VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Nine hours and 32 minutes after first pitch, after multiple lightning delays and a rain-soaked finish, the Atlanta Braves RBI 18U team stood atop the Nike RBI Senior World Series for the first time in nearly three decades.
Atlanta rallied from a three-run deficit to defeat the Dodgers Dreamteam RBI 18U, 7-4, in eight innings on Thursday at Holman Stadium at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, capturing the program's first Senior World Series championship since 1998.
"It's unbelievable," Braves manager Travious Relaford said. "Blessed to be back to the top where we should be, because we compete every year. It means everything for the Atlanta Braves RBI, and we're forever grateful. All glory to God."
The championship looked out of reach for much of the afternoon.
Dodgers starter Saul Carpio carried a shutout into the top of the seventh inning, but the Braves never lost confidence, even as the weather repeatedly interrupted play.
"The main thing with the guys was just getting them to understand that although we weren't ahead on the scoreboard, we were the ones creating all the chaos out there," Relaford said.
Atlanta's comeback started with patience.
Pinch-hitter Royce Woodson opened the seventh with a single before Thomas Thigpen worked a walk. After Naim Foster reached on a single, the Braves scored their first run after a rundown at the plate. Moxie McNealy then reached on a one-out fielder's choice and stole second, and Darryl Jones drew a walk to chase Carpio after 101 pitches, just four shy of the tournament limit.
Left-hander Diego Gonzalez entered in Carpio's wake and issued consecutive walks to Cardin Patrick and Kendall Turner, trimming the deficit to 3-2 before Teyton Braswell delivered the biggest swing of the game.
With the bases full, Braswell drove a deep fly ball to center field. The ensuing error allowed Braswell to reach second while Darryl Jones and Ryan Houston scored, giving Atlanta its first lead, 4-3, against the Dodgers in the tournament.
"There is no other guy I would want in that situation than Teyton," Relaford said. "He's swinging a hot bat all game. I knew something good was going to happen; we just [needed] the ball in play."
The two-way standout finished 3-for-4 with a triple and reached base in every plate appearance. Braswell also pitched 1 1/3 innings after taking over on the mound in the sixth following the second rain delay.
"This was a very chaotic day,” Braswell said. “We came out, and I told my coach I didn't want to start, and I wanted to put it in my teammates' hands. But when he gave me the ball, I was like, 'Coach, I got it.'"
Relaford praised Braswell's all-around performance after the victory.
"He's that guy," Relaford said. "[Braswell] meant everything to me. He neutralized the middle of the lineup. ... He kept the guys energized."
Another lengthy weather delay interrupted the bottom of the seventh with the Dodgers batting and two runners aboard. More than five hours later, Los Angeles resumed play and tied the game, 4-4, on a bases-loaded walk by Marc James, forcing extra innings.
Atlanta answered in the eighth.
The Braves loaded the bases on two walks and continued their disciplined approach at the plate. Jaxston Brown scored on a wild pitch before another walk forced in Foster. A second wild pitch plated McNealy to extend the lead to 7-4.
In all, the Braves outhit the Dodgers, 10-3. What impressed Relaford most was not one swing but the collective approach that fueled the comeback.
"Nobody went up there thinking they had to win the game,” Relaford said. “That is what I loved the most. Everybody wanted to get on base versus trying to hit the home run."
The title carried added meaning for Relaford, who has coached many of the players since they were 13 years old.
"It's my first [championship] as a manager," Relaford said. "This is huge for me and them."