2025 College World Series: Gage Wood consoles Murray State's Jonathan Hogart, Conner Cunningham after throwing no-hitter

After putting together one of only three no-hitters in College World Series history, the first thing Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood did was walk to the Murray State dugout. There he was captured on camera hugging opposing players Jonathan Hogart and Conner Cunningham, whose seasons just came to an end because of his arm.

Hogart was the last of 19 batters that Wood struck out Monday — an Arkansas record. The connection was a little bit more personal with Cunningham, who went to Batesville (AR) High School, where Wood also attended. The two players even train together in the offseason, and Wood heaped praise on the Racers shortstop in a postgame interview.

“I work out with that guy in the offseason,” he said. “I mean, I didn’t expect to see him here. Like, I get to play against him? He got there a year late from when I graduated. But I work out with that guy in the offseason. He’s a grinder, he works his tail off every day and he’s my scramble buddy too. I look forward to working with him every offseason moving forward.

“He’s going to get drafted one day. He’s a solid shortstop, freshman of the year for them. So, of course I’m going to go over there and talk to my guy. I’m on Cloud 9 and their season ended but I’m going to go tell him I love him, good job, and keep going.”

Wood just walked over to Murray State’s dugout and bro-hugged Hogart, the last player he struck out for the no-no.

Then did the same with Conner Cunningham. They went to the same high school: https://t.co/fOsiT34YCv pic.twitter.com/ChP4v502yC

— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) June 16, 2025

Cunningham started 57 of 59 games as a true freshman for the Racers, recording 39 RBI with a .251 batting average. Unfortunately, neither Cunningham nor any of his teammates were able to connect on the pitches that Wood was dealing Monday.

The Razorbacks pitcher came out on a mission, carrying a perfect game into the eighth inning before hitting Dominic Decker with a pitch to lead off the frame. He expressed his frustration about that moment postgame, but it was really the only mistake one could point to from his outing on the mound.

Although Murray State saw its season come to an end, Cunningham was still a part of something historic in his first year with the Racers. The program had never made the College World Series before this year and Cunningham will hoope to continue the success he saw in 2025 into his sophomore season.

As for Wood and Arkansas, the job is not done yet. The Razorbacks have another elimination game upcoming with the loser of Monday night’s LSU/UCLA bout on the other end.