Murray State University Athletics
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Chisolm Drives in Four as Murray State Takes Down Valparaiso
3/20/2026 7:31:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Murray State opened Missouri Valley Conference play with a 15-hit performance to take the series opener over Valparaiso. The 15 hits are the Racers' most against a Division I opponent since opening day against Ohio.
"1-0," head coach Dan Skirka said. "Hopefully we come out tomorrow and we go 1-0 again. That was the message to these guys this week. The process doesn't change. Everything we've talked about in our nonconference games and in the fall doesn't change just because we're playing conference games."
Nic Schutte earned his fourth win of the season, tossing six innings with one run allowed and five strikeouts. Throughout his outing, Schutte worked around baserunners to keep Valparaiso (6-11, 0-1 MVC) scoreless through the first five innings.
"He sets the tone for the team," Skirka said. "He's such a competitor. He didn't have his best stuff today, but he put up zeroes."
The Murray State (14-8, 1-0 MVC) offense left eight runners on base through the first five innings before finding its stride in the sixth. Connor Chisolm broke the game open with a three-run home run 104 miles per hour off the bat, his third of the year.
"Just a really good process," Skirka said of Chisolm. "That's what we expect from him. That's why he's hitting in the leadoff spot. He's got a really good eye, really good plate discipline. And when he's on the barrel like that, we're going to be successful."
Chisolm finished the day with four RBIs and two hits.
Alongside Chisolm, Daylan Pena recorded a career-high four hits. The graduate student added a double and two runs scored. Five Racers recorded multi-hit games, as Luke Mistone, Kainen Jorge and Colby Ott each collected two hits to join Pena and Chisolm.
How It Happened
The game remained scoreless through the first five innings as both teams struggled to capitalize on early baserunners. The Racers finally ended the stalemate in the bottom of the sixth when Pena reached on a leadoff single and promptly stole second base. Chisolm then provided the first runs of the game with a home run to right field. Murray State added two more in the frame after Kristofer Hokenson doubled and Kainen Jorge sent a two-run single into right center.
Murray State broke the game open with four more runs in the seventh inning. After the first three batters reached to load the bases, Anthony Perritano earned an RBI walk. Colby Ott followed with a two-run single to left center to widen the gap. Chisolm added his fourth RBI of the day on a groundout to second base, giving the Racers a 9-0 cushion.
The visitors responded with three runs in the seventh and another in the eighth, but the Racer bullpen prevented any further damage. Dylan Zentko entered the game in the seventh and allowed only one run over the final 2.1 innings. Zentko earned his fifth save of the season by retiring the side in the ninth to preserve the victory.
Box Score Notes
Single-game career high in hits for Daylan Pena … Fifth save for Dylan Zentko on the year, most in a single season in his career … Nic Schutte reaches 125 career strikeouts … Eighth straight win over Valparaiso for Murray State … Racers move to 11-1 in neutral site games in the 2026 season.
The Racers will look to carry over their momentum tomorrow in game two of their weekend series vs. Valparaiso, with Jacob Hustedde getting the start.
