### A Look into the Low-Hit Games of the College World Series
In the rich tapestry of College World Series (CWS) history, spanning 75 years, one of the most electrifying spectacles on the diamond is the low-hit game. Characterized by no-hitters, one-hitters, and two-hitters, these performances reveal not only the skill of the pitchers involved but also the intensity of the competition. To date, there have been 47 low-hit games recorded in the CWS, as documented by the CWS record book.
### The Lone Warriors: Solo Low-Hit Performances
Diving deeper, let’s spotlight the remarkable achievements of the 30 pitchers who completed low-hit games all on their own. Among these elite performers are three players who etched their names into CWS lore by tossing no-hitters: Jim Ehrler of Texas in 1950, Jim Wixson of Oklahoma State in 1960, and Gage Wood of Arkansas, who achieved this milestone most recently on June 16, 2025.
Ehrler’s performance in 1950 helped Texas become the first back-to-back champions in CWS history, as he delivered a dominant 7-0 no-hitter. His meticulous precision shone through, striking out five of the final six batters he faced in the later innings.
Wixson, another cornerstone of Oklahoma State’s baseball legacy, threw a no-no against North Carolina, also winning 7-0. Fast forward to 2025, Gage Wood dazzled in a game against Murray State, where he allowed just one baserunner through eight innings—coming from a hit by pitch.
### The One-Hit Wonders
In addition to no-hitters, eight pitchers have successfully completed one-hit games in the CWS. Notably, Rod Keogh from Washington State achieved his one-hitter during a gripping 10-inning bout against Rutgers on the same day as Ehrler’s no-hitter. Uniquely, Jackie Lonergan of Holy Cross suffered a tough loss despite his impressive one-hit outing against Missouri in 1952—a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball.
Among other standout one-hitters, Buddy Wittichen of Ole Miss (1956) and Larry Hardy from Texas (1968) both left their opponents baffled as they navigated through their respective games with surgical precision.
### Two-Hitters: Masterful Control in Action
The realm of two-hitters further underscores the mastery exhibited by pitchers in CWS history. Nineteen different pitchers have managed this feat, with performances dating back to the early 1950s. Junior Wren of Penn State and Tom Cole from Western Michigan both claimed two-hitters on June 14, 1952, marking a day of extraordinary pitching prowess.
More recently, Kevin Abel’s two-hit shutout over Arkansas in 2018 helped solidify Oregon State’s championship run, showcasing the continued tradition of dominant pitching in the CWS.
### The Legacy of Combined Pitching Efforts
Shifting our attention to team efforts, 17 of the low-hit games in CWS history required contributions from multiple pitchers. The first combined one-hitter was executed in 1964, where Minnesota’s hurlers Frank Brosseau, Dan Howard, and Dick Mielke partnered to silence the bats of their opponents during a resounding 12-0 victory.
Interestingly, the first two-hitter in CWS history also took place that year, with Lawrence Bossidy of Colgate and several others doing the honors. Fast forward to the most recent combined effort, where Will Bednar and Landon Sims of Mississippi State delivered a stellar one-hit performance to secure a decisive victory over Vanderbilt during the final game of the 2021 College World Series.
### Notable Combined Performances
Here’s a look at some of the remarkable combined low-hit performances:
#### One-Hitters:
– **Frank Brosseau, Dan Howard, and Dick Mielke (Minnesota, 1964)**
– **Keith Weber and Jim Nelson (Missouri, 1964)**
– **Alan Dunn and Tim Meacham (Alabama, 1983)**
– **Nathan Kirby and Artie Lewicki (Virginia, 2014)**
– **Will Bednar and Landon Sims (Mississippi State, 2021)**
#### Two-Hitters:
– **Ken Kinnamon and Don Anderson (Oklahoma State, 1955)**
– **Sam Frankel and Lawrence Bossidy (Colgate, 1955)**
– **Bill Dobbs, Richard Schmidt, and Bob Richardson (Oklahoma State, 1968)**
– **Jim Gideon and Jimmy Brown (Texas, 1974)**
– **Brandon Waddell and Josh Sborz (Virginia, 2015)**
The allure of low-hit games in the College World Series not only captivates fans and players alike but also enriches the narrative of baseball as a sport steeped in tradition, skill, and the occasional dash of drama. Each instance of brilliance on the mound contributes to a legacy that transcends generations, forever celebrating the artistry that pitching truly embodies.
