That was one heck of a morning game we had there. Now as we head to our lunchtime game, it should be between another pair of evenly matched teams. Kaisei was the start of all this craziness this Koushien with their upset of tournament favorite Keiou Gijuku. They face a Minoshima squad who easily handled 21st century team Oita Uenogaoka. Minoshima had a winning history at Koushien in years past. In the 1970's they won the spring Koushien 3 times and the summer Koushien once. Now, they try to bring that history back here in 2009.
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11:15 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Miyamoto leads off the game with a liner to left. And a balk is called on Haruki advancing him to 2nd. Suddenly Minoshima has a scoring opportunity here in the 1st!
But when Shintarou lays down the bunt, it's right at Haruki and he throws to 3rd where Itohara is easily able to make the tag. An error in execution wipes out the opportunity!
Mantani bunts him over, but Haruki shuts it down for good by striking out Nishihata to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Itohara responds for Kaisei with a drive to deep right-center! Miyamoto gives chase, but that one hops the wall! Itohara comes in with a stand-up triple! And as if scripted, Akima immediately lifts a fly to left easily scoring Itohara. Kaisei with the 1-0 lead!
Matsubayashi follows that up with a flare to center! Doi then hits a grounder to short. But it takes a high hop on Nishihata and goes into left center! Matsubayashi advances to 3rd and there's runners at the corners with 1 down!
Morimoto then walks Honda on 4 straight! Manrui now for Kaisei with only 1 down! Inohara steps into the box. But he grounds to 3rd! Iguchi Keisuke goes home for the force and now there's 2 down, bases still loaded for Hashimoto!
But Morimoto gets him to chase on a breaking pitch in the dirt and the side is retired. Kaisei with the early lead, but it could have been easily worse for Morimoto and the Minoshima squad!
Top 2nd
Inohara makes a fine running play at 2nd for the 2nd out. Oota with a grounder up the middle, but Inohara charges, snags it, throws to 1st running away from the bag and gets him out!
However, the same cannot be said for their SS. Numa grouns up the middle on the 3B side. Matsubayashi ranges over and gets in front of it, but the ball bounces off of him. It's too late by the time he gets the ball back, and Numa reaches safely.
Then on the 2-1 count, he takes off for 2nd. The throw is high and he reaches safely! Eventually the count runs full on Yamamoto! He hits a grounder to 2nd. Inohara goes over to field it, but it takes another high hop on the Koushien infield!! That ball bounces off of him and into center! Numa comes in to score and thanks to some favorable bounces, Minoshima quickly equalizes! 1-1!!
Bottom 2nd
Kaisei continues its assault on Minoshima as Haruki hits a liner to left to start the inning! Teshima puts the bunt down and Kaisei has another scoring chance! The lineup turns over to Itohara who led off the game for Kaisei with a triple to right center.
And he takes a pitch the other way! That's fair down the left field line! Haruki scores on Itohara's double and Kaisei retakes the lead, 2-1!!
Akima tries to lay down the bunt, but can't do so. The count runs to 0-2 and he's swinging away. And he hits a fly to shallow center and cannot advance Itohara.
Morimoto gets out the inning by getting Matsubayashi to hit a slow comebacker. But another extra-base hit by Itohara gives Kaisei the lead once again!
Top 3rd
Minoshima fires right back! Miyamoto slices one down the left field line to the wall!
Matsushita-kantoku this time doesn't elect to bunt. But Shintarou grounds back to Haruki! He fields it and once again easily throws out Miyamoto at 3rd. How unfortunate!
Nishihata keeps the inning going with a single back up the middle! Another base hit can tie this game back up!
But Keisuke flies to left and Minoshima is turned away.
Bottom 3rd
Morimoto finally catches a break as Shintarou makes a fine play up the middle en route to a 1-2-3 inning. At least for one inning he's repelled the Kaisei attack.
Top 4th
Once again, Minoshima gets their leadoff batter on base as Oota is hit by Haruki and immediately moved to 2nd by Numa.
Yamamoto lines one to right! Oota has to hold at 3rd, but Minoshima has runners at the corners with only 1 down!
Ace Morimoto comes to the plate looking for at least a sac fly to tie the game.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matsushita-kantoku calls for the squeeze on the 2-1 pitch! Morimoto squares and lays the bunt down! Haruki's only play is to first and they've tied the game! 2-2!!
And he's not out of the woods yet! Miyamoto, already 2-2 on the day with 2 extra base hits is up!
The Kaisei battery is extra careful with him, and after a 8-pitch AB they walk him. But Shintarou flies out to left to end the inning. But Minoshima has equalized once again!
Bottom 4th
Hashimoto puts a drive to deep left-center, but Mantani makes the running catch! Morimoto sits down the next two batters and it appears that Kaisei's attack has stalled!
Top 5th
In fact, it seems like Minoshima has slowly gained momentum in this game. With one down, cleanup hitter Nishihata gets a base hit to right center.
Matsushita-kantoku looks for the bunt, but Keisuke can't put it down. Swinging away, he hits a hard grounder to 2nd, but Inohara can't field it cleanly! It trickles away from him and everyone's safe!! Runners at 1st and 2nd with only one down!
Oota isn't bunting either! He hits a comebacker, but Haruki has it! He throws to 2nd for one, and the throw to 1st... is offline!!! It gets past Akima into foul territory and Nishihata comes in to score! Minoshima has its first lead of the day here in the 5th! 3-2!!
