There is a sense of anticipation for today's games. We've already seen one favorite go down already, the question is - will another?
Our warmup game features Kounan out of Okinawa, who made it to the best 4 of the Kyushu fall tournament before falling to Kamimura Gakuen - and Toyama Shougyou who was 1 inning away from claiming the Hokushinestu fall tournament before collapsing against Nihon Bunri.
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9:02 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Shimabukuro gets off to a hot start, striking out the side. It's early, but are there shades of Kikuchi and Hanamaki Higashi from yesterday?
Bottom 1st
While not as dominating as Shimabukuro, Murakami also retires the side in order. Both pitchers do not seem overpowering, so it could be up to the ace's control throughout the game.
Top 2nd
Shimabukuro strikes out the first 2 batters of the 2nd inning before giving up a soft single into left-center! And then he strikes out Murakami to end the inning! He has retired all 6 batters via the strikeout to start the game! The Toyama batters are just plain fooled by Shimabukuro!!
Bottom 2nd
Murakami also gives up his first baserunner, walking Furikawa to start the inning. Ishikawa moves him along, and Kounan has the first scoring chance. Then Murakami walks Maehira on 4 straight as well! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Yamagawa!!
Yamagawa with the grounder back up the middle! Morimoto gets to the ball quickly and prevents Furikawa from going home. But manrui chance for Kounan!!
First pitch ball to Shimabukuro has Sawada-kantoku calling a conference on the mound. There's nowhere to put him. Ball in the dirt and it's 2-0! Looks to squeeze, ball is away! 3-0!! Finally puts one down the middle, 3-1. Lots of pressure now for Murakami!
He bunts it in the air!! Kido gets under it for out number 2! One chance lost for Kounan! Last batter Ketashiro steps up looking for the timely hit. First pitch wide, 1-0. Next, low but fouled off. Next pitch... grounded to short! Kumazen has it and makes the play at 2nd! Murakami gets out of bases loaded with no damage!
Top 3rd
And the inning begins for Toyama... with another strikeout. Mabuchi is also retired, but he lines out to 3rd. And with Yokoyama flying out to center, Shimabukuro continues his dominance over the Toyama hitters.
Bottom 3rd
Mekaru puts a charge into the ball, but it lands just foul down the 3rd base line. Murakami still struggles with his control, but manages to strike him out on a very borderline pitch! However, he does retire the side in order and the game remains scoreless.
Top 4th
Morimoto leads off the inning with a single to right! Miyai can't put down the bunt! 2 strikes and he's still squared to bunt! He pushes it down the 1st base line! Shimabukuro follows it down, it stays fair... stays fair... stays fair, and goes foul just before the 1st base bag!!! Miyai strikes out!
Undeterred, Sawada-kantoku asks for another bunt and Kido puts it down! Runner at 2nd, 2 down for Yamamoto.
He weakly grounds to 1st and the inning is over.
Bottom 4th
Murakami continues to struggle with his command, but pitches just well enough to avoid the big situations now. He goes full on 2 of the 3 batters but retires them both.
Top 5th
Shimabukuro returns to his form early in the game, striking out the side in order. That's 11 K's for Shimabukuro through 5!!
Bottom 5th
Aided by the low strike, Murakami has settled down - relatively speaking. Still a little off with his off-speed pitches, he retires the side in quick fashion.
Top 6th
This is beyond unreal. For the 4th time this game, Shimabukuro records all 3 outs of the inning via the K. That's 13 so far. 13!
Bottom 6th
Murakami really has settled down from his shaky start. Kounan goes down in order, perhaps due to his inconsistent pitching, or his improved pitching... one of the two.
Top 7th
Cleanup batter Kido gets only the 3rd hit off of Shimabukuro! Runner on 1st, and one down for Toyama Shougyou! But Shimabukuro records his 14th K and there's 2 down for Kumazen.
And a grounder to left gives them runners at 1st and 2nd for ace Murakami! Can he help his own cause?
Meanwhile, Shimabukuro faces only the 2nd challenge of the day from Toyama. His pace has slowed significantly, throwing back to the runners at both 1st and 2nd. Eventually the count is worked full on Murakami. The payoff pitch... is a move toward 2nd. Reset and... WILD PITCH!!!
The ball is live!! The runners are off! Yamagawa rushes back to get the ball which has gone to the backscreen! KIDO'S HEADING HOME!!!!!!
Yamagawa throws it to Shimabukuro! The tag.... HE'S OUT!!! They make the play at home and Toyama Shougyou is denied the go-ahead run! What a play!!!!!
Bottom 7th
With momentum on their side, Ishikawa leads off the inning with a liner to center.
Gakiya-kantoku elects to have Maehira swing away, but he fouls it off. Then the bunt is put back on, and he can't put it down.... so he's back to swinging away.
And Ishikawa not waiting for the bunt tries to steal 2nd. Kido with the strong throw and he's out by a mile! Maehira grounds to 3rd to end the inning.
Top 8th
Shimabukuro continues to baffle the Toyama batters, recording one more K along the way.
Bottom 8th
Murakami has matched Shimabukuro inning for inning now, retiring the side in order for the 6th consecutive inning.
Top 9th
We head into the last inning of regulation scoreless and both pitchers shutting the offenses down.
Morimoto with a grounder to the right side. Yamagawa runs behind Maehira, fields it and throws to first, but the throw is low and Shimabukuro trips trying to field it! E4 and Toyama Shougyou has a great oppotunity in the 9th!
Miyai puts down the bunt, Maehira charges, gets the ball... to Kuniyoshi for one, back to Yamagawa... 2! They turn the double play! And the bases are empty once again!
Shimabukuro strikes out Kido and Toyama is turned away! Can Kounan turn this to their advantage?
Bottom 9th
One down, Yamamoto with a slow roller to the right side. Miyai and Yokoda converge on the ball leaving no one at 1st! Murakami comes over, but it's too late!
Conference on the mound as the sayonara runner stands at 1st.
#16 Oowan comes in to PH for Mekaru. And he puts the bunt down! Yamamoto at 2nd with two down. Can Furikawa deliver?
No! It's a fly to right, and we head to enchousen yet again!!
Top 10th
Kumazen collects his 3rd hit off of Shimabukuro with a one-out single to center! Murakami attempts the sac bunt, but can't put it down. Tries again, and fails... But he's still asked to bunt!
And he puts it down! Kumazen advances to 2nd for Yokoda, 2 down.
Yokoda with the comebacker. Shimabukuro loses the handle on the ball. Throw to 1st, not in time! E1!! Runners at the corners with 2 down!
Mabuchi up to bat. 1-1 and Yokoda steals 2nd! Now a base hit scores 2!
Mabuchi hits the ball, liner to center!! Kumazen scores! Yokoda rounds 3rd, throw home... not in time!!! Mabuchi gets the timely hits and Toyama Shougyou takes the 2-0 lead!!!
Yokoyama strikes out to end the inning, but they have taken the lead here in the 10th inning!
Bottom 10th
Last gasp here for Kounan. Ishikawa grounds to short, that's one down. Maehira grounds to 1st, 2 down... It's up to Yamagawa now...
And Murakami walks him! There's life for Kounan, and Shimabukuro steps up representing the tying run! The count runs full and he's down to his final strike.
Single through the left side and Kounan lives on!! Conference on the mound as Ketashiro comes up to bat. Is there something left in the tank? The oen-dan cheers louder and louder hoping for anything to extend the game.
But a grounder to 2nd ends the game for Kounan! Despite Shimabukuro's amazing 19 strikeouts, it is his error in the 10 inning that costs them the game. Credit to Kounan for fighting on, but more to Murakami and Toyama Shougyou for persevering and prevailing.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Day 4 - Game 3 - Shimotsuma Dai-ni (Ibaraki) vs. Meihou (Oita)
The last game of day is a battle of newcomers - so to speak. For Shimotsuma Dai-ni, this is their 1st Senbatsu appearance, and 2nd overall. For Meihou, this is their 2nd straight appearance - and 2nd overall. But they have a stong pitcher in Noguchi, so perhaps Shimotsuma could have their work cut out for them.
Shimotsuma Dai-ni's road to Koushien involved reaching the quarterfinals of the Kanto tournament before falling to Narashino 8-7. Meihou had made it to the semifinals of the Kyushu tournament before falling to Seihou.
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1:50 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
It's Noguchi, not Imamiya that takes the hill for Meihou to start. However, that doesn't change the results as he retires the side in quick order.
Bottom 1st
Shimotsuma Dai-ni also elects not to throw out their ace, going instead with #9 Tokunoya.
And Hirai leads it off with a liner past a diving Kotabe and down the right field line! Kurashige gives chase, but by the time he gets it in, Hirai has a stand-up triple!!
Sunagawa follows that up with a liner to center. Hirai scores giving Meihou the quick 1-0 lead!!
And a balk by Tokinoya sends Sunagawa to 2nd. Ace Sakairi starts warming up in the bullpen.
Imamiya with a grounder past a diving Haneta! Sunagawa rounds 3rd and scores easily, 2-0 Meihou!
Kosuge-kantoku quickly calls for a conference on the mound...
Doesn't help! Tokinoya falls behind 3-0 to Kawano... and walks him! Things are not looking good for Shimotsuma early. Runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 runs in and no down...
They do get their first out as Abe bunts the runners along. Tokinoya still cannot find the plate, falling behind Matsumoto 3-0! Finally, he gets a strike across. But then Matsumoto swings away, hitting a grounder to 1st. Kotabe makes the out at 1st, but Imamiya is charging home! The throw is not in time and the lead now stands at 3! 3-0!!
Noguchi lines the next pitch to center scoring Kawano, and it's a disaster for Shimotsuma Dai-ni! Meihou now holds a 4-0 lead!
Kosuge-kantoku has decided that he's seen enough. Ace Sakairi enters the game for Sugiyama, Tokinoya moves to LF, and Nomura goes to 3B. He, like Tokinoya is a side-armer.
Sakairi does get the next batter out, but the damage has been done. Newcomer Shimotsuma Dai-ni has spotted championship contender 4 runs in the first inning. There's a lot of time, but the question is whether they can hit Meihou's pitching.
Top 2nd
Shimotsuma gets its first runner with 2 down as Noguchi hits Numajiri. But Sakairi grounds to 1st, ending the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Sakairi's control is a lot better than Tokinoya, and he retires the side in order while registering 2 K's.
Top 3rd
A nice sliding catch on a short fly by Hirai highlights a 1-2-3 inning for Meihou. Noguchi is just giving Shimotsuma nothing to hit.
Bottom 3th
Imamiya with a hard hit to 2nd. Haneta with the stop, but the ball trickles away. By the time he makes the throw, Imamiya beats it out! E4! But Kawano grounds immediately to Yamaguchi who starts the 6-4-3 double play.
Abe gets that baserunner back as he grounds one through the left side for a single. Sakairi gets Matsumoto to pop-up to center and the side is retired.
Top 4th
Noguchi's control continues to look good, not giving the batters a good look at the ball. Admittedly his off-speed can be hit and miss, but overall is very effective.
Bottom 4th
Sakairi looks equally as good as he induces grounder after grounder. And as a rain shower starts to fall, he gets Shinokawa to swing at an inside pitch to end the inning.
Top 5th
Shimotsuma cannot mount any type of rally against Noguchi as he retires the side in order for the 4th time this game. In fact, his only baserunner was as a result of a hit batter!
Bottom 5th
The rain returns once again as Meihou comes to bat. Looks like it's really coming down now. Even the weather report for today didn't have rain like this forecasted!
Sunagawa with a grounder to the left side, Yamaguchi with the stop in the gap! His quick throw is in time to get Sunagawa at 1st! Nice play!
Sakairi retires the side in order yet again, and one wonders what would have happened if he had been in the game to start with.
Top 6th
The short system seems to have passed by. With 2 down, Shimotsuma gets it's second runner as leadoff batter Haneta gets a walk. Of course, this still means that Noguchi still hasn't given up a hit so far.
And he still doesn't as Matsuo weakly grounds to 2nd to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
One down, Abe finally gets the first base hit for Meihou since the 3rd inning. Matsumoto next with a liner down the right field line! Kurashige slides to get it, but it's off him and into the wall! Abe comes around 3rd to score as Kurashike hits an RBI triple! 5-0!!
Noguchi with a comebacker up the middle, but Haneta makes the diving stop! Throw to 1st is in time, and Matsumoto stays at 3rd!
Sakairi gets Hatada to strike out, but Meihou adds on yet another run.
Top 7th
And just as the announcers were talking about Noguchi's no hitter, Kotabe hits a line shot past a diving Imamiya and down the line for a double. Figures.
And a flare to left by Tokinoya puts runners at the corners with only one down! Shimotsuma Dai-ni with its first scoring chance of the game!
And Numajiri gets jammed hitting a short liner that just gets by a running Sunagawa and into right! Kotabe scores and they're on the board! 5-1!!
Still one down for Sugiyama. But he hits a grounder to 2nd! Sunagawa goes to 2nd for one and the relay is in time! Shimotsuma Dai-ni prevents the shutout, but loses an opporunity to cut the lead even further.
Bottom 7th
Sakairi returns to form, retiring Meihou in order. But it is beginning to appear that Shimotsuma's time here at Koushien is coming to an end.
Top 8th
Shimotsuma goes quietly in the 8th, almost resigning to the fact that their run will end today.
Bottom 8th
Imamiya leads off the inning with a shot past Haneta and into right! Imamiya pushes for 2 and gets it easily!
And as a growing trend, it becomes a battle of oen-dans as Shimotsuma's cheer on Sakairi while Meihou's play their normal music.
Back to the game, Kawano grounds to 2nd but advances Imamiya to 3rd.
Abe steps up as the battle of oen-dans continue. And the squeeze is put on! But it's a pitchout! Abe leaps and manages to foul it off! Count goes to 2-2.
And another squeeze! And another pitchout! But this time Abe can't get it! He strikes out and Imamiya is hung out at 3rd! Double play! A great play by the Shimotsuma battery, but now they face their last AB's in the 9th.
Top 9th
Imamiya comes on in relief here in the 9th to get some work in for later rounds. Noguchi moves to LF and #13 Kimori comes in Matsumoto's position and plays 3rd.
Imamiya's position as the staff ace is apparent when you see the break on his pitches. Matsuo can only look as a shuuto moves to the outside corner for out number 1.
Nomura fares no better swinging at yet another outside breaking ball for the 2nd out.
Kotabe represents Shimotsuma's last chance. And Imamiya hits 145 kph (~90 mph) on his fastball!! Kotabe fights on, working the count full. Ball 4! Imamiya gives up a walk! A small sign of life for Shimotsuma!
Tokinoya enters the box and quickly finds himself down 0-2. Can he continue the game? No! He takes a half-swing at a ball in the dirt and Imamiya records his 3rd K in the 9th as Meihou advances with a 5-1 victory over Shimatsuma Dai-ni!
But who knows what would have happened had Sakairi been in the game to start from the get-go. Perhaps we would have seen a different result. Shimotsuma Dai-ni fought hard, but just could not overcome the deficit.
And we also get a chance to see Meihou ace Imamiya. From what we've seen in the 9th inning, it's a good bet that Meihou could have a chance to go far in this tournament.
Shimotsuma Dai-ni's road to Koushien involved reaching the quarterfinals of the Kanto tournament before falling to Narashino 8-7. Meihou had made it to the semifinals of the Kyushu tournament before falling to Seihou.
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1:50 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
It's Noguchi, not Imamiya that takes the hill for Meihou to start. However, that doesn't change the results as he retires the side in quick order.
Bottom 1st
Shimotsuma Dai-ni also elects not to throw out their ace, going instead with #9 Tokunoya.
And Hirai leads it off with a liner past a diving Kotabe and down the right field line! Kurashige gives chase, but by the time he gets it in, Hirai has a stand-up triple!!
Sunagawa follows that up with a liner to center. Hirai scores giving Meihou the quick 1-0 lead!!
And a balk by Tokinoya sends Sunagawa to 2nd. Ace Sakairi starts warming up in the bullpen.
Imamiya with a grounder past a diving Haneta! Sunagawa rounds 3rd and scores easily, 2-0 Meihou!
Kosuge-kantoku quickly calls for a conference on the mound...
Doesn't help! Tokinoya falls behind 3-0 to Kawano... and walks him! Things are not looking good for Shimotsuma early. Runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 runs in and no down...
They do get their first out as Abe bunts the runners along. Tokinoya still cannot find the plate, falling behind Matsumoto 3-0! Finally, he gets a strike across. But then Matsumoto swings away, hitting a grounder to 1st. Kotabe makes the out at 1st, but Imamiya is charging home! The throw is not in time and the lead now stands at 3! 3-0!!
Noguchi lines the next pitch to center scoring Kawano, and it's a disaster for Shimotsuma Dai-ni! Meihou now holds a 4-0 lead!
Kosuge-kantoku has decided that he's seen enough. Ace Sakairi enters the game for Sugiyama, Tokinoya moves to LF, and Nomura goes to 3B. He, like Tokinoya is a side-armer.
Sakairi does get the next batter out, but the damage has been done. Newcomer Shimotsuma Dai-ni has spotted championship contender 4 runs in the first inning. There's a lot of time, but the question is whether they can hit Meihou's pitching.
Top 2nd
Shimotsuma gets its first runner with 2 down as Noguchi hits Numajiri. But Sakairi grounds to 1st, ending the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Sakairi's control is a lot better than Tokinoya, and he retires the side in order while registering 2 K's.
Top 3rd
A nice sliding catch on a short fly by Hirai highlights a 1-2-3 inning for Meihou. Noguchi is just giving Shimotsuma nothing to hit.
Bottom 3th
Imamiya with a hard hit to 2nd. Haneta with the stop, but the ball trickles away. By the time he makes the throw, Imamiya beats it out! E4! But Kawano grounds immediately to Yamaguchi who starts the 6-4-3 double play.
Abe gets that baserunner back as he grounds one through the left side for a single. Sakairi gets Matsumoto to pop-up to center and the side is retired.
Top 4th
Noguchi's control continues to look good, not giving the batters a good look at the ball. Admittedly his off-speed can be hit and miss, but overall is very effective.
