4 more champions crowned and what's on deck today

So here's what happened yesterday as all 4 title games started together:

Minami Hokkaido
Man, I had wanted Otaru Chouryou to win the title. And they had a dream matchup in the final in Toukai Dai-yon who is a good team, but not top echelon.

The game absolutely flew by.  Toukai Dai-yon scored a run in the first, and then it was a sprint to the finish, with both sides attacking early and often.

The game lasted 83 minutes.  83!  And Otaru Chouryou was just out-matched, or you could say that they kinda played themselves out of the game with how quickly they played.  Either way, Toukai Dai-yon takes advantage of the opportunity with the open bracket and they will book their flights.

Akita
When I saw that Kakunodate had advanced to the final, I was so happy for them. Last year ended in heartbreak versus Akita Shougyou in the 15th inning.  I wanted them so badly to get to Koushien.

But they were playing Noshiro Shouyou (fka Noshiro Shougyou), and it was pouring down rain.  For the underdog, perhaps things weren't in their favor again.

Yet it was Kakunodate who had put pressure on Noshiro Shouyou early, finally breaking through in the 3rd with a run, and then adding a pair after that.  But with the elements making things miserable, ace Souma would give chances for Noshiro to get back in the game.  But time and time again they got out of the jam.

One final pinch in the 9th, runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs, Noshiro gets a base hit.  Inexplicably, the runner from 2nd tries to take home on the shallow ball, and is easily thrown out at home to end the game and give Kakunodate the title!

Saga
Saga Kita was out on a mission to return to Koushien and found themselves just 1 game away and Saga Kougyou left in their way.

Kita took the lead right off the bat, and perhaps one thought that they could run away with it.

Not so much, and actually Kougyou would score in the 4th and another in the 5th to actually take the lead!  Didn't last long though as Kita would tie it immediately thereafter.  Kita would continue to make chances, but were unable to capitalize.  And so the game went to enchousen.

And unfortunately, it would appear that an error would decide the game.  A SS error from Kougyou would give Kita the 3-2 lead in the 10th.

Undaunted, somehow with 2 outs, Kougyou would load the bases!  And a tweet I saw had a picture of a 3-1 count.  Yet reliever Fukui found a way to get a K to end the game and send Saga Kita back to Koushien.

Miyazaki
Nisshou Gakuen would have to get past Nichinan Gakuen to win the Miyazaki title.  I don't have much information regarding the game, except that Nichinan Gakuen held Nisshou Gakuen to just 4 hits.  Nichinan got only 5 themselves, but made the most of it, scoring a pair of runs in the 2nd and made that stick to take the title for the 7th time.

So that covers yesterday.  Today we have the following

• Kita Hokkaido - Kushiro Kougyou v. Bushuukan
• Aomori - Aomori v. Hachinohe Gakuen Kousei
• Iwate - Hanamaki Higashi v. Moriokadai Fuzoku
• Yamagata - Sakata Minami v. Yamagata Chuo
• Oita - Oita 6x-5 Meihou (10 inn) *This will be covered later
• Kagoshima - Kanoya Chuo v. Kamimura Gakuen

Upcoming finals matchups

5 finals matchups are set now, let’s see who will be playing for the title:

Minami Hokkaido
Things got turned upside down in the quarterfinals. First, in the second half of the quarterfinals, Toukai Dai-yon never trailed against Sapporo Dai-ichi, pulling away to an 11-5 win. Sapporo Nichidai also never trailed in their matchup, sending Komadai Tomakomai home with a 5-1 victory. This meant there was no real top level powerhouse left. It also meant that the winner of the first semifinal stood a better chance of claiming the title.

In that semi Otaru Chouryou, continuing their run long after defeating Hokushou in the regionals, built a 8-4 lead over Urakawa. But much like Nihon Koukuu yesterday in Yamanashi, they couldn’t record the final 3 outs. Urakawa would score 5 runs to take a 9-8 lead. But unlike Nihon Koukuu, Otaru Chouryou didn’t know the meaning of give up. They came back and scored 2 runs to win the game 10-9 to reach the finals! The other semifinal was not as climactic. Toukai Dai-yon scored a pair of runs early, but it was the 6-run 5th that put the game away. 2 more in the 6th and it was all over for Sapporo Nichidai.

So it’ll be the Cinderella Otaru Chouryou and the always decent, but never good enough Toukai Dai-yon who will play for the Minami Hokkaido title.

Aomori
The third quarterfinal was a shocker.  Aomori scored in only one inning against Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi, but they scored 6 in that frame.  They made it hold up in a 6-4 victory to advance to the semis.  Their opponent would be as expected Aomori Yamada, who blanked Goshogawara Shougyou 4-0.

The first semifinal was as expected, but not in the manner we expected.  First Seiai slowly built a 4-0 lead through the middle innings. That was completely wiped out by a 4-run 7th from Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei. An inning later, Kousei would push through the gyakuten run, and with 3 outs to go, Seiai couldn't find a response.  Kousei prevails 5-4 and is one step away from yet another trip to Koushien.

Meanwhile on the other semifinal, Aomori Yamada, who has been trying to return back to their glory years, also built up a 3-0 lead over Aomori.  But for some reason, despite being the more "experienced" team, they could not record the final 3 outs.  Aomori puts together 7 hits and 5 runs in the top of the 9th and completely crushes Aomori Yamada's spirit, winning 5-3!

So Aomori will need to put another performance like that against Kousei if they want to reach Koushien.

Akita
Just about all of the quarterfinal matchups were in doubt.  In fact 3 were mercy ruled (though Noshiro Shouyou was tied 2-2 until a 6-run 4th) and the 4th (Kakunodate) was a 6-0 shutout.

