Thursday, July 14, 2011

93rd Koushien Qualifying - July 10th-14th (Shikoku & Kyushu Prefectures)

Kagawa
Kagawa was fairly quiet to start the tournament, though Miki scored 5 unanswered to defeat Iiyama 7-3 on day 1.

Day 2 was rained out except for the 1st game where Tadotsu blew a 3-run lead to Sakaide Kougyou, but tied it going into extras. However, ace Hashiguchi had to give way in when Sakaide scored 8 in the top of the 10th.

The 2 rained out games were made up the next day, and in a bit of an upset, Kotohira defeated Jinsei Gakuen 2-1!

And on the 13th, Round 1 ended with Takamatsu Higashi blowing a 6-1 lead by giving up 5 runs in the 6th, but coming back to score the sayonara run in the 9th over Tsuda!

But in a complete shocker, top seed Kagawa Nishi takes the field against Takamatsu Dai-ichi... and is eliminated 4-1!!!

Tokushima
The 10th started with seeded Jyounan defeating Jyousei 13-3 in 5 innings, while fellow seed Tokushima Shougyou needed 6 innings against Naka. Anan Kougyou needed almost all of their 10 runs to defeat Jyounouchi 10-8.

On day 2, Tomioka Nishi down 2-0 to Tokushima Nishi in the first inning scratched their way back to level before scoring the sayonara run in the 9th. And on the 13th, all of Awa Nishi and Anan Tousen's scoring came in the 2nd where Awa outscired Anan 2-1. Rounding out play was seeded Naruto who struggled against Wakimachi, giving up a run in the 9th to make it a 4-3 ballgame, but refused to break down completely.

Apparently if you were a top seed and playing on the 14th, you did not do well. Jyoutou took the field on the 14th, and at one point led 2-1 to Naruto Kougyou. But fast forward to the 8th and it's a tie game. Ace Sachiura for Jyoutou couldn't keep his team in it. He gives up 3 runs, and his team falls 5-2! Though to be honest, Naruto Kougyou is no pushover.

Ehime
Ehime started play on the 14th over at Bocchan Stadium. In the opener, Touon had no problems with Imabari Minami winning 9-2 in 7. The second game saw Uwajima Minami holding a 1-0 lead into the 9th before Niihama Shougyou scored 2 to take the lead. But in true kokoyakyu style, Uwajima doesn't give up and instead scores 2 runs of their own for the win!

