It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Historic Leitner House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Irmo, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Irmo Town Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Bistro or visit Irmo Town Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Irmo, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Irmo, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Irmo, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
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 th...
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.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - On Monday, the Irmo All Stars will play their second game at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, against the Mountain Region Champions from Las Vegas.The team advanced after rolling over New England 13-0 on Thursday, with some help from a grand slam by third baseman Joe Giulietti.Our Greg Adaline is traveling with the team this week for the Little League World Series with a preview of Monday’s matchup.What to KnowHere is a look at the updated Little L...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - On Monday, the Irmo All Stars will play their second game at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, against the Mountain Region Champions from Las Vegas.
The team advanced after rolling over New England 13-0 on Thursday, with some help from a grand slam by third baseman Joe Giulietti.
Our Greg Adaline is traveling with the team this week for the Little League World Series with a preview of Monday’s matchup.
Here is a look at the updated Little League Baseball World Series Bracket:
Southeast/Irmo Little League official roster:
| Name | Position | Number # |
|---|---|---|
| Preston Ware | SS/2B | 1 |
| Bubba McQuilkin | C/OF | 3 |
| Palmer Steele | 1B/P | 4 |
| Ryder Tillitz | MIF/P/OF | 5 |
| Ethan Bennett | 2B | 7 |
| Jacob Gibson | OF/1B/3B | 8 |
| Brady Westbrooks | 3B/P | 9 |
| Andrew Bogan | C/P/2B | 12 |
| Sutton Gravelle | 3B/OF | 13 |
| Joe Giulietti | 3B/OF/P | 15 |
| Brody Miller | CF/P/MIF | 17 |
| Brayden Gerard | 1B | 19 |
Manager: David Bogan
Assistant Coaches: Mike Beckworth and Pat Gravelle
Be sure to watch the game on Monday on ESPN at 3 p.m.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our , and . Have feedback that can help us improve? .
Copyright 2025 WIS. All rights reserved.
The Irmo All-Stars’ quest for the Little League World Series championship just got tougher.Nevada’s Summerlin South scored in the bottom of the seventh to defeat the South Carolina team, 1-0, on Monday at Lamade Stadium.The loss drops Irmo into the loser’s bracket of the LLWS. Irmo will play Hawaii in an elimination game on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The game will air on ESPN.“In the end, it was a great baseball game and the fans got a treat,” Irmo coach Dan Bogan said. “Unfortunately, someone ...
The Irmo All-Stars’ quest for the Little League World Series championship just got tougher.
Nevada’s Summerlin South scored in the bottom of the seventh to defeat the South Carolina team, 1-0, on Monday at Lamade Stadium.
The loss drops Irmo into the loser’s bracket of the LLWS. Irmo will play Hawaii in an elimination game on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The game will air on ESPN.
“In the end, it was a great baseball game and the fans got a treat,” Irmo coach Dan Bogan said. “Unfortunately, someone had to lose and we came out on the short end.”
Nevada plays the Metro/Midwest winner on Wednesday with the winner of that game advancing to Saturday’s U.S. Bracket championship game.
Monday’s game featured a pitchers’ duel between Irmo’s Joe Giulietti and Summerlin South’s Garrett Gallegos. It was the second appearance for both pitchers in the LLWS. Giulietti pitched 3.1 no-hit innings in Irmo’s 13-0 win over New England on Thursday.
They were dominant again on Monday before they both left the game at the 85-pitch limit for Little League.
Giulietti threw six no-hit innings, striking out 12 and walking one and left the game to a standing ovation. In 9.1 innings at the LLWS, he has struck out 20 and hasn’t allowed a hit.
Gallegos pitched 5.1 innings Monday, allowed five hits, walked one and struck out 12.
“I think we all know that Joe is special,” Bogan said. “Unfortunately, we really were hoping to get some runs early and keep him to 50 pitches. That way, we are prepared for later in the week. But it was a 0-0 game, their pitcher threw great and we had to go to 85. But yeah, Joe is special.”
Bogan went on to say that Giulietti is the best he’s coached in the 12 seasons with Irmo Little League, comparing him to the likes of Dutch Fork’s Will Taylor and Kevin Samonsky and Chapin’s Caden Reeves. Taylor is playing in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system, while Samonsky is at College of Charleston and Reeves is headed to Troy University.
Summerlin South manager TJ Fechser also had high praise for Giulietti.
“This guy was a crafty master,” Fechser said. “He was dealing. ... For me one of the greatest pitchers I have seen in youth baseball.
“But we countered with this guy to my left (Gallegos) and he competed like a dog and got at it. We made the plays and didn’t break when we were in tight situations.”
In the seventh inning and beyond, a runner begins the inning at second base. Irmo had a chance to take the lead in the seventh but left a runner at third.
Irmo pitcher Brady Westbrooks and shortstop Preston Ware made a pair of strong defensive plays in the bottom of the seventh to get the first two outs of the inning.
With a runner on first, Nevada’s Jayden Lee singled to move Griffin Vargas to second. Then, Cutter Ricafort singled to right field and the ball was misplayed, allowing Vargas to score the game-winning run.