So it would be Oomagari Kougyou v. Noshiro Shouyou and Yuri Kougyou v. Kakunodate in the semifinals.

Kakunodate's semi (the 2nd of the 2) was no contest sadly for Yuri Kougyou.  Kakunodate scored a pair in the first, then twisted the screws in the middle innings, winning 7-0 in 7 innings.  Things were a little different in the first semifinal however.

You see, Oomagari Kougyou had managed to keep Noshiro Shouyou off the scoreboard until the 5th and even then it was just a run.  That kept them in the game long enough to come through with a 4-run 7th to take the lead.  Of course, closing games seem to be a bit of trouble for schools this year, and this game was no exception.  Noshiro Shouyou scored 3 in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game and send it into enchousen.

Right off the bat, Oomagari managed to manufacture a run, putting Noshiro immediately on its heels.  But the bugaboo of defeating a strong team got to Oomagari.  2 walks and an error led to the tying run.  And with 2 outs and the bases loaded, reliever Tashiro would give up the oshidashi, sayonara walk to give Noshiro Shouyou the victory.

And so Kakunodate will get a second chance to get to Koushien.  This time however, Noshiro Shouyou stands in the way.

Saga
Saga's semifinals were much closer than what we've seen so far.  Perhaps because all 4 schools are in Saga city.

In the first semifinal, Saga Kougyou had managed to keep Saga Gakuen off the board for 7 innings.  Then in the 8th they were able to break the scoreless deadlock with a pair of runs.  Saga Gakuen would make the standard rally, but unlike some other teams, Saga Kougyou did not break.  They would hold on for the 2-1 win and earn a spot in the finals.

Saga Shougyou put up a similar fight against Saga Kita and in fact took a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the 6th.  Saga Kita would immediately tie the game in the bottom half, and the game would wind up in enchousen.  In the 11th, with a runner on 1st and 2 out, top batter Kinoshita would hit a ball to right center for the sayonara RBI triple to give Saga Kita the 3-2 win and a chance to return to Koushien

Miyazaki
Miyazaki will be the battle of the Gakuen's for the title.  Nichinan Gakuen got the tougher test against Miyazaki Nichidai as the teams were knotted up at 1 from the first inning before a pair of runs in the lucky 7 for Nichinan was all they needed to move to the finals.

Meanwhile, Nobeoka Kougyou proved to be no match for Nisshou Gakuen.  Despite lasting the full 9 innings, they would be shutout 6-0.

Two more titles determined (ugh...)

I'm going to make this short because the results depress me.

In Miyagi, Sanuma gives their best effort at Rakuten Kobo Stadium against Rifu, and actually rally to tie the game at 2 in the 5th.  But Rifu edges ahead with a run in the 6th, and Sanuma can't find the equalizer.  They fall just short 3-2.

Yamanashi was more heartbreaking for me.  Trailing 3-1 in the 7th, Nihon Koukuu scores 7 runs to lead 8-3.  But they can't hold it.  2 in the 8th makes it a 8-5 game.  Then an error by their 2B extended the game, and allowed Toukaidai Koufu to not only tie the game, but take the 9-8 lead.  Nihon Koukuu winds up the bridesmaids yet again, falling this time to Toukaidai Koufu 9-8...

I get to go to bed depressed.

Where we stand (Part 3 - Shikoku/Kyushu)

Trying to catch up as best I can today...

Kagawa - Best 8 (en route)
Kagawa is the first Shikoku prefecture to enter the round of 16 and already have some quarterfinalists.

Just to show how useless seeding can be, top seed Sanbonmatsu were mercy ruled in their round of 16 game 10-3 by Sakaide Shougyou.  They will face Kannonji Chuo who briefly trailed against Takamatsu Kita but went on to win 7-4.  And Eimei, a 3-4 seed, was blanked in their first game by Takamatsu Sakurai 2-0, so they didn't even make the round of 16.

The remaining games to be played for the right to be in the Best 8 are:

• Takamatsu Sakurai v. Takamatsu Higashi
• Kagawa Nishi v. Kasada
• Ootemae Takamatsu v. Takamatsu
• Iiyama v. Sakaide Kougyou
• Marugame Jyousai v. Kagawa Chuo
• Takamatsu Shougyou v. Jinsei Gakuen

With some of the upper tier schools have been eliminated, it means that the remaining ones have a better shot at punching their ticket - such as Kagawa Nishi, Marugame Jyousai and Jinsei Gakuen.

Tokushima - Round of 16
With 31 teams, one game gets you to the round of 16 in Tokushima.  Ikeda as the top seed actually got a bye.  Interestingly it doesn't get easy for them to start out, they draw Komatsushima!

• Ikeda v. Komatsushima
• Tomioka Nishi v. Tokushima Shougyou
• Tokushima Kita v. Naruto
• Jyoutou v. Anabuki
• Seikou Gakuen (no there are many of them) v. Tokushima Kagaku Gijyutsu
• Jyouhoku v. Aratano
• Naruto Uzushio v. Kaifu
• Anan Tousen v. Anan Kougyou

While many will be happy that Ikeda and Komatsushima will be beating each other up, the fact that Naruto Uzushio is on the other half means there is no easy road to the title.

Fukuoka - Best 8 (en route)

For as much as the school that winds up representing Fukuoka surprisingly doesn't seem to fare too well, the teams that do go generally seem to be from a big group of schools.  A lot of them are here in the round of 16:

• Kyushu Kokudaisai Fuzoku v. Fukuoka Koudai Jyoutou
• Toukai Dai-go v. Nishi-Nippon Tankidai Fuzoku
• Jiyuugaoka v. Yuusei
• Seirin v. Chikuyou Gakuen
• Orio Aishin v. Yanagawa
• Hokuchiku v. Kurume Gakuen
• Touchiku v. Higashi-Fukuoka
• Seihou v. Chikushi

Only thing is, quite a few of them are facing each other, so at least there will be some attrition for the other schools.  It isn't much solace considering that all but 2 matchups include of the upper level teams.

