Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood on Monday threw just the third no-hitter in College World Series history, but he still had one regret after his dominant performance.
Wood struck out a College World Series record 19 batters in the Razorbacks’ 3-0 win over Murray State in what was an elimination game at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb. The right-hander nearly threw a perfect game, but he hit Murray State infielder Dom Decker with a pitch in the eighth inning.
During an on-field interview with ESPN after the game, Wood was asked to describe his emotions following the best performance of his young career. The junior had a blunt response.
“I shouldn’t have hit the guy,” Wood said.
“You just threw the 3rd no hitter in the history of this event. How do you describe your emotions?”
— Chris Marler (@VernDumbquist) June 16, 2025
“I shouldn’t have hit the guy.” – Gage Wood
What a fkin legend 😂😂😂 #WPS #CWS pic.twitter.com/ukHgyw7J4B
That is the type of bulldog mentality that had Wood throwing 98 mph in the ninth inning when he was well over 100 pitches.
Wood also hit Murray State pinch hitter Nico Bermeo in the elbow at the start of the ninth, but the umpires reviewed the play and determined that Bermeo had leaned into the pitch. The call was overturned from a hit-by-pitch to an out. Wood then struck out the final two Murray State batters to finish the no-hitter.
Wood is right that he could have had a perfect game with a little more control, but that does not take anything away from his outing. He has now cemented his place in the College World Series history books, and Arkansas is moving is still playing for a national championship.
