Arkansas right-hander Gage Wood made history on Monday by throwing just the third no-hitter in the history of the Men’s College World Series, striking out 19 batters in a dominant 3-0 win over Murray State in an elimination game.
Wood nearly completed the first perfect game in MCWS history, retiring the first 21 batters he faced. The bid ended in the eighth inning when Murray State’s Dom Decker was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame.
Wood’s 19 strikeouts left him just one shy of the all-time MCWS single-game record of 20, set by Ohio State’s Steve Arlin in 1965. The Razorbacks ace threw 119 pitches—83 of them for strikes—and said afterward that his fastball felt sharp throughout.
“I didn’t throw from the stretch for a while,” Wood told ESPN, reflecting on when he realized a no-hitter was in reach.
The game remained tight through six innings thanks to a strong outing by Murray State starter Isaac Silva, who gave up just one run on six hits. Arkansas took the lead in the third inning on an RBI single by Charles Davalan that brought home Reese Robinett.
The Razorbacks added insurance in the seventh after Justin Thomas Jr. and Davalan led off with singles. Wehiwa Aloy followed with an RBI double to score Thomas, marking a big moment in Thomas’ breakout 4-for-4 performance. Davalan later scored on a Murray State outfield error, both runs coming off reliever Graham Kelham.
With the loss, Murray State (0-2) ends its first-ever appearance at the College World Series. Arkansas (1-1) stays alive and will face the loser of the UCLA-LSU game in another elimination matchup on Tuesday.
