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OMAHA, Neb. — Oklahoma completed one of the most remarkable postseason runs in recent college baseball history Monday night, defeating North Carolina 13–2 in the decisive third game of the Men’s College World Series Finals at Charles Schwab Field. The Sooners captured their third national championship and first since 1994, finishing an improbable run through the NCAA Tournament with a dominant performance on college baseball’s biggest stage. The victory improved Oklahoma to 43–23 and secured the program’s third national title, joining championship teams from 1951 and 1994. North Carolina concluded its outstanding season at 54–14–1, falling one win short of capturing its first national championship. Sooners Take Control Early For the third consecutive game in the championship series, Oklahoma scored first. The Sooners broke through in the second inning when Kyle Branch lined an RBI single to right field, scoring Dasan Harris. Later in the inning, a wild pitch allowed Dayton Tockey to cross home plate and extend the lead to 2–0. Oklahoma added another run in the third inning after Jaxon Willits doubled down the left-field line and later scored on an RBI single by Brendan Brock, pushing the advantage to 3–0. The early offensive pressure immediately placed North Carolina on its heels. Tar Heels Briefly Respond North Carolina generated its first scoring opportunity in the bottom of the third inning. Jake Schaffner singled and Owen Hull drew a walk before Gavin Gallaher delivered an RBI single up the middle, scoring Schaffner and cutting the deficit to 3–1. The hit marked Gallaher’s 10th RBI of the College World Series. The Tar Heels appeared poised to build further momentum, but Oklahoma reliever LJ Mercurius entered and escaped the inning without allowing additional damage. That sequence proved to be one of the game's turning points. Fourth Inning Breaks the Game Open The decisive stretch came in the fourth inning. North Carolina reliever Walker McDuffie issued consecutive walks before freshman standout Caden Glauber entered in relief. Glauber, who had helped the Tar Heels compile a remarkable 29–0 record in games he appeared, struggled with his command. After a bases-loaded walk to Deiten Lachance forced in a run, Willits delivered a two-run single to right field, extending Oklahoma’s lead to 6–1. The three-run inning provided the Sooners with complete control and ended North Carolina’s undefeated streak in games featuring Glauber. Mercurius Dominates in Relief One of the most important performances of the championship game came from Oklahoma’s bullpen. Mercurius entered with one out in the third inning and delivered 5.2 outstanding innings of relief. The junior right-hander allowed just one run while scattering four hits and striking out five batters. His ability to neutralize North Carolina’s offense prevented the Tar Heels from mounting any sustained comeback effort. Mercurius earned the victory and became one of the key figures in Oklahoma’s championship run. Branch Delivers Career Night Sophomore second baseman Kyle Branch authored the best game of his collegiate career. Branch finished 3-for-4 with a home run and a career-high six RBIs. He drove in Oklahoma’s first run of the game and continued producing throughout the evening. In the eighth inning, Branch delivered the exclamation point by launching a three-run home run to left field, extending the lead and effectively ending any hopes of a North Carolina comeback. His six RBIs tied one of the highest totals ever recorded in a College World Series championship game. Willits Earns Most Outstanding Player Honors While Branch supplied the power, Jaxon Willits continued his incredible postseason performance. The Oklahoma shortstop went 3-for-4 with a double, two walks, and two RBIs while reaching base five times. He finished the College World Series with a school-record 13 hits and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Willits batted .500 during Omaha play and served as one of the catalysts behind Oklahoma’s offensive success. His consistency throughout the postseason made him one of the most valuable players in the country during the tournament. Tockey Adds More Power The Sooners continued their postseason power surge in the fifth inning. Tockey crushed a solo home run to right field, extending Oklahoma’s lead to 7–1. The blast marked his sixth home run of the NCAA Tournament after hitting only three during the regular season. Oklahoma’s ability to generate home-run power throughout the postseason became one of the defining characteristics of its championship run. The Sooners finished the season with 95 