Day 4 - Game 3 - Miyazaki Nishi (Miyazaki) vs. Aikoudai Meiden (Aichi)

Wrapping up Day 4 has a surprise invitee facing what was the 2nd best team in the fall.  Yes, yet another underdog battle.

Miyazaki Nishi probably wasn't imagining being invited to Koushien after losing in the quarterfinals 2-0 to Kyushu Gakuin.  I mean, they invite 4 teams and generally it's those that make the semifinals.

Yet when the announcements came out, the committee maybe to (a) get another 21st century team invited since they were the Kyushu nominee and (b) make it appear that it's not automatic to get an invitation, punished Souseikan for their 9-0 loss in the semifinal by giving Miyazaki Nishi a bid.

It's rather remarkable that they even made it as far as they did.  Their offense is on par with Takasaki's offense.  They have a team batting average of 0.246, and just 8 extra base hits of the 56 hits overall.  They don't walk and they rarely steal bases.

Their ace Todaka isn't terrible at allowing baserunners, but probably posts the lowest strikeout rate of all the ace number pitchers in the tournament (2.36 K/9!!).  That means a lot of balls in play and a lot of pressure on the defense.  Even then in 7 games they committed just 7 errors.

But something tells me that their defense will be pushed to the limit, because they've drawn Aikoudai Meiden.

If there was any team that probably had been tested this past fall, it was Ichiro's alma mater.  They played 20 tournament games this past fall.  20!  And went 19-1 with their only loss being the Meiji Jingu final to Kousei Gakuin!

Now, 13 of them were played in prefecture, so there's a good chance a lot of the numbers are skewed a bit.  But on the surface, the numbers look absolutely sick.  The offense (in 20 games) has a slash line of 0.362/0.458/0.603!  Ace Hamada recorded slightly more than a K/inning, while allowing less than a baserunner/inning!  And as for the defense, they only committed 6 errors in those 20 games (sorry, there's no way I can do sabermetrics to evaluate defense, so this is all you get for analysis).

Now certainly, the offense isn't as good as that, and the pitching isn't as dominant as shown either.  But it has to be good to a big extent, and regression from such a high level would still suggest a title-contending team.

Which is not good news for Miyazaki Nishi...

Miyazaki Nishi (Miyazaki)

CF  Okamoto Taito
SS  Hiwatashi Satoru
LF  Gotou Kouhri (#9)
C  Harada Taiki
P  Todaka Tatsurou
1B  Tomita Hiroki
3B  Takahashi Yuuta
RF  Takahashi Ryou (#7)
2B  Watanabe Ryuutarou

Aikoudai Meiden (Aichi)

2B  Kimura Toshiki
CF  Matsubara Fumiya
LF  Araki Yuuto
SS  Satou Daisuke
RF  Matsuoka Daisuke
1B  Torii Tatsunori
3B  Nakano Yoshiki
P  Hamada Tatsurou
C  Nakamura Yuutarou

__________________________________________________

13:24 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Aw!  Miyazaki Nishi has "宮西" in white on a red background in their oen-dan!

Okamoto fouls off several pitches before being frozen on the outside corner for the 1st out.  And after a groundout, Hamada strikes out Gotou on a slider away

Bottom 1st
Kimura with a swinging bunt.  Harada with the strong throw and that beats a diving Kimura.

*sighs*

And Todaka retires the next two batters on groundouts and it's a scoreless first frame.

Top 2nd
After two quick outs, Tomita singles to right.  And while Yuuta lines a ball, Nakano makes a leaping catch for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
Well, that can't be right, can it?  Todaka's fastball is in the high 110s??  And he has a slider in the 100's and a slow curve in the high 70s-low 80s???!!!

This might be a problem for Meiden in that they've probably never seen anything that slow as a fastball, and thus their timing might be off?

After a flyout by Satou, Matsuoka grounds out to 2nd, except that Tomita loses the ball?!  So man on via the error.

Hit-and-run!  Kurano-kantoku starts the hit and run and Torii singles to left!  Matsuoka heads for 3rd and the throw isn't in time!

Nakano with the safety bunt, but fouls it off!  Count goes to 2-2.

Nakano swings away and hits one to left.  Gotou coming in making the catch, and they're sending the runner home anyways!  Gotou's throw isn't in time and Nakano gets the sac fly.  Meiden takes a 1-0 lead!

Hamada gently placing a hit into right and runners are at the corners again for last battter Nakamura!

Nakamura tries a safety bunt, Todaka throws to first... and just gets him!  Three outs and Todaka gives up just the one run.

Top 3rd
Hamada's fastball isn't that fast (low-mid 130s), but he's very effective with them, locating them with great accuracy.  Combine that with the slider in the high 110-low 120s and I can see why.

He tries out Ryou swingin and Watanabe looking on 2 fastballs on the outside corner.  Okamoto grounds to short and it's an easy 1-2-3 inning.

Bottom 3rd
Kimura leads off the 3rd slicing a ball past a diving Hiwatasi for a base hit.

Matsubara pops it up on the hit-and-run, but Kimura doesn't notice to return!  Watanabe flicks the ball to 1st, and Tomita makes the stretch for the double play!

And Araki's timing n the slow curve is all off and he grounds out to 1st to end the inning!

Top 4th
Hamada continues to pound the outside corner as he strikes out Gotou for the 2nd out of the inning.

But he leaves one just a little fat and Harada singles to center.

But now that he's getting the outside corner, he's getting batters to chase, just like Todaka to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
Satou takes the first pitch away and bloops it to left for a single. Finally they go for the straight steal and Satou makes it in easily.

Todaka then loses Matsuoka and now there's runners on 1st and 2nd for Meiden.

Torii goes for the safety bunt, Todaka to field it, but can't field it cleanly!  The throw is late and it's manrui for Meiden as Kodama-kantoku calls for time.

SQUEEZE!!!!

They try the squeeze!  It goes up the 1st base line, Tomita charging, quick throw home... OUT!

Harada's foot blocks the slide and he makes the stretching pick for the force!

Hamada with the grounder to 1st.  Tomita throwing home again, and they get the force again! 2 down!

Nakamura with a hard grounder to the left side, under a diving Hiwatashi!  One run scores, two runs score and Meiden now leads 3-0!

Kimura flies out to left, but they finally get that timely base hit to extend the lead!

Top 5th
There's a delay as it appears that Satou was injured when his slide home was blocked by Harada's foot.

After a while, Kurano-kantoku gives the maru signal, and soon thereafter he takes the field.

8th K for Hamada as Tomita goes down swinging.  Yuuta goes down looking on the outside corner.

And make it 3 K's in the inning as Ryou is a victim of the outside corner - much like everyone else it seems.

Bottom 6th
One down, and Todaka give up just his 2nd walk to Araki.

Satou with a base hit over Takahashi down the line, Gotou there, AND IT GOES UNDER HIS GLOVE!

He has to turn around, but Araki easily scores as Satou gingerly gets to 3rd on the error!  4-0 Meiden!

Matsuoka with a soft base hit to left, and that makes it 5-0.

They're putting the pressure now as Matsuoka takes and steals 2nd.  It's getting to them as a wild pitch sends the runner to 3rd.

Torii with a hard hit past the drawn in infield makes it a 6-0 ballgame.  Nakano tries the safety bunt, though it ends up looking like a regular one.

Todaka can't get out of the inning yet though.  He walks Hamada to put runners at 1st and 2nd.

Nakamura tries the safety bunt, but fails for the 3rd out.  To the break, and Todaka has probably been figured out.

Top 6th
Post-break, and #17 Uomoto comes in to PH for Watanabe, but grounds out to 1st.  Nakano makes a nice running pick on a grounder from Okamoto.  And Hiwatashi hits a hard ball up the middle, but Kimura makes a great sliding block and his throw just beats out Hiwatashi.

Bottom 6th
#11 Kutsukake comes in for PH Uomoto and takes over on the mount.  Todaka goes to 2nd.

Kutsukake doesn't seem any different than Todaka, but induces 2 comebackers for 2 quick outs.  Araki reaches out on a ball outside and flies out for a 1-2-3 inning.

Top 7th
Harada gets Miyazaki Nishi's 3rd hit, taking a ball away to left. Todaka's woes extend to the plate as he strikes out for the 3rd time.  And Tomita grounds into a fielder's choice.  Miyazaki cannot do anything about Hamada's control of the outside part of the plate.

Bottom 7th
Satou lines one over Todaka and into right for a base hit!

#16 Matsui comes in to PH for Matsuoka.  But Matsui grounds into the 1-6-3 double play.

Torii continues the inning as he singles past a diving Todaka.  Nakano follows that with a single to left.  Hamada hits a hanging fastball to right center.  Ryou runs it down, but both baserunners score to make it 8-0.

Nakamura with a drive to left...  Gotou runs back and makes the catch just as he stumbles!  But it's clear that Miyazaki's run will end hee.

Top 8th
#18 Oosuka comes in for PH Matsui.

One down and #18 Hidaka comes in to PH for Ryou, but goes down swinging.  Kutsukake becomes Hamada's 13th victim and it's been a clean game.

Bottom 8th
#10 Yokogami comes in for PH Hidaka and takes over in RF.

Kimura just gets the ball on the end of the bat and lines it over Hiwatashi for a leadoff single.  Matsubara tries the safety bunt, but it's just a sac bunt in the end.

Araki with a liner at 2nd, Todaka reaches out and it deflects off the glove!  Everyone's safe.  He then takes 2nd on indifference.

Kodama-kantoku calls for time.

Kutsukake gets Satou to hit a comebacker.  Runners have to hold and there 2 down.  Oosuka walks on 4 straight and it's manrui for Torii.

Torii makes contact, but at the end of the bat and he flies out to left.  Three out, and three more left to go barring a comeback.

Top 9th
#6 Satou finally leaves the game as #14 Wakahara comes in for him and takes over at 2B while Kimura goes to SS.

Okamoto's grounder finds the new SS but Kimura makes a nice pick and throw... #16 Kawagoe PH for Hiwatashi, but becomes the 14th K for Hamada... And Gotou grounds to short to end the game.

Miyazaki Nishi certainly earned their bid, but had the unfortunate fortune of facing Aikoudai Meiden.  They can be proud of what they accomplished this past fall in reaching Koushien, and now can proudly say they were the first team from Miyazaki Nishi to get to Koushien.

Next up for Aikoudai Meiden... Riseisha.


Notable Players
Hamada Tatsurou (Aikoudai Meiden) - CG, 0 ER, 3 H, 14 K, 0 BB - 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
Torii Tatsunori (Aikoudai Meiden) - 3-4, 2 R, RBI
Satou Daisuke (Aikoudai Meiden) - 3-5, R
Harada Taiki (Miyazaki Nishi) - 2-3

Day 4 - Game 2 - Chikyuu Kankyou (Nagano) vs. Riseisha (Osaka)

The stands are fairly full today.  Spring weather is much easier to see baseball in.

Our matinee game now poses a serious challenge to a newcomer to Koushien.

I'm not going to lie here, I was really happy that Chikyuu Kankyou made it to Koushien.  Just like I liked Nihon Koukuu Koukou for making it years back because they're an aviation school, I like Chikyuu Kankyou because they are an environmental school (lit. Chikyuu Kankyou = Global Environment).

Objectively, they got really lucky to get here.  In the prefectural brackets, they only notable team they needed to beat was Matumoto Dai-ichi.  And in a weak super-regional their only roadblock was fellow Nagano school Matsushou Gakuen.

The offensive numbers bear out how weak the region was.  The team batted a shade under .300 (literally - 0.299), which is actually poor for a HS team.  Only 19 of their 102 hits were for extra bases.  Defensively, their SS Iwata committed 9 errors in 12 games, which may mean in bigger competition it could get worse.  On the mound ace Urushido actually carries a low 1.21 WHIP, but doesn't strike out a lot of batters (~5 K/9).

