Cary, N.C.- The 2017 National Team Identification Series (NTIS) concluded on Sunday with Southwest's Ruben Castro completing a seventh inning, four run walk-off rally, to secure the gold medal victory 8-7 over Southern California at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.
Trailing 6-3 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, back-to-back singles from C. Roncal and Tyler Avery kick-started the rally before Roncal scored on a throwing error and Avery advanced to third. Steven Milam followed by hitting a line drive RBI-double to left-center, scoring Avery to bring their deficit to one with no outs in the inning.
Mason Neville would follow Milam with an RBI triple to left field to tie the game at seven apiece.
Southern California intentionally walked back-to-back batters to load the bases to try creating a force at any base, but Castro hit the game-winning RBI-single over the left fielder's head to seal the victory for Southwest.
Milam and Neville both finished with strong games offensively, coming out of the one and two spots in the order. Milam was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Neville was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a triple.
Derrick Mitchell got the win for Southwest on the mound throwing three innings in relief. He finished with one strikeout, allowing five hits, three runs and no walks.
Louis Rodriguez, who was 2-for-3, as well as Marcos Rosales, who was 1-for-3 with one RBI, led Southern California offensively. Southern California finished with a silver medal and strong play throughout the 2017 13U NTIS.
USA Baseball will announce its selections for the 2018 14U National Team Development Program on its annual NTIS Selection Show. The selection show will air on USABaseball.com on Thursday, September 7.
13U NTIS Final Standings:

1st Place: Southwest
2nd Place: Southern California
3rd Place: Ohio Valley