The national title is the Sooners’ third overall, and first since 1994.
Oklahoma became the seventh straight team from the SEC to win the College World Series, defeating North Carolina two games to one in the best-of-three final in Omaha, Neb. The Sooners capped the series with a 13-2 win on June 22.
As with the other six College World Series participants, each of the two finalists included American Legion Baseball alumni playing key roles.
For the national champion Sooners (43-23), senior left fielder Trey Gambill (Lone Peak, Utah) finished the season with a .285 batting average, 11 home runs, 14 doubles, 40 RBIs and 50 runs scored. Freshman RHP Xander Mercurius (Southern Nevada) posted a 1-3 record with one save and a 5.76 ERA. Sophomore RHP Drew Rerick (Fargo, N.D., Post 400) did not make an appearance in the postseason but posted a 3.86 ERA in 2 1/3 innings during the regular season.
For the Tar Heels (54-14-1), junior shortstop Jake Schaffner (Janesville, Wis.) batted .356 with 6 home runs, 19 doubles, 8 triples, 50 RBIs and 85 runs scored. Junior catcher Macon Winslow (Perquimans County, N.C.) finished the year with a .282 batting average, 10 home runs, 14 doubles, 57 RBIs and 61 runs scored. Graduate LHP Tom Chmielewski (Needham, Mass., Post 14) was 2-0 with a save in 17 appearances, with a 5.32 ERA. Senior RHP Cameron Padgett (East Rowan, N.C.) made 20 appearances with a 7.11 ERA.
The national title is Oklahoma’s third overall, and first since 1994.
- Baseball