Louis Lappe hits go-ahead home run and California wins thriller against Tennessee at Little League World Series
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A closer look at the 5-3 El Segundo, California win over Nolensville, Tennessee, Wednesday at Lamade Stadium
PLAY OF THE GAME ― Louis Lappe’s clutch, go-ahead home run: Tennessee rallied from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the top of the fifth, but Lappe stifled the momentum in a big way with one swing in the bottom of the inning. After Brody Brooks hit a two-out single, Lappe lived a baseball player’s dream and hit what became the game-winning home run, belting it over the right-center field wall and giving California a 5-3 lead.
CALIFORNIA PLAYER OF THE GAME ― Louis Lappe: After pitching a fantastic game Tuesday night, Lappe displayed his offensive prowess against Tennessee. Lappe went 3 for 3 with his game-winning home run, two RBIs and two runs. He also played strong defense at multiple positions and was a key part of all three California run-producing rallies. Fittingly, Lappe ended the game with a defensive gem, going into the hole, making a difficult stop and a laser throw to rob Turner Blalock of a two-out, sixth inning single.
TENNESSEE PLAYER OF THE GAME ― Lucas McCauley: A player who dominated at the Southeast Regional, continued doing so at the Series and closed his summer by hitting a two-run home run which helped spark the Tennessee comeback. McCauley shined in all facets at the Series and was a day removed from throwing a two-hit complete game with 11 strikeouts against Nevada.
BIG INNING―California third: Yes, the West champions took the lead in the fifth, but it was what Brooks helped do in the third inning which made a huge difference. There were two outs and nobody on base when Brooks hit a routine grounder to gifted shortstop Nash Carter. Carter did everything right on the play, making the stop and a good throw, but Brooks hustled out of the box and beat it by a step for an infield single. Lappe followed with a single and Jaxon Kalish hit a two-run triple which put California up, 3-0. Take away Brooks’ hustle and the game would have been tied after five innings. Brooks also earned the save, working a perfect sixth inning, and has reached base in seven straight at-bats, scoring each time.
BEST EFFORT―Tennessee’s comeback: Facing a 3-0 hole against a team as powerful as California was a difficult task, but as usual, this team did not flinch. After McCauley made it a 3-2 game with his home run, Gideon Shepler singled and Corbin Cyphers doubled with one out in the fifth inning. Carter Gomillion reached on a fielder’s choice and swiped second on a throw back to the pitcher. When the catcher threw to first base, Cyphers sprinted home, completing and exciting double steal and tying the game.
FLASHING LEATHER―California catcher Lucas Keldorf made a difficult grab look easy in the second inning. It was a big play, too, after the lead runner had reached base. Keldorf flung off his mask raced toward the fence on the right side and made the running catch. Tennessee third baseman Ty McKenzie II and first baseman Lucas McCauley combined on a spectacular play an inning later. McKenzie looked like Superman as he made a diving stop which prevented Colby Lee’s rocket from going into left field. He immediately popped up and made a one-hop throw toward McCauley who made a fantastic scoop and completed the dazzling sequence. Second baseman Turner Blalock resumed the defensive clinic in the fourth inning when he made a marvelous play which saved at least two runs. California had loaded the bases with two outs when Finley Green scorched a line drive that was headed for the right-center gap. Blalock soared through the air and somehow extended his entire body to make the highlight-reel catch, holding on while landing hard on the ground.
HOME RUNS: Lucas McCauley continued his big Series when he slammed his two-run home run deep into the night sky. McCauley crushed his no-doubter over the right-center field fence and cut a three-run deficit to 3-2 in the fourth. Lappe became the Series leader in home runs when he crushed his game-winner in the fifth inning.
WHAT THE ADULTS SAY― "My son is on the team, and these are all my adopted sons and I treat them just like that, I tell them I love them every day; I give them a hug every day," California manager Danny Boehle said. "That’s how we are. That’s who we are. Win or lose, no matter what, we win if we play like that."
"I just wanted to tell those kids that I know that it hurts, and I know you’re upset and sad because you care and that’s why it hurts so much. When you care about something so much for so long and it ends that’s sad and that’s OK," Tennessee manager Randy Huth said. "I told them when they leave here they’re going to hold their heads high because we’re going to proud of our accomplishments. Being in the top four of the country, making it this far is pretty special. To do it three times, there’s no words to describe how magical this place is."
WHAT THE KIDS SAY― "I was like ‘No way, that’s not right. I touched home.’ That’s what I was thinking," Lappe said of the umpires initially saying he didn’t touch home before replays showed he clearly did jump on it. "I’ll probably focus more on touching the plate and not so much jumping and hoping I touch the plate. I’ll make sure 100 percent that it’s not even a question that I’ll touch home."
WHAT IT MEANS― California is now one of the final three American teams standing at the Series. It will play Washington Thursday night with the winner advancing to play Texas in Saturday’s U.S. Final. Nolensville concluded another memorable and finished fourth in the U.S. Field. Nolensville is one of just three American teams to ever reach three straight Series and the first to do so since 1949.