The Sooners scored four runs in the fourth inning to break a 3-3 tie with the Tar Heels to win Game 1 of the MCWS final on Saturday. With the 9-3 victory, Oklahoma is now one victory away from the third national championship in program history.
Deitan Lachance hit two home runs for the Sooners, going deep in the first and third innings for 3 RBI. Center fielder Jason Walk and second baseman Kyle Branch also drove in two runs for Oklahoma.
The Sooners also got four innings of relief from their bullpen after starter Cord Rager was tagged for 3 runs and 5 hits in 5 innings. LJ Mercurius closed out the win with 1 2/3 innings, allowing no hits with 2 strikeouts.
North Carolina starting pitcher Jason DeCaro allowed 7 runs and 7 hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out 6 batters. The Tar Heels couldn’t overcome that breakdown by their ace, despite getting 5 1/3 scoreless innings from their bullpen. Gavin Gallaher had 2 RBI, while Colin Hynek drove in the other run.