By Thomas Grant, Jr.
EASLEY – Last year’s appearance at J.B. Red Owens Field was painfully brief for Irmo Little League.
The Seniors played just two games in the Senior League Baseball World Series losing both in walk off fashion.
They returned Sunday looking for redemption and with an opportunity to advance to the semifinals.
With the 16-0 rout of Victoria (Texas) in six innings, Irmo achieved that goal while putting the rest of the World Series field on notice. It pounded out 14 hits, had 11 players account for at least one RBI and drew 10 walks.
Already leading 5-0, Irmo broke the game open with 11 runs in the Top 6th. A scoreless half inning thrown in relief by Colby Smith ended the game on the courtesy rule.
Charlie Mejia went 3-4 and he and Raleigh Salters of Dutch each drove in three runs. Felix Flecha went 3-5 with two RBI and Reese Jolley batted 3-4 with an RBI.
Jolley started the game, struck out two and pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Salters relieved Jolley with one out in the fourth inning and struck out two in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Having received a first-round bye, Irmo advanced to Tuesday’s 4 p.m. semifinal with the win. It will face Redondo Beach (Calif.), an 8-2 winner over host team Easley Sunday night.
At 6 p.m. Monday, the Irmo softball team will open play in the Senior League Softball World Series against YYC Softball Little League out of Calgary, Alberta in Canada. It will play four games in Pool B.
All games are available on the ESPN+ app.
