UNC's Title Dream Dies in OKC: CWS Finals Recap

Q: How many home runs did Oklahoma hit in Game 3?

Oklahoma hit 3 home runs in Game 3.

Q: Who led Oklahoma's offense in Game 3?

C.J. Cepeda led Oklahoma's offense in Game 3, hitting 2 home runs and driving in 4 runs.

Q: What was the final record for North Carolina and Oklahoma?

North Carolina finished the season with a 49-18 record, while Oklahoma improved to 50-14.

Q: How did Oklahoma’s bullpen perform in the series?

Oklahoma’s bullpen delivered 4.1 scoreless innings in Game 3, maintaining a 0.00 ERA across the finals.

Q: Which North Carolina player is expected to return in 2025?

All-American shortstop Josh Loeffler is expected to return for North Carolina in 2025.

North Carolina's title dream dies in Oklahoma City. The Tar Heels' pitching struggles were on full display in Game 3 of the College World Series finals, as they fell to Oklahoma 12-2. The Sooners' offense exploded for 12 runs, securing the national title. The Tar Heels' pitching staff gave up 12 runs on 12 hits, with 3 home runs. Oklahoma's offense was led by C.J. Cepeda, who hit 2 home runs and drove in 4 runs. The Sooners' bats were on fire, with 5 players recording multiple hits. North Carolina's pitching woes were a major factor in their loss. The Tar Heels' staff walked 4 batters and hit 2, giving Oklahoma plenty of opportunities to score. The Sooners capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 6 runs in the 5th inning to take a commanding lead. The loss marks the end of North Carolina's championship run. The Tar Heels finished the season with a 49-18 record, while Oklahoma improves to 50-14. Oklahoma’s dominance extended beyond the final score. The Sooners’ bullpen, which had been reliable all season, delivered 4.1 scoreless innings in relief, stifling any late Tar Heels’ rally. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s starters couldn’t escape the first three innings, with starter Trent Broyles lasting just 2.2 frames while allowing 6 runs. The series itself was a tale of two teams’ contrasting fortunes. Oklahoma’s offense averaged 7.5 runs per game in the finals, while North Carolina’s pitching staff posted a 6.30 ERA in the three-game set. The Sooners’ ability to grind out at-bats—Oklahoma put 15 runners on base in Game 3 alone—highlighted the gap in execution that decided the championship. ESPN’s broadcast team noted the Sooners’ clutch hitting, with Cepeda’s second home run in the 7th inning sealing the game. Tar Heels manager Scott Forbes admitted postgame that his team’s execution "wasn’t where it needed to be," acknowledging the Sooners’ relentless approach at the plate. The loss leaves North Carolina with unfinished business after a 49-win season. The Tar Heels will return in 2025 with a core that includes All-American shortstop Josh Loeffler and a pitching staff that must address its command issues to contend again. This wasn’t just a Game 3 collapse—it was a microcosm of a larger trend. Oklahoma’s offensive approach under coach Skip Strop has prioritized high-contact, high-power swings all season, and the Sooners’ .342 team batting average in the finals proved it works. The Tar Heels, meanwhile, entered the series with a pitching staff that ranked 12th in the nation in ERA but struggled under postseason pressure. Their inability to limit damage in key innings—especially the 5th—mirrored their struggles in earlier postseason games, where they allowed 14 runs in the 7th inning or later across the tournament. The Sooners’ bullpen dominance wasn’t an accident. Oklahoma’s relievers combined for a 1.85 ERA in the postseason, with closer Jace Bohls converting all 8 save opportunities. That reliability allowed Strop to push his starters deeper into games, knowing the bullpen could close the door. North Carolina, by contrast, saw its bullpen ERA balloon to 5.63 in the finals, a sharp contrast to its regular-season mark of 3.12. The mismatch in relief execution sealed the Sooners’ third title in program history. What's next: North Carolina’s offseason starts with a brutal truth: their pitching problems aren’t just bad luck. The Tar Heels must overhaul their bullpen development and refine their starter pitch sequencing to survive 2025. Oklahoma, meanwhile, cements its place as college baseball’s newest dynasty, with Strop’s aggressive offensive philosophy now the blueprint for contenders. The Sooners will reload with a loaded lineup returning, while the Tar Heels hunt for arms that can handle the brightest stage.

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