2nd game of Day 5 has our 3rd and final 21st century team.
Kawashima is probably the weakest of the three 21st century teams. As a team, they collectively had a line of .242/.303/.288. Probably their best hitter is their C Minami.
On the mound, they primarily rely on ace Higashitani who throws in the low 130's with a slider, changeup and curveball. As one would imagine, he's primarily a contact pitcher who heavily relies on his defense which does a good job of keeping the team in the game.
That defense will be heavily tested as they face the Tokai (and Meiji Jingu Taikai) champions Oogaki Nichidai.
Oogaki Nichidai is almost the reverse of Kawashima. Their defense isn't terrible, but it isn't the reason why they win either. Suffice it to say that they hit the cover off the ball. Their tournament line is a much more impressive .341/.513(!)/.482. As you can tell, they take a TON of walks, and hit some extra base hits. They also average about 2 SB's per game as well.
They'll be turning to ace Kassai to lead the team on the mound. While certainly not a strikeout pitcher (6.27 K/9) he does limit the baserunners (1.02 WHIP). He also throws in the low 130's with a curve and slider.
It's the classic defense vs. offense matchup. Chances are Oogaki Nichidai will be too much for Kawashima, but after Kaisei's game, you never know, right?
Kawashima (Tokushima) - 21st Century Bid
CF Oonishi Manabu
SS Oohira Yuuki
2B Fuijihata Keisuke
C Minami Yuuki
3B Yoshida Yuuta
LF Kozaki Fumiya
P Higashitani Yuuki
1B Hirauchi Tomu
RF Fujimoto Jyunpei (#13)
Oogaki Nichidai (Gifu) - Tokai Champions
CF Morita Shouken
SS Kojima Takuya
RF Gotou Kenta
1B Takada Naohiro
LF Andou Yoshirou
3B Koo Takudai
2B Nagaoka Yoshiki
C Tokimoto Ryou
P Kassai Yukiya
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11:44 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Oonishi with a single to center for a leadoff single. Wow. The outfield was WAY in for him.
Oohira fouls a bunt off, and AH!
Kassai cathces Oonishi napping at 1st! He picks him off!
Oohira grounds out to 3rd for the 2nd out. But Kassai gives Kawashima another runner as he hits Fujihata.
Kitadani-kantoku decides to put the game in motion! He sends Fujihara on a 2-2 pitch and there's no throw from Tokimoto!
The SB becomes inconsequential though as Kassai strikes Minami out swinging to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Hm... Highashitani is a side-armer who does not throw fast at all.
He strikes out Morita to start, but then gives up a base hit to Kojima to left field.
Higashitani then strikes out Gotou looking with a pitch on the outside corner!
Now it's Sakaguchi-kantoku sending the runner! Minami up with the throw and they nail Kojima! Given the speed of Higashitani's pitches, that's pretty impressive.
Top 2nd
Yoshida with another leadoff hit for Kawashima with a single to right!
Kozaki up, trying to bunt the runner along, and while it takes him a couple of times, he bunts an pitch way inside and gets it down!
Higashitani up now, and I noticed that Kassai isn't much of a fireballer either. In fact, he's not even hitting 130 on the gun. It's more like the mid to low 120's.
Regardless, he strikes out Higashitani on a high fastball.
Hirauchi though, works his way on base with a walk. And while Tokimoto was holding the glove to try and get the strike call, Yoshida took off for 3rd and reached safely! An interesting call by Kitadani!
Fujimoto with a grounder to 1st. But Takada boots it! It rolls towards 2nd! Takada retrieves it, tosses to 1st, but it's too late! Everyone's safe and Yoshida scores, giving Kawashima the lead 1-0!!
Sakaguchi-kantoku immediately with a conference on the mound.
Back to the top of the order and Oonishi, but he grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.
But a surprise here as an error by the Meiji Jingu Taikai champions gives 21st century Kawashima the 1-0 lead!
Bottom 2nd
Higashitani gives up his first walk to Takada. Andou bunts him over into scoring position.
Koo looking for a timely hit to tie the game up.
And he gets it! He singles though to left! But Kozaki gets the ball in and Takada holds up at 3rd.
Nagaoka up with runners at the corners. Sac fly will do the job here. But Higashitani falls behind 3-1!
SQUEEZE!!!!!
Nagaoka shows squeeze and puts the bunt down! Higashitani with the ball, but his only play is to 1st! Oogaki Nichidai quickly ties the game at 1-1!
Tokimoto flies out to left and Kozaki makes the catch to retire the side.
But as expected Oogaki quickly replies to the opening salvo by Kawashima!
Top 3rd
Oohira is retired with a grounder to 2nd.
Fujihata is hit again with a ball from Kassai. He's got to be wondering, "Why me?".
Cleanup batter Minami steps in.
(Is it bad that I think of Minami-ke when I see him or see his name?)
Anyways, Minami goes down swinging for the 2nd time.
Yoshida up, and Kassai has Fujihata caught off the bag! But when he tosses to Hirauchi, Fujihata is sliding into 2nd!
That's (a) one speedy guy, and (b) one heck of a heads up play! Fujihata goes on first movement, and when Kassai has him "caught" he continues running full speed into 2nd! That's how they teach it and he pulled it to perfection! I wonder if they were able to review tapes, and if they were able to see something, because that's already their 3rd SB today!
Ah! Yoshida fouls out to Takada to end the inning. I like what Kawashima's been showing me so far offensively (outside of the early pickoff).
Bottom 3rd
Kassai stubborn at the dish to start the 3rd. Higashitani has gotten even slower if that's possible throwing in the high 110's.
Kassai gets under a slider and flies out to left.
Higashitani speeding it back up to the low 120s to Morita. Morita with a slice down the left field line, but Kozaki runs it down and makes the catch!
And Kojima does the trifecta, getting under another pitch and flying out to Kozaki in shallow left center.
If nothing else, Higashitani is keeping the pitches down in the zone enough where when he does leave one a little up, the batters are getting under it.
Top 4th
Kawashima starting to swing away a bit here. Kozaki first pitch fouls out to 1st. Higashitani also swings on the first pitch and hits a pop fly to shallow right. Nagaoka backing up makes the catch, but collides with Gotou. Both seem fine though.
Hirauchi puts up a bit of a fight, but grounds out to 2nd.
Bottom 4th
Oogaki batters becoming a lot more patient here in the 4th. The results aren't changing though. Gotou skies one to short. Takada does get a hold of one, but the park holds it and Kozaki makes the catch in deep left.
Andou skies another one. Fujimoto running in makes the catch to end the inning.
It's a 1-2-3 inning, but each of the Oogaki batters worked the count full on Higashitani.
Top 5th
Fujimoto after working the count full, goes down looking at a fastball on the black.
Kassai does it again to Oonishi for his 5th K.
Oohira tries to surprise the defense with a bunt, but Koo charges in and makes the play to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
Koo with a grounder that deflects off Hirauchi into right field! Koo sprinting towards 2nd, going for 3rd!! There's no throw and he's in safely! I can't tell what exactly happened, but the only thing I can surmise is that Fujimoto in retrieving the ball must've bobbled it or something similar.
Nagaoka looking for a sac fly instead hits a pop fly! Oohira under it behind 2nd base and makes he catch for the 1st out.
Tokimoto up, and he's swinging away. He's making contact with anything in the zone, and manages to work the count full after falling behind 1-2.
And he hits a pop fly! Yoshida running into foul territory, but he overruns the ball and he can't field it! 8th pitch of the AB now.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sakaguchi-kantoku decides to put on the squeeze and Tokimoto lays it down!! Minami retrieves the ball tries to tag Koo, but he slides around the tag!! It's 2-1!!
But wait, the umpires are convening... and I see what happened. The replay shows that the bunt went off Tokimoto's knee then rolled into fair territory, which counts as a foul and subsequently an out. Which means the run doesn't count either and we're back to a 1-1 ballgame.
Kassai with a comebacker to Higashitani! He snags it and throws to 1st for out number 3!
We hit the break with Kawashima matching Oogaki Nichidai step-for-step tied at 1!
Top 6th
Well, Fujihata manages to last more than 1 pitch and NOT get hit.
In fact, he hangs in there against Kassai and lines a single to right!
Minami up to bunt, fouls the first one. 2nd pitch, he pulls it back and swings! But he fouls it off. And Kassai hits the outside black for strike 3! That's Minami's 3rd K of the day. Hopefully he doesn't get the golden sombrero.
Yoshida up, and Kassai has Fujihata picked off! But again Fujihata outruns the play and slides safely into 2nd! Wow. One time was surprising enough, but twice??!
Kassai needs to learn to throw to 2nd. This is almost like a "One Outs" episode.
But Kassai gets Yoshida looking on a pitch on the outside corner! 2 out!
#10 Achira is warming up in the bullpen, but Kassai is one out from getting out of the jam.
Kitadani calls for the hit and run! Kozaki jammed but hits one up the middle! Kojima running over to 2nd, but can't get his glove on the ball!! Morita charging in, but whiffs on the ball!! He doubles back but Fujihata is being sent home! He scores and Kawashima takes the 2-1 lead on the error!!
Higashitani grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, but Kawashima once again has the lead on Oogaki Nichidai!!
Bottom 6th
Morita with a grounder to 2nd, but Fujihata doesn't field the ball cleanly! He goes back, but it's too late! E4 and the douten run is on base! Kojima moves him to scoring position.
Gotou though hits a grounder to 3rd. Yoshida looks the runner back and makes the throw to 1st. 2 down.
And Higashitani gets Takada to hit a fly to right! Fujimoto under it and the side is retired! The error doesn't hurt Kawashima and they hold onto the 1-run lead!
Top 7th
Hirauchi goes down swinging on a high fastball.
Fujimoto with the grounder to right, but Nagaoka makes the diving stop! Throw to 1st in time for the 2nd out!!
Oonishi also goes down swinging on a high fastball, and Kawashima is retired.
Bottom 7th
Andou with a drive down the right field line... fair!! Fujimoto chases it down near the foul pole and Andou's in with a leadoff double!
Koo with a grounder to 2nd. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Fujihata again whiffs on the ball and it goes into right! Andou's being waved home and he scores! Fujihata's 2nd error in as many innings costs them as Oogaki Nichidai ties it up! We're all level at 2-2!!
Nagaoka laying down the bunt and Higashitani whiffs on that one! But Fujihata is there to back it up and make the play at first. One down.
Tokimoto follows that up with a fly to center. Oonishi is there, but Koo advances to 3rd on the fly.
Kassai with a liner to center! But it's right at Oonishi and the side is retired. But for what Fujihata has provided on the basepaths, he's given back with the glove...
Top 8th
Oohira with a bloop down the left field line! Andou running in, dives, but can't get it! Kojima runs to retrieve it, but Oohira's in with a leadoff double!!
Fujihata with the bunt on the 1st base side. Takada with it, goes to 3rd!! And they get Oohira!! Major mistake by Fujihata bunting it too hard!
Runner on 1st now, Sakaguchi calls for a conference. Perhaps now that Fujihata is on base, they're telling Kassai to throw to 2nd if they have him picked off.
Fujihata isn't going, but on the 7th pitch, Kitadani calls for the hit and run, but Minami fouls it off!
Minami then hits a blooper to shallow center! Nagaoka and Gotou are running towards the ball, they both dive and collide! The ball bounces in and the runners take off! Nagaoka gets the ball in, and fortunately for them Fujihata only makes it to 3rd because of it.
But Gotou says down. Everyone's runs over to him and he's staying down. He's trying to get up, but still seems a bit woozy. The stretcher comes over to take him off the field, and it seems like they'll work on him first to see if he can play still instead of immediately sending a replacement.
But how much does the failed bunt attempt hurt now? That bloop would have scored a run and given Kawashima the lead instead.
And Gotou comes out of the dugout and returns to right! He looks fine, although that was a hard collision.
Yoshida up. And the runners take off!! It's a pitchout!! Yoshida leans out and just barely puts the bat on the ball and fouls it off!
But I don't know if Fujihata wouldn't have made it home even if Tokimoto was allowed to get it!
Another pitchout!! But the runners go back.
Shows bunt, but takes strike 2.
And they go for the squeeze again! But Kassai puts it outside and Yoshida fouls it off! He fouls out and there's 2 down!!
My question is, if you as a batter know that you can't lay down the bunt successfully, and the pitch is outside, would you be better off letting it go and seeing if the runner (who in this case is the speedy Fujihata) can steal home on his own?
And Kozaki hits a pop fly! Kojima just on the outfield grass makes the catch and Kawashima is denied a run after getting runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1 out!
Bottom 8th
Higashitani gets Morita to fly out to center to start off the inning.
Kojima with a slicer down the left field line, Kozaki sliding over in foul territory can't make the catch!
Then he comes right back and drives one to center! Oonishi running back can't get to it! He catches up to it in front of the wall, and Kojima's in with a double!
AH!! Higashitani hits Gotou! Runners on 1st and 2nd now with one down!
Takada up and he isn't bunting.
Grounder to 3rd! Yoshida with it, steps on 3rd for one, throw to 1st, double play!! Higashitani gets the 5U-3 double play to end the inning! We head to the 9th still deadlocked at 2!
Top 9th
Hm... I kinda like Kawashima's oen-dan music. Haven't heard it before so far as I know...
Unfortunately, I think the momentum has shifted to Oogaki after being unable to score in the 8th. Kassai ias able to retire the 7-8-9 batters in order with a flyout and 2 K's.
Those 2 K's bring Kassai's total to 12.
Bottom 9th
Oogaki Nichidai will have a chance to win it here in the 9th.
Higashitani strikes out Andou looking on a pitch outside and he knew it too.
Then he gets ahead of Koo 0-2, but Koo starts battling. He's fouling off pitch after pitch while working the count. 9th pitch of the AB he takes for a ball and he finally works the count full! And he continues to foul off pitches! It's the 12th pitch! And he gets him looking!!!
And Higashitani strikes out Nagaoka swinging!! He strikes out the side here in the 9th and we're headed into extra innings!!!
Top 10th
Oonishi grounds out to short for a quick out. Then Kassai hits Oohira on the number.
Fujihata up now trying to bunt. Takes strike 1. Oohira takes off!! Pitch is up and Tokimoto immediately fires to 2nd! Oohira nailed by a good amount! Perfect pitch to throw on!
Fujihata fights with Kassai, but in the end Kassai gets him to fly out to left and the side is retired.
Kawashima while certainly still in the game, the longer they go the more prone they are to fatiguing. It's one thing to be in a close game when you're the underdog in regulation - it's another when you're in extra innings.
Bottom 10th
Tokimoto leads off the 10th for Oogaki with a single to left!
AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Minami can't handle Higashitani's pitch in the dirt and Tokimoto advances to scoring position!!
Kassai trying to bunt him over, but pushes both foul down the 1st base line!
He squaring to bunt again, and lays it down!! Tokimoto advances to 3rd and the sayonara run is 90 feet away.
Kitadani-kantoku calls time, and they're intentionally walking both Morita and Kojima to create a force at every base.
Gotou up. And he gets under one! Oonishi running in makes the catch and there's 2 down!
Higashitani one out away from getting out of the jam!
But Takada hits a blooper to right! Fujimoto running in dives... can't get it!!
サヨナラ!!!!
Tokimoto comes in to score and Oogaki Nichidai wins it here in the 10th, 3-2!!
It's a crushing ending for Kawashima as they had matched Oogaki every step of the way, only to fall just inches short... Certainly they blew opportunities to score, and untimely errors cost them a run, but they still managed to find ways to score and to compete against the fall champions.
I certainly gave them no shot to win this, and they almost did. Hat tip to the boys from Tokushima. It'll be hard for them to return in the summer, but I hope at least they make a good run at it.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Day 5 - Game 1 - Osaka Touin (Osaka) vs. Toukaidai Bouyou (Chiba)
We're approaching the end of the first round, and today we'll be featuring both of the Toukaidai schools.
The morning game has the "other" Toukai school in Toukaidai Bouyou. While successful in the fall tournament, the bulk of the success goes to the pitching staff and ace Nagatomo. He throws in the low to mid 140's with a curve and slider. Even with the velocity though, he doesn't strike out a ton of batters and has more than his fair share of walks - which is concerning even though he sported a 1.26 ERA in the fall tournaments. RP Ozawa numbers are not much better which means that if they don't have control, this could be over quickly.
Offensively they have some hitters in 3B Suzuki and C Sakamoto - but they do not have much power per se. They strike out a little more than average, but also take more walks than average as well. In all, it seems to be a precarious line they run.
Osaka Touin is what it has always been - an offensive powerhouse. They don't necessarily hit for HR's, but they will hit for extra bases. Aren't shy about taking a walk when given one, and will sometimes steal a base or two. Main guys to watch are C Emura, 3B Kawahara and SS Yamaguchi.
The pitching this year seems to be better than in years past though. Ace Fukumoto leads the staff sporting a 130 kph fastball with a slider, curve and change. Ratios are ok, but not great (8.12 H/9, 6 K/9, 2.65 BB/9). RP Yamanaka generally comes in the late innings, and while a small sample size, his numbers look better than Fukumoto's.
