Frederich Cepeda reaches 2503 hits in national series

April 3, 2025

Frederich Cepeda connected his 2503rd hit for life as part of Ciego de Ávila's 5-4 victory over Granma in the III Elite League of Cuban Baseball and became today the national record holder in that offensive category.

On the field of Estadio Mártires de Barbados, in Bayamo, the indefatigable switch-hitter hit that historic hit off César García, standing in the left-handed batter's box, and drove in two runs. Thus, the native of Sancti Spíritus left behind the mark set by Danel Castro of Tunas (2502).

The Ávila Tigers lost the game 2-4 at the height of the ninth inning, but scored a decisive cluster of three runs, with four consecutive hits against Yanielkis Duardo, one of the country's best relievers. Leonardo Moreira was credited with the win and Duardo took the loss.

With this victory the Tigers tied at the top with Leñadores de Las Tunas, which left 12 runners on base and gave up 2-6 against Vegueros de Pinar del Río, visiting at Parque Capitán San Luis. For the winners, Yaser Julio González stood out at bat, going 4-for-2 with a double and three RBIs.

First victory for Yunieski García, despite allowing nine hits in 5.0 innings, but he worked through his troubles with nine strikeouts.

A save for José Eduardo Santos and a loss for left-hander Dariel Góngora.

Los Leñadores will take a break from the Elite League, as they must prepare to compete in the Liga de Campeones de América starting next the 8th, in Mexico.

The Wednesday's day was completed by the home run festival of local Santiago de Cuba, which defeated Industriales 11-9 at Estadio Guillermón Moncada. The unbeaten team won supported by no less than seven home runs: two each from Yoelkis Guibert and Yoel Yanki, as well as those from Francisco Martínez, Jeison Martínez and the sixth from leader Eduardo García, who went 4-for-4 with two RBIs.

For the Lions, outfielder Denis Laza also recorded his fourth home run. Jesús Quintan was credited with the win, Wilber Reyna saved it and Frank Herrera took the loss.

After these results there is a tie at the top between Las Tunas and Ciego de Ávila, both with 10 wins and six losses, followed by Industriales and Santiago de Cuba (8-8), Pinar del Río (7-9) and Granma (5-11).