Two city sides — one each from East Providence Central and Rumford — entered the 24th annual Christopher Andreozzi Memorial Tournament hosted by Darlington American Little League and being played over two weeks at Slater Park in Pawtucket.

This summer's event, for youngsters ages ages 7-8-years-old, featured a record number of teams, 19, participating in the tournament named in the memory of the former Darlington player who died in a workplace accident in 1999.

Teams were guaranteed three games in pool play during the first 10 days of the tournament. The sides with the 12 best records advanced to the single-elimination playoffs beginning on August 5. The quarterfinals were set for Tuesday, Aug. 6, and Wednesday, Aug. 7, with the semis on Thursday, Aug. 8 and the championship game Saturday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m.

The locals went a combined 1-5 in their outings and failed to advance to the playoffs. Both sides lost their openers as Scituate/Foster handed EP Central a 13-3 and Rumford fell to Woonsocket by a 14-9 count. Central then lost to the host Pawtucket squad 13-9 while Rumford picked up a 10-9 victory over West Warwick in the second round. Rumford next lost to Narragansett 17-6 and Central dropped a 12-0 decision to North Providence during the final day of pool play on Saturday, Aug. 3.

In the lone local win over West Warwick, pitchers Michael Hicks, Logan Greene, and Caleb Gorman were influential in Rumford's victory as the trio combined to strike out 11 batters. Gorman closed out the game by fanning three hitters in the top of the fifth inning.

Rumford actually trailed 8-5 heading into the bottom of the fourth, but scored five times to regain the lead. Ari Yaffe, Olivia Melo and Desmond Torino each drew walks. Tyler Denelle and Jayvien Cosme forced in runs with bases loaded free passes. Torino stole home. Jordan Lloyd drove in a run with a base hit. Caleb Gorman also knocked in a run on a ground out.

The 2024 Rumford Andreozzi Tourney team roster included: Luke Audette, Jayvien Cosme, Tyler Denelle, Caleb Gorman, Liliana Gorman, Logan Greene, Michael Hicks, Jordan Lloyd, Olivia Melo, Griffin Taylor, Desmond Torino, Ari Yaffe; Manager John Greene; assistant coaches Paul Gorman and Matt Yaffe.

The 2024 East Providence Central Andreozzi Tourney team roster included: Jaxon Terra, Jackson Correa, Sayde Baldwin, Jake Kelley, Bryce Santos, Carter Griswold, Jake Kowalski, Angelo Serapiglia, Michael Vongsavath, Jeremy Ginalski, Lucas Mihalos, Landon Botelho. Manager Bryan Terra; assistant coaches Wagner Correa, Mitch Baldwin and Patrick Kelley.