Kolby Branch ends college baseball career with a homer — and a high-five from his brother
In the final at-bat of his college career, Georgia baseball standout Kolby Branch belted a solo homer 401 feet to left centerfield.
Something even better awaited him at second base.
As Branch rounded second, he received a high-five from younger brother Kyle Branch, a second baseman for Oklahoma. The interaction occurred in the bottom of the ninth inning of the Sooners’ 11-4 victory against the No. 3 Bulldogs in the 2026 College World Series on Wednesday, June 17.
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.
Can’t script it. pic.twitter.com/DtK34i0dQx
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) June 18, 2026
The Branch brothers have been among the bigger, more compelling storylines of the tournament, as both of their teams played deep into the event. During their game on June 17, their parents, Kari and Rusty, watched from the stands while wearing split jerseys — one half Oklahoma, one half Georgia.
The homer was Branch’s 20th of the season for the Bulldogs.
With the win, the Sooners eliminated Georgia and moved on to the championship series of the College World Series, where they’ll take on No. 5 North Carolina. Kyle Branch, a sophomore, has started 56 games this season for Oklahoma at second base and is hitting .209 this season with 21 RBI.
It was the Sooners’ second victory in three days against the Bulldogs. The younger Branch’s team won the first matchup, 4-3, on Monday, June 15.
“We support each other, hands down, no matter what,” Kyle said this week to NCAA.com. “It’s become one of my favorite relationships in my life.”
Though on Wednesday night, support between the Branch brothers came in the form of a hand up.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Kyle Branch had the best reaction to Kolby Branch’s final at-bat of college career