Interestingly, so far it is the non-powerhouse matchups that were close.   Jiyuugaoka spotted Yuusei 3 runs before coming back to win 5-3.  Chikuyou Gakuen went scoreless for 5 innings before finally breaking through for 8 runs.  And it was Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku and Nishi-Nippon Tankidai Fuzoku who scored double digit wins in blowout wins (though for Tankidai, they scored 10 of their 12 runs late).

Saga - Best 4

Saga Kita did indeed win their game 3-1 over Kashima.  Waseda Saga won yesterday over Toumeikan 8-0 perhaps giving pause to the rest of the field.  The quarterfinals were as follows:

• Ryuukoku v. Saga Gakuen
• Saga Kougyou v. Kanzaki Seimei
• Saga Kita v. Shiota Kougyou
• Saga Shougyou v. Waseda Saga

Saga Gakuen finally had their first close game against Ryuukoku, scoring the only run, but still advancing.  And instead of facing Kanzaki Seimei like I thought they might, Saga Kougyou shuts them out 2-0!

In fact 3 of the quarterfinal games were shutouts as Saga Kita put away Shiota Kougyou 2-0 to reach the semis.  Finally, it looks like the rest of the prefecture has a little more time.  Despite Waseda Saga coming back from down 2-0, Saga Shougyou puts up deuces in the 6th and 7th for a 6-2 win.

Nagasaki - Round of 16
With 57 schools, most of the seeded teams have to play just one game to get to the round of 16.  The only exception was Hasami, and unlike prior years, they are scoring runs!  They have defeated Nagasaki Nanzan 6-3 and then Kouka 9-2 in 8 innings!

All seeded teams have advanced, though some perhaps closer than others:

• Souseikan v. Nagasaki Higashi
• Nagasaki Nishi v. Hasami
• Seihou v. Kyushu Bunka Gakuen
• Nagasaki Kagakudai Fuzoku v, Shimabara Nougyou
• Sasebo Kougyou v. Shikimachi Kougyou
• Sasebo Shougyou v. Nagasaki Shougyou
• Keihou v. Obama
• Seiryou v. Kaisei

Kaisei barely beat Iki late 2-1 and Keihou responded a 3-run inning by Sasebo Jitsugyou with 3 of their own to win 5-4.

Oita - Best 4 (en route)
Wow, I leave Oita alone for a couple of days and they have powered through and will reach the Best 4 today!

One semifinal is set and that is Oita Uenogaoka v. Meihou.  Oita Uenogaoka several years back was a 21st century selection and kinda played like one in their only game.  This time around though they have put their stamp on the field.  Despite a 4-3 win over Usa to start the tournament, they have beat both Nihon Bunridai Fuzoku and Oita Shougyou to advance to the best 4.  Meihou has yet to yield a run in their 3 games so far.

Today, Oita shuts out Touin 2-0 to be the 3rd team to advance to the Best 4, and Kitsuki will play Nakatsu Higashi for the final spot later today.

Miyazaki - Best 4

There was a mild upset in the last day of Round of 16 play.  Nobeoka Kougyou upset Miyakonojyou Shougyou 3-2 creating the following quarterfinal matchups:

• Nichinan Gakuen v. Miyazaki Oomiya
• Nobeoka Seiun v. Miyazaki Nichidai
• Nobeoka Shougyou v. Nisshou Gakuen
• Nobeoka Kougyou v. Sadowara

For Nichinan Gakuen, they needed the late innings to put away Miyazaki Oomiya 10-0 in the full 9 innings.  They will play Miyazaki Nichidai who responded to a 3 run inning by Nobeoka Seiun with 3 of their own to win 6-3.

Nisshou Gakuen actually trailed Nobeoka Shougyou twice, but 3 unanswered runs post-break allowed them to move on 6-4.  And finally Sadowara put up a great fight against Nobeoka Kougyou, but like many other schools, broke down late falling 8-4.

Kumamoto - Best 4 (en route)
Unlike other prefectures, while there are 8 seeded teams, they are not drawn into the edges of the bracket.  Instead they are put in pools and drawn into a section of a bracket.

And not all of them survived into the best 8 (in order of the brackets):

• #8 Kyushu Gakuin - 3 strong games put them into the Best 8, but...
• #1 Taragi - They had the unfortunate luck to have to replay their first game when rain made their first attempt against Yuushinkan.  They eventually won, but it was an extra 5 innings of work to be put on the team.  The pitching would fall apart against Jyouhoku in the round of 16 giving up 4 runs late to fall 7-4.  There would be more to come...
• #4 Shuugakukan - They couldn't even reach the round of 16.  Against Toukaidai Seishou, they threw 5 different pitchers at them, but it was the offense that failed to deliver.  They would fall 1-0 in 11.
• #5 Kumamoto Kougyou - They almost blew a 6-0 lead against Kumamoto Kokufu with 5 runs in the 7th, but pulled away to win 11-6.
• #3 Buntoku - They have yet to yield a run in their games so far.  They may look the strongest.
• #6 Seiseikou - They have uncharacteristically scored a lot of runs in their games so far, their last being a more normal 6-2 win over Kumamoto Dai-ichi.
• #7 Senshuudai Tamana - In their 2nd game against Chiharadai, they rallied from behind to take a 5-3 lead, but 2 HRs from Chiharadai were too much as they lost 8-5.
• #2 Chinzei - Chinzei went from a defensive low scoring team, to a complete offensive one it seems.  Problem is, you have to outhit your pitching and survive a possible power outage.  It worked for the first couple of games, but against Kumamoto Kokusaidai Fuzoku in the round of 16, their pitching faltered, giving up 3 runs in the final 2 innings, and then the sayonara run in the 11th to fall 5-4.