Chikyuu Kankyou's opponent is Riseisha.  They've been to Kousien in recent years and have had a modicum of success.  Their bookmark win was over Houtoku Gakuen in the first round of the super-regional.  They eventually wound up losing 4-2 to Chiben Gakuen in the semis.

Riseisha's offense is a tick better than that of Chikyuu Kankyou, but they don't steal bases.  So it's mainly a hit-based offense.  Ace Higashi strikes out more batters (~8 K/9) and allows few baserunners (<1/inning) and the defense behind them commit few errors.

This is a relatively short preview of the game, but then again the expected result is fairly predictable.

Sorry Chikyuu Kankyou, I'm glad you're here, but you're in all likelihood going home today.

Chikyuu Kankyou (Nagano)

SS  Iwata Hiroya
LF  Naruse Koudai
RF  Nakajima Taiki
CF  Ootaki Yuusuke
1B  Mutou Ren
P  Urushido Suguru
3B  Nobe Shouta
C  Iwata Masashi
2B  Kudou Gaku

Riseisha (Osaka)
2B  Miyazaki Shin
3B  Shouno Yuuto
RF  Harada Ryouhei
1B  Kobone Makoto
SS  Kumamoto Hayato
LF  Okita Katsutoshi
CF  Hasegawa Seiya (#15)
C  Inui Hayato
P  Higashino Ryuuji (#17)

__________________________________________________

10:49 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
So they're sending their non-ace to the mound.  Can't be because he's a lefty because so is Higashi.  My guess?  They're not taking Chikyuu Kankyou seriously (though I can't blame them).

Though #11, righty Sakamoto is warming up.

Hiroya is proving difficult at the plate, even getting to one a good part inside and down.  In the end he puts one in play grounding to 2nd.  Naruse flies out to right.

Higashino has a fastball that touches 130 and a slider in the high 110s and a fork in the low-mid 110s.

Nakajima gets Chikyuu's first hit, and opposite field single to the left side!

Ootaki follow that up with one of his own and there's a small chance here in the first!

Mutou gets a hold of one!!!  But he just a little early on it and it goes foul!  Slider on the outside couner and he's going to have to be defensive.

Grounder to 3rd... Shouno goes to 2nd... and barely gets the force.

Wow, it may be against their non-ace, but their hitting looks good to start.  Wasn't expecting that.

Bottom 1st
Urushido's main nemesis, the walk comes into play immediately as he walks Miyazaki.  Shouno bunts him along, though Urushido has to chase it down a bit down the 1st base line.

Nerves may be getting to Urushido as he still can't find the strike zone.  He falls behind 3-0 to Harada before throwing a strike, but then walks him anyways. Chance now for Riseisha and cleanup batter Kobone.

Kobone with a comebacker!  Urushido can't get to it and it goes through!  Miyazaki scores to make to 1-0 Riseisha!

Hatori-kantoku calls time at 0-1 to Kumamoto.  Urushido needs to limit damage right now.

And Kumamoto helps him out!  He grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning!

Top 2nd
Urushido fouls off some pitches inside before getting caught on a fastball inside. Nobe gets jammed inside and grounds to short.  And Masashi hits one back to Higashino for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
It would seem that Urushido has a fastball that can hit 141, but can be as low as 133.  His slider is in the 110s and a slow curve in the 90s.

Okita gets hold of one, but it dies in the crosswind.  Hasegawa quickly grounds out to 3rd and Urushido almost gets that 1-2-3 inning but Inui gets one past Mutou.  And in almost a instant replay, Higashino does the same!  Perhaps Mutou should dive for those...

The lineup comes back up to the top of the order and Miyazaki.

Miyazaki with a grounder to the right side again.  And this time Mutou dives!  And guess what?  He makes the stop!  Tosses to Urushido and the inning is over!  (You could have done that sooner and saved your ace a couple of pitches, y'know.)

Top 3rd
Kudou grounds out to short and the lineup cycles back to the top of the order.

Hiroya is jammed, but bloops one into left for a base hit!  But Naruse, trying for a safety bunt pops it up!  2 outs now for Nakajima.

So Hiroya takes matters into his own hands and steals 2nd!

Camera pans to outfield and they're all drawn in.

Nakashima swings and misses on a slider down and away though and the opportunity is lost.

Bottom 3rd
I can see why he's at least somewhat effective.  His delivery puts the ball directly behind him and thus makes it hard to see when it comes out.  Combine that with the huge difference in speeds I can see how he could be effective (if only he had good control).

Urushido gets a late wakeup call when Harada hits a quick comebacker and he has to block it with the glove.  Makes the play at 1st though for the 2nd out.  Kobone is retired with a grounder to short, and it looks like..

Top 4th
Okada is changing it up with #11 Sakamoto in at P for Higashino.

Ootaki with a comebacker to Sakamoto that he actually snags, but when he brings his glove in, he loses it!  The throw is late and Chikyuu has a baserunner!

Mutou, though fails to bunt him along and is behind 0-2.  He shows bunt on a throw to 1st, so it looks like he's free bunting!  And since that's the case, they pitch out... Now it's bust-and-run, but the ball is low to even the count...

Wild pitch!  Ball is inside and gets past Inui!  Ootaki takes 2nd!

And Mutou lines out to right, but its enough to get Ootaki to 3rd for Urushido.

(Please no squeeze bunt...)

Gah, Urushido shows bunt, takes ball 1.  Then takes strike 1.  And a pitch out.

(Don't do it!)

Ball 3!  (Still don't do it!)

Fastball and he fouls it off!  He knows he should have had that one!  Full count!

Whoo.  Just fouls that one off the C and the umpire. And another foul!

Leaves that one over, but again is a little late!

And this time he take the pitch inside and gets the call!  Runners at the corners with 1 down!  #1 Higashi warming up now as Nobe steps in.

(Please still no squeeze.)

Shows it, takes strike 1.

(DON'T DO IT!)

Offers and misses on a safety squeeze and falls behind 0-2...

(PLEASSSSSE?)

Okay, looks like it's off.  Ball outside.

Nobe strikes out and there's 2 down now for Masashi.  At least Hatori-kantoku wears his emotions on his sleeve.  He shows his displeasure about the AB.

But Masashi falls behind 0-2.  Manages to even it up, but don't expect an easy pitch here.

Masahi puts it into play, but flies out to Harada to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
Kumamoto times a slow curve outside and manages to pull it to left center.  Okita moves him along for Hasegawa.

And after falling behind 3-0 to Hasegawa, he works it full, but doesn't get the call on the pitch (Where was that pitch??!)

And once again, after falling behind 2-0, evens the count to Inui.  Though his pitching from the stretch loses a couple of kph.

Inui with a grounder to 3rd.  Nobe steps on 3rd for 1, throw to 1st... Nice pick by Mutou!  Double play!  Urushido gets out of the inning with no damage done!

Top 5th
So if I understand it correctly, Chikyuu Kankyou is borrowing Amagasaki Koukou's band?

Kudo goes down swinging on a slider for the first out.  Back to the top of the order and Hiroya.

Hiroya with a blast to left!!  Okita running back to the wall, and it's just over his head!  And his momentum accidentally bats the ball away!  Hiroya makes it to 3rd!  Douten chance for Chikyuu!

Naruse up now.

(DON'T DO IT!)

It seems like they're doing safety squeezes but it's so hard to tell.

And Naruse fouls it backwards!  Now the count is 2-2!  And he's now swinging away, fouling one off.  Ball low and the count runs full.

Grounder to 2nd!  Miyazaki with the ball, but they give up the run!  Chikyuu Kankyou scores the douten run!  It's 1-1!

Nakashima with a hot shot down the 3rd base line... just foul!

Sakamoto makes Nakashima screw down with his swing to end the inning, but the underdogs from Nagano have tied it up!

Bottom 5th
Sakamoto is taking his spot in the lineup, which might suggest he's staying in the game for now at least.

Grounder up the middle, Hiroya with a great pick!  Makes the play at 1st for the out!

Miyazaki with a hard grounder to 1st, and Mutou makes a nice pick of his own for the 2nd out!

And Urushido gets in on the act snoconing a chopper for the 3rd out!  We head to the break with Nagano's Chikyuu Kankyou holding their own against Riseisha!

Top 6th
Sakamoto throws in the high 130s with a slider in the low 120s (so far as I can tell).

Mutou with a blooper to short left center!  Hasegawa dives, but can't make the play!  Man on!

Urushido tries to bunt the runner along, but fails to do so.  Maybe that's why they don't suicide squeeze... they can't bunt?

The cameras show that Higashi's not warming up anymore.  It's Sakamoto's game for now.

Chopper by Nobe, Miyazaki charges in, makes the nice snag and throw for the 3rd out.

Bottom 6th
Post-break Urushido's control goes missing as he walks Harada to lead off the inning.  Kobone moves him along.

But Urushido jams Kumamoto and he fouls out to Nobe.  2 down!  Up to Okita to extend the inning or get the run in.

But a wild pitch by Urushido sends Harada to 3rd!  Need that out!

But Okita crushes one!  Naruse going to the wall, but he hangs his head...

HAITAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2-run homerun by Okita gives Riseisha a 3-1 lead!!

Hasegawa grounds out to short, but the damage has been done.  Chikyuu Kankyou will have trouble coming back with just 3 innings to go.

Top 7th
Lucky 7 time for Chikyuu if they ever needed one...  except that ace Higashi is in the game now to close it out.

But Masashi grounds out to 3rd, and Kudou flies out to center.

Top of the order and Hiroya, but he grounds out to short.

Except that Kumamoto airmails the throw!  Man on with 2 down!  And now Naruse singles to right!  Hiroya heading to third and Harada goes firing!  The throw is wide and now Naruse goes for 2!  Throw to 2nd and he slides in there!

Nakashima up, gets ahead 3-1... pops it up (WHY ARE YOU SWINGING!!!!!)!  Kobone makes the catch and the inning is over.

Bottom 7th
One down, and Higashi's first AB is a success as he leaks one through the middle for a one-out single.

Miyazaki follow that with a solid hit to right and Urushido's in a bit of trouble here in the 7th.

Shouno flies out to center and there's 2 down.

But up 0-2 on Harada and Urushido hits him and now it's manrui for Kobone.

Grounder to the left side, and that's past a diving Hiroya!  Two runs score on the play, and perhaps the dream is over now for Chikyuu Kankyou.

Kumamoto grounds to 2nd for the 3rd out, but Riseisha may finally be pulling away here in the late innings.

Top 8th
Ootaki earns a leadoff walk, but they're still a bit of a ways away.  Ootaki takes off for 2nd, and Inui's throw is high.

Mutou flies out to center and there's 1 down.

Ootaki gambles stealing 3rd, and somehow slides in safely!  Not sure why'd you would do that, he's not the tying run.

Urushido drives one down the left field line.  Okita makes the catch and concede the run.  5-2.

Nobe with a drive to left center.  Hasegawa ranging to his right, stretches, and makes the catch to end the inning!

Chikyuu Kankyou gets a run back, but still trails by a wide margin.

Bottom 8th
It's a quick 1-2-3 inning for Riseisha, and now Chikyuu has one last chance to try and extend their stay.

Top 9th
8-9-1 batters up to face ace Higashi, looking for the save (though we don't really track that stuff most don't have a 2nd good pitcher).

Masashi makes good contact, but flies out to center.

Kudou first pitch swinging singles through the left side!  Back to the top of the order and Hiroya.

Hiroya with a grounder to 3rd, and Shouno flubs it!  Kumamoto gets to it, but it's too late.  2 men on and the tying run comes to the plate in Naruse as Okada-kantoku calls time.

