STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | May 7, 2026 — The Frisco RoughRiders return to Riders Field Thursday night aiming to bounce back from a difficult loss as they face the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in Game 3 of a six-game Texas League series.

Frisco RoughRiders’ High-Powered Offense

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. on Thirsty Thursday as Frisco sends right-hander Winston Santos to the mound opposite Northwest Arkansas starter Drew Beam.

The series is tied at one game apiece after the Naturals responded with a 9-2 victory Wednesday afternoon, capitalizing on early control issues from RoughRiders starter Blake Townsend before pulling away with a five-run fifth inning.

Despite the loss, Frisco once again showcased flashes of why the club remains one of the most dangerous offensive teams in Double-A baseball this season.

The RoughRiders enter Thursday leading the Texas League in hits, batting average, runs scored, slugging percentage and OPS through 29 games. Frisco’s 271 hits and 186 runs scored have helped fuel one of the most productive lineups in franchise history during the opening month of the season.

Even more impressive has been the club’s power production.

The RoughRiders’ 43 home runs are the most by any Frisco team through 29 games since franchise records began in 2005, placing them among the top power-hitting clubs in all of Double-A baseball.

At the center of that offensive surge has been infielder Corey Joyce.

Since joining the RoughRiders in mid-April, Joyce has quickly emerged as one of the hottest hitters in the Texas League. The infielder enters Thursday batting .333 with six home runs, four doubles and 14 RBIs in just 16 games with Frisco.

His power numbers have been especially eye-opening.

Joyce is averaging one home run every 11 plate appearances, a pace comparable to some of the most prolific power seasons in recent baseball history. The former Cubs farmhand hit just two home runs in 92 games at Double-A Knoxville last season but has completely transformed his offensive profile since arriving in Frisco.

The lineup depth does not stop there.

Keyber Rodriguez continues to establish himself as one of the league’s breakout hitters this season. Rodriguez enters Thursday leading the Texas League with 39 hits while batting .339 with a .565 slugging percentage.

Over his last eight games, Rodriguez has been nearly unstoppable, hitting .444 with multiple extra-base hits while consistently setting the tone offensively near the top of the lineup.

John Taylor has also become one of Frisco’s most reliable table-setters.

Taylor is currently hitting .333 on the season while ranking second in the Texas League in on-base percentage at .459. Over his last 13 games, the infielder is batting .372 while combining patience and timely hitting to help ignite Frisco’s offense.

Marcus Lee Sang has added another dangerous power threat to the middle of the lineup as well. The outfielder has posted a .359 batting average over his last 18 games while contributing five home runs and 17 RBIs during that stretch.

The offensive consistency has allowed Frisco to weather occasional struggles on the mound, but the RoughRiders will need a strong outing from Santos on Thursday night.

The Rangers prospect enters with an 0-1 record and a 10.80 ERA, though the organization remains optimistic about his long-term upside because of his electric arm strength and swing-and-miss potential.

For Frisco, establishing command early will be critical after the club fell behind quickly in Wednesday’s loss due to four walks in the first two innings from Townsend.

Meanwhile, Beam takes the mound for Northwest Arkansas with a 1-3 record and a 4.37 ERA. The Naturals will attempt to slow down a RoughRiders offense that has scored 79 runs over its last 11 games while averaging more than seven runs per contest during that span.

Thursday’s matchup could ultimately come down to which pitching staff better contains the long ball.

Frisco has homered in seven consecutive games entering the night, and Riders Field has increasingly become one of the Texas League’s toughest environments for opposing pitchers.

With the series now essentially reset into a best-of-four battle, the RoughRiders have an opportunity to regain momentum behind the league’s most explosive offense and continue climbing the Texas League standings.