LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (August 8, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders jumped out to an early advantage and survived a furious Arkansas Travelers rally to secure a 5-4 victory Friday night at Dickey-Stephens Park. The win marked Frisco’s third in a row, giving them a 3-1 lead in the six-game set.
The Riders (15-22, 53-52) wasted no time applying pressure, breaking through in the top of the third inning. With two on and one out, Aaron Zavala delivered the game’s biggest swing – a three-run blast to right field off Travelers starter Marcelo Perez (2-2). The shot, Zavala’s 10th of the season, staked Frisco to a 3-0 lead and set the tone for the evening.
In the fifth, the RoughRiders extended their cushion. Cam Cauley roped an RBI triple into the right-center gap, scoring Frainyer Chavez from first. Moments later, Zavala added to his productive night with a sacrifice fly to plate Cauley, pushing the lead to a commanding 5-0.
Arkansas (19-18, 54-52) finally broke through in the bottom half of the fifth when Brock Rodden launched a solo homer to right. The momentum shift carried into the sixth, as the Travelers pieced together a three-run rally highlighted by clutch hits and patient at-bats, cutting the deficit to 5-4.
With the game hanging in the balance, the Frisco bullpen rose to the occasion. Avery Weems (1-1) earned the win despite surrendering three runs in his outing. Bryan Magdaleno delivered a scoreless seventh, and Eric Loomis proved unshakable in the final frames. The right-hander recorded his second six-out save of the series – and his third of the season – freezing the Travelers’ comeback hopes with poise and power.
“It’s a credit to the guys for locking in after things got tight,” RoughRiders manager said postgame. “Zavala set the tone early, and the bullpen did exactly what we needed in the late innings.”
Standout Performances
While Zavala’s four-RBI night rightfully drew headlines, Frisco’s offensive success was also fueled by timely contributions from deeper in the order. Julian Brock, making just his second Double-A start, went a perfect 4-for-4 out of the nine-hole, showcasing an advanced approach at the plate. Frainyer Chavez added two hits, helping set the table for the heart of the order.
The win showcased the Riders’ balance of power hitting, opportunistic offense, and gritty relief work – a combination that has fueled their recent surge.
Series Outlook
With the victory, Frisco now holds a 3-1 advantage in the series and will look to clinch it on Saturday night. The RoughRiders will send Jose Corniell (0-1, 0.00 ERA) to the mound, aiming to build off his sharp early work this season. Arkansas will counter with switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (0-0), making his first appearance of the series.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. from Dickey-Stephens Park. Fans can follow the action on the H-E-B Riders Baseball Network at RidersBaseball.com/Broadcast.
With playoff races heating up across the Texas League, Frisco’s recent upswing comes at a critical time. The Riders will aim to keep their momentum rolling while testing their depth against a Travelers club still in the thick of its own postseason push.