Tying run at the plate with one down, but nothing hasty should be done just yet.

But Naruse hits a grounder to short!  Kumamoto to Miyazaki to Kobone and the game is over.

Chikyuu Kankyou put a better effort than other teams I've seen.  Gotta commend them for their effort.  But in the end, what in all probability was the better team won the game.  Riseisha will move on to face the winner of the next game.


Notable Players
Ootaki Yuusuke (Chikyuu Kankyou) - 2-3, R, BB, 2 SB
Iwata Hirota (Chikyuu Kankyou) - 2-5, 3B, R
Okita Katsutoshi (Riseisha) - 1-3, HR, 2 RBI
Kobone Makoto (Riseisha) - 2-3, 3 RBI

Day 4 - Game 1 - Kousei Gakuin (Aomori) vs. Hokushou (Hokkaido)

Welcome to morning baseball!  With the Takasaki v. Oumi game cancelled due to rain, we're having a NCAA 1st weekend type of day with 4 games on the docket!  Get your bento boxes ready, it's going to be a long day...

And in the first game, life at Koushien can be rather unfair at times. In what might be a schedule match between teams during the year due to their close proximity, the Hokkaido and Tohoku champions square off to begin day 4.

Hokkaido hasn't had a successful team at Koushien since Komadai Tomakomai.  But that was in 2006 and still counting.  Sapporo Dai-ichi, Hokkai, Komadai Iwamizawa have all tried to bring prominence back to the northern territory, and this time around, it's Otaru-shi's Hokushou.

Hokushou actually defeated Hokkai and Sapporo Dai-ichi on their way to the title, though they did need 10 innings to defeat Sapporo Dai-ichi in the title game.

Offensively, on paper the team looks like a juggernaut.  I mean, 0.392 batting average?  But put it in the context of Hokkaido, and you realize that about the only games you can really count are the ones in the super-regional itself.  Unfortunately, I don't have that data.

Pitching-wise Ooguchi may be the ace, but his numbers look rather bad considering they were playing teams in Hokkaido.  Despite posting a 1.62 ERA, his WHIP stood at a high 1.36, while almost only striking out one batter every 3 innings.  THREE!

Reliever Miura's numbers look a lot better than that, but then again, he wasn't really tasked with the super-regional games outside of Kushiro Kougyou.  So again, it's all about context.

And now there's the context of their opponent - Natsu Koushien runner-up Kousei Gakuin.

This fall Kousei Gakuin was out for blood.  Or so the scores would suggest.  In their 11 games, including the Meiji Jingu tournament, they scores 6 or less runs twice.

That's right, in 9 of 11 games they scored 7 or more runs.  One game was the Tohoku Super-Regional final against Seikou Gakuin, and the other was the Meiji Jingu Final against Aikoudai Meiden.  Of C Tamura's 24 hits, 9 were doubles and 3 were HR's.  That is a slash line of 0.522/0.577/0.913.  Yes, there's context in that it's Tohoku.  Yes there's context in that they defated Oominato 21-3 in the prefectural final.  No mercy rule in the final, Oominato had to take it all.

Still, that's just sick.  Why even pitch to him if you were facing him?

The key for Kousei though, like every other team will be the guy on the mound.  Kanazawa takes over the reins, and his numbers are... well.... huh?

So, 46 K's in 39.2 IP?  Very good.  19 H in the same innings?  Even better.  18 BB in those innings...  Um... what?

Yes, that's right.  He issued almost as many walks as hits.  And yet when combined it STILL averages to less than 1 H+BB per inning!

So what does that mean?  Well, it could mean he's effectively wild.  It could mean that against better competition those walks will come back to bite him.  I really have no idea because I've never remembered seeing numbers like this before.  And even if Kanazawa is ineffective, Jyouma might be able to come in and not embarrass himself.

Hokushou, I don't envy your position at all.  There appears to be very few holes in your opponent.  Perhaps be patient and you can get to Kanazawa.  Or you'll be sitting on 3 straight.  I have no idea.

Kousei Gakuin (Aomori)

RF  Ameku Shouto
LF  Murase Daijyu
C  Tamura Tatsuhiro
SS  Houjyou Fumiya
3B  Oosugi Akinobu
1B  Takeda Toshiki
P  Jyouma Ryuuhei (#4)
CF  Sekiguchi Takayoshi (#17)
2B  Kishigawa Kenta (#14)

Hokushou (Hokkaido)

CF  Yoshida Yuuto
RF  Takayama Nobuyoshi (#18)

LF  Takayama Daisuke
1B  Kobayashi Eitarou (#9)
SS  Satou Sena
3B  Tomita Kaito
C  Wada Kouta
P  Oogushi Kazuya
2B  Nishiya Keisuke

__________________________________________________

08:30 - First Pitch!

The field looks a lot better, and more importantly the sky looks a lot better too.  No cancelled games today.

Top 1st
Ameku immediately gets the offensive ball rolling with a deep drive down the right field line!  Nobuyoshi runs towards the foul pole and it bounces off the fence for a leadoff double!

Murase trying to lay down the bunt, but instead Oogushi walks him!

Their best batter is up next in Tamura, and he's not swinging away.

And Oogushi throws a pitch wide and the runners advance!  Tamura takes full advantage on the next pitch and hits a deep fly to center.  Yoshida is easily under it for the catch, and the run is conceded.  Kousei quickly on the board 1-0!  After cleanup batter Houjyou is retired, Murase tries a delayed steal to 2nd, and well... is out by a wide margin.

Bottom 1st
Not sure what to say about Hokushou's first half inning except that Houjyou got a workout that inning.  Three straight assists, and Kousei is quickly on the bats again.

Top 2nd
Oogushi records his first K a little ahead of schedule, freezing Takeda on a curveball no less.

Starting pitcher Jyouma drills a ball to right center, Nobuyoshi runs and makes a dive, but can't come up with it.  Jyouma's in with a double.

Sekiguchi grounds out to short and the small threat is over.

Bottom 2nd
Kobayashi continues the whole "working the shortstop" theme by hitting another ball to him.

Satou finally breaks that trend, softly lining out to right.  Tomita grounds out to 1st and we're moving right along.

Top 3rd
Ooguchi's fastball must not be as fast as I thought.  It's sitting in the mid 120s, with a slider in the low 110s and a curve in the 100s.  That would explain the 1 K/3 innings thing.

Kishigawa and Ameku both with routine grounders for the first two outs, but when Murase hits one to the right side, Nishiya runs over, but doesn't slide or dive to make the grab.  It leaks into the outfield for a base hit!

Tamura rips a ball past Tomita for a double!  Murase stops at 3rd, but Kousei threatens again!

Cleanup batter Houjyou up, and Oogushi gets ahead 0-2!  Hm.  He hit 129 on that waste pitch.

Meanwhile, Oogushi is challenging Houjyou inside, and he's able to foul off the pitches.

He finally goes outside, and Houjyou hits a short fly to left!  Daisuke charges in and dives, but can't make the catch!  Houjyou's 2-RBI double makes it 3-0!

Oosugi flies out to center to end the inning, but Kousei extends their lead.  That had to go on Nishiya.  When you have a pitcher that puts as many balls in play as Oogushi does, you're going to have to play excellent defense.  While it was a hard play, he needed to keep that in front of him instead of letting it go.  It arguably cost them 2 runs.

Bottom 3rd
Whoops, almost forgout the bottom of the 3rd.  This time around, the bottom of the order takes pitches against Jyouma, but unfortunately none are about to get on base.  Jyouma with 3 1-2-3 innings to start!

Top 4th
Hard grounder to 1st, bounces off Eitarou!  He can't recover and Kousei has a man on yet again!

Jyouma is unable to bunt the runner along, and goes down swinging on a fastball inside!  Nakai-kantoku elects to have Jyouma bunt anyways with 1 down for Kishigawa.  If he gets a base hit, they probably score.  If not, they're back to the top of the order next inning.

But Kishigawa gets under one and pops out to Nishiya to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
Yoshida taking a fastball outside the other way like he should and gets Hokushou their first hit!  Nobuyoshi bunts him over for Daisuke. But while he makes good contact, he flies out to left.

That leaves it to Kobayashi.  But he strikes out on a slider and Hokushou gets their first hit, but now their first run.

Top 5th
That was quick.  Trying to keep myself awake after eating too much, and before I know it, Oogushi retires the side in order for his first stressless inning!

Bottom 5th
Hokushou was quickly on their way to the break before Wada bloops one in down the right field line.

But they try to push the issue with Wada trying to steal 2nd, but it's not close.  We hit the break with Kousei able to string hits together for base hits against the light tossing Oogushi.

Top 6th
Oogushi gets Houjyou to fly out to right, but then gives up a gapper to Oosugi.  Daisuke can't get a hand on the ball and that allows Oogushi to reach 3rd!  Chance for Kousei right after the break!

It looks like the intentionally unintentionally walked Takeda to setup the DP.  Kawakami-kantoku calls time as #11 Miura warms up.

Jyouma up and it doesn't look like the squeeze is on here.

But Oogushi pops him up foul!  Wada goes back the the screen, and it just gets out of play!

Jyouma instead with a slow nubber back to Oogushi!  He catches Oosugi off the bag at 3rd and runs him down, but not before the other baserunners advance to 2nd and 3rd.  So Oogushi still in a bit of a pickle here as Sekiguchi is up next.

(Also, does Kousei's band know anything else other than the same 2 rally songs??)

SANSHIN!!

The music stops as Oogushi gets Sekiguchi to swing and miss on a slider away!

Bottom 6th
Ooguchi goes down and gets a base hit to right center!  Leadoff man for Oogushi!

Nishiya compounds his effort earlier by striking out bunting...

Yoshida advances the runner along, but when #16 Murakami comes in to PH, he swings on the first pitch and fouls out to Takeda to end the inning.

Top 7th
 Murakani stays in the game at RF.

And the lucky 7 comes and passes as quickly as... as quickly as... the sunshine in Seattle.  Oogushi needs just 4 pitches to record 3 outs and now it's their turn for the lucky 7.

Bottom 7th
Oh geez, I forgot to mention about Jyouma on the mound. He seems to have a fastball in the mid-high 130s, shuuto in the low 130s, slider in the mid 120s, and change in the 110s.

Cleanup batter Kobayashi with a drive to center!  Sekiguchi running back, but it's just over his glove!  He's in with a double!

Satou follows that up with a drive to right center!  Ameku taking a bit of a jagged route, but runs it down.  Kobayashi advances to 3rd, but there's 2 down.

And Tomita grounds out to 2nd.  He just is beaten out by the throw, but another key opportunity lost.

Top 8th
Tamura with a big swing, but he just a tick quick and it goes foul.  He winds up getting under one and flying out to left.

I thought Oogushi would have a 1-2-3 inning, but instead he walks Oosugi on 4 straight.  Takeda makes it not that much longer as he hits one right to Kobayashi for the 3rd out.

Bottom 8th
Hokushou is running out of time, but so far have been rendered ineffective by 2B Jyouma.

Wada tries the safety bunt, but it dies right in front and Tamura throws him out.

Somehow, it's Oogushi who's making the hits!  He drives one to left center for a stand up double!

#3 Obata comes in to PH for Nishiya and quickly falls behind 0-2.

Sanshin!  But the ball gets away from Tamura!  Obata reaches first, goes for 2nd when the ball goes around some equipment on the 3rd base side!  The throw goes to 2nd... SAFE!

Chance for Hokushou as #17 Gotou comes to run for Obata.

Now it's the top of the order and Yoshida...

Grounder to short, and Oogushi is heading home!  The throw goes home and Oogushi is out by a good margin.  2 down and it's down to Murakami.

