98th Natsu Koushien - Day 5, Game 1 - Hachiouji (Nishi Tokyo) v Nichinan Gakuen (Miyazaki)

We're rounding out the 1st round today and starting the 2nd on this short schedule day. Shiritsu Wakayama or Hiroshima Shinjyou await the winner of this match.

Hachioujji defeated both Toukaidai Sugao and Waseda Jitsugyou, but ace Saotome not a power ace at all. Nichinan Gakuen established power, but did not face substantial competition. Tokyo would be the stronger prefecture of the two, so penciling a winner will be difficult.

Nichinan Gakuen (Miyazaki)
CF Nagahara Takumi (長原 拓海)
3B Yoshiga Kenshin (芳賀 憲伸)
2B Maeda Naoki (前田 尚輝)
LF Masuda Kaisei (益田 海成)
RF Hamamoto Itsuki (浜本 樹)
C Hagiwara Hiro (萩原 哲)
SS Ishijima Yuuto (石嶋 友翔)
1B Ishida Kouhei (石田 航平)
P Moriyama Genki (森山 弦暉)

Hachiouji (Nishi Tokyo)
LF Yamaguchi Shun (山口 駿)
SS Takenaka Yuuki (竹中 裕貴)
CF Shiihara Ryou (椎原 崚)
RF Hojyou Yuuki (保條 友義)
3B Onoda Naomichi (小野田 直道)
1B Kawagoe Ryou (川越 龍)
2B Ishidzuka Fuyu (石塚 冬汰)
C Hosono Yuu (細野 悠)
P Saotome Daiki (早乙女 大輝)

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09:30 - First Pitch!

1st Inning
Oh, this is a surprise! Both aces throw in the mid to upper 120s!!

I'm not as surprised out of Miyazaki, but winning with that in Nishi Tokyo? That's impressive in it's own right! Looking at it in that light, the battle isn't with the offenses, it's with which pitcher can maintain his control of the zone the longest. When you can't throw hard, control is everything.

The first inning sees batters taking quite a few pitches. Yamaguchi gets a leadoff walk for Hachiouji in their half of the frame, but otherwise both pitchers are off to a good start.

2nd Inning
Hamamoto for Nichinan gets the first hit in the game, a single through the 6-hole. They don't elect to play for the one-timer, and while Hagiwara give the ball a good thump, he lines out to left. Ishijima hits a clean single to right on a ball up and in to given them a decent scoring chance, but Ishida goes after a slider ont he first pitch and pops out to end the inning.

Moriyama willing to shorten the game getting the Hachiouji batters to make contact. 12 pitches,3 routine groundouts.

3rd Inning
Nichinan getting all the opportunities so far. Nagahara gets a one-out base hit as the ball takes an odd hop at Ishidzuka, but he's thrown out by the slimmest of margins by Hosono, killing the rally.

Hachiouji meanwhile gets their first hit, from Hosono no less, a single to shallow center.

But on a missed bunt attempt, he's caught straying too far from 1st! Hagiwara fires to 1st and they nail him for the 2nd out!

Moriyama finishes it off snagging a comebacker by his counterpart Saotome. It's a real pitcher's duel to start.

4th Inning
Nichinan Gakuen is making good contact on Saotome's pitches, but is just missing the sweet spot. Maeda and Hamamoto just get under a ball and fly out to left, and Masuda hits a liner, but right at Takenaka.

Moriyama continues to get groundouts, recording the first 2 in that manner. But then out of nowhere Shiihara lines a single over a leaping Maeda, and then Hojyou does the same over Ishijima! Back-to-back hits and Hachiouji has their first real chance!

Onoda meanwhile is taking real close pitches, almost striking out twice, but instead working the count full.

He hits a grounder to the left side, but Ishijima runs it down, throw to 1st.... OUT!  Nichinan with the great double play and they're out of the jam!

5th Inning
Finally those hard hits are finding the gaps for Nichinan Gakuen! Hagiwara hits a single to left. Then, they continue trying the hit-and-run on Ishijima's AB until he finally delivers a hit to right! That means runners at the corners and no out!

But, when Ishida hits a ground ball to 2nd, Hachiouji actually concedes the run! They turn the double play and give Nichinan Gakuen the 1-0 lead!

In the bottom half, Hachiouji gets a chance again with 2 outs. Hosono draws just the 2nd walk from Moriyama, then Saotome lines a first-pitch single to left.

But that last hit escapes them. Yamaguchi grounds out to short and we're at the break. It's a quick game with good pitching, great defense and chances for both sides.

6th Inning
Hachiouji makes its change at pitcher, sending in #11 Yonehara to finish the game.

(At this point I had to attend a meeting and could only watch the game in which I will have a writeup, but Yonehara basically cratered the moment he came in, allowing 5 runs and effectively making the game out of reach.)

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 4, Game 4 - Hanasaki Tokuharu (Saitama) v Oomagari Kougyou (Akita)

Took shower, getting ready to watch last game/sleep depending on how the body feels. It's a day to day thing now. I'm getting old.

Hanasaki Tokuharu (Saitama)
2B Chimaru Tsuyoshi (千丸 剛)
RF Takahashi Toshiki (高橋 哉貴)
SS Okazaki Daisuke (岡崎 大輔)
LF (15)Nishikawa Yoshinari (西川 愛也)
3B Kusumoto Kouki (楠本 晃希)
CF Yamamoto Yuuya (山本 優也)
1B Nishime Kizuku (西銘 築)
P Takahashi Kouya (高橋 昂也)
C Nomoto Masayasu (野本 真康)

Oomagari Kougyou (Akita)
RF Takahashi Kouhei (高橋 航平)
2B (14)Tanba Yuuta (丹波 勇太)
CF Morisawa Yasuharu (守沢 康陽)
1B Satou Taiki (佐藤 泰輝)
3B Sado Yukito (佐渡 敬斗)
C Asari Masahiro (浅利 賢宏)
SS (4)Takahashi Hinata (高橋 陽喬)
LF Katou Seiya (加藤 聖也)
P (11)Fujii Reira (藤井 黎来)

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16:15 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Not exactly the start you want if you're Fujii against a Koushien mainstay...

First he walks Chimaru. Iwai-kantoku puts on the hit-and-run, and that advances the runner on the groundout.

Almost out of the inning, Satou swings the door open with a gapper to left center for a RBI double. 1-0 Hanasaki Tokuharu.

Bottom 1st
Oomagari Kougyou has to be kicking themselves for this sequence.

Kouhei draws a walk to start proceedings. Tanba can't lay a good bunt down and Kouhei is retired at 2nd. Then Tanba gets picked off 1st.

After that, Morisawa and Satou both hit clean singles in which Tanba would have likely scored.

