Now that we're finally underway, our 2nd game features 2school coming from a fairly decent hiatus.
Sakaide Shougyou's last appearance was back in 1994, and while it's been 20 years since they've been to Koushien they had reached the finals before. Of course being in Kagawa nowadays, teams like Eimei, Sangawa, Jinsei Gakuen and Kagawa Nishi have taken over at the top.
Sakaide Shougyou won the title without having to face any of those schools, with their best competition (and closest games) coming in the quarterfinals (5-4 win over Kannonji Chuo), and in the finals (5-3 over Ootemae Takamatsu).
As can be the case with schools that kind of win out of nowhere, there is little information on the school and I can't even find video on their ace Kanemaru Tomoya.
Tsuruga Kehi comes back after a 5 year hiatus having defeated Fukui Koudai Fukui soundly 10-2 in the finals. Yet it was the semis where ace Hiranuma gave up a 4-1 lead with his offense saving him with a pair in the bottom of the 9th.
Their offense can score runs it seems with a BA of 0.438, but with the slipup in the semifinals, I think the focus would be put on ace Hiranuma Shouta. But I can't find much on him other than that he can supposedly go up to the low 140s on the fastball.
Neither team comes from a strong prefecture, and both put up strong offensive numbers. My guess is that Tsuruga Kehi will advance, but there isn't much information out there to base it off of.
Sakaide Shougyou (Kagawa)
2B Yokoi Keita
SS Uenaka Hiroki
3B Kawataki Ryouhei
RF Kanaoka Yuuta
1B Kakegami Koutarou
P Kanemaru Tomoya
LF Matsuura Tuuichirou
C Sawai Takumi
CF Araki Shinya
Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui)
1B Shinohara Ryou
3B Shimomura Takamasa
SS Asai Kouya
C Okada Kouta
CF Mine Kentarou
RF Oyana Shou
P Hiranuma Shouta
LF Yamamoto Akihiro
2B Nakamoto Takahiro
____________________________________________________________
13:05 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Before I can get even settled in, the Sakaide Shougyou batters run themselves in to 3 outs on just 7 pitches.
Bottom 1st
Things get worse for Sakide as a base hit just out of the reach of Uenaka goes into the outfield and Matsuura whiffs surprising Araki who also whiffs. As a result, Shinohara ends up at 3rd! Two batters later, Asai flies one to center, scoring Shinohara to make to 1-0.
Then Okada drives one over RF Kanaoka for a double.
Oh dear...
Mine hits one to deep left center... the fielders go back towards the wall, but they're looking up!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mine with a 2-run HR and much like the 1st game a team is trying to run away with it in the 1st! It's 3-0 Tsuruga Kehi!
Mineo with a single to center and this looks really bad. No conferences yet so far as I can tell. After a base hit on a curve, Miyatake-kantoku calls time.
But it seems whenever Kanemaru goes to his off-speed pitches, Tsuruga Kehi is just poking them to the outfield.
Yamamoto does the same thing and drives in a run to make it 4-0...
Kanemaru finally gets out of the inning when Nakamoto chases a ball in the dirt, but Sakaide Shougyou looks to be in a lot of trouble already...
Top 2nd
And their swings look like they're lost at the plate. Two weak swings after being fooled, and two groundouts.
Kanemaru seems to be seeing the ball better compared to the rest, but gets all twisted on a slider inside for strike 3 to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
What isn't helping either is that Kanemaru's fastball seems to be in the mid-high 120s! Now that worked for Obihiro Ootani last year, but I think that was because there was no tangible speed difference between his pitches. Kanemaru's does.
Shinohara and Shimomura seem to be testing how far they can hit the ball as they both quickly fly out. Kanemaru might get a short inning, but that was until Asai hit one sharply to 3rd, going off Kawataki and into foul territory for a double.
Okada flies out to Matsuura sprinting into foul territory to end the inning. It's a 0, but the offense needs to show more than what we've seen to consider any chance for a comeback.
Top 3rd
That's more like it. Matsuura with a hard shot to short, Asai seems to be in between on how to play it and instead it bounces off of him into the outfield for a base hit. Sawai bunts him immediately to 2nd.
Wow, down 4, Miyatake-kantoku goes for the hit and run, Araki fouls off the first one, but the 2nd one goes up the middle where Asai goes to 1st for the 2nd out.
Yokoi can't bring him in though as he pops out to Asai to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
Kanemaru goes inside to Mine, but he's still able to get around and bloop it into left for a base hit. He's bunted to 2nd.
Oh dear....
Hiranuma's bounder up the first base line is whiffed by Kakegami and goes into right. Mine scores easily from 2nd and it's 5-0 Tsuruga Kehi.
Kakegami gets the next bounder from Nakamoto to end the inning, but it's yet another run to make up for the team from Kagawa.
Top 4th
Sakaide Shougyou's half here in the 4th comes and goes. They can't get make good contact (if at all) and the ball doesn't leave the infield in a clean frame for Hiranuma.
Bottom 4th
Shinohara somehow gets around a ball that's way inside, puts it into right, and not only that for a hustle double as well.
Tsuruga Kehi will tru to play add on as Shimomura bunts the runner along.
Asai hits a ball hard up the middle, but Kanemaru manages to find the ball and hold the runner for the 2nd out.
He's not out of the woods just yet as he can't get the call on a slow curve at the bottom of the zone. It's not until Mine gets under one and Matsuura secures it that they can hang up the 0.
Top 5th
Hiranuma continues use the mix of his pitches (slider, curve, change and cut ball) to completely befuddle the Sakaide batters. There's nothing much to note as he goes 1-2-3 here in the 5th as he has faced 1 more than the minimum.
Bottom 5th
Matsuura makes a great attempt on a blooper from Oyana. He actually gets there, but can't quite put the glove on the ball. It deflects to the foul line and Oyana is in with a double. Hiranuma bunts him over.
Yamamoto tries to poke one, but it's right to short for the 2nd out.
Tsuruga Kehi adds on another as Nakamoto finally gets his 1st base hit with a gapper for a double, making the score 6-0.
Oh boy... Shinohara with a drive to right. Kanaoka goes back, but gives up before the fence.
That's another HR, and it's 8-0.
Shimomura flies out to center, but as we hit the break, it's obvious that Kehi will be moving on while Sakaide Shougyou will at least get to celebrate making it to Koushien.
Top 6th
Sawai gets frozen on a changeup inside. And perhaps sensing the same thing, captain Yamagami is sent in to PH for Araki. He pops out to right.
Yokoi goes around on a ball way inside and singles to right, but Kaminaka grounds to 2nd on the next pitch for the 3rd out.
Bottom 6th
#11 Ishidzuka comes in for Yamagami to take the hill. Kanemaru goes to center.
Asai pops one up to shallow left center, but Uenaka loses track of where it is and it falls in for a base hit.
Ishidzuka though retires the next 3 batters, partially thanks to a great stop by Yokoi up the middle and the misplay to start the inning doesn't hurt the team.
Top 7th
It's not that Sakaide Shougyou isn't trying, it's just that they're outmatched. 3 groundouts from the 3-4-5 batters and Tsuruga Kehi is 6 outs away from the 2nd round.
Bottom 7th
After a leadoff walk to Hiranuma, Azuma-kantoku is getting some of his bench players some work as #17 Matsuoka comes in to hit for Yamamoto. He dribbles one to the left side, but both Kakegami and Yokoi go for the ball, leaving Ishidzuka to scramble to the bag. He gets there a step late and everyone's safe. After #15 Miyamoto comes in to run, Nakamoto bunts the runners along for the top of the lineup.
Shinohara gets his 4th hit of the day, a double down the right field line scoring 2 to make it double digits for Tsuruga Kehi. 10-0.
Things completely falling apart for Sakaide Shougyou now as Ishidzuka hits Shimomura and Uenaka boots a ball from Asai.
Okada with a ball that hits off the top of the padding down the left field line, 2 runners score and it's 12-0.
Mine and Oyana both fly out to right to end the inning, but not before Kehi continues to pile on.
Top 8th
#18 Oda comes in for Miyamoto to play LF.
Hiranuma gives up his first walk to Sawai with 2 down. That allows Miyatake-kantoku to send in #13 Takagi to hit for Ishidzuka, ending his day on the mound.
But he strikes out looking to retire the side.
Bottom 8th
#15 Nishiguchi comes in to take the hill.
After recording the first out, he loses Oda after getting ahead 0-2, then PH Inoue takes the first ball back up the middle for a base hit, and then after a couple of bunt attempts, Shinohara gets his 5th hit, a single through the left side.
Oy. Shimomura's base hit up the middle is whiffed by Kanemaru, he has to double back as all 3 runners score on the 2-base error. 15-0 Tsuruga Kehi.
Sac fly from Asai makes it 16-0.
Okada with his 3rd base hit, a single that eats up Kawataki.
The inning finally ends with Mine grounding to 2nd, and mercy can soon be had for the team from Kagawa.
Top 9th
#14 Nakai comes in to play 2nd for PH Inoue.
Yokoi with a good strike, but right at Shinohara. With 2 down #12 Tamaki gets an AB. He hits one hard to 3rd, the throw from Shimomura one hops Shinohara and he can't secure it.
That gets #17 Kiuchi an AB, but he goes down swinging to end the game.
There's not much to say. Sakaide Shougyou earned the right to be at Koushien, but sadly were no match for Tsuruga Kehi. I think it's a sign of respect to keep going, but then you end up with scores like this. It's just part of the game, and I hope it doesn't crush them for the fall.
For Tsuruga Kehi, they need to be careful that this game doesn't derail the next. It usually happens when a team blows out another unnecessarily, they struggle in the next game.
