STWF Sports| SPRINGDALE, Arkansas| August 26, 2026 — The Frisco RoughRiders answered a difficult series opener with one of their most complete performances of the road trip, cruising past the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 11-2 on Wednesday night at Arvest Ballpark.

Highlights from the Frisco RoughRiders Game

Frisco improved to 26-27 in the second half and 65-56 overall, while Northwest Arkansas fell to 22-31 and 51-69. The victory evened the six-game series at one game apiece and gave the RoughRiders a much-needed response after Tuesday’s 12-4 loss.

Frisco wasted little time applying pressure.

The RoughRiders loaded the bases against Naturals starter Felix Arronde in the first inning and grabbed a 1-0 lead when Yeison Morrobel drew an RBI walk.

The offense continued to build in the third. Corey Joyce and Luke Hanson each delivered run-scoring hits, extending the advantage to 3-0 and giving Frisco early control of the game.

The biggest inning came one frame later.

Frisco erupted for four runs in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run home run from Rafe Perich. The blast was Perich’s 26th homer of the season and continued one of the most impressive power displays in the Texas Rangers’ minor league system.

Perich’s 26 home runs are the most by any Rangers minor league hitter over the last two seasons, surpassing the 25 hit by Abimelec Ortiz between Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock in 2025.

While the offense created separation, D.J. McCarty gave the RoughRiders exactly what they needed on the mound.

McCarty worked four scoreless innings in his start, preventing Northwest Arkansas from generating any early momentum and helping Frisco avoid another game in which the bullpen was forced into extensive early work.

The lead grew to 8-0 in the fifth when Marcus Lee Sang launched a home run.

For Lee Sang, it was his 14th homer of the season, setting a new career high at the Double-A level. He later added another hit during Frisco’s three-run ninth inning as the RoughRiders continued producing offense until the final frame.

Northwest Arkansas finally broke through in the seventh, scoring twice against Zach Bryant.

Despite allowing the two runs, Bryant provided valuable length out of the bullpen. The right-hander covered three innings and threw a career-high 55 pitches, helping preserve the rest of Frisco’s relief corps.

The RoughRiders answered the Naturals’ brief rally by adding three insurance runs in the ninth to push the margin to 11-2.

Frisco also received more production from two hitters carrying lengthy streaks.

Dylan Dreiling collected two singles to extend his hitting streak to 18 games, the longest in the Texas League this season. The outfielder has remained one of Frisco’s most consistent offensive threats throughout the second half.

Morrobel also continued his strong stretch, finishing with two hits and two walks while extending his hitting streak to eight games.

Wednesday’s performance offered a sharp contrast to the series opener. Frisco received early offense, effective starting pitching and enough bullpen length to keep the Naturals from threatening after the game was firmly in hand.

Now tied 1-1 in the series, the RoughRiders will look to move ahead Thursday night.

Left-hander Dylan MacLean is scheduled to start for Frisco with a 7-4 record and 4.76 ERA. Northwest Arkansas will counter with left-hander Hunter Owen, who enters at 3-6 with a 6.45 ERA.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT at Arvest Ballpark.