We're starting to head into the last set of 1st round games today culminating with Oogaki Nichidai versus a Tohoku squad that has gone through a lot in recent weeks.
Houtoku Gakuen, who made a deep run at Natsu Koushien, is back again here in senbatsu. Having won the summer bid, they were able to bypass the regional qualifying and go straight to the prefecturals. They were doing fine until they shockingly lost to the plucky Kakogawa Kita squad 5-1. They qualified for the super-regionals with a 9-1 win over Shinkou Gakuen.
There, they started with games against Kyoto squads, first against surprise winner Tounan then against Kyoto Seishou. After that was a game against fellow summer participant Riseisha. Iidzuka would limit them to just 1 run on 3 hits, ending their run, but solidifying a spot at senbatsu.
Jyounan is a bit of a surprise. Having been given a seed in the prefecturals, they had no issues save for a 6-5 nailbiter against Komatsushima. Then against Kagawa Nishi in the super-regional quarterfinals (they actually get a bye), they hung toe-to-toe until late.
So we kind of know what to expect out of Houtoku Gakuen, however Jyounan is a complete wild card. I was having a discussion with Westbay-san about how he said a conference he attended showed how strong the Kochi teams were, and I will say that for one of the more "rural" areas that the Shikoku teams have unusually strong baseball teams that always have the ability to at least win a game or two, but I don't know that I could give Jyounan a shot to beat Houtoku Gakuen.
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Jyounan (Tokushima) - 21st Century Bid
CF Tada Kouki
2B Degucuhi Shouichirou
C Matsubara Naoyuki
P Takeuchi Yuuta
RF Okuura Kouhei
1B Iwamoto Shouta
LF Gotou Ren (#11)
SS Yanagawa Keita
3B Orihara Takashi
Houtoku Gakuen - Kinki 3rd/4th Place
CF Takeuchi Kazuma
2B Taira Tomoya (#14)
SS Nagaoka Shunji
LF Koshii Yuuki
3B Ikeda Kouken
P Tamura Ichirou
1B Koshii Genki (#13)
C Sadotomo Reo
RF Tachiwaki Shouji (#18)
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9:00 - Game start!
Top 1st
Tamura strikes out Tada to start the game. But when Deguchi hits one back up the middle, Nagaoka airmails it to 1st. Koshii tries to reach out and tag the bag, but with no luck.
Then Mori-kantoku starts the hit-and-run! Matsubara dribbles one in front like a bunt. Sadotomo throws to 1st for the out, 2 down.
Takeuchi grounds to 1st, Nagaoka with another high throw! Takahara gets it, but Takeuchi collides with him! Takahara holds onto the ball for the out and the side is retired!
Bottom 1st
Takeuchi with a single to right to start the inning for Houtoku! Taira immediately bunts him along for Nagaoka. And while he works the count, he softly lines to 2nd. 2 down.
Yuuki with a grounder to left. That's past Orihara into left! Gotou with the ball quickly and Takeuchi holds at 3rd! I don't know if he would have been able to score anyways.
Ikeda with a fly to center, and Tada is there to secure it to end the threat!
Top 2nd
Okuura with a grounder to 2nd. Nagaoka ranges over, makes the backhanded stop, pops and makes a solid throw to 1st for the out.
Looking at Houtoku's ace, Tamura is a 2nd year righty with a fastball in the upper 130s-low140s, a slider in the upper 120s, and what might be a change in the low 120s.
Back to the game, Iwamoto weakly grounds to 1st, and Gotou grounds to short (Nagaoka makes another somewhat high throw and makes Takahara have to stretch to get it).
Bottom 2nd
Takeuchi takes a different tack. Fastball in the mid 130s, change in the 110s and a slow curve in the 100s.
Seems to work so far. Tamura Ks swinging, Genki flies out to center, and Sadotomo Ks on 3 straight, swinging way ahead on a change.
Top 3rd
Jyounan still having trouble with Tamura's pitching even though he's not really hitting his spots.. Yanagawa softly lines to 2nd, Orihara flies to center, and Tada hits a comebacker to Tamura.
Bottom 3rd
Same goes for Houtoku. 6 pitches for 3 outs retires the 9-1-2 batters and the game is humming right along.
Top 4th
おっと。 Tamura hits Deguchi to start the inning. Matsubara moves him along to 2nd.
Takeuchi with a grounder to 2nd. Taira with the ball, but he bobbles it! It juggles around, and by the time he gets it again, it's too late! All safe!
Okuuchi with a grounder to the right side! It's not hard, but the infield is in and they can't cut it off! Deguchi scores and it's 1-0 Jyounan!
Now runners at the corners for Iwamoto and a base hit could make it 2-0! But he pops it up behind home! Sadotomo there to make the catch for the 2nd out.
And Gotou goes down swinging to end the inning. But a timely hit for Okuuchi gives the 21st century team the lead!
Bottom 4th
Okuura with a great catch by the right field foul wall on a fly by Nagaoka to start the inning.
Yuuki with a grounder up the middle past a diving Yanagawa for a single. Then he takes off for 2nd! Throw from Matsubara is late!
But Ikeda can't drive him in! He pops out to Deguchi for the 2nd out!
And Tamura grounds to 3rd! Orihara takes a little more time, but he makes the out to end the inning!
Top 5th
Tamura seems to not have let the error get to him. He gets Yanagawa to ground to 2nd, and gets Orihara swinging on 3 straight.
But then Tada blasts one to left center! Yuuki running back, but that's over his head! Tada's in with a double!
Deguchi with a blooper down the right field line, and that falls in! Tada rounds 3rd and scores! It's 2-0 Jyounan!
Hit-and-run! And Marsubara grounds one through the left side! Runners on 1st and 2nd!
And now Takeuchi with Jyounan's 4th consecutive hit! He singles to center and that plated Deguchi! It's 3-0 Jyounan!!!!!
Tamura finally ends the inning when he gets Okuura to strike out, but Jyounan is shocking hometown Houtoku Gakuen!
Bottom 5th
Genri looks to rally the team as he sneaks one back up the middle for a leadoff singe. Nagata-kantoku has Sadotomo bunt the runner along.
Last batter Tachiwaki up, but he grounds to 3rd. Orihara looks the runner back and makes the play at 1st.
2 down now for Takeuchi (Kazuma). But Takueuchi (Yuuta) winds up walking him to put runners on 1st and 2nd.
And Taira reaches out and pulls an outside fastball down the left field line! Genki scores! Takeuchi rounding 3rd, he's being waved home! The throw missed the cutoff man and Taira's double makes it a 3-2 ballgame!!!!
Yuuta gets Nagaoka grounds out to 3rd to end the inning. But just when Jyonan started taking it to Houtoku Gakuen, Houtoku fights back making it a 1-run ballgame again!
Top 6th
Tamura ahead 0-2 on Iwamoto and a fastball down the middle is just called low by the umpire. That stings as Iwamoto drives the next pitch to right center! It falls in between them and Iwamoto is in with a double!
Gotou bunts him along to 3rd and now a sac fly will get the run home.
Yanagawa does one better! He bloops one to center for a base hit! Iwamoto scores and Jyounan leads 4-2!
Now Mori-kantoku calls the hit-and-run! Orihara grounds to 3rd. Ikeda to Tairi not in time, but Tairi's relay to 1st gets Orihara. 2 down.
Tada with a shot at Nagaoka! He blocks it, throws to first, and beats out a diving Tada to end the inning.
But Jyounan's batters are not afraid of the 2nd year ace and are taking the game to them!
Bottom 6th
How will Houtoku respond?
Yuuki with a blast to left center, but he got under it and Tada is there for the out.
Ikeda with another blast to center, but Tada seemed to have been playing back and is there easily for the catch.
And Tamura grounds out to 2nd to end the inning. Time starts to be their enemy...
Top 7th
A quick 1-2-3 inning for Tamura capped off by a running catch by Tachiwaki near the wall on a strike from Yuuta. That'll put Houtoku back on the sticks.
Bottom 7th
Oh, a bit of a chink in Yuuta's armor? He walks Genki to start the inning. Mori-kantoku looking to prevent a situation, calls a conference.
Sadomoto bunts the runner over, and Nagata sends in #3 Takahara to hit.
Shot to short! Yanagawa with the stop! Looks the runner back and makes the play at 1st! 2 down!
Kazuma with a shot to 3rd! Orihara dives but it deflects towards short! Yanagawa there to retrieve it, but Genki advances to 3rd!
Taira with another hit to 3rd. Orihara there, but loses the ball! He gets it, but it's too late! Genki scores and it's a one-run ball game again at 4-3!!
Nagata with a ball up the middle! Deguchi there to snag it, flips to Yanagawa for the 3rd out! Nice play by the boys up the middle to end the inning!
Top 8th
#15 Machida in for PH Takahara and takes over in RF.
Tamura clamping down now that his team is keeping him in it.
He strikes out Okuura and Iwamoto, and almost strikes out the side but Gotou instead grounds out to 2nd.
Bottom 8th
One down for Houtoku and Ikeda scoots one past Orihara for a base hit!
あ！ Now Yuuta hits Tamura! Runners on 1st and 2nd with only 1 down!
Genki swinging away, but flies to center! Tada there for the 2nd out!
And Yuuta gets Sadotomo to pop up to the left side! Yanagawa and Gotou converge, but it's Yanagawa with the catch to end the inning!
Top 9th
Yanagawa leads off the 9th with a single to center! Eager to get an insurance run, Mori-kantoku calls for and gets the bunt.
Back to the top of the order and Tada.
Grounder to 2nd... Nice diving stop by Taira! He goes to 1st for the out but Yanagawa advances to 3rd.
ああああああああああ！！！！！！！！！！！！！
Wild pitch from Tamura!!! Yanagawa comes home and it's 5-3 Jyounan!!
And now Deguchi walks. Things aren't looking good...
And with 2 straight balls to Matsubara, another conference...
おい。 Now Tamura walks Matsubara.
おおおおおおおおおおお！！！！！！！！！！！！！！
Yuuta with a first pitch blast to left! Yuuki running back to the wall....
HAITAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yuuta with a 3-run homerun to put Jyounan comfortably up 8-3!!!!
Okuura strikes out to end the inning again, but Jyounan is just 3 outs away from advancing!
Bottom 9th
#16 Yafuso in to pinch-hit for Machida. Grounder to short, under Yanagawa's glove into left! E6, and #17 Mitsuda comes in to run for Yafuso.
Takuchi follows that up with a grounder back up the middle! Oh, are the nerves getting to them??
Taira with a grounder to short. Yanagawa stumbles, but makes the stop. Goes to 2nd for one, throw to 1st is late. Mitsuda scores making it 8-4.
Nagaoka with a hit to left! Taira advances to 2nd and it's looking shaky for Yuuta!
But cleanup batter Yuuki pops it up! Orihara in foul territory makes the catch! 2 down!
Houtoku refuses to give up! Ikeda singles to center! Taira comes around to score and it's now 8-5! Is there a comeback for Houtoku Gakuen?
No! Tamura pops it up! Yanagawa under it, makes the catch to end the game!
Jyounan comes to senbatsu and defeats last year's Best 4 team Houtoku Gakuen! Houtoku's ace Tamura looked very hittable today and Jyounan's bats took full advantage of it! And outside of the slight stumble in the 9th, ace Takeuchi Yuuta looked good both on the mound and at the plate. They certainly earned every part of that win.
For Houtoku, I guess it'll be back to the drawing board. They'll certainly be a favorite to win the summer prefectural, but there's still some work to be done it seems.
Notable Players
Jyounan
Takeuchi Yuuta - W, CG, ER, 10 H, 2 K, 2 BB, HBP
Takeuchi Yuuta - 2-5, HR, R, 4 RBI
Deguchi Shouichirou - 1-3, 3 R, RBI, BB, HBP
Yanagawa Keita - 2-4, R
Houtoku Gakuen
Takeuchi Kazuma - 3-4, R, BB
Taira Tomoya - 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Ikeda Kouken - 2-5, RBI
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Day 4 - Game 3 - Kokugakuin Kugayama (Tokyo) vs. Kyushu Gakuin (Kumamoto)
Final game of the day highlights 2 teams that have done well within the prefecture, but not necessarily have reached Koushien.
Kokugakuin Kugayama has Nichidai-san to thank for securing an "automatic" bid. But their tournament resume isn't that bad either. After advancing out of block play, they were thrown into one of the 1st round games. After defeating Yasuda Gakuen, Kokugakuin Kugayama had to play Obirin, Shuutoku and Waseda Gakuin in consecutive games - all above-average teams in Tokyo.
Then in the semifinals they faced Hachiouji who had defeated Nichidai-ni the game before (Nichidai-ni isn't as good as their counterpart Nichidai-san, but they're not bad). Hachiouji would surprisingly give Kokugakuin a run for their money, sending the game into extras before they would score 4 in the 10th to advance to the finals. There they faced Nichidai-san who held them to just 5 hits in a 4-0 shutout loss.
Kyushu Gakuin did not face particularly strong competition early, then suddenly had a scare against Kumamoto Kokufu in the semifinals but won 3-2. Then in the prefectural final they couldn't gain any traction against Shuugakukan, losing 7-2.
Still, they qualified for the super-regionals where after a win over Karatsu Shougyou, they held on to defeat last year's haru-natsu champion Kounan 6-5. That setup yet another summer rematch against Kagoshima Jitsugyou. And much like the Tenri-Riseisha game, the losing team in the summer got their revenge in the fall as ace Noda would limit Kyushu to just 5 hits falling 4-1.
This should be a good, competitive game between these two teams, and Kyushu Gakuin has had recent tournament experience so they may have a slight advantage.
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Kokugakuin Kugayama (Tokyo) - Meiji Jingu Bid
CF Tamegai Kenya
3B Izumiya Yuuki
SS Matsuda Shin
RF Kimura Yuuto
P Kawaguchi Takato
1B Nii Shinnosuke
2B Ri Pokkon (#14)
C Kikuchi Taishi
LF Kamegai Yuu
Kyushu Gakuin (Kumamoto) - Kyushu 3rd/4th Place
SS Mizowaki Hayato
RF Shimoda Yuuto
CF Yamashita Tsubasa
3B Hagiwara Hideyuki
1B Okayama Shirou
C Sakai Soushirou
LF Tamura Takuya
P Ootsuka Takahito
2B Kiyama Taihei
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13:30 - Game start!
Top 1st
Ootsuka strikes out Tamegai to start the game. Izumiya quickly grounds to short.
Ootsuka is a southpaw who throws 3/4's with a low 130s fastball and a slider in the high 110s-lower 120s.
Matsuda with a grounder to 3rd, Hagiwara boots it, gets it back but the throw is late.
Now Ootsuka walks Kimura on 4 straight and there's a developing situation now for Kyushu Gakuin.
Kawaguchi with a comebacker to Ootsuka! He doesn't get down to get the ball and it's under his glove into center! Matsuda scores as Kimura advances to 3rd on the bobble by CF Yamashita and it's runners at the corners! It's 1-0!
But Ootsuka gets Nii to swing on an outside pitch to end the inning, but an error leads to a run, as is wont to do.
Bottom 1st
Mizowaki with a grounder to 3rd. Hagiwara with the ball, but the throw is high!
おい！ Wild pitch from Kawaguchi and Mizowaki heads to 2nd.
おいおい！！ Another wild pitch and Mizowaki is at 3rd!
Shimoda walks and it's runners at the corners already.
Yamashita with a grounder to short. Matsuda goes to 2nd for one, but Masuda's throw to 1st is high and goes into the camera well! 2nd E already, and there's a runner on 2nd. Mizowaki scores and it's 1-1 just like that.
And now Yamashita takes off for 3rd! Throw is late and he's in safely.
Oh boy... Ootsuka walks Hagiwara, the ball gets away from Kawaguchi and Yamashita scores to make it 2-1!
Kawaguchi finally gets a reprieve when Okayama goes down swinging for the 2nd out, but then he turns around and falls behind Sakai 2-0.
Sakai with a shot down the right field line! Shimoda running over to the foul pole, collides with the wall, but the ball goes bouncing back towards 2nd! Hagiwara scores on the triple and it's now 3-1 Kyushu Gakuin!
Tamura singles to left and it's 4-1. Wasn't expecting this from Kokugakuin to start.
Kawaguchi gets Ootsuka to strike out looking to end the inning, but a disjointed inning by Kokugakuin Kugayama erases the lead and puts them in the hole.
Top 2nd
Ri starts the 2nd inning with a flair to left. Kikuchi bunts him along as Koura-kantoku will look to chip away at the deficit.
However Kamegai can't bring him home flying out to left. And Tamegai harmlessly grounds to 1st to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Well, Kawaguchi seemed like a capable pitcher as he can throw in the upper 130s/140 with a slider in the upper 110s and a curve in the lower 110s.
After a K to start the inning, Mizowaki pops up to 1st, but the umpires get together and call catcher's interference.
And things go downhill from there. Shimoda singles to center, sending Mizowaki to 3rd. Then Yamashita singles past Matsuda into center plating Mizowaki making it 5-1.
Hagiawara with a blast to right, but the wind knocks it down allowing Kimura to make the catch in front of the wall.
And now Yamashita takes off for 2nd with no throw... And Okayama singles to center. Both runners score and it's 7-1 Kyushu Gakuin.
Sakai strikes out swinging to end the inning, but this is just ugly. What happened to the team that make it to the prefectural finals?
Top 3rd
Izumiya with a drive to center - Yamashita running back to the wall, but can't chase it down and he's in with a leadoff double.
Matsuda hits a fly to right, deep enough to send the runner to 3rd.
And a bit uncharacteristically, Ootsuka walks Kimura on 4 straight.
Kawaguchi with a liner to center, but just enough air to let Yamashita field it for the 2nd out.
Nii to try and get some runs back. Kimura takes off on the 1st pitch with no throw.
Nii crushes a hanging slider to right! Shimoda scrambling back will not get to it! That's all the way to the wall and Nii has a 2-RBI triple! It's 7-3!!
おっと。 Now Ootsuka hits Ri.
And now Kikuchi shoots one through the left side! Nii scores and it's 7-4! Sakai-kantoku calling a conference. Things are getting a bit out of hand.
Kamegai with a drive to left center!!! Tamura and Yamashita converge on the ball...
And Yamashita makes a great sliding catch to end the inning! Otherwise Kokugakuin could be within 1 run!
Bottom 3rd
What will Kawaguchi do now that the team has rallied a bit?
Well, Tamura goes down looking on a nice fastball on the outside corner.
Ootsuka flies out to left... and Kiyama pops out to Nii in foul territory! A 1-2-3 inning for Kawaguchi! Let's see what happens on the sticks now!