Notable Players
Hiranuma Shouta (Tsuruga Kehi) - CG, SHO, 3 H, 7 K, BB
Shinohara Ryou (Tsuruga Kehi) -5-6, 4 2B, HR, 4 R, 4 RBI
Okada Kouta (Tsuruga Kehi) - 3-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Matsuuura Yuuichirou (Sakaide Shougyou) - 1-3
Yokoi Keita (Sakaide Shougyou) - 1-4
Tamaki Yuu (Sakaide Shougyou) - 1-1
Monday, August 11, 2014
Day 1, Game 1 - Kasukabe Kyouei (Saitama) v. Ryuukokudai Heian (Kyoto)
What an interesting draw this is. The spring champions Ryuukokudai Heian immediately put to the test in the opening game versus the Lucky Star school Kasukabe Kyouei (who actually is not that bad at baseball), they're like a Tier 2 school (good in prefecture, but not in the list of top schools).
Ryuukokudai Heian, if you look at the scores, seem to be picking up where they left off with their only close game in the 3rd round in a 3-0 win over Saikyou.
But they didn't have to face any of the top schools. In fact, the closest is Tier 3 Kyoto Subaru in the finals, and that was a 10-0 win. So while they did what they were supposed to, they did what they were supposed to.
Supposedly then we might get an idea of how they've improved today in the opening game.
But maybe not. While Kasukabe Kyouei did manage to make their return trip back to Koushien this year, like Ryuukokudai Heian they didn't face any of the top tier schools in the prefecture. The closest thing perhaps was their Round of 16 game versus Kawagoe Higashi where they narrowly won 2-1.
Kasukabe Kyouei ace Kaneko Daichi doesn't have overpowering stuff, but seems to be effective with a low 130s fastball with a shuuto go to with the standard slider and curve. It'll be interesting to see how it plays against the spring champs.
But from the little information I have (I don't have the official program yet), it looks like Ryuukokudai Heian handled their business better against their opponents and as a result should be able to advance. Neither team has been tested, so it's really down to recent performance.
Kasukabe Kyouei (Saitama)
SS Shimizu Shouta
2B Sano Naoki (#14)
C Moriya Genki
3B Harada Hiroki
1B Hiratsuka Taiga (#13)
P Kaneko Daichi
CF Nagaoka Daichi
RF Kobayashi Shintarou
LF Takano Ryouji
Ryuukokudai Heian (Kyoto)
CF Tokumoto Kentarou
RF Ootani Tsukasa
LF Nakaguchi Daichi
1B Kawai Taisei
C Takahashi Yuuya
SS Ishikawa Takuya
2B Himeno Taisei
3B Tsune Hitoshi
P Motouji Reiji (#11)
____________________________________________________________
10:30 - First Pitch!!
Top 1
Motouji on the mound for Heian to start the game.
Shimizu opens with a solid base hit to left. Sano puts down a great bunt, but Motouji throws it away at 1st! Shimizu goes to 3rd and Kasukabe is threatening early!
Moriya does his job as he lifts ball to left center, Tokumoto catches it, but Shimizu can walk in for a 1-0 lead!
Motouji continues to look shaky as his pitches are anywhere but in the zone. Behind 3-1, Harada gets a pitch he likes and singles to shallow left.
And now he hits Hiratsuka! Manrui as #10 Takahashi Keiji goes out to the bullpen.
Kaneko with a grounder to Tsune, but he can't handle the hop! It goes into left and now it's 2-0 Kasukabe Kyouei!
Nagaoka drive to right center! Tokumoto running back to chase it, but it falls in behind him! One runner scores, 2 runners score! Kaneko held up at 3rd wisely.
Still no movement from Harada-kantoku.
Kobayashi takes a ball the other way! That's over the infield and drops softly in the grass! Kaneko scores, it's 5-0 Kasukabe Kyouei and now finally #10 Takahashi Keiji relieves Motouji!
Honda-kantoku continues to press as he has Kobayashi take 2nd! Throw is cut off as Heian considers a delayed double steal.
Keiji finally gets out #2 as Takano K's looking on a ball down the middle. And finally ends the inning on a comebacker from Shimizu.
Kasukabe Kyouei though bats around for 5 runs. Now it'll be a matter of how they play the game going forward.
Bottom 1st
Tokumoto with the swinging bunt and Kaneko flubs the pickup! Infield base hit to lead off for Heian.
Ootani trying to but the runner along, but falls behind 0-2... Still tries it then and manages to lay down a beauty.
Kaneko by the way has a funky compact sidearm delivery that barely goes over 130.
Nakaguchi chases a ball outside, but manages to poke it to 2nd to at least advance the runner. But Kawai grounds to 3rd! Harada makes the pick and throw as Heian is left off the board.
Top 2nd
Moriya continues to see the ball well, despite the P change. He hits a hard 1-out single to center. This after Sano is caught looking.
But Harada hits into a 3-6-1 double play and that threat is done.
Bottom 2nd
Harada takes an extra second after the ball goes right to him, makes the easy throw to 1st. Quick fly to right by Ishikawa and there's 2 down.
Yuuya is jammed and pops one right to Sano to end the inning. Kaneko making quick work so far on Heian.
Top 3rd
Hiratsuka fouls off a couple (just) before popping out to Kawai.
Keiji doing great work in relief, getting Kaneko to ground to 1st, while Nagaoka K's. He's at least holding the deficit at 5, but they will need to start scoring runs sooner rather than later.
Bottom 3rd
1B Hiratsuka leaps into camera well to make a catch on Tsune's foul fly. He can't however get in front of Keiji shot down the 1st base line and Heian has a runner in scoring position.
Kaneko wanted the K on his 2-2 pitch, but didn't get it. Gets something close in a grounder to 2nd, but Keiji advances to 3rd on the play.
Ootani is jammed though and grounds to short, and once again Heian's runner is stranded at 3rd.
Top 4th
More of the same from Keiji, as he gets his 4th K v Kobayashi, followed by 2 routine plays and it's another 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 4th
But Heian really does need to score some runs.
Nakaguchi not helping things as he pops out to Hiratsuka near the coaches' box.
Kawai trying his darnest to get on base, continues to foul off pitch after pitch, gets a break when Shimizu and Takano. He finally makes good contact, but it's right at Nagaoka for the 2nd out.
Yuuya though prevents the clean inning as he singles past a diving Shimizu.
Ishikawa trying to put one in the same place, but Shimizu gets to this ball! Stands, throws to 1st... fine play to retire the side!
Top 5th
Keiji racking up the Ks as Sano waves on the slider outside and in the dirt for the 1st out.
And now it's 6 Ks as Moriya also chases the slider.
Harada refuses to go down on a K, but grounds to 2nd instead. As a result, he's faced the minimum.
Bottom 5th
Meanwhile, Kaneko finally records his 1st K in Himeno when he puts a changeup on the outside edge for the 1st out.
I guess along with the first K goes the first BB as Kaneko just misses inside on a 3-1 fastball to Tsune.
Kaneko refuses to be beaten twice by Keiji, gets him to roll over a ball to 2nd. It's not fast enough to double off Tsune, so they go to 1st.
Tokumoto lifts a ball to left center, Tokumoto sprinting to his left, and just manages to run it down in the gap to end the inning!
Kaneko isn't throwing hard, isn't overpowering, but is doing the most important thing... putting up 0's.
Top 6th
Hiratsuka with an excuse me swing puts the ball up the middle. Himeno cuts off Ishikawa and makes a leaping throw for the out.
Ouch. Kaneko plunked right on the hip. Wonder if that will affect him later.
Keiji looks like his control is fading, but Kasukabe's batters haven't caught on yet. Nagaoka chases the slider in the dirt for the 2nd out.
Whoa. Keiji has to fight for his life there as Kobayashi hits a liner right at his head! Keiji gets the glove up to block the ball, but it trickles to behind the mound and they have no play.
Kasukabe has their best opportunity in a while, but the batters are still chasing. Takano goes after a slider outside as well, that's 8 Ks for Keiji and despite the shaky inning still puts up 0s.
Bottom 6th
One pitch, one out. Ootani with a hard liner, but right to Takano. Nakaguchi can't square up the ball either, and it's an easy fly to Kobayashi.
Kawai prevents the clean inning with a ball though the left side.
But what's this? Yuuya is fooled on a changeup and Kaneko gets his 2nd K to end the 6th!
Top 7th
Shimizu drive to deep left! Nakaguchi backs up, backs up.... Makes the catch at the wall for the 1st out. That was really close for Keiji there.
I think though the Kasukabe batters are getting the idea, because Sano continues to take pitches in his AB, eventually drawing the walk. That gets the attention of Harada-kantoku.
Ah, but Sano gets caught trying to steal 2nd too early and is caught in a pickle! He's run down and that's 2 out! That's a break for Heian.
Moriya drive down the left field line! Nakaguchi running towards the pole, still running... Makes the catch right before he hits the padding and once again Keiji hangs up a donut. (though it's getting a bit shaky)
Bottom 7th
Ishikawa with a ball to shallow left center, Takano ranging over, slides... but can't secure the ball! It hits the heel of his glove and Ishikawa is on with a single!
And with 3 innings to go Harada-kantoku can't bunt anymore. Himeno attacks the 1-0 pitch, but flies out to Nagaoka who was waiting in deep CF.
Harada-kantoku though wants to be aggressive and he has Ishikawa take off! Tsune makes contact on the ball outside and hits it to center! Nagaoka has to play it on the hop and there's runners on the corners!
That's also going to be it for Keiji as #15 Nishikawa comes in to hit for him.
He doesn't get a base hit, but does the next closest thing which is to hit a sac fly to RCF. Heian is at least on the board at 5-1.
Kaneko shuts it down though, freezing Tokumoto on a fastball that just gets the outside corner! Heian scores the run, but Kaneko cedes no more to the spring champs!
Top 8th
Ace Nakata finally takes the hill here in the 8th with his team trailing by 4.
Kawai with the quick reflexes, still snags the ball on the irregular high hop! Runs it himself for the 1st out.
Whoa, and Nakata is rudely welcomed as PH Miura hits one right back up the middle! Nakata can[t react fast enough gloveside and it goes into center for a base hit.
Honda-kantoku also tries the hit and run, but only prevents the DP as Kaneko hits one back to Nakata.
Nagaoka single to center! Miura takes the wide turn but heads back to 3rd on the throw home. That still leaves an opportunity for Kobayashi.
