The final stage of the NCAA baseball national championship race got underway Friday with two games at the 2026 College World Series. Both top-16 national seeds in action on the opening day in Omaha, Neb. came away victorious, setting up a tantalizing matchup in the winner’s bracket. No. 16 West Virginia kicked the CWS off with a 7-5 win over Troy, and No. 5 North Carolina pulled away from Ole Miss, 6-2, in the nightcap.Tar Heels ace Jason DeCaro was as advertised in his CWS debut, as he fanned nine batters across 6.2 innings of work in what was, for much of the game, a pitcher’s battle. He outdueled his Ole Miss counterpart, Taylor Rabe, who walked four but struck out seven in 5.2 innings. The North Carolina offense scored all six of its runs against the Rebels’ bullpen and broke through after trailing 2-1 in the seventh frame.Earlier in the day, West Virginia got six innings of outstanding relief work from Ian Korn in its triumph. Troy was unfazed by starter Chansen Cole and plated four runs across the first three innings, but a four-RBI day from Tyrus Hall helped the Mountaineers outpace the Trojans.Troy is in the midst of its first CWS appearance, and it could be a quick stay in Omaha. The Trojans will meet Ole Miss in an elimination game at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday. The 1-0 game between North Carolina and West Virginia is set for 7 p.m. later that day.
2026 College World Series: Daniel Jackson, Dylan Volantis headline NCAA baseball’s biggest stars in Omaha
Carter Bahns
Action at Charles Schwab Field Omaha continues Saturday when Bracket 2 opens play. All four teams on this side of the tournament hail from the SEC; No. 7 Alabama takes on Oklahoma at 3 p.m., and No. 3 Georgia battles No. 6 Texas at 8 p.m. The evening battle is the most highly anticipated contest of the opening round and features a heavyweight matchup between Bulldogs catcher Daniel Jackson and Longhorns ace Dylan Volantis.
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
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: No. 7 Alabama vs. Oklahoma, 3 p.m. on ESPN
Game 4: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Texas, 8 p.m. on ESPN
Sunday, June 14
Game 5: Troy vs. Ole Miss, 2 p.m. on ESPN
Game 6: No. 16 West Virginia vs. No. 5 North Carolina, 7 p.m. on ESPN
Monday, June 15
Game 7: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser, 2 p.m. on ESPN
Game 8: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser, 7 p.m. on ESPN
Tuesday, June 16
Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser, 2 p.m. on ESPN
Game 10: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Loser, 8 p.m. on ESPN
Wednesday, June 17
Game 11: Game 6 Winner 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