Top 4th
But while Kokugakuin has stemmed the losses, and got back a couple of runs, things seem to have stalled a bit. Back to the top of the order and a chance for another big inning, but Ootstka settles down. He retires Tamegai and Izumiya via the flyball, and Matsuda hits a weak comebacker for a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 4th
Kyushu Gakuin's offense seems to have stalled now that Kokugakuin's pitching and defense have stabilized. 5 pitches to record 3 outs and Kyushu Gakuin will have to go out on defense again.
Top 5th
Kimura with a first-pitch single past Okayama into right. No bunting here, they're going to swing away.
But Kawaguchi flies out to center, and Nii flies to right and there's quickly 2 outs.
Make that 3 as Ri hits another dribbler back to Ootsuka.
Bottom 5th
Kawaguchi continuing to sit down the Kyushu Gakuin batters. Hagiwara strikes out swinging on an outside fastball. Okayama goes down when he can't check his swing on a curve in the dirt (although I'm not so sure about that). And Sakai, like Hagiwara swings on a fastball outside.
Kawaguchi strikes out the side, but he needed this in the 1st and 2nd innings too. Instead, his team finds itself down 3 runs heading into the break.
Top 6th
The bats have yet to find the spark they had in the 3rd.
Kikuchi grounds to 1st, Kamegai strikes out swinging (badly), and Tamegai grounds to 1st as well.
Bottom 6th
Tamura breaks the hitting drought with a single to right. Sakai-kantoku will have Ootsuka bunt. He does so, and Kawaguchi almost throws it away, but Nii spins and tags Ootsuka as he runs by.
Kiyama flies out to right, just deep enough to advance the runner.
Kawaguchi though gets Mizowaki to pop out to Izumiya in foul territory to end the inning.
Top 7th
Izumiya up and he singles to right to start things off in the Lucky 7.
Matsuda looks at a fastball down the middle for strike 3, but Izumiya steals 2nd on the K.
Kimura works the count full, but has to swing away and pops it up to Mizowaki for the 2nd out.
Kawaguchi reaches down on an offpseed pitch and pokes it to right! That's in for a base hit and it's now 7-5!!
And although Ri flies out to center on the first pitch, Kokugakuin Kugayama pulls just a little closer.
Bottom 7th
The Kyushu Gakuin batters are working the counts, trying to get anything started, but it doesn't work. Shimoda grounds to short, Yamashita grounds to 1st, and Hagiwara pops up to Matsuda.
Top 8th
Kokugakuin will need to keep the offense moving forward.
Ri with a hot shot to short, but Mizowaki picks it and throws to 1st for the out. Nice play!
Kikuchi with a liner down the left field line! He's turning for 2! Relay from Mizowaki... and Kiyama tags him out at 2nd! Boy, that was a good idea, but he slid way too early...
And that running mistake could be costly as Kamegai singles back up the middle.
Back to the top of the order and Tamegai with a grounder to 1st...
that gets by Okayama!
Conference from Sakai-kantoku... If not for that baserunning mistake it would be a one-run game. Izumiya with a chance to get his team within 1.
Tamegai goes on the 0-1 pitch and there's no throw! Now a base hit could tie it!
OH! He just reaches out to foul that one off!
IZUMIYA WITH A SLICER TO RIGHT!!!! SHIMODA GOING OVER, AND IT FALLS IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KAMEGAI SCORES!! TAMEGAI SCORES!!!!!!!!!!! 同点!!!!!!!
Izumiya, putting the team on his back completes the comeback!!!! It's now 7-7!!!!
Ootsuka strikes out Matusda for the 2nd time to end the inning, but Kokugakuin has rallied for down 7-1 to tie the game!!!
Bottom 8th
So how will Kyushu Gakuin respond?
Okayama with a grounder to the right side, Nii with the great stop and toss to Kawaguchi for the first out.
Sakai with a scorcher to the left side, and Izumiya is there with the diving stop, makes the throw to 1st for the 2nd out!
What can't this guy do??
And Tamura goes down looking on a fastball on the outside corner to retire the side!
Kyushu Gakuin looks stunned at the turn of events, but the game isn't over yet! Can they get themselves together in time??
Top 9th
Ootsuka gets a groundout from Kimura to short for the 1st out.
Kawaguchi first-pitch swinging pops out to Hagiwara.
And Nii grounds out to short. Mizowaki makes a good play out of it, and for now, Kokugakuin Kugayama's charge has been held back.
Bottom 9th
Kyushu Gakuin still with a chance to end it in regulation. The inning will start off with Ootsuka. But he grounds out to short. Matsuda taking a bit more time with the throw.
#18 Idzuno comes in to hit for Kiyama. But he goes down swinging on a fastball low.
Mizowaki up and he drives one to deep left center! The fielders converge on it...
and it goes off of Kamegai's glove!!! Mizowaki round the bases and slides into 3rd!
Conference now from Koura-kantoku, what will they do now?
あああああああああああああああ！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！
The first pitch from Kawaguchi goes low and under Kikuchi! He scrambles back! Mizowaki charging home!! Toss from Kikuchi....
SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! サヨナラ！！！
What an awful way to end the game... After all the work put into rallying all the way back, a ball that glances off the glove of the outfielder, and then a ball that bounces under the catcher gives it all away...
Like a friend at the Koshien chat room said... In some ways, it's worse than getting blown out... Because here, you had hope, you had a chance, you made it all the way back... and then right when you felt that things were on your side, it all gets taken away from you.
I don't know if Kokugakuin Kugayama deserved to move on after their comeback, but I do know that they didn't deserve to lose this way. Not in such a twisted way that brought the game full circle. It's just soul-crushing - you can see it on Kawaguchi's face after Mizowaki was called safe, the shock that the run was safe, to the realization that the game was over and they had lost.
I'm done with this game. I'll deal with the notable players tomorrow.
Notable Players
Kokugauin Kugayama
Izumiya Yuuki - 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Kawaguchi Takato - 2-5, 2 RBI
Kikuchi Taishi - 2-3, RBI
Kyushu Gakuin
Tamura Takuya - 2-4, 2 K
Sakai Soushirou - 1-4, 3B, R, 2 RBI, 2 K
Mizowaki Hayato - 1-5, 3B, 3 R
Kokugakuin Kugayama has Nichidai-san to thank for securing an "automatic" bid. But their tournament resume isn't that bad either. After advancing out of block play, they were thrown into one of the 1st round games. After defeating Yasuda Gakuen, Kokugakuin Kugayama had to play Obirin, Shuutoku and Waseda Gakuin in consecutive games - all above-average teams in Tokyo.
Then in the semifinals they faced Hachiouji who had defeated Nichidai-ni the game before (Nichidai-ni isn't as good as their counterpart Nichidai-san, but they're not bad). Hachiouji would surprisingly give Kokugakuin a run for their money, sending the game into extras before they would score 4 in the 10th to advance to the finals. There they faced Nichidai-san who held them to just 5 hits in a 4-0 shutout loss.
Kyushu Gakuin did not face particularly strong competition early, then suddenly had a scare against Kumamoto Kokufu in the semifinals but won 3-2. Then in the prefectural final they couldn't gain any traction against Shuugakukan, losing 7-2.
Still, they qualified for the super-regionals where after a win over Karatsu Shougyou, they held on to defeat last year's haru-natsu champion Kounan 6-5. That setup yet another summer rematch against Kagoshima Jitsugyou. And much like the Tenri-Riseisha game, the losing team in the summer got their revenge in the fall as ace Noda would limit Kyushu to just 5 hits falling 4-1.
This should be a good, competitive game between these two teams, and Kyushu Gakuin has had recent tournament experience so they may have a slight advantage.
____________________________________________________________
Kokugakuin Kugayama (Tokyo) - Meiji Jingu Bid
CF Tamegai Kenya
3B Izumiya Yuuki
SS Matsuda Shin
RF Kimura Yuuto
P Kawaguchi Takato
1B Nii Shinnosuke
2B Ri Pokkon (#14)
C Kikuchi Taishi
LF Kamegai Yuu
Kyushu Gakuin (Kumamoto) - Kyushu 3rd/4th Place
SS Mizowaki Hayato
RF Shimoda Yuuto
CF Yamashita Tsubasa
3B Hagiwara Hideyuki
1B Okayama Shirou
C Sakai Soushirou
LF Tamura Takuya
P Ootsuka Takahito
2B Kiyama Taihei
____________________________________________________________
13:30 - Game start!
Top 1st
Ootsuka strikes out Tamegai to start the game. Izumiya quickly grounds to short.
Ootsuka is a southpaw who throws 3/4's with a low 130s fastball and a slider in the high 110s-lower 120s.
Matsuda with a grounder to 3rd, Hagiwara boots it, gets it back but the throw is late.
Now Ootsuka walks Kimura on 4 straight and there's a developing situation now for Kyushu Gakuin.
Kawaguchi with a comebacker to Ootsuka! He doesn't get down to get the ball and it's under his glove into center! Matsuda scores as Kimura advances to 3rd on the bobble by CF Yamashita and it's runners at the corners! It's 1-0!
But Ootsuka gets Nii to swing on an outside pitch to end the inning, but an error leads to a run, as is wont to do.
Bottom 1st
Mizowaki with a grounder to 3rd. Hagiwara with the ball, but the throw is high!
おい！ Wild pitch from Kawaguchi and Mizowaki heads to 2nd.
おいおい！！ Another wild pitch and Mizowaki is at 3rd!
Shimoda walks and it's runners at the corners already.
Yamashita with a grounder to short. Matsuda goes to 2nd for one, but Masuda's throw to 1st is high and goes into the camera well! 2nd E already, and there's a runner on 2nd. Mizowaki scores and it's 1-1 just like that.
And now Yamashita takes off for 3rd! Throw is late and he's in safely.
Oh boy... Ootsuka walks Hagiwara, the ball gets away from Kawaguchi and Yamashita scores to make it 2-1!
Kawaguchi finally gets a reprieve when Okayama goes down swinging for the 2nd out, but then he turns around and falls behind Sakai 2-0.
Sakai with a shot down the right field line! Shimoda running over to the foul pole, collides with the wall, but the ball goes bouncing back towards 2nd! Hagiwara scores on the triple and it's now 3-1 Kyushu Gakuin!
Tamura singles to left and it's 4-1. Wasn't expecting this from Kokugakuin to start.
Kawaguchi gets Ootsuka to strike out looking to end the inning, but a disjointed inning by Kokugakuin Kugayama erases the lead and puts them in the hole.
Top 2nd
Ri starts the 2nd inning with a flair to left. Kikuchi bunts him along as Koura-kantoku will look to chip away at the deficit.
However Kamegai can't bring him home flying out to left. And Tamegai harmlessly grounds to 1st to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Well, Kawaguchi seemed like a capable pitcher as he can throw in the upper 130s/140 with a slider in the upper 110s and a curve in the lower 110s.
After a K to start the inning, Mizowaki pops up to 1st, but the umpires get together and call catcher's interference.
And things go downhill from there. Shimoda singles to center, sending Mizowaki to 3rd. Then Yamashita singles past Matsuda into center plating Mizowaki making it 5-1.
Hagiawara with a blast to right, but the wind knocks it down allowing Kimura to make the catch in front of the wall.
And now Yamashita takes off for 2nd with no throw... And Okayama singles to center. Both runners score and it's 7-1 Kyushu Gakuin.
Sakai strikes out swinging to end the inning, but this is just ugly. What happened to the team that make it to the prefectural finals?
Top 3rd
Izumiya with a drive to center - Yamashita running back to the wall, but can't chase it down and he's in with a leadoff double.
Matsuda hits a fly to right, deep enough to send the runner to 3rd.
And a bit uncharacteristically, Ootsuka walks Kimura on 4 straight.
Kawaguchi with a liner to center, but just enough air to let Yamashita field it for the 2nd out.
Nii to try and get some runs back. Kimura takes off on the 1st pitch with no throw.
Nii crushes a hanging slider to right! Shimoda scrambling back will not get to it! That's all the way to the wall and Nii has a 2-RBI triple! It's 7-3!!
おっと。 Now Ootsuka hits Ri.
And now Kikuchi shoots one through the left side! Nii scores and it's 7-4! Sakai-kantoku calling a conference. Things are getting a bit out of hand.
Kamegai with a drive to left center!!! Tamura and Yamashita converge on the ball...
And Yamashita makes a great sliding catch to end the inning! Otherwise Kokugakuin could be within 1 run!
Bottom 3rd
What will Kawaguchi do now that the team has rallied a bit?
Well, Tamura goes down looking on a nice fastball on the outside corner.
Ootsuka flies out to left... and Kiyama pops out to Nii in foul territory! A 1-2-3 inning for Kawaguchi! Let's see what happens on the sticks now!
Top 4th
But while Kokugakuin has stemmed the losses, and got back a couple of runs, things seem to have stalled a bit. Back to the top of the order and a chance for another big inning, but Ootstka settles down. He retires Tamegai and Izumiya via the flyball, and Matsuda hits a weak comebacker for a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 4th
Kyushu Gakuin's offense seems to have stalled now that Kokugakuin's pitching and defense have stabilized. 5 pitches to record 3 outs and Kyushu Gakuin will have to go out on defense again.
Top 5th
Kimura with a first-pitch single past Okayama into right. No bunting here, they're going to swing away.
But Kawaguchi flies out to center, and Nii flies to right and there's quickly 2 outs.
Make that 3 as Ri hits another dribbler back to Ootsuka.
Bottom 5th
Kawaguchi continuing to sit down the Kyushu Gakuin batters. Hagiwara strikes out swinging on an outside fastball. Okayama goes down when he can't check his swing on a curve in the dirt (although I'm not so sure about that). And Sakai, like Hagiwara swings on a fastball outside.
Kawaguchi strikes out the side, but he needed this in the 1st and 2nd innings too. Instead, his team finds itself down 3 runs heading into the break.
Top 6th
The bats have yet to find the spark they had in the 3rd.
Kikuchi grounds to 1st, Kamegai strikes out swinging (badly), and Tamegai grounds to 1st as well.
Bottom 6th
Tamura breaks the hitting drought with a single to right. Sakai-kantoku will have Ootsuka bunt. He does so, and Kawaguchi almost throws it away, but Nii spins and tags Ootsuka as he runs by.
Kiyama flies out to right, just deep enough to advance the runner.
Kawaguchi though gets Mizowaki to pop out to Izumiya in foul territory to end the inning.
Top 7th
Izumiya up and he singles to right to start things off in the Lucky 7.
Matsuda looks at a fastball down the middle for strike 3, but Izumiya steals 2nd on the K.
Kimura works the count full, but has to swing away and pops it up to Mizowaki for the 2nd out.
Kawaguchi reaches down on an offpseed pitch and pokes it to right! That's in for a base hit and it's now 7-5!!
And although Ri flies out to center on the first pitch, Kokugakuin Kugayama pulls just a little closer.
Bottom 7th
The Kyushu Gakuin batters are working the counts, trying to get anything started, but it doesn't work. Shimoda grounds to short, Yamashita grounds to 1st, and Hagiwara pops up to Matsuda.
Top 8th
Kokugakuin will need to keep the offense moving forward.
Ri with a hot shot to short, but Mizowaki picks it and throws to 1st for the out. Nice play!
Kikuchi with a liner down the left field line! He's turning for 2! Relay from Mizowaki... and Kiyama tags him out at 2nd! Boy, that was a good idea, but he slid way too early...
And that running mistake could be costly as Kamegai singles back up the middle.
Back to the top of the order and Tamegai with a grounder to 1st...
that gets by Okayama!
Conference from Sakai-kantoku... If not for that baserunning mistake it would be a one-run game. Izumiya with a chance to get his team within 1.
Tamegai goes on the 0-1 pitch and there's no throw! Now a base hit could tie it!
OH! He just reaches out to foul that one off!
IZUMIYA WITH A SLICER TO RIGHT!!!! SHIMODA GOING OVER, AND IT FALLS IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KAMEGAI SCORES!! TAMEGAI SCORES!!!!!!!!!!! 同点!!!!!!!
Izumiya, putting the team on his back completes the comeback!!!! It's now 7-7!!!!
Ootsuka strikes out Matusda for the 2nd time to end the inning, but Kokugakuin has rallied for down 7-1 to tie the game!!!
Bottom 8th
So how will Kyushu Gakuin respond?
Okayama with a grounder to the right side, Nii with the great stop and toss to Kawaguchi for the first out.
Sakai with a scorcher to the left side, and Izumiya is there with the diving stop, makes the throw to 1st for the 2nd out!
What can't this guy do??
And Tamura goes down looking on a fastball on the outside corner to retire the side!
Kyushu Gakuin looks stunned at the turn of events, but the game isn't over yet! Can they get themselves together in time??
Top 9th
Ootsuka gets a groundout from Kimura to short for the 1st out.
Kawaguchi first-pitch swinging pops out to Hagiwara.
And Nii grounds out to short. Mizowaki makes a good play out of it, and for now, Kokugakuin Kugayama's charge has been held back.
Bottom 9th
Kyushu Gakuin still with a chance to end it in regulation. The inning will start off with Ootsuka. But he grounds out to short. Matsuda taking a bit more time with the throw.
#18 Idzuno comes in to hit for Kiyama. But he goes down swinging on a fastball low.
Mizowaki up and he drives one to deep left center! The fielders converge on it...
and it goes off of Kamegai's glove!!! Mizowaki round the bases and slides into 3rd!
Conference now from Koura-kantoku, what will they do now?
あああああああああああああああ！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！
The first pitch from Kawaguchi goes low and under Kikuchi! He scrambles back! Mizowaki charging home!! Toss from Kikuchi....
SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! サヨナラ！！！
What an awful way to end the game... After all the work put into rallying all the way back, a ball that glances off the glove of the outfielder, and then a ball that bounces under the catcher gives it all away...
Like a friend at the Koshien chat room said... In some ways, it's worse than getting blown out... Because here, you had hope, you had a chance, you made it all the way back... and then right when you felt that things were on your side, it all gets taken away from you.
I don't know if Kokugakuin Kugayama deserved to move on after their comeback, but I do know that they didn't deserve to lose this way. Not in such a twisted way that brought the game full circle. It's just soul-crushing - you can see it on Kawaguchi's face after Mizowaki was called safe, the shock that the run was safe, to the realization that the game was over and they had lost.
I'm done with this game. I'll deal with the notable players tomorrow.
Notable Players
Kokugauin Kugayama
Izumiya Yuuki - 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Kawaguchi Takato - 2-5, 2 RBI
Kikuchi Taishi - 2-3, RBI
Kyushu Gakuin
Tamura Takuya - 2-4, 2 K
Sakai Soushirou - 1-4, 3B, R, 2 RBI, 2 K
Mizowaki Hayato - 1-5, 3B, 3 R
Day 4 - Game 2 - Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu (Hiroshima) vs. Riseisha (Osaka)
Not much has gone as expected - either teams have been upset, or games that I thought would be close wound up being blowouts (although last game went as expected).
The matinee game should be one-sided, but given my track record I expect something else to happen. Not sure what, but we'll see.
Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu may have been the beneficiary of the fact that 2 Okayama schools finished in the top 2.
Now in the prefecturals, Gijyutsu didn't face any competition until Onomichi railroaded them 16-6 in the semifinals. They recovered in the 3rd place game to defeat Kouryou 4-3 to advance into the super-regional. In that super-regional, they defeated Taisha (Shimane 2) soundly, which setup a rematch with Onomichi. And when it really mattered, Gijyutsu defeated Onomichi 4-2 to advance. However, against eventual super-regional winner Kanzei they managed just 4 hits. Ida kept them in the game, but they lost 1-0.
Riseisha managed to avoid all the pitfalls in the Osaka prefecturals, missing all tough teams until the finals where they couldn't hold a 4-3 lead against Osaka Touin, culminating in a sayonara 3-run HR in the bottom of the 9th to lose 6-4.
Right off the bat Riseisha was thrown in against Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku. They jumped ahead 3-0 and managed to hold on winning 3-2. After a break against Murayama, Houtoku Gakuen lay in wait for the semis. While close the entire game, they never trailed, and Iidzuka would yield just 3 hits in a 2-1 victory.
That setup a finals rematch with Tenri. Remember back in the summer when Riseisha defeated Tenri 4-1 in the first round? Tenri would break out Nakatani to start the game, and he would hold off the Riseisha offense for the majority of the game, Tenri would score the go-ahead run in the 8th as Riseisha would lose 2-1.
It would appear that Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu would be in for the fight of their lives, but I guess I'd better just let the game play out.
Hm. Okada-kantoku starting southpaw #18 Watanabe against a L-heavy lineup. Interesting strategy.
____________________________________________________________
Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu (Hiroshima) - Chuugoku/Shikoku Floating Bid
RF Date Shuuto
2B Rikida Youhei
3B Nakayama Takahiro
CF Goma Hironobu
1B Maeda Kazuhei
LF Arimura Yuuya
C Omoya Rui
P Ida Yuuki
SS Ishida Yuuma
Riseisha (Osaka) - Kinki Runner-up
CF Kaifu Hiroto
2B Masaki Kentarou
RF Hirada Ryouhei
SS Ishii Gen
1B Masui Shouta
C Sakamoto Seishirou
3B Kumamoto Hayato (#16)
LF Oonishi Kouhei
P Watanabe Masaya (#18)
____________________________________________________________
11:35 - Game start!
Top 1st
Well, the LHP strategy looks good to start. Date flies out to right, Rikida strikes out looking, and Nakayama (a righty) flies out to left.
Bottom 1st
Perhaps a bit of nerves for Ida as he walks Kaifu to start the inning. Masaki bunts the runners over.
Harada looking for a one-timer, but waves at a slider outside for strike 3.
おっと。 Ida hits Ishii.
But Masui flies to center. Goma backpedals to the ball, reaches back and it's off his glove! Both runners come in to score in the error by Goma, and Riseisha is up 2-0!
Sakamoto pops up to 2nd, Rikida has trouble with that one too, but secures it to end the inning. A costly error though puts Gijyutsu behind the 8-ball immediately!
Top 2nd
Looking at Watanabe, he seems like a serviceable pitcher. His fastball is in the mid 130's, with another pitch in the 120s, a slider in the mid 110s and a curve in the high 100s. And he throws 3/4's so he gets what the announcers call a crossfire effect.
Gijyutsu can't figure him out so far. Goma goes down swinging, Maeda pops out to Sakamoto, and Arimura (a righty) softly lines to short.
Bottom 2nd
Ida still having control issues as he grazes Kumamoto. Oonishi with the bunt, but pops it up! Ida dives and makes a great catch! Kumamoto was off on contact and is easily doubled off!
Watanabe grounds to 3rd to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Omoya with a liner back at Watanabe. That hits off of him, but lands nearby. Watanabe makes the play, but the replay shows that we almost had a 2nd batter hit in the nether region.
After a groundout by Ida, Watanabe yields his first runner as he hits Ishida. Gijyutsu has been known to steal a lot of bases, so will they send Ishida?
Yes! He takes off on the 1-2 pitch and slides in safely!
But Date watches a fastball hit the outside corner for strike 3! You gotta swing if it's close man!
Bottom 3rd
Back to the top of the order for Riseisha, but Ida seems to have settled down:
Kaifu flies out to right, Masaki pops out to Nakayama, and Harada hits a lazy fly to left for Ida's first true 1-2-3 inning.
Top 4th
Gijyutsu continues to struggle against the southpaw. None of the batters are making good contact, which means not getting on base which also means no stealing bases.
Bottom 4th
Riseisha testing the fielders again. Ishii with a can of corn to Ishida, he backpedals and backpedals and makes the catch, but it's not for the faint of heart.
Masui flies to center, and Goma manages to make the catch. Sakamoto with a grounder to short, and that they can do without scaring the kantoku.
Top 5th
The game is whirring right along as the batters continue to swing away with little success. Maeda and Arimura suffers the sankyu-sanshin fate (3 pitch K), and Omoya weakly grounds to 2nd.
Bottom 5th
Ida is your average lefty with a fastball in the low 130s, a slider in the low 120s, and a curve in the low 100s.
And if not for that one error in the 1st, the game would still be scoreless as Ida retires the bottom of the order in order to bring us to the break.
The question will be if any of the Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu batters can figure out lefty Watanabe (as he is actually carrying a no-hitter so far) or if they're doomed to lose on one play.
Top 6th
Ida makes good contact, but flies out to center.
Ishida does it! He breaks up the no-hitter with a liner to left! He was on base in the 3rd, will he steal another base?
Doesn't seem like it. Count runs to 2-1 and still no movement.
Hit-and-run, but Date misses! Sakamoto throws to 2nd and Ishida is in a big mess now. He's run down at 1st and the bases are clear again.
Well, for a little while anyways. Watanabe ends up walking Date.
But no problem. Rikida backs away from a pitch over the plate, and is called out.
So does not only having a LHP on the mound combat Gijyutsu's 6 LHB, but it's harder to steal against.
Bottom 6th
Kaifu with a grounder past Maeda. Rikida there to back it up, but they can't get the ball to 1st in time and Kaifu has a hit.
あれ？
I didn't even notice, but even though Ida was down 0-2, he hadn't given up a hit either until just now!!
Masaki bunts the runner along for Harada, but Ida gets him to pop it up. Omoya on the 3rd base side makes the catch for the 2nd out.
And Ishii goes down swinging on a ball outside to end the inning.
Top 7th
Nakayama with a shot to 3rd. That hits off of Kumamoto, but bounces to Ishii! He tries to make the throw to first but it's late.
Hit-and-run! But he hits the ball back to Watanabe! He goes to 2nd for one, Nakayama tries to take out Ishii, but his throw to first beats a diving Goma!
Nice double play turned by Risei, but it's equally another case of robbing oneself of a hit.
Maeda pops out to Kumamoto to end the inning, and things are not looking good for Gijyutsu.
Bottom 7th
Masui with a blast to center! Goma running back, leaps and makes the catch!! Nice play from Goma, but where was that earlier in the 1st when the team needed it?
The innings are going by quickly. Sakamoto hits a ball back to Ida, and Kumamoto grounds out to short to retire the side.
Top 8th
Time running out for Gijyutsu, and the outs are ticking off quickly.
Arimura grounds out to 3rd, Omoya to short, and Ida watches strike 3 go by.
Bottom 8th
Oonishi collects Riseisha's 2nd hit of the day as he singles under a diving Rikida into center. Watanabe moves the runner along.
Kaifu with a liner to center! Goma there to field it as they send Oonishi home! Throw is way late as Riseisha takes a 3-0 lead!
Oda-kantoku calls time as #14 Morita warms up. (He's not listed as a P?)
And Okada-kantoku has Masaki bunt, which he does.
#5 Kobone comes in for Harada, and works a walk. #14 Kishimoto comes in to run for Kobone.
Another conference for Oda-kantoku...
Ishii with a single to right. Kaifu comes in to score and it's 4-0 Riseisha!
Ida not able to find the plate, throwing 2 balls to Masui before being bailed on a high fastball. Another slider high and outside makes it 3-1... ball low and in and it's manrui.
Sakamoto pops out to Maeda to end the inning, but trying to score 4 runs after getting just 2 hits all day? Not looking good...
Top 9th
Kishimoto stays in the game to play right.
Ishida swings at a slider down and away, and is thrown out at 1st for out #1.
Date bails on a ball down and pops up to Kumamoto.
Rikida with a grounder to 3rd. Kumamoto with it, throws to 1st where Rikida's dive signifies the end of the game.
The game would have been a true pitcher's duel if not for the error by Goma in the 1st inning as neither pitcher gave up a hit until the 6th inning, and combined the teams managed just 6 hits.
Instead, it was Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu and their futile attempt to try and scrape back. Give them credit though, if not for that one error (perhaps because of nerves), and the game could have had a different tone. To play along with Kinki runner-up Riseisha and limit them to just 4 hits? Perhaps they can make a run this summer!
Riseisha should be happy to advance, but the lack of offense is a concern. They'll need to find their bats in the next couple of days if they want to get to the Best 8.
Notable Players
Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu
Ida Yuuki - L, CG, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K, 3 BB, 2 HBP
Ishida Yuuma - 1-2, HBP, SB
Nakayama Takahiro - 1-3
Riseisha
Watanabe Masaya - W, CG, 0 ER, 2 H, 8 K, BB, HBP
Kaifu Hiroto - 2-3, BB, 2 R, RBI
Ishii Gen - 1-3, R, RBI, K, HBP
The matinee game should be one-sided, but given my track record I expect something else to happen. Not sure what, but we'll see.
Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu may have been the beneficiary of the fact that 2 Okayama schools finished in the top 2.
Now in the prefecturals, Gijyutsu didn't face any competition until Onomichi railroaded them 16-6 in the semifinals. They recovered in the 3rd place game to defeat Kouryou 4-3 to advance into the super-regional. In that super-regional, they defeated Taisha (Shimane 2) soundly, which setup a rematch with Onomichi. And when it really mattered, Gijyutsu defeated Onomichi 4-2 to advance. However, against eventual super-regional winner Kanzei they managed just 4 hits. Ida kept them in the game, but they lost 1-0.
Riseisha managed to avoid all the pitfalls in the Osaka prefecturals, missing all tough teams until the finals where they couldn't hold a 4-3 lead against Osaka Touin, culminating in a sayonara 3-run HR in the bottom of the 9th to lose 6-4.
Right off the bat Riseisha was thrown in against Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku. They jumped ahead 3-0 and managed to hold on winning 3-2. After a break against Murayama, Houtoku Gakuen lay in wait for the semis. While close the entire game, they never trailed, and Iidzuka would yield just 3 hits in a 2-1 victory.
That setup a finals rematch with Tenri. Remember back in the summer when Riseisha defeated Tenri 4-1 in the first round? Tenri would break out Nakatani to start the game, and he would hold off the Riseisha offense for the majority of the game, Tenri would score the go-ahead run in the 8th as Riseisha would lose 2-1.
It would appear that Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu would be in for the fight of their lives, but I guess I'd better just let the game play out.
Hm. Okada-kantoku starting southpaw #18 Watanabe against a L-heavy lineup. Interesting strategy.
____________________________________________________________
Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu (Hiroshima) - Chuugoku/Shikoku Floating Bid
RF Date Shuuto
2B Rikida Youhei
3B Nakayama Takahiro
CF Goma Hironobu
1B Maeda Kazuhei
LF Arimura Yuuya
C Omoya Rui
P Ida Yuuki
SS Ishida Yuuma
Riseisha (Osaka) - Kinki Runner-up
CF Kaifu Hiroto
2B Masaki Kentarou
RF Hirada Ryouhei
SS Ishii Gen
1B Masui Shouta
C Sakamoto Seishirou
3B Kumamoto Hayato (#16)
LF Oonishi Kouhei
P Watanabe Masaya (#18)
____________________________________________________________
11:35 - Game start!
Top 1st
Well, the LHP strategy looks good to start. Date flies out to right, Rikida strikes out looking, and Nakayama (a righty) flies out to left.
Bottom 1st
Perhaps a bit of nerves for Ida as he walks Kaifu to start the inning. Masaki bunts the runners over.
Harada looking for a one-timer, but waves at a slider outside for strike 3.
おっと。 Ida hits Ishii.
But Masui flies to center. Goma backpedals to the ball, reaches back and it's off his glove! Both runners come in to score in the error by Goma, and Riseisha is up 2-0!
Sakamoto pops up to 2nd, Rikida has trouble with that one too, but secures it to end the inning. A costly error though puts Gijyutsu behind the 8-ball immediately!
Top 2nd
Looking at Watanabe, he seems like a serviceable pitcher. His fastball is in the mid 130's, with another pitch in the 120s, a slider in the mid 110s and a curve in the high 100s. And he throws 3/4's so he gets what the announcers call a crossfire effect.
Gijyutsu can't figure him out so far. Goma goes down swinging, Maeda pops out to Sakamoto, and Arimura (a righty) softly lines to short.
Bottom 2nd
Ida still having control issues as he grazes Kumamoto. Oonishi with the bunt, but pops it up! Ida dives and makes a great catch! Kumamoto was off on contact and is easily doubled off!
Watanabe grounds to 3rd to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Omoya with a liner back at Watanabe. That hits off of him, but lands nearby. Watanabe makes the play, but the replay shows that we almost had a 2nd batter hit in the nether region.
After a groundout by Ida, Watanabe yields his first runner as he hits Ishida. Gijyutsu has been known to steal a lot of bases, so will they send Ishida?
Yes! He takes off on the 1-2 pitch and slides in safely!
But Date watches a fastball hit the outside corner for strike 3! You gotta swing if it's close man!
Bottom 3rd
Back to the top of the order for Riseisha, but Ida seems to have settled down:
Kaifu flies out to right, Masaki pops out to Nakayama, and Harada hits a lazy fly to left for Ida's first true 1-2-3 inning.
Top 4th
Gijyutsu continues to struggle against the southpaw. None of the batters are making good contact, which means not getting on base which also means no stealing bases.
Bottom 4th
Riseisha testing the fielders again. Ishii with a can of corn to Ishida, he backpedals and backpedals and makes the catch, but it's not for the faint of heart.
Masui flies to center, and Goma manages to make the catch. Sakamoto with a grounder to short, and that they can do without scaring the kantoku.
Top 5th
The game is whirring right along as the batters continue to swing away with little success. Maeda and Arimura suffers the sankyu-sanshin fate (3 pitch K), and Omoya weakly grounds to 2nd.
Bottom 5th
Ida is your average lefty with a fastball in the low 130s, a slider in the low 120s, and a curve in the low 100s.
And if not for that one error in the 1st, the game would still be scoreless as Ida retires the bottom of the order in order to bring us to the break.
The question will be if any of the Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu batters can figure out lefty Watanabe (as he is actually carrying a no-hitter so far) or if they're doomed to lose on one play.
Top 6th
Ida makes good contact, but flies out to center.
Ishida does it! He breaks up the no-hitter with a liner to left! He was on base in the 3rd, will he steal another base?
Doesn't seem like it. Count runs to 2-1 and still no movement.
Hit-and-run, but Date misses! Sakamoto throws to 2nd and Ishida is in a big mess now. He's run down at 1st and the bases are clear again.
Well, for a little while anyways. Watanabe ends up walking Date.
But no problem. Rikida backs away from a pitch over the plate, and is called out.
So does not only having a LHP on the mound combat Gijyutsu's 6 LHB, but it's harder to steal against.
Bottom 6th
Kaifu with a grounder past Maeda. Rikida there to back it up, but they can't get the ball to 1st in time and Kaifu has a hit.
あれ？
I didn't even notice, but even though Ida was down 0-2, he hadn't given up a hit either until just now!!
Masaki bunts the runner along for Harada, but Ida gets him to pop it up. Omoya on the 3rd base side makes the catch for the 2nd out.
And Ishii goes down swinging on a ball outside to end the inning.
Top 7th
Nakayama with a shot to 3rd. That hits off of Kumamoto, but bounces to Ishii! He tries to make the throw to first but it's late.
Hit-and-run! But he hits the ball back to Watanabe! He goes to 2nd for one, Nakayama tries to take out Ishii, but his throw to first beats a diving Goma!
Nice double play turned by Risei, but it's equally another case of robbing oneself of a hit.
Maeda pops out to Kumamoto to end the inning, and things are not looking good for Gijyutsu.
Bottom 7th
Masui with a blast to center! Goma running back, leaps and makes the catch!! Nice play from Goma, but where was that earlier in the 1st when the team needed it?
The innings are going by quickly. Sakamoto hits a ball back to Ida, and Kumamoto grounds out to short to retire the side.
Top 8th
Time running out for Gijyutsu, and the outs are ticking off quickly.
Arimura grounds out to 3rd, Omoya to short, and Ida watches strike 3 go by.
Bottom 8th
Oonishi collects Riseisha's 2nd hit of the day as he singles under a diving Rikida into center. Watanabe moves the runner along.
Kaifu with a liner to center! Goma there to field it as they send Oonishi home! Throw is way late as Riseisha takes a 3-0 lead!
Oda-kantoku calls time as #14 Morita warms up. (He's not listed as a P?)
And Okada-kantoku has Masaki bunt, which he does.
#5 Kobone comes in for Harada, and works a walk. #14 Kishimoto comes in to run for Kobone.
Another conference for Oda-kantoku...
Ishii with a single to right. Kaifu comes in to score and it's 4-0 Riseisha!
Ida not able to find the plate, throwing 2 balls to Masui before being bailed on a high fastball. Another slider high and outside makes it 3-1... ball low and in and it's manrui.
Sakamoto pops out to Maeda to end the inning, but trying to score 4 runs after getting just 2 hits all day? Not looking good...
Top 9th
Kishimoto stays in the game to play right.
Ishida swings at a slider down and away, and is thrown out at 1st for out #1.
Date bails on a ball down and pops up to Kumamoto.
Rikida with a grounder to 3rd. Kumamoto with it, throws to 1st where Rikida's dive signifies the end of the game.
The game would have been a true pitcher's duel if not for the error by Goma in the 1st inning as neither pitcher gave up a hit until the 6th inning, and combined the teams managed just 6 hits.
Instead, it was Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu and their futile attempt to try and scrape back. Give them credit though, if not for that one error (perhaps because of nerves), and the game could have had a different tone. To play along with Kinki runner-up Riseisha and limit them to just 4 hits? Perhaps they can make a run this summer!
Riseisha should be happy to advance, but the lack of offense is a concern. They'll need to find their bats in the next couple of days if they want to get to the Best 8.
