Magic runs dry for Irmo in Little League World Series: Finishes third best in U.S.

Irmo Little League representing the Southeast region in the 
Little League World Series had a magical run after upsetting 
defending champions Lake Murray, Florida in the regional
championship game to get into the series. The magic
 ran out in the quarterfinals with a 5-3 loss to Las Vegas. 

Written by Tony J. Spain, Palmetto Examiner
August 22, 2025

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (PE) – Irmo Little League had a 3-2 lead in the top of the 6^th and was two outs away from reaching the U.S. championship game of the Little League World Series, but Las Vegas’ Garret Gallegos had other ideas hitting a three run shot over the right center field wall that helped the Nevada team to a 5-3 win and end the magical season and run for the South Carolina team.

The quarterfinals game was a rematch from earlier in the tournament that Las Vegas won 1-0 in extra innings.

Irmo had a last chance for more magic in the bottom of the 6^th with a 1 out Preston Ware single up the middle off of the second baseman’s glove to bring the tying run to the plate, but Ware was then thrown out at second advancing on a wild pitch when he overran the bag and was tagged out. Las Vegas pitcher Luke D’Ambrosio struck out Joe Giulietti to end the game.

Gallegos opened the scoring in the top of the 2^nd with an RBI double to left scoring Ethan Robertson to give Las Vegas the 1-0 advantage.

Irmo answered in the bottom of the second with a Brody Miller solo-homerun to left to tie the game at 1.

Las Vegas got another run in the third when Irmo tried to throw out Robertson for the third out of the inning, but he was safe, and Jayden Lee scored from third to give Las Vegas back the lead 2-1.

Giulietti hit a long ball to left for a solo-homerun in the 4^th to tie the game back up at 2.

Irmo got a 2 out bases loaded walk in the top of the sixth to take the lead 3-2. D’Ambrosio then struck out Brayden Gerard on a 2-2 pitch to get out of the jam.

Gallegos’ three run homer in the sixth would be the game winner advancing Las Vegas to the U.S. Championship of the Little League World Series.

Irmo returns to South Carolina third best in the U.S.

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About the Author: Tony Spain is a former candidate for Richland County Council 2020 and an award winning former military photographer and journalist while in the Public Affairs Office for the U.S. Army. His photos and writing have been published in numerous publications such as The Commercial News, Danville, Ill.; The Paraglide, Fort Bragg, N.C.; Soldier of Fortune Magazine; The State Newspaper, Columbia, S.C., and more.

He lives in Columbia, S.C.

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