UNC beats Oklahoma, forces a winner-take-all Game 3 in 2026 College World Series

Sunday, June 21, 2026

UNC fans give baseball team warm sendoff to Omaha

The UNC baseball team received an energetic send‑off Wednesday as fans gathered at Boshamer Stadium ahead of the Tar Heels' trip to Omaha for the College World Series.

OMAHA, Neb. (WTVD) -- The 2026 Men's College World Series will come down to a winner-take-all Game 3.

North Carolina, seeking its first championship in its 13th MCWS appearance, forced the decisive game with a 6-2 win over Oklahoma on Sunday.

The Tar Heels haven't lost consecutive games since early March, bounced back from a 9-3 loss in Game 1 to force a third and final game on Monday night.

The Sooners took a 2-0 advantage in the first inning, but the Heels took the lead for good with a three-run third. Jake Schaffner delivered the key blow for UNC with a two-run triple to tie it, then scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. Home runs by Owen Hull and Cooper Nicholson helped the Heels pull away.

Ryan Lynch injured his lower left side throwing a pitch in the fifth and gave way to Glauber, who struck out the side and fanned a total of eight over five innings. The Tar Heels improved to 29-0 when he pitches.

The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak for Oklahoma, which is looking for its third national title. Eight of the previous 12 teams to force a Game 3 have gone on to win the championship.