ASHEBORO — The Asheboro ZooKeepers begin another baseball season this week, with the home opener set for Friday night at McCrary Park.
Third-year coach Korey Dunbar will direct the ZooKeepers, who finished their 2024 season with seven consecutive victories.
There’s scheduled free admission as part of what the ZooKeepers, a summer collegiate team, are labeling a fanfest for an exhibition game against Randolph County Post 45 on Tuesday night.
Asheboro plays its first Coastal Plain League game Thursday night against the host Holly Springs Salamanders.
Friday’s home game is against the High Point-Thomasville HiToms. Game times are set for 6:30 p.m. for all games (excluding any doubleheaders that end up on the slate).
The team’s roster has been taking shape, though Dunbar said it’s unclear how many of the players will be available at the beginning of the season. But the breakdown of the CPL season should be beneficial compared to some past seasons.
“Last year we had a hard time getting everyone here, so this should be a lot better,” Dunbar said.
Among those expected to suit up for the ZooKeepers is Randleman alum Hunter Atkins. He played last year for the CPL team as well, mostly as an infielder, though he was a left fielder for Catawba during this year’s college season.
Other returning players might include Dylan Driver (Catawba) and Sal Laimo (Barton).
There have been more upgrades at McCrary Park, some of which have been evident at various high school games during the spring. Parking areas have expanded beyond the outfield. Cooling fans were to be installed in the grandstand by late May.
Among the promotions for this year is an Independence Day week postgame fireworks show July 2.
