Who’s starting for Oklahoma, UNC baseball? CWS finals’ projected pitchers

Nairavoice | Jun 22, 2026 3h ago 69 0 4 min read

Who’s starting for Oklahoma, UNC baseball? CWS finals’ projected pitchers

Oklahoma and North Carolina are headed to a winner-take-all Game 3 at the College World Series on Monday, June 22.

The No. 5 Tar Heels dropped Game 1, 9-3, but responded with a 6-2 win to force a deciding final game for the national championship. Star reliever Caden Glauber was fantastic out of the bullpen, tossing five shutout innings with eight strikeouts to improve to 29-0 this season in games in which he has pitched.

The Sooners got out to an early 2-0 lead, but it was all North Carolina from there. Shortstop Jake Schaffner tied the game on a two-RBI triple in the third inning before he gave UNC a 3-2 lead on a wild pitch in the same frame. Owen Hull and Cooper Nicholson both slugged home runs.

Oklahoma starter Xander Mercurius started off the game striking out six batters in the first two innings, but a 50-pitch third inning drove him out of the game. The true freshman allowed four earned runs on five hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in four innings of work.

Now, it all comes down to this. Who will bring home some hardware? Here’s a full preview of Game 3 between Oklahoma and North Carolina at the College World Series:

https:%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs Who's starting for Oklahoma, UNC baseball? CWS finals' projected pitchers

Oklahoma: RHP Nick Wesloski (2-1, 3.63 ERA)
North Carolina: LHP Jackson Rose (5-0, 2.15 ERA)

Oklahoma: RHP Nick Wesloski (2-1, 3.63 ERA)

North Carolina: LHP Jackson Rose (5-0, 2.15 ERA)

Oklahoma right-hander Nick Wesloski will make his third start of the postseason, Oklahoma coach Skip Johnson said in his postgame news conference. The true freshman coming off a solid performance against No. 3 Georgia to reach the national championship series, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

North Carolina, meanwhile, could shake up its rotation with left-hander Jackson Rose. The true freshman was the bulk reliever in North Carolina’s semifinals win over West Virginia, going 4 1/3 innings while allowing no runs on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

UNC coach Scott Forbes said after the game he hasn’t decided on a starter yet, adding everyone is available — dependent on how they feel.

Wesloski delivered the longest start of his career against The Citadel in the Atlanta Regional earlier in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, emerging as one of Oklahoma’s starting options. He went seven innings and allowed three earned runs and four strikeouts in the elimination win.

Rose has mostly been used as a reliever this season, but could jump in front of Folger Boaz for Game 3.

Oklahoma turned to a mix of relievers they’ve used sparingly in the postseason in Game 2. In turn, it was able to keep closer Jackson Cleveland and bullpen weapon LJ Mercurius likely available for Game 3.

Before the national title series, Cleveland and Mercurius were the only relievers the Sooners had used in the College World Series. Left-hander Gavyn Jones could also be available for Oklahoma after tossing 2 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 1 of the series.

For North Carolina, it’ll be interesting to see if Glauber pitches again. He threw 65 pitches in Game 2, but the Tar Heels could turn back to the true freshman if it finds a lead late in the game.

Right-hander Walker McDuffie is another high-leverage option that should be available for North Carolina. McDuffie threw 34 pitches in relief in Game 1, and has been one of its top options during the postseason.

Both bullpens appear to be in decent spots for the final game of the 2026 season.