STWF Sports| FRISCO, Texas| September 5, 2026 — The Frisco RoughRiders return to Riders Field on Saturday night looking to bounce back offensively when they face the Amarillo Sod Poodles in the fifth game of a six-game series.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Aidan Curry (3-3, 5.43 ERA) is slated to start for Frisco against Amarillo right-hander Wellington Aracena (0-0, 7.23).
Frisco enters Saturday after a 4-2 loss Friday night in which nearly all of the club’s offense came in the opening inning. Sebastian Walcott drew a leadoff walk, and Arturo Disla followed by launching a two-run home run to left field to give the RoughRiders an early 2-0 advantage.
The lead did not hold.
Amarillo broke through in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Ben McLaughlin before taking the lead in the sixth. McLaughlin drove in another run and Danny Serretti added an RBI against J’Briell Easley, giving the Sod Poodles a 3-2 advantage.
Frisco had late opportunities to respond, but two runners were thrown out at home plate over the final two innings. Sawyer Hawks escaped the ninth with a runner stranded to secure the save for Amarillo.
The quiet night at the plate was unusual for a Frisco lineup that has been one of the most productive in Double-A this season.
Through 129 games, the RoughRiders lead Double-A with 1,202 hits and a .273 batting average. They rank second with 784 runs, averaging 6.0 per game, while also leading the Texas League in doubles and slugging percentage. Frisco has already established franchise records for runs and home runs while posting the best on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS marks in club history.
Frisco RoughRiders’ Offensive Strategy
Dylan Dreiling remains the centerpiece of that production.
The Rangers’ No. 13 prospect leads the Texas League with a .318 batting average and owns a 24-game hitting streak, the longest in the league this season. During the streak, Dreiling is batting .417 with 10 doubles, six home runs, 24 RBIs and 22 runs scored.
His 22 home runs are the most by a RoughRider since Blaine Crim hit 24 in 2022 and the most ever by a center fielder in franchise history.
Max Wagner has provided another major source of power.
Wagner has 20 home runs this season, giving Frisco its first pair of 20-homer teammates since Mike Olt and Chris McGuiness accomplished the feat in 2012. Over his last 52 games, Wagner has hit 17 home runs with 41 RBIs, making him one of the most dangerous power threats in the Texas League.
Walcott has also been producing consistently since returning from elbow surgery. The Rangers’ top prospect carries a 10-game hitting streak into Saturday and is batting .400 during that span with four doubles, four home runs and 19 runs scored.
Frisco’s ability to create offense late could also play an important role.
The RoughRiders lead Double-A with 272 runs scored in the seventh inning or later and have scored a league-best 107 runs in the eighth inning. Since July 1, Frisco has recorded eight go-ahead, game-winning hits in the eighth.
On the mound, Curry will look to give the bullpen some relief. Frisco relievers logged a Double-A-high 134.1 innings in August, while the starting rotation posted a 6.39 ERA during the month. A deeper outing from Curry could be critical in keeping Amarillo’s offense under control.
The RoughRiders have already secured a postseason berth after winning the Texas League South Division first-half title with a 39-29 record.
Saturday’s matchup gives Frisco another opportunity to sharpen its approach before postseason play begins — and to rediscover the offensive rhythm that has made the Riders one of Double-A’s most dangerous teams all season.
