Kyoto
On the first full day of games in Kyoto, Saikyou and Kyoto Meitoku were in a closely contested battle before Saikyou plated the go-ahead run in the 10th to win 6-5. Meanwhile Tounan who had done well recently was unceremoniously ousted by Ayabe 1-0.
In other games on the 10th Ritsumeikan Uji, another strong team in the prefecture, starts off with a 8-0 win in 7 over Rakuyou Kougyou.
Onto the 11th and at Wakasa Stadium, Rakuhoku survives an opening barrage by Otokuni and picks off a run in he 5th and 7th for a 6-5 win. At Miyadzu Municipal, another irrational pet team of mine Kyoto Subaru needs a 3-run 8th to beat Kyoto Seishou 4-2.
At Taiyougaoka, a team of mine that actually has a chance - Kyoto Gaidai Nishi handled Miyadzu 8-1 in 7 and will face Kyoto Gakuen next as they held off Rakusei 5-4.
The 12th saw teams who played in the 1st round back on the field to face those lucky enough to draw a 1st round bye. Ritsumeikan Uji had no trouble with that as they beat Kita-Saga 5-1, and Kyoto Shouei slid past Hanazono 6-5.
Back to Miyadzu Municipal, and Higashi-Uji gets the lead back after allowing Jyounan Ryousou to tie it in the bottom of the 8th. Kousugi closes the door for the win 4-3.
Nara
Chiben Gakuen is the heads-on clear favorite, but might as well give some teams their time in the sun.
Takamado had the lead in the beginning, and more importantly in the end against Yamabe winning 8-6. In the battle of Takada, the lead changed hand 3 times - all in the 2nd half of the game. Takada's 2 runs in the top of the 9th tied it at 5. But Takada Shougyou made the 3rd and final lead change, scoring the sayonara run in the bottom of the 9th to win 6-5.
And on the 12th, Totsukawa did well to tie the game at 7 to eventually send it into extras, but Oouda scores the sayonara run to win 3-2 in 11 innings. Ouji Kougyou led 2-0, then 3-2, but trailed 4-3 going into the top of the 9th versus Tomigaoka. But no matter, Ouji scores 2 in the top of the 9th, retaking the lead for good.
Osaka
How Osaka can take breaks during their tournament is beyond me, but after the games on the 10th, they're on break until the 14th.
Anyways, not many notable games, though Perfect Liberty Gakuen (aka PL Gakuen) defeated Sakai 5-0 in their 1st game. Two more to go before advancing to the prefecturals!
Tsukinoki mounted a huge comeback, down 6-1 to Senri, they score 4 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th to win 7-6!
And finally, Han-ai blows a 2-run lead in the bottom of the 9th, but recovers and scores the winning run in the 10th to beat Kansai Ookura.
Hyogo
Hm... on the 10th we had Shikama Kougyou edging Himeji Shougyou 2-1, our first extreme blowout when Himeji Kougyou scored 71 in 4 innings against Hikami Nishi (isn't there a point where there IS no point to scoring more runs?), Akashi Nishi held onto a 4-3 lead over Sanda Gakuen, Ikawadani uses a 3-run 8th to defeat Shouyou 5-3.
Moving onto the 12th, Hyogo Shougyou made an early 1-0 run stick against Akashi Shimizu. Rokko Island couldn't make a 2-0 1st inning lead stick as Miki would come back to win 3-2. Houjyou held a 4-0 lead over Kakogawa Minami, but couldn't make it stick. They started giving back runs in the 7th culminating in a 3-run 9th to send them home 5-4.
Akashi Jyousai gets the short end of the stick, as they yield a run to Akashi in the top of the 7th, they can't score in the bottom half, and the game is called due to rain.
Over at Tomioka Kounotori, Iwa scores 5 unanswered runs late to defeate Sanda Shouunkan 5-3.
Hiroshima
Over at Coca-Cola West, the 10th had 2 low scoring affairs with Misuzugaoka defeating Itsukaichi 1-0, and Kabe winning 2-1 over Kure Miyahara in 12. Those missing runs as it were came the next day as Shoubara Kakuchi defeats Namiki Gakuin 8-1 in 7, and Saijyou Shisui falls 15-0 to Shuudou.
Blowouts were also the case at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium on the 10th.
At Kure Nikou, Ootake defeats Kure Shouwa 3-2 in 11 while Motomachi stays one step ahead of Asakita with an 8-7 victory.
Kannabe Asahi down 4-0 scores 6 in the bottom of the 8th against Mihara Higashi to win 6-4 at Mihara Municipal.
At Mihara Kinsai, Miyoshi Seiryou puts together 2 runs late to defeat Chiyoda 3-2. Onto the 11th, Yoshida scores 6 unanswered runs to pass Hatsukaichi 7-4.
And finally over at Higashi-Hiroshima Aqua, Fukuyama Kougyou pulls out a 4-3 win over Kamo Kita.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
93rd Koushien Qualifying - July 10th-12th (Hokushinetsu & Chuubu Prefectures)
Ok, so that the posts don't run into each other, I'm going to make posts by region covering all completed days of competition. So for the Hokushinetsu prefectures, games covered will go until the 12th.
Niigata
Day 2 for Niigata saw Tookamachi Sougou scored the sayonara run in regulation to defeat Maki Sougou 5-4 at Sanjyou Kikai, while over at Midori no mori Murakami Sakuragaoka's 6-run 7th was just enough as Niigata Nishi rallied to within 1 late, but fell 10-9. Teikyou Nagaoka pulled off the victory with 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Niitsu 3-2. And rounding out the day, Toyosaka down 3 in the bottom of the 9th to Kashiwazaki Sougou, somehow score 3 to send it to extras where they score the sayonara run in the 11th.
The 11th had Arai defeating Yoshida 4-3 never trailing, but scoring the go-ahead run in the 9th and Niigata Meikun starting their run with a 8-1 win over Shibata in 7.
But the game of the tournament so far has to be Nagaoka Shougyou vs. Muramatsu. Down 5-3 in the bottom of the 9th, they score 2 to send it into extras. The game then becomes a grind as both teams cannot manufacture a run. Then in the 14th, Muramatsu scores a run, putting Nagaoka behind the 8-ball. But they get a 3rd life as it were by scoring one of their own! That pushed the game to the 15th where Muramatsu again scored a run. Nagaoka now just needed a run to at the minimum ensure a replay.
They do more than that though, they score 2 runs to win the game in the last half-inning!!
Nagano
Nagano for the 3 days of games had many uncontested games. Some of the notable games included:
Top 4 seed Toukaidai Koufu had a tough opening game opponent in Fuji Gakuen. Though they were able to score 3 runs early, they gave them opportunities throughout the game. They did advance 3-1, but their progress bears watching.
Last year's representative, Hikawa, did not receive a seed and instead has to work from all the way at the bottom of the bracket. They started off with a 10-0 win over Yamanashi in 5.
The 10th ended with a flash as Yamanashi Nourin and Koufu Nishi met. Nourin held a 4-1 lead only to see Koufu Nishi level it at 4 in the 8th. That game would go into extras, where in the 12th Nourin's starting pitcher Kajiyama hits a sayonara home run!
5-8 seed Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku started their trek with a 11-1 win over Koufu Shouwa on the 11th.
And on the 12th, top 4 seed Koufu Jyousai defeated Kyounan 10-0 in 5, 5-8 seed Yoshida shuts out Shirane 5-0, and another Teikyou school advances as Teikyou Dai-san defeates Uenohara 10-0 in 6 innings.
Gifu
Okay, so not every Teikyou school is spectacular at baseball. Teikyoudai Fujimi falls to Oogaki Minami 2-1 on the first full day of games.
Meanwhile in A Block, #2 seed Seki Shougyou defeats Yamagata 9-3. and top seed Oogaki Nichidai wins 10-0 in 5 over Hida-Kamioka.
And in B Block, top Oogaki Shougyou dispatches Mashita Seifu 8-1 in 7 and Chuukyou pulls it out late with a 7-4 win over Mugi (no, not that Mugi. I don't think she knows baseball anyways, but would probably be overly enthusiastic about it).
Finally, Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou shuts out Tajimi Kougyou 5-0 to advance to the next round.
Aichi
Winding up the first full weekend of games in Aichi...
In Shizuoka, Toukaidai Shouyou defeated Mishima Kita 7-5. Izu Sougou, after giving up 7 runs in the 6th and 7th innings to Fujieda Nishi, score 7 of their own in their lucky 7 to tie the game! And in the first inning of enchousen, they score the sayonara run!
And in another lucky 7, Kakegawa Kougyou scores 9 to flip a 9-3 deficit into a 12-9 win over Ikeshinden, while Kikugawa Nanryou scores 4 in the 8th to defeat Ogasa 6-5!!
In other games, Tokoha Tachibana, who is not seeded this year, starts their run by defeating Hamamatsu Higashi 10-0 in 6 innings.
Apparently, big innings are in vogue in Shizuoka because Fujieda Higashi scores 7 in the 8th en route to a 10-6 win over Mishima Minami.
And over at Shimizu Ihara, Fukuroi Shougyou comes from down 2-0 to Jyounan Shizuoka to score the sayonara run in the 10th to win 3-2.
Kusanagi Stadium saw Gotenba Minami explode for 5 runs in the 8th to defeat Inasa 7-3, while over at Shimada, Ooigawa just scores 2 to do the exact same thing to Shimada Kougyou 4-3, and Fujieda Kita after yielding the go-ahead run to Iwata Nougyou in the top of the 9th score 2 in the bottom of the 9th for the last second win.
Shizuoka Taisei after letting the lead slip late to Hamamatsu Shougyou, defeats Shizuoka Taisei 4-3 in 10, and Iwata Kita from 4-0 down to Kosai to score the sayonara run, winning 5-4.
Niigata
Day 2 for Niigata saw Tookamachi Sougou scored the sayonara run in regulation to defeat Maki Sougou 5-4 at Sanjyou Kikai, while over at Midori no mori Murakami Sakuragaoka's 6-run 7th was just enough as Niigata Nishi rallied to within 1 late, but fell 10-9. Teikyou Nagaoka pulled off the victory with 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Niitsu 3-2. And rounding out the day, Toyosaka down 3 in the bottom of the 9th to Kashiwazaki Sougou, somehow score 3 to send it to extras where they score the sayonara run in the 11th.
The 11th had Arai defeating Yoshida 4-3 never trailing, but scoring the go-ahead run in the 9th and Niigata Meikun starting their run with a 8-1 win over Shibata in 7.
But the game of the tournament so far has to be Nagaoka Shougyou vs. Muramatsu. Down 5-3 in the bottom of the 9th, they score 2 to send it into extras. The game then becomes a grind as both teams cannot manufacture a run. Then in the 14th, Muramatsu scores a run, putting Nagaoka behind the 8-ball. But they get a 3rd life as it were by scoring one of their own! That pushed the game to the 15th where Muramatsu again scored a run. Nagaoka now just needed a run to at the minimum ensure a replay.
They do more than that though, they score 2 runs to win the game in the last half-inning!!
Nagano
Nagano for the 3 days of games had many uncontested games. Some of the notable games included:
- 2006 Natsu Koushien participant Matsushiro defeating Ueda Chikuma 3-1.
- Maruko Shuugakukan, a perennial challenger, easily handling Okaya Higashi 11-4.
- Akaho scoring 8 runs in the 5th and 6th innings to finally separate themselves from Karuizawa, winning 13-7.
- Suwa Seiryou coming from down 2-0 to Nagano Nishi to send it into extras, winning in the first extra frame 4-2.
Top 4 seed Toukaidai Koufu had a tough opening game opponent in Fuji Gakuen. Though they were able to score 3 runs early, they gave them opportunities throughout the game. They did advance 3-1, but their progress bears watching.
Last year's representative, Hikawa, did not receive a seed and instead has to work from all the way at the bottom of the bracket. They started off with a 10-0 win over Yamanashi in 5.
The 10th ended with a flash as Yamanashi Nourin and Koufu Nishi met. Nourin held a 4-1 lead only to see Koufu Nishi level it at 4 in the 8th. That game would go into extras, where in the 12th Nourin's starting pitcher Kajiyama hits a sayonara home run!
5-8 seed Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku started their trek with a 11-1 win over Koufu Shouwa on the 11th.
And on the 12th, top 4 seed Koufu Jyousai defeated Kyounan 10-0 in 5, 5-8 seed Yoshida shuts out Shirane 5-0, and another Teikyou school advances as Teikyou Dai-san defeates Uenohara 10-0 in 6 innings.
Gifu
Okay, so not every Teikyou school is spectacular at baseball. Teikyoudai Fujimi falls to Oogaki Minami 2-1 on the first full day of games.
Meanwhile in A Block, #2 seed Seki Shougyou defeats Yamagata 9-3. and top seed Oogaki Nichidai wins 10-0 in 5 over Hida-Kamioka.
And in B Block, top Oogaki Shougyou dispatches Mashita Seifu 8-1 in 7 and Chuukyou pulls it out late with a 7-4 win over Mugi (no, not that Mugi. I don't think she knows baseball anyways, but would probably be overly enthusiastic about it).
Finally, Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou shuts out Tajimi Kougyou 5-0 to advance to the next round.
Aichi
Winding up the first full weekend of games in Aichi...
- Yokosuka holds off Isshiki 3-2 at Agui Stadium
- Toyoake scores the sayonara run in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Ichinomiya Koudou 2-1
- Anjyou Minami scores the only run in their game against Tsushima
- Kakujyougaoka rallies from down 4-1 with 3 in the 8th and one in the bottom of the 9th for the win against Nisshin Nishi
- Nagoya Ootani slides by Ichinomiya Kita with 3 runs in the final third of the game to win 6-5.
- Hekinan and Meitou fired 1-run shots at each other with Hekinan holding a 5-3 lead. That was until Meitou bucked the trend by scoring 2 in the 8th. In enchousen, Hekinan scores 2 in the 11th to win.
- Just to mention the name, Haruhigaoka defeates Aichi Kougyou 8-2.
In Shizuoka, Toukaidai Shouyou defeated Mishima Kita 7-5. Izu Sougou, after giving up 7 runs in the 6th and 7th innings to Fujieda Nishi, score 7 of their own in their lucky 7 to tie the game! And in the first inning of enchousen, they score the sayonara run!
And in another lucky 7, Kakegawa Kougyou scores 9 to flip a 9-3 deficit into a 12-9 win over Ikeshinden, while Kikugawa Nanryou scores 4 in the 8th to defeat Ogasa 6-5!!
In other games, Tokoha Tachibana, who is not seeded this year, starts their run by defeating Hamamatsu Higashi 10-0 in 6 innings.
Apparently, big innings are in vogue in Shizuoka because Fujieda Higashi scores 7 in the 8th en route to a 10-6 win over Mishima Minami.
And over at Shimizu Ihara, Fukuroi Shougyou comes from down 2-0 to Jyounan Shizuoka to score the sayonara run in the 10th to win 3-2.
Kusanagi Stadium saw Gotenba Minami explode for 5 runs in the 8th to defeat Inasa 7-3, while over at Shimada, Ooigawa just scores 2 to do the exact same thing to Shimada Kougyou 4-3, and Fujieda Kita after yielding the go-ahead run to Iwata Nougyou in the top of the 9th score 2 in the bottom of the 9th for the last second win.
Shizuoka Taisei after letting the lead slip late to Hamamatsu Shougyou, defeats Shizuoka Taisei 4-3 in 10, and Iwata Kita from 4-0 down to Kosai to score the sayonara run, winning 5-4.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
93rd Koushien Qualifying - July 10th & 11th (Part 2)
The tour continues...
Chiba
Chiba was fairly quiet on the 1oth save for a couple of games at Funabashi.
Funabashi Higashi continually had to play from behind against Abiko Nikaidou. Down to their last 3 outs, and Abiko having scored the previous half inning, Funabashi finds a way to tie the game. And having survived that, they go on to score the go-ahead run in the 10th to win 3-2!
Kashiwa too had to score a run late to send it into extras against Ichikawa Minami. For them, it wouldn't be until the 11th where they would break the impasse with 2 runs.
Narita started their road to Koshien on the 11th facing Ichihara Yawata at QVC Marine Stadium. They had no trouble as they won 10-0 in 6.
In other games, at Ichihara Rinkai, Chiba Minami puts together 3 scoring innings to defeat Shiritsu Chiba 3-1 while Ichihara Chuo scores 2 runs in the 8th to take the lead and eventually defeat Kashiwa Minami 4-3.
Meanwhile, over at Ichihara Kokufudai, Chiba Keizaidai Fuzoku and Nichidai Narashino each score in their first 4 innings. When the smoke cleared, Chiba Keizaidai was up 9-6. 3 more in the 7th shut the door.
