Coastal Plain League

ZooKeepers finally find some answers

ZooKeepers finally find some answers

The Asheboro ZooKeepers have had mixed results from the mound during their games so far this season. (Photo courtesy of ZooKeepers) ASHEBORO – The Asheboro ZooKeepers made notable progress last week. The biggest of those achievements was finally winning a game. The Coastal Plain League baseball team lost its first six games of the season, which already has been disjointed by playing home games at UNC Greensboro while McCrary Park renovations are ongoing. The plan is to have the ZooKeepers playing in Asheboro by the end of this week. At least they’ve experienced success. The ZooKeepers didn’t pick up a…
Read More
ZooKeepers take winding path to slow start

ZooKeepers take winding path to slow start

Members of the Asheboro ZooKeepers hang out at the dugout at UNCG. (Photo courtesy of ZooKeepers) GREENSBORO – College baseball players arrived to play a summer season in Asheboro. So far, they’ve played only elsewhere. That’s just part of the rough opening stretch of the season for the Asheboro ZooKeepers. “It’s a little strange,” said third baseman Tanner Thomas, who plays collegiately for Longwood. “We’re very thankful that we have a place like this to play.” He was referring to UNC Greensboro Baseball Stadium. With a renovation project behind schedule at McCrary Park, the ZooKeepers have mostly played road games…
Read More
ZooKeepers, Post 45 wait on McCrary Park

ZooKeepers, Post 45 wait on McCrary Park

Randolph County Post 45 shortstop Tanner Marsh makes a tag at second base against Davidson County during an American Legion game last week in Randleman, where the team is playing home games temporarily. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The Asheboro ZooKeepers and Randolph County Post 45 baseball teams are playing relocated home games for perhaps a few more weeks as the latest renovation project at McCrary Park is keeping the park off limits to spectators. The ZooKeepers, a collegiate summer team, have reworked the early portion of their schedule and already have played road games. The team will play select…
Read More
New GM for ZooKeepers holds unique background

New GM for ZooKeepers holds unique background

Melissa Godwin has joined the front office of the Asheboro ZooKeepers. (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Melissa Godwin has clear baseball connections and those could be a boost for the Asheboro ZooKeepers. Godwin is the team’s new general manager and director of baseball operations. She’s wife to UNC Greensboro baseball coach Billy Godwin. “My résumé is pretty good without Billy,” she said. “(Taking this job) was the culmination of everything I’ve done.” She’ll largely handle the ZooKeepers operations. Dennis Garcia, who had been in that role, will concentrate primarily on the American Legion programs that are McCrary Park tenants and the…
Read More
McCrary Park takes on another new look

McCrary Park takes on another new look

The grandstand has been flattened at McCrary Park as another phase of the renovation is in the works at the baseball park in Asheboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The grandstand is gone, and renovations are picking up again at McCrary Park. This latest development marks the latest phase in the upgrades for the baseball park. “It’s a lot of work to do,” said Ronnie Pugh, an owner of the Coastal Plain League’s Asheboro ZooKeepers. “It’s moving along, and it’s pretty exciting. It can’t happen soon enough.” For any past visitors, the sight of the grandstand no longer in place might…
Read More
Former Division I college players take roles with ZooKeepers staff

Former Division I college players take roles with ZooKeepers staff

Korey Dunbar will be the head head coach of the Asheboro ZooKeepers ASHEBORO – A new coaching staff has been selected for the Asheboro ZooKeepers and there’s regional college flavor involved in those selections. Former North Carolina catcher Korey Dunbar will be the head coach. Ex-North Carolina State pitcher Josh Pike will be the 2023 pitching coach. The ZooKeepers are a Coastal Plain League team. Dunbar, who has been on Barton College’s coaching staff for three seasons, played for North Carolina from 2012-15. That included a trip to the College World Series in 2013. “I am extremely grateful and excited…
Read More
ZooKeepers coach departs after two seasons

ZooKeepers coach departs after two seasons

Jeremy Knight decided to give up his job with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Jeremy Knight has stepped away from his roles with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. After guiding the Coastal Plain League baseball team for two seasons, he decided to resign as head coach and co-general manager. “It was becoming too much with two kids,” he said, calling it a family decision. “This year wore me out.” Knight’s record with the college summer team was 37-56, including a league-worst 14-33 mark this season. He’s returning to a teaching position at Southern Alamance High School. “It wasn’t because…
Read More
Asheboro ZooKeepers cap strange, twisting season

Asheboro ZooKeepers cap strange, twisting season

Southwestern Randolph alum Bryce Marsh had a strong season in power numbers for the Asheboro ZooKeepers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)   Marsh’s CPL-best homer count among team’s highlights ASHEBORO – Things became better for the Asheboro ZooKeepers during the latter part of the Coastal Plain League season. But not good enough to qualify for the postseason. A somewhat awkward season came to a close with Saturday night’s 12-8 loss to the visiting Martinsville Mustangs at McCrary Park. Asheboro’s 14-34 record in CPL games was a league-worst mark in the 14-team circuit. The ZooKeepers were also 2-2 on non-league games. “It has…
Read More
Transylvania player puts together special season with ZooKeepers

Transylvania player puts together special season with ZooKeepers

Trent Youngblood makes a play in the field for the Asheboro ZooKeepers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Youngblood comes from Division III, but excels in CPL ASHEBORO – Coming from a Division III program, it was natural to wonder how Trent Youngblood would fit in with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. That hasn’t really happened – and that has been a good thing. It turns out that the versatile infielder has stood out with the ZooKeepers and across the Coastal Plain League as a whole. “I really just like competing,” Youngblood said. “It was a big adjustment coming from my school to here.” He’s…
Read More
Trevor Marsh could join ZooKeepers for final stretch

Trevor Marsh could join ZooKeepers for final stretch

Trevor Marsh turned in a solid season last summer for Asheboro’s team in the CPL. He could be returning. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – Trevor Marsh might be back with Asheboro’s Coastal Plain League baseball team after all. The former Asheboro High School standout hasn’t played this summer following surgery on his left hand’s index finger that caused his season to be cut short at UNC Wilmington. Marsh, an outfielder, said last week that he might join the Asheboro ZooKeepers for the final few games of the season if he’s given medical clearance. Last year, he played for the…
Read More