 Las Tunas Lumberjacks got the ticket to Cuba's Baseball final. |
The Leñadores (Las Tunas Lumberjacks) had another magical night at the Julio Antonio Mella Stadium, in the heat of their fans, to defeat the Granma Sorrels seven runs to two, in the fifth game of the semifinal match of the 63rd National Baseball Series and, thus, get the ticket to the title discussion for the second consecutive season.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- Within a blanket of faces, cell phone lights, and even divine demands, the team from the Eastern Cuban Balcony left little room for doubt, dominating the game from the beginning until the 27th out.
On the pitchers' side, it was all good news: Alejandro Meneses found his composure on the mound, with the merit of avoiding complications; while Rodolfo Díaz spread courage to maintain his invincibility in the postseason.
The offensive line was also so prominent; in the last three games, they scored 36 runs, in addition to hitting nine home runs; hence, this day could not be the exception, with homers by Denis Peña and Roberto Súliban Baldoquín.
The cross of uncertainty hanging over the pitching area was scraped after turning the cracks into strengths. With a staff of starting pitchers with little experience, since their ace only has two contests and two other pitchers in the rookie category, plus the lack of a fourth man, Rodolfo Correa turned coal into diamond to minimize the torments from the mound. Meanwhile, the bullpen also fulfilled its mission.
On the grass of the “Mella,” the locals leave the “feeling of warriors, of a group capable of growing in the face of difficulties, who always goes from less to more. Just as it could be seen, we finished in that sporting form that we sought so much for this stage,” acknowledged mentor Abeysi Pantoja, in the middle of a sea of people who jumped to celebrate the triumph with the green and red players.
Although the Granma team lost this power struggle, the chivalry of those led by Ángel Ortega reigned. Outclassed in the field, but worthy opponents, the owners of four trophies will add the bronze medal to their showcases in this edition.
After an extensive season, the road seems to be getting shorter, especially while leaving behind the eastern classic of modern baseball on the Island. However, there is still a final stretch for those who dream of a consecutive championship and their third crown in the history of the National Series. To achieve this, they must beat the Vegueros from Pinar del Río, undisputed leaders throughout the calendar, in an unprecedented final.