It will be interesting to see how Osaka Touin's pitching staff performs. If they can deliver above average performances, it's possible they could make a deep run this spring.
Osaka Touin (Osaka) - Kinki Runner-up
CF Ichikawa Ryouta
2B Hirahata Minoru
SS Yamaguchi Takuya
3B Kawahara Ukyou
C Emura Naoya
RF Fujita Hiromasa
1B Nishida Naoto
LF Yamaashi Tatsuya
P Fukumoto Tsubasa
Toukaidai Bouyou (Chiba) - Kanto 3/4
3B Suzuki Ryouta
2B Nasu Yuuki
SS Oota Tatsuru
C Sakamoto Takuya
RF Sakurai Kento
LF Jige Yoshito
1B Amagawa Taisei
P Nagatomo Akinori
CF Katou Daichi
__________________________________________________
9:02 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Nagatomo off to a decent start. He strikes Ichikawa out swinging, then turns around and strikes out Hirahata looking. He then finishes the inning by getting Yamaguchi to pop up to Suzuki.
The only issue is that the Touin batters made him throw 18 pitches that inning.
Bottom 1st
Suzuki with a drive deep down the left field line!! Yamaashi to the wall, looking up...
Foul!
Boy that seemed really close to a homerun and an early lead for the team from Chiba.
But he grounds out to 1st instead.
Nasu with a grounder to short. Yamaguchi ranges to his right, stops makes the throw, but it's not in time! Infield hit for Nasu.
Aikawa-kantoku is having Oota bunt! But Fukumoto isn't throwing a strike! He walks Oota on 4 straight!
Fukumoto then walks cleanup batter Sakamoto! Manrui for Bouyou!
Sakurai up, and he hits a fly to center. But it's too shallow! Ichikawa with the catch and throw in, and everyone has to hold!
And Fukumoto gets Jige to ground out to 2nd! He gets out of the manrui pinch!
Top 2nd
Again the Touin batters work Nagatomo. Cleanup batter Kawahara leads off the 2nd with an 8 pitch walk.
Emura up looking to bunt. But so far it's either a ball or a bunt foul.
And Emura pulls it back and tries the hit-and-run! But he fouls it off. Count 2-2 so will Emura bunt now?
No! He chops one back up the middle and into center for a base hit! Runners at 1st and 2nd!
Hiromasa with a great bunt up the 3rd base line! Nagatomo up with it. Fires to 1st and just gets Hiromasa.
Both runners in scoring position now for Nishida.
And he hits one to left! Yamaashi running back, leaps, but it's over his head!! The runners take off around the bases as Yamaashi hurries back to the fence! Kawahara and Emura both score as Nishida is in with a triple.
But Oota fumbles the relay throw!! The 3rd base coach sends Nishida home and he's in! A disasterous AB for Toukaidai Bouyou as everyone scores and it's suddenly 3-0!!
Nagatomo gets Yamaashi and Fukumoto to ground out to end the inning. But a timely basehit and an untimely error results in a 3 run deficit for Bouyou.
Bottom 2nd
Amagawa with a drive to left center! Ichikawa stops it before the wall, but not before Amagawa has a leadoff double!
Nagatomo up, but Emura fires to 2nd, and they have Amagawa picked off! What was Amagawa thinking?
And that baserunning error hurts even more as Nagatomo singles to center over a leaping Hirahata!
Aikawa has Katou bunt him over looking for a timely hit, but Suzuki grounds out to short to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Ichikawa leads off the 3rd with a flare to left for a leadoff single. Hirahata immediately bunts him over.
And then Nagatomo issues his 2nd walk to Yamaguchi. Runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.
But Nagatomo gets Kawahara to fly out to left, and Emura pops up to Nasu in shallow center.
Bottom 3rd
Nasu hits a lazy fly to right to start the inning.
Fukumoto then hits Oota giving Bouyou a runner.
But Sakamoto hit a comebacker to Fukumoto! He starts the 1-6-3 double play, and just like that the inning is over!
Top 4th
Hiromasa flies out to Oota down the left field line.
Nishida lines one into right for a single.
And Nishitani-kantoku puts on the hit-and-run! Yamaashi with a grounder through the gap in left and that's a base hit!
Fukumoto lays down the bunt, Suzuki with the throw, but he one hops Amagawa! He can't make the pick and everyone's safe! Manrui for Osaka Touin!!
Aikawa -kantoku calls a conference. #10 Ozawa goes out to the bullpen.
Ichikawa with a blooper to shallow center! Katou charging in dives, but can't make the catch! The runners advances and it's now 4-0!
But what's this? They throw to 1st and get the batter out? Did he think he was out? I don't know but on the replay he's shown rounding the bases and it's not until he passes third that he doubles back to 1st.
So he gets credit for the single, but is called out after passing the runners in front of him? That's the only thing I can think of. That's just bizarre.
Anyways, 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd - and Hiromasa grounds out to short to end the inning. But Osaka Touin has extended the lead.
Bottom 4th
Fukumoto with an easy inning. Strikes out Sakurai swinging, gets Jige to fly to left, and strikes out Amagawa swinging. Looks like his early struggles are behind him now.
Top 5th
Nagatomo gives up a two-out single to Emura that just gets by a sliding Nasu but he's stranded there as Hiraomasa flies out to right.
Bottom 5th
Nagatomo earns a walk to leadoff the 5th.
Katou looking to bunt, but pulls it back and fouls it off! There's still time to play for one run here.
But he swings away, and bails on a fastball away. He pops out to short.
Suzuki with a comebacker to Fukumoto. He goes to 2nd for 1, throw to first goes off the top of Nishida's glove and the inning stays alive.
Nasu can't check up his swing and the inning is over. Osaka Touin holds a 4-0 advantage heading into the break.
Top 6th
Finally, a quiet inning from Nagatomo. He retires the side in order allowing his team to pickup the sticks and try to rally.
Bottom 6th
Oota with a dribble up the 3rd base side. Kawahara up wth it, but he eats it and Oota leads off the 6th with an infield single!
Sakamoto follows that up with a single to center! Runners on 1st and 2nd.
Now Sakurai tries the safety bunt! Emura up withe ball and fires to 1st beating a diving Sakurai.
Jige with a 4-pitch walk and it's manru for Bouyou!
Nishitani-kantoku calls for a conference as #16 Nakano starts to warm up in the pen.
Amagawa with a grounder to short! Yamaguchi to Hirahata for one, throw to 1st... not in time! Amagawa, running through the bag, beats out the throw - which means that Oota scores from 3rd! It's 4-1!
Nagatomo with a hot shot at 3rd! Kawahara with the backhanded stop!! Throw to 1st retires the side!!
The nice play by Nagatomo ends the rally, but Bouyou is on the board and they still have 3 innings left.
Top 7th
Hirahata with a one-out liner past a diving Suzuki into left for a base hit.
Yamaguchi with a fly into foul territory. Sakurai runs in and makes the catch.
Of course to make things interesting (or just difficult), Nagatomo walks Kawahara.
Doesn't wind up hurting him as he flies out to left to end the inning.
Bottom 7th
Katou with a drive to center! Ichikawa moving over to his left and makes the catch.
Suzuki with a drive down the right field line! Hiromasa running to the 1st base wall, leaps...
and makes the catch!!!
That's a spectacular play by Hiromasa!!
Nasu with the hard liner back to Fukumoto! He puts up his glove and it deflects off it! It dribbles back up the middle, Yamaguchi makes the adjustment gets the ball in front of 2nd base, fires to 1st... and beats a diving Nasu!
Nice play by Yamaguchi! And poor baserunning by Nasu. He might have been safe if he had run through the bag.
But the inning is over and Bouyou is starting to run out of well... outs.
Top 8th
Hiromasa with a single through the left side starts the Osaka Touin offense going again.
Nishida bunts the runner over, and then Yamaashi goes hits the first pitch back up the middle for a base hit. Runners at the corners for Osaka Touin!
And Fukumoto's day is done. #14 Yamanaka Tsukasa comes in to pinch hit.
And Aikawa-kantoku's making a change as well. #10 Ozawa comes in for Jige and takes the hill. Nagatomo goes over to left.
Tsukasa first pitch swinging and hits a slow grounder to short! Oota up with it, and his only play is to first, giving up the run and making it 5-1.
Ozawa retires Ichikawa on a pop fly to shallow right and he limits the damage to one run. Still, it's a 4 run deficit with 6 outs left.
Bottom 8th
#16 Nakano comes in for PH Tsukasa and relieves Fukumoto on the hill.
Oota with a grounder past a ranging Hirahata into right. Oota's safely reached base all 4 times today!
And then Nakano hits Sakamoto! Runners on 1st and 2nd, and Nishitani immediately calls time and calls for a conference.
Sakurai up looking to bunt, lays it down the 1st base line. Emura throws him out, but he does the job. Base hit cuts the deficit in half.
#13 Ishibashi pinch hits for Ozawa, which means his relief stint is done. He hits a grounder to 1st. Nishida takes it to the bag and gives up the run, but at this point they have the right idea. 5-2.
Amagawa goes down on 3 straight sliders and the inning is over. Bouyou gets a run back, but at this point it's too little too late.
Top 9th
Ishibashi stays in the game to play left, while Nagatomo re-takes the hill.
And Nagatomo walks Hirahata to start the 9th.
Nishitani puts on the hit and run! Yamaguchi with the chopper back to Nagatomo and his only play is to 1st.
Kawahara pops it up! Sakamoto in front of the plate, makes the catch. 2 down.
Nagatomo with a wild pitch to Emura! Hirahata advances to 3rd... then Emura walks on 4 straight!
There has to be something wrong with Nagatomo. He can't find the plate. He walked Emura on 4 straight, now he walks Hiromasa on 4 straight! Manrui for Osaka Touin!
Timeout called by Aikawa as Nishida steps in.
Nishida golfs a low pitch to right! That's over Sakurai's head and all the way to the wall!! He runs it down, but not before Nishida clears the bases with a manrui triple! It's 8-2!!
Yamaashi contines the parade with a single to center. That scores Nishida and it's 9-2!
Nakano is being recalled to the dugout. #18 Kimura comes out to pinch hit.
He grounds out to 3rd to end the inning. But needless to say Osaka Touin has definitively put the game out of reach here in the 9th.
Bottom 9th
#11 Yamanaka Kyousuke comes in relief to finish the game.
Nagatomo shoots one into center to lead off the inning. Katou obviously not bunting hits a slow chopper to 2nd. Hirahata with it and goes for the out at 1st.
And Suzuki gets his first base hit with a single to right. Nagatomo holds up at 3rd.
Nasu with a fly to right. Hiromasa with the catch! And because the runners were going on the full count pitch, he makes the easy throw to 1st for the double play to end the game.
Toukaidai Bouyou could not hold off the offensive assault of Osaka Touin as they had baserunners in all but 2 innings. Fukumoto certainly did the job here, but walking 5 and striking out 3 means at least for now means their future in the tournament is a bit shaky.
The morning game has the "other" Toukai school in Toukaidai Bouyou. While successful in the fall tournament, the bulk of the success goes to the pitching staff and ace Nagatomo. He throws in the low to mid 140's with a curve and slider. Even with the velocity though, he doesn't strike out a ton of batters and has more than his fair share of walks - which is concerning even though he sported a 1.26 ERA in the fall tournaments. RP Ozawa numbers are not much better which means that if they don't have control, this could be over quickly.
Offensively they have some hitters in 3B Suzuki and C Sakamoto - but they do not have much power per se. They strike out a little more than average, but also take more walks than average as well. In all, it seems to be a precarious line they run.
Osaka Touin is what it has always been - an offensive powerhouse. They don't necessarily hit for HR's, but they will hit for extra bases. Aren't shy about taking a walk when given one, and will sometimes steal a base or two. Main guys to watch are C Emura, 3B Kawahara and SS Yamaguchi.
The pitching this year seems to be better than in years past though. Ace Fukumoto leads the staff sporting a 130 kph fastball with a slider, curve and change. Ratios are ok, but not great (8.12 H/9, 6 K/9, 2.65 BB/9). RP Yamanaka generally comes in the late innings, and while a small sample size, his numbers look better than Fukumoto's.
It will be interesting to see how Osaka Touin's pitching staff performs. If they can deliver above average performances, it's possible they could make a deep run this spring.
Osaka Touin (Osaka) - Kinki Runner-up
CF Ichikawa Ryouta
2B Hirahata Minoru
SS Yamaguchi Takuya
3B Kawahara Ukyou
C Emura Naoya
RF Fujita Hiromasa
1B Nishida Naoto
LF Yamaashi Tatsuya
P Fukumoto Tsubasa
Toukaidai Bouyou (Chiba) - Kanto 3/4
3B Suzuki Ryouta
2B Nasu Yuuki
SS Oota Tatsuru
C Sakamoto Takuya
RF Sakurai Kento
LF Jige Yoshito
1B Amagawa Taisei
P Nagatomo Akinori
CF Katou Daichi
__________________________________________________
9:02 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Nagatomo off to a decent start. He strikes Ichikawa out swinging, then turns around and strikes out Hirahata looking. He then finishes the inning by getting Yamaguchi to pop up to Suzuki.
The only issue is that the Touin batters made him throw 18 pitches that inning.
Bottom 1st
Suzuki with a drive deep down the left field line!! Yamaashi to the wall, looking up...
Foul!
Boy that seemed really close to a homerun and an early lead for the team from Chiba.
But he grounds out to 1st instead.
Nasu with a grounder to short. Yamaguchi ranges to his right, stops makes the throw, but it's not in time! Infield hit for Nasu.
Aikawa-kantoku is having Oota bunt! But Fukumoto isn't throwing a strike! He walks Oota on 4 straight!
Fukumoto then walks cleanup batter Sakamoto! Manrui for Bouyou!
Sakurai up, and he hits a fly to center. But it's too shallow! Ichikawa with the catch and throw in, and everyone has to hold!
And Fukumoto gets Jige to ground out to 2nd! He gets out of the manrui pinch!
Top 2nd
Again the Touin batters work Nagatomo. Cleanup batter Kawahara leads off the 2nd with an 8 pitch walk.
Emura up looking to bunt. But so far it's either a ball or a bunt foul.
And Emura pulls it back and tries the hit-and-run! But he fouls it off. Count 2-2 so will Emura bunt now?
No! He chops one back up the middle and into center for a base hit! Runners at 1st and 2nd!
Hiromasa with a great bunt up the 3rd base line! Nagatomo up with it. Fires to 1st and just gets Hiromasa.
Both runners in scoring position now for Nishida.
And he hits one to left! Yamaashi running back, leaps, but it's over his head!! The runners take off around the bases as Yamaashi hurries back to the fence! Kawahara and Emura both score as Nishida is in with a triple.
But Oota fumbles the relay throw!! The 3rd base coach sends Nishida home and he's in! A disasterous AB for Toukaidai Bouyou as everyone scores and it's suddenly 3-0!!
Nagatomo gets Yamaashi and Fukumoto to ground out to end the inning. But a timely basehit and an untimely error results in a 3 run deficit for Bouyou.
Bottom 2nd
Amagawa with a drive to left center! Ichikawa stops it before the wall, but not before Amagawa has a leadoff double!
Nagatomo up, but Emura fires to 2nd, and they have Amagawa picked off! What was Amagawa thinking?
And that baserunning error hurts even more as Nagatomo singles to center over a leaping Hirahata!
Aikawa has Katou bunt him over looking for a timely hit, but Suzuki grounds out to short to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Ichikawa leads off the 3rd with a flare to left for a leadoff single. Hirahata immediately bunts him over.
And then Nagatomo issues his 2nd walk to Yamaguchi. Runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.
But Nagatomo gets Kawahara to fly out to left, and Emura pops up to Nasu in shallow center.
Bottom 3rd
Nasu hits a lazy fly to right to start the inning.
Fukumoto then hits Oota giving Bouyou a runner.
But Sakamoto hit a comebacker to Fukumoto! He starts the 1-6-3 double play, and just like that the inning is over!
Top 4th
Hiromasa flies out to Oota down the left field line.
Nishida lines one into right for a single.
And Nishitani-kantoku puts on the hit-and-run! Yamaashi with a grounder through the gap in left and that's a base hit!
Fukumoto lays down the bunt, Suzuki with the throw, but he one hops Amagawa! He can't make the pick and everyone's safe! Manrui for Osaka Touin!!
Aikawa -kantoku calls a conference. #10 Ozawa goes out to the bullpen.
Ichikawa with a blooper to shallow center! Katou charging in dives, but can't make the catch! The runners advances and it's now 4-0!
But what's this? They throw to 1st and get the batter out? Did he think he was out? I don't know but on the replay he's shown rounding the bases and it's not until he passes third that he doubles back to 1st.
So he gets credit for the single, but is called out after passing the runners in front of him? That's the only thing I can think of. That's just bizarre.
Anyways, 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd - and Hiromasa grounds out to short to end the inning. But Osaka Touin has extended the lead.
