Oklahoma Dominates Kansas to Clinch College World Series Berth LAWRENCE, Kan. — Oklahoma is headed back to Omaha after a commanding 13–2 victory over No. 15 seed Kansas on Monday afternoon in the NCAA Lawrence Super Regional. The Sooners completed a two-game sweep of the Jayhawks and secured their 12th Men's College World Series appearance in program history. The game resumed Monday after severe weather suspended play Sunday night with Oklahoma already holding an 8–1 lead. The Sooners picked up right where they left off, adding five more runs and overwhelming Kansas to advance to the College World Series for the second time in five years. Sooners Strike Early Oklahoma wasted little time establishing control. The Sooners scored in the first inning before Kansas briefly tied the game in the second on a two-out RBI single from Jordan Bach. The tie lasted only moments as Oklahoma erupted in the bottom half of the inning. A six-run second inning completely shifted the game. Dasan Harris delivered an RBI single, Kyle Branch added a squeeze bunt that brought home another run, and Camden Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk. Deiten Lachance then lined a two-run single before another bases-loaded hit-by-pitch capped the offensive outburst. By the end of the inning, Oklahoma held a commanding 7–1 advantage. Weather Delay Interrupts Momentum The Sooners added another run in the third inning when Dayton Tockey blasted a solo home run to right-center field, extending the lead to 8–1. Shortly afterward, severe weather moved into the Lawrence area and forced a suspension of play. The game resumed Monday afternoon with Oklahoma still firmly in control. Rather than slowing down after the overnight delay, the Sooners continued their offensive surge once play resumed. Home Run Barrage Puts Game Away Oklahoma effectively ended any hopes of a Kansas comeback during the sixth inning. Lachance launched a two-run home run before Harris followed moments later with another two-run blast. The back-to-back power display extended the lead to 12–1 and showcased the offensive firepower that has fueled Oklahoma’s postseason run. The Sooners added another insurance run in the eighth inning when Trey Gambill connected for a solo homer, pushing the lead to 13–2. The four-home-run performance continued a remarkable stretch in which Oklahoma hit seven homers during the Super Regional and 18 across seven NCAA Tournament games. Lachance Leads the Offensive Attack Lachance delivered one of the biggest performances of the afternoon. The catcher finished 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs, tying his season high in run production. His two-run single during the second inning helped ignite Oklahoma’s largest rally, while his sixth-inning homer effectively put the game out of reach. Harris added three RBIs and a home run, while Tockey and Gambill each contributed solo shots. Brendan Brock and Jason Walk also collected two hits apiece as Oklahoma’s lineup produced offense from top to bottom. The balanced attack generated 13 runs on another dominant day at the plate. Mercurius and Bullpen Deliver While the offense stole the headlines, Oklahoma received another strong performance on the mound. Freshman starter Xander Mercurius worked four innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out six batters. The right-hander continued his impressive postseason run and gave the Sooners exactly what they needed from the starting role. Nate Smithburg followed with 3.2 strong innings of relief, allowing only one hit and one run while earning the victory. Jason Bodin and Jackson Cleveland combined to finish the final innings and secure the series-clinching win. The pitching staff limited Kansas to just four hits all afternoon. Kansas Season Ends After Historic Year Despite the disappointing finish, Kansas completed one of the greatest seasons in school history. The Jayhawks finished 45–18, tying the school record for wins originally established in 1993. Kansas also hosted both an NCAA Regional and Super Regional for the first time in program history. Tyson LeBlanc provided one of the few offensive highlights with a solo home run in the eighth inning, his school-record 25th homer of the season. Bach also drove in a run during the second inning. Kansas concluded the year having set school records for conference victories, home runs, and pitching strikeouts while establishing itself among the nation’s top programs. Oklahoma Returns to Omaha The victory marked another milestone for head coach Skip Johnson and the Oklahoma program. The Sooners advanced to their 12th College World Series appearance and their first since finishing as national runner-up in 2022. Oklahoma also became one of only eight teams remaining in the pursuit of a national championship. The Sooners will open College World Series play against Alabama in Omaha. Final Takeaway Oklahoma’s 13–2 victory over Kansas was defined by overwhelming offense, dominant pitching, and relentless pressure throughout the game. The Sooners built an early lead, never allowed the Jayhawks to recover, and continued one of the most impressive postseason runs in the country. Kansas closed a historic season with a Super Regional appearance, but Oklahoma’s power and depth proved too much to overcome. With the win, the Sooners advanced to the Men’s College World Series and moved one step closer to competing for a national championship.