NORTH MIAMI, Fl. – Millennia Atlantic rallied late to erase a five-run deficit and defeat Atlantis 8-7 on Tuesday, thereby clinching a bye in the New South Athletic Conference tournament.
Atlantis appeared in control early, building a 6-1 lead through three innings. Jassiel Valbuena singled home a run in the first, and Adrian Astudillo added an RBI on a groundout. In the third, Jose Ruiz delivered an RBI single and Joniel Offerill followed with a two-run double to extend the advantage.
Atlantis finished with 13 hits, led by Romel Guerrero’s four-hit performance. Ruiz, Valbuena and Enrique Lopez each had multiple hits, while Astudillo and Offerill drove in two runs apiece.
Millennia Atlantic chipped away before breaking through in the eighth. Alejandro Contreras and Isaacc Martinez each drew bases-loaded walks to force in the go-ahead runs.
Rafael Romero (win) tossed three scoreless innings in relief for Millennia Atlantic. Victor Encarnacion (loss) allowed two runs over 1 2/3 innings for Atlantis.
Pablo Contreras led Millennia Atlantic with two hits, and Isaacc Martinez drove in two runs as the team drew eight walks.
With the win, MAU clinched a top two seed and a first round bye in the NSAC Baseball Championship Tournament starting April 30 in Milton, Florida.
