Pitching deficiencies and defensive shortcomings condemned the Leñadores (Las Tunas Lumberjacks) against Cougars (15-19), sending them to tomorrow's elimination macht of the Baseball Champions League Americas 2025.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Although the green-red axes started off a bit battered, the offensive line gradually recovered, tying the score twice. Led by captain Yosvani Alarcón (three hits and five RBIs), Roberto Baldoquín, and Roel Santos (4-3), who hit a home run at the time to picking up the bats, the Lumberjacks racked up 18 hits. But the pitchers, with the exception of Rubén Rodríguez (four strikeouts in one and a third), were unable to contain the American batters, and the defense floundered, with errors that led four runs for the opposing team.

The Cougars showed their mettle from the first inning, facing the erratic pitches of starter Albert Valladares, although they failed to score. In the second, the North Americans unleashed their power, hitting nine runs, including a homer by left fielder Dillon Thomas, to produce a cluster of eight runs.

The current champions of the American Association of Professional Baseball also scored two in the fourth, one in the fifth, three in the sixth, and five in the winning inning. In total, they connected on 24 hits, with three home runs, a triple, and three doubles. Defensively, they only managed to slip up once.

With this result, the Cougars secured their spot in the semifinals, while the Lumberjacks will have to fight for theirs tomorrow against the Puerto Rico’s squad, Florida Titans, last place in Group A with two losses.

Las Tunas Lumerjacks will play the Kane County Cougars again on Saturday, if prevail in the elimination round, seeking a spot in the final scheduled for Sunday the 13th.