Upon reviewing the play it was 2B Inohara covering the bag, not SS Matsubayashi. It's a bit strange because you would want someone who's momentum is carrying you towards the bag, not away from it. It could have been because of the comebacker itself, but this slight little difference could be the cause of the error. Also Matsubayashi was late breaking to 2nd, so it had to be Inohara to take the throw.
Bottom 5th
Kaisei has the right batter up to start a rally. Itohara leads off the inning already 2-2 on the day. But Morimoto finally gets him out, inducing a grounder to short. He gets two quick outs before yielding a single to Matsubayashi. And on the 1-0 count, he breaks for 2nd and takes it easily.
And Doi with the hit back up the middle! Matsubayashi is coming home!! Mantani up with the ball and makes the throw! It's a laser to home! Yamamoto catches the ball and goes for the tag as Matsubayashi slides towards the inside of the plate, and he's out! A great throw by Mantani guns down the tying run! Minoshima retains the lead!!
Top 6th
Haruki finally gets his own break as he retires the side in order - including leadoff batter Miyamoto who already was 2-2 with a walk.
Bottom 6th
As Inohara steps to the plate with one down in the 6th, the band plays a melody that I know I've heard before, and I know is from an anime. It's been bugging me for all of Kaisei's games, and I finally realize where I think I've heard it. It's from Sailor Moon. No, I'm not kidding. I pretty darned sure that it is. Evangelion, automatic win. Ruroni Kenshin, sure. But... Sailor Moon??!
But I guess it works!! Inohara drives one to deep left and it one-hops to the wall! Inohara is in with a double, but the throw by Oota is over his cutoff man! Inohara makes a break for 3rd and reaches safely! Kaisei with the tying run 90 feet away!
But Hashimoto steps up to the plate, hitless so far this Koushien. Can he deliver?
What? After the 1-0 pitch, Morimoto is pointing at 3rd! Inohara is right in the middle! Yamamoto with the throw, and it hits a leaping Inohara! The ball deflect towards shortstop and Inohara scores! Yamamoto threw that right at Inohara and it hit him! On a wacky play, Kaisei has tied the score up! 3-3!!
After Hashimoto flies out, Haruki shoots one through the right side for a base hit. But Miyamoto loses the ball! He stumbles to retrieve it, meanwhile Haruki takes 2nd!!
With the wacky things happending this inning, can Teshima give Kaisei the lead once again?
No. He flies out to left. But a set of errors have allowed Kaisei to equalize!
Top 7th
Haruki with another 1-2-3 inning, but not before Nishihata puts a charge into the ball that Doi catches just in front of the wall.
Bottom 7th
Itohara starts the "Lucky 7" inning lining the first pitch to left! He's 3-4 with a single, double and triple. He's just a homerun from the cycle!
Nonomura-kantoku looks to Akima to bunt the runner along. But on a throw to first he seems to have jammed his right arm! He has to be helped off and is temporarily replaced by Teshima.
And as if to take advantage of the situation, Nonomura calls for the hit-and-run! But Akima fouls it off. Now 2-2 what will they do? On the pitch, Akima squares to bunt and lays it down! Runner at 2nd, one down!
Matsubayashi steps up, he works the count full. He hits a fly ball down the left field line, but Oota runs it down! 2 down for Doi.
And Morimoto strikes him out to end the inning. A leadoff single goes for naught for Kaisei and the score remains tied.
Top 8th
A quick 1-2-3 inning for Minoshima here in the 8th and the apparent march towards extras begins.
Bottom 8th
Apparently, Kaisei has other plans thatn enchousen!
Honda lines one right at Shintarou's feet! It bounces away from him and Kaisei has its leadoff batter on base! Inohara bunts him over and now Kaisei has 2 more chances to break the tie!
But Hashimoto grounds out to Keisuke at 3rd. Keisuke fumbles it a but but Hashimoto's dive cannot beat out the throw! He'd have a better chance running it out, but I digress...
Haruki now up, he's fared better at the plate. He hits a deep fly to left! Oota runs to the wall just in foul territory, but can't make the catch! That was close for both sides!
Count goes to1-2 on Haruki, and Morimoto gets him to strike out on a changeup! Kaisei cannot capitalize on a leadoff runner and we head to the 9th still tied.
Top 9th
Haruki strikes out 2 in a 1-2-3 inning. Once again, it's hold on time here in the 9th. Minoshima is looking for enchousen now. Kaisei, to end it here in regulation
Bottom 9th
Kaisei is making this easy for Minoshima. Teshima pops a safety bunt up to Morimoto. Itohara, instead of swinging away, tries a bunt of his own again again to no avail. And with Akima's groundout to 2nd, we enter enchousen for the 4th time this Koushien.
Top 10th
Outside of trying to test Itohara's arm after jamming it by having Mantani bunt to him, Haruki still looks good on the mound. He retires the side in order and keeps Kaisei in the game
Bottom 10th
Honda manages a two-out walk. Inohara only 1-3, does have a double and some power. And he drives one deep, but foul. Morimoto gets him to line out to left, and we move to the 11th
Top 11th
Keisuke with a drive to left center! Teshima runs over and diver, but can't make the catch! Doi runs the ball down as it gets by Teshima, and Keisuke is in with a double!
Nonomura-kantoku calls a conference on the mound. at this point 2 sacrifices get the go-ahead run in.
Oota lays the bunt down and Haruki looks to have a play at 3rd, but he instead goes to 1st for the out. Runner at 3rd for Numa. Will it be a sac fly, or will it be the proverbial squeeze?
