The Oklahoma Sooners are one win away from the unthinkable.
Saturday was yet another chapter in their remarkable run through Omaha, knocking off North Carolina 9-3 in Game 1 of the Men’s College World Series finals.
After falling behind early, Oklahoma responded with seven unanswered runs and once again looked every bit like the hottest team in college baseball. Saturday’s win was their ninth straight, with their last loss coming on May 30.
The game started about as poorly as possible for Oklahoma. North Carolina put up three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-2 lead. From there, however, the Sooners took over. Deiten LaChance continued his incredible postseason with two home runs and three RBIs. As good as the pitching was, Oklahoma’s lineup was once again the story. The Sooners had 13 hits and consistently put pressure on the Tar Heels.
Oklahoma’s work on the mound was once again unexpectedly brilliant. After allowing three runs in the first inning, the Sooners held North Carolina scoreless over the final eight frames. Freshman starter Cord Rager settled in after the rocky start, and the Oklahoma bullpen slammed the door from there. North Carolina managed just three hits in the final eight innings at the plate.
Now the pressure shifts squarely to the Tar Heels. North Carolina entered the Championship series as an overwhelming favorite with some sportsbooks listing them at -190. They now face an elimination game Sunday afternoon. Oklahoma, meanwhile, has spent the last month proving every doubter wrong. One more win and the Sooners will finish one of the most surprising championship runs in recent years.