Nakata settles down enough though to get Kobayashi to swing on a ball inside and pop out to center to end the inning. Another 0 for Kasukabe Kyouei, but Heian is down to their final 6 outs.
Bottom 8th
Miura stays in the game to play 1B as he PH for Hiratsuka.
Ootani attacks a high curve and easily singles it to center for a leadoff base hit.
Uh oh, now Kaneko hits Nakaguchi and Honda-kantoku calls for time. This has the chance to be very dangerous for Kasukabe Kyouei.
#10 Watanabe heads to the bullpen, but he needs time to warm up. Meanwhile, Kaneko has thrown 2 balls to Kawai.
But Kawai swings on a ball way too inside! It goes right to 3rd where Harada starts the 5-4-3 double play! Ootani goes to 3rd, but now there's only 2 runs at stake instead of 3!
SANSHIN!!
Kaneko goes up and in on Yuuya and he can't sit on the pitch! He goes around and Kaneko leaves the mound with no damage done!
Top 9th
Kasukabe Kyouei seems to be racing for the bottom of the 9th to close the game as the first 2 batters are retired on just 3 pitches. Sano seems to at least want to give Nakata some grief, but he eventually flies out to left. 3 up 3 down as the relief staff has not given up a run. Problem is, their starter gave up 5.
Bottom 9th
Ishikawa with a hard shot, but it's right to Harada and there's 1 out.
Himeno chases a bad ball and pops out to Miura and the senbatsu champs are down to their last out! Moriya goes out to talk to Kaneko.
Last chance to Tsune.
SANSHIN!!!!
Tsune spins around on Kaneko's fastest pitch of the day (135) and the game is over!
Natsu Koushien starts with a shock as the spring champs cannot even get out of the first day! Kasukabe Kyouei defeats them 5-1!!!'
I have to say I'm shocked. I think a lot of people were to see Motouji just completely meltdown right off the get go, giving up 5 runs and failing to record the 2nd out.
And it's not like Motouji had failed in the spring either. It was just that he was ineffective against the Saitama champs. The relief staff did their job, but the offense couldn't make up the early deficit.
The majority of the praise has to go to ace Kaneko who kept the bats of Heian silent throughout most of the game. The late innings are a bit of a concern, but starting their campaign with a win against the senbatsu champs have to build confidence in the team.
Notable Players
Kaneko Daichi (Kasukabe Kyouei) - CG, ER, 7 H, 4 K, BB, HBP
Nagaoka Daichi (Kasukabe Kyouei) - 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Kobayashi Shintarou (Kasukabe Kyouei) - 2-4, RBI, K
Motouji Reiji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 0.1+IP, 5 ER, 5 H, HBP
Takahashi Keiji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 6.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 8 K, HBP
Nakata Ryuuji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 2 IP, 2 H
Takahashi Keiji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 1-2, 2B
Kawai Taisei (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 1-4
Ryuukokudai Heian, if you look at the scores, seem to be picking up where they left off with their only close game in the 3rd round in a 3-0 win over Saikyou.
But they didn't have to face any of the top schools. In fact, the closest is Tier 3 Kyoto Subaru in the finals, and that was a 10-0 win. So while they did what they were supposed to, they did what they were supposed to.
Supposedly then we might get an idea of how they've improved today in the opening game.
But maybe not. While Kasukabe Kyouei did manage to make their return trip back to Koushien this year, like Ryuukokudai Heian they didn't face any of the top tier schools in the prefecture. The closest thing perhaps was their Round of 16 game versus Kawagoe Higashi where they narrowly won 2-1.
Kasukabe Kyouei ace Kaneko Daichi doesn't have overpowering stuff, but seems to be effective with a low 130s fastball with a shuuto go to with the standard slider and curve. It'll be interesting to see how it plays against the spring champs.
But from the little information I have (I don't have the official program yet), it looks like Ryuukokudai Heian handled their business better against their opponents and as a result should be able to advance. Neither team has been tested, so it's really down to recent performance.
Kasukabe Kyouei (Saitama)
SS Shimizu Shouta
2B Sano Naoki (#14)
C Moriya Genki
3B Harada Hiroki
1B Hiratsuka Taiga (#13)
P Kaneko Daichi
CF Nagaoka Daichi
RF Kobayashi Shintarou
LF Takano Ryouji
Ryuukokudai Heian (Kyoto)
CF Tokumoto Kentarou
RF Ootani Tsukasa
LF Nakaguchi Daichi
1B Kawai Taisei
C Takahashi Yuuya
SS Ishikawa Takuya
2B Himeno Taisei
3B Tsune Hitoshi
P Motouji Reiji (#11)
____________________________________________________________
10:30 - First Pitch!!
Top 1
Motouji on the mound for Heian to start the game.
Shimizu opens with a solid base hit to left. Sano puts down a great bunt, but Motouji throws it away at 1st! Shimizu goes to 3rd and Kasukabe is threatening early!
Moriya does his job as he lifts ball to left center, Tokumoto catches it, but Shimizu can walk in for a 1-0 lead!
Motouji continues to look shaky as his pitches are anywhere but in the zone. Behind 3-1, Harada gets a pitch he likes and singles to shallow left.
And now he hits Hiratsuka! Manrui as #10 Takahashi Keiji goes out to the bullpen.
Kaneko with a grounder to Tsune, but he can't handle the hop! It goes into left and now it's 2-0 Kasukabe Kyouei!
Nagaoka drive to right center! Tokumoto running back to chase it, but it falls in behind him! One runner scores, 2 runners score! Kaneko held up at 3rd wisely.
Still no movement from Harada-kantoku.
Kobayashi takes a ball the other way! That's over the infield and drops softly in the grass! Kaneko scores, it's 5-0 Kasukabe Kyouei and now finally #10 Takahashi Keiji relieves Motouji!
Honda-kantoku continues to press as he has Kobayashi take 2nd! Throw is cut off as Heian considers a delayed double steal.
Keiji finally gets out #2 as Takano K's looking on a ball down the middle. And finally ends the inning on a comebacker from Shimizu.
Kasukabe Kyouei though bats around for 5 runs. Now it'll be a matter of how they play the game going forward.
Bottom 1st
Tokumoto with the swinging bunt and Kaneko flubs the pickup! Infield base hit to lead off for Heian.
Ootani trying to but the runner along, but falls behind 0-2... Still tries it then and manages to lay down a beauty.
Kaneko by the way has a funky compact sidearm delivery that barely goes over 130.
Nakaguchi chases a ball outside, but manages to poke it to 2nd to at least advance the runner. But Kawai grounds to 3rd! Harada makes the pick and throw as Heian is left off the board.
Top 2nd
Moriya continues to see the ball well, despite the P change. He hits a hard 1-out single to center. This after Sano is caught looking.
But Harada hits into a 3-6-1 double play and that threat is done.
Bottom 2nd
Harada takes an extra second after the ball goes right to him, makes the easy throw to 1st. Quick fly to right by Ishikawa and there's 2 down.
Yuuya is jammed and pops one right to Sano to end the inning. Kaneko making quick work so far on Heian.
Top 3rd
Hiratsuka fouls off a couple (just) before popping out to Kawai.
Keiji doing great work in relief, getting Kaneko to ground to 1st, while Nagaoka K's. He's at least holding the deficit at 5, but they will need to start scoring runs sooner rather than later.
Bottom 3rd
1B Hiratsuka leaps into camera well to make a catch on Tsune's foul fly. He can't however get in front of Keiji shot down the 1st base line and Heian has a runner in scoring position.
Kaneko wanted the K on his 2-2 pitch, but didn't get it. Gets something close in a grounder to 2nd, but Keiji advances to 3rd on the play.
Ootani is jammed though and grounds to short, and once again Heian's runner is stranded at 3rd.
Top 4th
More of the same from Keiji, as he gets his 4th K v Kobayashi, followed by 2 routine plays and it's another 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 4th
But Heian really does need to score some runs.
Nakaguchi not helping things as he pops out to Hiratsuka near the coaches' box.
Kawai trying his darnest to get on base, continues to foul off pitch after pitch, gets a break when Shimizu and Takano. He finally makes good contact, but it's right at Nagaoka for the 2nd out.
Yuuya though prevents the clean inning as he singles past a diving Shimizu.
Ishikawa trying to put one in the same place, but Shimizu gets to this ball! Stands, throws to 1st... fine play to retire the side!
Top 5th
Keiji racking up the Ks as Sano waves on the slider outside and in the dirt for the 1st out.
And now it's 6 Ks as Moriya also chases the slider.
Harada refuses to go down on a K, but grounds to 2nd instead. As a result, he's faced the minimum.
Bottom 5th
Meanwhile, Kaneko finally records his 1st K in Himeno when he puts a changeup on the outside edge for the 1st out.
I guess along with the first K goes the first BB as Kaneko just misses inside on a 3-1 fastball to Tsune.
Kaneko refuses to be beaten twice by Keiji, gets him to roll over a ball to 2nd. It's not fast enough to double off Tsune, so they go to 1st.
Tokumoto lifts a ball to left center, Tokumoto sprinting to his left, and just manages to run it down in the gap to end the inning!
Kaneko isn't throwing hard, isn't overpowering, but is doing the most important thing... putting up 0's.
Top 6th
Hiratsuka with an excuse me swing puts the ball up the middle. Himeno cuts off Ishikawa and makes a leaping throw for the out.
Ouch. Kaneko plunked right on the hip. Wonder if that will affect him later.
Keiji looks like his control is fading, but Kasukabe's batters haven't caught on yet. Nagaoka chases the slider in the dirt for the 2nd out.
Whoa. Keiji has to fight for his life there as Kobayashi hits a liner right at his head! Keiji gets the glove up to block the ball, but it trickles to behind the mound and they have no play.
Kasukabe has their best opportunity in a while, but the batters are still chasing. Takano goes after a slider outside as well, that's 8 Ks for Keiji and despite the shaky inning still puts up 0s.
Bottom 6th
One pitch, one out. Ootani with a hard liner, but right to Takano. Nakaguchi can't square up the ball either, and it's an easy fly to Kobayashi.
Kawai prevents the clean inning with a ball though the left side.
