TL1 Frisco RoughRiders

RoughRiders Fall on Opening Night, 8-4

Published on April 9, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release


FRISCO, TEXAS (April 9, 2015) - A grand opener for the Frisco RoughRiders was spoiled by the Arkansas Travelers, as the visitors prevailed 8-4 in the first game of the 2015 season. A spirited crowd of 8,228 saw the Travelers break away in the middle innings en route to the victory. Major league rehabber Tanner Scheppers looked sharp during a relief appearance, striking out all three batters he faced in the eighth inning.

The RoughRiders debuted their new logo, colors, uniforms and massive ballpark improvements for Opening Day, highlighted by the enormous new video board in left-centerfield.

Things started off rough for the Riders (0-1) as Opening Day starter Alec Asher gave up two earned runs in the top of the first inning. Asher settled down and struck out all three Travelers he faced in the third inning. The righty finished his night with two earned runs, one walk, and five strikeouts in four innings pitched.

In the bottom of the third the Riders got on the board for the first time in 2015. Guilder Rodriguez scored on a sacrifice fly by Nomar Mazara. Luis Mendez tied things up on an RBI single from J.T. Wise.

The Riders saw their first home run of the season come off the bat of Drew Robinson in the fourth inning, landing in the Kroger Pool Zone beyond right field. The solo home run gave Frisco a 3-2 lead.

Cody Buckel (0-1) came on in relief to start the fifth inning. Buckel allowed two runs in the fifth as the Travelers retook the lead 4-3.

Arkansas (1-0) added to the lead in the sixth as Kentrail Davis scored on an RBI single by catcher Anthony Bemboom. Josh McElwee was tasked with a tricky situation as he came in to relieve Buckel with the bases loaded and no outs.

McElwee walked the first batter he faced, scoring Wade Hinkle on the play. A double play helped get Frisco get out of the inning but Arkansas scored three runs in the sixth to build a 7-3 advantage.

The Travelers' Opening Day starter Nate Smith (1-0) saw his night come to an end after six innings. He yielded three earned runs on six hits and finished with five strikeouts in his first start this season.

Scheppers' relief outing was a bright spot for the Riders on Opening Night as he struck out the side in the eighth inning. Scheppers threw nine of his 11 pitches for strikes.

The bats for Frisco tried to establish the comeback effort in the bottom of the eighth as catcher Jorge Alfaro scored on an RBI single from Royce Bolinger, but the frame ended with the Riders failing to notch another tally.

The RoughRiders look to get their first win of the 2015 season on Friday in game two against the Travelers. Left-hander Andrew Faulkner takes the mound at 7:05 p.m. at Dr Pepper Ballpark for the Riders. Right-hander Albert Suarez gets the nod for the Travelers. For tickets to see the Riders in 2015, call 972-731-9200, e-mail info@RidersBaseball.com or visit www.RidersBaseball.com .

Check out the Frisco RoughRiders Statistics

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Texas League Stories from April 9, 2015


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