Instead Sado pops out to 1st and the inning is over.

Top 2nd
Fujii almost gets his clean frame, but his counterpart spoils it with a double to left center.

He still has a chance to close out the inning before it turns over, but he walks Nomoto...

Chimaru punishes Fujii with a single to center, making it a 2-0 ballgame.

Bottom 2nd
Kouya giving Oomagari Kougyou some chances early. One down, Hinata singles to right, then proceeds to walk Katou.

Okazaki double clutches on a double play attempt allowing the inning to continue, but Kouhei grounds out to end the inning.

4th Inning
The 3rd inning comes and goes, but in the 4th Hanasaki Tokuharu gets the engine going again.

Nishime gets a single to left. 2 batters later, Nomoto is getting a steady diet of curveballs, but the first fastball he sees, he drives it over the RF head for a triple extending the lead to 3-0.

But hold on a sec! Sado first pitch hits a ball to deep left! Nishikawa going back to the fence... and it's gone!! Sado hits a home run and it's a 3-1 game! Now, they don't get anything thereafter, but that's sure to pick up their spirits!

Bottom 5th
Sure enough, Oomagari Kougyou's bats are continuing to make progress. #9 batter Fujii gets a base hit to left, followed by Tanba 2 batters later - all solid contact. Nothing comes of it, but they've had opportunities all game. Who will circle the wagons first? Kouya or the Oomagari offense?

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 4, Game 3 - Shiritsu Wakayama (Wakayama) v Seiryou (Ishikawa)

Seiryou and Shiritsu Wakayama up next. Shiritsu Wakayama did rack up wins versus Chiben Wakayama and Minoshima, Seiryou defeated Nihon Koukuu Ishikawa, and you could throw in Komatsu Meihou and Komatsu Ootani though those are lesser victories.

Both pitching staffs are unremarkable, so it may be up to the offenses to determine the winner. In which case Seiryou (unfortunately) has the advantage.

Shiritsu Wakayama (Wakayama)
3B Yamazaki Takuya (山崎 拓哉)
2B Kawasaki Makoto (河崎 真)
CF (13)Yabui Kanta (藪井 幹大)
1B Kitajima Riku (北嶋 陸)
RF Kinoshita Kouji (木下 康司)
LF Shichino Rei (七野 怜)
C Okamoto Naoki (岡本 尚輝)
P Akaba Riku (赤羽 陸)
SS Hamano Shougo (浜野 匠吾)

Seiryou (Ishikawa)
CF Morita Ryouga (森田 涼雅)
2B Hatanaka Riku (畑中 陸)
SS Toritani Takaya (虎谷 貴哉)
P Teranishi Ken (寺西 建)
1B (9)Kigura Tomoki (木倉 朋輝)
3B Wakamiya Ryuu (若宮 颯)
LF Sasaki Natsukai (佐々木 夏海)
RF Koshinaka Kei (越中 圭)
C Kawagishi Masaaki (川岸 正興)

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13:50 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
That didn't take long.

Yamazaki single through left side. After a sac bunt, Teranishi walks Yabui on 4 straight.

Kitajima with a grounder up the 3rd base line fair, but it hits the umpire making the call! The ball stays in the infield and the runners have to hold up! Manrui, but 1 run could have been in!

Kinoshita remedies that immediately with a sac fly to left center. 1-0.

Shichino pops out, but this is pretty much what you should expect this game on both sides.

Bottom 1st
One down Hatenaka with a gapper to right center all the way to the wall for a triple. Toritani with a clean single through the 4 hole and we're tied at 1-1.

Akaba gets fortunate on his own when he gets a looky what I found in my glove on a hard comebacker. Almost throws it away, but gets the 1-6-3 double play.

Top 2nd
Things going from bad to worse for Teranishi.

• A single back up the middle by Okamoto.
• After a sac but, he throws a wild pitch, and there's a passed ball before Hamano walks.

After that Teranishi is exiled to the outfield. #17 Taketani comes in, moving Ternishi to RF and Kigura to LF.

But Yamazaki singles to left center, scoring Okamoto.

2 batters later Yabui singles to right scoring 2 more and it's 4-1 Shiritsu Wakayama.

The counter stops there... for now.

Bottom 2nd
Oh, this hurts to watch...

• Kigura - Leadoff walk, not really close
• Wakamiya - Single through left side
• Sasaki - Bunt, but Akaba trips over himself fielding the ball to throw to 1st.
• Taketani - E4 when Kawasaki can't cleanly field the ball, 4-2
• Kawagishi - K
• Morita - 1-2-3 DP

Yikes.

Top 3rd
Taketani still struggling with the strike zone, running two 3-ball counts, but somehow he gets 2 K's in their first clean inning.

Bottom 3rd
Hatenaka gets his 2nd hit, another base hit to right. Then with 1 down Teranishi hits a high chopper. Akaba fields it, but so was everyone else and that means no one is covering 1st. Oy.

And yet! Kigura grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning!

Top 4th
Is Taketani settling down? It's hard to say because despite the fact he gets a 1-2-3 inning, the batters are still making good contact.

Bottom 4th
I think what's happening is that the batters are seeing all these hits, errors, etc. and are thinking they can make hay. But instead they all rush to get a hit and instead get out.

2 down, Taketani hits a grounder to short, but Kitajima can't make the pick on the throw. That's hurts because Kawagishi singles to right.

And then Morita singles to left. Manrui for Seiryou.

Hatenaka hard chopper back to Akaba and he snags it! Throw to 1st and he gets out of it!

Top 5th
Kawasaki gets a leadoff hit. Once again they elect to bunt the runner over.

Kitajima checks his swing, but makes contact with the ball anyways into fair territory. 2 out.

Kinoshita gets fooled, swings at a ball way outside and flies out to right for the 3rd out.

Bottom 5th
Seiryou giving Akaba a break needing just 6 pitches to get all 3 outs. There's been 3 full innings of 0's. Chances are the break will allow the offenses to reset and we may see crooked numbers yet.

Bottom 6th
Wakamine leads off with a single to center. But when Hayashi-kantoku tries the hit and run, instead it turns into a strike-em-out throw-em-out double play! That's the 4th double play and kills the rally!

Top 7th
Hamano finally gets to Taketani with a single to center. After a sac bunt, Kawasaki rips one to the right side, but right at Kigura for the 2nd out.

Yabui comes to the rescue again, hitting another RBI single to right, making it 5-2.

Bottom 7th
Shiritsu Wakayama's defense continuing to give chances to Seiryou. One down, Kawasaki boots a grounder back up the middle. Morita reaches safely, then steals 2nd.

