A 2026 college baseball season that began all the way back in the frigid days of February ended on a picturesque night in late June in Omaha, Nebraska with the crowning of an unlikely champion.
Kyle Branch drove in six runs, including a three-run homer in the eighth inning, and LJ Mercurius struck out five and give up one run in 5 ⅔ innings of relief to lift Oklahoma to an NCAA title with a 13-2 victory against No. 5 North Carolina in Game 3 of the championship of the 2026 College World Series on Monday, June 22 in at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
Watch UNC vs OU baseball live with Fubo (free trial)
The national championship is the Sooners’ first since 1994 and third in program history. It also marks the seventh consecutive CWS that has ended with an SEC team winning it all.
The win capped off a stellar postseason run for coach Skip Johnson’s team, which won 11 of its 13 games in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma had entered the tournament with a 32-21 record, including only a 14-17 mark against SEC opponents.
In a winner-takes-all final game of the three-game championship series, it beat the Tar Heels by doing what it has for so much of the postseason — bludgeoning opponents at the plate.
The Sooners racked up 14 hits, with all but one of the players in its lineup finishing with at least one hit. Jaxon Willits, who was named the CWS Most Outstanding Player, had three hits and drove in two runs while Brendan Brock, Dasan Harris and Dayton Tockey finished with two hits apiece. Six players in the Oklahoma lineup recorded at least one RBI while forcing North Carolina to cycle through eight different pitchers. Branch’s six RBI were tied for the second-most in a championship game in CWS history.
Mercurius took care of the rest on the mound, relieving starter Nick Wesloski in the third inning and keeping a potent Tar Heels lineup at bay. Of the 79 pitches he threw, 52 were strikes.
Owen Hull and Gavin Gallaher drove in the only two runs of the night for North Carolina, which was trying to win its first national title. It marked the third time since 2006 that the Tar Heels have lost in the CWS championship series.
USA TODAY Sports provided the live score and updates from North Carolina vs. Oklahoma in Game 3 of the championship of the 2026 College World Series. Here are the highlights:
This section will be updated throughout the game.
| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | F |
| OU | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 13 |
| UNC | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Refresh this page for the latest updates.
Oklahoma’s red-hot run through the 2026 NCAA Tournament ends with a national title. Jackson Cleveland strikes out Jake Schaffner looking to seal the 13-2 victory for the Sooners, who win the third national championship in program history.
It’ll be an 11-run lead Oklahoma will attempt to hold on to in the bottom of the ninth inning, as the Sooners go down in order in the top of the ninth. Coach Skip Johnson’s team is three outs away from its first national championship in 32 years.
North Carolina is down to its final three outs after going down in order in the bottom of the eighth inning.
If the game wasn’t already over, it probably is now. Kyle Branch slugs a three-run homer to push Oklahoma’s lead over North Carolina to 13-2 in the top of the eighth inning.
Branch now has six RBI for the Sooners tonight.
Just when North Carolina cuts into its deficit, Oklahoma adds back to it. Dasan Harris singles to left field to bring home Trey Gambill from second base and increase the Sooners’ lead to 10-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Oklahoma can add to it even more, with runners on first and second and one out.
After being shut out for three straight inning, North Carolina gets back on the board. With runners on first and third with two outs, Owen Hull gets an infield single to bring home a run and get the Tar Heels within seven runs of Oklahoma, 9-2.
They’re unable to build on that, though, with Gavin Gallaher popping out to catcher Deiten Lachance with runners on second and third to end the inning.
After five consecutive innings with at least one run, Oklahoma is held scoreless in the seventh inning. Still, the Sooners carry a 9-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
After giving up two more runs, North Carolina goes down in order in the bottom of the sixth inning, thanks in some part to a diving catch in right field from Dasan Harris to record the first out of the inning.
An already cushy Oklahoma lead just got a little more comfortable.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Kyle Branch lines an opposite-field single into right field to bring two runs home. Dasan Harris is thrown out at third base, but it comes after the two runners already cross the plate.
The Sooners are up, 9-1, heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.
Time’s starting to run out for North Carolina, which gets a single from Owen Hull, but nothing else, as LJ Mercurius strikes out Gavin Gallaher to end the inning. Oklahoma holds a 7-1 lead heading into the sixth inning.
After Dayton Tockey’s homer extends Oklahoma’s lead to 7-1, North Carolina makes a pitching change, taking out Matthew Matthijs and bringing in Folger Boaz. Boaz becomes the Tar Heels’ fifth pitcher in 4 1/3 innings, which is a big reason why a game that began two hours and five minutes ago is in the top of the fifth inning.