home runs, their highest total since 2010. North Carolina Unable to Recover The Tar Heels struggled to generate offense after Gallaher’s third-inning RBI. North Carolina managed only two runs despite entering the championship series with one of the nation’s most productive lineups. The Sooners’ pitching staff consistently worked ahead in counts and limited opportunities with runners in scoring position. North Carolina’s only additional run came in the seventh inning, but Mercurius quickly extinguished the threat and preserved Oklahoma’s comfortable advantage. The loss prevented the Tar Heels from securing the program’s first national championship despite one of the best seasons in school history. Oklahoma Completes Historic Run The championship capped one of the most impressive NCAA Tournament runs in recent memory. After finishing 11th during SEC regular-season play, Oklahoma defeated a gauntlet of elite opponents, including national seeds Georgia Tech, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. The Sooners knocked off five national seeds during their championship journey and relied on a combination of freshman pitching and explosive offense. Over the course of the NCAA Tournament, Oklahoma scored 118 runs and hit a remarkable number of home runs while steadily building momentum toward Omaha. The title also marked head coach Skip Johnson’s first national championship and Oklahoma’s first since winning it all in 1994. Final Takeaway Oklahoma’s 13–2 victory over North Carolina was the perfect ending to a remarkable postseason run. The Sooners combined timely hitting, dominant relief pitching, and relentless offensive pressure to capture the 2026 national championship. Kyle Branch’s six-RBI performance, Jaxon Willits’ Most Outstanding Player campaign, and LJ Mercurius’ shutdown relief outing highlighted a complete team effort. With the victory, Oklahoma secured its third national championship and completed one of the most memorable College World Series runs in program history.
North Carolina Forces Winner-Take-All Championship Game Behind Glauber’s Dominant Relief Performance
OMAHA, Neb. — North Carolina refused to let its season end Sunday afternoon, defeating Oklahoma 6–2 in Game 2 of the Men's College World Series Finals at Charles Schwab Field. Freshman standout Caden Glauber delivered five dominant scoreless innings in relief, while the Tar Heels responded after an early deficit to even the best-of-three championship series at one game apiece. The victory improved North Carolina to 54–13–1 and forced a decisive Game 3 for the national championship. Oklahoma dropped to 42–23 as its nine-game winning streak came to an end after one of the hottest postseason stretches in program history. Sooners Strike First Once Again For the eighth consecutive game, Oklahoma scored first. Jason Walk opened the bottom of the first inning with a single before Camden Johnson worked a four-pitch walk. The Sooners executed a successful double steal, and a throwing error by North Carolina catcher Colin Hynek allowed Walk to score from third. Moments later, Jaxon Willits ripped a double off the wall in right-center field to bring home Johnson and give Oklahoma an early 2–0 advantage. The quick start continued Oklahoma’s aggressive offensive approach that had fueled its run to the championship series. Mercurius Dominates Early Freshman right-hander Xander Mercurius looked nearly unhittable through the first two innings. Mercurius struck out the side in the opening frame and recorded six strikeouts among the first seven outs he collected. North Carolina’s first six outs all came via strikeout as the Oklahoma freshman overwhelmed the Tar Heel lineup with a lively fastball and sharp off-speed pitches. However, the momentum changed dramatically during the third inning. Tar Heels Rally to Take the Lead North Carolina finally broke through in the top of the third. Carter French started the inning with a walk before Rom Kellis V singled to center field. Jake Schaffner then lined a two-run triple down the right-field line, tying the game at 2–2. Moments later, Schaffner crossed the plate on a wild pitch, giving the Tar Heels their first lead of the afternoon at 3–2. Mercurius threw 50 pitches during the inning as North Carolina forced him into several difficult situations and completely shifted the game's momentum. Hull Provides More Breathing Room North Carolina extended its lead in the fifth inning. Owen Hull opened the frame by launching a solo home run to right field, his ninth home run of the season and second of the College World Series. The blast pushed the Tar Heels' advantage to 4–2 and gave the pitching staff valuable breathing