Oklahoma captured its first national baseball championship since 1994, defeating North Carolina 13-2 in the College World Series finals held in Omaha.
A Historic Win
The victory capped a remarkable turnaround for the Sooners, who entered the tournament after a season that saw them finish 11th in the regular standings but rally to claim the SEC title for the seventh straight year.
Kyle Branch, batting ninth in the lineup, was the offensive catalyst, driving in six runs with a pair of singles and a homer, while Jaxon Willits contributed three hits and reached base five times.
Reliever LJ Mercurius shut down the Tar Heels' bats, allowing just one run over 5 2/3 innings, and the bullpen’s effort helped preserve the lead after an early surge.
Key Performances
The Tar Heels' usually reliable pitching staff struggled, surrendering 14 hits and eight walks, a stark contrast to their 29‑game winning streak when freshman pitcher Caden Glauber was on the mound.