Interestingly in the recaps, it's actually noted that in the Tousou Kougyou-Shimofusa game that Yamazaki hits a manrui home run to call the game at 13-1 in 6. Probably because the limit normally would be 10, but all runs from the HR count.
Over in Funabashi, Hashiba for Shounan Takayanagi makes 2 runs stick against Kamagaya Nishi winning 2-1, while in the middle game, Segawa for Sawara can't make the same lead stick as he gives up 4 runs to Abiko following his team scoring the first 2 runs of the game.
At Sodegaura, Amaha's Hosaka is able to make his team's 3-run 3rd stick despite giving up a run in the 7th and 8th to Funabashi Shibayama.
And finally at Yachiyo, Mobara ties the game against Shibaura Koudai Kashiwa in the bottom of the 9th, but while they would hang on for 2 more innings, Shibaura Koudai would score 2 in the 12th for the win.
Nishi Tokyo
With Tokyo not initially announcing where games were played on the PDF I used, I'm going to cover games by stadium rather than by day.
Akiruno Municipal
Day 1 saw a barnburner between Jyousui and Nishi. Nishi after going down 3-0 in the top of the first comes back to build a 8-3 lead. That would hold until the 7th when Jyousui mounted a comeback. 7 unanswered runs later and it was Jyousui who once again had the lead at 10-8. Nishi had to score 2 in the bottom of the 9th to send it into extras, which they did! 3 innings later, Jyousui would push across the go-ahead run to win 11-10!
The close games continued at Akiruno as Shouwa Dai-ichi Gakuen stays a step ahead of Haijima 4-2 while Hikarigaoka wins 3-2 over Suginami in 10.
Kami-Yugi Kouen
Games on day 1 were both called early. On day 2, Eimeikan scored 5 runs late to beat Nagayama 5-1. In game 2, Meijidai Nakano scores 2 in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game at 3, then scores the sayonara run in the 10th to defeat Tamagawa Gakuen!
Tama Ipponsugi
Nichidai-ni continues to try and escape the shadows of Nichidai-san and started their journey with a 15-1 win over Suginami Kougyou in 5.
Meanwhile, Kokugauin Kugayama continues to live a charmed life. Up 4-0 to St. Paolo Gakuen, they squander the entire lead and in fact trail 6-4 going into the top of the 9th...
...and then proceed to score 4 runs to win 8-6. Really??!
Day 2 had Machida Kougyou defeating Kinjyou 3-1 while Oberlin begins their journey by defeating Minami-Tama 15-0 in 5.
Hachiouji Municipal
All games held here were blowouts with Toukaidai Sugao, Fuchuu Kougyou, Nichidai-san and Horikoshi all advancing.
Higashi Tokyo
Edogawa Ward
A couple of close games here where Shouin holds off Aoi 5-4, Risshisha holds off Yasuda Gakuen 3-2, and Seiritsu Gakuen emerges victorious over Nihon Gakuen after a flurry of runs in the middle innings!
Akishima Municipal
It's blowouts here as Kinjyou Gakuen, Keika Shougyou, Komaba, and Kasai Minami all advance.
Meiji Jingu
Katsushika Shougyou pulls one out against Oushuukan with 2 runs in the 7th. Teikyou dispatches Sangyou Gijyutsu 20-1 in 5. And all games in the 2nd day were more blowouts. Azabu, Adachi Gakuen and Jyousaidai Jyousai all advance.
Meiji Jingu Dai-ni
Daidou Bunkadai Dai-ichi is able to respond to a 7-run inning by Jyuuten with 7 of their own in the next 2 innings for a 11-9 win. Jyoutou and Ueno Gakuen advance on day 2.
Oota Stadium
Toukaidai Takanawadai survives a barnburner 11-8 over Tokyo Noudai Dai-ichi. Edogawa scored 3 in the 8th to beat Arakawea Shougyou. 2 blowouts highlight the 2nd day.
Komazawa Stadium
Nichidai-ichi is the first of the numbered Nichidai schools to fall, losing to Kokushikan 2-0. Not something to be ashamed of for sure. Meanwhile, Seiryou defeats Sugamo 5-4 in 11 innings.
Fuchuu Municipal
All blowouts here with Nichidai Sakuragaoka being the prominent team to lose from the games played here.
Meiji Daigaku
Same goes for here where all games played were blowouts.
Tachikawa Municipal
4 runs in the 8th give Chiyoda Kuritsu Kudan the win over Kyouei Gakuen, while Higashi gets the last word in versus Hiro-o winning 4-3 in the bottom of the 9th. On day 2, Sundai Gakuen and Yukigaya advance with little resistance.
Kanagawa
In the opening game played at Baystars Stadium, Hakusan led early only to see Tachibana come back to tie it up at 5. However, Hakusan had all of the opportunities, including the one that scored the sayonara run to win 6-5.
Chiba
Chiba was fairly quiet on the 1oth save for a couple of games at Funabashi.
Funabashi Higashi continually had to play from behind against Abiko Nikaidou. Down to their last 3 outs, and Abiko having scored the previous half inning, Funabashi finds a way to tie the game. And having survived that, they go on to score the go-ahead run in the 10th to win 3-2!
Kashiwa too had to score a run late to send it into extras against Ichikawa Minami. For them, it wouldn't be until the 11th where they would break the impasse with 2 runs.
Narita started their road to Koshien on the 11th facing Ichihara Yawata at QVC Marine Stadium. They had no trouble as they won 10-0 in 6.
In other games, at Ichihara Rinkai, Chiba Minami puts together 3 scoring innings to defeat Shiritsu Chiba 3-1 while Ichihara Chuo scores 2 runs in the 8th to take the lead and eventually defeat Kashiwa Minami 4-3.
Meanwhile, over at Ichihara Kokufudai, Chiba Keizaidai Fuzoku and Nichidai Narashino each score in their first 4 innings. When the smoke cleared, Chiba Keizaidai was up 9-6. 3 more in the 7th shut the door.
Interestingly in the recaps, it's actually noted that in the Tousou Kougyou-Shimofusa game that Yamazaki hits a manrui home run to call the game at 13-1 in 6. Probably because the limit normally would be 10, but all runs from the HR count.
Over in Funabashi, Hashiba for Shounan Takayanagi makes 2 runs stick against Kamagaya Nishi winning 2-1, while in the middle game, Segawa for Sawara can't make the same lead stick as he gives up 4 runs to Abiko following his team scoring the first 2 runs of the game.
At Sodegaura, Amaha's Hosaka is able to make his team's 3-run 3rd stick despite giving up a run in the 7th and 8th to Funabashi Shibayama.
And finally at Yachiyo, Mobara ties the game against Shibaura Koudai Kashiwa in the bottom of the 9th, but while they would hang on for 2 more innings, Shibaura Koudai would score 2 in the 12th for the win.
Nishi Tokyo
With Tokyo not initially announcing where games were played on the PDF I used, I'm going to cover games by stadium rather than by day.
Akiruno Municipal
Day 1 saw a barnburner between Jyousui and Nishi. Nishi after going down 3-0 in the top of the first comes back to build a 8-3 lead. That would hold until the 7th when Jyousui mounted a comeback. 7 unanswered runs later and it was Jyousui who once again had the lead at 10-8. Nishi had to score 2 in the bottom of the 9th to send it into extras, which they did! 3 innings later, Jyousui would push across the go-ahead run to win 11-10!
The close games continued at Akiruno as Shouwa Dai-ichi Gakuen stays a step ahead of Haijima 4-2 while Hikarigaoka wins 3-2 over Suginami in 10.
Kami-Yugi Kouen
Games on day 1 were both called early. On day 2, Eimeikan scored 5 runs late to beat Nagayama 5-1. In game 2, Meijidai Nakano scores 2 in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game at 3, then scores the sayonara run in the 10th to defeat Tamagawa Gakuen!
Tama Ipponsugi
Nichidai-ni continues to try and escape the shadows of Nichidai-san and started their journey with a 15-1 win over Suginami Kougyou in 5.
Meanwhile, Kokugauin Kugayama continues to live a charmed life. Up 4-0 to St. Paolo Gakuen, they squander the entire lead and in fact trail 6-4 going into the top of the 9th...
...and then proceed to score 4 runs to win 8-6. Really??!
Day 2 had Machida Kougyou defeating Kinjyou 3-1 while Oberlin begins their journey by defeating Minami-Tama 15-0 in 5.
Hachiouji Municipal
All games held here were blowouts with Toukaidai Sugao, Fuchuu Kougyou, Nichidai-san and Horikoshi all advancing.
Higashi Tokyo
Edogawa Ward
A couple of close games here where Shouin holds off Aoi 5-4, Risshisha holds off Yasuda Gakuen 3-2, and Seiritsu Gakuen emerges victorious over Nihon Gakuen after a flurry of runs in the middle innings!
Akishima Municipal
It's blowouts here as Kinjyou Gakuen, Keika Shougyou, Komaba, and Kasai Minami all advance.
Meiji Jingu
Katsushika Shougyou pulls one out against Oushuukan with 2 runs in the 7th. Teikyou dispatches Sangyou Gijyutsu 20-1 in 5. And all games in the 2nd day were more blowouts. Azabu, Adachi Gakuen and Jyousaidai Jyousai all advance.
Meiji Jingu Dai-ni
Daidou Bunkadai Dai-ichi is able to respond to a 7-run inning by Jyuuten with 7 of their own in the next 2 innings for a 11-9 win. Jyoutou and Ueno Gakuen advance on day 2.
Oota Stadium
Toukaidai Takanawadai survives a barnburner 11-8 over Tokyo Noudai Dai-ichi. Edogawa scored 3 in the 8th to beat Arakawea Shougyou. 2 blowouts highlight the 2nd day.
Komazawa Stadium
Nichidai-ichi is the first of the numbered Nichidai schools to fall, losing to Kokushikan 2-0. Not something to be ashamed of for sure. Meanwhile, Seiryou defeats Sugamo 5-4 in 11 innings.
Fuchuu Municipal
All blowouts here with Nichidai Sakuragaoka being the prominent team to lose from the games played here.
Meiji Daigaku
Same goes for here where all games played were blowouts.
Tachikawa Municipal
4 runs in the 8th give Chiyoda Kuritsu Kudan the win over Kyouei Gakuen, while Higashi gets the last word in versus Hiro-o winning 4-3 in the bottom of the 9th. On day 2, Sundai Gakuen and Yukigaya advance with little resistance.
Kanagawa
In the opening game played at Baystars Stadium, Hakusan led early only to see Tachibana come back to tie it up at 5. However, Hakusan had all of the opportunities, including the one that scored the sayonara run to win 6-5.
Monday, July 11, 2011
93rd Koshien Qualifying - July 10th & 11th (Part 1)
I'm going to mention as many schools as possible, but as all 49 regions eventually get underway, it'll be hard. Heck it's already hard as it is. Not to mention watching games live on the computer, which I was never able to do until recently.
Anyways, here we go!
Miyagi
Furukawa Reimei at Sendai Municipal shuts out Ishinomaki Koubunkan 3-0 despite just getting 3 hits. At Shibata, Ishinomaki gets the city on the board, though they defeat another devastated town and school in Kesennuma Nishi 9-1 in 7.
At Nango Chuo, Tohoku Gakuin looked to be dormy against Tohoku Seikatsu Bunkadai after scoring 3 in the top of the 9th to lead 9-1.
But in the early stages, heck in any stage, no lead is ever safe. Just ask Chuukyoudai Chuukyou 2 years ago.
And indeed Seikatsu mounts a comeback. One run became two, then three, then five, then seven!! Suddenly it was 9-8 and Tohoku Gakuin was in full freefall! Reliever Yamashita, brought in earlier to stop the bleeding and who had already given up 6 hits, finally records the final out and punches his team's ticket to the next round.
Rifu, who drew one of the 1st round games, cruised by Miyagi Kougyou 12-6.
Finally, at Tohoku Fukuji Daigaku's grounds, Kesennuma Kouyou gives that city their first win with a 6-2 win over Kurokawa while in a battle of Sendai, Sendai Shougyou scores the only run against Sendai Nishi.
On the 11th, it was a good day for the Ishinomaki schools as both Ishinomaki Kita and Ishinomaki Shougyou won their games at Shibata Stadium.
Same goes for Sendai at Sendai Municipal as Sendai Dai-ni and Sendai Dai-san, along with Ishinomaki Nishi all won. The trifecta of Sendai schools was completed when Sendai Dai-ichi defeated Zaou 6-4 at Rifu.
And at Tohoku Fukuji, Miyagi Nougyou led initially against Tagajyou but they would pull it out in the bottom of the 9th with the sayonara run.
Gunma
Over in Kiryuu Stadium, #8 seed Kiryuu Dai-ichi had no trouble with Ooizumi winning 8-2.
At Takasaki Jyounan, #2 Jyutoku mercy ruled Matsuida 14-0 in 5 innings.
Top seed Maebashi Shougyou needed 8 innings, but the team allows just 2 hits in a 7-0 shutout of Gunma Tousen at Shikishima.
And over at Maebashi Municipal. #7 seed Maebashi Ikuei has little trouble defeating Isesaki Kougyou. The final game between Kantou Gakuendai Fuzoku and Tatebayashi wound up being interesting as well. Kantou was leading 6-1 after 5 innings when Tatebayashi tried to close the gap. But whenever they scored runs, Kantou would score just as many in the bottom of the inning. And so after 7 it was 9-4.
That was when Tatebayashi decided to test Kantou in the 8th by scoring 4 runs to pull within 1!
Kantou this time had no answer and had to nurse home a one-run lead. Ace Kanai was able to hold on for the victory.
On the 11th, we had our first upset of the tournament as #6 seed Tokyo Noudai Dai-ni squandered a 1st inning 3-0 lead to Tone Shougyou at Isesaki. Tone scored the tying run in the top of the 9th and would score the go-ahead run in the 11th against ace Endou.
The last inning heroics would continue in the next game when Tomioka broke a scoreless tie with a solo HR by Fukuda in the top of the 8th against Chuo Chuto. But Chuto's RF Fukuyama would deliver the sayonara 2-run hit to send Tomioka home.
At Kiryuu, #5 seed Takasaki Shougyou didn't suffer the same fate, as they defeated Takasaki Kougyou 5-0.
At Takasaki, #3 Kiryuu Shiritsu Shougyou pulled away late against Seta Nourin, but did win 6-1.
And over at Shikishima, #4 seed Takasaki used a 10-run 1st to defeat Shimonita 12-2, while Takasaki Shoudai Fuzoku outlasted Fujioka Kougyou 3-2 in 13, and their reward is the aforementioned Takasaki.
Tochigi
Tochigi Prefecural was home to the seeded teams today. Sakushin Gakuin had no trouble with Nasu Takuyo winning 9-2 while Bunsei Geijyutsudai Fuzoku needed 5 innings to defeat Koufuku Gakuen. And in the only non-seeded game, the pitching seemed to fatigue late as Mashiko Housei and Tochigi Shounan combined for 15 runs in the last 3 innings. Sadly for Tochigi, it was 10-5 in favor of Mashiko.
In Tochigi Municipal, the final game of the day saw Sakura Seishuu with a 7-3 lead over Yaita early, but then in the bottom of the 9th Yaita begins a rally pulling within 3 then 2 and then 1! But Sakura ace Sugiyama finally shuts the door.
Moving on to the 11th, Sano Nichidai scored early and cruised to an 8-4 win over Tochigi at Kanuma.
In Prefectural Tochigi, Utsunomiya Seiryou led right off the bat against Oyama Nishi, then had to score a run in the 9th to tie it up. 2 runs in the 11th though gave them the win. Yaita Chuo blanked Nikko Meihou 10-0 in 5 in the 2nd game.
And in Shiritsu Tochigi, seeded Oyama cleans out Sano Shouyou 9-0 in 8 while Imaichi Kougyou allows 7 runs in the last 3, and 4 in the bottom of the 9th to blow a 5-0 lead and fall 7-6 to Kuroiso.
Ibaraki
The featured game today was at Mito Municipal, Sakai held an 8-0 lead over Seishin Gakuen after 4½ innings.
And then Seishin mounted a comeback...
4 runs in the 5th, and 2 more in the 6th meant that it was just a 2-run deficit with just 3 innings to go. Still, after a run in the 7th for Sakai it was a 3-run game.
But in the bottom of the 8th, Seishin puts up a crooked number on the board...
And that number happens to be 4!!!
Seishin going into the last inning takes the lead 10-9!!!
Sakai with one last try to tie the game is unsuccessful and Seishin Gakuen completes the comeback!
2nd place goes to the Katsuta-Touyoudai Ushiku where Katsuta led 4-0 after 2 innings. However Touyoudai goes on a 10-1 run in the last 7 innings for a 10-5 win.