Bottom 4th
Fukumoto with an easy inning. Strikes out Sakurai swinging, gets Jige to fly to left, and strikes out Amagawa swinging. Looks like his early struggles are behind him now.
Top 5th
Nagatomo gives up a two-out single to Emura that just gets by a sliding Nasu but he's stranded there as Hiraomasa flies out to right.
Bottom 5th
Nagatomo earns a walk to leadoff the 5th.
Katou looking to bunt, but pulls it back and fouls it off! There's still time to play for one run here.
But he swings away, and bails on a fastball away. He pops out to short.
Suzuki with a comebacker to Fukumoto. He goes to 2nd for 1, throw to first goes off the top of Nishida's glove and the inning stays alive.
Nasu can't check up his swing and the inning is over. Osaka Touin holds a 4-0 advantage heading into the break.
Top 6th
Finally, a quiet inning from Nagatomo. He retires the side in order allowing his team to pickup the sticks and try to rally.
Bottom 6th
Oota with a dribble up the 3rd base side. Kawahara up wth it, but he eats it and Oota leads off the 6th with an infield single!
Sakamoto follows that up with a single to center! Runners on 1st and 2nd.
Now Sakurai tries the safety bunt! Emura up withe ball and fires to 1st beating a diving Sakurai.
Jige with a 4-pitch walk and it's manru for Bouyou!
Nishitani-kantoku calls for a conference as #16 Nakano starts to warm up in the pen.
Amagawa with a grounder to short! Yamaguchi to Hirahata for one, throw to 1st... not in time! Amagawa, running through the bag, beats out the throw - which means that Oota scores from 3rd! It's 4-1!
Nagatomo with a hot shot at 3rd! Kawahara with the backhanded stop!! Throw to 1st retires the side!!
The nice play by Nagatomo ends the rally, but Bouyou is on the board and they still have 3 innings left.
Top 7th
Hirahata with a one-out liner past a diving Suzuki into left for a base hit.
Yamaguchi with a fly into foul territory. Sakurai runs in and makes the catch.
Of course to make things interesting (or just difficult), Nagatomo walks Kawahara.
Doesn't wind up hurting him as he flies out to left to end the inning.
Bottom 7th
Katou with a drive to center! Ichikawa moving over to his left and makes the catch.
Suzuki with a drive down the right field line! Hiromasa running to the 1st base wall, leaps...
and makes the catch!!!
That's a spectacular play by Hiromasa!!
Nasu with the hard liner back to Fukumoto! He puts up his glove and it deflects off it! It dribbles back up the middle, Yamaguchi makes the adjustment gets the ball in front of 2nd base, fires to 1st... and beats a diving Nasu!
Nice play by Yamaguchi! And poor baserunning by Nasu. He might have been safe if he had run through the bag.
But the inning is over and Bouyou is starting to run out of well... outs.
Top 8th
Hiromasa with a single through the left side starts the Osaka Touin offense going again.
Nishida bunts the runner over, and then Yamaashi goes hits the first pitch back up the middle for a base hit. Runners at the corners for Osaka Touin!
And Fukumoto's day is done. #14 Yamanaka Tsukasa comes in to pinch hit.
And Aikawa-kantoku's making a change as well. #10 Ozawa comes in for Jige and takes the hill. Nagatomo goes over to left.
Tsukasa first pitch swinging and hits a slow grounder to short! Oota up with it, and his only play is to first, giving up the run and making it 5-1.
Ozawa retires Ichikawa on a pop fly to shallow right and he limits the damage to one run. Still, it's a 4 run deficit with 6 outs left.
Bottom 8th
#16 Nakano comes in for PH Tsukasa and relieves Fukumoto on the hill.
Oota with a grounder past a ranging Hirahata into right. Oota's safely reached base all 4 times today!
And then Nakano hits Sakamoto! Runners on 1st and 2nd, and Nishitani immediately calls time and calls for a conference.
Sakurai up looking to bunt, lays it down the 1st base line. Emura throws him out, but he does the job. Base hit cuts the deficit in half.
#13 Ishibashi pinch hits for Ozawa, which means his relief stint is done. He hits a grounder to 1st. Nishida takes it to the bag and gives up the run, but at this point they have the right idea. 5-2.
Amagawa goes down on 3 straight sliders and the inning is over. Bouyou gets a run back, but at this point it's too little too late.
Top 9th
Ishibashi stays in the game to play left, while Nagatomo re-takes the hill.
And Nagatomo walks Hirahata to start the 9th.
Nishitani puts on the hit and run! Yamaguchi with the chopper back to Nagatomo and his only play is to 1st.
Kawahara pops it up! Sakamoto in front of the plate, makes the catch. 2 down.
Nagatomo with a wild pitch to Emura! Hirahata advances to 3rd... then Emura walks on 4 straight!
There has to be something wrong with Nagatomo. He can't find the plate. He walked Emura on 4 straight, now he walks Hiromasa on 4 straight! Manrui for Osaka Touin!
Timeout called by Aikawa as Nishida steps in.
Nishida golfs a low pitch to right! That's over Sakurai's head and all the way to the wall!! He runs it down, but not before Nishida clears the bases with a manrui triple! It's 8-2!!
Yamaashi contines the parade with a single to center. That scores Nishida and it's 9-2!
Nakano is being recalled to the dugout. #18 Kimura comes out to pinch hit.
He grounds out to 3rd to end the inning. But needless to say Osaka Touin has definitively put the game out of reach here in the 9th.
Bottom 9th
#11 Yamanaka Kyousuke comes in relief to finish the game.
Nagatomo shoots one into center to lead off the inning. Katou obviously not bunting hits a slow chopper to 2nd. Hirahata with it and goes for the out at 1st.
And Suzuki gets his first base hit with a single to right. Nagatomo holds up at 3rd.
Nasu with a fly to right. Hiromasa with the catch! And because the runners were going on the full count pitch, he makes the easy throw to 1st for the double play to end the game.
Toukaidai Bouyou could not hold off the offensive assault of Osaka Touin as they had baserunners in all but 2 innings. Fukumoto certainly did the job here, but walking 5 and striking out 3 means at least for now means their future in the tournament is a bit shaky.
Friday, March 26, 2010
So...
(To keep in line with my posting of games in chronological order in the time space it was held, I'm backdating this from the 30th (today) to after my friendly reminder.)
...with my bowling league tonight, I am now behind 3 more games which comes out to about 40% of the tournament. Thankfully, if the video archives go away, I have backup plans. Hopefully.
But a lot seems to have happened in my absence. So for a quick recap while I work on getting caught up...
Day 5
I'm not sure where I should go now. Proceed with the games currently going on and get back to the games I missed later, or go in chronological order. Part of me wants to do the current games since that is what is going on now, but at the same time going in chronological order might help me analyze the games currently going on.
I think what I will do is finish up Day 4 games today since all games today are in progress, then jump to coverage of the quarterfinals tomorrow. Any information I glean from reviewing the missed days will be added to my reports and denoted as such.
That is all.
(Talked with Westbay-san, was looking at the schedule, and noticed that they are playing all 4 quarterfinal games tomorrow!!! So to be able to blog as many games as possible, I will have to hit the hay now so I can get to work early and get out in time to start blogging the games as soon as they are available. At least I shouldn't fall any further behind now.)
...with my bowling league tonight, I am now behind 3 more games which comes out to about 40% of the tournament. Thankfully, if the video archives go away, I have backup plans. Hopefully.
But a lot seems to have happened in my absence. So for a quick recap while I work on getting caught up...
Day 5
- Toukaidai Bouyou was no match for Osaka Touin..
- ...while Kawashima gave Oogaki Nichidai all they could handle and then some. I must admit I was mistaken about the 21st century teams this year. Gomen. *bows*.
- And in an absolute shocker, Hifumi Shinta implodes in the 8th inning, yielding 3 runs and losing in the first round 4-2! I'm not sure how this happened other than 2 key walks led to the big inning, but man that is just amazing.
- In the battle of the north, Hokushou wins out over Akita Shougyou 2-0. I wonder when Akita will ever taste success at Koshien. I hope sooner rather than later - those guys deserve it.
- Tsuruga Kehi had no trouble with Hanasaki Tokuharu. Well... almost. SP Ookubo fell apart late in his start, while the bullpen straggled home.
- And for Nichidai-san, it was another 21st century team, but Kouyou fought much harder, as Fujita only gave up 3 runs. However, the offense couldn't get started, and they fell 3-1. Nichidai-san once again gets in the way of Kouyou's road to the championship.
- It was a good ol' fashioned pitchers duel between Miyazaki Kougyou and Kouryou. Arihara looked much better than in his first round game, retiring the side in 5 of the 9 innings and allowing 4 baserunners. As for Hamada, he wasn't as dominant, but had help from all over. In the end though, it would be some timely hitting/tiring of Hamada which would lift Kouryou to victory in the bottom of the 9th.
- Chuukyoudai Chuukyou and Shinkou Gakuen were in progress when I had reached the airport. It was in the late stages and Chuukyou had just taken the lead 2-1 in the 7th. Again, it was another low-scoring affair as Morimoto also got the memo that the tournament had started and Maenaka pitching very well against the summer champions. However, their offense had few good opportunities and was unable to capitalize on them as they fell by that same score.
- I had to hit the hay once I got home, so I didn't see the Chiben Wakayama-Kounan result until this morning. Without seeing the game result, I knew that with Chiben's pitching being average at best with Okuda gone, that the offense would have to find ways to get to Shimabukuro. In game, Chiben held serve with Kounan early on, and even took the lead. But the lack in pitching depth eventually hurt them as Kounan would uncharacteristically score two 3-spots en route to a 7-2 rout. Takashima-kantoku will have to get the staff in shape if they want to challenge this summer.
- I like Deanna and Shini, bless their hearts, but I was brokenhearted to see Mie unable to close out the game against Teikyou. Up 1 with a runner on 2nd and 2 down, Masuda gives up the game tying hit. And once that happened, you knew it was over. Sure enough, one inning later, Masuda has nothing left, allowing the next 4 batters to reach base - ending the game. I root for Mie-ken every year because I've visited there and I loved the people I met while I was there. And I'm really sad to see that their hearts were broken. Lose 10-2? I'd have been more fine with that.
- Oogaki Nichidai-Osaka Touin. On paper a very good matchup. On the field, much different. Oogaki Nichidai controlled the pace early and often, jumping out to a 4-0 lead and never looking back. It's a bit of a surprise coming from Osaka Touin, but the Meiji Jingu Taikai champions sure look the part now.
I'm not sure where I should go now. Proceed with the games currently going on and get back to the games I missed later, or go in chronological order. Part of me wants to do the current games since that is what is going on now, but at the same time going in chronological order might help me analyze the games currently going on.
I think what I will do is finish up Day 4 games today since all games today are in progress, then jump to coverage of the quarterfinals tomorrow. Any information I glean from reviewing the missed days will be added to my reports and denoted as such.
That is all.
(Talked with Westbay-san, was looking at the schedule, and noticed that they are playing all 4 quarterfinal games tomorrow!!! So to be able to blog as many games as possible, I will have to hit the hay now so I can get to work early and get out in time to start blogging the games as soon as they are available. At least I shouldn't fall any further behind now.)
Friendly reminder...
Unfortunately, life interrupts. I will be gone for the next 3 days attending a convention of sorts and will probably not be able to recap any of the game during that time period.
That means missing Osaka Touin, Oogaki Nichidai, Toukaidai Sagami, Hokushou, and the majority of 2nd round games which involve teams that have won their 1st round games to this point.
This will be the furthest I've ever been behind in recapping a Koshien Tournament since I started live blogging it.
I apologize to all my readers for the lack of coverage. Remember, if you have time to spare, you can watch the archives on MBS (see link on right). Generally, full inning recaps are posted about half a game behind live action.
I'm even behind my own schedule. With 2 rainouts, I should have been caught up or behind just the Imabari Nishi-Mie game. But chatting in the JapanseseBaseball chat room slows me down (not that I don't enjoy talking with you guys! It's just the truth). And so I'm 2.6 games behind. Plus the 9 means 11.6...
*cries*
*kneels* *bows* Gomen.
That means missing Osaka Touin, Oogaki Nichidai, Toukaidai Sagami, Hokushou, and the majority of 2nd round games which involve teams that have won their 1st round games to this point.
This will be the furthest I've ever been behind in recapping a Koshien Tournament since I started live blogging it.
I apologize to all my readers for the lack of coverage. Remember, if you have time to spare, you can watch the archives on MBS (see link on right). Generally, full inning recaps are posted about half a game behind live action.
I'm even behind my own schedule. With 2 rainouts, I should have been caught up or behind just the Imabari Nishi-Mie game. But chatting in the JapanseseBaseball chat room slows me down (not that I don't enjoy talking with you guys! It's just the truth). And so I'm 2.6 games behind. Plus the 9 means 11.6...
*cries*
*kneels* *bows* Gomen.
Day 4 - Game 3 - Imabari Nishi (Ehime) vs. Mie (Mie)
Well, after that comeback by Teikyou, I wonder how the last matchup of the day will go.
One side is Shikoku champion Imabari Nishi. The team is led by ace Hino Reona, who has a max of 131 kph, but has a slider at 110, a curve at 100 and a changeup. Backed by good defense, the team was able to edge out teams such as Meitoku Gijyuku, Saibi and Kochi. Then in the Meji Jingu Taikai, they defeated Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku (who just lost), and Kaisei (who was upset earlier) before losing to Oogaki Nichidai.
That's one heck of a gauntlet to go through.
The team has 12 lefties on the roster. They don't strike out, and take some walks. The main offensive threat, is... well... their ace.
Mie earned the Meiji Jingu Taiki bid. They had moderate success last year at Koshien defeating Kumamoto Kougyou in the first round.
The team generally goes to ace Masuda for most games, with reliever Matsuda splitting time in some games. Interestingly enough, last summer Masuda and Matsuda wore each others numbers. Neither are really strikeout pitchers and there is some control issues with Masuda.
Offensively, the team doesn't do a whole lot of anything except get base hits. They don't get many extra base hits, don't walk, and don't steal much. It seems much like an NL team. There is no big power hitter, just a lot of good base hitters.
With a team like Mie's, a one-dimensional team probably will not go far. But it would be interesting to see how far it can go.
Imabari Nishi (Ehime) - Shikoku Champions
SS Hamamoto Hiroki
LF Takeuchi Jyunpei (#12)
CF Gouda Ryouya
3B Seki Yuuichirou
RF Kurabuchi Shun
P Hino Reona
1B Inoue Yousuke
2B Takashita Youhei (#14)
C Minori Kento
Mie (Mie) - Meiji Jingu Tournament Bid
CF Yamaguchi Yuudai
SS Shigeyama Eiji
RF Matsuda Shougo
LF Doukai Masayuki
1B Tanigawa Koutarou
2B Jinushi Kazuma
C Katou Takuma
P Masuda Daiki
3B Aoki Shou
__________________________________________________
14:27 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Masuda opens the game by getting Hamamoto to ground out to 3rd.
Takeuchi then drives a ball to deep center! Yamaguchi running back to the wall, but the ball falls in just in front of the wall! He's in with a stand up double!
And Masuda then walks Gouda on 4 straight!
Okita-kantoku immediately calls a conference on the mound.
Camera pans to RF Matsuda, who is actually the other pitcher on the staff!
Grounder by Seki to 3B! Aoki's throw to 2nd is low and Jinushi can't field it! Everyone's safe on the throwing error! Manrui for Imabari!
Kurabuchi takes the first pitch past a diving Jinushi into right! Takeuchi comes in and Imabari Nishi takes the early 1-0 lead!
Hino steps in looking to extend the lead for himself.
And he does just that with a fly to center! Yamaguchi fields it and Gouda comes in easily to make it a 2-0 game!
Hm... Inoue has the Evangelion theme song too. Since when did that become popular?
Oh yeah, since they started releasing the new movies... anywho....
But they're playing it waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too fast...
Inoue with a shallow popup to left center. Shigeyama goes out to field it, but can't get his bearings! It drops in and Seki comes around to score! It's 3-0 Imabari!!
Takashita grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, but for a team like Mie being down 3-0 is not a good way to start.
Bottom 1st
Yamaguchi first-pitch swinging laces one to right for a leadoff single. But then Shigeyama pops up his bunt attempt and it's caught by Minori.
Matsuda quickly flies out to center and there's 2 down.
Doukai up, and Yamaguchi takes off for 2nd! Minori with the throw but it's high and Yamaguchi is in safely!
And that pays off! Doukai grounds one back up the middle for a single and Yamaguchi comes in to score! 3-1!
Tanigawa looking to continue the rally, bloops one to short left center. Takeuchi running in, dives and makes the catch! Hino gets out of the inning, but not before Mie gets one of those runs back.
Top 2nd
Minori hits a high popup in the infield. Takashita under it, then backpedals and makes the catch! Wind is blowing out to center today and it seems to be wreaking some havoc out there.
