Half of the Bracket 1 championship is set at the 2026 College World Series. No. 5 North Carolina will play for a chance to appear in the CWS Finals thanks to its 2-0 start in Omaha, Nebraska, and it now has a significant upper hand over the rest of the field in this double-elimination phase. The Tar Heels continued their perfect start to the CWS on Sunday with a 5-2 win over No. 16 West Virginia.

Scott Forbes’ club made an early statement against the Mountaineers with a two-run first inning. Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Maxx Yehl struggled with command early and even walked in a run in that opening frame.

The difference in the game, though, was the two errors West Virginia committed in the seventh inning. Tied at two, the Mountaineers gave the Tar Heels too many extra outs in that pivotal at-bat. Gavin Gallaher made them pay with a go-ahead, two-run triple that proved to be the game-winner.

North Carolina now awaits the winner of a Tuesday afternoon elimination game between West Virginia and Troy. The Trojans kept their postseason run alive earlier on Sunday with a thrilling 12-8 win over Ole Miss. Star catcher Jimmy Janicki homered for the second time in as many games in Omaha — and for the 21st time in his breakout season — to lift Troy to the first CWS win in program history. That round-tripper sparked a four-run inning in which the Trojans jumped in front for good.

2026 College World Series: Daniel Jackson, Dylan Volantis headline NCAA baseball’s biggest stars in Omaha

Carter Bahns

Up next at Charles Schwab Field Omaha, the all-SEC side of the field returns to action. One top-16 national seed will see its championship dreams crumble in the elimination bout between No. 7 Alabama and No. 6 Texas, while either Oklahoma or No. 3 Georgia will jump into the Bracket 2 catbird seat in the 1-0 game.

Check back here throughout the CWS for scores and schedule updates as the brightest stars and most talented squads compete for the 2026 national championship.

2026 College World Series schedule

All times Eastern

Monday, June 15

Game 7: No. 7 Alabama vs. No. 6 Texas, 2 p.m. on ESPN
Game 8: Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Georgia, 7 p.m. on ESPN

Tuesday, June 16

Game 9: Troy vs. No. 16 West Virginia, 2 p.m. on ESPN
Game 10: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Loser, 8 p.m. on ESPN

Wednesday, June 17

Game 11: No. 5 North Carolina vs. Game 9 Winner, 2 p.m. on ESPN
Game 12: Game 8 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner, 7 p.m. on ESPN

Thursday, June 18

Game 13 (if necessary): Game 11 Winner vs. Game 11 Loser, TBD on ESPN
Game 14 (if necessary): Game 12 Winner vs. Game 12 Loser, TBD on ESPN

Saturday, June 20

CWS Finals, Game 1: Bracket 1 Winner vs. Bracket 2 Winner, TBD on ESPN

Sunday, June 21

CWS Finals, Game 2: Bracket 1 Winner vs. Bracket 2 Winner, 2:30 p.m. on ABC

Monday, June 22

CWS Finals, Game 3 (if necessary): Bracket 1 Winner vs. Bracket 2 Winner, 7 p.m. on ESPN

2026 College World Series results

Friday, June 12

Game 1: No. 16 West Virginia 7, Troy 5
Game 2: No. 5 North Carolina 6, Ole Miss 2

Saturday, June 13

Game 3: Oklahoma 9, No. 7 Alabama 0
Game 4: No. 3 Georgia 7, No. 6 Texas 1

Sunday, June 14

Game 5: Troy 12, Ole Miss 8
Game 6: No. 5 North Carolina 5, No. 16 West Virginia 2