Earlier today, Jyouhoku led Kyushu Gakuin 4-0, blew the lead in the 8th and 9th, but managed to stem the momentum, walking them off in the bottom of the 9th!

Kagoshima - Best 4 (en route)
Their PDF don't show any seeds, but the strong teams do occupy the normal seeded spots.

Kanoya Chuo didn't give up a run until their 3rd game vs. Tsurumaru in the round of 16.  Still, they have kept their opponents at arms length, defeating Sendai 4-2 for a spot in the semifinals. (Sendai had upset seeded Reimei earlier 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th).

Kokubun Chuo and Kagoshima Jyouhou are playing right now for the final spot in the best 4, both upsetting seeded teams in the prior round (Shounan and Kagoshima Jyousai respectively).  Kokubun Chuo leads 2-0 after their half of the 4th.

Ooshima couldn't keep the momentum from the spring, much like last year.  They fell in the round of 16 3-1.  That opened the door for Kanoya, who upset Kagoshima Gyokuryuu with 7 runs in the final 4 innings to win 7-6.

Kamimura Gakuen had a close game against Kounan in the 2nd round 2-1, but have defeated the rest in decent fashion.  Kanoya should prove to be a good challenge.

First ticket punched!

Well, it's all over in Okinawa, and Okinawa Shougaku successfully defends their title!  Their closest game was their very first in a 1-0 win over Okinawa Suisan, then ran the table 36-3 to win the title.

The game versus Itoman was a bit close early, but they finally broke through late with 6 runs in the final 3 innings to claim the title.  This is their 2nd consecutive and 7th natsu title!

One down, 48 to go!

Where we stand (Part 3 - Central)

Gotta keep going, we're going to crown our first qualifier today...

Wakayama - Best 8 (en route)
Regardless of the fact that Minoshima won last year, it's still Chiben Wakayama's prefecture. Despite the slow start in their first game, Kishigawa took the brunt of the damage in a 10-0 win.  Ito will be up next for the monarchs of the prefecture.

Minoshima was in some trouble today versus Wakayama Higashi, but 7 runs in the late stages helped push them to a 8-6 win.  They may not be the ones to take on Chiben this year.  Minabe and Wakayama Shougyou will play for the right to take on Minoshima next.

The rest of the games in the Best 16 are:

• Shiritsu Wakayama v. Tanabe Kougyou
• Kouyasan v. Kouyou
• Kioukan v. Seirin
• Tanabe v. Naga

Kyoto - Best 8 (en route)
Wow, I can't even recognize a lot of the teams that have made the Round of 16.

• Kita-Saga v. Ayabe - Nishio and Kuroda make a single run stick today for the win
• Ryuukokudai Heian v. Kyoto Kokusai
• Higashiyama v. Nishi-Jyouyou
• Otokuni v. Fukuchiyama Seibi
• Seizan v. Yamashiro
• Hokuryou v. Higashi-Uji
• Rakutou v. Kyoto Subaru
• Kumiyama v. Katsura

Wow, outside of the normal schools (plus Kyoto Subaru and Otokuni), I don't really recognize the teams.

And then there's the fact that Ryuukokudai Heian continues to play low-scoring games in advancing (though they just put up 5 runs to perhaps put Kyoto Kokusai in their place).

Fukuchiyama Seibi started slow, but did record a mercy rule win last over Horikawa. It will not get any easier as Otokuni defeated Kyoto Seishou, and Kyoto Shouei.  Not bad.

The bottom half is filled with unknowns because there were some upsets.  Ritsumeikan Uji? Gone yesterday at the hands of Hokuryou 2-1.  Kyoto Gaidai Nishi? Gone as well, having trailed Rakutou 3-1 in their opening game before finding a way to tie it in the 9th but eventually lost 4-3 in 11.  Might be a change for Kyoto Subaru to finally make some hay.

Tottori - Best 8 (en route)
They just started the Round of 16 play yesterday (they can take their time with just 24 schools).

Tottori Nishi could find the equalizer, but not the go-ahead as they fell to Kurayoshi Higashi 3-2 in 10.  Yazu continued to increase their run production each inning in a 19-0 win over Kurayoshi Nougyou.

Today Tottori Jyouhoku never trailed but played the full 9 against Yonago Shouin in a 5-2 win.  Yonago Kita meanwhile put crooked numbers up early and won 9-2 over Iwami 9-2 in 7.

Shimane - Round of 16
Shimane with just 39 teams means that for many, just 1 win gets you to the round of 16:

• Taisha v. Matsue Kougyou
• Matsue Nourin v. Matsue Higashi
• Yasu v. Gotsu
• Hamada v. Izumo Nishi
• Kaisei v. Risshoudai Shounan
• Izumo v. Iwamichisuikan
• Shimane Chuo v. Izumo Shougyou
• Meisei v. Daitou

 Many teams will breathe a sigh of relief as at least two of the strong schools will be eliminated (Kaisei, Risshoudai Shounan, Iwamichisuikan).

Where we stand (Part 3 - Kanto)

There is a lot to go through, and I have less time to cover it all:

Ibaraki - Round of 16

Ibaraki has quickly whittled the field from 100 to 16, and while there are some familiar faces, there are a lot of unfamiliar schools here too:

• Jyousou Gakuin (#1) v. Moriya
• Mito Sakuranomaki (#8) v. Ushiku
• Tsuchiura Kohoku (#4) v. Satake
• Fujishiro (#5) v. Asou
• Kasumigaura (#2) v. Mito Shougyou
• Ishioka Dai-ichi v. Kashima Gakuen (#10)
• Toride Shouyou v. Iwase Nichidai
• Ryuugasaki Dai-ichi v. Tsukuba Shouei

Jyouso Gakuin is an easy spot.  Kasumigaura was oh so close last year.  Mito Sakuranomaki is familar because they're often seeded.  Fujishiro I believe went to senbatsu several years back.  I remember Tsukuba Shouei and Ushiku for some reason but right now can't remember why.