And Hamamoto's music is Sobakasu from Ruroni Kenshin. Sweet.
Oh right, the game. Hamamoto grounds out to 1st as Tanigawa flips the ball to Masuda for the out.
Takeuchi flies out to center to end the inning, and Masuda has a quick and easy inning.
Bottom 2nd
Jinushi leads off the 2nd with a shot to right center! Gouda runds it down, but not before Jinushi is in with a double!
And Mie's oen-dan is playing Waseda's chance music!
Katou bunts Jinushi over and Mie looks to trim the deficit to 1. Masuda steps to the plate.
And he hits a high popup! Takashita gets under it, but he drops it! The wind again plays a role here as Takashita never really gets under the ball! It drops in and Jinushi comes home! It's a 3-2 ballgame!
Oono-kantoku now calls time and has a conference on the mound. They certainly can't let the early lead slip away this fast.
Aoki bunts Masuda over into scoring position and now it's back to the top of the order and Yamaguchi to try and tie the game up.
But he instead pops it up in foul territory. Seki is under it for the 3rd out. But Mie continues to chip away at the deficit and it's now a manageable 1.
Top 3rd
Masuda having little trouble here in the 3rd. Gouda lines out right to Doukai, Seki grounds out to Aoki and Kurabuchi flies out to Yamaguchi. Masuda seems has settled down after the 1st inning.
Bottom 3rd
Hino is looking for some of the same. He gets Shigeyama to hit a comebacker to him for the first out.
Then Matsuda hits a fly to left, Takeuchi going back... and it's over his head! He's in with a double! Chance for Mie!
Doukai looking for the equalizer. But he hits a grounder to 3rd. Seki up with the throw and it's high! Inoue snags it and makes the sweep tag for the out! 2 down!
Tanigawa first pitch swinging pops it up! Hamamoto under it and that's 3 outs! Mie is unable to take advantage of Matsuda's double!
Top 4th
Hino with a weak grounder to Tanigawa who runs it to the bag for the 1st out.
Inoue first pitch swinging hits grounder to third for the 2nd out.
Masuda with another 1-2-3 inning as Takashita grounds out to short. If not for the first inning, his team would be ahead!
Bottom 4th
Jinushi working the count on Hino, trying to get on base - being a bit stubborn as he fouls pitches off. 9th pitch of the AB, and Hino walks him!
Katou immediately looking to bunt the runner over, pulls it back! It's a ball, but Minori fires to 1st! Jinushi diving back... but he's late! He's picked off 1st! Bad baserunning after he managed to work a walk!
Katou flies out to right for the 2nd out.
And Masuda immediately follows with a fly to center for the 3rd out. Leadoff walk turns into a 1-2-3 inning.
Top 5th
Minori with a leadoff single into left. That's the first leadoff runner on for Imabari.
Hamamoto looking to bunt the runner along, but can't and it goes to 2 strikes.
He tries it again but pushes it foul and is out!
Takeuchi up, and Masuda gets him swinging on a pitch down and away for his 2nd K.
And Minori takes off for 2nd on the first pitch to Gouda! Katou with the throw to 2nd and they nail him for the 3rd out!
Bottom 5th
Last batter Aoki starts off the inning for Mie. And the tuba player(s) in Mie's oen-dan needs some serious help. It sounds like he's dying. Seriously.
Aoki with a comebacker! It's off Hino's foot and bounces towards the 3rd base line! Hino scrambles to get it, but Aoki is easily safe at 1st on the hit.
He gets some itai spray on it, throws a couple of practice pitches.
Yamaguchi up to bunt and lays it down. Seki charging in, double clutches. Throw to 1st... and Yamaguchi is safe! He runs through the bag instead of sliding and he beats the throw!
See kids? That's why you run THROUGH the bag, and NOT slide into it!
Shigeyama up now, doesn't look like he's bunting.
Oh, wait. He does. Hino up with it, throws to 1st for the out although Shigeyama made it close. (Oh, and Shigeyama was also running through the bag.)
Runners on 2nd and 3rd for Masuda!
Oono-kantoku calls a conference. Their lead is in real jeopardy now!
And Masuda witha popup to shallow left! Hamamoto is called of by a charging Takeuchi! He dives... and loses the ball and his glove! The runners advance and that means that Aoki scores to tie the game! It's 3-3!
I'm not sure why Hamamoto was called off, he had a better play at it...
Doukai up now and the Imabari infield is playing for 2.
Grounder to short by Doukai! Hamamoto up with it, runs to 2nd, relay to 1st... SAFE! Doukai slides (AAARGH!) in safely and Yamaguchi scores giving Mie the lead! It's 4-3!!
And again, another questionable decision. Why did Hamamoto run to the bag instead of flicking to to Takashita who was covering??
Tanigawa flies out to right to end the inning. BUT! Mie scores 2 runs on questionable defensive decisions and they take the lead going into the break!
Top 6th
Masuda comes back from the break and gets Gouda to ground out to 2nd.
Then collects his 3rd K on Seki with a slider in the dirt.
Just when it seemed like another 1-2-3 inning, he walks Kurabuchi.
Hino then lines one into right center! Matsuda cuts it off, but Kurabuchi goes for 3rd and reaches! Runners on the corners for Imabari!
Inoue up next as Okita-kantoku calls a conference.
But Inoue with a grounder to 3rd. Aoki up with it and throws to first..
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He throws it high! It goes to the fence as the runners advance! Tanigawa retrieves it, but not before Kurabuchi scores! We're tied again at 4-4 and Masuda isn't out of the woods yet!!
Runners at 2nd and 3rd for Takashita!
No, wait... sensing an opportunity, Ooni-kantoku has #15 Fujimoto pinch hit for Takashita.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Masuda with the wild pitch! Katou can't keep it in and it goes all the way to the backstop! Hino comes in to score and Imabari Nishi has retaken the lead!! It's 5-4!!
Fujimoto can't extend the lead as he grounds out to Aoki for the 3rd out. But Imabari Nishi stages a 2-out rally to retake the lead!!
Bottom 6th
Hino even with all the issues has thrown just over 50 pitches.
And he continues to keep the count low as he gets Jinushi to ground to 3rd and Katou first pitch swinging to short.
Masuda proves to be a bit more stubborn, lasting 8 pitches, but eventually flying out to left.
Hino preserves the lead at least for another inning. But the cameras panned to the Imabari bullpen where #11 Hayashi is warming up. That's strange given Hino is certainly within pitch count limits.
Top 7th
Last batter Minori takes a pitch to center for a leadoff hit.
Hamamoto looks to bunt the runner along, but bunts it foul. He shows bunt, but swings away! He fouls that off too.
0-2 now, and he tries to bunt again! But he bunts it foul and goes down for the 2nd time!
Takeuchi up and he's swinging away. Masuda gets him swinging! Minori running for 2nd! Throw from Katou... in time! Masuda gets the strike 'em out throw 'em out double play to end the inning!
Bottom 7th
Aoki tries to get on base with a bunt, but fouls it off.
But then he lines one to left for a leadoff single!
Yamaguchi up. Bunts it in the air! Inoue charging in, dives!! He misses!! Hino with the ball, but way too late! All safe!!
Shigeyama up, and he's going to bunt right?
Yep, but bunts it foul. Tries again, but again goes foul! 0-2, now what?
Eh? Oono-kantoku makes a defensive change now?? #4 Aritomo comes in for Fujimoto and takes over at 2nd. That seems strange...
And Shigeyama bunts it again! This time he puts it down and the runners advance!
Matsuda, already 2-3 with a double can give Mie the lead with a base hit.
Slow chopper up the 1st base line! Inoue runs to get it, but no one's gone over to cover 1st!! Everyone's safe as Aoki scores and Mie has tied it up once again! It's 5-5 and Mie has runners at the corners!!
And it looks like Oono-kantoku has seen enough. He sends #10 Sasaki in for Inoue (he had the hustle play, why punish him?) and put him on the hill. Hino moves over to 1st.
Doukai up looking for even just a sac fly to take the lead.
But instead Okita-kantoku calls for the hit-and-run! Doukai fouls it off.
Again! But Doukai misses! Katou fakes the throw to 2nd and Matsuda reaches 2nd! Now a base hit could mean a 2-run lead!
Eh? Oono-kantoku is making another change? He's switching Hino and Sasaki!
I wondered when I would be seeing this!
Oono-kantoku has a righty and a lefty pitcher! He's using them in platoon situations! I had always wondered if a team had a good lefty/righty combo if a manager would ever consider platooning them against another team! And we're seeing it right here!!
Oh! Tanigawa with a drive down the right field line... foul!
Tanigawa with a grounder to 2nd! Aritomo going to his right gets it! Throw to first, a bit wide! Sasaki gets it, reaching his leg to the bag... and gets the out! Hino gets out of the inning, but not before Mie levels the score once again!
Top 8th
Masuda strikes Gouda on a slider away to start the inning.
Seki grounds out up the middle to Shigeyama who makes a nice throw to 1st.
Kurabuchi with a repeat of Seki's AB and Mie heads back to the dugout and takes the sticks!
Bottom 8th
EH? Another pitching change? This time #11 Hayashi comes in for Sasaki and takes the mound while Hino goes back to 1st!
Hayashi doesn't throw nearly as hard, hitting only the mid 120's with his fastball! Wonder what Oono's thinking...
But he does gets Jinushi to hit a foul fly to right.
Not sure how effective Hayashi is. His pitches are a bit all over.
AH!!!!! Katou with a drive down the left field line!! Takeuchi running to the fence.. just foul!!
But Hayashi gets him swinging on a high fastball! 2 down!
And Masuda flies out to center to end the inning.
He may have gotten the job done, but I'm a bit concerned about Hayashi and why Oono decided to go with him instead of Sasaki.
Top 9th
Hino gets fooled on a slider outside for Masuda's 7th K.
New P Hayashi grounds out to third.
And Aritomo grounds out to 2nd for a 1-2-3 inning.
So Mie will have a chance to end it here in the bottom of the 9th!
Bottom 9th
Hayashi gets Aoki to fly out to center, but his control is still questionable.
Yamaguchi swinging on first pitch and fouls out to 3rd!
Shigeyama up, and Hayashi gets ahead of him 0-2. And he finishes the inning by getting him to fly out to center!
And we're into extra innings!!!
Top 10th
Ah! Masuda hits Minori to start off the 10th! I don't really know if Minori really tried to move out of the way or not, but he's on base nonetheless!
Hamamoto is actually swinging away? He flies out to center! You're playing for 1 run, so perhaps you bunt there?
And Takeuchi goes down swinging! 2 down for Imabari Nishi!
Gouda up now. Minori takes off for 2nd! Katou with the throw and they easily get him! The leadoff HBP cannot advance and Imabari wastes an opportunity!
Bottom 11th
Matsuda with a blooper into left center, and that falls in! Now Mie has the sayonara runner on base!
Doukai squaring to bunt, but fouls it off!
And now Matsuda breaks for 2nd! Hayashi with the slow curve and the throw from Minori is not in time! The winning run is in scoring position!!
But with 2 strikes, Doukai can't bunt!
And indeed he goes down swinging as he can't check up on a ball in the dirt.
Oono-kantoku out for a conference on the mound.
And they're intentionally walking Tanigawa??!
And now Oono-kantoku is switching up the pitchers! Hino retakes the mound while Hayashi goes to 1st.
But if you were going to do that, why not do it against Tanigawa? He was 0-4 on the day!!
But Jinushi hits a grounder to 2nd! Aritomo to Hamamoto for one, relay to first... not in time! Jinushi dives in safely to 1st to keep the inning alive! Even with the dive I'm amazed at how fast he flew down there!
The sayonara run is just 90 feet away now!
Katou up to bat with 2 down. Needs a base hit!
And he hits a grounder to the right side!! Hayashi dives, can't get it! Aritomo dives, he can't get it!
サヨナラ!!!!! Katou with the sayonara hit to end the game for Mie and advance them into the next round!! Mie guts through another close game and edges out Imabari Nishi in extra innings!
It's interesting in that their free-swinging style worked against Imabari Nishi, and they should relish in the victory. But again, one has to wonder if that same aggressive style will work in later rounds.
As for Imabari Nishi, they were unable to hold on to their leads throughout the game. While the defense was sharp, they just couldn't stop the base hits from Mie.
They're certainly an interesting team, with a manager who may not be afraid to platoon pitchers. I'd like to see Imabari come back and this time really utilize it.
One side is Shikoku champion Imabari Nishi. The team is led by ace Hino Reona, who has a max of 131 kph, but has a slider at 110, a curve at 100 and a changeup. Backed by good defense, the team was able to edge out teams such as Meitoku Gijyuku, Saibi and Kochi. Then in the Meji Jingu Taikai, they defeated Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku (who just lost), and Kaisei (who was upset earlier) before losing to Oogaki Nichidai.
That's one heck of a gauntlet to go through.
The team has 12 lefties on the roster. They don't strike out, and take some walks. The main offensive threat, is... well... their ace.
Mie earned the Meiji Jingu Taiki bid. They had moderate success last year at Koshien defeating Kumamoto Kougyou in the first round.
The team generally goes to ace Masuda for most games, with reliever Matsuda splitting time in some games. Interestingly enough, last summer Masuda and Matsuda wore each others numbers. Neither are really strikeout pitchers and there is some control issues with Masuda.
Offensively, the team doesn't do a whole lot of anything except get base hits. They don't get many extra base hits, don't walk, and don't steal much. It seems much like an NL team. There is no big power hitter, just a lot of good base hitters.
With a team like Mie's, a one-dimensional team probably will not go far. But it would be interesting to see how far it can go.
Imabari Nishi (Ehime) - Shikoku Champions
SS Hamamoto Hiroki
LF Takeuchi Jyunpei (#12)
CF Gouda Ryouya
3B Seki Yuuichirou
RF Kurabuchi Shun
P Hino Reona
1B Inoue Yousuke
2B Takashita Youhei (#14)
C Minori Kento
Mie (Mie) - Meiji Jingu Tournament Bid
CF Yamaguchi Yuudai
SS Shigeyama Eiji
RF Matsuda Shougo
LF Doukai Masayuki
1B Tanigawa Koutarou
2B Jinushi Kazuma
C Katou Takuma
P Masuda Daiki
3B Aoki Shou
__________________________________________________
14:27 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Masuda opens the game by getting Hamamoto to ground out to 3rd.
Takeuchi then drives a ball to deep center! Yamaguchi running back to the wall, but the ball falls in just in front of the wall! He's in with a stand up double!
And Masuda then walks Gouda on 4 straight!
Okita-kantoku immediately calls a conference on the mound.
Camera pans to RF Matsuda, who is actually the other pitcher on the staff!
Grounder by Seki to 3B! Aoki's throw to 2nd is low and Jinushi can't field it! Everyone's safe on the throwing error! Manrui for Imabari!
Kurabuchi takes the first pitch past a diving Jinushi into right! Takeuchi comes in and Imabari Nishi takes the early 1-0 lead!
Hino steps in looking to extend the lead for himself.
And he does just that with a fly to center! Yamaguchi fields it and Gouda comes in easily to make it a 2-0 game!
Hm... Inoue has the Evangelion theme song too. Since when did that become popular?
Oh yeah, since they started releasing the new movies... anywho....
But they're playing it waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too fast...
Inoue with a shallow popup to left center. Shigeyama goes out to field it, but can't get his bearings! It drops in and Seki comes around to score! It's 3-0 Imabari!!
Takashita grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, but for a team like Mie being down 3-0 is not a good way to start.
Bottom 1st
Yamaguchi first-pitch swinging laces one to right for a leadoff single. But then Shigeyama pops up his bunt attempt and it's caught by Minori.
Matsuda quickly flies out to center and there's 2 down.
Doukai up, and Yamaguchi takes off for 2nd! Minori with the throw but it's high and Yamaguchi is in safely!
And that pays off! Doukai grounds one back up the middle for a single and Yamaguchi comes in to score! 3-1!
Tanigawa looking to continue the rally, bloops one to short left center. Takeuchi running in, dives and makes the catch! Hino gets out of the inning, but not before Mie gets one of those runs back.
Top 2nd
Minori hits a high popup in the infield. Takashita under it, then backpedals and makes the catch! Wind is blowing out to center today and it seems to be wreaking some havoc out there.
And Hamamoto's music is Sobakasu from Ruroni Kenshin. Sweet.
Oh right, the game. Hamamoto grounds out to 1st as Tanigawa flips the ball to Masuda for the out.
Takeuchi flies out to center to end the inning, and Masuda has a quick and easy inning.
Bottom 2nd
Jinushi leads off the 2nd with a shot to right center! Gouda runds it down, but not before Jinushi is in with a double!
And Mie's oen-dan is playing Waseda's chance music!
Katou bunts Jinushi over and Mie looks to trim the deficit to 1. Masuda steps to the plate.
And he hits a high popup! Takashita gets under it, but he drops it! The wind again plays a role here as Takashita never really gets under the ball! It drops in and Jinushi comes home! It's a 3-2 ballgame!
