Following two early wins to begin the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference tournament at Johnny Reagan Field, the Murray State Racers lost their final two games against the University of Illinois-Chicago and Southern Illinois University, marking an end to their season.
Game One, 6-5 UIC
Senior infielder Luke Mistone made it to first base on a single, and advanced home later in the inning on a single from senior outfielder Kris Hokenson, giving the Racers the early lead in the top of the first. However, the Flames quickly responded in the bottom of the inning, advancing a first runner on a ground-out then advancing two runners home on an RBI single to steal the lead. UIC added on, advancing another runner home to take a 4-1 lead. Mistone made it to first to begin the third inning, further advancing to third on a double from Hokenson before eventually making it home on a ground-out from sophomore infielder Conner Cunningham.
UIC, however, continued to put offensive pressure on the Racers, advancing a fifth runner home on a sacrifice fly to right field, further expanding on their lead. Mistone then hit another double, advancing again to third on a double from senior outfielder Kainen Jorge before making it home on a sacrifice fly from Hokenson. Graduate outfielder Daylan Pena continued the offensive comeback for the tournament hosts, advancing home on a flyout from graduate infielder Colby Ott, bringing themselves within a run of the lead. Murray State had a chance to take the lead at the top of the sixth, with the bases loaded and two outs. However, Jorge’s attempt was fielded, and UIC held onto their lead entering the bottom of the sixth. They continued to add to their lead entering the half, hitting a solo home run to expand their lead to 6-4. After multiple innings of neither team scoring, Jorge hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth to bring the Racers’ deficit within one with an inning left to play. However, Murray State was not able to find a final run, and the Flames won 6-5.
Junior right-handed pitcher Drew Deremer started the game for the Racers, giving up three earned runs on six hits in two innings pitched while walking one batter before getting pulled. Junior right-handed pitcher Carter Boyd pitched in relief for Deremer, allowing two runs while walking and striking out a batter in two innings of work. Senior right-handed pitcher Derek Lebron entered after Boyd, allowing a run on two hits while striking a batter out in 1.1 innings. Graduate right-handed pitcher Ben Rosin entered in the seventh, allowing a hit while walking a batter in 2.2 innings.
Game Two, 9-7 SIU
Southern Illinois would be the first team to score in the game, hitting an RBI double in the bottom of the first. The Salukis added another run in the third, advancing a runner home on a sacrifice fly. Freshman infielder Anthony Perritano responded in the bottom of the third with a double to grab the Racers’ first score of the game, but was held at third until the end of the inning. SIU continued to find offense, beginning the fourth by scoring a third run, before scoring a fourth run on an error. Later in the inning, the Salukis successfully stole home, raising their lead to 5-0.
The Salukis continued their offensive hot streak in the top of the sixth with a three-run inning. However, Murray State finally managed their first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth with Ott advancing home on a passed ball. The Racers continued to add on, with a Hokenson single advancing Mistone and graduate utility player Connor Chisolm home to cut the deficit to 8-3. Pena then hit a grand slam to bring Murray State to within one. After a scoreless eighth inning, SIU scored an insurance run, bringing their lead to 9-7. Murray State had a chance to take back control of the game with Chisolm batting in the bottom of the ninth, with two runners on base and two strikes in the count, but a close inside pitch was called a strike, and the Salukis advanced to the final.
Graduate left-handed pitcher Jacob Roettgen started game two of the day for the Racers, allowing a run on two hits in 1.1 innings before being pulled. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Reese Oakley threw next, allowing three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out two in 2.1 innings. Senior left-handed pitcher Dylan Zentko allowed two hits while walking two batters and striking out one in 1.1 innings of work. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Jackson Ugo allowed an earned run on a hit, facing two batters before exiting the game. Junior left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming allowed a run on two hits while walking two batters in 0.2 innings of work. Kane Elmy closed out the game for Murray State, allowing a run on a hit while walking a batter and striking out four in 3.1 innings of work.
Despite the losses, Murray State still had a successful end to their year, by many metrics. The Murray State-UIC game set the single-game attendance record for the program, with 3,457 fans in attendance. Two Racers concluded their college baseball careers with success, with Pena scoring four RBIs and two runs on two hits over the course of the final two games and Mistone scoring four runs on two hits over the same period.
Following the loss to SIU, the Murray State Racers have concluded the 2026 NCAA Baseball season, and will return to play in the Spring of 2027.
