Five ZooKeepers make CPL all-star squads

ASHEBORO — Five members of the Asheboro ZooKeepers were named to the Coastal Plain League All-CPL First and Second Teams, the league announced recently.

Each team features 30 players: One for each infield position, six designated hitter/utility players, eight outfielders, and 11 pitchers (a combination of starters and relievers). Teams are selected with input from CPL head coaches.

Earning First Team honors from Asheboro were DH/Utility Brady McGuire (Seton Hill), DH/Utility Reggie Sharpe (formerly of Michigan State) and pitcher Takuma Sato (Union).

Second-Team honors went to outfielder Sylas Boris (Lenoir-Rhyne) and pitcher Ben Shepherd (USC Aiken).

“It’s well deserved and we’re excited for them to be recognized for what they did all summer,” Asheboro General Manager Kory Dunbar said. “I’m excited they were recognized for the work they put in.”

McGuire had an incredible season for the ZooKeepers, who finished third in the West Division at 28-20. McGuire hit.327 (53-for-162) and led the league with 57 runs scored. He was third in the league with 15 doubles, registered three triples and four home runs. He knocked in 34 runs, while totaling 86 bases.

He had a .467 on-base percentage and a .998 OPS. He was also sixth in the league with 30 stolen bases.

Sharpe hit .350 (36-for-103) and added six doubles, two triples and a home run. He scored 35 times and knocked in 20 and stole 16 bases. He was also hit by a pitch 14 times. He had a .481 OBP and a .957 OPS.

Sato finished 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA over 39 1/3 innings, surrendering 34 hits. He walked 14 and fanned 38.

In earning Second Team honors, Boris hit .303 (20-for-66) with four doubles and five home runs. He scored 18 times and recorded 18 RBIs. He had an OBP of .465 and an OPS of 1.056.

Shepherd was 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA. He threw 21 1/3 innings, striking out 18.

The 2026 hitter of the year went to Brett Vondohlen of Boone, while the starting pitcher of the year was David Austen of Macon and the reliever of the year was Ethan Blakeney of Peninsula.

The ZooKeepers qualified for the postseason, but lost a one-game knockout game to Forest City, 3-2.

“Like with any year, there were a good amount of guys leaving and a good amount coming in and our coaches did a fantastic job of managing the roster,” Dunbar said. “The team was extremely consistent and sometimes it didn’t swing our way. That’s baseball. But we’ll be back getting ready for next year.”

Morehead City had the most representatives on the All-CPL Teams with 11 selections, while Peninsula and Wilmington were second with eight each. Asheboro and Forest City were next with five players and a total of five teams — Boone, High Point-Thomasville, Holly Springs, Macon and Tri-City — saw three of their players highlighted. Florence and Martinsville each added two, while Greenville, Lexington County and Zebulon had one each.

For a complete listing of all the CPL players who were honored, check out the league website at coastalplainleague.com.