Oklahoma wins 2026 College World Series title over North Carolina, 13-2
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The Oklahoma Sooners are national champions. Oklahoma baseball defeated No. 5 North Carolina Monday night to win the 2026 College World Series, 13-2.
This historic win represents Oklahoma’s 3 national championship victory. Here’s a look at the final out in Omaha, provided by Jackson Cleveland:
It was a complete effort from Oklahoma’s bats on Monday. Kyle Branch — the unlikely star of the show in the 9-hole — started things off with a single just past the outstretched arm of North Carolina’s first baseman, scoring Dasan Harris. Dayton Tockey added to Oklahoma’s lead when a wild pitch brought him home from third.
While Oklahoma’s bats were hot throughout Game 3, junior RHP LJ Mercurius was absolutely shoving it out of the bullpen. Mercurius entered in the third inning needing 2 outs with men on corners threatening to tie the game at 3. He immediately struck out the first batter he faced and finished the job with a fly out into foul territory. Mercurius allowed just 4 hits and 1 earned run across the remainder of the game, striking out 5 across 5.2 innings.
While Mercurius kept North Carolina’s offense at bay, Branch, Tockey and Jaxon Willits added to Oklahoma’s lead. Willits was up first, smacking a 2-run RBI single through the gap between first and second to make it 6-1.
Kyle Branch was an absolute star on Monday despite entering Game 3 hitting 1-16 in the College World Series. He added a 2-RBI single in the 6th inning then took a victory lap in the 8th, launching a 3-run home run to left field — his 4th home run of the year. Branch finished his national championship effort with 3 hits, 6 RBIs and a home run.
A week after his brother Kolby Branch hit a home run in his final at-bat for Georgia, Branch hit one in his last at-bat of the season for Oklahoma on the biggest stage. What a moment:
Oklahoma’s postseason run was truly something to behold. After finishing below .500 in SEC play, the Sooners beat No. 2 Georgia Tech, No. 15 Kansas, No. 7 Alabama, No. 3 Georgia and No. 5 North Carolina to claim a 7th straight national championship for the SEC.
Enjoy the moment, Sooners fans.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