This is the second time in the playoffs that Irmo has had to go to the loser’s bracket. It happened in the Southeast Region, when Irmo won two straight games to win the region title.
Irmo will now have to win three games to make it to the United States Bracket championship on Saturday.
Ware, Brody Miller, Ryder Tillitz, Ethan Bennett and Brayden Gerard each had hits for Irmo, which left nine runners on base.
“The biggest thing is we couldn’t the clutch hit at the right time,” Bogan said. “Kudos to their pitchers. They made good pitches when they needed to.”
Bogan said Westbrooks will get the start on the mound in Tuesday’s game and then Irmo will figure it out from there, adding he will try and piece the pitching together each day. Giulietti wouldn’t be able to pitch again until Saturday because of how many pitches he threw against Summerlin.
“It’s one game at a time ... and survive and advance at this point,” Bogan said.
The Irmo Little League All-Stars took the field Monday for their second game at the Little League World Series.
Irmo faced Summerlin South of Nevada in a winner’s bracket game among the United States teams. But before they took the field, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley delivered a message to the team as they watched on an Ipad.
“What’s going on? To my Irmo Little League team that is advancing in the Little League World Series. You all make us so proud. We are behind you 100 percent. Keep going, keep fighting the way we do here at South Carolina. Congratulations so far, but we aren’t done,” Staley said.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — South Carolina snuck into the Little League World Series with a five-run rally over the defending champs. But the club from Irmo, representing the Southeast region, is showing it belongs at the tournament, thanks in part to slugger-pitcher Joe Giulietti.In the sixth inning of the regional final, the 2024 champions from Lake Mary, Florida, opted to walk Joe rather than face him with the game on the line. The decision came back to bite Lake Mary as Brady Westbrooks hit a walk-off three-run double to ...
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — South Carolina snuck into the Little League World Series with a five-run rally over the defending champs. But the club from Irmo, representing the Southeast region, is showing it belongs at the tournament, thanks in part to slugger-pitcher Joe Giulietti.
In the sixth inning of the regional final, the 2024 champions from Lake Mary, Florida, opted to walk Joe rather than face him with the game on the line. The decision came back to bite Lake Mary as Brady Westbrooks hit a walk-off three-run double to win that game 5-4.
When South Carolina made its LLWS debut on Thursday against Braintree, Massachusetts, Joe got his chance to hit and made the most of it. He doubled in his first at-bat and, with the bases loaded in the second inning, Joe smoked a line drive to left-center field that cleared the fence for a grand slam that gave his team an 8-0 lead.
“I’m just trying to hit it hard somewhere,” he said postgame. “In my mind I was like, ‘Please get over the wall.’”
Initially, he wasn’t sure if the ball had the distance, but it cleared. The entire dugout emptied, swarming him as he crossed home plate. Joe is the first player from South Carolina, and only the sixth from the Southeast region, to hit a grand slam.
“I wish I (walked him),” Massachusetts manager Frank Fasoli said. His assistants suggested the move, but Fasoli ultimately decided to let Joe see a pitch. “That’s on me, though.”
Joe was a dual threat — he also pitched.
Going back to the mound after the grand slam, Joe flexed his bicep and pointed to the crowd, which brought the Irmo fans to their feet. He proceeded to strike out the side.
South Carolina ultimately won 13-0 in three and a half innings — the game was stopped under Little League scoring rules. Joe, who at 5-foot-10 is the tallest player on South Carolina by about three inches, pitched 3 1/3 innings, striking out eight and didn’t allow a hit. After he was off the mound, Massachusetts scrounged one, but the game was well out of reach.
It was the largest opening game shutout by an American team since 2015, when the Mid-Atlantic region defeated the Midwest, 18-0.
“Joe gives us a chance in every game when he pitches,” manager Dave Bogan said. “The game just in general was what we’ve done most of the summer, top to bottom. We have really worked the count, driven up pitch counts. Not everybody got a hit, but we had some really nice deep at-bats and I think that helps get pitchers tired and frustrated.”
The bottom of the lineup worked five of the team’s eight walks and Massachusetts used three arms in the game. It’ll face Texas on Saturday in the elimination bracket.
South Carolina celebrated its win at the ESPN Big Bracket that sits just outside Lamade Stadium. Sutton Gravelle climbed the ladder to move the Southeast team one spot closer to the championship. Everyone was cheering and singing Miley Cyrus’ “Party In The U.S.A.”
Joe isn’t a fan of the tune but Sutton, whom Bogan called the team’s “comic relief leader,” blasts it all the time, so Joe’s grown to tolerate it. The whole team has. A majority of South Carolina’s roster has played together for years.
“One of the most important things is they know when to pick each other up and get on each other a little bit,” Bogan said. “They work really well together, not afraid to communicate, which is what we as coaches really like.”
The first couple days of the tournament were not particularly competitive, with the eight winning teams scoring a combined 59 runs and the losers getting just three.
