summer college baseball - Randolph Record

01 Jul

ZooKeepers embrace another Asheboro summer

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Davis Germann, Korey Dunbar, McCrary P, Nick O'Brien, summer college baseball

Yariel Diaz is among several members of the Asheboro ZooKeepers who are back this summer for a second season with the Coastal Plain League team. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — When it comes to playing baseball in Asheboro in a summer collegiate league, once isn’t enough for some players. A second season with the Asheboro ZooKeepers was just what they ordered. “I love the place. I love the host family I’m staying with,” outfielder Davis Germann said. “I love the coaches. They treat me with so much respect, and I knew some of the guys were going to…

23 Jun

ZooKeepers produce hot stretch as season heats up

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Boaz Harper, Coastal Plain League, McCrary Park, Sal Laimo, summer college baseball

Sal Laimo of the Asheboro ZooKeepers beats the throw to first base last week against the Holly Springs Salamanders at McCrary Park. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The Asheboro ZooKeepers have clicked at home and on the road during the first few weeks of the Coastal Plain League baseball season and the results back those up. While outfielder Kruise Newman racked up one of the special accomplishments in all of the CPL, the ZooKeepers as a whole have been doing much the same. Asheboro won five of six games across an eight-day period to improve to 13-5. That…

20 Jun

Ropin’ Roosters set up coop for summer baseball in Ramseur

Bob SuttonSportsCaleb Dunn, Canaan Sheppard, Craven Stadium, Jake Little, Old North State League, Providence Grove, Ramseur, Randolph Ropin' Roosters, Shane Worth, summer college baseball

Former Providence Grove pitcher Canaan Sheppard delivers a pitch for the Randolph Ropin’ Roosters. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) RAMSEUR — The Randolph Ropin’ Roosters are a new summer collegiate baseball team making their home in Ramseur. There’s a local element with the rosters along with coach Shane Worth, who coaches the high school team at Providence Grove. “They called in November,” Worth said. “I’ve coached JUCO before and this level before. It’s a learning process.” The Old North State League team is comprised mostly of junior college players or Division III players. “It don’t seem any different. It’s college…

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…

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…

04 Aug

Former Randleman pitcher Cooper opts for another year at Liberty

Bob SuttonSportsAppalachian League, Burlington Sock Puppets, College baseball, Liberty Flames, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, summer college baseball, Trey Cooper

Trey Cooper (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) BURLINGTON – Even during a summer of baseball uncertainty for pitcher Trey Cooper, he was focused on development. The former Randleman pitcher wants to be a starting pitcher again. “Trying to get back in the starting routine,” Cooper said. Cooper has one season of college eligibility remaining and he entered the transfer portal after his second season at Liberty. It turns out, he’s staying with the Flames. For the second time in three years, he was pitching with the Burlington Sock Puppets, a collegiate summer team in the Appalachian League. Cooper said he…