But Hatenaka strikes out on 3 straight, and Toritani grounds to 3rd to end the inning.

Top 8th
Things get worse for Seiryou. After a base hit by Kinoshita, Taketani is relieved by #13 Ogura.

After a sac bunt, he gives up a double to Okamoto scoring Kinoshita. 6-2.

The supposed final nail in the coffin comes when Hamano hits a ball to right and it goes under Teranishi's glove and all the way to the wall for a 1B + 3 base error. 8-2.

#11 Shimizu comes in to close the frame, but it's pretty much over now.

And so the rest of the game went. Seiryou would get a chance to score some runs in the 8th, but Shiritsu Wakayama almost turns a triple play instead.

The game mercifully ends with no more runs and Shiritsu Wakayama advancing.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 4, Game 2 - Kyoto Shouei (Kyoto) v Shounan (Kagoshima)

Well, that's more like it. A close game to set the tone for the day. This game though will key in on one key matchup - ace Hayama for Shounan versus the entire Kyoto Shouei offense.

Kyoto Shouei (Kyoto)
SS Abe Hiroya (阿部 大弥)
RF (7)Nitta Daisuke (新田 大輔)
3B Morimoto Yoshio (森元 啓雄)
C Ishihara Tsuyoshi (石原彪)
CF Yamamoto Yuudai (山本 祐大)
1B Kawamoto Kazuha (川本 万葉)
LF (16)Hamano Takurou (浜野 拓郎)
P Takino Masata (滝野 雅太)
SS Eimoto Ren (栄本 廉)

Shounan (Kagoshima)
CF Imada Kaito (今田 塊都)
SS Oosawa Daiki (大沢 大樹)
1B Kamikuri Taisei (上栗 大聖)
LF Yoshiuchi Takumi (吉内 匠)
RF Sekiyama Mio (積山 水音)
2B Orio Kousei (折尾 昂靖)
3B Kouno Katsumaru (河野 勝丸)
P Hayama Shouta (浜屋 将太)
C Maekawa Taisei (前川 大成)

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11:20 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Oh boy, Hayama not really off to the greatest of starts. Abe giving him heck at the plate, wasting several pitches before drawing a leadoff walk.

After that, Nitta walks and Hayama is in a very bad way.

That rings true when Morimoto lines a ball over Oosawa splitting the defense for an RBI double. 1-0.

Ishihara a hot shot to 3rd, but Kouno fields it and looks the runner back before getting the out. 1 down.

Asai-kantoku puts on the contact play, but Yamamoto grounds to short! He catches Nitta in a rundown and the get the 2nd out!

But they throw to 2nd! Yamamoto slides in, but he's out! A terrible baserunning error by Kyoto Shouei short-circuits the inning at 1-0!

Bottom 1st
Oy, what's this? Takino, spotted a run hits Imada, then walks Oosawa, and if that wasn't enough, throws a wild pitch to put both runners in scoring position.

And on what would normally be a good pitch down and in, Kamakuri drives it to deep right! Nitta tries to run it down, but his slide is just short! Both runners score on the triple and like that Shounan has the lead! Toss in a sac fly and it's 3-1!

Takino gets the final 2 outs thereafter, but they're on hard hit balls. Looks like they'll have to work their way back now.

Top 2nd
Kyoto Shouei firing right back. Kawano and Takino both gets base hits to put the douten runner on base.

But Eimoto flies out to center, and unlike his first AB, Abe loses the battle, chasing a slider down and away for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
It's a much better inning for Takino, quickly retiring the first two batters before walking #9 batter Maekawa. Doesn't hurt him as Imada hits a sky high popup that Abe take near 2nd for the 3rd out.

Top 3rd
2 outs for Shouei and big boy Ishihara drives a ball to deep left center for a double.

Yamamoto can't duplicate that and pops out to 2nd.

Bottom 4th
The next opportunity comes in the bottom of the 4th where Orio gets a one-out single up the middle. He's bunted over, but Hamaya strikes out to retire the side.

Bottom 5th
Shounan gets one last crack at scoring before the break when Maekawa's grounder goes under Eimoto's glove.

But Shounan decides to bunt not once, but twice! So when Kamikura flies out to center, we're at the break!

Shounan may have the lead, but they're playing like they're trying to get 1 run each inning. If Kyoto Shouei can get their offense going, they may have a shot yet as Shounan looks desperate to add more runs.

Top 6th
Ishihara strikes again, collecting his 2nd double in as many at bats, this time dear the foul pole.

Hayama makes a good 3-2 pitch to Yamamoto, but he gets enough to bloop it into shallow left center for a base hit! Runners at the corners with 1 down!

Kawamoto gets a great pitch to hit, but he grounds it right at short! 6-4-3 double play and Hayama is out of the jam!!

Bottom 6th
Kyoto Shouei makes a change at pitcher, sending in #10 Takamuki.

Yoshiuchi welcomes him with a single to right. Takamura struggles with his control, and yields another single to Sekiyama.

Orio lays down a bunt, but Takamuki throws it wide of 2nd! Yoshiuchi scores and like that it's a 4-1 game!

Kouno hits a chopper up the middle, and somehow it gets through the infield! That brings in a run to make it 5-1! On replay, the ball was going slightly left, but the spin brought it right and away from the SS. Life of it's own I tell you.

Hayama follows that up with a single before Maekawa gives Takamuki his firs out via a sac bunt.

Now, Kouno does get caught off 3rd for some unknown reason for the 2nd out, but Imada makes sure that the runners score blasting a ball off the wall in right center for a triple and a 7-1 lead.

That's where the carnage would end, but I'm shocked to see Kyoto Shouei's pitching look so bad.

Bottom 7th
You can wrap it up here. After a leadoff double and single, #11 Hiragaito comes into the game.

Walk, base hit, 9-1. Orio thrown out at 3rd.

Hiragaito gives up one more hit before being retired, but might as well get everyone in.

Rest of game
The rest of the game plays out with not much happening as you would expect from a blowout.

There were signs that Kyoto Shouei wasn't as strong as their defeats of Fukuchiyama Seibi and Ritsumeikan Uji suggested, but that was on the pitching side. Put up the offensive numbers you do in all your games and even with regression there should still be something. But there wasn't.

It's still early, but Shounan might sneak in as a possible contender.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 4, Game 1 - Hiroshima Shinjyou (Hiroshima) v Kanto Dai-ichi (Higashi Tokyo)

With Day 8 settled, the next 6 games will determine who gets to play in Day 9. While there are some strong teams in this bunch, I think there are opportunities to be had - as long as you draw right.