But what's this? Yuuya is fooled on a changeup and Kaneko gets his 2nd K to end the 6th!
Top 7th
Shimizu drive to deep left! Nakaguchi backs up, backs up.... Makes the catch at the wall for the 1st out. That was really close for Keiji there.
I think though the Kasukabe batters are getting the idea, because Sano continues to take pitches in his AB, eventually drawing the walk. That gets the attention of Harada-kantoku.
Ah, but Sano gets caught trying to steal 2nd too early and is caught in a pickle! He's run down and that's 2 out! That's a break for Heian.
Moriya drive down the left field line! Nakaguchi running towards the pole, still running... Makes the catch right before he hits the padding and once again Keiji hangs up a donut. (though it's getting a bit shaky)
Bottom 7th
Ishikawa with a ball to shallow left center, Takano ranging over, slides... but can't secure the ball! It hits the heel of his glove and Ishikawa is on with a single!
And with 3 innings to go Harada-kantoku can't bunt anymore. Himeno attacks the 1-0 pitch, but flies out to Nagaoka who was waiting in deep CF.
Harada-kantoku though wants to be aggressive and he has Ishikawa take off! Tsune makes contact on the ball outside and hits it to center! Nagaoka has to play it on the hop and there's runners on the corners!
That's also going to be it for Keiji as #15 Nishikawa comes in to hit for him.
He doesn't get a base hit, but does the next closest thing which is to hit a sac fly to RCF. Heian is at least on the board at 5-1.
Kaneko shuts it down though, freezing Tokumoto on a fastball that just gets the outside corner! Heian scores the run, but Kaneko cedes no more to the spring champs!
Top 8th
Ace Nakata finally takes the hill here in the 8th with his team trailing by 4.
Kawai with the quick reflexes, still snags the ball on the irregular high hop! Runs it himself for the 1st out.
Whoa, and Nakata is rudely welcomed as PH Miura hits one right back up the middle! Nakata can[t react fast enough gloveside and it goes into center for a base hit.
Honda-kantoku also tries the hit and run, but only prevents the DP as Kaneko hits one back to Nakata.
Nagaoka single to center! Miura takes the wide turn but heads back to 3rd on the throw home. That still leaves an opportunity for Kobayashi.
Nakata settles down enough though to get Kobayashi to swing on a ball inside and pop out to center to end the inning. Another 0 for Kasukabe Kyouei, but Heian is down to their final 6 outs.
Bottom 8th
Miura stays in the game to play 1B as he PH for Hiratsuka.
Ootani attacks a high curve and easily singles it to center for a leadoff base hit.
Uh oh, now Kaneko hits Nakaguchi and Honda-kantoku calls for time. This has the chance to be very dangerous for Kasukabe Kyouei.
#10 Watanabe heads to the bullpen, but he needs time to warm up. Meanwhile, Kaneko has thrown 2 balls to Kawai.
But Kawai swings on a ball way too inside! It goes right to 3rd where Harada starts the 5-4-3 double play! Ootani goes to 3rd, but now there's only 2 runs at stake instead of 3!
SANSHIN!!
Kaneko goes up and in on Yuuya and he can't sit on the pitch! He goes around and Kaneko leaves the mound with no damage done!
Top 9th
Kasukabe Kyouei seems to be racing for the bottom of the 9th to close the game as the first 2 batters are retired on just 3 pitches. Sano seems to at least want to give Nakata some grief, but he eventually flies out to left. 3 up 3 down as the relief staff has not given up a run. Problem is, their starter gave up 5.
Bottom 9th
Ishikawa with a hard shot, but it's right to Harada and there's 1 out.
Himeno chases a bad ball and pops out to Miura and the senbatsu champs are down to their last out! Moriya goes out to talk to Kaneko.
Last chance to Tsune.
SANSHIN!!!!
Tsune spins around on Kaneko's fastest pitch of the day (135) and the game is over!
Natsu Koushien starts with a shock as the spring champs cannot even get out of the first day! Kasukabe Kyouei defeats them 5-1!!!'
I have to say I'm shocked. I think a lot of people were to see Motouji just completely meltdown right off the get go, giving up 5 runs and failing to record the 2nd out.
And it's not like Motouji had failed in the spring either. It was just that he was ineffective against the Saitama champs. The relief staff did their job, but the offense couldn't make up the early deficit.
The majority of the praise has to go to ace Kaneko who kept the bats of Heian silent throughout most of the game. The late innings are a bit of a concern, but starting their campaign with a win against the senbatsu champs have to build confidence in the team.
Notable Players
Kaneko Daichi (Kasukabe Kyouei) - CG, ER, 7 H, 4 K, BB, HBP
Nagaoka Daichi (Kasukabe Kyouei) - 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Kobayashi Shintarou (Kasukabe Kyouei) - 2-4, RBI, K
Motouji Reiji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 0.1+IP, 5 ER, 5 H, HBP
Takahashi Keiji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 6.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 8 K, HBP
Nakata Ryuuji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 2 IP, 2 H
Takahashi Keiji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 1-2, 2B
Kawai Taisei (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 1-4
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Opening Day postponed
Looks like we've already lost a day. Thanks to rain, opening ceremonies have been called and will be attempted tomorrow. If last year is an indication, that means the day off is no more.
(Nope, check that. The JHBF has actually pushed back the schedule not 1 but 2 days to the 11th JST! And to boot they will still observe the day of rest between the quarterfinals and semifinals!)
(Nope, check that. The JHBF has actually pushed back the schedule not 1 but 2 days to the 11th JST! And to boot they will still observe the day of rest between the quarterfinals and semifinals!)
Rosters up (as best as can be translated...)
Here are the rosters for Koushien. Names translated as best ability.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
The 96th Natsu Koushien Field
Here is the field for the tournament:
The current powerhouses...
The established guard...
Now, remember how the new format works. Gone are the 8 groups. Instead, to try and give teams the maximum rest possible, teams draw into the following rounds. This supposedly avoids having groups of death, but also in theory makes it harder for the non-powerhouses to go deep without having to face a strong team.
That's not to say that the stronger teams can't draw each other in their opening games, and in some cases they did:
Rosters are in the process of being translated and analysis (as best as I can provide) will follow in the days before Koushien begins.
The current powerhouses...
- Aomori - Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (7th appearance, 1st in 2 years)
- Kyoto - Ryuukokudai Heian (33rd appearance, 1st in 2 years)
- Osaka - Osaka Touin (8th appearance, 3rd consecutive)
- Okinawa - Okinawa Shougaku (7th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
The established guard...
- Fukushima - Seikou Gakuin (11th appearance, 8th consecutive)
- Tochigi - Sakushin Gakuin (10th appearance, 4th consecutive)
- Ishikawa - Seiryou (17th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
- Mie - Mie (12th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
- Nara - Chiben Gakuen (17th appearance, 3rd consecutive)
- Kochi - Meitoku Giyuku (16th appearance, 5th consecutive)
- Niigata - Nihon Bunri (8th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
- Gifu - Oogaki Nichidai (3rd appearance, 2nd consecutive)
- Tokushima - Naruto (9th appearance, 3rd consecutive)
- Iwate - Moriokadai Fuzoku (8th appearance, 1st in 2 years)
- Kanagawa - Toukaidai Sagami (9th appearance, 1st in 4 years)
- Yamanashi - Toukaidai Koufu (12th appearance, 1st in 2 years)
- Shizuoka - Shizuoka (23rd appearance, 1st in 3 years)
- Nagano - Saku Chousei (6th appearance, 1st in 2 years)
- Hiroshima - Kouryou (21st appearance, 1st in 4 years)
- Fukuoka - Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku (5th appearance, 1st in 3 years)
- Saga - Saga Kita (4th appearance, 1st in 2 years)
- Nagasaki - Kaisei 海星 (17th appearance, 1st in 3 years)
- Gunma - Takasaki Kenkou Fukushidai Takasaki [aka Kendai Takasaki] (2nd appearance, 1st in 3 years)
- Nishi Tokyo - Nichidai Tsurugaoka (3rd appearance, 1st in 6 years)
- Yamagata - Yamagata Chuo (2nd appearance, 1st in 4 years)
- Ibaraki - Fujishiro (3rd appearance, 1st in 3 years)
- Fukui - Tsuruga Kehi (6th appearance, 1st in 5 years)
- Aichi - Touhou (16th appearance, 1st in 6 years)
- Shiga - Oumi (11th appearance, 1st in 6 years)
- Tottori - Yazu (8th appearance, 1st in 4 years)
- Shimane - Kaisei (9th appearance, 1st in 3 years)
- Okayama - Kanzei (9th appearance, 1st in 3 years)
- Yamaguchi - Iwakuni (5th appearance, 1st in 7 years)
- Kumamoto - Jyouhoku (4th appearance, 1st in 6 years)
- Miyazaki - Nichinan Gakuen (7th appearance, 1st in 3 years)
- Saitama - Kasukabe Kyouei (5th appearance, 1st in 9 years)
- Minami Hokkaido - Toukai Dai-yon (5th appearance, 1st in 21 years)
- Toyama - Toyama Shougyou (16th appearance, 1st in 10 years)
- Wakayama - Shiritsu Wakayama (4th appearance, 1st in 10 years)
- Kagawa - Sakaide Shougyou (8th appearance, 1st in 20 years)
- Kita Hokkaido - Bushuukan
- Akita - Kakunodate
- Miyagi - Rifu
- Higashi Tokyo - Nisshougakushadai Fuzoku
- Chiba - Toukaidai Bouyou
- Hyogo - Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku
- Ehime - Komatsu
- Oita - Oita
- Kagoshima - Kanoya Chuo
Now, remember how the new format works. Gone are the 8 groups. Instead, to try and give teams the maximum rest possible, teams draw into the following rounds. This supposedly avoids having groups of death, but also in theory makes it harder for the non-powerhouses to go deep without having to face a strong team.
