Murray State Evens Series Behind Hustedde’s Strong Start, Zentko’s Save

Saturday, March 14

St. Charles, MO

1 p.m.

Murray State

12-7

Lindenwood

9-10

Murray St.

Lindenwood

Murray State Evens Series Behind Hustedde’s Strong Start, Zentko’s Save

3/14/2026 4:34:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Sam Rhodes

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Jacob Hustedde retired the first 11 batters he faced Saturday to anchor a dominant pitching performance as Murray State defeated Lindenwood 3-1. The victory pulls the Racers (12-7) even in the series and forces a decisive rubber match tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Hustedde earned the win after completing 5 innings of 2-hit ball, allowing just 1 run while racking up 4 punchouts. His efficient outing set the tone for a combined pitching effort that surrendered only 4 hits on the day and limited the Lions to a single run.

With his stellar performance today, Hustedde brought his season ERA to 2.50 and has allowed just 2 earned runs over his last 4 starts across 16.2 total innings pitched.

The Racers bats didn't produce much noise throughout the game, but Murray State took advantage of 4 walks drawn in the first. Connor Chisolm got the Racers on the board with a bases-loaded walk, soon followed by a Parker Airhart sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 2.

MSU drew 7 walks on the day, led by Daylan Pena with 3.

Each team knocked 4 total hits, with Conner Cunningham hitting a single in his return to the Racers' lineup for his fifth start of the season. Chisolm had the strongest performance at the plate for Murray State, notching 2 hits with 1 double, the only extra-base hit for either team today.

Lindenwood (9-10) scored its lone run on a bases-loaded infield groundout in the sixth. Reese Oakley closed out the inning strong, holding the Lions to just 1 run after a bases-loaded situation with no outs.

Murray State added its insurance run in the ninth with Kristofer Hokenson reaching on an error from the pitcher, allowing pinch runner Jackson McCoy to score.

Oakley and Dylan Zentko combined for 4 shutout innings to close out the win, Zentko earning his fourth save of the season, now leading the MVC in saves. The 2 struck out a combined 6 batters and allowed just 2 hits.

Murray State and Lindenwood will face off tomorrow in a rubber match at 10 a.m. in St. Charles, Mo.

For more information on the Murray State Baseball program, visit GoRacers.com or follow @RacersBaseball on Instagram and X.

Box Score Notes

Pitching staff struck out 10 batters, the seventh game this season with double-digit strikeouts … First win this season with four or less hits for Murray State … Just the third game this season where the Racers didn't steal a base .. Dylan Zentko earned his fourth save of the season, already topping his 2025 season total … Chisolm's two-hit performance was his fourth multi-hit game of the season.