Arkansas Pitcher Gage Wood Throws College World Series No-Hitter

Omaha, NE – In a College World Series performance for the ages, Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood delivered a stunning 3-0 victory against Murray State, keeping the Razorbacks' hopes alive. Wood's dominant outing featured a remarkable 19 strikeouts and a no-hitter, only the third ever recorded in Omaha and the first since 1960.

The tension in the Arkansas dugout was palpable as Wood flirted with history. Outfielder Charles Davalan revealed the team's attempt to maintain silence, humorously broken only by the innocent inquiries of their batboy, G-Baby. Wood himself acknowledged awareness of the no-hitter, though his focus remained squarely on securing the win.

The victory was particularly crucial as it followed an earlier loss to LSU in the CWS opener. Arkansas now advances to face either LSU or UCLA, with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

Adding another layer of intrigue, catcher Ryder Helfrick called his own game, a rarity at the college level. With guidance from coach Dave Van Horn, Helfrick effectively guided Wood through the Murray State lineup.

Wood's fastball, reaching speeds up to 98 mph, proved virtually unhittable for the Racers. Murray State, who had impressed as a No. 4 seed throughout the tournament, struggled to make contact against Wood's powerful and precise pitching.

Murray State hitter Jonathan Hogart conceded the difficulty, noting the scarcity of pitches thrown over the heart of the plate.

Despite the intensity of the competition, Wood displayed sportsmanship after the game, exchanging hugs with Murray State players, including a former high school teammate.

Wood's journey to this moment wasn't without obstacles. An injury sidelined him for nearly two months earlier in the season, casting doubt on his return. Coach Van Horn praised Wood's resilience and expressed unwavering confidence in his ability to finish the game despite a high pitch count.

Van Horn emphasized his trust in Wood's performance, saying, "There's nothing being said or talked about our dugout whatsoever, We're just going to let him roll. And, no, there was no chance he was coming out after eight. And he did a super job. So proud of him."