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.

**********

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 

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.

********** 

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