Three of the four groups (B, C, D) will determine playoff qualifiers during Thursday’s final matches. Group A has multiple postponed games to be rescheduled after the official regular phase concludes.

Such parity has characterised the U-23 National Baseball Series that no teams had secured postseason berths until Thursday’s decisive fixtures.

Though only 18 games were scheduled in this vital development category, the intensely competitive action persisting until the final day deserves full recognition.

This scenario applies to all groups except A – featuring the Isle of Youth squad – which has completed just seven of 18 games due to transportation issues affecting travel to/from Nueva Gerona city.

On Wednesday, Villa Clara claimed sole leadership of Group B with a 4-2 win over Cienfuegos. Lefty Cristian Rojas secured his second victory, limiting rivals to three hits with six strikeouts across six innings.

The Leopards (11-6) now hold a one-game lead over the Elephants (10-7). In the group’s other match, Mayabeque defeated Matanzas 8-5.

In Group C, Camagüey gained a narrow advantage at the top (10-7) after a 5-3 victory against Las Tunas, who committed four errors. Winner Yonimiller Mendoza pitched a complete game with four hits and six strikeouts. The Tunero Lumberjacks now stand at 9-8, level with Sancti Spíritus who fell 0-1 to Ciego de Ávila.

Meanwhile in Group D, Santiago de Cuba and Granma remained tied (10-7). The Santiago Wasps edged Guantánamo 4-2, scoring all runs on three fourth-inning hits – including catcher Harold Vázquez’s three-RBI homer. The Granma Stallions defeated Holguín 6-4, with reliever Ángel Altunaga claiming his third win and DH Ernesto Pérez delivering a three-run blast.

Also Wednesday, Pinar del Río beat Isle of Youth 6-2, capitalising on the latter’s five defensive errors. Pinar now leads 10-4, ahead of Havana (9-4) who defeated Artemisa 12-7 – extending Artemisa’s tournament-worst losing streak to 12 games. Group A still has significant fixtures outstanding.