Nick Capozzi of the Asheboro ZooKeepers takes a swing. (Randolph Record)
ASHEBORO – At the beginning of the final week of the Coastal Plain League baseball season, the Asheboro ZooKeepers rallied from a four-run deficit and used a bunch of late-game dramatics to pull out a victory.
Perhaps it was a fitting scenario for the team, which showed resiliency on that night at McCrary Park and for the rest of the week.
“Big wins, it feels nice,” said outfielder Owen Blackledge. “Baseball is a whole lot more fun when you’re winning.”
Blackledge smashed a seventh-inning grand slam in that uprising against the Holly Springs Salamanders.
The ZooKeepers concluded the summer collegiate season with a seven-game winning streak. Asheboro won nine of its final 10 games.
“Pulling for one another and getting along,” second-year head coach Korey Dunbar said. “They bounce back pretty quick. They’ve been intentional with their work.”
The ZooKeepers posted a 27-20 record for the fourth-best mark in the West Division.
It was an improvement from last year’s 20-24 record and continued upgrade from the CPL-worst 14-33 record in 2022.
Until the final days, the ZooKeepers remained in the hunt for a West Division second-half title and a spot in the playoffs.
That in large part came because of the thrilling 6-5 result against the Salamanders.
“Not quitting when getting down. It took a lot,” Dunbar said. “Phenomenal plays in the field.”
Blackledge’s opposite-field grand slam sailed inside the left-field foul pole. That was accompanied by an explosive response from the second-year Asheboro player.
“I had to make it interesting,” he said.
Then in the ninth inning, second baseman Sal Laimo made a sterling defensive play, tracking down a ball headed toward right field and initiating a sequence that cut down a runner heading to third base.
“Got to make a play,” Laimo said. “A pretty cool moment.”
The momentum from that comeback stayed with the ZooKeepers.
Laimo had three hits and, along with RJ Jimerson, drove in two runs in an 8-3 victory against the visiting Lexington County Blowfish. Ryan Neilson struck out four batters in two shutout innings of relief.
In a 4-0 victory at Forest City, Tyler Behm, Spencer Floyd, Richie Cimpric and Danny Thompson combined on a two-hitter and Hunter Atkins drove in two runs during a three-run ninth inning.
Then the ZooKeepers really went out in style. The home schedule ended with last Friday night’s doubleheader sweep of the Martinsville Mustangs by 6-5 in eight innings and 11-5. The finale came with a 10-2 road romp Saturday night against the Holly Springs Salamanders.
Blackledge also homered in the last game vs. Holly Springs, giving him a team-high six long balls.
Laimo, who plays for Barton, was with the team since its first practice. He said it was a rewarding summer of baseball.
“Meeting new guys, you never know what you’re going to get,” he said. “We know we’re good enough.”
Atkins, a key member of two Randleman state championship teams, added a local element to the ZooKeepers’ roster. The infielder was among the CPL’s leading hitters for much of the season and he liked how the Asheboro team meshed.
“Just competing without having any chemistry at all coming into the season,” Atkins said.
Blackledge finished with a .314 batting average, second on the team to shortstop Zach Evans (.338), who was drafted by the San Diego Padres and missed the last couple of weeks of the CPL season.
Laimo had six multiple-hit outings in his last 10 games.
A couple of Asheboro pitchers had notable numbers. Peter Mullen notched four victories – one off the league lead. Mason Manriquez third in the CPL in strikeouts with 47 (in 41 1/3 innings).
