19 strikeouts AND no-hitters headline Friday's pitching performances in college baseball

The term ‘record-breaking’ isn’t anything new to the 2025 college baseball season with numerous NCAA DI records already broken. 

If the season was compared to a restaurant, ‘record-breaking’ would be known as a regular by now.

And it's time to add more to the list. Here's a rundown of a few top-notch pitching performances in college baseball on Friday.

East Carolina’s Ethan Norby strikes out 19, breaks conference record

East Carolina sophomore left-hander Ethan Norby struck out 19 in the Pirates 7-0 win against No. 24 Coastal Carolina on Friday. It’s an American Athletic record and the most by an ECU pitcher since 1970.

Talk about finding a rhythm.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!

18 strikeouts for @norby_ethan 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NlvbPsRcEk

— ECU Baseball (@ECUBaseball) March 7, 2025

Norby was on the money from the first pitch, striking out nine straight to start the contest. He reached the 16-strikeout mark by the end of the sixth inning — the most by an ECU pitcher since Jeff Hoffman in 2014 against Middle Tennessee. Hoffman, a 2014 first-round pick, is entering his 10th year in the MLB this upcoming season.

The sophomore’s record-breaking outing ended in the eighth inning after striking out Chanticleers first baseman Jake Brooks for the third time. Alongside the 19 strikeouts, Norby gave up just three hits and zero walks over 7.1 innings of work. It was his first win of the season.

Norby’s older brother, Connor Norby, who played at ECU from 2019 to 2021 and currently plays for the Miami Marlins, congratulated his younger brother on social media for the incredible accomplishment.

I’ll never hear the end of this one… but that was awesome to watch. Congrats young Buc. Straight Killer @norby_ethan https://t.co/huWZJPQ9bz

— Connor Norby (@norby_connor) March 7, 2025

The NCAA DI record for most strikeouts in a single game is Miami (OH)'s Buddy Schultz’s 26-strikeout performance in 1971.

Charlotte’s Blake Gillespie throws no-hitter against James Madison

College baseball saw its first perfect game in over two years on Feb. 25 thanks to Portland’s Ryan Rembisz. 

Ten days later, Charlotte junior right-hander Blake Gillespie tossed the second no-hitter of the fresh college baseball season in a 5-0 win over James Madison. It was the second-ever no-hitter in program history.

HISTORY AT THE HAYES!!!!!!@BlakeGillespi13 THROWS THE SECOND NO-HITTER IN PROGRAM HISTORY!!#GoldStandard x #9ATC pic.twitter.com/54SOHLc2u1

— Charlotte Baseball (@CharlotteBSB) March 7, 2025

The Dukes couldn’t touch Gillespie’s flow state, striking out 11 with one walk on his way to making history. The lone walk came in the second, but the runner was caught stealing to end the inning.

Gillespie claimed his final out by a checked swing called strikeout by James Madison pinch hitter Jackson Tone. Awaiting a call on the 2-2 pitch, Gillespie darted his eyes to the third base umpire for an answer. After the umpire confirmed the strike, Gillespie’s celebratory gesture included a fist pump and bear hug with catcher Logan Poteet, and an eventual group hug with his eager teammates.

Of his 113 pitches, 79 were strikes.

No. 2 Tennessee throws combined no-hitter versus St. Bonaventure

No. 2 Tennessee’s already incredible season just reached new heights.

The Volunteers threw a combined no-hitter in a 12-0 victory against St. Bonaventure on Friday, the program’s first since 2002 and the ninth in program history. 

NO-HITTER IN KNOXVILLE!

First since 2002 and the ninth in program history!#GBO // #BeatSBU pic.twitter.com/LE0S0UQYHP

— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 8, 2025

Tennessee’s pitching staff has shredded through each opponent so far this season like a buzzsaw, surrendering three runs or less in 11 of its 14 contests. And that was on full display against the Bonnies, led by the team’s ace in junior left-hander Liam Doyle.

Doyle moved through St. Bonaventure’s lineup like clockwork, striking out 13 over 5.2 innings of work and surrendering two walks. He sits at a 0.35 ERA with one earned run and six hits over 20.1 innings following the contest.

And the Vols’ bullpen picked up where the starter left off. Junior right-hander Tanner Franklin forced a ground out to end the sixth after replacing Doyle. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Arvidson, freshman Brayden May and redshirt junior Michael Sharman all went one inning.

Tennessee’s team ERA moves down to 1.89, keeping them second-best in the country behind Kentucky (1.80).