Batesville’s Gage Wood drafted by Philadelphia Phillies

BATESVILLE, Ark. — Just weeks after pitching a historic no-hitter in the College World Series, Batesville native Gage Wood’s baseball dreams have come true.

On Sunday night, the former Razorbacks pitcher was selected 26th overall in the 2025 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies — a life-changing moment not just for Wood, but for the entire Batesville community.

Mayor Rick Elumbaugh, who has served Batesville for 19 years, said the news has electrified the town.

“I think there’s a lot of Batesville residents who became Phillies fans overnight,” Elumbaugh said. “It’s pretty awesome.”

Wood made headlines last month when he threw only the third no-hitter in College World Series history against Murray State, striking out a record-setting 19 batters in the process. That performance helped catapult him onto the radar of major league scouts — and, ultimately, onto a big-league roster.

“I couldn’t even watch the end of the game,” Elumbaugh recalled. “My phone started ringing immediately — even Charlie Strong, who’s now coaching with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, called and said, ‘Who is this guy from Batesville, Arkansas?’”

Elumbaugh says while he doesn’t know Gage personally, he knows the Wood family well — they live near his son’s farm — and he’s followed Gage’s rise from high school standout to Razorback pitcher with pride.

“This didn’t start in college or high school,” he said. “It’s the result of years of hard work — Little League games, travel ball and a great family behind him.”

In the wake of the draft, city leaders are already planning to honor Wood. Elumbaugh says they’re considering presenting Wood with a Key to the City — a gesture they previously made for Lady Razorbacks basketball star and fellow Batesville native Izzy Higginbottom.

“It’s very cool to have a young man like Gage out in the world representing Batesville,” the mayor added. “He’s going to do well.”

Gage Wood now joins an elite group of athletes from Batesville to reach national prominence — including NASCAR legend Mark Martin — and his story is quickly becoming one of pride, perseverance and small-town dreams realized on the national stage.

Elumbaugh said the youth of the city now have a new hero to look up to in red and white just now, in Phillies pinstripes.