Atlantic Remains Unbeaten In District 7A-14 With 2-0 Win Against West Boca

Atlantic’s Brad Myott (number 15) puts the ball in play as West Boca catcher Brandon Morgan gives chase.

It was a feeling that the great Russell Earl O’Dey himself could surely relate to.

Atlantic’s Sam Bergida had every incentive to go out and pitch the game of his life on Tuesday evening.

The Eagles were hosting a crucial District 7A-14 contest against West Boca, a game in which the winner would improve to 3-0 and stand alone at the top of the district.

Atlantic was hosting the big game at Delray Beach’s fabled “Little Fenway Park.”

The Eagles were trying to keep their seven-game winning streak alive.

On the diamond for the Bulls was Bergida’s lifelong friend, standout left-hander Parker Danciu.

To top it off, Bergida’s girlfriend, Eagles standout volleyball player Andrea Galinis, was in attendance after having knee surgery earlier in the day.

Bergida was unflinching as he went the distance to shut out the Bulls for a 2-0 victory.

“That last inning, I felt my blood pumping. I knew how it would feel if we got through that inning,” Bergida said. “It’s not a great game without our defense though. We’ll see them again, so it’s good to get us ready.”

The Eagles (8-3) were stellar on defense in support of Bergida, and both pitchers cruised through the lineups.

Bergida was efficient in throwing 47 of his 75 pitches for strikes, limiting the Bulls to three hits and recording three strikeouts to improve to 4-0.

Atlantic coach Steve Wilson attributes the team’s hot streak to the effort at practice.

“I just have to point and they go out and do it. They were very excited to play West Boca and we had great practices leading up,” Wilson said. “I’m really happy for them, and I’m very happy that we did not commit any errors. We knew it would be difficult against Parker, but we held on long enough and got to him late.”

West Boca’s Parker Danciu pitches against Atlantic at Little Fenway Park in Delray Beach.

Atlantic’s runs came in the bottom of the sixth inning, with Rigo Beltran coming through with the big hit on a deep shot that reached the “Little Green Monster” for an RBI double that pushed across Jesse Kieffer. Kieffer had reached on an error that allowed Bobby Borque to score, after Borque was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.

The Bulls (6-5, 2-1) stayed in the game despite their offensive struggles against Bergida, as the Eagles did not fare much better against the ace Danciu.

The senior lefty’s only hit was a back-breaker, and it came with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Danciu threw 48 of his 81 pitches for strikes and finished with five strikeouts in also going the distance on the mound to drop to 3-2.

For him and his Bulls teammates, the game may serve as a defining moment for them to get back on track.

“The great thing with baseball is we don’t wait; we’ve got a game on Friday,” West Boca coach Nick Siano said. “We’ll go right after it and work hard at practice, and we’ll make some offensive adjustments.”

Both coaches understand there is a lot of time before the district tournament. But that will not stop the Bulls from hunkering down and focusing at practice, nor will it stop the Eagles from savoring this victory for just a moment. Atlantic’s winning streak is now at eight games, a new district rivalry has been forged and the fans at Little Fenway were treated with a great, competitive baseball game befitting a ballpark built in honor of baseball lure.

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