That's not to say that the stronger teams can't draw each other in their opening games, and in some cases they did:
- Day 3, Game 4 - Mie v. Kouryou
- Day 5, Game 1 - Meitoku Gijyuku v. Chiben Gakuen
- Day 5, Game 2 - Kaisei (Shimane) v. Osaka Touin
- Day 7, Game 1 - Okinawa Shougaku v. Sakushin Gakuin
Rosters are in the process of being translated and analysis (as best as I can provide) will follow in the days before Koushien begins.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Recap of yesterday's action
So, this will be short, mostly because I'm still disgusted about what happened yesterday (it looks like perhaps the powerhouses are not letting the cinderella teams get away anymore):
Niigata - Sekine Gakuen v. Nihon Bunri
Ishikawa - Komatsu Ootani v. Seiryou
I'm lumping these together because I don't want to dedicate time to these games.
Sekine Gakuen led Nihon Bunri 2-1 going into the bottom of the 9th. Single, flyout, walk, 3-run gyakuten sayonara HR, Bunri wins 4-2.
Komatsu Ootani led Seiryou 8-0 going into bottom of 9th. They cannot record 3 outs as Seiryou scores 9 in a slow-motion collapse as they win 9-8.
You can see my twitter feed to see my feelings regarding this. I may even do a post about this before the finals today.
Gunma - Kendai Takasaki v. Isesaki Seimei
The score itself was close, but the game perhaps wasn't. Kawai, Takahashi and Matsuno combine on a no-hitter as they defeat Isesaki Seimei 1-0.
The only run was scored in the 3rd when after a double to LCF by then starter Kawai, Hoshino goes for a safety bunt with 2 out and brings the runner home.
Tochigi - Sakushin Gakuin v. Sano Nichidai
Sano Nichidai opened the scoring with a run in the first, but Sakushin Gakuin eventually wore down their opponents, scoring 7 runs in the 6th and 7th innings en route to a 7-1 win and their 4th consecutive trip to Natsu Koushien.
Saitama - Shiritsu Kawagoe v. Kasukabe Kyouei
Shiritsu Kawagoe and Kasukabe Kyouei did not have to play any powerhouse teams for the title, and avoided the pitfalls that are associated with playing in big prefectures such as this one. Both schools had been to Koushien before, Shiritsu Kawagoe as Kawagoe Shougyou back in 1971, and Kasukabe Kyouei 4 times, the most recent being in 2005.
The game was very close with the teams trading runs in the 4th and 5th ending with Shiritsu Kawagoe leading 2-1. It stayed that way until the 8th when Kamijyou couldn't hold the lead for Shiritsu. Kasukabe Kyouei would score 6 in the bottom half of the frame, leaving them with almost no time to respond. Kasukabe Kyouei would advance for the 5th time with a 7-2 win.
Nagano - Saku Chousei v. Nagano Shougyou
Nagano Shougyou had been a powerhouse back in the day, but has ceded way to the private schools such as Saku Chousei, Matsushou Gakuen and the like.
But they reached the final where they would have to exorcise the demon by defeating Saku Chousei to take the title. And when I saw them score 6 in the 2nd, I thought perhaps the trend of upsets would continue.
Sadly it would not be. A 4-run 7th was the key in Saku Chousei's comeback as they would win 10-9 to claim their 6th title.
Hyogo - Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku v. Sanda Shousei
Even though neither school had reached Natsu Koushien before, Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku had at least gone to senbatsu. So Sanda Shousei could have easily been called the underdog.
But the game was over early. 7 runs in the 3rd for Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku and that pretty much sealed things. Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku would go on to win 11-1.
Tottori - Yazu v. Tottori Jyouhoku
In recent times Tottori Jyouhoku has dominated the prefecture leaving schools like Yazu who used to go to Koushien behind. Yesterday was a chance for Yazu to perhaps claim something from past times.
Yazu would take an early lead when with the bases loaded and 2 out, Nishigaki would deliver a base hit to center scoring 2.
Kamatani for Yazu would hold off the Tottori Jyouhoku offense, but in the 5th he would cede a run due to a wild pitch. Later on, after an intentional walk to load the bases, he would get out of the jam with a fly to center.
Kamatani wouldn't let them get any closer as he gave up just the 1 run on 6 hit to win 2-1.
Okayama - Okayama Ridai Fuzoku v. Kanzei
There would be no Cinderellas in Okayama as 2 familiar foes met up for the title - though neither had really been to Koushien in a couple of years, as Kurashiki Shougyou had stolen the show for most part.
Kaznei would score early and often against Okayama Ridai, putting up all their runs before the break. It would be more than enough as they would win 9-4.
Hiroshima - Hiroshima Shinjyou v Kouryou
Kouryou and Jyosuikan have given up control of the prefecture to the masses the last 2 years, but Kouryou returned to the finals this year looking to reclaim the throne.
Hiroshima Shinjyou had gone to senbatsu earlier this year and was looking to perhaps make a return trip this summer.
Things looked good in the first, as Nishijima's timely triple gave them the 1-0 lead.
Kouryou would strike right back. 1 out, runners at the corners and cleanup batter Oota delivers a hit to left to tie the game. Kita would give his team the lead right after with a single to center.
That would be all the scoring in the game as Kouryou would go on to punch their ticket with a 2-1 win.
Kagawa - Sakaide Shougyou v. Ootemae Takamatsu
We really hadn't heard from either of these schools, though both are more than decent teams within Kagawa. Sakaide Shougyou time was in the 80s and early 90s where they went to Natsu Koushien 4 of their 5 prior times. Ootemae Takamatsu has been forever a Tier 3 school, but with none of the current powerhouses in the final (and having survived Jinsei Gakuen 8-7 in 13 in the semifinals), they had a chance to make their first trip.
Perhaps the extra inning game though hurt Ootemae Takamatsu, because despite going out to a 3-1 lead through 6, Saji couldn't finish it off. He would give up 2 in the 7th to tie the game, and then 2 more in the 9th giving Sakaide Shougyou the 5-3 win.
31 down, 16 to go.
Niigata - Sekine Gakuen v. Nihon Bunri
Ishikawa - Komatsu Ootani v. Seiryou
I'm lumping these together because I don't want to dedicate time to these games.
Sekine Gakuen led Nihon Bunri 2-1 going into the bottom of the 9th. Single, flyout, walk, 3-run gyakuten sayonara HR, Bunri wins 4-2.
Komatsu Ootani led Seiryou 8-0 going into bottom of 9th. They cannot record 3 outs as Seiryou scores 9 in a slow-motion collapse as they win 9-8.
You can see my twitter feed to see my feelings regarding this. I may even do a post about this before the finals today.
Gunma - Kendai Takasaki v. Isesaki Seimei
The score itself was close, but the game perhaps wasn't. Kawai, Takahashi and Matsuno combine on a no-hitter as they defeat Isesaki Seimei 1-0.
The only run was scored in the 3rd when after a double to LCF by then starter Kawai, Hoshino goes for a safety bunt with 2 out and brings the runner home.
Tochigi - Sakushin Gakuin v. Sano Nichidai
Sano Nichidai opened the scoring with a run in the first, but Sakushin Gakuin eventually wore down their opponents, scoring 7 runs in the 6th and 7th innings en route to a 7-1 win and their 4th consecutive trip to Natsu Koushien.
Saitama - Shiritsu Kawagoe v. Kasukabe Kyouei
Shiritsu Kawagoe and Kasukabe Kyouei did not have to play any powerhouse teams for the title, and avoided the pitfalls that are associated with playing in big prefectures such as this one. Both schools had been to Koushien before, Shiritsu Kawagoe as Kawagoe Shougyou back in 1971, and Kasukabe Kyouei 4 times, the most recent being in 2005.
The game was very close with the teams trading runs in the 4th and 5th ending with Shiritsu Kawagoe leading 2-1. It stayed that way until the 8th when Kamijyou couldn't hold the lead for Shiritsu. Kasukabe Kyouei would score 6 in the bottom half of the frame, leaving them with almost no time to respond. Kasukabe Kyouei would advance for the 5th time with a 7-2 win.
Nagano - Saku Chousei v. Nagano Shougyou
Nagano Shougyou had been a powerhouse back in the day, but has ceded way to the private schools such as Saku Chousei, Matsushou Gakuen and the like.
But they reached the final where they would have to exorcise the demon by defeating Saku Chousei to take the title. And when I saw them score 6 in the 2nd, I thought perhaps the trend of upsets would continue.
Sadly it would not be. A 4-run 7th was the key in Saku Chousei's comeback as they would win 10-9 to claim their 6th title.
Hyogo - Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku v. Sanda Shousei
Even though neither school had reached Natsu Koushien before, Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku had at least gone to senbatsu. So Sanda Shousei could have easily been called the underdog.
But the game was over early. 7 runs in the 3rd for Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku and that pretty much sealed things. Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku would go on to win 11-1.
Tottori - Yazu v. Tottori Jyouhoku
In recent times Tottori Jyouhoku has dominated the prefecture leaving schools like Yazu who used to go to Koushien behind. Yesterday was a chance for Yazu to perhaps claim something from past times.
Yazu would take an early lead when with the bases loaded and 2 out, Nishigaki would deliver a base hit to center scoring 2.
Kamatani for Yazu would hold off the Tottori Jyouhoku offense, but in the 5th he would cede a run due to a wild pitch. Later on, after an intentional walk to load the bases, he would get out of the jam with a fly to center.
Kamatani wouldn't let them get any closer as he gave up just the 1 run on 6 hit to win 2-1.
Okayama - Okayama Ridai Fuzoku v. Kanzei
There would be no Cinderellas in Okayama as 2 familiar foes met up for the title - though neither had really been to Koushien in a couple of years, as Kurashiki Shougyou had stolen the show for most part.
Kaznei would score early and often against Okayama Ridai, putting up all their runs before the break. It would be more than enough as they would win 9-4.
Hiroshima - Hiroshima Shinjyou v Kouryou
Kouryou and Jyosuikan have given up control of the prefecture to the masses the last 2 years, but Kouryou returned to the finals this year looking to reclaim the throne.
Hiroshima Shinjyou had gone to senbatsu earlier this year and was looking to perhaps make a return trip this summer.
Things looked good in the first, as Nishijima's timely triple gave them the 1-0 lead.