Bottom 4th
Sakairi looks equally as good as he induces grounder after grounder. And as a rain shower starts to fall, he gets Shinokawa to swing at an inside pitch to end the inning.
Top 5th
Shimotsuma cannot mount any type of rally against Noguchi as he retires the side in order for the 4th time this game. In fact, his only baserunner was as a result of a hit batter!
Bottom 5th
The rain returns once again as Meihou comes to bat. Looks like it's really coming down now. Even the weather report for today didn't have rain like this forecasted!
Sunagawa with a grounder to the left side, Yamaguchi with the stop in the gap! His quick throw is in time to get Sunagawa at 1st! Nice play!
Sakairi retires the side in order yet again, and one wonders what would have happened if he had been in the game to start with.
Top 6th
The short system seems to have passed by. With 2 down, Shimotsuma gets it's second runner as leadoff batter Haneta gets a walk. Of course, this still means that Noguchi still hasn't given up a hit so far.
And he still doesn't as Matsuo weakly grounds to 2nd to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
One down, Abe finally gets the first base hit for Meihou since the 3rd inning. Matsumoto next with a liner down the right field line! Kurashige slides to get it, but it's off him and into the wall! Abe comes around 3rd to score as Kurashike hits an RBI triple! 5-0!!
Noguchi with a comebacker up the middle, but Haneta makes the diving stop! Throw to 1st is in time, and Matsumoto stays at 3rd!
Sakairi gets Hatada to strike out, but Meihou adds on yet another run.
Top 7th
And just as the announcers were talking about Noguchi's no hitter, Kotabe hits a line shot past a diving Imamiya and down the line for a double. Figures.
And a flare to left by Tokinoya puts runners at the corners with only one down! Shimotsuma Dai-ni with its first scoring chance of the game!
And Numajiri gets jammed hitting a short liner that just gets by a running Sunagawa and into right! Kotabe scores and they're on the board! 5-1!!
Still one down for Sugiyama. But he hits a grounder to 2nd! Sunagawa goes to 2nd for one and the relay is in time! Shimotsuma Dai-ni prevents the shutout, but loses an opporunity to cut the lead even further.
Bottom 7th
Sakairi returns to form, retiring Meihou in order. But it is beginning to appear that Shimotsuma's time here at Koushien is coming to an end.
Top 8th
Shimotsuma goes quietly in the 8th, almost resigning to the fact that their run will end today.
Bottom 8th
Imamiya leads off the inning with a shot past Haneta and into right! Imamiya pushes for 2 and gets it easily!
And as a growing trend, it becomes a battle of oen-dans as Shimotsuma's cheer on Sakairi while Meihou's play their normal music.
Back to the game, Kawano grounds to 2nd but advances Imamiya to 3rd.
Abe steps up as the battle of oen-dans continue. And the squeeze is put on! But it's a pitchout! Abe leaps and manages to foul it off! Count goes to 2-2.
And another squeeze! And another pitchout! But this time Abe can't get it! He strikes out and Imamiya is hung out at 3rd! Double play! A great play by the Shimotsuma battery, but now they face their last AB's in the 9th.
Top 9th
Imamiya comes on in relief here in the 9th to get some work in for later rounds. Noguchi moves to LF and #13 Kimori comes in Matsumoto's position and plays 3rd.
Imamiya's position as the staff ace is apparent when you see the break on his pitches. Matsuo can only look as a shuuto moves to the outside corner for out number 1.
Nomura fares no better swinging at yet another outside breaking ball for the 2nd out.
Kotabe represents Shimotsuma's last chance. And Imamiya hits 145 kph (~90 mph) on his fastball!! Kotabe fights on, working the count full. Ball 4! Imamiya gives up a walk! A small sign of life for Shimotsuma!
Tokinoya enters the box and quickly finds himself down 0-2. Can he continue the game? No! He takes a half-swing at a ball in the dirt and Imamiya records his 3rd K in the 9th as Meihou advances with a 5-1 victory over Shimatsuma Dai-ni!
But who knows what would have happened had Sakairi been in the game to start from the get-go. Perhaps we would have seen a different result. Shimotsuma Dai-ni fought hard, but just could not overcome the deficit.
And we also get a chance to see Meihou ace Imamiya. From what we've seen in the 9th inning, it's a good bet that Meihou could have a chance to go far in this tournament.
Day 4 - Game 2 - Mukawa (Hokkaido) vs. Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate)
Once again, we are treated to an exciting ball game to open the day. Our lunchtime game involves 2 teams in the northern stretches of Japan - Mukawa from Hokkaido and Hanamaki Higashi from Iwate. Mukawa had a tough road to the Hokkaido championship and also made a deep run in the Fall National Tournament. Hanamaki Higashi was one of the invitees from the Tohoku regional, chosen over Ichinoseki Gakuin.
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11:35 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Kikuchi is not afraid to pitch inside. That much is evident pitching to leadoff batter Abe Akihiro. And he retires the side in what feels like dominating fashion. Perhaps it's because he's hitting 145 kph (90 mph) with his fastball...
Bottom 1st
Nishifuji retires the first two batters easily. Then Kawamura hits a slow grounder to 1st. Mori makes the grab, but Nishifuji isn't running hard to the bag! By the time he notices Kawamura right behind him it's too late and Kawamura beats him to the bag!
Saruwaka follows that up with a single through to right. And then Chiba hits a grounder up the middle! Haginaka with the dive, but it deflects off of him! Luckily for Mukawa it's across the bag at 2nd. Miaymoto runs it down and Kawamura holds at 3rd. But suddenly it's a manrui chance for Hanamaki Higashi!
But Nishifuji gets Yokokura to pop up and the inning is over! Mukawa avoids an early disaster!
Top 2nd
Mukawa goes down in order - but not before Abe Youhei puts a charge into the ball, sending it to deep center where Satou Ryouhei runs it down.
Bottom 2nd
Nishifuji manages to get through all three outs without incident this time, retiring the bottom of the order in, well... orderly fashion.
Top 3rd
Kikuchi is having his way with the Mukawa batters, retiring them in order yet again.
Bottom 3rd
Back to the top of the order and Kashiwaba gets hit by Nishifuji. Then he steals 2nd! Then Ryouhei puts down a safety bunt and takes everyone by surprise! Runners at the corners with no now for Hanamaki Higashi!
Kawamura steps up to the plate, having the first of those 3 consecutive hits in the 1st. He strikes out, but Ryouhei steals 2nd!
Sarukawa comes up and Nishifuji throws one in the dirt! It gets by Iwaya and to the backstop! Kashiwaba comes home and it's 1-0 Hanamaki! Sarukawa with a grounder to short can't score Ryouhei.
Chiba does though! He lines one down the right field line for a double, scoring Ryouhei and his double gives them a 2-0 lead!
Top 4th
Kikuchi's fast pace continues to sit down the Mukawa batters. He has still to yield a baserunner.
Bottom 4th
With one down, Kikuchi helps his own cause lining one into the left-center field gap for a double. Yamada puts down a safety bunt, and he reaches safely! Runners at the corners with one down for Kashiwaba!
He tries for the squeeze, but is unsuccessful and now asked to swing away. But then Sasaki-kantoku puts the squeeze back on! Kashiwaba bunts it down the first base line, but Mori charges (!) makes the throw home and they get Kikuchi at home! That's impressive.
Nishifuij is close to getting out of the pinch, but then he walks Ryouhei! And the bases are loaded yet again!
Kawamura lies one over Mori's head and into right! 2 runs come into score on the timely hit by Kawamura! Hanamaki Higashi extends its lead to 4-0!
Top 5th
Kikuchi retires the side once again notching another 2 K's and hitting 150 kph on the radar gun. And the announcers are noting that he has still to yield a base runner...
Bottom 5th
A relatively uneventful inning for Nishifuji as he only yields a 2-out double to Satou Ryuujirou who is subsequently thrown out stealing 3rd.
Top 6th
Mukawa presses for a base hit, but Kikuchi does not give - retiring the bottom third of Mukawa's lineup in 5 pitches.
Bottom 6th
Nishifuji is relieved from the mound as he and Yanagida switch places.
Yamada gets his 2nd bunt base hit of the game, only to be doubled up when Kashiwaba grounds to short.
Top 7th
Akihiro sends a drive to center, but the wind knocks it down for the first out. The next 2 come in quick succession and Kikuchi is perfect through 7!
Bottom 7th
#10 Ishii takes the mound for Mukawa, replacing Nishifuji. Yanagida returns to left.
Ryouhei starts off the inning with a leadoff walk. He's moved over to 2nd.
Sarukawa then hits a sharp liner to left! That's past Yanagida to the wall! Ryouhei scores on the double and Hanamaki adds on one more run, 5-0!
Top 8th
One down, Mori hits a hard liner, but it's right at Yokokura! Then he falls behind Kouhei 3-0! A strike just high enough, 3-1. But then a pitch in the dirt means that the perfect game is over! Kikuchi walks Kouhei giving Mukawa their first baserunner! But the no-hitter is still on!
And Kouhei gets thrown out stealing 2nd, so Kikuchi has still faced the minimum.
Bottom 8th
Sensing the end, Satou-kantoku does something I've always wondered didn't happen more often in games like these - en masse substitutions.
Kikuchi grounds to short, but new SS Takanishi makes a high throw pulling Mori off the bag.
Yamada tries to get his third bunt it, but thankfully the defense isn't that dense and new 3B Kanno makes the play. And with Kashiwaba grounding out to short, the question now is - can Kikuchi get the no-hitter?
Top 9th
#18 Yamada comes in to pinch hit, and he strikes out! One down!
#11 Takachi comes in to pinch hit for Kobayashi. AH!!! He hits one to left! That drops in for a base hit and Takachi denies Kikuchi the no-hitter!
#12 Hisano comes in to pinch hit for Nakazai. That move officially means that every player has been used in the game. I believe it's the first time in the 3 years I've been covering Koushien that a team has used all 18 players.
Hisano strikes out, 2 down. Akihiro steps up. and he delivers a base hit to right! Mukawa putting on a good showing here in the 9th!
Takanishi come up for his first AB. Kikuchi, in fitting fashion, strikes him out to end the game.
A dominating performance by Kikuchi, whose mannerisms on the mound are of someone who is confident to the point of being cocky. But he has the stuff to back it up, and one has to wonder how far he can take Hanamaki Higashi at Koushien.
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11:35 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Kikuchi is not afraid to pitch inside. That much is evident pitching to leadoff batter Abe Akihiro. And he retires the side in what feels like dominating fashion. Perhaps it's because he's hitting 145 kph (90 mph) with his fastball...
Bottom 1st
Nishifuji retires the first two batters easily. Then Kawamura hits a slow grounder to 1st. Mori makes the grab, but Nishifuji isn't running hard to the bag! By the time he notices Kawamura right behind him it's too late and Kawamura beats him to the bag!
Saruwaka follows that up with a single through to right. And then Chiba hits a grounder up the middle! Haginaka with the dive, but it deflects off of him! Luckily for Mukawa it's across the bag at 2nd. Miaymoto runs it down and Kawamura holds at 3rd. But suddenly it's a manrui chance for Hanamaki Higashi!
But Nishifuji gets Yokokura to pop up and the inning is over! Mukawa avoids an early disaster!
Top 2nd
Mukawa goes down in order - but not before Abe Youhei puts a charge into the ball, sending it to deep center where Satou Ryouhei runs it down.
Bottom 2nd
Nishifuji manages to get through all three outs without incident this time, retiring the bottom of the order in, well... orderly fashion.
Top 3rd
Kikuchi is having his way with the Mukawa batters, retiring them in order yet again.
Bottom 3rd
Back to the top of the order and Kashiwaba gets hit by Nishifuji. Then he steals 2nd! Then Ryouhei puts down a safety bunt and takes everyone by surprise! Runners at the corners with no now for Hanamaki Higashi!
Kawamura steps up to the plate, having the first of those 3 consecutive hits in the 1st. He strikes out, but Ryouhei steals 2nd!
Sarukawa comes up and Nishifuji throws one in the dirt! It gets by Iwaya and to the backstop! Kashiwaba comes home and it's 1-0 Hanamaki! Sarukawa with a grounder to short can't score Ryouhei.
Chiba does though! He lines one down the right field line for a double, scoring Ryouhei and his double gives them a 2-0 lead!
Top 4th
Kikuchi's fast pace continues to sit down the Mukawa batters. He has still to yield a baserunner.
Bottom 4th
With one down, Kikuchi helps his own cause lining one into the left-center field gap for a double. Yamada puts down a safety bunt, and he reaches safely! Runners at the corners with one down for Kashiwaba!
He tries for the squeeze, but is unsuccessful and now asked to swing away. But then Sasaki-kantoku puts the squeeze back on! Kashiwaba bunts it down the first base line, but Mori charges (!) makes the throw home and they get Kikuchi at home! That's impressive.
Nishifuij is close to getting out of the pinch, but then he walks Ryouhei! And the bases are loaded yet again!
Kawamura lies one over Mori's head and into right! 2 runs come into score on the timely hit by Kawamura! Hanamaki Higashi extends its lead to 4-0!
Top 5th
Kikuchi retires the side once again notching another 2 K's and hitting 150 kph on the radar gun. And the announcers are noting that he has still to yield a base runner...
Bottom 5th
A relatively uneventful inning for Nishifuji as he only yields a 2-out double to Satou Ryuujirou who is subsequently thrown out stealing 3rd.
Top 6th
Mukawa presses for a base hit, but Kikuchi does not give - retiring the bottom third of Mukawa's lineup in 5 pitches.
Bottom 6th
Nishifuji is relieved from the mound as he and Yanagida switch places.
Yamada gets his 2nd bunt base hit of the game, only to be doubled up when Kashiwaba grounds to short.
Top 7th
Akihiro sends a drive to center, but the wind knocks it down for the first out. The next 2 come in quick succession and Kikuchi is perfect through 7!
Bottom 7th
#10 Ishii takes the mound for Mukawa, replacing Nishifuji. Yanagida returns to left.
Ryouhei starts off the inning with a leadoff walk. He's moved over to 2nd.
Sarukawa then hits a sharp liner to left! That's past Yanagida to the wall! Ryouhei scores on the double and Hanamaki adds on one more run, 5-0!
Top 8th
One down, Mori hits a hard liner, but it's right at Yokokura! Then he falls behind Kouhei 3-0! A strike just high enough, 3-1. But then a pitch in the dirt means that the perfect game is over! Kikuchi walks Kouhei giving Mukawa their first baserunner! But the no-hitter is still on!
And Kouhei gets thrown out stealing 2nd, so Kikuchi has still faced the minimum.
Bottom 8th
Sensing the end, Satou-kantoku does something I've always wondered didn't happen more often in games like these - en masse substitutions.
- #12 Kobayashi replaces Iwata at C
- #14 Nakazai replace Haginaka at 2B
- #16 Takanishi replaces Miyamoto at SS
- #17 Shindou replaces Yanagida in LF
Kikuchi grounds to short, but new SS Takanishi makes a high throw pulling Mori off the bag.
Yamada tries to get his third bunt it, but thankfully the defense isn't that dense and new 3B Kanno makes the play. And with Kashiwaba grounding out to short, the question now is - can Kikuchi get the no-hitter?
Top 9th
#18 Yamada comes in to pinch hit, and he strikes out! One down!
#11 Takachi comes in to pinch hit for Kobayashi. AH!!! He hits one to left! That drops in for a base hit and Takachi denies Kikuchi the no-hitter!
#12 Hisano comes in to pinch hit for Nakazai. That move officially means that every player has been used in the game. I believe it's the first time in the 3 years I've been covering Koushien that a team has used all 18 players.
Hisano strikes out, 2 down. Akihiro steps up. and he delivers a base hit to right! Mukawa putting on a good showing here in the 9th!
Takanishi come up for his first AB. Kikuchi, in fitting fashion, strikes him out to end the game.
A dominating performance by Kikuchi, whose mannerisms on the mound are of someone who is confident to the point of being cocky. But he has the stuff to back it up, and one has to wonder how far he can take Hanamaki Higashi at Koushien.
Day 4 - Game 1 - Nanyō Kōgyō (Yamaguchi) vs. Maebashi Shōgyō (Gunma)
Well, Day 4 begins under cloudy, but not rainy, skies.
Our morning game is between 2 teams familiar with Koushien - Nanyou Kougyou out of Yamaguchi, and Maebashi Shougyou from Gunma. So without further ado, the sirens blare and we get underway.
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9:01 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Takeshige starts it off for Nanyou with a one-out walk. Nakagawa follows that up with an "excuse me" hit that bloops into center. Great scoring opportunity right out of the gate! But Kunihiro freezes on a 2-2 inside pitch for the 2nd out.
But then Noguchi walks Mizui and now it's manrui for Takagi! He's in a big pinch early!
And then is just as quickly out of it! Takagi flies to center and Nanyou leaves the bases loaded!
Bottom 1st
Iwamoto doesn't seem to be afraid of pitching inside, but then he hits leadoff batter Gotou. Err... or rather his jersey. That's silly. But anyways, he's on first and then second as Saitou moves him over.
And I swear Maebashi's band has a xylophone or something like that...
Anyways back to the game, and Hakoda hits a grounder through the left side, but Gotou holds up at 3rd. Iwamoto in an early pinch with runners at the corners and one down.
And Takano reaches down and hits a high fly to right! That's more than enough to get Gotou in and it's Maebashi Shougyou who's up quickly 1-0!
Sawaura hits a weak ball to 3rd and is thrown out to end the inning. But the leadoff "hit batter" (as I'll call it) comes around to score.
Top 2nd
Nanyou is retired in order by Noguchi albeit with a bit of effort.
Bottom 2nd
Ichimura gets a one out single back up the middle. He's bunted over for last batter Noguchi.
And he drives a ball deep into the left center field gap!! Noguchi flies around the bases for a triple! It's an RBI triple for Noguchi and Maebashi takes a 2-0 lead!
Gotou flies out to right to end the inning, but Nanyou tacks on another run!
Top 3rd
Takeshige gets on base again with one down, this time after getting hit by Noguchi.
And then Nakagawa drives one to deep right! Saitou runs to the wall, leaps and it's off his glove! Takeshige races to 3rd as Nakagawa hits a double!
