Yudier Rondón and Norge Torres each drove in two runs, and Keniel Ferráz delivered a monumental performance from the bullpen to lead the Las Tunas Lumberjacks to a 4-2 victory in 11 innings over the Cienfuegos Elephants.

Las Tunas, Cuba.– The win, achieved on Thursday at the 5 de Septiembre Stadium, not only secures them first place in the qualifying but also mathematically guarantees the team's qualification for the postseason for the eighth consecutive Series.

With this result, the defending champions improved their record to 42 wins and 21 losses, boasting a 15-game winning streak in their last 18 games. The loss dropped Cienfuegos to 34-30.

It was a pitchers' duel from the start. Rubén Rodríguez, the starter for the green-and-red team, delivered a quality outing, working six innings, allowing only two earned runs, and striking out seven batters. For the home team, Alex Daniel Pérez was also solid, allowing only two runs in six innings.

Las Tunas hitters produced two runs in the top of the second inning, while Cienfuegos began to chip away at the deficit in the sixth chapter, facing Keniel Ferráz, and tied the score in the seventh inning.

Both teams' offensive lines went cold until the 11th inning. Islay Sotolongo, who had efficiently relieved starter Pérez, remained on the mound for extra innings. In the top of the eleventh, after Norge Torres' sacrifice fly and Maikel Molina's intentional walk, Yudier Rondón's rocket to left field brought home Deismel Hurtado and Yaser Izaguirre, who were on base under the Schiller rule.

In the bottom of the inning, Keniel Ferráz returned to the mound and closed out the game with authority, securing his eighth win of the season. Sotolongo took the loss.

With their ticket to the second phase already secured, the Lumberjacks reaffirmed their status as title contenders and sent a strong message to their rivals: they are ready to defend their crown.