If you haven’t heard yet, No. 16 WVU Baseball clinched a trip to Omaha Saturday for the first time in program history. In just three days’ time, the Mountaineers, along with seven other teams, will take the field with the same goal: to become the 2026 Men’s College World Series Champions. Read more: The field for Omaha: historical background of each of No. 16 WVU Baseball’s potential opponents.
WVU will take the field first Friday to face Troy at 2 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. local).
Related: WVU Baseball has captured the heart of America
The other two teams in WVU’s bracket include No. 5 UNC and Ole Miss. Those two teams are set to compete following WVU and Troy at 7 p.m. ET.
The other side is a massive SEC showdown, with the bracket including No. 3 Georgia, No. 6 Texas, No. 7 Alabama and Oklahoma. Those four teams begin action on Saturday.
It’s worth noting that none of the eight College World Series teams reached Omaha in 2025. The most recent visit of the eight teams was UNC in 2024.
A history-making moment for Troy
In addition to WVU, Troy of the Sun Belt Conference is the only other team in Omaha making its first-ever appearance in program history.
Troy has made the NCAA Tournament 10 times, but until this season, they had never even competed in the Super Regional.
Prior to this season, its last tournament appearance was in 2023.
Overall, the Sun Belt has only had two other programs reach the College World Series. Louisiana was the first in 2000, with Coastal Carolina appearing in 2016 and 2025.
The Sun Belt’s only College World Series champion is the 2016 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.
UNC and Ole Miss round out bracket one
WVU will for sure face either UNC or Ole Miss in their second Omaha game, but that will not be known until both day one games are complete.
The UNC Tarheels represent the ACC. WVU, Troy and UNC are the only non-SEC teams in the College World Series.
UNC is no stranger to the College World Series, as this season will be its 13th appearance. It reached the championship game in 2006 and 2007 but fell short both times.
The Tar Heels are also routine competitors in the NCAA Tournament with appearances for nine straight seasons (no tournament in 2020 due to COVID-19).
The Ole Miss Rebels are the lone SEC team in bracket one. It has reached the College World Series for the seventh time.
The Rebels have won the College World Series one time in program history. It defeated Oklahoma in 2022 to claim its first title.
Ole Miss has won nine regionals since the format changed in 2003.
SEC will reach the championship game
Georgia, Texas, Alabama and Oklahoma make up bracket two, meaning an SEC team will appear in the championship games.
Combined, the four teams have won nine College World Series Championships and have competed in the championship game 18 times.
Texas is the powerhouse of the group, winning six championships with 12 total appearances in the College World Series Championship.
Oklahoma has won two College World Series championships. It’s the most recent program of the four to reach the finals, falling to Ole Miss in 2022.
Georgia has won the College World Series once in 1990. Its most recent appearance in the championship series was in 2008 falling to Fresno State.
Alabama has never won the College World Series, but it was runner-up in 1983 and 1997. Alabama’s last trip to Omaha was in 1999.
The only instance of a repeat championship series would be if Ole Miss wins bracket one and Oklahoma wins bracket two for a rematch of the 2022 College World Series.
What’s next
The action in Omaha begins Friday. Two games will be played each day until June 17, with two games on the 18th if necessary.
The Championship series begins on the 20th and will finish on the 21st or 22nd.
Staff writer Brendan Statler will be in the Cornhusker State to bring you insight from the tourney. Other contributors set to be on location include publisher John Fredericks and staff writer Quinn Robie (pulling double duty with student media).
Stay up to date with WV Sports Nation for more WVU Athletics coverage.
