Stay tuned for real-time updates as Needville competes for the U.S. championship.
“Will Needville join the ranks of Texas teams reaching the Little League World Series title game, becoming the third this century? The answer awaits on Saturday.”
The Texas Little League team is gearing up to compete against the West Region champions from El Segundo, California, in the U.S. final. The victor will secure a spot in Sunday’s LLWS championship game. Notably, Texas and California clashed earlier in the tournament’s double-elimination phase, where Needville secured a 3-1 victory earlier this week. Stay tuned as the Houston Chronicle’s Josh Criswell delivers live score updates, highlights, and more during Saturday’s U.S. championship game.
California Leaves Bases Loaded in the Bottom of the 4th Inning
In the bottom of the fourth inning, California’s catcher Lucas Keldorf came close to hitting a solo home run but ended up with a double as the ball bounced off the left field wall’s corner. Max Baker then singled, advancing Keldorf to third. Texas’ starting pitcher, DJ Jablonski, responded with a crucial strikeout in the following at-bat. Although he hit the next batter, loading the bases, Jablonski managed to escape the inning by striking out the next two batters.
As the game stands, Texas is trailing 3-0 with only two innings remaining.
Texas Held Scoreless by California Star | Top 4
With just two innings remaining, Needville faces a three-run deficit, and their offense must accelerate to have a shot. Texas hasn’t registered a hit since the opening inning. California’s two-way standout, Louis Lappe, has struck out five consecutive batters and seven in total during the game.
California Maintains Its Lead Over Texas | Bottom 3 States
Louis Lappe, a standout player in this year’s Little League World Series, came through for California once more in the third inning. With runners on second and third base, Lappe delivered a clutch two-run single up the middle, extending his team’s lead to 3-0.
Texas Bats Stay Silent | Top 3
Following a missed scoring opportunity early on, Needville’s offensive efforts have encountered difficulties. California’s starting pitcher, Louis Lappe, has managed to retire the last seven Texas batters, recording four strikeouts in the first three innings.
No Score in the Second Inning | Bottom of the 2nd
Texas narrowly avoided a jam in the second inning when a California blooper led to an outfield collision, resulting in runners on second and third with two outs. DJ Jablonski, who has recorded two strikeouts in the first two innings, induced a fly out to escape the predicament, maintaining Needville’s one-run deficit.
California Opens with a Solo Home Run | Bottom 1st Inning
El Segundo repeated their feat of hitting a first-inning home run against Texas in the Little League World Series. Shortstop Brody Brooks smashed a solo home run to straightaway center field, granting California an initial 1-0 lead. This mirrored the earlier game when Louis Lappe, representing the West Region champs, also hit a home run in the first inning.