The infield is playing in for the squeeze. After a first pitch strike, they pitch out. Numa is swinging away and hits a blooper to left center! Teshima charges after this one, reaches down his glove and it just falls in front of him!! Keisuke scores and Minoshima pulls ahead here in the 11th!! 4-3!!
Matsushita is looking for another run, and was having Yamamoto bunt, but he can't and is swinging away at 2 strikes. Haruki gets him on an outside pitch. Morimoto is retired thereafter, but the leadoff double by Keisuke comes around and Kaisei is down to their last 3 outs!
Bottom 11th
Kaisei has the bottom of their order due up here in the 11th.
Hashimoto grounds to 3rd, Itohara up with the ball and the throw to Numa, AH!!!
Hashimoto, running the ball out collides with Numa! It's a hard hit and both fall to the ground!! But Numa holds on and makes the out! One down.
Haruki next grounds out to 2nd, and Kaisei is down to their final out. Nonomura-kantoku calls on #3 Matsumoto to try and prolong the game. The infielders call a conference on the mound, just 1 out away from the Best 8. If he can get on, then top batter Itohara would come to the plate.
Morimoto gets ahead of him 1-2, and Matsumoto grounds to 2nd! Shintarou bobbles the ball! He picks it up and throws to 1st... in time to beat out a sliding Matsumoto! Game set! Minoshima, in their first appearance in 19 years advances to the Best 8 with a 4-3 victory over Kaisei!!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Day 7 - Game 1 - Seihou (Nagasaki) vs. Fukuchiyama Seibi (Kyoto)
The term "Lucky 7" is used in Japanese baseball to refer to the 7th inning when things can happen.
Perhaps in this case "Lucky 7" could refer to the lucky people who are coming to Hanshin Koushien Kyuujyou. We have 3 great games on the schedule today and if you're coming into the stadium, you'd better come early.
The first game is between Seihou and ace Imamura versus up-and-comer Nakagoka and Fukuchiyama Seibi. Seihou had an easy time with Nihon Bunri while Fukuchiyama Seibi needed all 15 innings to defeat Kokushikan. Imamura has been talked about as one of the better pitchers (surprising for a Seihou team), and Nagaoka went 13 innings before suffering an injury (although he takes the hill today).
Expect a pitching battle.
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9:02 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Yahisa opens the game with a grounder to left. But Tominaga pops up his bunt attempt and Fukumoto makes the catch. Yoshida-kantoku continues the aggressiveness by trying the hit-and-run. Although it doesn't work it is the mark of Seihou teams.
Nagaoka makes a bad pickoff throw! It goes into foul territory and Yahisa advances to 2nd!
But Nagaoka strikes out Kawamoto and Yamazaki grounds out to 3rd. Seihou's opportunity is snuffed out.
Bottom 1st
Sueyoshi draws the leadoff walk for Fukuchiyama Seibi. He's bunted over by Hosono and advanced on a grounder by Sugimoto. But Imamura strikes out Fukumoto and the inning is over.
Top 2nd
Nakaoka continues to press the Seihou batters, throwing strikes and forcing them to swing away. He retires the side in order.
Bottom 2nd
With one down, Nishimoto gets Fukuchiyama Seibi their first hit with a single up the middle past a diving Hashimoto.
They elect not to bunt, but Watanabe grounds to 3rd for the fielder's choice. 2 down for Nagaoka, and it's Seibi being aggressive. 0-1 pitch, he steals 2nd successfully. Then on a passed ball he advances to 3rd. But Imamura freezes Nagaoka on a pitch low and outside and he's out of the pinch.
Top 3rd
Shimazaki with a grounder to short. Sugimoto up with the ball but his throw to 1st is high pulling Sueyoshi off the bag, E6. Last batter Hashimoto bunts him over. But neither Yahisa or Tominaga can deliver the timely hit and we remain scoreless.
Bottom 3rd
Miyazaki with the slow roller to short. Hashimoto charges and makes the throw but Miyazaki is faster and beats the throw!
Sueyoshi looks to bunt, but twice he tries to pull it back only to have the ball find the bat! And then he looks at a pitch straight down the middle for strike 3. One down for Seibi.
Top 4th
Nagaoka contnues to breeze through the game as Seihou is retired in order.
Bottom 4th
Fukumoto with a drive to deep center! Tominaga backs up on the ball, and that spells trouble for Seihou as he leaps up and has it go off his glove! Fukumoto winds up at 2nd with a leadoff double!
Tejima looks to bunt, but he looks at several pitches that hit the outside part for strikes! 0-2 he swings away and strikes out! One down for Seibi.
Nishimoto with a single through to left! Runners at the corners with only one down! Yoshida-kantoku calls for a conference.
Watanabe steps up needing only a sac fly to get ahead. But Imamura is pitching him high to prevent it and then yanks his chain with a nasty breaking curve for the K. 2 down!
And throw in a high fastball, and you've got 3 K's for Imamura. He strands the runners at the corners and that's just nasty stuff he has.
Through 4 we are flying through this game.
Top 5th
Tsuji with a drive to left! Hosono runs back from his position, but it's over his outstretched glove! That's to the wall for a leadoff double! Nakayama then puts down the sac bunt and now another sacrifice can give Seihou the lead.
