Oklahoma captured its first Men's College World Series championship since 1994 with a 13-2 rout of North Carolina in the decisive Game 3 Monday night. Kyle Branch sparked the offense with a three-run homer and six RBIs total, delivering clutch hitting that silenced critics after his 1-of-16 start in Omaha.

The Sooners completed an unlikely journey from 11th place in the SEC regular season and a 7-9 slump entering NCAA tournament play. LJ Mercurius stabilized matters from the bullpen, tossing 5⅔ innings while allowing just one run to preserve the lead and earn his seventh win.

Jaxon Willits secured MCWS Most Outstanding Player honors after going 13-of-25 (.520) with three hits and five times on base in the finale. His consistent contact throughout the series provided the offensive backbone that Oklahoma desperately needed.

North Carolina's pitching collapse ended their championship hopes for the third time since 2006. ACC freshman pitcher Caden Glauber, who had thrown 65 pitches just a day earlier, issued a bases-loaded walk before recording even one out, epitomizing the Tar Heels' unraveling on baseball's biggest stage.