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Deadspin | Stars blank Rangers, sew up first-round home-ice edge   Apr 11, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) stops a shot by New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (8) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images   Jason Robertson scored a power-play goal with 7:11 left in regulation for the Dallas Stars, who earned a 2-0 victory over the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday.  Robertson added an empty-netter with 59 seconds left to tie Wyatt Johnston for the team lead with 44 goals. Matt Duchene assisted on both, while Johnston and Mavrik Bourque also finished with assists.  Jake Oettinger posted his fourth shutout of the season, and second in his last four starts, making 22 saves as he won his fourth consecutive game for Dallas (48-20-12, 108 points).  Igor Shesterkin kept the Rangers (33-38-9, 75 points) in the contest, stopping 17 of the 18 shots he faced, but he dropped the decision for the third time in his last four starts.  The win, coupled with a loss Saturday by the Minnesota Wild against the Nashville Predators, cemented home-ice advantage for Dallas against the Wild when the two teams face off in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  For the second time in a week, the Stars played a scoreless game through two periods at home (Colorado beat Dallas 2-0 last Saturday). This time, Robertson would ensure the home team earned a win in its final regular-season game in front of the home crowd.   With New York’s Matthew Robertson off for holding, Shesterkin blocked Duchene’s shot from the high slot, but the puck went to Jason Robertson. He gathered the puck and waited, flipping a backhanded shot over the Rangers goalie for the first goal of the game.  For most of the first two periods, the game was a rather pedestrian affair between a team headed to the playoffs and another already eliminated from the postseason.  However, Dallas’ Jamie Benn went off for boarding Vladislav Gavrikov with 1:43 left in the second period, and a Colin Blackwell high-sticking penalty on Vincent Trocheck 36 seconds later gave the Rangers a two-man advantage. The Rangers failed to capitalize as Trocheck was called for a double-minor high-sticking with nine seconds left when Tyler Myers skated off bloodied.  That last penalty would give the Stars a nearly three-minute power play early in the third, but that, too, would go scoreless.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Stars #blank #Rangers #sew #firstround #homeice #edge

Deadspin | Stars blank Rangers, sew up first-round home-ice edge
Deadspin | Stars blank Rangers, sew up first-round home-ice edge   Apr 11, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) stops a shot by New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (8) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images   Jason Robertson scored a power-play goal with 7:11 left in regulation for the Dallas Stars, who earned a 2-0 victory over the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday.  Robertson added an empty-netter with 59 seconds left to tie Wyatt Johnston for the team lead with 44 goals. Matt Duchene assisted on both, while Johnston and Mavrik Bourque also finished with assists.  Jake Oettinger posted his fourth shutout of the season, and second in his last four starts, making 22 saves as he won his fourth consecutive game for Dallas (48-20-12, 108 points).  Igor Shesterkin kept the Rangers (33-38-9, 75 points) in the contest, stopping 17 of the 18 shots he faced, but he dropped the decision for the third time in his last four starts.  The win, coupled with a loss Saturday by the Minnesota Wild against the Nashville Predators, cemented home-ice advantage for Dallas against the Wild when the two teams face off in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  For the second time in a week, the Stars played a scoreless game through two periods at home (Colorado beat Dallas 2-0 last Saturday). This time, Robertson would ensure the home team earned a win in its final regular-season game in front of the home crowd.   With New York’s Matthew Robertson off for holding, Shesterkin blocked Duchene’s shot from the high slot, but the puck went to Jason Robertson. He gathered the puck and waited, flipping a backhanded shot over the Rangers goalie for the first goal of the game.  For most of the first two periods, the game was a rather pedestrian affair between a team headed to the playoffs and another already eliminated from the postseason.  However, Dallas’ Jamie Benn went off for boarding Vladislav Gavrikov with 1:43 left in the second period, and a Colin Blackwell high-sticking penalty on Vincent Trocheck 36 seconds later gave the Rangers a two-man advantage. The Rangers failed to capitalize as Trocheck was called for a double-minor high-sticking with nine seconds left when Tyler Myers skated off bloodied.  That last penalty would give the Stars a nearly three-minute power play early in the third, but that, too, would go scoreless.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Stars #blank #Rangers #sew #firstround #homeice #edgeApr 11, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) stops a shot by New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (8) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Jason Robertson scored a power-play goal with 7:11 left in regulation for the Dallas Stars, who earned a 2-0 victory over the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday.