Kouryou would strike right back. 1 out, runners at the corners and cleanup batter Oota delivers a hit to left to tie the game. Kita would give his team the lead right after with a single to center.
That would be all the scoring in the game as Kouryou would go on to punch their ticket with a 2-1 win.
Kagawa - Sakaide Shougyou v. Ootemae Takamatsu
We really hadn't heard from either of these schools, though both are more than decent teams within Kagawa. Sakaide Shougyou time was in the 80s and early 90s where they went to Natsu Koushien 4 of their 5 prior times. Ootemae Takamatsu has been forever a Tier 3 school, but with none of the current powerhouses in the final (and having survived Jinsei Gakuen 8-7 in 13 in the semifinals), they had a chance to make their first trip.
Perhaps the extra inning game though hurt Ootemae Takamatsu, because despite going out to a 3-1 lead through 6, Saji couldn't finish it off. He would give up 2 in the 7th to tie the game, and then 2 more in the 9th giving Sakaide Shougyou the 5-3 win.
31 down, 16 to go.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
It's crunch time!
With less than 2 weeks to Natsu Koushien, we get a flurry of teams qualifying for Koushien. Here's what happened yesterday:
Fukushima - Nichidai Tohoku v. Seikou Gakuin
In this year where it seems like the underdog is finally giving the powerhouse teams their comeuppance, Nichidai Tohoku had a similar opportunity versus the king of the prefecture, Seikou Gakuin.
And it really looked like Nichidai would be able to pull off the upset. Seikou went from pitcher to pitcher to stem the tide, but couldn't as Nichidai Tohoku put run after another on the board to build a 6-2 lead. By the time the game hit the 9th, I was dead certain they would be able to do it.
And they were just one out away from doing it. But with runners on the corners and 2 out, Seikou put 3 hits together, and that 6-2 lead turned into a 6-6 ballgame.
Any time you have the underdog giving up a lead like that, especially in the final, usually the collapse is complete in regulation, or even if they survive into enchousen they can't regain momentum.
2 innings later, Seikou got runners on 1st and 2nd with no out, #3 batter Yananuma delivered the final blow to send Seikou to Koushien for another year.
Chiba - Toukaidai Bouyou v. Senshuudai Matsudo
After the melee in Chiba, 2 Tier 3 schools found themselves in the finals. As one of my twitter follows is wont to mention, Senshuudai Matsudo in prior years kept on losing late in the tournament in enchousen.
But in the round of 16, perhaps they exorcised the demons when they won a 3-2 win in 10 against Shiritsu Funabashi. That seemed to give them momentum as they put away Kisaradzu Sougou early, and then scored 5 early against Kashiwa Nittai to reach the finals.
Toukaidai Bouyou was the forgotten Toukai school in the prefecture - to Toukaidai Urayasu (they had defeated Narashino earlier). But they were always a respectable squad and always made a modest run.
This year was different. This time around they got some breaks. In their 2nd game, they had to walkoff Seibudai Chiba 3-2. Then was a very uncharacteristic 2-0 win over Sodegaura. And instead of facing Chiba Keizaidai Fuzoku, they faced Kokubun instead and shut them out 5-0.
Wouldn't you know it, they would have to face sister school Toukaidai Urayasu in the semifinals. And you had to think that Bouyou's run would end here.
Nope, not even close.
In fact the scoreline would have you believe Bouyou was the dominant Toukai school. 12-2 in 5 innings!!
And holy crap, it's like Toukaidai Bouyou was just saving themselves for the stretch run, because in the final, Senshuudai Matsudo was absolutely no match. 6 runs in the 2nd to demoralize them, and the 6 in the 8th for the finishing blow, and they punch their first ever ticket to Natsu Koushien with authority in a 13-2 win.
Toyama - Toyama Shougyou v. Takaoka Shougyou
Sadly for those of us who loved Toyama Dai-ichi's run last year (the prefecture's deepest in 30 years), they showed some cracks early, and went down in the semifinals to Takaoka Shougyou. And outside of a 2-0 win in their 1st game over Toyama Kougyou, the run looked rather solid.
The same could not be said for Toyama Shougyou. Yes, they had some easy games to start, but then in the quarterfinals against Takaoka, they would go scoreless through regulation before wining in 10. And the semifinals against Fujikoshi Kougyou, they managed to keep them at arms length, but an 8-5 win going into the finals doesn't necessarily portend great things.
And early on, it looked like they would be had. After a couple scoreless, Takaoka Shougyou built a 3-0 lead. But that completely collapsed when Toyama Shougyou scored 6 in the 6th. And just for good measure they added 3 more in the 9th to avoid possible drama, and Toyama Shougyou makes their 1st trip in 10 years with a 9-3 win!
Gifu - Oogaki Nichidai v. Gifu Kougyou
Gifu Kougyou admittedly got some help to reach the finals. No Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou to deal with, and the other main players were on the other half of the bracket.
But they had earned their finals appearance with their performance, soundly defeating those in front of them with the exception of the semifinals where they had to use all 9 innings to defeat Gifu Sougou Gakuen 3-2.
But the prefecture was Oogaki Nichidai's to lose. Despite a narrow 3-0 win over Motoshi Shouyou, they easily manhandled their opponents up until defeating Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou 3-1.
The finals were no match. Oogaki Nichidai claimed their 2nd consecutive title with an 11-2 win.
Kyoto - Kyoto Subaru v. Ryuukokudai Heian
I thought maybe this might be Kyoto Subaru's year. Fukuchiyama Seibi fell, Kyoto Gaidai Nishi too. They almost didn't make the finals after coming back to defeat Katsura 8-7 after falling behind 5-0 after the first inning. A 10-0 win the semifinal over Yamashiro perhaps meant good momentum going into the finals.
But on the other side loomed the senbatsu champs Ryuukokudai Heian...
And let's just say that it wasn't pretty. 2 in the 1st and 3 in the 2nd and the rout was on. When it was all said and done, Heian will have a chance to go haru-natsu with a 10-0 win over Kyoto Subaru. Maybe next year guys...
Wakayama - Chiben Wakayama v. Shiritsu Wakayama
Chiben Wakayama has dominated the prefecture for a long time now. In the last 27 years, they have relinquished the natsu title just 7 times. For all the other schools in the prefecture that's rather frustrating knowing that the road to Koushien goes through them.
So it seemed this year too. Outside of a 4-1 win over Touin, it was double digit runs the rest of the way to the finals.
The team to try and slay the monster this year was Shiritsu Wakayama. They almost didn't even make it out of their first game, giving up a 2-0 lead to Wakayama Tousen before winning in 10. It got easier after that, culminating in a 4-1 over Wakayama Shougyou to reach the finals.
Still, it's not like they were lighting the world on fire, and it was Chiben Wakayama after all.
But in the finals, Shiritsu kept Chiben off the board after giving up a run in the 1st. That kept them in the game until the 7th, where it did indeed prove to be lucky for them. Ooshima would deliver the game-tying RBI and the game would remain tied at 1 into enchousen.
In the 11th, Chiben would take the lead again 2-1, but Shiritsu found a response in PH Abe who hit another clutch single to center.
The unbelievable happened one inning later, when with runners on 1st and 2nd, Setoguchi would drive a ball to left center, scoring the sayonara run giving Shiritsu Wakayama the 3-2 victory!!
Shimane - Taisha v. Kaisei
Taisha has been that model Tier 3 school in Shimane. Always good, never great. This year though was completely different, scoring double digits against all opponents until the semifinals where they trailed Yasugi 4-0 going into the bottom of the 9th. Yasugi's ace Saneshige couldn't close out the gae, and Taisha rallied for 4 in the 9th to tie the game. And in the 10th, Shimizu's base hit would complete the comeback to reach the finals.
Kaisei's road was a bit more rockier, but then again it was a bit more difficult as well. First was a 4-2 win over Risshoudai Shounan. Then down 6-0 to Iwamichisuikan, they scored 11 unanswered runs to advance to the semifinals. And then against unknown Daitou, they were in an old-fashioned brawl where after a scoreless 2 innings there were multiple ties and lead changes and 4 ties, but the decisive blow was a 5-run 6th by Kaisei to take a 10-7 lead. They would hold off a final charge by Taisei in the 9th, but they could only score 2 of the 3 runs needed to extend the game, falling 12-11.
In the final, Taisha would fight their best, but in the end another big inning by Kaisei would do them in. Kaisei wins 9-4 and heads back to Koushien.
Fukushima - Nichidai Tohoku v. Seikou Gakuin
In this year where it seems like the underdog is finally giving the powerhouse teams their comeuppance, Nichidai Tohoku had a similar opportunity versus the king of the prefecture, Seikou Gakuin.
And it really looked like Nichidai would be able to pull off the upset. Seikou went from pitcher to pitcher to stem the tide, but couldn't as Nichidai Tohoku put run after another on the board to build a 6-2 lead. By the time the game hit the 9th, I was dead certain they would be able to do it.
And they were just one out away from doing it. But with runners on the corners and 2 out, Seikou put 3 hits together, and that 6-2 lead turned into a 6-6 ballgame.
Any time you have the underdog giving up a lead like that, especially in the final, usually the collapse is complete in regulation, or even if they survive into enchousen they can't regain momentum.
2 innings later, Seikou got runners on 1st and 2nd with no out, #3 batter Yananuma delivered the final blow to send Seikou to Koushien for another year.
Chiba - Toukaidai Bouyou v. Senshuudai Matsudo
After the melee in Chiba, 2 Tier 3 schools found themselves in the finals. As one of my twitter follows is wont to mention, Senshuudai Matsudo in prior years kept on losing late in the tournament in enchousen.
But in the round of 16, perhaps they exorcised the demons when they won a 3-2 win in 10 against Shiritsu Funabashi. That seemed to give them momentum as they put away Kisaradzu Sougou early, and then scored 5 early against Kashiwa Nittai to reach the finals.
Toukaidai Bouyou was the forgotten Toukai school in the prefecture - to Toukaidai Urayasu (they had defeated Narashino earlier). But they were always a respectable squad and always made a modest run.
