Dominant pitching and explosive hitting propelled the Oklahoma Sooners to a perfect 3-0 start, securing the Shriners Children's College Showdown title with a dominant championship game victory
ARLINGTON, Texas - The No. 19/RV Oklahoma Sooners started off the 2026 college baseball season in dominant fashion, claiming the Shriners Children's College Showdown title with a perfect 3-0 record at Globe Life Field.
As the only undefeated team in the prestigious early-season tournament, Oklahoma swept through a challenging field that included wins over Texas Tech, in-state rival Oklahoma State, and a commanding run-rule victory over No. 10 TCU in the championship game.
The Sooners capped their flawless weekend with a resounding 12-2 mercy-rule win over the Horned Frogs on Sunday night, ending the contest in just seven innings thanks to a walk-off RBI single. This triumph highlighted Oklahoma's balanced attack and strong pitching, as the team outscored its opponents 32-6 across the three games—an average of 10.6 runs per contest while holding foes to a mere two runs per game.
Senior standout Trey Gambill earned tournament Most Outstanding Player honors after a stellar performance, going 4-for-7 at the plate with two home runs, five RBIs, and an impressive six walks over the weekend. His .571 batting average through the first three games paced a potent Oklahoma lineup where five players were hitting over .300 early in the season.
The championship game against TCU showcased the emergence of freshman left-handed pitcher Cord Rager, who made an electrifying collegiate debut. The 6-6 Maypearl, Texas native tossed five strong innings, allowing just one run on two hits while walking three and striking out eight—including punching out the side in order during the first inning. Rager's performance set the tone, earning him the win (1-0) and demonstrating the depth in Oklahoma's rotation.
Junior reliever Gavyn Jones closed things out effectively, striking out two over the final two frames before the offense sealed the deal early.Offensively, the Sooners exploded for 13 hits in the finale.
Sophomore Camden Johnson delivered a perfect 4-for-4 day, including his first home run as a Sooner, driving in two runs and scoring three times—tying a career high with four hits (previously set last season at Wichita State).
Sophomore Kyle Branch contributed a 2-for-4 effort with his first home run of 2026 and three RBIs, while junior transfer Deiten Lachance went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs, and the decisive walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh.
Oklahoma's pitching staff was equally impressive throughout the event, recording double-digit strikeouts in all three games for a combined 40 Ks across the weekend. The unit surrendered just five earned runs on 14 hits, posting a stingy 1.80 ERA.
The offense complemented this with 34 hits and six home runs from five different players: Gambill (two), Brendan Brock, Branch, Johnson, and Dayton Tockey.This undefeated run in the Shriners Children's College Showdown sent a clear message about Oklahoma's potential under head coach Skip Johnson.
The Sooners displayed power at the plate, timely hitting—eight players recorded hits in the TCU game, the most of the weekend—and lockdown pitching that limited high-powered opponents like TCU, who entered ranked No. 10.
UP NEXT: With momentum building, Oklahoma continues its Globe Life Field swing with a 6:30 p.m. CT matchup against New Mexico State next. Fans can catch the action via simulcast on SECN+ or tune in on 99.3 FM/1400 AM.
The Sooners' 3-0 start not only secured hardware but positioned them as an early force in what promises to be a competitive 2026 season. Their blend of veteran leadership, emerging talent like Rager, and offensive firepower suggests this team could make noise throughout conference play and beyond.