STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | April 10, 2026 — In a series defined by razor-thin margins, the Frisco RoughRiders finally came out on the winning side Friday night, defeating the Midland RockHounds 4-3 at Riders Field in the third consecutive one-run contest between the two clubs.
How the Frisco Roughriders Outperformed Expectations
Frisco (5-2) set the tone early and leaned on timely hitting, strong pitching, and defensive execution to snap a brief skid and even the series momentum against Midland (5-2).
The RoughRiders wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, capitalizing on an early opportunity against Midland starter Corey Avant. With two outs in the bottom of the first inning, Orlando Martinez delivered a clutch two-run single, driving a pitch into the outfield to give Frisco a 2-0 advantage.
Making his first start of the season, right-hander Leandro Lopez turned in the club’s most complete outing of the year. Lopez was efficient and composed, allowing just one unearned run over 5.2 innings while striking out three. His command on the mound helped neutralize Midland’s lineup and provided stability through the middle innings.
Midland managed to get on the board in the second inning, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to plate an unearned run, but Lopez quickly regained control. The right-hander induced key contact outs and worked out of traffic, aided by a defense that delivered one of its most impressive performances of the season.
Frisco’s defense proved to be a difference-maker throughout the night, tying a franchise record with four double plays—each turned within the first four innings. Lopez himself initiated two of those twin killings, including a rare 1-2-5-6 double play that highlighted the team’s sharp field awareness and coordination.
The RoughRiders extended their lead in the fifth inning when Frainyer Chavez continued his hot stretch at the plate. Chavez launched his first home run of the 2026 season, a solo shot that pushed Frisco’s advantage to 3-1 and energized the Riders Field crowd. The performance followed a four-hit outing the previous night, further cementing Chavez as one of the club’s most consistent offensive contributors during the series.
Despite Frisco’s control for much of the game, Midland responded in the seventh inning. Jared Dickey delivered a two-run double, driving in both runs to even the score at 3-3 and shift momentum back toward the visitors.
The RoughRiders bullpen answered the call in a crucial moment. Reliever Wilian Bormie (2-0) entered and delivered 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out two batters and stabilizing the game after Midland’s rally. His ability to keep the contest tied set the stage for Frisco’s late-game heroics.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Tucker Mitchell provided the decisive moment. With a runner in scoring position, Mitchell lined an RBI single through the right side off Midland reliever AJ Causey, bringing home John Taylor to give Frisco a 4-3 lead.
The final inning brought one last test for the RoughRiders. Midland threatened with runners on base, but Frisco’s defense once again delivered under pressure. Mitchell fielded a ground ball cleanly and flipped it to first baseman Bryan Magdaleno, who beat Tommy White to the bag by a step to secure the final out. Magdaleno was credited with his first save of the season.
The victory not only snapped Frisco’s two-game skid but also reinforced the club’s ability to execute in tight situations—a critical trait as the series continues.
With the win, the RoughRiders will now look to secure at least a split in the six-game set when they return to action Saturday night. Left-hander Dylan MacLean (1-0, 1.80) is scheduled to start for Frisco against Midland’s JJ Goss (1-0, 0.00), with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. at Riders Field.
As the series has shown, every pitch and every play matters—and Friday night proved Frisco is more than capable of rising to the moment.