Hiroshima Shinjyou (Hiroshima)
2B Sugimura Hiroyoshi (杉村 泰嘉)
LF Toyooka Takato (豊岡 稜人)
RF Kitatani Shougo (北谷 奨吾)
1B Ogawa Toranosuke (小河 虎之介)
C Furumoto Kouki (古本 幸希)
3B Kogawa Tomoya (古川 智也)
CF Kawauchi Kyouei (河内 恭英)
P Hori Mizuki (堀 瑞輝)
SS Tanaka Ryouta (田中 亮太)

Kanto Dai-ichi (Higashi Tokyo)
RF (17)Sugaya Keisuke (菅谷 圭祐)
3B Yamakawa Shinta (山川 新太)
LF Yoneda Katsuya (米田 克也)
C Satou Yuusuke (佐藤 佑亮)
1B Ishibashi Kouta (石橋 康太)
SS Murase Yuuto (村瀬 佑斗)
2B Morikawa Youhei (森川 瑶平)
CF Motohashi Keito (本橋 慶人)
P Satou Shouma (佐藤 奨真)

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08:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Sugimura gets things off to a rousing start with a base hit to center and a subsequent steal.

But after a sac bunt, Satou shuts things down with a strikeout of Kitatani on a ball down and in, and a comebacker from Ogawa.

Bottom 1st
Kanto Dai-ichi also getting an early scoring chance. Yamakawa draws a one-out walk before Yoneda hits a single back up the middle.

Yuusuke though forgets he's playing baseball, and golfs a ball high into the air where Sugimura can camp under it for the catch.

But Ishibashi hits another ball back up the middle and Yamakawa comes in without a throw to make it 1-0 Kanto Dai-ichi.

Top 2nd
Again, Hiroshima Shinjyou with a leadoff runner on as Furumoto gets hit. But after a sac bunt, they can do little with it as both Kawauchi and Mori chase balls out of the zone and make poor contact.

Bottom 2nd
Meanwhile, issues still abound for Hori.

He gives up a one-out walk, and on the sac bunt Kogawa sails the throw high. It's stopped, but Ogawa can't secure it coming down.

Still he almost gets a inning-ending double play before striking out Yamakawa to end the frame.

Top 3rd
Satou Shouma seems to be doing enough to keep the batters off the basepaths. Doesn't throw hard, doesn't quite hit his locations, but doesn't make bad misses.

He racks up 2 Ks in the 3rd as the Hiroshima Shinjyou batters still seem unable to figure him out.

Bottom 3rd
Hori managing the game as well, and while he does hit Ishibashi, he gets 3 routine ground balls to keep the game in check.

Top 4th
Kitatani gets on base thanks to a high throw from Murase. It's their 3rd leadoff runner so far, but nothing to show for it.

Ogawa can't lay down the bunt, then just waves under a low fastball for the 1st out.

Furumoto chases a slider for the 2nd out, and Kogawa grounds to 2nd. The Hiroshima Shinjyou offense looking rather dead right now.

Bottom 4th
Kanto Dai-ichi also perhaps looking to get their offense going, has Shouma bunting with a runner on and one out. Except that the 3B crashes in and initiates the 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Top 5th
One down and Hori laces a double down the left field line. Tanaka tries to get a base hit up the middle, but Morikawa chases it down and throws to 1st for the 2nd out. Douten run 90 feet away, but 2 outs.

Sugimura first pitch swinging, hits a ball to the right side, and out of Morikawa's reach! Hori scores and we're tied at 1-1! That's all they get, but it's a new ballgame!

Bottom 5th
Yamakawa tries to give his team back the lead driving a slider down and away to the right centerfield gap for a triple.

It's a great scoring chance, as the 3-4-5 batters step in.

Yoneda hard shot to 3rd, Kogawa has it, and goes home! Yamakawa wasn't committing to go either way and is run down! Yoneda reaches 2nd on the rundown, but Kanto Dai-ichi just went backwards 90 feet.

Hori wants nothing to do with Yuusuke it seems and gives him a free pass.

But it backfires! Ishibashi with a single to right! Yoneda being waved around, throw coming in from Kitatani... and they get him!

Yoneda tries to go outside for the slide, but the throw from Kitatani is just too good! 3 outs!

That play certainly will give Hiroshima Shinjyou some momentum to build on going into the break, but they'll need their offence to click up a tick to two.

Top 6th
Well, that was an uninspiring effort there by Hiroshima Shinjyou. swinging away from the get go into 3 quick groundouts.

Bottom 6th-Top 7th
The game seemingly takes on a "meh" feeling as both teams struggle at the plate. And it's not really because the pitching is really good either. There more than a few balls in the dirt that are being swung at and pitchers aren't necessarily hitting the glove either.

8th-9th Innings
The game as it enters the final stages of regulation enters a processional where the teams slowly reach enchousen. Batters are perhaps pressing to get a base hit, and very little ends up happening.

Such is the case as not only are they pressing at the plate, but on the basepaths. Including the 7th both sides have run themselves out at 2nd 3 times and twice for Hiroshima to actually end the inning.

And as Kanto Dai-ichi is quietly retired in order in the 9th we head to enchousen.

Top 10th
1 down and Tanaka draws a walk.

But then Yonezawa-kantoku relieves Shouma! #11 Takei comes in relief despite Shouma not really struggling at all! That's unheard of that a kantoku would relieve a supposedly "good" pitcher who is not struggling.

Now, if he's saving him for future games and limiting how much of the tank he uses, it makes sense. but it's a strategy not implemented in most teams.

But Takei walks Sugimura and you know if Kanto Dai-ichi lose here he;ll be questioned.

Toyooka tries waiting Takei out, and despite falling behind 1-2 fills up the count, and the 3rd ball was a slider that just missed the bottom of the zone.

But Takei wins the battle, tying up Toyooka on a fastball down and in for the 2nd out!

Kitatani pops out and it's game on for Kanto Dai-ichi!

Bottom 10th
Well, if Hori would let them anyways.

The 9-1-2 batters for Kanto Dai-ichi are retired faster than... well, they're retired quickly.

Top 11th
Things are getting so bad that after Hiroshima Shinjyou draws a walk with 1 down, they bunt the runner over for a 1-timer. But Kawauchi grounds to 2nd and that's that.

Bottom 11th
It was going to be a 1-2-3 inning, but Miyamoto wasted that with a single back up the middle.

And he takes off for 2nd! The throw isn't in time, and the first stolen base for Kanto Dai-ichi puts the sayonara run in scoring position!

But Hori squashes that by blowing a 141 kph fastball by Murase for the 3rd out!

Top 12th
One down and a routine grounder from Tanaka takes a low hop on Murase forcing a late correction and no play at 1st.

After that Sugimura holds off on two consecutive pitches to draw a walk.

Tomooka stands in, and he draws a walk as well! Manrui with 1 down!

