STWF Sports | AMARILLO, Texas | April 17, 2026 — For the second consecutive night, the Frisco RoughRiders found themselves on the wrong side of extra-inning drama, falling 6–5 to the Amarillo Sod Poodles on Friday night at Hodgetown.
In a tightly contested battle that showcased improved pitching and timely hitting, Frisco (7-6) once again came up just short, as Amarillo capitalized in the 10th inning to secure the walk-off victory and even the six-game series at two games apiece.
Despite the loss, the RoughRiders received a strong performance from right-hander Leandro Lopez, who delivered the club’s first six-inning start of the 2026 season. Pitching in a ballpark known for favoring hitters, Lopez limited the damage, allowing four earned runs on just four hits while striking out five. His ability to navigate the Sod Poodles’ lineup provided much-needed stability following a high-scoring affair the night prior.
Frisco fell behind early but remained within striking distance, setting the stage for a momentum-shifting fourth inning. On back-to-back pitches, Keyber Rodriguez and Keith Jones II ignited the offense with solo home runs, cutting into Amarillo’s lead and injecting energy into the RoughRiders’ dugout. Rodriguez’s blast marked his second of the season, while Jones followed with an impressive 452-foot shot — a display of the power potential embedded throughout the lineup.
The RoughRiders continued to chip away and eventually found their equalizer in the seventh inning. A sequence of timely at-bats from Julian Brock, Corey Joyce, and Jake Snider resulted in the tying run, showcasing Frisco’s ability to manufacture offense beyond the long ball.
Both teams traded single runs in the late innings, reflecting the evenly matched nature of the contest. Frisco’s bullpen contributed key outs to keep the game within reach, highlighted by another strong outing from Eric Loomis. The right-hander extended his early-season dominance, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Through six appearances, Loomis has yet to allow an earned run, emerging as a reliable option in high-leverage situations.
However, as was the case the night before, the game ultimately came down to extra innings execution.
After Amarillo reliever Alfred Morillo worked a scoreless top of the 10th inning, the Sod Poodles seized their opportunity in the bottom half. Facing Frisco reliever Jonathan Brand, Amarillo’s Ben McLaughlin delivered the decisive blow, lining a walk-off single to bring home the winning run and hand the RoughRiders another narrow defeat.
The loss marks a frustrating stretch for Frisco, which has now dropped consecutive extra-inning contests despite competitive performances in both games. While the offense showed flashes of power and resilience, the inability to close out tight contests has proven costly.
Still, there are encouraging signs for the RoughRiders moving forward. Lopez’s extended outing provided a blueprint for starting pitching success, while the bullpen continues to feature reliable arms capable of limiting damage. Offensively, the combination of power hitting and situational execution remains a strength, even in defeat.
With the series now tied 2-2, Frisco will look to regroup quickly and reclaim momentum on Saturday night. Left-hander Dylan MacLean is scheduled to take the mound for the RoughRiders against Amarillo right-hander Jose Cabrera, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. CT at Hodgetown.
As the series enters its final stretch, the margin for error continues to narrow — and for Frisco, turning competitive performances into wins will be the next critical step.
