WICHITA, Kansas (July 27, 2025) — The Frisco RoughRiders aim to end their six-game road series on a high note when they take the field for the finale against the Wichita Wind Surge on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Equity Bank Park is scheduled for 1:05 p.m., with right-hander Ben Anderson (4-4, 4.48 ERA) toeing the rubber for Frisco against Wind Surge righty Darren Bowen (2-5, 5.22 ERA).
After falling just short in Saturday’s tightly contested 3-2 loss, the RoughRiders (9-17, 47-47) are hoping to salvage a series split in Wichita. The defeat marked Frisco’s third consecutive loss in the set and dropped them to .500 overall for the season. Meanwhile, the Wind Surge (13-13, 50-45) are riding momentum from back-to-back close wins and will look to secure a 4-2 series edge in front of their home fans.
Saturday Setback Recap
The RoughRiders were once again competitive in Saturday’s game, but timely hitting and defensive miscues proved costly. Wichita capitalized on a third-inning fielding error by Frisco to take an early 1-0 lead, and then tacked on insurance in the fifth with a Walker Jenkins sacrifice fly.
Frisco’s offense showed life late, starting in the seventh when Sebastian Walcott launched his 11th home run of the season to cut the deficit to one. After the Wind Surge extended their lead to 3-1 on a steal-and-score sequence by Kaelen Culpepper, Alejandro Osuna answered in the eighth with an RBI single to bring it back to a one-run game.
The RoughRiders had a prime opportunity to tie or take the lead in the ninth after Josh Hatcher singled with one out, but Wichita reliever Mike Paredes struck out Aaron Zavala with the go-ahead run at the plate to lock down the three-inning save.
Jose Corniell (0-1) was saddled with the hard-luck loss for Frisco despite not allowing an earned run in his four-inning outing.
Pitching Matchup: Anderson vs. Bowen
Frisco hands the ball to Ben Anderson, who enters Sunday’s start with a 4-4 record and 4.48 ERA across 15 appearances. The right-hander has shown flashes of brilliance this season and will look to rebound after allowing four earned runs over his last outing against Tulsa. Anderson has fared better on the road, and the Riders will count on him to keep the game within reach early.
Opposing him is Wichita’s Darren Bowen, a 2022 Twins draft pick who brings a 2-5 record and 5.22 ERA into the series finale. While his numbers may not jump off the page, Bowen has been serviceable in his recent starts and has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his last three outings. He’ll look to keep a potent Frisco lineup anchored by Walcott, Osuna, and Cam Cauley at bay.
Key Players to Watch
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Sebastian Walcott (FRI): The 18-year-old shortstop continues to impress, tying his 2024 home run total with 11 bombs in 37 fewer games this season. His solo shot on Saturday gave Frisco a spark, and he’s now homered in two of his last five games.
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Cam Cauley (FRI): The dynamic infielder added another multi-hit effort Saturday, giving him 26 on the season. Cauley leads the Riders in hits (85) and has been one of the club’s most consistent bats in July.
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Kaelen Culpepper (WCH): The Wind Surge infielder created a crucial insurance run in the seventh inning with his savvy baserunning, showing why he’s one of Wichita’s top prospects.
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Mike Paredes (WCH): The versatile reliever continues to be a steady hand at the back end of Wichita’s bullpen, locking down a three-inning save on Saturday and improving his season ERA to 2.43.
What’s at Stake
For the RoughRiders, Sunday’s matchup presents a chance to leave Wichita with some momentum before returning home for their next homestand. A win would help reset a week that saw them drop four of five and reassert their competitiveness in the tight Double-A Texas League race.
Fans can catch all the action live on the H-E-B Riders Baseball Network at RidersBaseball.com/Broadcast.
For tickets and more team news, visit RidersBaseball.com.