1st round games continued on the 11th as Hitachi Kougyou and Sanwa fought at Kasama. Not literally of course. Hitachi would break out to a 4-0 lead before Sanwa tied it up soon thereafter. The teams traded runs the rest of the game and they would head into enchousen tied at 7. They wouldn't be there for long though as Hitachi scores 2 in the top of the 10th. Sanwa mounts a rally, but can only score 1.
Ken's favorite team, Mito Sakuranomaki, had no trouble at home against Makabe winning 26-0 in 5.
Saitama
Saitama with so many teams, throw out 24 games on Day 2. and 23 the next day.
Games on the 10th included Wasedadai Honjyou defeating Miyashiro 3-0, 9-16 seed Tokorozawa Kita will have to wait another week before playing their first game as Koshigaya Higashi forfeited their game to them, while fellow seed Sayamagaoka advanced 6-2 over Tokorozawa Shougyou and Rikkyou Niiza defated Fukuoka 16-0 in 5.
We saw some better games on the 11th, especially at Koshigawa Municipal. Dokkyou Saitama led Souka Minami 2-0 before Souka scored 4 in the 7th. Dokkyou recovered to tie the game in the 8th to send it into extras. 2 innings later, Dokkyou would score the go-ahead run.
In the 2nd game, Souka and Shouwa would go 12 innings before Souka scores the sayonara run to win 2-1.
At Iwatsuki, Tokorozawa scores 2 in the bottom of the 8th to pull ahead of Kasukabe Higashi to win 2-1 while at Koshigaya, Kodama Hakuyou let Sugito Nougyou level the score after leading 5-0, but scored 3 runs thereafter to separate themselves again.
5-8 seed Shiritsu Kawaguchi led the featured games over at Prefectural Oomiya as they faced Kuki Hokuyou. Shiritsu Kawaguchi was never able to shake off Kuki Hokuyou the entire game, as both teams had numerous scoring opportunities and neither team led by more than 2. Down 7-6 Shiritsu Kawaguchi would tie the game sending it into extras, but 2 innings later, Kuki Hokuyou would score the go-ahead run. LF Furukawa would deliver a triple to put the tying run 90 feet away, but Yamada would pop out to 2nd to end the game. The next game saw fellow seed Kasukabe Kyouei shut out Jyousaidai Kawagoe. And no, Konata nor Kagami were to be found. To round it out, 9-16 seed Kawaguchi defeated Matsubushi 20-0 in 5.
At Shiritsu Oomiya, 1-2 seed Hanasaki Tokuharu had an auspicious start against Fujimi. Leading by just a margin of 2-0, Fujimi scored 2 in the 6th to tie the game. It wouldn't be until the bottom of the 9th before Hanasaki Tokuharu would win the game. The other 1-2 seed, Ageo , handled Misato Kita nicely 6-1 at home over at Ageo Municipal.
In other games, Yorii Jyouhoku made a 4-run 1st stick against Iwatsuki Shougyou, winning 4-3. Kawagoe Kougyou trailed 1-0 to Sakado Nishi right from the get-go, and needed all 9 innings to score the tying run. The perseverance paid off 2 innings later as they scored the sayonara run to send they boys from Sakado home crying.
Anyways, here we go!
Miyagi
Furukawa Reimei at Sendai Municipal shuts out Ishinomaki Koubunkan 3-0 despite just getting 3 hits. At Shibata, Ishinomaki gets the city on the board, though they defeat another devastated town and school in Kesennuma Nishi 9-1 in 7.
At Nango Chuo, Tohoku Gakuin looked to be dormy against Tohoku Seikatsu Bunkadai after scoring 3 in the top of the 9th to lead 9-1.
But in the early stages, heck in any stage, no lead is ever safe. Just ask Chuukyoudai Chuukyou 2 years ago.
And indeed Seikatsu mounts a comeback. One run became two, then three, then five, then seven!! Suddenly it was 9-8 and Tohoku Gakuin was in full freefall! Reliever Yamashita, brought in earlier to stop the bleeding and who had already given up 6 hits, finally records the final out and punches his team's ticket to the next round.
Rifu, who drew one of the 1st round games, cruised by Miyagi Kougyou 12-6.
Finally, at Tohoku Fukuji Daigaku's grounds, Kesennuma Kouyou gives that city their first win with a 6-2 win over Kurokawa while in a battle of Sendai, Sendai Shougyou scores the only run against Sendai Nishi.
On the 11th, it was a good day for the Ishinomaki schools as both Ishinomaki Kita and Ishinomaki Shougyou won their games at Shibata Stadium.
Same goes for Sendai at Sendai Municipal as Sendai Dai-ni and Sendai Dai-san, along with Ishinomaki Nishi all won. The trifecta of Sendai schools was completed when Sendai Dai-ichi defeated Zaou 6-4 at Rifu.
And at Tohoku Fukuji, Miyagi Nougyou led initially against Tagajyou but they would pull it out in the bottom of the 9th with the sayonara run.
Gunma
Over in Kiryuu Stadium, #8 seed Kiryuu Dai-ichi had no trouble with Ooizumi winning 8-2.
At Takasaki Jyounan, #2 Jyutoku mercy ruled Matsuida 14-0 in 5 innings.
Top seed Maebashi Shougyou needed 8 innings, but the team allows just 2 hits in a 7-0 shutout of Gunma Tousen at Shikishima.
And over at Maebashi Municipal. #7 seed Maebashi Ikuei has little trouble defeating Isesaki Kougyou. The final game between Kantou Gakuendai Fuzoku and Tatebayashi wound up being interesting as well. Kantou was leading 6-1 after 5 innings when Tatebayashi tried to close the gap. But whenever they scored runs, Kantou would score just as many in the bottom of the inning. And so after 7 it was 9-4.
That was when Tatebayashi decided to test Kantou in the 8th by scoring 4 runs to pull within 1!
Kantou this time had no answer and had to nurse home a one-run lead. Ace Kanai was able to hold on for the victory.
On the 11th, we had our first upset of the tournament as #6 seed Tokyo Noudai Dai-ni squandered a 1st inning 3-0 lead to Tone Shougyou at Isesaki. Tone scored the tying run in the top of the 9th and would score the go-ahead run in the 11th against ace Endou.
The last inning heroics would continue in the next game when Tomioka broke a scoreless tie with a solo HR by Fukuda in the top of the 8th against Chuo Chuto. But Chuto's RF Fukuyama would deliver the sayonara 2-run hit to send Tomioka home.
At Kiryuu, #5 seed Takasaki Shougyou didn't suffer the same fate, as they defeated Takasaki Kougyou 5-0.
At Takasaki, #3 Kiryuu Shiritsu Shougyou pulled away late against Seta Nourin, but did win 6-1.
And over at Shikishima, #4 seed Takasaki used a 10-run 1st to defeat Shimonita 12-2, while Takasaki Shoudai Fuzoku outlasted Fujioka Kougyou 3-2 in 13, and their reward is the aforementioned Takasaki.
Tochigi
Tochigi Prefecural was home to the seeded teams today. Sakushin Gakuin had no trouble with Nasu Takuyo winning 9-2 while Bunsei Geijyutsudai Fuzoku needed 5 innings to defeat Koufuku Gakuen. And in the only non-seeded game, the pitching seemed to fatigue late as Mashiko Housei and Tochigi Shounan combined for 15 runs in the last 3 innings. Sadly for Tochigi, it was 10-5 in favor of Mashiko.
In Tochigi Municipal, the final game of the day saw Sakura Seishuu with a 7-3 lead over Yaita early, but then in the bottom of the 9th Yaita begins a rally pulling within 3 then 2 and then 1! But Sakura ace Sugiyama finally shuts the door.
Moving on to the 11th, Sano Nichidai scored early and cruised to an 8-4 win over Tochigi at Kanuma.
In Prefectural Tochigi, Utsunomiya Seiryou led right off the bat against Oyama Nishi, then had to score a run in the 9th to tie it up. 2 runs in the 11th though gave them the win. Yaita Chuo blanked Nikko Meihou 10-0 in 5 in the 2nd game.
And in Shiritsu Tochigi, seeded Oyama cleans out Sano Shouyou 9-0 in 8 while Imaichi Kougyou allows 7 runs in the last 3, and 4 in the bottom of the 9th to blow a 5-0 lead and fall 7-6 to Kuroiso.
Ibaraki
The featured game today was at Mito Municipal, Sakai held an 8-0 lead over Seishin Gakuen after 4½ innings.
And then Seishin mounted a comeback...
4 runs in the 5th, and 2 more in the 6th meant that it was just a 2-run deficit with just 3 innings to go. Still, after a run in the 7th for Sakai it was a 3-run game.
But in the bottom of the 8th, Seishin puts up a crooked number on the board...
And that number happens to be 4!!!
Seishin going into the last inning takes the lead 10-9!!!
Sakai with one last try to tie the game is unsuccessful and Seishin Gakuen completes the comeback!
2nd place goes to the Katsuta-Touyoudai Ushiku where Katsuta led 4-0 after 2 innings. However Touyoudai goes on a 10-1 run in the last 7 innings for a 10-5 win.
1st round games continued on the 11th as Hitachi Kougyou and Sanwa fought at Kasama. Not literally of course. Hitachi would break out to a 4-0 lead before Sanwa tied it up soon thereafter. The teams traded runs the rest of the game and they would head into enchousen tied at 7. They wouldn't be there for long though as Hitachi scores 2 in the top of the 10th. Sanwa mounts a rally, but can only score 1.
Ken's favorite team, Mito Sakuranomaki, had no trouble at home against Makabe winning 26-0 in 5.
Saitama
Saitama with so many teams, throw out 24 games on Day 2. and 23 the next day.
Games on the 10th included Wasedadai Honjyou defeating Miyashiro 3-0, 9-16 seed Tokorozawa Kita will have to wait another week before playing their first game as Koshigaya Higashi forfeited their game to them, while fellow seed Sayamagaoka advanced 6-2 over Tokorozawa Shougyou and Rikkyou Niiza defated Fukuoka 16-0 in 5.
We saw some better games on the 11th, especially at Koshigawa Municipal. Dokkyou Saitama led Souka Minami 2-0 before Souka scored 4 in the 7th. Dokkyou recovered to tie the game in the 8th to send it into extras. 2 innings later, Dokkyou would score the go-ahead run.
In the 2nd game, Souka and Shouwa would go 12 innings before Souka scores the sayonara run to win 2-1.
At Iwatsuki, Tokorozawa scores 2 in the bottom of the 8th to pull ahead of Kasukabe Higashi to win 2-1 while at Koshigaya, Kodama Hakuyou let Sugito Nougyou level the score after leading 5-0, but scored 3 runs thereafter to separate themselves again.
5-8 seed Shiritsu Kawaguchi led the featured games over at Prefectural Oomiya as they faced Kuki Hokuyou. Shiritsu Kawaguchi was never able to shake off Kuki Hokuyou the entire game, as both teams had numerous scoring opportunities and neither team led by more than 2. Down 7-6 Shiritsu Kawaguchi would tie the game sending it into extras, but 2 innings later, Kuki Hokuyou would score the go-ahead run. LF Furukawa would deliver a triple to put the tying run 90 feet away, but Yamada would pop out to 2nd to end the game. The next game saw fellow seed Kasukabe Kyouei shut out Jyousaidai Kawagoe. And no, Konata nor Kagami were to be found. To round it out, 9-16 seed Kawaguchi defeated Matsubushi 20-0 in 5.
At Shiritsu Oomiya, 1-2 seed Hanasaki Tokuharu had an auspicious start against Fujimi. Leading by just a margin of 2-0, Fujimi scored 2 in the 6th to tie the game. It wouldn't be until the bottom of the 9th before Hanasaki Tokuharu would win the game. The other 1-2 seed, Ageo , handled Misato Kita nicely 6-1 at home over at Ageo Municipal.
In other games, Yorii Jyouhoku made a 4-run 1st stick against Iwatsuki Shougyou, winning 4-3. Kawagoe Kougyou trailed 1-0 to Sakado Nishi right from the get-go, and needed all 9 innings to score the tying run. The perseverance paid off 2 innings later as they scored the sayonara run to send they boys from Sakado home crying.
Natsu Qualifying - Kagoshima & Okinawa
The final 2 prefectures having started earlier, have advanced further in play and so deserve a separate post.
Kagoshima
Day 5 was rained out, and rained out again, so that the games wound up being played on the 7th.
The majority of those game though when they finally got around to playing, were mostly uncontested.
At Prefectural Kamoike, Ooshima Kougyou defeated Fukuyama 7-0 in 7. Kagoshima Jitsugyou finally got underway and shutout Tsurumaru 5-0. And Kanoya Kougyou with a 5-run 1st goes on to win 8-4 over Kamou.
Over at Kamoike Citizens, Kagoshima Minami and Kokubun Chuo both advance with little difficulty. But it was the final game, Ooshima Kita and Kagoshima Dai-ichi which provided the most excitement. After Ooshima Kita scored 2 in the first, Kagoshima Dai-ichi went to work trying to tie it up. And in the 6th they found the equalizer. With that the game would go into extras.
The game continued on, inning after inning with no team able to break the deadlock. The counters went from the 11th to the 12th, and eventually to the 15th inning. All Ooshima had to do was keep Dai-ichi off the board for one more inning and they could at least assure a replay.
But it was not to be. Dai-ichi scores a run in their last at-bats and held on to win 3-2.
The 8th signified the 1st full day of 2nd round games. This time it would be Kamoike Citizen's Stadium that would have the action.
In the final 2 games, Kanoya was challenged by Shoushikan but managed to hold on 2-1. Tanegashima Chuo tried to hold on there against Kagoshima Tousen falling behind 2-0 in the 1st inning, but leveling the score at 3 in the top of the 6th. But Tousen would get the lead back in the bottom of the inning, and hold on to win 4-3.
On the 9th we had our first real upset. Seeded Kagoshima Jyousei was playing their first game against Satsuma Chuo. Jyousei held a slim 1-0 lead, and then Satsuma out of nowhere scored 5. And though they had 2 innings left on offense, they couldn't mount a comeback and they fell 5-2!
Meanwhile, fellow seeded team Kamimura Gakuen has little trouble defeating Kagoshima, though they go the full 9 innings in a 6-1 win.
And finally in yesterday's action, Shibushi held a 7-2 lead over Kakushou, but needed 2 runs in the 9th inning to stave off a late inning charge. Kakushou scores 6 in the last 2 innings but falls a run short, losing 9-8. Iwagawa and Izumi Shougyou were step-in-step for 4 innings but 5 unanswered runs for Izumi put sufficient distance, and 3 runs in the 9th would not be enough for Iwagawa.
The last game at Prefectural Kamoike saw seeded Izumi Chuo giving seeded Shounan a run for their money in their first game on the field. Shounan had to make a single run in the 2nd stick for the entire game, and Sakasegawa made it stick.
Okinawa
With games pushed back due to rain, all round of 16 matches were played on the 9th.
At Okinawa Cellular Naha, Okinawa Shougaku seems to have the easiest road it's ever had to the Best 4. No Itoman, no Kounan, no Urasoe Shougyou. They methodically wore down Yaeyama to a 6-0 win.
Game 2 saw Tomishiro continue their run, reaching the Best 8 by defeating Yokatsu 5-3. And in the afternoon game, Kounan continues its run to repeat as Okinawa champs, defeating Cinderella team Gushikawa in a low scoring affair, 3-1.
Meanwhile, over at Itoman Nishizaki, seeded Itoman was having trouble at home against Chinen. The game was scoreless for the first 6 innings until Itoman finally broke through with a run in the 7th. However Chinen also had success in their half, and scored 2! Itoman was in big trouble with 2 innings to go!
Forward now to top 9, and Itoman still down one. Chinen on the verge of an upset...
... but the pressure must have gotten to them as Chinen gives up 5 runs. There was no way for them to come back so much so quickly. Itoman advances 6-2.
In the 2nd and last game, Mawashi and Naha played a tight game throughout with the teams tied at 1 and then tied at 2 after 8. In the bottom of the 9th though, Mawashi would find the sayonara run to prevent extra innings.
And at Chatan, Urasoe Shougyou and Chuubu Shougyou squared off in the 1st game. And Urasoe had a hell of a time against Chuubu. Only able to scratch together 1 run early, Chuubu equalized in the top of the 5th. And when Urasoe tried to get the lead back, Chuubu would immediately tie things back up again.
So the game would go into extras. And it kept going... Urasoe continued to go deeper and deeper into their bullpen as the game advanced, and in the 13th it proved fatal. Chuubu scores 2 runs in the top of the 13th putting Urasoe behind the 8-ball.
Now it was up to Chuubu ace Tawada Shinsaburou to shut the door. But it wouldn't be so easy. Urasoe would score 1 to make it just a 1-run game. Alas, they were unable to get that douten run, and Chuubu Shougyou pulls off the upset of Urasoe Shougyou!!