Robertson added an empty-netter with 59 seconds left to tie Wyatt Johnston for the team lead with 44 goals. Matt Duchene assisted on both, while Johnston and Mavrik Bourque also finished with assists.

Jake Oettinger posted his fourth shutout of the season, and second in his last four starts, making 22 saves as he won his fourth consecutive game for Dallas (48-20-12, 108 points).

Igor Shesterkin kept the Rangers (33-38-9, 75 points) in the contest, stopping 17 of the 18 shots he faced, but he dropped the decision for the third time in his last four starts.

The win, coupled with a loss Saturday by the Minnesota Wild against the Nashville Predators, cemented home-ice advantage for Dallas against the Wild when the two teams face off in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.


For the second time in a week, the Stars played a scoreless game through two periods at home (Colorado beat Dallas 2-0 last Saturday). This time, Robertson would ensure the home team earned a win in its final regular-season game in front of the home crowd.

With New York’s Matthew Robertson off for holding, Shesterkin blocked Duchene’s shot from the high slot, but the puck went to Jason Robertson. He gathered the puck and waited, flipping a backhanded shot over the Rangers goalie for the first goal of the game.

For most of the first two periods, the game was a rather pedestrian affair between a team headed to the playoffs and another already eliminated from the postseason.

However, Dallas’ Jamie Benn went off for boarding Vladislav Gavrikov with 1:43 left in the second period, and a Colin Blackwell high-sticking penalty on Vincent Trocheck 36 seconds later gave the Rangers a two-man advantage. The Rangers failed to capitalize as Trocheck was called for a double-minor high-sticking with nine seconds left when Tyler Myers skated off bloodied.

That last penalty would give the Stars a nearly three-minute power play early in the third, but that, too, would go scoreless.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Stars #blank #Rangers #sew #firstround #homeice #edge

Apr 11, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) stops a shot by New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (8) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Jason Robertson scored a power-play goal with 7:11 left in regulation for the Dallas Stars, who earned a 2-0 victory over the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday.

Robertson added an empty-netter with 59 seconds left to tie Wyatt Johnston for the team lead with 44 goals. Matt Duchene assisted on both, while Johnston and Mavrik Bourque also finished with assists.

Jake Oettinger posted his fourth shutout of the season, and second in his last four starts, making 22 saves as he won his fourth consecutive game for Dallas (48-20-12, 108 points).

Igor Shesterkin kept the Rangers (33-38-9, 75 points) in the contest, stopping 17 of the 18 shots he faced, but he dropped the decision for the third time in his last four starts.

The win, coupled with a loss Saturday by the Minnesota Wild against the Nashville Predators, cemented home-ice advantage for Dallas against the Wild when the two teams face off in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

For the second time in a week, the Stars played a scoreless game through two periods at home (Colorado beat Dallas 2-0 last Saturday). This time, Robertson would ensure the home team earned a win in its final regular-season game in front of the home crowd.

With New York’s Matthew Robertson off for holding, Shesterkin blocked Duchene’s shot from the high slot, but the puck went to Jason Robertson. He gathered the puck and waited, flipping a backhanded shot over the Rangers goalie for the first goal of the game.

For most of the first two periods, the game was a rather pedestrian affair between a team headed to the playoffs and another already eliminated from the postseason.

However, Dallas’ Jamie Benn went off for boarding Vladislav Gavrikov with 1:43 left in the second period, and a Colin Blackwell high-sticking penalty on Vincent Trocheck 36 seconds later gave the Rangers a two-man advantage. The Rangers failed to capitalize as Trocheck was called for a double-minor high-sticking with nine seconds left when Tyler Myers skated off bloodied.

That last penalty would give the Stars a nearly three-minute power play early in the third, but that, too, would go scoreless.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Stars #blank #Rangers #sew #firstround #homeice #edge

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UFC 327: Carlos Ulberg delivers first-round KO to win light heavyweight belt as Donald Trump takes spotlight <div id="content-body-70853442" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Hobbling on one leg, Carlos Ulberg refused to let an injured knee ruin the opportunity he earned at UFC 327 on Saturday night.</p><p>With President Donald Trump sitting cageside, Ulberg delivered a perfect left hook to Jiri Prochazka’s chin and won the undisputed light heavyweight belt with a knockout at the 3:45 mark of the first round.</p><p>“I blew out my knee, but I never counted myself out,” Ulberg said. “I knew all I needed was that one shot, and I ended up getting it. So, I knew that Jiri was hesitant to come forward. And as soon as I landed my left hand, he’s going. It’s about getting those moments.”</p><p>Ulberg (15-1-0) appeared to tweak something early in the first round when he planted his foot and his right knee buckled awkwardly. Prochazka (32-6-1) immediately went to work on Ulberg’s left leg, repeatedly landing leg kicks with hopes of taking both legs away, rather than attacking aggressively to end it.</p><p>“I felt sorry (for) him, and this is one of the biggest lessons in my life,” Prochazka said. “That fight was won, I had it, it was in my hands. I saw his injury, and… I will be back. Life is about that, learn and be better.”</p><p>The matchup was made after former champion Alex Pereira vacated the belt to move up and challenge for the interim heavyweight crown at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, on what will be Trump’s 80th birthday.</p><p>Earlier, on his way to the arena, Trump’s <i>Truth Social</i> account posted an advertisement for the event.</p><p>Trump entered the Kaseya Centre shortly after 9 p.m., accompanied by UFC president Dana White and several members of the Trump family.</p><p>As a <i>Kid Rock</i> song blasted from the speakers, Trump walked to his seat, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio was waiting. Also nearby was Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador to India.</p><p>Trump, who shared several smiles with the cameras, shook hands with attendees on the floor and made a point of greeting the UFC broadcast team, including podcaster Joe Rogan.</p><p>A crowd of onlookers could be seen filming the presidential motorcade upon arrival.</p><p>In the co-main event, Azamat Murzakanov (17-0-0) used a right roundhouse to the head to drop Paulo Costa (15-5-0) and end the bout at the 1:23 mark of the third round.</p><p>Murzakanov stepped onto the apron of the Octagon after his victory to shake Trump’s hand, and the president praised him. Murzakanov acknowledged Trump during his post-fight interview with Rogan.</p><p>Josh Hokit (9-0-0) and Curtis Blaydes (19-6-0) battered each other in the slugfest of the night, with Trump excitedly watching the heavyweights as fans chanted “This is awesome!” as the fighters bloodied each other’s faces. Hokit won by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).</p><p>White took to social media after Hokit’s win to reveal that a matchup between Hokit and Derrick Lewis had been added to UFC Freedom 250. According to White’s video, Trump asked why Lewis wasn’t on the White House card. White said he called Lewis and offered him a fight, and when Rogan jokingly asked during the broadcast if there was room for Hokit on the card, the match came together.</p><p>“President Trump built half of that fight, Rogan built the other half,” White said in the video. “Both guys have agreed and accepted the fight.”</p><p>In a light heavyweight clash, Dominick Reyes (16-5-0) defeated Johnny Walker (22-10-0) with a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).</p><p>Featherweight Cub Swanson (32-14-0) ended a celebrated career with a devastating first-round TKO of Nate Landwehr (18-9-0). The 42-year-old Swanson overmatched Landwehr with a bevy of punches to the head before referee Herb Dean stepped in to stop the fight with 54 seconds left in the opening round.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 12, 2026</p></div> #UFC #Carlos #Ulberg #delivers #firstround #win #light #heavyweight #belt #Donald #Trump #takes #spotlight

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What Do Palms Symbolize on Palm Sunday?

Last month, 64 teams began a journey with dreams of a trip to Omaha, Nebraska.

Now, just two teams remain, each with an eye on a national championship.

Later tonight, North Carolina and Oklahoma will meet in Game 1 of the Men’s College World Series Finals, a best-of-three series to crown the NCAA baseball champion. UNC clinched its spot in the Finals early in the day on Wednesday, knocking off West Virginia to punch its ticket to the series. Then on Wednesday night Oklahoma joined the fray, defeating SEC rival Georgia to clinch its spot.

Here is everything you need to know about this series.

Men’s College World Series Finals schedule and scores

Here is the schedule for the Finals, which will be updated with the scores as games are played. Note: All times are Eastern.

Game 1: Oklahoma 9, North Carolina 3
Game 2: Sunday, June 21, 2:30 p.m, ABC
Game 3: Monday, June 22, 7:00 p.m., ESPN*

UNC’s path to the MCWS Finals

North Carolina began the NCAA baseball tournament at home, as the No. 5 overall team in the field. It was smooth sailing for the Tar Heels in the Chapel Hill regional, as they won three straight games to book a spot in the Super Regionals, where they were home against USC.

That is where the road got a bit bumpy.

North Carolina dropped Game 1 of the Super Regional, 9-5 to USC. But then with the team’s season on the line, the Tar Heels got a gem of a start from Jason DeCaro in Game 2 to force a decisive Game 3.

After falling down 3-1 on Sunday, the Tar Heels pushed a run across the plate in the bottom of the eighth, and completed a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the ninth when Owen Hull hit his fourth double of the game to center field, bringing home the winning run in walkoff fashion.

Hull and the Tar Heels remained red hot after arriving in Omaha. They knocked off Ole Miss 6-2 in their first game, behind clutch hitting from Gavin Gallaher and Colin Hynek. Then with a chance to clinch a spot in the Finals, Hull and the Tar Heels knocked off West Virginia on Wednesday by a final score of 12-7.

It was UNC’s second win against West Virginia in Omaha, and the team’s first trip to the Finals since 2007.

UNC has never won the NCAA baseball championship.

Oklahoma’s path to the MCWS Finals

The journey to Omaha was a little different for Oklahoma.

The Sooners were not one of the top 16 teams according to the Selection Committee, and started on the road in Atlanta, as the No. 2 seed in the Atlanta regional. That put Oklahoma in the same bracket as Georgia Tech, the No. 2 team overall.

Then when Oklahoma lost the 1-0 game to Georgia Tech, it meant a trip to the loser’s bracket. But a win over The Citadel and a victory over Georgia Tech set up a winner-take-all game in Atlanta.

Which the Sooners won in dramatic fashion, on a walk-off home ron from Dayton Tockey in the tenth inning.

With the win, Oklahoma earned a trip to Kansas to take on the Big 12 Champions in the Lawrence Super Regional. But the Sooners won that series in a two-game sweep, outscoring Kansas 21-3 over the two games. Tockey again went deep in Game 2, won by Oklahoma 13-2, along with Deiten Lachance, Dasan Harris, and Trey Gambill.

Once in Omaha, the Sooners did not let up. Like UNC, Oklahoma won three consecutive games to reach the Finals, including a pair of wins over Georgia.

This is Oklahoma’s first trip to the Finals since 2022, and the Sooners are looking for a third national championship.

One key player for each team

These are two talented rosters, with deep lineups and live arms both in the rotation and coming out of the bullpen.

But two players in particular have been scorching hot in recent games, and will be critical to their team’s chances in the Finals.

North Carolina: Owen Hull

Ahead of the Men’s College World Series, we tapped Hull as the key player for the Tar Heels.

We do so again, and with good reason.

After all, it was Hull who came through with the decisive hit in the Super Regionals, as his opposite-field knock in the bottom of the ninth against USC clinched that series. And he is still swinging a hot bat as the Finals begin. His last game without a hit came back on May 16 against NC State, when he went 0-for-2 in a loss to the Wolfpack. He finished the game on Wednesday having gone 4-for-5 with two RBI, along with a pair of doubles and a triple, and Hull heads to the Finals riding a 12-game hitting streak.

As with Hull, we pointed to Dasan Harris ahead of the Men’s College World Series as a key to the Sooners’ chances.

And like Hull, Harris continued his hot streak once arriving in Omaha.

The Oklahoma outfielder went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI in the Sooners’ opening win over Alabama, and in the win that sent Oklahoma to the Finals, Harris went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs as the Sooners knocked off Georgia 11-4. For the former walk-on, it was a rather special moment.

“I dreamed of this moment since I was a little kid and I wanted to come here,” said Harris, who went to Oklahoma as a walk-on back in 2024. “To be able to be put in these spots is something special.”

Harris leads the Sooners in batting average (.359) and is second among qualified players in OPS with a mark of 1.002, behind only slugger Deiten Lachance.

#Mens #College #World #Series #Finals #UNCOklahoma">Men’s College World Series Finals: What you need to know about UNC-Oklahoma  Last month, 64 teams began a journey with dreams of a trip to Omaha, Nebraska.Now, just two teams remain, each with an eye on a national championship.Later tonight, North Carolina and Oklahoma will meet in Game 1 of the Men’s College World Series Finals, a best-of-three series to crown the NCAA baseball champion. UNC clinched its spot in the Finals early in the day on Wednesday, knocking off West Virginia to punch its ticket to the series. Then on Wednesday night Oklahoma joined the fray, defeating SEC rival Georgia to clinch its spot.Here is everything you need to know about this series.Men’s College World Series Finals schedule and scoresHere is the schedule for the Finals, which will be updated with the scores as games are played. Note: All times are Eastern.Game 1: Oklahoma 9, North Carolina 3Game 2: Sunday, June 21, 2:30 p.m, ABCGame 3: Monday, June 22, 7:00 p.m., ESPN*UNC’s path to the MCWS FinalsNorth Carolina began the NCAA baseball tournament at home, as the No. 5 overall team in the field. It was smooth sailing for the Tar Heels in the Chapel Hill regional, as they won three straight games to book a spot in the Super Regionals, where they were home against USC.That is where the road got a bit bumpy.North Carolina dropped Game 1 of the Super Regional, 9-5 to USC. But then with the team’s season on the line, the Tar Heels got a gem of a start from Jason DeCaro in Game 2 to force a decisive Game 3.After falling down 3-1 on Sunday, the Tar Heels pushed a run across the plate in the bottom of the eighth, and completed a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the ninth when Owen Hull hit his fourth double of the game to center field, bringing home the winning run in walkoff fashion.Hull and the Tar Heels remained red hot after arriving in Omaha. They knocked off Ole Miss 6-2 in their first game, behind clutch hitting from Gavin Gallaher and Colin Hynek. Then with a chance to clinch a spot in the Finals, Hull and the Tar Heels knocked off West Virginia on Wednesday by a final score of 12-7.It was UNC’s second win against West Virginia in Omaha, and the team’s first trip to the Finals since 2007.UNC has never won the NCAA baseball championship.Oklahoma’s path to the MCWS FinalsThe journey to Omaha was a little different for Oklahoma.The Sooners were not one of the top 16 teams according to the Selection Committee, and started on the road in Atlanta, as the No. 2 seed in the Atlanta regional. That put Oklahoma in the same bracket as Georgia Tech, the No. 2 team overall.Then when Oklahoma lost the 1-0 game to Georgia Tech, it meant a trip to the loser’s bracket. But a win over The Citadel and a victory over Georgia Tech set up a winner-take-all game in Atlanta.Which the Sooners won in dramatic fashion, on a walk-off home ron from Dayton Tockey in the tenth inning.With the win, Oklahoma earned a trip to Kansas to take on the Big 12 Champions in the Lawrence Super Regional. But the Sooners won that series in a two-game sweep, outscoring Kansas 21-3 over the two games. Tockey again went deep in Game 2, won by Oklahoma 13-2, along with Deiten Lachance, Dasan Harris, and Trey Gambill.Once in Omaha, the Sooners did not let up. Like UNC, Oklahoma won three consecutive games to reach the Finals, including a pair of wins over Georgia.This is Oklahoma’s first trip to the Finals since 2022, and the Sooners are looking for a third national championship.One key player for each teamThese are two talented rosters, with deep lineups and live arms both in the rotation and coming out of the bullpen.But two players in particular have been scorching hot in recent games, and will be critical to their team’s chances in the Finals.North Carolina: Owen HullAhead of the Men’s College World Series, we tapped Hull as the key player for the Tar Heels.We do so again, and with good reason.After all, it was Hull who came through with the decisive hit in the Super Regionals, as his opposite-field knock in the bottom of the ninth against USC clinched that series. And he is still swinging a hot bat as the Finals begin. His last game without a hit came back on May 16 against NC State, when he went 0-for-2 in a loss to the Wolfpack. He finished the game on Wednesday having gone 4-for-5 with two RBI, along with a pair of doubles and a triple, and Hull heads to the Finals riding a 12-game hitting streak.As with Hull, we pointed to Dasan Harris ahead of the Men’s College World Series as a key to the Sooners’ chances.And like Hull, Harris continued his hot streak once arriving in Omaha.The Oklahoma outfielder went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI in the Sooners’ opening win over Alabama, and in the win that sent Oklahoma to the Finals, Harris went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs as the Sooners knocked off Georgia 11-4. For the former walk-on, it was a rather special moment.“I dreamed of this moment since I was a little kid and I wanted to come here,” said Harris, who went to Oklahoma as a walk-on back in 2024. “To be able to be put in these spots is something special.”Harris leads the Sooners in batting average (.359) and is second among qualified players in OPS with a mark of 1.002, behind only slugger Deiten Lachance.  #Mens #College #World #Series #Finals #UNCOklahoma

No. 5 overall team in the field. It was smooth sailing for the Tar Heels in the Chapel Hill regional, as they won three straight games to book a spot in the Super Regionals, where they were home against USC.