Boaz is able to record the final two outs, with a Deiten Lachance pop up to the warning track in center field ending the top half of the inning.
Oklahoma’s starting to pull away. Dayton Tockey leads off the fifth inning by drilling a solo homer 383 feet to right field. It’s his ninth home run of the season, with this one stretching the Sooners’ lead to 7-1.
North Carolina is unable to chip away at its five-run deficit against Oklahoma, going down in order in the bottom of the fourth inning. LJ Mercurius strikes out two of the three batters. The Sooners take a 6-1 lead into the fifth.
Dasan Harris strikes out swinging with runners on first and second and two outs to end the top of the fourth inning for Oklahoma. Still, it’s only a minor setback for the Sooners, who add three runs in the fourth to extend their lead over North Carolina to 6-1.
After allowing the two-run single from Jaxon Willits, Caden Glauber is pulled from the game for North Carolina. After allowing no runs and one hit in five innings yesterday, Glauber gives up one hit and one walk (and, for now, no earned runs) without recording an out. After 45 of his 65 pitches yesterday were strikes, only two of his seven today were.
The Tar Heels bring in Matthew Matthijs to relieve Glauber.
Caden Glauber’s entrance into the game doesn’t have the immediate effect coach Scott Forbes was hoping for. The freshman star throws six straight balls, walking Camden Johnson after inheriting a 2-0 count to load the bases and then walking Oklahoma slugger Deiten Lachance on four consecutive pitches to bring home a run. The Sooners have more in store, too, with Jaxon Willits ripping an RBI single into right field to bring home two more runs to extend his team’s lead to 6-1.
Oklahoma has runners on first and second with one out.
With a two-run deficit and its season on the line, North Carolina is turning to its best pitcher. Freshman stud Caden Glauber enters the game for the Tar Heels in the top of the fourth inning, where he’ll inherit runners on first and second with one out.
Glauber threw five innings and 65 pitches in yesterday’s win against Oklahoma. How long might he be able to go today?
After allowing the run to North Carolina, Skip Johnson opts to make a change on the mound, taking out starter Nick Wesloski and bringing in LJ Mercurius from the bullpen. Wesloski strikes out three and allows five hits in 2 1/3 innings. Mercurius has a 4.64 ERA in 21 appearances this season, including 12 starts.
Mercurius is able to get the job done, too. After stepping in with runners on first and third and one out, Mercurius strikes out Erik Paulsen and gets Cooper Nicholson to pop out to catcher Deiten Lachance.
North Carolina was shut out the first two innings, but is able to get on the board in the third. With runners on first and second and one out, Gavin Gallaher hits a single into center field to bring home Jake Schaffner and advance Owen Hull to third base to cut Oklahoma’s lead to 3-1.
The Sooners very nearly took out starter Nick Wesloski after the previous at-bat, but coach Skip Johnson opted to keep him in the game to face Gallaher.
Oklahoma gives Walker McDuffie a rude introduction to the game, with Brendan Brock hitting an RBI single to center field to bring home Jaxon Willits from second base.
The Sooners are up, 3-0, heading into the bottom of the third inning.
It only takes until the third inning for the game’s first pitching change. With a runner on second and two outs, North Carolina pulls starter Jackson Rose and brings in Walker McDuffie from the bullpen. The freshman strikes out five batters in 2 2/3 innings. McDuffie has a 3.28 ERA in 38 appearances this season, all of which have come in relief.
North Carolina is on the verge of cutting into Oklahoma’s lead after a Rom Kellis V single to right field with runners on first and second, but Dasan Harris has other ideas. The Sooners’ junior outfielder rifles a throw to third to get Carter French out and the tag is made just before Erik Paulsen touches home plate, getting Oklahoma out of the inning and keeping the Tar Heels scoreless.
North Carolina challenges the call, but it’s upheld after a brief video review.
One day after getting three hits, Erik Paulsen’s bat stays hot with a single to right field to give North Carolina a runner on first with no outs.
With teammate Kyle Branch on second base with two outs, Camden Johnson grounds out to end the inning for Oklahoma. Still, the Sooners get two runs across the plate against Jackson Rose to take an early 2-0 lead over North Carolina.
A Jackson Rose pitch to Jason Walk is low and inside, with North Carolina catcher Colin Hynek unable to corral it. The ball gets away, giving Dayton Tockey enough time to score from third and allowing Kyle Branch to move from first to second.
The Sooners double their lead to 2-0 in the top of the second.
As was the case yesterday, Oklahoma is on the board first. Kyle Branch takes advantage of a runner in scoring position and gets an RBI single into right field, bringing Dasan Harris home from second.