Notable Players
Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu
Ida Yuuki - L, CG, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K, 3 BB, 2 HBP
Ishida Yuuma - 1-2, HBP, SB
Nakayama Takahiro - 1-3
Riseisha
Watanabe Masaya - W, CG, 0 ER, 2 H, 8 K, BB, HBP
Kaifu Hiroto - 2-3, BB, 2 R, RBI
Ishii Gen - 1-3, R, RBI, K, HBP
Day 4 - Game 1 - Chiben Wakayama (Wakayama) vs. Sado (Niigata)
Well, yesterday's games save for the first were a bit of a disappointment. It would seem that the games I don't expect to be interesting are, and the ones I do expect to, aren't. Go figure.
Today's opener should be a warmup. Chiben Wakayama, who probably holds the biggest monopoly in any prefecure is back yet again.
But their road was pretty short. Having been part of the Best 4 last summer, they automaticall moved past the block stage and into the prefecturals (which only consist of 8 teams). They breezed through those 3 games easily and moved onto the super-regionals. There they defeated both Kyoto Gaidai Nishi and PL Gakuen before falling to Tenri.
As for Sado, they had some success. After getting through the prefecturals and losing to Nihon Bunri, they lost to Saku Chousei in the 1st round of the super-regional 6-0.
But with no quality wins, it's hard to see Sado winning this matchup.
____________________________________________________________
Chiben Wakayama (Wakayama) - Kinki 3rd/4th Place
RF Yamamoto Ryuuta
SS Ogasawara Tomohiro
C Michibata Shunsuke
CF Miyagawa Yuuki
1B Hiroaka Yukihiro
3B Shima Naohiro
LF Nakamura Kousei
2B Kawasaki Kousuke
P Miyagawa Yuuki (#10)
Sado (Niigata) - 21st Century Team
2B Iwami Shou
SS Wada Hiroyuki
LF Suzuki Shuntarou
RF Iwami Masato
CF Aida Kento
P Kamata Yuuki
C Watanabe Testuji
1B Nakagawa Atsushi
3B Arai Shouya
____________________________________________________________
9:00 - Game start!
Top 1st
After getting off to an 0-2 start on Yamamoto, Kamata plunks Yamamoto. Takashima-kantoku has Ogasawara bunt the runners along, which he does.
Michibata with a grounder that just goes past Arai into left. Yamamoto holds at 3rd, but immediately Sado is in a pinch.
Miyagawa with a grounder to the left side. Wada over to get it, but drops the ball! Yamamoto comes in to score and it's quickly 1-0 Chiben Wakayama!
Kamata gets Hiroka looking on an outside pitch and there's 2 down.
Kamata is a righty that throws in the low-mid 130s with a slider in the 120s and a curve in the 110s.
But he continues to have issues with control walking Shima, and loading the bases.
Nakamura takes the first pitch and grounds back to Kamata! He tries to field it, but it gets by! Shou and Wada both converge, but it sneaks into center! Michibata comes in to score and it's now 2-0 Chiben!
Kawasaki pops out to Wada to end the inning, but Chiben is quickly on the board at 2-0.
Bottom 1st
Sado's batters having a hard time locating Aoki's pitches. After Shou grounds out to 2nd, Wada K's swinging, and Suzuki watches a pitch on the outside corner for the 3rd out.
Top 2nd
Well, Kamata seems to have settled down quickly. He retires the 9-1-2 batters on just 8 pitches and they're back on the sticks to try and close the deficit.
Bottom 2nd
Except that their batters are going down just as quickly. Masato pops up to Michibata, Aido goes down swinging on 4 pitches, and Kamata pops out to short. 7 pitches and Chiben is back on offense.
Top 3rd
Boy things are going fast. Before I can get settled, Michibats takes the first pitch and grounds to 3rd. Miyagawa takes it and grounds to 2nd. Then Hiraoka takes his and lines one over Wada's head and into left center. Suzuki is able to get in front of it, but can't field it cleanly. As a result Hiraoka takes 2nd!
Shima allows me to take a breath as he doesn't swing on the first pitch. In fact, the count goes full on him, and then Kamata gets him looking on an inside fastball.
Bottom 3rd
Watanabe goes down swinging, but the ball gets away from Michibata! He K's but reaches 1st safely!
Fukai-kantoku immediately calls for Watanabe to bunt the runner along, which he does. That brings up Arai to try and send the runner home.
Instead, he just advances him to 3rd with a grounder to 2nd. It'll be back to the top of the order and Shou to get the one-timer.
Shou manages to work the count full. But he kneels down when he's called out on a slider on the outside corner! Aoki denies Sado a run and maintains a 2-run lead!
Top 4th
Nakamura up for Chiben, and after the count runs 2-2, Kamata plunks him on the back knee. Kawasaki moves him over for Aoki.
But Aoki chases a slider and goes down swinging.
Yamamoto grounds to 2nd and outside of the 1st inning, Sado looks solid on defense.
Bottom 4th
It's interesting how people on Twitter are noting that Sado's oen-dan actually rivals that of Chiben Wakayama. And in terms of people making a design, it certainly does.
Wada finally gets Sado their first hit with a liner over Shima's head! Suzuki showing no bunt.
Then on 2-0 he shows bunt, pulls it back and drives one to deep left center! The outfield is in and they're racing back! It goes all the way back to the wall! Wada rounds third and scores! Suzuki heading to 3rd, but Ogasawara makes a fine throw to gun him at 3rd. But the base hit gets a run back and makes it a 2-1 ballgame!
Sado a bit more confident perhaps, but Aoki continues to get them. Both Masato and Aido go down looking and the inning is over.
Top 5th
Ogasawara manages to draw a walk from Kamata. Takashima-kantoku elects not to bunt from his #3 hitter, and Michibata flies out to center.
Miyagawa with a liner to left! Suzuki sprinting over to the foul line, reaches down and makes the running catch!
And a weak grounder by Hiroka to end the inning and Sado will look to take the momentum and tie the game.
Bottom 5th
Kamata with a shot to the left side! Shima dives to his left and makes a great stop! Throw to 1st beats out the dive!
Watanabe with another hard hit to 3rd. This time it bounces off Shima! But it's right to Ogasawara! His throw to 1st beats out a diving Watanabe for the 2nd out!
Nagagawa finally catches a break for Sado when his dribbler to the left side results in Aoki and Shima colliding (well, running into each other more than an actual collision) preventing a throw to 1st!
However Aoki gets Arai to softly line to Kawasaki right at the 2nd base bag for the last out.
The game is going at a good clip as we head to the break. Early on it looked like Chiben Wakayama would be running away with it, but Sado has settled down and has actually closed in on Chiben Wakayama!
Top 6th
Shima with a grounder past a diving Nakagawa into right.
Takashima-kantoku puts on the hit-and-run, but Nakamura lines it right to Nakagawa! He steps on the bag for the double play!
Kamata looking for a quick inning doesn't get it. Kawasaki singles to center.
Aoki stubborn at the plate, works the count full and draws a walk. Runners on 1st and 2nd now.
AH! Ahead 1-2 on Yamamoto, Kamata hangs a slider and Yamamoto singles to right! Kawasaki heads home and Aoki heads to 3rd on the RBI single! It's 3-1 Chiben!
Ogasawara up now, fouls a pitch off himself and hit he's down on the ground, and not getting up. I didn't really see where it hit him but.
OW.
It looks like he fouled the ball off of um... his family jewels...
He's still down, but eventually gets up and returns to his AB. Wonder how ok he really is.
Good enough I guess because after falling behind 0-2, Kamata nibbles around and winds up walking him! Manrui for Chiben!
Michibata takes a hanging two-seamer and sends it to right center! Outfielders heading back, but won't be able to reach it! Everyone scores on the bases clearing RBI triple! Chiben blows it open at 6-1!
Miyagawa goes down swinging on an outside slider, but Sado will need a lot of help now.
Bottom 6th
No answer for Sado as Aoki retires the top of the order in order...
Top 7th
One down for Kamata and he gets into trouble. Shima singles to center, and Nakamura sends one through to right.
Kawasaki makes it 3 hits in a row as he singles to center. Shima scores to make it 7-1 Chiben.
Kamata manages to get Aoki to fly out to center, and Yamamoto to hit a comebacker to him, but I think people are starting to realize that Sado's time at Koshien will be short.
Bottom 7th
Sado's batters are just no match for Aoki. He strikes out the side in order giving him 10 K's on the day.
Top 8th
Ogasawara earns his 3rd walk of the day to leadoff the 8th. After a fly to center by Michibata, Miyagawa hits a grounder to short. Wada bobbles the ball, and only has a play at 1st. 2 down.
Hiraoka then fists one towards short! Wada scrambling back, leaps up, but it's just over his head! He gets it, but Ogasawara scores to make it 8-1.
Shima with a base hit to right. Runners at the corners, and Kamata in trouble again.
But Nakamura flies to left and the inning is over.
Bottom 8th
#14 Numakura is in for Yamamoto in RF for Chiben Wakayama.
Aoki yields his first walk to Watanabe here to leadoff the 8th. #12 Furuta warming up in the bullpen.
But as Nakagawa pops up to short, Furuta is called back to the dugout.
Arai grounds out to 3rd as Watanabe advances to 2nd.
Aoki closes the door as he gets Shou swinging on a slider down and in.
Top 9th
Takashima-kantoku getting his bench players in. #13 Nishitani comes in to hit for Kawasaki. Meanwhile Furuta is up again in the bullpen.
Nishitani buzzes one past Arai down the left field line for a double.
#15 Takagaki comes in to hit for Aoki, which means that Furuta will come in for the 9th inning.
Takagaki with a grounder to short, but it's under Wada's legs into left. Nishitani holds at 2nd as Fukai-kantoku calls a conference.
Numakura bunts the runners along and Chiben looks to play add on.
But Kamata shuts it down by striking out Ogasawara on 3 straight, and getting Michibata to ground to 2nd.
Bottom 9th
#12 Furuta comes in for Takagaki and takes over on the mound. Nishitani stays in the game to play 2B.
Wada with a slow chopper to the left side. It gets by Furuta and Shima and Ogasawara bump into each other! The throw is late and Sado has a runner on!
And now Suzuki walks to give runners on 1st and 2nd. Going to need a lot more of that.
Whoops. For some reason Suzuki is caught off 2nd. Eventually both runners end up on 2nd and Suzuki is called out.
Masato up, but he goes down looking on a slider down the heart of the plate.
Aida the last hope for Sado...
But he grounds out to 3rd. Arai throws to 1st as Aida ceremoniously slides in to signify the end of the game.
Sado was just no match for the Chiben Wakayama squad. But they didn't commit too many errors and played respectably, especially for losing 8-1.
As for Takashima-kantoku, he collects yet another win (and another victory baseball) in his coaching career and will face Kousei Gakuin for a spot in the Best 8. Aoki looked good on the mound, and while Furuta wasn't all that good they still have ace Uenoyama and Oojino. The bats were fairly solid so it'll be a good 2nd round matchup.
Notable Players
Chiben Wakayama
Aoki Yuuto - W, 8 IP, ER, 3 H, 12 K, BB
Ogasawara Tomohiro - 0-3, K, 3 BB
Michibata Shunsuke - 2-6, 3B, 3 RBI
Hiroka Yukihiro - 2-5, 2B, RBI
Shima Naohiro - 3-4, K, BB
Kawasaki Kousuke - 2-3, R, RBI
Sado
Suzuki Shuntarou - 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB
Wada Hiroki - 2-4, R, K
Nakagawa Atsushi - 1-2
Today's opener should be a warmup. Chiben Wakayama, who probably holds the biggest monopoly in any prefecure is back yet again.
But their road was pretty short. Having been part of the Best 4 last summer, they automaticall moved past the block stage and into the prefecturals (which only consist of 8 teams). They breezed through those 3 games easily and moved onto the super-regionals. There they defeated both Kyoto Gaidai Nishi and PL Gakuen before falling to Tenri.
As for Sado, they had some success. After getting through the prefecturals and losing to Nihon Bunri, they lost to Saku Chousei in the 1st round of the super-regional 6-0.
But with no quality wins, it's hard to see Sado winning this matchup.
____________________________________________________________
Chiben Wakayama (Wakayama) - Kinki 3rd/4th Place
RF Yamamoto Ryuuta
SS Ogasawara Tomohiro
C Michibata Shunsuke
CF Miyagawa Yuuki
1B Hiroaka Yukihiro
3B Shima Naohiro
LF Nakamura Kousei
2B Kawasaki Kousuke
P Miyagawa Yuuki (#10)
Sado (Niigata) - 21st Century Team
2B Iwami Shou
SS Wada Hiroyuki
LF Suzuki Shuntarou
RF Iwami Masato
CF Aida Kento
P Kamata Yuuki
C Watanabe Testuji
1B Nakagawa Atsushi
3B Arai Shouya
____________________________________________________________
9:00 - Game start!
Top 1st
After getting off to an 0-2 start on Yamamoto, Kamata plunks Yamamoto. Takashima-kantoku has Ogasawara bunt the runners along, which he does.
Michibata with a grounder that just goes past Arai into left. Yamamoto holds at 3rd, but immediately Sado is in a pinch.
Miyagawa with a grounder to the left side. Wada over to get it, but drops the ball! Yamamoto comes in to score and it's quickly 1-0 Chiben Wakayama!
Kamata gets Hiroka looking on an outside pitch and there's 2 down.
Kamata is a righty that throws in the low-mid 130s with a slider in the 120s and a curve in the 110s.
But he continues to have issues with control walking Shima, and loading the bases.
Nakamura takes the first pitch and grounds back to Kamata! He tries to field it, but it gets by! Shou and Wada both converge, but it sneaks into center! Michibata comes in to score and it's now 2-0 Chiben!
Kawasaki pops out to Wada to end the inning, but Chiben is quickly on the board at 2-0.
Bottom 1st
Sado's batters having a hard time locating Aoki's pitches. After Shou grounds out to 2nd, Wada K's swinging, and Suzuki watches a pitch on the outside corner for the 3rd out.
Top 2nd
Well, Kamata seems to have settled down quickly. He retires the 9-1-2 batters on just 8 pitches and they're back on the sticks to try and close the deficit.
Bottom 2nd
Except that their batters are going down just as quickly. Masato pops up to Michibata, Aido goes down swinging on 4 pitches, and Kamata pops out to short. 7 pitches and Chiben is back on offense.
Top 3rd
Boy things are going fast. Before I can get settled, Michibats takes the first pitch and grounds to 3rd. Miyagawa takes it and grounds to 2nd. Then Hiraoka takes his and lines one over Wada's head and into left center. Suzuki is able to get in front of it, but can't field it cleanly. As a result Hiraoka takes 2nd!
Shima allows me to take a breath as he doesn't swing on the first pitch. In fact, the count goes full on him, and then Kamata gets him looking on an inside fastball.
Bottom 3rd
Watanabe goes down swinging, but the ball gets away from Michibata! He K's but reaches 1st safely!
Fukai-kantoku immediately calls for Watanabe to bunt the runner along, which he does. That brings up Arai to try and send the runner home.
Instead, he just advances him to 3rd with a grounder to 2nd. It'll be back to the top of the order and Shou to get the one-timer.
Shou manages to work the count full. But he kneels down when he's called out on a slider on the outside corner! Aoki denies Sado a run and maintains a 2-run lead!
Top 4th
Nakamura up for Chiben, and after the count runs 2-2, Kamata plunks him on the back knee. Kawasaki moves him over for Aoki.
But Aoki chases a slider and goes down swinging.
Yamamoto grounds to 2nd and outside of the 1st inning, Sado looks solid on defense.
Bottom 4th
It's interesting how people on Twitter are noting that Sado's oen-dan actually rivals that of Chiben Wakayama. And in terms of people making a design, it certainly does.
Wada finally gets Sado their first hit with a liner over Shima's head! Suzuki showing no bunt.
Then on 2-0 he shows bunt, pulls it back and drives one to deep left center! The outfield is in and they're racing back! It goes all the way back to the wall! Wada rounds third and scores! Suzuki heading to 3rd, but Ogasawara makes a fine throw to gun him at 3rd. But the base hit gets a run back and makes it a 2-1 ballgame!
Sado a bit more confident perhaps, but Aoki continues to get them. Both Masato and Aido go down looking and the inning is over.
Top 5th
Ogasawara manages to draw a walk from Kamata. Takashima-kantoku elects not to bunt from his #3 hitter, and Michibata flies out to center.
Miyagawa with a liner to left! Suzuki sprinting over to the foul line, reaches down and makes the running catch!
And a weak grounder by Hiroka to end the inning and Sado will look to take the momentum and tie the game.
Bottom 5th
Kamata with a shot to the left side! Shima dives to his left and makes a great stop! Throw to 1st beats out the dive!
Watanabe with another hard hit to 3rd. This time it bounces off Shima! But it's right to Ogasawara! His throw to 1st beats out a diving Watanabe for the 2nd out!
Nagagawa finally catches a break for Sado when his dribbler to the left side results in Aoki and Shima colliding (well, running into each other more than an actual collision) preventing a throw to 1st!
However Aoki gets Arai to softly line to Kawasaki right at the 2nd base bag for the last out.
The game is going at a good clip as we head to the break. Early on it looked like Chiben Wakayama would be running away with it, but Sado has settled down and has actually closed in on Chiben Wakayama!
Top 6th
Shima with a grounder past a diving Nakagawa into right.
Takashima-kantoku puts on the hit-and-run, but Nakamura lines it right to Nakagawa! He steps on the bag for the double play!
Kamata looking for a quick inning doesn't get it. Kawasaki singles to center.
Aoki stubborn at the plate, works the count full and draws a walk. Runners on 1st and 2nd now.
AH! Ahead 1-2 on Yamamoto, Kamata hangs a slider and Yamamoto singles to right! Kawasaki heads home and Aoki heads to 3rd on the RBI single! It's 3-1 Chiben!
Ogasawara up now, fouls a pitch off himself and hit he's down on the ground, and not getting up. I didn't really see where it hit him but.
OW.
It looks like he fouled the ball off of um... his family jewels...
He's still down, but eventually gets up and returns to his AB. Wonder how ok he really is.
Good enough I guess because after falling behind 0-2, Kamata nibbles around and winds up walking him! Manrui for Chiben!
Michibata takes a hanging two-seamer and sends it to right center! Outfielders heading back, but won't be able to reach it! Everyone scores on the bases clearing RBI triple! Chiben blows it open at 6-1!
Miyagawa goes down swinging on an outside slider, but Sado will need a lot of help now.
Bottom 6th
No answer for Sado as Aoki retires the top of the order in order...
Top 7th
One down for Kamata and he gets into trouble. Shima singles to center, and Nakamura sends one through to right.
Kawasaki makes it 3 hits in a row as he singles to center. Shima scores to make it 7-1 Chiben.
