FRISCO, Texas — The Wichita Wind Surge (23-25) took game three of a six-game series with an 8-4 win over the Frisco RoughRiders (24-24) Thursday night at Riders Field behind an eight-run offensive attack that included three multi-RBI performances and four multi-hit efforts.
Offensively Jay Thomason collected two hits and drove in a run for his third consecutive game with an RBI. Kyle DeBarge tallied his 20th multi-hit game of the season and second in as many nights, while Andrew Cossetti added two hits for his 14th multi-hit performance of 2026. Marek Houston, Jake Rucker and Brandon Winokur each drove in two runs from the top three spots in the order, highlighted by Winokur's two-run homer off rehabbing Major Leaguer Jack Leiter.
On the mound, Preston Johnson worked effectively through four innings, allowing two runs on just two hits while striking out five. Johnson has allowed just five hits over his last 18 innings. Cory Lewis was strong out of the bullpen, tossing four scoreless innings to earn the win.
THE RUNDOWN
Johnson started things on the mound for the Wind Surge. The Mississippi State product had the tall task of facing rehabbing Major Leaguer Jack Leiter but got off to a strong start, striking out three and not allowing a run through his first two innings.
The Surge opened the scoring in the top of the third, using an error and a walk to put two runners aboard before Rucker lined a two-run double down the left-field line. Winokur followed with a two-run homer, his seventh of the season, to give Wichita a 4-0 advantage.
Frisco answered in the bottom of the inning, cracking a solo homer to left field to make it 4-1.
The Wind Surge added to their lead in the top of the fourth, loading the bases before Houston delivered a two-run single to extend the advantage to 6-1.
The RoughRiders responded again in the bottom half, hitting another solo homer over the fence in right-center field to cut the lead to 6-2.
Johnson finished his day after four innings, allowing two runs on just two hits while striking out five.
Frisco continued to chip away in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases and scoring twice on a balk and a sacrifice fly. The Surge maintained a 6-4 lead after five.
Wichita got both runs back in the top of the sixth, using a walk and a single to set up an RBI single from Thomason before adding another run on a double-play ball to make it 8-4.
Lewis came on in the sixth for his piggyback outing and shut the door, tossing four scoreless innings and striking out four to secure the 8-4 victory.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Wind Surge lead the series, 3-0.
- The Wind Surge struck out 10 batters, their 51st game with double-digit strikeouts this season.
- The Wind Surge recorded 11 hits, their 27th game with double-digit hits this season.
- Marek Houston extended his on-base streak to seven games and logged his ninth multi-RBI game of the season.
- Jake Rucker extended his on-base streak to 20 games and tallied his sixth multi-RBI performance of the season.
- Brandon Winokur extended his on-base streak to 17 games and smashed his seventh home run of the season.
- Winokur notched his sixth multi-RBI and eighth multi-hit games of the season.
- Caden Kendle extended his on-base streak to five games and has recorded at least one hit in every game of the series.
- Andrew Cossetti tallied his 14th multi-hit performance of the season.
- Kyle DeBarge tallied his 20th multi-hit performance of the season and has logged multiple hits in back-to-back games.
- Jay Thomason extended his on-base streak to seven games and has tallied an RBI in three consecutive games.
- Thomason recorded his 10th multi-hit effort of 2026.
- Jaime Ferrer extended his on-base streak to five games.
- RHP Preston Johnson allowed two runs on just two hits while striking out five over four innings.
- RHP Johnson has allowed just five hits over his last four outings spanning 18 innings.
- RHP Johnson's 16 1/3-inning scoreless streak ended on a solo home run in the third inning.
- RHP Cory Lewis tossed four scoreless innings of relief and earned his second win of the season.
STAT OF THE DAY
7 — Brandon Winokur extended his on-base streak to 17 games and smashed his seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot off rehabbing Major Leaguer Jack Leiter.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Wind Surge continue their six-game road series against the Frisco RoughRiders on Friday at Riders Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on 92.3 FM ESPN Wichita and at windsurge.com, and viewed on MiLB.TV and Bally Sports Live.