ZooKeepers Stay Hot, Sink Flamingos 7-2 Behind Balanced Attack

Carolina Bank Field – June 6, 2025

The Asheboro ZooKeepers kept their early-season momentum rolling Friday night, powering past the Florence Flamingos 7-2 in Coastal Plain League action. A balanced offensive effort, sharp bullpen work, and timely defense helped Asheboro improve to 5-1 on the year.

Pitching Sets the Table
Right-hander Joe Rauscher (Barton College) got the start for Asheboro and struck out seven over four innings, allowing just three hits and two unearned runs. After the Flamingos tied the game in the fifth, reliever Jeremiah Hampton (Presbyterian College) picked up the win with a scoreless frame, and Mason McDaniel (Presbyterian College) closed the door with four strong innings for the save.

Florence starter Ayden Sauerbrei (Minot State) kept things close through five innings. Still, the ZooKeepers pounced on the bullpen, particularly Elias Holbert (Coastal Carolina), with a three-run seventh that changed the game.

ZooKeepers Break Through
After three quiet innings on both sides, Asheboro got on the board in the fourth with sacrifice flies from Yadier Diaz (Barton College) and Rafael Soto (College of Charleston). Though the Flamingos answered with two of their own in the fifth thanks to a fielder’s choice and ZooKeeper errors, the ZooKeepers struck back with authority in the seventh.

With the bases loaded, Seojun Oh (High Point University) ripped an RBI double down the line, and Cole Kitchens (Southern Indiana) added an RBI single. Soto and Kruise Newman (Tennessee Wesleyan) later tacked on RBIs in the ninth to seal it.

Spreading the Wealth
Every part of the ZooKeepers lineup contributed. Soto, Newman, Diaz, Oh, and Kitchens all drove in runs, while Sal Laimo (Barton College) continued to be a spark plug atop the order, reaching base twice and stealing another bag. Asheboro finished the night with eight hits and six walks.

Florence, meanwhile, struggled to convert opportunities, leaving 10 runners on base and striking out 10 times.

Closing It Out
McDaniel shut down the Flamingos in the late innings, allowing just two hits while striking out three. The ZooKeepers’ defense turned a key double play and overcame a trio of errors to keep the home team off the scoreboard after the fifth.

Final: ZooKeepers 7, Flamingos 2

Asheboro now returns home with a 5-1 record and will face the Martinsville Mustangs on Saturday night. The first pitch at McCrary Park is scheduled for 6:30 PM.

🎧 Listen live: https://zkbaseball.mixlr.com

Notable Stats:

  • RHP Joe Rauscher: 4.0 IP, 7 K, 0 ER

  • DH Seojun Oh: 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB

  • INF Rafael Soto: 1-3, RBI, BB

  • RHP Mason McDaniel: 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 K

  • Florence LOB: 10

Up Next:
📍 ZooKeepers vs. Martinsville Mustangs – June 7, 6:30 PM @ McCrary Park