Oono-kantoku now calls time and has a conference on the mound. They certainly can't let the early lead slip away this fast.
Aoki bunts Masuda over into scoring position and now it's back to the top of the order and Yamaguchi to try and tie the game up.
But he instead pops it up in foul territory. Seki is under it for the 3rd out. But Mie continues to chip away at the deficit and it's now a manageable 1.
Top 3rd
Masuda having little trouble here in the 3rd. Gouda lines out right to Doukai, Seki grounds out to Aoki and Kurabuchi flies out to Yamaguchi. Masuda seems has settled down after the 1st inning.
Bottom 3rd
Hino is looking for some of the same. He gets Shigeyama to hit a comebacker to him for the first out.
Then Matsuda hits a fly to left, Takeuchi going back... and it's over his head! He's in with a double! Chance for Mie!
Doukai looking for the equalizer. But he hits a grounder to 3rd. Seki up with the throw and it's high! Inoue snags it and makes the sweep tag for the out! 2 down!
Tanigawa first pitch swinging pops it up! Hamamoto under it and that's 3 outs! Mie is unable to take advantage of Matsuda's double!
Top 4th
Hino with a weak grounder to Tanigawa who runs it to the bag for the 1st out.
Inoue first pitch swinging hits grounder to third for the 2nd out.
Masuda with another 1-2-3 inning as Takashita grounds out to short. If not for the first inning, his team would be ahead!
Bottom 4th
Jinushi working the count on Hino, trying to get on base - being a bit stubborn as he fouls pitches off. 9th pitch of the AB, and Hino walks him!
Katou immediately looking to bunt the runner over, pulls it back! It's a ball, but Minori fires to 1st! Jinushi diving back... but he's late! He's picked off 1st! Bad baserunning after he managed to work a walk!
Katou flies out to right for the 2nd out.
And Masuda immediately follows with a fly to center for the 3rd out. Leadoff walk turns into a 1-2-3 inning.
Top 5th
Minori with a leadoff single into left. That's the first leadoff runner on for Imabari.
Hamamoto looking to bunt the runner along, but can't and it goes to 2 strikes.
He tries it again but pushes it foul and is out!
Takeuchi up, and Masuda gets him swinging on a pitch down and away for his 2nd K.
And Minori takes off for 2nd on the first pitch to Gouda! Katou with the throw to 2nd and they nail him for the 3rd out!
Bottom 5th
Last batter Aoki starts off the inning for Mie. And the tuba player(s) in Mie's oen-dan needs some serious help. It sounds like he's dying. Seriously.
Aoki with a comebacker! It's off Hino's foot and bounces towards the 3rd base line! Hino scrambles to get it, but Aoki is easily safe at 1st on the hit.
He gets some itai spray on it, throws a couple of practice pitches.
Yamaguchi up to bunt and lays it down. Seki charging in, double clutches. Throw to 1st... and Yamaguchi is safe! He runs through the bag instead of sliding and he beats the throw!
See kids? That's why you run THROUGH the bag, and NOT slide into it!
Shigeyama up now, doesn't look like he's bunting.
Oh, wait. He does. Hino up with it, throws to 1st for the out although Shigeyama made it close. (Oh, and Shigeyama was also running through the bag.)
Runners on 2nd and 3rd for Masuda!
Oono-kantoku calls a conference. Their lead is in real jeopardy now!
And Masuda witha popup to shallow left! Hamamoto is called of by a charging Takeuchi! He dives... and loses the ball and his glove! The runners advance and that means that Aoki scores to tie the game! It's 3-3!
I'm not sure why Hamamoto was called off, he had a better play at it...
Doukai up now and the Imabari infield is playing for 2.
Grounder to short by Doukai! Hamamoto up with it, runs to 2nd, relay to 1st... SAFE! Doukai slides (AAARGH!) in safely and Yamaguchi scores giving Mie the lead! It's 4-3!!
And again, another questionable decision. Why did Hamamoto run to the bag instead of flicking to to Takashita who was covering??
Tanigawa flies out to right to end the inning. BUT! Mie scores 2 runs on questionable defensive decisions and they take the lead going into the break!
Top 6th
Masuda comes back from the break and gets Gouda to ground out to 2nd.
Then collects his 3rd K on Seki with a slider in the dirt.
Just when it seemed like another 1-2-3 inning, he walks Kurabuchi.
Hino then lines one into right center! Matsuda cuts it off, but Kurabuchi goes for 3rd and reaches! Runners on the corners for Imabari!
Inoue up next as Okita-kantoku calls a conference.
But Inoue with a grounder to 3rd. Aoki up with it and throws to first..
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He throws it high! It goes to the fence as the runners advance! Tanigawa retrieves it, but not before Kurabuchi scores! We're tied again at 4-4 and Masuda isn't out of the woods yet!!
Runners at 2nd and 3rd for Takashita!
No, wait... sensing an opportunity, Ooni-kantoku has #15 Fujimoto pinch hit for Takashita.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Masuda with the wild pitch! Katou can't keep it in and it goes all the way to the backstop! Hino comes in to score and Imabari Nishi has retaken the lead!! It's 5-4!!
Fujimoto can't extend the lead as he grounds out to Aoki for the 3rd out. But Imabari Nishi stages a 2-out rally to retake the lead!!
Bottom 6th
Hino even with all the issues has thrown just over 50 pitches.
And he continues to keep the count low as he gets Jinushi to ground to 3rd and Katou first pitch swinging to short.
Masuda proves to be a bit more stubborn, lasting 8 pitches, but eventually flying out to left.
Hino preserves the lead at least for another inning. But the cameras panned to the Imabari bullpen where #11 Hayashi is warming up. That's strange given Hino is certainly within pitch count limits.
Top 7th
Last batter Minori takes a pitch to center for a leadoff hit.
Hamamoto looks to bunt the runner along, but bunts it foul. He shows bunt, but swings away! He fouls that off too.
0-2 now, and he tries to bunt again! But he bunts it foul and goes down for the 2nd time!
Takeuchi up and he's swinging away. Masuda gets him swinging! Minori running for 2nd! Throw from Katou... in time! Masuda gets the strike 'em out throw 'em out double play to end the inning!
Bottom 7th
Aoki tries to get on base with a bunt, but fouls it off.
But then he lines one to left for a leadoff single!
Yamaguchi up. Bunts it in the air! Inoue charging in, dives!! He misses!! Hino with the ball, but way too late! All safe!!
Shigeyama up, and he's going to bunt right?
Yep, but bunts it foul. Tries again, but again goes foul! 0-2, now what?
Eh? Oono-kantoku makes a defensive change now?? #4 Aritomo comes in for Fujimoto and takes over at 2nd. That seems strange...
And Shigeyama bunts it again! This time he puts it down and the runners advance!
Matsuda, already 2-3 with a double can give Mie the lead with a base hit.
Slow chopper up the 1st base line! Inoue runs to get it, but no one's gone over to cover 1st!! Everyone's safe as Aoki scores and Mie has tied it up once again! It's 5-5 and Mie has runners at the corners!!
And it looks like Oono-kantoku has seen enough. He sends #10 Sasaki in for Inoue (he had the hustle play, why punish him?) and put him on the hill. Hino moves over to 1st.
Doukai up looking for even just a sac fly to take the lead.
But instead Okita-kantoku calls for the hit-and-run! Doukai fouls it off.
Again! But Doukai misses! Katou fakes the throw to 2nd and Matsuda reaches 2nd! Now a base hit could mean a 2-run lead!
Eh? Oono-kantoku is making another change? He's switching Hino and Sasaki!
I wondered when I would be seeing this!
Oono-kantoku has a righty and a lefty pitcher! He's using them in platoon situations! I had always wondered if a team had a good lefty/righty combo if a manager would ever consider platooning them against another team! And we're seeing it right here!!
Oh! Tanigawa with a drive down the right field line... foul!
Tanigawa with a grounder to 2nd! Aritomo going to his right gets it! Throw to first, a bit wide! Sasaki gets it, reaching his leg to the bag... and gets the out! Hino gets out of the inning, but not before Mie levels the score once again!
Top 8th
Masuda strikes Gouda on a slider away to start the inning.
Seki grounds out up the middle to Shigeyama who makes a nice throw to 1st.
Kurabuchi with a repeat of Seki's AB and Mie heads back to the dugout and takes the sticks!
Bottom 8th
EH? Another pitching change? This time #11 Hayashi comes in for Sasaki and takes the mound while Hino goes back to 1st!
Hayashi doesn't throw nearly as hard, hitting only the mid 120's with his fastball! Wonder what Oono's thinking...
But he does gets Jinushi to hit a foul fly to right.
Not sure how effective Hayashi is. His pitches are a bit all over.
AH!!!!! Katou with a drive down the left field line!! Takeuchi running to the fence.. just foul!!
But Hayashi gets him swinging on a high fastball! 2 down!
And Masuda flies out to center to end the inning.
He may have gotten the job done, but I'm a bit concerned about Hayashi and why Oono decided to go with him instead of Sasaki.
Top 9th
Hino gets fooled on a slider outside for Masuda's 7th K.
New P Hayashi grounds out to third.
And Aritomo grounds out to 2nd for a 1-2-3 inning.
So Mie will have a chance to end it here in the bottom of the 9th!
Bottom 9th
Hayashi gets Aoki to fly out to center, but his control is still questionable.
Yamaguchi swinging on first pitch and fouls out to 3rd!
Shigeyama up, and Hayashi gets ahead of him 0-2. And he finishes the inning by getting him to fly out to center!
And we're into extra innings!!!
Top 10th
Ah! Masuda hits Minori to start off the 10th! I don't really know if Minori really tried to move out of the way or not, but he's on base nonetheless!
Hamamoto is actually swinging away? He flies out to center! You're playing for 1 run, so perhaps you bunt there?
And Takeuchi goes down swinging! 2 down for Imabari Nishi!
Gouda up now. Minori takes off for 2nd! Katou with the throw and they easily get him! The leadoff HBP cannot advance and Imabari wastes an opportunity!
Bottom 11th
Matsuda with a blooper into left center, and that falls in! Now Mie has the sayonara runner on base!
Doukai squaring to bunt, but fouls it off!
And now Matsuda breaks for 2nd! Hayashi with the slow curve and the throw from Minori is not in time! The winning run is in scoring position!!
But with 2 strikes, Doukai can't bunt!
And indeed he goes down swinging as he can't check up on a ball in the dirt.
Oono-kantoku out for a conference on the mound.
And they're intentionally walking Tanigawa??!
And now Oono-kantoku is switching up the pitchers! Hino retakes the mound while Hayashi goes to 1st.
But if you were going to do that, why not do it against Tanigawa? He was 0-4 on the day!!
But Jinushi hits a grounder to 2nd! Aritomo to Hamamoto for one, relay to first... not in time! Jinushi dives in safely to 1st to keep the inning alive! Even with the dive I'm amazed at how fast he flew down there!
The sayonara run is just 90 feet away now!
Katou up to bat with 2 down. Needs a base hit!
And he hits a grounder to the right side!! Hayashi dives, can't get it! Aritomo dives, he can't get it!
サヨナラ!!!!! Katou with the sayonara hit to end the game for Mie and advance them into the next round!! Mie guts through another close game and edges out Imabari Nishi in extra innings!
It's interesting in that their free-swinging style worked against Imabari Nishi, and they should relish in the victory. But again, one has to wonder if that same aggressive style will work in later rounds.
As for Imabari Nishi, they were unable to hold on to their leads throughout the game. While the defense was sharp, they just couldn't stop the base hits from Mie.
They're certainly an interesting team, with a manager who may not be afraid to platoon pitchers. I'd like to see Imabari come back and this time really utilize it.
Day 4 - Game 2 - Teikyou (Tokyo) vs. Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku (Hyogo)
Our matinee game is a bit of a doozy. Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku has earned their 3rd senbatsu appearance (all 3 have been in the 2000's) and get to face off against one of the heavy favorites Teikyou.
The strength of Kobe's team lies in ace Okamoto. Against a stacked field which included Toyodai Himeji, Kita-Ootsu, Tenri and Osaka Touin, he put up some great numbers (83.1 IP, 5.62 H/9, 7.67 K/9, 1.73 BB/9). And while Oogawa Kento has seen some time, make no mistake Okamoto's their man.
Offensively they look like most other clubs. Good average, some doubles power and patient enough to take some walks.
Teikyou comes into the tournament not with their high-powered offense as the cornerstone, but instead a strong pitching staff. 3rd-year Suzuki Shouta wears the ace number, but everyone knows the hype surrounding #11 Itou Takuro. Now some may claim that it's out of seniority that Suzuki wears #1, but the numbers say that he certainly holds his own:
Suzuki - 32 IP, 6.47 H/9, 10.41 K/9, 2.25 BB/9
Itou - 41.2 IP, 6.48 H/9, 8.86 K/9, 3.46 BB/9
Of course, they're back down to 2 primary pitchers, but at least they have others who have had some experience on the mound (Yamazaki, Kawakami, Ogiya).
Now that's not to say the offense isn't as potent as in years past. Their all or nothing mentality still gives them a decent average, but they average just about 2 doubles and 1 HR per game. But they're not afraid to take a walk. Sonoda is their big hitter (27 AB, 13 H, 5 2B, 4 3B, HR, 15 BB!) with Matsumoto being their other star hitter.
The game pretty much hinges on Okamoto Ken. If his numbers aren't a reflection of his abilities, this game is over. Otherwise, this could be a good one.
So it's Takurou Itou who takes the hill. Bet the fans who came are glad. He's certainly a hyped star, but a good one nonetheless.
Teikyou (Tokyo) - Tokyo Champions
3B Taguchi Masaki (#4)
2B Yoshioka Shun (#5)
LF Sonoda Takato
CF Kubota (Hirotomo)
RF Okabe (Michiori)
1B Suzuki Shouta (#1)
SS Matsumoto Gou
C Yasuo Toshiya
P Itou Takuro (#11)
Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku (Hyogo) - Kinki Champions
1B Ishioka Ryouta
CF Matsumura Naoya
RF Tanaka Suguru
P Okamoto Ken
LF Shinotou Takashi (#16)
3B Ishii Toshinori
2B Mano Keisuke
SS Shimono Kanta
C Fukuda Yuuto
__________________________________________________
11:39 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Taguchi begins the game with an 8 pitch AB which results in a single to right. Yoshioka moves him over to 2nd.
Okamoto comes right back and strikes out Sonoda on a slider inside. That was a 9 pitch AB though, so Teikyou is certainly making him work. That is borne out when Kubota doesn't swing the bat and takes a 5 pitch walk.
Fukuda come out and communicates with the defense.
Okabe up now. And the 1-0 pitch from Okamoto isn't handled by Fukuda! Runners advance! And Okamoto falls behind 3-1!
Grounder up the middle! Mano diving, has it! Throw to 1st... in time! Okamoto gets out of the inning with no damage! However, he did throw 28 pitches this inning.
Bottom 1st
Itou starts with a slider at 127, and another at 123. And there's the 142 that we're all expecting.
But he's throwing breaking balls. Slider gets Ishioka swinging for out 1.
Matsumura with a drive to deep center! Kubota running back, looking one way, then another, reaches out... and makes the catch right in front of the wall!
Tanaka earns a two-out walk. And now Okamoto is ahead 3-0! He's given the green light 3-1 and he drives the ball to deep center! This one is easier for Kubota as he parks under it for the 3rd out.
A couple of drives against Itou early is a bit surprising.
Top 2nd
Suzuki goes down swinging. I like what I'm seeing from Okamoto.
And just like that, Matsumoto blasts one over Tanaka's head right to the wall for a double.
Yasuo grounds to 2nd, but it advances the runner.
Itou up and OW!
First pitch from Okamoto hits him in the upper leg! He walks it off, but OW!
Taguchi grounds to 2nd to end the inning. We'll ahve to see how Itou handles the mound after being hit.
Bottom 2nd
Shinotou with a chopper in front of home! Itou and Yasuo converge on the ball and wait on it, but it just dies! They forgot that with the wet ground, the ball wasn't going to move much! Infield hit for Shinotou!
Hit-and-run for Ishii! He strikes out swinging! Throw to 2nd gets past Taguchi!
Runner on 2nd with one down, but Mano can't advance him. He grounds to short and Shinotou has to hold.
Shimono with a drive to left center! That falls in front of the wall! Shinotou comes around to score on the double by Shimono and Kobe takes the lead 1-0!
Fukuda lifts one to right center, but he got too much under it. Kubota comes in and makes the catch. 3 outs, but Kobe gets to Itou and takes the lead!
Top 3rd
Yoshioka with a shallow popfly. Shimiono, Shinotou and Matsumura all converge on the ball, and it's Shinotou who makes the catch.
Looks like the wind is blowing quite a bit again.
Sonoda earns a one-out walk. Again Teikyou is not bunting.
Hit and run! Kubota tries to check his swing on an up and in pitch but the ball finds his bat! It goes down the 3rd base line and goes foul.
Behind 1-2, Kubota goes to bunt! Ah, but he pops it up! Fukuda under it, makes the catch and Sonoda returns to 1st. 2 down.
