OMAHA, Neb. — History was rewritten at the Men’s College World Series on June 16, 2025, as Arkansas right-hander Gage Wood delivered a performance for the ages. In a high-stakes elimination game against Murray State, Wood accomplished the seemingly impossible, throwing the third no-hitter in the 78-year history of the MCWS.
This monumental feat marked the first no-hitter at the College World Series since 1960, ending a 65-year drought and etching Wood’s name permanently into baseball lore. His dominant outing secured a crucial 3-0 victory for the Razorbacks, eliminating Murray State and keeping Arkansas’ championship aspirations alive in Omaha.
A Masterpiece on the Mound
From the outset, Wood was locked in, showcasing a powerful fastball and sharp secondary pitches. He didn’t just shut down the Racers; he overpowered them, setting a new Men’s College World Series record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game with an astounding 19 punchouts.
Wood gained visible momentum throughout the game, his confidence growing with each out. The Batesville, Arkansas native demonstrated incredible endurance, appearing to gain energy as the game progressed.
Milestones Piled Up
The junior righty checked off historic benchmarks throughout his outing. Known for his high-velocity fastball, Wood tore through the Murray State lineup, striking out seven consecutive batters between the third and fifth innings. This streak included a mix of swinging and looking strikeouts, showcasing his command.
By the end of the fifth, Wood had already accumulated 11 strikeouts. His seven-strikeout streak tied for the most in an MCWS game since 1999 and he became the first Arkansas pitcher ever to record more than 10 strikeouts in a MCWS appearance.
Wood’s dominance extended beyond just missing bats. He carried a perfect game bid deep into the contest, taking it into the eighth inning, the longest perfect game bid in MCWS history. He reached a career-high 14 strikeouts by the seventh inning, further cementing his historical trajectory.
Facing Adversity, Unfazed
Wood’s pursuit of a perfect game ended in the top of the eighth with no outs when he hit Murray State second baseman Dom Decker with a 2-2 pitch. However, the setback did little to rattle the Arkansas ace. He immediately refocused, retiring the next three batters to escape the inning unscathed. His 16th strikeout, coming on a low-80s curveball against left fielder Dan Tauken to end the eighth, elicited an emphatic, celebratory bounce off the mound.
The ninth inning provided a final test. Wood hit the leadoff pinch hitter, Nico Bermeo, but the call was overturned, ruling Bermeo out for leaning into the pitch – also counting as Wood’s 17th strikeout. He then struck out shortstop Conner Cunningham on five pitches for his 18th K, setting the stage for history.
The final out came on a four-pitch sequence to center fielder Jonathan Hogart, ending with a blazing 97-mile-per-hour fastball upstairs for strikeout number 19, sealing the no-hitter and the record.
Rarity and a Witness to History
A no-hitter at the Men’s College World Series is exceptionally rare, a testament to the high level of competition. Before Wood’s gem, the only other MCWS no-hitters were thrown by James R. Wilson of Springfield in 1951 and Jim Wixson of Oklahoma State against North Carolina in 1960.
Remarkably, Omaha resident Sandy Buda is believed to be the only person to have witnessed both the 1960 Wixson no-hitter and Wood’s 2025 masterpiece from inside the stadium. In 1960, Buda was the scoreboard operator at the former venue, Rosenblatt Stadium, tasked with manually placing the “0” for hits only after confirming the no-hitter was complete. In 2025, he was working security at Charles Schwab Field, catching glimpses of history on nearby TVs.
Wood’s performance was also the 11th no-hitter thrown across all of Division I baseball during the 2025 season, but its setting in the high-pressure environment of the MCWS makes it stand out. It followed a strong regional performance where Wood struck out 13 batters against Creighton just 15 days prior.
Tournament Implications
This decisive victory was critical for Arkansas, who had fallen into the elimination bracket after a tough 4-1 loss to SEC rival LSU two days earlier. Murray State, making a rare MCWS appearance as just the fourth No. 4 seed since 1999 to reach Omaha, was eliminated.
With the win, Arkansas advances to face the winner of the UCLA and LSU contest in another elimination game scheduled for Tuesday, June 17. Wood’s historic effort ensures the Razorbacks live to fight another day in their quest for a national championship.
