Zookeepers Fall One Run Short in Slugfest Against Greenville

McCrary Park – June 14th, 2026

ASHEBORO, N.C. — The Asheboro Zookeepers erased multiple deficits, launched two momentum-shifting home runs and scored 14 runs Sunday night, but Greenville’s late push spoiled the comeback effort in a 15-14 loss at McCrary Park.

In a game that featured 29 total runs, 22 hits and several dramatic swings of momentum, the Zookeepers battled until the final out but were unable to overcome a ninth-inning Greenville run.

Greenville jumped ahead early, plating two runs in the first inning against Asheboro starter McCall Biemiller. The Yard Gnomes added four more runs in the fourth and appeared to have control of the game with a 6-1 lead.

The Zookeepers answered immediately.

After Brady Schallmoser reached base and Jackson Hood helped ignite the fourth inning, Chazz Grossington ripped a two-run double to cut the defecit. Moments later, Cameron Austin delivered the biggest swing of the night to that point, launching a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to cap a six-run inning and give Asheboro a 7-6 lead.

Austin finished 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored in one of his strongest perfrormances of the season.

Greenville briefly regained the lead in the sixth, erupting for six runs to move in front 12-8. Once again, the Zookeepers refused to go down without a fight.

Asheboro responded with another offensive explosion in the bottom half of the inning.

Blake Brookins, appearing in just his second game of the season after missing most of the week, delivered the signature moment of the night. With runners aboard and the Zookeepers trailing, Brookins crushed a three-run homer to put Asheboro back in front. The blast highlighted a huge evening for the outfielder, who went 4-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored.

The six-run sixth inning gave Asheboro a 14-12 advantage and completed a remarkable comeback from a six-run deficit

The offense received contributions throughout the lineup. Grossington drove in three runs, Schallmoser added an RBI, Brady McGuire drove in a run, Jackson Hood collected two hits and an RBI and Thomas Cano-Piszel also recorded an RBI. Daniel Stephens reached base four times and scored twice while continuing to set the tone at the top of the order.

Despite the offensive outburst, Greenville continued to apply pressure late. The Yard Gnomes scratched across two runs in the eighth inning to tie the game before pushing the go-ahead run across in the ninth.

Asheboro brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but Greenville closer Chase Goode recorded the final outs to secure the victory.

The loss was a frustrating finish for a Zookeepers club that showed tremendous resilience throughout the evening. Asheboro battled back twice from significant deficits and finished with 14 runs on 13 hits, but Greenville’s 15 runs on nine hits proved just enough to escape McCrary Park with the win.

Even in defeat, the Zookeepers showcased the explosive offense that has made them one of the Coastal Plain League’s most dangerous teams, turning what looked like a lopsided contest into one of the wildest games of the season.

The Zookeepers will look to bounce back from two straight losses on Monday, June 15, when they hit the road to face the Lexington County Blowfish. Despire Sundays loss, the Zookeepers continued to show their offensive firepower, and they’ll aim to carry that momentum into the matchup against Lexington County.