STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | June 18, 2026  — The Frisco RoughRiders left no doubt Thursday night at Riders Field.

Frisco RoughRiders Aim for Texas League Championship

With a playoff berth and the Texas League South First Half Championship within reach, Frisco delivered one of its loudest offensive performances of the season, rolling past the Arkansas Travelers 13-4 to officially secure a spot in the Texas League Playoffs.

The win improved the RoughRiders to 37-28 and sent the club back to the postseason for the first time since 2024. After missing the playoffs in 2025, Frisco will now turn its attention toward chasing its first Texas League Championship since 2022.

The Riders wasted little time setting the tone. Frisco struck in the bottom of the first inning against Arkansas left-hander Nico Tellache, using back-to-back hits from Frainyer Chavez and Arturo Disla to create immediate pressure. Rafe Perich followed with an RBI fielder’s choice, giving the RoughRiders an early 1-0 lead and setting the stage for a big night at the plate.

Frisco broke the game open in the second inning. The RoughRiders pushed across five runs, getting run-scoring production from Marcus Lee Sang, Disla, Perich and Dylan Dreiling. Dreiling delivered the biggest swing of the inning, driving in two runs with a double that stretched the lead to 6-1.

That early separation gave starter Winston Santos room to work. Santos allowed a solo home run in the fourth and two more runs in the fifth, but he also showed swing-and-miss stuff, striking out seven over four-plus innings. While Arkansas managed to climb closer, Frisco’s offense never let the game become uncomfortable for long.

Joey Danielson followed Santos and gave the Riders exactly what they needed out of the bullpen. Making his 2026 Riders Field debut, Danielson worked two strong innings and earned the win. His ability to slow Arkansas’ momentum helped Frisco maintain control after the Travelers had trimmed into the deficit.

The RoughRiders then delivered another decisive push in the sixth. Already leading 8-4, Frisco added four more runs to turn the game into a comfortable margin. Julian Brock came through with a two-run double, continuing a strong offensive night for the bottom portion of the order. By the end of the inning, the Riders had pushed their lead to 12-4 and were closing in on a celebration.

Brock added one more run in the eighth with an RBI single, extending the advantage to 13-4. The hit capped a second straight game in which Frisco scored 13 runs, an emphatic offensive response during one of the most important stretches of the season.

Bryan Magdaleno handled the final five outs, finishing the job and sending the RoughRiders into a first-half championship celebration. His late work ensured there would be no Arkansas rally and officially locked down Frisco’s playoff berth.

The RoughRiders’ lineup continued to show the depth that has powered the club throughout the first half. Frisco finished with 15 hits in the win, and the offense has now produced 26 runs over its last two games. After combining for nine hits in Wednesday’s doubleheader, Disla and Chavez stayed hot Thursday, combining for four more hits and three RBIs.

Disla has been one of the biggest offensive sparks of the series, consistently reaching base and driving traffic in the middle of the lineup. Chavez has also been a tone-setter at the top, helping Frisco create early opportunities and forcing Arkansas pitchers into trouble from the opening innings.

For the RoughRiders, Thursday night was more than another high-scoring win. It was a statement that their first-half success was earned through consistent offense, timely pitching and the ability to respond in big moments.

Now, with the Texas League South First Half Championship secured, Frisco has guaranteed itself September baseball. The focus shifts from chasing a playoff spot to preparing for a postseason run.

After missing out last season, the Riders are back — and they clinched in style.