Racers Blank Butler 6-0 Behind Schutte's 2-Hit Gem

Friday, February 20

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

3 p.m.

Murray State

3-2

Butler

2-4

Butler

Murray St.

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

2/20/2026 7:36:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Sam Rhodes

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Nic Schutte overpowered Butler's bats in his second start of the year, leading the Murray State baseball team to a 6-0 win Friday to open the weekend series.

Schutte pitched seven innings of two-hit baseball, striking out nine batters while walking just two, earning his second win in as many starts this season. Carter Boyd closed the game with two innings of no-hit pitching to secure the shutout for the Racers.

"First-pitch strikes," head coach Dan Skirka said. "We try to get action in three pitches or less, and that's exactly what he (Schutte) did, between him and Carter Boyd. They got the leadoff hitter out eight of nine innings. So, when you do that, you're going to be successful."

The Racers' bats came to play today, knocking 12 hits as a team, with just one extra-base hit, a double off the bat of Kris Hokenson.

"Yeah, the ball wasn't flying today." Skirka said, "We had six opposite field hits, we had four hits with two strikes, and the situational hitting today was really good. When we got guys to third base, I think we scored them every time. Those are the things you have to do when you're playing against a Friday night starter and a good ball club."

Hokenson lead the team with three hits, his first multi-hit game as a Racer, followed by two-hit performances from Parker Airhart, Sloan Barrett, and Colby Ott.

How it Happened

Schutte began the game by surrendering a single on the first pitch thrown in the game, but then retired the next 11 consecutive batters and didn't allow a hit again until the top of the sixth. Schutte sent the Bulldogs down in order in four separate innings.

The Racers broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning. Ott led off with a single to right center and advanced to second on a single from Connor Chisolm. After a double play moved Ott to third, Daylan Pena reached first base on a fielding error, bringing Ott home for the game's first run.

Murray State struck again in the fourth inning to extend lead. Parker Airhart drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second when Hokenson poked a single to the opposite field. Barrett followed with an RBI single to left, scoring Airhart. Jake Slade executed a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners, leading to an Ott two-run single, plating Barrett and Hokenson to make it 4-0.

The Racers added their final two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Airhart started the inning with a single to left field. Hokenson followed with a double down the right field line, the only extra-base hit of the day for both teams, moving Airhart to third. Barrett then lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Airhart. Slade brought Hokenson home on an RBI groundout to shortstop, capping the scoring at 6-0.

The Racers take on Butler again tomorrow in a double header to conclude the weekend. First pitch for game one is set for 12:05 p.m.