Yonezawa-kantoku calls for time. Will Kitatani see if Takei continues to struggle?

No! He swings and lifts a ball to center! Tanaka tagging, throw home..  not in time!! Hiroshima Shinjyou has the 2-1 lead!

Bottom 12th
Does Kanto Dai-ichi have any answer for Hori?

No! Hori in fact strikes out the last 2 batters on a letter-high fastball away and Hiroshima Shinjyou is on to the next round!

Interestingly the focus will probably turn to why Satou was relieved in the 9th. He wasn't struggling despite walking his last batter, and Takei would walk 2 in the 12th that led to the loss. But if Yonezawa-kantoku is trying to save arms, then I think it's a landmark move. If  he did it because he had a quick hook, well... then you might question him (even though his pitch count was high).

For Hori, he certainly managed the game well after perhaps struggling a bit early on. He settled into a rhythm that Kanto Dai-ichi was unable to break.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 3, Game 4 - Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki) v Oumi (Shiga)

Well, the winner of this game knows they're facing Chuukyou. So, let's see how things play out because you have to win first.

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
CF Suyama Yuuki (陶山 勇軌)
2B Arimura Kouta (有村 恒汰)
1B Miyazawa Toyota (宮里 豊汰)
3B Hanawa Naoki (花輪 直輝)
C Shimizu Kazema (清水 風馬)
P Suzuki Shouta (鈴木 昭汰)
LF Ichikawa Dai (石川 大)
SS Nakamura Jin (中村 迅)
RF Suzuki Kaito (鈴木 海斗)

Oumi (Shiga)
3B Kuramoto Riki (倉本 梨希)
CF Itou Yuusaku (伊東 優作)
LF Takizawa Motohide (瀧沢 元英)
1B (9)Kitamura Keigo (北村 恵吾)
2B Mukai Jidai (向井地 大)
C Isohiki Takuo (磯引 拓生)
RF (18) Kimura Ryuunousuke (木村 龍之介)
SS Karazawa Hayate (唐沢 颯)
P (10)Fukada Tatsuki (深田 樹暉)

____________________________________________________________

16:20 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Not a great start for the bench starter Fukada. Leadoff hit to Suyama. After a bunt, he walks Miyazawa and then gives up a clean hit to left to Hanawa. 1-0 already.

Throw in a squeeze by Shimizu and it's 2-0.

Bottom 1st
Not a great start for the Jyousou defense as Miyazawa can't field what seems like a routine throw (if not a little wide). It winds up not hurting him because after a failed bunt, Itou and Takisawa are both thrown out trying to steal 2nd..

Top 2nd
After Fukada gives up a double to Ishikawa and an RBI single to Nakamura it's the end of his day. ace Kyouyama comes in, but with his team down 3-0...

But there's no relief in Kyouyama either as he walks both Suyama and Arimura to load the bases.

And his defense isn't helping him out either. Miyazato grounds one to short, but SS Karazawa can't make the transfer cleanly and they only get 1, allowing Nakamura to score. 4-0.

Another run scores with runners at the corners. It isn't a fake steal/steal of home, at least not until the SS can't cut off the throw from Isohiki... 5-0.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 3, Game 3 - Yokohama (Kanagawa) v Touhoku (Miyagi)

Well, this is certainly the marquee game on the docket for today. Yokohama, back for the first time since the retirement of Watanabe-kantoku. Tohoku trying to get back to the days of Darvish yore.

But as of right now, despite both teams having strong schedules in the run-up to the title, it goes without saying that Kanagawa is much more stronger than Miyagi and that Yokohama Hayato-Toukou Gakuen-Keio Gijyuku is generally tougher than Sendai Ikuei-Rifu.

Yokohama (Kanagawa)
2B Tobori Atsuya (戸堀 敦矢)
3B (6)Endou Kakeru (遠藤 駆)
CF Masuda Tamaki (増田 珠)
LF Murata Yuuta (村田 雄大)
RF (10)Ishikawa Tatsuya (石川 達也)
1B (5)Kuge Kyou (公家 響)
P Fujihira Shouma (藤平 尚真)
C Tokuda Yuudai (徳田 優大)
SS (16)Watanabe Shou (渡辺 翔)

Touhoku (Miyagi)
SS Sugisawa Ryou (杉沢 龍)
RF Sasanuma Takumi (笹沼 匠)
P Watanabe Housei (渡辺 法聖)
1B Ueki Riku (植木 利久)
3B Ise Jyun (伊勢 隼)
C Fuse Touichi (布施 東壱)
LF Chiba Takuya (千葉 拓哉)
CF Tanaka Ryuuta (田中 隆太)
2B Satou Shouta (佐藤 翔大)

____________________________________________________________

13:20 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Tobori rips a pitch down the right field side for a leadoff hit. Add in a SB and it's game on for Yokokou. Sac bunt, sensei run in 90 feet away.

Satou temporarily saves a run as he snags a hot shot by Masuda. And he was drawn in no less.

Murata though guarantees that run as he hits a clean single through the 6-hole. 1-0.

After a walk, Agatsuma-kantoku calls for time. Watanabe battles, and finally gets Kuge to chase a ball in the dirt for the 3rd out.

Bottom 1st
Um there's not much to say. 148 kph fastball, 3 up, 3 down, 3 Ks. Hello.

Top 2nd
Bottom of the lineup not so much like the top to start. Tokuda gets on base when Sugisawa throws the ball wide. Thankfully he gets a K from Watanabe and a groundout to out up a needed bagel.

Bottom 2nd
Fujihira looked like he was going to get 6 straight K's to start the game, but he seemed a little squeezed on the inside edge. Fuse grounds out, but 5/6 via the K is kinda a big deal.

Top 3rd
Watanabe in trouble again as Masuda splits the outfield in right center for a triple. He gets a key K in Murata on a slider away, but then gives it back by walking Ishikawa.

Then you hear the ping off of Kuge's bat and you didn't have to think about it. Chiba give a token chase, but it's over the wall for a 4-0 lead.

Bottom 3rd
Tanaka finds the way to a base hit - hit it *at* Fujihira. The ball glances off the glove and dribbles to short for a 1-out single.

Satou working the count, checks his swing and draws a walk! It's the bottom of Tohoku's lineup getting on base!

Fujihira bearing down getting Sugisawa all tied up on an inside fastball, but he can't get out of the jam!

That's because Sasanuma hits a single to left center and Tanaka comes home to make it 4-1! It's all they're going to get in the frame, but getting the first run out of the way is always a plus.

4th Inning
Yokohama, perhaps a little perturbed with giving up a run, gets it back.

Watanabe starts with a single through the left side, then steals 2nd as Tohoku can't throw out a runner to save their life.

