FRISCO, Texas (July 18, 2025) — After a dominant 9-1 road victory over the Amarillo Sod Poodles to close out their previous series, the Frisco RoughRiders return to the friendly confines of Riders Field to kick off a pivotal three-game home series against the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. CST.

The RoughRiders (45-41 overall, 7-11 in the second half) will hand the ball to right-hander Josh Stephan (5-3, 4.48 ERA) as they look to build momentum heading into a key stretch of the second half of the Texas League season. Stephan, who has been a steady presence in Frisco’s rotation, will be opposed by Cristian Javier, the major league veteran making a rehab appearance for Corpus Christi. Javier has yet to pitch in the minors this season and will be looking to build back arm strength after an extended stint on the IL.

Riding High into the Homestand

The Riders are riding into this series with some serious confidence after routing Amarillo in Sunday’s series finale. The team was locked in from the opening frame, capitalizing on an early obstruction call to plate two runs on a Josh Hatcher sacrifice fly. By the end of the fourth inning, Frisco had blown the game open with a five-run rally, including a two-run single by Hatcher and a double by Ian Moller.

One of the breakout stars of that game — and the season — continues to be Abimelec Ortiz, who launched his team-leading 12th home run of the year in the seventh inning. Ortiz, who also leads the club in OPS (.936) against Corpus Christi, has emerged as a go-to power threat in the middle of the order and is expected to play a key role in this series.

On the mound, Trey Supak turned in one of the most dominant starts of the year for Frisco on Sunday, hurling six shutout innings with seven strikeouts and only three hits allowed. The bullpen duo of Ryan Lobus and Gerardo Carrillo backed him up with scoreless frames of their own to seal the win.

Familiar Foes: Riders vs. Hooks

This marks the third meeting between the RoughRiders and Hooks this season. Frisco holds an 8-6 edge in the head-to-head matchup, including an even 4-4 split at home. The teams know each other well, and fireworks have often followed when these in-state rivals clash.

Ortiz isn’t the only Rider who has enjoyed success against the Hooks. Shortstop Sebastian Walcott, one of the top prospects in the Texas League, has crushed four of his nine home runs this season off Corpus Christi pitching. His raw power and athleticism have added an electric edge to the RoughRiders’ lineup.

Corpus Christi enters the series looking to stay in contention in the South Division, sitting just a few games back of the pace. They’ll lean heavily on the rehab outing from Javier to set the tone for the series. The Astros right-hander, who’s made key starts in MLB postseason runs, could pose a major challenge for the Riders’ bats early.

What to Watch

• Can Stephan Outduel a Big Leaguer? Josh Stephan has been solid but inconsistent at times this season. Facing an MLB-caliber arm in Cristian Javier gives him a chance to shine and make a statement.

• Offensive Spark Early: The RoughRiders have done their damage early in recent games. Watch for aggressive approaches from leadoff man Frainyer Chavez and company to put pressure on Javier before he finds a rhythm.

• Bullpen Stability: Frisco’s bullpen has been a strength lately. With Lobus, Carrillo, and Alex Speas likely available, manager Carlos Cardoza has plenty of trusted arms if the game is tight late.

Series Outlook

Frisco is looking to use this homestand to climb the standings in the second half, and with Ortiz, Hatcher, and Walcott all heating up, the offense seems poised to do its part. If the pitching staff can contain the Hooks’ offense and match the poise shown in Amarillo, the Riders have a strong chance to take the series.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CST at Riders Field. The game will be streamed live on MiLB.tv and broadcast locally on Frisco RoughRiders Radio Network.