California flexes offensive muscle and earns spot in U.S. Final 4 at Little League World Series

A closer look at the 9-3 El Segundo, California win over Smithfield, Rhode Island, Tuesday, at Lamade Stadium

PLAY OF THE GAME ― Louis Lappe’s early fire extinguishing: California struck for two runs in the top of the first, but Rhode Island immediately threatened to answer in the bottom of the inning as Connor Curtis walked and Brayden Castellone singled. Following a great play by right fielder Lennon Salazar, Lappe ended the threat with an inning-ending strikeout. Snuffing out that rally continued building the momentum for California and it responded by scoring two more runs in the second inning to start taking control.

CALIFORNIA PLAYER OF THE GAME ― Brody Brooks: There were a lot to choose from following this well-rounded performance, but Brooks gets the call for helping start it all. The team’s lead-off hitter went 2 for 2 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs. He also helped anchor the infield defense at shortstop and has scored every time he has reached base thus far at the Series.

RHODE ISLAND PLAYER OF THE GAME ― Brayden Castellone: The third baseman/pitcher capped a strong Series by going 2 for 3 and striking out four batters in 2 2/3 innings. Castellone hit over .500 at the Series and his first-inning single gave him four straight plate appearances with reaching base. Castellone highlighted Rhode Island’s fight in the sixth inning when he followed Connor Curtis’s two-out RBI single with a two-run triple to deep right field. He also produced a save against Nevada and earned the win in relief against Pennsylvania.

BIG INNING―California second: Rhode Island entered last night’s game 8-0 in elimination games this summer, so it was not going to lay down. Knowing that, California scoring three runs in the third inning to help break things open was critical. The West champions did not grow content after building a 4-0 advantage and pushed the lead to seven while receiving key hits from Lappe, Jaxon Kalish and Lucas Keldorf. Lappe helped ignite the rally with a one-out single before Kalish hit an RBI double and Keldorf following with a two-run single.

BEST EFFORT―California’s top four hitters going off: Manager Danny Boehle said his offense could be scary if it starts finding its groove following Monday’s loss against Texas. The top four hitters sure struck fear into Rhode Island. Brooks, Lappe, Kalish and Keldorf combined to go 7 for 9 with a home run, double, five RBIs and six runs. Lappe also was sensational on the mound, earning the win, throwing 4 2/3 one-hit innings and striking out nine. Lappe retired the last seven batters he faced, including six via strikeout. He closed his outing with four consecutive strikeouts.

FLASHING LEATHER―California right fielder Lennon Salazar came up big in the first inning when he sprinted into foul territory and made a sensational, diving catch near the line. It was a huge play for the second out since the previous two batters had reached base. One batter later, Louis Lappe ended the threat with a strikeout and the duo combined to leave runners on second and third. Rhode Island pitcher Brayden Castellone showed off his speed to start the fourth inning. The pitcher fielded a hard-hit grounder by Quinn Boehle before taking off and sprinting to first and beating him by a step or two for the out. It, ultimately, saved a run because Ollie Parks hit a triple down the left-field line a batter later.

HOME RUNS: Brody Brooks capped his big night by slamming his second home run in three Series games. Brooks crushed a two-run home run deep and high into the night, sending the ball over the left field wall and giving California a 9-0 lead.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY― "They don’t quit. We still pitched; we still played the game," Rhode Island manager Eric Gibree said. "We still had some fire. It was a candle, but it was still a flame."

"No doubt about it, when you jump on someone early it gives your pitcher a little bit of a cushion," California manager Danny Boehle said. "It’s just a relaxing feeling."

WHAT THE KIDS SAY― "We’re definitely able to expose ourselves and show who we really are out there," Brooks said of California starting to heat up as it plays more at the Series.

WHAT IT MEANS― California moves on to the U.S. Final 4 and will play Tennessee, back under the lights at Lamade Stadium Thursday night. Rhode Island concludes a tremendous season. The team from Smithfield not only captured its first state championship since 1967, but also reached the Series for the first time and won two games here, while finishing among the country’s top six teams.