Sure, the El Segundo, California slugger has a bright future and could do some great things moving forward. But even if he does, it will be hard topping what he did Sunday at Lamade Stadium.

Lappe lived a Little Leaguer’s dream and hit a walk-off home run as California captured the Little League World Series championship and edged Curacao, 6-5 in a dramatic, thrilling final.

Lappe tied the American record for home runs at the Series with his fifth and most memorable. He became the first player since Georgia’s Dalton Carriker in 2007 to end the Series with a walk-off home run and California became the fourth straight American team to capture the title against International competition.

“It’s hard to describe because this is a unique feeling that maybe only five or fewer people experience in their lifetimes,” Lappe said. “I feel great. It’s hard to beat this feeling. I don’t know what would make me feel happier.”

A young fan cheers for Curacao in the reflection of another fan in the outfield during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Nothing could make this team feel any happier. California dropped its second Series game against Texas but roared back to win five straight elimination games, avenge that lone defeat against Texas in the U.S. Final and become the world’s best Little League team.

Move aside, Los Angeles. Your neighbor to the South is the one making all the headlines these days as El Segundo stands alone.

“It’s definitely hard to believe that we’re the best in the world,” Brody Brooks said after earning the win in relief and tying the Series record for runs at a Series (13). “After the game it will take maybe a couple hours to settle in because you’re so excited and have so much adrenaline running through that it’s hard to think about anything like it.

“It’s super exciting and it’s kind of settling in right now that we’re the best in the world,” Jaxon Kalish said after going 1 for 2 with two RBIs. “At first it was really shocking because Louis hit a homer to win us the game. Now it’s starting to settle in.”

While California feels ecstasy, Curacao is experiencing heartache again. The Caribbean champions dropped their third straight world final since 2019 and this one was the most painful yet. A team which also fought through the loser’s bracket thundered back from a four-run fifth-inning deficit and tied the game, 5-5 when Nasir El-Ossais crushed a two-out grand slam over the right-center field fence.

Louis Lappe from El Segundo, California celebrates his game winning home run and 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

California felt shock and Curacao pure joy. But in a game which wildly ebbed and flowed, California which flip roles an inning leader and experience the ultimate ending.

Brooks entered in the sixth and stranded a runner at first, producing a strikeout and inducing a fielder’s choice to Lappe at shortstop. Curacao had stolen the momentum an inning earlier but it flowed back to California as the heart of its order came up.

The first five hitters in California’s lineup all hit above .440 at the Series. Brooks was 12 for 15 but made the last out in the fifth, leaving Lappe to bat lead-off and that put Curacao in a precarious situation. Lappe led the Series field in home runs and went 5 for 5 with six RBIs the last two days.

Curacao could walk Lappe, but then a speedy runner would be on first with no outs and three dangerous hitters coming up, including Kalish on deck who hit a two-run triple which had California up, 2-0 in the first inning.

Curacao went after Lappe and the 6-foot-1 slugger made it pay.

The team from Curacao celebrate a grand slam by Nasir El-Ossais against El Segundo in the fifth inning to tie the game at 5-5. El Segundo, California won 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

After taking a ball, Lappe saw a fastball coming in just below his jersey’s numbers. He took a big swing and as soon as the ball came off the bat, the conclusion was known. Lappe sent his home run over both the left field fence and the hedges behind it.

California officially was the world’s best team and Lappe had become a Little League hero.

“I would never bet against Louis or Brody when it comes to that situation. We’re getting into the at-bat and they’re pitching to him and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, don’t miss. If he misses, this ball’s going out,'” California manager Danny Boehle said. “As soon as he hit, I knew it was gone. It’s unbelievable.”

“I was just trying to get the next guy up. I knew if I could do that my teammates would drive me in,” Lappe said. “When that pitch came … even before I hit it, I thought, ‘Oh yes, this is going.'”

Lappe had a home run challenged earlier this Series when it was initially ruled he did not touch home before being overturned when it showed he had. Partly to ensure it was seen and partly from exhilaration, Lappe soared high into the air and pounded home as he reached the ground. As he did so jubilant teammates swarmed him.

Nasir El-Ossais (13) watches his grand slam against El Segundo in the fifth inning to tie the game at 5-5. El Segundo, California won 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

From there, the players raced down the first-base line, thanked their families and friends and sprinted toward center field where they touched the Howard J. Lamade Statue which Little Leaguers long have believed provides good luck.

Next up was the celebratory jog around the field, holding the title banner before signing jerseys which will hang in the Little League museum, a testament to both this team’s legacy and achievement. There were no dog piles which often follow championship victories but there was a good explanation.

“We were all just way too shocked. This has been a dream for us forever,” catcher Lucas Keldorf said. “We all just didn’t know what happened.”

It looked like California may cruise to a fairly easy win throughout the first four innings. After Brooks and Lappe hit lead-off singles, Keldorf ripped a two-run single which put California up 2-0 in the first. Kalish belted a two-run, two-out single in the third and Max Baker hit a lead-off triple before scoring on Crew O’Connor’s RBI single an inning later.

California was five outs from the championship when the bottom of Curacao’s lineup ignited a rally with two walks and Jayvery Felicia’s single. Following a strikeout, El-Ossais drilled his game-tying grand slam.

West pitcher Ollie Parks (16) is taken out of the game in the third inning after starting the game against Curacao. El Segundo, California won 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Just getting out of California, however, was a difficult task and this team has proven itself to be as tenacious as it is talented throughout the summer. It did so again at the perfect time and became the eighth team from its state to win the world title, the first since 2011.

“It just shows that we never give up. We’re resilient and we’re going to battle until the end,” Boehle said. “It’s just the attitude over the three years they’ve gotten and the personalities they’ve chosen to have that makes this team so special and so connected. There’s nothing this team can’t do as relates to a baseball game.”

California won its third one-run game at the Series, igniting its title push with a comeback, 4-3 win against Ohio. Following the Texas lost, Boehle remained confident saying his team could still win the whole thing.

And as the wins piled up so did the media attention. Following Sunday’s win, Boehle said the Dodgers, the Angels and Jimmy Kimmel, among others, already have reached out.

One memorable journey ended in the most exciting fashion possible. It looks like another one might be just beginning.

“It’s been a long two months but it’s been a long loving, wonderful ending to the last two months of our mission. I think it’s priceless,” Boehle said. “We’ll have reunions ever 10 or 15 or 20 years and I think maybe in that 20th or 15th year these kids will finally realize how special this was because it just hasn’t hit them yet.”

Crew O’Connor watches his hit get past Shemar Sophia Jacobus in the fourth inning of the Little League World Series. El Segundo, California won 6-5 win over Curacao. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jay-Dlynn Wiel (10) of Curacao reacts after doesn’t run home to score against the West team from El Segundo, California. The West won 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Julie Foudy rides through the crowd on a golf cart during the California win 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The team from El Segundo, California celebrates getting out of the first inning after not allowing a run to Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Second baseman Colby Lee of El Segundo, California turns the double play as D’Shawn Winklaar of the Caribbean team tries to break up the play in the second inning. California won 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The team from El Segundo, California celebrate their 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The team from El Segundo, California celebrate their 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The team from El Segundo, California celebrate their 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Louis Lappe from El Segundo, California celebrates his home run to win 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Louis Lappe from El Segundo, California celebrates his home run to win 6-5 win over Curacao during the Little League World Series Aug. 23, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette