After a couple of frenetic weeks of tracking CWS regional and super regionals, we’re through the pedestrian-paced group play in Omaha and have reached the final of the 2026 CWS tournament; here’s a recap of group play in Omaha for the 2026 CWS.
Resources/links I use heavily during CWS time:
- Your final top 25 heading into the post-season according to d1baseball, baseballamerica, and usatoday Coaches poll.
- WarrenNolan’s RPI rankings (Note: these are dynamic and change with every game, so a team’s RPI two weeks ago won’t match what it is now).
- Here’s D1Baseball.com’s Tournament Central, my favorite place to track the tourney.
- Here’s the NCAA.com field of 64 Bracket with some great data points at NCAA.com
In the Top Bracket (#16 West Virginia, Troy, #5 North Carolina, Ole Miss )
- In the opening games, as they’ve had a habit of doing, WVA got two runs late to win it 7-5 over Troy, while UNC scored 5 runs in the 7th and 8th innings to sneak past Ole Miss and put themselves into a great position, having passed the first test by beating the sole SEC participant in the group.
- In the first elimination game, Troy got a historic program win, ousting the SEC’s Ole Miss with a two-and-out, to stay alive.
- In the winner’s bracket game, UNC took control of the group with a solid 5-2 win over West Virginia.
- In the play-in game, West Virginia waxed Troy 12-0 (as one might expect) to put themselves into the group final.
- In the group final, UNC jumped ahead early and the game was never in doubt, eventually winning 12-7 to wrap up the group without a loss and move to the CWS final.
Final Group standings: UNC, WVA, Troy, Ole Miss
In the Bottom Bracket (#3 Georgia, #6 Texas, #7 Alabama, Oklahoma)
- In the opening games, #7 Alabama could do nothing with Oklahoma’s starer Cord Rager (7ip, 3h, 0r) and lost 9-0. Meanwhile, Georgia’s Joey Volchko threw a complete game with 15Ks, 4 hits and one unearned run as Georgia dominated Texas.
- In the first elimination game, #6 Texas destroyed #7 Alabama, scoring 7 runs on their starter in the first two innings to send them home 2 and out.
- In the winner’s bracket game, Oklahoma stunned #3 Georgia with 3 in the first, then made the lead stick as they took control of the bracket.
- In the play-in game, two Georgia arms tag-teamed for a 4-hit shutout to send Texas home and give themselves a shot at living up to pre-CWS predictions
- In the group final, Oklahoma never trailed, and blew out the game late to win 11-4 and move to the CWS final.
Final Group standings: Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas, Alabama
Analysis/commentary
UNC winning the Group A isn’t much of a surprise, given the weakness of the group. But Oklahoma beating three top-8 seeds and fellow SEC members is a shock, and a testament to the depth of the SEC. Oklahoma finished 14-16 in the SEC and was the 11th ranked team in the conference. And now they’re in the CWS final. That’s why they play the games, eh?
CWS Preview and Prediction:
Thanks to clean weather and no extra games, both squad’s pitching staffs will be on full and regular rest. The potential third game “starters” would be slightly rushed back; they’d have 4 days rest instead of the normal 6-day cycle in college baseball, but that’s certainly not going to kill anyone’s arm, especially if its the final game of the season.
The CWS national series starts on Saturday 6/20/26.
- Sat 6/20/26: UNC’s Jason Decaro (10-2, 2.35 ERA) vs Oklahoma’s Cord Rager (6-3, 4.69 ERA)
- Sun 6/21/26: UNC’s Ryan Lynch (4-4, 4.53 ERA) vs Oklahoma’s Xander Mercurius (1-2, 5.51 ERA)
- (if needed) Mon 6/22/26. UNC’s Jackson Rose (5-0, 2.15 ERA) vs Oklahoma’s Nick Wesloski (2-1, 3.63 ERA)
Suffice it to say, neither team is known for lock down pitching necessarily. A couple of these “starters” are actually the staff’s long relievers, and some of these games may turn into bullpen games, or use openers, or other creative pitching plans. Look for a high-offense final set.
Prediction? UNC in three.