Kamata manages to get Aoki to fly out to center, and Yamamoto to hit a comebacker to him, but I think people are starting to realize that Sado's time at Koshien will be short.
Bottom 7th
Sado's batters are just no match for Aoki. He strikes out the side in order giving him 10 K's on the day.
Top 8th
Ogasawara earns his 3rd walk of the day to leadoff the 8th. After a fly to center by Michibata, Miyagawa hits a grounder to short. Wada bobbles the ball, and only has a play at 1st. 2 down.
Hiraoka then fists one towards short! Wada scrambling back, leaps up, but it's just over his head! He gets it, but Ogasawara scores to make it 8-1.
Shima with a base hit to right. Runners at the corners, and Kamata in trouble again.
But Nakamura flies to left and the inning is over.
Bottom 8th
#14 Numakura is in for Yamamoto in RF for Chiben Wakayama.
Aoki yields his first walk to Watanabe here to leadoff the 8th. #12 Furuta warming up in the bullpen.
But as Nakagawa pops up to short, Furuta is called back to the dugout.
Arai grounds out to 3rd as Watanabe advances to 2nd.
Aoki closes the door as he gets Shou swinging on a slider down and in.
Top 9th
Takashima-kantoku getting his bench players in. #13 Nishitani comes in to hit for Kawasaki. Meanwhile Furuta is up again in the bullpen.
Nishitani buzzes one past Arai down the left field line for a double.
#15 Takagaki comes in to hit for Aoki, which means that Furuta will come in for the 9th inning.
Takagaki with a grounder to short, but it's under Wada's legs into left. Nishitani holds at 2nd as Fukai-kantoku calls a conference.
Numakura bunts the runners along and Chiben looks to play add on.
But Kamata shuts it down by striking out Ogasawara on 3 straight, and getting Michibata to ground to 2nd.
Bottom 9th
#12 Furuta comes in for Takagaki and takes over on the mound. Nishitani stays in the game to play 2B.
Wada with a slow chopper to the left side. It gets by Furuta and Shima and Ogasawara bump into each other! The throw is late and Sado has a runner on!
And now Suzuki walks to give runners on 1st and 2nd. Going to need a lot more of that.
Whoops. For some reason Suzuki is caught off 2nd. Eventually both runners end up on 2nd and Suzuki is called out.
Masato up, but he goes down looking on a slider down the heart of the plate.
Aida the last hope for Sado...
But he grounds out to 3rd. Arai throws to 1st as Aida ceremoniously slides in to signify the end of the game.
Sado was just no match for the Chiben Wakayama squad. But they didn't commit too many errors and played respectably, especially for losing 8-1.
As for Takashima-kantoku, he collects yet another win (and another victory baseball) in his coaching career and will face Kousei Gakuin for a spot in the Best 8. Aoki looked good on the mound, and while Furuta wasn't all that good they still have ace Uenoyama and Oojino. The bats were fairly solid so it'll be a good 2nd round matchup.
Notable Players
Chiben Wakayama
Aoki Yuuto - W, 8 IP, ER, 3 H, 12 K, BB
Ogasawara Tomohiro - 0-3, K, 3 BB
Michibata Shunsuke - 2-6, 3B, 3 RBI
Hiroka Yukihiro - 2-5, 2B, RBI
Shima Naohiro - 3-4, K, BB
Kawasaki Kousuke - 2-3, R, RBI
Sado
Suzuki Shuntarou - 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB
Wada Hiroki - 2-4, R, K
Nakagawa Atsushi - 1-2
Friday, March 25, 2011
Day 3 - Game 3 - Suijyou (Ibaraki) vs. Kousei Gakuin (Aomori)
The final game of the day features a team I actually liked and kind of hoped would return, squaring off against one of the more established teams from a weaker region.
Suijyou came onto the scene last summer when they won their first ever Koshien bid and had to square off against Hifumi Shinta and Toukaidai Sagami. Suijyou was more than respectable in the game creating multiple opportunities, and with the team having a lot of kouhai's, I wondered how a couple month's more seasoning would do.
Well, Suijyou blew through the Ibaraki prefecturals with no issue and with no real competition. After defeating Nihon Koukuu (Yamananashi #2) and Kasukabe Kyouei (Saitama #2), it actually setup a rematch against Toukaidai Sagami. Sadly, with Hifumi gone one could argue that they were a slightly better team. Suijyou fought hard early, but faded late losing 8-1 in 8 innings.
Kousei Gakuin was more of the same. They won their prefectural games by an average of almost 9 runs. Then after two easy games in the super-regional, they handled Sendai Ikuei 8-3 before losing to Tohoku in the finals 5-3.
So the body of work by both teams is inconclusive. Suijyou at best faced average competition before falling again to Toukaidai Sagami, while Kousei Gakuin played 2 Koshien-level teams (although it can be argued that Sendai Ikuei was rebuilding after losing their twin-tandem pitchers). So it should be a good game between these teams.
____________________________________________________________
Suijyou (Ibaraki) - Kanto 3rd/4th Place
RF Tanii Ryouta
LF Tobita Tomoki
2B Onose Daikatsu
CF Hagiya Naoto
1B Ebisawa Yuutarou
C Satou Hajime
3B Koiso Takuya
SS Akutsu Toshiki
P Satou Kenta
Kousei Gakuin (Aomori) - Tohoku Runner-up
RF Sawa Tatsutoshi
2B Enomoto Shin
CF Kawakami Ryuuhei
3B Tamura Tatsuhiro
1B Kanayama Hirotaka
LF Ameku Shouto (#17)
SS Houjyou Fumiya
C Matsumoto Kenshin
P Akita Noriyoshi
____________________________________________________________
14:07 - Game start!
Top 1st
After recording the first two outs, Akita plunks Onose.
But Matsumoto has his back as after the first pitch to Hagiya he throws to 1st and picks off Onose to end the inning!
Bottom 1st
Kenta for Suijyou looks to have a fastball that is in the mid-130's and supposedly has a two-seamer, slider, curve, and change.
And it looks like he uses a two seamer to get Sawa out looking for out number 1.
Enomoto takes an offspeed pitch and pulls it to right center for a base hit.
Kenta then falls behind Kawakami 3-0 before getting 2 strikes to fill the count. Enomoto takes off, but Kawakami fouls the pitch off. He grounds to 3rd where Koiso makes a nice pick and throw. Enomoto advances to 2nd.
あ！ Pitch from Kenta gets under Hajime and to the backstop! Enomoto advances to 3rd!
And it costs them! Tamura lines a ball to center and Enomoto comes home! Kousei Gakuin strikes first here in the bottom of the 1st! 1-0!
Kenta gets Kanayama to strike out looking to end the inning, but not before a wild pitch and a timely hit put Kousei in front.
Top 2nd
One down and Ebisawa gets Suijyou's first hit with a single to center.
No bunt from Hashimoto-kantoku. Then on the 2-1 pitch Hajime tries a push bunt, but it goes foul. 2 strikes and he has to swing away - winds up hitting a routine fly to center.
Koiso with another fly to center. Kawakami stumbles and falls down, but gets up just in time to make the play.
Bottom 2nd
Ameku with a base hit past a diving Koiso starts the inning off for Kousei. Houjyou swings away, but pops out to Onose in foul territory. Kenta's pitch count continues to rise as he walks Matsumoto to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Akita hits a grounder to 3rd. Koiso goes to 2nd for one, but Onose's throw to 1st is low and Ebisawa can't pick it for the double play. That extends the inning as the lineup turns over to Sawa.
2-1 pitch from Kenta and Akita takes off! Ball is in the dirt and Hajime has no throw!
Then on a full count, Kenta hits Sawa to load the bases! (I don't think he got out of the way, but it would have been ball 4 anyways)
Enomoto with a chance to blow open the game, but a slow curve and fastball late and he's behind 0-2.
Grounder to first, Ebisawa bobbles it! It gets by him and 2 runners come in to score on the error! It's 3-0 now in favor of Kousei!
The flood gates are opening now. Kawakami with a base hit to center. Hagiya there to cut it off but not before 2 more runs score making it 5-0.
Tamura lifts a ball to deep left center. Tobita and Hagiya converge and Tobita is there to make the catch. But Suijyou is in a bit of trouble now.
Top 3rd
Now that I have a little time, I can focus on ace Akita a little. He's a 3/4 righty with a fastball that hits the low 140's with a slider in the 130's and a curve in the 110s.
Akita takes care of the 8-9-1 batters with relative ease, striking out Kenta and Tanii to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
#18 Totsuka comes in for Ebisawa to play 1B.
Kenta's control issues remain as he walks leadoff batter Kanayama on 4 straight. Akutsu moves him along. Houjyou with a grounder to 2nd, but Onose's throw is wide! Kanayama comes home to score and it's now 6-0 Kousei.
Matsumoto with a single to center. Houjyou score to make it 7-0, but Kenta makes a good cutoff and throws to 1st to pick off Matsumoto who was off the bag.
Akita flies out to center to end the inning, but it's clear the young squad still needs some seasoning.
Top 4th
The Suijyou batters try to work the count, but to no avail. Tobita has to swing away down 1-2 and flies out to center. Onose works the count full, but grounds to 1st. Hagiya does the same, but lines to short.
Bottom 4th
Kenta records two quick flyouts to center, and had the inning all but wrapped up, but on Kawakami's grounder to 3rd, Koiso one hops the ball to Ebisawa who can't secure the ball. So the inning continues on.
Tamura takes advantage, singles to right. Kawakami comes around to make it 8-0.
Kanayama grounds out to short to end the inning.
Top 5th
Koiso collects the 2nd hit for Suijyou on a 2-out single to center, but Akutsu flies out to center to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
#15 Ogawa comes in for Onose as a defensive replacement at 2B.
Kenta collects 2 flyouts, and almost has a 1-2-3 inning, but then he walks Matsumoto on 4 straight.
Then Akita hits a pop to shallow right. new 2B Ogawa runs out to get it, but when he dives it goes off his glove. Houjyou advances to 3rd.
Sawa up and Akita takes off for 2nd! Throw from Hajime is short and goes under Akutsu's legs into center! Matsumoto walks home to make it 9-0. Sawa then singles up the middle, and Akita heads home to make it a 10-0 lead.
Enomoto grounds to 2nd to end the inning, and Suijyou should be happy to have a break right now.
Top 6th
#13 Suzuki to hit for Kenta. His day is done. And on the first pitch, he singles up the middle!
Tanii works the count full and manages a walk. After Tobita falls behind 0-2, he works the count full. But Akita jams him and he fouls out to Tamura.
Ogawa gets hit by Akita. Manrui for Suijyou. Can Hagiya get Suijyou on the board?
Liner to center! But Kawakami is playing in and makes the catch. 2 down.
Totsuka grounds out to 2nd, and Suijyou is left begging for runs.
Bottom 6th
#11 Asano comes in for PH Suzuki and takes the hill.
Asano records Suijyou's first 1-2-3 inning with 3 groundouts, capped with a great diving stop by Koiso to rob Kanayama of a base hit!
Top 7th
#7 Wada comes in for Ameku to play LF.
One down and Koiso records his 2nd hit of the day, smoothly hitting one over Enomoto into center.
But Akutsu has his knees broken on a slider (much like Hajime for the 1st out), and Asano grounds back to Akita to retire the side.
Bottom 7th
Asano is a lefty who doesn't seem to generate a whole lot of leverage on his pitches, with fastballs in the low 120s, a slider in the 110s and a curve in the low 100s.
But it gets the job done. He retires the side in order for the 2nd straight inning!
Top 8th
#14 Kishimoto in the game now for Houjyou and takes over at SS.
Tanii with a grounder to 2nd. Enomoto kicks the ball and his throw is late.
Tobita with a grounder to 1st. Kanayama throws to 2nd for one, but the throw from Kishimoto is a bit high and would have been late anyways.
But Ogawa goes down on three straight and Hagiya flies out to center to end the inning.
Bottom 8th
The beat goes on for Asano! He records his first K in Enomoto in yet another 1-2-3 inning! But it'll be the last ups for Suijyou now...
Top 9th
Totsuka collects his first hit as his grounder is blocked by Kanayama, but squirts away from him.
#10 Nakamaura hits for Hajime, but pops out to Kishimoto.
#14 Kikuchi hits for Koiso, and grounds back to Akita.
#17 Nagashima, hitting for Akutsu, represents the last chance for Suijyou. But he goes down swinging and the game is over.
Sadly for me Suijyou failed to repeat that performance against Toukaidai Sagami back in the summer. The team definitely wasn't as sharp as back then, and they'll have to work hard to make a run in the summer.
Kousei Gakuin certainly took advantage of Satou Kenta, but was surprisingly shut down by Asano. Can't really gauge how Kousei will do going forward as they may have just shut it down after leading by 10. But if they'll face Chiben Wakayama in the next round, they'll need to bring their A game.
Notable Players
Suijyou
Koiso Takuya - 2-4
Asano Yuusuke - 3 IP, 0 H, K
Kousei Gakuin
Akita Noriyoshi - W, CG, 0 ER, 5 H, 7 K, BB, 2 HBP
Kawakami Ryouhei - 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Matsumoto Kenshin - 1-2, R, RBI, 2 BB
Suijyou came onto the scene last summer when they won their first ever Koshien bid and had to square off against Hifumi Shinta and Toukaidai Sagami. Suijyou was more than respectable in the game creating multiple opportunities, and with the team having a lot of kouhai's, I wondered how a couple month's more seasoning would do.
Well, Suijyou blew through the Ibaraki prefecturals with no issue and with no real competition. After defeating Nihon Koukuu (Yamananashi #2) and Kasukabe Kyouei (Saitama #2), it actually setup a rematch against Toukaidai Sagami. Sadly, with Hifumi gone one could argue that they were a slightly better team. Suijyou fought hard early, but faded late losing 8-1 in 8 innings.
Kousei Gakuin was more of the same. They won their prefectural games by an average of almost 9 runs. Then after two easy games in the super-regional, they handled Sendai Ikuei 8-3 before losing to Tohoku in the finals 5-3.
So the body of work by both teams is inconclusive. Suijyou at best faced average competition before falling again to Toukaidai Sagami, while Kousei Gakuin played 2 Koshien-level teams (although it can be argued that Sendai Ikuei was rebuilding after losing their twin-tandem pitchers). So it should be a good game between these teams.
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Suijyou (Ibaraki) - Kanto 3rd/4th Place
RF Tanii Ryouta
LF Tobita Tomoki
2B Onose Daikatsu
CF Hagiya Naoto
1B Ebisawa Yuutarou
C Satou Hajime
3B Koiso Takuya
SS Akutsu Toshiki
P Satou Kenta
Kousei Gakuin (Aomori) - Tohoku Runner-up
RF Sawa Tatsutoshi
2B Enomoto Shin
CF Kawakami Ryuuhei
3B Tamura Tatsuhiro
1B Kanayama Hirotaka
LF Ameku Shouto (#17)
SS Houjyou Fumiya
C Matsumoto Kenshin
P Akita Noriyoshi
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14:07 - Game start!
Top 1st
After recording the first two outs, Akita plunks Onose.
But Matsumoto has his back as after the first pitch to Hagiya he throws to 1st and picks off Onose to end the inning!
Bottom 1st
Kenta for Suijyou looks to have a fastball that is in the mid-130's and supposedly has a two-seamer, slider, curve, and change.
And it looks like he uses a two seamer to get Sawa out looking for out number 1.
Enomoto takes an offspeed pitch and pulls it to right center for a base hit.
Kenta then falls behind Kawakami 3-0 before getting 2 strikes to fill the count. Enomoto takes off, but Kawakami fouls the pitch off. He grounds to 3rd where Koiso makes a nice pick and throw. Enomoto advances to 2nd.
あ！ Pitch from Kenta gets under Hajime and to the backstop! Enomoto advances to 3rd!
And it costs them! Tamura lines a ball to center and Enomoto comes home! Kousei Gakuin strikes first here in the bottom of the 1st! 1-0!
Kenta gets Kanayama to strike out looking to end the inning, but not before a wild pitch and a timely hit put Kousei in front.
Top 2nd
One down and Ebisawa gets Suijyou's first hit with a single to center.
No bunt from Hashimoto-kantoku. Then on the 2-1 pitch Hajime tries a push bunt, but it goes foul. 2 strikes and he has to swing away - winds up hitting a routine fly to center.
Koiso with another fly to center. Kawakami stumbles and falls down, but gets up just in time to make the play.
Bottom 2nd
Ameku with a base hit past a diving Koiso starts the inning off for Kousei. Houjyou swings away, but pops out to Onose in foul territory. Kenta's pitch count continues to rise as he walks Matsumoto to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Akita hits a grounder to 3rd. Koiso goes to 2nd for one, but Onose's throw to 1st is low and Ebisawa can't pick it for the double play. That extends the inning as the lineup turns over to Sawa.
2-1 pitch from Kenta and Akita takes off! Ball is in the dirt and Hajime has no throw!
Then on a full count, Kenta hits Sawa to load the bases! (I don't think he got out of the way, but it would have been ball 4 anyways)
Enomoto with a chance to blow open the game, but a slow curve and fastball late and he's behind 0-2.
Grounder to first, Ebisawa bobbles it! It gets by him and 2 runners come in to score on the error! It's 3-0 now in favor of Kousei!
The flood gates are opening now. Kawakami with a base hit to center. Hagiya there to cut it off but not before 2 more runs score making it 5-0.
Tamura lifts a ball to deep left center. Tobita and Hagiya converge and Tobita is there to make the catch. But Suijyou is in a bit of trouble now.
Top 3rd
Now that I have a little time, I can focus on ace Akita a little. He's a 3/4 righty with a fastball that hits the low 140's with a slider in the 130's and a curve in the 110s.
Akita takes care of the 8-9-1 batters with relative ease, striking out Kenta and Tanii to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
#18 Totsuka comes in for Ebisawa to play 1B.
Kenta's control issues remain as he walks leadoff batter Kanayama on 4 straight. Akutsu moves him along. Houjyou with a grounder to 2nd, but Onose's throw is wide! Kanayama comes home to score and it's now 6-0 Kousei.
Matsumoto with a single to center. Houjyou score to make it 7-0, but Kenta makes a good cutoff and throws to 1st to pick off Matsumoto who was off the bag.
Akita flies out to center to end the inning, but it's clear the young squad still needs some seasoning.
Top 4th
The Suijyou batters try to work the count, but to no avail. Tobita has to swing away down 1-2 and flies out to center. Onose works the count full, but grounds to 1st. Hagiya does the same, but lines to short.
Bottom 4th
Kenta records two quick flyouts to center, and had the inning all but wrapped up, but on Kawakami's grounder to 3rd, Koiso one hops the ball to Ebisawa who can't secure the ball. So the inning continues on.
Tamura takes advantage, singles to right. Kawakami comes around to make it 8-0.
