OMAHA, Nevada (AP) — Arkansas’ Gagewood achieved the third no-hitter in college World Series history, the first in 65 years on Monday, striking out a record 19 batters and leading the Lazzolbucks to a 3-0 victory over Murray State.
Wood joins Texas’ Jim Ehller from 1950 and Oklahoma’s Jim Wickson from 1960 as the only pitchers to throw a CWS no-hitter. This marked the racer team’s inaugural appearance in Omaha.
The junior right-hander, who set a CWS record with nine strikeouts, felt the pressure afterward.
“The only thing that mattered was that I didn’t want to go home. That’s it,” he said. “We’re not going home. We can play tomorrow night. But it’s pretty cool.”
Arkansas (49-14) is set to face the losers of Monday night’s matchup between LSU and UCLA in another elimination game.
Murray State (44-17) became only the fourth regional seed to reach Omaha since 1999, ending their first appearance with an 0-2 record.
Wood’s chance for a perfect game was halted in the eighth when a pitch grazed Domdecker on his back.
“I knew it was over when I hit the guy with my feet,” Wood admitted.
As he warmed up for the ninth, the Arkansas dugout led a brief “Oopig Sue!” chant.
Wood (4-1) hit pinch hitter Nicobalmeo on the left elbow with a fastball to lead off the ninth. Initially awarded first base, Arkansas challenged the call, arguing that Vermao moved his elbow into the pitch. The ruling was overturned, and Bameo was declared out.
Wood then struck out Connor Cunningham and Jonathan Hogart to close out the game.
“The man had electricity tonight,” said Hogart.
Wood was swarmed by his teammates as the celebration moved from behind the mound to the area between second and third base.
“Gage continuously threw pitches, worked the count, and effectively mixed in fastballs. What a fantastic performance,” said coach Dave Van Horn. “We had to make a few plays behind him—maybe nine or eight? I’m thrilled we made all of them.”
Wood, a projected first-round pick in next month’s MLB amateur draft, rarely faced a three-ball count, throwing 83 of his 119 pitches for strikes.
“I think Gage Wood has secured his future today. Holy cow,” exclaimed racer coach Dan Skulka.
The closest Murray State came to breaking Wood’s no-hitter was when Carson Garner’s hard ground ball pulled Robinette to his left. Robinette misplayed the ball, and it touched the final bag in the seventh inning.
Wood showcased early signs of a special performance, demonstrating excellent command of his signature four-seam fastball, breaking balls, and changeups. Of his first 20 fastballs, 19 were strikes, and he fanned nine of the first 12 batters he faced.
Transitioning from a mid-reliever to a weekend starter, Wood stepped up this season after an injury sidelined him. He marked his return with just 28 2/3 innings pitched in the season.
His six-inning career featured a personal best 13 strikeouts against Clayton in the June 1 regional game and 3 1/3 innings pitched during the June 8 Super Regional bout at Tennessee.
Wood now joins the ranks of Ehler and Wickson in CWS history. Ehler’s no-hitter was a 7-0 win over Tufts on June 19, 1950, and Wickson’s was a 7-0 victory against North Carolina on June 15, 1960.
“I think he’ll retrieve the final ball and give it a big hug. That was incredible,” catcher Rider Helfrick said. “Everyone was really pumped for him. The main thing is that we’re still here and still in the game.”
Helfrick quickly handed the ball to Wood after catching the final pitch. When asked what he did with it, Wood replied, “I gave it to my father and said, ‘Happy Father’s Day.’”
The Razorbacks broke the game open after Murray’s Graham Kelham handed the ball over to Isaac Silva in the seventh. SEC Player of the Year Wehiwa Aloy doubled, scoring one run, while Right Fielder Dustin Mercer mishandled Logan Maxwell’s shallow fly, leading to another score.
Silva (9-3) kept the game close over six innings, allowing only one run from Charles Dhabaran’s three RBI singles.
Silva permitted six hits, walked twice, and recorded seven strikeouts, frequently escaping jams with the Razorbacks going 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the third, fifth, and sixth.
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Source: apnews.com