Murray State Picked as Preseason MVC Favorite

Murray State baseball was picked as the Missouri Valley Conference preseason favorite ahead of the 2026 season, earning seven first-place votes and 74 total points in the league poll.

The Racers enter 2026 as the conference favorite after winning the MVC title last season and making a run to the College World Series.

Murray State also placed a league-high nine players on the MVC "Players to Watch List".
Seven returning Racers earned recognition, Conner Cunningham, Kane Elmy, Jacob Hustedde, Graham Kelham, Luke Mistone, Nic Schutte and Dylan Zentko.

Two newcomers also appeared on the list, Kristofer Hokenson and Kainen Jorge, bringing veteran experience to Murray State with a combined 179 games played at the Division I level.

The Racers open the 2026 season Feb. 13 against Ohio University.


Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics