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Deadspin | Southern California seeks Big Ten momentum against reeling Northwestern

Deadspin | Southern California seeks Big Ten momentum against reeling Northwestern

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Jan 13, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) gestures against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Southern California welcomes Big Ten Conference counterpart Northwestern to Los Angeles on Wednesday as both teams look to get on track in league play.

The Trojans (14-4, 3-4 Big Ten) pushed fourth-ranked Purdue to the limit on Saturday but couldn’t get over the hump, leading to a losing record in the conference. USC had reached .500 after starting 1-3 in the Big Ten with a 70-69 overtime victory at Minnesota on Jan. 9 and an 88-71 blowout of Maryland on Jan. 13.

“The fight, the toughness, the scrappiness,” Trojans coach Eric Musselman said. “It’s there… All we can do is get our guys to play as hard as they possibly can, which I think they did. We have to clean up the small execution stuff.”

USC’s issues included shooting just 5 of 14 free throws on Saturday. Chad Baker-Mazara, the Trojans’ leading scorer at 18.9 points per game, shoots 90.6% at the free-throw line for the season with 5.9 attempts per game. He did not get to the line against Purdue, however, as he came off the bench for a second straight game due to a neck injury.

Baker-Mazara’s potential limitations continue a concerning trend for a USC team dealing with an abundance of injuries this season. Rodney Rice is out for the year with a shoulder injury he sustained over Thanksgiving week, and blue-chip freshman Alijah Arenas has yet to make his debut because of a knee injury he suffered in the summer.

The wounded Trojans aim to capitalize on the woes that have Northwestern entering Wednesday’s game on a five-game losing streak.

The Wildcats (8-10, 0-7) stayed winless in Big Ten play after their tough week ended with a 77-58 loss at home to No. 7 Nebraska. Saturday’s defeat was Northwestern’s second straight game against a team ranked No. 11 or higher in the latest AP Poll, with the Wildcats losing to Illinois on Jan. 14, 79-68.

The two home setbacks against highly ranked competition came after a 77-75 overtime heartbreaker at Rutgers on Jan. 11.

“Nobody’s letting go of the rope,” Northwestern coach Chris Collins said. “It’s been a really difficult week, three games in six days. You come home against two of the best teams in the country, and you battle but come up short. The guys need to clear their heads… before we go to the West Coast and try to figure some things out.”

The Wildcats aim to develop a more consistent offense to support the Big Ten’s top scorer, Nick Martinelli. He averages 23.7 points per game and has scored 20 or more in nine straight contests, but Northwestern’s second-leading scorer, Arrinten Page, has had games of just two, seven, and no points across the last four games.

Page, who played the 2023-24 season at USC, has averaged 12.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game but didn’t record either in just nine minutes against Nebraska.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Jake McCarthy, Tomoyuki Sugano help Rockies eke out win vs. Pirates Jun 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Jake McCarthy (31) slides into home ahead of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis (32) on an in the park home run in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Jake McCarthy hit an inside-the-park home run and also doubled, Tomoyuki Sugano tossed six strong innings to outduel Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes and the Colorado Rockies survived a chaotic ninth inning to beat the Pirates 2-1 in Denver on Saturday night. Sugano (8-4) scattered four hits over six innings and Jaden Hill got the final two outs for his second save. Spencer Horwitz homered and singled for Pittsburgh, which started the game with back-to-back hits and had just four more the rest of the way for a grand total of six. Skenes (6-7) was nearly untouchable against the Rockies in Pittsburgh on May 12, taking a no-hitter into the seventh and tossing eight scoreless innings. He wasn’t as dominant Saturday night but allowed just two runs on four hits and fanned eight over six innings. He was nearly saved from a loss when his team loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. Tyler Callihan struck out and Jake Mangum hit a grounder to third baseman Kyle Karros, who couldn’t make a throw to any base. However, the umpires ruled baserunner Billy Cook interfered with Karros and called him out to end the game. Horwitz led off the game with a blast into the second deck in right field, his fifth career leadoff home run, but he was upstaged by McCarthy when he led off the bottom of the first. McCarthy drove a tailing liner to center that got by the diving Mangum. It rolled to the wall where Callihan had trouble picking it up, giving McCarthy time to circle the bases and tie the game. McCarthy doubled in the third and scored what would be the winning run on TJ Rumfield’s two-out single. Sugano settled down after Horwitz’s home run and Brandon Lowe’s single that followed to hold down the Pirates. Sugano allowed a one-out double to Mangum in the second and Horwitz’s single in the third but Pittsburgh couldn’t cash in, finishing 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jake #McCarthy #Tomoyuki #Sugano #Rockies #eke #win #PiratesJun 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Jake McCarthy (31) slides into home ahead of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis (32) on an in the park home run in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Jake McCarthy hit an inside-the-park home run and also doubled, Tomoyuki Sugano tossed six strong innings to outduel Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes and the Colorado Rockies survived a chaotic ninth inning to beat the Pirates 2-1 in Denver on Saturday night.

Sugano (8-4) scattered four hits over six innings and Jaden Hill got the final two outs for his second save.

Spencer Horwitz homered and singled for Pittsburgh, which started the game with back-to-back hits and had just four more the rest of the way for a grand total of six.

Skenes (6-7) was nearly untouchable against the Rockies in Pittsburgh on May 12, taking a no-hitter into the seventh and tossing eight scoreless innings. He wasn’t as dominant Saturday night but allowed just two runs on four hits and fanned eight over six innings.

He was nearly saved from a loss when his team loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. Tyler Callihan struck out and Jake Mangum hit a grounder to third baseman Kyle Karros, who couldn’t make a throw to any base.


However, the umpires ruled baserunner Billy Cook interfered with Karros and called him out to end the game.

Horwitz led off the game with a blast into the second deck in right field, his fifth career leadoff home run, but he was upstaged by McCarthy when he led off the bottom of the first.

McCarthy drove a tailing liner to center that got by the diving Mangum. It rolled to the wall where Callihan had trouble picking it up, giving McCarthy time to circle the bases and tie the game.

McCarthy doubled in the third and scored what would be the winning run on TJ Rumfield’s two-out single.

Sugano settled down after Horwitz’s home run and Brandon Lowe’s single that followed to hold down the Pirates. Sugano allowed a one-out double to Mangum in the second and Horwitz’s single in the third but Pittsburgh couldn’t cash in, finishing 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Jake #McCarthy #Tomoyuki #Sugano #Rockies #eke #win #Pirates">Deadspin | Jake McCarthy, Tomoyuki Sugano help Rockies eke out win vs. Pirates Jun 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Jake McCarthy (31) slides into home ahead of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis (32) on an in the park home run in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Jake McCarthy hit an inside-the-park home run and also doubled, Tomoyuki Sugano tossed six strong innings to outduel Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes and the Colorado Rockies survived a chaotic ninth inning to beat the Pirates 2-1 in Denver on Saturday night. Sugano (8-4) scattered four hits over six innings and Jaden Hill got the final two outs for his second save. Spencer Horwitz homered and singled for Pittsburgh, which started the game with back-to-back hits and had just four more the rest of the way for a grand total of six. Skenes (6-7) was nearly untouchable against the Rockies in Pittsburgh on May 12, taking a no-hitter into the seventh and tossing eight scoreless innings. He wasn’t as dominant Saturday night but allowed just two runs on four hits and fanned eight over six innings. He was nearly saved from a loss when his team loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. Tyler Callihan struck out and Jake Mangum hit a grounder to third baseman Kyle Karros, who couldn’t make a throw to any base. However, the umpires ruled baserunner Billy Cook interfered with Karros and called him out to end the game. Horwitz led off the game with a blast into the second deck in right field, his fifth career leadoff home run, but he was upstaged by McCarthy when he led off the bottom of the first. McCarthy drove a tailing liner to center that got by the diving Mangum. It rolled to the wall where Callihan had trouble picking it up, giving McCarthy time to circle the bases and tie the game. McCarthy doubled in the third and scored what would be the winning run on TJ Rumfield’s two-out single. Sugano settled down after Horwitz’s home run and Brandon Lowe’s single that followed to hold down the Pirates. Sugano allowed a one-out double to Mangum in the second and Horwitz’s single in the third but Pittsburgh couldn’t cash in, finishing 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jake #McCarthy #Tomoyuki #Sugano #Rockies #eke #win #Pirates

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.

#Mens #College #World #Series #Finals #UNCOklahoma

The United States will continue ‌to assess the Iran squad’s travel arrangements at the World Cup, but for ​now the original plan remains in place despite the team saying it would ⁠lodge a complaint with FIFA, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the tournament, told Reuters on Saturday.

Iran is unhappy at restrictions that mean it can only travel to venues within ‌24 hours of its fixtures and must depart back to its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, directly after each game, with coach Amir Ghalenoei suggesting his side was “the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup”.

Giuliani, however, says the situation ‌is ⁠fluid, and they will discuss what measures will be in place for Iran’s third ⁠game against Egypt in Seattle on Friday after a meeting with Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday.

READ: Tunisia vs Japan encounter in Monterrey to be 1000th FIFA World Cup match

“The situation is dynamic,” Giuliani said in an exclusive interview in Houston. “We have a plan right now. Tomorrow afternoon (after the match against Belgium) ​they will take the 27-minute flight ‌back to Tijuana.

“We will see how it goes for match two, and then there will be discussions the day after in terms of what it looks like for match three in Seattle.”

Giuliani defended the measures in place and said the pre-tournament change in training bases for ‌the side from Tucson to Tijuana had shortened Iran’s travel time.

“The shift from Tucson ​to Tijuana, I think, was good for everybody involved; certainly, it reduces their travel time to Los Angeles too,” he said. “Their flight is an hour shorter ⁠than it would be from Tucson. And we’re happy with the way that things went for match one in Los Angeles.

“I would just point to the fact that all players have received visas. ‌All the coaches have received visas. There are some team officials that have not received visas, and that’s because we’ve seen some derogatory information on them, and this is the balance that we talk about.”

Protecting interests of U.S.

Giuliani said the goal has always been to protect the interests of the United States and the international visitors at the World Cup.

“We want to make sure we have this incredible soccer tournament, where people are welcome and enjoy the World Cup, while ‌also making sure that we are not just protecting American citizens, but we’re also protecting all those international visitors ​that are coming here,” he said.

ALSO READ: Hydration breaks at FIFA World Cup 2026 add nothing but take away a lot, says Bielsa

He revealed that no threats to the tournament had been identified but that officials remain vigilant.

“What I can tell you is ⁠our intelligence community has tripled down on this since the beginning of this year,” he said. “We’re in ⁠discussions every hour on it. But there have been no credible threats at this moment.”

Giuliani has been pleased with the opening 10 days of the World Cup.

“Things are ‌going as planned,” he said. “It’s been fantastic to see the great play on the pitch; that seems to be the majority of the conversation, which has been fantastic.

“I think this ​is an amazing celebration of America over our 250th birthday, with the World Cup being the incredible highlight.”

Published on Jun 21, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #U.S #review #Iran #travel #arrangements #Belgium #game">FIFA World Cup 2026: U.S. to review Iran travel arrangements after Belgium game The United States will continue ‌to assess the Iran squad’s travel arrangements at the World Cup, but for ​now the original plan remains in place despite the team saying it would ⁠lodge a complaint with FIFA, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the tournament, told Reuters on Saturday.Iran is unhappy at restrictions that mean it can only travel to venues within ‌24 hours of its fixtures and must depart back to its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, directly after each game, with coach Amir Ghalenoei suggesting his side was “the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup”.Giuliani, however, says the situation ‌is ⁠fluid, and they will discuss what measures will be in place for Iran’s third ⁠game against Egypt in Seattle on Friday after a meeting with Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday.READ: Tunisia vs Japan encounter in Monterrey to be 1000th FIFA World Cup match“The situation is dynamic,” Giuliani said in an exclusive interview in Houston. “We have a plan right now. Tomorrow afternoon (after the match against Belgium) ​they will take the 27-minute flight ‌back to Tijuana.“We will see how it goes for match two, and then there will be discussions the day after in terms of what it looks like for match three in Seattle.”Giuliani defended the measures in place and said the pre-tournament change in training bases for ‌the side from Tucson to Tijuana had shortened Iran’s travel time.“The shift from Tucson ​to Tijuana, I think, was good for everybody involved; certainly, it reduces their travel time to Los Angeles too,” he said. “Their flight is an hour shorter ⁠than it would be from Tucson. And we’re happy with the way that things went for match one in Los Angeles.“I would just point to the fact that all players have received visas. ‌All the coaches have received visas. There are some team officials that have not received visas, and that’s because we’ve seen some derogatory information on them, and this is the balance that we talk about.”Protecting interests of U.S.Giuliani said the goal has always been to protect the interests of the United States and the international visitors at the World Cup.“We want to make sure we have this incredible soccer tournament, where people are welcome and enjoy the World Cup, while ‌also making sure that we are not just protecting American citizens, but we’re also protecting all those international visitors ​that are coming here,” he said.ALSO READ: Hydration breaks at FIFA World Cup 2026 add nothing but take away a lot, says BielsaHe revealed that no threats to the tournament had been identified but that officials remain vigilant.“What I can tell you is ⁠our intelligence community has tripled down on this since the beginning of this year,” he said. “We’re in ⁠discussions every hour on it. But there have been no credible threats at this moment.”Giuliani has been pleased with the opening 10 days of the World Cup.“Things are ‌going as planned,” he said. “It’s been fantastic to see the great play on the pitch; that seems to be the majority of the conversation, which has been fantastic.“I think this ​is an amazing celebration of America over our 250th birthday, with the World Cup being the incredible highlight.”Published on Jun 21, 2026 #FIFA #World #Cup #U.S #review #Iran #travel #arrangements #Belgium #game

Tunisia vs Japan encounter in Monterrey to be 1000th FIFA World Cup match

“The situation is dynamic,” Giuliani said in an exclusive interview in Houston. “We have a plan right now. Tomorrow afternoon (after the match against Belgium) ​they will take the 27-minute flight ‌back to Tijuana.

