Staying alive: Irmo SC bounces back in an elimination game at LLWS

After a heartbreaking loss on Monday, the Irmo All-Stars bounced back to stay alive in the Little League World Series.

Pitcher Brady Westbrooks tossed a complete game and Irmo’s defense came up big to defeat Hawaii, 3-0, on Tuesday in an elimination game at Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, Pa.

Irmo plays another elimination game at 7 p.m. Wednesday against South Dakota, which defeated Washington, 9-0 on Tuesday.

Irmo’s win came a day after an emotional 1-0 loss in seven innings to Nevada on Monday, which moved them to the loser’s bracket.

But behind Westbrooks’ pitching and some stellar defense, Irmo’s stay in Williamsport continued. The right-hander, who was the losing pitcher on Monday, allowed four hits, walked two and struck out six on 85 pitches — the limit for Little League pitchers.

Irmo’s pitchers have allowed just one run in 16.2 innings pitched during three games of the LLWS.

“Brady has been Mr. Dependable and Mr. Reliable for us in some big spots along with Joe (Giulietti) obviously,” Irmo coach Dave Bogan said. “So, I had no issues with sending him back out there. A few days ago, Brady said he wanted to pitch so no issues there.”

Irmo took the lead in the top of the second. They loaded the bases before Sutton Gravelle walked to score Ryder Tillitz, who singled earlier in the inning, to make it 1-0.

The lead stayed at 1-0 after three when Irmo’s first baseman Jacob Gibson made a nice stop and flipped it to Westbrooks for the final out of the inning as Hawaii stranded two runners.

Irmo’s defense came up big again in the fifth inning after Hawaii loaded the bases with one out. Bogan said he turned to his two assistant coaches Mike Beckworth and Pat Gravelle. The decision was made not play the infield in, and it paid off.

Shane Bunag hit a ground ball to second baseman Palmer Steele who flipped it to shortstop Preston Ware. Then, Ware threw it to Gibson, who made a great stretch at first to complete the double-play and end the inning.

“It was kind of nerve-racking,” Westbrooks said. “But I just focused on the strike zone and threw it where I needed to and we got the double play.”

Said Irmo catcher Andrew Bogan, during an ESPN interview after the game: “I thought the ball was going to get by them, but it felt amazing seeing the double (play) turned.”

Dave Bogan said they practiced situations like the one in the fifth inning a lot over the summer.

“In the biggest moment on the biggest stage and them to go execute it, I am just so proud,” Dave Bogan said.

Irmo added to its lead in the top of the sixth. Andrew Bogan delivered a two-out, two run single to score Ware and Bubba McQuilkin, and make it 3-0. It was Andrew Bogan’s first hit of the LLWS.

Joe Giulietti led Irmo with two hits.

Dave Bogan said Brody Miller will get the start on the mound on Wednesday. Miller pitched two-thirds of an inning in Irmo’s win over New England on Aug. 14.

This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 5:16 PM.

Lou Bezjak

The State

(803) 771-8419

Lou Bezjak is the High School Sports Prep Coordinator for The (Columbia) State and (Hilton Head) Island Packet. He previously worked at the Florence Morning News and had covered high school sports in South Carolina since 2002. Lou is a two-time South Carolina Sports Writer of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Support my work with a digital subscription