STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | April 23, 2026 — A quiet night at the plate proved costly for the Frisco RoughRiders, who were held to just one hit in a 6-1 loss to the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday night at Riders Field.

The defeat marked Frisco’s third consecutive loss to open the series and dropped the club to 8-10 on the season, while Tulsa continued its early dominance, improving to 14-4 behind another strong performance on the mound.

Challenges Faced by the Frisco RoughRiders

From the outset, the game tilted in Tulsa’s favor. Frisco starter Winston Santos encountered trouble in the opening frame, loading the bases before hitting Elijah Hainline to force in the game’s first run. Though Santos avoided further damage, the early deficit set the tone for a night in which the RoughRiders struggled to generate offense.

Tulsa right-hander Patrick Copen capitalized on that momentum, delivering one of the most efficient outings of his young Double-A career. The 24-year-old worked 6.1 innings, matching a career high, while striking out nine batters. He allowed just a single in the first inning — Frisco’s lone hit of the night — and consistently kept hitters off balance with a mix of command and velocity.

Copen’s dominance was emblematic of a broader issue for Frisco, as the RoughRiders were unable to string together quality at-bats. Despite working counts at times, the lineup failed to produce contact in key situations, resulting in a steady stream of strikeouts and limited scoring opportunities.

While the offense struggled, the RoughRiders’ pitching staff showed flashes of effectiveness. Santos settled in after the first inning, and the bullpen provided moments of stability, particularly from Wilian Bormie. The right-hander delivered two scoreless innings in relief, striking out three without allowing a hit and helping keep the game within reach through the middle frames.

Frisco’s pitching staff collectively recorded 13 strikeouts, tying a season high, with each of the five pitchers used registering multiple strikeouts. The performance highlighted the staff’s ability to miss bats, even as run prevention remained inconsistent.

The game turned decisively in the sixth inning, when Tulsa broke it open against reliever Ben Anderson. The Drillers plated five runs in the frame — only one of which was earned — capitalizing on defensive miscues and timely hitting to extend their lead to 6-0. The inning underscored the challenges Frisco has faced in limiting damage during critical moments.

Trailing by six, the RoughRiders managed to avoid the shutout in the later innings. Infielder Frainyer Chavez accounted for the team’s lone run with a sacrifice fly, continuing his steady offensive contributions despite the overall struggles of the lineup.

For Frisco, the loss represents a continuation of a difficult stretch marked by inconsistency at the plate and an inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. After showing offensive promise earlier in the season, the RoughRiders have been unable to sustain that production against a Tulsa team that has controlled all phases of the series thus far.

The focus now shifts to regrouping and avoiding a deeper slide. Frisco will look to respond in Friday night’s matchup at Riders Field, where right-hander Leandro Lopez is scheduled to take the mound against Tulsa’s Wyatt Crowell.

For a team still searching for rhythm, the path forward is clear: improve offensive execution, tighten defensive play, and find a way to translate strong pitching moments into complete performances.

As the series continues, the RoughRiders will aim to reset and reclaim momentum — starting with the next opportunity under the lights in Frisco.