FRISCO, Texas (July 20, 2025) — The Frisco RoughRiders are set to close out their three-game homestand against the Corpus Christi Hooks on Sunday evening, with first pitch slated for 6:05 p.m. at Riders Field. After splitting the first two games of the series, Frisco will look to secure a series win behind right-hander Ben Anderson (4-4, 4.42 ERA), while the Hooks counter with right-hander Jackson Nezuh (1-5, 4.98 ERA).
The Riders (8-12, 46-42) enter the finale riding momentum after a dominant 3-0 shutout victory Saturday night. In a game marked by precision pitching and timely power hitting, Frisco’s staff combined for their fourth shutout of the season. Jose Corniell made a statement in his Double-A debut, tossing two no-hit innings before handing the ball over to a lights-out bullpen that featured David Davalillo, Daniel Missaki, and closer Avery Weems.
Davalillo earned his first win of the season with a masterful 4.2 innings of scoreless relief, while Weems slammed the door with a strikeout-heavy ninth inning to pick up his second save. The Hooks (8-12, 30-58) managed just five hits and only one runner in scoring position, continuing a trend of offensive inconsistency that has plagued the Astros affiliate this season.
Offensively, the RoughRiders did just enough to back their strong pitching. Top prospect Sebastian Walcott broke the scoreless deadlock in the fourth with a towering two-run home run — his ninth of the season — to give Frisco a 2-0 lead. Walcott continues to emerge as a reliable source of power, especially in clutch situations. Abimelec Ortiz, the Texas League’s leader in OPS against Corpus Christi (1.013), added an RBI single in the sixth to pad the lead.
Ortiz has been a consistent thorn in the Hooks’ side all season. The slugging first baseman is tied for third in the Texas League with 13 home runs and continues to anchor the Frisco lineup. His .936 OPS overall, and .450 average with runners in scoring position against Corpus, has helped the RoughRiders post a 9-7 record against the Hooks, including a 5-5 mark at home.
As the Riders aim to climb back into the playoff conversation, they’ll need a quality outing from Anderson, who has been steady in his 15 starts this year. The righty is looking to bounce back after a rough outing in his last appearance, but his track record at Riders Field suggests a strong rebound is possible.
Corpus Christi, meanwhile, will turn to Nezuh, who has yet to find consistent footing in his first full Double-A season. Despite the 1-5 record, Nezuh has flashed promise with 53 strikeouts in 47 innings. The Hooks will look for him to contain a Frisco offense that has shown flashes of firepower — especially when Ortiz and Walcott are dialed in.
Frisco’s defense will also be under the microscope after a near-flawless performance Saturday. The infield tandem of Walcott and Jonathan Ornelas turned two critical double plays and helped preserve the shutout. With a series win on the line, the Riders will look to carry that defensive focus into Sunday’s matchup.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m., with postgame fireworks set to light up the sky after the final out. The RoughRiders will hit the road next week, but not before trying to put an exclamation point on their latest homestand.
Key Matchup:
Ben Anderson (FRI) vs. Jackson Nezuh (CC)
Ortiz vs. Corpus Pitching – OPS leader with 3 HR in the season series
Series Record:
Frisco leads season series 9-7
Frisco at home vs. Corpus: 5-5