But Nagaoka isn't giving him anything to hit and in fact was close twice to hitting him. He falls behind 3-0. Shimazaki shows bunt, but pulls it back for strike 1.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This time he doesn't pull it back! He bunts it down the first base side! Nagaoka, Sueyoshi and Tajima all converge on the ball. There's no play at home, and there's no one covering 1st! Everyone's safe on the bunt and Seihou takes the 1-0 lead!!
And Yoshida-kantoku doesn't stop there. Shimazaki steals 2nd!
Nakagoka though gets Hashimoto to strike out, and after a little effort strikes out Yahisa to end the inning. But Seihou is able to turn it's leadoff double into a run and they score the first run!
Bottom 5th
Hosono gives Seibi a baserunner with a two-out single, but they'll need better opportunities than that against Imamura. He gets Sugimoto to check swing at a ball in the dirt and that ends that.
Top 6th
#3 Okaue comes in for Sueyoshi at 1B.
3 up, 3 down, 2 more K's for Nagaoka... What? No, that's about it.
Bottom 6th
3 up, 3 down... oh wait, that was the top of the inning...
Nishimoto decides to break up that monotony with a two-out single to right. But again, it's with 2 outs... And then Watanabe strikes out on another breaking pitch to end the inning.
Hm... I could have used the 5th inning for this one.
Top 7th
See the 6th inning and replace 2 with 1. Nagaoka continues to fluster the Seihou batters,
Bottom 7th
Finally, a good opportunity for Fukuchiyama Seibi! Nagaoka starts off the inning with a shot between Imamura's legs and through to center!
Tadokoro-kantoku asks Miyazaki to bunt, but he pops it up into foul territory. Then he pulls it back and is called a 2nd strike. And the final indignity for Miyazaki, he completely misses the ball for strike 3.
New SS Okaue fights off Imamura's offerings, but fares no better and instead grounds into the 6-4-3 double play...
Top 8th
Seihou gets their leadoff runner on in this half of this frame as Shimazaki singles through the left side. Hashimoto lays the bunt down once more as the lineup turns over to Yahisa. He grounds to 1st, but advances Shimazaki to 3rd.
Bottom 8th
While Nagaoka has been keeping them in the game, they're still behind and they're running out of time. But the batters cannot make good contact with the ball and quickly go down in order.
Top 9th
Nagaoka retires the side in order for the 5th time this game. It's not enough though as his team stil trails by one.
Bottom 9th
Fukuchiyama Seibi is down to their final 3 outs. It's been a great pitchers duel, but they will have to break through somehow if they want to keep playing. They'll be sending up their 5-6-7 batters.
Tajima leads off the inning. He hits a grounder to short. Hashimoto is up the ball, the throw to 1st and Tajima beats it out! Leadoff runner is on for Fukuchiyama Seibi!!
Tadokoro-kantoku immediately calls for the bunt. But once again, Imamura is giving him nothing to hit. He falls behind 1-2 and swings away! But he swings down and chops one to Imamura! That does the job as his only play is to first! Runner in scoring position with one down for Watanabe!!
He hits a slow grounder to short! Hashimoto's only play is to 1st. Tajima advaces to 3rd but there's 2 down!
Last chance now comes to ace Nagaoka. Can he help himself with a base hit?
AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Imamura throws one in the dirt! That bounces off Kawamoto and up the first base line! But Kawamoto quickly runs it down and Tajima can't score!
And he hits one to right!! But Nakayama backs up gets under the ball and it's game set for Seihou! Imamura pitches a shutout against formidable Fukuchiyama Seibi as they advance to the Best 8!
But give credit to Nagaoka as well. While he winds up with the loss, he pitched masterfully throughout the game. Don't be surprised if you see him and the Fukuchiyama Seibi squad return for the Summer Koushien.
Perhaps in this case "Lucky 7" could refer to the lucky people who are coming to Hanshin Koushien Kyuujyou. We have 3 great games on the schedule today and if you're coming into the stadium, you'd better come early.
The first game is between Seihou and ace Imamura versus up-and-comer Nakagoka and Fukuchiyama Seibi. Seihou had an easy time with Nihon Bunri while Fukuchiyama Seibi needed all 15 innings to defeat Kokushikan. Imamura has been talked about as one of the better pitchers (surprising for a Seihou team), and Nagaoka went 13 innings before suffering an injury (although he takes the hill today).
Expect a pitching battle.
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9:02 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Yahisa opens the game with a grounder to left. But Tominaga pops up his bunt attempt and Fukumoto makes the catch. Yoshida-kantoku continues the aggressiveness by trying the hit-and-run. Although it doesn't work it is the mark of Seihou teams.
Nagaoka makes a bad pickoff throw! It goes into foul territory and Yahisa advances to 2nd!
But Nagaoka strikes out Kawamoto and Yamazaki grounds out to 3rd. Seihou's opportunity is snuffed out.
Bottom 1st
Sueyoshi draws the leadoff walk for Fukuchiyama Seibi. He's bunted over by Hosono and advanced on a grounder by Sugimoto. But Imamura strikes out Fukumoto and the inning is over.
Top 2nd
Nakaoka continues to press the Seihou batters, throwing strikes and forcing them to swing away. He retires the side in order.
Bottom 2nd
With one down, Nishimoto gets Fukuchiyama Seibi their first hit with a single up the middle past a diving Hashimoto.
They elect not to bunt, but Watanabe grounds to 3rd for the fielder's choice. 2 down for Nagaoka, and it's Seibi being aggressive. 0-1 pitch, he steals 2nd successfully. Then on a passed ball he advances to 3rd. But Imamura freezes Nagaoka on a pitch low and outside and he's out of the pinch.