With so few familiar teams, it could be quite possible that we could see a rematch of last year's finals.  Jyousou Gakuin has not yielded a run in 2 games, while Kasumigaura did have a hiccup against Tsukuba Kokusai holding off a 9th inning rally to win 4-3.

Nishi Tokyo - Best 8 (en route)
There were a lot of familiar faces that came from the field of 128 to the round of 16, and some have already advanced to the Best 8.

Those include Nichidai Tsurugaoka and Kodaira in the left half who won by double digits and will face each other and then Hachiouji and Toukaidai Sugao (who put Waseda Jitsugyou behind 4-0 early en route to a 6-3 win) in the right half and too will play each other.

More powerhouses will be on deck today.  Today's schedule is as follows:

• Shouwa v. Komaba Gakuen
• Nichidai Sakuragaoka v. Kokugakuin Kugayama
• Nichidai-san v. Seikou Gakuen
• Meijidai Nakano-Hachiouji v. Kokushikan

Higashi Tokyo - Best 8 (en route)
All 4 top seeds - Seiritsu Gakuen, Kanto Dai-ichi, Teikyou and Nisshougakushadai Fuzoku, have won their first 2 games to reach the round of 16.  Considering that I thought Nisshougakushadai was robbed, it's good to see them progress.  However, they were a 5-3 win over Jyousai and a 3-2 win over Toukaidai Takanawadai.  Shuutoku, the #5 seed couldn't even get past their 2nd game, falling behind 6-0 to Iwakura eventually losing 6-4.  And of the #6-9 seeds, the familiar Toua Gakuen, Adachi Niita and Yukigaya have advanced.  So we've only lost 2 seeded teams so far.

• Seiritsu Gakuen v. Momijigawa - Seiritsu Gakuen needed to earlier to advance!
• Tokyo v. Adachi Niita
• Iwakura v. Toua Gakuen
• Jyoutou v. Nisshougakushadai Fuzoku
• Teikyou v. Nichidai-ichi
• Houyuu Gakuin v. Koyamadai
• Yukigaya v. Nichidai Buzan - Yukigaya obliterated Nichidai Buzan going the minimum 5
• Horikoshi v. Kanto Dai-ichi - Kanto Dai-ichi led 2-1 after 4, but while Horikoshi is no pushover Kanto plates 2 more and Horikoshi may be on their way out.

Tokyo has been good in recent years, have have posted 4 quality victories.  Next up will be the seeded Adachi Niita, who had some slight trouble versus Shinozaki before steadying the ship versus Tamadai Meguro.  Iwakura will be facing their 2nd seeded team in Toua Gakuen who have not had any issues so far.  Nisshougakushadai maybe gets a game to right the ship as Jyoutou barely survived rallying from a 6-run 7th from Musashigaoka with 4 runs to win 7-6.

Teikyou has looked okay so far, with their last game a 6-1 win over Komagome Gakuen.  And let's give Nichidai-ichi some credit before facing Teikyou.  Perhaps the lost school of the 3 Nichidai numbered schools (we all know about Nichidai-san and Nichidai-ni is consistently in the tier below the Koushien contenders).  They've won 4 games from the deepest part of the bracket to reach the Round of 16.  It will probably end here, but Teikyou, so you never know.

Koyamadai is a well-respected team, and have also gone from the deepest part of the bracket to win 4 straight, including the upset over Sundai Gakuen.  As for Houyuu, they had 2 mercy-rule wins before a 3-run 4 capped by a HR from Ishiyama would be enough to defeat Seisoku Gakuen 3-1.

Yamanashi - Finals

The quarterfinal games went as expected, with Hikawa, Toukaidai Koufu, Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku and Nihon Koukuu all won with relative ease.

The semifinals wound up being blowouts.  Despite Hikawa taking a 2-1 lead in the middle innings, Toukaidai Koufu scored 8 unanswered to win 9-2.  Nihon Koukuu didn't give Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku a chance, as they blew them out 9-1 to set up

So it'll be Toukaidai Koufu and Nihon Koukuu will play for the title (go Nihon Koukuu!)

Where we stand (Part 3 - North)

More prefectures have entered the round of 16 (and some who were already there have gone further):

Kita Hokkaido - Best 8 (en route)
With the taikai wide open as it is, teams remaining know they have a chance to head to Koushien.

Bushuukan, no stranger to the stage (though not in the end successful), did enough at the beginning and end to defeat Fukagawa Nishi 4-1.  They will be a tough test for Teshio, who finds them in unknown territory having used 2 big innings and holding off a 9th inning rally to defeat Rumoi 8-5.

Engaru got no favors drawing Shirakaba Gakuen right off the bat.  7 runs in the 3rd and 4th innings suddenly found themselves clear.  Shirakaba would not go quietly of course, and a 4-run 6th pulled them within 3.  They further culled that deficit to 2 after 2 in the 8th.  But time would run out as Engaru would win 9-7.  While it won't get any easier facing Asahikawadai in the next round, they got a surprising challenge in Kouryou.  They were shutout for most of the game, and it wasn't until a 2-run 7th that they cleared the way to the quarterfinals.

In an unfortunate battle between two Kushine regional schools, Kushiro Kougyou beat Kushiro Hokuyou 7-3. They will face an Iwamisawa Higashi squad that shutout Shibetsu Shouun 2-0.

