NORTH PROVIDENCE — The stay for the Rumford Little League 10U Major Baseball Division All-Stars in the 2024 state tournament was a brief one as the locals suffered consecutive losses over the last week in games played at North Providence's Lee Romano Field.

The defeats, 13-4 to host North Providence in its opener on Saturday, July 20, and 3-1 to Warwick Continental/American in the losers' bracket on Monday, July 22, were the first for Rumford this summer, after the locals won four games in a row to capture the District 2 Tournament title.

North Providence defeated 2-0 Cumberland in the winners' bracket final played later in the evening on July 22. Cumberland beat Warwick 5-2 in the opener for both sides also played on July 20. Cumberland and Warwick were slated for a rematch in the losers' bracket final Wednesday night, July 24. The championship round is Friday, July 26, and, if necessary, Saturday, July 27.

To begin the state tournament, Rumford, playing as the home team on the scoreboard, scored a run in the bottom of the first against North Providence to take the quick lead. Donovan Bazar singled to start the inning then stole second and third before scoring on a North Providence error.

North Providence, however, answered back with a run and then some in the top of the second, plating four tallies to take the lead.

Rumford rallied with three in the of third to level the score at 4-4. Mason Ferreira drew a leadoff walk. Kasen Barros followed with another free pass. Ferreira next scored on a Donovan Bazar single to right. The runners moved up on the throw in. Kingston Deleon-Spitaleri reached on a single, driving in Barros. He then scored on Tripp Audette's groundout.

Unfortunately for the locals, though, the tie was short-lived. North Providence again had an immediate response and it was again four runs total to regain the advantage. NP added another run in the fifth, then four more in the sixth to break open the contest.

The outing against Warwick was a much closer affair. Neither side scored in the first two innings. Rumford got on the board with what proved its lone tally in the top of the third. Barros led off with an infield single then stole second and third before scoring on Julianna Carroll's groundout.

The locals held the lead for an inning prior to Warwick scoring three in the bottom of the fourth, using a series of infield hits, a groundout and a steal to bring the runs around.

Rumford threatened in the top of the fifth after Deleon-Spitaleri singled, stole second and made it to third before the potential rally fizzled. In their final at-bat, the locals were set down 1-2-3 to end the game and their stay in states.

The 2024 District 2 champion Rumford 10U Major Baseball Division All-Star team roster included Tripp Audette, Kingston Deleon-Spitaleri, Kasen Barros, Mason Ferreira, Donovan Bazar, Vincent Fisher, Jameson Bazar, Joey Houlihan, Charlie Costantino, Jack McBurney V, Julianna Carroll, Tegan Smith. Mike Fisher was the manager with coaches Sam Bazar, Rick Audette and John McBurney.