summer college baseball - Randolph Record

29 Jun

There’s still hope for Asheboro ZooKeepers despite tough times

Bob SuttonSportsAndrew Grande, Asheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, summer college baseball

Andrew Grande hopes his time with the Asheboro ZooKeepers leads to other opportunities. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Injury stalls plans for ‘free agent’ in search of new team ASHEBORO — No baseball team in the Coastal Plain League is probably ready for the season’s second half more than the Asheboro ZooKeepers. It’s bound to get better. The college summer league has had unfortunate stop-and-go nature for the ZooKeepers, both from a team perspective and an individual level. The ZooKeepers were forced on the road and into several situations necessitating make-up games because of delayed renovations at McCrary Park. Then there’s…

ZooKeepers need results to go with home comforts

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, summer college baseball

Chase Waddell takes a swing for the Asheboro ZooKeepers during their game Sunday night against the Savannah Bananas at McCrary Park. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The Asheboro ZooKeepers are starting to feel right at home in their partially renovated ballpark. To be sure, they’re glad to settle in at McCrary Park. “Oh my Gosh, it looks awesome,” said pitcher Danny Heintz said. “The whole thing.” Heintz has a particular perspective because the pitcher from the University of Pennsylvania also played in 2021 for Asheboro’s team in the Coastal Plain League. Because of delays in construction on the first…

ZooKeepers could be solid on mound

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

ASHEBORO – There will be a few returning players on Asheboro’s Coastal Plain League team, but by and large the 2022 roster will look different in many ways. An upgrade in experience is something that could benefit the ZooKeepers the most. “We try our best to get the best players you come across,” said head coach Jeremy Knight, who’s also the co-general manager and in his second year with the team. Asheboro posted a 23-21 record last year, when it was nicknamed Copperheads before an offseason rebranding. The ZooKeepers are slated for road games at Forest City and Holly Springs…