But he pops it up!  Jyouma walks in front of the mound and make the catch to end the inning!

*sighs* no need to go home on that grounder to short, but I guess it wouldn't have mattered in the end.

Top 9th
Defensive changes for Hokushou as Gotou stays in the game at RF, and #14 Igarashi comes in for Murakami and plays at 2B.

And Oogushi retires the side in order once again.  He's done a great job this game, but has received no offensive support.

Bottom 9th
Daisuke quickly flies out to center for the 1st out.

Cleanup batter Kobayashi workes the count full and gets a walk.  Going to need a couple more of those as Satou steps in.

Chopper up the middle... Kishigawa and Houjyou bump into each other and neither makes the play!  All safe for Tomita!  Nakai-kantoku calls time.  Satou with a base hit through the right side!

THEY'RE SENDING HOME KOBAYASHI WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY?????????

Ameku makes the throw home, and Tamura can sit and wait for Kobayashi.  2 down.

And Wada grounds back to Jyouma, and that's game.

Hokushou can blame themselves for losing the final opportunity there.  That first run doesn't matter as you're still down 2 even if you score.

But Kousei was the better team today and their march towards the title will continue.  You have to give credit to Oogushi for pitching a great game despite his lack of velocity.


Notable Players
Jyouma Ryuuhei (Kousei Gakuin) - CG, 0 ER, 7 H, 2 K, BB
Houjyou Fumiya (Kousei Gakuin) - 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Oogushi Kazuya (Hokushou) - 2-3, 2B
Kobayashi Eitarou (Hokushou) - 1-3, 2B, BB

Day 3 - Game 3 - Oumi (Shiga) vs. Takasaki (Gunma)

Our final game of the day features 2 teams who were one of the "last" teams to receive a bid, Oumi of Shiga-ken, and Takasaki of Gunma-ken.

Yes, Oumi and their powder blue uniforms are once again back at Koushien, though just.  They could have suffered a same fate as Souseikan in Kyushu after their 11-1 loss to Tenri (and after seeing Tenri's game yesterday, that's a pretty bad loss), if not for the fact that (a) the Kinki Region gets 6 bids instead of 4, and (b) Mizuguchi lost 15-3 to Riseisha and they lost to Oumi in the prefectural final, and while Naradai Fuzoku narrowly lost to Oumi, giving a bid to them instead would have meant that they would award 3 teams from Nara a bid - and Nara just isn't that good.

Remember what I said about a lot of teams before?  They apply here too.  Decent average, little power, and in their case - they don't steal many bases.  Pitching-wise, their main ace strikes out a batter every 2 innings and carries a respectable WHIP (~1.25).  He doesn't start all the games - in fact, #11 Yamada takes the hill to start when that happens, though he K's and BB's more batters.

Takasaki made it to the best 4 by defeating a pair of non-notable Toukaidai teams (Bouyou and Koufu) before losing to Sakushin Gakuin 6-3.  In the prefecturals, they had a quality win against Maebashi Ikuei.

Honestly, there's only two possible reasons why Takasaki is even in the tournament.  One is their ace Shimada who doesn't allow baserunners (0.89 WHIP), and the second, which I can't substantiate is their defense.

Because there is NO way their offense has anything to do with it.  None.

I can say this with almost 100% certainty because you should not be able to reach the semifinals of the Kanto Super-Regional with a team batting average of 0.237.

That's right 0.237.

Not only that, they don't take many walks and don't steal bases.  And yet, they scored 32 runs in 9 games.  That's better than the Mariners.  And they won 8 straight.  Go figure.

Needless to say, I'm highly interested to see Takasaki in this game.  Not to mention their uniforms which look like they've been taken from a train company.

Takasaki (Gunma)

LF  Matsui Akinori (#11)
CF  Shimizu Sadamitsu
SS  Nakazawa Shinya
1B  Kaneko Yuuki
RF  Tsukagoshi Riku
2B  Kuragane Kousuke
3B  Nakazato Shingo
C  Uchihori Yuuto
P  Shimada Satoshi

Oumi (Shiga)

RF  Kume Masashi (#8)
2B  Fukui Shingo
LF  Hashimoto Daiki
3B  Fujiwara Ryuuji
CF  Yamaguchi Kenta (#9)
1B  Namazue Jyunki
SS  Hayashida Yuusuke (#15)
C  Tsusaka Jyun
P  Murata Teito

__________________________________________________

The rain continues to fall, and the ground is sloppy at best.  But they're going to get the 3rd game in no matter what it seems.  So those powder blue unis will be dark soon enough.

14:50 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Well, I guess if you have a bad BA, might as well try to get your hacks in on the first pitch strike.  Matsui is retired on a grounder to 3rd, and Shimizu on a fly to left.  Nakazawa takes a couple of pitches, but too flies out to left to end the inning.

Bottom 1st
Kume with a liner to center.  Shimizu slips!  But the ball comes right to him for the out!  How lucky!

Fukui can't check his swing on a 3-2 fastball running inside!  2 down.

Shimada doesn't get the call on a 2-2 fastball, and winds up walking Hashimoto.

Fujiwara with a ball to right center, Shimizu ranging to his left, dives, but the ball glances off his glove!  They have to chase it down, but Hashimoto stops at 3rd!

And that's lucky for Takasaki as Yamaguchi grounds to 3rd!  Nakazato makes the throw to first and the side is retired!

Top 2nd
Takasaki continuing their free-swinging style.  Kaneko with a hard hit ball back up the middle, but unlucky for him Murata deflects it right to Fukui to make the play.  Tsukagoshi almost gets lucky too when SS Hayashida almost drops the popup.  And Kurogane hits a solid liner, but it's to a drawn in Kume for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
Hm.  Namazue is caught looking on a change inside for the first out.

Hayashida, inserted into the lineup this game, bloops a ball just fair down the right field line.

But when Tsusaka grounds to 2nd, Kuragane starts the 4-6-3 double play and the inning is over!  Some good defense so far as expected from Takasaki.

Top 3rd
So about the pitchers.  Murata is pretty much no different than others we've seen.  Fastball in the low 130's, curve in the 110s.

And Takasaki continues to hack.  Nakazato grounds out to 3rd.  Uchihori first pitch swings and flies to left, and Shimada actually takes pitches!  He works the count full but flies out to right.

Murata thinks he has strike 3 on a 2-2 fastball to Shimada, but he doesn't get the call.  However he does get Shimada to fly out to right to end the inning.  When I get a chance I think I know what's going on.

Bottom 3rd
Oh jeez, the rain is back again and it's coming down hard.

Murata grounds to 2nd, and just about that time the rain comes down so hard you can hear it on the microphones!

And the umpires continue play?  The ground is barely playable!

Finally, when Shimada throws a wild pitch over everyone to fall behind Kume 3-0, the umpires call everyone in.

15:17 - Rain Delay (Radar suggests it's a passing cell, so it probably won't be cancelled)

Ok, so since I have a minute now, I'll explain what might be Takasaki's strategy.

It seems apparent that Takasaki's offense isn't good, but by the numbers we've seen that to be the case.

So.  That means you have to play good defense and have good pitching right?  Makes sense.

But what about the hacking at the plate?  Why would you swing away and shorten the game, especially if you can't hit?

Well, putting the ball in play (as long as it's not weak hits), means the defense has to play hard.  Continuing to hit the ball in play means that the defense is continually on the move, even if you're just backing up.

But usually you have time to take a break since batters aren't swinging on the first pitch.

(15:25 - The rain seems to have slowed down now from a downpour, but it's still raining and the field was already pretty saturated to begin with.)

In Takasaki's case they are.  So you're moving around constantly, and in the case of a 1-2-3 inning, going back and forth to and from the dugout.

So what if you're playing a game of endurance in a game of speed baseball?  If you're not in the best of condition, could it be that you get just a little sloppy later?

If all that is the case, (1) the ground conditions are not good for Takasaki because it can cause havoc with their defense, (2) the ground conditions aren't good for putting grounders in play due to their strategy because with the sloppy conditions it will slow the ball down, and (3) this break isn't good because it's allowing the Oumi players to rest.  They'd be better off having the game cancelled and starting over hoping to have better playing conditions and a better possibility of tiring the Oumi players out.

(15:29 - The head umpire comes out to talk about the field conditions with the stadium field staff.  And it looks like the field staff are removing the tarps from the mound and batters area.  And now a wheelbarrow of diamond dry is coming out.  Dude, that's NOT going to be enough. AND it's raining a bit stronger now, WTF are you guys doing??)

(15:32 - The tarp comes out again on the mound and batters box.  Good job guys...  Seriously, combine the rain yesterday with the rain today and while the field has better drainage, I don't think it's that good.)

(15:40 - The cameras zoom in on the tarp at home and the um... mud around it.  That can't be playable, can it?)

15:45 - The umpire comes out, walks to 1st... walks to 2nd... comes back home...

"ノーゲーム！！"

 And that's that.  It's still raining, the field is soaked, and the umpire calls it off.

This means there will be 4 games tomorrow.  Games will begin at 8:30 with Oumi-Takasaki playing the last game at 16:00, and probably the teams will switch home/away.

The game being called will benefit Takasaki as long as the field conditions are better.  (Which they should be.)

The teams go out to bow to their fans, and they gather up their stuff and head home to think about things for one more day.

Day 3 - Game 2 - Kurashiki Shougyou (Okayama) vs. Sakushin Gakuin (Tochigi)

Next up for today are the runner-ups of the Kanto and Chuugoku regions, Sakushin Gakuin and Kurashiki Shougyou.

Sakushin Gakuin made the Best 4 at Natsu Koushien last year before losing to eventual runner-up Kousei Gakuin.  In the fall, they defeated teams such as Hanasaki Tokuharu and Yokohama before being shutout by Urawa Gakuin in the championship.

Offensively, they look like they have some power through the lineup, but suffer the same issue that Kamimura Gakuen has - below-average contact.  They have two speedsters at the top of the lineup, so expect them to try and run and run often when the order turns over.

On the mound is ace Ootani, another contact-type pitcher who doesn't strikeout a bunch of hitters (4.4 K/9), but counters it by limiting runners (1.11 WHIP).

Kurashiki Shougyou's keystone win was a 7-5 gyakuten win over Jyosuikan in the first round of the super-regionals.  They would eventually lose 4-1 in the finals to Tottori Jyouhoku.  They have almost the reverse problem Sakushin has, good contact, but little in extra base hits - which has been a recurring theme of a lot of teams which have played so far.

In addition, their ace Nishi allows a high number of baserunners (1.56 WHIP), and still doesn't strike out a lot of batters (5.29 K/9).

This game will probably be another one of those where the team from the more populous region will win out.  I say this because the talent pool tends to be greater in more populous areas.  It's just a general fact.

Kurashiki Shougyou (Okayama)

2B  Fujii Shouri
RF  Harukawa Yasunori
CF  Sakada Jyunichi
1B  Okada Seiji
C  Michishita Kouta
LF  Yokota Yamato
SS  Katayama Yoshiki

3B  Shimizu Shigeru
P  Nishi Ryuusei

Sakushin Gakuin (Tochigi)

CF  Tsuruta Kouya
LF  Haneishi Hiroki
SS  Ishii Kazunari
1B  Takayama Ryousuke (#9)

P  Ootani ShigehiroC  Yamashita Yuuto
RF  Fuse Kyouhei (#16)
2B  Asano Shouya3B  Takashima Shouma

__________________________________________________

Looks like the rain which was was though to have passed is back again.  There was some rain near the end of the last game, and has come back before the start of the game.  But it looks like it's cleared up enough and the players take the field!  It looks like Shinohara may be injured so Takayama shifts to 1B and Fuse holds the fort in right.

