OMAHA, Neb. (Interstat) — The College World Series rolls on Wednesday night as underdog Oklahoma faces top-seeded Georgia in a pivotal playoff matchup at Charles Schwab Field.

The Sooners (40-22) earned a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Bulldogs on Monday, behind a strong start from right-hander Xander Mercurius. He threw 7 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out nine. Shortstop Jaxon Willits went 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs, and reliever Jackson Cleveland threw 1 2/3 scoreless frames to seal the win.

Mercurius (7-3) will take the mound again Wednesday on short rest. In his last three outings, he struck out 23 batters over 17 innings, including a 13-2 win over Kansas on June 7 and a loss at Georgia Tech on May 30 in which he allowed five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings despite giving up no hits.

Georgia (53-13) counter with right-hander Justin Byrd, who has been nearly untouchable. The junior threw five shutout innings in a 2-0 win at Texas on Tuesday, allowing no hits and striking out four. Over his last five appearances, Byrd has allowed just one hit and no earned runs in 12 2/3 innings, with 13 strikeouts. He last faced Oklahoma on June 15 in the series opener, but did not appear in that game.

The Bulldogs have dominated most of the season, but Monday’s loss was their first in five games. They beat Texas 7-1 on June 13 and swept a two-game set at Mississippi State on June 6-7, winning 13-12 and 11-9 in extra innings.

Oklahoma enters with momentum after Monday’s win and a 9-0 shutout of Alabama on June 13. The Sooners also swept Kansas on June 6-7 and split a two-game series with Georgia Tech on May 30-June 1.

First pitch is set for 7 p.m. CDT. The winner takes a crucial step toward the College World Series finals.