Little Rock (August 8, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders enter Friday night’s matchup against the Arkansas Travelers with momentum on their side after notching back-to-back victories, including a gritty 2-1 win on Thursday at Dickey-Stephens Park. With the series now tipping in Frisco’s favor, the Riders (14-22, 52-52) will look to push their win streak to three and climb further back into the playoff conversation in the Texas League’s second half.

Thursday’s contest was another low-scoring affair, highlighted by excellent pitching on both sides. Ian Moller provided the first spark of the night in the fourth inning, lacing an RBI single up the middle to plate Luis Mieses for the game’s opening run. It was Moller’s latest in a string of timely hits, as the catcher continues to solidify his role as a steady offensive contributor in the Riders’ lineup.

Davalillo Dominates Early

Starter David Davalillo was electric on the mound for Frisco, holding the Travelers hitless through four innings. His final line included six strikeouts, two walks, and zero runs allowed — a performance that set the tone and kept the Travelers’ bats quiet until late.

Davalillo showcased impressive command, mixing his fastball with well-placed breaking pitches to keep Arkansas guessing. The right-hander has been a stabilizing presence in the rotation, and his ability to work deep into counts without surrendering hard contact has been a key factor in Frisco’s recent success.

Travelers Strike, Riders Respond

The Travelers (19-17, 54-51) finally broke through in the seventh inning when catcher Nick Raposo snuck an RBI single through the left side to even the score at 1-1. But just as Arkansas seemed to gain momentum, Frisco found a way to retake control.

In the top of the eighth, Aaron Zavala stood at third when Arkansas attempted a pickoff play. The throw sailed wide, allowing Zavala to race home for what would prove to be the decisive run. It was a heads-up baserunning moment that underscored Frisco’s ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes.

Bullpen Seals the Deal

Joey Danielson (1-0) earned his first Double-A win with a solid inning of relief before Larson Kindreich came on for a dominant six-out save — his second of the season. Kindreich struck out four and allowed just one baserunner over the final two innings, slamming the door on any potential Arkansas rally.

The bullpen’s collective performance has been a strength over the past two games, as Frisco relievers have now logged 8.0 consecutive scoreless innings in the series.

Keys to Watch for Friday’s Matchup

Friday’s game will see Josh Stephan (5-5, 5.11 ERA) take the mound for Frisco against Arkansas right-hander Marcelo Perez (2-1, 3.62 ERA). Stephan will aim to build on his last outing, where he limited Corpus Christi to two runs across five innings.

For the Riders, continued offensive contributions from Moller, Zavala, and Aaron Zavala will be crucial. Meanwhile, the Travelers will look to bounce back behind Perez, who has been effective in limiting damage and working deep into games.

By the Numbers

• Frisco has now won two straight games for the first time since late July.

• The Riders improved to 9-12 in one-run games this season.

• The series is now up for grabs, with two games remaining after Friday’s clash.

First Pitch & Coverage

First pitch for Friday night’s game is set for 7:05 p.m. CT at Dickey-Stephens Park. Fans can follow the action live on the H-E-B Riders Baseball Network by visiting RidersBaseball.com/Broadcast.

With the season entering its final stretch, each win becomes more valuable — and if Frisco can ride this recent wave of momentum, they could find themselves back in the thick of the postseason hunt.