Fukuoka
Games continue across all blocks, and I don't know a good way to cover it, so here goes...
  • Kurume Tousen blows an early 5-0 lead to Asakura Kouyou, manages to recover by the 6th and then after Asakura tied the game in the top of the 9th, they score the sayonara run in the bottom!
  • Nishi Nippon Tankidai Fuzoku begins their run with a 6-2 win over Meizen.
  • Sue take the slow and steady approach, defeating Ukiha Kougyou 5-4 with 4 runs in the last 5 innings.
  • Noogata led 6-1 over Kokura Shougyou, but ace Aoki couldn't finish, Kanagawa couldn't get anyone out, and by the time Kinoshita came in to record the 3rd out, the game was tied at 6. The game went into extras with both teams in the bullpen, but it wouldn't be until the penultimate inning where Noogata would score 2 for the win!
  • Seinan Gakuin tried to keep up with Oogori, but continued to fall 1 run short the entire game, losing 6-5.
  • Tagawa led 3-0 over Miyako only to see them score 2 in the top of the 9th to level the score! No matter though because 1 inning later, Tagawa scores the sayonara run!
  • Higashi-Chikushi Gakuen also won 4-3 over Kokura Kougyou, but they had to endure a mid-inning surge to do so.
  • Fukuoka Kougyou scores the only run in their game against Yame to advance.
  • In the battle of nature-related schools, Fukuoka Nougyou edged out Fukuoka Suisan 3-2 in 10 innings.
  • Touchiku started off the run of seeded teams as they face Moji Daishoukan. And Moji put up a stubborn fight pulling within one when down 3-0, then taking the lead 5-4 with 3 in the 7th! But Touchiku showed their experience with 3 unanswered runs of their own the next 2 offensive turns to win 7-5!
  • Kurume was home to 3 seeded games. Kurume Shougyou and Higashi-Fukuoka both won their games, but Musashidai spoiled things by leading wire-to-wire against Fukuokadai Oohori.
  • Nishi Nippon Tankidai did advance to their block final, but they allowed Koga Kyouseikan to tie it up in the final innings before winning in 10.
  • With 3 days rest, Noogata advanced to their block final, defeating Kurate Ryuutoku 7-5.
  • Jiyuugaoka wins their one game before the block final, though they needed to score 2 runs in the 8th to defeat Kita-Kyushu 3-1.
  • Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku did the same, although with an 8-0 win after 7, and Touyou won by the exact same score.
  • Ikutokukan couldn't shake Oiro Aishin, losing a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 9th and then giving back a run in the 10th when momentum seemed to be going their way. They'd finally prevail with a run in the 12 to head to the block final.
  • Houkoku Gakuen pulls off the upset in Kita Block D, leading wire-to-wire against Kaho Higashi 5-3.
  • Fukuoka Koudai Jyoutou had the unfortunate draw to play one extra game despite being seeded. It was okay though as they beat Umi Shougyou 7-0.
  • Sue and Itoshima left their fireworks until enchousen. Tied at 4, Itoshima scores the go-ahead run only to see Sue tie it up again! And when Itoshima scored 3 in the 11th, Sue made another rally. However, this time they scored just 1 to fall 8-6.
  • Kurume City Stadium was the place to be on the 14th, unless you were a seeded team in your block in which then if you were a manager you'd be getting gray hairs. Game 1, Kashii Kougyou leads 1-0 over Chikuyou Gakuen before Chikuyou scores 1 in the 4th to tie, and then another run in the 6th and 7th to win 3-1. Game 2, Kyushu Sangkyoudai Kyushu scores 3 in the 7th to try and distance themselves from Oki Gakuen. But then in the next half inning, Oki roars back with 2 to trail 4-3, and then scores 4 in the top of the 9th to take the lead! Down 3, Kyushu Sangkyoudai mounts a comeback, and succeeds! They score 4 runs of their own to send the boys from Oki Gakuen home crying. And in Game 3, Yuusei opened the scoring with a run in the 1st. That lead held over Toukaidai Dai-go until the bottom of the 9th, when Dai-go magically pulls 2 runs out of its hat for the win!
  • At Ootani, seeded Kita-Kyushu Shiritsu held on for a 2-0 lead over Nishi-Tagawa to reach the final while Yahata Minami had a 5-run lucky 7 for a 7-4 win over Kinkidai Fukuoka.
  • Seeded Yanagigawa continued the trend of seeded teams struggling in their 1st game as they needed a run in the 9th, then 3 in the 10th to beat Kashii.
  • Kurate ekes out an extra innings win over Yahata, and will face Kokura who upset seeded Orio - and not just upset but dispatch 8-0 in 7!
  • Iidzuka bucks the trend of the seeded teams, defeating Kanda Kougyou 10-0 in 5.
  • Fukuoka Kougyou and seeded Chikuzen were in a scoreless draw until the 9th were Fukuoka scored the only run in the game! They will play Fukushou who defeated Munakata 7-5.
Saga
Saga Kita, the 2007 champions, started their trip with a 2-0 win over Imari Shougyou. Kashima holds on for a 4-3 win over Karatsu Minami after leading 4-0.

Round 2 started on the 12th, with Tosu Shougyou repulsing several attacks from Takeo, scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 8th. Seeded Karatsu Shougyou had no trouble with Karatsu Nishi 9-0 in 7. Hokuryou scores all of their 5 runs late to defeat Keitoku 5-4.

Moving to the 13th Kashima Jitsugyou, much like Hokuryou, scores all 5 runs in the 8th to beat Chienkan 5-2. Seeded Ryuukoku faced former Koushien participant Imari Nourin and won 4-1. And Karatsu Kougyou needed 2 runs in the 9th to beat Koushikan 5-3.

