Sunday, August 14, 2016

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 8, Game 2 - Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki) v Chuukyou (Gifu)

There aren't that many slots left, and teams are account for in matchups. Both these teams want to avoid Yokohama or Riseisha at all costs, but have to win this game first. While both were blowout wins, Jyousou Gakuin has the clear advantage on the mound.

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

Chuukyou (Gifu)
SS Watanabe Takashi (渡辺 豪)
CF Katou Souta (加藤 壮太)
RF Kitagawa Ryuunosuke (北川 竜之介)
1B Imai Jyunnosuke (今井 順之助)
2B Yoshii Shougo (吉位 翔伍)
3B Taira Hidemasa (平 秀匡)
C Nagatani Daiki (水谷 大貴)
LF Nishikawa Souma (西川 颯真)
P (16)Furuta Shouto (古田 星投)

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10:35 - First pitch

Interestingly, it's Suzuki for Jyousou Gakuin that is struggling out of the blocks. Watanabe hits a fly to shallow center, Suyama charging in, dives, but can't make the catch. It hung up there for so long Watanabe has a double.

However, Suzuki catches a break when Shimizu finds Watanabe wandering too far from 2nd and initiates the rundown for the first out.

But that's doesn't stop Suzuki's early problems. He walks Katou thereafter, then gives up a hit to right to Kitagawa.

Imai hits a ball right back at Suzuki, it glances off of him and to the right side. The defense is obviously not ready and everyone is safe, including Katou at home. 1-0. Making matters worse is that he walks Yoshii to load the bases.

Miyazato stops some extra runs from scoring as he picks a ball destined for down the right field line. He goes to 2nd for 1, but the relay throw back isn't in time. Kitagawa scores and it's a 2-0 game.

The damage is limited to that, but it's a little concerning for the Jyousou Gakuin side.

Jyousou Gakuin trying to make a quick reply. Hanawa hits a ball right at Imai, but it somehow gets past him and into right. E3 puts him at 2nd. Two outs later, Furuta is looking to get out of the jam, but Miyazato singles to left! And when Nishikawa boots the ball, that seals the run. 2-1 Chuukyou.

Suzuki's struggles still continue in to 2nd. 2 strikeouts ironically enough before he walks Watanabe, then give up a base hit, then walk Kitagawa. Manrui!

Imai hits a hard ball, but right at Miyazato who makes the play and leaves all the runners stranded. Suzuki has been fortunate so far.

His team though gives him a hand as Kaito dumps a ball into right for a leadoff hit, and then proceeds to steal 2nd. Now on 3rd with one out, Arimura hits a fly to right and Kaito can waltz in for a 2-2 tie.

Jyousou Gakuin continues to make the most of their opportunities. one down in the 5th, Kaito comes through again with a double to left center. After that Suyama lays down a bunt that Furuta fields, but has no one at 3rd to throw to, so everyone's safe!

To top it off, Katou lays down a safety squeeze of his own! Chuukyou's defense isn't ready and they have to go to 1st instead conceding the run! 3-2!

And in a manner similar to last game, Chuukyou's pitching suffers a similar fate to Yamanashi Gakuin. Afer a leadoff single by Hanawa and a sac bunt, #11 Kodzuru comes in to pitch, but walks Taira. #1 Iwakawa is brought in next, but he hits Miyazato to fill up the bases, and then a grounder through the 6 hole for 2 runs, making it a 5-2 game. Iwakawa strikes out the next 2 batters, but once again the damage has been done.

You toss in 2 more with back-to-back doubles by Shimizu and Shouta as Iwakawa continued to get battered on the mound. 7-2.

The game is pretty much over, though both teams add another run and Chuukyou empties their bench save for #14 Akamatsu (why you don't empty your bench fully I don't know. Even if you wound up forfeiting due to injury you're already lost. Let the kid play). Jyousou Gakuin advances easily 8-3.

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