room. Hull’s home run proved especially significant because Oklahoma would not score again after the opening inning. Glauber Takes Over the Game The defining performance belonged to freshman reliever Caden Glauber. Starter Ryan Lynch allowed two first-inning runs before settling down and striking out five batters over four-plus innings. After Lynch exited in the fifth inning with discomfort in his left oblique, Glauber entered and immediately shut down Oklahoma’s offense. The freshman retired the side with three strikeouts in the fifth inning and never allowed the Sooners to regain momentum. Over five scoreless innings, Glauber surrendered only one hit, walked two, and struck out eight batters while earning his 12th victory of the season. The outing improved North Carolina to a remarkable 29–0 this season when Glauber appeared. Nicholson Delivers the Knockout Blow The Tar Heels added the final runs of the afternoon in the seventh inning. After a runner reached base, Cooper Nicholson crushed a two-run home run to right field, extending North Carolina’s lead to 6–2. The home run gave the Tar Heels enough separation to comfortably protect the lead during the final two innings. North Carolina held Oklahoma scoreless over the final eight innings after the Sooners’ fast start. Oklahoma Offense Goes Quiet Following its two-run first inning, Oklahoma struggled to generate offense against North Carolina’s pitching. The Sooners managed just two hits over the final eight innings after entering the championship series averaging more than nine runs per game during the NCAA Tournament. They finished with only four hits, their fewest since March, while being held scoreless for their longest stretch of the postseason. Mercurius absorbed the loss despite recording eight strikeouts in four innings. Defense Seals the Victory Oklahoma mounted one final threat in the bottom of the ninth inning after Glauber issued consecutive walks. With two runners aboard, Dasan Harris grounded sharply to second baseman Gavin Gallaher. Gallaher stepped on second base before throwing to first to complete a game-ending 4-3 double play, a call that was upheld following replay review. The defensive play ended Oklahoma’s comeback hopes and sent the championship series to a decisive third game. Championship Decider Set North Carolina improved to 11 consecutive victories following a loss this season, continuing a trend of bouncing back throughout its remarkable postseason run. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s nine-game winning streak ended, but the Sooners remained one win away from capturing their first national championship since 1994. Both teams entered Monday night's Game 3 with everything on the line. Final Takeaway North Carolina’s 6–2 victory over Oklahoma showcased resilience, timely offense, and dominant relief pitching. After falling behind early, the Tar Heels rallied behind Jake Schaffner’s game-changing triple before Owen Hull and Cooper Nicholson added home runs to provide insurance. Caden Glauber delivered one of the finest relief performances of the College World Series, silencing Oklahoma’s explosive offense over the final five innings. With the victory, North Carolina evened the College World Series Finals and forced a winner-take-all Game 3 for the 2026 national championship.
OMAHA, Neb. — Oklahoma moved within one victory of a national championship Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 5 North Carolina 9–3 in Game 1 of the Men's College World Series championship series at Charles Schwab Field. Catcher Deiten LaChance blasted two home runs and drove in three runs as the Sooners continued their remarkable postseason run with their ninth consecutive victory. The win improved Oklahoma to 42–22, while North Carolina fell to 53–13–1 and saw its five-game winning streak come to an end. The Sooners took a 1–0 lead in the best-of-three championship series and moved within one win of capturing the program’s first national title since 1994. Sooners Strike First Oklahoma wasted little time grabbing the early advantage. After Camden Johnson singled and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch, LaChance crushed a two-run home run to right-center field, giving the Sooners a 2–0 lead in the opening inning. The blast was his 17th home run of the season and immediately set the tone for Oklahoma’s offense. Although North Carolina starter Jason DeCaro struck out the side in the inning, Oklahoma capitalized on its opportunities to build an early lead. Tar Heels Answer Immediately North Carolina responded with an explosive first inning of its own. Jake Schaffner and Owen Hull opened the frame with consecutive hits