Kunihiro with a blast to left! Suda back the the wall, he leaps, he can't get it! He looks around for the ball! Takeshige and Nakagawa come in to score and Kunihiro has a stand-up triple! Just like that Nanyou Kougyou has tied the game at 2-2!!!
Noguchi strikes out the next 2 batters, but Kunihiro with one swing has brought Nanyou back in the game!
Bottom 3rd
Hakoda with a hard hit ball at Takagi, he blocks it but can't make a play at first. Takano follows that up with a shot through the right side! Maebashi is threatening to retake the lead! And Iwamoto walks Sawaura on 4 straight! Manrui for Maebashi Shougyou!!
And Suda quickly lifts a fly to left, easily scoring Hakoda and Maebashi goes back ahead 3-2!!
Top 4th
Like the 2nd inning , the bottom third of Nanyou's order go down in order. Maebashi holds its slim lead.
Bottom 4th
Iwamoto finally gets a break in the 4th as he quickly sets down the 8-9-1 batters for Maebashi.
Top 5th
Takeshige after a long AB, lift a ball to center. Gotou camps under it, catches it - but loses it bringing his glove down! The ball is called fair and Takeshige reaches 2nd on the error by Gotou!
Nakagawa grounds to 2nd allowing Takeshige to advance to 3rd. Kunihiro steps up to the plate once again looking to tie the game.
And Kunihiro delivers once again! He takes a ball to left easily scoring Takeshige and it's 3-3!!
Bottom 5th
Iwamoto with newfound confidence retires the side in order yet again. A guts pose after striking out Takano to retire the side shows that perhaps Nanyou has the momentum.
Top 6th
And Mizui starts the inning with a single to left-center! Yamazaki-kantoku has him bunted over to 2nd as Yamazaki steps up to the plate.
A short chopper by Yamazaki is charged hard by Ichimura and he makes the play at 1st! 2 down. Iwamoto also grounds to Ichimura and the challenge by Nanyou goes away as quickly as it appeared.
Bottom 6th
Two down, Ichimura gets a fortunate irregular bounce as the grounder to Yamazaki takes a low bounce and under his glove! But he's stranded as Kaneshima pops it up to 1st.
Top 7th
Hakoda makes a fine play in foul territory for the 2nd out, catching a foul ball just as he stumbles over the bullpen mound!
And Takeshige gets on base for the 4th time with a single through the left side! Oddly enough, this is the first time he's reached on a base hit!
And Nakagawa works a walk! Runners on 1st and 2nd... for Kunihiro!
Immediately, Tomioka-kantoku gets a conference on the mound to deal with Kunihiro who so far has driven in all 3 of Nanyou's runs.
And Noguchi gets him to ground out to 3rd! He has turned away Nanyou's most dangerous hitter!
Bottom 7th
Noguchi line down to dead center! Takeshige stands there, then leaps! He makes the catch! That was very close to going over his head and to the wall. He was definitely fooled there, but no damage done.
But Gotou drives one where no one can leap and catch it! It's a drive to deep left-center and lands in front of the wall! That's in for a triple!
Saitou not electing to go for the squeeze! Saitou with a sharp grounder to the left side! That's snagged bt Kawamura who looks the runner at 3rd and makes the play at 1st! 2 down!
And a comebacker by Hakoda is easily taken by Iwamoto and the side is retired!
Top 8th
Mizui with a ground to short, Takano with the throw but it pulls Sawaura off the bag! E6! He's bunted over by Takagi.
And Yamazaki with a base hit to left! Mizui has to hold at 3rd! Runners at the corners for Nanyou! Iwamoto steps up and is not putting on the squeeze! He falls behind 0-2 and now has to swing away!
And a pitchout! But Mizui is going home??! He's obviously left out to dry and is eventually tagged out! How could Mizui figure the squeeze was on??!
And with Iwamoto's K, a great opportunity by Nanyou goes by the wayside on simple baserunning errors.
Bottom 8th
Sawaura with a high chopper up the middle gives Maebashi Shougyou a one-out runner. Tomioka-kantoku is electing to bunt the runner over. But Suda bunts it back right at Iwamoto who goes to 2nd for the force! 2 down, runner on 1st now for Ichimura.
And he flies out to right. So we head to the last inning of regulation possibly looking at yet another enchousen.
Top 9th
Kawamura looks to get on with the safety bunt, but misses. But he lines one down the left field line... and past Suda! He chases it back as Kawamura gets a leadoff double!
Yamazaki-kantoku looks for the bunt. But he can't and it's 0-2! Will he ask to do it again? Yes! And he successfully puts it down!! Now a sac fly can give Nanyou the lead!
And Takeshige takes the first pitch to center! Gotou with the catch and throw! Kawamura comes home easily! Nanyou takes its first lead of the game here in the 9th, 4-3!!
Nagakawa pops up to 3rd, but the damage has been done. Maebashi Shougyou now finds themselves down with only 3 outs to go!
Bottom 9th
#7 Tashiro come in to PH for Kaneshima. Iwamoto gets ahead of him and strikes him out! One down!
Ace Noguchi steps up now, trying to help his team. And he singles back up the middle!!
And now Gotou who made the error earlier which led to Nanyou's 3rd run enters the box. He falls behind 1-2. Grounder to the left side! Yamazaki runs it down, but can't get a hold of it! All safe!! Runners on 1st and 2nd with only 1 down!
Saitou comes up, he's swinging away. Iwamoto gets ahead again 1-2. Slow chopper down the 3rd base line! Mokudai with the ball, throw to 1st... just beats out a diving Saitou!! 2 down!!!
(You know if he had ran it out he might have been safe... I'm not saying, I'm just saying...)
So Hakoda steps up 2-4 on the day as Maebashi's last chance. Iwamoto gets ahead 0-2. Grounder to 1st! Takagi with the diving stop!! Iwamoto running to cover!!! The toss...
IN TIME!!! Nanyou Kougyou pulls it out in the top of the 9th inning and holds on to defeat Maebashi Shougyou, 4-3!!
Maebashi gave a great effort, and you have to feel for Gotou, whose error cost his team a run. But it is Nanyou who advances to the next round on the backs of Iwamoto and Kunihiro.
Our morning game is between 2 teams familiar with Koushien - Nanyou Kougyou out of Yamaguchi, and Maebashi Shougyou from Gunma. So without further ado, the sirens blare and we get underway.
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9:01 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Takeshige starts it off for Nanyou with a one-out walk. Nakagawa follows that up with an "excuse me" hit that bloops into center. Great scoring opportunity right out of the gate! But Kunihiro freezes on a 2-2 inside pitch for the 2nd out.
But then Noguchi walks Mizui and now it's manrui for Takagi! He's in a big pinch early!
And then is just as quickly out of it! Takagi flies to center and Nanyou leaves the bases loaded!
Bottom 1st
Iwamoto doesn't seem to be afraid of pitching inside, but then he hits leadoff batter Gotou. Err... or rather his jersey. That's silly. But anyways, he's on first and then second as Saitou moves him over.
And I swear Maebashi's band has a xylophone or something like that...
Anyways back to the game, and Hakoda hits a grounder through the left side, but Gotou holds up at 3rd. Iwamoto in an early pinch with runners at the corners and one down.
And Takano reaches down and hits a high fly to right! That's more than enough to get Gotou in and it's Maebashi Shougyou who's up quickly 1-0!
Sawaura hits a weak ball to 3rd and is thrown out to end the inning. But the leadoff "hit batter" (as I'll call it) comes around to score.
Top 2nd
Nanyou is retired in order by Noguchi albeit with a bit of effort.
Bottom 2nd
Ichimura gets a one out single back up the middle. He's bunted over for last batter Noguchi.
And he drives a ball deep into the left center field gap!! Noguchi flies around the bases for a triple! It's an RBI triple for Noguchi and Maebashi takes a 2-0 lead!
Gotou flies out to right to end the inning, but Nanyou tacks on another run!
Top 3rd
Takeshige gets on base again with one down, this time after getting hit by Noguchi.
And then Nakagawa drives one to deep right! Saitou runs to the wall, leaps and it's off his glove! Takeshige races to 3rd as Nakagawa hits a double!
Kunihiro with a blast to left! Suda back the the wall, he leaps, he can't get it! He looks around for the ball! Takeshige and Nakagawa come in to score and Kunihiro has a stand-up triple! Just like that Nanyou Kougyou has tied the game at 2-2!!!
Noguchi strikes out the next 2 batters, but Kunihiro with one swing has brought Nanyou back in the game!
Bottom 3rd
Hakoda with a hard hit ball at Takagi, he blocks it but can't make a play at first. Takano follows that up with a shot through the right side! Maebashi is threatening to retake the lead! And Iwamoto walks Sawaura on 4 straight! Manrui for Maebashi Shougyou!!
And Suda quickly lifts a fly to left, easily scoring Hakoda and Maebashi goes back ahead 3-2!!
Top 4th
Like the 2nd inning , the bottom third of Nanyou's order go down in order. Maebashi holds its slim lead.
Bottom 4th
Iwamoto finally gets a break in the 4th as he quickly sets down the 8-9-1 batters for Maebashi.
Top 5th
Takeshige after a long AB, lift a ball to center. Gotou camps under it, catches it - but loses it bringing his glove down! The ball is called fair and Takeshige reaches 2nd on the error by Gotou!
Nakagawa grounds to 2nd allowing Takeshige to advance to 3rd. Kunihiro steps up to the plate once again looking to tie the game.
And Kunihiro delivers once again! He takes a ball to left easily scoring Takeshige and it's 3-3!!
Bottom 5th
Iwamoto with newfound confidence retires the side in order yet again. A guts pose after striking out Takano to retire the side shows that perhaps Nanyou has the momentum.
Top 6th
And Mizui starts the inning with a single to left-center! Yamazaki-kantoku has him bunted over to 2nd as Yamazaki steps up to the plate.
A short chopper by Yamazaki is charged hard by Ichimura and he makes the play at 1st! 2 down. Iwamoto also grounds to Ichimura and the challenge by Nanyou goes away as quickly as it appeared.
Bottom 6th
Two down, Ichimura gets a fortunate irregular bounce as the grounder to Yamazaki takes a low bounce and under his glove! But he's stranded as Kaneshima pops it up to 1st.
Top 7th
Hakoda makes a fine play in foul territory for the 2nd out, catching a foul ball just as he stumbles over the bullpen mound!
And Takeshige gets on base for the 4th time with a single through the left side! Oddly enough, this is the first time he's reached on a base hit!
And Nakagawa works a walk! Runners on 1st and 2nd... for Kunihiro!
Immediately, Tomioka-kantoku gets a conference on the mound to deal with Kunihiro who so far has driven in all 3 of Nanyou's runs.
And Noguchi gets him to ground out to 3rd! He has turned away Nanyou's most dangerous hitter!
Bottom 7th
Noguchi line down to dead center! Takeshige stands there, then leaps! He makes the catch! That was very close to going over his head and to the wall. He was definitely fooled there, but no damage done.
But Gotou drives one where no one can leap and catch it! It's a drive to deep left-center and lands in front of the wall! That's in for a triple!
Saitou not electing to go for the squeeze! Saitou with a sharp grounder to the left side! That's snagged bt Kawamura who looks the runner at 3rd and makes the play at 1st! 2 down!
And a comebacker by Hakoda is easily taken by Iwamoto and the side is retired!
Top 8th
Mizui with a ground to short, Takano with the throw but it pulls Sawaura off the bag! E6! He's bunted over by Takagi.
And Yamazaki with a base hit to left! Mizui has to hold at 3rd! Runners at the corners for Nanyou! Iwamoto steps up and is not putting on the squeeze! He falls behind 0-2 and now has to swing away!
And a pitchout! But Mizui is going home??! He's obviously left out to dry and is eventually tagged out! How could Mizui figure the squeeze was on??!
And with Iwamoto's K, a great opportunity by Nanyou goes by the wayside on simple baserunning errors.
Bottom 8th
Sawaura with a high chopper up the middle gives Maebashi Shougyou a one-out runner. Tomioka-kantoku is electing to bunt the runner over. But Suda bunts it back right at Iwamoto who goes to 2nd for the force! 2 down, runner on 1st now for Ichimura.
And he flies out to right. So we head to the last inning of regulation possibly looking at yet another enchousen.
Top 9th
Kawamura looks to get on with the safety bunt, but misses. But he lines one down the left field line... and past Suda! He chases it back as Kawamura gets a leadoff double!
Yamazaki-kantoku looks for the bunt. But he can't and it's 0-2! Will he ask to do it again? Yes! And he successfully puts it down!! Now a sac fly can give Nanyou the lead!
And Takeshige takes the first pitch to center! Gotou with the catch and throw! Kawamura comes home easily! Nanyou takes its first lead of the game here in the 9th, 4-3!!
Nagakawa pops up to 3rd, but the damage has been done. Maebashi Shougyou now finds themselves down with only 3 outs to go!
Bottom 9th
#7 Tashiro come in to PH for Kaneshima. Iwamoto gets ahead of him and strikes him out! One down!
Ace Noguchi steps up now, trying to help his team. And he singles back up the middle!!
And now Gotou who made the error earlier which led to Nanyou's 3rd run enters the box. He falls behind 1-2. Grounder to the left side! Yamazaki runs it down, but can't get a hold of it! All safe!! Runners on 1st and 2nd with only 1 down!
Saitou comes up, he's swinging away. Iwamoto gets ahead again 1-2. Slow chopper down the 3rd base line! Mokudai with the ball, throw to 1st... just beats out a diving Saitou!! 2 down!!!
(You know if he had ran it out he might have been safe... I'm not saying, I'm just saying...)
So Hakoda steps up 2-4 on the day as Maebashi's last chance. Iwamoto gets ahead 0-2. Grounder to 1st! Takagi with the diving stop!! Iwamoto running to cover!!! The toss...
IN TIME!!! Nanyou Kougyou pulls it out in the top of the 9th inning and holds on to defeat Maebashi Shougyou, 4-3!!
Maebashi gave a great effort, and you have to feel for Gotou, whose error cost his team a run. But it is Nanyou who advances to the next round on the backs of Iwamoto and Kunihiro.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Day 3 - Game 3 - PL Gakuen (Osaka) vs. Saijyou (Ehime)
The final game of Day 3 is one of several in this first round that I wish didn't happen right now. PL Gakuen, always known as a strong team out of Osaka, faces Saijyou out of Ehime. After looking through the P's on YouTube, I found Saijyou's Akiyama to be a very consistent and better pitcher than most I found.
But the fact they drew PL means that they'll have a difficult time getting out of the first round. And to see Saijyou leave here would at least to me be unfortunate.
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1:02 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Yoshikawa draws a walk to start the game. Ishizaki pops his bunt up! Nomura with the catch and they easily double him up at 1st! Quickly 2 down! And Akiyama gets Nomura to strike out! A bit of a shaky start, but Akiyama shows his control right there.
Bottom 1st
Nakano not to be outdone, also retires the side in order. As expected, this will be a pitcher's duel the entire game.
Top 2nd
Kanno leads off the 2nd with a liner back up the middle for a leadoff single. Ootsuki moves him over to 2nd. And the PL band is playing "When the saints go marching in"??
Fujimoto is making Akiyama work, fouling off pitches and working the count. Down 0-2, he works the count full. Finally, on the 9th pitch of the AB Akiyama gets him to fly out to center.
And Yasuda gets a hold of one! That is driven deep into the right ceter field gap!! That's to the wall for a triple, Kanno scores, and PL jumps out to the 1-0 lead!
Then Akiyama walks Kihara! Runners at the corners now for Nakano! And he's hit by Akiyama! Suddenly, he finds himself in a manrui situation and PL could blow this game wide open!!
There nowhere to put Yoshikawa, and the count goes full! But he gets him to pop up in foul territory!! Nomura has a play on it, but can't make the grab! The pressure's back on Akiyama! Foulded off again! The 9th pitch... outside corner!!! Akiyama strikes him out! He prevents further damage and leaves the bases loaded!
But PL has the 1-0 lead!
Bottom 2nd
Fortunate to be down 1-0, Saijyou looks to get the run back.
うわ。。。Just like in Oita Uenogaoka's oen-dan last game, Saijyou's is huge and loud.
Akiyama looks to start the rally himself leading off the 2nd. But Nakano gets Akiyama to wave at a pitch outside for out #1. Hino grounds to 2nd, and Shiba give the ball a drive, but Yoshikawa backs up and has it. Saijyou is quickly turned away.
Top 3rd
Mori, Saijyou's catcher, continues to have troubles. Ishizaki hits a ball into foul territory, Mori gets under it, but again can't make the catch. He pops a ball into shallow left center. Ochi, Suzuki and Hino all converge, but can't get it! What should have been an out instead is a leadoff baserunner for PL! Nakai promptly bunts him over.
Kanno though grounds to short and is unable to move Ishizaki to 3rd. And Akiyama gets Ootsuki to strike out to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
Nakano and Fujimoto play a bit of trickey in the bottom of the 3rd. Count 0-2 on Sasaki, Fujimoto sets up outside for a waste pitch, but Nakano send it down the middle for strike 3. Ishizaki also makes a fine play to end the inning, catching up to a soft blooper that was over his head.
Top 4th
Mori finally makes a play as a pop-up by Fujimoto is caught in foul territory. Yasuda though follows that up with a single through the right side.
Ah!! But Akiyama with the great pickoff play gets Yasuda napping! And with Kihara grounder to 2nd, he finally gets his first 1-2-3 inning since the 1st.
Bottom 4th
With one down in the 4th, Saijyou finally gets their first baserunner as Ochi lines one over Kihara's head!
But that is immediately negated as Tokunaga grounds into the 4-6-3 double play...
Saijyou continues to struggle getting their offense started. If they're not careful, PL's one run may be enough.
Top 5th
Yoshikawa with one down blasts one to deep left center! Sasaki runs back to the wall, leaps, and makes the catch! NO!! The ball comes out when his glove hits the top of the padding!!! Yoshikawa heads into 3rd with a one-out triple!
Ishizaki hits a fly to center! But it's not deep enough to get Yoshikawa in! 2 down. AH! Nakai is hit! Runners at the corners with 2 down!