Then with 2 down Endou singles through to center and the lead is back at 4 at 5-1.

In the bottom of the frame Fujihira is actually looking a little hittable. Ise gets a single, and 2 batters later, after a failed double play puts Chiba at 2nd, Fuse also singles, this to center.

But Fujihira goes all power to Tanaka and strikes him out on a letter high fastball to retire the side.

Top 5th
Watanabe was one out away from a 1-2-3 inning but Kuge spoils it with a soft liner to center.

He does get the final out - a loud fly ball to right knocked down by the hamakaze.

Bottom 5th
Fujihira probably needed an inning like the 5th to get back on track. He retires the side in order adding two more bats to the rack. 10 Ks through 5 and his team in control.

Top 6th
Watanabe almost got a clean inning again post-break. Tokuda got a base hit, but when Yokohama's Watanabe tried to lay down a bunt, he stepped out of the box and was called out. Then Tokuda got picked off and there were 2 down.

But then Tobori singles, steals 2nd, Endou singles through the right side and Masuda finished the trifecta with another single, making it 6-1.

Bottom 6th
I think perhaps Fujihira is getting hit because he's trying to get quick outs for balls in play.

But it's having the opposite effect as Ueki and Chiba get base hits. And Fujijhira still is still racking up the Ks. (2 more this inning)

Rest of game
At this point it's pretty clear Yokohama is on their way to a win. They tack on a run in the 7th to make it 7-1 thanks to a questionable fielder's choice decision by their C.

As for Fujihira, Hirata-kantoku does the right thing and with 2 outs in the 7th sends in Ishikawa from RF to pitch. Fujihira stays in the game in RF just in case.

Touhoku makes things a little interesting in 9th, though Yokohama's defense did a lot of that by booting balls, but the game wasn't in doubt. Fujihira gets some rest not going the full 9 and they should be in good standing going forward.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 3, Game 2 - Nagasaki Shougyou (Nagasaki) v Yamanashi Gakuin (Yamanashi)

Nice way to start the day, onto our brunchtime game. Nagasaki Shougyou seems like a decent enough squad, but the offense is more than lacking and that's where the difference lies I think

Nagasaki Shougyou (Nagasaki)
RF Sawayama Norihiro (沢山 礼宏)
3B Yoshida Toshiki (吉田 敏貴)
2B Hirano Tsubasa (平野 太陽)
C Koide Ryoutarou (小出 凌太郎)
CF Tanaka Kojirou (田中 虎次郎)
1B Tsuji Yoshihiro (辻 義大)
SS Morikai Nozomi (森海 稀)
P Honda Issei (本田 一政)
LF Inoue Kouta (井上 弘太)

Yamanashi Gakuin (Yamanashi)
LF Tsuchida Yoshitake (土田 佳武)
3B Miyashita Rui (宮下 塁)
2B Chikenji Daiji (知見寺 代司)
CF Takisawa Kotarou (滝沢 虎太朗)
C Igarashi Hiroto (五十嵐 寛人)
RF Matsuo Kouta (松尾 孝太)
1B Aono Takeshi (青野 岳史)
P (11)Yoshimatsu Rui (吉松 塁)
SS Hirose Takuma (広瀬 巧真)

____________________________________________________________

10:50 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Sawayama takes that first pitch and singles to right. But Choushou tries the bust-and-run and Yoshida unfortunately lines out to short, with Sawayama doubled off at 1st.

Bottom 1st
A blistering start from Yamanashi Gakuin. Tsuchida-Miyashita-Chikenji go single-triple-single, and before you can get your yakisoba from the vendor it's 2-0 Yamanashi Gakuin.

Honda gets some help when Takisawa hits a comebacker for a 1-6-3 double play. The inning ends without further damage, but it's certainly not the beginning he wanted to have.

Top 2nd
Nagasaki Shougyou not without their base hits - Mori getting a double down the left field line with 2 down. But they'll need to string a couple together to claw back the deficit.

Bottom 2nd
Honda gets himself into a jam in the 2nd, hitting not 1, but 2 batters.

But just as quickly as he got in it, Tsuchida lines a ball right back to him, and Hirose is meat at 1st base.

3rd-4th Innings
So far everything's been one-way in the direction of Yamanashi Gakuin. Miyashita led off the 3rd with a single, After a sac bunt and wild pitch, Takizawa hits a sac fly to make it 3-0.

An inning later, Matsuo hits a leadoff single after a bunt Yoshimatsu draws a walk and it's another stressful inning for Honda.

They try another bunt, but Hirose's bunt isn't good at all allowing them to cut down the lead runner.

Back to the top of the order and Tsuchida gets his 2nd hit, a chopper up the middle that just goes off of Honda. Mori runs it down behind 2nd, but has no play. Manrui, but 2 outs.

And Honda prevents any damage, getting Miyashita to chase a fastball up and in for the 3rd out.

5th Inning
Yamanashi Gakuin getting another leadoff runner on when Chikenji singles through the right side. The defense though saves Honda again as Takisawa grounds into a double play erasing the runner. Igarashi strikes out looking to get us at the break, but as you can tell from the commentary, right now all the opportunities are coming to Yamanashi Gakuin. Nagasaki Shougyou hasn't had a runner since that double in the 2nd.

Top 6th
Nagasaki Shougyou finally gets something going, albeit with some help from Yamanashi Gakuin.

Yoshida hits a swinging bunt, but all the defenders go to the ball and no one to first.

Yoshimatsu then walks Hirano on 4 straight and they have a runner in scoring position.

With the count 2-2 to Koide, Yoshida-kantoku puts in Kunio.

A strange decision, but on his first pitch, Koide flies out to end the inning.

Bottom 7th
The game finally is seemingly out of reach here in the 7th. Honda gives up a leadoff single then double to Hirose and Tsuchida. He tries his best, but cannot prevent both runners from scoring and making it a 5-0 ball game.

Top 8th
Nagasaki Shougyou gets another chance again thanks to Kunio.

He hits his counterpart Honda to start, and then on a comebacker throws it wide of 2nd allowing both runners to reach safely instead of a double play.

They then decide to sac bunt (you're down 5!).

Yoshida hits a sac fly to center and the shutout is avoided, though almost not because they just miss getting Inoue on his tag to 3rd. 5-1.

Hirano draws a walk and subsequently steals 2nd, meaning a base hit could make it a 2-run game again.

But Koide pops out to short and 1 run is all they get.

Top 9th
Kurio is seeming getting more and more shaky on the mound, especially after last inning.

He walks Tanaka then gives up back-to-back hits making it a 5-2 ballgame. No outs, but a ways to go.