This year was different. This time around they got some breaks. In their 2nd game, they had to walkoff Seibudai Chiba 3-2. Then was a very uncharacteristic 2-0 win over Sodegaura. And instead of facing Chiba Keizaidai Fuzoku, they faced Kokubun instead and shut them out 5-0.
Wouldn't you know it, they would have to face sister school Toukaidai Urayasu in the semifinals. And you had to think that Bouyou's run would end here.
Nope, not even close.
In fact the scoreline would have you believe Bouyou was the dominant Toukai school. 12-2 in 5 innings!!
And holy crap, it's like Toukaidai Bouyou was just saving themselves for the stretch run, because in the final, Senshuudai Matsudo was absolutely no match. 6 runs in the 2nd to demoralize them, and the 6 in the 8th for the finishing blow, and they punch their first ever ticket to Natsu Koushien with authority in a 13-2 win.
Toyama - Toyama Shougyou v. Takaoka Shougyou
Sadly for those of us who loved Toyama Dai-ichi's run last year (the prefecture's deepest in 30 years), they showed some cracks early, and went down in the semifinals to Takaoka Shougyou. And outside of a 2-0 win in their 1st game over Toyama Kougyou, the run looked rather solid.
The same could not be said for Toyama Shougyou. Yes, they had some easy games to start, but then in the quarterfinals against Takaoka, they would go scoreless through regulation before wining in 10. And the semifinals against Fujikoshi Kougyou, they managed to keep them at arms length, but an 8-5 win going into the finals doesn't necessarily portend great things.
And early on, it looked like they would be had. After a couple scoreless, Takaoka Shougyou built a 3-0 lead. But that completely collapsed when Toyama Shougyou scored 6 in the 6th. And just for good measure they added 3 more in the 9th to avoid possible drama, and Toyama Shougyou makes their 1st trip in 10 years with a 9-3 win!
Gifu - Oogaki Nichidai v. Gifu Kougyou
Gifu Kougyou admittedly got some help to reach the finals. No Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou to deal with, and the other main players were on the other half of the bracket.
But they had earned their finals appearance with their performance, soundly defeating those in front of them with the exception of the semifinals where they had to use all 9 innings to defeat Gifu Sougou Gakuen 3-2.
But the prefecture was Oogaki Nichidai's to lose. Despite a narrow 3-0 win over Motoshi Shouyou, they easily manhandled their opponents up until defeating Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou 3-1.
The finals were no match. Oogaki Nichidai claimed their 2nd consecutive title with an 11-2 win.
Kyoto - Kyoto Subaru v. Ryuukokudai Heian
I thought maybe this might be Kyoto Subaru's year. Fukuchiyama Seibi fell, Kyoto Gaidai Nishi too. They almost didn't make the finals after coming back to defeat Katsura 8-7 after falling behind 5-0 after the first inning. A 10-0 win the semifinal over Yamashiro perhaps meant good momentum going into the finals.
But on the other side loomed the senbatsu champs Ryuukokudai Heian...
And let's just say that it wasn't pretty. 2 in the 1st and 3 in the 2nd and the rout was on. When it was all said and done, Heian will have a chance to go haru-natsu with a 10-0 win over Kyoto Subaru. Maybe next year guys...
Wakayama - Chiben Wakayama v. Shiritsu Wakayama
Chiben Wakayama has dominated the prefecture for a long time now. In the last 27 years, they have relinquished the natsu title just 7 times. For all the other schools in the prefecture that's rather frustrating knowing that the road to Koushien goes through them.
So it seemed this year too. Outside of a 4-1 win over Touin, it was double digit runs the rest of the way to the finals.
The team to try and slay the monster this year was Shiritsu Wakayama. They almost didn't even make it out of their first game, giving up a 2-0 lead to Wakayama Tousen before winning in 10. It got easier after that, culminating in a 4-1 over Wakayama Shougyou to reach the finals.
Still, it's not like they were lighting the world on fire, and it was Chiben Wakayama after all.
But in the finals, Shiritsu kept Chiben off the board after giving up a run in the 1st. That kept them in the game until the 7th, where it did indeed prove to be lucky for them. Ooshima would deliver the game-tying RBI and the game would remain tied at 1 into enchousen.
In the 11th, Chiben would take the lead again 2-1, but Shiritsu found a response in PH Abe who hit another clutch single to center.
The unbelievable happened one inning later, when with runners on 1st and 2nd, Setoguchi would drive a ball to left center, scoring the sayonara run giving Shiritsu Wakayama the 3-2 victory!!
Shimane - Taisha v. Kaisei
Taisha has been that model Tier 3 school in Shimane. Always good, never great. This year though was completely different, scoring double digits against all opponents until the semifinals where they trailed Yasugi 4-0 going into the bottom of the 9th. Yasugi's ace Saneshige couldn't close out the gae, and Taisha rallied for 4 in the 9th to tie the game. And in the 10th, Shimizu's base hit would complete the comeback to reach the finals.
Kaisei's road was a bit more rockier, but then again it was a bit more difficult as well. First was a 4-2 win over Risshoudai Shounan. Then down 6-0 to Iwamichisuikan, they scored 11 unanswered runs to advance to the semifinals. And then against unknown Daitou, they were in an old-fashioned brawl where after a scoreless 2 innings there were multiple ties and lead changes and 4 ties, but the decisive blow was a 5-run 6th by Kaisei to take a 10-7 lead. They would hold off a final charge by Taisei in the 9th, but they could only score 2 of the 3 runs needed to extend the game, falling 12-11.
In the final, Taisha would fight their best, but in the end another big inning by Kaisei would do them in. Kaisei wins 9-4 and heads back to Koushien.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
8 more tickets punched last two days...
And you guys may be better off following my twitter (see the left side of the page) to get relatively real-time coverage on the games, because work has been too busy to allow me to catch-up on the prior day's games.
FYI, when I say tier 3, I mean the following:
And so this final was a chance for both schools to get to Koushien. And actually Kushiro Kougyou had made it once before back in 1979, but lost in the first round to Hieizan.
But the game wasn't close, Bushuukan put up 3 runs in the first inning and never really looked back. Kushiro Kougyou made it close with a pair of runs in the 9th, but an 8-5 win means that they're making their first ever appearance at Natsu Koushien!
Aomori - Aomori v. Hachinohe Gakuen Kousei
Aomori had a magical run, defeating both Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi and Aomori Yamada to reach the final. But then they had to face Kousei, and you would think that the run would end.
Thankfully for everyone (except Kousei) they didn't get the memo. In fact, they were the ones to strike first, with 3 runs in the second no less. And when Kousei replied with 3 of their own the 3rd, they scored another in the 4th. But after Kousei tied it yet again in the 5th, you had to wonder if Aomori was going to have another burst in them.
The answer seemed to come 2 innings later when Kousei would score 4 in the 7th to seemingly take a commanding 8-4 lead. Aomori made one final push in the 9th, but it would fall short as Kousei goes yet again to Koushien with a 8-6 win. Now if only they could win Koushien itself...
Iwate - Hanamaki Higashi v. Moriokadai Fuzoku
If there is one name that you need to know from this matchup, it is ace Matsumoto Yuuki.
No, not Hanamaki Higashi, but Moriokadai Fuzoku!
Because in the 1st inning, he blasted a 2-run HR to deep right to the 2nd fence (the one actually bordering the entire ballpark!).
Now, it was obviously still early, and Hanamaki as they are wont to do, started scrapping runs together, first with a run in the 2nd, and then 3 more in the 4th. You had to wonder if Moriokadai would be able to mount another charge against the vaunted squad.
Fast forward 1 inning later, and Moriokadai had managed to score a run to cut the lead to 4-3. And wouldn't you know it, Matsumoto stepped in once again, this time with runners at the corners. After a SB, a base hit could give the team back the lead.
Matsumoto drives a ball to deep center, and somehow over the fielder's head yet again! 2 runs do score and Moriokadai Fuzoku took the 5-4 lead!
The rest of the game was hang on time. Matsumoto was by no means dominant on the hill, but he was doing just enough to get by, with some help from Hanamaki at times. For instance in the 6th runner on 2nd, bunt is placed, but right to Matsumoto who wheels to 3rd for the tag. They get a 2-out double in the 7th, but a great diving catch by Moriokadai's LF saved the game.
Once that catch was made, I think the rally in Hanamaki Higashi was dashed. The last 6 outs went by without a whimper and Moriokadai Fuzoku (or rather Matusmoto Yuuki) claims the Iwate title!
Yamagata - Sakata Minami v. Yamagata Chuo
Yamagata Chuo had claimed their only title 4 years ago, and if you go back and look at the records, it wasn't against the top competition the prefecture had to offer (Sakata Minami, Nichidai Yamagata, Tsuruoka Higashi, etc.). So while they were here in the finals, it was against the aforementioned Sakata Minami, and you had to think that they would fall short again...
It certainly looked that way. Despite ace Ishikawa eventually recording 12 K's, it was Sakata Minami who held the 2-0 lead going into the 9th.
But in that 9th, Okuyama would start off with a double, couple of batters later Aoki would hit a 2-RBI double to tie the game. And Nagai and Takahashi would complete the comeback with timely hitting on their own. 5-runs later and Sakata Minami and their supporters were shocked to see themselves down 5-2 with just 3 outs to go!
There would be no rally as Yamagata Chuo would truly break their curse of Koushien and punch their second ticked with a 5-2 win!
So what happened on Thursday:
Kita Hokkaido - Kushiro Kougyou v. Bushuukan
Like many other prefectures, it seems like this is the year for the tier 3 schools to make hay.FYI, when I say tier 3, I mean the following:
- Tier 1 - Schools that regularly make Koushien (Chiben Wakayama, Nichidai-san, Houtoku Gakuen, Ryuukokudai Heian, Osaka Touin, etc,)
- Tier 2 - Schools that have made it to Koushien, but generally run into the upper tier (Yokohama Hayato, Chiba Keizaidai Fuzoku, Nihon Koukuu)
- Tier 3 - Schools that regularly do well, but rarely, if ever reach Koushien (Bushuukan, Toukai Dai-yon, Kyoto Subaru, Kasukabe Kyouei, St. Ursula, Oberlin, etc.)