And now Sonoda tries to take the base himself! Throw to 2nd by Fukuda... in time! They gun down Sonoda and Teikyou is held scoreless again!
Bottom 3rd
Itou still giving up some very long outs here. Ishioka starts off the inning with a deep drive to left. Sonoda going back gets it, but is pretty close to the fence.
Matsumura with a comebacker that Itou gets out of the way of and Kobe has a man on.
And Aoki-kantoku sends Matsumura! Yasuo up with the throw, Matsumoto with it, but drops it as he tries to make the tag!
Itou comes right back and strikes out Tanaka! 2 down.
Cleanup batter Okamoto up now trying to give himself a bigger cushion. But Itou gets ahead 1-2.
Grounder through the left side! Matsumura being sent home! Sonoda up with the throw! Yasuo up the line trying to field it and Matsumura bowls him over before the ball gets there! Yasuo has no time to field it as Matsumura rolls over and touches home plate! Okamoto with the timely hit giving his team a 2-0 lead!
Shinotou pops it up. Taguchi under it in foul territory makes the catch, but Kobe gets another run and is leading Teikyou 2-0!
Top 4th
Okamoto continues to look good on the mound getting Okabe to fly out to left.
Ace number Suzuki though gets a single to right. Then Matsumoto with a towering fly to shallow left center. The outfielders converge, but defer to Shimono who overruns the ball! All safe!
Yasuo up. Liner! Shimono makes the leaping catch! WOW! Runners retreat to their base as Shimono makes up for the miss with a great play!
And Okamoto strikes out Itou to end the inning! Teikyou unable to score again!
Bottom 4th
Ishii with another base hit off of Itou with a liner to right! Mano bunts him over to 2nd. Kobe Kokusaidai threatening again!
Shimono showing bunt, but probably to distract Itou. He grounds to short. Matsumoto with the stop, fumbles with the ball a little, but makes the play at 1st. 2 down.
Fukuda with a grounder to short. Easy play for Matsumoto and the inning is over.
Top 5th
Taguchi with a chopper to the left side. Ishii gets it on the hop and makes the throw to 1st.
Yoshioka with a hard hit to 3rd. Ishii with a great stop! Picks it up, throw to 1st... in time! Nice play!
Sonoda on a full count sends one back up the middle for a 2-out single.
Kubota with a high popup. Shimono under it and the side is retired. Okamoto doing a masterful job on the mound!
Bottom 5th
Quick inning for Itou. Grounder to short, K and grounder to 1st - all in 8 pitches. He's still throws hard, but doesn't seem as intimidating as he was during the summer.
Top 6th
Okamoto continues to mow down hitters. Okabe gets fooled, reaches out and pops it up to left.
AHH!!!! Suzuki with a drive to deep center!! Matsumura turning around and sprinting to the wall! He stops, looks, leaps...
AND MAKES THE CATCH!! WOW!!!!!
Matsumura with a fine play in center robbing what certainly would have been a double, maybe a triple!
And Okamoto finishes the job striking out Matsumoto looking! 6 in the books and Okamoto has kept Teikyou off the board!!
Bottom 6th
Okamoto leads off the inning working a leadoff walk. And now Aoki-kantoku has Shinotou bunting! 2 runs is certainly not enough against this offense.
But Ishii goes down swinging on what appears to be a shuuto (don't quote me on it, my knowledge of pitches is very limited). 2 outs.
Mano now tasked with getting the run in as "Train Train" plays. Itou throws offspeed stuff at him and gets ahead 1-2. Fastball outside, and Mano just fouls it off.
Grounder up the middle! But Matsumoto is there! Gathers himself, throw to 1st is in time for the 3rd out.
Kobe wastes another opportunity to play add-on here in the 6th.
Top 7th
Yasuo harmlessly grounds out to 2nd to start the inning.
And I didn't know Itou's music was "Popeye the Sailor Man". For someone his build, makes sense. And he holds up on a pitch inside for ball 3. That seemed awfully close to hold up on.
But it works and he earns a walk. That brings up back to the top of the order and Taguchi.
And he shows bunt (I mean a bunt as last as possible)! Lays it down the 3rd base line! Fukuda retrieving it, throws to first... beats out a diving Taguchi! Wouldn't have made it if he had run through, but would have liked it if he tried to.
Anyways 2 down for Yoshioka. Okamoto falls behind him 2-0.
Grounder to 1st! Ishioka there with the dive! Gets up, but Okamoto isn't covering 1st! Ishioka running back to the bag dives, but Yoshioka's dive beats him out! All safe!!
Where the heck was Okamoto?
Aoki-kantoku might have been wondering the same thing. And he makes a surprising change.
He pulls Okamoto! Well, not really - he moves him to left. The displaced Shinotou moves over to center while #10 Ookawa takes Matsumura's spot in the lineup and takes the hill.
Unfortunately, I can't tell whether it's because of Okamoto's lack of hustle on the play, if he thinks he's getting tired, or something completely different.
Ookawa is coming into a dangerous situation. Teikyou with the tying run on at 1st with 2 down.
One final conference on the mound, and he's off and going.
Ookawa quickly gets up on Sonoda 0-2. Next pitch, way outside.
And Sonoda reaches out and hits one to left. Okamoto coming it, but holds up! He plays it on the bounce and Itou scores! It's 2-1 Kobe and the tying run is in scoring position for Kubota!
Uh oh! Ookawa falls behind 3-0! And a pitch inside loads the bases! Maeda-kantoku sends Matsumoto to talk to Abe before he steps in. A base hit here and they could take the lead!
Abe with a bloop fly to left! Okamoto sprinting towards the foul line, still running, dives, rolls...
MAKES THE CATCH!!!
Wow! Dead sprint by Okamoto and the dive to make the catch to end the inning! He can't preserve the lead on the mound, but he instead does it on the field!
Teikyou has cut the lead to a razor-thin 1 run. And while Kobe has stopped the possible deluge, the dam is showing more cracks than ever, especially with Okamoto not on the hill.
Bottom 7th
The momentum if nothing else seems to be shifting. The Kobe batters are getting fooled by Itou who certainly has returned to form.
Shimono gets fooled on another offspeed pitch. Fukuda makes contact, but it's right at Taguchi. And just to change things up, he blows a 144kph fastball past Ishioka on the outside part of the plate.
It's appears obvious that Kobe is playing hang-on. The question is whether or not they will actually be able to do so.
Top 8th
AH!!! Suzuki with a drive to center! Shinotou immediately running back to the wall, leaping up, but it hits the 1st level landing!! Ace number Suzuki has just tied the game up with one swing of the bat!!! 2-2!!
And that's it for Ookawa. #12 Oota comes in for him and takes the hill. Okamoto still standing in left.
It's a good start for Oota as Matsumoto grounds to 2nd.
Yasuo steps in, and after a long AB earns a walk. Itou up trying to bunt him along, Oota pitching outside. Falls behind 3-1! But 2 pitches later he walks him! For heavens sake, let them bunt!
Taguchi up, not bunting now! Grounder, through to right! Tanaka up with it and Yasuo being sent home! Tanaka's throw home... OUT!
A great throw by Tanaka guns down Yasuo and keeps the game knotted at 2 and now there's 2 outs!
Yoshioka looking to break the tie. Oota falls behind 3-0! Next 2 pitches Yoshioka lets pass, trying to get on any way possible. Full count pitch... inside! Oota walks Yoshioka and now it's manrui for Teikyou with Sonoda up!
AHHHHHH!!!!
1-1 pitch from Oota is in the dirt and Fukuda doesn't get down enough to block it! It 5-holes him and goes all the way to the backstop! He races back to get it, but its too late! Itou scores and Teikyou has taken the lead 3-2 on a passed ball!!!
Now there's runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 out and Teikyou can blow it wide open! Sonoda though grounds out to Ishioka to end the inning.
But the expected has happened. Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku couldn't pull away from Teikyou and allowed them to stay in the game. And as a result they were able to stage a comeback and take the lead here in the late innings!
Bottom 8th
Now Kobe Kokusai will have to play their own version of catchup, but with only 6 outs to do it.
#15 Utsumi comes in to PH for Oota, meaning his day is done. But he goes down swinging.
Tanaka working the count full, but all he can do is ground out to 2nd.
And now Okamoto stands in trying to help his team. Quickly finds himself down 0-2. Pitch way inside is taken for ball 1.
Fastball outside corner... doesn't get the call!
Fastball up! Okamoto misses! 147kph high cheese from Itou and the inning is over!
3 outs left for Kobe, but it feels like it's already over...
Top 9th
#11 Miyauchi comes in now as the 4th pitcher for Kobe hoping to keep the deficit at 1 and give his team a chance.
Kubota lifts one to left, Okamoto running back, changing direction and makes the catch. Didn't seem too sure out there.
Abe reaching out and lining one just out of the reach of Shimono.
Suzuki up again, and they're going right after him. And he pops one up in the infield! Mano under it just in the outfield grass for the 2nd out.
And Matsumoto flies out to center. The game heads to the bottom of the 9th with Teikyou holding the 1-run lead. Can Kobe find a way to plate just one run??
Bottom 9th
It's the 5-6-7 hitters for Kobe up.
Shinotou to lead it off, and he gets ahead 3-1. But he swings away and flies out to center!
Ishii up next, falls behind 0-2... grounds out to 3rd. 2 down!
Mano goes back to the dugout, looks like #7 Omatsu is coming in as a pinch-hitter here.
But like many other batters, he falls behind 0-2... Takes a pitch outside for ball 1. Another and the count is even.
Gets jammed! Grounder to 1st... Suzuki dives and has it. Stumbles as he gets up, and has to sprint to 1st! Jumps to the bag! Omatsu dives!
OUT! Suzuki just beats out a diving Omatsu and that ends the game!!
Okamoto and the bullpen could not hold onto a lead against Teikyou and go down here in the 1st round! They certainly had opportunities, but were never able to fully capitalize on them. As a result they will have to pack their bags and head home.
The strength of Kobe's team lies in ace Okamoto. Against a stacked field which included Toyodai Himeji, Kita-Ootsu, Tenri and Osaka Touin, he put up some great numbers (83.1 IP, 5.62 H/9, 7.67 K/9, 1.73 BB/9). And while Oogawa Kento has seen some time, make no mistake Okamoto's their man.
Offensively they look like most other clubs. Good average, some doubles power and patient enough to take some walks.
Teikyou comes into the tournament not with their high-powered offense as the cornerstone, but instead a strong pitching staff. 3rd-year Suzuki Shouta wears the ace number, but everyone knows the hype surrounding #11 Itou Takuro. Now some may claim that it's out of seniority that Suzuki wears #1, but the numbers say that he certainly holds his own:
Suzuki - 32 IP, 6.47 H/9, 10.41 K/9, 2.25 BB/9
Itou - 41.2 IP, 6.48 H/9, 8.86 K/9, 3.46 BB/9
Of course, they're back down to 2 primary pitchers, but at least they have others who have had some experience on the mound (Yamazaki, Kawakami, Ogiya).
Now that's not to say the offense isn't as potent as in years past. Their all or nothing mentality still gives them a decent average, but they average just about 2 doubles and 1 HR per game. But they're not afraid to take a walk. Sonoda is their big hitter (27 AB, 13 H, 5 2B, 4 3B, HR, 15 BB!) with Matsumoto being their other star hitter.
The game pretty much hinges on Okamoto Ken. If his numbers aren't a reflection of his abilities, this game is over. Otherwise, this could be a good one.
So it's Takurou Itou who takes the hill. Bet the fans who came are glad. He's certainly a hyped star, but a good one nonetheless.
Teikyou (Tokyo) - Tokyo Champions
3B Taguchi Masaki (#4)
2B Yoshioka Shun (#5)
LF Sonoda Takato
CF Kubota (Hirotomo)
RF Okabe (Michiori)
1B Suzuki Shouta (#1)
SS Matsumoto Gou
C Yasuo Toshiya
P Itou Takuro (#11)
Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku (Hyogo) - Kinki Champions
1B Ishioka Ryouta
CF Matsumura Naoya
RF Tanaka Suguru
P Okamoto Ken
LF Shinotou Takashi (#16)
3B Ishii Toshinori
2B Mano Keisuke
SS Shimono Kanta
C Fukuda Yuuto
__________________________________________________
11:39 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Taguchi begins the game with an 8 pitch AB which results in a single to right. Yoshioka moves him over to 2nd.
Okamoto comes right back and strikes out Sonoda on a slider inside. That was a 9 pitch AB though, so Teikyou is certainly making him work. That is borne out when Kubota doesn't swing the bat and takes a 5 pitch walk.
Fukuda come out and communicates with the defense.
Okabe up now. And the 1-0 pitch from Okamoto isn't handled by Fukuda! Runners advance! And Okamoto falls behind 3-1!
Grounder up the middle! Mano diving, has it! Throw to 1st... in time! Okamoto gets out of the inning with no damage! However, he did throw 28 pitches this inning.
Bottom 1st
Itou starts with a slider at 127, and another at 123. And there's the 142 that we're all expecting.
But he's throwing breaking balls. Slider gets Ishioka swinging for out 1.
Matsumura with a drive to deep center! Kubota running back, looking one way, then another, reaches out... and makes the catch right in front of the wall!
Tanaka earns a two-out walk. And now Okamoto is ahead 3-0! He's given the green light 3-1 and he drives the ball to deep center! This one is easier for Kubota as he parks under it for the 3rd out.
A couple of drives against Itou early is a bit surprising.
Top 2nd
Suzuki goes down swinging. I like what I'm seeing from Okamoto.
And just like that, Matsumoto blasts one over Tanaka's head right to the wall for a double.
Yasuo grounds to 2nd, but it advances the runner.
Itou up and OW!
First pitch from Okamoto hits him in the upper leg! He walks it off, but OW!
Taguchi grounds to 2nd to end the inning. We'll ahve to see how Itou handles the mound after being hit.
Bottom 2nd
Shinotou with a chopper in front of home! Itou and Yasuo converge on the ball and wait on it, but it just dies! They forgot that with the wet ground, the ball wasn't going to move much! Infield hit for Shinotou!
Hit-and-run for Ishii! He strikes out swinging! Throw to 2nd gets past Taguchi!
Runner on 2nd with one down, but Mano can't advance him. He grounds to short and Shinotou has to hold.
Shimono with a drive to left center! That falls in front of the wall! Shinotou comes around to score on the double by Shimono and Kobe takes the lead 1-0!
Fukuda lifts one to right center, but he got too much under it. Kubota comes in and makes the catch. 3 outs, but Kobe gets to Itou and takes the lead!
Top 3rd
Yoshioka with a shallow popfly. Shimiono, Shinotou and Matsumura all converge on the ball, and it's Shinotou who makes the catch.
Looks like the wind is blowing quite a bit again.
Sonoda earns a one-out walk. Again Teikyou is not bunting.
Hit and run! Kubota tries to check his swing on an up and in pitch but the ball finds his bat! It goes down the 3rd base line and goes foul.
Behind 1-2, Kubota goes to bunt! Ah, but he pops it up! Fukuda under it, makes the catch and Sonoda returns to 1st. 2 down.
And now Sonoda tries to take the base himself! Throw to 2nd by Fukuda... in time! They gun down Sonoda and Teikyou is held scoreless again!
Bottom 3rd
Itou still giving up some very long outs here. Ishioka starts off the inning with a deep drive to left. Sonoda going back gets it, but is pretty close to the fence.
Matsumura with a comebacker that Itou gets out of the way of and Kobe has a man on.
And Aoki-kantoku sends Matsumura! Yasuo up with the throw, Matsumoto with it, but drops it as he tries to make the tag!
Itou comes right back and strikes out Tanaka! 2 down.
Cleanup batter Okamoto up now trying to give himself a bigger cushion. But Itou gets ahead 1-2.
Grounder through the left side! Matsumura being sent home! Sonoda up with the throw! Yasuo up the line trying to field it and Matsumura bowls him over before the ball gets there! Yasuo has no time to field it as Matsumura rolls over and touches home plate! Okamoto with the timely hit giving his team a 2-0 lead!
Shinotou pops it up. Taguchi under it in foul territory makes the catch, but Kobe gets another run and is leading Teikyou 2-0!
Top 4th
Okamoto continues to look good on the mound getting Okabe to fly out to left.
Ace number Suzuki though gets a single to right. Then Matsumoto with a towering fly to shallow left center. The outfielders converge, but defer to Shimono who overruns the ball! All safe!
Yasuo up. Liner! Shimono makes the leaping catch! WOW! Runners retreat to their base as Shimono makes up for the miss with a great play!
And Okamoto strikes out Itou to end the inning! Teikyou unable to score again!
Bottom 4th
Ishii with another base hit off of Itou with a liner to right! Mano bunts him over to 2nd. Kobe Kokusaidai threatening again!
Shimono showing bunt, but probably to distract Itou. He grounds to short. Matsumoto with the stop, fumbles with the ball a little, but makes the play at 1st. 2 down.
