Riders Use Late Comeback in Opening Day Win
April 8, 2022 - Texas League (TL)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
FRISCO, Texas - The Frisco RoughRiders used a two-run eighth inning to vault themselves to an Opening Night victory 5-4 over the Arkansas Travelers on Friday night from Riders Field.
With Frisco (1-0) trailing 4-3 to start the eighth, Josh Stowers knotted the score with a ringing RBI double down the left field line. After a Dustin Harris strikeout, Ezequiel Duran ripped an RBI double into the left-center alley to give the Riders the lead, but was thrown out at third trying to stretch the double into a triple.
Chase Lee then earned his first save of the season by striking out a pair of Travelers (0-1) in a 1-2-3 inning.
To begin the scoring, the Riders jumped out in front early on in the third when J.P. Martinez hammered his first home run of the season, a two-run shot, to give Frisco a 2-0 lead.
Arkansas struck right back in the fifth when Tanner Kirwer ripped an RBI single and Cade Marlowe plated another run on an RBI groundout to tie the game at 2-2.
Matt Whately then reached on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the fifth and an error from Arkansas shortstop Jose Caballero allowed Kellen Strahm to come across and give the RoughRiders a 3-2 advantage.
In the top of the sixth, the Travs pushed across a pair of runs to nab the lead right back on an RBI double from Joe Rizzo and the go-ahead run scoring on a throwing error, making it 4-3 Arkansas, before the Riders mounted their comeback.
Throwing a scoreless eighth, Fer Ozuna (1-0) earned the victory while Devin Sweet (0-1) was saddled with his first loss for Arkansas.
The RoughRiders and Travelers will do battle on Saturday, April 9th at 6:35 p.m. for the second game of the three-game series from Riders Field. Rangers No. 1 prospect RHP Jack Leiter (0-0, -.--) will take the ball for the RoughRiders in his MiLB debut against RHP Levi Stoudt (0-0, -.--) for the Travelers.
Saturday marks the continuation of Division Champions Weekend with a pennant giveaway at the gates! After the game, the Riders will host fireworks for Sky-Leit Saturday, presented by Dr Pepper.
For tickets and more information about the Frisco RoughRiders, visit RidersBaseball.com or call 972.731.9200.
Texas League Stories from April 8, 2022
- Riders Use Late Comeback in Opening Day Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Frisco Takes Opener Late - Arkansas Travelers
- Homestand Highlights: April 12 - April 17 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Naturals Open 2022 Season in Springfield - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- 2022 Know Before You Go Updates - Springfield Cardinals
- Travelers and SpotOn Announce Partnership - Arkansas Travelers
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