In the middle game, Nago pulled away from Kitanakagusuku in the midgame, winning 9-4.
And finally, Nanbu Kougyou had gone ahead of Futenma 3-2 in the 7th. But top 9, Futenma finds a way to score 2 runs and take the late lead! Nanbu couldn't respond and thus their summer ended at the hands of Futenma.
So we had our field for the semifinals, and all teams would be back out on the field for the 2nd consecutive day.
Back to Okinawa Cellular Naha, Okinawa Shougaku broke out to a 3-2 lead over Mawashi. It would seem like that Okishou would be on their way, but Mawashi proved to be made of sterner stuff. They got one run back in the 3rd, and another in the 6th to make it just a 1-run game. Shougaku ace Yoza though would have none of it, bending but not breaking. He makes the 3 runs stick as they advance to the Best 4.
The 2nd game, on the other hand was never in doubt as Kounan scored in each of the 6 innings in a 10-0 mercy win over Futenma.
And over at Chatan, Itoman didn't want to leave any doubt this time around, defeating Nago 8-1 in 8 innings.
And in the last game, Chuubu Shougyou who just the prior day was in a 13 inning game against Urasoe Shougyou, found themselves down 2-0 when Tomishiro scored a run in the 5th. But that's when Chuubu went to work. They immediately get that run back in the 5th, then score the equalizer in the 8th. And so the game went, yep, into extras.
And once again, Tomishiro had to dip into their bullpen, much like Urasoe Shougyou and in the 12th, Chuubu Shougyou scores the sayonara run to send them into the Best 4.
So our semifinal matchups will be:
Kagoshima
Day 5 was rained out, and rained out again, so that the games wound up being played on the 7th.
The majority of those game though when they finally got around to playing, were mostly uncontested.
At Prefectural Kamoike, Ooshima Kougyou defeated Fukuyama 7-0 in 7. Kagoshima Jitsugyou finally got underway and shutout Tsurumaru 5-0. And Kanoya Kougyou with a 5-run 1st goes on to win 8-4 over Kamou.
Over at Kamoike Citizens, Kagoshima Minami and Kokubun Chuo both advance with little difficulty. But it was the final game, Ooshima Kita and Kagoshima Dai-ichi which provided the most excitement. After Ooshima Kita scored 2 in the first, Kagoshima Dai-ichi went to work trying to tie it up. And in the 6th they found the equalizer. With that the game would go into extras.
The game continued on, inning after inning with no team able to break the deadlock. The counters went from the 11th to the 12th, and eventually to the 15th inning. All Ooshima had to do was keep Dai-ichi off the board for one more inning and they could at least assure a replay.
But it was not to be. Dai-ichi scores a run in their last at-bats and held on to win 3-2.
The 8th signified the 1st full day of 2nd round games. This time it would be Kamoike Citizen's Stadium that would have the action.
In the final 2 games, Kanoya was challenged by Shoushikan but managed to hold on 2-1. Tanegashima Chuo tried to hold on there against Kagoshima Tousen falling behind 2-0 in the 1st inning, but leveling the score at 3 in the top of the 6th. But Tousen would get the lead back in the bottom of the inning, and hold on to win 4-3.
On the 9th we had our first real upset. Seeded Kagoshima Jyousei was playing their first game against Satsuma Chuo. Jyousei held a slim 1-0 lead, and then Satsuma out of nowhere scored 5. And though they had 2 innings left on offense, they couldn't mount a comeback and they fell 5-2!
Meanwhile, fellow seeded team Kamimura Gakuen has little trouble defeating Kagoshima, though they go the full 9 innings in a 6-1 win.
And finally in yesterday's action, Shibushi held a 7-2 lead over Kakushou, but needed 2 runs in the 9th inning to stave off a late inning charge. Kakushou scores 6 in the last 2 innings but falls a run short, losing 9-8. Iwagawa and Izumi Shougyou were step-in-step for 4 innings but 5 unanswered runs for Izumi put sufficient distance, and 3 runs in the 9th would not be enough for Iwagawa.
The last game at Prefectural Kamoike saw seeded Izumi Chuo giving seeded Shounan a run for their money in their first game on the field. Shounan had to make a single run in the 2nd stick for the entire game, and Sakasegawa made it stick.
Okinawa
With games pushed back due to rain, all round of 16 matches were played on the 9th.
At Okinawa Cellular Naha, Okinawa Shougaku seems to have the easiest road it's ever had to the Best 4. No Itoman, no Kounan, no Urasoe Shougyou. They methodically wore down Yaeyama to a 6-0 win.
Game 2 saw Tomishiro continue their run, reaching the Best 8 by defeating Yokatsu 5-3. And in the afternoon game, Kounan continues its run to repeat as Okinawa champs, defeating Cinderella team Gushikawa in a low scoring affair, 3-1.
Meanwhile, over at Itoman Nishizaki, seeded Itoman was having trouble at home against Chinen. The game was scoreless for the first 6 innings until Itoman finally broke through with a run in the 7th. However Chinen also had success in their half, and scored 2! Itoman was in big trouble with 2 innings to go!
Forward now to top 9, and Itoman still down one. Chinen on the verge of an upset...
... but the pressure must have gotten to them as Chinen gives up 5 runs. There was no way for them to come back so much so quickly. Itoman advances 6-2.
In the 2nd and last game, Mawashi and Naha played a tight game throughout with the teams tied at 1 and then tied at 2 after 8. In the bottom of the 9th though, Mawashi would find the sayonara run to prevent extra innings.
And at Chatan, Urasoe Shougyou and Chuubu Shougyou squared off in the 1st game. And Urasoe had a hell of a time against Chuubu. Only able to scratch together 1 run early, Chuubu equalized in the top of the 5th. And when Urasoe tried to get the lead back, Chuubu would immediately tie things back up again.
So the game would go into extras. And it kept going... Urasoe continued to go deeper and deeper into their bullpen as the game advanced, and in the 13th it proved fatal. Chuubu scores 2 runs in the top of the 13th putting Urasoe behind the 8-ball.
Now it was up to Chuubu ace Tawada Shinsaburou to shut the door. But it wouldn't be so easy. Urasoe would score 1 to make it just a 1-run game. Alas, they were unable to get that douten run, and Chuubu Shougyou pulls off the upset of Urasoe Shougyou!!
In the middle game, Nago pulled away from Kitanakagusuku in the midgame, winning 9-4.
And finally, Nanbu Kougyou had gone ahead of Futenma 3-2 in the 7th. But top 9, Futenma finds a way to score 2 runs and take the late lead! Nanbu couldn't respond and thus their summer ended at the hands of Futenma.
So we had our field for the semifinals, and all teams would be back out on the field for the 2nd consecutive day.
Back to Okinawa Cellular Naha, Okinawa Shougaku broke out to a 3-2 lead over Mawashi. It would seem like that Okishou would be on their way, but Mawashi proved to be made of sterner stuff. They got one run back in the 3rd, and another in the 6th to make it just a 1-run game. Shougaku ace Yoza though would have none of it, bending but not breaking. He makes the 3 runs stick as they advance to the Best 4.
The 2nd game, on the other hand was never in doubt as Kounan scored in each of the 6 innings in a 10-0 mercy win over Futenma.
And over at Chatan, Itoman didn't want to leave any doubt this time around, defeating Nago 8-1 in 8 innings.
And in the last game, Chuubu Shougyou who just the prior day was in a 13 inning game against Urasoe Shougyou, found themselves down 2-0 when Tomishiro scored a run in the 5th. But that's when Chuubu went to work. They immediately get that run back in the 5th, then score the equalizer in the 8th. And so the game went, yep, into extras.
And once again, Tomishiro had to dip into their bullpen, much like Urasoe Shougyou and in the 12th, Chuubu Shougyou scores the sayonara run to send them into the Best 4.
So our semifinal matchups will be:
- Itoman vs. Okinawa Shougaku - Itoman has been able to last so far, but Okinawa Shougaku is no pushover. Will they be able to get to the finals for a chance at their first appearance, or will Okinawa Shougaku finally get a chance to head back once again?
- Chuubu Shougyou vs. Kounan - Kounan has been able to come back the year after winning it all under former ace Shimabukuro. Teams with a lot of seniors have a hard time coming back the next year. It's just the nature of kokoyakyu. But now comes the hard part. Chuubu Shougyou though having played 25 innings in 2 days will have 5 days off to recover. Ace Tawada should be back up and ready to go, especially since Kounan eliminated them in the fall. This should be an interesting semifinal all around.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Natsu Qualifying underway across the country!
This weekend signifies the beginning of Natsu Koushien qualifying across the country. Over 20 regions began play yesterday.
So without further ado, to the roundup!
Kita Hokkaido/Minami Hokkaido
Hokkaido did not have any games yesterday, but they did have their draw for the prefecturals.
In Kita Hokkaido, it's interesting to see how few recent Koushien participants are in the round of 16. Shirakaba Gakuen seems to have their own half of the bracket, though I wonder how Bushuukan is this year.
Meanwhile, Asahikawa Kougyou and Komadai Iwamizawa are in the same quadrant, meaning an early quarterfinal matchup for what will seem to be one-half of the Kita Hokkaido final.
Over in Minami Hokkaido, I'm flipping tables. Seriously? Hakodatedai Yuuto, should they win their first match against Toukai Dai-yon will have to face Hokkai? Really??????
On the other half of the draw, Sapporo Dai-ichi has a quadrant to themselves and they'll face in all likelihood the winner of the Hokushou-Komadai Tomakomai winner in the first round.
There's a lot of good matches here, but they're all early.
Miyagi
Perhaps for some of the kids here, Natsu Koushien is a return to normalcy. And the games kicked off today over at Kleenex Stadium.
Natori started things off with a shutout of Shibata Nourin Kawasaki 5-0, while Murata led wire-to-wire against Shiroishi Kougyou 9-3.
Gunma
4 games today in Gunma with qualifying beginning at Shikishima Stadium. Shiritsu Maebashi shutout Shibukawa 3-0. In the 2nd game, Fujioka Chuo held off a rally by Haruna to win 6-4.
Over at Takasaki Jyounan, we had two closely contested games until late. Up 1-0, Oota Higashi and Tamamura traded leads as each team scored 2 runs in 4 consecutive half-innings. But 3 in the 7th inning for Oota blew the game open for a 8-4 win. The matinee game saw Oota Kougyou hold a 3-1 lead over Maebashi Higashi. Maebashi though scored 3 in their luck 7th to take a 1-run lead. That would be good, if it weren't for the fact that Oota Kougyou had their lucky 7th to go, and in that inning they scored 4. Oota Kougyou goes on to win by the final of 9-4.
Tochigi
Play got started in a thrilling fashion over at Tochigi Municipal. It was a battle of Tochigi as Tochigi Kougyou and Tochigi Shougyou faced off. Tochigi Kougyou was nursing a slim 1-0 lead since the 1st inning, but Tochigi Shougyou found an equalizer in the 7th. The game would go into extras where an error by the 3rd baseman on a ground ball allowed the sayonara run to score for Tochigi Kougyou.
In the 2nd game Ashikaga could only muster a run in the 9th inning, which wasn't enough against Imaichi, as they fell 3-1.
Over at Tochigi Prefectural, Nasu would level things against Utsunomiya with 3 runs in the 5th, but they couldn't hold things off as 2 late runs gave Utsunomiya the 5-3 win. And Oyama Hokuyou had no trouble with Tochigi Nougyou, winning 9-2 in 7.
Ibaraki
Only 2 games in Ibaraki today. Mito Dai-ichi has no trouble with Tomobe finishing them off 10-0 in 5. The 2nd game was much more competitive as Chuo's 5-1 lead over Daigo Seiryuu was slowly whittled away until it was 5-4 after 8. However Daigo would be unable to score the douten run as they fell by that score.
Saitama
Saitama started things off over at Prefectural Omiya with a matchup of Yamamura Gakuen and Ogawa. Each team scored a run early in the game, and it seemed like Yamakawa Gakuen had their changes though they wasted them (one inning a runner was super aggressive rounding 3rd, realized he would be out at home, then was thrown out at 3rd trying to run back).
But if you followed by twitter feed, you'd notice that the game would take a sad turn in the bottom of the 9th. The CF for Yamamura Gakuen cramps up after covering a pickoff throw to 2nd with runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 down. They try to stretch it out, but he has to be carried to the dugout.
Instead of replacing him though, he comes back out and running very gingerly. I immediately thought that you cannot have a CF who can't run out on the field. They surely had extra players, so he should be replaced.
Sure enough, the next batter hits a shot to right center. The CF is playing in and has no chance at the ball. The RF furiously scrambles to the ball, dives... but misses. The runner on 2nd scores for the sayonara run as Ogawa wins over Yamakawa Gakuen 2-1.
Chiba
Chiba began their prefectural tournament over at QVC Marine Stadium as Toukaidai Bouyou and Tohoudai Touhou kicked off.
Toukaidai Bouyou you could say got the benefit of an extra day's rest for having to play an extra game. They had no trouble with the fellow university school, winning 7-0 in 7 innings.
Higashi Tokyo
Tokyo began things at Jingu Stadium with a 10-0 win over Hachijyou.
Niigata
At Hard-Off Eco Stadium, Tokyo Gakkan Niigata and Kashiwazaki played a tightly contested game. Tokyo held a 2-1 lead, but Kashiwazaki would equalize in the 5th, and pull ahead with the go-ahead run in the 8th for the 3-2 win.
Nagano
A more than serviceable Ueda Nishi had no trouble with Suwa Jitsugyou winning 7-0 in 7 innings. Matsumoto Fukashi held a 5-2 lead over Nagano Minami but Kishikami couldn't hold the lead. Nagano scores 5 times in the 8th and goes on to win 8-5.
Yamanashi
Sundai Koufu held a 2-0 lead over Enzan and looked to be dormy though they were going through several pitchers. But the lack of a clear ace finally hurt them as Enzan scored 2 in the 8th to level the score. And when the game went into extras, it seemed to spell the end for them. Sure enough 5 runs in the 10th quickly ended things.
Yamura Kougyou and Teikyou Dai-san too played a tight game with the teams leveled at 4. 2 in the lucky 7th for Teikyou would be the difference in a 6-4 win.
Gifu
3 games in Gifu to start the tournament, and sadly for those eliminated, all were blowouts. Fuwa, Ibi, and Hida all were eliminated on Day 1.
Aichi
With so many teams, Aichi had 17 games on Day 1!
Agui Stadium - Block G
Game 1 saw Handa Shougyou defeat Handa 4-3 thanks to a 3-run 6th. In the 2nd game, Oobu Higashi leads wire-to-wire in a 10-4 win over Kikuzato.
Ichinomiya Stadium - Block F
Kisogawa stays in step with Chiryuu for 4.5 innings, but then Chiryuu pulls away with 4 unanswered runs for a 7-3 win. Meanwhile, Okazaki Jyousai shuts out Inuyama Minami 4-0.
Okazaki Municipal - Block G/Block D
Okazaki Municipal was busy on Day 1 with bitth games going extras.
First Okazaki Nishi and Nagoya Shiritsu Kougei were deadlocked at 1 going into extras, before Nagoya scores the sayonara run in the first extra inning.
The 2nd game between Toyota Tousen and Toyohashi Higashi went longer after the teams locked themselves at 3 in the 6th. It wouldn't be until the 12th where Toyohashi Higashi pushed across 2 runs for the win.
Kariya Stadium - Block C/Block A
It was relative easy games for Okazaki Kita and Anjyou Higashi as they win 6-2 and 4-0 over Meinan Kougyou and Kariya Kougyou.
Kasugai Stadium - Block A/Block G
Home cooking wasn't in the cards for Kasugai Shougyou against Miwa as after they went ahead 2-0, they immediately gave it all back in the next 2 innings. 3-2 would be the final margin.
In game 2, Sange Nourin couldn't keep up with Asahigaoka, falling 7-2.
Komaki Undou Sougou Kouen - Block B/Block E
Konan and Taki squared off in the first game here at Komaki. Tied at 1, Konan scored 3 in the 5th. Taki tried to pull closer with 2 in the 6th, but when Konan scored 2 of their own next inning, it was too much.
In the 2nd game Okoshi Kougyou was continuously playing catchup against Seirinkan. Down 4-0 after 1, they score 3. When Seirinkan scores 1 in the 4th, Okoshi scores 2 to tie it up! The game would stay that way as it passed into extras. Okoshi would finally take their first lead scoring 1 in the top of the 10th. But Seirinkan wouldn't let go that easily, especially after their start. They tied it up in their half of the 10th and the game continued. However, the pitching staff for Seirinkan couldn't hold it together and 3 runs in the 11th spelled doom. They'd get 1, but that was it losing 9-7.
