Industriales Defeats Mayabeque, Nears Semifinal Berth
Industriales de La Habana moved one step closer to securing their ticket to the semifinals of the 64th National Baseball Series by defeating the Mayabeque Hurricanes 8-4 today at the Latinoamericano Stadium.

The blue squad, managed by Guillermo Carmona, notched their third win against two losses in these quarterfinals. With one more victory in either of the two remaining games of this matchup, they would guarantee a spot among the tournament's final four and a direct entry into the upcoming Elite League.

Early Lead and Visitor's Comeback
The Lions ignited early with a pair of runs in the very first inning, thanks to an RBI triple by Yasiel Santoya and a grounder to the infield by Yasmani Tomás that brought him home.

With a solo home run by Dennis Laza off a pitch from Raymond Figueredo, the visiting team tied the game in the fourth inning, raising the contest's intensity.

Back-and-Forth Battle
In the sixth, with two outs on the board, Frank Alfonso hit a double to shatter Figueredo's pitching, put his Hurricanes ahead, and ignite the first-base side bleachers.

Before the inning ended, now with Rafael Orlando Perdomo on the mound, William González connected for a single and drove in his team's fourth run.

Decisive Innings for the Lions
The Coloso del Cerro stadium erupted in the so-called lucky inning when Yaser Julio González sent the sphere out of the park with a teammate on base off a pitch from starter Yadián Martínez, securing the lead.

It was in the eighth that this story's ending turned blue: Tomás launched a two-base rocket to bring in the decisive lead, and Roberto Álvarez followed suit, driving in two more, shaking the stands, and forcing the exit of the defeated reliever Duvier Peña.

Minutes later, Yaser Julio demonstrated that the Lions were still hungry, connecting for a single to drive in his third run of the game and seal the contest, with Héctor Bermúdez now in the opposing trench.

Pitching Secures the Victory
Perdomo earned the win by not allowing further liberties to the tenacious rivals until the eighth, and Juan Xavier Peñalver closed the door by securing the final three outs.

Tomorrow will be a travel day, and on Tuesday both squads will face off again on the grass of the Nelson Fernández Stadium in San José de Las Lajas.