Little League World Series 2017: Championship TV Coverage and Top Players

It was the most improbable victory for the youngsters from Lufkin, Texas.

That group had certainly played well throughout the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and had reached the United States championship game of the tournament. However, Lufkin had already lost to its opponents from Greenville, North Carolina, and the Southeast regional champions had a 5-0 lead after three innings.

The Southwest champions proved undaunted, and they scored two runs in the fourth and fifth innings as they came to bat in the top of the sixth. After Collin Ross was hit by a pitch to open the inning, Mark Requena stepped to the plate and belted the go-ahead two-run home run that gave Lufkin a 6-5 lead.

Relief pitcher Chip Buchanan retired Greenville in order in the bottom of the sixth inning, and Lufkin was able to celebrate as U.S. champions.

The young players from Texas will also get a chance to play for the overall Little League World Series title Sunday at 3 p.m. ET against international champion Japan. The game will be broadcast on ABC.

The team from Tokyo defeated opponents from Reynosa, Mexico, 5-0 Saturday, and the Japanese team appears to be formidable. Japan has rolled to a 4-0 record to this point in the tournament and has outscored opponents 27-1.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Japan's key players

C Seiya Arai—Arai has been the backbone of the Japanese team, as he has been behind the plate throughout the tournament and has done a nice job of handling the pitchers. Arai has four hits in 11 at-bats for a .364 average. He has scored three runs and knocked in one.

SS Keitaro Miyahara—The infielder has proved to be a consistent force at bat, and he has had at least one hit in all four of Japan's games. Miyahara has six hits in 12 at-bats, and he has scored three runs. He has two doubles and one home run, and he is one of the top offensive threats in the tournament.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

RF Natsuki Yajima—Yajima has also had at least one hit in every game, and he was at his best in Japan's 10-0 victory over Canada when he was 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Yajima has seven hits in 13 at-bats throughout the tournament, and four of his hits have been for extra bases.

Texas' key players

P-IF Mark Requena—The hero of Lufkin's U.S. championship victory over North Carolina has had an excellent tournament. Requena has five hits in nine at-bats, and he has scored two runs and driven in two. He has pitched 4.2 innings in the Little League World Series, and he has a 1-0 record with a 5.14 earned run average.

OF Christian Mumphery—Mumphery has been one of his team's steadiest hitters throughout the LLWS. He has five hits in 14 at-bats for a .357 average and has also shown good power with two home runs and four RBI.

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P-OF Collin Ross—He has been the most dangerous player in Lufkin's lineup with six hits in 14 at-bats for a .429 average along with three home runs and six RBI. He has also been outstanding on the mound as he has pitched 10.2 innings and has a 1-0 record with a 2.81 ERA. Ross has 13 strikeouts without walking a batter.