Mizuho Kouen - Block D
In the one game at Mizuho, Niwa mercy rules Nanyou 14-5 in 7 innings.
Toyohashi Municipal - Block E/Block H
Miyoshi led the entire game against Atsumi Kougyou, even getting an insurance run in the 8th to lead 2-0. However, just 6 outs away they couldn't hold the lead, giving up 3 runs and falling by that score.
Meanwhile the matinee game saw Nishiharu shutout Kaiyou Gakuen 3-0.
Toyota Stadium - Block F/Block E
And finally, over at Toyota Stadium, we had two called games as Takahama and Tsugeno fall to Toyohashi Kougyou and Toyota Kita.
Shizuoka
In the one game in Shizuoka, Shimizu Shougyou and Shimada Shougyou go into extras at Kusanagi Sougou Undou Kouen. This after Shimada scores 2 runs of their own after Shimizu scored 2 to lead 3-1.
The game would be decided in the 11th when Shimizu Shougyou scores the sayonara run.
Kyoto
2 game in Kyoto to start their tournament. At Wakasa Stadium, Kyoto Gakuen easily handles Maidzuru Tousen 11-0 in 5 innings.
In game 2, senbatsu participant Kyoto Seishou, who drew a long road to the finals, struggles with Ritsumeikan only pulling ahead in the 8th inning with 2 runs and holding on for a 3-2 victory. It will not get any easier as they face Kyoto Subaru next.
Nara
As mentioned earlier on my Twitter account, because of violence within the club Tenri has withdrawn from the tournament. Well, I guess if anything it prevents me from being disappointed at Koushien.
What this does is give Chiben Gakuen about the clearest road to the title that any team will have in any prefecture in the country.
Meanwhile, everyone else will be trying to find a way to upset them... or hope someone else does.
Day 1 in Nara started off with fireworks as Heijyou, leading Kashihara 3-0, saw that lead evaporate in the 7th as Kashihara scores 5. And yet Heijyou comes right back and scores 5 of their own!! Kashihara would have nothing left as the fall 8-6.
Kashiba and Takatori Kokusai took the field for game 2, and the game was a football score more than a baseball score. Takatori scored the first 5 runs of the game, then Kashiba scored 4. After 5 more by Takatori, Kashiba scored 2. 3 more in the late innings gave them a comfortable 13-6 lead.
Not quite. Kashiba mounts one final rally, pulling within 1. Sadly, relief pitcher Inoue would shut the door and advance his team 13-12.
Osaka
Kyocera Dome opens up the games here in Osaka as Izuo Kougyou falls to Sekiyou Gakuen 12-0 in 6 innings in Minamichi Block 1.
In Kitachi Block 1, Osaka Touin starts their journey early facing Kansai Daigaku Hokuyou. They win 4-0 and they're throwing their ace out already. I don't think that's a very good sign for them.
Hyogo
In the opening game at Himeji Municipal, Shiritsu Amagasaki has no trouble with Kenritsu Nishinomiya, winning 11-0 in 8 innings.
Hiroshima
Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium kicks off the Hiroshima qualifiers. Kamo and Hiro were scoreless for most of the game until the bottom of the 8th when Kamo finally breaks the deadlock. Hiro has no response and they fall 1-0.
In the 2nd game between Hiroshima Koudai and Hiroshima Inokuchi, Inokuchi seemed to dictate the pace the entire game as Koudai was forced to play catchup. But they would tie things up in the 7th and actually pull ahead in the 8th, 6-5. Inokuchi would find a way to tie things up and send it into extras. The momentum seemed to be with Inokuchi now as they scored a run in the 10th. But Koudai would hang in there yet again and tie it up. The game would go further into extras.
But in the 13th, one of Koudai's players would get injured. That wouldn't be a problem except that they had no bench players left. They finished their half of the inning on defense, but now was in trouble. If 2B Yamauchi couldn't come out in the next inning, they'd forfeit.
And when Koudai couldn't score in the bottom of the 13th, and Yamauchi indeed couldn't take the field, Koudai had to forfeit the game despite being tied 7-7 with just 2 innings yet to play. A sad way to end one's summer...
Tokushima
Tokushima is the first prefecture in Shikoku to begin play. Naruto Dai-ichi and Awa began things. Naruto controlled things in the first half of the game building a 4-2 lead. Awa though took control in the latter half, scoring 4 unanswered runs to take a 6-4 lead. However Naruto roared right back with 2 in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game. Momentum was shifting towards Naruto, but Awa would crush it with a run in the top of the 9th. Naruto couldn't mount one final rally and lost 7-6.
In the 2nd game, Kaifu scores 8 in the top of the 1st and cruises to a 10-1 in 7 over Kamijima Shougyou.
Fukuoka
Ikutokukan and Kibougaoka were the first of 2 games at Kurume. Ikutokukan advances with a 3-0 win. Meanwhile, Fukuoka Kodai Jyoutou drew the first game in the Minami Regionals and shutout Yame Kougyou 4-0.
Saga
The 2 games in Saga on opening day were easily handled by Saga Nishi and Hokuryou as they defeat Ogi and Taku 8-2 and 6-3.
Nagasaki
At the Big N, Gotou dispatches Sasebo Kita 13-1 in 6 innings. In the 2nd game, Kami-Tsushima down 2-0 scores 2 in the 4th to tie it up, but Nagasaki Kougyou scores 1 in their half of the 4th and makes it stick for a 3-2 win.
Kumamoto
Kamoto Nougou kicked things off at Fujisakidai using a 4-run 6th to win 5-2 over Hikawa. And in the matinee, Oodzu can do nothing against Kumamoto, falling 19-0 in 5 innings.
Oita
Oita had 2 games on Day 1, where Taketa shutout Beppu Hamurodai 3-0 while Saiki Kakujyou's 2 insurance runs in the 7th were necessary as Oita Nishi scored 2 which would have tied the game otherwise. Instead, Kakujyou wins 4-2.
Miyazaki
It was a busy day for the Miyakonojyou schools on Day 1. Miyakonojyou broke out to a 6-0 lead over Kobayashi Jyouhou. They'd hold on for a 7-4 win.
Miyakonojyou Nishi trailed 1-0, but scored a run in 3 consecutive innings to defeat Miyakonojyou Tousen 3-1.
So without further ado, to the roundup!
Kita Hokkaido/Minami Hokkaido
Hokkaido did not have any games yesterday, but they did have their draw for the prefecturals.
In Kita Hokkaido, it's interesting to see how few recent Koushien participants are in the round of 16. Shirakaba Gakuen seems to have their own half of the bracket, though I wonder how Bushuukan is this year.
Meanwhile, Asahikawa Kougyou and Komadai Iwamizawa are in the same quadrant, meaning an early quarterfinal matchup for what will seem to be one-half of the Kita Hokkaido final.
Over in Minami Hokkaido, I'm flipping tables. Seriously? Hakodatedai Yuuto, should they win their first match against Toukai Dai-yon will have to face Hokkai? Really??????
On the other half of the draw, Sapporo Dai-ichi has a quadrant to themselves and they'll face in all likelihood the winner of the Hokushou-Komadai Tomakomai winner in the first round.
There's a lot of good matches here, but they're all early.
Miyagi
Perhaps for some of the kids here, Natsu Koushien is a return to normalcy. And the games kicked off today over at Kleenex Stadium.
Natori started things off with a shutout of Shibata Nourin Kawasaki 5-0, while Murata led wire-to-wire against Shiroishi Kougyou 9-3.
Gunma
4 games today in Gunma with qualifying beginning at Shikishima Stadium. Shiritsu Maebashi shutout Shibukawa 3-0. In the 2nd game, Fujioka Chuo held off a rally by Haruna to win 6-4.
Over at Takasaki Jyounan, we had two closely contested games until late. Up 1-0, Oota Higashi and Tamamura traded leads as each team scored 2 runs in 4 consecutive half-innings. But 3 in the 7th inning for Oota blew the game open for a 8-4 win. The matinee game saw Oota Kougyou hold a 3-1 lead over Maebashi Higashi. Maebashi though scored 3 in their luck 7th to take a 1-run lead. That would be good, if it weren't for the fact that Oota Kougyou had their lucky 7th to go, and in that inning they scored 4. Oota Kougyou goes on to win by the final of 9-4.
Tochigi
Play got started in a thrilling fashion over at Tochigi Municipal. It was a battle of Tochigi as Tochigi Kougyou and Tochigi Shougyou faced off. Tochigi Kougyou was nursing a slim 1-0 lead since the 1st inning, but Tochigi Shougyou found an equalizer in the 7th. The game would go into extras where an error by the 3rd baseman on a ground ball allowed the sayonara run to score for Tochigi Kougyou.
In the 2nd game Ashikaga could only muster a run in the 9th inning, which wasn't enough against Imaichi, as they fell 3-1.
Over at Tochigi Prefectural, Nasu would level things against Utsunomiya with 3 runs in the 5th, but they couldn't hold things off as 2 late runs gave Utsunomiya the 5-3 win. And Oyama Hokuyou had no trouble with Tochigi Nougyou, winning 9-2 in 7.
Ibaraki
Only 2 games in Ibaraki today. Mito Dai-ichi has no trouble with Tomobe finishing them off 10-0 in 5. The 2nd game was much more competitive as Chuo's 5-1 lead over Daigo Seiryuu was slowly whittled away until it was 5-4 after 8. However Daigo would be unable to score the douten run as they fell by that score.
Saitama
Saitama started things off over at Prefectural Omiya with a matchup of Yamamura Gakuen and Ogawa. Each team scored a run early in the game, and it seemed like Yamakawa Gakuen had their changes though they wasted them (one inning a runner was super aggressive rounding 3rd, realized he would be out at home, then was thrown out at 3rd trying to run back).
But if you followed by twitter feed, you'd notice that the game would take a sad turn in the bottom of the 9th. The CF for Yamamura Gakuen cramps up after covering a pickoff throw to 2nd with runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 down. They try to stretch it out, but he has to be carried to the dugout.
Instead of replacing him though, he comes back out and running very gingerly. I immediately thought that you cannot have a CF who can't run out on the field. They surely had extra players, so he should be replaced.
Sure enough, the next batter hits a shot to right center. The CF is playing in and has no chance at the ball. The RF furiously scrambles to the ball, dives... but misses. The runner on 2nd scores for the sayonara run as Ogawa wins over Yamakawa Gakuen 2-1.
Chiba
Chiba began their prefectural tournament over at QVC Marine Stadium as Toukaidai Bouyou and Tohoudai Touhou kicked off.
Toukaidai Bouyou you could say got the benefit of an extra day's rest for having to play an extra game. They had no trouble with the fellow university school, winning 7-0 in 7 innings.
Higashi Tokyo
Tokyo began things at Jingu Stadium with a 10-0 win over Hachijyou.
Niigata
At Hard-Off Eco Stadium, Tokyo Gakkan Niigata and Kashiwazaki played a tightly contested game. Tokyo held a 2-1 lead, but Kashiwazaki would equalize in the 5th, and pull ahead with the go-ahead run in the 8th for the 3-2 win.
Nagano
A more than serviceable Ueda Nishi had no trouble with Suwa Jitsugyou winning 7-0 in 7 innings. Matsumoto Fukashi held a 5-2 lead over Nagano Minami but Kishikami couldn't hold the lead. Nagano scores 5 times in the 8th and goes on to win 8-5.
Yamanashi
Sundai Koufu held a 2-0 lead over Enzan and looked to be dormy though they were going through several pitchers. But the lack of a clear ace finally hurt them as Enzan scored 2 in the 8th to level the score. And when the game went into extras, it seemed to spell the end for them. Sure enough 5 runs in the 10th quickly ended things.
Yamura Kougyou and Teikyou Dai-san too played a tight game with the teams leveled at 4. 2 in the lucky 7th for Teikyou would be the difference in a 6-4 win.
Gifu
3 games in Gifu to start the tournament, and sadly for those eliminated, all were blowouts. Fuwa, Ibi, and Hida all were eliminated on Day 1.
Aichi
With so many teams, Aichi had 17 games on Day 1!
Agui Stadium - Block G
Game 1 saw Handa Shougyou defeat Handa 4-3 thanks to a 3-run 6th. In the 2nd game, Oobu Higashi leads wire-to-wire in a 10-4 win over Kikuzato.
Ichinomiya Stadium - Block F
Kisogawa stays in step with Chiryuu for 4.5 innings, but then Chiryuu pulls away with 4 unanswered runs for a 7-3 win. Meanwhile, Okazaki Jyousai shuts out Inuyama Minami 4-0.
Okazaki Municipal - Block G/Block D
Okazaki Municipal was busy on Day 1 with bitth games going extras.
First Okazaki Nishi and Nagoya Shiritsu Kougei were deadlocked at 1 going into extras, before Nagoya scores the sayonara run in the first extra inning.
The 2nd game between Toyota Tousen and Toyohashi Higashi went longer after the teams locked themselves at 3 in the 6th. It wouldn't be until the 12th where Toyohashi Higashi pushed across 2 runs for the win.
Kariya Stadium - Block C/Block A
It was relative easy games for Okazaki Kita and Anjyou Higashi as they win 6-2 and 4-0 over Meinan Kougyou and Kariya Kougyou.
Kasugai Stadium - Block A/Block G
Home cooking wasn't in the cards for Kasugai Shougyou against Miwa as after they went ahead 2-0, they immediately gave it all back in the next 2 innings. 3-2 would be the final margin.
In game 2, Sange Nourin couldn't keep up with Asahigaoka, falling 7-2.
Komaki Undou Sougou Kouen - Block B/Block E
Konan and Taki squared off in the first game here at Komaki. Tied at 1, Konan scored 3 in the 5th. Taki tried to pull closer with 2 in the 6th, but when Konan scored 2 of their own next inning, it was too much.
In the 2nd game Okoshi Kougyou was continuously playing catchup against Seirinkan. Down 4-0 after 1, they score 3. When Seirinkan scores 1 in the 4th, Okoshi scores 2 to tie it up! The game would stay that way as it passed into extras. Okoshi would finally take their first lead scoring 1 in the top of the 10th. But Seirinkan wouldn't let go that easily, especially after their start. They tied it up in their half of the 10th and the game continued. However, the pitching staff for Seirinkan couldn't hold it together and 3 runs in the 11th spelled doom. They'd get 1, but that was it losing 9-7.
Mizuho Kouen - Block D
In the one game at Mizuho, Niwa mercy rules Nanyou 14-5 in 7 innings.
Toyohashi Municipal - Block E/Block H
Miyoshi led the entire game against Atsumi Kougyou, even getting an insurance run in the 8th to lead 2-0. However, just 6 outs away they couldn't hold the lead, giving up 3 runs and falling by that score.
Meanwhile the matinee game saw Nishiharu shutout Kaiyou Gakuen 3-0.
Toyota Stadium - Block F/Block E
And finally, over at Toyota Stadium, we had two called games as Takahama and Tsugeno fall to Toyohashi Kougyou and Toyota Kita.
Shizuoka
In the one game in Shizuoka, Shimizu Shougyou and Shimada Shougyou go into extras at Kusanagi Sougou Undou Kouen. This after Shimada scores 2 runs of their own after Shimizu scored 2 to lead 3-1.
The game would be decided in the 11th when Shimizu Shougyou scores the sayonara run.
Kyoto
2 game in Kyoto to start their tournament. At Wakasa Stadium, Kyoto Gakuen easily handles Maidzuru Tousen 11-0 in 5 innings.
In game 2, senbatsu participant Kyoto Seishou, who drew a long road to the finals, struggles with Ritsumeikan only pulling ahead in the 8th inning with 2 runs and holding on for a 3-2 victory. It will not get any easier as they face Kyoto Subaru next.
Nara
As mentioned earlier on my Twitter account, because of violence within the club Tenri has withdrawn from the tournament. Well, I guess if anything it prevents me from being disappointed at Koushien.
What this does is give Chiben Gakuen about the clearest road to the title that any team will have in any prefecture in the country.
Meanwhile, everyone else will be trying to find a way to upset them... or hope someone else does.
Day 1 in Nara started off with fireworks as Heijyou, leading Kashihara 3-0, saw that lead evaporate in the 7th as Kashihara scores 5. And yet Heijyou comes right back and scores 5 of their own!! Kashihara would have nothing left as the fall 8-6.
Kashiba and Takatori Kokusai took the field for game 2, and the game was a football score more than a baseball score. Takatori scored the first 5 runs of the game, then Kashiba scored 4. After 5 more by Takatori, Kashiba scored 2. 3 more in the late innings gave them a comfortable 13-6 lead.
Not quite. Kashiba mounts one final rally, pulling within 1. Sadly, relief pitcher Inoue would shut the door and advance his team 13-12.