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina punched its ticket to Omaha in dramatic fashion Sunday night, rallying late to defeat USC 4–3 in the deciding game of the Chapel Hill Super Regional at Boshamer Stadium. Owen Hull delivered the game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Tar Heels secured their 13th Men's College World Series appearance and their second under head coach Scott Forbes. The victory improved North Carolina to 50–12–1 and completed a remarkable comeback after dropping Game 1 of the series. The Tar Heels became the first North Carolina team to lose the opening game of a Super Regional and still advance to Omaha. USC concluded its outstanding season at 48–18 after coming within two outs of its first College World Series appearance since 2001. Trojans Strike First USC wasted little time grabbing the early advantage. In the opening inning, the Trojans manufactured a run after a leadoff double and a balk by North Carolina starter Caden Glauber allowed the runner to score from third base. The early run gave USC a 1–0 lead before many fans had settled into their seats. Despite the shaky start, Glauber quickly settled in and began attacking the strike zone. Over the next two innings, the freshman struck out five of seven batters and regained control against a dangerous Trojan lineup. Hull Delivers Early Answer North Carolina responded in the third inning. Jake Schaffner reached base before Hull drove a double down the right-field line, bringing home the tying run and evening the score at 1–1. The hit continued a strong postseason run for Hull, who would later become the hero of the night. The tie was short-lived, however, as USC quickly answered. Kevin Takeuchi launched a solo home run in the fourth inning to restore the Trojans’ lead at 2–1. One inning later, Andrew Lamb added another solo shot, extending the advantage to 3–1 and putting USC in position to close out the series. Glauber Keeps Carolina Within Reach Although USC held the lead, Glauber delivered one of the best performances of his young career. The freshman worked seven innings while recording a career-high 10 strikeouts. His 10 punchouts were the most by a North Carolina pitcher in an NCAA Tournament game since Patrick Johnson accomplished the feat during the 2011 Chapel Hill Regional. Despite surrendering three runs, Glauber consistently limited further damage and gave the Tar Heels an opportunity to mount a comeback. His outing proved critical as North Carolina searched for offense against USC starter Andrew Johnson. Johnson Dominates Through Seven Innings USC received an outstanding performance from Johnson. The Trojan right-hander held North Carolina in check for 7.2 innings and repeatedly escaped difficult situations. Johnson allowed only one run through seven innings and carried a two-run lead into the late stages of the game. For much of the evening, it appeared his effort would send USC to Omaha. The Trojans also received strong defensive support while protecting the lead deep into the contest. Tar Heels Begin the Rally North Carolina finally broke through in the eighth inning. Hull reached scoring position once again before Macon Winslow delivered a clutch hit off the wall in center field, driving home Hull and trimming the deficit to 3–2. The run injected life into the Boshamer Stadium crowd and gave the Tar Heels momentum entering the final inning. USC escaped additional damage in the eighth and carried a one-run lead into the ninth inning. With only three outs remaining in its season, North Carolina needed one final rally. Boshamer Magic Strikes Again The Tar Heels delivered when it mattered most. Cooper Nicholson opened the ninth by drawing a walk, bringing the tying run aboard. Carter French followed with a single, placing runners on the corners with one out. Schaffner then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Nicholson to score and tying the game at 3–3. USC elected to pitch carefully afterward, issuing another walk that brought Hull to the plate with two runners aboard. Hull, who had already doubled three times during the game, delivered once more. On a 1–1 pitch, he ripped a double into left field, scoring French from second base and touching off a celebration as North Carolina completed the walk-off victory. The hit secured one of the most dramatic wins in recent program history. Hull Leads the Tar Heels Hull emerged as the star of the night for North Carolina. The junior recorded four doubles and drove in two runs, including both the game-tying and game-winning scoring plays. His performance fueled the Tar Heels’ comeback and capped one of the strongest postseason outings of his career. Schaffner also played a major role offensively, scoring and driving in key runs during the late innings. Together, the duo helped lead North Carolina back from a two-run deficit. USC Season Ends in Heartbreak Despite the loss, USC completed one of its best seasons in more than two decades. The Trojans finished 48–18 and reached the Super Regional round for the first time since 2005. The 48 victories marked the program’s highest win total since 1998 and reflected the continued growth under head coach Andy Stankiewicz. Takeuchi and Lamb each homered in the decisive game, while Johnson delivered a performance worthy of a victory. Ultimately, the Trojans could not hold off North Carolina’s late surge. Omaha Awaits The win sent North Carolina to the College World Series for the ninth time since 2006, tying for the most appearances nationally during that span. The Tar Heels also secured Scott Forbes’ 250th career victory as head coach. North Carolina advanced to Omaha and earned a matchup with Ole Miss in the opening round of the College World Series. Final Takeaway North Carolina’s 4–3 victory over USC was defined by resilience, clutch hitting, and a dramatic ninth-inning comeback. Trailing by two runs entering the eighth inning, the Tar Heels refused to let their season end and produced one final rally in front of a packed Boshamer Stadium crowd. USC received outstanding pitching and held the lead for much of the night, but North Carolina’s late execution proved decisive.  With the walk-off victory, the Tar Heels advanced to the College World Series and continued one of the most successful seasons in program history.

LOS ANGELES — UCLA’s season was down to its final three outs Saturday evening, but the Bruins delivered another dramatic comeback, scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Virginia Tech 6–5 in an NCAA Los Angeles Regional elimination game at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The victory kept the top-seeded Bruins alive in the NCAA Tournament and improved their record to 52–7. Virginia Tech finished its season at 30–26 after coming within a few outs of one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Hokies Strike First Virginia Tech opened the scoring in the third inning and immediately put pressure on UCLA. Sam Grube delivered an RBI single to give the Hokies a 1–0 lead after Virginia Tech generated early traffic on the bases. The advantage held through the middle innings as Hokie starter Brett Renfrow worked effectively against one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. Renfrow consistently escaped difficult situations, stranding runners in both the first and third innings to preserve the lead. Bruins Respond with Power UCLA answered in the fourth inning when Cashel Dugger launched a solo home run to tie the game at 1–1. The Bruins continued the rally moments later as Phoenix Call and Jarred Hocking delivered back-to-back doubles, giving UCLA its first lead of the contest at 2–1. The sequence shifted momentum toward the Bruins and energized the home crowd. Virginia Tech responded immediately in the fifth inning. Owen Petrich connected on a solo home run to tie the game at 2–2, continuing a trend that would define much of the contest. UCLA answered once again in the bottom half when Will Gasparino launched his 20th home run of the season, restoring a one-run lead at 3–2. Home Runs Fuel Virginia Tech Comeback The Hokies continued to battle and relied heavily on the long ball to regain momentum. Ethan Gibson opened the seventh inning with a solo home run that tied the game at 3–3. One inning later, Ethan Ball delivered another clutch solo blast, giving Virginia Tech a 4–3 advantage with only six outs remaining. Virginia Tech appeared to gain full control in the ninth inning. Gibson led off with a double before Hudson Lutterman lined an RBI single into right field, extending the Hokies’ lead to 5–3 and putting UCLA on the brink of elimination. At that point, the Bruins were down to their final opportunity to keep their season alive. Bruins Deliver Stunning Ninth-Inning Rally What followed became one of the most dramatic moments of the NCAA Tournament. Mulivai Levu opened the bottom of the ninth inning by crushing a solo home run to cut the deficit to 5–4. Before Virginia Tech could recover, Roman Martin stepped to the plate and immediately followed with another solo homer. Two pitches and two swings later, the game was tied at 5–5. The Bruins were not finished. Will Gasparino followed with a single and advanced into scoring position when Dominic Cadiz delivered a pinch-hit base hit. With runners on the corners and one out, Phoenix Call stepped to the plate and lined a single into left field. Gasparino raced home with the winning run, completing UCLA’s incredible comeback and sending the Bruins into celebration. Call Delivers Another Walk-Off Moment The game-winning hit added to an already remarkable stretch for Phoenix Call. The walk-off single marked his second game-winning hit in UCLA’s previous three games and capped the Bruins’ 30th comeback victory of the season. Throughout the year, UCLA repeatedly demonstrated an ability to recover from deficits, and Saturday’s performance may have been its most dramatic example. Call also contributed offensively earlier in the game with a double during UCLA’s fourth-inning rally. Barnett Keeps Bruins Within Reach While the late comeback stole the headlines, UCLA received a strong start from Michael Barnett. The senior right-hander worked six innings, allowing only three hits and three runs while striking out five batters. Two of the runs he surrendered came via solo home runs, but he consistently limited Virginia Tech’s opportunities throughout his outing. His performance allowed UCLA to remain within striking distance before the late rally unfolded. Easton Hawk earned the victory after working the ninth inning and recording two strikeouts. Virginia Tech’s Season Ends in Heartbreak Virginia Tech played well enough to win for much of the evening. The Hokies received quality pitching from Renfrow and generated offense through Petrich, Gibson, Ball, and Lutterman. Their three solo home runs helped build a late lead, and the team was only three outs away from eliminating the tournament’s top overall seed. Instead, UCLA’s dramatic rally brought the Hokies’ season to an abrupt end. Virginia Tech finished the year with 30 victories and nearly produced one of the most significant postseason upsets in recent NCAA Tournament history. Key Moments Define the Game The game was defined by the dramatic momentum swings that occurred throughout the final innings. Virginia Tech repeatedly answered UCLA’s rallies with home runs and appeared to secure the victory after Lutterman’s RBI single in the ninth. However, back-to-back homers from Levu and Martin instantly erased the deficit and shifted momentum completely. Call’s walk-off single completed the comeback and delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable finishes. Final Takeaway UCLA’s 6–5 victory over Virginia Tech showcased the resilience that has defined the Bruins throughout the season. Facing elimination and trailing by two runs in the ninth inning, UCLA responded with consecutive home runs and a walk-off hit to extend its season. Virginia Tech came within moments of eliminating the nation’s top overall seed but could not withstand UCLA’s final rally. With the victory, the Bruins survived another day in the NCAA Tournament and continued their pursuit of a national championship.