EAST PROVIDENCE — The Rumford Little League Minor Division All Stars earned a spot in the Ron Silva District 2 Tournament championship round with a thrilling 11-10, extra-inning victory over Portsmouth Tuesday night, July 18, in city at the Kimberly Rock Complex.

It was a back-and-forth contest all evening, according to Rumford head coach Mike Fisher. The locals finished the night with 15 hits, including a three-run, inside-the-park homer by Tegan Smith.

On defense, Rumford completed a triple play to end a Portsmouth three in the fourth inning.

The score was tied at 10-10 at the completion of regulation six innings. Portsmouth failed to score in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the frame, Jameson Bazar led off with a single to centerfield. He later stole second and came all the way around to score the winning run on an errant throw.

Rumford advances to the championship round opposite unbeaten Bristol, to whom the locals lost in another close encounter by a 5-4 score in the winners' bracket final earlier in the week.

Rumford heads to Bristol Sunday evening, July 23, needing to win two games to claim the district title. First pitch is set for 5:45 p.m. If Rumford wins, a winner-take-all contest for the tournament championship would be played Monday night, July 24, back in city at the Rock Complex. Game time again would be 5:45 p.m.

Of his team's play to date in the Silva event, Fisher said, "The kids have wildly out exceeded expectations and have played like a team. They believe in themselves and rely on one another. We are a very young team that stuck together through districts. The championship will be tough, but if they play together and string some timely hits and good defense we have confidence we can get it done."