The final 2 games of the round of 16 will be played today.

Minami Hokkaido - Best 4 (en route)
Unlike Kita Hokkaido, there was no drama at all in the first round of the prefectuals.  Urakawa, Eniwa Minami, Otaru Chouryou, Sapporo Dai-ichi, Sapporo Dai-ichi and Komadai Tomakomai all advanced.  The one surprise was Hakodatedai Yuuto who certainly was facing a tried and tested team in Toukai Dai-yon, was mercy ruled 7-0!

We had 2 of the quarterfinals yesterday, and the bye almost helped Sapporo Sousei.  Leading for most of the game, ace Hirose just needed 3 more outs to send his team past Urakawa to the semifinals.  By the time he recorded those 3 outs though, Urakawa had plated 4 runs and his team found the tables reversed.  They couldn't come back, falling 6-4.

Otaru Chouryou continues to defy the odds.  After defeating Hokushou back in the prefecturals, they managed to keep Shiriuchi at arms length in the latter innings to win 9-4.  The run perhaps looked to be at a close after they gave up 5 in the first 2 innings.  But they rallied back with 5 unanswered in the middle innings, and made it stand up for an 8-6 win.  Urakawa stands between them and a shot at the title.

Today the heavy hitters step in.  Toukai Dai-yon's trip will look familiar now as they must fight through Sapporo Dai-ichi.  Meanwhile, Komadai Tomakomai must go toe-to-toe with Sapporo Nichidai for the right to advance.

Aomori - Best 4 (en route)
The top 4 advanced to the Best 8 with mostly no problems.  Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei mercy-ruled Aomori Kita 9-0 in 7, Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi went just 5 to defeat Hirosaki Jitsugyou.  Those that needed a little more help, Aomori Yamada needed 4 pitchers to defeat Mutsu Kougyou 5-1 and Seiai needed a 4-run 7th to defeat Goshogawara 7-3 to setup the following matchups:

• Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei v. Hirosaki Kougyou
• Hirosaki Chuo v. Seiai
• Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi v. Aomori
• Goshogawara Shougyou v. Aomori Yamada

The first two games were played yesterday, and to no surprise they did not go the full 9.  Kousei won 14-1 and Seiai won 8-0, both in 7 innings.  That will be a must-see semifinal.

Akita - Best 8
The top 4 seeded teams were first up in the round of 16.  Oomagari Kougyou and Akita Minami both advanced with double digit wins.  Nishime had a tough test against Akita Shougyou but held off a 9th inning rally to win 3-2.  Yokote was the first seeded team to fall, falling to unknown Yuri Kougyou 5-1.

Oomagari Kougyou catches a break as Akita's run with close games catches up to them, shutout by Oomagari Nougyou 3-0.  Oomagari couldn't make it 3 schools from the city, but can't be blamed for losing 7-1 to Noshiro Shougyou.  Nishime better have their A-game ready.

Now here's a surprise - Yuzawa, more know for their onsen, sees their baseball team beat a well-known baseball school in the prefecure in Oodate Houmei 6-1!  With a matchup against Yuri Kougyou next, there is a prime opportunity to advance at such a late stage.

Finally, Kakunodate put Noshiro away early in the game ton win 7-3 and will need to get past 2nd seed Akita Minami.

Iwate - Best 8 (en route)
I suppose it would come as no surprise to anyone that Hanamaki Higashi as the top seed has given just 1 run in each of their 3 games so far.  They will play 5-8 seed Kuji Higashi, whose only real scare was a 8-5 win over town rival Kuji.

Oofunato had a great story going as a 5-8 seed.  3 years after the earthquake, they reached the round of 16 after rallying twice against Ibonai and then giving up a 2-run lead, to finally advance in 13.  Despite the long game, they came back and gave Senshuudai Kitami a challenge despite trailing for most of the game.  Sadly they would fall 4-3.  They will play a Mizusawa team defeated another disappointing Ichinoseki Gakuin team 2-1.

The other round of 16 games will be played today with Morioka Dai-san and Moriokadai Fuzoku taking the field.  Both have shown their opposition no mercy so far.

Yamagata - Best 8
Nichidai Yamagata appears to be back on track, recording a 13-0 win over Kaminoyama Meishinkan.  Next up will be Sakata Kouryou who have scored 4 runs in each of their games so far.

Sakata Minami still doesn't seem to be hitting their stride just yet, as it wasn't until a 6-run 8th that they distanced themselves over Kunori Gakuen 11-2.  Yamagata Jyouhoku is up next after they rallied with 3 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Yamagata Shougyou 7-6.

Tsuruoka Minami has played nothing but close games so far, including their 3-2 upset over 2nd seed Yamamoto Gakuen.  A well-respected Yamagata Chuo will be on the other side of the field next.

The other, more well-known Tsuroka team, Tsuruoka Higashi has yet to yield a run, and will play Nagai next.

Miyagi - Best 4
The prefecture is probably Rifu's to lose.  Tohoku trailed twice against the, but when Rifu put the 3rd run up in the 6th, Tohoku could find no answer and lost 3-2.  The feel good story for Kesennuma continues as a 5-run 5th put them clear of Ishinomaki 5-3.  However, it is very hard to see them making it past this round.

Tohoku Gakuin's run didn't last long after the upset win over Sendai Ikuei.  They couldn't plate a run against Sanuma and will have to wait until next year.  Meanwhile, Shiogama's magical run continues.  After tying the game at 2 in the 6th versus Izumi Shougyou, it isn't until 7 innings later that they are able to put up 3 runs to win and advance 5-2.