Osaka
Kyocera Dome opens up the games here in Osaka as Izuo Kougyou falls to Sekiyou Gakuen 12-0 in 6 innings in Minamichi Block 1.
In Kitachi Block 1, Osaka Touin starts their journey early facing Kansai Daigaku Hokuyou. They win 4-0 and they're throwing their ace out already. I don't think that's a very good sign for them.
Hyogo
In the opening game at Himeji Municipal, Shiritsu Amagasaki has no trouble with Kenritsu Nishinomiya, winning 11-0 in 8 innings.
Hiroshima
Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium kicks off the Hiroshima qualifiers. Kamo and Hiro were scoreless for most of the game until the bottom of the 8th when Kamo finally breaks the deadlock. Hiro has no response and they fall 1-0.
In the 2nd game between Hiroshima Koudai and Hiroshima Inokuchi, Inokuchi seemed to dictate the pace the entire game as Koudai was forced to play catchup. But they would tie things up in the 7th and actually pull ahead in the 8th, 6-5. Inokuchi would find a way to tie things up and send it into extras. The momentum seemed to be with Inokuchi now as they scored a run in the 10th. But Koudai would hang in there yet again and tie it up. The game would go further into extras.
But in the 13th, one of Koudai's players would get injured. That wouldn't be a problem except that they had no bench players left. They finished their half of the inning on defense, but now was in trouble. If 2B Yamauchi couldn't come out in the next inning, they'd forfeit.
And when Koudai couldn't score in the bottom of the 13th, and Yamauchi indeed couldn't take the field, Koudai had to forfeit the game despite being tied 7-7 with just 2 innings yet to play. A sad way to end one's summer...
Tokushima
Tokushima is the first prefecture in Shikoku to begin play. Naruto Dai-ichi and Awa began things. Naruto controlled things in the first half of the game building a 4-2 lead. Awa though took control in the latter half, scoring 4 unanswered runs to take a 6-4 lead. However Naruto roared right back with 2 in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game. Momentum was shifting towards Naruto, but Awa would crush it with a run in the top of the 9th. Naruto couldn't mount one final rally and lost 7-6.
In the 2nd game, Kaifu scores 8 in the top of the 1st and cruises to a 10-1 in 7 over Kamijima Shougyou.
Fukuoka
Ikutokukan and Kibougaoka were the first of 2 games at Kurume. Ikutokukan advances with a 3-0 win. Meanwhile, Fukuoka Kodai Jyoutou drew the first game in the Minami Regionals and shutout Yame Kougyou 4-0.
Saga
The 2 games in Saga on opening day were easily handled by Saga Nishi and Hokuryou as they defeat Ogi and Taku 8-2 and 6-3.
Nagasaki
At the Big N, Gotou dispatches Sasebo Kita 13-1 in 6 innings. In the 2nd game, Kami-Tsushima down 2-0 scores 2 in the 4th to tie it up, but Nagasaki Kougyou scores 1 in their half of the 4th and makes it stick for a 3-2 win.
Kumamoto
Kamoto Nougou kicked things off at Fujisakidai using a 4-run 6th to win 5-2 over Hikawa. And in the matinee, Oodzu can do nothing against Kumamoto, falling 19-0 in 5 innings.
Oita
Oita had 2 games on Day 1, where Taketa shutout Beppu Hamurodai 3-0 while Saiki Kakujyou's 2 insurance runs in the 7th were necessary as Oita Nishi scored 2 which would have tied the game otherwise. Instead, Kakujyou wins 4-2.
Miyazaki
It was a busy day for the Miyakonojyou schools on Day 1. Miyakonojyou broke out to a 6-0 lead over Kobayashi Jyouhou. They'd hold on for a 7-4 win.
Miyakonojyou Nishi trailed 1-0, but scored a run in 3 consecutive innings to defeat Miyakonojyou Tousen 3-1.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
93rd Natsu Qualifying - 2nd Update - Kita Hokkaido
And now for Kita Hokkaido, the last region to have qualifying games so far.
Kitami
Kitami block play overall was dominated for the most part by 3 teams - Engaru, Memanbetsu and Kitami Hakuyou though Kitami Hakuyou did need a 5-run 5th to hold off Kitami Kougyou
9-6 in the Block C final.
Asahikawa
The Asahikawa region has actually had quite a few Koushien participants - Asahikawadai, Asahikawa Jitsugyou, and Asahikawa Kougyou. The former team wound up in Block B, the latter 2 in Block C.
So Block A was a bit open for all, and the block started out with some nice games. Asahikawa Touei scored the only run in the top of the 9th to defeat Kami-Furano. Haboro led Rumoi Senbou 4-1 before Rumoi clawed back to level in the 8th. Haboro closed the door though with 2 in their half of the 8th inning for the win.
In round 2, Asahikawa Nishi finally got their turn on the field and proceeded to dispatch Kamikawa 10-3 in 7 innings. Their opponent in the final would be Asahikawa Touei who defeated Haboro 4-1.
And in the block final, Asahikawa Nishi pulled out to a 2-0 lead. When they scored 4 in the 5th, it looked all but over. Touei though wanted to make a game out of it and scored 4 of their own also in the 5th. But outside of that one offensive outburst, they could manage no more, falling 6-4.
Asahikawadai in Block B started off with a slim 1-0 win over Asahikawa Tousen. In fact, all 1st round games in Block B were relatively low scoring. That changed when Asahikawa Minami played their 1st game in round 2. They mercy ruled Asahikawa Ryuukoku 7-0 in 7 innings perhaps putting themselves in the driver's seat to advance. Their opponent would be Asahikawadai as the offense picked up ace Nozawa after he blew a 3-0 lead late scoring the sayonara run in the bottom of the 9th.
In the block final, Asahikawadai would send up reliever Sasaki to start the game... which ended disastrously. Asahikawa Minami was spotted 3 runs from the 1st inning, and never recovered. 3 runs in the 8th inning ended the game 9-2 in favor of Minami.
Finally, in Block C Asahikawa Kougyou and Asahikawa Jitsugyou were on an immediate collision course after winning their 1st round games. In that matchup, Jitsugyou came out to an early 2-0 lead. Kougyou would tie it up quickly in the 3rd and then blew it open with 5 runs between the 6th & 7th innings. Last year's representative had no answer to the offensive outburst and fell 7-3.
Their opponent in the final would be Furano Ryokuhou who edged out Asahikawa Higashi 3-2 in the semifinal. But Asahikawa Kougyou ace Miyano would throw a 1-hit shutout to send his team to the prefecturals.
And in looking at Miyano, I'll be interested to see how he does. Why?
He throws a knuckleball.
Tokachi
The Tokachi draw this year was unfortunate in that the two main teams from this region, Shirakaba Gakuen and Obihiro Ootani were put in the same block. So the winner of that matchup in the semifinals would in all likelihood would be the Block A winner.
Shirakaba would jump out to a 3-0 1st inning lead. But by the 3rd, Ootani would tie the score. Shirakaba once again scored 3, this time in the 5th. And when Ootani tried to claw back, they scored 4 more to make it a 10-4 game.
There was no quit though from the Obihiro squad, and a 4-spot in the 8th made it 11-8. However, that would be the final margin giving Shirakaba Gakuen the keys to the prefecturals.
All that was left was a formality against Obihiro Nougyou. Except that Obihiro ace Murosaki wouldn't let them get away that easy, yielding just 1 run in the 5th early on. However, his offense couldn't score for him, and when Shirakaba added an insurance run in the top of the 9th, it was too much. Obihiro Nougyou would get back that run, but only that run, falling 2-1.
Block B was full of blowouts save for the first game between Obihiro Ryokuyou and Obihiro Sanjyou. That game saw respective aces Oowada and Hirayama pitch 9 shutout innings. Then 10... 11... 12... and 13 innings! With the game so close to the 15 inning limit, I'm sure both teams couldn't afford a replay.
And so Ryokuyou concludes things by scoring 3 in the top of the 14th for the win.
After that, the blowouts started. Honbetsu, Shimizu and Obihiro Minami Shougyou all shutout their opponents to the tune of a combined 28-0.
In the semis, the extended inning game didn't seem to phase Ryokuyou at all as Honbetsu was outplayed 9-2 in 8 innings. Their opponent would be Shimizu who won their semi 10-1 in 7 innings.
However, the Sasaki duo from Shimizu couldn't hold off Obihiro Ryokuyou as they advanced with a 8-0 win in 7 innings.
Sorachi
The sister school of Komadai Tomakomai, Komadai Iwamizawa has had more success reaching Koushien as of late. They headlined Block A in Sorachi and had absolutely no stressful games as the pitching staff throws 3 shutouts of 10-0, 15-0 and 6-0 to advance to the prefecturals.
Takikawa Nishi was looking for yet another prefectural appearance in Block B, but stumbled a bit coming out of the gate against Iwamizawa Ryokuryou. Ace Iwasaki couldn't stop their offense from pinging them with single runs. He was unable to hold a 2-run lead and in fact gave Ryokuryou a 5-4 lead. But the offense picked him up, scoring 2 in the bottom of the 8th and he was able to hold that for a 6-5 win.
In the semis, they had a much easier time, mercy ruling Ashibetsu 15-5 in 6 innings. That setup a matchup in the block final against Iwamizawa Higashi whose semi had a flurry of runs but when the dust cleared, had a 9-5 win.
Takikawa Nishi would send out their relief corps to start the game, but that didn't go well. Much like Asahikawa, Takikawa would give Iwamizawa 3 runs to start the game. However, unlike that game, Takikawa would get all those runs back in the 3rd.
And when Iwamizawa scored a run in the 5th, Takikawa leveled it again in the 6th.
However, when they were asked to come back for a 3rd time after Iwamizawa scored 3 the next inning, there was nothing left for Takikawa. Iwamizawa Higashi advances with a 7-4 win.
Nayoro
Nayoro was the first region to start and finish in the Kita Hokkaido region, and the games pretty much went without much excitement. Teshio did give Wakkanai a good run in the Block A final, tying the game at 1 in the 5th, but when Wakkanai scored 2 in the bottom of the 8th Teshio couldn't scramble a quick response.
In Block B, Wakkanai Ootani didn't have any problems in their 2 games, mercy ruling Wakkanai Shoukou and yielding just a run in the 9th to Hamatonbetsu in a 5-1 win to advance to prefectural play.
Kushine
Kushine is home to Bushuukan, who perennially seems to be in the prefectural brackets had some competition in Block C. Kushiro Shougyou blew out their first 2 opponents 28-7 and looked to play spoiler.
Bushuukan did get out to a 2-0 lead after 2 innings. But a run in the 2nd pulled Kushiro within 1, and another run in the 5th tied things up. Ace Ookubo couldn't keep the game tied, giving up a run in the 7th and 8th innings, falling 4-2.
Block A started off uneventful except for the Betsukai-Kushiro Koryou game where Betsukai scored 2 in the 7th to pull out a 4-3 win. And after 2 7-inning mercy ruled games, we had Kushiro Hokuyou and Kushiro Kounan in the block finals.
Kounan jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st only to see Hokuyou score 3 in the next half inning to take the lead. Ace Oota though couldn't hold it for long, giving up the douten run in the 3rd. Two innings later he would give up the go-ahead run, and that's where it ended with Kushiro Kounan advancing with a 4-3 win.
And finally in Block B, after a blowout to start the block, Kushiro Meiki shuts out Shibecha 3-0 in the middle game while Shibetsu and Teshikaga decided to do all their scoring in the 2nd half of their game. Teshikaga led 3-0, then Shibetsu led 4-3 the next half inning, and then it was tied the half-inning after that. 5 in the 8th for Shibetsu ended things though.
Two more blowouts in the semis meant that Kushiro Kougyou and Shibetsu would play for a spot in the prefecturals.
The game though was anti-climatic though as Kushiro Kougyou had their 3rd mercy-ruled game, winning 10-3 in 7 innings.
Kitami
Kitami block play overall was dominated for the most part by 3 teams - Engaru, Memanbetsu and Kitami Hakuyou though Kitami Hakuyou did need a 5-run 5th to hold off Kitami Kougyou
9-6 in the Block C final.
Asahikawa
The Asahikawa region has actually had quite a few Koushien participants - Asahikawadai, Asahikawa Jitsugyou, and Asahikawa Kougyou. The former team wound up in Block B, the latter 2 in Block C.
So Block A was a bit open for all, and the block started out with some nice games. Asahikawa Touei scored the only run in the top of the 9th to defeat Kami-Furano. Haboro led Rumoi Senbou 4-1 before Rumoi clawed back to level in the 8th. Haboro closed the door though with 2 in their half of the 8th inning for the win.
In round 2, Asahikawa Nishi finally got their turn on the field and proceeded to dispatch Kamikawa 10-3 in 7 innings. Their opponent in the final would be Asahikawa Touei who defeated Haboro 4-1.
And in the block final, Asahikawa Nishi pulled out to a 2-0 lead. When they scored 4 in the 5th, it looked all but over. Touei though wanted to make a game out of it and scored 4 of their own also in the 5th. But outside of that one offensive outburst, they could manage no more, falling 6-4.
Asahikawadai in Block B started off with a slim 1-0 win over Asahikawa Tousen. In fact, all 1st round games in Block B were relatively low scoring. That changed when Asahikawa Minami played their 1st game in round 2. They mercy ruled Asahikawa Ryuukoku 7-0 in 7 innings perhaps putting themselves in the driver's seat to advance. Their opponent would be Asahikawadai as the offense picked up ace Nozawa after he blew a 3-0 lead late scoring the sayonara run in the bottom of the 9th.
In the block final, Asahikawadai would send up reliever Sasaki to start the game... which ended disastrously. Asahikawa Minami was spotted 3 runs from the 1st inning, and never recovered. 3 runs in the 8th inning ended the game 9-2 in favor of Minami.
Finally, in Block C Asahikawa Kougyou and Asahikawa Jitsugyou were on an immediate collision course after winning their 1st round games. In that matchup, Jitsugyou came out to an early 2-0 lead. Kougyou would tie it up quickly in the 3rd and then blew it open with 5 runs between the 6th & 7th innings. Last year's representative had no answer to the offensive outburst and fell 7-3.
Their opponent in the final would be Furano Ryokuhou who edged out Asahikawa Higashi 3-2 in the semifinal. But Asahikawa Kougyou ace Miyano would throw a 1-hit shutout to send his team to the prefecturals.
And in looking at Miyano, I'll be interested to see how he does. Why?
He throws a knuckleball.
Tokachi
The Tokachi draw this year was unfortunate in that the two main teams from this region, Shirakaba Gakuen and Obihiro Ootani were put in the same block. So the winner of that matchup in the semifinals would in all likelihood would be the Block A winner.
Shirakaba would jump out to a 3-0 1st inning lead. But by the 3rd, Ootani would tie the score. Shirakaba once again scored 3, this time in the 5th. And when Ootani tried to claw back, they scored 4 more to make it a 10-4 game.
There was no quit though from the Obihiro squad, and a 4-spot in the 8th made it 11-8. However, that would be the final margin giving Shirakaba Gakuen the keys to the prefecturals.
All that was left was a formality against Obihiro Nougyou. Except that Obihiro ace Murosaki wouldn't let them get away that easy, yielding just 1 run in the 5th early on. However, his offense couldn't score for him, and when Shirakaba added an insurance run in the top of the 9th, it was too much. Obihiro Nougyou would get back that run, but only that run, falling 2-1.
Block B was full of blowouts save for the first game between Obihiro Ryokuyou and Obihiro Sanjyou. That game saw respective aces Oowada and Hirayama pitch 9 shutout innings. Then 10... 11... 12... and 13 innings! With the game so close to the 15 inning limit, I'm sure both teams couldn't afford a replay.
And so Ryokuyou concludes things by scoring 3 in the top of the 14th for the win.
After that, the blowouts started. Honbetsu, Shimizu and Obihiro Minami Shougyou all shutout their opponents to the tune of a combined 28-0.
In the semis, the extended inning game didn't seem to phase Ryokuyou at all as Honbetsu was outplayed 9-2 in 8 innings. Their opponent would be Shimizu who won their semi 10-1 in 7 innings.
However, the Sasaki duo from Shimizu couldn't hold off Obihiro Ryokuyou as they advanced with a 8-0 win in 7 innings.
Sorachi
The sister school of Komadai Tomakomai, Komadai Iwamizawa has had more success reaching Koushien as of late. They headlined Block A in Sorachi and had absolutely no stressful games as the pitching staff throws 3 shutouts of 10-0, 15-0 and 6-0 to advance to the prefecturals.
