TravelTalkOnline Forums People Talk SXM People Talk Overnight in ATL with Delta and bags

Because of costs, we have to overnight in ATL on our way from SFO. This is a 11:30 PM arrival and 9:45 am departure to ANU, taking the long way around the Caribbean to SXM. Do we have to claim our checked bags, as this is considered a connecting flight for fare basis purposes, or can (must?) we leave them with Delta?