STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | May 21, 2026 — In baseball, the hit column doesn’t always tell the whole story. The Frisco RoughRiders learned that lesson the hard way on Thursday night, outhitting the San Antonio Missions but ultimately falling 5-1 at Riders Field. With the loss, the RoughRiders now trail the hard-fought Texas League series two games to one.

Koenig Dominated Early and Often

The narrative of the night belonged to San Antonio (16-26) starter Ian Koenig (2-4), who delivered a masterclass in efficiency and swing-and-miss stuff. Koenig set the tone immediately, retiring the first eight Frisco batters he faced. That dominant opening stretch included five consecutive strikeouts bridging the first and second innings, leaving RoughRiders hitters searching for answers.

Koenig’s dominance didn’t fade as the game wore on. The right-hander navigated his way deep into the contest, completing seven spectacular innings to notch a career-best performance. Despite Frisco managing to chip away for five hits against him, Koenig refused to yield, keeping the RoughRiders completely off the scoreboard while racking up six total strikeouts.

Fourth-Inning Paper Cuts Hurt Pence

Why the Frisco RoughRiders Remain a Team to Watch

While Koenig cruised, Frisco (21-20) starter Dalton Pence (0-1) found himself in a fourth-inning jam that ultimately decided the game. Making his highly anticipated Riders Field debut, the left-handed Pence ran into trouble as San Antonio stringed together four singles to push three runs across the plate, grabbing a lead they would never relinquish.

Despite the tough fourth frame, Pence showed plenty of resilience. He fought through the adversity to match a season-high with 5.1 innings of work, finishing his night with five strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs. It was a gritty debut that kept the RoughRiders within striking distance, even if the offense couldn’t capitalize.

Frisco finally broke through the shutout in the bottom of the eighth inning. Frainyer Chavez ignited the spark with a sharp single, and Dylan Dreiling immediately followed with a booming double to put runners in scoring position. John Taylor then drove a ball deep enough into the outfield for a sacrifice fly, scoring Chavez and avoiding the shutout.

Notebook: Chavez and Brock Stay Hot

• Chavez Stays Locked In: Infielder Frainyer Chavez continued his scorching-hot month of May, turning in a 2-for-4 performance. It marked his second consecutive multi-hit game and his seventh such performance this month, establishing himself as a vital spark plug in the Frisco lineup.

• Brock Flashes the Leather: Catcher Julian Brock proved once again why running on him is a dangerous proposition. The 24-year-old backstop nabbed another base-stealer on Thursday, marking his fifth consecutive game behind the plate. It is only the second time in his professional career that Brock has caught three days in a row, demonstrating his durability and defensive value.

Looking Ahead: Backyard Baseball and Fireworks

The RoughRiders will look to shake off the loss and even up the series on Friday night. Frisco will hand the ball to right-hander Winston Santos (0-1, 10.19 ERA), who faces a tough challenge against San Antonio righty Victor Lizarraga (2-4, 6.37 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Riders Field.

It promises to be a packed house for “Backyard Baseball Night,” presented by GDS Wealth Management, featuring a special guest appearance from the legendary video game mascot Pablo Sanchez. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for a Youth Sleeveless Jersey giveaway, and the night will also celebrate Healthcare Heroes. Stick around after the final out for a spectacular postgame fireworks show presented by PMG.