Takikawa Nishi was looking for yet another prefectural appearance in Block B, but stumbled a bit coming out of the gate against Iwamizawa Ryokuryou. Ace Iwasaki couldn't stop their offense from pinging them with single runs. He was unable to hold a 2-run lead and in fact gave Ryokuryou a 5-4 lead. But the offense picked him up, scoring 2 in the bottom of the 8th and he was able to hold that for a 6-5 win.
In the semis, they had a much easier time, mercy ruling Ashibetsu 15-5 in 6 innings. That setup a matchup in the block final against Iwamizawa Higashi whose semi had a flurry of runs but when the dust cleared, had a 9-5 win.
Takikawa Nishi would send out their relief corps to start the game, but that didn't go well. Much like Asahikawa, Takikawa would give Iwamizawa 3 runs to start the game. However, unlike that game, Takikawa would get all those runs back in the 3rd.
And when Iwamizawa scored a run in the 5th, Takikawa leveled it again in the 6th.
However, when they were asked to come back for a 3rd time after Iwamizawa scored 3 the next inning, there was nothing left for Takikawa. Iwamizawa Higashi advances with a 7-4 win.
Nayoro
Nayoro was the first region to start and finish in the Kita Hokkaido region, and the games pretty much went without much excitement. Teshio did give Wakkanai a good run in the Block A final, tying the game at 1 in the 5th, but when Wakkanai scored 2 in the bottom of the 8th Teshio couldn't scramble a quick response.
In Block B, Wakkanai Ootani didn't have any problems in their 2 games, mercy ruling Wakkanai Shoukou and yielding just a run in the 9th to Hamatonbetsu in a 5-1 win to advance to prefectural play.
Kushine
Kushine is home to Bushuukan, who perennially seems to be in the prefectural brackets had some competition in Block C. Kushiro Shougyou blew out their first 2 opponents 28-7 and looked to play spoiler.
Bushuukan did get out to a 2-0 lead after 2 innings. But a run in the 2nd pulled Kushiro within 1, and another run in the 5th tied things up. Ace Ookubo couldn't keep the game tied, giving up a run in the 7th and 8th innings, falling 4-2.
Block A started off uneventful except for the Betsukai-Kushiro Koryou game where Betsukai scored 2 in the 7th to pull out a 4-3 win. And after 2 7-inning mercy ruled games, we had Kushiro Hokuyou and Kushiro Kounan in the block finals.
Kounan jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st only to see Hokuyou score 3 in the next half inning to take the lead. Ace Oota though couldn't hold it for long, giving up the douten run in the 3rd. Two innings later he would give up the go-ahead run, and that's where it ended with Kushiro Kounan advancing with a 4-3 win.
And finally in Block B, after a blowout to start the block, Kushiro Meiki shuts out Shibecha 3-0 in the middle game while Shibetsu and Teshikaga decided to do all their scoring in the 2nd half of their game. Teshikaga led 3-0, then Shibetsu led 4-3 the next half inning, and then it was tied the half-inning after that. 5 in the 8th for Shibetsu ended things though.
Two more blowouts in the semis meant that Kushiro Kougyou and Shibetsu would play for a spot in the prefecturals.
The game though was anti-climatic though as Kushiro Kougyou had their 3rd mercy-ruled game, winning 10-3 in 7 innings.
2011 Natsu Qualifying - 1st Update
Ok, I've spend the last couple of weeks furiously trying to get the brackets translated, and as of right now all brackets are up except Niigata, Nagano and Shizuoka. Bleh.
Anyways, I've neglected games going on right now, so let's take a tour of the prefectures in progress.
Okinawa
The first upset of the Natsu Koushien qualifying came rather quickly. As a seeded team, Kadena lost in its very first game to Misato Shougyou 5-3! Worse yet, they actually fell behind 4-0 after just the first inning!
Neither of the other seeded teams, Urasoe Shougyou nor Okinawa Kougyou had trouble (Itoman was the lucky team drawing a first round bye).
Kounan also breezed through the first round, winning 23-0 over Chuubu Nourin in 5 innings.
We also had our first rainouts on the 25th, pushing back games a day. Okinawa is one of a few prefectures who do not release a complete schedule of games, instead optioning to release dates as each round completes. That in some ways makes sense as more often than not games are pushed back due to weather. In this case, it actually pushed back the next round on one side of the bracket to match the same weekend as the other.
Okinawa Kougyou was the next team to fall, losing in a pitcher's duel 1-0 to Yaeyama. Yaeyama Shoukou's run too ended early as they were shutout 3-0 to Mawashi.
Itoman finally kicked off their run in the beginning of July, only to have Ginoza hang in there for 9 innings before winning 2-1.
Okinawa Shogaku, always a strong team, had their second called game in as many played, defeating Hokuzan 13-4 in 7 innings. Kounan was much the same, throwing their 2nd called shutout against Haebaru 9-0 also in 7. Urasoe Shougyou meanwhile has methodically plodded on through the first two rounds winning 6-0 and 7-2.
In other games, Tomishiro scored 7 runs in an inning, but still had to protect against Naha Kokusai's furious rally. They would hold on 10-8. And Nanbu Kougyou kept their Koushien hopes alive with a sayonara run in the 9th to defeat Yaeyama Nourin 2-1.
As of today, Okinawa is in the round of 16. Teams still alive include:
Kagoshima
Kagoshima was the 4th region to begin play, not sure why they start early (Okinawa and Hokkaido I understand because the regions are so big).
Anyways, the first day started with some exciting games over at Kamoike Citizens ballpark. First, Sensatsu Seishuukan down 1 in the 9th against Izumi Kougyou scores the tying run, then follows that up an inning later with the sayonara run.
Next, Ibusuki and Sendai Shoukou were scoreless for the first 7 innings before leadoff batter Horizoe breaks the deadlock in the 8th with Shimobarai adding an insurance run in the 9th for a 2-0 win.
Day 2 was highlighted by shutouts. In fact, all 6 games were shutouts:
@Prefectural Kamoike
Games today have been completed with no real standouts per se outside of Sendai scoring 4 runs late to beat Makurazaki, and Shouyou holding off a run by Tanegashima to win 4-3.
The seeded teams will begin play starting tomorrow with last year's representative Kagoshima Jitsugyou facing Tsurumaru.
Minami Hokkaido
Both Minami Hokkaido and Kita Hokkaido have finished regional play and will take a respite before drawing their round of 16.
So, that said, let's go around the regions...
Sapporo
I suppose it follows that since Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido by far, that they have 7 of the 16 bids in Minami Hokkaido.
Block A started off with a bang. Towa no mori held a 5-1 lead over Sapporo Higashi. But then it all fell apart. 3 runs in the 8th pulled Sapporo Minami within 1, and then in the end 2 more would send Towa no mori home heartbroken.
That wouldn't last as Higashi's run would end the next game, getting mercy ruled 9-2 in 7 innings against Ritsumeikan Keishou.
In fact, all games in the 2nd round were mercy ruled save for Sapporo Dai-ichi who shutout Sapporo Seiryou 5-0.
That changed in the semifinals where they went a quick 5 innings against Eniwa Minami, while Ritsumeikan Keishou needed all 9 innings to win 1-0 over Chitose.
Sure enough, Sapporo Dai-ichi prevailed in Block A with a 9-1 win in 8 innings over Ritsumeikan.
Block B too started off with a bang. Sapporo Takuhoku held a 7-2 lead over Sapporo Okadama. But in the 7th and 8th innings, they would score 5 runs to level the score. That momentum continued into the 10th as they scored 3 to take a commanding 10-7 lead. All was not lost for Takuhoku as they mounted their own rally pulling within 1. However, that would be all that they would score falling 10-9 in extras.
But they too would go quickly thereafter, losing 7-0 in 8 innings to Sapporo Minami. The mercy ruled games continued at Maruyama Stadium while over in Chitose, Sapporo Yamanote holds a civil 5-2 win over Sapporo Kita.
In the semis, Sapporo Minami continued its run with yet another 7-0 win in 8 innings over Sapporo Sousei. Their opponent in the final would be Sapporo Yamanote who decided to join the mercy rule party defeating Sapporo Touun 17-4!
But it's all about what you do in the end that matters, and in the end, Sapporo Minami would advance out of Block B with a 3-1 win.
Block C continued the trend of teams not wanting to draw the extra game. Sapporo Moiwa would win that opening game, only to lose to Sapporo Ootani in the next round.
Ooasa and Sapporo Keisei had an interesting 2nd round game. Ooasa held a slim 1-0 lead late only to have Keisei score 3 in the bottom of the 8th. You'd think that Ooasa wouldn't be able to muster a quick reply, but of course you'd be wrong. Because Ooasa would score 3 of their own in the top of the 9th, regaining that one-run lead to win 4-3.
Games in Block C seemed to be at least more competitive, as there were less mercy ruled games. Once exception in round 2 was Shoushi Gakuen who routed Bunkyoudai Meisei 21-0.
In the semifinals, Ooasa tried to make a late inning rally a moot point, building a 9-3 lead over Sapporo Ootani. But the bottom of the 8th inning must be their kryptonite as Sapporo Ootani scored 8 runs. 8! And this time Ooasa had no rally in the 9th. Shoushi Gakuen would be their opponent in the finals.
And Shoushi Gakuen would prove to be too much for Sapporo Ootani as they led wire-to-wire, winning the block with a 6-3 victory.
The middle block, Block D had no extra game, so no team felt like they were screwed from the get go. Seriously though, Tokai Dai-yon announced their presence with a 10-2 win in 8 innings over Sapporo Shinoro.
Sapporo Nichidai, probably the only threat to Toukai Dai-yon, needed a 3-run 6th to defeat Sapporo Ryuukoku 4-2.
And in fact, the expected matchup of Tokai and Nichidai would happen as both won their semifinal games in similar fashion to their first game.
Now perhaps Tokai's first 2 games gave them overconfidence as in the block final it was Nichidai that started off with a 2-0 lead. Then in the 4th, everything exploded. Tokai figured it had enough of being behind and proceeded to score 6 runs to take a commanding 6-2 lead. Commanding in the sense that Nichidai had scored 4 runs in the last 2 games.
But I guess this being the block final, Nichidai had something in them, because in their half of the 4th, they scored 5! And that meant that they retook the lead 7-6.
That was only the 4th inning though, which meant that Nichidai would have to hold the lead for 5 more innings.
They couldn't.
Tokai would score a run in the next 3 innings to win 9-7 and advance.
Block E begins the sets of games at Sapporo Asabu stadium. Kita-Hiroshima and Sapporo Seishuu decided to christen qualifying there with a thrilling game. Both teams tallied a run in the 6th as the game would spill into extras. It wouldn't be until the 12 inning where the game would be decided as Kita-Hiroshima scores the sayonara run.
Now certainly their run would end against heavy favorite Hokkai Gakuen Sapporo. Remember, no other team had won after playing the extra game.
Apparently, Kita-Hiroshima didn't get the memo.
Staking Hokkai Gakuen a 2-0 lead right off the bat, Kita-Hiroshima didn't panic. Starting in the 3rd inning, they scored 6 unanswered runs to take a surprising 6-2 lead! But Hokkai Gakuen has the experience and with 4 innings to go with the sticks there was plenty of time.
And in the 8th, Hokkai Gakuen would score 3 runs to pull within 1.
But reliever Tsugawa would shut the door in the 9th, giving Kita-Hiroshima the amazing upset!
That game blew open the block completely, and with all other teams yet to play their first game, it gave everyone a renewed sense of hope. I mean, I know that each team has a chance to win, but you have to think in the back of some people's mind they know that their chances aren't that good.
Eniwa Kita and Sapporo Kougyou took that second wind and proceeded to mercy rule their opponents. Sapporo Hakuryou meanwhile had a ho-hum 6-3 win over Nopporo.
Oh, and if one 9-2 win in 8 innings wasn't enough for Eniwa Kita, they decided to do it again in the semifinals against Sapporo Hokuryou to setup a final with Cinderella Kita-Hiroshima.
You had the feeling though, that it was the destiny of one team to win this block. Kita-Hiroshima had no post-upset hangover facing Sapporo Kougyou. In fact the spectacled Yonegawa and his reliever Tsugawa proceeded to shutout the industrial school 5-0!
So one more game for Kita-Hiroshima and they would advance to the prefectual bracket. In their way seemed a formidable Eniwa Kita squad. But the pitching duo would continue their amazing run shutting out the Eniwa Kita boys for 9 innings. But ace Oota for Eniwa would do the same.
And bless the boys from Kita-Hiroshima, their hearts got broken in the bottom of the 10th as Eniwa Kita scores the sayonara run to advance to the round of 16...
Block F featured another heavy favorite to advance out of Minami Hokkaido - Hokkai. Already, their bretheren in Block E was eliminated, so they have to hold the flag for their schools.
Which in reality isn't hard.
So it would really come down to if there was any team that could challenge. Sapporo Keihoku Shougyou stayed with Hokkai for 7 innings trailing 2-1, but 4 runs in the 8th killed that. And the only team that seemed to have a bevy of offense, Sapporo Shinkawa, lacked sufficent pitching to make it effective as they blow a 6-3 late culminiating with 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th to give Kotoni Kougyou the sayonara win.
That basically handed the block to Hokkai as they proceeded to win 9-0 in 7 innings.
In the final Sapporo block, Block G, Hokuseidai Fuzoku made sure that Kita-Hiroshima would be the only team to play an extra game and get past the 2nd round by defeating 10-0 in 8. In fact, all 2nd round games were not really contested as Kokusai Jyouhou, Sapporo Kousei and Sapporo Teine all won easily.
Sadly for Hokuseidai, their run would end the semis as Kokusai Jyouhou stymied the offense winning 2-1. Their opponent would be Sapporo Kousei who had their 2nd called game against Sapporo Teine.
Ace Takada would try his best to keep Teine in the game, but the 2 runs he would give up in the 3rd would wind up being the final margin as Sapporo Kousei would win 4-2.
Otaru
Otaru is home to Hokushou, who has had multiple Koushien appearances. They headed up Block A and well... until I find a team that can really challenge Hokushou, there really isn't much to talk about in their block. Yes, Otaru Suisan did have 2 mercy rule games, but when it came crunch time, they folded 12-0 in 5 innings. And in one other notable game, the new Yoichi Koushi almost advanced out of their first game, but the bullpen couldn't hold, giving up 5 in the 8th to lose to Otaru Meihou 10-9.
In Block B, Otaru Chouryou looked to be the favorite to advance. And after a 10-4 win over Rankoshi was poised to do so. Their opponent in the final would be Otaru Kougyou who played 2 relatively low-scoring games. However in the final, they spotted their opponents 3 runs which wound up being the final margin of victory.
Muroran
Block A for Muroran had another Koushien regular, Mukawa. And after a 7-0 win over Mururan Toushou, things looked good. But then against Muroran Ootani, it went awry. First they gave up 2 quick runs in the 1st inning. Then after pulling within 1, they gave up 3 more. By the time it was over, Mukawa had fallen 6-2 and for the remaining semifinal, there a new sense of optimism.
Tomakomai Chuo decided to run through that open door, defeating Noboribetsu Ootani 8-1, and then dashed Muroran Ootani's hopes with a convincing 13-1 win in 5 innings!
Block B had Hokkaido Sakae, who perennially reaches prefectural play, but can't get any further. Their path was made easier early as Norobestu Seiryou and Abuta played a stressful game, with Abuta rallying from down 3 late to tie it up a 5, then taking the lead in the 10th, only to see Seiryou score 2 in the bottom of the 10th for the win.
Hokkaido Sakae would take full advantage scoring 12 in the 1st against Seiryou, winning 18-0 in 5. It would be smooth sailing from there as they would win the next 2 games 7-0 in 8 and 9-0 in 7 to advance to the round of 16.
And finally in Block C, are we witnessing the comeback of Komadai Tomakomai? The team that gave Hokkaido their 1st (and 2nd!) Koushien titles entered a quiet period after the departure of their ace Tanaka Masahiro to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
It wasn't as convincing as perhaps Hokkaido Sakae, but Komadai Tomakomai did advance out of Block C, though Tomakomai Higashi did have something to say about it, holding the game tied at 1 until the 13th where reliever Torikoshi couldn't hold them off any longer, giving up 3 runs.
Hakodate
Finally, we hit the last region down in the southernmost part of Hokkaido - Hakodate.
Block A belonged to one of my irrational favorites (well, not totally irrational - they are a good team) in Hakodatedai Yuuto.
And they basically owned Block A, winning their 3 games by a combined score of 36-0! Honorable mentions go to Matsumae who won their first two games before losing in the block final 20-3, and Hakodate LaSalle who scored 2 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Yakumo 4-3.
In Block B, Hakodate Ryuuhoku who advanced to the prefecturals last year look to do so again. And after a 10-0 win in 5 over Kamiiso, things looked good. But then against Hakodate Chuubu, they got a flat. Chuubu would never trail in the matchup, and won 6-1. They would face Nanae who led Hakodate Suisan 3-0 after 1, but then found themselves down 6-3 with 3 innings left to go. They then scored a pair of runs in the next 2 innings to take a 7-6 lead and would win by that score.
