No time for heartbreak: Irmo stays alive in 3-0 win over Hawaii in elimination game after 1-0 loss to Las Vegas in Little League World Series

 

Irmo pitchers remain dominant allowing only one run in three

games in the Little League World Series. The team is two wins 
away from the U.S. Championship. Irmo plays Sioux City, 
S.D. tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN. 

Written by Tony J. Spain, Palmetto Examiner
August 20, 2025

WILLIAMSPORT, PA. (PE) -- There was little time to get over a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Las Vegas Monday that saw Irmo Pitcher Joe Giulietti throw six no hit innings only to lose 1-0 in extra innings as the team was back in action against Hawaii yesterday.

Irmo pitcher Brady Westbrook went the distance pitching another shutout allowing four hits, striking out six in a 3-0 win to escape elimination.

A pivotal moment came in the bottom of the fifth when Westbrook walked the bases loaded with one out but got out of the jam.

Irmo manager, David Bogan, gambled backing the infield up looking to turn the double play instead of playing in to try to get the out at the plate, it paid off, as Shane Bunag hit into a perfectly executed 4-6-3 double play.

Bunag hit a hard bouncer that was fielded cleanly on a hop by second basemen Palmer Steele who fired is to second where shortstop Preston Ware catches it, hits, clears the bag and relays it to a stretched out, almost doing the splits, first baseman Jacob Gibson to secure the double play and end the inning.

Irmo got some insurance runs in the top of the sixth on a two-run single by Andrew Bogan that drove in Preston Ware and Bubba McQuilkin to take a 3-0 lead.

That lead would hold and Irmo is now two wins away from the U.S. Championship.

Irmo plays again tonight in an elimination game against Sioux City, S.D. at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

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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.

 

What Say You? Got something you'd like to say? Letter to the Editor (Guest Column), praises, criticism, hate mail, news story tip or just want to say, howdy. Send them to Tony@palmettoexaminer.com