The 2026 College World Series opened in Omaha, Nebraska, at the iconic Charles Schwab Field, where the Oklahoma Sooners faced off against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first contest of the championship series.
Early Lead Sets the Stage
Oklahoma struck first, building a modest advantage before the Tar Heels answered with a flurry of hits that tied the game at 2‑2 in the bottom of the first inning. The early exchange set a competitive tone, but the Sooners were not content to linger.
Deiten LaChance’s two homers and three RBI paced Oklahoma, while Jason Walk went 2‑for‑5 with two RBI. The Sooners’ offense was a collective effort, as five players logged multiple hits, including Dasan Harris, Walker McDuffie, Kyle Branch and the rest of the lineup such as Camden Johnson, Owen Hull, Erik Paulsen, Tyler Howe and Colin Hynek.
Jake Schaffner and Gavin Gallaher, the Tar Heels’ leaders, responded with multiple hits, but Oklahoma’s pitching staff answered the challenge. Cord Rager took the mound and worked five innings, while Jason DeCaro struck out the side early before the Sooners pulled ahead.
The fourth inning saw Oklahoma surge ahead with four runs, highlighted by Branch’s two‑out, two‑run single that lifted the Sooners to a 5‑3 lead. Gallaher extended his hitting streak to 14 games and his on‑base streak to 26, underscoring his consistency.
The Sooners added a run in the sixth and another in the ninth, sealing a 9‑3 victory that left the Tar Heels scoreless after their opening burst. Looking ahead, Game Two is slated for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with a potential Game Three on Monday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN should the series extend.