OMAHA, Neb. — Arkansas right-hander Gage Wood cemented himself in Men's College World Series and program history on June 16, completing the third no-hitter in MCWS history, the first since 1960.
Not allowing a hit and striking out 19 — a MCWS record — Wood kept the Razorbacks' season alive as Arkansas eliminated Murray State, 3-0.
He gained momentum after every punchout and frame, walking with the occasional bounce to the dugout that increased as the game continued, reflecting the battery of the Batesville, Arkansas native that never ran out.
The junior checked off milestone after milestone on his way to the mountaintop. Known for his high-powered fastball, Wood punched out seven straight batters between the third and the fifth innings — four swinging and three looking.
Sitting at 11 strikeouts by the end of the fifth, he became the sixth pitcher to strike out seven straight batters in an MCWS game since 1999 and tied for the most. The first Arkansas pitcher to record more than 10 strikeouts at the MCWS, he was the second pitcher to carry a perfect game into the sixth.
Make that SEVEN in a row & TEN total 🤯
— Arkansas Baseball (@RazorbackBSB)
Attaining his career-high of strikeouts in the seventh inning at 14, Wood entered a league of his own with the longest perfect game bid in MCWS history. However, Wood’s race toward perfect game history came to an end with no outs in the next frame, hitting Murray State second baseman Dom Decker in the left foot on 2-2 count.
But the junior didn’t bat an eye, nor falter. He shut down the Racers' next three batters, the last two via strikeout. Getting left fielder Dan Tauken to swing and miss at his low-80s curveball, the junior bounced off the mound emphatically, screaming in excitement for his 16th strikeout.
KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK x 🎥 ESPN /
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball)
Wood hit his second batter of the game to start the ninth in pinch hitter Nico Bermeo, who got hit in the left elbow on an 0-2 count, but the call was overturned and he was ruled out for leaning into the pitch. That marked Wood's 17th strikeout of the game.
And the next two at-bats were emblematic of the historic performance.
Wood punched out shortstop Conner Cunningham on five pitches, and stamped his 19th and final strikeout on four pitches to center fielder Jonathan Hogart — a 97-mile-per-hour fastball upstairs.
The moment he made history. 🥹 x 🎥 ESPN /
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball)
The junior broke out in animated celebration, turning to the Arkansas dugout and showing off the red eight letters threaded across his chest and grey jersey. He was quickly joined by his teammates, greeted with nonstop bear hugs and daps, while his parents cheered in the stands with Razorbacks faithful.
The 19th strikeout marked the most in a nine-inning game in MCWS history and the 11th no-hitter thrown in DI baseball this season. The historic outing comes just 15 days after striking out 13 in the regionals versus Creighton.
Arkansas will now face the winner of UCLA and LSU on Tuesday for a spot in the MCWS semifinals.
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