11:45 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Fujii with a short liner over Takayama's head!  Asano backing up the play throws to Ootani covering, but he can't hold on!  Base hit!

Harukawa not bunting, and takes a ball away through the left side!  No out, runners on 1st and 2nd for Sakada!

Sakada with the quick safety bunt!  Takashima charges in but Sakada beats out the throw!  Manrui immediately and Ootani in trouble!

But Okada swings at the first pitch and grounds it to Ishii!  He steps on 2nd for one, throws to 1st for the double play!  They concede the run for the 2 outs and Kurashiki takes a 1-0 lead!

The rain is coming down harder now it seems.

Michishita grounds out to 3rd for the third out and Ootani is fortunate to have given up just the one run.

Bottom 1st
After Nishi records two outs to start the inning, he walks Ishii.  Then on two consecutive pitches, one is blocked but still allows Ishii to steal 2nd, then a wild pitch sends him to 3rd.

Nishi loses Takayama on 4 straight and he doesn't look comfortable on the mound at all in the rain.

Ootani up and he's thrown two more balls before getting the outside corner.  Ootani gets fooled on a screwball and the count's even at 2-2.

SANSHIN!  Nishi gets it together, getting Ootani on a slider inside for the 3rd out!

Top 2nd
The rain may play a part in this game one way or another before it ends here.

And it already is as the grounds crew is called out to work on the mound.  And it looks like the umpires have called in the players while they put some equivalent of diamond dry onto the field.  The rain continues to fall though, but I think they're trying to get this game in one way or another having already lost a day.

After about a 5 minute delay, the players are out again and we're ready to start play again.

Yokota gets the Kurashou offense going with a single to right!

And Katayama on a bunt attempt hits him on his right hand, and Ootani is in a pinch again here in the 2nd!

Wild pitch from Ootani!  Runners advance a base and now Kobari-kantoku calls time.

Another wild pitch from Ootani!  Yokota scores and Kurashou is up 2-0!

Shimizu with a single to center scoring Katayama!  No reprieve this time around as Nishi sacrifices the runner along. Fujii grounds to 2nd, but advances the runner to 3rd.

Harukawa K's to end the inning, but Ootani's mistakes cost them a couple more runs.

Bottom 2nd
Yamashita with a hard liner to left.  Yokota trying to make the sliding catch, but instead it deflects off him!  Yokota comes in with a double!

Fuse with a liner up the middle!  Katayama just misses it, but Yamashita has to hold because he had to wait for the ball to get through first.  Runners on 1st and 2nd as Morimitsu-kantoku calls time.

Asano tries to bunt the runners along, but fouls it off and now is down 0-2.  He still manages to lay it down and advance the runners.

Now it's Nishi's turn to be in a pinch!  He hits Takashima and its manrui as the lineup turns over!

But he doesn't panic and strikes out Tsuruta on a slider inside.  2 outs!

He continues aggressively, getting ahead on Haneishi 1-2.  But Haneishi holds off on a slider outside and the count goes full.  Everyone will take off on the next pitch...

Grounder to the right side... base hit!  One run will score... 2 runs will score!  Haneishi's timely hit pulls Sakushin within 1.  It's 3-2!!

Haneishi takes off on the first pitch!  No throw from Michishita!  Now a base hit could give them the lead.

After getting ahead of Ishii 1-2, again the count runs full.  There is an open base but would you really?

Nubber up the first base line.  Okada with it, tosses to Nishi, SAFE?

The 1st base umpire calls him not touching the bag!  He hurriedly throws home, but it's not in time!  2 runs score on the error and Sakushin Gakuin gets the gyakuten run, 4-3!

Takayama flies out to right, but the miss at 1st proves costly.  Did he really miss it??

Top 3rd
The rain has returned again and it's coming down hard.  Sakada pops out to short.

Ootani seemingly picking up the pace as a game after 5 is an official game and they're ahead.

Okada strikes out swinging on a high fastball and Michishita pops out to left.  3 outs and they're one step closer.

Bottom 3rd
Looks like the rain has stopped, but the errors haven't.  Okada muffs the grounder from Ootani and Nishi is late in covering.

Yamashita swinging away, hits a liner to center that Sakada just gets to.

Fuse tries the surprise bunt, but Okada is there quickly.  Fujii is a little tardy getting to 1st, but they get the out.

Asano goes down and hits one to center!  Ootani scores and it's 5-3 Sakushin Gakuin!

Takashima strikes out to end the inning, but Sakushin extends their lead.

Top 4th
Ootani doing a decent job given the conditions.  He appears to have a fastball in the mid 130s, a two-seamer, and at least a slider in the high 110s-low 120s.

Yokota and now Katayama both are frozen by fastballs from Ootani and there's quickly 2 down.

Shimizu lines out to 1st and Kurashiki has to head out to the field again

Bottom 4th
The camera points to the skies past right field, and there's clear blue skies, so I don't think there's much to worry about for a called game.  Not sure who that would have wanted that when, but no matter anymore.

Ootani was on his way to a quick inning, but when Haneishi hit a grounder to short, Katayama airmailed the throw.  Ishii's K would have been the 3rd out, instead it's the 2nd and Haneishi steals 2nd to boot.

Takayama makes Kurashou pay!  He drives a ball over Yokota's head for a double!  Haneishi scores to make it a 6-3 game!

But Nishi can't get the inning to end.  He walks Ootani, then throws a wild pitch allowing the runners to advance.

Yamashita with a hard hit ball up the middle!  Fujii with the diving stop, fires to first... in time!  Nice play to prevent more runs for scoring!  But they do fall one more run behind.

Top 5th
Kurashou's offense has stalled over the last couple of innings.  None of Kurashiki's batters are making good contact and are retired in order.

Bottom 5th
Sakushin's batters are having about as much luck, but are getting breaks.  One out, Asano hits a popup to shallow center, but no one can get to it and it falls in.

Now, Michishita throws him out trying to steal 2nd, but then Takayama gets a glancing blow to the head from a pitch and takes 1st.

But Kobari-kantoku rolls the dice again, and once again Takayama is thrown out on a delayed steal to end the inning.  We get to the break with Sakushin doubling up Kurashou 6-3.

Top 6th
Okada finally breaks the hit drought with a one-out single to left.

Ootani then has a ball get away from him and he hits Michishita in the wrist!  Runners on 1st and 2nd with one down as Kobari-kantoku calls for time.

Oof.  Another ball gets away from Ootani and Yokota has to quickly duck away.

Yokota with a solid strike, but it's right at Tsuruta for the 2nd out.  Katayama stands in, with Kurashou in no position to afford not scoring here.

But Ootani blows an inside fastball by him and Kurashou is denied!

Bottom 6th
Nishi takes the mound having thrown 124 pitches.  He's got a lot more work to do to keep his team in the game.

As for Nishi himself, he throws in the high 120s-low 130s with a slider sitting in the high 110s-low 120s and a change in the 100s.

Tsuruta goes down for the 3rd time, this time looking at a fastball outside.

Nishi then finally stops Haneishi from getting on base getting a groundout to 2nd.

Ishii with a low liner to center.  Sakada diving, makes the catch!  Risky move there, but it pays off!  Nishi gets a proper 1-2-3 inning but still finds himself trailing by 3 as they enter the lucky 7.

Top 7th
Still, the Kurasho batters are not making good contact.  Shimizu flies out to right.  Nishi gets under one behind 0-2 and flies out to center.

Oop.  The rain is back...

But even in the rain, Ootani continues to exhibit very good control.

Fujii flies out to right and well, there goes the lucky 7.  2 innings left to mount a comeback.

Bottom 7th
Takayama gets another bloop hit as the ball falls in once again between Katayama and Yokota.

Ootani tries to bunt the runner along, but is called out when the umpire deems he wasn't able to pull back his bat in time.  One down.

Yamashita though singles through the left side, putting pressure back on Nishi.

Fuse grounds into a fielder's choice at 2nd, which places runners at the corners for Asano.

(Zip-a-dee-do-dah?  Really?)

Asano with a grounder past Katayama into left.  Takayama score to make it a 7-3 ballgame.

Takashima with another short popup, this time to right.  Harukawa charges in and uses the wet turf to make a great sliding catch!

Top 8th
Harukawa inadvertantly jumps into the path of the ball as it was thrown behind him.  Oh well, man on!

Sakada swinging on the hit-and-run!  Asano with the diving attempt but it goes through!  Runners on 1st and 2nd with no down!

No bunting anymore - Okada's swinging away!

Count runs in his favor 2-0.  Two seamer inside for strike 1.  Another one jams him and he flies out to left.  1 down.

Michishita hits a slow grounder to 3rd.  He's retired and there's 2 down.  They need to score these runs to have any chance in the 9th.

The task falls to Yokota, 1-3 on the day.

But like Michishita, he bails on an outside pitch and hits a slow roller to 3rd.  Takashima makes the play and Kurashou's opportunity is wasted.

Bottom 8th
Nishi retires the side in order, tallying his 10th and 11th K's of the game.  Yet it'll go for naught if they can't come back in the 9th

Top 9th
Bottom third of the order up in Katayama, Shimizu and Nishi...

Katayama grounds out to 2nd for the first out...  Shimizu trying to foul off pitches looking for a better one, pops out to 2nd.

#15 Oosugi comes in to PH for Nishi, but falls behind 0-2 quickly.  He's jammed and Takashima makes the catch near the mound to end the game.

Kurashiki Shougyou was never able to recover after giving up the 4-spot in the 2nd.  Despite 11 K's from their ace Nishi, the offense was never able to gain traction to close the deficit.  Not a bad job done by the boys from Okayama, but their road ends here.  As for Sakushin Gakuin, it's yet another win at Koushien.  The offense did looks sporadic at times, but they did have plenty of opportunities.  Next up will be Naruto.


Notable Players
Ootani Shigehiro (Sakushin Gakuin) - CG, 3 ER, 7 H, 5 K, 3 BB
Takayama Ryousuke (Sakushin Gakuin) - 2-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB
Shimizu Shigeru (Kurashiki Shougyou) - 1-4, RBI

Day 3 - Game 1 - Sumoto (Hyogo) vs. Naruto (Tokushima)

We're crossing the midpoint of the first round today, and looking at the games so far, it has been somewhat unimpressive.  Mie-Tottori Jyouhoku was an even but not stellar matchup, then a bunch of one-sided affairs, followed by a late game collapse.  The 2nd day was saved by Ishinomaki Kougyou who, for at least one inning, made everyone a believer in the motto "anything can happen".

Is there more hope for today's games? Well, first on the docket is the second 21st Century Team to take the field in Sumoto versus the Shikoku fall champions Naruto.

Sumoto is the only team of the 3 invited to not have made the super-regional bracket.  They made it to the Hyogo semifinals where they lost 6-0 to Koushien regular Houtoku Gakuen, then was eliminated from super-regional play by Ikuei 9-2.  Their only notable win was a 13-6 win over recent attendee Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku.

At a glance their offense doesn't look much different than some of the one's we've seen here that have been eliminated - not much power, a batting average lower than most, and not much speed to speak of.  Shimagaki is their to-go ace, but his peripherals (K/9, BB/9, etc) are not stellar either.  So Sumoto on paper has a bit of work to do it seems.

Naruto won the Shikoku super-regional defeating notable teams in the region such as Imabari Nishi, Takamatsu Shougyou, and Kochi.  Shikoku isn't the powerhouse it once was, but they're not a bunch of slouches now either.

Naruto's offense looks slightly better than Sumoto's, especially given that they had a couple more games against relatively stronger teams in the super-regional.  But the numbers suggest that a lot of it is speed based (for instance more triples than doubles, and a decent amount of SB's).  Furthermore, ace Gotouda's peripherals are nothing to write home about either (1.478 WHIP, ~5.4 K/9).  That's where reliever Kobayashi comes in, though while he allows less runners, he also has a worse strikeout rate than Goutouda.

