Lenoir-Rhyne - Randolph Record

23 Jul

Former standout McPeak holds Asheboro ZooKeepers coaching role

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Lenoir-Rhyne, summer college baseball, Tyler McPeak

Tyler McPeak (Photo courtesy of Asheboro ZooKeepers) Ex-teammates view Tyler McPeak in a different capacity ASHEBORO – Tyler McPeak found so much to appreciate about the Asheboro ZooKeepers that he came back for another season. But he’s a coach now instead of one of the best players. McPeak is making the transition during the Coastal Plain League season after finishing his final collegiate season in the spring for Lenoir-Rhyne. “I was fortunate to play for Coach (Korey) Dunbar last summer,” McPeak said. “I figured I’d give coaching a shot.” McPeak was second-team All-South Atlantic Conference first baseman for Lenoir-Ryne this…

16 Jul

Padres select ZooKeepers’ Evans in draft

Bob SuttonSportsArizona Diamondbacks, Asheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Lenoir-Rhyne, pro baseball, Ryan Waldschmidt, San Diego Padres, summer college baseball, Zach Evans

Zach Evans (Asheboro ZooKeepers photo) Former Asheboro player picked by Diamondbacks ASHEBORO – Asheboro ZooKeepers shortstop Zach Evans was selected in the ninth round of baseball’s amateur draft Monday. Evans, a college player for Lenoir-Rhyne, was picked by the San Diego Padres with the 270th pick overall. Evans has been playing with the ZooKeepers in the Coastal Plain League, which is a summer circuit for college players. He batted .338 with five home runs in 31 games. Evans is the 10th player in Lenoir-Rhyne’s baseball history to be picked in the draft. He’s the school’s first draftee in six years…

10 Jul

Close games prove costly for ZooKeepers

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Lenoir-Rhyne, McCrary Park, Owen Blackledge, summer college baseball, Zach Evans

Zach Evans takes a swing during a recent game for the Asheboro ZooKeepers. (P.J. Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The Asheboro ZooKeepers were involved in a bunch of close games heading into the Coastal Plain League’s all-star break. Not all of those outcomes worked out well for the ZooKeepers. So when play resumed this week, the ZooKeepers were in sixth place in the eight-team West Division with a 5-6 second-half record in the split season. The ZooKeepers ended last week with a pair of games with the High Point-Thomasville HiToms. Asheboro outfielder Owen Blackledge was dubbed the top hitter…

26 Jun

Blackledge builds own career with Asheboro ZooKeepers

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Lenoir-Rhyne, Owen Blackledge, summer college baseball

Owen Blackledge has brought energy to the Asheboro ZooKeepers for a second summer. (Courtesy of Asheboro ZooKeepers) Son of former NFL quarterback makes good use of time in Asheboro ASHEBORO – At about this time last year, Owen Blackledge had just left Omaha, Neb., where he was a member of a College World Series team. While some goals and destinations have changed, Blackledge is now in the middle of his second season with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. The rising senior outfielder knows how to make adjustments. He once played collegiately for national power Texas Christian University and now has one year…

31 Jul

ZooKeepers find different values in season

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Dallas Callahan, Lenoir-Rhyne, summer college baseball, Tyler McPeak, UNCG

Dallas Callahan has been with Asheboro’s Coastal Plain League team even before this year. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Tyler McPeak and Dallas Callahan have given the Asheboro ZooKeepers a veteran presence in different ways during the Coastal Plain League baseball season. McPeak is looking to polish his swing and plate approach in advance of a final season at Lenoir-Rhyne, where he has been a record-setting slugger. “I’ve always been a guy that feels there’s something else to be desired,” McPeak said. “Chasing perfection in an imperfect game.” Callahan opted for a final go-around in a collegiate summer league even…