But then they call for a sac bunt down 3 and the tying run at the plate. Which yes, makes no sense.

A groundball gets another run home to make it 5-3, but with 2 outs it's almost meaningless.

Sawayama gives the ball a ride, but flies out to deep left to finish the game.

Yamanashi Gakuin does advance, but their ace is more than shaky, which is why they started their RF instead on the mound. But it doesn't bode well for them going forward if Kurio is going to struggle that much.

For Nagasaki Shougyou it was too little too late. There was no life from the team at the plate for the longest time and there just wasn't enough time to make a comeback.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 3, Game 1 - Shiritsu Amagasaki (Hyogo) v Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori)

Well, yesterday was a bit of a return back to the non-competitive games of recent years, but I guess that can't be helped with the competitiveness of prefecures nowadays. Hopefully today will be better.

Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori)
2B Itou Yuuhei (伊藤 優平)
3B Tokuda Taishi (徳田 大沙)
RF Tashiro Tsubasa (田城 飛翔)
1B Masuda Atsuhira (益田 敦成)
CF Hanaoka Kojirou (花岡 小次郎)
SS Kobayashi Naoki (小林 直輝)
LF (17)Kobuchi Akihiro (小淵智 輝弘)
P Sakurai Kazuki (櫻井 一樹)
C Okumura Kouta (奥村 幸太)

Shiritsu Amagasaki (Hyogo)
1B Iida Taisei (飯田 泰成)
SS Nakamura Yoshiki (中村 佳喜)
RF Miura Yoshihiro (三浦 良裕)
LF Fujii Yamato (藤井 倭)
P Hirabayashi Hiroto (平林 弘人)
CF Maeda Daiki (前田 大輝)
C Tanijiri Naoki (谷尻 尚紀)
2B Kimori Youta (木森 陽太)
3B Tonotani Kojirou (殿谷 小次郎)

____________________________________________________________

08:00 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Well, Hirabayashi not wasting much time establishing himself. he gives up a base hit to Tashiro, but otherwise has a very easy 1st inning.

Bottom 1st
Well, we see Shiritsu Amagasaki's plan. Play for the run. One down, Nakamura gets a base hit, and is bunted over.

This works here in the 1st as Fujii singles back up the middle to score Nakamura. 1-0 Ichiama.

Top 2nd
Hanaoka tries to get Kousei on the board with a 1-out double over Fujii's head. But the best he can do is get to 3rd as Hirabayashi gets out of the inning.

Bottom 2nd-3rd Inning
The teams seem to be going through a feeling out period trying to get their footing at the plate. Shiritsu Amagasaki gets another opportunity like the 1st, but cannot find the one-timer.

Top 4th
The biggest issue the Kousei batters seem to be having is that they're struggling getting around the inside pitch, and that's where Hirabayashi is mainly pitching. After that you see a lot of swings on balls not in the zone, which is leading to misses or poor contact.

Bottom 4th
For Shiritsu Amagasaki, their offense doesn't even start until they get a runner on base when they usually bunt. But when you get a 2-out hit like Maeda does here, there's little they can do.

Maeda gets picked off 1st immediately though, so the point is moot.

Top 5th
Kousei gets their first chance in a while when Okamura's grounder to 3rd goes off Tonotani. Nakamura tries to save the play, but airmails the throw to 1st, allowing the runner to reach 2nd.

A HBP exacerbates things a bit, but you figure with all that pitching inside, it was going to happen.

Tokuda tries to get a base hit to the left side, but Nakamura makes a great sliding stop, and goes the only way he can - to 3rd, getting the 3rd out.

Bottom 5th
Shiritsu Amagasaki happy to continue the fast pace of play as they the bottom of the lineup is retired in order. The game is going really fast and right now that seems to be suiting Shiritsu Amagasaki.

Top 6th
Ah.

Well, I guess that works.

Tashiro drives a ball to center, Maeda goes to chase, but to no avail as it clears the fence for the douten HR! 1-1.

Masuda gets Kousei back-to-back hits with a single to right.

Hanaoka singles to left! But Masuda tries to take 3rd and is thrown out unnecessarily. They were looking at putting a lot of pressure on Hirabayashi, but he gets a key out.

Now Kobayashi thinks he's swung on strike 3, and scurries to 1st on the wild pitch. The umpire calls him back though as he did not swing.

And yet, that winds up helping him as on the next pitch he drives it over the RF head and takes a bounce to the wall for a triple. 2-1 Kousei.

The hit parade continues with Kobuchi singling to right, making it 3-1, then Sakurai with a ball through the left side.

Hirabayashi thinks he's out of the inning when Okumura grounds to short, but Kimori's throw to 1st is high and it continues.

Back to the top of the lineup and Itou makes them pay with a double down the right field line. Another run scores, but Itou doesn't notice Okumura holding up at 3rd and both runners wind up stuck. It's Okumura who's run down, and the inning is over. But a 3-run deficit will be a lot to ask for.

Bottom 6th
Sakurai gets 2 quick outs, but a HBP and a single by Fujii give some hope to take back a run.

Hirabayashi gets a pitch to hit, but he's under the slider and pops out to short to end the chance.

Top 7th
Kousei could be ahead by more if they had any idea of when to take the extra base.

2 outs and Masuda takes a walk. After Hanaoka gets his 3rd base hit of the game, Kobayashi delivers a single to left. Once again, they try to push the runner home, but the throw gives them so much time it was like Ledecky waiting for the other swimmers to finish. 3 outs, change instead of a manrui.

Bottom 7th
With Kousei running themselves out of 2 innings, Ichiama doesn't feel that out of it.

In fact with 2 down, Kimori hits a double to right. And when Tonotani singles back up the middle, it scores a run, making it a very realistic 4-2.

Bottom 9th
With Kousei unable to do anything after those opportunities, Shiritsu Amagasaki has one last chance to make a comeback.

Maeda singles through the right side, and it's a quick timeout by Kosaka-kantoku.

Tanijiri hits one to left center! That's over the defense and it's a 1-run ballgame! 4-3 on the double!

They bunt the runner over to 3rd and now even a sac fly can tie the game.

And Tonotani does just that with a fly to right! Tanijiri comes home and we're tied at 4-4!

That's all that Shiritsu Amagasaki gets, but it's enough to extend the game.

Top 10th
Things start a bit auspiciously as Haruta boots a ball for an E4. They do get one back when Sakurai's bunt is right back to Hirabayashi and they just do get the lead runner.

This time it's Kousei who plays for the run, having Okumura move the runner over.

After a walk, the inning should end on Tokuda's grounder to short. Except that Kimori boots that one too and it's manrui! Worse yet, it's Tashiro that's up!