before Gavin Gallaher lined a two-run single up the middle to tie the game at 2–2. Erik Paulsen followed with a double, and Colin Hynek lifted a sacrifice fly to score Gallaher, giving the Tar Heels their only lead of the afternoon at 3–2. The first inning featured five runs and suggested the opener could become a high-scoring affair. Instead, Oklahoma’s pitching settled down while North Carolina’s offense went quiet. LaChance Delivers Again The Sooners erased the deficit in the third inning. With two outs, LaChance launched his second home run of the afternoon, this time sending a fastball over the left-field wall to tie the game at 3–3. The junior catcher became just the fifth player in College World Series Finals history to hit two home runs in a championship game. LaChance finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs and continued one of the hottest stretches of his collegiate career. His two-homer performance sparked another offensive outburst for Oklahoma. Four-Run Fourth Changes Everything The decisive inning came in the fourth. Brendan Brock drew a walk before Dasan Harris doubled into the corner. With two outs, Kyle Branch lined a two-run single to center field, giving Oklahoma a 5–3 lead. Branch then stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Jason Walk’s RBI single. After Walk stole second base, Camden Johnson added another RBI single to extend the advantage to 7–3 and chase DeCaro from the game. The four-run inning shifted complete control to the Sooners. Rager Recovers After Tough Start Freshman left-hander Cord Rager overcame a rocky first inning to deliver another strong postseason outing. After surrendering three runs in the opening frame, Rager settled into rhythm and retired hitters efficiently over the next four innings. He finished with five innings pitched, allowing three earned runs while striking out five batters to earn the victory. The freshman continued an outstanding NCAA Tournament in which he emerged as one of Oklahoma’s biggest postseason stars. His ability to regroup after early adversity proved critical. Bullpen Slams the Door Oklahoma’s bullpen once again played a major role. Junior left-hander Gavyn Jones delivered 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out four batters in his first College World Series appearance. LJ Mercurius followed by tossing 1.2 hitless innings with two strikeouts to finish the victory. Together, the relievers held North Carolina scoreless over the final four innings and prevented the Tar Heels from generating another serious threat. Sooners Add Insurance Oklahoma continued extending its lead during the late innings. In the sixth, Dayton Tockey doubled and later scored on Walk’s second RBI single of the afternoon, making the score 8–3. The Sooners added one final run in the ninth inning as steady rain began falling over Charles Schwab Field, closing out the 9–3 victory. Oklahoma finished with 14 hits and received multi-hit performances from five different players. North Carolina Cannot Capitalize After its productive first inning, North Carolina’s offense struggled against Oklahoma pitching. Schaffner finished 3-for-4, while Gallaher drove in two runs to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. However, the Tar Heels were held scoreless over their final eight innings and managed only five additional hits after the opening frame. DeCaro took the loss after allowing seven earned runs over 3.2 innings despite recording six strikeouts. The bullpen stabilized the game, but Oklahoma’s early offensive surge proved too much to overcome. Oklahoma Continues Historic Run The victory represented another milestone in Oklahoma’s remarkable postseason. The Sooners recorded their ninth consecutive win and tied the NCAA Tournament record with eight victories over nationally seeded opponents. Oklahoma also extended its home-run streak to 11 consecutive games while continuing one of the most explosive offensive stretches in program history. With the win, Oklahoma moved within one victory of securing its third national championship. Final Takeaway Oklahoma’s 9–3 victory over North Carolina showcased the balanced formula that carried the Sooners to the brink of a national title. Deiten LaChance’s two-home run performance, Cord Rager’s resilient outing, and another dominant bullpen effort allowed Oklahoma to seize control of the championship series. North Carolina struck early but could not generate offense after the first inning, while Oklahoma continued its relentless postseason surge. With the victory, the Sooners took a 1–0 lead in the College World Series Finals and moved one win away from capturing the 2026 national championship.