Top 3rd
Shimazaki with a grounder to short. Sugimoto up with the ball but his throw to 1st is high pulling Sueyoshi off the bag, E6. Last batter Hashimoto bunts him over. But neither Yahisa or Tominaga can deliver the timely hit and we remain scoreless.
Bottom 3rd
Miyazaki with the slow roller to short. Hashimoto charges and makes the throw but Miyazaki is faster and beats the throw!
Sueyoshi looks to bunt, but twice he tries to pull it back only to have the ball find the bat! And then he looks at a pitch straight down the middle for strike 3. One down for Seibi.
Top 4th
Nagaoka contnues to breeze through the game as Seihou is retired in order.
Bottom 4th
Fukumoto with a drive to deep center! Tominaga backs up on the ball, and that spells trouble for Seihou as he leaps up and has it go off his glove! Fukumoto winds up at 2nd with a leadoff double!
Tejima looks to bunt, but he looks at several pitches that hit the outside part for strikes! 0-2 he swings away and strikes out! One down for Seibi.
Nishimoto with a single through to left! Runners at the corners with only one down! Yoshida-kantoku calls for a conference.
Watanabe steps up needing only a sac fly to get ahead. But Imamura is pitching him high to prevent it and then yanks his chain with a nasty breaking curve for the K. 2 down!
And throw in a high fastball, and you've got 3 K's for Imamura. He strands the runners at the corners and that's just nasty stuff he has.
Through 4 we are flying through this game.
Top 5th
Tsuji with a drive to left! Hosono runs back from his position, but it's over his outstretched glove! That's to the wall for a leadoff double! Nakayama then puts down the sac bunt and now another sacrifice can give Seihou the lead.
But Nagaoka isn't giving him anything to hit and in fact was close twice to hitting him. He falls behind 3-0. Shimazaki shows bunt, but pulls it back for strike 1.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This time he doesn't pull it back! He bunts it down the first base side! Nagaoka, Sueyoshi and Tajima all converge on the ball. There's no play at home, and there's no one covering 1st! Everyone's safe on the bunt and Seihou takes the 1-0 lead!!
And Yoshida-kantoku doesn't stop there. Shimazaki steals 2nd!
Nakagoka though gets Hashimoto to strike out, and after a little effort strikes out Yahisa to end the inning. But Seihou is able to turn it's leadoff double into a run and they score the first run!
Bottom 5th
Hosono gives Seibi a baserunner with a two-out single, but they'll need better opportunities than that against Imamura. He gets Sugimoto to check swing at a ball in the dirt and that ends that.
Top 6th
#3 Okaue comes in for Sueyoshi at 1B.
3 up, 3 down, 2 more K's for Nagaoka... What? No, that's about it.
Bottom 6th
3 up, 3 down... oh wait, that was the top of the inning...
Nishimoto decides to break up that monotony with a two-out single to right. But again, it's with 2 outs... And then Watanabe strikes out on another breaking pitch to end the inning.
Hm... I could have used the 5th inning for this one.
Top 7th
See the 6th inning and replace 2 with 1. Nagaoka continues to fluster the Seihou batters,
Bottom 7th
Finally, a good opportunity for Fukuchiyama Seibi! Nagaoka starts off the inning with a shot between Imamura's legs and through to center!
Tadokoro-kantoku asks Miyazaki to bunt, but he pops it up into foul territory. Then he pulls it back and is called a 2nd strike. And the final indignity for Miyazaki, he completely misses the ball for strike 3.
New SS Okaue fights off Imamura's offerings, but fares no better and instead grounds into the 6-4-3 double play...
Top 8th
Seihou gets their leadoff runner on in this half of this frame as Shimazaki singles through the left side. Hashimoto lays the bunt down once more as the lineup turns over to Yahisa. He grounds to 1st, but advances Shimazaki to 3rd.
Bottom 8th
While Nagaoka has been keeping them in the game, they're still behind and they're running out of time. But the batters cannot make good contact with the ball and quickly go down in order.
Top 9th
Nagaoka retires the side in order for the 5th time this game. It's not enough though as his team stil trails by one.
Bottom 9th
Fukuchiyama Seibi is down to their final 3 outs. It's been a great pitchers duel, but they will have to break through somehow if they want to keep playing. They'll be sending up their 5-6-7 batters.
Tajima leads off the inning. He hits a grounder to short. Hashimoto is up the ball, the throw to 1st and Tajima beats it out! Leadoff runner is on for Fukuchiyama Seibi!!
Tadokoro-kantoku immediately calls for the bunt. But once again, Imamura is giving him nothing to hit. He falls behind 1-2 and swings away! But he swings down and chops one to Imamura! That does the job as his only play is to first! Runner in scoring position with one down for Watanabe!!
He hits a slow grounder to short! Hashimoto's only play is to 1st. Tajima advaces to 3rd but there's 2 down!
Last chance now comes to ace Nagaoka. Can he help himself with a base hit?
AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Imamura throws one in the dirt! That bounces off Kawamoto and up the first base line! But Kawamoto quickly runs it down and Tajima can't score!
And he hits one to right!! But Nakayama backs up gets under the ball and it's game set for Seihou! Imamura pitches a shutout against formidable Fukuchiyama Seibi as they advance to the Best 8!
