RoughRiders Top RockHounds 3-1, Close Gap in Texas League Race
The Frisco RoughRiders clawed closer to the Texas League’s first-half crown, topping the Midland RockHounds 3-1 in a pivotal series at Momentum Bank Ballpark on Wednesday night. With just 10 games left in the first half, the RoughRiders (33-25) now trail Midland by a mere half-game, thanks to a gritty performance from LHP Kohl Drake and timely hitting from Josh Hatcher.
Drake, earned his third win of the season. The lefty tossed 5 innings of 1-run ball, scattering 4 hits and 2 walks while fanning 6 RockHounds.
His final line: 5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 SO, 82 pitches (54 strikes), and 11 swinging strikes. Midland’s lone run came in the second when Carter Aldrete laced an RBI-double, but Drake locked in and kept them scoreless until he was removed.
Frisco’s offense struck early against Midland’s pitching. In the first, Sebastian Walcott, singled and extended his hit-streak to 6-games. Josh Hatcher, extended his hit-streak to 7-games, delivered the big blow, driving in Aaron Zavala and Walcott for a 2-0 lead. Hatcher had the only multi-hit game for the RoughRiders.
The RoughRiders tacked on their final run in the fourth. Keyber Rodriguez reached base, and Jax Biggers ripped a single to bring him home, pushing the lead to 3-1. That was all the support Frisco’s bullpen needed.
RHP Travis MacGregor, 27, pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two. RHP Skylar Hales followed with a clean frame, surrendering one hit while fanning two. Then, RHP Gavin Collyer (3.07 ERA) slammed the door in the ninth for his team-leading fifth save. Despite a hit and a walk, Collyer struck out the side, sealing the 3-1 victory.
Frisco’s pitching staff dominated, racking up 13 strikeouts against Midland’s lineup. Both teams finished with 7 hits and an error.
Looking ahead, Frisco sends RHP Josh Stephan (4-2, 5.71 ERA) to the mound Thursday to face Midland’s LHP Gage Jump (4-1, 0.92 ERA). With the first-half title on the line, every pitch counts as the RoughRiders aim to overtake the RockHounds.