And Kanno goes down swinging! Akiyama with another K and Saijyou gets out of another pinch!
Bottom 5th
And yet another deception by the PL battery catches Akiyama looking for strike 3. However, Hino responds by lining one to right for Saijyou's 2nd hit.
...but Shiba then grounds into the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. They just cannot keep baserunners on at all.
Top 6th
Akiyama seems to have settled down now, retiring the side again in order. PL batters are still getting good contact with some fly balls, but they're easy flies for the outfielders.
Bottom 6th
Saiki with a base hit to left gives Saijyou its first leadoff runner! Tanabe-kantoku immediately has Sasaki bunt. And a bad throw by Nakano gets by Nakai and Saiki advances to 2nd!
Conference on the mound, and I think I hear one of the ending to Ruroni Kenshin. Yes, it's Sobakasu by JUDY AND MARY. Wow.
Bunt shown by Sasaki, throw back to 2nd! Saiki collides with Ishizaki, but gets back! Meanwhile, Sasaki can't put the bunt down and has to swing away!
He doesn't and once again can't put it down, one down! 悔しい！
Last batter Nomura up to try and get him in to the sounds of "Train-Train". But he's frozen at the plate and now there's 2 outs!
AH! A wild pitch behind Nomura and Saiki moves to 3rd! Now the tying run is 90 feet away!
But Saiki will have to stay there as Nakano gets Nomura to swing at a ball in the dirt for out number 3!
Top 7th
Kihara opens the 7th with a bloop hit to left! Nakano puts the bunt down, but doesn't! It's a pop-up to Akiyama who doubles off Kihara! Akiyama finishes the side by getting Yoshikawa to pop-up to 3rd. But Saijyou still finds itself down 1 with only 3 innings to go.
Bottom 7th
With two down, Akiyama is plunked by Nakano. Small chance here for Saijyou.
Hino with his second hit, this time to left! Akiyama advances to scoring position. Can Shiba get the timely hit?
No! He waves at an outside pitch and he's retired! Saijyou just cannot push that tying run in.
Top 8th
One down, Nakai hits a weak grounder up the middle. Ochi runs it down, but it's too slow to get him at 1st!
Now it's Akiayama's turn to make a bad throw to 1st! Nakai advances to 2nd.
The error is moot though as Ootsuki grounds out to 2nd.
Bottom 8th
Only 6 outs left for Saijyou. Make that 5 as Saiki strikes out. Sasaki (who has the Kenshin theme song), grounds one right back up the middle for a single! Nomura looks to bunt him over. But he can't lay it down and falls behind 0-2! And he's still squaring! But he can't put it down! Sasaki breaks for 2nd and is safe!
But wait! The home plate umpire calls Sasaki out due to batter interference! He claims Nomura impeded Fujimoto's throw to 2nd!! Looking at the replay, I'm not sure about that call. But I'm not the umpire, and the side is retired. What a bad break for Saijyou.
Top 9th
Akiyama gets the first 2 outs quickly, but then Kihara breaks that up with a drive to left past Tokunaka for a stand-up double!
But Nakano grounds to short. Last ups for Saijyou as Nakano and PL Gakuen look to hold their slim 1-0 lead.
Bottom 9th
Leadoff batter Mori starts off the inning. They just need one hit to get Akiyama up to bat. He's fighting hard at the plate. But he hits a high fly to left and is retired.
Ochi gets jammed and he grounds out to 2nd. Down to their final out, PL Gakuen has a conference on the mound. Akiyama has a word withTokunaga before he steps in the box. You have to bet he wants another shot at Nakano.
Nakano gets ahead of him 1-2, one strike to go... And a fly to right, but Ootsuki is there for the final out! Akiyama is left on deck as PL advances with the 1-0 victory!
While I applaud Nakano and PL Gakuen for their performance, I am mad to see Saijyou go. I really wanted to see Akiyama pitch one more game, but now I'll have to see if they make it to the summer Koushien.
But the fact they drew PL means that they'll have a difficult time getting out of the first round. And to see Saijyou leave here would at least to me be unfortunate.
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1:02 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Yoshikawa draws a walk to start the game. Ishizaki pops his bunt up! Nomura with the catch and they easily double him up at 1st! Quickly 2 down! And Akiyama gets Nomura to strike out! A bit of a shaky start, but Akiyama shows his control right there.
Bottom 1st
Nakano not to be outdone, also retires the side in order. As expected, this will be a pitcher's duel the entire game.
Top 2nd
Kanno leads off the 2nd with a liner back up the middle for a leadoff single. Ootsuki moves him over to 2nd. And the PL band is playing "When the saints go marching in"??
Fujimoto is making Akiyama work, fouling off pitches and working the count. Down 0-2, he works the count full. Finally, on the 9th pitch of the AB Akiyama gets him to fly out to center.
And Yasuda gets a hold of one! That is driven deep into the right ceter field gap!! That's to the wall for a triple, Kanno scores, and PL jumps out to the 1-0 lead!
Then Akiyama walks Kihara! Runners at the corners now for Nakano! And he's hit by Akiyama! Suddenly, he finds himself in a manrui situation and PL could blow this game wide open!!
There nowhere to put Yoshikawa, and the count goes full! But he gets him to pop up in foul territory!! Nomura has a play on it, but can't make the grab! The pressure's back on Akiyama! Foulded off again! The 9th pitch... outside corner!!! Akiyama strikes him out! He prevents further damage and leaves the bases loaded!
But PL has the 1-0 lead!
Bottom 2nd
Fortunate to be down 1-0, Saijyou looks to get the run back.
うわ。。。Just like in Oita Uenogaoka's oen-dan last game, Saijyou's is huge and loud.
Akiyama looks to start the rally himself leading off the 2nd. But Nakano gets Akiyama to wave at a pitch outside for out #1. Hino grounds to 2nd, and Shiba give the ball a drive, but Yoshikawa backs up and has it. Saijyou is quickly turned away.
Top 3rd
Mori, Saijyou's catcher, continues to have troubles. Ishizaki hits a ball into foul territory, Mori gets under it, but again can't make the catch. He pops a ball into shallow left center. Ochi, Suzuki and Hino all converge, but can't get it! What should have been an out instead is a leadoff baserunner for PL! Nakai promptly bunts him over.
Kanno though grounds to short and is unable to move Ishizaki to 3rd. And Akiyama gets Ootsuki to strike out to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
Nakano and Fujimoto play a bit of trickey in the bottom of the 3rd. Count 0-2 on Sasaki, Fujimoto sets up outside for a waste pitch, but Nakano send it down the middle for strike 3. Ishizaki also makes a fine play to end the inning, catching up to a soft blooper that was over his head.
Top 4th
Mori finally makes a play as a pop-up by Fujimoto is caught in foul territory. Yasuda though follows that up with a single through the right side.
Ah!! But Akiyama with the great pickoff play gets Yasuda napping! And with Kihara grounder to 2nd, he finally gets his first 1-2-3 inning since the 1st.
Bottom 4th
With one down in the 4th, Saijyou finally gets their first baserunner as Ochi lines one over Kihara's head!
But that is immediately negated as Tokunaga grounds into the 4-6-3 double play...
Saijyou continues to struggle getting their offense started. If they're not careful, PL's one run may be enough.
Top 5th
Yoshikawa with one down blasts one to deep left center! Sasaki runs back to the wall, leaps, and makes the catch! NO!! The ball comes out when his glove hits the top of the padding!!! Yoshikawa heads into 3rd with a one-out triple!
Ishizaki hits a fly to center! But it's not deep enough to get Yoshikawa in! 2 down. AH! Nakai is hit! Runners at the corners with 2 down!
And Kanno goes down swinging! Akiyama with another K and Saijyou gets out of another pinch!
Bottom 5th
And yet another deception by the PL battery catches Akiyama looking for strike 3. However, Hino responds by lining one to right for Saijyou's 2nd hit.
...but Shiba then grounds into the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. They just cannot keep baserunners on at all.
Top 6th
Akiyama seems to have settled down now, retiring the side again in order. PL batters are still getting good contact with some fly balls, but they're easy flies for the outfielders.
Bottom 6th
Saiki with a base hit to left gives Saijyou its first leadoff runner! Tanabe-kantoku immediately has Sasaki bunt. And a bad throw by Nakano gets by Nakai and Saiki advances to 2nd!
Conference on the mound, and I think I hear one of the ending to Ruroni Kenshin. Yes, it's Sobakasu by JUDY AND MARY. Wow.
Bunt shown by Sasaki, throw back to 2nd! Saiki collides with Ishizaki, but gets back! Meanwhile, Sasaki can't put the bunt down and has to swing away!
He doesn't and once again can't put it down, one down! 悔しい！
Last batter Nomura up to try and get him in to the sounds of "Train-Train". But he's frozen at the plate and now there's 2 outs!
AH! A wild pitch behind Nomura and Saiki moves to 3rd! Now the tying run is 90 feet away!
But Saiki will have to stay there as Nakano gets Nomura to swing at a ball in the dirt for out number 3!
Top 7th
Kihara opens the 7th with a bloop hit to left! Nakano puts the bunt down, but doesn't! It's a pop-up to Akiyama who doubles off Kihara! Akiyama finishes the side by getting Yoshikawa to pop-up to 3rd. But Saijyou still finds itself down 1 with only 3 innings to go.
Bottom 7th
With two down, Akiyama is plunked by Nakano. Small chance here for Saijyou.
Hino with his second hit, this time to left! Akiyama advances to scoring position. Can Shiba get the timely hit?
No! He waves at an outside pitch and he's retired! Saijyou just cannot push that tying run in.
Top 8th
One down, Nakai hits a weak grounder up the middle. Ochi runs it down, but it's too slow to get him at 1st!
Now it's Akiayama's turn to make a bad throw to 1st! Nakai advances to 2nd.
The error is moot though as Ootsuki grounds out to 2nd.
Bottom 8th
Only 6 outs left for Saijyou. Make that 5 as Saiki strikes out. Sasaki (who has the Kenshin theme song), grounds one right back up the middle for a single! Nomura looks to bunt him over. But he can't lay it down and falls behind 0-2! And he's still squaring! But he can't put it down! Sasaki breaks for 2nd and is safe!
But wait! The home plate umpire calls Sasaki out due to batter interference! He claims Nomura impeded Fujimoto's throw to 2nd!! Looking at the replay, I'm not sure about that call. But I'm not the umpire, and the side is retired. What a bad break for Saijyou.
Top 9th
Akiyama gets the first 2 outs quickly, but then Kihara breaks that up with a drive to left past Tokunaka for a stand-up double!
But Nakano grounds to short. Last ups for Saijyou as Nakano and PL Gakuen look to hold their slim 1-0 lead.
Bottom 9th
Leadoff batter Mori starts off the inning. They just need one hit to get Akiyama up to bat. He's fighting hard at the plate. But he hits a high fly to left and is retired.
Ochi gets jammed and he grounds out to 2nd. Down to their final out, PL Gakuen has a conference on the mound. Akiyama has a word withTokunaga before he steps in the box. You have to bet he wants another shot at Nakano.
Nakano gets ahead of him 1-2, one strike to go... And a fly to right, but Ootsuki is there for the final out! Akiyama is left on deck as PL advances with the 1-0 victory!
While I applaud Nakano and PL Gakuen for their performance, I am mad to see Saijyou go. I really wanted to see Akiyama pitch one more game, but now I'll have to see if they make it to the summer Koushien.
Day 3 - Game 2 - Oita Uenogaoka (Oita) vs. Minoshima (Wakayama)
With the upset of Keiou Gijuku in the first game, all teams must feel a little more confident in their chances to win it all this year, especially these two teams. Instead of facing Keiou, Oita Uenogaoka (a 21st century team) or Minoshima will face Kaisei. Kaisei is a good team, but they're not Keiou.
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11:30 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
うわ。 Oita Uenogaoka's oen-dan is filled up. A lot of people came out to support the team. After all, it's been a long time since they've been here.
Morimoto though, retires the side in order. He figures, it's been a while since we've been here too. Not as long as you, but long enough.
Bottom 1st
Adachi for Oita has a sidearm motion that seems to go wide sometimes. Nonetheless, he retires the Minoshima side in order to start the game, and we're off and going.
Top 2nd
Tsuyuguchi gets the first hit for Oita Uenogaoka as he hits a sharp grounder that bounces off of Iguchi Keisuke for an infield hit!
But Tsuyuguchi tries to steal 2nd and is out by a mile. 3 down for Oita here in the 2nd.
Bottom 2nd
Adachi retires the side in order, and Oita Uenogaoka is looking good early.
Top 3rd
Morimoto does the same. Last batter Hirose tries to push a safety bunt up the 1st base line, but Morimoto completes the play himself.
Bottom 3rd
With 2 down, Morimoto works a walk - the first baserunner for Minoshima. Miyamoto follows that up with a liner to right! Morimoto heads for 3rd and there's runners at the corners for Minoshima! It's the first scoring chance of the game!
And a single down the left field line by Iguchi Shintarou scores Morimoto and Minoshima scores the first run of the game! 1-0!
And then Mantani draws a walk from Adachi! Manrui for Minoshima!
But Adachi strikes out Nishihata to leave the bases loaded. But Minoshima has staked the early 1-0 lead.
Top 4th
Oita is still scuffling. Kanamori makes a bid for a base hit with a grounder up the middle with 2 down, but Nishihata makes a diving stop to rob him of the hit!
Bottom 4th
Adachi continues to have trouble finding the plate. He walks Oota on 4 straight, then throws 2 more balls to Numa before finally throwing a strike. Nonetheless, Matshushita-kantoku has Numa put the bunt down moving Oota to 2nd.
Adachi's troubles continue as he walks Yamamoto as well. Runners at 1st and 2nd now for Minoshima. His pace has slowed considerably as well, looking the runners back repeatedly. He struggles against Morimoto as well, working the count full. Morimoto reaches down and hits a liner, but it's right at Kaetsu and the inning is over.
Still, Adachi is having issues with the strike zone issuing 4 walks in the last 2 innings.
Top 5th
Morimoto quickly retires the Oita Uenogaoka side in 6 pitches. He's quickly cruising along in this game.
Bottom 5th
Adachi retires the first batter in the 5th, but his control issues start reappearing again. The pitches are flying out and away and he walks Shintarou on 4 straight.
And then Shintarou steals 2nd. Another chance for Minoshima, but Mantani waves at an outside pitch for strike 3! 2 down for Adachi.
But he then walks Nishihata on 5 pitches. That's 6 walks in the last 3 innings.
The walks finally come back to hurt Adachi as Keisuke send the first pitch to right! Shintarou comes around to score and Minoshima takes the 2-0 lead!! He's not out of the mess yet as the runners are at the corners for Oota. He lines out to center but Minoshima extends their lead!
Top 6th
Oita once again falls in order. Morimoto has faced only the minimum so far and Minoshima appears to be on their way to victory.
Bottom 6th
Numa starts off the inning with a grounder to 3rd. But Kaetsu's throw goes high! It's off of Asaki's glove and Numa is safe at first! Yamamoto bunts Numa over and Minoshima looks to play add on.
Adachi continues to miss the zone. Morimoto takes advantage of a ball in the zone and chops one over Adachi and into center! Runners at the corners!
Miyamoto hits a grounder to 2nd! Kudou fumbles with the ball slightly, makes the play at 2nd - but that's it. Numa scores on the grounder and it's 3-0.
The pressure continues to be put on Adachi as Miyamoto takes 2nd. And Shintarou puts down a bunt! Kaetsu charges and makes the throw, but it's not in time! Runners at the corners again for Minoshima.
And Shintarou too goes for 2nd. Throw isn't in time. But Miyamoto is heading for home! Throw back... not in time! The double steal works to perfection and Minoshima now is up 4-0!
Mantani with a liner over Kaetsu's head and down the left field line! Shintarou scores on the double by Mantani! 5-0 and the gates are opening wide!
Matsushita-kantoku continues to press on the accelerator as he has Mantani steal 3rd!
Nishihata with a drive to the left center field gap! Kai and Tsuyuguchi converge on the ball. Both dive and miss! Mantani scores and Nishihata has a stand-up triple! 6-0.
Keisuke after a long AB, hits one to left scoring yet another run. It's 7-0 Minoshima and the rout is on.
Oota lines one to center, but 5 runs in this inning and the game seems to be all but over.
Top 7th
Oita Uenogaoka gets only its 2nd baserunner of the game as Kudou draws a one-out walk. Kanamori with a single back up the middle and Oita Uenogaoka also has their first scoring opportunity of the game!
Kai hits a chopper back to Morimoto. He snags it and throws to 2nd for the 2nd out.
But Asaki lines one to center! Kudou head home and Kai advances to 3rd on the double by Asaki! Oita Uenogaoka is on the board! 7-1!
Tsuyuguchi strikes out the end the inning, but Asaki's hit prevents the shutout!
Bottom 7th
Minoshima continues to play for runs. Yamamoto gets a one-out base hit and is moved to 2nd. Miyamoto flies out to center though, and the lead remains at 6.
Top 8th
#16 Miura comes in to pinch hit for Asakunobut promptly grounds out to 2nd. Adachi hits a liner, but Nishihata makes the leaping grab.
Hirose hits a weak grounder up the first base line, Numa tries to make the toss to Shintarou, but can't get his glove on it. And then Kaetsu hits a single through the right side! Runners on 1st and 2nd but there's two down.
And Kudou hits a comebacker that Morimoto fields easily for the 3rd out.
Bottom 8th
Shintarou gets his 3rd base hit - a single through the left side. #14 Machiyama PH for Mantani, but hits a grounder to 2nd getting the leadoff runner.
Machiyama is replaced at 1st by #13 Katada. And he breaks for 2nd, but it's a pitchout! The throw by Kanemori is in plenty of time to get Katada out!
Nishihara then draws another walk from Adachi, and Keisuke singles to right. That will end the day for Adachi as #11 Kobayashi replaces him on the mound. He gets the final out, and it'll be the last ups for Oita Uenogaoka.
Top 9th
Kanamori starts off with a single to right. Kai then drives a ball over Miyamoto's head and all the way to the wall. Kanamori scores on the Kai triple, 7-2 Minoshima.