Fukuda with a grounder to short. Easy play for Matsumoto and the inning is over.
Top 5th
Taguchi with a chopper to the left side. Ishii gets it on the hop and makes the throw to 1st.
Yoshioka with a hard hit to 3rd. Ishii with a great stop! Picks it up, throw to 1st... in time! Nice play!
Sonoda on a full count sends one back up the middle for a 2-out single.
Kubota with a high popup. Shimono under it and the side is retired. Okamoto doing a masterful job on the mound!
Bottom 5th
Quick inning for Itou. Grounder to short, K and grounder to 1st - all in 8 pitches. He's still throws hard, but doesn't seem as intimidating as he was during the summer.
Top 6th
Okamoto continues to mow down hitters. Okabe gets fooled, reaches out and pops it up to left.
AHH!!!! Suzuki with a drive to deep center!! Matsumura turning around and sprinting to the wall! He stops, looks, leaps...
AND MAKES THE CATCH!! WOW!!!!!
Matsumura with a fine play in center robbing what certainly would have been a double, maybe a triple!
And Okamoto finishes the job striking out Matsumoto looking! 6 in the books and Okamoto has kept Teikyou off the board!!
Bottom 6th
Okamoto leads off the inning working a leadoff walk. And now Aoki-kantoku has Shinotou bunting! 2 runs is certainly not enough against this offense.
But Ishii goes down swinging on what appears to be a shuuto (don't quote me on it, my knowledge of pitches is very limited). 2 outs.
Mano now tasked with getting the run in as "Train Train" plays. Itou throws offspeed stuff at him and gets ahead 1-2. Fastball outside, and Mano just fouls it off.
Grounder up the middle! But Matsumoto is there! Gathers himself, throw to 1st is in time for the 3rd out.
Kobe wastes another opportunity to play add-on here in the 6th.
Top 7th
Yasuo harmlessly grounds out to 2nd to start the inning.
And I didn't know Itou's music was "Popeye the Sailor Man". For someone his build, makes sense. And he holds up on a pitch inside for ball 3. That seemed awfully close to hold up on.
But it works and he earns a walk. That brings up back to the top of the order and Taguchi.
And he shows bunt (I mean a bunt as last as possible)! Lays it down the 3rd base line! Fukuda retrieving it, throws to first... beats out a diving Taguchi! Wouldn't have made it if he had run through, but would have liked it if he tried to.
Anyways 2 down for Yoshioka. Okamoto falls behind him 2-0.
Grounder to 1st! Ishioka there with the dive! Gets up, but Okamoto isn't covering 1st! Ishioka running back to the bag dives, but Yoshioka's dive beats him out! All safe!!
Where the heck was Okamoto?
Aoki-kantoku might have been wondering the same thing. And he makes a surprising change.
He pulls Okamoto! Well, not really - he moves him to left. The displaced Shinotou moves over to center while #10 Ookawa takes Matsumura's spot in the lineup and takes the hill.
Unfortunately, I can't tell whether it's because of Okamoto's lack of hustle on the play, if he thinks he's getting tired, or something completely different.
Ookawa is coming into a dangerous situation. Teikyou with the tying run on at 1st with 2 down.
One final conference on the mound, and he's off and going.
Ookawa quickly gets up on Sonoda 0-2. Next pitch, way outside.
And Sonoda reaches out and hits one to left. Okamoto coming it, but holds up! He plays it on the bounce and Itou scores! It's 2-1 Kobe and the tying run is in scoring position for Kubota!
Uh oh! Ookawa falls behind 3-0! And a pitch inside loads the bases! Maeda-kantoku sends Matsumoto to talk to Abe before he steps in. A base hit here and they could take the lead!
Abe with a bloop fly to left! Okamoto sprinting towards the foul line, still running, dives, rolls...
MAKES THE CATCH!!!
Wow! Dead sprint by Okamoto and the dive to make the catch to end the inning! He can't preserve the lead on the mound, but he instead does it on the field!
Teikyou has cut the lead to a razor-thin 1 run. And while Kobe has stopped the possible deluge, the dam is showing more cracks than ever, especially with Okamoto not on the hill.
Bottom 7th
The momentum if nothing else seems to be shifting. The Kobe batters are getting fooled by Itou who certainly has returned to form.
Shimono gets fooled on another offspeed pitch. Fukuda makes contact, but it's right at Taguchi. And just to change things up, he blows a 144kph fastball past Ishioka on the outside part of the plate.
It's appears obvious that Kobe is playing hang-on. The question is whether or not they will actually be able to do so.
Top 8th
AH!!! Suzuki with a drive to center! Shinotou immediately running back to the wall, leaping up, but it hits the 1st level landing!! Ace number Suzuki has just tied the game up with one swing of the bat!!! 2-2!!
And that's it for Ookawa. #12 Oota comes in for him and takes the hill. Okamoto still standing in left.
It's a good start for Oota as Matsumoto grounds to 2nd.
Yasuo steps in, and after a long AB earns a walk. Itou up trying to bunt him along, Oota pitching outside. Falls behind 3-1! But 2 pitches later he walks him! For heavens sake, let them bunt!
Taguchi up, not bunting now! Grounder, through to right! Tanaka up with it and Yasuo being sent home! Tanaka's throw home... OUT!
A great throw by Tanaka guns down Yasuo and keeps the game knotted at 2 and now there's 2 outs!
Yoshioka looking to break the tie. Oota falls behind 3-0! Next 2 pitches Yoshioka lets pass, trying to get on any way possible. Full count pitch... inside! Oota walks Yoshioka and now it's manrui for Teikyou with Sonoda up!
AHHHHHH!!!!
1-1 pitch from Oota is in the dirt and Fukuda doesn't get down enough to block it! It 5-holes him and goes all the way to the backstop! He races back to get it, but its too late! Itou scores and Teikyou has taken the lead 3-2 on a passed ball!!!
Now there's runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 out and Teikyou can blow it wide open! Sonoda though grounds out to Ishioka to end the inning.
But the expected has happened. Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku couldn't pull away from Teikyou and allowed them to stay in the game. And as a result they were able to stage a comeback and take the lead here in the late innings!
Bottom 8th
Now Kobe Kokusai will have to play their own version of catchup, but with only 6 outs to do it.
#15 Utsumi comes in to PH for Oota, meaning his day is done. But he goes down swinging.
Tanaka working the count full, but all he can do is ground out to 2nd.
And now Okamoto stands in trying to help his team. Quickly finds himself down 0-2. Pitch way inside is taken for ball 1.
Fastball outside corner... doesn't get the call!
Fastball up! Okamoto misses! 147kph high cheese from Itou and the inning is over!
3 outs left for Kobe, but it feels like it's already over...
Top 9th
#11 Miyauchi comes in now as the 4th pitcher for Kobe hoping to keep the deficit at 1 and give his team a chance.
Kubota lifts one to left, Okamoto running back, changing direction and makes the catch. Didn't seem too sure out there.
Abe reaching out and lining one just out of the reach of Shimono.
Suzuki up again, and they're going right after him. And he pops one up in the infield! Mano under it just in the outfield grass for the 2nd out.
And Matsumoto flies out to center. The game heads to the bottom of the 9th with Teikyou holding the 1-run lead. Can Kobe find a way to plate just one run??
Bottom 9th
It's the 5-6-7 hitters for Kobe up.
Shinotou to lead it off, and he gets ahead 3-1. But he swings away and flies out to center!
Ishii up next, falls behind 0-2... grounds out to 3rd. 2 down!
Mano goes back to the dugout, looks like #7 Omatsu is coming in as a pinch-hitter here.
But like many other batters, he falls behind 0-2... Takes a pitch outside for ball 1. Another and the count is even.
Gets jammed! Grounder to 1st... Suzuki dives and has it. Stumbles as he gets up, and has to sprint to 1st! Jumps to the bag! Omatsu dives!
OUT! Suzuki just beats out a diving Omatsu and that ends the game!!
Okamoto and the bullpen could not hold onto a lead against Teikyou and go down here in the 1st round! They certainly had opportunities, but were never able to fully capitalize on them. As a result they will have to pack their bags and head home.
Day 4 (Finally!) - Game 1 - Kounan (Okinawa) vs. Kanzei (Okayama)
After 2 full days of rain the games start back up again. For the teams who have already played, wonder if the extra days off will be a good thing. Then again, this is still the time of the tournament where they get a couple of days off anyways to recover. It's when we get to the quarterfinals and beyond that the games take their toll on the players.
We're into the 2nd half of the 1st round games and the opener should be fun. Kounan, with ace Shimabukuro squares off this morning against Kanzei of Okayama.
If you haven't heard of Shimabukuro, you haven't been following Koshien for the past couple of years. He appeared last spring at Koshien, and against Toyama Shougyou struck out 19 but lost 2-0 in extras. Then in the summer, he went toe-to-toe with Meihou, striking out 9 but losing 4-3.
He's continued his dominating ways, sporting a 11.265 K/9 ratio and even more impressive 9 K/BB ratio!! Expect him to be on the mound as long as his arm stays on. Reliever Sunagawa has seen some time, but predominantly in scrimmage games.
The weakness of the team though has been their offense. They certainly can get their base hits, but have a devil of a time scoring runs - which is why they've been sent home in the first game. Ganeko and Agena would be the players to try and spark the offense.
Kanzei was last at Koshien in spring 2007, the one right after when I saw them in person with ace Dass Romash. They've been rebuilding since then and now they're back.
Ace Katada is the new face of the staff. A southpaw, he throws 140 with a slider and change with a shuuto to righties. He sports some pretty good numbers (53.1 IP, 4.22 H/9, 10.97 K/9, 2.87 BB/9) and his games against Iwamichisuikan (5-0) and Kaisei (3-4) prove that there is some credence to those numbers. Right-hander Mizuhara will come on in occasion, but his numbers are not as good.
Offensively the team hits well with some extra base power, although it should be tempered given the slightly weak opposition in their prefectural tournament. They don't really take walks, and rarely steal bases. Power hitters for them are probably Funamori and Ogura.
Given Kounan's MO, expect this to be another nail-biting close game for them. And it will probably come down to whether their offense will ever get started. If not, it'll be one-and-done once again - much to the chagrin of their ace.
Kounan (Okinawa) - Kyushu 3/4
2B Kuniyoshi Tairiku (#6)
CF Ketashiro Kai
3B Ganeko Moritsugu
1B Maehira Daiki
RF Mekaru Keisuke
C Yamakawa Daisuke
LF Irei Shinya
P Shimabukuro Yousuke
2B Ooshiro Kouji (#15)
Kanzei (Okayama) - Chuukyou Runner-up
RF Ogura Takahiro
2B Fukui Kanjyuurou
CF Isomoto Ryuuji
C Ueda Hiroki
3B Watanabe Yuuki
P Katada Yuuta
LF Watanabe Kenta
SS Nishida Gun
1B Funamori Keigo
__________________________________________________
9:02 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Katada rifles in one at 136 kph, but wide. Another at 138.
And Tairiku with a liner into center for a leadoff single! Ketashiro immediately bunts him over. Katada falls down while fielding it, but still has time to make the play.
Ganeko earns a walk, and now there's runners on 1st and 2nd for Kounan.
Maehira with a single though to left! Tairiku has to hold at 3rd
Eura-kantoku with a conference on the mound.
For Katada, he throws a high 130's fastball with a high 110's slider.
Mekaru falls behind 0-2, but lifts a ball to left. Kenta under it, but it's far enough to get the run in. He makes the catch, and Tairiku easily beats the throw to give Kounan the 1-0 lead.
Yamakawa strikes out swinging, and the inning is over. But Kounan gives Shimabukuro the lead as he takes the mound for the first time.
Bottom 1st
Shimabukuro starts Ogura with a K looking. What else did you expect?
Shimabukuro sports a high 130's fastball and a mid 110's curve.
Fukui strikes out looking. 2 down.
And Isomoto swings at a curve in the dirt! Throw to 1st in time and as expected Shimabukuro is come out firing. 1 inning , 3 K's.
Top 2nd
Katada settling down after the shaky first. Flyout to right by Irei, grounder back to him by Shimabukuro and Ooshiro strikes out to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Single to center by Ueda and Kanzei has the tying run on base.
Shimabukuro is paying quite a bit of attention to him throwing over several times.
No bunt from Yuuki here, he's swinging away. And he being quite stubborn at the plate.
Grounder to 3rd. Ganeko up with it, throw to Kuniyoshi for one, relay to Maehira... two! Nice double play by the Kounan defense!
And there goes Katada looking to end the inning. Still the cool customer, he is.
Top 3rd
Slow grounder by Tairiku. Katada up with it, throw to 1st is wide and OH!
Funamori goes to get it and collides hard with Tairiku! Ball rolls away from first base as Tairiku scrambles there. Funamori stays down for a little while, but gets up. He looks ok. But man that looked like it really hurt.
Kounan also not bunting here. Ketashiro swings away, and strikes out.
Gakiya-kantoku electing to put on the hit-and-run instead! But Ganeko continues to foul pitches off.
And Ganeko strikes out swinging! Throw to 2nd by Ueda in time, but Nishida can't get the tag in time.
Maehira with a liner to right for a base hit! Tairiku rounding 3rd heading home! Throw in by Ogura and Tairiku doubles back to 3rd! Boy, that was a throw by Ogura!
Ooo. Katada threw above Mekaru's head there. Ueda wanted that up, but not that far inside.
But he gets him to pop it up on the next pitch. Kenta under it and the inning is over.
Bottom 3rd
Kenta with a single to left. 2nd leadoff runner Shimabukuro's allowed. Nishida bunts the first pitch and moves him over.
Funamori goes down looking. 2 down.
And Ogura also goes down looking! Shimabukuro with 6 K's!
Top 4th
Yamagawa with a hard grounder to 3rd. Yuuki smothers it and makes the play for the first out. Irei fouls out to 1st.
Shimabukuro with a liner back at Katada! He extends his glove but it glances off and into center!
Ooshiro with a shot to center! Isomoto running back, and makes the catch to end the inning.
Bottom 4th
Kanzei swinging away early since Shimabukuro is pounding strikes into the zone. Fukui pops up to short.
Isomoto strikes out looking...
...and Ueda reaches out and pokes one to 2nd to end the inning.
Top 5th
Tairiku with a grounder to short. Nishida runs it down in the gap, but his throw has no momentum and Tairiku would have made it even if it was online.
Ketashiro moves him over for the 2nd time this game.
Ganeko with a single to left. Tairiku holds at 3rd. Runners at the corners, 1 down. Cleanup batter Maehira up.
Grounder to short! Nishida to Fukui for one, throw to first... offline! Funamori reaches out, but can't get it! Tairiku scores from 3rd and Kounan takes a 2-0 lead!
Mekaru flies out to left to end the inning, but Shimabukuro has a two-run cushion! Will this be the year that his team finally gets out of the first round?
Bottom 5th
Yuuki with a drive to right center! That hits the wall on one hop! Yuuki rounding 2nd, heading for 3rd! Tairiku with the throw, and he's out by a mile!
WHAT?
You're down by two, and you get run out at 3rd? Where was the 3rd base coach??! Given, it was a great relay from Mekaru to Tairiku to Ganeko, but that was just not a smart decision.
Katada with a single to center. And if Yuuki stayed at center, we may have a one run game.
Gakiya calling a conference on the mound.
Kenta with a single through to left! Runners on 1st and 2nd!
And Nishida with a grounder back up the middle. Shimabukuro runs to get it, but it's off his glove! Ooshiro gets it, makes a throw to 1st, but not in time! All safe! Manrui for Kanzei!
How much does that throwout at 3rd hurt now? It would be 2-1 with bases loaded and no down, instead of 2-0, bases loaded and 1 out.
Funamori up now. Base hit would be great, sac fly is a minimum.
And he lifts one to right. Mekaru settles under it, and Katada scores. 2-1.
Ogura grounder to 2nd. The inning is over and Kanzei only scores 1 after getting 4 consecutive hits. Certainly a wasted opportunity by Kanzei.
Top 6th
A quick inning for Katada. He gets 3 flyballs from Yamakawa, Irei and Shimabukuro and Kanzei heads in to pick up the sticks again.
Bottom 6th
But Shimabukuro does Katada one better - he strikes out the side! Looking no less! Sure, Ueda was stubborn and he needed 10 pitches, but that makes 10 K's on the day!
Top 7th
Katada continues to roll. Ooshiro grounds to short and Kuniyoshi grounds to 3rd for 2 quick outs.
And why is it when I say something, it reverses? Ketashiro gets a two-out walk.
Ketada falls behind Ganeko 2-0. And he drives one to deep right-center. That lands in front of the wall! Ketashiro scores and Ganeko secures a triple! It's 3-1 Kounan!
Ooooo~~~y. Now Katada hits Maehira! Runners at the corners.
And Gakiya sends Maehira! Throw is high and now there's runners at 2nd and 3rd!
Oooooooooooooo~~~~~~y. And now Mekaru walks! Manrui for Kounan!
#11 Mizuhara starts warming up in the bullpen.