With average pitching, it would seem that Naruto's slightly above-average speed and offense would be the difference in the game.

Sumoto (Hyogo)

LF  Taniguchi Yuusuke (#8)
CF  Hosokawa Shou (#17)
RF  Ishizaka Taichi
3B  Iida Takuya (#5)
2B  Masai Daisuke
1B  Shimohara Akihiro
SS  Matsubara Hiroki (#6)
C  Oomura RyuusukeP  Shimagaki Ryouta

Naruto (Tokushima)

SS  Kawano Yuuto
CF  Shimada Jyukito
LF  Inaoka Kenta
1B  Sugimoto Keita
RF  Yamato Taira
3B  Matsumoto Takanori
C  Kusaka Hiroki (#12)
P  Goutouda Shuusaku
2B  Nakano Yuuki

__________________________________________________

09:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Gotouda showing decent control in the early going, freezing Taniguchi on a pitch on the outside corner.  Noguchi-kantoku must have seen something to send in #17 Hosokawa, and he's rather stubborn at the plate, fouling off pitches as he gets the count full.  However, he grounds out to short, though makes it close as Kawano double clutches.

And Ishizaka swings on a slow change to end the inning.

Bottom 1st
Ooh.  Not a good start for Shimagaki.  He hits Kawano to start the game.  Shimada almost is safe on a sac bunt, but gets the job done anyways.

Hm?  I'm surprised.  Shimagaki isn't throwing hard, but gets both Inaoka and Sugimoto to strike out swinging to end the inning!

Top 2nd
Sumoto's uniforms are so old-school, I like them.

Ah.  Iida K's on a splitter in the dirt.

Goutouda doesn't throw particularly hard.  Fastball in the low-mid 130s, slider in the high 110s-low 120s, and a slow curve in the high 90s-low 100s.  Can't see where the split finger lies in that range.

2 down after a Masai fly to center and Shimohara lines the first hit into left.  Matsubara follows that up with one that almost takes out Shimohara!  Runners at 1st and 2nd, as Kusaka comes out to the plate.

And Oomura goes down on a curve on the outside corner!  Goutouda gets out of the jam!

Bottom 2nd
Yamato with a slow chopper up the middle, but Matsubara calmly picks it up and makes the throw to 1st.

Shimagaki isn't a fireballer, and has a similar arsenal.  Fastball in the low-mid 130s, slider in the high 110s-low 120s, and he has a fork in the 120s.

Matsumoto in fact, swings on one to strike out.

Kusaka with Cruel Angel's Thesis playing...

And he goes down on another forkball to end the inning.  That's 4 K's for Shimagaki already!

Top 3rd
Goutouda is back to a rhythm on the mound as he strikes out Shimagaki on 3 straight, then induce popups on Taniguchi and Hosokawa on 3 pitches.  Just like that Naruto is back on the bats!

Bottom 3rd
The cameras are moving around a bit.  The system that brought rain is still around, just blowing a lot of wind around.

Shimagaki gets 2 groundouts to Masai, then freezes leadoff batter Kawano on a change outside.

Top 4th
The sun is finally peeking out, but it's still windy out there.

Ishisaka works the count full, but grounds to 2nd.  But Nakano charging in can't field it!  By the time he doubles back, Ishisaka is safe!

Cleanup batter Iida is showing bunt?  Takes strike 1.  Now it's a bust-and-run??  And now he's swinging away and fouls one off!

He fouls off another one, and it's playable, but the wind is blowing hard from right to left that it goes out fo reach.

He slowly works the count to 2-2 as he fouls off a slow curve.  Then again as he bails on a fastball outside.  And again.

Iida finally puts it in play, but it's right at Kawano who starts the 6-4-3 double play.  2 down.

Masai gets plunked right on the knee so Sumoto has a runner back on base for Shimohara.

Shimohara makes Goutouda pay!  He lines a ball into the opposite field gap!  It goes all the way to the wall as Masai scores easily!  Shimohara's RBI triple gives them the 1-0 lead!

Whoa.  Matsubara is just fast on that slow curve lining it just left of Shimohara!

And he can't pull the trigger on a change on the outside corner!  Goutouda gets his 3rd out, but not before his hit batsmen comes around to score!

Bottom 4th
Shimada with a grounder to 3rd, and it bounces off Iida!  He has no shot at 1st anymore, and from the replay it looks like it hit him in not so nice of a spot.

Well, Inaoka is as expected bunting.  And while Shimagaki is trying to force a bad bunt, he's fallen behind 3-0 and has to go after him.  Gets one on the inside corner for strike 1, but then Inaoka gets his bunt down.

Ah!  Now Shimagaki hits Sugimoto!  Still 1 down, but now 2 runners on!

But Shimogaki gets Yamato to swing on a slider for the 2nd out!

And he gets out of the inning as Matsumoto grounds to 3rd!  Iida makes the throw to 1st and a great stretch by Shimohara gets the out!

Top 5th
Oomura times a slow curve and easily lines one to left center to start the inning.  Shimagaki lays the but down, and Sumoto threatens again.

Taniguchi with the swinging bunt, but fortunately for Naruto it goes foul.

Taniguchi though whiffs on a change in the dirt for the 2nd out.

Hosokawa too can't hold off on a bad pitch and Goutouda and company heads back to the dugout.

Bottom 5th
Shimagaki records his 7th K as Kusaka swings on a slider off the plate.

Gotouda with a slow grounder to short.  Iida gets there first, but can't get a grip on the ball.  Goutouda safe at first on the error.

Nakano offers a bunt on the first pitch but misses.  With the count 2-1 he tries again, but fouls it off.  Nakano looks like he's going to free bunt, but the ball goes wide and the count runs full.

He basically gets his bunt as Goutouda takes off and he grounds out to 2nd.

Kawano with a shot down the left field line.. foul!

SANSHIN!  Shimagaki gets him on a slider in the dirt and the inning is over!  Sumoto heads to the dugout holding onto a slim 1-run lead into the break!

Top 6th
One down for Sumoto and Iida takes a ball away into the left center field gap!  Shiamda gets to it, but Iida's pushing for 2!  The throw is cutoff and he's in there safely!

And now trying to pitch inside, Goutouda hits Masai!  Runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 down as Moriwaki-kantoku calls for time.

And the wrong guy for Naruto is coming up, Shimohara...

He looks at a curve right down the middle for strike 1.  He holds off the next 2 pitches and gets ahead.  Pitch inside makes it 3-1.  Will they just walk him?

Nope, he throws his curve in there for strike 2.  Full count!

SANSHIN!  Shimohara goes over the curve and strikes out!  Now all Goutouda needs is an out from Matsubara.

Two curves/changes later and Matsubara's behind 0-2.  But Matsubara offers on yet another curve away and Goutouda gets out of the jam!

Bottom 6th
Shimagaki hits his 3rd batter in Shimada to lead off the inning.

And now Shimada tries for the steal!  The throw is ther, but Matsubara is a tick too fast and has to reach behind him!  He can't field the ball and Shimada is safe!

Inaoka still continues to show bunt, but fouls it off to make the count 2-2.  He pulls it back and slaps it to short.  Matsubara has no play at 3rd, so he gets the play at first.

Sugimoto with the slap through the drawn in infield and that easily scores the run.  We're douten at 1-1!

And Yamato is bunting even with one down, but winds up offering and missing for the strikeout!  2 down.

Matsumoto grounds into the fielder's choice at 2nd, but post-break Naruto levels the score!

Top 7th
Oomura works the count on Goutouda, but grounds back to him for the first out.  Shimagaki meanwhile continues to bite on the curves outside and strikes out for the 2nd time.  Taniguchi makes it a 1-2-3 inning fouling out to Nakano.

Bottom 7th
Kusaka becomes Shimagaki's 4th hit batter and now Goutouda will look to put the gyakuten run in scoring position, and does so on the first pitch.

Nakano does his best, but swings under a change for the 2nd out.  One more and Shimagaki avoids disaster.

But the lineup turns over to Kawano.  Won't be easy.

Except that it is!  Shimagaki gets ahead 0-2 then induces a weak grounder to 2nd for the 3rd out!

Top 8th
Hosokawa leads off the inning showing bunt, but grounds out to short.

The chart shows Goutouda at 118 pitches as Ishizaka steps in.  Yet he's still locating his pitches well as a ball inside induces a grounder to 2nd.

Iida swings at a letter high fastball and it finds the gap between Kawano and Inaoka for a base hit.

Masai next to keep the inning going, but falls behind 1-2, and on a hit-and-run pops out to short.

Bottom 8th
Both pitchers are throwing their fair share of breaking balls at this point.  Shimada manages to avoid one in the dirt, but grounds out to 2nd.

Inaoka with a short liner to 3rd and Iida snocones it for the 2nd out.

It's another quick inning as Sugimoto gets really jammed and hits an easy grounder to Shimagaki.

Top 9th
Well!  We're in the 9th inning and the game is tied at 1!  Will someone break through or are we headed to our first enchousen game?

Shimohara swings early and flies out to Shimada.  1 down.

#10 Kobayashi seems warmed up just in case, but Goutouda seems fine.

Foul popup by Matsubara and Kusaka should have it, but lets it drop!  Second chance!

But Goutouda freezes him on a fastball for the 2nd out!

Oomura quickly goes down 0-2 swinging at balls away again, but just sneaks one past a diving Sugimoto and Nakano for a base hit!

Now Shimagaki has to help his own cause... but flies out to left...  Now they'll have to hope for enchousen.

Bottom 9th
Shimagaki at 109 pitches heading into the 9th.  That's actually pretty low.

OH!  Yamato with a liner back at Shimagaki and he picks it off for the 1st out!

Shimagaki's off speed pitches are still on target and he picks off Matsumoto for his 11th K!

And Kusaka first pitch grounds to 2nd and we're headed to enchousen!

Top 10th
Goutoua delivers his 144th pitch to leadoff batter Taniguchi and he fouls it off.  144 still not terrible.  Seriously.

Taniguchi pops out to short for the 1st out.  Hosokawa tries the safety bunt, but his dive might have cost him the base...

Ishizaka first pitch grounds to 1st and Naruto is quickly back on the bats.

Bottom 10th
Goutouda with Naruto's 3rd hit of the day on a ball back up the middle!

Noguchi-kantoku calls time as this is a crucial time now for Shimagaki.

Nakano lays the bunt down and the sayonara run is in scoring position.

AH!  Shimagaki with a mistake and Kawano drives it to deep left center!  No one's going to get to it and Naruto gets the sayonara 2-1 win!!!

A well fought pitchers duel on both sides, Shimagaki's control slipped just a little sooner than Goutouda and Naruto takes advantage!

Give Shimagaki and Sumoto credit.  They probably shouldn't have been this close against the Shikoku champions, but they fought them 10 hard innings.  Nothing to complain about for the home squad.

Day 3 - Games Cancelled

Due to rain in the area, games have been cancelled for the day.  All games are pushed back 1 day, which means the championship game has been moved to April 2nd.  With the day off, I'll get caught up on the Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi-Tenri game (though I really don't want to).

Day 2 - Game 3 - Kamimura Gakuen (Kagoshima) vs. Ishinomaki Kougyou (Miyagi)

Rounding out Day 2 showcases the last 21st century team, Ishinomaki Kougyou, who was awarded the bid in part due to the Higashi-Nihon Daishinsai last year.  Unfortunately, much like Memambetsu, they're facing a team from the Kyushu region - and this time it's the champions Kamimura Gakuen.

And that doesn't bode well for them at all...

