Wright State had top-ranked Vanderbilt right where they wanted its opponent in the opening round of the NCAA baseball tournament. Through the first six innings of their matchup in the Nashville Regional, they held a 3-0 lead while Cam Allen was pitching a no-hitter—fanning seven Commodore batters and walking just three on 77 pitches.
Then, however, manager Alex Sogard made the inexplicable decision to pull Allen in favor of reliever Warren Hartzell. Hartzell quickly let up three home runs in back-to-back innings that allowed Vanderbilt to go out in front 4-3.
Fans were flabbergasted, and took their frustrations out on social media. Here's a look at some of the reactions across X (formerly Twitter):
Wright State took out a guy throwing a no hitter through six innings on only 76 pitches and is now losing 4-3. Managers continue to think they are the smartest people on earth.
— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) May 31, 2025
That is absolutely insane Wright State took Cam Allen out. That’s what happens
— Dave (@cantguardDave) May 30, 2025
Help me understand why the Wright State manager would pull a kid that’s throwing a no-hitter against Vandy with only 75 pitches in the pitch count. Should change their name to Wrong State for that decision.
— Darrell Dapprich (@dapp6410) May 30, 2025
Wright State’s coach is a moron
— 🐯 (@boootbaw) May 30, 2025
WHY DID WRIGHT STATE PULL THEIR STARTER ON A NO HITTER AT 76 pitches???
— Georgia Basketball: Wilkins Returns (@BIODAWGSPORTBOI) May 30, 2025
Wright State is pulling their pitcher currently throwing a no-hitter
— Will Byrum (@TheWillByrum) May 30, 2025
Dores are back
Kid from Wright State pulled with a no-no in the 7th against No. 1 Vanderbilt. Math is just destroying baseball @NCAABaseball
— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) May 30, 2025
Wright State Baseball?? You are overpaying your coach! 76 pitches ??
— Larry (@Larry61419532) May 31, 2025
Maybe Wright State should have let their starter throw more than 76 pitches…
— Mik’d Up (@Mikdup_8) May 31, 2025
Perhaps Wright State should’ve let their starter go beyond 76 pitches. The manager botched this.
— Jon Grove 🏔️ (@jongrove02) May 31, 2025
A classic case of overmanagement.
Wright State went on to lose the contest, with Sogard explaining that the reason they took out Allen was that he "started to labor" his second time through the lineup and that they "felt good" about the arms behind him in the bullpen.
The Raiders will now face off against East Tennessee State in the Nashville Super Regional, while Vanderbilt is on to Louisville. The Commodores, a perennial power, are seeking their first national title since 2019.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as College Baseball Fans Couldn't Believe Wright State Pulled Pitcher During No-Hitter vs. Vanderbilt.
