
The final game of the men's College World Series lacked drama, but it still delivered an incredible moment.
On Monday, the Oklahoma Sooners won the third college baseball national championship in program history and first since 1994 with a dominant 13-2 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels. Second baseman Kyle Branch, batting ninth, was the biggest star of the game, finishing 3-for-4 at the plate with six RBI and hitting arguably the most memorable home run at Omaha this tournament.
Branch delivered a three-run blast in the eighth inning to extend Oklahoma's lead to 11, a moment made more special considering his brother Kolby, a Georgia Bulldogs infielder, also hit a home run in his final at-bat at the College World Series earlier this week.
The two made history by becoming the first brothers to play against each other at the CWS, doing so twice as Kyle's Sooners swept the two games, and the two even shared a brief high-five as Kolby trotted the bases after hitting his long ball.
What an absolutely incredible moment for the Branch family in Kolby Branch's final collegiate AB, getting to high five his brother rounding the bases while parents are in stands.
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) June 18, 2026
Can't script it. pic.twitter.com/DtK34i0dQx
Earlier Monday, On3 reported that Kolby, who left for Athens following Georgia's exit, returned for Monday's championship-deciding game, putting him in the stands for his brother's remarkable home run.
you really can't script this stuff...... pic.twitter.com/bBWcV2qj2C
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) June 23, 2026
It made for perfect symmetry, as ESPN's Peter Burns wrote on social media. "After his brother Kolby Branch homers in his last at bat for Georgia... Kyle Branch homers in his likely at bat in Omaha.
"Baseball is beautiful."
After his brother Kolby Branch homers in his last at bat for Georgia.....Kyle Branch homers in his likely at bat in Omaha.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) June 23, 2026
3/4 with 6 RBI's today for the Sooners 9 hole hitter.
Baseball is beautiful. https://t.co/9b2zwFoFAy
"Pure joy," Kyle simply told ESPN's Kris Budden afterward about his reaction to his home run. "I know Kolby was excited to see that ball go over," he added.
The Branch brothers were among the biggest stars in Omaha at the 2026 men's CWS. And while only one left as a national champion, they each were a part of history.
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