(Omaha) The 2026 Men’s College World Series championship will be decided in a winner-take-all Game 3 after North Carolina defeated Oklahoma 6-2 on Sunday afternoon to even the best-of-three series. The victory keeps North Carolina’s hopes of capturing its first Men’s College World Series title alive as the teams prepare for the decisive final game.
Caden Glauber delivered a dominant relief performance for North Carolina, taking over for starter Ryan Lynch and pitching five scoreless innings. Glauber allowed just one hit while striking out eight batters. In the ninth inning, Glauber issued walks to Trey Gambill and Brendan Brock before getting Dasan Harris to hit into a game-ending double play. The play was reviewed to determine whether Harris was safe at first base, but the original call was upheld, securing the Tar Heels’ victory.
The Tar Heel offense produced six runs on eight hits while drawing nine walks in a balanced team effort. Jake Schaffner finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs, a run scored, and a walk. Owen Hull added a hit, an RBI, and a run scored, while Erik Paulsen led the team with three hits in five at-bats and scored a run. Cooper Nicholson contributed a two-RBI performance, going 1-for-3 with a run scored and a walk. Rom Kellis V also crossed the plate and collected a hit. Carter French reached base four times via walks and scored a run, while Tyler Howe added two walks. Schaffner and Nicholson combined for four RBIs, helping lead the offense’s six-run performance.
Oklahoma’s offense was held in check, managing just two runs on four hits while striking out 13 times.
Jason Walk scored one of the Sooners’ two runs, finishing 1-for-4 at the plate. Jaxon Willits drove in Oklahoma’s lone RBI with a 1-for-4 performance, while Trey Gambill and Brendan Brock each added a hit. The Sooners’ four hits were spread among Walk, Willits, Gambill, and Brock.
Camden Johnson reached base with a walk and scored a run despite going hitless in two official at-bats. Oklahoma also received walks from Gambill and Brock but struggled to generate consistent offense throughout the game.
The Sooners struck out 13 times, with Johnson, Willits, Dayton Tockey, and Kyle Branch each recording two strikeouts. Deiten LaChance and Gambill added one strikeout apiece.
Oklahoma put two runners on base in the ninth inning after walks to Gambill and Brock, but the rally ended on a game-ending double play, leaving the Sooners with a 2-run, 4-hit offensive performance.
