The Murray State Racers defeated Southern Illinois 13-1 in a run-rule victory on April 24, powered by a grand slam from Kainen Jorge and a complete game from pitcher Nic Schutte at Itchy Jones Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois.
The win gives the Racers (25-17, 11-5 Missouri Valley Conference) their fourth consecutive conference victory and keeps them tied for first place in the league standings. The strong performance highlights both offensive and pitching strengths as the team heads into the remainder of its series.
After a scoreless first inning, Murray State took control with five runs in the second. Jorge delivered a grand slam that drove in three teammates and set his single-game career high with five runs batted in. “He got the big knock, and he has been seeing it great,” head coach Dan Skirka said. “Obviously got the game-winning hit last Sunday, had a really good series in Chicago. We had a good game plan against their starter, he’s a phenomenal pitcher. The guys getting on base for him and setting the table for that big knock, that was huge.”
Schutte pitched all seven innings of the shortened game, allowing only one run on five hits while striking out four batters to earn his seventh win of the season. “Just to get out of here in seven innings and to use one arm, it sets you up, but it doesn’t mean anything,” Skirka said. “We have to get a good start again tomorrow. Hustedde will be ready to go, but you like where you’re sitting with the bullpen.”
Connor Chisolm, Luke Mistone, and Kristofer Hokenson each recorded two hits at the top of Murray State’s lineup; Mistone also collected three RBIs during the game while Hokenson contributed multiple RBIs as well.
The Racers continued scoring throughout middle innings with key hits from Mistone and Hokenson before adding four more runs in their final frame—capped by an RBI double from Conner Cunningham followed by Mistone’s two-run single.
Murray State will look to clinch its series against Southern Illinois tomorrow afternoon.