Saga Gakuen is the 3rd seeded team to play, and they move on with a 5-1 win over Kishima Shougyou, and Saga Kita handled Karatsu Seishou to setup a matchup with Ryuukoku.

2nd round games wrapped up on the 14th and included Saga Nougyou pushing Shiota Kougyou into extras and winning in 10, 3-2! And in a "they have a school there?" moment, Waseda Saga advances over Saga Shougyou 2-1.
Nagasaki
Notable game in the last 4 days include:
  • Tsushima's sayonara run to defeat Kamigotou after they tied it in the 8th.
  • Iki Shougyou made a 1-run lead after 1 stick for a 4-3 win over Oomura.
  • Nagasaki Nichidai looked impressive in a 9-0 win over Sasebo Toushou.
  • Sasebo Nishi responds to Shimabara Shounan's go-ahead run in the top of the 9th with 2 of their own in the bottom for the win!
  • Seeded Oomura Kougyou up 4-3, sees reliever Toyoda give up 3 runs in the top of the 9th allowing Kyushu Bunka to take the lead and win 6-4.
  • Meanwhile Nagasaki Nanzen dispatches Yuukoukan 12-0 in 5 and will face Keihou.
  • Hasami started the top seeds off, and sadly was not able to repeat their fall performance. They lost to Seiryou 5-1. Sasebo Tousen also spoiled the party, they using a 3-run 4th to beat Chinzei Gakuin 4-2.
  • Meanwhile, Seihou and Sasebo Kougyou advanced with no issues.
Kumamoto
  • Chiharadai scores 5 in the 1st, but has to hold on against Hitsuyuukan for an 8-6 win.
  • Ushibuka also holds on for dear life just beating out Kumamoto Kita in the last couple of innings 7-6.
  • Kuma Kougyou blows a 6-2 lead against Taragi, but also wins 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th.
  • Seeded Yatsushiro Higashi beat Yatsushiro Minami 8-1 in 8 innings, while Kyushu Gakuin had their game postponed due to darkness although it didn't matter as they won easily over Kamoto Shoukou.
  • Because of the Kyushu Gakuin postponement, Tamana Kougyou's game with Kousa was moved to the alternate site - Yamaga Municipal. Didn't matter, Tamana won 7-1.
  • Luther Gakuin also had no trouble, shutting out Shouyou 6-0.
  • Shuugakukan begins their run with an 8-3 victory over Kumamoto Shougyou.
  • Seeded Tokaidai Fuzoku Dai-ni and Kumamoto Kokufu had easy wins over Yatsushiro Tousen and Reimei respectively, while Senshuudai Tamana looked unimpressive over Seiseiko winning just 2-0.
Oita
Round 1
  • Former 21st century team Oita Uenogaoka mercy-ruled Nakatsu Minami 7-0 in 7.
  • Hiji Youkoku gives up the tying run in the top of the 9th to Oita Oginodai but scores the sayonara run in the 10th.
  • Oita Tsurusaki and Jyouhou Kagaku played one heck of a first round game. It seemed normal after 7 when Oita scored 2 to tie the game at 4. Jyouhou scored 2 the next half inning and the lead was back at 2 runs. An insurance run in the 9th seemed to put the game out reach. But no one told Oita Tsurusaki that. They score 3 in the 9th sending it into extras! In the 11th, Jyouhou would score 3 off of Oita's 5th pitcher Abe. All seemed lost, except that they couldn't hold that lead! Oita scores 3 and we're tied once again. This seemed to take the air out of Jyouhou as in the next inning Oita Tsurugaoka scores the sayonara run to end the game.
  • Oita Toumei also had an extra inning game, but not as exciting perhaps as the last one. Saiki Tsuruoka falls 3-1 in 11.
  • Beppu Aoyama rallies from down 4-0 to beat Beppu Tsurumigaoka 5-4 in 10.
