STWF Sports | MIDLAND, Texas | May 15, 2026  — The Frisco RoughRiders continue their road series against the Midland RockHounds Friday night searching for consistency after another heartbreaking late-inning defeat at Momentum Bank Ballpark.

First pitch for the fourth game of the six-game series is scheduled for 7 p.m. as Frisco sends right-hander Winston Santos to the mound against Midland starter Corey Avant.

The RoughRiders enter Friday’s contest at 17-18 after suffering a painful 4-3 walk-off loss Thursday night when Midland’s Cole Conn launched a game-ending solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Despite the loss, Frisco once again showed why it remains one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the Texas League.

Frisco RoughRiders’ Offensive Strategy Against Midland

The RoughRiders continue leading the league in hits, runs scored and team batting average while consistently producing traffic on the bases. Through 35 games, Frisco ranks first in the Texas League with 321 hits and a .269 team batting average while averaging 6.3 runs per game.

The challenge for the Riders has not been generating offense — it has been finishing close games.

Frisco is now just 7-12 in one- or two-run contests this season despite ranking among the top power-hitting teams in Double-A baseball. The club has also struggled when held below eight runs, posting a 6-17 record in games scoring seven or fewer.

Still, there are plenty of reasons for optimism offensively.

Infielder Corey Joyce continues emerging as one of the best stories in the Texas League since arriving in Frisco earlier this season.

After signing as a minor league free agent in April, Joyce has completely transformed the RoughRiders lineup with his power surge and consistent production. In just 22 games with Frisco, the former Cubs farmhand is slashing .333/.398/.667 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs.

Since making his RoughRiders debut on April 14, Joyce ranks among the Texas League leaders in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS.

The infielder also delivered one of the season’s biggest moments earlier this week when he blasted the first grand slam of his professional career during Tuesday’s opener against Midland.

What makes Joyce’s breakout even more remarkable is the dramatic jump in power production.

Last season at Double-A Knoxville in the Cubs organization, Joyce managed just two home runs across 92 games. Since arriving in Frisco, he has quickly become one of the league’s most feared hitters.

Another major contributor for the RoughRiders continues to be infielder Keyber Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has quietly established himself as one of the top contact hitters in all of Double-A baseball, entering Friday batting .316 with 43 hits — tied for the league lead.

The Venezuela native has recorded six separate three-hit games this season, the most in Double-A, while continuing to provide steady offensive production near the top of the lineup.

Meanwhile, outfielder Dylan Dreiling remains one of the hottest hitters in the organization.

Fresh off being named Texas League Player of the Week, Dreiling enters Friday riding another productive stretch. Over his last eight games, the former Tennessee standout is slashing .310/.474/.759 with four home runs, eight RBIs and nine walks.

The recent surge has further elevated Dreiling’s profile as one of the Rangers organization’s top offensive prospects.

Frisco’s power production overall has also reached historic territory.

The RoughRiders’ 48 home runs through 35 games represent the most in franchise history at this point of a season since records began in 2005.

Now the focus shifts to Santos.

The talented right-hander is still searching for consistency early this season after posting an 11.20 ERA through limited appearances. Friday presents an important opportunity for Santos to settle in and provide length against a Midland lineup that has already showcased significant power during this series.

The RockHounds enter the matchup at 22-14 overall and have already hit multiple momentum-shifting home runs throughout the week.

For Frisco, getting quality innings from Santos could be the key to finally flipping the momentum in a series filled with narrow losses and late drama.

The RoughRiders have proven they can score with anyone in the league.

Now they are searching for the pitching stability and late-game execution necessary to turn offensive firepower into wins.