Kanayama grounds out to short to end the inning.
Top 5th
Koiso collects the 2nd hit for Suijyou on a 2-out single to center, but Akutsu flies out to center to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
#15 Ogawa comes in for Onose as a defensive replacement at 2B.
Kenta collects 2 flyouts, and almost has a 1-2-3 inning, but then he walks Matsumoto on 4 straight.
Then Akita hits a pop to shallow right. new 2B Ogawa runs out to get it, but when he dives it goes off his glove. Houjyou advances to 3rd.
Sawa up and Akita takes off for 2nd! Throw from Hajime is short and goes under Akutsu's legs into center! Matsumoto walks home to make it 9-0. Sawa then singles up the middle, and Akita heads home to make it a 10-0 lead.
Enomoto grounds to 2nd to end the inning, and Suijyou should be happy to have a break right now.
Top 6th
#13 Suzuki to hit for Kenta. His day is done. And on the first pitch, he singles up the middle!
Tanii works the count full and manages a walk. After Tobita falls behind 0-2, he works the count full. But Akita jams him and he fouls out to Tamura.
Ogawa gets hit by Akita. Manrui for Suijyou. Can Hagiya get Suijyou on the board?
Liner to center! But Kawakami is playing in and makes the catch. 2 down.
Totsuka grounds out to 2nd, and Suijyou is left begging for runs.
Bottom 6th
#11 Asano comes in for PH Suzuki and takes the hill.
Asano records Suijyou's first 1-2-3 inning with 3 groundouts, capped with a great diving stop by Koiso to rob Kanayama of a base hit!
Top 7th
#7 Wada comes in for Ameku to play LF.
One down and Koiso records his 2nd hit of the day, smoothly hitting one over Enomoto into center.
But Akutsu has his knees broken on a slider (much like Hajime for the 1st out), and Asano grounds back to Akita to retire the side.
Bottom 7th
Asano is a lefty who doesn't seem to generate a whole lot of leverage on his pitches, with fastballs in the low 120s, a slider in the 110s and a curve in the low 100s.
But it gets the job done. He retires the side in order for the 2nd straight inning!
Top 8th
#14 Kishimoto in the game now for Houjyou and takes over at SS.
Tanii with a grounder to 2nd. Enomoto kicks the ball and his throw is late.
Tobita with a grounder to 1st. Kanayama throws to 2nd for one, but the throw from Kishimoto is a bit high and would have been late anyways.
But Ogawa goes down on three straight and Hagiya flies out to center to end the inning.
Bottom 8th
The beat goes on for Asano! He records his first K in Enomoto in yet another 1-2-3 inning! But it'll be the last ups for Suijyou now...
Top 9th
Totsuka collects his first hit as his grounder is blocked by Kanayama, but squirts away from him.
#10 Nakamaura hits for Hajime, but pops out to Kishimoto.
#14 Kikuchi hits for Koiso, and grounds back to Akita.
#17 Nagashima, hitting for Akutsu, represents the last chance for Suijyou. But he goes down swinging and the game is over.
Sadly for me Suijyou failed to repeat that performance against Toukaidai Sagami back in the summer. The team definitely wasn't as sharp as back then, and they'll have to work hard to make a run in the summer.
Kousei Gakuin certainly took advantage of Satou Kenta, but was surprisingly shut down by Asano. Can't really gauge how Kousei will do going forward as they may have just shut it down after leading by 10. But if they'll face Chiben Wakayama in the next round, they'll need to bring their A game.
Notable Players
Suijyou
Koiso Takuya - 2-4
Asano Yuusuke - 3 IP, 0 H, K
Kousei Gakuin
Akita Noriyoshi - W, CG, 0 ER, 5 H, 7 K, BB, 2 HBP
Kawakami Ryouhei - 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Matsumoto Kenshin - 1-2, R, RBI, 2 BB
Day 3 - Game 2 - Kyoto Seishou (Kyoto) vs. Seisei (Shizuoka)
As you go through the matchups for today, all the matchups figure to be competitive games.
For the matinee game we have Seisei - who is attending Senbatsu for the first time, versus Kyoto Seishou - who has only been here once before.
Kyoto Seishou suffered a loss to Momoyama in the block final, but won the loser's bracket to advance. In the prefecturals, they lost to Kyoto Gaidai Nishi in the semis, but earned a quality win against Fukuchiyma Seibi winning 2-1 to take the last bid from Kyoto.
They got the most of their opportunity, defeated top seeded Chiben Gakuen from Nara, and holding a solid lead against Houtoku Gakuen before faltering late. The tournament committee determined that their performance was worthy enough to earn one of the final 2 bids from the Kinki super-region.
For Seisei, they had to go through a rigorous (and/or perhaps lucky) Shizuoka tournament structure. They needed 4 games to win their block, then 2 more to win their region, then 4 more to win the prefectural! Oddly though they only faced one quality opponent in Tokoha Kikugawa in the quarterfinals winning 4-2.
From there, they had to face Mie #3 Komono, and then Mie #1 Mie. It was a bit of a down year for the region considering the teams involved, but Seisei did face Oogaki Nichidai in the finals but lost 11-6 and didn't quite compete.
This game will be hard to gauge as Seisei did finish 2nd, but in a weaker field than usual. Kyoto Seishou did have a couple of quality games, but the late game collapse against Houtoku Gakuen is of concern. It should be a competitive game regardless of who advances.
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Kyoto Seishou (Kyoto) - Kinki 5th-8th Place
3B Miyamoto Atsushi
CF Tamura Daisuke
1B Takita Kouhei
LF Okada Kouta
RF Yanao Ryouya (#10)
SS Yanao Takuya
C Kashiwagi Shouta
P Nishino Kentarou
2B Takeuchi Tsubasa
Seisei (Shizuoka) - Tokai Runner-up
CF Kumagai Shougo
RF MasudaRyuusuke (#17)
3B Matsuda Shouji
P Nomura Ryousuke
C Katou Shou
SS Tsuge Ryousuke
LF Sasaki Kazunori
1B Ishibashiri Naoki
2B Minami Shunya
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11:51 - Game start!
Top 1st
The siren doesn't finish blaring when Miyamoto hits the 141 kph pitch back at Nomura who records the out.
Tamura spends a bit more time at the plate, running the count full, then taking a couple of pitches the opposite way foul.
And another...
Nomura has a fastball in the low 140s with a slider in the mid 120s and a curve.
And the persistence pays off as Tamura earns a 10 pitch walk. Matsui-kantoku elects for the bunt and a one timer from Kouta.
But Nomura gets him to pop it up! Katou over at the 1st base batters circle for the 3rd out to retire the side.
Bottom 1st
Good start for Nishino as he K's Kumagai to start the inning.
Masuda with a blooper down the right field line. Yanao running in dives, but the ball falls in just fair! He's in with a double!
Matsuda up looking to give Seisei the quick lead. He hits a soft liner to left! Kouta charging in, makes a shoestring catch! Masuda is caught off the bag and he's doubled off to end the inning! A bit of a baserunning mistake there by Seisei.
Top 2nd
Ryouya with a hit to right center, but Kuamgai sprints over to make a nice catch.
Takuya with a grounder to the right side, but Ishibashiri makes a great diving stop and tosses to Nishino for the out.
Nishino gets Kashiwagi to hit a nubber, but Katou's throw is high!
It doesn't matter though, as Nishino strikes out looking on a 141 kph fastball to retire the side.
Bottom 2nd
One down, and Katou hits a grounder to Miyamoto. His throw to 1st is high!! It goes in the camera well and Katou takes 2nd! Seisei immediately in scoring position!
Tsuge with a grounder back up the middle. Takeuchi dives, but can't come up with it! Katou rounds 3rd and scores giving Seisei the 1-0 lead!
Matsui-kantoku calling for a conference early...
Sasaki with another grounder up the middle. Takuya gets it, but can't flip it to Takeuchi in time! All safe!!! Nishino in a big pinch now.
Nishino not helping himself, falling behind Ishibashiri 3-1. Works the count full.
Liner by Ishibashiri! Takeuchi leaping up and he can't get that one! The runners take off as Tamura overruns the ball!! Tsuge scores, Sasaki is now waved in and he scores as the throw is cut off! It's 3-0 Seisei!
Asaga with a drive down the left field line! Kouta playing in can't scramble back to get the ball! That goes to the wall as Asaga is in with an RBI double making it now 4-0 Seisei!
Back to the top of the order as #11 Ogino warms up in the bullpen.
Kumagai hits a ball to 3rd. Miyamoto with the pick, tags a running Asaga for the 2nd out.
Masuda with a sharp liner, but Miyamoto picks it to end the inning. But not before Seisei explodes for 4 runs!
Top 3rd
Nomura doing work on the mound, retires the top of the order with no trouble at all. Only the 3rd inning and Kyoto Seishou looks to be in trouble.
Bottom 3rd
Nishino continues to struggle. Matsuda lines one over Takita! That goes all the way to the wall for a double. Cleanup batter Nomura lays down the bunt and Seisei threatens to extend the lead.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Katou backs away, but lays down the squeeze! Nishino looks at the ball, but has to pick it up! Throws to 1st and Matsuda comes in to score making it 5-0 Seisei!
Nishino hangs a curve and Shige drives it to right center! That's past the drawn in outfield and Tsuge is in with a stand-up triple.
あ！！！ Kashiwagi is crossed up and the pitch goes wild! Tsuge comes in to score and it's now 6-0.
Sasaki grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, but Seisei is in full control right now.
Top 4th
One down for Kyoto Seishou and Kouta drives a ball to deep left. Sasaki running over, and it's off the pole!! Kouta with a line drive homerun putting Kyoto Seishou on the board at 6-1!
Nomura retires the Yanaos to end the inning, but a surprise blast from Kouta lifts the team a little.
Bottom 4th
A lot of Nishino's problems have been a result of his not getting the ball down in the zone. He's left many of his pitches up and as a result has been pounded. The offerings are standard fare, he just hasn't been locating
This inning though it seems to be better. He gets his first true 1-2-3 inning, retiring Ishibashiri, Asaga and Kumagai all on ground balls.
But while it's better, unless the batters can get the sticks going, it'll be too late.
Top 5th
Kashiwagi with a chopper to short. Tsuge charges in, but the ball glances off his glove! He recovers but has no play!
E6, and now Matsui-kantoku will play for the one run. Nishino move the runner over into scoring position.
Takeuchi though, goes down swinging on an outside fastball. It'll be up to Miyamoto now.
He grounds out to 2nd though, and Kyoto Seishou leaves with nothing.
Bottom 5th
Nishino in his groove now. Has to defend himself on a comebacker, and got a good play from Takuya to end the inning, but he now has recorded 7 straight groundball outs.
Heading into the break Kyoto Seishou's ace has settled down, but can they take the break to turn things around?
Top 6th
That's a start. Tamura loops one over Asaga's head into center. Matsui-kantoku calls for the bunt to start, but has him swing away afterwards.
お。 Nomura hits Takita! Runners on 1st and 2nd now for Kyoto Seishou, and Mitsuoka-kantoku calls a quick conference to stop the momentum now.
Kouta, who hit the HR earlier, is asked to bunt the runners along, and does so. They'll go to Ryouya to deliver the timely hit.
Ryouya with a grounder to 3rd! Matsuda with the ball and Seisei elects to concede the run. It's 6-2.
Takuya sends a flyball to left, but Sasaki is there to make the catch and retire the side. Seisei avoids the big inning and maintains a good lead.
Bottom 6th
Katou is able to break the trend of groundballs, but instead only hits a pop fly to Takeuchi.
But the groundball parade continues. Tsuge grounds out to short, while Sasai grounds back to Nishino to end the inning.
Top 7th
Kashiwagi gets caught looking on a fastball that hits the outside corner.
Nishino suffers the same fate, going down on 3 pitches.
And Takeuchi hits a sharp liner, but right at Matsuda to quickly end the inning.
Bottom 7th
After yet another groundball out by Nishino, Asaga finally breaks through with a single to center.
Nishino leaves another ball up and Kumagai hits that to left center. He's in with a double and Matsui-kantoku calls a conference while getting the bullpen going again.
Masuda with a fly ball down the left field line. Kouta heading towards the fence??
Haita??!
That ball from Masuda must've carried as it didn't look like it had the trajectory to go, but it did, it's a 3-run homerun, and it's 9-2 Seisei. This pretty much seals Kyoto Seishou's fate.
Matsui-kantoku makes a pitching change now. Ogino comes in for Takita and takes over on the mound. Nishino goes to right, and Ryouya goes to 1st.
And immediately, he is effective. Ogino strikes out Matsuda looking, then gets Nomura to strike out swinging (except that the ball gets away from Kashiwagi and Nomura reaches 1st), and Katou flies out to center.
Top 8th
One down for Kyoto Seishou and Tamura hits a chopper to 3rd. Matsuda makes a leaping snag, but his throw to 1st is high and goes in the camera well. Tamura heads to 2nd.
#13 Fukui comes in to hit for Ogino which means his relief stint is over.
And he does his job. He manages to check up on a full count and draws a walk.
But Kouta grounds to Asaga who starts the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Bottom 8th
#10 Ryouya takes over on the mound as Fukui stays in the game to play 1st. Also, #9 Konishi comes in to replace Nishino in RF.
Tsuge with a grounder that goes off the glove of a diving Miyamoto for a base hit. Sasaki moves him along.
#18 Ishikawa comes in to hit for Ishibashiri. He lines one to Takeuchi. Not realizing that he caught it, Tsuge is caught off the bag and is doubled off.
Top 9th
#13 Kawano comes into the game for Ishikawa and takes over at 1B.
One down Takuya singles down the left field line. Kashiwagi chops one over Kawano down the right field line for a double.
Konishi up for his first AB, and he grounds out to 2nd. Seisei concedes a run and it's 9-3.
Takeuchi the last chance for Kyoto Seishou, but he can't check his swing and the game is over.
Seisei turned Nishino's troubles into a bunch of runs early and was able to cruise thereafter. Nomura kept the Kyoto Seishou batters relatively at bay. This certainly wasn't the game I was expecting from these teams, but it's understandable.
Outside of the 3rd and 4th innings, Seisei managed very little in offense save for the 7th when Nishino may have run out of gas anyways. That could be troublesome against Nichidai-san in the next round.
For Kyoto Seishou, there is certainly something there to build on, but they'll either need Nishino to keep those pitches down, or lean more on their relief staff to succeed.
Notable Players
Kyoto Seishou
Okada Kouta - 1-3, HR, R, RBI
Kashiwagi Shouta - 1-4, 2B
Seisei
Masuda Ryuusuke - 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI
Tsuge Ryousuke - 3-4, 3B, 2R, RBI
Asaga Daiki - 2-3, 2B, R, RBI
Nomura Ryousuke - W, CG, 3 ER, 4 H, 7 K, 2 BB, HBP
For the matinee game we have Seisei - who is attending Senbatsu for the first time, versus Kyoto Seishou - who has only been here once before.
Kyoto Seishou suffered a loss to Momoyama in the block final, but won the loser's bracket to advance. In the prefecturals, they lost to Kyoto Gaidai Nishi in the semis, but earned a quality win against Fukuchiyma Seibi winning 2-1 to take the last bid from Kyoto.
They got the most of their opportunity, defeated top seeded Chiben Gakuen from Nara, and holding a solid lead against Houtoku Gakuen before faltering late. The tournament committee determined that their performance was worthy enough to earn one of the final 2 bids from the Kinki super-region.
For Seisei, they had to go through a rigorous (and/or perhaps lucky) Shizuoka tournament structure. They needed 4 games to win their block, then 2 more to win their region, then 4 more to win the prefectural! Oddly though they only faced one quality opponent in Tokoha Kikugawa in the quarterfinals winning 4-2.
From there, they had to face Mie #3 Komono, and then Mie #1 Mie. It was a bit of a down year for the region considering the teams involved, but Seisei did face Oogaki Nichidai in the finals but lost 11-6 and didn't quite compete.
This game will be hard to gauge as Seisei did finish 2nd, but in a weaker field than usual. Kyoto Seishou did have a couple of quality games, but the late game collapse against Houtoku Gakuen is of concern. It should be a competitive game regardless of who advances.
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Kyoto Seishou (Kyoto) - Kinki 5th-8th Place
3B Miyamoto Atsushi
CF Tamura Daisuke
1B Takita Kouhei
LF Okada Kouta
RF Yanao Ryouya (#10)
SS Yanao Takuya
C Kashiwagi Shouta
P Nishino Kentarou
2B Takeuchi Tsubasa
Seisei (Shizuoka) - Tokai Runner-up
CF Kumagai Shougo
RF MasudaRyuusuke (#17)
3B Matsuda Shouji
P Nomura Ryousuke
C Katou Shou
SS Tsuge Ryousuke
LF Sasaki Kazunori
1B Ishibashiri Naoki
2B Minami Shunya
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11:51 - Game start!
Top 1st
The siren doesn't finish blaring when Miyamoto hits the 141 kph pitch back at Nomura who records the out.
Tamura spends a bit more time at the plate, running the count full, then taking a couple of pitches the opposite way foul.
And another...
Nomura has a fastball in the low 140s with a slider in the mid 120s and a curve.
And the persistence pays off as Tamura earns a 10 pitch walk. Matsui-kantoku elects for the bunt and a one timer from Kouta.
But Nomura gets him to pop it up! Katou over at the 1st base batters circle for the 3rd out to retire the side.
Bottom 1st
Good start for Nishino as he K's Kumagai to start the inning.
Masuda with a blooper down the right field line. Yanao running in dives, but the ball falls in just fair! He's in with a double!
Matsuda up looking to give Seisei the quick lead. He hits a soft liner to left! Kouta charging in, makes a shoestring catch! Masuda is caught off the bag and he's doubled off to end the inning! A bit of a baserunning mistake there by Seisei.
Top 2nd
Ryouya with a hit to right center, but Kuamgai sprints over to make a nice catch.
Takuya with a grounder to the right side, but Ishibashiri makes a great diving stop and tosses to Nishino for the out.
Nishino gets Kashiwagi to hit a nubber, but Katou's throw is high!
It doesn't matter though, as Nishino strikes out looking on a 141 kph fastball to retire the side.
Bottom 2nd
One down, and Katou hits a grounder to Miyamoto. His throw to 1st is high!! It goes in the camera well and Katou takes 2nd! Seisei immediately in scoring position!
Tsuge with a grounder back up the middle. Takeuchi dives, but can't come up with it! Katou rounds 3rd and scores giving Seisei the 1-0 lead!
Matsui-kantoku calling for a conference early...
Sasaki with another grounder up the middle. Takuya gets it, but can't flip it to Takeuchi in time! All safe!!! Nishino in a big pinch now.
Nishino not helping himself, falling behind Ishibashiri 3-1. Works the count full.
