ZooKeepers’ Late June Slide Continues with 10–4 Loss

Dick Sears Field at Ting Stadium – June 29, 2025

Despite a four-hit night from Jake Griffith and a multi-hit game from Yariel Diaz, the Asheboro ZooKeepers couldn’t keep pace with the Holly Springs Salamanders on Sunday evening, falling 10–4 in a game marked by missed opportunities and late-inning struggles.

Salamanders Capitalize on Free Passes

The Salamanders used timely hitting and patience at the plate to take control early, plating three runs in the second and gradually extending their lead throughout the game. Despite only collecting eight hits, Holly Springs made the most of six walks, two hit batters, and two Asheboro errors.

Catcher Andrew Keller led the way with a grand slam in the fifth, while Hudson Ellis and Danny Stephens each added home runs to help power the Salamanders to double digits.

Griffith Stays Red Hot

Jake Griffith continued his tear at the plate for Asheboro, going 4-for-5 with an RBI and a stolen base to boost his average to an eye-popping .463. Yariel Diaz followed close behind, going 3-for-5 with an RBI of his own. Kruise Newman added an RBI single and two stolen bases, while Elijha Hammill scored a run after entering as a pinch-hitter.

But the ZooKeepers stranded 13 runners and went just 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, preventing them from ever closing the gap.

Final: Salamanders 10, ZooKeepers 4

Asheboro falls to 14–10 on the season and will look to bounce back Monday night with the home crowd behind them.

📍 Asheboro ZooKeepers vs Lexington Blowfish
📅 Tuesday, June 30 – 6:30 PM at McCrary Park