By Thomas Grant Jr.
The road to the Little League Baseball World Series champion has taken an upward climb for Irmo Little League.
After winning the opening game 13-0 in four innings over Braintree American on Aug. 14, Irmo faced Summerlin South (Nevada) this past Monday.
For six scoreless innings, the contest was dominated by a pitcher’s duel between Irmo’s Joe Giulietti and Summerlin South’s Garrett Gallegos. Both tied a tournament high with 12 strikeouts each, with Giulietti allowing no hits for the second straight start.
After Giulietti was relieved in the Bottom 7th, Summerlin South scored on an RBI single by Cutter Ricafort for the 1-0 victory. This was just the second loss in 14 post-season games for Irmo.
Needing three wins to reach the final, Irmo began its climb out of the loser’s bracket Tuesday against Honolulu, Hawaii. Behind a four-hitter and six strikeouts by pitcher Brady Westbrooks, it eliminated Honolulu 3-0.
An RBI walk by Sutton Graville and 2-run single by Andrew Bogan was all the offense needed for Westbrooks. He also benefited from two defensive players, including a double play with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.
The game-changing play was pulled off by second baseman Palmer Steele, shortstop Preston Ware and first baseman Jacob Gibson.
Westbrooks retired the final three batters, two by strikeouts, to preserve Irmo’s second win of the World Series. This marked the first time in the 78-year history of the event a team has pulled off this feat.
Irmo awaited the winner of Tuesday night’s elimination game between Washington and South Dakota. The contest was set for 7 p.m. Wednesday on ESPN.
