Kyle Branch's Oklahoma team earned a spot in the Men's College World Series final on Wednesday, but that wasn't even the most joyous moment of his night after watching an opposing batter launch a home run against his own teammate.
The Branch Brothers became a favorite storyline of the 2026 MCWS, as Kyle and his older brother, Kolby, became the first siblings to start and play against each other in the World Series - Kyle's Sooners had to defeat Kolby's Georgia Bulldogs twice to reach the championship series against North Carolina.
Read more: Oklahoma couldn't be set up any prettier to finish CWS with a national title
Kyle Branch couldn't help but celebrate his brother, Kolby Branch, as the Sooners beat Georgia
It was basically a sure thing the Sooners would be playing for a national title with an 11-3 lead over Georgia in the ninth inning when Kolby, in his final college at-bat, blasted a solo shot over his brother and the fence at Charles Schwab Stadium in Omaha. As the ball soared over Kyle at second base, his face couldn't hide how incredible the moment was for him, even if it did mean the opposing team adding another run and prolonging the Sooners' celebration.
Kyle's eyes lit up when the ball left his brother's bat and he was still grinning when Kolby trotted right by him at second. The two quickly celebrated together with a high-five. Right then, that lifelong bond between brothers trumped any college baseball dream or rivalry, and even the fans in the stands and at home watching on TV understood that.
What an absolutely incredible moment for the Branch family in Kolby Branch's final collegiate AB, getting to high five his brother rounding the bases while parents are in stands.
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) June 18, 2026
Can't script it. pic.twitter.com/DtK34i0dQx
Oklahoma’s Kyle Branch immediately looked for his brother Kolby after the Sooners eliminated Georgia in the MCWS. 🥺 pic.twitter.com/S5MiIYCZf5
— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) June 18, 2026
“Unbelievable, you can’t script it up any better," Kolby said during the postgame press conference. "... It's a good moment. High-fived him, and that is kinda cool, and then I wished him luck in the national championship.”
As the brothers had their viral moment on the field, up in the stands, their parents, Rusty and Kari Branch, who became regulars during ESPN's broadcast while wearing their split jerseys, were emotional as they witnessed the most memorable moment of their sons' careers.
After the game, the story got even cooler when the umpires found mom and dad to give them the lineup cards from both teams.
"We didn't think this night could be any more special -- this whole week -- and it just continues to be really, really cool," dad Rusty said. "It's bittersweet, but we're appreciative. We're proud of them. We're hurting for one and we're real excited for the second."
The umpires found the Branch parents to give them the official lineup cards with their boys, Kolby (UGA) and Kyle (Oklahoma), on them.
— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) June 18, 2026
They are the first brothers to be starters/opponents in a MCWS game, and this was the final time the two faced off in college. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/e2NvN1ceRm
For the rest of the MCWS now, Kolby will be in the crowd with his parents to cheer on his younger brother as Kyle, who grew up idolizing his older brother, tries to win a national title, but even that feeling will be hard to top what he experienced with his family Wednesday night.
“That’s sometimes what it takes, you’ve got to get through those bumps,” Kyle told NCAA.com earlier this week. “We’ve both matured and grown into men who can support each other and compete at the same time...
"We support each other, hands down no matter what. It’s become one of my favorite relationships in my life.”
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