Asheboro Zookeepers - Randolph Record

16 Jun

Time with ZooKeepers can be period of transition for transfers

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, Rylen Stockton, summer college baseball, transfer portal

Rylen Stockton (ZooKeepers photo) ASHEBORO — When Rylen Stockton signed up to play this summer for the Asheboro ZooKeepers, he was a member of UNC Asheville’s baseball team. Yet a couple of weeks ago when it was his turn to go to the plate for the ZooKeepers, the introduction said he plays for Maryland. That’s part of the evolving nature of collegiate summer baseball. “I just committed to Maryland a few days ago,” Stockton said June 3. So after one season with UNC Asheville, the catcher from Sarasota, Florida, will be heading elsewhere in August when he reports for his…

09 Jun

ZooKeepers ride early wave as team builds

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, Davis Germann, Korey Dunbar, summer college baseball

Boaz Harper, who plays collegiately for North Carolina, takes a swing during a game for the Asheboro ZooKeepers last week. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The Asheboro ZooKeepers have excelled in several areas early in the season and the team is still coming together. Third-year coach Korey Dunbar said the opening stretch of the season has been encouraging. Through Sunday, the ZooKeepers held a 6-2 record in the Coastal Plain League. “Trying to coach these guys up on a daily basis,” Dunbar said. “It all boils down to these guys doing the work. They’re all in and they…

03 Jun

Germann’s homers provide boosts in ZooKeepers’ opening week

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, Davis Germann, McCrary Park, summer college baseball

Davis Germann (ZooKeepers photo) ASHEBORO — Davis Germann made a big impression in the first home game of the season for the Asheboro ZooKeepers by belting three home runs. The power displayed provided highlights as the ZooKeepers won back-to-back games following a season-opening loss as the Coastal Plain League baseball season began last week. Germann’s three-homer game came in an 11-1, seven-inning victory against the High Point-Thomasville HiToms on Friday night at McCrary Park. The right fielder out of Morehead State finished with seven runs batted in. He set the tone with a two-out grand slam in the first inning…

29 May

UCA coach takes role with college summer team … but state finals are priority

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, High Point-Thomasville HiToms, McCrary Park, summer college baseball

Coach Rob Shore has more time left with the Uwharrie Charter Academy baseball team this season before turning his attention to a new summer league role with the High Point-Thomasville HiToms in the Coastal Plain League. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — Uwharrie Charter Academy baseball coach Rob Shore added another summer gig and that will have him in Randolph County for some games. Shore has taken the job as head coach of the High Point-Thomasville HiToms of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer circuit. But first, he has the business of guiding UCA into the Class 1A state…

27 May

ZooKeepers set to embark on another season

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Hunter Atkins, Korey Dunbar, McCrary Park, summer college baseball

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…

21 Apr

College baseball: Atkins holds role with Catawba

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Catawba College, College baseball, Gage Miller, Hunter Atkins, Randleman Tigers

Hunter Atkins had a productive season with the Asheboro ZooKeepers last summer before his first season for Catawba. (Randolph Record) The roles for Hunter Atkins on the baseball field have evolved the past couple of years, but he’s still making contributions. The former Randleman standout is a left fielder for Catawba, which is one of the top Division II baseball teams in the country. Atkins played in 40 of Catawba’s first 44 games. He’s batting .317 with 11 doubles, two triples and 26 runs batted in. The No. 11 Indians began this week with a 32-12 record, including first-place mark…

27 Mar

ZooKeepers seek host families for upcoming baseball season

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, McCrary Park, summer college baseball

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro ZooKeepers, a summer collegiate baseball team, are seeking host families for the upcoming season. The club is looking for places to house players and interns for the season, which generally runs from late May through late July or early August. The team touts the valuable role that host families can provide while allowing the summer visitors to excel. “Support enables players to focus on their games and practice, while interns can dedicate their time to supporting the team’s operations,” the team says. “… You’ll be making a positive impact on their experience and contributing to the…

06 Feb

Southwestern Randolph grad Coleman picked to All-ACC preseason softball team

Randolph RecordSportsAlex Coleman, Asheboro Zookeepers, College softball, North Carolina Tar Heels, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

North Carolina outfielder Alex Coleman, a Southwestern Randolph graduate, was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference preseason softball team. Coleman, a senior, will be in her second season with the Tar Heels after transferring from Marshall. Last year, she led the ACC with a .436 batting average. She also had a team-leading 44 runs scored, 20 stolen bases and 18 multi-hit games. Coleman’s batting average was the best for a North Carolina player since 1996. The Tar Heels were selected for a ninth-place finish in the coaches’ poll. Duke was picked first. North Carolina opens the season Friday in the…

31 Dec

2024 sports in review: Title times come for area teams

Bob SuttonSports2024, Asheboro Zookeepers, Cam Letterlough, College baseball, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Ellie Garrison, Prep baseball, prep football, prep soccer, prep wrestling, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Tim Kelly, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

There was lots to celebrate for the Southwestern Randolph softball team at the 2024 state finals. (Randolph Record file photo) There were no shortage of special moments and achievements for area athletes in 2024 Championship appearances on the state level for several schools were among Randolph County sports highlights in 2024. The year was sprinkled with significant success stories. Four different schools captured team championships, while teams from two schools were left with the heartbreak of state runner-up finishes to accompany a sense of accomplishment. Here’s a review of some notable 2024 area sports achievements: Title moments In some cases,…

13 Aug

Former Randleman standout Trey Way ready to give Radford a try

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Burlington Athletic Stadium, Burlington Sock Puppets, Radford, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, Randolph County Post 45, Trey Way, Virginia Tech

Former Randleman baseball player Trey Way goes through pregame testing prior to an outing with the Burlington Sock Puppets this summer. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) BURLINGTON – Trey Way hasn’t played much baseball the past couple of years. He wants that to change. Way, who was a key part of two Randleman state championships, has a new role and a new team. “It has been an up and down journey, for sure,” Way said. “You have to see the good in everything.” The quest for more baseball satisfaction hasn’t waned. He’ll attempt to gain that at Radford. An infielder…