Industriales Strikes First in Elite League Semifinals

The capital team found balance between pitching precision and timely offensive strikes to subdue the Huracanes, who had been an uncomfortable shadow during the qualifying stage.

Andy Vargas delivered five innings of absolute dominance without allowing runs, but after his departure the wind changed direction. Mayabeque took advantage of Alberto Hechavarría's lack of control and Jordan Williams's bases-loaded walk to take a momentary lead.

The blue reaction was immediate and fierce. After Leodan Reyes's exit, Industriales put together a four-run rally featuring reinforcements Andrys Pérez and Eduardo Blanco, along with Taylon Sánchez's two-run double that turned the scoreboard.

Pérez himself struck again from the plate in the seventh inning to extend the lead, in an offense that chose the exact moment to roar.

Fernando Betanzo earned the win despite Frederich Cepeda's solo home run that improved the score, while Yunier Batista closed with authority to secure the save.

On the other side of the country, Las Tunas once again rolled over Holguín, blanking them 13-0 with a 16-hit offensive outburst that included home runs by Maikel Yordan Molina and Yassel Izaguirre — the latter for the second consecutive day.

Enyer Fernández went the distance with sustained dominance to earn the win, while Sammy Benítez suffered the setback for the Cachorros, who used five pitchers without finding a way to slow the Tunas' storm.

The semifinal will continue Tuesday at the Latinoamericano, while the eastern matchup moves to Holguín's Calixto García Stadium in search of a turnaround that today seems distant.