By: Evan Rogers

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — Pitcher Sam Peddycord’s (Greensboro College) scoreless outing on the mound lead the Holly Springs Salamanders (18-15) to victory over the Asheboro Zookeepers (9-23),10-6, Friday night at Ting Stadium. 

After the two teams traded one-point frames in the first inning, the Salamanders unlatched an early lead. Trailing by two runs in the second inning, Holly Springs put early pressure on the Zookeepers with a drawn walk and hit-by-pitch. 

Moments later, catcher Jacob Godman (N.C. State) laid a bunt that, due to an Asheboro error, drove home the Salamanders’ second run. Shortstop Gavin Troutman (Lock Haven) followed up Godman by crushing a 2-RBI double into the left-field gap, aiding Holly Springs to a 5-3 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, designated hitter Ryan Clifford (Vanderbilt) came up to bat with one out. And, his solo shot to right field rocketed off the top of the outer gates at Ting Stadium, extending the Salamanders’ advantage to three runs. 

Holly Springs would plate one run in its next offensive frame before opening the floodgates in the sixth inning. Clifford’s escape from a pickle to earn a run and first baseman Alberto Osuna’s (UNC) RBI single highlighted a three-run frame for the Salamanders, ballooning Holly Springs’ lead to 10-3.

The Zookeepers were able to muster up a trio of runs in the game’s final frame, but Holly Springs’ lead was too big to overcome at 10-6. 

On the mound, the Salamanders were led by Peddycord who had his best performance of the season — surrendering one hit over 5.1 innings. Moreover, Clifford and Troutman spearheaded Holly Springs barrels with three and two RBIs, respectively. 

Holly Springs hits the road to take on the Tri-City Chili Peppers on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.