“We will see how it goes for match two, and then there will be discussions the day after in terms of what it looks like for match three in Seattle.”

Giuliani defended the measures in place and said the pre-tournament change in training bases for ‌the side from Tucson to Tijuana had shortened Iran’s travel time.

“The shift from Tucson ​to Tijuana, I think, was good for everybody involved; certainly, it reduces their travel time to Los Angeles too,” he said. “Their flight is an hour shorter ⁠than it would be from Tucson. And we’re happy with the way that things went for match one in Los Angeles.

“I would just point to the fact that all players have received visas. ‌All the coaches have received visas. There are some team officials that have not received visas, and that’s because we’ve seen some derogatory information on them, and this is the balance that we talk about.”

Protecting interests of U.S.

Giuliani said the goal has always been to protect the interests of the United States and the international visitors at the World Cup.

“We want to make sure we have this incredible soccer tournament, where people are welcome and enjoy the World Cup, while ‌also making sure that we are not just protecting American citizens, but we’re also protecting all those international visitors ​that are coming here,” he said.

ALSO READ: Hydration breaks at FIFA World Cup 2026 add nothing but take away a lot, says Bielsa

He revealed that no threats to the tournament had been identified but that officials remain vigilant.

“What I can tell you is ⁠our intelligence community has tripled down on this since the beginning of this year,” he said. “We’re in ⁠discussions every hour on it. But there have been no credible threats at this moment.”

Giuliani has been pleased with the opening 10 days of the World Cup.

“Things are ‌going as planned,” he said. “It’s been fantastic to see the great play on the pitch; that seems to be the majority of the conversation, which has been fantastic.

“I think this ​is an amazing celebration of America over our 250th birthday, with the World Cup being the incredible highlight.”

Published on Jun 21, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #U.S #review #Iran #travel #arrangements #Belgium #game">FIFA World Cup 2026: U.S. to review Iran travel arrangements after Belgium game

The United States will continue ‌to assess the Iran squad’s travel arrangements at the World Cup, but for ​now the original plan remains in place despite the team saying it would ⁠lodge a complaint with FIFA, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the tournament, told Reuters on Saturday.

Iran is unhappy at restrictions that mean it can only travel to venues within ‌24 hours of its fixtures and must depart back to its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, directly after each game, with coach Amir Ghalenoei suggesting his side was “the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup”.

Giuliani, however, says the situation ‌is ⁠fluid, and they will discuss what measures will be in place for Iran’s third ⁠game against Egypt in Seattle on Friday after a meeting with Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday.

READ: Tunisia vs Japan encounter in Monterrey to be 1000th FIFA World Cup match

“The situation is dynamic,” Giuliani said in an exclusive interview in Houston. “We have a plan right now. Tomorrow afternoon (after the match against Belgium) ​they will take the 27-minute flight ‌back to Tijuana.

“We will see how it goes for match two, and then there will be discussions the day after in terms of what it looks like for match three in Seattle.”

Giuliani defended the measures in place and said the pre-tournament change in training bases for ‌the side from Tucson to Tijuana had shortened Iran’s travel time.

“The shift from Tucson ​to Tijuana, I think, was good for everybody involved; certainly, it reduces their travel time to Los Angeles too,” he said. “Their flight is an hour shorter ⁠than it would be from Tucson. And we’re happy with the way that things went for match one in Los Angeles.

“I would just point to the fact that all players have received visas. ‌All the coaches have received visas. There are some team officials that have not received visas, and that’s because we’ve seen some derogatory information on them, and this is the balance that we talk about.”

Protecting interests of U.S.

Giuliani said the goal has always been to protect the interests of the United States and the international visitors at the World Cup.

“We want to make sure we have this incredible soccer tournament, where people are welcome and enjoy the World Cup, while ‌also making sure that we are not just protecting American citizens, but we’re also protecting all those international visitors ​that are coming here,” he said.

ALSO READ: Hydration breaks at FIFA World Cup 2026 add nothing but take away a lot, says Bielsa

He revealed that no threats to the tournament had been identified but that officials remain vigilant.

“What I can tell you is ⁠our intelligence community has tripled down on this since the beginning of this year,” he said. “We’re in ⁠discussions every hour on it. But there have been no credible threats at this moment.”

Giuliani has been pleased with the opening 10 days of the World Cup.

“Things are ‌going as planned,” he said. “It’s been fantastic to see the great play on the pitch; that seems to be the majority of the conversation, which has been fantastic.

“I think this ​is an amazing celebration of America over our 250th birthday, with the World Cup being the incredible highlight.”

Published on Jun 21, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #U.S #review #Iran #travel #arrangements #Belgium #game

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