OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Oklahoma capitalized on North Carolina’s uncharacteristic pitching struggles and got another clutch performance from LJ Mercurius out of the bullpen on its way to a 13-2 victory in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the College World Series finals Monday night, completing an improbable run to its first national championship since 1994.The Sooners (43-23) won the Southeastern Conference’s seventh straight title after finishing 11th in the regular season and entering the NCAA Tournament off losses in seven of nine games.North Carolina (54-14-1) was runner-up for the third time since 2006 and now has 13 CWS appearances without a title. Only Florida State, with 24, has more without winning it all.The Sooners were back in top form offensively after managing only four singles in a 6-2 loss in Game 2 and handed the Tar Heels their most lopsided loss of the season.
When Jackson Cleveland struck out Jake Schaffner to end the game, he and catcher Deiten Lachance embraced and then headed to the dogpile that formed near third base. Players waving national championship towels rushed back toward their dugout to salute the celebrating Sooner faithful on the first-base line.
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