That is where the road got a bit bumpy.

North Carolina dropped Game 1 of the Super Regional, 9-5 to USC. But then with the team’s season on the line, the Tar Heels got a gem of a start from Jason DeCaro in Game 2 to force a decisive Game 3.

After falling down 3-1 on Sunday, the Tar Heels pushed a run across the plate in the bottom of the eighth, and completed a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the ninth when Owen Hull hit his fourth double of the game to center field, bringing home the winning run in walkoff fashion.

Hull and the Tar Heels remained red hot after arriving in Omaha. They knocked off Ole Miss 6-2 in their first game, behind clutch hitting from Gavin Gallaher and Colin Hynek. Then with a chance to clinch a spot in the Finals, Hull and the Tar Heels knocked off West Virginia on Wednesday by a final score of 12-7.

It was UNC’s second win against West Virginia in Omaha, and the team’s first trip to the Finals since 2007.

UNC has never won the NCAA baseball championship.

Oklahoma’s path to the MCWS Finals

The journey to Omaha was a little different for Oklahoma.

The Sooners were not one of the top 16 teams according to the Selection Committee, and started on the road in Atlanta, as the No. 2 seed in the Atlanta regional. That put Oklahoma in the same bracket as Georgia Tech, the No. 2 team overall.

Then when Oklahoma lost the 1-0 game to Georgia Tech, it meant a trip to the loser’s bracket. But a win over The Citadel and a victory over Georgia Tech set up a winner-take-all game in Atlanta.

Which the Sooners won in dramatic fashion, on a walk-off home ron from Dayton Tockey in the tenth inning.

With the win, Oklahoma earned a trip to Kansas to take on the Big 12 Champions in the Lawrence Super Regional. But the Sooners won that series in a two-game sweep, outscoring Kansas 21-3 over the two games. Tockey again went deep in Game 2, won by Oklahoma 13-2, along with Deiten Lachance, Dasan Harris, and Trey Gambill.

Once in Omaha, the Sooners did not let up. Like UNC, Oklahoma won three consecutive games to reach the Finals, including a pair of wins over Georgia.

This is Oklahoma’s first trip to the Finals since 2022, and the Sooners are looking for a third national championship.

One key player for each team

These are two talented rosters, with deep lineups and live arms both in the rotation and coming out of the bullpen.

But two players in particular have been scorching hot in recent games, and will be critical to their team’s chances in the Finals.

North Carolina: Owen Hull

Ahead of the Men’s College World Series, we tapped Hull as the key player for the Tar Heels.

We do so again, and with good reason.

After all, it was Hull who came through with the decisive hit in the Super Regionals, as his opposite-field knock in the bottom of the ninth against USC clinched that series. And he is still swinging a hot bat as the Finals begin. His last game without a hit came back on May 16 against NC State, when he went 0-for-2 in a loss to the Wolfpack. He finished the game on Wednesday having gone 4-for-5 with two RBI, along with a pair of doubles and a triple, and Hull heads to the Finals riding a 12-game hitting streak.

As with Hull, we pointed to Dasan Harris ahead of the Men’s College World Series as a key to the Sooners’ chances.

And like Hull, Harris continued his hot streak once arriving in Omaha.

The Oklahoma outfielder went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI in the Sooners’ opening win over Alabama, and in the win that sent Oklahoma to the Finals, Harris went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs as the Sooners knocked off Georgia 11-4. For the former walk-on, it was a rather special moment.

“I dreamed of this moment since I was a little kid and I wanted to come here,” said Harris, who went to Oklahoma as a walk-on back in 2024. “To be able to be put in these spots is something special.”

Harris leads the Sooners in batting average (.359) and is second among qualified players in OPS with a mark of 1.002, behind only slugger Deiten Lachance.

#Mens #College #World #Series #Finals #UNCOklahoma">Men’s College World Series Finals: What you need to know about UNC-Oklahoma

Last month, 64 teams began a journey with dreams of a trip to Omaha, Nebraska.

Now, just two teams remain, each with an eye on a national championship.

Later tonight, North Carolina and Oklahoma will meet in Game 1 of the Men’s College World Series Finals, a best-of-three series to crown the NCAA baseball champion. UNC clinched its spot in the Finals early in the day on Wednesday, knocking off West Virginia to punch its ticket to the series. Then on Wednesday night Oklahoma joined the fray, defeating SEC rival Georgia to clinch its spot.

