STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | June 17, 2026 — The Frisco RoughRiders experienced both sides of a doubleheader Wednesday night at Riders Field, falling behind early in the opener before responding with a commanding offensive performance in game two.

The Rise of the Frisco RoughRiders in the Texas League

Frisco split its twin bill against the Arkansas Travelers, dropping game one 9-4 before bouncing back with a 13-3 victory in the nightcap. The split moved the RoughRiders to 35-28, while Arkansas, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, moved to 40-24.

More importantly for Frisco, the RoughRiders moved closer to a first-half title. Their magic number to win the Texas League South first-half crown and clinch a playoff berth dropped to two. Frisco can clinch Thursday night with a win and an Amarillo loss to Midland.

Game one tilted toward Arkansas almost immediately. The Travelers attacked Frisco starter Blake Townsend early, lifting two home runs off the left-hander across the first two innings to build a 4-0 lead. Arkansas kept adding pressure and scored all nine of its runs through the first five innings.

Townsend took the loss, falling to 3-3, as the Travelers created enough early separation to control the opener.

Frisco’s offense found some life through Arturo Disla, who provided the RoughRiders’ first two runs with a pair of solo home runs against Arkansas starter Ryan Hawks. Disla’s power gave Frisco a spark, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

The RoughRiders added two more runs in the sixth inning, a frame that included Malcolm Moore collecting his first Double-A hit. Still, Arkansas held on for the 9-4 win, with Hawks improving to 4-3.

The second game looked much different from the start.

Playing as the road team in the makeup contest, Frisco wasted no time flipping the energy. Frainyer Chavez opened the game with a leadoff home run into the lazy river, setting the tone for a two-run first inning against Arkansas starter Abdiel Mendoza.

The RoughRiders kept the pressure on in the second. Frisco plated four more runs, highlighted by a Chavez RBI single and a two-run triple from Marcus Lee Sang. That early burst gave the Riders a 6-1 lead and allowed the pitching staff to settle in.

Josh Trentadue made his first start since moving to the bullpen and gave Frisco a strong opening effort. He worked three innings, allowing just one unearned run before handing the game to the bullpen with the Riders in control.

Arkansas trimmed the deficit to 6-3, but Frisco put the game away in the sixth inning with another loud offensive stretch. Chavez doubled off the wall in left-center field to drive in another run, continuing a standout night at the plate. Lee Sang, Disla and Julian Brock followed with RBI hits as the RoughRiders stretched the lead to 11-3 by the end of the inning.

Frisco eventually pushed the advantage to 13-3, and Ryan Lobus closed the door with two innings in relief. Lobus earned the win, improving to 5-2, while Mendoza took the loss for Arkansas and fell to 4-2.

The doubleheader belonged individually to Disla and Chavez. Disla reached base seven times across the two games and was retired only once. Along with his two home runs, he drove in five runs and drew two walks, giving the RoughRiders a consistent source of production throughout the night.

Chavez was the standout in game two, tying a career high with four hits and finishing a triple shy of the cycle. Three of his four hits drove in runs, including his leadoff homer that immediately pushed Frisco in front.

For the RoughRiders, the split kept the larger goal firmly within reach. After missing a chance to sweep the doubleheader, Frisco still responded with the kind of offensive showing that has defined much of its first half.

Now, with the magic number down to two, every game carries postseason weight. The RoughRiders have a chance to take another major step Thursday night at Riders Field, where a win combined with help from Midland could officially punch Frisco’s ticket to the playoffs.