FRISCO, Texas (July 2, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders (40-35) look to bounce back in Game 2 of their six-game series against the Arkansas Travelers (40-36) on Wednesday night at Riders Field, following a hard-fought 10-inning, 6-5 loss in the series opener.
Tuesday’s game was highlighted by the Double-A debut of outfielder Keith Jones II, who wasted no time making an impact. Jones went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, launching his first Double-A homer in the fourth inning to give Frisco an early lead. He later added an RBI single in the 10th to give the Riders a fighting chance in the final frame.
Despite Jones’ heroics, the Travelers used a clutch performance from Bill Knight, who drove in five runs, including a game-deciding two-run single in the 10th inning. Knight had earlier delivered a bases-clearing double in the fifth and later stole home in a crafty sequence involving Lazaro Montes.
The RoughRiders responded in waves throughout the game. Cam Cauley’s solo shot in the seventh and Abimelec Ortiz’s game-tying homer in the eighth reignited the home crowd, but ultimately Arkansas reliever Taylor Floyd closed the door with two crucial outs in the bottom of the 10th, notching his first save of the season. Charlie Beilenson (1-0) picked up the win in relief with 1.1 scoreless innings, while Travis MacGregor (0-2) took the loss for Frisco.
Frisco starter Ben Anderson turned in a steady performance, allowing four runs over six innings with five strikeouts. His counterpart, Marcelo Perez, posted a second straight Double-A quality start for Arkansas.
Game 2 Outlook:
As the series resumes, Frisco seeks to even things up and improve its mark in close contests, now sitting 11-12 in one-run games and 2-2 in extra-inning affairs. The RoughRiders will look to keep momentum from strong offensive showings by Jones, Cauley, and Ortiz, while hoping for better late-inning execution from their bullpen.
Players to Watch:
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Keith Jones II (FRI): Making waves early in Double-A, bringing pop and versatility to the Riders’ lineup.
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Bill Knight (ARK): A game-wrecker in the opener, now with nine RBI in his last three games.
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Abimelec Ortiz (FRI): One of Frisco’s most consistent run producers, continues to deliver in clutch moments.
On Deck:
Game 2 is set for Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. CT from Riders Field. Frisco has yet to announce a starter, while the Travelers will send RHP Michael Morales (1-4, 4.24 ERA) to the mound.
After dropping their third straight game, the RoughRiders are eager to reset the tone in this tightly contested series — and a strong performance Wednesday could be a crucial turning point.