OMAHA, Neb. — Oklahoma continued its remarkable postseason surge Wednesday night, defeating No. 3 Georgia 11–4 in the College World Series semifinals at Charles Schwab Field. Powered by five home runs and another dominant freshman pitching performance, the Sooners advanced to the College World Series championship series and moved within two wins of a national title. The victory improved Oklahoma to 41–22 and extended its winning streak to eight games. Georgia finished a historic season at 53–14 after setting a school record for victories and reaching Omaha for the first time since 2008. Sooners Strike First Oklahoma once again established momentum early. Jason Walk broke a scoreless tie in the third inning with a towering solo home run to dead center field, giving the Sooners a 1–0 lead. The blast extended Walk’s hitting streak and continued his outstanding postseason run from the leadoff spot. The Sooners added to the lead in the fourth inning when Trey Gambill launched a solo home run into the Oklahoma bullpen. Moments later, Brendan Brock singled and Dasan Harris followed with a two-run blast to right-center field, extending Oklahoma’s advantage to 4–0. The offensive outburst immediately placed pressure on Georgia and chased starter Paul Farley from the game. Freshman Wesloski Delivers Again Oklahoma continued its trend of relying on freshman pitchers in Omaha. Nick Wesloski made just his second start of the season and delivered another impressive outing. The freshman right-hander worked 5.2 innings, allowing four hits and three runs, though only one was earned. He struck out four batters and consistently limited Georgia’s opportunities to build momentum. Wesloski joined Cord Rager and Xander Mercurius as the third consecutive freshman starter for Oklahoma during the College World Series. The trio combined to allow only a handful of earned runs across three starts, giving the Sooners one of the most surprising pitching stories of the tournament. Georgia Tries to Climb Back The Bulldogs battled throughout the middle innings. In the fifth inning, senior shortstop Kolby Branch doubled and later scored on a base hit from Ryan Black, cutting the deficit to 4–1. Georgia created another opportunity in the sixth when it loaded the bases against reliever LJ Mercurius. Back-to-back bases-loaded walks to Branch and Black trimmed Oklahoma’s lead to 5–3 and briefly brought the Bulldogs back into contention. However, Mercurius escaped further damage by inducing a key defensive play to end the threat. That sequence proved to be one of the most important moments of the game. Harris and Walk Take Over After surviving Georgia’s rally, Oklahoma immediately answered. The Sooners scored in the seventh inning when Jaxon Willits delivered an RBI double to score Kyle Branch, extending the lead to 6–3. Then the Oklahoma power display resumed in the eighth. Harris crushed his second home run of the game, a two-run shot into the right-field stands. Shortly afterward, Walk launched his second solo homer of the night, pushing the advantage to 9–3. The back-to-back offensive blows effectively ended any hopes of a Georgia comeback. Both players entered the game with only four home runs on the season and produced the first multi-home run games of their careers on college baseball’s biggest stage. Gambill Leads 15-Hit Attack While Harris and Walk provided the power, Trey Gambill delivered one of the best all-around performances of the postseason. The designated hitter finished 4-for-5 with three RBIs, including a home run and a double. His four-hit performance marked the first four-hit game of his collegiate career. Brendan Brock added three hits, while Willits and Deiten Lachance each contributed two hits. Six different Sooners recorded multi-hit games as Oklahoma finished with 15 hits. The balanced production continued a postseason stretch in which Oklahoma averaged more than 10 runs per game. Oklahoma’s Historic Power Surge Continues The five-home-run performance further solidified Oklahoma’s status as the hottest offense in college baseball. The Sooners tied their season high with five home runs and increased their NCAA Tournament total to 26, establishing a new program postseason record. Oklahoma also became one of the most prolific power-hitting teams ever to play at Charles Schwab Field, where offense is often difficult to generate. During their eight-game winning streak, the Sooners averaged more than 10 runs per contest while defeating conference champions and national seeds throughout the postseason. Their path included victories over Georgia Tech, Kansas, Alabama, and Georgia. Branch Provides Final Highlight for Georgia Despite the loss, Georgia received a memorable moment from one of its program legends. Kolby Branch hit a solo home run in his final collegiate at-bat, giving him 20 home runs for the season and 56 for his career. The senior finished one of the most decorated careers in school history while helping lead Georgia to a school-record 53 wins. The Bulldogs also captured both the SEC regular-season championship and SEC Tournament title before reaching the College World Series. Championship Series Set With the victory, Oklahoma advanced to the College World Series Finals for the second time in five seasons. The Sooners earned a matchup against North Carolina in the best-of-three championship series beginning Saturday in Omaha. Oklahoma previously reached the finals in 2022 before finishing as national runner-up. North Carolina entered the series after defeating West Virginia earlier Wednesday to reach its first championship series since 2007. Final Takeaway Oklahoma’s 11–4 victory over Georgia showcased the formula that has fueled one of the nation’s most impressive postseason runs. The Sooners combined elite power hitting, timely pitching, and relentless offensive pressure to eliminate another national contender. Georgia produced another historic season and finished with a school-record 53 wins, but Oklahoma’s five-home-run explosion proved too much to overcome. With the win, the Sooners advanced to the College World Series championship series and moved within two victories of their first national championship since 1994.