Where we stand (Part 2)

More prefectures are now into the round of 16 or later, here's where they stand:

Aomori - Round of 16
Well, the top 4 seeds - Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei, Seiai, Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi and Aomori Yamada have all won their first two games to reach the round of 16 with perhaps the weakest link being Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi.  Especially when in their first game they narrowly beat Goshogawara Nourin 4-2.

Perhaps showing the lack of depth in the prefecture, only 2 of the 4 B seeds have advanced - Hirosaki Kougyou and Goshogawara Minami.

Good luck to the rest of the field.  Kousei will generally be strong, Seiai at least seems to be riding the momentum from their appearance.  Aomori Yamada hasn't been to Koushien in a while but has been surging in recent years.  And Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi isn't a slouch either though they seem to be the weaker of the bunch.

Akita - Round of 16
Akita has not been known as a strong prefecture, and this year quite a few of the regulars aren't even seeded.  In fact, none of the top 4 - Oomagari Kougyou, Akita Minami, Yokote and Nishime have really been considered consistent contenders.

Despite that all 8 of the seeded teams have at least won their first game to reach this point.  One of those teams is Kakunodate, and I will be rooting hard for them to make it this year after their heartbreaking loss last year.  Noshiro Shouyou (fka Noshiro Shougyou) easily won their first game and in what seems like a really weak tournament this year should be a strong contender.

Akita and Akita Shougyou are still around, though Akita almost lost to Meiou in their first round (3-2 win in 10 innings).

Yamagata - Round of 16
Nichidai Yamagata, who would like to prove that they're not a 1-year wonder like back in 2006 is still in the running, but an opening 3-1 victory over Kahoku doesn't instill much confidence.

If there is any consolation, it's that the other strong schools in the prefecture are struggling as well...

#4 seed Sakata Minami also struggled in their opening game, defeating Yonezawa Shougyou 2-0.  #6 seed Haguro survived a 9 round fight against Yamagata Kougyou 8-7.

This could open the door for other schools to break through such as Yonezawa Chuo and Kunori Gakuen and make the trip to Koushien.

Miyagi - Best 8
Miyagi has been a bit muted in recent years obviously the 東日本大震災 hasn't helped them at all.

Top seed Sendai Ikuei, looking to return back to Koushien had 2 strong outings, but against Tohoku Gakuin actually trailed 3-0 for most of the game before putting up a 3-spot in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game.  However that's all they would score as Tohoku Gakuin would score in the 13th to send them home 4-3.

I've said it many times before, but Tohoku really hasn't done much in recent times.  They do hold the #2 seed and despite a shaky 3-2 win over Sendai Higashi have looked solid otherwise.

Rifu is surprisingly unseeded, and not surprisingly dominating their competition.  Even after having drawn one of the 10 extra games, they have won 3 of their 4 games in 7 innings, and the other was an opening 6-0 shutout over Oogawara Shougyou.  They'll get their biggest test in Tohoku next.

Outside of those schools, it's generally been a free-for-all.  #3 seed Furukawa Gakuen is the only seeded team to fall, losing in their opening game 5-1 to Kesennuma.  It's kind of sad though that they will have to play Ishinomaki to advance to the semifinals.  Things still aren't right in those areas and it would have been nice to see both teams advance in some manner.  Ishinomaki for their part has looked really good so far with 2 mercy-rule wins.

#4 seed Shiogama has managed to advance, but 2 of their 3 games so far have been decided by 2 runs including their last against Sendai Shougyou.

Where we stand (Part 1)

So, because I can't work on the brackets at work, it really makes it difficult to get them prepared.  These are all done manually and it took a lot of my free time back then.

Anyways, almost all prefectures are underway, and some are in the final stages:

Okinawa - Best 4

• Semifinal 1 - Okinawa Shougaku v. Ginoza
• Semifinal 2 - Itoman v. Urasoe Shougyou

Well, this pretty much went to standard.  Okinawa Shougaku, outside of their first game versus a game Okinawa Suisan have run roughshod over Naha Kokusai and Kadena.  Ginoza makes it surviving 3 games - first using an 8-run 7th to defeat Urasoe Kougyou, then rallying from down 4-2 with 3 in the 5th and holding on to defeat Tomigusuku, and then a complete track meet versus Yomitan where after they managed to lead 4-3 through 1, 16 runs are scored in the final 5 innings with them bending with 2 final runs in the 9th but not breaking for the 12-11 win.  God speed Ginoza.

Itoman hasn't been challenged so far (defeating Nishihara and Tomishiro Minami), and their only quality game being their last one wherein they finally gave up their first runs in the tournament - but still defeated Chinen 6-2.  Urasoe Shougyou has not impressed, but has managed to advance with close wins over Okinawa Kougyou and Mawashi before sending seeded Misato Kougyou home in the quarters in a 3-2 sayonara win in the 15th (I understand the draw rule, but it really, really sucks for the away team).

Kita Hokkaido - Main prefecturals

• Bushuukan (Kushine A) v. Fukagawa Nishi (Sorachi B)
• Teshio (Nayoro B) v. Rumoi (Asahikawa B)
• Engaru (Kitami A) v. Shirakaba Gakuen (Tokachi A)
• Asahikawadai (Asahikawa A) v. Kouryou (Tokachi B) - no not that Kouryou
• Kushiro Hokuyou (Kushine B) v. Kushiro Kougyou (Kushine C)
• Shibetsu Shouun (Nayoro A) v. Iwamisawa Higashi (Sorachi A)
• Kitami Hokuto (Kitami B) v. Obihiro Ryouyou (Tokachi C)
• Asahikawa Meisei (Asahikawa C) v. Abashiri Keiyou (Kitami C)

Wow, there are a LOT of new names that have advanced to the round of 16.  From the kanji I could only recognize 10 and of those 5 just because I recognize the kanji, not because they're a strong team.

