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.
Southern Illinois was picked second with 61 points, followed by University of Illinois-Chicago (59), Illinois State (57), and Indiana State (53)
The Racers enter 2026 as the conference favorite after winning the MVC title last season and making a run to the College World Series.
Former Hopkinsville High School star Preston Chaudoin is a redshirt junior pitcher on this year’s Racers’ squad.
Last season, Chaudoin made eight appearances on the mound, making one start, recording a 4.76 ERA. He struck out 14 batters in 11.1 innings pitched while walking six and held 53 batters faced to a .273 batting average
The Racers open the 2026 season Feb. 13 against Ohio University.