Riverside vs. Rumford in 9-10 Tourney Final Mon. July 29th 5:45 at Forbes Field

Rumford has successfully battled back strongly to reach the title game after losing its opening game in the Ron Silva All Star Tourney. They lost in a very close 8-6 defeat to Newport in an away game on June 29th. Facing tourney elimination, in the double elimination format, Rumford has roared back with five impressive wins. The Rumford team came back with a strong 12-1 victory over Fairlawn of Pawtucket on July 7th in Pawtucket. They next played the always competitive Darlington team from Pawtucket on July 10th and came away with a well played 9-6 win. Continuing their winning ways, Rumford next defeated Barrington 6-1. The winning streak continued as Rumford defeated Warren on Wednesday July 17th 2-1 in a game at Kim Rock Field in Rumford. On July 20th the Rumford stars beat back Pineview 7-2 and a 6-0 shutout of a previously unbeaten Bristol team (Riverside gave Bristol their first loss) projected Rumford to the championship game against tough nemesis Riverside. "The club from Riverside has had our number recently and we look forward to challenging them for the championship," said Rumford LL president Eddie Wencis.

Riverside 9-10's have had an easier road to a potential championship game as they have remained undefeated in the winner's bracket. The team has relied on superb pitching, good defense and timely offense. The team was impressive with an 8-0 opening win on July 2nd over Darlington at Forbes Field in Riverside. The team next easily got by a pesky Pineview, Pawtucket team with a 13-4 victory on July 12th.

The fast start by Riverside had matched them with the tournament's only other undefeated team, Bristol. The highly anticipated game between those two undefeated teams was played Friday, July 19th at Forbes Field. Riverside came away with an impressive 11-1 win. The game was shortened due to the 10 run mercy rule.

The game started out fast for Bristol when they jumped ahead in the top of the first inning. A lead off bunt by Bristol's Hailey Ferreira who then came around to score on a stolen base and a sacrifice grounder. Gavin Quinn stopped any further opposition scoring by making a great diving catch ranging out to the outfield.

Riverside's potent offense struck back in their bottom half of the 1st inning with a leadoff walk by Alex Enright followed by a solid base hit by pitcher Jonathan Renaud. With Enright and Renaud on 2nd and 3rd, Owen Richards smashed a two run RBI single plating Enright and Renaud for a 2-1 Riverside lead. John Wooten then lined a double to score Richards and Riverside never looked back, now leading 3-1.

In addition to his timely hitting, Riverside's pitcher Jonathan Renaud stopped the Bristol hitters all night as he had the complete game victory. Nine year old Renaud combined a blistering fastball with a wicked curve that stymied Bristol the entire game. Renaud had 10 strikeouts in the shortened 5 inning game. In an earlier game, Renaud registered 17 strikeouts.

The game was put out of hand in the bottom of the 4th inning. Riverside's Jacob Sousa led off with a walk and promptly stole 2nd base. After two were out Enright walked and Renaud came to bat with two runners on. On a 2-0 count, Bristol signaled that they would intentionally walk Renaud - an unusual move in Little league - but the second intentional walk given to Renaud in the tournament. With two outs and the bases loaded, Owen Richards then laced a bases clearing double and stole 3rd and home to score. Next up Gavin Quinn knocked a line drive single and eventually scored on a deep double to center field by John Wooten. When the dust settled, Riverside had a 10-1 lead.

Renaud shut down Bristol in the top of the 5th inning with a pair of strikeouts and a pop fly to 1st baseman Enright. When Drake Silva walked in the bottom of the 5th and eventually stole home to score Riverside's 11th run, the game was called due to Little League's 10 run mercy rule.

"Our kids have worked hard and are determined to keep the streak going," said assistant coach Michael Sabourin. "While we benefit from the play of a few standout players, our strength has really been the good balance shown by the entire team. Everyone contributes," added Sabourin. Head coach Vincent Enright agrees and hopes for a good fan turnout on Monday, July 29th. "Come to Forbes Field and help cheer on these great kids," said Enright. "Our kids work very hard," the coach added.

Rumford's Eddie Wencis agrees, "It will be a great game. An all-East Providence final!"