98th Natsu Koushien - Day 12, Game 1 - Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki) v Shuugakukan (Kumamoto)

Having defeated Riseisha, Jyousou Gakuin has to feel good about themselves, and people have to look at them with a more discerning eye for as a title contender. Shuugakukan has had it easy so far with 2 wins against so-so competition. Jyousou should present a huge step up. Will they be able to handle it?

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)

• def Oumi 11-0
• def Chuukyou 8-3
• def Riseisha 7-4

2B Arimura Kouta (有村 恒汰)
CF Suyama Yuuki (陶山 勇軌)
1B Miyazawa Toyota (宮里 豊汰)
3B Hanawa Naoki (花輪 直輝)
C Shimizu Kazema (清水 風馬)
SS Nakamura Jin (中村 迅)
LF Ishikawa Dai (石川 大)
P Suzuki Shouta (鈴木 昭汰)
RF Suzuki Kaito (鈴木 海斗)

Shuugakukan (Kumamoto)

• def Tokoha Kikugawa 6-1
• def Inabe Sougou Gakuen 6-1

SS Matsuo Taiga (松尾 大河)
CF Harada Takumi (原田 拓実)
1B Kimoto Ryouga (木本 凌雅)
C Kuki Ryuuhei (九鬼 隆平)
LF Amamoto Kousuke (天本 昂佑)
3B Hirobe Shuuhei (廣部 就平)
2B Horie Kouhei (堀江 航平)
RF Kimura Yuuji (木村 勇次)
P (12) Kawabata Kento (川端 健斗)

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08:00 - First pitch

Well, Kawabata gives up a leadoff walk, which could always spell trouble. But he then trades 2 outs for 2 bases meaning Hanawa's groundout to 2nd leaves the runner stranded.

Shouta is also having some of his own issues on the mound for Jyousou Gakuin. Primarily that #3 batter Kimoto hit a line single down the right field line, and then it took a great running catch by Suyama to prevent an extra base hit by Kuki to deep right center.

It actually seems like Kawabata is the better pitcher early. Despite the leadoff walk, he's setting down the Jyousou lineup, even striking out the side in the 2nd with some well located pitches.

And now out of nowhere, Shouta leaves a ball up to Amamoto and he drives one to left! Ishikawa going back to the wall, but it's gone! 1-0 Shuugakukan and this is a bit of a surprise.

Now, Suzuki retires the side thereafter, but it's clear who has the scoring chances right now.

Oh boy...

Shuugakukan doubles their lead in the 3rd when Shouta leaves a fastball middle-milddle and Matsuo drives that to left for a HR! 2-0 Shuugakukan and we may have something on our hands!

I did mention this on twitter that Shuugakukan did beat Seiseikou, Kumamoto Kougyou, Buntoku and Kyushu Gakuin, all above average schools in the prefecture. But what really stands out is that Shuugakukan has possibly 4 viable pitchers they can turn to! Ace Arimura, #10 Nakai, #11 Taura and today's starter #12 Kawabata. That's a huge advantage in late stages, provided they get there.

Which of course Jyousou Gakuin is trying to prevent. And in the 5th they finally get to Kawabata.

First Nakamura gets a 1-out walk. 2 down, with Nakamura on 2nd now from a wild pitch and Shouta despite being relieved, hits a single to left, scoring Nakamura and making it 2-1 before the break,

Shuugakukan uses the break to send in someone from the bullpen, this time it's #10 Nakai, who retires the top of the Jyousou lineup in order.

In the bottom of the 6th it all goes wrong for Jyousou Gakuin. 2 outs, and Hirobe has just hit a dobule to left center. Horie seeming hits a routine grounder to short. but Nakamura has it go 5-hole on him and into the outfield allowing Hirobe to score making it a 3-1 ballgame. And if that weren't bad enough he gets another grounder, tries to go the short way for the out, but throws it in the dirt and it goes into the outfield.

Throw in a wild pitch from Kurata for good measure and Shuugakukan scores 2 runs in the 6th without the benefit of a hit to make it 4-1,

The game seemed in hand, but they gave themselves a scare in the 9th. Nakai would give up back to back ringing singles to start the inning. And even after a 1-out walk to Shimizu, Kajisha-kantoku sticks with Nakai. Only when Nakamura pops out does he send in ace Arimura. Jyousou Gakuin counters with #12 Yoshinari.

In the end though, Yoshinari would not be able to lift the bat off the shoulder as he would go down looking to end the game.