He hits a ball down the right side and it's off Miura! Haruta scramble to get it, but the throw to 1st isn't in time! The run scores, but Hirabayashi fires home as the 2nd runner tries to score! But as with most things this game Kousei can't make it work! Itou is out at home and the inning is over!

Still, Kousei retakes the lead at 5-4!

Bottom 10th
It looks like all hope is lost for Ichiama after 2 quick outs.

But cleanup batter Fujii is unwilling to let things die. He singles to center.

Then he picks the right time to take off for 2nd as Sakurai's pitch is in the dirt.

But Hirabayashi cannot deliver the timely hit, striking out to end the game.

It was a bit of a miracle that they were in the game at the end, but Kousei's poor decisions led to extra time. They may have moved on, but on the whole, they're just slightly above average - and you could almost call them average if their baserunning stays the way it is.

Outside of the 6th inning, ace Hirabayashi for Shiritsu Amagasaki was pretty good. He did get some help, but on the whole didn't disgrace himself, especially when going right after the Kousei hitters.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 2, Game 4 - Hokuriku (Fukui) v Touhou (Aichi)

Well, today's games as a whole weren't as exciting per se, but so far things have gone somewhat as expected.

Hokuriku (Fukui)
3B Yamauchi Yuuma (山内 佑真)
SS Nakagawa Taiji (中川 大治)
2B Mitsui Masahiro (三ツ井 将大)
1B Yagi Masaya (八木　雅也)
CF Naitou Shouta (内藤 翔太)
LF Yamamoto Takahiro (山本 隆広)
RF Tanaka Shouta (田中 翔大)
P Mizuno Hayato (水野 隼斗)
C Kawabata Daiki (川畑 大樹)

Touhou (Aichi)
LF Suzuki Mizuki (鈴木 光稀)
SS Hamajima Yoshiaki (浜嶋 良明)
P (9)Matsuyama Masahiko (松山 仁彦)
RF (1)Fujishima Kento (藤嶋 健人)
3B Konishi Keiji (小西 慶治)
1B Matsumoto Ryouya (松本 凌弥)
C Takagi Akira (高木 舜)
2B Suzuki Rio (鈴木 理央)
CF (10)Tanaka Raiki (田中 来起)

____________________________________________________________

15:58 - First pitch

Top 1st
So Touhou does start with Matsuyama on the hill. Velo looks okay, and he gets 2 quick outs. Mitsui does get a single through the right side, but apparently Matsuyama has a great pickoff move as he's caught off base for the 3rd out.

Bottom 1st
Meanwhile, Touhou is getting their hacks in with both Suzuki and Hamajima grounding out to 3rd.

Matsuyama gets Touhou's first hit with a poke to right.

Mizuno though gets a rare K as Fujishima chases a ball low for the 3rd out. Not a bad start for Hokuriku.

Top 2nd
Hokuriku not lost at the plate at all, as Yagi singles to left. However, Naitou isn't bunting but hits one back to Matsuyama who starts the 1-6-3 double play (though Matusmoto needs to leave the bag and make the tag). A groundout to 2nd later and the side is retired.

Bottom 2nd
Yamauchi makes a fielding mistake when he charges a swinging bunt and throws it away at 1st with no chance for the out. Konishi takes 2nd on the error.

After a sac bunt, Takagi hits a shot to 3rd. Matsuyama has it, looks the runner back, but airmails that throw to 1st! Konishi scores and it's 1-0 Touhou.

Morita-kantoku playing aggressive as Takagi goes for 3rd and with the pitch wide to the 1B side, Kawabata can't throw him out.

And now he calls for the squeeze on a 3-2 count but Suzuki can't lay it down! 2 out.

AHHHHH!!! As if the errors weren't enough, Mizuno airmails the first pitch to Tanaka allowing Takagi to score, making it 2-0!

Tanaka walks to flip the lineup over, and then Tanaka first pitch steals 2nd. Another walk, and Yatsuda-kantoku calls for time.

It doesn't help as Hamajima bloops one to right. Not only that but Mitsui flubs the cutoff throw allowing Hamajima to take 2nd.

Mitsui finally puts the inning to bed fielding a shot from Matsuyama. 3 runs on 1 hit though to put it bluntly is not good.

Bottom 3rd
After a quiet frame for Hokuriku, Fujishima hits a ball to right center and to the wall for a triple. And when Konishi hits a hard grounder to 3rd, Yamauchi almost airmails another ball. Yagi makes the leaping catch, then scrambles to 1st for the out. Yikes.

Doesn't matter in the end though as Matsumoto hits a ringing single through the right side, making it 4-0. They can't add to it but it is looking more likely that the game is already in hand.

Top 4th
Yamauchi, trying perhaps to atone for his errors, just gets a base hit up the middle, deflecting off a diving Suzuki.

After that Matsuyama makes a mistake leaving one over. Nakagawa lines it over Suzuki and going so fast it splits the defense and goes all the way to the wall for a triple. 4-1.

Mitsui tries to make it 5-2 with a screamer up the 3rd base line, but Konishi makes the stop and makes a great throw to 1st for the 2nd out.

Matsuyama needed one more out though, because Yagi singles through the right side, and now we have a 4-2 ballgame!

2 down after a fielder's choice and Hokuriku turns up the heat! Naitou takes off for 2nd and gets there safely. Another base hit and it's a 1-run ballgame!

Yamamoto tries to beat out a chopper to the right side, but Suzuki is there to make the throw and retire the side. And so despite the errors and mistakes, Hokuriku finds themselves down just 2.

Bottom 4th
As I try to get myself comfortable, the game goes off the rails in a hurry. After 3 base hits and another run making it 5-2, #10 Honda comes in relief.

And on the first pitch Fujishima hits a 3-run HR to make it 8-2.

The next 6 people would get on, the 2nd of which was on a fielder's choice where Mitsui instead of going for the out at 1st, tries to cut down the lead runner when they needed outs.

By the time Matsumoto flied out to left to end the inning, 16 batters would come to the plate scoring 12 runs on 11 hits. 16-2 and Honda was left to endure it on the mound.

Rest of Game
With the game in hand, I'm going to still watch it, but commentary will be spaced out.

In the 6th, needing only a single for the cycle (in 4 consecutive ABs no less), Fujishima blasts a ball to the wall in center...

For a double.

I wound up falling asleep mid 8th inning, but there wasn't much else to the game. Hokuriku got a couple more runs in garbage time, and Touhou rightly wasn't as concerned with how the last part of it went as the final tally was 19-9.

The big takeaway was that Matsuyama was able to be more than serviceable on the mound, though not able to pitch a full 9. But if you can use him in tandem with Fujishima, Touhou could have the most important piece for a title run - pitching.