But give credit to Nagaoka as well. While he winds up with the loss, he pitched masterfully throughout the game. Don't be surprised if you see him and the Fukuchiyama Seibi squad return for the Summer Koushien.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Day 6 - Game 3 - Hōtoku Gakuen (Hyogo) vs. Imabari Nishi (Ehime)
The matinee game of the day should be a good one. Shikoku powerhouse Imabari Nishi squares off against Houtoku Gakuen, who didn't do anything but reach the Best 8 of last year's Natsu Koushien.
Both teams just squeaked by their opponents in the first round, so this could be an interesting match. Not much else to say, other than "Play Ball!"
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1:23 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Ooto plunks Tsuji to start the game, and is promptly bunted over by Nojima. Momiyama follows that with a liner off Hamamoto's glove and into left! Runners at the corners and a quick scoring opportunity.
And Saigou delivers with a sac fly to right! Houtoku takes advantage of the hit batsmen, and just like that they take the 1-0 lead!
Bottom 1st
Kubo works Miyatani hard to start the game, and on the 9th pitch earns a walk. Hamamoto moves him along looking for the equalizing run.
Kanou delivers a liner to center! It's hit too hard though and Kubo has to hold at 3rd. But now Imabari Nishi has runners at the corners with 1 down.
Takino comes to bat looking for the timely hit, but he pops it up! Hiramoto camps under it for the 2nd out. Up to Seki now to deliver. But he falls behind 1-2, and a groundout to 3rd ends the threat.
Top 2nd
Miyamoto starts the inning with a drive to left! That's over Hino's head goes to the wall! A stand-up for Miyamoto puts Ooto in an immediate pinch! Nagata-kantoku elects to go for the single run and asks Fujikura to bunt him over. Now just a sac fly from Hiramoto can give them a 2-0 lead.
Imabari is looking for the squeeze though, as the first pitch is a pitchout. Next pitch is a drive to left. Hino running back...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hino didn't even get a chance to get to the wall before that ball flew out! And while that ball was several rows up, Hiramoto's swing was about as free and easy as you would ever see! Houtoku with the 3-0 lead!
Ooto retires the next two batters, but this isn't looking good for Imabari early.
Bottom 2nd
Imabari continues to work Miyatani, but they're still retired in order.
Top 3rd
Nojima with a chopper to short! Takino with the fine stop, but Nojima beats out the throw! Nojima stays down though! It looks like when he made his head first slide, his face went into the dirt and some got in his eyes!
After trying to shake it off, Nojima heads to the dugout as Tsuji takes over at 1st. Momiyama bunts him over, presenting Houtoku with their 3rd scoring opportunity in as many innings.
After Oono-kantoku calls for a conference, he motions his outfielders to play in.
It doesn't matter though if Ooto can't pitch a strike. He falls behind 3-0 and eventually walks the batter. Once again, runners at 1st and 2nd with one down. This time, with Nara up to bat.
However, Oono-kantoku seems to have seen enough and makes the following move:
Nara pops it up in foul territory. New 3B Seki goes over, makes the catch and falls into the camera well!! But in falling into the well, the runners are entitled to move one base. So 2 out, runners on 2nd and 3rd now.
That suddenly makes a difference as Miyamoto hits a hard liner to center! Nojima scores from 3rd, but Saigou has to hold at 3rd. Houtoku adds yet another run, and it's 4-0!
Bottom 3rd
Takaichi leads off the inning with a walk. Oono-kantoku seems to have Kubo going back and forth between bunting and swinging away. With the count 1-2 he should be swinging away. And he does, but flies to left.
Hamamoto does the same thing, but he is able to put the bunt down. 2 down for Kanou.
And Kanou take the first pitch deep to center! Tsuji runs to the wall, but the ball falls in right at the wall! Takaichi scores, but Kanou is pushing for 3! Tsuji throws it to Momiyama who fires to Saigou! And they have him out by a mile!
At a time where baserunners are needed, this could be a critical running mistake.
Top 4th
Before the inning begins, everyone moves back to their original defensive positions.
Nojima then puts the bunt down. Ooto fields it but there's no one to cover 1st. All safe! Another mental gaffe by Imabari Nishi and suddenly it's a manrui situation!
Momiyama next hits a grounder to 3rd, but it's off Hamamoto and goes up into the air! By the time he gets it in foul territory, everyone's safe yet again! It's 5-1 now in favor of Houtoku Gakuen! And still only one down!
Saigou then lifts his 2nd sac fly of the day, this time down the left field line. It's now 6-1.
Nagata-kantoku continues to keep the acceleratory down as he calls for the double steal!! Throw to 3rd not in time! But Ooto strikes out Nara to end the inning. But Houtoku continues to slowly pull away.
Bottom 4th
Takino leads off the inning with a single to center. The bunt isn't on here, and Seki grounds to 3rd. Saigou starts the 5-4-3 double play and quickly there are 2 down.
Ooto strikes out for the 2nd time, and the inning is over.
Top 5th
Two down for Hiramoto and he drives one to deep left-center! Kanou gives chase, can't make the running catch, and collides into the wall. Hino with the relay in, but not before Hiramoto has a triple! He's already a double away from the cycle!
Miyatani continues the inning with a walk and Ooto again finds himself in trouble here in the 5th.
And Tsuji with a liner right back at Ooto goes into center, scoring Hiramoto, and Houtoku tacks on another run. 7-1.
Momiyama then takes the first pitch to shallow right. Kurabuchi charges and makes the diving catch! Three out! But Houtoku continues to take pot shots at Imabari Nishi - something that has been rare from Imabari Nishi.