Ishinomaki Kougyou had the unfortunate fate of facing Natsu Koushien runner-up and Meiji Jingu champion Kousei Gakuin in the Tohoku Super-Regional and was mercy-ruled 8-1.

The team is probably the type of 21st century team that Nonomura-kantoku (now back coaching at Kaisei) was referring to when he railed (incorrectly) on Rifu.  There is very little about the team that suggests they can make a run - the pitching is to contact, the batting is decent but appears to be devoid of big power.

Kamimura Gakuen won the Kyushu Super-Regional, but something seems a bit suspect about them, despite some of the ratings they've been given by magazines and the like.

The biggest thing that stands out is that their BA during the tournament was rather low for a championship squad, yet they put out decent power numbers - 50 XBH in 135 hits for a 0.144 ISO, which is almost equivalent to a double every other hit. So they don't necessarily make a lot of contact, but when they do it can go for extra bases.

Kamimura's strength lies with their ace, Hirayabu Jyunichirou.  He averaged less than 1 H+BB per inning while striking out 1 batter an inning.  He depends on his control and mix of pitches to fool batters as his fastball only tops out in the mid-high 130's.  Hirayabu will have to keep that control at  a high level if Kamimura is to challenge for the title.

Chances are Kamimura Gakuen will move on to the next round.  However how they do going forward will be more of an issue.

Kamimura Gakuen (Kagoshima)

CF  Niiro Shinya
2B  Tanaka Koudai
P  Hirayabu Jyunichirou
RF  Koga Iori
1B  Ootsubo Naoki
LF  Seguchi Takuya (#11)
3B  Nakazono Fumitaka
C  Nakano Daisuke
SS  Nikou Takuma

Ishinomaki Kougyou (Miyagi)

SS  Okutsu Yousuke
LF  Saitou Hiroaki
C  Abe Shouto
P  Miura Takumi
RF  Kihara Kouhei
1B  Endou Yamato (#13)
2B  Abe Katsuki
CF  Ise Chihiro
3B  Kimura Ryouya

__________________________________________________

14:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
First ball from Miura hits Niiro, second pitch Niiro steals 2nd and it begins...

Tanaka gets under a ball and pops out to left for the first out.

Hirayabu hits a ball back up the middle.  Okutsu ranges over, and the ball goes off his glove and deflects into center!  Niiro scores easily on the error and immediately Kamimura is up 1-0!

Miura limits the damage done as he gets Koga and Ootsubo to fly out to end the inning, but Ishinomaki will play from behind.

Bottom 1st
Hirayabu retires the first two batters for Ishiko before Shouto takes the first ball and drops it into left-center.

That brings up cleanup batter (and ace) Miura, who is the team's only power hitter really.  Hirayabu is particularly careful with him given that, much like Ootani for Hanamaki Higashi, he's the only one that could really hurt them.

But Hirayabu gets Miura to wave at a slider away letter high and the inning is over.

Top 2nd
Miura gets himself into trouble again as he gives the leadoff batter in the inning a free pass.  Yamamoto-kantoku goes for the quick run with the sac bunt.

This time around Nakano earns a base hit instead of the error, but the result is the same.  Seguchi comes home, and Shouto being in front of the plate instead of on it wastes too much time reaching for the tag.  2-0.

And much like the 1st, Miura retires the next 2 batters.  New inning, same story.

Bottom 2nd
Meanwhile, the Ishinomaki batters are having trouble recognizing pitches.  Kihara and Endou both strike out on pitches outside the zone.  And while Katsuki makes contact, it's right at 1st.  While Tanaka can't field it cleanly, it bounces back to Hirayabu who tosses it back for the third out.

Top 3rd
Kamimura Gakuen gets their 3rd leadoff runner on as Tanaka hits a ball to left center.  Saitou gets to the ball, but Tanaka is heading for 2nd!  He throws it in, but it's strangely cut off as Tanaka slides in safely!

But Tanaka returns the favor!  He's caught off 2nd and Shouto guns him down as he scurries back!

Still, the troubles remain for Miura.  He walks Hirayabu to put a runner back on base, then they take advantage of Shouto's reaction time and he steals 2nd.

And on the 7th pitch of the AB, Miura's slider inside is just too much in and they're back in a mess.

After 2 balls, Shouto goes out to talk with Miura.

Miura isn't a terrible pitcher.  He throws in the low-mid 130's with a slider in the 110's.  His control isn't bad, but the pitches get too much of the plate.

However, finally Miura gets out of a jam as Ootsubo grounds into a 4-6-3 inning ending double play!

Bottom 3rd
Hirayabu continues to feel no stress on the mound.  Ise and Kimura both ground out, and Okutsu can't get around an inside slider and strikes out.

Hirayabu isn't much different from Miura.  A lefty, he throws a fastball in the high 120's-low 130's, with a slider in the low 120's and a curve in the 100's.

Top 4th
Seguchi gives Kamimura their 4th leadoff batter with a seeing-eye single through the left side.  Nakazono executes his 2nd bunt.

Ishinomaki does itself no favors in this game.  Routine grounder to 2nd is thrown wide left of 1st.  Endou snags it but has to vacate the bag.

Kamimura continues to run on Ishinomaki and they're not contesting them anymore (well, maybe not with a runner at 3rd).  Nikou then singles to center and again the throw is cutoff seemingly unnecessarily.  2 runs score and they're back to a run per inning pace.

Niiro tries to improve on that with a base hit to left.  Saitou throws it in, Kimura relays it home, and this time they do have him!  2 out!

To top it off, Miura records his first K on Tanaka and they keep it limited to a run/inning.

Bottom 4th
Just when I tell Jason Coskrey of the Japan Times that the chances of an Ishinomaki comeback are low, Saitou hits a ball to right center.  With the outfield drawn WAY in, it goes all the way to the wall!  Saitou's in with a triple!

And now Shouto lines the first pitch to center!  Saitou scores and it's 4-1!

Miura's hit by Hirayabu!  The inning continues!  But it looks like Miura's going out to work on his hand.

Kihara tries to lay down the bunt, but Hirayabu is able to get the lead runner at 3rd.  One down.

Endou with a grounder to 3rd,  Nakazono falls down and the ball glances off his glove and it deflects behind Nikou covering!  All safe!  Manrui for Ishinomaki!

And Katsuki gets in on the act!  He lines one back up the middle and Saitou (running for Miura), scores!  It's 4-2!

Ise hits a grounder to short.  Nikou is there...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ball goes under Nikou's glove and into left center!  Not only that, it gets between the outfielders and they have to chase it down!  ALL THREE RUNNERS SCORE ON THE ERROR!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????!!!!!

THAT MEANS THAT ISHINOMAKI KOUGYOU HAS TAKEN THE FREAKING LEAD! IT'S 5-4!!!!!!

Kimura though can't keep the momentum going as he strikes out swinging.

But Okutsu singles through the left side!  THEY'RE SENDING ISE HOME WHY???????


Seguchi comes up throwing and Ise is out by a good margin to end the inning... WHY THE HECK DID YOU SEND HIM HOME??????

Nevertheless, in the most WTF inning I've seen in a while, Ishinomaki Kougyou scores the gyakuten run and leads over the Kyushu champions!!

Top 5th
Miura throws a couple of pitches and seems fine to go.

Hirayabu though starts work on getting that run back with a single to right.  No bunt from Koga?  He hits a chopper to 2nd and they get the lead runner.

But then Miura can't seem to find the plate.  He walks Ootsubo on 4 straight.

A fly to left by Seguchi puts them one out away from getting out of the mess.

But then he walks Nakazono on 4 straight.  A wild pitch then advances the runners.  Manrui for Kamimura.

Try as he might though, Miura can't retire Nakano.  On a full count, he walks him and thus the douten run.  It's 5-5.

That forces Matsumoto-kantoku's hand.  #10 Abe Tsuyoshi comes in for Endou and takes the hill.  Miura goes to 1st.

But a wild pitch for Tsuyoshi scores one more...  Kamimura re-takes the lead right back at 6-5.

Then Nikou hits a grounder to short.  The ball is picked cleanly by Miura, but his arm takes it in the path of Nikou who inadvertantly knocks it out!  Miura doesn't realize it and both Ootsubo and Nakazaono score to make it 8-5.  Oy.

Niiro continues the inning with a comebacker that Tsuyoshi can't field.  Runners at the corners.

Tanaka hits a grounder to 2nd, but Katsuki boots the ball!  His throw to 1st is late and one more run scores to make it 9-5...

Finally Hirayabu, who started the inning grounds into a fielder's choice at 3rd.

But Ishinomaki Kougyou gives back all 5 runs and trail again by 4..

Bottom 5th
Shouto tries to give the Ishinomaki team life with a one-out single to left, but Miura strikes out on a off-speed pitch and Kihara grounds back to Hirayabu.  Onto the break, but does Ishinomaki have any magic left?

Top 6th
So apparently, the Ishinomaki pitchers need time to settle down.  Because Tsuyoshi is pitching well after the break.  Koga lazily flies out to right, Ootsubo strikes out swinging, and then Seguchi grounds out to short!  It's a 1-2-3 inning!

Bottom 6th
So does Ishinomaki have a reply?

And Kamimura makes their own change on the mound!  Hirayabu goes to left, while #7 Kakizawa comes in for Seguchi and takes the hill!

Kakizawa is a righty who can hit 140 and has a slider that goes as slow as the high 100s!

Ishinomaki can't adjust to the change in pace as Tsuyoshi and Katsuki go down swinging.  Ise avoids the 3 strikeout inning, but weakly grounds out to 1st.

Top 7th
Tsuyoshi is really doing work now.  He gets another 1-2-3 inning and puts his team back on the sticks again.  Perhaps too Kamimura Gakuen wants to speed up the tempo.

Bottom 7th
Well, this is the lucky 7.  But perhaps things don't go as expected.

Kimura goes down on 3 straight...  Okutsu flies out to right...

Well Saitou gets his 2nd hit, a liner over Nakazono for a single.

Now it's Shouto's turn at Kakizawa.  He's 3-3 so far.

Should I be mentioning that?

Yeah, I shouldn't have.  Kakizawa climbs the ladder on Shouto and he strikes out swinging to end the inning.  It was a worthy try, but coming back once was hard enough and required help.  Coming back twice is asking for too much.

Top 8th
Tsuyoshi encounters some trouble in the 8th.  He walks Hirayabu on 4 straight, then a hard hit ball by Koga isn't fielded properly and there 2 runners on.  But Ootsubo grounds out to 1st to end the inning.

Bottom 8th
Defensive changes for Kamimura.  #14 Nagao comes in for Ootsubo and plays 2B.  Tanaka goes to SS, and Nikou goes to 1B.

Miura starts off the inning with a single to right.  Kihara fights to get on base, but winds up looking at strike 3 on a full count.

Tsuyoshi hits a hard liner, but right at Nakazono.... and Katsuki pops out to Tanaka to end the inning.

Top 9th
New P Kakizawa takes the stick for the first time, but flies out to center. #12 Yamashita comes in for Nakazono but grounds to short.  And Tanaka pops up to short to give Tsuyoshi his 4th consecutive inning of scoreless work.  But they're still down 4 with 3 outs to go...

Bottom 9th
More defensive changes for Kamimura. ##15 Matsuki comes in for Hirayabu in LF, and #16 Fujita comes in for PH Yamashita and takes over at 3rd.

Ise goes down swining, and there's one down...  Kimura put a charge into one, and Koga tumbles backwards but makes the catch.

And finally Okutsu pops up to short.. and that's the ball game.

Hey, Ishinomaki may have still lost by 4 runs, but man did they ever give us fans the ride of our lives for one half inning.  There was hope, and while it didn't last, just having it means something.

Day 2 - Game 2 - Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi (Gunma) vs. Tenri (Nara)

Okay, now comes the test game for me.

