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OU caps improbable run with first title since '94

ESPN · Jun 23, 2026, 4:24 AM

Key takeaways

  • The Sooners (43-23) won the Southeastern Conference's seventh straight title after finishing 11th in the regular season and entering the NCAA tournament off losses in seven of nine games.
  • North Carolina (54-14-1) was runner-up for the third time since 2006 and now has 13 MCWS appearances without a title.
  • The Sooners were back in top form offensively after managing only four singles in a 6-2 loss in Game 2 and handed the Tar Heels their most lopsided loss of the season.\

Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.

OMAHA, Neb. -- Oklahoma capitalized on North Carolina's uncharacteristic pitching struggles and got another clutch performance from LJ Mercurius out of the bullpen on its way to a 13-2 victory in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Men's College World Series finals Monday night, completing an improbable run to its first national championship since 1994.

The Sooners (43-23) won the Southeastern Conference's seventh straight title after finishing 11th in the regular season and entering the NCAA tournament off losses in seven of nine games.

North Carolina (54-14-1) was runner-up for the third time since 2006 and now has 13 MCWS appearances without a title. Only Florida State, with 24, has more without winning it all.

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