Asagi hits a liner to left. Oota runs back to make the catch, and Kai easily comes home. Oita Uenogaoka quickly puts 2 runs on the board. They're still far behind but it's 7-3.
Tsuyuguchi strikes out for out #2. #13 Kugimiya comes in to PH as their last gasp. And he grounds out to Morimoto for the final out. Oita Uenogaoka put up a good show at the end, but it was all Minoshima in this game. But the players from Oita do not seem sad, more happy that they had an opportunity to play at Koushien.
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11:30 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
うわ。 Oita Uenogaoka's oen-dan is filled up. A lot of people came out to support the team. After all, it's been a long time since they've been here.
Morimoto though, retires the side in order. He figures, it's been a while since we've been here too. Not as long as you, but long enough.
Bottom 1st
Adachi for Oita has a sidearm motion that seems to go wide sometimes. Nonetheless, he retires the Minoshima side in order to start the game, and we're off and going.
Top 2nd
Tsuyuguchi gets the first hit for Oita Uenogaoka as he hits a sharp grounder that bounces off of Iguchi Keisuke for an infield hit!
But Tsuyuguchi tries to steal 2nd and is out by a mile. 3 down for Oita here in the 2nd.
Bottom 2nd
Adachi retires the side in order, and Oita Uenogaoka is looking good early.
Top 3rd
Morimoto does the same. Last batter Hirose tries to push a safety bunt up the 1st base line, but Morimoto completes the play himself.
Bottom 3rd
With 2 down, Morimoto works a walk - the first baserunner for Minoshima. Miyamoto follows that up with a liner to right! Morimoto heads for 3rd and there's runners at the corners for Minoshima! It's the first scoring chance of the game!
And a single down the left field line by Iguchi Shintarou scores Morimoto and Minoshima scores the first run of the game! 1-0!
And then Mantani draws a walk from Adachi! Manrui for Minoshima!
But Adachi strikes out Nishihata to leave the bases loaded. But Minoshima has staked the early 1-0 lead.
Top 4th
Oita is still scuffling. Kanamori makes a bid for a base hit with a grounder up the middle with 2 down, but Nishihata makes a diving stop to rob him of the hit!
Bottom 4th
Adachi continues to have trouble finding the plate. He walks Oota on 4 straight, then throws 2 more balls to Numa before finally throwing a strike. Nonetheless, Matshushita-kantoku has Numa put the bunt down moving Oota to 2nd.
Adachi's troubles continue as he walks Yamamoto as well. Runners at 1st and 2nd now for Minoshima. His pace has slowed considerably as well, looking the runners back repeatedly. He struggles against Morimoto as well, working the count full. Morimoto reaches down and hits a liner, but it's right at Kaetsu and the inning is over.
Still, Adachi is having issues with the strike zone issuing 4 walks in the last 2 innings.
Top 5th
Morimoto quickly retires the Oita Uenogaoka side in 6 pitches. He's quickly cruising along in this game.
Bottom 5th
Adachi retires the first batter in the 5th, but his control issues start reappearing again. The pitches are flying out and away and he walks Shintarou on 4 straight.
And then Shintarou steals 2nd. Another chance for Minoshima, but Mantani waves at an outside pitch for strike 3! 2 down for Adachi.
But he then walks Nishihata on 5 pitches. That's 6 walks in the last 3 innings.
The walks finally come back to hurt Adachi as Keisuke send the first pitch to right! Shintarou comes around to score and Minoshima takes the 2-0 lead!! He's not out of the mess yet as the runners are at the corners for Oota. He lines out to center but Minoshima extends their lead!
Top 6th
Oita once again falls in order. Morimoto has faced only the minimum so far and Minoshima appears to be on their way to victory.
Bottom 6th
Numa starts off the inning with a grounder to 3rd. But Kaetsu's throw goes high! It's off of Asaki's glove and Numa is safe at first! Yamamoto bunts Numa over and Minoshima looks to play add on.
Adachi continues to miss the zone. Morimoto takes advantage of a ball in the zone and chops one over Adachi and into center! Runners at the corners!
Miyamoto hits a grounder to 2nd! Kudou fumbles with the ball slightly, makes the play at 2nd - but that's it. Numa scores on the grounder and it's 3-0.
The pressure continues to be put on Adachi as Miyamoto takes 2nd. And Shintarou puts down a bunt! Kaetsu charges and makes the throw, but it's not in time! Runners at the corners again for Minoshima.
And Shintarou too goes for 2nd. Throw isn't in time. But Miyamoto is heading for home! Throw back... not in time! The double steal works to perfection and Minoshima now is up 4-0!
Mantani with a liner over Kaetsu's head and down the left field line! Shintarou scores on the double by Mantani! 5-0 and the gates are opening wide!
Matsushita-kantoku continues to press on the accelerator as he has Mantani steal 3rd!
Nishihata with a drive to the left center field gap! Kai and Tsuyuguchi converge on the ball. Both dive and miss! Mantani scores and Nishihata has a stand-up triple! 6-0.
Keisuke after a long AB, hits one to left scoring yet another run. It's 7-0 Minoshima and the rout is on.
Oota lines one to center, but 5 runs in this inning and the game seems to be all but over.
Top 7th
Oita Uenogaoka gets only its 2nd baserunner of the game as Kudou draws a one-out walk. Kanamori with a single back up the middle and Oita Uenogaoka also has their first scoring opportunity of the game!
Kai hits a chopper back to Morimoto. He snags it and throws to 2nd for the 2nd out.
But Asaki lines one to center! Kudou head home and Kai advances to 3rd on the double by Asaki! Oita Uenogaoka is on the board! 7-1!
Tsuyuguchi strikes out the end the inning, but Asaki's hit prevents the shutout!
Bottom 7th
Minoshima continues to play for runs. Yamamoto gets a one-out base hit and is moved to 2nd. Miyamoto flies out to center though, and the lead remains at 6.
Top 8th
#16 Miura comes in to pinch hit for Asakunobut promptly grounds out to 2nd. Adachi hits a liner, but Nishihata makes the leaping grab.
Hirose hits a weak grounder up the first base line, Numa tries to make the toss to Shintarou, but can't get his glove on it. And then Kaetsu hits a single through the right side! Runners on 1st and 2nd but there's two down.
And Kudou hits a comebacker that Morimoto fields easily for the 3rd out.
Bottom 8th
Shintarou gets his 3rd base hit - a single through the left side. #14 Machiyama PH for Mantani, but hits a grounder to 2nd getting the leadoff runner.
Machiyama is replaced at 1st by #13 Katada. And he breaks for 2nd, but it's a pitchout! The throw by Kanemori is in plenty of time to get Katada out!
Nishihara then draws another walk from Adachi, and Keisuke singles to right. That will end the day for Adachi as #11 Kobayashi replaces him on the mound. He gets the final out, and it'll be the last ups for Oita Uenogaoka.
Top 9th
Kanamori starts off with a single to right. Kai then drives a ball over Miyamoto's head and all the way to the wall. Kanamori scores on the Kai triple, 7-2 Minoshima.
Asagi hits a liner to left. Oota runs back to make the catch, and Kai easily comes home. Oita Uenogaoka quickly puts 2 runs on the board. They're still far behind but it's 7-3.
Tsuyuguchi strikes out for out #2. #13 Kugimiya comes in to PH as their last gasp. And he grounds out to Morimoto for the final out. Oita Uenogaoka put up a good show at the end, but it was all Minoshima in this game. But the players from Oita do not seem sad, more happy that they had an opportunity to play at Koushien.
Day 3 - Game 1 - Keiō Gijuku (Kanagawa) vs. Kaisei (Shimane)
Day 3 begins with the fall champions, Keiō Gijuku facing Kaisei in rural Shimane. In recent years, Keiō has become a strong team in the nation and looks to continue the trend here at Kōshien. They should be pegged as the odds on favorite to win, so Kaisei has their work cut out for them.
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9:01 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Haruki yields a 2-out single to Watanabe, but otherwise pitches a solid inning.
Bottom 1st
Hakumura also works through the Kaisei batters quickly for a 1-2-3 inning.
Top 2nd
Ah... the familiar sound of the Keiou band.
And once again, Keiou with the two-out base hit, this time by Haruyama. And to the tune of "Dash Keiou", he's stranded as Haruki gets Miyashita to strike out looking. I must admit, Haruki looks really good early on in this game.
Bottom 2nd
Hakumura is really mowing down the Kaisei batter. His delivery seems different than the vids earlier. It seems to hide the ball for a longer time. It's working as he already has 4 K's.
Top 3rd
Haruki has his first 1-2-3 inning. I'm not sure what's going on, but he's locating well with his pitches and Keiou seems to be playing a bit flat to start out this game.
Bottom 3rd
Hakumura continues to retire Kaisei batters left and right. But last battter Teshima puts down the safety bunt and easily reaches 1st! It's a bunt single, but it's also the first baserunner for Kaisei!
And on a pitchout he breaks for 2nd, and still makes it in time! Teshima is definitely fast! Kaisei with their first chance of the game. Hakumura plunks Itohara! Runners at the corners now for Kaisei!
Akima fights hard at the plate, but on the 8th pitch of the AB grounds to 1st.
Top 4th
The only threat was a Hakumura drive to deep right, but Honda easily camps under that one. Keiou is suddenly finding themselves in a battle against Kaisei!
Bottom 4th
And almost before you can say "Play ball", Hakumura has Kaisei retired in 8 pitches.
Top 5th
Arakawa makes a bit for a hit fisting one up the middle. But Inohara makes the fine defensive play for the out. Haruyama will not be denied though, blooping one into shallow center for Keiou's first baserunner since the 2nd inning!
And Miyashita make a fine play on a pop-up in foul territory! Two down for Keiou. Sugiyama grounds to first and Keiou cannot scratch anything together against Haruki.
Bottom 5th
Inohara gives Kaisei their first baserunner since the 3rd with a grounder that takes a bad hop off of Ishiguro. Nonomura-kantoku asks for the bunt, but then tries the hit-and-run! That doesn't work though and Hashimoto has to swing away. He strikes out looking, but Inohara steals 2nd on the strikeout!
Teshima can bring him in though as he hits a soft liner to Satou, ending the inning.
Top 6th
Satou leads off the 6th with a grounder past a diving Itohara and down the 3rd base line! A great chance for Keiou Gijuku to finally get on the board!! As expected, Ueda-kantoku is looking to bunt him over and Ishiguro succuessfully puts one down.
One down for Watanabe. And it's a fly ball to deep left center. Teshima runs to catch it, and that will easily score Satou giving Keiou the 1-0 lead!
And Ueda with a single to center! Could Keiou be finally getting to Haruki? High chopper back to Haruki though and the inning is over. But Keiou has finally gotten on the board.
Bottom 6th
Kaisei gets their first leadoff runner on base as Hakumura yields his first walk of the game to Itohara. And Hakumura is having trouble finding the strike zone falling behind 2-0 to Akima, and then 3-1. And then walks Akima! Runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs for Kaisei! Great chance here to tie the game!!
Matsubayashi squares up to bunt, but he pops it up! Hakuyama easily gets it and a wasted out for Kaisei!
Doi looks to swing away now with one down, and swing away he does striking out. 2 down and it's up to Honda to not waste this great opportunity. Hakumura falls behind 2-0.
AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honda hits a liner over Ishiguro and down left field all the way to the wall!!! Itohara scores!! Akima rounding 3rd, the relay comes in too late and Kaisei has taken the lead!!! 逆転!!! 2-1 Kaisei!!!!!
And while Haruki strikes out, Kaisei has surprised everyone and Keio finds itself down with only 3 to play!
Top 7th
Haruyama with one down gets plunked by Haruki. And instead of the bunt, they put on the hit-and-run, but Miyashita grounds to 3rd. 2 down, runner on 2nd. The outfield is in for a possible play at the plate. But Sugiyama grounds to 3rd to end the inning. Keiou can find no answer to Haruki.
Bottom 7th
Kaisei quickly goes down in order. But Keio is running out of time and outs. They need to mount a rally and soon.
Top 8th
Satou grounds to 3rd. Ishiguro gets ahead 3-0, but Haruki equalizes and gets him to ground to 3rd. Watanabe flies out to left. The sense of urgency is finally coming upon them now, but will it come too late?
Bottom 8th
Itohara with a grounder past a diving Sugiyama and into center for a leadoff single! Akima with the sac bunt but Ishiguro airmails it right into foul territory! Both runners advance and Kaise has runners at 2nd and 3rd with no down! A base hit could crush Keiou.
Matsubayashi steps up to bunt, but pulls it back for ball 1. And again, he swings away on a high fastball. It's to deep left! Miyashita furiously runs back, but it's over his head!!! Itohara scores, Akima comes around, he scores!!!! A double by Matsubayashi scores 2 and Kaisei has a commanding 4-1 lead!!!!!
What a shock this is for Keiou! Ueda-kantoku's face says it all, this team is facing a desparate situation now! The players now realize it too - that their Koushien could be coming to an end sooner than anyone expected.
And while the next 3 Kaisei batters are retired, Keiou looks at the scoreboard and a 3 run deficit. Is it even possible?
Top 9th
Keio has their 4-5-6 batters up, and the oen-dan is cheering louder than they have all game. The gravity of the situation is finally upon them.
Ueda pops it up to Haruki, one down...
The TV cameras pan down the Keiou oen-dan filled with alumni and fans willing the team on hoping for a miracle.
Hakumura grounds to 3rd, and Akima makes the play. 2 down for Keio...
Down to their final out, it's up to Arakawa. He hits one to the right center field gap - that's in there for a double! Still some life for the team from Kanagawa.
Haruyama, 2-2 on the day steps up. Conference on the mound. Is there a rally left in them?
Hakumura waits to see if his team can pick him up. Count goes to 1-2 on Haruyama... 2-2... Hit to center, but Teshima is there and Kaisei has pulled off the upset!! They have defeated the Fall Champion Keiou Gijuku 4-1!!!
Kaisei played a solid game against what had to be a flat Keiou squad and comes up with the victory. With the upset, the tournament is blown wide open!
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9:01 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Haruki yields a 2-out single to Watanabe, but otherwise pitches a solid inning.
Bottom 1st
Hakumura also works through the Kaisei batters quickly for a 1-2-3 inning.
Top 2nd
Ah... the familiar sound of the Keiou band.
And once again, Keiou with the two-out base hit, this time by Haruyama. And to the tune of "Dash Keiou", he's stranded as Haruki gets Miyashita to strike out looking. I must admit, Haruki looks really good early on in this game.
Bottom 2nd
Hakumura is really mowing down the Kaisei batter. His delivery seems different than the vids earlier. It seems to hide the ball for a longer time. It's working as he already has 4 K's.
Top 3rd
Haruki has his first 1-2-3 inning. I'm not sure what's going on, but he's locating well with his pitches and Keiou seems to be playing a bit flat to start out this game.
Bottom 3rd
Hakumura continues to retire Kaisei batters left and right. But last battter Teshima puts down the safety bunt and easily reaches 1st! It's a bunt single, but it's also the first baserunner for Kaisei!
And on a pitchout he breaks for 2nd, and still makes it in time! Teshima is definitely fast! Kaisei with their first chance of the game. Hakumura plunks Itohara! Runners at the corners now for Kaisei!
Akima fights hard at the plate, but on the 8th pitch of the AB grounds to 1st.
Top 4th
The only threat was a Hakumura drive to deep right, but Honda easily camps under that one. Keiou is suddenly finding themselves in a battle against Kaisei!
Bottom 4th
And almost before you can say "Play ball", Hakumura has Kaisei retired in 8 pitches.
Top 5th
Arakawa makes a bit for a hit fisting one up the middle. But Inohara makes the fine defensive play for the out. Haruyama will not be denied though, blooping one into shallow center for Keiou's first baserunner since the 2nd inning!
And Miyashita make a fine play on a pop-up in foul territory! Two down for Keiou. Sugiyama grounds to first and Keiou cannot scratch anything together against Haruki.
Bottom 5th
Inohara gives Kaisei their first baserunner since the 3rd with a grounder that takes a bad hop off of Ishiguro. Nonomura-kantoku asks for the bunt, but then tries the hit-and-run! That doesn't work though and Hashimoto has to swing away. He strikes out looking, but Inohara steals 2nd on the strikeout!
Teshima can bring him in though as he hits a soft liner to Satou, ending the inning.
Top 6th
Satou leads off the 6th with a grounder past a diving Itohara and down the 3rd base line! A great chance for Keiou Gijuku to finally get on the board!! As expected, Ueda-kantoku is looking to bunt him over and Ishiguro succuessfully puts one down.
One down for Watanabe. And it's a fly ball to deep left center. Teshima runs to catch it, and that will easily score Satou giving Keiou the 1-0 lead!
And Ueda with a single to center! Could Keiou be finally getting to Haruki? High chopper back to Haruki though and the inning is over. But Keiou has finally gotten on the board.
Bottom 6th
Kaisei gets their first leadoff runner on base as Hakumura yields his first walk of the game to Itohara. And Hakumura is having trouble finding the strike zone falling behind 2-0 to Akima, and then 3-1. And then walks Akima! Runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs for Kaisei! Great chance here to tie the game!!
Matsubayashi squares up to bunt, but he pops it up! Hakuyama easily gets it and a wasted out for Kaisei!
Doi looks to swing away now with one down, and swing away he does striking out. 2 down and it's up to Honda to not waste this great opportunity. Hakumura falls behind 2-0.
AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honda hits a liner over Ishiguro and down left field all the way to the wall!!! Itohara scores!! Akima rounding 3rd, the relay comes in too late and Kaisei has taken the lead!!! 逆転!!! 2-1 Kaisei!!!!!
And while Haruki strikes out, Kaisei has surprised everyone and Keio finds itself down with only 3 to play!
Top 7th
Haruyama with one down gets plunked by Haruki. And instead of the bunt, they put on the hit-and-run, but Miyashita grounds to 3rd. 2 down, runner on 2nd. The outfield is in for a possible play at the plate. But Sugiyama grounds to 3rd to end the inning. Keiou can find no answer to Haruki.
Bottom 7th
Kaisei quickly goes down in order. But Keio is running out of time and outs. They need to mount a rally and soon.
