It was a hot first day in Omaha as Ole Miss’ bats went cold. The first two games of the 2026 College World Series are in the books and we have a full recap.
Ole Miss suffers first tournament loss
The Rebels came into Omaha after winning all five games in regionals and super regionals. They never put up double digit runs in that stretch and won all five games by just nine combined runs. Maybe that should’ve been a sign that the offense was struggling. That didn’t seem to matter too much though because of how good the pitching had been.
On Friday, the Rebels went as far as Taylor Rabe would take them. He was phenomenal for most of the night allowing just one run on two hits. However, UNC stayed patient at the plate and drove up his pitch count, eventually chasing him out of the game after 5.2 innings. Ole Miss had a 2-1 lead in the seventh inning, but the bullpen fell apart and UNC blew it open scoring five runs in the seventh and eighth to win 6-2.
It wasn’t like Ole Miss didn’t have chances. They outhit the Tarheels eight to five, but they left eight on base and were just 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
North Carolina took advantage of their opportunities going 2-for-5 with runners in scoring position and delivered a death blow in the eighth with a three run bomb off the bat of Colin Hynek.
Jason DeCaro got the nod for the Tar Hells and was brilliant. He went 6.2 innings and was replaced by national freshman pitcher of the year Caden Glauber who got the win. He improved to 11-0 on the year and Carolina is now 26-0 in games he pitches.
Ole Miss will now play Troy in the loser’s bracket on Sunday.
Country Roads Karaoke travels to Omaha
West Virginia got the win in their opener against Troy, 7-5. It was a back and forth contest from the start that included nine combined runs in the first four innings, multiple home runs, and Armani Guzman stealing home in the first inning. The two were tied 5-5 in the eighth before Tyrus Hall hit a chopper over the first baseman’s head with the infield in and scored two runs with what ended up being the game winning hit.
The bigger story may have been what happened outside Charles Schwab stadium, as ESPN’s Pat McAfee broke down his super awkward encounter in the Rocco’s Jell-O shot competition at the famous bar next door.
What’s on Tap
Saturday the SEC takes the field, as four teams on the right side of the bracket will face off. Alabama and Oklahoma are in the early game, and perhaps the best two teams in Omaha, Georgia and Texas, face off in a huge game under the lights.
