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 Frisco RoughRiders

That's All She Wrote

September 7, 2014 - Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release


MIDLAND, TEXAS - After 143 games, a memorable 2014 campaign is in the books for the Frisco RoughRiders, who fell 5-4 to the Midland RockHounds on Saturday in game four of the Texas League South Division Championship Series.

The RockHounds take the best-of-five series three games to one and move on to the Texas League Championship for the first time since 2010 where they will face the Tulsa Drillers.

The 'Riders led 3-1 in the fifth inning, but gave the game away on a medley of miscues. Jeremy Barfield drew a leadoff walk and moved up to second on a single by Dusty Coleman. The situation grew dire when starting pitcher Jake Thompson committed a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Matt Chapman.

The bases now full, Frisco shot itself in the foot again when David Robertson hit a fielder's choice grounder to Guilder Rodriguez at third. Rodriguez attempted a throw home, but his toss struck Barfield in the back and everyone reached. The RockHounds cut the lead to 3-2 with the bases loaded and nobody out.

Thompson hit the showers and reliever Joseph Ortiz inherited a messy scenario. The RockHounds did not need to swing the bat to tie the game as Ortiz threw wild and Coleman darted home to make the score 3-3.

The RoughRiders did manage an out at home plate, but a sacrifice fly by Conner Crumbliss gave Midland the lead once again. The RockHounds scored four runs (two earned) on just one hit in the frame.

Frisco fared little better defensively in the sixth. Erik Hamren walked the first two batters and committed the second RoughRiders' gaffe on a Midland sacrifice bunt. Hamren's throw sailed over the head of Wise at first and Kent Matthes scored to give the Hounds a 5-3 lead.

Credit the 'Riders offense, who refused to let Midland out of sight and pulled within one on an RBI single by Trever Adams in the seventh. But Frisco also left the tying runner on third in both the seventh and eighth innings. They could never overtake a veteran RockHounds club.

In the ninth inning, Frisco uttered its last breath when Joey Gallo popped out to the third baseman Chapman just outside the RoughRiders dugout.

The night began on an ominous note. In the bottom of the first inning, Midland's Max Muncy, who began the series 0-for-12 at the plate, launched a solo home run to right field.

Prior to the series, field manager Jason Wood prophesized walks would play a pivotal role in the series. The prediction proved valid in game two when the RockHounds drew eight walks in a 6-3 win; it also rang true on Saturday.

Midland starter Shawn Haviland issued consecutive walks to Adams and Gallo with one out in the top of the fourth. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, and J.T. Wise capitalized with a two-run single to center.

Nick Williams kept the train rolling with a single that advanced Wise to third. Fellow prospect Jorge Alfaro gave the 'Riders a multi-run edge on an RBI fielder's choice to make the score 3-1.

The inning ended in contentious fashion. Teodoro Martinez smashed a double down the line and the 'Riders waved Alfaro around third to test the arm of left fielder Kent Matthes. A relay throw beat Alfaro to the plate, and the RoughRiders' catcher barreled into his counterpart Blake Forsythe. Bruce Maxwell replaced the injured Forysthe at catcher for the rest of the night.

The RoughRiders outhit Midland 10-3 on Saturday and fell by one run for the second straight game. The Hounds scored three unearned runs in the series-clinching win.

It's never too early to start thinking about next year! For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2015, call 972-731-9200, e-mail Info@RidersBaseball.com or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.


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