Here is everything you need to know about this series.

Men’s College World Series Finals schedule and scores

Here is the schedule for the Finals, which will be updated with the scores as games are played. Note: All times are Eastern.

Game 1: Oklahoma 9, North Carolina 3
Game 2: Sunday, June 21, 2:30 p.m, ABC
Game 3: Monday, June 22, 7:00 p.m., ESPN*

UNC’s path to the MCWS Finals

North Carolina began the NCAA baseball tournament at home, as the No. 5 overall team in the field. It was smooth sailing for the Tar Heels in the Chapel Hill regional, as they won three straight games to book a spot in the Super Regionals, where they were home against USC.

That is where the road got a bit bumpy.

North Carolina dropped Game 1 of the Super Regional, 9-5 to USC. But then with the team’s season on the line, the Tar Heels got a gem of a start from Jason DeCaro in Game 2 to force a decisive Game 3.

After falling down 3-1 on Sunday, the Tar Heels pushed a run across the plate in the bottom of the eighth, and completed a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the ninth when Owen Hull hit his fourth double of the game to center field, bringing home the winning run in walkoff fashion.

Hull and the Tar Heels remained red hot after arriving in Omaha. They knocked off Ole Miss 6-2 in their first game, behind clutch hitting from Gavin Gallaher and Colin Hynek. Then with a chance to clinch a spot in the Finals, Hull and the Tar Heels knocked off West Virginia on Wednesday by a final score of 12-7.

It was UNC’s second win against West Virginia in Omaha, and the team’s first trip to the Finals since 2007.

UNC has never won the NCAA baseball championship.

Oklahoma’s path to the MCWS Finals

The journey to Omaha was a little different for Oklahoma.

The Sooners were not one of the top 16 teams according to the Selection Committee, and started on the road in Atlanta, as the No. 2 seed in the Atlanta regional. That put Oklahoma in the same bracket as Georgia Tech, the No. 2 team overall.

Then when Oklahoma lost the 1-0 game to Georgia Tech, it meant a trip to the loser’s bracket. But a win over The Citadel and a victory over Georgia Tech set up a winner-take-all game in Atlanta.

Which the Sooners won in dramatic fashion, on a walk-off home ron from Dayton Tockey in the tenth inning.

With the win, Oklahoma earned a trip to Kansas to take on the Big 12 Champions in the Lawrence Super Regional. But the Sooners won that series in a two-game sweep, outscoring Kansas 21-3 over the two games. Tockey again went deep in Game 2, won by Oklahoma 13-2, along with Deiten Lachance, Dasan Harris, and Trey Gambill.

Once in Omaha, the Sooners did not let up. Like UNC, Oklahoma won three consecutive games to reach the Finals, including a pair of wins over Georgia.

This is Oklahoma’s first trip to the Finals since 2022, and the Sooners are looking for a third national championship.

One key player for each team

These are two talented rosters, with deep lineups and live arms both in the rotation and coming out of the bullpen.

But two players in particular have been scorching hot in recent games, and will be critical to their team’s chances in the Finals.

North Carolina: Owen Hull

Ahead of the Men’s College World Series, we tapped Hull as the key player for the Tar Heels.

We do so again, and with good reason.

After all, it was Hull who came through with the decisive hit in the Super Regionals, as his opposite-field knock in the bottom of the ninth against USC clinched that series. And he is still swinging a hot bat as the Finals begin. His last game without a hit came back on May 16 against NC State, when he went 0-for-2 in a loss to the Wolfpack. He finished the game on Wednesday having gone 4-for-5 with two RBI, along with a pair of doubles and a triple, and Hull heads to the Finals riding a 12-game hitting streak.

As with Hull, we pointed to Dasan Harris ahead of the Men’s College World Series as a key to the Sooners’ chances.

And like Hull, Harris continued his hot streak once arriving in Omaha.

The Oklahoma outfielder went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI in the Sooners’ opening win over Alabama, and in the win that sent Oklahoma to the Finals, Harris went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs as the Sooners knocked off Georgia 11-4. For the former walk-on, it was a rather special moment.

“I dreamed of this moment since I was a little kid and I wanted to come here,” said Harris, who went to Oklahoma as a walk-on back in 2024. “To be able to be put in these spots is something special.”

Harris leads the Sooners in batting average (.359) and is second among qualified players in OPS with a mark of 1.002, behind only slugger Deiten Lachance.

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