And so this final was a chance for both schools to get to Koushien. And actually Kushiro Kougyou had made it once before back in 1979, but lost in the first round to Hieizan.
But the game wasn't close, Bushuukan put up 3 runs in the first inning and never really looked back. Kushiro Kougyou made it close with a pair of runs in the 9th, but an 8-5 win means that they're making their first ever appearance at Natsu Koushien!
Aomori - Aomori v. Hachinohe Gakuen Kousei
Aomori had a magical run, defeating both Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi and Aomori Yamada to reach the final. But then they had to face Kousei, and you would think that the run would end.
Thankfully for everyone (except Kousei) they didn't get the memo. In fact, they were the ones to strike first, with 3 runs in the second no less. And when Kousei replied with 3 of their own the 3rd, they scored another in the 4th. But after Kousei tied it yet again in the 5th, you had to wonder if Aomori was going to have another burst in them.
The answer seemed to come 2 innings later when Kousei would score 4 in the 7th to seemingly take a commanding 8-4 lead. Aomori made one final push in the 9th, but it would fall short as Kousei goes yet again to Koushien with a 8-6 win. Now if only they could win Koushien itself...
Iwate - Hanamaki Higashi v. Moriokadai Fuzoku
If there is one name that you need to know from this matchup, it is ace Matsumoto Yuuki.
No, not Hanamaki Higashi, but Moriokadai Fuzoku!
Because in the 1st inning, he blasted a 2-run HR to deep right to the 2nd fence (the one actually bordering the entire ballpark!).
Now, it was obviously still early, and Hanamaki as they are wont to do, started scrapping runs together, first with a run in the 2nd, and then 3 more in the 4th. You had to wonder if Moriokadai would be able to mount another charge against the vaunted squad.
Fast forward 1 inning later, and Moriokadai had managed to score a run to cut the lead to 4-3. And wouldn't you know it, Matsumoto stepped in once again, this time with runners at the corners. After a SB, a base hit could give the team back the lead.
Matsumoto drives a ball to deep center, and somehow over the fielder's head yet again! 2 runs do score and Moriokadai Fuzoku took the 5-4 lead!
The rest of the game was hang on time. Matsumoto was by no means dominant on the hill, but he was doing just enough to get by, with some help from Hanamaki at times. For instance in the 6th runner on 2nd, bunt is placed, but right to Matsumoto who wheels to 3rd for the tag. They get a 2-out double in the 7th, but a great diving catch by Moriokadai's LF saved the game.
Once that catch was made, I think the rally in Hanamaki Higashi was dashed. The last 6 outs went by without a whimper and Moriokadai Fuzoku (or rather Matusmoto Yuuki) claims the Iwate title!
Yamagata - Sakata Minami v. Yamagata Chuo
Yamagata Chuo had claimed their only title 4 years ago, and if you go back and look at the records, it wasn't against the top competition the prefecture had to offer (Sakata Minami, Nichidai Yamagata, Tsuruoka Higashi, etc.). So while they were here in the finals, it was against the aforementioned Sakata Minami, and you had to think that they would fall short again...
It certainly looked that way. Despite ace Ishikawa eventually recording 12 K's, it was Sakata Minami who held the 2-0 lead going into the 9th.
But in that 9th, Okuyama would start off with a double, couple of batters later Aoki would hit a 2-RBI double to tie the game. And Nagai and Takahashi would complete the comeback with timely hitting on their own. 5-runs later and Sakata Minami and their supporters were shocked to see themselves down 5-2 with just 3 outs to go!
There would be no rally as Yamagata Chuo would truly break their curse of Koushien and punch their second ticked with a 5-2 win!
Oita - Oita v. Meihou
Here was another prefecture where a potential first timer (Oita) had a prefectural powerhouse standing in their way (Meihou).
Once again, Oita actually opened the scoring with a run in the 2nd. They continued to be the aggressor in the 7th, breaking the 1-1 tie with a pair of runs.
But late game, and Meihou seemed to flex their powerhouse muscles with 4 unanswered runs to lead 5-3 going into Oita's 9th. There was a flicker of hope as Oita had runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 out. But whether or not Meihou forgot to play no doubles defense, #8 batter Ishimoto hit a ball to center over the fielder's head for that key double to tie the game!
The game would eventually head to enchousen, but not for long. Once again there were 2 outs for Oita and a runner on 3rd. Cleanup batter, and ace Sano, delivers a single to center for the go-ahead run!
Sano would go on to shut down the Meihou batters in the bottom of the 10th and Oita gets to celebrate their first ever natsu title!
Here was another prefecture where a potential first timer (Oita) had a prefectural powerhouse standing in their way (Meihou).
Once again, Oita actually opened the scoring with a run in the 2nd. They continued to be the aggressor in the 7th, breaking the 1-1 tie with a pair of runs.
But late game, and Meihou seemed to flex their powerhouse muscles with 4 unanswered runs to lead 5-3 going into Oita's 9th. There was a flicker of hope as Oita had runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 out. But whether or not Meihou forgot to play no doubles defense, #8 batter Ishimoto hit a ball to center over the fielder's head for that key double to tie the game!
The game would eventually head to enchousen, but not for long. Once again there were 2 outs for Oita and a runner on 3rd. Cleanup batter, and ace Sano, delivers a single to center for the go-ahead run!
Sano would go on to shut down the Meihou batters in the bottom of the 10th and Oita gets to celebrate their first ever natsu title!
Kagoshima - Kanoya Chuo v. Kamimura Gakuen
We've heard this story a lot, and it happened here yet again. Kanoya Chuo, a better-than-average squad squaring up against top tiered Kamimura Gakuen for the Kagoshima title.
But the game was rather close throughout. Kamimura Gakuen scored a run in the 5th thanks to two doubles.
It stayed that way until the 7th where Kanoya Chuo manufactured a run the old-fashioned way - base hit, bunt, base hit, beat throw home.
Kamimura would continue to put pressure on Kanoya Chuo ace Nanashima, and almost came through when a ball just went foul down the 3B line in their half of the 7th. Eventually though, the game would head to enchousen.
There, Kanoya got a leadoff double, and when they tried to bunt the runner over, Kamimura's 3B muffed on the ball an everyone was safe. And after the trailing runner took 2nd, Kanoya's 1B delivered a single to center scoring 2. That would prove to be more than enough as the game ends on a great diving catch by Kanoya Chuo's LF and they too will make their first trip to Koushien!
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And for yesterday it was a quiet day as most prefectures had a day off in anticipation of championship games (there are 7 today!):
But the game was rather close throughout. Kamimura Gakuen scored a run in the 5th thanks to two doubles.
It stayed that way until the 7th where Kanoya Chuo manufactured a run the old-fashioned way - base hit, bunt, base hit, beat throw home.
Kamimura would continue to put pressure on Kanoya Chuo ace Nanashima, and almost came through when a ball just went foul down the 3B line in their half of the 7th. Eventually though, the game would head to enchousen.
There, Kanoya got a leadoff double, and when they tried to bunt the runner over, Kamimura's 3B muffed on the ball an everyone was safe. And after the trailing runner took 2nd, Kanoya's 1B delivered a single to center scoring 2. That would prove to be more than enough as the game ends on a great diving catch by Kanoya Chuo's LF and they too will make their first trip to Koushien!
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And for yesterday it was a quiet day as most prefectures had a day off in anticipation of championship games (there are 7 today!):
Ibaraki - Fujishiro v. Kasumigaura
Like Kakunodate, I was happy that Kasumigaura made it back to the finals. The one fear that I have regarding schools like these was that even though they got back, their best chance was behind them.
Sadly that was the case with Kasumigaura. Fujishiro scored 5 in the first inning and it was all downhill from there. They would go on to win 12-3.
Kumamoto - Jyouhoku v. Buntoku
Jyouhoku and Buntoku have both been to Koushien before, but they are more like a Tier 3 school in that they continuously run into the top teams. Yet this year, here they sit facing each other with a golden chance to return.
The teams played under pressure the entire game, with both teams playing desperate. It remained scoreless until the 8th inning.
There, Jyouhoku gets a leadoff single to the SS. He had to range over, but the throw wasn't in time. It looked like Buntoku would get out of the inning as Jyouhoku not once but twice failed to bunt the runner over.
Yet, Jyouhoku got another base hit to the same gap in short and the next thing you knew, Jyouhoku's LF doubled off the wall in LF and suddenly they were up 2-1!
Buntoku wasn't able to do anything until the 9th when their cleanup batter Shiga hits a HR to narrow the margin to 1. Jyouhoku brought in ace number Morotomi to close the game.
First thing he did though was hit the batter on the very first pitch. A base hit later, and suddenly it looked like they were going to fall apart.
But a fly ball to center ended the game, and Jyouhoku heads to Natsu Koushien!
Sadly that was the case with Kasumigaura. Fujishiro scored 5 in the first inning and it was all downhill from there. They would go on to win 12-3.
Kumamoto - Jyouhoku v. Buntoku
Jyouhoku and Buntoku have both been to Koushien before, but they are more like a Tier 3 school in that they continuously run into the top teams. Yet this year, here they sit facing each other with a golden chance to return.
The teams played under pressure the entire game, with both teams playing desperate. It remained scoreless until the 8th inning.
There, Jyouhoku gets a leadoff single to the SS. He had to range over, but the throw wasn't in time. It looked like Buntoku would get out of the inning as Jyouhoku not once but twice failed to bunt the runner over.
Yet, Jyouhoku got another base hit to the same gap in short and the next thing you knew, Jyouhoku's LF doubled off the wall in LF and suddenly they were up 2-1!
Buntoku wasn't able to do anything until the 9th when their cleanup batter Shiga hits a HR to narrow the margin to 1. Jyouhoku brought in ace number Morotomi to close the game.
First thing he did though was hit the batter on the very first pitch. A base hit later, and suddenly it looked like they were going to fall apart.
But a fly ball to center ended the game, and Jyouhoku heads to Natsu Koushien!
Thursday, July 24, 2014
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
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
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
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.
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.
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