OMAHA, NE ― Day 4 in Omaha was the wildest one yet.
The early game brought one of the best Men’s College World Series pitching performances ever with Gage Wood’s 19-strikeout no-hitter. Game 2 looked to finally bring some of the offense that had been lacking the entire time, but the game was suspended after three innings due to rain with LSU leading UCLA, 5-3. That game will be resumed Tuesday, June 16 (11 a.m. ET) with the two previously scheduled games to follow.
Here are winners and losers from the day:
WINNERS
Gage Wood
Who else would take the top spot but Gage Wood? Wood threw a 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State to keep his team’s season alive.
Wood’s no-hitter was the first in Omaha since 1960. He also set the Men’s College World Series record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game. (Ohio State’s Steve Arlin struck out 20 in a 15-inning game in 1965.)
Murray State
How could Murray State be a winner when they went 0-2 in Omaha and got no-hit in historic fashion?
Well, the Racers brought plenty of attention and prestige to their program. And coach Dan Skirka continuously emphasized in the postgame press conference how happy his team was to be there, no matter how brutal the ending.
‘You say, at the end of the year only one team’s happy,’ Skirka said. ‘That ain’t the case this year. There’s definitely more than one because these guys, the run they went on, and you’re not going to be able to wipe the smile off their face for a really long time.’
Roch Cholowsky’s defense
Before the UCLA-LSU game was suspended, star Bruins shortstop Roch Cholowsky was already showing off the glove, making two strong plays to rob the Tigers of hits. Though Cholowsky was 0-for-2 at the plate, he did score a run after reaching on a fielder’s choice.
LOSERS
The fans who stayed through the rain delay
Respect to the fans who waited out a delay of nearly three hours at Charles Schwab Field, but they might have regretted their decision after play was suspended for the night, to resume the morning of June 17.
These loyal fans waited under sheltered areas of the ballpark, purchased concessions, and some even ran up and down the stands hoping to see UCLA and LSU resume play. Now, if they want to see the game conclude, they’ll have to get up early.
The UCLA vs. LSU loser
At the time Game 2 was suspended, LSU led, 5-3. Whichever team loses might be in for a tough time, though, as that team will have to turn around and play the same night in an elimination game.
Teams are used to this, of course, as it’s the same setup teams in the losers’ bracket must endure in NCAA regionals. But in Omaha, typically, teams play only one game per day, and that losing team must face Arkansas, which will have a well-rested bullpen after the no-hitter.
Kumar Rocker
Former Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker is currently pitching in MLB with the Texas Rangers. But Rocker is a loser because who would’ve thought it would take just six years for someone to equal his most famous performance?
In 2019 as a freshman, Rocker threw a 19-strikeout no-hitter in a super regional game against Duke. Like Wood’s game, that game also ended with a final score of 3-0. The Commodores went on to win the national championship that season while Rocker was named College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
