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Branch brothers wrap men's College World Series with incredible moment
Oklahoma Sooners second baseman Kyle Branch (6) drives in the first run of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second inning at Charles Schwab Field. Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Branch brothers wrap men's College World Series with incredible moment

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.

Kyle Branch adds to family's memorable week at CWS with eighth-inning home run

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.

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.

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."

"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.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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