summer college baseball - Randolph Record

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…

29 Jul

UCA alum, ZooKeepers pitcher Hill finds new college home

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Hunter Hill, summer college baseball, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

ASHEBORO – Hunter Hill arrived to play summer baseball with the Asheboro ZooKeepers while representing North Carolina Wesleyan. When he leaves, he’ll be heading to another college. Hill, a former Uwharrie Charter Academy pitcher, is transferring to Division II Belmont Abbey. “I’m excited about it,” he said. “I was happy to move up the ladder.” Hill pitched for two seasons for Division III N.C. Wesleyan without a loss on his record. The time in his first season with the ZooKeepers in the Coastal Plain League has given him confidence that he can be successful at a higher level. “It’s a…

30 Jun

ZooKeepers show signs of breaking through

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Korey Dunbar, McCrary Park, summer college baseball, Tyler McPeak

Jay Dillard had a three-run double and then scored a run for the Asheboro ZooKeepers against Holly Springs on Thursday night. (Photo courtesy of ZooKeepers) ASHEBORO – The Asheboro ZooKeepers didn’t make a push for the first-half title in the Coastal Plain League’s West Division. But they did develop momentum and created some good vibes by the midway mark of the season. Among the highlights was Thursday night’s 5-4, 10-inning victory against visiting Holly Springs Salamanders at McCrary Park. “We strung a couple of nights like that together,” first-year ZooKeepers coach Korey Dunbar said. “We’re starting to finish games.” The…

26 Jun

ZooKeepers mark home debut with win

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, summer college baseball

Asheboro’s Jay Dillard reaches second base as the ball skips away from Boone’s Carlos Amezquita during last week’s game at McCrary Park. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The Asheboro ZooKeepers, a college summer league baseball team, finally got to play a game in their home ballpark. Even that situation lasted only so long. It was a winning endeavor for the ZooKeepers, who topped the visiting Boone Bigfoots 9-6 on Thursday night at McCrary Park. The second game of the Coastal Plain League doubleheader was wiped out during the first inning because of lightning and then rain. Jared Beebe and…

11 Jun

ZooKeepers take winding path to slow start

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Forest City, McCrary Park, summer college baseball, UNCG

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…

03 Nov

New GM for ZooKeepers holds unique background

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, McCrary Park, Melissa Godwin, summer college baseball

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…

06 Sep

Former Division I college players take roles with ZooKeepers staff

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Korey Dunbar, summer college baseball

Korey Dunbar will be the 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 for…

28 Aug

Former Ramseur man runs summer baseball circuit for college-age players

Bob SuttonSportsAlec Allred, College baseball, Craven Stadium, Eastern Randolph Post 81, Faith Christian, Old North State League, summer college baseball

Alec Allred oversees the Old North State League. RAMSEUR – Alec Allred is making a career out of baseball and it’s not on the field. He’s the president of the Old North State League, a summer college circuit that wrapped up what he called a successful season earlier this summer. “This is my full-time job now, trying to coordinate everything,” Allred said. “It’s a lot that goes into it, but it’s a ton of fun.” Allred, 27, is from Ramseur and a 2014 graduate of Faith Christian. His family has largely overseen Eastern Randolph Post 81’s program on the…

01 Aug

Asheboro ZooKeepers cap strange, twisting season

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Bryce Marsh, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, summer college baseball, Trent Youngblood

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…

27 Jul

Transylvania player puts together special season with ZooKeepers

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, summer college baseball, Transylvania baseball, Trent Youngblood

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…