Yamakawa ground into a fielder's choice to 2nd and the inning is over.
Still, Kounan gets another run on the board and they're back to their 2-run lead!
Bottom 7th
Yuuki leads off the inning with a single to left.
Conference on the mound. Pretty early for one, but they probably want to nip it in the bud.
Katada up gets ahead 3-1, but strikes out looking. Kenta strikes out swinging, and there's now 2 down.
Nishida lines to right and that's that.
Top 8th
Katada walks Irei to start the inning. Shimabukuro with the bunt, but Katada comes up with it and fires to 2nd! They get the lead runner! Relay to 1st isn't in time, but they get the lead runner.
Ooshiro K's for the 2nd out. And Tairiku grounds to 3rd. Inning over, but Kanzei is running out of time.
Bottom 8th
Funamori with his first base hit in the 8th! They keep on getting the leadoff runner on, but haven't been able to do anything with it!
Ogura with the bunt, but Shimabukuro quickly gets it and fires to 2nd! They get Funamori!
Fukui hits a towering pop-up. Maehira under it for the 2nd out.
Isomoto strikes out swinging, and it looks like Shimabukuro will get to stay around for another couple of days.
Top 9th
Ganeko with a one out seeing-eye single to right!
And he takes off for 2nd! Throw is not in time and Kounan has another runner in scoring position!
Maehira grounds out to 2nd, but on the play Ganeko advances to 3rd.
Mekaru with a liner to center! That's in for a base hit and Ganeko scores! 4-1 Kounan!
Eura-kantoku calls time and has a conference on the mound.
Yamakawa with a single back up the middle!
Irei grounds to short to end the inning. 3 outs left for Kanzei!
Bottom 8th
Ueda gets a base hit to left. Another leadoff batter on! They'll need more of those though.
Yuuki with his 3rd hit of the day! Runners on 1st and 2nd.
Katada goes down swinging. 14 on the day for Shimabukuro!
Kenta pops it up in foul territory! Ganeko under it and there's 2 down!
Nishida up and Ueda takes off! Yamakawa up with the ball, but no throw.
It's a grounder to 2nd and Kuniyoshi goes to Ooshiro for the force. Shimabukuro's done it! He's finally broken through the 1st round at Koshien and will live to play another day! Kanzei certainly had their opportunities. 6 of the 9 innings they got the lead runner on, but could only score 1 run.
Notable Players
WP - Shimabukuro Yousuke (Kounan) - CG, 1 ER, 10 H, 14 K, 0 BB
LP - Katada Yuuta (Kanzei) - CG, 3 ER, 10 H, 5 K, 5 BB
Ganeko Moritsugu (Kounan) - 3-4, 3B, R, RBI, BB, SB
Kuniyoshi Tairiku (Kounan) - 2-5, 2 R
Watanabe Yuuki (Kanzei) - 3-4, 2B
Watanabe Kenta (Kanzei) - 2-3
We're into the 2nd half of the 1st round games and the opener should be fun. Kounan, with ace Shimabukuro squares off this morning against Kanzei of Okayama.
If you haven't heard of Shimabukuro, you haven't been following Koshien for the past couple of years. He appeared last spring at Koshien, and against Toyama Shougyou struck out 19 but lost 2-0 in extras. Then in the summer, he went toe-to-toe with Meihou, striking out 9 but losing 4-3.
He's continued his dominating ways, sporting a 11.265 K/9 ratio and even more impressive 9 K/BB ratio!! Expect him to be on the mound as long as his arm stays on. Reliever Sunagawa has seen some time, but predominantly in scrimmage games.
The weakness of the team though has been their offense. They certainly can get their base hits, but have a devil of a time scoring runs - which is why they've been sent home in the first game. Ganeko and Agena would be the players to try and spark the offense.
Kanzei was last at Koshien in spring 2007, the one right after when I saw them in person with ace Dass Romash. They've been rebuilding since then and now they're back.
Ace Katada is the new face of the staff. A southpaw, he throws 140 with a slider and change with a shuuto to righties. He sports some pretty good numbers (53.1 IP, 4.22 H/9, 10.97 K/9, 2.87 BB/9) and his games against Iwamichisuikan (5-0) and Kaisei (3-4) prove that there is some credence to those numbers. Right-hander Mizuhara will come on in occasion, but his numbers are not as good.
Offensively the team hits well with some extra base power, although it should be tempered given the slightly weak opposition in their prefectural tournament. They don't really take walks, and rarely steal bases. Power hitters for them are probably Funamori and Ogura.
Given Kounan's MO, expect this to be another nail-biting close game for them. And it will probably come down to whether their offense will ever get started. If not, it'll be one-and-done once again - much to the chagrin of their ace.
Kounan (Okinawa) - Kyushu 3/4
2B Kuniyoshi Tairiku (#6)
CF Ketashiro Kai
3B Ganeko Moritsugu
1B Maehira Daiki
RF Mekaru Keisuke
C Yamakawa Daisuke
LF Irei Shinya
P Shimabukuro Yousuke
2B Ooshiro Kouji (#15)
Kanzei (Okayama) - Chuukyou Runner-up
RF Ogura Takahiro
2B Fukui Kanjyuurou
CF Isomoto Ryuuji
C Ueda Hiroki
3B Watanabe Yuuki
P Katada Yuuta
LF Watanabe Kenta
SS Nishida Gun
1B Funamori Keigo
__________________________________________________
9:02 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Katada rifles in one at 136 kph, but wide. Another at 138.
And Tairiku with a liner into center for a leadoff single! Ketashiro immediately bunts him over. Katada falls down while fielding it, but still has time to make the play.
Ganeko earns a walk, and now there's runners on 1st and 2nd for Kounan.
Maehira with a single though to left! Tairiku has to hold at 3rd
Eura-kantoku with a conference on the mound.
For Katada, he throws a high 130's fastball with a high 110's slider.
Mekaru falls behind 0-2, but lifts a ball to left. Kenta under it, but it's far enough to get the run in. He makes the catch, and Tairiku easily beats the throw to give Kounan the 1-0 lead.
Yamakawa strikes out swinging, and the inning is over. But Kounan gives Shimabukuro the lead as he takes the mound for the first time.
Bottom 1st
Shimabukuro starts Ogura with a K looking. What else did you expect?
Shimabukuro sports a high 130's fastball and a mid 110's curve.
Fukui strikes out looking. 2 down.
And Isomoto swings at a curve in the dirt! Throw to 1st in time and as expected Shimabukuro is come out firing. 1 inning , 3 K's.
Top 2nd
Katada settling down after the shaky first. Flyout to right by Irei, grounder back to him by Shimabukuro and Ooshiro strikes out to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Single to center by Ueda and Kanzei has the tying run on base.
Shimabukuro is paying quite a bit of attention to him throwing over several times.
No bunt from Yuuki here, he's swinging away. And he being quite stubborn at the plate.
Grounder to 3rd. Ganeko up with it, throw to Kuniyoshi for one, relay to Maehira... two! Nice double play by the Kounan defense!
And there goes Katada looking to end the inning. Still the cool customer, he is.
Top 3rd
Slow grounder by Tairiku. Katada up with it, throw to 1st is wide and OH!
Funamori goes to get it and collides hard with Tairiku! Ball rolls away from first base as Tairiku scrambles there. Funamori stays down for a little while, but gets up. He looks ok. But man that looked like it really hurt.
Kounan also not bunting here. Ketashiro swings away, and strikes out.
Gakiya-kantoku electing to put on the hit-and-run instead! But Ganeko continues to foul pitches off.
And Ganeko strikes out swinging! Throw to 2nd by Ueda in time, but Nishida can't get the tag in time.
Maehira with a liner to right for a base hit! Tairiku rounding 3rd heading home! Throw in by Ogura and Tairiku doubles back to 3rd! Boy, that was a throw by Ogura!
Ooo. Katada threw above Mekaru's head there. Ueda wanted that up, but not that far inside.
But he gets him to pop it up on the next pitch. Kenta under it and the inning is over.
Bottom 3rd
Kenta with a single to left. 2nd leadoff runner Shimabukuro's allowed. Nishida bunts the first pitch and moves him over.
Funamori goes down looking. 2 down.
And Ogura also goes down looking! Shimabukuro with 6 K's!
Top 4th
Yamagawa with a hard grounder to 3rd. Yuuki smothers it and makes the play for the first out. Irei fouls out to 1st.
Shimabukuro with a liner back at Katada! He extends his glove but it glances off and into center!
Ooshiro with a shot to center! Isomoto running back, and makes the catch to end the inning.
Bottom 4th
Kanzei swinging away early since Shimabukuro is pounding strikes into the zone. Fukui pops up to short.
Isomoto strikes out looking...
...and Ueda reaches out and pokes one to 2nd to end the inning.
Top 5th
Tairiku with a grounder to short. Nishida runs it down in the gap, but his throw has no momentum and Tairiku would have made it even if it was online.
Ketashiro moves him over for the 2nd time this game.
Ganeko with a single to left. Tairiku holds at 3rd. Runners at the corners, 1 down. Cleanup batter Maehira up.
Grounder to short! Nishida to Fukui for one, throw to first... offline! Funamori reaches out, but can't get it! Tairiku scores from 3rd and Kounan takes a 2-0 lead!
Mekaru flies out to left to end the inning, but Shimabukuro has a two-run cushion! Will this be the year that his team finally gets out of the first round?
Bottom 5th
Yuuki with a drive to right center! That hits the wall on one hop! Yuuki rounding 2nd, heading for 3rd! Tairiku with the throw, and he's out by a mile!
WHAT?
You're down by two, and you get run out at 3rd? Where was the 3rd base coach??! Given, it was a great relay from Mekaru to Tairiku to Ganeko, but that was just not a smart decision.
Katada with a single to center. And if Yuuki stayed at center, we may have a one run game.
Gakiya calling a conference on the mound.
Kenta with a single through to left! Runners on 1st and 2nd!
And Nishida with a grounder back up the middle. Shimabukuro runs to get it, but it's off his glove! Ooshiro gets it, makes a throw to 1st, but not in time! All safe! Manrui for Kanzei!
How much does that throwout at 3rd hurt now? It would be 2-1 with bases loaded and no down, instead of 2-0, bases loaded and 1 out.
Funamori up now. Base hit would be great, sac fly is a minimum.
And he lifts one to right. Mekaru settles under it, and Katada scores. 2-1.
Ogura grounder to 2nd. The inning is over and Kanzei only scores 1 after getting 4 consecutive hits. Certainly a wasted opportunity by Kanzei.
Top 6th
A quick inning for Katada. He gets 3 flyballs from Yamakawa, Irei and Shimabukuro and Kanzei heads in to pick up the sticks again.
Bottom 6th
But Shimabukuro does Katada one better - he strikes out the side! Looking no less! Sure, Ueda was stubborn and he needed 10 pitches, but that makes 10 K's on the day!
Top 7th
Katada continues to roll. Ooshiro grounds to short and Kuniyoshi grounds to 3rd for 2 quick outs.
And why is it when I say something, it reverses? Ketashiro gets a two-out walk.
Ketada falls behind Ganeko 2-0. And he drives one to deep right-center. That lands in front of the wall! Ketashiro scores and Ganeko secures a triple! It's 3-1 Kounan!
Ooooo~~~y. Now Katada hits Maehira! Runners at the corners.
And Gakiya sends Maehira! Throw is high and now there's runners at 2nd and 3rd!
Oooooooooooooo~~~~~~y. And now Mekaru walks! Manrui for Kounan!
#11 Mizuhara starts warming up in the bullpen.
Yamakawa ground into a fielder's choice to 2nd and the inning is over.
Still, Kounan gets another run on the board and they're back to their 2-run lead!
Bottom 7th
Yuuki leads off the inning with a single to left.
Conference on the mound. Pretty early for one, but they probably want to nip it in the bud.
Katada up gets ahead 3-1, but strikes out looking. Kenta strikes out swinging, and there's now 2 down.
Nishida lines to right and that's that.
Top 8th
Katada walks Irei to start the inning. Shimabukuro with the bunt, but Katada comes up with it and fires to 2nd! They get the lead runner! Relay to 1st isn't in time, but they get the lead runner.
Ooshiro K's for the 2nd out. And Tairiku grounds to 3rd. Inning over, but Kanzei is running out of time.
Bottom 8th
Funamori with his first base hit in the 8th! They keep on getting the leadoff runner on, but haven't been able to do anything with it!
Ogura with the bunt, but Shimabukuro quickly gets it and fires to 2nd! They get Funamori!
Fukui hits a towering pop-up. Maehira under it for the 2nd out.
Isomoto strikes out swinging, and it looks like Shimabukuro will get to stay around for another couple of days.
Top 9th
Ganeko with a one out seeing-eye single to right!
And he takes off for 2nd! Throw is not in time and Kounan has another runner in scoring position!
Maehira grounds out to 2nd, but on the play Ganeko advances to 3rd.
Mekaru with a liner to center! That's in for a base hit and Ganeko scores! 4-1 Kounan!
Eura-kantoku calls time and has a conference on the mound.
Yamakawa with a single back up the middle!
Irei grounds to short to end the inning. 3 outs left for Kanzei!
Bottom 8th
Ueda gets a base hit to left. Another leadoff batter on! They'll need more of those though.
Yuuki with his 3rd hit of the day! Runners on 1st and 2nd.
Katada goes down swinging. 14 on the day for Shimabukuro!
Kenta pops it up in foul territory! Ganeko under it and there's 2 down!
Nishida up and Ueda takes off! Yamakawa up with the ball, but no throw.
It's a grounder to 2nd and Kuniyoshi goes to Ooshiro for the force. Shimabukuro's done it! He's finally broken through the 1st round at Koshien and will live to play another day! Kanzei certainly had their opportunities. 6 of the 9 innings they got the lead runner on, but could only score 1 run.
Notable Players
WP - Shimabukuro Yousuke (Kounan) - CG, 1 ER, 10 H, 14 K, 0 BB
LP - Katada Yuuta (Kanzei) - CG, 3 ER, 10 H, 5 K, 5 BB
Ganeko Moritsugu (Kounan) - 3-4, 3B, R, RBI, BB, SB
Kuniyoshi Tairiku (Kounan) - 2-5, 2 R
Watanabe Yuuki (Kanzei) - 3-4, 2B
Watanabe Kenta (Kanzei) - 2-3
Kaisei and Nonomura-kantoku
So in the midst of following Koshien, I missed the following story.
http://yakyubaka.com/2010/03/23/kaisei-manager-naomichi-nonomura-causes-a-stir/
In which Nonomura-kantoku was very harsh in his words after losing 2-1 to Kouyou, a 21st century school.
And when something like that is uttered, it's not surprising to see that several days later he announces his resignation, which when really translated means that he was fired.
Is it warranted? In Japanese culture, yeah. In general? I don't know. Surely a long suspension at a minimum was necessary.
For Kaisei, it could be a big blow to the program as a whole. While they still may have name recognition, losing a manager could set the program back years if not permanently.
For Nonomura-kantoku this may, no puns intended, be the death of his managerial career. Certainly it'll be hard for him to get back into managing immediately afterwords, but it's possible that he may not get a job period because of the comments and the arena in which he said it.
http://yakyubaka.com/2010/03/23/kaisei-manager-naomichi-nonomura-causes-a-stir/
In which Nonomura-kantoku was very harsh in his words after losing 2-1 to Kouyou, a 21st century school.
And when something like that is uttered, it's not surprising to see that several days later he announces his resignation, which when really translated means that he was fired.
Is it warranted? In Japanese culture, yeah. In general? I don't know. Surely a long suspension at a minimum was necessary.
For Kaisei, it could be a big blow to the program as a whole. While they still may have name recognition, losing a manager could set the program back years if not permanently.
For Nonomura-kantoku this may, no puns intended, be the death of his managerial career. Certainly it'll be hard for him to get back into managing immediately afterwords, but it's possible that he may not get a job period because of the comments and the arena in which he said it.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Day 4 - More rain...
Unfortunately for my friends Deanna and Shinigami, the rain hasn't let up. While it's supposed to stop this afternoon, the officials have deemed the field unfit to play.
Which means games are canceled for the 2nd consecutive day, and Deanna won't get to see Teikyou play.
On the back-end, this means that the championship game will be on April 3. Ugh. I had back-to-back weekend commitments.
Which means games are canceled for the 2nd consecutive day, and Deanna won't get to see Teikyou play.
On the back-end, this means that the championship game will be on April 3. Ugh. I had back-to-back weekend commitments.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Day 4 - Rain...
Well, yesterday the rain was making the field quite muddy at the end.
Looks like the rain continued, not heavily, but steady enough that the field wasn't playable today. So all games are canceled and pushed back a day.
Probably didn't want the disaster that was the Kochi-Jyousuikan game last year.
Until tomorrow!
Looks like the rain continued, not heavily, but steady enough that the field wasn't playable today. So all games are canceled and pushed back a day.
Probably didn't want the disaster that was the Kochi-Jyousuikan game last year.
Until tomorrow!
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