WICHITA, Kan. (July 26, 2025) — The Frisco RoughRiders look to bounce back on Friday night when they meet the Wichita Wind Surge for the fifth game of a six-game series at Equity Bank Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT, with Frisco hoping to regain momentum after suffering a gut-wrenching 6-5 loss on Thursday night.

The RoughRiders (9-15, 47-45) held two separate leads in the late innings but couldn’t hold off a resurgent Wind Surge (12-12, 49-44) offense that posted a three-run eighth to complete the comeback. Despite the loss, Frisco will take some positives into Friday’s matchup — most notably, the impressive Double-A debut of right-hander Leandro Lopez, who struck out 10 batters while surrendering just one hit over five dominant innings.

Lopez Shines, But Bullpen Woes Continue

Lopez, a rising arm in the Rangers system, showcased elite stuff and poise on the mound. After walking the first two batters he faced, the righty settled in to retire 14 of the final 15 hitters, fanning six of his last seven. While he left with a 2-0 lead, the bullpen couldn’t preserve the advantage.

After his departure, Wichita’s bats came alive against the Riders’ relief corps. The Wind Surge scratched across three runs in the seventh inning to take the lead for the first time. Although Frisco momentarily reclaimed control with Cam Cauley’s clutch two-run homer in the eighth, Wichita responded immediately with a game-tying double from Kala’i Rosario, followed by RBIs from Nate Baez and Ben Ross to push ahead 6-4.

Josh Hatcher’s two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth gave the RoughRiders hope, but Wind Surge reliever Cole Percival shut the door to record the save.

Projected Pitching Matchup

Friday night’s pitching duel features Frisco’s David Davalillo (1-1, 1.50 ERA) against Wichita’s John Klein (6-5, 3.52 ERA).

Davalillo has been a steady presence for the RoughRiders, limiting opponents to a .209 batting average across his last three starts. The Venezuelan right-hander mixes speeds well and has not allowed more than two runs in any of his five appearances since his promotion to Double-A.

Klein has quietly become one of the most reliable arms for the Wind Surge. He tossed seven innings of one-run ball in his last outing and has posted a 2.87 ERA at home this season. His sharp command and ability to induce soft contact could pose challenges for a Frisco lineup that thrives on aggressive hitting.

Riders Seek Offensive Consistency

Offensively, Frisco has been anchored by a mix of seasoned bats and youthful spark. Cam Cauley is riding high after Thursday’s multi-RBI night, while Sebastian Walcott remains a constant force, extending his hit streak to eight games earlier this week. Veteran Joc Pederson, on a rehab assignment from the Texas Rangers, went 2-for-3 with a walk in Thursday’s loss, and his presence in the lineup adds a much-needed veteran presence and leadership.

Alejandro Osuna and Aaron Zavala continue to provide clutch hitting in key moments, but Frisco will need more consistent production throughout the lineup to keep pace with Wichita’s powerful middle order.

Keys to the Game

• Bullpen Bounce-Back: Frisco relievers surrendered three earned runs on three hits in Thursday’s collapse. A more locked-in relief effort will be essential in game five.

• Early Run Support: Scoring early has been Frisco’s recipe for success. The Riders are 27-6 when leading after six innings this season.

• Contain Rosario: The Wind Surge slugger has been a thorn in Frisco’s side all series, and limiting his impact will be a focal point for the pitching staff.

Up Next

Following Friday’s contest, the series will wrap up on Saturday night before Frisco returns home for a fresh six-game homestand. With the playoff picture still wide open in the Texas League South, each win — and each mistake — is magnified.

Tune into the action on the H-E-B Riders Baseball Network by visiting RidersBaseball.com/Broadcast.