Day 11, Game 2 - Chuukyoudai Chuukyou (Aichi) v Kanto Dai-ichi (Higashi Tokyo)

The lunchtime game features 2 well-known schools who both have flaws of their own.

Kanto Dai-ichi's only game slightly reminded me of that non-sensical game between Sendai Ikuei and Urawa Gakuin. Only here it was a bit more ordered.

Kanto Dai-ichi had broken open the game against Takaoka Shougyou turning a 1-0 lead into 8-0. But the very next half inning, they gave all 7 runs back. They then lost the lead, regained it back, lost it again before reclaiming it for the final time at 12-10. The teams combined for 28 hits, 8 of which were extra bases and 3 of those were of the HR variety.

So needless to say there are concerns about the pitching staff, and if you have problems there I wish you godspeed sir.

As for Chuukyoudai Chuukyou, their last game against Kagoshima Jitsugyou was not decided until the late stages when they scored 6 runs after the break to pull away for a 7-4 win. Ueno is doing just enough to keep his team ahead, and if he can continue doing that they could be a contender after all. That's a big if though, and the question is if Kanto Dai-ichi is good enough to mitigate that.

Chuukyoudai Chuukyou (Aichi)
LF Kawada Kouhei
2B Katou Daiki
CF Nakamura Kento
C Itou Hiroshi
1B Yatazaki Akedo
SS Satou Yuuki
3B Sugimoto Isamu
RF Naitou Ryousuke
P Ueno Shoutarou

Kanto Dai-ichi (Higashi Tokyo)
CF Okoye Rui
3B Ihashi Toshiki
SS Itou Masato
1B Igarashi Yuuki
RF Nagashima Ryouma
LF Moriyama Shou
C Suzuki Daichi
2B Kuroda Shunta
P Abe Takeshi (#10)

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10:45 - First pitch!

Top 1st
One down and Katou singles though the right side. 2 down, and a ptich that was supposed to be outside Itou makes contact with and sends it the other way for a base hit! Runners at the corners!

Kanto Dai-ichi in a lot of trouble now! Yatazaki draws a walk and it's manrui!

Bottom 1st
Kanto Dai-ichi's half is unfortunately not as exciting. Itou draws a 2-out walk, and then is caught badly when trying to steal 2nd.

Top 2nd
One out single for Naitou as Ueno moves him to 2nd with a slow chopper to short. Abe puts himself into another pinch walking Kawada, as the lineup moves closer to the heart.

He falls behind Katou 3-1 too, but gets him to pop up to Ihashi for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
Igarashi draws a leadoff walk, but when Nagashima tries to lay down the bunt Yatazaki spin throws to 2nd and cuts the lead runner down.

Moriyama and Suzuki both hit good fly balls, but they're easy plays to end the inning.

Top 3rd
Yatazaki gets a 2-out single, but otherwise the batters for Chuukyoudai Chuukyou not really squaring up Abe right now.

Bottom 3rd
Looks like we might be settling in for the long haul now. Ueno retires the 8-9-1 batters in order, and while he's not getting as much attention Okoye is getting quite a bit.

Top 4th
Abe leaves one over the plate when it was wanted inside and Naitou gets his 2nd hit in as many ABs.

Ueno with a single of his own to center and they look to threaten again.

Kawada flies out to right, but that does allow Naitou to reach 3rd.

Abe gets Katou swinging to end the inning and we remain scoreless.

Bottom 4th
Unfortunately Kanto Dai-ichi is unable to make such headway. First pitch out for Ihashi and Itou, and Igarashi can only watch strike 3 on the outside corner.

Top 5th
Pitching change for Kanto Dai-ichi as #16 Kaneko enters the game.

Good start as he gets Nakamura on a slider.

2 down and Yatazaki with a slow grounder to short, but Itou misses the ball for some reason.

The error doesn't hurt as Itou tries to steal 2nd, but is out by a country mile.

Bottom 5th
Ueno holds serve as he gets his 3rd consecutive 1-2-3 inning. We head to the break scoreless with opportunities at a premium.

Top 6th
One down and Sugimoto makes a bid for a base hit to right center, but Okoye runs it down en route to another clean inning.

Bottom 6th
Kuroda gets Kanto Dai-ichi's first hit, a single to center. Kaneko moves him along.

Okoye goes down swinging on a changeup so it'll be up to Ihashi.

Ihashi with a foul fly. Sugimoto stops next to the camera well, reaches over... falls in...

Has the catch!!

Top 7th
Ueno with his 2nd hit of the game, a single to right. Kawano tries to bunt him along, but Kaneko crashes on the ball and spin fire to 3rd, and they get Ueno!

Katou and Nakamura are retired thereafter and the game remains scoreless.

Bottom 7th
Now Kanto Dai-ichi gets a leadoff runner of their own! Itou singles through the left side! He's bunted over and Chuuukyoudai Chuukyou calls for time.

Nagashima with a check swing chopper up the middle. Satou waits for it, fires to 1st, but it's not in time! Nagashima dives in safely and it's a big chance for Kanto Dai-ichi!

Moriyama with a fly to center! Nakamura charging, makes the catch! Itou going home, no! He goes back and now there are 2 outs!

Suzuki in a prolonged AB, fouling off pitches hoping to find one to get the timely hit. Eventually he works the count full after falling behind 1-2.

SANSHIN!!!!!

Ueno lets out a scream after he gets Suzuki on a high fastball and the side is retired!!

Top 8th
Kaneko hits Itou in the back to start the inning. Chuukyoudai Chuukyou has a chance here to get a ru in.

Yatazaki with the bunt, but it's too short again! Suzuki up and fires to 2nd and they get the runner!

They lay down the bunt again, and while it works, they are playing for the one-timer. Though one tim may be all they need.

Sugimoto clean single through the left side! Moriyama with it and makes the throw in. Yatazaki holds up at 3rd. Kanto Dai-ichi calls for time.

UH OH! Kaneko hits Naitou and it's manrui for Ueno!

Ueno grounder to 3rd! Igarashi with it! He picks it up and races Sugimoto to the bag! He gets there! 3 out!!!

Oh man, that race to 3rd...

Bottom 8th
2 down for Okoye and he grounds to short. Itou with the throw, but it's not in time to defeat a diving Okoye! (He could easily run through the bag...). Chuukyoudai Chuukyou calls time.

Ihashi draws a 4-pitch walk! That moves Okoye to 2nd as Itou steps in!

But he flies out to right and we're onto the 9th!

Top 9th
Nakamura gets on with 2 outs as Ihashi's throw is just off line.

Itou takes a close 3-2 pitch and walks! Now the go ahead run is at 2nd as Kanto Dai-ichi calls for time.

Grounder to 1st! Off Igarashi! He runs it to the bag... 3 out!

Bottom 9th
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NAGASHIMA DRIVES THE FIRST PITCH TO LEFT! YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KANTO DAI-ICHI WINS IT WITH A SAYONARA HR 1-0!!!!

Where did that come from??? How did that happen after how this game played out?? I'm speechless, but not as much as Ueno is standing there on the mound.

I mean literally, that sucks. Fighting tooth and nail every inning, just hoping to get a runner in scoring position, and yet the game ends on a HR. Ueno is inconsolable. And rightly so. It feels unfair. It probably is unfair. Give him somewhere where he gives up a couple of hits and walked off, that's fine. But a HR? You're asking if it is a joke of some sort.

*whoo*.. I need some air.