Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 22
Oklahoma, North Carolina Set Up CWS Game 3 After Tar Heels Even Series 6-2
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 22

Oklahoma, North Carolina Set Up CWS Game 3 After Tar Heels Even Series 6-2

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 22

Summary

  • Monday’s College World Series finale will decide the title after No. 5 North Carolina beat Oklahoma 6-2, leveling the best-of-three championship series at 1-1.
  • Xander Mercurius struck out the side in each of the first two innings, then unraveled in the third; he finished with 4 earned runs, 5 hits and 3 walks over 4 innings.
  • Oklahoma now turns to freshman Nick Wesloski, who allowed 1 run in 5 2/3 innings against Georgia, with relievers Jackson Cleveland, Gavyn Jones and LJ Mercurius still relatively fresh.
  • North Carolina carries momentum into Game 3 after outhitting OU 8-4 and getting 5 dominant relief innings from freshman Caden Glauber, who struck out 8 and could be available again.
  • History slightly favors the Tar Heels: only 4 of 12 CWS Game 3 winners had lost Game 2, though Oklahoma opened the series with a 9-3 win and still has pitching depth.

Insights

Will underdog power or seeded consistency decide the College World Series in the winner-take-all final?
Can Oklahoma's explosive offense reignite to defy history and North Carolina's dominant pitching staff?