North Carolina Reaches First CWS Final Since 2007

Sport

By lines

June 18, 2026

Stylized baseball stadium illustration for 2026 College World Series final coverage

North Carolina reached the College World Series final on June 17 with a 12-7 win over West Virginia. The Tar Heels punched their ticket in Omaha. North Carolina last reached the final back in 2007.

Tar Heels Bats Power Past West Virginia

The Men’s College World Series runs as a double-elimination tournament in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight teams opened bracket play in this College World Series. North Carolina and Oklahoma outlasted the field to reach the final.

Owen Hull collected four hits for North Carolina, including a triple and two doubles. Gavin Gallaher added four hits and four RBIs for North Carolina against West Virginia. The Tar Heels lineup overwhelmed West Virginia’s pitching from the start.

North Carolina scored 12 runs in the clinching win over West Virginia. The Tar Heels stacked hits across the order to bury West Virginia early. West Virginia scored seven runs but could never close the gap.

North Carolina, the national No. 5 seed, went 3-0 in Men’s College World Series bracket play. The Tar Heels stayed undefeated in Omaha through three games. North Carolina beat West Virginia twice to reach the final.

North Carolina last played for a national title in 2007, nearly two decades ago. The Tar Heels have never won the College World Series in program history. North Carolina enters the 2026 final chasing a first national crown.

Oklahoma awaits North Carolina in the best-of-three final in Omaha. Oklahoma reached the final by beating Georgia 11-4 on June 17. Oklahoma also moved through the double-elimination bracket undefeated.

North Carolina and Oklahoma both enter the final unbeaten in this College World Series. The matchup pairs two perfect 3-0 bracket runs. Neither North Carolina nor Oklahoma has lost a game in Omaha.

The best-of-three format decides the 2026 national champion in Omaha. North Carolina must win two games to claim its first title. Oklahoma must win two games to deny North Carolina.

Sportsbooks frame a tight matchup between North Carolina and Oklahoma in the final. Both teams arrive in Omaha unbeaten and dangerous. The series may favor the steadier pitching staff over three games.

North Carolina leaned on its bats throughout the 2026 NCAA tournament run. The Tar Heels reached Omaha by winning their regional and super regional rounds. North Carolina now stands two wins from a first national title.

The final opens Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. North Carolina starts Game 1 against Oklahoma at Charles Schwab Field. Game 1 sets the tone for the championship series.