across the plate.

In the ninth for the Mustangs they were able to quickly get two runners on base with no outs.

Andrew Schmid came up to the plate for the Mustangs and notched the game winning hit up the middle to give the Mustangs a walk off victory.

Wrap Up

After it was all said and done, the Mustangs walked it off to come back and win 4-3 at home.

While the Zookeepers were unable to get the victory they fought with one of the best teams in the league on the road.

The Zookeepers will be at home on Saturday night against High Point Thomasville.

It will be 80’s night at the ballpark with food trucks and a live 80’s cover band!

Gates open early at 4:30!

Get your tickets online now or at the McCrary Park box office today!