ZooKeepers Snap Four Game Skid, Power Past Mustangs at Home

McCrary Park – June 28, 2025

After four straight tough losses this week, the Zooks were in a must-win situation at McCrary Park last night. The Asheboro ZooKeepers responded with a dominant performance Saturday night, defeating the Martinsville Mustangs 9–3 behind an explosive offense and strong pitching at McCrary Park.

Early Offense Sets the Tone

The ZooKeepers wasted no time getting on the board. After Jake Griffith reached base via a hit-by-pitch and Kruise Newman drew a walk, Cole Kitchens launched a three-run homer over the wall in the first inning, igniting the home crowd.

Asheboro tacked on three more runs in the third inning with RBI hits from Kitchens and Jarrett Pokrovsky, extending the lead to 6–0 and knocking Mustangs starter Jacob Bazala out of the game after just 2.1 innings.

Rauscher and Yamada Close It Out

Starter Joe Rauscher kept the Mustangs quiet through 5.2 innings, allowing just two runs on six hits while striking out three. Hiroyuki Yamada handled the final 3.1 innings, giving up only one run and earning the save in the process.

Pokrovsky capped off a big night with a three-run double in the seventh, finishing 3-for-5 with a double and a homer. Seojun Oh also tallied three hits, while Griffith went 3-for-4 and scored a run.

Final: ZooKeepers 9, Mustangs 3

Asheboro racked up 11 hits and stole four bases in a complete team effort. The win lifts the ZooKeepers to 14–9 on the season and avenges back-to-back losses to Martinsville earlier in the week.

Next Game:

📍 Asheboro ZooKeepers vs Holly Springs Salamanders
📅 Sunday, June 29 – 5:00 PM at Ting Stadium
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