Liner by Ishibashiri! Takeuchi leaping up and he can't get that one! The runners take off as Tamura overruns the ball!! Tsuge scores, Sasaki is now waved in and he scores as the throw is cut off! It's 3-0 Seisei!
Asaga with a drive down the left field line! Kouta playing in can't scramble back to get the ball! That goes to the wall as Asaga is in with an RBI double making it now 4-0 Seisei!
Back to the top of the order as #11 Ogino warms up in the bullpen.
Kumagai hits a ball to 3rd. Miyamoto with the pick, tags a running Asaga for the 2nd out.
Masuda with a sharp liner, but Miyamoto picks it to end the inning. But not before Seisei explodes for 4 runs!
Top 3rd
Nomura doing work on the mound, retires the top of the order with no trouble at all. Only the 3rd inning and Kyoto Seishou looks to be in trouble.
Bottom 3rd
Nishino continues to struggle. Matsuda lines one over Takita! That goes all the way to the wall for a double. Cleanup batter Nomura lays down the bunt and Seisei threatens to extend the lead.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Katou backs away, but lays down the squeeze! Nishino looks at the ball, but has to pick it up! Throws to 1st and Matsuda comes in to score making it 5-0 Seisei!
Nishino hangs a curve and Shige drives it to right center! That's past the drawn in outfield and Tsuge is in with a stand-up triple.
あ！！！ Kashiwagi is crossed up and the pitch goes wild! Tsuge comes in to score and it's now 6-0.
Sasaki grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, but Seisei is in full control right now.
Top 4th
One down for Kyoto Seishou and Kouta drives a ball to deep left. Sasaki running over, and it's off the pole!! Kouta with a line drive homerun putting Kyoto Seishou on the board at 6-1!
Nomura retires the Yanaos to end the inning, but a surprise blast from Kouta lifts the team a little.
Bottom 4th
A lot of Nishino's problems have been a result of his not getting the ball down in the zone. He's left many of his pitches up and as a result has been pounded. The offerings are standard fare, he just hasn't been locating
This inning though it seems to be better. He gets his first true 1-2-3 inning, retiring Ishibashiri, Asaga and Kumagai all on ground balls.
But while it's better, unless the batters can get the sticks going, it'll be too late.
Top 5th
Kashiwagi with a chopper to short. Tsuge charges in, but the ball glances off his glove! He recovers but has no play!
E6, and now Matsui-kantoku will play for the one run. Nishino move the runner over into scoring position.
Takeuchi though, goes down swinging on an outside fastball. It'll be up to Miyamoto now.
He grounds out to 2nd though, and Kyoto Seishou leaves with nothing.
Bottom 5th
Nishino in his groove now. Has to defend himself on a comebacker, and got a good play from Takuya to end the inning, but he now has recorded 7 straight groundball outs.
Heading into the break Kyoto Seishou's ace has settled down, but can they take the break to turn things around?
Top 6th
That's a start. Tamura loops one over Asaga's head into center. Matsui-kantoku calls for the bunt to start, but has him swing away afterwards.
お。 Nomura hits Takita! Runners on 1st and 2nd now for Kyoto Seishou, and Mitsuoka-kantoku calls a quick conference to stop the momentum now.
Kouta, who hit the HR earlier, is asked to bunt the runners along, and does so. They'll go to Ryouya to deliver the timely hit.
Ryouya with a grounder to 3rd! Matsuda with the ball and Seisei elects to concede the run. It's 6-2.
Takuya sends a flyball to left, but Sasaki is there to make the catch and retire the side. Seisei avoids the big inning and maintains a good lead.
Bottom 6th
Katou is able to break the trend of groundballs, but instead only hits a pop fly to Takeuchi.
But the groundball parade continues. Tsuge grounds out to short, while Sasai grounds back to Nishino to end the inning.
Top 7th
Kashiwagi gets caught looking on a fastball that hits the outside corner.
Nishino suffers the same fate, going down on 3 pitches.
And Takeuchi hits a sharp liner, but right at Matsuda to quickly end the inning.
Bottom 7th
After yet another groundball out by Nishino, Asaga finally breaks through with a single to center.
Nishino leaves another ball up and Kumagai hits that to left center. He's in with a double and Matsui-kantoku calls a conference while getting the bullpen going again.
Masuda with a fly ball down the left field line. Kouta heading towards the fence??
Haita??!
That ball from Masuda must've carried as it didn't look like it had the trajectory to go, but it did, it's a 3-run homerun, and it's 9-2 Seisei. This pretty much seals Kyoto Seishou's fate.
Matsui-kantoku makes a pitching change now. Ogino comes in for Takita and takes over on the mound. Nishino goes to right, and Ryouya goes to 1st.
And immediately, he is effective. Ogino strikes out Matsuda looking, then gets Nomura to strike out swinging (except that the ball gets away from Kashiwagi and Nomura reaches 1st), and Katou flies out to center.
Top 8th
One down for Kyoto Seishou and Tamura hits a chopper to 3rd. Matsuda makes a leaping snag, but his throw to 1st is high and goes in the camera well. Tamura heads to 2nd.
#13 Fukui comes in to hit for Ogino which means his relief stint is over.
And he does his job. He manages to check up on a full count and draws a walk.
But Kouta grounds to Asaga who starts the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Bottom 8th
#10 Ryouya takes over on the mound as Fukui stays in the game to play 1st. Also, #9 Konishi comes in to replace Nishino in RF.
Tsuge with a grounder that goes off the glove of a diving Miyamoto for a base hit. Sasaki moves him along.
#18 Ishikawa comes in to hit for Ishibashiri. He lines one to Takeuchi. Not realizing that he caught it, Tsuge is caught off the bag and is doubled off.
Top 9th
#13 Kawano comes into the game for Ishikawa and takes over at 1B.
One down Takuya singles down the left field line. Kashiwagi chops one over Kawano down the right field line for a double.
Konishi up for his first AB, and he grounds out to 2nd. Seisei concedes a run and it's 9-3.
Takeuchi the last chance for Kyoto Seishou, but he can't check his swing and the game is over.
Seisei turned Nishino's troubles into a bunch of runs early and was able to cruise thereafter. Nomura kept the Kyoto Seishou batters relatively at bay. This certainly wasn't the game I was expecting from these teams, but it's understandable.
Outside of the 3rd and 4th innings, Seisei managed very little in offense save for the 7th when Nishino may have run out of gas anyways. That could be troublesome against Nichidai-san in the next round.
For Kyoto Seishou, there is certainly something there to build on, but they'll either need Nishino to keep those pitches down, or lean more on their relief staff to succeed.
Notable Players
Kyoto Seishou
Okada Kouta - 1-3, HR, R, RBI
Kashiwagi Shouta - 1-4, 2B
Seisei
Masuda Ryuusuke - 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI
Tsuge Ryousuke - 3-4, 3B, 2R, RBI
Asaga Daiki - 2-3, 2B, R, RBI
Nomura Ryousuke - W, CG, 3 ER, 4 H, 7 K, 2 BB, HBP
Day 3 - Game 1 - Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi) vs. Nichidai-san (Tokyo)
So 2 days in and I bet a lot of people are shocked at what has occurred so far. A team not even 1 year since inception almost takes down a perennial team from Hokkaido. Yokohama looks, well... ordinary against Hasami and exits early. And a team that truly did receive an invite quietly dominates the Hokushinetsu champions who have a pro yakyuu quality ace.
What will be in store today?
Well, you'd better get up for this game, because we've got 2 well-established teams ready to square off here for your breakfast game.
Nichidai-san is probably the definition of an annual contender. Doesn't matter if the roster turns over, you can figure they're a team that can reach each and every Koshien tournament. Last year they reached the championship game before falling (like everyone else) to ace Shimabukuro and Kounan.
After cruising through block play, they did the same in the Tokyo super-regional. Oddly enough, they didn't face any of the other Tokyo powerhouses as they all stumbled somewhere along the line. No Teikyou, no Obirin, no Kokushikan, no Kanto-Daiichi - and Waseda Jitsugyou was eliminated in block play!
And in the Meiji Jingu Tournament, they never trailed, defeating Hokkai, Urawa Gakuin and Kagoshima Jitsugyou to win it all. Now, the case can be made that out of all the teams, the only true test was Kagoshima Jitsugyou, but really defeating all 3 teams should be considered quality wins.
For Meitoku Gijyuku, their first real test came in the prefectural semis when they played Kochi Shougyou. They defeated them, then lost to Kochi in the final. Then in the super-regionals, they had a good win against Sangawa in the quarterfinals and was on a collision course to face Kochi yet again, except Kagawa Nishi got in the way and defeated Kochi in the semis. With them out of the way, Meitoku Gijyuku had the inside track to take the super-regional title and did so with authority.
Having won the super-regional, they went to Meiji Jingu where they handled Kanzei before losing to Kagoshima Jitsugyou.
Despite the lack of quality opponents, Nichidai-san still looks to be one of the front-runners to win the title. Meitoku Gijyuku is certainly a solid team from Shikoku, and this should be a decent game to watch, but Nichidai-san should expect to advance.
Of course, I said that of Yokohama and look where they are now.
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Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi) - Shikoku Champions
2B Umeda Tsubasa
3B Imazato Seima (#6)
1B Sakida Genki
LF Kitagawa Kentarou
RF Oonishi Teruyuki (#10)
SS Iyota Kazuki (#14)
C Sugihara Kengo
P Omatsu Yoshiki
CF Yamaguchi Reimon
Nichidai-san (Tokyo) - Tokyo Champions
RF Takayama Shun
LF Taniguchi Yuuta (#4)
CF Azegami Shou
1B Kaneko Ryouya
3B Yokoo Toshitake
SS Shimizu Kouki
2B Suganuma Kenichi (#7)
P Yoshinaga Kentarou
C Suzuki Takahiro
____________________________________________________________
9:00 - Game start!
Top 1st
Yoshinaga a bit shaky to start the game, walking Umeda on 5 pitches. Then Mabuchi-kantoku puts on the hit-and-run! Imazato hits a grounder back up the middle, and it's past a diving Suganuma! Runners on 1st and 2nd for Meitoku!
Mabuchi-kantokou has Sakida bunt the runners and there's a great chance for Meitoku!
Kitagawa up, runs the count full stays alive with a couple of foul balls...
Sanshin!!!
Yoshinawa gets him on a slider for the 2nd out!
Up to Oonishi now. Count goes to 2-2...
SANSHIN!!!
Yoshinaga strikes out Oonishi on a curve to end the inning! Not the best opening to a game, but no damage either.
Bottom 1st
One down for Nichidai-san and Taniguchi hits a grounder to the left side! Iyota with the stop, but has no throw.
Azegami up, no bunting here.
And Taniguchi is picked off 1st!! He was close to being picked off in the last attempt, but this time he's caugh hopping the wrong way and is thrown out! 2 down for Nichidai!
Azegami grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, and I'm sure Taniguchi will here a little about that baserunning mistake.
Top 2nd
Yoshinaga giving a steady diet of fastballs to the opposition. They seem to be getting some contact though. Iyota flying out to center, and Sugihara to right.
Then Omatsu drives one to center. Azegami running back can't get there and Omatsu is in with a double!
Last batter Yamaguchi up, and now we're seeing more curveballs. He turns on one, but Kaneko playing down the line makes the grab and takes it to 1st to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Yokoo bloops one into left to start the inning for Nichidai-san. Kaneko successfully bunts the runner along for Shimizu. He hits a chopper to 3rd. Imazato charging in makes the pick and completes the play with a running throw to 1st. Yokoo advances to 3rd, but there's 2 down.
Suganuma hits another ball to Imazato and he completes the play to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Back to the top of the order, and Yoshinaga once again walks Umeda to start the inning.
Imazato is looking to bunt but has pulled the bat back in all cases, running the count to 2-2. But he tries to do it now... and fouls out...
I can't tell some of his pitches. He has something that sits in the upper 130s, something straight in the low 130s, then a slider in the 120s and a change in the 110s.
おっと。 Yoshinaga walks his 3rd batter in Sakida and there's runners at 1st and 2nd.
Kitagawa with a hard shot, but Shimizu snags the liner for the 2nd out! Runners have to scramble back to the bag.
Oonishi hits a lazy fly to center to end the inning, and Meitoku can't capitalize.
Bottom 3rd
Yoshinaga with a sharp grounder to 3rd. It's off Imazato! Iyota there to back it up, but has no throw. Suzuki promptly bunts him along.
Now it's Omatsu with some control issues, walking Takayama on 4 straight. Time for a conference by Mabuchi-kantoku.
おいおい！ Now Taniguchi walks and it's manrui for Nichidai-san!
And now it's 3-0 to Azegami!
押し出し！ Omatsu walks in a run! Not the thing you want to do already being the underdog! 1-0!
Yokoo looking to break open the game attacks the pitches as he probably figures they want Omatsu to throw a strike.
Count goes 3-2, and he gets Yokoo on a slider down and in for what would have been ball 4!
Kaneko with a liner to shallow center! Yamaguchi charging in makes the catch to retire the side - but not before Omatsu's lack of control costs his team a run!
Top 4th
One down and Sugihara singles through the right side. Mabuchi-kantoku elects for the bunt again, but it'll be up to last batter Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi gets ahead 3-1 and drives a ball to center! Azegami running back has it go over his head! It takes a hop to the wall and Sugihara scores! Yamaguchi slides in safely to 3rd and just like that Meitoku has tied the game! 同点, 1-1!!
Umeda up for Meitoku, and he's hit! Runners now at the corners for Meitoku!
But Imazato with a chopper back to Yoshinaga. He goes to 1st to retire the side, but not before a timely hit from the last batter levels the game!
Bottom 4th
Shimizu with a slicing liner to left! Kitagawa sprinting over and makes the running catch! He throws it in, but seems to be in some discomfort. He stretches it out a bit and is ready to go again.
And it's a quick inning after that as Suganuma flies out to center, and Omatsu gets Yoshinaga to foul out to Imazato.
Top 5th
Sakida with a shot down the 1st base line... fair! Takayama hustles to get to the ball, but not before he's in with a leadoff double!
This time around Mabuchi-kantoku isn't bunting! But Yoshinaga is being careful with cleanup batter Kitagawa falling behind 3-1.
But he leaves one over! Kitagawa drills it down the right field line! Sakida rounding 3rd scores easily on the RBI double and Meitoku Gijyuku leads 2-1!!
Now Mabuchi calls for the bunt and Oonishi obliges. Iyota up to try to get the run in.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mabuchi calls for the squeeze on the 1-1 count, but Iyota fouls it off!
And Yoshinaga gets him on a curve down for strike 3! 2 out! Sugihara, with one hit on the day looks for another.
Instead, Yoshinaga walks him on 5 pitches bringing up Omatsu who earlier hit a ball almost to the wall for a double.
Unlike some bottom of the order hitters, Omatsu is willing to swing away.
Unfortunately, he doesn't make contact and bails on a ball out of the zone for strike 3, ending the inning. Thanks to the back to back doubles by Sakida and Kitagawa though, Nichidai-san finds themselves behind heading into the bottom of the 5th!
Bottom 5th
Suzuki with a drive down the left field line! Kitagawa spring over makes another great catch near the wall!
Takayama quickly swings and grounds out to 2nd, and Taniguchi grounds out to short to bring us to the break. And surprisingly, the Meiji Jingu Champions have been held to just 1 run on 3 hits!
And it's not like Omatsu is a fireballer either. His fastball is only in the upper 120's, and he primarily relies on his offspeed stuff (slider, curve) which sits in the mid 110s.
Top 6th
Behind 0-2, Yamaguchi singles past Suganuma! He's successfully moved over by leadoff batter Umeda.
Imazato working hard at the plate fouling off a couple after falling behind 1-2, but he swings at a curve and weakly hits one back to Yoshinaga for the 2nd out.
Sakida up, and Yoshinaga gets ahead 0-2. Sakida managers to work the count even, and just fouls a high fastball. Change outside and count is full. Ooo... just gets a piece of a 140 kph fastball.
Liner down the right field line.... foul!!! Yoshinaga left that up, but doesn't pay for it!
Single to center! Azegami has to play the hop and Yamaguchi slides in to make it a 3-1 lead for Meitoku Gijyuku!!
Kitagawa up now, and Yoshinaga pitching cautiously. Count goes full and he walks him.
Oonishi first pitch hits it to short. It's off Shimizu and ricochets off into center! They run down the ball, but not before Sakida scores from 2nd! 4-1 Meitoku Gijyuku and Ogura-kantoku calls a conference.
#12 Kawai comes in to run for Oonishi.
Iyota grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, but the lead continues to extend for Meitoku! Will Nichidai ever get the offense going?
Bottom 6th
Azegami starts it off with a low liner past the glove of Omatsu and off the mound into center. Yokoo follows that up with a single to left and Mabuchi-kantoku quickly calls a conference.
Kaneko bunts the runners along hoping that either Shimizu or Suganuma can drive the runners home.
Shimizu hits a grounder to short, but Iyota has no play at home since Azegami was running on contact. He gets the out at 1st and it's 4-2 Meitoku.
Suganuma with a liner down the 3rd base line! Imazato leaps, but can't get it! Kitagawa quickly gets it in, but not before Yokoo scores making it a 1-run game once again! It's 4-3!!
Yoshinaga pops it up! Imazato and Omatsu coming in, and Omatsu last minute makes the grab! A bit scary there, but the side is retired. However the lead is razor thin once again.
Top 7th
Yoshinaga gaining a bit of confidence it seems as he retires the 7-8-9 batters quickly in order culminating in Yamaguchi flailing at an offspeed pitch. There's still plenty of time for Nichidai-san, can they find the equalizer?
Bottom 7th
Sasaki with a scorcher past a diving Imazato down the left field line! But he's limited to a single as Kitagawa quickly sends the ball back in.
Top of the order for Nichidai-san. No bunt! Ogawa has Takayama swing away, but he falls down 0-2!
But Takayama singles through the gap into left! No out and runners at 1st and 2nd for Nichidai!
Now Ogawa will ask Taniguchi to bunt.
It's too hard! Omatsu fields it and throws to 3rd for the force! One down!
Azegami with a slicer down the left field line! Kitagawa over to get it, but Nichidai-san has comeback to tie the game! 同点, 4-4!!
Yokoo with a blast to left! But he's just under it and Kitagawa moves over to make the catch. 2 down!
Kaneko looking to give Nichidai the lead.
Nice block by Sugihara, but he's slow to get out from the plate and Taniguchi takes off for 3rd! No throw! Heady play by Taniguchi!
Kaneko with a grounder to 1st. Sakida with it, flips to Omatsu for the out to end the inning. But Nichidai-san has tied the game with plenty of time left. What will Meitoku Gijyuku do?
Top 8th
Umeda with a grounder to 3rd. Yokoo up with it, throws to 1st, and it's off Kaneko's glove! The throw was wide enough to glance off the glove and he's on safely!
