OMAHA, Neb. — Day 4 of the Men’s College World Series (MCWS) delivered fireworks in the form of a historic pitching performance, as No. 3 Arkansas defeated unseeded Murray State 3-0 behind a no-hitter from junior starter Gage Wood.
The right-hander was nearly flawless, tossing just the third no-hitter in MCWS history and the first since 1960. Wood struck out a career-high 19 batters across 119 pitches, going the distance for the first complete game of his college career.
“I shouldn’t’ve hit that guy,” Wood said to ESPN postgame, referencing the lone blemish on his near-perfect night — a hit-by-pitch in the eighth inning that cost him a perfect game. But he quickly rebounded, striking out five more Racers to seal his place in the record books.
Early on, both pitchers were locked in a duel. Wood was untouchable through seven innings, while Murray State starter Isaac Silva kept the Razorbacks’ powerful offense at bay. Silva struck out seven and allowed just one run through six innings before exiting in the seventh.
Arkansas broke through in the third inning when Reese Robinett roped a double into the outfield gap. A pair of singles followed, bringing Robinett home for the game’s first run.
The Razorbacks extended their lead after Silva’s departure. Shortstop Wehiwa Aloy delivered a clutch RBI double, and outfielder Logan Maxwell capitalized on a Murray State error to add another run, pushing the lead to 3-0.
Murray State’s bullpen held firm over the final two frames, but Wood remained the story. In the ninth, he faced pinch hitter Nico Bermeo, who was initially hit by a pitch — until umpires ruled Bermeo leaned into it, resulting in an out. Wood then struck out the final two batters to complete the no-hitter.
Despite a valiant showing, the loss eliminates Murray State from MCWS contention. Arkansas will next face the loser of Monday night’s LSU vs. UCLA matchup.
