Zookeepers Rally Past Yard Gnomes in Back-and-Forth Victory

McCrary Park – June 12th, 2026

ASHEBORO, N.C. – The Asheboro Zookeepers overcame an early five-run defecit and used timely hitting throughout the night to earn an 8-7 comeback victory over the Greenville Yard Gnomes on Friday in Greenville.

After falling behind 5-2 through the first two innings, the Zookeepers steadily chipped away before taking the lead for good in the seventh inning. Asheboro finished with 11 hits and eight runs, holding its standing atop the Costal Plain League West Division.

Daniel Stephens continued his standout season at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base. His first-inning solo homer gave Asheboro an early lead and added to what has already been one of the most productive starts to a season in the CPL.

The game quickly turned in Greenville’s favor in the second inning. The Yard Gnomes erupted for five runs, taking advantage of several hits and capitalizing on opportunities to build a 5-2 run lead.

Rather than letting the game get away, the Zookeepers responded immediately.

Jackson Hood drove in a run in the third inning to cut the defecit to 5-4 before Asheboro pulled even in the fourth. Josh Martinez launched a solo home run and Brady Schallmoser added an RBI single later in the inning, tying the game at six.

Greenville briefly regained the lead in the fifth when Lanace Bratlien connected on a solo home run, but Asheboro continued to answer.

The Zookeepers finally moved back in front in the seventh inning. Chazz Grossington delivered a run-scoring double to tie the game before Will Oates brought home the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly, giving Asheboro an 8-7 advantage.

From there, the bullpen took over.

After starter Hutson Trobaugh allowed five runs over the first two innings, reliever Seth Way settled the game down with four strong innings. Way surrendered just two runs while striking out six, helping keep Asheboro within striking distance as the offense mounted its comeback.

Joseph Yamamoto followed with a scoreless seventh inning before Carlos Gomez slammed the door over the final two frames to secure his fourth save of the season.

Several Zookeepers contributed offensively in the win. Cameron Austin collected three hits, Schallmoser finished with two hits and an RBI, Hood added on an RBI single and Martinez’s home run provided a key spark in the middle innings.

Despite matching Asheboro with 11 hits, Greenville was unable to hold its early lead as the Zookeepers scored in six different innings and continued to apply pressure throughout the night.

The victory showcased Asheboro’s resilience, as the team erased a five-run deficit and found contributions throughout the lineup to complete one of its most impressive comeback wins of the season.

The Zookeepers will look to carry that momentum into their next matchup as they return home to McCrary Park on Saturday, June 13. Asheboro is set to host the Holly Springs Salamanders at 6:30 p.m. where the Zookeepers will look to build on another resilient performance and remain atop the CPL West Division.