Because of this it's probable that the eventual winner will come from the 3rd and 4th matchups.

I know Engaru got a shot at Koushien a while back, but I thought it was one year too late.  Well, they're at least back again having won 2 of their 3 games by double digits.  Sadly, they draw Shirakaba Gakuen who won their block games with ease (though against no-names as well).

Chances are they'll play Asahikawadai, though they eked by with 3-0 and 2-1 victories.

Bushuukan might have a chance, they had an easy time in their block, but that is certainly no guarantee that they'll succeed in the prefecturals.

Outside of those schools I think the only others I remember from prior years are Kitami Hokuto and Teshio.  Kitami Hokuto won their games 15-0, 14-0 while Teshio won 14-0 and 16-6.

I would say it's wide open, but with some strong teams still there (though one will be guaranteed to leave after the first round, it'll really be theirs to lose it seems like.  I just hope for the other school's sake they don't get cold feet should they get the lead against one of the "powerhouses".

Minami Hokkaido - Main prefecturals

• Sapporo Sousei (Sapporo G) - Bye
• Sapporo Hokuryou (Sapporo A) v. Urakawa (Muroran A)
• Komadai Kougyou (Muroran B) v. Eniwa Minami (Sapporo C)
• Shiriuchi (Hakodate B) v. Otaru Chouryou (Otaru A)
• Sapporo Dai-ichi (Sapporo E) v. (Hakodate) LaSalle (Hakodate C)
• Hakodatedai Yuuto (Hakodate A) v. Toukai Dai-yon (Sapporo F)
• Sapporo Nichidai (Sapporo D) v. Otaru Suisan (Otaru B)
• Komadai Tomakomai (Muroran C) v. Sapporo Okadama (Sapporo B)

OH DEAR LORD

We don't have a group of death, we have one complete side is composed of former Koushien teams and schools that are strong that seem to hit a ceiling against said powerhouses.  I really feel bad for LaSalle and Toukai Dai-yon especially because they'll have to play 2 or 3 such games just to get to the final.  For Otaru Suisan and Sapporo Okadama, all they can do is throw their hands up in the air and do their best.

Meanwhile on the other side, the schools there have a golden opportunity to breeze through to the finals where they will get one shot at the title.

Missing from these teams are Hokkai and Hokushou.  Hokushou was unceremoniusly mercy-ruled by Otaur Chouyou 9-2 in the Otaru A final.  Hokkai fared even worse, losing in their very first game 3-2 to Sapporo Minami giving up 3 runs in the final 2 innings.

Yamanashi - Best 8
It's not hard for Yamanashi to get to the best 8 when there are only 37 teams participating.  Sadly, such is the case with many rural areas.

• Koufu Kougyou v. Hikawa
• Nichidai Meisei v. Toukaidai Koufu
• Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku v. Toukai Dai-san
• Koufu Shougyou v. Nihon Koukuu

All 8 seeded teams had at least won their first game, but by their second game we saw some casualties.  Nichidai Meisei has had to come from the deeper part of the bracket and barely won their 2nd game against A seed Ichikawa, blowing 2 2-run leads before winning 6-5 in 10.  Fuefuki, surprisingly earning an A seed, couldn't get past Koufu Shougyou falling 2-1.  Finally, B seed Tsuru seemed to be doing okay versus Toukai Dai-san, but in the 7th gave up 8 runs and the game losing right then and there 10-3.

My school, Nihon Koukuu is going strong, but we'll need to see how they do now versus the upper tier of the prefecture.  Thing is, none of the other schools have really been dominant.  Hikawa had to say sayonara to Koufu Dai-ichi 2-1 and Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku had to survive a track meet 9-6 over Fuji Gakuen.  Only Toukaidai Koufu has routed their opposition so far.

Tottori - Round of 16
Tottori is even worse - there are only 24 teams in the tournament this year.  Yes, they do have the smallest population at under 600k.

So realistically, the round of 16 is just after the first round ends.  Which means teams like Tottori Jyouhoku, Yazu, Tottori Shougyou have yet to play.

Saga - Round of 16 (enroute to Best 8)
Well, at least Saga has 41 schools, so at least all schools have played at least 1 game.

The school that I though would start to run away with the prefecture because of brand name - Waseda Saga, actually needed 11 innings to defeat Karatsu Nishi 1-0.  Saga Kita needed 10 to defeat Saga Higashi.  Fellow seed Ryuukoku also had their own 1-run game but beat Imari Shougyou 3-2 in regulation.  The only seeded team to advance with any ease was Karatsu Shougyou who beat Taku 8-2.

Former participant Imari Nourin had blown away the competition so far, defeating Karatsu Kougyou and Ureshino by a total of 21-0, but the other day fell to Ryuukoku 3-2.

And today, Karatsu Shougyou, the only seeded team to seemingly breeze through... lost to Kanzaki Seimei 3-1.  Saga Kita is in the box new versus Kashima.

Miyazaki - Round of 16 (enroute to Best 8)
There will be no repeat appearance from Nobeoka Gakuen.  Unseeded just a year removed from the Natsu Koushien final, things started well with a 12-1 win over Kobayashi.  But then there was a 6-5 win over Kobayashi Nishi, and things fell apart earlier today as they lost to Miyazaki Nichidai 1-0.

I always root for St. Ursula, but once again they fall short, losing in the round of 16 to Nobeoka Shougyou yesterday 5-3 after giving up a 5-run 1st.

In fact, only 4 of the 8 seeded teams remain.  Nichinan Gakuen, who only had to play one game so far as their first was actually a forfeit; the aforementioned Miyazaki Nichidai, Nisshou Gakuen who mercy ruled Nobeoka Nougyou, and Miyakonojyou Shougyou.  It's wide open at this point.