Top 8th
Satou grounds to 3rd. Ishiguro gets ahead 3-0, but Haruki equalizes and gets him to ground to 3rd. Watanabe flies out to left. The sense of urgency is finally coming upon them now, but will it come too late?
Bottom 8th
Itohara with a grounder past a diving Sugiyama and into center for a leadoff single! Akima with the sac bunt but Ishiguro airmails it right into foul territory! Both runners advance and Kaise has runners at 2nd and 3rd with no down! A base hit could crush Keiou.
Matsubayashi steps up to bunt, but pulls it back for ball 1. And again, he swings away on a high fastball. It's to deep left! Miyashita furiously runs back, but it's over his head!!! Itohara scores, Akima comes around, he scores!!!! A double by Matsubayashi scores 2 and Kaisei has a commanding 4-1 lead!!!!!
What a shock this is for Keiou! Ueda-kantoku's face says it all, this team is facing a desparate situation now! The players now realize it too - that their Koushien could be coming to an end sooner than anyone expected.
And while the next 3 Kaisei batters are retired, Keiou looks at the scoreboard and a 3 run deficit. Is it even possible?
Top 9th
Keio has their 4-5-6 batters up, and the oen-dan is cheering louder than they have all game. The gravity of the situation is finally upon them.
Ueda pops it up to Haruki, one down...
The TV cameras pan down the Keiou oen-dan filled with alumni and fans willing the team on hoping for a miracle.
Hakumura grounds to 3rd, and Akima makes the play. 2 down for Keio...
Down to their final out, it's up to Arakawa. He hits one to the right center field gap - that's in there for a double! Still some life for the team from Kanagawa.
Haruyama, 2-2 on the day steps up. Conference on the mound. Is there a rally left in them?
Hakumura waits to see if his team can pick him up. Count goes to 1-2 on Haruyama... 2-2... Hit to center, but Teshima is there and Kaisei has pulled off the upset!! They have defeated the Fall Champion Keiou Gijuku 4-1!!!
Kaisei played a solid game against what had to be a flat Keiou squad and comes up with the victory. With the upset, the tournament is blown wide open!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Day 2 - Game 3 - Fukuchiyama Seibi (Kyoto) vs. Kokushikan (Tokyo)
The final game of Day 2 features a recent face to the Koushien scene in Fukuchiyama Seibi (Kyoto) versus newcomer Kokushikan (Tokyo). Seibi looked strong back on 2006 making it to the Best 8 before falling to Kagoshima Kougyou, so perhaps Kokushikan has their work cut out for them.
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1:44 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Nishimoto quickly opens the game with a single to center and is moved to 2nd. Sugimoto then lines one over a leaping Suzuki into left! Nishimoto stops at 2nd, but Seibi has runners at the corners!
Sugaya is having trouble with his control still, getting into a full count against Sueyoshi and having to throw a strike, Sueyoshi hits a fly to right scoring Nishimoto and giving Fukuchiyama Seibi the quick 1-0 lead.
Sugaya continues to have trouble against Fukumoto, but is bailed out when Sugimoto tries to steal 2nd and is caught. Still, Fukuchiyama Seibi takes the quick lead.
Bottom 1st
Takahashi starts off the inning with a grounder to 3rd, but Miyazaki boots the ball! By the time he gathers it and throws, Takahashi has already dived head-first into 1st. E5 to start the inning!
And then he dashes for 2nd! The pitch is high, and the throw even higher and into center! Uekusa tries to bunt him over, but he can't and eventually strikes out on a check swing. There's only one down though, so still a great opportunity to equalize.
Nagaoka gets ahead of Fukuda 0-2, but then tries to nibble on the outside. The third time's the charm and Fukuda reaches and misses an off-speed pitch for out #2.
It's down to Harajima to get Takahashi in. Harajima isn't biting on the outside pitches and works the count full. And takes a close inside pitch for ball 4! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Kitagawa!
And he drops down and gets a breaking ball! That could be trouble! Or not. Hosono is right there to make the catch to end the inning.
Top 2nd
With one down Tajima hits a grounder up the middle! Uekusa makes the stop, but can't get it to 1st in time! Infield hit!
Watanabe looks to bunt him over, but Sugaya can't find the plate! He walks him on 4 straight! And then he hits Nagaoka! Sugaya has done himself no help as now it's a manrui situation with only 1 down!
But Miyazaki hits the first pitch to 3rd! Suzuki charges, makes the throw home, but it's offline!! It glances out of Harajima's stretched out glove and everyone's safe! 2-0 Seibi!
Still one down for leadoff batter Nishimoto! He grounds one to Suzuki! This time though he doesn't muff it completing the double play to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Suzuki starts off the 2nd getting hit - although he didn't really make that much of an effort to get away. Doesn't matter though, Ikeyama immediately grounds to 2nd for the 4-6-3 double play. Quickly 2 down for Kokushikan.
And Nakamura strikes out to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Sugaya finally has a quick 1-2-3 inning, probably to the relief of the Kokushikan team.
Bottom 3rd
Sugaya with a grouder into the left side, Miyzaki dives, can't get it! Sugimoto runs it down, throw to first, not in time! Infield hit!
Takahashi looking to bunt... It's a safety bunt! He's running down the line, throw from Nagaoka is late! Runners at 1st and 2nd now. And Uekusa is looking to bunt. He puts is down and is tagged out. Runners advance for Fukuda.
Nagaoka falls behind as they pitch him away. Spoke too soon, inside pitch fouled away 2-2. But outisde and the count runs full. And an offspeed tailing away gets him! 2 down.
Harajima takes the first pitch to left! Sugaya scores! Takahashi charges home, the throw by Hosono is on line, Fukumoto with the tag, SAFE!!! Harajima with the timely hit and it's 2-2!!
Nagaoka K's Kitagawa to end the inning but the damage has been done. New ballgame!
Top 4th
Sugaya continues to get worked by the Seibi batters. Fukumoto takes 4 before flying to right. Tajima takes 3 before grounding to short. But Kitagawa airmails the throw and Tajima ends up at 2nd!
Watanabe though, grounds to 3rd unable to move Tajima. Nagaoka to try and get him in now. And ont the 2-1 pitch Harajima catches Tajima off base, he breaks for 3rd! The relay to 3rd, not in time! He's now 90 feet away!
But Sugaya gets Nagaoka to offer at an outside pitch and the inning is over! Another long inning for Sugaya.
Bottom 4th
Suzuki looking for a safety bunt. It's hard hit past Nagaoka! Tajima charges in, gathers it and makes the play at first.
Ikeyama next gets frozen on an ofspeed pitch, and Nakamura takes the first pitch to Sueyoshi to retire the side.
Top 5th
Sugaya is about to relatively cruise through the 5th, but Hosono singles back up the middle just past Sugaya's glove and Sugimoto follows that up with a liner to left! Nakamura slips fielding the ball and Hosono easily advances to 3rd! Runners at the corners with 2 down!
Cleanup batter Sueyoshi looking now to give Seibi back the lead. But Sugaya strikes him out to end the challenge.
Bottom 5th
Back to the top of the order and Takahashi hits a high chopper to 3rd! Miyazaki with the catch and throw, but a diving Takahashi is safe!
Nagaoka buckles down though and retires the next 2 batters.
Top 6th
Sugaya has 1-2-3 inning, this time with relatively little effort. While Seibi is trying to work him hard, he's fighting back.
Bottom 6th
Kitagawa give Kokushikan another baserunner as he hits a one-out single to right. Then Suzuki walks on 4 straight! Great chance for Ikeyama!
But he strikes out on 3 straight! And Nakamura grounds out to 3rd to end the inning. Another lost opportunity to take the lead for the first time.
Top 7th
Sugaya's control seems to improve as the game progresses, once again retiring the side in order - which included 2 K's looking.
Bottom 7th
Nagaoka isn't giving in either. He yields a 2-out hit as Uekusa lines one to right, but Fukuda still can't get his first hit of the day, flying out to right.
Top 8th
Hosono leads off the 8th with his 2nd consecutive hit as he lines one to center. Sugimoto bunts one up the 1st base line, and Sugaya and Ikeyama slghtlt collide while fielding it! Sugaya has it though and makes the play at first.
Sueyoshi then hits a slow bounder to the right side! Uekusa runs it down and makes the play. Hosono advances to 3rd.
And what's this?? With 2 down they're intentionally walking Fukumoto??! This makes little sense! About the only reason they would do this is if they've seen something about him in their analysis. Or they don't want the L vs. R matchup.
Well, there's runners at the corners for Tajima. And he grounds to short! Potential disaster averted yet again for Kokushikan! But with time winding down, can anyone push a run through?
Bottom 8th
Harajima takes the first pitch back up the middle and into center! Kitagawa as expected squares to bunt - and puts it down.
2 chances now to get Harajima in. Suzuki steps up, and immediately flies to left. Mino-kantoku didn't look especially pleased about that. Ikeyama grounds to 2nd, and we head to the 9th tied.
Top 9th
Watanabe with a hard shot to 3rd, but Suzuki dives, and has it! Throw to first in plenty of time! But then Sugaya walks Nagaoka! Miyazaki tries to put the bunt down, but can't! It's 0-2 now, will he still try to move him over? Yes! He puts it down and moves Nagaoka over.
And Sugaya gets Nishimoto to swing at a high pitch! 3 down! Can Kokushikan end it here?
Bottom 9th
Nakamura tries for the bunt single, but it goes foul. Anything to get on base now. He's fighting at the plate fouling pitches off. Count full, 9th pitch... grounded to 3rd. One down.
Sugaya steps up. He pops it up in foul territory. Hosono with the catch, and now there's 2 down. It seems inevitable now. And with Takahashi striking out, we head to enchousen.
Top 10th
Sugimoto starts with a one-out single to left. Sueyoshi squares to bunt, but he pops it up! Sugaya lunges and gets it, and easily doubles off Sugimoto to end the inning!
Bottom 10th
Fukuda with a blast down the left field line!!!!! Hosono giving chase!!! But it's foul! 悔しい!! He got a hold of that low pitch but just pulled it foul! Nagaoka gets him to strike out, and shortly retires the side thereafter. We head to the 11th.
Top 11th
Fukumoto starts off the inning with his first base hit, putting one back up the middle. He's moved over for Watanabe.
Grounder to Kitagawa, quick throw is slightly off line, but Ikeayama makes the reach.
AHHHHH!!!!!! Nagaoka with a grounder off a diving Uekusa's glove and into right!!! Fukumoto rounds for home, Takahashi comes up firing!!!! Harajima with the ball and Fukumoto is easily out at home! What a great throw by Takahashi to gun him down!
Bottom 11th
With the play at home, can Kokushikan turn that momentum to their advantage?
Ikeyama gets a two-out single, and steals 2nd! Nakayama then works a walk! Now it's Sugaya to try and do what Nagaoka could not!
But he grounds to short, and we move to the 12th, still tied at 2 all.
Top 12th
Nishimoto gets a one-out bloop to center. But Hosono with a grounder to 3rd, and Suzuki starts the inning-ending 5-4-3 double play! Nicely turned!
Bottom 12th
Back to the top of the order. Takahashi, with yet another hit as he flares one to center!
Uekusa squaring to bunt yet again, puts it down. Another great sayonara chance for Kokushikan! Fukuda, who earlier almost ended the game with a HR, steps up. But a grounder to 3rd is unable to move the runner. 2 down and Nagaoka looks to get out of another pinch. And he does so, getting Harajima to K's looking!
As this game continues, the teams will have to muster something, or move inexorably towards the 15th.
Top 13th
Sueyoshi will have none of it, getting a hit to right. Fukumoto hits a high chopper! Sugaya leaps and it's off the top of his glove! Uekusa charges in, and flips the ball to 2nd for the force. But the ball was slowed down enough to allow Fukumoto to reach. The inning continues on.
Tajima with a flare to left and runners are at 1st and 2nd for Watanabe. Can he get the timely hit?
AH!!! Sugaya with the wild pitch and the runners advance! This doesn't look good now! Grounder to 2nd! Kitagawa with the throw, Watanabe dives... and he's out! Kokushikan gets out of a major pinch as we head to the bottom half of the inning!
Bottom 13th
Kokushikan is retired in order. They could be running out of gas now.
Top 14th
Seibi is quietly going in order, but suddenly #16 Kayama is warming up for Seibi. According to the announcers, there has been an accident with Nagaoka and they're trying to get him warmed up. 183 pitches for Nagaoka and he has to leave with an undisclosed injury. To make things more interesting, Kayama was never used for Seibi in the fall tournament!
Meanwhile, Miyazaki is trying his best to stall working the count and fouing off pitches. Nishimoto tries to lean into a pitch, but that's sniffed out by the plate umpire. He grounds out to Kitagawa and we are 9 outs away from a tie game.
Bottom 14th
As expected Kayama is in the game. 8-9-1 batters up for Kokushikan.
Nakayama elects to bunt? That seems questionable when you have a new pitcher that we don't know has pitched. But Nakayama eventually swings away and grounds to 2nd.
Sugaya stands in and the first pitch is an off-speed way short. He swings at a high fastball and grounds to 1st.
Kayama doesn't have overpowering stuff. His fastball only goes ~120 kph (~70 mph). But no matter, he gets the hot hitting Takahashi to ground to 2nd. Whatever works!
Top 15th
This is it for Seibi, their last chance in this game.
Hosono singles through the right side! Sugimoto should be looking to bunt, and is. Puts it down and Hosono moves to 2nd for Sueyoshi.
And what's this? There's a defense change. #16 Kawauchi comes in for Ikeyama and goes to center. Fukuda moves from CF to 1st.
Back to the game, Sueyoshi grounds up the middle, advancing Hosono to 3rd. But there's 2 down. And they're intentionally walking Fukumoto again! It must be to avoid the L vs. R matchup.
Tajima steps in now. And Sugaya quickly gets ahead 0-2. One strike away. And a waste pitch up. And a pitch outside. Trying to nibble.
But they have Fukumoto caught off 1st. They start the rundown, but then Fukuda breaks for 3rd! They let Fukumoto go to 2nd afraid that Hosono would break for home! Now a base hit scores 2!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tajima drives one opposite field and past Nakamura in left! Hosono and Fukumoto score on the double by Tajima!!! Fukuchiyama Seibi comes through with 2 down in the 15th inning and now leads 4-2!!!!
And Watanabe with a comebacker past a diving Kitagawa!!! That's through to center and Tajima scores! 5-2 Seibi!!!!!
And that's it for Sugaya... After sudden back-to-back hits plating 3, he's pulled. Suzuki comes in from 3rd to pitch, and #13 Maeda comes in to play 3rd.
Kayama continues the hit parade with a single back up the middle. Has Kokushikan capitulated? They get the final out, but a 3 run deficit seems insurmountable now.
Bottom 15th
Uekusa grounds to 2nd... Fukuda lines one to 3rd and Miyazaki makes a leaping catch. The count goes full for Harajima and he gets a walk. Still a long way to go, but it's a start. But Kitagawa hits one back to Kayama and he makes the play at 1st, game set!
Kokushikan fought hard for 15 innings, but just could not get that final out, and as a result fall to Fukuchiyama Seibi 5-2. You have to feel for the players as they worked hard the entire game, only to see it slip away at the last moment. Perhaps we will see them again in the summer, but for now it is Fukuchiyama Seibi that will advance with the status of their ace possibly in doubt.
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1:44 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Nishimoto quickly opens the game with a single to center and is moved to 2nd. Sugimoto then lines one over a leaping Suzuki into left! Nishimoto stops at 2nd, but Seibi has runners at the corners!
Sugaya is having trouble with his control still, getting into a full count against Sueyoshi and having to throw a strike, Sueyoshi hits a fly to right scoring Nishimoto and giving Fukuchiyama Seibi the quick 1-0 lead.
Sugaya continues to have trouble against Fukumoto, but is bailed out when Sugimoto tries to steal 2nd and is caught. Still, Fukuchiyama Seibi takes the quick lead.
Bottom 1st
Takahashi starts off the inning with a grounder to 3rd, but Miyazaki boots the ball! By the time he gathers it and throws, Takahashi has already dived head-first into 1st. E5 to start the inning!
And then he dashes for 2nd! The pitch is high, and the throw even higher and into center! Uekusa tries to bunt him over, but he can't and eventually strikes out on a check swing. There's only one down though, so still a great opportunity to equalize.
Nagaoka gets ahead of Fukuda 0-2, but then tries to nibble on the outside. The third time's the charm and Fukuda reaches and misses an off-speed pitch for out #2.
It's down to Harajima to get Takahashi in. Harajima isn't biting on the outside pitches and works the count full. And takes a close inside pitch for ball 4! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Kitagawa!
And he drops down and gets a breaking ball! That could be trouble! Or not. Hosono is right there to make the catch to end the inning.
Top 2nd
With one down Tajima hits a grounder up the middle! Uekusa makes the stop, but can't get it to 1st in time! Infield hit!
Watanabe looks to bunt him over, but Sugaya can't find the plate! He walks him on 4 straight! And then he hits Nagaoka! Sugaya has done himself no help as now it's a manrui situation with only 1 down!
But Miyazaki hits the first pitch to 3rd! Suzuki charges, makes the throw home, but it's offline!! It glances out of Harajima's stretched out glove and everyone's safe! 2-0 Seibi!
Still one down for leadoff batter Nishimoto! He grounds one to Suzuki! This time though he doesn't muff it completing the double play to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Suzuki starts off the 2nd getting hit - although he didn't really make that much of an effort to get away. Doesn't matter though, Ikeyama immediately grounds to 2nd for the 4-6-3 double play. Quickly 2 down for Kokushikan.
And Nakamura strikes out to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Sugaya finally has a quick 1-2-3 inning, probably to the relief of the Kokushikan team.
Bottom 3rd
Sugaya with a grouder into the left side, Miyzaki dives, can't get it! Sugimoto runs it down, throw to first, not in time! Infield hit!
Takahashi looking to bunt... It's a safety bunt! He's running down the line, throw from Nagaoka is late! Runners at 1st and 2nd now. And Uekusa is looking to bunt. He puts is down and is tagged out. Runners advance for Fukuda.
