Oklahoma soars past North Carolina in Game 3 to win MCWS
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Oklahoma won its first national championship since 1994 by defeating North Carolina 13-2 in Game 3 of the Men's College World Series finals, completing an improbable postseason run despite a challenging regular season.
- The Sooners, picked 14th in the SEC preseason and finishing 11th, gained confidence late in the season and overcame higher-seeded teams such as Georgia Tech, Kansas, and Georgia to reach and win the finals.
- Jaxon Willits was named the MCWS most outstanding player, contributing significantly with three hits and reaching base five times, while Kyle Branch drove in six runs, including a home run in his final at-bat.
- Oklahoma's bullpen, especially LJ Mercurius, delivered strong pitching performances, while North Carolina's pitching staff struggled, allowing 14 hits and eight walks in the decisive game.
- North Carolina finished as runner-up for the third time since 2006, extending their record of MCWS appearances without a title to 13, with coach Scott Forbes expressing pride despite the loss.
