The Oklahoma Sooners baseball squad is gearing up for a thrilling journey to Omaha, with their path beginning in the highly competitive Chapel Hill Regional. The battle-tested Sooners will face an old foe in their opening matchup: the Nebraska Cornhuskers. This clash promises to reignite an old rivalry, setting the stage for an electrifying start to the NCAA Tournament.
Oklahoma earned their spot in the Chapel Hill Regional with a strong season, blending a potent offense with a stingy pitching staff. Under the guidance of head coach Skip Johnson, the Sooners have shown resilience and clutch performance, making them a formidable contender in this double-elimination regional. Their first test, however, is no small task—Nebraska, a team that stormed into the tournament on the strength of an automatic bid after a dominant 5-0 victory over UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament championship.
The Cornhuskers, led by head coach Will Bolt, have been a surprise force this season. Their emphatic win over UCLA showcased a balanced attack, with standout pitching and timely hitting that silenced the Bruins’ bats. Nebraska’s tournament-clinching performance was a statement: they’re not just here to participate, they’re here to compete. Key players like DH Devin Nunez, who was a sparkplug in the lineup, and pitcher Ty Horn, who stifled UCLA’s offense, will be critical for Nebraska as they look to upset the Sooners.
The history between Oklahoma and Nebraska adds an extra layer of intrigue. These two programs, once Big 12 Conference rivals, have a storied past filled with intense battles on the diamond, as well as other major sports. While conference realignment has separated them, the competitive fire remains. For older fans, this matchup evokes memories of classic showdowns from the 1990s and early 2000s, when both teams were regular contenders for national titles in College Football. Now, in 2025, they meet again with a trip to the Super Regionals on the line.
For Oklahoma, the keys to victory will be their ability to generate early offense, which has been a struggle lately, against Nebraska’s pitching staff. They can feel comfortable leaning on their own arms to keep the Cornhuskers’ bats in check. Outfielder Trey Gambill and catcher Easton Carmichael have been offensive catalysts for the Sooners all season, while Kyson Witherspoon, Cade Crossland, or Malachi Witherspoon is expected to set the tone on the mound. Oklahoma’s experience in high-pressure environments should serve them well, but they’ll need to stay sharp against a Nebraska squad riding a wave of confidence.
The Chapel Hill Regional itself is a gauntlet, with host North Carolina and a talented underdog, Holy Cross, lurking. Both Oklahoma and Nebraska know that surviving this regional requires near-perfect execution. For the Sooners, a win over Nebraska would not only advance them in the bracket but also send a message that they’re ready to make a deep run toward Omaha. For the Cornhuskers, an upset over Oklahoma would cement their Cinderella story and prove their Big Ten title was no fluke.
As the Sooners and Cornhuskers prepare to face off, fans can expect a game charged with emotion, history, and postseason intensity. First pitch is set for Friday in Chapel Hill, and with both teams hungry for a shot at the College World Series, this opening-round clash could be one for the ages.
Game Details:
Oklahoma vs. Nebraska, Chapel Hill Regional, Friday, May 30, 2025, 4:30 PM CST.
Oklahoma earned their spot in the Chapel Hill Regional with a strong season, blending a potent offense with a stingy pitching staff. Under the guidance of head coach Skip Johnson, the Sooners have shown resilience and clutch performance, making them a formidable contender in this double-elimination regional. Their first test, however, is no small task—Nebraska, a team that stormed into the tournament on the strength of an automatic bid after a dominant 5-0 victory over UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament championship.
The Cornhuskers, led by head coach Will Bolt, have been a surprise force this season. Their emphatic win over UCLA showcased a balanced attack, with standout pitching and timely hitting that silenced the Bruins’ bats. Nebraska’s tournament-clinching performance was a statement: they’re not just here to participate, they’re here to compete. Key players like DH Devin Nunez, who was a sparkplug in the lineup, and pitcher Ty Horn, who stifled UCLA’s offense, will be critical for Nebraska as they look to upset the Sooners.
The history between Oklahoma and Nebraska adds an extra layer of intrigue. These two programs, once Big 12 Conference rivals, have a storied past filled with intense battles on the diamond, as well as other major sports. While conference realignment has separated them, the competitive fire remains. For older fans, this matchup evokes memories of classic showdowns from the 1990s and early 2000s, when both teams were regular contenders for national titles in College Football. Now, in 2025, they meet again with a trip to the Super Regionals on the line.
For Oklahoma, the keys to victory will be their ability to generate early offense, which has been a struggle lately, against Nebraska’s pitching staff. They can feel comfortable leaning on their own arms to keep the Cornhuskers’ bats in check. Outfielder Trey Gambill and catcher Easton Carmichael have been offensive catalysts for the Sooners all season, while Kyson Witherspoon, Cade Crossland, or Malachi Witherspoon is expected to set the tone on the mound. Oklahoma’s experience in high-pressure environments should serve them well, but they’ll need to stay sharp against a Nebraska squad riding a wave of confidence.
The Chapel Hill Regional itself is a gauntlet, with host North Carolina and a talented underdog, Holy Cross, lurking. Both Oklahoma and Nebraska know that surviving this regional requires near-perfect execution. For the Sooners, a win over Nebraska would not only advance them in the bracket but also send a message that they’re ready to make a deep run toward Omaha. For the Cornhuskers, an upset over Oklahoma would cement their Cinderella story and prove their Big Ten title was no fluke.
As the Sooners and Cornhuskers prepare to face off, fans can expect a game charged with emotion, history, and postseason intensity. First pitch is set for Friday in Chapel Hill, and with both teams hungry for a shot at the College World Series, this opening-round clash could be one for the ages.
Game Details:
Oklahoma vs. Nebraska, Chapel Hill Regional, Friday, May 30, 2025, 4:30 PM CST.
