FRISCO, Texas — The Midland Rockhounds took on the Frisco Roughriders Thursday night in Game 2 of the Texas League Playoffs.
The Rockhounds took Game 1 with a final score of 2-0 on Tuesday.
Midland was looking for the sweep in the three-game series against Frisco.
Roughriders get it started
Rockhounds starting pitcher Jack Perkins had a stellar start through 3 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts until Frisco third-baseman Cody Freeman figured him out.
Freeman hit a fly ball to left field and out of the ballpark for a home run.
Roughriders on the board first, 1-0.
Rockhounds take the lead in the 6th
With two outs in the 6th inning, Midland catcher Daniel Susac sent a deep fly ball to left-center field to tie the game 1-1.
Then, the Rockhounds went back-to-back to take the lead, courtesy of first-baseman Will Simpson's home run to left field.
2-1 Midland at the end of the 6th inning.
Can the Rockhounds get it done?
Closer Seth Elledge came into the bottom of the 9th inning looking to seal the game for Midland.
First batter he faced was right fielder Josh Hatcher. On a 1-0 pitch, Elledge got Hatcher to fly out to left field. One down in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Freeman, who produced the only run for the Roughriders in the series, stepped up to the plate. On a 2-0 pitch, Freeman grounded out to second baseman Jack Winkler who threw over to Simpson. Two down in the 9th inning.
Last hope for Frisco was Abimelec Ortiz. He was the hope they got. Ortiz sent a 2-2 pitch deep to right field and gone to tie the game at 2-2.
Elledge still had work to do. Next batter he faced was designated hitter Sebastian Walcott and he walked.
Next batter Elledge faced was catcher Cooper Johnson and he got him to fly out to center field to send the game into extra innings.
Midland's Denzel Clarke comes through
With two outs in the top of the 10th and Midland's Jeisson Rosario on third base, center fielder Denzel Clarke was looking for his first hit of the day. Clarke did just that. He singled with a line drive to center field to bring in Rosario and gave the Rockhounds the lead.
3-2 Midland.
Roughriders with no quit
With two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, Frisco was not going down without a fight. Center fielder Alejandro Osuna on the second pitch he saw sent a single into left field to score in Johnson.
Score tied at 3-3 heading into the 11th.
After not giving up any runs to the Rockhounds in the top of the 11th inning, the Roughriders looked to seal the win in the bottom of the 11th.
With runners on first base and third base for Frisco, Ortiz hit a fly ball to center field that brought the winning run home, second baseman Max Acosta.
Roughriders won 4-3 in 11 innings.
The Roughriders forced Game 3 Friday night in Frisco.