Hakodate Chuubu would easily win the block final, winning 8-0 in 7 innings.
Finally in Block C we had two sides to this bracket. One side was filled with blowouts, the other with contested games. While Shiriuchi and Hakodate Nishi had won their games by a combined 18-3, Hakodate Shougyou rallied from down 5-2 with 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th to win 6-5 over Hakodate Shougyou and Okushiri pulled within 1 against Hakodate Ootani, only to see Ootani re-extend that lead to 3, winning 5-2.
In the semis, Shiriuchi blew out Nishi 13-1, while Shougyou shutout out Ootani 2-0.
So what type of game would we see in the finals? A blowout, or a nailbiter?
Well, the game started with Shiriuchi scoring 3 runs in the first 2 innings. After that though, Hakodate Shougyou's ace Nishimura shut them down. Meanwhile, his offense would start clawing back with a run in the 4th, and another in the 7th. Still looking for the equalizer, Shiriuchi's ace Takeuchi wouldn't given it to them. He pitches a complete game 3-2 win to send the team to the prefecturals.
I'll cover Kita Hokkaido tomorrow, just wanted to get this out now since these prefectures are already so deep into qualifying.
Anyways, I've neglected games going on right now, so let's take a tour of the prefectures in progress.
Okinawa
The first upset of the Natsu Koushien qualifying came rather quickly. As a seeded team, Kadena lost in its very first game to Misato Shougyou 5-3! Worse yet, they actually fell behind 4-0 after just the first inning!
Neither of the other seeded teams, Urasoe Shougyou nor Okinawa Kougyou had trouble (Itoman was the lucky team drawing a first round bye).
Kounan also breezed through the first round, winning 23-0 over Chuubu Nourin in 5 innings.
We also had our first rainouts on the 25th, pushing back games a day. Okinawa is one of a few prefectures who do not release a complete schedule of games, instead optioning to release dates as each round completes. That in some ways makes sense as more often than not games are pushed back due to weather. In this case, it actually pushed back the next round on one side of the bracket to match the same weekend as the other.
Okinawa Kougyou was the next team to fall, losing in a pitcher's duel 1-0 to Yaeyama. Yaeyama Shoukou's run too ended early as they were shutout 3-0 to Mawashi.
Itoman finally kicked off their run in the beginning of July, only to have Ginoza hang in there for 9 innings before winning 2-1.
Okinawa Shogaku, always a strong team, had their second called game in as many played, defeating Hokuzan 13-4 in 7 innings. Kounan was much the same, throwing their 2nd called shutout against Haebaru 9-0 also in 7. Urasoe Shougyou meanwhile has methodically plodded on through the first two rounds winning 6-0 and 7-2.
In other games, Tomishiro scored 7 runs in an inning, but still had to protect against Naha Kokusai's furious rally. They would hold on 10-8. And Nanbu Kougyou kept their Koushien hopes alive with a sayonara run in the 9th to defeat Yaeyama Nourin 2-1.
As of today, Okinawa is in the round of 16. Teams still alive include:
- Itoman v. Chinen
- Okinawa Shogaku v. Yaeyama
- Kounan v. Gushikawa
- Urasoe Shougyou v. Chuubu Shougyou
Kagoshima
Kagoshima was the 4th region to begin play, not sure why they start early (Okinawa and Hokkaido I understand because the regions are so big).
Anyways, the first day started with some exciting games over at Kamoike Citizens ballpark. First, Sensatsu Seishuukan down 1 in the 9th against Izumi Kougyou scores the tying run, then follows that up an inning later with the sayonara run.
Next, Ibusuki and Sendai Shoukou were scoreless for the first 7 innings before leadoff batter Horizoe breaks the deadlock in the 8th with Shimobarai adding an insurance run in the 9th for a 2-0 win.
Day 2 was highlighted by shutouts. In fact, all 6 games were shutouts:
@Prefectural Kamoike
- Ijyuuin def. Ooshima 7-0 (7 innings)
- Takeokadai def. Shigakukan 10-0 (5 innings)
- Satsuma Chuo def. Kushira Shougyou 2-0
- Shoushikan def. Kagoshima Higashi 2-0
- Tokunoshima def. Ariake 2-0
- Kagoshima def. Ei 3-0
Games today have been completed with no real standouts per se outside of Sendai scoring 4 runs late to beat Makurazaki, and Shouyou holding off a run by Tanegashima to win 4-3.
The seeded teams will begin play starting tomorrow with last year's representative Kagoshima Jitsugyou facing Tsurumaru.
Minami Hokkaido
Both Minami Hokkaido and Kita Hokkaido have finished regional play and will take a respite before drawing their round of 16.
So, that said, let's go around the regions...
Sapporo
I suppose it follows that since Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido by far, that they have 7 of the 16 bids in Minami Hokkaido.
Block A started off with a bang. Towa no mori held a 5-1 lead over Sapporo Higashi. But then it all fell apart. 3 runs in the 8th pulled Sapporo Minami within 1, and then in the end 2 more would send Towa no mori home heartbroken.
That wouldn't last as Higashi's run would end the next game, getting mercy ruled 9-2 in 7 innings against Ritsumeikan Keishou.
In fact, all games in the 2nd round were mercy ruled save for Sapporo Dai-ichi who shutout Sapporo Seiryou 5-0.
That changed in the semifinals where they went a quick 5 innings against Eniwa Minami, while Ritsumeikan Keishou needed all 9 innings to win 1-0 over Chitose.
Sure enough, Sapporo Dai-ichi prevailed in Block A with a 9-1 win in 8 innings over Ritsumeikan.
Block B too started off with a bang. Sapporo Takuhoku held a 7-2 lead over Sapporo Okadama. But in the 7th and 8th innings, they would score 5 runs to level the score. That momentum continued into the 10th as they scored 3 to take a commanding 10-7 lead. All was not lost for Takuhoku as they mounted their own rally pulling within 1. However, that would be all that they would score falling 10-9 in extras.
But they too would go quickly thereafter, losing 7-0 in 8 innings to Sapporo Minami. The mercy ruled games continued at Maruyama Stadium while over in Chitose, Sapporo Yamanote holds a civil 5-2 win over Sapporo Kita.
In the semis, Sapporo Minami continued its run with yet another 7-0 win in 8 innings over Sapporo Sousei. Their opponent in the final would be Sapporo Yamanote who decided to join the mercy rule party defeating Sapporo Touun 17-4!
But it's all about what you do in the end that matters, and in the end, Sapporo Minami would advance out of Block B with a 3-1 win.
Block C continued the trend of teams not wanting to draw the extra game. Sapporo Moiwa would win that opening game, only to lose to Sapporo Ootani in the next round.
Ooasa and Sapporo Keisei had an interesting 2nd round game. Ooasa held a slim 1-0 lead late only to have Keisei score 3 in the bottom of the 8th. You'd think that Ooasa wouldn't be able to muster a quick reply, but of course you'd be wrong. Because Ooasa would score 3 of their own in the top of the 9th, regaining that one-run lead to win 4-3.
Games in Block C seemed to be at least more competitive, as there were less mercy ruled games. Once exception in round 2 was Shoushi Gakuen who routed Bunkyoudai Meisei 21-0.
In the semifinals, Ooasa tried to make a late inning rally a moot point, building a 9-3 lead over Sapporo Ootani. But the bottom of the 8th inning must be their kryptonite as Sapporo Ootani scored 8 runs. 8! And this time Ooasa had no rally in the 9th. Shoushi Gakuen would be their opponent in the finals.
And Shoushi Gakuen would prove to be too much for Sapporo Ootani as they led wire-to-wire, winning the block with a 6-3 victory.
The middle block, Block D had no extra game, so no team felt like they were screwed from the get go. Seriously though, Tokai Dai-yon announced their presence with a 10-2 win in 8 innings over Sapporo Shinoro.
Sapporo Nichidai, probably the only threat to Toukai Dai-yon, needed a 3-run 6th to defeat Sapporo Ryuukoku 4-2.
And in fact, the expected matchup of Tokai and Nichidai would happen as both won their semifinal games in similar fashion to their first game.
Now perhaps Tokai's first 2 games gave them overconfidence as in the block final it was Nichidai that started off with a 2-0 lead. Then in the 4th, everything exploded. Tokai figured it had enough of being behind and proceeded to score 6 runs to take a commanding 6-2 lead. Commanding in the sense that Nichidai had scored 4 runs in the last 2 games.
But I guess this being the block final, Nichidai had something in them, because in their half of the 4th, they scored 5! And that meant that they retook the lead 7-6.
That was only the 4th inning though, which meant that Nichidai would have to hold the lead for 5 more innings.
They couldn't.
Tokai would score a run in the next 3 innings to win 9-7 and advance.
Block E begins the sets of games at Sapporo Asabu stadium. Kita-Hiroshima and Sapporo Seishuu decided to christen qualifying there with a thrilling game. Both teams tallied a run in the 6th as the game would spill into extras. It wouldn't be until the 12 inning where the game would be decided as Kita-Hiroshima scores the sayonara run.
Now certainly their run would end against heavy favorite Hokkai Gakuen Sapporo. Remember, no other team had won after playing the extra game.
Apparently, Kita-Hiroshima didn't get the memo.
Staking Hokkai Gakuen a 2-0 lead right off the bat, Kita-Hiroshima didn't panic. Starting in the 3rd inning, they scored 6 unanswered runs to take a surprising 6-2 lead! But Hokkai Gakuen has the experience and with 4 innings to go with the sticks there was plenty of time.
And in the 8th, Hokkai Gakuen would score 3 runs to pull within 1.
But reliever Tsugawa would shut the door in the 9th, giving Kita-Hiroshima the amazing upset!
That game blew open the block completely, and with all other teams yet to play their first game, it gave everyone a renewed sense of hope. I mean, I know that each team has a chance to win, but you have to think in the back of some people's mind they know that their chances aren't that good.
Eniwa Kita and Sapporo Kougyou took that second wind and proceeded to mercy rule their opponents. Sapporo Hakuryou meanwhile had a ho-hum 6-3 win over Nopporo.
Oh, and if one 9-2 win in 8 innings wasn't enough for Eniwa Kita, they decided to do it again in the semifinals against Sapporo Hokuryou to setup a final with Cinderella Kita-Hiroshima.
You had the feeling though, that it was the destiny of one team to win this block. Kita-Hiroshima had no post-upset hangover facing Sapporo Kougyou. In fact the spectacled Yonegawa and his reliever Tsugawa proceeded to shutout the industrial school 5-0!
So one more game for Kita-Hiroshima and they would advance to the prefectual bracket. In their way seemed a formidable Eniwa Kita squad. But the pitching duo would continue their amazing run shutting out the Eniwa Kita boys for 9 innings. But ace Oota for Eniwa would do the same.
And bless the boys from Kita-Hiroshima, their hearts got broken in the bottom of the 10th as Eniwa Kita scores the sayonara run to advance to the round of 16...
Block F featured another heavy favorite to advance out of Minami Hokkaido - Hokkai. Already, their bretheren in Block E was eliminated, so they have to hold the flag for their schools.
Which in reality isn't hard.
So it would really come down to if there was any team that could challenge. Sapporo Keihoku Shougyou stayed with Hokkai for 7 innings trailing 2-1, but 4 runs in the 8th killed that. And the only team that seemed to have a bevy of offense, Sapporo Shinkawa, lacked sufficent pitching to make it effective as they blow a 6-3 late culminiating with 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th to give Kotoni Kougyou the sayonara win.
That basically handed the block to Hokkai as they proceeded to win 9-0 in 7 innings.
In the final Sapporo block, Block G, Hokuseidai Fuzoku made sure that Kita-Hiroshima would be the only team to play an extra game and get past the 2nd round by defeating 10-0 in 8. In fact, all 2nd round games were not really contested as Kokusai Jyouhou, Sapporo Kousei and Sapporo Teine all won easily.
Sadly for Hokuseidai, their run would end the semis as Kokusai Jyouhou stymied the offense winning 2-1. Their opponent would be Sapporo Kousei who had their 2nd called game against Sapporo Teine.
Ace Takada would try his best to keep Teine in the game, but the 2 runs he would give up in the 3rd would wind up being the final margin as Sapporo Kousei would win 4-2.
Otaru
Otaru is home to Hokushou, who has had multiple Koushien appearances. They headed up Block A and well... until I find a team that can really challenge Hokushou, there really isn't much to talk about in their block. Yes, Otaru Suisan did have 2 mercy rule games, but when it came crunch time, they folded 12-0 in 5 innings. And in one other notable game, the new Yoichi Koushi almost advanced out of their first game, but the bullpen couldn't hold, giving up 5 in the 8th to lose to Otaru Meihou 10-9.
In Block B, Otaru Chouryou looked to be the favorite to advance. And after a 10-4 win over Rankoshi was poised to do so. Their opponent in the final would be Otaru Kougyou who played 2 relatively low-scoring games. However in the final, they spotted their opponents 3 runs which wound up being the final margin of victory.
Muroran
Block A for Muroran had another Koushien regular, Mukawa. And after a 7-0 win over Mururan Toushou, things looked good. But then against Muroran Ootani, it went awry. First they gave up 2 quick runs in the 1st inning. Then after pulling within 1, they gave up 3 more. By the time it was over, Mukawa had fallen 6-2 and for the remaining semifinal, there a new sense of optimism.
Tomakomai Chuo decided to run through that open door, defeating Noboribetsu Ootani 8-1, and then dashed Muroran Ootani's hopes with a convincing 13-1 win in 5 innings!
Block B had Hokkaido Sakae, who perennially reaches prefectural play, but can't get any further. Their path was made easier early as Norobestu Seiryou and Abuta played a stressful game, with Abuta rallying from down 3 late to tie it up a 5, then taking the lead in the 10th, only to see Seiryou score 2 in the bottom of the 10th for the win.
Hokkaido Sakae would take full advantage scoring 12 in the 1st against Seiryou, winning 18-0 in 5. It would be smooth sailing from there as they would win the next 2 games 7-0 in 8 and 9-0 in 7 to advance to the round of 16.
And finally in Block C, are we witnessing the comeback of Komadai Tomakomai? The team that gave Hokkaido their 1st (and 2nd!) Koushien titles entered a quiet period after the departure of their ace Tanaka Masahiro to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
It wasn't as convincing as perhaps Hokkaido Sakae, but Komadai Tomakomai did advance out of Block C, though Tomakomai Higashi did have something to say about it, holding the game tied at 1 until the 13th where reliever Torikoshi couldn't hold them off any longer, giving up 3 runs.
Hakodate
Finally, we hit the last region down in the southernmost part of Hokkaido - Hakodate.
Block A belonged to one of my irrational favorites (well, not totally irrational - they are a good team) in Hakodatedai Yuuto.
And they basically owned Block A, winning their 3 games by a combined score of 36-0! Honorable mentions go to Matsumae who won their first two games before losing in the block final 20-3, and Hakodate LaSalle who scored 2 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Yakumo 4-3.
In Block B, Hakodate Ryuuhoku who advanced to the prefecturals last year look to do so again. And after a 10-0 win in 5 over Kamiiso, things looked good. But then against Hakodate Chuubu, they got a flat. Chuubu would never trail in the matchup, and won 6-1. They would face Nanae who led Hakodate Suisan 3-0 after 1, but then found themselves down 6-3 with 3 innings left to go. They then scored a pair of runs in the next 2 innings to take a 7-6 lead and would win by that score.
Hakodate Chuubu would easily win the block final, winning 8-0 in 7 innings.
Finally in Block C we had two sides to this bracket. One side was filled with blowouts, the other with contested games. While Shiriuchi and Hakodate Nishi had won their games by a combined 18-3, Hakodate Shougyou rallied from down 5-2 with 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th to win 6-5 over Hakodate Shougyou and Okushiri pulled within 1 against Hakodate Ootani, only to see Ootani re-extend that lead to 3, winning 5-2.
In the semis, Shiriuchi blew out Nishi 13-1, while Shougyou shutout out Ootani 2-0.
So what type of game would we see in the finals? A blowout, or a nailbiter?
Well, the game started with Shiriuchi scoring 3 runs in the first 2 innings. After that though, Hakodate Shougyou's ace Nishimura shut them down. Meanwhile, his offense would start clawing back with a run in the 4th, and another in the 7th. Still looking for the equalizer, Shiriuchi's ace Takeuchi wouldn't given it to them. He pitches a complete game 3-2 win to send the team to the prefecturals.
I'll cover Kita Hokkaido tomorrow, just wanted to get this out now since these prefectures are already so deep into qualifying.
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