More could be on the way for the Sooners, who have runners on first and third with one out. For now, they’ve got a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
One day after dislocating his shoulder on an attempted diving catch in left field, Brendan Brock makes an impact at the plate for Oklahoma, launching a line-drive single into left field off Jackson Rose. For the second consecutive inning, the Sooners have a base-runner, this time with no outs.
After logging a single earlier in the inning, Camden Johnson shows his defensive prowess, snagging a hard-hit ball to third base from North Carolina’s Owen Hull and throwing him out at first. It helps Oklahoma shut out the Tar Heels in the first inning.
Oklahoma makes some headway against North Carolina starter Jackson Rose, getting runners on first and second with two outs. Rose, though, is able to strike out Trey Gambill to get out of the early jam. It’s Rose’s second strikeout of the inning, a promising start for the freshman left-hander.
After a Jason Walk strikeout to open the game, we’ve got our first base-runner of the night. Camden Johnson hits a slow grounder that he’s able to run out for an infield single for Oklahoma. The speedy third baseman’s a threat to steal bases, too.
USA TODAY Sports’ Austin Curtright previewed Nick Wesloski vs Jackson Rose, as the two get ready to square off in Game 3. Read on the pitching matchup here.
Here’s a look at Oklahoma’s lineup for Game 3, including Nick Wesloski on the mound for the Sooners
Jackson Rose takes the bump for the Tar Heels, as North Carolina sticks with its potent top of the order in Jake Schaffner-Owen Hull-Gavin Gallaher. Cooper Nicholson will hit in the five-hole for Scott Forbes.
The Sooners are looking for their first College World Series win in 32 years, having won last in 1994. Oklahoma has two College World Series wins, with the one before
The Tar Heels are looking for their first ever College World Series win tonight. This year marks their first appearance in the final series since making it in back-to-back seasons in 2006 and 2007, where they lost to Oregon State both years.
Oklahoma was able to throttle UNC’s potent offense in Game 1 of CWS, winning 9-3 behind yet another impressive pitching performance from freshman Cord Rager. However, after a two-run first inning in Game 2, the Oklahoma bats went quiet for the first time all tournament, with Caden Glauber slamming the door shut in a 6-2 Tar Heels win. The rubber match for a national championship will be played tonight in a 1-1 series.
Odds from BetMGM as of Monday, June 22
- Spread: North Carolina (-1.5)
- Over/under: 10.5 runs
- Moneyline: North Carolina (-160) | Oklahoma (+125)
- Prediction: Oklahoma 7, North Carolina 5
Oklahoma rebounds from its Game 2 loss and takes down North Carolina, with pitchers Nick Wesloski, Jackson Cleveland and LJ Mercurius all appearing. The Tar Heels throw the kitchen sink in Game 3, but ultimately the Sooners come out on top, capping off one of the most impressive runs in recent memory. — Austin Curtright
What TV channel is North Carolina vs Oklahoma College World Series today?
Game 3 of the CWS championship series between North Carolina and Oklahoma will air on ESPN. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, which requires a valid cable login to access, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Watch UNC vs OU baseball live with Fubo (free trial)
North Carolina vs Oklahoma College World Series start time today
- Date: Monday, June 22
- Time: 7 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. CT
- Location: Charles Schwab Field Omaha (Omaha, Nebraska)
First pitch for the game between the Tar Heels and Sooners is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, June 22 from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
UNC vs Oklahoma College World Series Game 3 picks, predictions, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, June 21.
- Spread: North Carolina (-1.5)
- Over/under: 10.5 runs
- Moneyline: North Carolina (-160) | Oklahoma (+125)
∎ Game 3 prediction: North Carolina 7, Oklahoma 5
It’s hard to believe that a team as hot as Oklahoma could lose two games in a row after winning nine straight, but North Carolina simply has a deeper pool of pitchers, which will be the difference with the teams playing their third game in three days. After each of the first two games were decided by at least four runs, this one will deliver some much-desired drama, but the Tar Heels will come out on top for their first national title while snapping the SEC’s run of dominance in college baseball. — Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network
∎ Game 3 prediction: North Carolina 7, Oklahoma 4
The Tar Heels ended the Sooners’ hot streak in the NCAA Tournament and will carry that momentum into a winner-take-all game for the national championship. Leaning on its arm barn and an opportunistic offense, UNC will win its first national title. — Rodd Baxley, Fayetteville Observer
Omaha weather forecast for College World Series finals Game 3
According to the National Weather Service, the weather forecast for UNC vs. Oklahoma on Monday, June 22, shows partly sunny skies throughout the day and mostly clear skies at night. The high is 77 and the low will be around 58.
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.