Bottom 5th
Imabari Nishi continues its strategy of taking pitches, but it continues to yield nothing for the squad.
Top 6th
Oono-kantoku makes the positional change he made in the 3rd and as a result, Hino is back on the hill.
Hino retires the 1st two batters with relative ease. But Nara hits a grounder to 2nd and the ball goes past Takaichi and into right! He was in position, but didn't get in front of the ball! The scorer has that play as an error by Takaichi.
And a wild pitch to Miyamoto advacnes the runner! And Hino then walks Miyamoto. Runners at 1st and 2nd!
Fujikura with a drive to left! That's over Hamamoto's head and to the wall! All runners score on his stand-up triple! 9-1 Houtoku!
Another wild pitch by Hino scores Fujikura and the rout is officially on at 10-1.
Bottom 6th
Imabari Nishi's offense is struggling to get any traction against Miyatani, although at 10-1, one wonders how many people care.
Top 7th
Momiyama gets a two-out double with a blast to the center field wall. Saigou follows that up with a hard-hit single through the left side. Runners at the corners with 2 down.
But Hino freezes Nara and the side is retired.
Bottom 7th
Takino starts the inning with a hit to right center. He aggressively heads for 2nd and beats the throw.
After Seki flies out to right. Takino continues his aggressiveness as he steals 3rd with Ooto up!
Ooto grounds to short, but it's sufficient to score Takino - 10-2 Houtoku.
Top 8th
Once again, Oono-kantoku returns everyone back to their original positions and Ooto retakes the mound.
He's immediately welcomed back with a blast to deep left center by Miyamoto. That's to the wall for a leadoff double. After a sac bunt, Hiramoto steps up still only a double away from the cycle. And he drives one do deep center!! That ball is to the wall as well!! But instead of getting the cycle, he pushes and gets yet another triple!! Miyamoto scores and it's 11-2.
Ooto is removed once again from the mound, but this time #11 Abe Takuya comes in from the bench to take the hill. Everyone moves as follows:
But he finally gets an out as he gets Nojima to fly to short center.
Things gets a little scary as on the next pitch Takuya plunks Momiayma on the helmet. It seems to be a glancing blow though, but he's replaced on the basepaths temporarily by Nojima. Hiramoto comes in and its 12-2.
Saigou follows that up immediately with a liner to center scoring 2 more and the score is 14-2.
Nara is pinch-hit for by #16 Hamano and strikes out to end the inning.
Bottom 8th
#17 Kinoshita comes in for PH Hamano and plays right. Kurabuchi starts the inning with a grounder to the right side, but Nojima makes a fine stop and throws him out.
#9 Tsubouchi comes in to PH for Takuya and flies out to left.
Kubo gets a base hit with a grounder through the right side before Hamamoto grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.
Top 9th
Since Houtoku batted around Hiramoto, already 5-5 on the day will get one more AB.
With the PH for Takuya in the 8th, the defense shifs one more time:
Bottom 9th
With one down, Takino gets his 3rd hit of the day, a bloop single right on the 3rd base line. Seki grounds to 2nd and they're down to their final out.
And with that, Nagata-kantoku makes the following changes:
And a pop-up to short ends the game mercifully for Imabari Nishi. What seemed like a good matchup unfortunately turned into a massacre. But give credit to the team from Ehime as they stuck it through to the end.
Both teams just squeaked by their opponents in the first round, so this could be an interesting match. Not much else to say, other than "Play Ball!"
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1:23 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Ooto plunks Tsuji to start the game, and is promptly bunted over by Nojima. Momiyama follows that with a liner off Hamamoto's glove and into left! Runners at the corners and a quick scoring opportunity.
And Saigou delivers with a sac fly to right! Houtoku takes advantage of the hit batsmen, and just like that they take the 1-0 lead!
Bottom 1st
Kubo works Miyatani hard to start the game, and on the 9th pitch earns a walk. Hamamoto moves him along looking for the equalizing run.
Kanou delivers a liner to center! It's hit too hard though and Kubo has to hold at 3rd. But now Imabari Nishi has runners at the corners with 1 down.
Takino comes to bat looking for the timely hit, but he pops it up! Hiramoto camps under it for the 2nd out. Up to Seki now to deliver. But he falls behind 1-2, and a groundout to 3rd ends the threat.
Top 2nd
Miyamoto starts the inning with a drive to left! That's over Hino's head goes to the wall! A stand-up for Miyamoto puts Ooto in an immediate pinch! Nagata-kantoku elects to go for the single run and asks Fujikura to bunt him over. Now just a sac fly from Hiramoto can give them a 2-0 lead.
Imabari is looking for the squeeze though, as the first pitch is a pitchout. Next pitch is a drive to left. Hino running back...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hino didn't even get a chance to get to the wall before that ball flew out! And while that ball was several rows up, Hiramoto's swing was about as free and easy as you would ever see! Houtoku with the 3-0 lead!
Ooto retires the next two batters, but this isn't looking good for Imabari early.
Bottom 2nd
Imabari continues to work Miyatani, but they're still retired in order.
Top 3rd
Nojima with a chopper to short! Takino with the fine stop, but Nojima beats out the throw! Nojima stays down though! It looks like when he made his head first slide, his face went into the dirt and some got in his eyes!
After trying to shake it off, Nojima heads to the dugout as Tsuji takes over at 1st. Momiyama bunts him over, presenting Houtoku with their 3rd scoring opportunity in as many innings.
