Mike Monaco and Ben McDonald lead ESPN’s Oklahoma vs Alabama College World Series coverage

Match date: 13 June 2026

Oklahoma vs Alabama in the NCAA College World Series will be shown live on ESPN in the United States, with streaming also available on ESPN Unlimited. The ESPN broadcast team for this game is led by Mike Monaco on play-by-play, alongside analysts Ben McDonald and Eduardo Pérez, with Taylor McGregor reporting from the field.[1][3][8]

For UK viewers, the scheduled start time is 20:00, and ESPN’s coverage is part of its exclusive 2026 NCAA Men’s College World Series presentation from Charles Schwab Field Omaha.[1][3] ESPN has described the 2026 tournament as an exclusive package running from June 12 to June 22, underlining that the network remains the main destination for fans following the road to the championship.[3][4]

Mike Monaco has become one of ESPN’s regular baseball voices, frequently used on the network’s College World Series and broader college-baseball coverage.[1][9] His presence on this game fits ESPN’s pattern of rotating established play-by-play talent across Omaha, while keeping a familiar, high-level broadcast identity for one of the sport’s biggest amateur events.[2][5]

Ben McDonald brings strong colour commentary credentials to the booth. A former LSU standout and major league pitcher, he has been a long-time ESPN analyst on college baseball and the College World Series, where his experience as both an elite amateur and professional player gives him particular authority on pitching matchups and game management.[2][4][5] Eduardo Pérez, a former MLB player and respected analyst, adds another experienced voice to the telecast; ESPN has repeatedly used him in its premier baseball coverage because of his depth of knowledge and clear in-game analysis.[2][4][9]

Taylor McGregor is part of ESPN’s reporting team in Omaha and provides the on-site coverage that helps connect viewers to dugout updates, injury news, tactical changes and player reactions.[1][9] Her role is especially valuable in a tournament setting, where momentum shifts quickly and sideline information can shape how the audience reads the game.

There is also a separate Westwood One radio broadcast in the USA, led by John Bishop with Connor Happer in support and Josh Peterson reporting.[User prompt] That gives listeners another option if they prefer audio coverage, while ESPN remains the main televised home for the matchup.[3]

ESPN’s wider College World Series approach has long been built around comprehensive coverage across its platforms, and the network has highlighted that all games stream through ESPN services during the tournament.[2][3] That makes the Oklahoma-Alabama clash easy to follow whether viewers are watching on cable, streaming, or catching the radio call on Westwood One.[1][3]

For background on the event itself, the NCAA baseball championship remains the sport’s marquee college tournament, with the Men’s College World Series in Omaha representing the final stage of the season.[3][4]

Article generated: 13 June 2026, 20:01 GMT