  • Mori, who had lost their coach in a tragic accident right after the opening ceremonies, scored the go-ahead run in the 8th to defeat Nakatsu Kita 2-1! Much like Risshoudai Shounan 2 years back who played for their coach despite losing players to the influenza, I hope Mori can make a deep run (sorry Meihou).
Round 2
  • So speaking of Meihou, they dispatched Taketa 10-0 in 6.
  • Oita Uenogaoka's run ended at the hands of 7-8 seed Oita Houfu 5-1.
  • Usa Sangyoudai Kagaku watched a 7-3 lead turn into a 9-7 deficit before scoring 3 in the 7th to win 10-9 over Youshikan.
  • 3-4 seed Oita Shougyou mercy ruled Hiji Youkoku 8-0 in 8.
Miyazaki
Round 1
  • Saito Shougyou scores 2 right after Hyuuga scores 1 in the bottom of the 4th, and that's all the scoring in the game.
  • Nichinan broke a scoreless draw against Miyazaki Kaiyou with 5 runs in the bottom of the 8th.
  • Nobeoka Shougyou led 8-0 over Nichinan Shintoku. But then 2 runs in the 5th and 4 in the 8th made it a 2 run game. Nichinan would make one last push, but could only get 1 run to fall 8-7.
Round 2
  • Seeded Nobeoka Gakuen started round 2 off outlasting Miyazaki Gakuen 5-2.
  • Meanwhile, fellow team Miyakonojyou Izumigaoka was shockingly upset by Miyakonojyou Higashi 2-0!!
  • 2nd round games at Sun Marine Stadium were delayed 2 days due to rain. The delay didn't help St. Ursula as they were annihilated 12-2 to Miyazaki Shougyou.
  • At Ivy Stadium, seeded Miyakonojyou Shougyou and Miyazaki Nichidai advance with wins over Honjyou and Miyazaki Dai-ichi respectively.
Kagoshima
Round 2
  • Seeded Kagoshima Kougyou fades late, but still moves on with 10-8 win over Kagoshima Shougyou.
  • Minami-Ootsumi makes a last second rally with 2 runs to send it into extras versus Kagoshima Minami. The game continued to the 13th when Minami-Ootsumi would score the go-ahead run. With just 3 outs to close the game, ace Nishidome cannot close it out. Kagoshima Minami scores the tying run and the game continues. Unfortunately, that was the only chance they had to win the game as Nishidome falters in the bottom of the 14th, giving up the sayonara run.
  • Round 2 concludes with Kanoya Chuo mercy ruling Kokubun Chuo 8-0 in 7 and Kounan (no not that one) bidding sayonara to Kagoshima Chuo 3-2.
Round 3
  • Now we're moving to advance teams to the round of 16. Seeded Kagoshima Jitsugyou punches their ticked with a 12-0 win over Kagoshima Dai-ichi. Reimei follows right behind with an 8-2 win over Kaseda.
  • Kanoya Kougyou is Kajitsu's next opponent as they score 6 unanswered runs in the final 3 innings to win 7-5.
  • All seeded teams were playing at Prefectural Kamoike on the 13th. Kanoya wins another low scoring game 3-0 over Kagoshima Tousen. Satsuma Chuo, who upset Kagoshima Jyousei, also moves on with a mercy win over Okinoerabu. Finally Kamimura Gakuen 4-hits Izumi for a 5-0 win. Ijyuuin, Kajiki and Sendai will be their opponents as they all advance to the round of 16.
  • Wrapping up round 3, seeded Shounan easily handles Izumi Shougyou and is on a collision course with Kamimura Gakuen, they get Yakushima next. Kagoshima Kougyou sneaks by Ookuchi 3-2. and draws Kagoshima Gyoukuryuu. Finally, Kanoya Chuo shuts out another team in Kounan, though only by the margin of 2-0 and will play Kagoshima Minami who apparently loves extra inning games. as they go extra innings with Setsunan Kougyou. The teams combine for just 7 hits and 5 walks. Kagoshima Minami pushes the sayonara run in the 10th.

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