West Virginia Dropped 7 Runs on Troy in the CWS Opener, and North Carolina Needs To Take Notes

Alright, Seattle, buckle up! The College World Series in Omaha just kicked off, and if Friday's opener is any indication, this tournament is gonna be absolutely bonkers. We're talking wide-open, anything-can-happen baseball, and it started with a first-time CWS participant, No. 16 national seed West Virginia, taking down Troy in a 7-5 barn burner. These Mountaineers didn't just win, they announced their arrival with a bang!

First-Timers Throw Down in Omaha

Both West Virginia and Troy are making their CWS debut, and what a way to start! West Virginia had a smooth ride to Nebraska, playing their first two rounds at home. They absolutely poured on the runs against Cal Poly to sweep their super regional, showing they're not afraid to hit. Troy, on the other hand, had a tougher path, emerging from a regional that featured powerhouses Florida and Miami. After that, they swept fellow upstart Little Rock in the super regionals. These two teams proved they belong, but West Virginia's bats were hotter tonight, securing that crucial 7-5 victory to get things rolling. What a way to start your CWS journey, am I right?

North Carolina Faces a Gauntlet After This Opener

With that first game delivering all the fireworks, the nightcap featured another heavyweight bout. No. 5 seed North Carolina, the second-highest seed left in the tournament, opened their CWS run against Ole Miss. The Tar Heels had to fight tooth and nail just to get here, coming from behind in the ninth inning to defeat USC in Game 3 of their super regional. Talk about grit! Ole Miss isn't to be underestimated either, as they swept No. 4 seed Auburn in Alabama to punch their ticket. This game, which got underway at 7 p.m. ET, was live on ESPN and the ESPN app, a must-watch after that West Virginia-Troy showdown. Who started their stay in Nebraska with a W? The whole baseball world is watching.

What's Next for the CWS and Our M's

The College World Series schedule is absolutely packed, with more games Saturday and Sunday, continuing all the way through June 22. We've got Alabama vs. Oklahoma on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, and then Georgia vs. Texas at 8 p.m. ET, both on ESPN. This tournament is just getting started, and if the first game is any indication, we're in for some incredible baseball! Speaking of action, our Mariners didn't quite get it done out on the East Coast tonight. They fell to the Baltimore Orioles, 7-5. Tough one, but you know our M's will bounce back. We're bleeding green and blue every single night, and whether it's college ball chaos or our boys at T-Mobile Park, we're always ready for more! Let's keep that energy up, Seattle!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.