Over the last couple of years, I made it no secret that Tenri was one of my favorite teams, if nothing else because I stayed there during my first and third trips there and they seemed like a powerhouse.  Yet, under closer inspection combined with recent results suggest that Tenri (and subsequently Nara as a whole) was a weaker prefecture that was dominated by 2 teams (Tenri and Chiben Gakuen).  Furthermore, Chiben Gakuen has supplanted Tenri at the top of the prefecture.

So Tenri has a lot to prove to everyone that they're still relevant (including myself).

Defensively, Tenri has always been solid.  Pitching has always been at least average, but offensively they seem to have issues.  Compounding the issue is that this team, despite being the Kinki Super-Regional runner-up, is more power starved than usual.  That'll definitely be a problem.

And they're facing Kanto quarterfinalists Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi.

Kendai broke through with their first summer appearance last year, and now have turned around and qualified for senbatsu.  Their watermark game was against Urawa Gakuin where they put up 7 runs.  However, they lost 11-7 and we don't quite know how good Urawa is just yet.

Kendai's offense numbers are better than that of Tenri, and even if strength of super-regionals are a push, that still gives an edge to Kendai.  On the mound, the teams appear to be a push with neither carrying a dominating ace.  Both Nakatani (Tenri) and Miki (Kendai) pitch to contact.

I expect this to be a close game, but the edge has to go to Kendai.

Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi (Gunma)

CF  Takeuchi Tsukasa
2B  Nakayama Keita
C  Nagasaka Kenya
3B  Uchida Ryouta
1B  Oosawa Yoshiyuki
RF  Kanbe Kazuki
LF  Kobayashi Ryuutarou
SS  Akiyama Kousuke
P  Miki Keita

Tenri (Nara)

CF  Higashihara Masahi
2B  Watase Yuuya
RF  Kimura Hide
SS  Yoshimura Kousuke
LF  Kuroda Kouta
3B Kumamoto Shuu (#14)
1B  Furuta Rui (#5)
P  Nakatani Keita
C  Yamagishi Masaki (#17)

__________________________________________________
11:15 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Takeuchi is a stubborm leadoff batter and takes 8 pitches before hitting a ball pas a diving SS.  He then proceeds to steal 2nd with little effort.  Tenri and Nakatani in a pinch early.

Nakayama tries to put the bunt down, but he free bunts foul and there's one out!

And now Takeuchi makes a mistake.  He's caught off 2nd when a ball goes in the dirt and is thrown out!  2 down!

Nakatani gets Nagasaka to strike out looking and the inning is over!

Bottom 1st
Higashihara with a walk to start the 1st!  Watase bunts him along and Tenri has a chance!

That gets compounded when Kimura's grounder to 2nd is booted and everyone's safe!

But now it's Tenri's turn to make a mistake as Kimura tries to steal 2nd and is thrown out easily!

Yoshimura strikes out looking to end the inning and it's missed opportunities on both sides!

Top 2nd
Nakatani goes back into the fire immediately as Uchida singles through the left side!  He steals 2nd easily, and now a single to right by Oosawa puts runners at the corners with no down!

Hashimoto-kantoku calls for time.

Tenri's pitching looks rather pedestrian right now.  Nakantani is hitting only the high 120s-low 130s along with what seems like a circle change in the high 90s-low 100s.

Kanbe gets the job done, and while he grounds into the 6-4-3 DP, Uchida scores and it's 1-0.

Oh?  Hashimoto-kantoku pulls Nakatani for #11 Yamamoto Tatsuya.  In looking at the conference plus the fast pull it looks like the team isn't quite sure of the game plan.  About the only thing that makes sense is that they're going with the righty.

But it seems to be of no use as Kobayashi drives a ball over Kimura's head and to the wall!  He quickly rounds the bases for a triple!

The announcers mention that he has a slow curve, and possibly a slider.  If his main secondary is a slow curve, I worry about Tenri's prospects.

Akiyama flies out to center to end the inning, but not before Kendai takes the lead!

Bottom 2nd
Miki continues to pitch well, recording two quick outs.  But Furuta puts an end to that as he takes one into the opposite field gap for a double!

From what I see, Miki has a fastball in the high 120s-low 130s, a slider in the low 120s and a change of some sort in the100s.

That's as much as they can get though as Tatsuya grounds to 3rd to end the inning.

Top 3rd
Quick inning for Yamamoto in relief.  Miki grounds to short, though he almost beats the throw while Takeuchi fouls out to 3B and Nakayama goes down on 3 straight.

Bottom 3rd
Last batter Yamagishi up, makes good control, but lines out to center.

Higashihara gets ahead 3-0, but allows Miki to pump in 2 strikes to fill the count.  Still, he manages to work a walk.  Wakase , unable to bunt hits the first ball back at Miki.  It deflects off his leg, but stays in front of him.  He throws out the runner at 1st and seems fine.

And Kimura, instead of testing to see Miki's delivery, swings at the first pitch and pops out to 2nd to end the inning.

Top 4th
Well, Tatsuya has settled down nicely.  He records his 2nd 1-2-3 inning against the heart of the Kendai order.  Location of pitches look good and the batters aren't making good contact.

Bottom 4th
Miki records his 2nd K of the game as cleanup batter Yoshimura swings on a letter-high pitch away.

Kurota lifts a ball up on the first pitch and Nagasaka barely moves to catch it.

And while Kumamoto hits a hard grounder that bounces off Uchida, his throw beats a diving Kumamoto (dang it, stop doing that!)

By the way, does anyone notice that Miki's pace seems faster than when the game started?

Top 5th
Tatsuya loses control of a pitch and hits Kanbe to start off the 5th.  But Aoyagi-kantoku doesn't have Kobayashi bunt.  Instead, he grounds to 1st, and Furuta goes to 2nd for the lead runner.

Instead, Akiyama bunts, but it's right at Tatsuya who goes to 2nd for the force again.

And this time, to eliminate the force, Akiyama immediately steals 2nd.  Meanwhile, Miki is patient at the plate and manages to earn a walk after the count ran full.  That means that we're back to the top of the order and Takeuchi.

But he grounds to 1st.  Furuta tosses to Tatsuya and the inning is over.

Bottom 5th
Furuta takes the first pitch through the left side and Tenri as their 2nd leadoff runner on.

And now Tatsuya is hit by a pitch!

Yamagishi lays down a bunt, Miki goes to cover it, but rolls over Oosawa and falls down!  His throw to 1st is late and everyone's safe with no down!

Higashihara lays down the squeeze!  The Kendai defense is off guard and Miki's only throw is to 1st.  Tenri gets their douten run out of the way!  1-1!

Wakase with a single to right!  Tatsuya comes home!  Yamagishi is WHY ARE YOU SENDING HIM HOME?????

The throw from Kanbe is in plenty of time to get Yamagishi... *sighs*

And Kimura flies out to left to end the inning.

Tenri does get their gyakuten run to lead 2-1, but with bases loaded with no out it seems like it should have been more.

Top 6th
Coming out of the break, Tatsuya walks Nakayama putting the douten run on immediately.

Nagasaka up now and, hey!  That's the Evangelion theme song again!  Whee!

Oh, Nagasaka strikes out swinging, but Nakayama makes it equivalent to a sac bunt by stealing 2nd.

Uchida with a single back up through the middle!  Higashihara with it but the throw home is cut off.  Kendai comes right back to tie the game at 2-2!

Oosawa with a drive to left center!  Higashihara back to the wall and makes the catch!  Could they be finally adjusting to Tatsuya?

Kanbe up and Uchida takes off for 2nd!  He's in safely!

But Tatsuya induces a groundout to 3rd from Kanbe to end the inning, but not before he gives up the lead they just got!

Bottom 6th
Yoshimura leads off the inning with a single back up the middle!  But Kurota isn't bunting and swings away!

However, he flies out to center.

And now Kumamoto grounds into the 5-4-3 double play to quickly kill the inning!

And does anyone notice that Miki is going slower now?

Top 7th
Kobayashi grounds one through the right side for a leadoff single.

Akiyama with a ball into the left center field gap!  Kurota over to field it and he bobbles it!  Kobayashi is heading to 3rd and now being sent home!  The throw home is late and he scores!  Kurota's bobble costs them as Kobayashi scores all the way from 1st!  3-2 Kendai!

Miki proceeds to bunt Akiyama along to try and secure an insurance run.

Tatsuya throws it away!  He throws it inside when Yamagishi was looking for something away and now Kendai leads 4-2!

Nakayama hits a grounder to 2nd, but Watase boots it!  He can't recover and the inning continues!

Meanwhile, Tatsuya appears to be laboring.  His balls are falling short, and now Nakayama steals 2nd!

Grounder to short and now Yoshimura misplays it!  Nakamura scores to make it 5-2!

Uchida with a solid shot through the left side and I think they've gotten to Tatsuya now.

The inning finally ends when Uchida grounds out to short.  But Kendai retakes the lead in their lucky 7 and now Tenri's offense must find a way to get those runs back.

Bottom 7th
Fortunate start for Tenri in their lucky 7 as a grounder to short by Furuta is mishandled. But Tatsuya swings away on the first pitch and fouls out to Oosawa.

And what seemed like a fortunate start goes kaput quickly as Yamagishi grounds to Miki who then initiates the 1-6-3 double play.

Top 8th
Tatsuya was about to have a quick 1-2-3 inning, but Akiyama got stubborn fouling off pitch after pitch before finally grounding to short to end the inning.  Still though, they hold the lead.

Bottom 8th
Tenri gets a baserunner as Watase hits a high chopper over the mound.  Akiyama goes to field it, but loses the ball on the transfer and Watase is safe on the infield hit.

However, Kimura grounds to 3rd.  Uchida throws to 2nd, Nakayama makes the turn and throw just as he's taken out and they get the double play!

Top 9th
One down and top batter Takeuchi tests the defense by laying down a bunt.  The throw from Kumamoto is late and he's on safely.

And now Takeuchi takes off for 2nd and just slides in safely!

Aoyagi-kantoku then starts the hit-and-run and Nakayama lines one to right!  Takeuchi easily scores to make it 6-2.

Hashimoto-kantoku pulls the hook on Tatsuya and puts in #12 Urushihara.

His first batter Nagasaka tries to lay the bunt down, but pops it up!  Urushihara runs to the first base line... and drops it!  It's fair, his throw is late, and everyone's safe!!

Uchida follows that with a single to right!  That scores Nakayama and it's now 7-2.

Oosawa with the squeeze!  Urushihara's only play is to 1st and now its 8-2!  The game has completely gotten away from Hashimoto-kantoku.

And with one strike on Kanbe, Aoyagi-kantoku sends in #16 Takasugi.  And he hits one through the left side!  Uchida scores and they're now ahead 9-2.

#15 Morinaga comes in for Takasugi, and steals 2nd!

But the inning mercifully comes to an end as Kobayashi flies to center.

Bottom 9th
#14 Kouno comes in for Morinaga and takes over in RF.

Yoshimura with a liner to center, Takeuchi dives and misses the ball!  It rolls out to the wall as Yoshimura comes into 3rd!

#10 Sekiya comes to PH for Kurota and drives one to left!  Kobayashi goes back to the wall and the field holds it in.  Yoshimura scores to make it 9-3.

#3 Inabetsu comes in for Kumamoto, but pops out to 2nd.  2 down.

And Furuta grounds out to short.  The throw from Akiyama is wide, but Oosawa makes the tag to end the game.

Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi wins in a runaway 9-3 over Tenri.  They dominated in just about every stage of the game, but most importantly, they dominated on the mound.  Tenri didn't have a solid ace on the mound, couldn't hit and even had troubles on the field.  That combined led to the eventual rout.