By: Evan Rogers
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — Despite an attempt at a last-inning rally, the Holly Springs Salamanders (15-12) were bested by the Asheboro Zookeepers (8-20), 9-8, Sunday night at Ting Stadium.
After trading scoreless frames in the first inning, the Salamanders’ offense went to work.
Third baseman Connor Coolahan’s (Elon) lead-off walk was followed by consecutive singles from first baseman Jack Winsett (Rider) and second baseman Joey Berini (ECU), juicing the bases for the Salamanders. Moments later, left fielder Nate Carriere’s (Lamar) sacrifice flyout drove in Holly Springs’ second run of the frame.
However, the Salamanders were just getting started. Later in the same inning, an error by the Zookeepers paved the way for Holly Springs to tally five runs during the inning, giving the Salamanders an early, five-run cushion.
Yet, the Salamanders’ comfort soon vanished. In the top of the fourth inning, left fielder Kennedy Jones’ (UNCG) grand slam to center field highlighted a frame in which the Zookeepers took their first lead of the game, 6-5.
Trailing by one run, the Salamanders looked to respond in the bottom half of the same inning. And, shortstop Luke Heefner’s (Dallas Baptist) RBI groundout helped Holly Springs retake the lead, 7-6.
Yet, the lead was short lived for the Salamanders. In the next frame, catcher Chase Waddell (Barton College) launched Asheboro’s third blast of the night — a three-run shot that gave the Zookeepers a two-run advantage.
Despite a lead-off bomb to right field by catcher Robert Brooks (Columbus State) in the final inning, the Salamanders failed to plate another run and fell to the Zookeepers, 9-8.
In the loss, pitcher Alec Rodriguez (Saint Joseph’s) thrived on the bump. After surrendering a walk-off grand slam against Morehead City on June 25, the Cherry Hill, N.J. native has been dealing, striking out 12 batters over his last four innings of work.
The Salamanders hit the road to take on the Asheboro Zookeepers on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.