Japan notably threw a combined no-hitter for the ninth time in team history in a 12-0 rout of the Czech Republic — only Taiwan has more no-hitters all time with 11. Venezuela, meanwhile, became the first team this year to earn two shutouts, as it beat Canada 4-0 on Friday.
Thursday’s winners earned three days off, which are pivotal because of Little League’s pitch count rules requiring rest days depending on how many pitches players throw. Joe is required to have three days’ rest before taking the mound again for South Carolina.
“We get a little time to scout and watch some video from some other games and really think about who our opponent’s going to be,” Bogan said. “I want these kids to have fun, you know, this is going to be a great experience. We want to focus on baseball so it’s half business, half fun.”
___
Amanda Vogt is a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.
___
IRMO — Samuel "Sammie" Mathias was the type of person you don’t remember meeting. Not because he wasn’t memorable, but because for many Irmo residents, it felt like he had always been a part of their life.Jake Moore Jr., a local lawyer and Irmo native, remembers Mathias during his visits to Mathias’ sandwich shop off St. Andrews Road every Saturday growing up. There, Moore would eat brownies for breakfast, use quarters to buy gum and M&M’s, and run around the restaurant. Mathias would remain...
IRMO — Samuel "Sammie" Mathias was the type of person you don’t remember meeting. Not because he wasn’t memorable, but because for many Irmo residents, it felt like he had always been a part of their life.
Jake Moore Jr., a local lawyer and Irmo native, remembers Mathias during his visits to Mathias’ sandwich shop off St. Andrews Road every Saturday growing up. There, Moore would eat brownies for breakfast, use quarters to buy gum and M&M’s, and run around the restaurant. Mathias would remain kind and patient, even when Moore said he and his siblings were running wild.
David Furr, another Irmo native and longtime patron at Mathias Sandwich Shop, remembers Mathias as a father figure — to him and anyone who walked in the door. Mathias was someone who would discuss South Carolina football with him (even though Furr is a Clemson fan) and remembered details from conversations they’d had months earlier.
And those are just some of the many stories about Mathias, who customers, staff and Irmo residents continually described as generous, welcoming, hard-working and kind in hundreds of comments and social media posts in the wake of his death.
The long-time owner of Mathias Sandwich Shop passed away Aug. 11 at 74 after a brief illness. Over his 40-plus years leading the restaurant, Mathias built the shop’s reputation as a meeting place for the Irmo community and a go-to spot for a meal and a friendly face.
Ryan Mathias, Sammie Mathias’ son and the future owner of the sandwich shop, described his father as having a heart of gold, a man immensely committed to his restaurant and customers — whom he often put before himself.
“He was the most generous, hardest working person that I've ever been around,” Ryan Mathias said. “He was 74 years old and he worked about 70 hours a week until he absolutely couldn't do it anymore.”
For many customers, Sammie Mathias’ dedication created made the shop an environment that felt like more than a restaurant.
“I go there because it smells good and the atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed. And it's home,” Moore said. “And Sammie Mathias made that happen, and he's made that happen over years of hard work and just caring about people and getting to know people.”
While the restaurant was incredibly important to him, Furr said Sammie Mathias made it clear to his customers that they were equally, if not more, important to him. When other people talked, Furr said Sammie always made it a priority to listen.
“He was an uncommon person, because he (treated) everybody the way you want to be treated, the way few people treat you,” Furr said. “He is that figure in your life that loves you the most and cares for you the most, and genuinely knows you because he always listened.”
Furr said Sammie Mathias was known for frequently sitting down to chat with customers, even letting people come back to his office to talk for a few minutes. Furr said he would often drive a separate car to the restaurant so he could spend an extra 15 to 30 minutes with the restaurant owner after his family finished their meal. And after Furr was in a car wreck one day, he decided to go to Mathias before he went home.
“My car got towed away, and my sister picked me up and asked me if she needed to take me home. And I said, ‘No, let's go to Mathias,’ because I knew that Mathias offered comfort that home didn't always and the person who provided that comfort, most of all, was Sam,” Furr said.
Ryan Mathias said his father was unable to work the past few months. In his absence, a team of people stepped up to fill the role he left behind. For Ryan Mathias and Furr, the void shows Sammie Mathias’ wide-reaching impact, both at the restaurant and in Irmo.
“There will be a hole that won't necessarily be filled, but we're glad it existed … because the fact that there is a hole means that there was an impact,” Furr said. “So I think as a business owner, as a person in our community, it shows that he made an impact that will last.”
Furr said Sammie Mathias’ legacy will continue to inspire others to listen more and to mirror his deep love and care.
“That's his legacy, that he always loved first,” Furr said. “He always listened first. And you didn't have your meal messed up at Mathias because he cared.”
Ryan Mathias said his dad was always old-fashioned and liked to keep things the same. He hopes to carry on what that tradition. Ryan Mathias asked that the Irmo community keep eating at Mathias and “keep this business going.”
Sammie Mathias’ funeral service will be on Friday at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 1 p.m. And on his way to the service around 11:30 p.m., he will stop at his favorite place — Mathias Sandwich Shop — for one last time.
843-640-0129
