It wasn't much of a question whether Oklahoma would start a third freshman in as many games in Monday's Men's College World Series championship series Game 3. But it was a question that had to be asked anyway.
In true Skip Johnson fashion, Oklahoma's head coach made the answer entertaining as always.
"(Nick) Wesloski tomorrow, you think?" Sooners on SI's John Hoover asked during OU's press conference Sunday after North Carolina forced a Game 3 with a 6-2 win.
"We'll throw Wesloski tomorrow. I'm sure we will," Johnson responded.
The exchange that followed was worth the price of admission.
"You like him in that spot?" Hoover followed.
"Do you?" Johnson asked back.
"I love it," Hoover responded.
"Good. As long as you like it, I like it," Johnson said. "We can blame it on you if he doesn't pitch good, right?"
“We can blame it on you if he doesn’t pitch good.” 🤣
— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) June 21, 2026
Oklahoma’s Skip Johnson had a funny exchange with a reporter when asked if RHP Nick Wesloski would start in Game 3 against the Tar Heels. pic.twitter.com/sUBdwugv1v
Oklahoma starting 3rd freshman in CWS championship series with national title on the line
Ahead of the biggest game of the season -- and one of the biggest games in recent Oklahoma baseball history -- Johnson appeared as calm, cool and relaxed as ever, even after just losing to UNC in Game 2 of the championship series. It's a trait that has been evident throughout the Sooners' postseason run, particularly among their freshman pitchers.
Nick Wesloski will look to help Oklahoma bounce back from Sunday's loss by displaying the same poise that he, Cord Rager and Xander Mercurius have shown throughout the NCAA Tournament, especially during the MCWS.
In his last start against Georgia in the Men's College World Series five days before, Wesloski threw 5.2 innings, allowing four hits and one earned run while earning the win in an 11-4 Oklahoma victory that sent the Sooners to the championship final.
Wesloski has recorded two wins this season, and both have come in the postseason. The first came in a pivotal 15-5 victory over The Citadel on May 31 in the Atlanta Regional, the game that sparked Oklahoma's nine-game postseason winning streak. The Sooners then didn't need a third starter in the Lawrence Super Regional after sweeping Kansas in two games.
Read more: If any team can survive this CWS do-or-die moment it’s these Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners have embraced the mantra "Yesterday is Dead."
Behind Wesloski -- and the "good bats," as OU play-by-play announcer Toby Rowland has described the offense -- Oklahoma will look to do exactly that Monday night, bury Sunday's result and secure the third national championship in program history.
It's the outcome that every Sooner would not only like, but love, and it's in Wesloski's hands.
Add us as a preferred source on Google