STWF Sports | AMARILLO, Texas | April 19, 2026 — The Frisco RoughRiders were unable to complete a series victory on Sunday afternoon, falling 9–7 to the Amarillo Sod Poodles at Hodgetown and settling for a split in the six-game set.
Frisco (8-7) showed flashes of offensive firepower throughout the contest but was ultimately undone by early pitching struggles and missed opportunities late, as Amarillo (5-10) capitalized on key moments to secure the finale.
The RoughRiders struck first in the second inning, with catcher Julian Brock delivering one of the standout performances of the day. Brock launched a towering two-run home run over the left-field wall to give Frisco a 2-1 lead, setting an early tone for what would become a high-scoring affair.
However, the advantage was short-lived.
Amarillo responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning, plating three runs against Frisco starter David Davalillo to take a 4-2 lead. The rally shifted momentum and forced the RoughRiders to play from behind for the remainder of the game.
Davalillo, who entered the matchup looking to build on a strong early-season showing, struggled to contain the Sod Poodles’ lineup. Amarillo continued to apply pressure in the middle innings, extending its lead and putting Frisco in a position where it would need sustained offensive production to mount a comeback.
After a quiet stretch offensively, the RoughRiders began to claw their way back into contention in the seventh inning. Corey Joyce, who has been a consistent contributor since joining the club, delivered an RBI double to cut into the deficit, bringing Frisco within three runs at 7-4.
The momentum continued to build later in the inning, as Brock returned to the spotlight with another impactful swing. The catcher drove a two-RBI double into the outfield, narrowing the gap to 7-6 and giving the RoughRiders a renewed sense of life heading into the final innings.
Despite the late surge, Amarillo managed to maintain control, adding insurance runs and limiting Frisco’s opportunities to complete the comeback.
In the ninth inning, trailing by three, the RoughRiders made one final push. Frainyer Chavez and Joyce each reached base with singles, creating a potential rally situation. Brock followed with a base hit to center field, but the comeback effort was halted when a runner was thrown out attempting to advance to third base, ending the game and sealing the 9-7 result.
Brock finished the afternoon with a career performance, going 3-for-5 at the plate while driving in five runs, including his second home run of the season. His production accounted for the majority of Frisco’s offense and highlighted his growing impact in the lineup.
Joyce continued his strong start with the RoughRiders, adding another multi-hit performance. Over his first week with the club, Joyce has been a key offensive piece, delivering consistent contact and run production while quickly establishing himself as a reliable option in the middle of the order.
While the RoughRiders’ offense once again demonstrated its ability to generate runs, the inability to contain Amarillo’s early surge proved decisive. The loss underscores the importance of limiting damage in key innings, particularly on the road in a hitter-friendly environment like Hodgetown.
With the series split at three games apiece, Frisco leaves Amarillo with both positives and areas for improvement. The lineup’s depth and resilience remain clear strengths, but translating those qualities into consistent results will be the focus moving forward.
The RoughRiders now turn their attention to the next stretch of the season, looking to build on their offensive momentum while tightening execution on the mound as they continue their 2026 campaign.
