18/02/2026 1 Minute Read

Matanzas Cocodrilos win Cuba's Serie Nacional

Matanzas eliminated Santi Spiritus in the quarterfinals, Havana Industriales in the semifinal and dominated the championship series.

Matanzas Cocodrilos swept the defending champions, Las Tunas Leñadores, in the best-of-seven championship series to claim the 2025-26 Cuban National League (Serie Nacional). The iconic Latinoamericano Stadium in Havana hosted the entire series.

¡Cocodrilos de Matanzas es el campeón de la #64SNB!
Venció cuatro veces consecutiva al monarca defensor Leñadores de Las Tunas, este sábado por la vía del nocaut (11-0).#Beisbol #BeisbolCubano #InderCuba65 #InderEsPatria #ListosParaVencer pic.twitter.com/f4Bb7Plf1T
— JIT Deporte Cubano (@jit_digital) February 14, 2026

Matanzas dominated the series, with Game Three proving the only nail-biter.

Former Japan Series MVP and WBSC Premier12 star Yurisbel Gracial hit a walk-off home run that proved the series decider. The next day Matanzas won the rubber match by the run-difference rule.

Championship Series Results

Las Tunas-Matanzas 3-8
Las Tunas-Matanzas 3-7
Matanzas-Las Tunas 7-5
Matanzas-Las Tunas 11-0

Gracial, who posted a .450 batting average in the series, earned MVP honours.

Cuba's Serie Nacional is a 16-team league. After the 90-game regular season, Matanzas overcame Santi Spiritus in the quarterfinals and eliminated the legendary Havana Industriales in the semifinal.

Las Tunas beat Villa Clara in the quarterfinals and eliminated Artmemisa in the semifinals.

Categories: Americas , Americas winter baseball leagues , Baseball , Baseball Champions League , Men's Baseball