Irmo Junior softball’s historic runs ends in World Series championship game

Irmo’s bid for a Junior League Softball World Series championship came up short Saturday.

Michigan scored two runs each in third and fourth innings to defeat Irmo 5-1 in the championship game in front of a nationally televised audience.

It was Irmo’s only loss of the tournament and the postseason. They were the first South Carolina team to ever advance to the World Series.

Irmo won the Southeast Regional, outscouring its opponents 53-5, and was 6-0 at the World Series entering Saturday’s game.

Michigan advanced to the championship game with a pair of extra-inning wins over Connecticut 3-2 on Thursday and 9-8 over Nevada on Friday.

Autumn Dennis had two hits and an RBI and Callie Naber had two hits for Michigan, which benefited from three Irmo errors in the game. Pitcher Makenzie Cammenga got the complete-game win, allowing a run on four hits while striking out seven.

Olivia Hill had two hits to lead Irmo. Pitcher Stephanie Jones drove in the team’s lone run in the third on an RBI single that scored Eve Smither and cut the lead to 2-1. Irmo had a chance to tie the game, but Hill was tagged out at the plate while trying to score on a wild pitch.

This was the first time the World Series has been held since 2019 because of COVID.

Members of the team are Stephanie Jones (Ben Lippen); Layla Peppers (Dutch Fork); Haley Alderman (Dutch Fork); Olivia Hill (Dutch Fork); Eason Davis (Chapin); Allie Bickley (Chapin); Reagan Haggard (Chapin); Makenna Reimer (Irmo); Katie-Grace Hill (Dutch Fork); and Eve Smither (Ben Lippen). Coaches are Robert Peppers, Bryan Jones and Aaron Reimer.

Saluda wins Dixie Youth softball title

The Saluda All-Stars won the Dixie Youth Ponytails X-Play World Series championship earlier this week.

Saluda defeated North Carolina 4-2 to win the championship held in Louisiana. A celebration to honor the team was held Saturday at the Saluda County Courthouse.

Members of the winning team are Ensley Patterson, Ava Forrest, Kamryn Campbell, Blythe Buzhardt, Kylee McGlohorn, Emma Enlow, Ava “Swag” Frye, Nyla Jordan, Reese Shaw, Karen Almaraz, Boots Marnati, Adalynn Holsomback, Ashlynn Vereen and Miller Martin

Coaches are Jeffrey Jordan, Daniel Patterson, Lee Wertz and Jessica Shaw.