Lumberjacks Secure Direct Berth to Elite League

The Las Tunas Lumberjacks today secured their 48th victory in the 64th National Baseball Series, clinching first place in the qualifying round and a direct ticket to the upcoming Elite League.

The so-called Eastern Nightmare achieved this feat on a decisive day, during which the teams from Industriales and Artemisa also reserved spots in the postseason. They joined the group that already includes the reigning champions, as well as the teams from Matanzas, Holguín, and Mayabeque.

The final two invitations to Cuban baseball's grand celebration will be decided in the coming days, in a fierce battle where, in addition to Sancti Spíritus, the Cienfuegos Elephants, Villa Clara Leopards, and Pinar del Río Vegueros—who today entered the privileged zone—remain in contention.

In today's matchup, the Tunera squad routed the last-place Guantánamo Indians 12-1 on the field of the Julio Antonio Mella stadium.

Yosvani Alarcón, with a home run and four RBIs, led an attack of 15 hits, while Yasiel Izaguirre, with a double and a home run, drove in three runs. Yudier Rondón continued his hot streak at the plate, going 4-3 with a double.

Yosmel Garcés pitched five innings, allowing only one earned run, and earned his 11th win of the season (the league leader) without a loss.

Industriales achieved their only series sweep of the tournament by defeating the Granma Alazanes 10-0 in a game held at the Mártires de Barbados stadium in Bayamo.

Remberto Barreto pitched seven innings, allowing just three hits, to earn his seventh win of the season. Yasiel Santoya stood out at the plate with a double, a home run, and four RBIs.

Daniel Fernández and Ángel Alfredo Hechavarría, the latter with a double, each drove in two runs.

Artemisa continued their perfect finish by defeating the Elephants 20-14 at the 26 de Julio stadium, securing their seventh consecutive victory.

The disciples of Yulieski González connected for a total of 27 hits, while their opponents had 14, in a game where pitchers struggled.

For the pachyderms, Jorge Zúñiga hit a grand slam.

At the Nelson Fernández stadium in San José de Las Lajas, the Roosters fell 3-2 to the Hurricanes. While only a miracle would keep them from the next stage, they have not yet officially secured their pass.

Maikol Barroso hit a solo home run for the winners, while for the defeated, Daniel Fernández hit two balls out of the park.

José Ignacio Bermúdez remained on the mound for eight innings to earn his sixth win, aided by his brother Héctor, who secured the final out. Yohannys Hernández took the loss.

The Holguín Cubs remained in contention for second place in this phase by defeating the Ciego de Ávila Tigers 8-1 at the José Ramón Cepero stadium.

Luis Miguel Santiesteban and Luis Raúl Domínguez hit RBI doubles, the latter bringing two teammates home, while Jorlis Bravo also drove in two with a single.

Michel Cabrera pitched five innings to earn his ninth win, and Jesús Quintán saved the game by working three scoreless innings. Erisbel Martínez was the losing pitcher.

Finally, and no less thrilling, the Vegueros defeated the Leopards with a final score of 2-1, leaping into the qualifying zone to the delight of their fans.

A home run by Juan Manuel Pérez tied the game when they were one out away from defeat, and a single by Alexei Ramírez drove in the winning run.

Frank Luis Medina pitched a perfect three-inning relief appearance to earn the win, while Osdany Rodríguez suffered the loss.