Photo by Paulene Fiesta Ryan Mercer pitches a complete game for Richland Northeast against Irmo. On Tuesday, March 24, the Irmo Yellow Jackets beat the Richland Northeast Cavaliers 5- 1. Irmo was led by pitcher Tony Ford, who threw a complete game giving up one run on eight hits and striking out six. Richland Northeast was led by Ryan Mercer, who pitched a complete game giving up five runs on 11 hits and striking out ten.

The game was scoreless until the top of the third inning. Cullen Dalton led off with a single for Irmo. He advanced all the way to third. Then Matt Laroche bunted allowing Dalton to score on a play at the plate, giving the Yellow Jackets a 1- 0 lead. Dillon Gaines, the next batter, blasted a two run home run, scoring him and Laroche, to extend the lead to 3- 0.

Richland Northeast responded in the bottom of the fourth. Dominique Albert led off with a walk for the Cavaliers. He advanced to second when Josh Landry bunted him around. Albert stole third, allowing him to score when Brett Fulmer hit a single. The score cut the Irmo lead to 3- 1.

Irmo got the run back in the top of the fifth. Gaines led off with a double. Taylor Boyd then came in to pinch run for him. Boyd scored after a pick- off attempt sailed into left field, giving the Yellow Jackets a 4- 1 lead.

Irmo provided an insurance run in the seventh. Gaines started things off again with a single this time. Boyd again pinch ran for Gaines and stole second, putting him in scoring position for Lance Hayes to bring him in with a single. The run gave Irmo the 5- 1 winning score.