OMAHA, Neb. — In a performance etched into College World Series history, Arkansas right-hander Gage Wood delivered the third no-hitter ever seen at the MCWS and the first in 65 years on Monday. His dominant outing, highlighted by a record-setting 19 strikeouts, powered the Razorbacks to a crucial 3-0 elimination game victory over Murray State at Charles Schwab Field.
Wood joined an exclusive club, becoming just the third pitcher to throw a CWS no-hitter, following Jim Ehrler of Texas (1950) and Jim Wixson of Oklahoma State (1960). Beyond the no-hit gem, the junior right-hander shattered the MCWS record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game with 19 Ks, surpassing the previous mark shared by Hagen Smith (2024) and Jess Todd (2007). This also set a new Arkansas program record for strikeouts in a game.
His masterful command kept Murray State’s offense, which had averaged 9.5 runs and 13 hits during their postseason run, completely off balance. Only seven balls were put in play against him, none leaving the infield after the second inning.
Nearly Perfect: A Bid for History
Wood wasn’t just lights out; he flirted with pitching the first perfect game in College World Series history, carrying the bid into the eighth inning. His pursuit of perfection ended when a 2-2 breaking ball caught Dom Decker on the back foot for Murray State’s first and only baserunner of the game.
Reflecting on the moment, a subdued Wood simply remarked, “When I hit the guy in the foot, I knew I screwed up.” Despite the lone runner, he quickly regained his composure, retiring the next three batters to keep the no-hitter intact.
The dominance was evident early and often. Wood struck out nine of the first 12 batters he faced, including a streak of seven consecutive strikeouts between the third and fifth innings – a feat not accomplished in Omaha since 2021. By the end of the fifth, he already had 11 punchouts, a first for an Arkansas pitcher in a CWS game. He ultimately finished the game strong, striking out the side in the ninth inning, concluding with a 97 mph fastball for his record-breaking 19th strikeout.
Game On: Arkansas Offense Provides Support
While Wood stole the show, the Arkansas offense provided just enough support against Murray State starter Isaac Silva, who also pitched effectively in his final college game, allowing only one run over six innings.
The Razorbacks broke the scoreless tie in the third inning when Charles Davalan delivered an RBI single, scoring Reese Robinett who had earlier doubled. They added crucial insurance runs in the seventh. SEC player of the year Wehiwa Aloy hit an RBI double, and Davalan later scored the third run on a Murray State fielding error. Despite managing 10 hits, Arkansas struggled at times with runners in scoring position, stranding nine men throughout the game.
Murray State’s “fairytale season,” which saw them become only the fourth No. 4 regional seed since 1999 to reach Omaha, concluded with an 0-2 record in their first-ever College World Series appearance. Their previous three NCAA Tournament trips were in 1975, 1979, and 2003.
Beyond the Box Score: Significance and Background
For Arkansas (49-14), Wood’s complete-game no-hitter held immense strategic value in the elimination bracket. It saved the bullpen, allowing coach Dave Van Horn to avoid using multiple pitchers planned for the game – a critical advantage when needing multiple wins in quick succession. Van Horn expressed pride in the team’s ability to bounce back from a tough opening loss and was resolute in leaving Wood on the mound to finish the historic performance.
Wood’s journey to this moment is notable. He transitioned from a closer to a middle reliever and now a weekend starter. His season was interrupted by a shoulder injury in February, sidelining him for 54 days before he returned in April. The MCWS no-hitter significantly surpassed his previous career bests in innings pitched (6) and strikeouts (13), set just days prior in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional. His 119-pitch effort included 83 strikes, nearly matching his previous high for total pitches thrown.
Wood’s historic performance, the 14th no-hitter in Arkansas program history and the first nine-inning solo no-hitter since 1996, keeps the Razorbacks’ College World Series title hopes alive. They advance to face the loser of the suspended UCLA-LSU game in another elimination matchup. As Wood celebrated with teammates, his focus remained clear: “Job’s not done!”