Nagaoka falls behind as they pitch him away. Spoke too soon, inside pitch fouled away 2-2. But outisde and the count runs full. And an offspeed tailing away gets him! 2 down.
Harajima takes the first pitch to left! Sugaya scores! Takahashi charges home, the throw by Hosono is on line, Fukumoto with the tag, SAFE!!! Harajima with the timely hit and it's 2-2!!
Nagaoka K's Kitagawa to end the inning but the damage has been done. New ballgame!
Top 4th
Sugaya continues to get worked by the Seibi batters. Fukumoto takes 4 before flying to right. Tajima takes 3 before grounding to short. But Kitagawa airmails the throw and Tajima ends up at 2nd!
Watanabe though, grounds to 3rd unable to move Tajima. Nagaoka to try and get him in now. And ont the 2-1 pitch Harajima catches Tajima off base, he breaks for 3rd! The relay to 3rd, not in time! He's now 90 feet away!
But Sugaya gets Nagaoka to offer at an outside pitch and the inning is over! Another long inning for Sugaya.
Bottom 4th
Suzuki looking for a safety bunt. It's hard hit past Nagaoka! Tajima charges in, gathers it and makes the play at first.
Ikeyama next gets frozen on an ofspeed pitch, and Nakamura takes the first pitch to Sueyoshi to retire the side.
Top 5th
Sugaya is about to relatively cruise through the 5th, but Hosono singles back up the middle just past Sugaya's glove and Sugimoto follows that up with a liner to left! Nakamura slips fielding the ball and Hosono easily advances to 3rd! Runners at the corners with 2 down!
Cleanup batter Sueyoshi looking now to give Seibi back the lead. But Sugaya strikes him out to end the challenge.
Bottom 5th
Back to the top of the order and Takahashi hits a high chopper to 3rd! Miyazaki with the catch and throw, but a diving Takahashi is safe!
Nagaoka buckles down though and retires the next 2 batters.
Top 6th
Sugaya has 1-2-3 inning, this time with relatively little effort. While Seibi is trying to work him hard, he's fighting back.
Bottom 6th
Kitagawa give Kokushikan another baserunner as he hits a one-out single to right. Then Suzuki walks on 4 straight! Great chance for Ikeyama!
But he strikes out on 3 straight! And Nakamura grounds out to 3rd to end the inning. Another lost opportunity to take the lead for the first time.
Top 7th
Sugaya's control seems to improve as the game progresses, once again retiring the side in order - which included 2 K's looking.
Bottom 7th
Nagaoka isn't giving in either. He yields a 2-out hit as Uekusa lines one to right, but Fukuda still can't get his first hit of the day, flying out to right.
Top 8th
Hosono leads off the 8th with his 2nd consecutive hit as he lines one to center. Sugimoto bunts one up the 1st base line, and Sugaya and Ikeyama slghtlt collide while fielding it! Sugaya has it though and makes the play at first.
Sueyoshi then hits a slow bounder to the right side! Uekusa runs it down and makes the play. Hosono advances to 3rd.
And what's this?? With 2 down they're intentionally walking Fukumoto??! This makes little sense! About the only reason they would do this is if they've seen something about him in their analysis. Or they don't want the L vs. R matchup.
Well, there's runners at the corners for Tajima. And he grounds to short! Potential disaster averted yet again for Kokushikan! But with time winding down, can anyone push a run through?
Bottom 8th
Harajima takes the first pitch back up the middle and into center! Kitagawa as expected squares to bunt - and puts it down.
2 chances now to get Harajima in. Suzuki steps up, and immediately flies to left. Mino-kantoku didn't look especially pleased about that. Ikeyama grounds to 2nd, and we head to the 9th tied.
Top 9th
Watanabe with a hard shot to 3rd, but Suzuki dives, and has it! Throw to first in plenty of time! But then Sugaya walks Nagaoka! Miyazaki tries to put the bunt down, but can't! It's 0-2 now, will he still try to move him over? Yes! He puts it down and moves Nagaoka over.
And Sugaya gets Nishimoto to swing at a high pitch! 3 down! Can Kokushikan end it here?
Bottom 9th
Nakamura tries for the bunt single, but it goes foul. Anything to get on base now. He's fighting at the plate fouling pitches off. Count full, 9th pitch... grounded to 3rd. One down.
Sugaya steps up. He pops it up in foul territory. Hosono with the catch, and now there's 2 down. It seems inevitable now. And with Takahashi striking out, we head to enchousen.
Top 10th
Sugimoto starts with a one-out single to left. Sueyoshi squares to bunt, but he pops it up! Sugaya lunges and gets it, and easily doubles off Sugimoto to end the inning!
Bottom 10th
Fukuda with a blast down the left field line!!!!! Hosono giving chase!!! But it's foul! 悔しい!! He got a hold of that low pitch but just pulled it foul! Nagaoka gets him to strike out, and shortly retires the side thereafter. We head to the 11th.
Top 11th
Fukumoto starts off the inning with his first base hit, putting one back up the middle. He's moved over for Watanabe.
Grounder to Kitagawa, quick throw is slightly off line, but Ikeayama makes the reach.
AHHHHH!!!!!! Nagaoka with a grounder off a diving Uekusa's glove and into right!!! Fukumoto rounds for home, Takahashi comes up firing!!!! Harajima with the ball and Fukumoto is easily out at home! What a great throw by Takahashi to gun him down!
Bottom 11th
With the play at home, can Kokushikan turn that momentum to their advantage?
Ikeyama gets a two-out single, and steals 2nd! Nakayama then works a walk! Now it's Sugaya to try and do what Nagaoka could not!
But he grounds to short, and we move to the 12th, still tied at 2 all.
Top 12th
Nishimoto gets a one-out bloop to center. But Hosono with a grounder to 3rd, and Suzuki starts the inning-ending 5-4-3 double play! Nicely turned!
Bottom 12th
Back to the top of the order. Takahashi, with yet another hit as he flares one to center!
Uekusa squaring to bunt yet again, puts it down. Another great sayonara chance for Kokushikan! Fukuda, who earlier almost ended the game with a HR, steps up. But a grounder to 3rd is unable to move the runner. 2 down and Nagaoka looks to get out of another pinch. And he does so, getting Harajima to K's looking!
As this game continues, the teams will have to muster something, or move inexorably towards the 15th.
Top 13th
Sueyoshi will have none of it, getting a hit to right. Fukumoto hits a high chopper! Sugaya leaps and it's off the top of his glove! Uekusa charges in, and flips the ball to 2nd for the force. But the ball was slowed down enough to allow Fukumoto to reach. The inning continues on.
Tajima with a flare to left and runners are at 1st and 2nd for Watanabe. Can he get the timely hit?
AH!!! Sugaya with the wild pitch and the runners advance! This doesn't look good now! Grounder to 2nd! Kitagawa with the throw, Watanabe dives... and he's out! Kokushikan gets out of a major pinch as we head to the bottom half of the inning!
Bottom 13th
Kokushikan is retired in order. They could be running out of gas now.
Top 14th
Seibi is quietly going in order, but suddenly #16 Kayama is warming up for Seibi. According to the announcers, there has been an accident with Nagaoka and they're trying to get him warmed up. 183 pitches for Nagaoka and he has to leave with an undisclosed injury. To make things more interesting, Kayama was never used for Seibi in the fall tournament!
Meanwhile, Miyazaki is trying his best to stall working the count and fouing off pitches. Nishimoto tries to lean into a pitch, but that's sniffed out by the plate umpire. He grounds out to Kitagawa and we are 9 outs away from a tie game.
Bottom 14th
As expected Kayama is in the game. 8-9-1 batters up for Kokushikan.
Nakayama elects to bunt? That seems questionable when you have a new pitcher that we don't know has pitched. But Nakayama eventually swings away and grounds to 2nd.
Sugaya stands in and the first pitch is an off-speed way short. He swings at a high fastball and grounds to 1st.
Kayama doesn't have overpowering stuff. His fastball only goes ~120 kph (~70 mph). But no matter, he gets the hot hitting Takahashi to ground to 2nd. Whatever works!
Top 15th
This is it for Seibi, their last chance in this game.
Hosono singles through the right side! Sugimoto should be looking to bunt, and is. Puts it down and Hosono moves to 2nd for Sueyoshi.
And what's this? There's a defense change. #16 Kawauchi comes in for Ikeyama and goes to center. Fukuda moves from CF to 1st.
Back to the game, Sueyoshi grounds up the middle, advancing Hosono to 3rd. But there's 2 down. And they're intentionally walking Fukumoto again! It must be to avoid the L vs. R matchup.
Tajima steps in now. And Sugaya quickly gets ahead 0-2. One strike away. And a waste pitch up. And a pitch outside. Trying to nibble.
But they have Fukumoto caught off 1st. They start the rundown, but then Fukuda breaks for 3rd! They let Fukumoto go to 2nd afraid that Hosono would break for home! Now a base hit scores 2!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tajima drives one opposite field and past Nakamura in left! Hosono and Fukumoto score on the double by Tajima!!! Fukuchiyama Seibi comes through with 2 down in the 15th inning and now leads 4-2!!!!
And Watanabe with a comebacker past a diving Kitagawa!!! That's through to center and Tajima scores! 5-2 Seibi!!!!!
And that's it for Sugaya... After sudden back-to-back hits plating 3, he's pulled. Suzuki comes in from 3rd to pitch, and #13 Maeda comes in to play 3rd.
Kayama continues the hit parade with a single back up the middle. Has Kokushikan capitulated? They get the final out, but a 3 run deficit seems insurmountable now.
Bottom 15th
Uekusa grounds to 2nd... Fukuda lines one to 3rd and Miyazaki makes a leaping catch. The count goes full for Harajima and he gets a walk. Still a long way to go, but it's a start. But Kitagawa hits one back to Kayama and he makes the play at 1st, game set!
Kokushikan fought hard for 15 innings, but just could not get that final out, and as a result fall to Fukuchiyama Seibi 5-2. You have to feel for the players as they worked hard the entire game, only to see it slip away at the last moment. Perhaps we will see them again in the summer, but for now it is Fukuchiyama Seibi that will advance with the status of their ace possibly in doubt.
Day 2 - Game 2 - Seihou (Nagasaki) vs. Nihon Bunri (Niigata)
Game 2 features Nihon Bunri - one of the better teams out of the Hokushinetsu region facing a team not unfamiliar to Koushien in Seihou. Nihon Bunri has a shot as Seihou has always been known for offense, but not so much on pitching. Can they take advantage of it, or will Seihou just run away with the game?
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For the record, MBS's replay player sucks and I am a full game behind as their inning player continues to seize up on me.
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11:15 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Yahisa leads off the game with a deep drive to left, but it's caught by Takahashi. Itou settles down after that retiring the next 2 batters.
Bottom 1st
Kitte leads off the inning for Nihon Bunri with a base hit. He reaches down and pokes a low ball into center. Takahashi Jyunnosuke bunts him over for his brother Yoshihito. Although Imamura throws a wild pitch sending Kitte to 3rd, he gets Yoshida to strike out to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Itou continues to cruise along. But Imamiya hits a ball to center. Asatsuma runs back to the wall, runs back and collides!
HAITAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imamura blasts one to deep center, and possibly wind-aided, but nonetheless, it's a home run!! Seihou takes the 1-0 lead! That was a shoulder-high pitch that he knocked to almost straight center! All I can say is, "Wow.".
Tsuji then works a walk. Yoshida tries the bunt, but a 150 kph pitch is pushed foul. He swings away next and eventually flies out to right.
Shimazaki then grounds to Hirano, but he boots it! He chases the ball to the outfield, and everyone's safe!! That can't be good. Giving a team a 4th out never turns out well.
But Hashimoto pops up to shallow right. Hirano, Asatsuma and Yoshida all converge on it AND IT DROPS IN!!! It somehow falls in-between all of them and Tsuji scores! 2-0 Seihou!!
The announcers talk about the wind, but all 3 of them were right there. Someone should have had the ball. And while Yahisa K's, Nihon Bunri instead of being down only 1, finds itself down 2.
Bottom 2nd
Itou starts the inning with a deep drive to left!! Tsuji runs to the wall, reaches out, collides with the wall!! But he makes the catch, what a play by Tsuji!!!
But Takeishi drives one to the right center field gap. That's in there for a double! And Wakabayashi singles to right! But Yoshida makes a strong throw home and Takeishi has to hold! A great chance for Nihon Burni to get runs back!
But Asatsuma grounds to 1st. He goes home! Takeishi was charging home and he's caught up! They run him down!
It's now up to Hirano to try and make-up for his error. He works the count full, and the runners take off - but he grounds to short and the opportunity is lost.
Top 3rd
Itou settles down and retires the side in order, much needed for Nihon Bunri.
Bottom 3rd
Takahashi Jyunnouske give Nihon Bunri yet another base runner as he drives one into the left-center field gap for a one-out double!
Yoshihito hits a single to left, but because it looks like Tsuji could have a play on it, Jyunnouske has to hold at 3rd! Runners at the corners with one down for Yoshida!
But he grounds to short! Hashimoto starts the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning! Another opportunity lost for Nihon Bunri.
Top 4th
Hirano leaves the game, probably due to his error earlier. Kitte moves to 2nd while #5 Nakamura comes in to play 3rd.
And wouldn't you know it, Imamura starts the inning by hitting a grounder to Nakamura who boots the ball. He's moved to 2nd... and then 3rd? Oh! Yoshida-kantoku tried to have Yoshida-kun try a safety bunt! He races down the line, but Nakamura makes a fine play to get him out. Shimazaki steps up to try and extend the lead.
And he delivers! He hits a single to center and Imamura scores! 3-0 Seihou!
And Hashimoto drives one to deep left! But Yoshihito camps under it in front of the left field wall and makes the catch. Nihon Bunri though falls behind by another run.
Bottom 4th
Nihon Bunri continues to get chances. Itou draws a leadoff walk, and further more Ooi-kantoku elects not to bunt. It pays off as Takeishi singles up the middle. Runners at 1st and 2nd with no down!
Now Ooi-kantoku elects to bunt and Wakabayashi successfully puts it down. Now a base hit could cut the lead down to one!
Asatsuma steps into bat. Imamura doesn't give in, throwing 2 strikes before getting Asatsuma to wave at a ball in the dirt. 2 down for Nakamura. And Imamura starts pumping gas! WOW!!! Three fastballs, 147, 145 and a 148 kph pitch (i.e. 90+ mph) and Nakamura gets to sit. Imamura has ice water in his veins! Imamura just told Nakamura, "I'm going to give you my fastball, come and get it." and he couldn't!! Now that's guts!
Top 5th
Yahisa starts off the inning with a grounder to the left side! But Jyunnouske makes a great stop and throw that just beats Yahisa!
But while Yamamoto gets a 2-out single, he's left stranded by a great diving stop by new 2B Kitte!
Bottom 5th
It's a quick 1-2-3 inning for Imamura, who now dominates the Nihon Bunri batters.
Top 6th
#10 Honma comes in for Itou who moves to 1st, and the displaced Takeishi moves to center for Asatsuma who was replaced by Honma in the order.
Imamura is still seeing the ball well, getting good contact before reaching down to ground a low pitch to 3rd. It's the first time he's been retired.
Yoshida lines up to bunt, but instead it's a hit-and-run! But it's right to Nakamura who makes the play at 1st. 2 down. And Shimazaki grounds to 2nd for the final out.
Bottom 6th
Um. Yeah. Can we say dominating? I knew you could. Yoshida and Itou can't check their swings on strike 3, and Takeishi is just looking, thanks.
Top 7th
Honma is doing well in relief, hitting his spots. He retires the side in order and keeps them in the game.
Bottom 7th
Imamura continues to impose his will. New P Honma drives a deep down the LF line, but Tsuji makes the catch in foul territory. And #17 Sasagawa, PH for Nakamura can do nothing more than wave at Imamura's pitches.
Top 8th
#13 Murayama comes in for Sasagawa and plays center. Kitte returns back to 3rd. Meanwhile, #16 Matsuda relieves Honma on the mound.
On an unrelated note, I realize that Seihou's band plays "Jock Rock", the song I know Chiben Wakayama uses and I love so much. Maybe that was why I liked Seihou a long time ago. Weird reason, I know.
Kawamoto welcomes Matsuda with a single to left. And is moved over by Yamazaki.
And up steps Imamura....
The battery is careful with Imamura, and for good reason. The offerings aren't really that good, but Matsuda does give one nice offspeed that Imamura whiffs at.
Oh dear...
Matsuda leaves one up just enough, and Imamura reaches down and promptly puts it to the left-center field wall for a double that scores Kawamoto. 4-0 Seihou. Imamura is eventually left stranded at 3rd, but tacks on yet another run.
Bottom 8th
Nihon Bunri finally gets a baserunner, but only thanks to a high throw by Hashimoto. Kitte advances to 2nd on the error.
But Imamura gets the next 2 out, yields a walk to clean-up hitter Yoshida before retiring Ise on three straight.
Can I say that Imamura has one of the scarier faces on the mound? Scary in that if I was a batter, I'd be intimidated as all heck?
Top 9th
Matsuda retires the side in order, with 2 K's (both looking). However, it looks all but over for the team from Niigata.
Bottom 9th
There's still some life for Nihon Bunri as Wakabayashi hits a 1-out double to the right center field wall!! #12 Ishidzuka comes in to pinch hit and gets around on an inside pitch! But it's just foul! And with 2 off-speed pitches, Imamiya has him retired.
And fittingly enough, Imamura gets Murayama looking for his 12th strikeout to end the game. Nihon Bunri fought hard, but in the end, Imamura was just too strong. Seihou with some good pitching may be scary good. And while I can't understand what he says in the interview, he's short and concise with his answers and still looks intimidating...
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For the record, MBS's replay player sucks and I am a full game behind as their inning player continues to seize up on me.
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11:15 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Yahisa leads off the game with a deep drive to left, but it's caught by Takahashi. Itou settles down after that retiring the next 2 batters.
Bottom 1st
Kitte leads off the inning for Nihon Bunri with a base hit. He reaches down and pokes a low ball into center. Takahashi Jyunnosuke bunts him over for his brother Yoshihito. Although Imamura throws a wild pitch sending Kitte to 3rd, he gets Yoshida to strike out to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Itou continues to cruise along. But Imamiya hits a ball to center. Asatsuma runs back to the wall, runs back and collides!
HAITAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imamura blasts one to deep center, and possibly wind-aided, but nonetheless, it's a home run!! Seihou takes the 1-0 lead! That was a shoulder-high pitch that he knocked to almost straight center! All I can say is, "Wow.".
Tsuji then works a walk. Yoshida tries the bunt, but a 150 kph pitch is pushed foul. He swings away next and eventually flies out to right.
Shimazaki then grounds to Hirano, but he boots it! He chases the ball to the outfield, and everyone's safe!! That can't be good. Giving a team a 4th out never turns out well.
But Hashimoto pops up to shallow right. Hirano, Asatsuma and Yoshida all converge on it AND IT DROPS IN!!! It somehow falls in-between all of them and Tsuji scores! 2-0 Seihou!!
The announcers talk about the wind, but all 3 of them were right there. Someone should have had the ball. And while Yahisa K's, Nihon Bunri instead of being down only 1, finds itself down 2.
Bottom 2nd
Itou starts the inning with a deep drive to left!! Tsuji runs to the wall, reaches out, collides with the wall!! But he makes the catch, what a play by Tsuji!!!
But Takeishi drives one to the right center field gap. That's in there for a double! And Wakabayashi singles to right! But Yoshida makes a strong throw home and Takeishi has to hold! A great chance for Nihon Burni to get runs back!
But Asatsuma grounds to 1st. He goes home! Takeishi was charging home and he's caught up! They run him down!
It's now up to Hirano to try and make-up for his error. He works the count full, and the runners take off - but he grounds to short and the opportunity is lost.
Top 3rd
Itou settles down and retires the side in order, much needed for Nihon Bunri.
Bottom 3rd
Takahashi Jyunnouske give Nihon Bunri yet another base runner as he drives one into the left-center field gap for a one-out double!
Yoshihito hits a single to left, but because it looks like Tsuji could have a play on it, Jyunnouske has to hold at 3rd! Runners at the corners with one down for Yoshida!
But he grounds to short! Hashimoto starts the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning! Another opportunity lost for Nihon Bunri.
Top 4th
Hirano leaves the game, probably due to his error earlier. Kitte moves to 2nd while #5 Nakamura comes in to play 3rd.
And wouldn't you know it, Imamura starts the inning by hitting a grounder to Nakamura who boots the ball. He's moved to 2nd... and then 3rd? Oh! Yoshida-kantoku tried to have Yoshida-kun try a safety bunt! He races down the line, but Nakamura makes a fine play to get him out. Shimazaki steps up to try and extend the lead.
And he delivers! He hits a single to center and Imamura scores! 3-0 Seihou!
And Hashimoto drives one to deep left! But Yoshihito camps under it in front of the left field wall and makes the catch. Nihon Bunri though falls behind by another run.
Bottom 4th
Nihon Bunri continues to get chances. Itou draws a leadoff walk, and further more Ooi-kantoku elects not to bunt. It pays off as Takeishi singles up the middle. Runners at 1st and 2nd with no down!
Now Ooi-kantoku elects to bunt and Wakabayashi successfully puts it down. Now a base hit could cut the lead down to one!
Asatsuma steps into bat. Imamura doesn't give in, throwing 2 strikes before getting Asatsuma to wave at a ball in the dirt. 2 down for Nakamura. And Imamura starts pumping gas! WOW!!! Three fastballs, 147, 145 and a 148 kph pitch (i.e. 90+ mph) and Nakamura gets to sit. Imamura has ice water in his veins! Imamura just told Nakamura, "I'm going to give you my fastball, come and get it." and he couldn't!! Now that's guts!
Top 5th
Yahisa starts off the inning with a grounder to the left side! But Jyunnouske makes a great stop and throw that just beats Yahisa!
But while Yamamoto gets a 2-out single, he's left stranded by a great diving stop by new 2B Kitte!
Bottom 5th
It's a quick 1-2-3 inning for Imamura, who now dominates the Nihon Bunri batters.
Top 6th
#10 Honma comes in for Itou who moves to 1st, and the displaced Takeishi moves to center for Asatsuma who was replaced by Honma in the order.
Imamura is still seeing the ball well, getting good contact before reaching down to ground a low pitch to 3rd. It's the first time he's been retired.
Yoshida lines up to bunt, but instead it's a hit-and-run! But it's right to Nakamura who makes the play at 1st. 2 down. And Shimazaki grounds to 2nd for the final out.
Bottom 6th
Um. Yeah. Can we say dominating? I knew you could. Yoshida and Itou can't check their swings on strike 3, and Takeishi is just looking, thanks.
Top 7th
Honma is doing well in relief, hitting his spots. He retires the side in order and keeps them in the game.
Bottom 7th
Imamura continues to impose his will. New P Honma drives a deep down the LF line, but Tsuji makes the catch in foul territory. And #17 Sasagawa, PH for Nakamura can do nothing more than wave at Imamura's pitches.
Top 8th
#13 Murayama comes in for Sasagawa and plays center. Kitte returns back to 3rd. Meanwhile, #16 Matsuda relieves Honma on the mound.
On an unrelated note, I realize that Seihou's band plays "Jock Rock", the song I know Chiben Wakayama uses and I love so much. Maybe that was why I liked Seihou a long time ago. Weird reason, I know.
Kawamoto welcomes Matsuda with a single to left. And is moved over by Yamazaki.
And up steps Imamura....
The battery is careful with Imamura, and for good reason. The offerings aren't really that good, but Matsuda does give one nice offspeed that Imamura whiffs at.
Oh dear...
Matsuda leaves one up just enough, and Imamura reaches down and promptly puts it to the left-center field wall for a double that scores Kawamoto. 4-0 Seihou. Imamura is eventually left stranded at 3rd, but tacks on yet another run.
Bottom 8th
Nihon Bunri finally gets a baserunner, but only thanks to a high throw by Hashimoto. Kitte advances to 2nd on the error.
But Imamura gets the next 2 out, yields a walk to clean-up hitter Yoshida before retiring Ise on three straight.
Can I say that Imamura has one of the scarier faces on the mound? Scary in that if I was a batter, I'd be intimidated as all heck?
Top 9th
Matsuda retires the side in order, with 2 K's (both looking). However, it looks all but over for the team from Niigata.
Bottom 9th
There's still some life for Nihon Bunri as Wakabayashi hits a 1-out double to the right center field wall!! #12 Ishidzuka comes in to pinch hit and gets around on an inside pitch! But it's just foul! And with 2 off-speed pitches, Imamiya has him retired.
And fittingly enough, Imamura gets Murayama looking for his 12th strikeout to end the game. Nihon Bunri fought hard, but in the end, Imamura was just too strong. Seihou with some good pitching may be scary good. And while I can't understand what he says in the interview, he's short and concise with his answers and still looks intimidating...
Day 2 - Game 1 - Takasaki Shougyou (Gunma) vs. Houtoku Gakuen (Hyogo)
After a day off due to rain, the tournament continues in earnest. Perhaps a breather was needed after the games of opening day.
Day 2 begins with Takasaki Shougyou, who gave regional runner-up Narashino a good run in the quarterfinals, facing Houtoku Gakuen, the #1 team from Hyogo, but did not fare well against PL Gakuen.
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9:01 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Matsushima starts off the game for Takasaki with a liner down the right field line! Nara quickly gets to it, but Matsushima has a lead-off double!
And he's promptly moved to 3rd by Kanou.
So now there's a great scoring chance for Takasaki early in the game with their power hitters coming to the plate.
Matsumoto steps up, but Miyatani can't find the plate and walks him on 4 straight! Runners on the corners now, but the double play is there.
It's Kimura's turn now, can he get the timely hit. Well even a sac fly would do. But he pops it up in the infield! Momiyama has a little bit of a hard time, but makes the play - 2 down!
And Sudou swings at a pitch outside and strikes out! Miyatani gets out of the opening jam!
Bottom 1st
Watanabe looks good early, striking out the first 2 batters before getting Momiyama to fly to right.
Top 2nd
Miyatani continues to get himself in trouble. With one down, Kawauchi blasts one to left! Fujikura runs to the LF foul pole, jumps and can't get it! Kawauchi gets in for a double. And he's bunted over to 3rd - an interesting, but not unusual play.
But like Sudou in the first, Watanabe waves at a pitch outside and Miyatani gets out of yet another jam.
Bottom 2nd
I like Watanabe's pitching. He's locating very well and is getting batters out.
But Wada gets a two-out single through the right side for their first runner! And then Hiramoto sends the slow curve through the left side for another hit!
And now Watanabe is throwing a lot of balls down in the zone, looking for the grounder. And he gets it! But Fujikura sends one past a diving Koyama and into right! Wada charges for home while Ise comes up throwing! But the throw isn't in time and Houtoku gets up 1-0 on three straight 2-out base hits!!
Runners at the corners for Miyatani, who can help his own cause. He grounds out to 1st to end the inning. BUT! It's Houtoku who gets on the board first on a lot of timely hitting!
Top 3rd
Miyatani retires the side in order. However, he's getting help from batters who are being affected by the way outside pitch followed by the inside pitch.
Bottom 3rd
Top batter Tsuji continues the hit parade with a single through the right side. He's moved over to 2nd. Houtoku possibly looking to add on here.
Meanwhile, Watanabe continues to just miss the corners falling behind Momiyama. And it's a chopper back to Watanabe. He's got Tsuji caught in between!! Tsuji is rundown!! What a bad break! 2 down with Momiyama at 1st.
AH!!! But Saigou hits a hanging offspeed pitch to right-center! Ise to the wall, but not in time! Momiyama rounds 3rd and scores! A 2 out triple extends the lead to 2-0!!
Nara quickly grounds to 2nd to end the inning, but another run is tacked on!
Top 4th
Takasaki seems to be showing lack of plate discipline as they continue to wave at the outside pitches. Kimura does so to lead off the inning.
... followed by Sudou...
And then Koyama grounds to 3rd to end the inning. The in-out pitching is working for Miyatani, and Takasaki Shougyou needs more plate discipline...
Bottom 4th
And Watanabe continues to pitch well despite those hiccups retiring the side in order including 2 strikeouts. He's keeping Takasaki Shougyou in the game, but they need base runners now.
Top 5th
And Kawauchi starts off the 5th with a single past a reaching Nojima and into center! Ise with a scary bunt as it pops in the air, but it does the job.
Now, Watanabe steps up to the plate once again with the chance to get a run back.
But he strikes out swinging on a ball in the dirt! 2 down, and it's up to Matsushima. He quickly flies out to right and Takasaki is once again turned back.
Bottom 5th
Watanabe continues to mow down the batters - retiring them in order for the 2nd straight inning.
Top 6th
Matsumoto gives Takasaki another baserunner with a one-out hit just over Momiyama's glove!
But Kimura grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning...
Bottom 6th
Momiyama leads off the inning with an opposite field single to right. And Saigou, who earlier had the triple, bunts him along.
But Watanabe sets down the next 2 batters, and his team still trails by 2.
Top 7th
Miyatani is really pitching well, depending less on the way outside pitch and more on his off-speed stuff. But with 2 down, Kawauchi bloops one into left and charges for 2! Fujikura gets the ball in quickly, but he's safe! Takasaki has a runner in scoring position!
Ise flies out to left though, and Takasaki has only 6 outs left.
Bottom 7th
Watanabe looks strong, lodging in another 2 K's and retiring the side in order.
Top 8th
With time running out, Watanabe comes to the plate, but hits a comebacker to Miyatani. Matsushima takes a grounder up the middle, but Nojima dives and has it! His throw to 1st, in time!! What a play by Nojima to rob Matsushima of a base hit!!!
Bottom 8th
Watanabe does some self-defense as Tsuji lines one right back at him for the out. He may be smiling, but that was head-high. Good thing that was glove-side.
And Watanabe retires the next 2 batters. He's retired the side 5 of 8 innings, but in the other 3, Houtoku has scored their 2 runs. Now with 3 outs left, Takasaki Shougyou needs 2 runs to prolong the game.
Top 9th
Luckily for them they have their 3-4-5 batters up. #17 Kinoshita comes in to play left.
Matsumoto with a scorcher down the 3rd base line, but Saigou makes the diving stop!!! Throw to 1st in plenty of time! What a big play by Saigou!!!
Kimura pops up to Saigou, two down... Now it's up to Sudou to continue the game...
But it's a grounder to Saigou, who makes the easy throw to 1st and it's game set for Takasaki Shougyou. A lot of great pitching by Watanabe, but it was not enough as the slight slip-ups in the 2nd and 3rd cost them the game.
Day 2 begins with Takasaki Shougyou, who gave regional runner-up Narashino a good run in the quarterfinals, facing Houtoku Gakuen, the #1 team from Hyogo, but did not fare well against PL Gakuen.
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9:01 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Matsushima starts off the game for Takasaki with a liner down the right field line! Nara quickly gets to it, but Matsushima has a lead-off double!
And he's promptly moved to 3rd by Kanou.
So now there's a great scoring chance for Takasaki early in the game with their power hitters coming to the plate.
Matsumoto steps up, but Miyatani can't find the plate and walks him on 4 straight! Runners on the corners now, but the double play is there.
It's Kimura's turn now, can he get the timely hit. Well even a sac fly would do. But he pops it up in the infield! Momiyama has a little bit of a hard time, but makes the play - 2 down!
And Sudou swings at a pitch outside and strikes out! Miyatani gets out of the opening jam!
Bottom 1st
Watanabe looks good early, striking out the first 2 batters before getting Momiyama to fly to right.
Top 2nd
Miyatani continues to get himself in trouble. With one down, Kawauchi blasts one to left! Fujikura runs to the LF foul pole, jumps and can't get it! Kawauchi gets in for a double. And he's bunted over to 3rd - an interesting, but not unusual play.
But like Sudou in the first, Watanabe waves at a pitch outside and Miyatani gets out of yet another jam.
Bottom 2nd
I like Watanabe's pitching. He's locating very well and is getting batters out.
But Wada gets a two-out single through the right side for their first runner! And then Hiramoto sends the slow curve through the left side for another hit!
And now Watanabe is throwing a lot of balls down in the zone, looking for the grounder. And he gets it! But Fujikura sends one past a diving Koyama and into right! Wada charges for home while Ise comes up throwing! But the throw isn't in time and Houtoku gets up 1-0 on three straight 2-out base hits!!
Runners at the corners for Miyatani, who can help his own cause. He grounds out to 1st to end the inning. BUT! It's Houtoku who gets on the board first on a lot of timely hitting!
Top 3rd
Miyatani retires the side in order. However, he's getting help from batters who are being affected by the way outside pitch followed by the inside pitch.
Bottom 3rd
Top batter Tsuji continues the hit parade with a single through the right side. He's moved over to 2nd. Houtoku possibly looking to add on here.
Meanwhile, Watanabe continues to just miss the corners falling behind Momiyama. And it's a chopper back to Watanabe. He's got Tsuji caught in between!! Tsuji is rundown!! What a bad break! 2 down with Momiyama at 1st.
AH!!! But Saigou hits a hanging offspeed pitch to right-center! Ise to the wall, but not in time! Momiyama rounds 3rd and scores! A 2 out triple extends the lead to 2-0!!
Nara quickly grounds to 2nd to end the inning, but another run is tacked on!
Top 4th
Takasaki seems to be showing lack of plate discipline as they continue to wave at the outside pitches. Kimura does so to lead off the inning.
... followed by Sudou...
And then Koyama grounds to 3rd to end the inning. The in-out pitching is working for Miyatani, and Takasaki Shougyou needs more plate discipline...
Bottom 4th
And Watanabe continues to pitch well despite those hiccups retiring the side in order including 2 strikeouts. He's keeping Takasaki Shougyou in the game, but they need base runners now.
Top 5th
And Kawauchi starts off the 5th with a single past a reaching Nojima and into center! Ise with a scary bunt as it pops in the air, but it does the job.
Now, Watanabe steps up to the plate once again with the chance to get a run back.
But he strikes out swinging on a ball in the dirt! 2 down, and it's up to Matsushima. He quickly flies out to right and Takasaki is once again turned back.
Bottom 5th
Watanabe continues to mow down the batters - retiring them in order for the 2nd straight inning.
Top 6th
Matsumoto gives Takasaki another baserunner with a one-out hit just over Momiyama's glove!
But Kimura grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning...
Bottom 6th
Momiyama leads off the inning with an opposite field single to right. And Saigou, who earlier had the triple, bunts him along.
But Watanabe sets down the next 2 batters, and his team still trails by 2.
Top 7th
Miyatani is really pitching well, depending less on the way outside pitch and more on his off-speed stuff. But with 2 down, Kawauchi bloops one into left and charges for 2! Fujikura gets the ball in quickly, but he's safe! Takasaki has a runner in scoring position!
Ise flies out to left though, and Takasaki has only 6 outs left.
Bottom 7th
Watanabe looks strong, lodging in another 2 K's and retiring the side in order.
Top 8th
With time running out, Watanabe comes to the plate, but hits a comebacker to Miyatani. Matsushima takes a grounder up the middle, but Nojima dives and has it! His throw to 1st, in time!! What a play by Nojima to rob Matsushima of a base hit!!!
Bottom 8th
Watanabe does some self-defense as Tsuji lines one right back at him for the out. He may be smiling, but that was head-high. Good thing that was glove-side.
And Watanabe retires the next 2 batters. He's retired the side 5 of 8 innings, but in the other 3, Houtoku has scored their 2 runs. Now with 3 outs left, Takasaki Shougyou needs 2 runs to prolong the game.
Top 9th
Luckily for them they have their 3-4-5 batters up. #17 Kinoshita comes in to play left.
Matsumoto with a scorcher down the 3rd base line, but Saigou makes the diving stop!!! Throw to 1st in plenty of time! What a big play by Saigou!!!
Kimura pops up to Saigou, two down... Now it's up to Sudou to continue the game...
But it's a grounder to Saigou, who makes the easy throw to 1st and it's game set for Takasaki Shougyou. A lot of great pitching by Watanabe, but it was not enough as the slight slip-ups in the 2nd and 3rd cost them the game.
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