Pitch in the dirt bounces off Suzuki. He loses it for a second and Umeda takes off for 2nd! He's in safely!
Imazato lays down the bunt! Yoshinaga charges in throws to 3rd... SAFE!!!!!
Umeda beats the throw and now there's runners on the corners!
Sakida up, hits a grounder to 2nd! The runners take off! Suganuma with the throw home! あ！
The ball bounces and hits Suzuki in the face! He goes down as Umeda scores making it 5-4! Suzuki stays down as the coach and umpires come over to him. They bring a towel over to him and he's escorted off.
As backup C Nakahira comes out, one of the teammates asks to check the area. The umpire obliges and it looks like he picks up something. Probably Suzuki lost a tooth. Ow.
Eventually Suzuki comes out, probably with gauze in his mouth.
Kitagawa up and it looks like the battery has hunkered down. Kitagawa goes down swinging on a sinker for the 1st out.
Nakadaira up for his 1st AB.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mabuchi calls for the squeeze, but Nakadaira pops it up! Perhaps fortunately he pops it up high so the runners can scramble back. 2 now down for Yoshinaga.
Iyota with a hit to center! But it's right to Azegami and the inning is over. Meitoku however retakes the lead, and Nichidai-san finds themselves suddenly running out of time!
Bottom 8th
Shimize with a deep fly to left, but Kitagawa near the pole makes the catch.
Suganuma takes the first pitch and singles to left!
Yoshinaga up, and Omatsu can't get those offspeed pitches over the plate. He had issues with this last inning too. And he winds up walking Yoshinaga.
Mabuchi-kantoku calls a conference as Suzuki comes to the plate.
AND HE FEELS FINE!!!!
He drives a ball to deep left center! No one's going to get that ball! It goes all the way to the wall and the runners are flying around the bases! Suganuma comes in, 同点！ Yoshinaga rounds 3rd, he scores!! 逆転！！！！！！
Suzuki making that face feel much better as he gives his team the lead!! It's 6-5 Nichidai-san!!
And Omatsu certainly is out of gas. While he gets the count full against Takayama, he walks him and things are not looking good.
But Taniguchi flies out to right for the 2nd out. And Azegami strikes out to end the inning. However, now Meitoku must find a way to score a run in the 9th.
Top 9th
Sugihara with a sharp hit to 2nd! Suganuma with the snag and his throw beats a sliding Sugihara! One down.
#15 Yoshimoto up for Omatsu. But he can't check his swing on a 2-2 slider and they're down to their final out.
Yamaguchi the last chance now for Meitoku. Count goes full... and he walks! Yamaguchi keeps the game alive! It's back to the top of the order and Umeda!
Hit-and-run! Umeda grouds to Yokoo! Throw to 1st beats a diving Umeda and that completes the comeback! Nichidai-san outlasts Meitoku Gijyuku and earns a comeback win 6-5!
You have to feel bad for Omatsu as he just didn't have the stamina to go the full game. He pitched brilliantly for 5 innings, but the numerous offspeed pitches must've caught up to him. If he can work on his stamina, Meitoku could have a team that could make a run in the summer. As for Nichidai-san, they avoid a scare in the 1st round, but will need to pick it up going forward.
Notable Players
Meitoku Gijyuku
Sakida Genki - 2-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Yamaguchi Reimon - 2-4, 3B, R, RBI, K, BB
Kitagawa Rintarou - 1-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K, BB
Nichidai-san
Azegami Shou - 2-4, R, RBI, K, BB
Yokoo Toshitake - 2-4, R
Suganuma Kenichi - 2-4, R, RBI
Suzuki Takahiro - 2-3, 逆転 2-RBI 2B
What will be in store today?
Well, you'd better get up for this game, because we've got 2 well-established teams ready to square off here for your breakfast game.
Nichidai-san is probably the definition of an annual contender. Doesn't matter if the roster turns over, you can figure they're a team that can reach each and every Koshien tournament. Last year they reached the championship game before falling (like everyone else) to ace Shimabukuro and Kounan.
After cruising through block play, they did the same in the Tokyo super-regional. Oddly enough, they didn't face any of the other Tokyo powerhouses as they all stumbled somewhere along the line. No Teikyou, no Obirin, no Kokushikan, no Kanto-Daiichi - and Waseda Jitsugyou was eliminated in block play!
And in the Meiji Jingu Tournament, they never trailed, defeating Hokkai, Urawa Gakuin and Kagoshima Jitsugyou to win it all. Now, the case can be made that out of all the teams, the only true test was Kagoshima Jitsugyou, but really defeating all 3 teams should be considered quality wins.
For Meitoku Gijyuku, their first real test came in the prefectural semis when they played Kochi Shougyou. They defeated them, then lost to Kochi in the final. Then in the super-regionals, they had a good win against Sangawa in the quarterfinals and was on a collision course to face Kochi yet again, except Kagawa Nishi got in the way and defeated Kochi in the semis. With them out of the way, Meitoku Gijyuku had the inside track to take the super-regional title and did so with authority.
Having won the super-regional, they went to Meiji Jingu where they handled Kanzei before losing to Kagoshima Jitsugyou.
Despite the lack of quality opponents, Nichidai-san still looks to be one of the front-runners to win the title. Meitoku Gijyuku is certainly a solid team from Shikoku, and this should be a decent game to watch, but Nichidai-san should expect to advance.
Of course, I said that of Yokohama and look where they are now.
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Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi) - Shikoku Champions
2B Umeda Tsubasa
3B Imazato Seima (#6)
1B Sakida Genki
LF Kitagawa Kentarou
RF Oonishi Teruyuki (#10)
SS Iyota Kazuki (#14)
C Sugihara Kengo
P Omatsu Yoshiki
CF Yamaguchi Reimon
Nichidai-san (Tokyo) - Tokyo Champions
RF Takayama Shun
LF Taniguchi Yuuta (#4)
CF Azegami Shou
1B Kaneko Ryouya
3B Yokoo Toshitake
SS Shimizu Kouki
2B Suganuma Kenichi (#7)
P Yoshinaga Kentarou
C Suzuki Takahiro
____________________________________________________________
9:00 - Game start!
Top 1st
Yoshinaga a bit shaky to start the game, walking Umeda on 5 pitches. Then Mabuchi-kantoku puts on the hit-and-run! Imazato hits a grounder back up the middle, and it's past a diving Suganuma! Runners on 1st and 2nd for Meitoku!
Mabuchi-kantokou has Sakida bunt the runners and there's a great chance for Meitoku!
Kitagawa up, runs the count full stays alive with a couple of foul balls...
Sanshin!!!
Yoshinawa gets him on a slider for the 2nd out!
Up to Oonishi now. Count goes to 2-2...
SANSHIN!!!
Yoshinaga strikes out Oonishi on a curve to end the inning! Not the best opening to a game, but no damage either.
Bottom 1st
One down for Nichidai-san and Taniguchi hits a grounder to the left side! Iyota with the stop, but has no throw.
Azegami up, no bunting here.
And Taniguchi is picked off 1st!! He was close to being picked off in the last attempt, but this time he's caugh hopping the wrong way and is thrown out! 2 down for Nichidai!
Azegami grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, and I'm sure Taniguchi will here a little about that baserunning mistake.
Top 2nd
Yoshinaga giving a steady diet of fastballs to the opposition. They seem to be getting some contact though. Iyota flying out to center, and Sugihara to right.
Then Omatsu drives one to center. Azegami running back can't get there and Omatsu is in with a double!
Last batter Yamaguchi up, and now we're seeing more curveballs. He turns on one, but Kaneko playing down the line makes the grab and takes it to 1st to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Yokoo bloops one into left to start the inning for Nichidai-san. Kaneko successfully bunts the runner along for Shimizu. He hits a chopper to 3rd. Imazato charging in makes the pick and completes the play with a running throw to 1st. Yokoo advances to 3rd, but there's 2 down.
Suganuma hits another ball to Imazato and he completes the play to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Back to the top of the order, and Yoshinaga once again walks Umeda to start the inning.
Imazato is looking to bunt but has pulled the bat back in all cases, running the count to 2-2. But he tries to do it now... and fouls out...
I can't tell some of his pitches. He has something that sits in the upper 130s, something straight in the low 130s, then a slider in the 120s and a change in the 110s.
おっと。 Yoshinaga walks his 3rd batter in Sakida and there's runners at 1st and 2nd.
Kitagawa with a hard shot, but Shimizu snags the liner for the 2nd out! Runners have to scramble back to the bag.
Oonishi hits a lazy fly to center to end the inning, and Meitoku can't capitalize.
Bottom 3rd
Yoshinaga with a sharp grounder to 3rd. It's off Imazato! Iyota there to back it up, but has no throw. Suzuki promptly bunts him along.
Now it's Omatsu with some control issues, walking Takayama on 4 straight. Time for a conference by Mabuchi-kantoku.
おいおい！ Now Taniguchi walks and it's manrui for Nichidai-san!
And now it's 3-0 to Azegami!
押し出し！ Omatsu walks in a run! Not the thing you want to do already being the underdog! 1-0!
Yokoo looking to break open the game attacks the pitches as he probably figures they want Omatsu to throw a strike.
Count goes 3-2, and he gets Yokoo on a slider down and in for what would have been ball 4!
Kaneko with a liner to shallow center! Yamaguchi charging in makes the catch to retire the side - but not before Omatsu's lack of control costs his team a run!
Top 4th
One down and Sugihara singles through the right side. Mabuchi-kantoku elects for the bunt again, but it'll be up to last batter Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi gets ahead 3-1 and drives a ball to center! Azegami running back has it go over his head! It takes a hop to the wall and Sugihara scores! Yamaguchi slides in safely to 3rd and just like that Meitoku has tied the game! 同点, 1-1!!
Umeda up for Meitoku, and he's hit! Runners now at the corners for Meitoku!
But Imazato with a chopper back to Yoshinaga. He goes to 1st to retire the side, but not before a timely hit from the last batter levels the game!
Bottom 4th
Shimizu with a slicing liner to left! Kitagawa sprinting over and makes the running catch! He throws it in, but seems to be in some discomfort. He stretches it out a bit and is ready to go again.
And it's a quick inning after that as Suganuma flies out to center, and Omatsu gets Yoshinaga to foul out to Imazato.
Top 5th
Sakida with a shot down the 1st base line... fair! Takayama hustles to get to the ball, but not before he's in with a leadoff double!
This time around Mabuchi-kantoku isn't bunting! But Yoshinaga is being careful with cleanup batter Kitagawa falling behind 3-1.
But he leaves one over! Kitagawa drills it down the right field line! Sakida rounding 3rd scores easily on the RBI double and Meitoku Gijyuku leads 2-1!!
Now Mabuchi calls for the bunt and Oonishi obliges. Iyota up to try to get the run in.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mabuchi calls for the squeeze on the 1-1 count, but Iyota fouls it off!
And Yoshinaga gets him on a curve down for strike 3! 2 out! Sugihara, with one hit on the day looks for another.
Instead, Yoshinaga walks him on 5 pitches bringing up Omatsu who earlier hit a ball almost to the wall for a double.
Unlike some bottom of the order hitters, Omatsu is willing to swing away.
Unfortunately, he doesn't make contact and bails on a ball out of the zone for strike 3, ending the inning. Thanks to the back to back doubles by Sakida and Kitagawa though, Nichidai-san finds themselves behind heading into the bottom of the 5th!
Bottom 5th
Suzuki with a drive down the left field line! Kitagawa spring over makes another great catch near the wall!
Takayama quickly swings and grounds out to 2nd, and Taniguchi grounds out to short to bring us to the break. And surprisingly, the Meiji Jingu Champions have been held to just 1 run on 3 hits!
And it's not like Omatsu is a fireballer either. His fastball is only in the upper 120's, and he primarily relies on his offspeed stuff (slider, curve) which sits in the mid 110s.
Top 6th
Behind 0-2, Yamaguchi singles past Suganuma! He's successfully moved over by leadoff batter Umeda.
Imazato working hard at the plate fouling off a couple after falling behind 1-2, but he swings at a curve and weakly hits one back to Yoshinaga for the 2nd out.
Sakida up, and Yoshinaga gets ahead 0-2. Sakida managers to work the count even, and just fouls a high fastball. Change outside and count is full. Ooo... just gets a piece of a 140 kph fastball.
Liner down the right field line.... foul!!! Yoshinaga left that up, but doesn't pay for it!
Single to center! Azegami has to play the hop and Yamaguchi slides in to make it a 3-1 lead for Meitoku Gijyuku!!
Kitagawa up now, and Yoshinaga pitching cautiously. Count goes full and he walks him.
Oonishi first pitch hits it to short. It's off Shimizu and ricochets off into center! They run down the ball, but not before Sakida scores from 2nd! 4-1 Meitoku Gijyuku and Ogura-kantoku calls a conference.
#12 Kawai comes in to run for Oonishi.
Iyota grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, but the lead continues to extend for Meitoku! Will Nichidai ever get the offense going?
Bottom 6th
Azegami starts it off with a low liner past the glove of Omatsu and off the mound into center. Yokoo follows that up with a single to left and Mabuchi-kantoku quickly calls a conference.
Kaneko bunts the runners along hoping that either Shimizu or Suganuma can drive the runners home.
Shimizu hits a grounder to short, but Iyota has no play at home since Azegami was running on contact. He gets the out at 1st and it's 4-2 Meitoku.
Suganuma with a liner down the 3rd base line! Imazato leaps, but can't get it! Kitagawa quickly gets it in, but not before Yokoo scores making it a 1-run game once again! It's 4-3!!
Yoshinaga pops it up! Imazato and Omatsu coming in, and Omatsu last minute makes the grab! A bit scary there, but the side is retired. However the lead is razor thin once again.
Top 7th
Yoshinaga gaining a bit of confidence it seems as he retires the 7-8-9 batters quickly in order culminating in Yamaguchi flailing at an offspeed pitch. There's still plenty of time for Nichidai-san, can they find the equalizer?
Bottom 7th
Sasaki with a scorcher past a diving Imazato down the left field line! But he's limited to a single as Kitagawa quickly sends the ball back in.
Top of the order for Nichidai-san. No bunt! Ogawa has Takayama swing away, but he falls down 0-2!
But Takayama singles through the gap into left! No out and runners at 1st and 2nd for Nichidai!
Now Ogawa will ask Taniguchi to bunt.
It's too hard! Omatsu fields it and throws to 3rd for the force! One down!
Azegami with a slicer down the left field line! Kitagawa over to get it, but Nichidai-san has comeback to tie the game! 同点, 4-4!!
Yokoo with a blast to left! But he's just under it and Kitagawa moves over to make the catch. 2 down!
Kaneko looking to give Nichidai the lead.
Nice block by Sugihara, but he's slow to get out from the plate and Taniguchi takes off for 3rd! No throw! Heady play by Taniguchi!
Kaneko with a grounder to 1st. Sakida with it, flips to Omatsu for the out to end the inning. But Nichidai-san has tied the game with plenty of time left. What will Meitoku Gijyuku do?
Top 8th
Umeda with a grounder to 3rd. Yokoo up with it, throws to 1st, and it's off Kaneko's glove! The throw was wide enough to glance off the glove and he's on safely!
Pitch in the dirt bounces off Suzuki. He loses it for a second and Umeda takes off for 2nd! He's in safely!
Imazato lays down the bunt! Yoshinaga charges in throws to 3rd... SAFE!!!!!
Umeda beats the throw and now there's runners on the corners!
Sakida up, hits a grounder to 2nd! The runners take off! Suganuma with the throw home! あ！
The ball bounces and hits Suzuki in the face! He goes down as Umeda scores making it 5-4! Suzuki stays down as the coach and umpires come over to him. They bring a towel over to him and he's escorted off.
As backup C Nakahira comes out, one of the teammates asks to check the area. The umpire obliges and it looks like he picks up something. Probably Suzuki lost a tooth. Ow.
Eventually Suzuki comes out, probably with gauze in his mouth.
Kitagawa up and it looks like the battery has hunkered down. Kitagawa goes down swinging on a sinker for the 1st out.
Nakadaira up for his 1st AB.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mabuchi calls for the squeeze, but Nakadaira pops it up! Perhaps fortunately he pops it up high so the runners can scramble back. 2 now down for Yoshinaga.
Iyota with a hit to center! But it's right to Azegami and the inning is over. Meitoku however retakes the lead, and Nichidai-san finds themselves suddenly running out of time!
Bottom 8th
Shimize with a deep fly to left, but Kitagawa near the pole makes the catch.
Suganuma takes the first pitch and singles to left!
Yoshinaga up, and Omatsu can't get those offspeed pitches over the plate. He had issues with this last inning too. And he winds up walking Yoshinaga.
Mabuchi-kantoku calls a conference as Suzuki comes to the plate.
AND HE FEELS FINE!!!!
He drives a ball to deep left center! No one's going to get that ball! It goes all the way to the wall and the runners are flying around the bases! Suganuma comes in, 同点！ Yoshinaga rounds 3rd, he scores!! 逆転！！！！！！
Suzuki making that face feel much better as he gives his team the lead!! It's 6-5 Nichidai-san!!
And Omatsu certainly is out of gas. While he gets the count full against Takayama, he walks him and things are not looking good.
But Taniguchi flies out to right for the 2nd out. And Azegami strikes out to end the inning. However, now Meitoku must find a way to score a run in the 9th.
Top 9th
Sugihara with a sharp hit to 2nd! Suganuma with the snag and his throw beats a sliding Sugihara! One down.
#15 Yoshimoto up for Omatsu. But he can't check his swing on a 2-2 slider and they're down to their final out.
Yamaguchi the last chance now for Meitoku. Count goes full... and he walks! Yamaguchi keeps the game alive! It's back to the top of the order and Umeda!
Hit-and-run! Umeda grouds to Yokoo! Throw to 1st beats a diving Umeda and that completes the comeback! Nichidai-san outlasts Meitoku Gijyuku and earns a comeback win 6-5!
You have to feel bad for Omatsu as he just didn't have the stamina to go the full game. He pitched brilliantly for 5 innings, but the numerous offspeed pitches must've caught up to him. If he can work on his stamina, Meitoku could have a team that could make a run in the summer. As for Nichidai-san, they avoid a scare in the 1st round, but will need to pick it up going forward.
Notable Players
Meitoku Gijyuku
Sakida Genki - 2-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Yamaguchi Reimon - 2-4, 3B, R, RBI, K, BB
Kitagawa Rintarou - 1-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K, BB
Nichidai-san
Azegami Shou - 2-4, R, RBI, K, BB
Yokoo Toshitake - 2-4, R
Suganuma Kenichi - 2-4, R, RBI
Suzuki Takahiro - 2-3, 逆転 2-RBI 2B
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