OMAHA, Neb. — Georgia’s 2026 season came to an end June 17, as Oklahoma powered its way to an 11-4 victory over the Bulldogs in the College World Series semifinals at Charles Schwab Field.
The Sooners used a barrage of home runs to end Georgia’s run in Omaha and advance to the national championship series, where they eventually defeated North Carolina.
Oklahoma struck first in the third inning against Georgia when Jason Walk launched a solo home run to secure itself a 1-0 lead. The Sooners added to their advantage in the fourth as Trey Gambill connected for a solo shot before Dasan Harris followed with a two-run homer, stretching the lead to 4-0.
Georgia finally got on the board in the fifth inning. Senior shortstop Kolby Branch ripped a one-out double and later scored on a single by Ryan Black, cutting Oklahoma’s lead to 4-1.
The Bulldogs mounted another threat in the sixth. Trailing 5-1, Georgia loaded the bases and drew consecutive walks from Oklahoma reliever LJ Mercurius. Branch and Black each forced in runs, trimming the deficit to 5-3 and giving the Bulldogs life.
Oklahoma answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, however, pushing across a run to regain a three-run cushion at 6-3.
The Sooners delivered the knockout blow in the eighth inning. Harris blasted his second two-run home run of the night, while Walk added his second solo shot as Oklahoma expanded its lead to 9-3 and finishing the night with five home runs.
Georgia’s pitching staff struggled to contain the red-hot Sooners lineup. Redshirt sophomore Paul Farley started and worked 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out six. Senior Matt Scott followed with four innings of relief before Justin Byrd, Zach Brown, Grant Edwards, and Joe Nottingham combined to finish the game.
Branch provided one final highlight for the Bulldogs in the ninth inning. In the final at-bat of his Georgia career, the senior launched a solo home run to left field. The blast was his 20th of the season and the 56th of his career, capping one of the most productive careers in program history.
Despite the disappointing finish, Georgia head coach Wes Johnson credited Oklahoma’s performance.
“We played a really hot baseball team,” Johnson said. “They are playing extremely well right now and at their peak. They executed pitches all night long, got off great swings in hitters counts. They didn’t miss their pitch. We had some chances. I wish them the best of luck in the national championship series. Skip does a great job.”
Branch reflected on both the College World Series experience and his time in the program.
“You look at all the kids in the stands here and wanted to let them know and make them see that baseball is fun,” Branch said. “You focus when you’re playing and when you do that you play good baseball. That was our message and what we tried to do each time we took the field here in Omaha. That’s what we tried to do all season. We had a lot of fun and accomplished a lot.”
Georgia finished the season with a 53-14 record, setting a new school record for victories. The Bulldogs captured the SEC regular-season championship for the first time since 2008, won the program’s first SEC Tournament title, and reached the College World Series for the first time in 18 years.
Georgia’s Omaha run ended with a 2-2 record, tied for third place nationally and serving as the final chapter of one of the most successful seasons in school history.