After Oono-kantoku calls for a conference, he motions his outfielders to play in.
It doesn't matter though if Ooto can't pitch a strike. He falls behind 3-0 and eventually walks the batter. Once again, runners at 1st and 2nd with one down. This time, with Nara up to bat.
However, Oono-kantoku seems to have seen enough and makes the following move:
- Hino moves from LF to P
- Oono moves from P to 1B
- Seki moves from 1B to 3B
- Hamamoto moves from 3B to LF
Nara pops it up in foul territory. New 3B Seki goes over, makes the catch and falls into the camera well!! But in falling into the well, the runners are entitled to move one base. So 2 out, runners on 2nd and 3rd now.
That suddenly makes a difference as Miyamoto hits a hard liner to center! Nojima scores from 3rd, but Saigou has to hold at 3rd. Houtoku adds yet another run, and it's 4-0!
Bottom 3rd
Takaichi leads off the inning with a walk. Oono-kantoku seems to have Kubo going back and forth between bunting and swinging away. With the count 1-2 he should be swinging away. And he does, but flies to left.
Hamamoto does the same thing, but he is able to put the bunt down. 2 down for Kanou.
And Kanou take the first pitch deep to center! Tsuji runs to the wall, but the ball falls in right at the wall! Takaichi scores, but Kanou is pushing for 3! Tsuji throws it to Momiyama who fires to Saigou! And they have him out by a mile!
At a time where baserunners are needed, this could be a critical running mistake.
Top 4th
Before the inning begins, everyone moves back to their original defensive positions.
- Hino moves from P to LF
- Hamamoto moves from LF to 3B
- Seki moves from 3B to 1B
- Oono moves from 1B to P
Nojima then puts the bunt down. Ooto fields it but there's no one to cover 1st. All safe! Another mental gaffe by Imabari Nishi and suddenly it's a manrui situation!
Momiyama next hits a grounder to 3rd, but it's off Hamamoto and goes up into the air! By the time he gets it in foul territory, everyone's safe yet again! It's 5-1 now in favor of Houtoku Gakuen! And still only one down!
Saigou then lifts his 2nd sac fly of the day, this time down the left field line. It's now 6-1.
Nagata-kantoku continues to keep the acceleratory down as he calls for the double steal!! Throw to 3rd not in time! But Ooto strikes out Nara to end the inning. But Houtoku continues to slowly pull away.
Bottom 4th
Takino leads off the inning with a single to center. The bunt isn't on here, and Seki grounds to 3rd. Saigou starts the 5-4-3 double play and quickly there are 2 down.
Ooto strikes out for the 2nd time, and the inning is over.
Top 5th
Two down for Hiramoto and he drives one to deep left-center! Kanou gives chase, can't make the running catch, and collides into the wall. Hino with the relay in, but not before Hiramoto has a triple! He's already a double away from the cycle!
Miyatani continues the inning with a walk and Ooto again finds himself in trouble here in the 5th.
And Tsuji with a liner right back at Ooto goes into center, scoring Hiramoto, and Houtoku tacks on another run. 7-1.
Momiyama then takes the first pitch to shallow right. Kurabuchi charges and makes the diving catch! Three out! But Houtoku continues to take pot shots at Imabari Nishi - something that has been rare from Imabari Nishi.
Bottom 5th
Imabari Nishi continues its strategy of taking pitches, but it continues to yield nothing for the squad.
Top 6th
Oono-kantoku makes the positional change he made in the 3rd and as a result, Hino is back on the hill.
Hino retires the 1st two batters with relative ease. But Nara hits a grounder to 2nd and the ball goes past Takaichi and into right! He was in position, but didn't get in front of the ball! The scorer has that play as an error by Takaichi.
And a wild pitch to Miyamoto advacnes the runner! And Hino then walks Miyamoto. Runners at 1st and 2nd!
Fujikura with a drive to left! That's over Hamamoto's head and to the wall! All runners score on his stand-up triple! 9-1 Houtoku!
Another wild pitch by Hino scores Fujikura and the rout is officially on at 10-1.
Bottom 6th
Imabari Nishi's offense is struggling to get any traction against Miyatani, although at 10-1, one wonders how many people care.
Top 7th
Momiyama gets a two-out double with a blast to the center field wall. Saigou follows that up with a hard-hit single through the left side. Runners at the corners with 2 down.
But Hino freezes Nara and the side is retired.
Bottom 7th
Takino starts the inning with a hit to right center. He aggressively heads for 2nd and beats the throw.
After Seki flies out to right. Takino continues his aggressiveness as he steals 3rd with Ooto up!
Ooto grounds to short, but it's sufficient to score Takino - 10-2 Houtoku.
Top 8th
Once again, Oono-kantoku returns everyone back to their original positions and Ooto retakes the mound.
He's immediately welcomed back with a blast to deep left center by Miyamoto. That's to the wall for a leadoff double. After a sac bunt, Hiramoto steps up still only a double away from the cycle. And he drives one do deep center!! That ball is to the wall as well!! But instead of getting the cycle, he pushes and gets yet another triple!! Miyamoto scores and it's 11-2.
Ooto is removed once again from the mound, but this time #11 Abe Takuya comes in from the bench to take the hill. Everyone moves as follows:
- #11 Abe Takuya replaces Takaichi in the order and comes in to pitch
- Ooto moves from P to 1B
- Seki moves from 1B to 3B
- Hamamoto moves from 3B to 2B
But he finally gets an out as he gets Nojima to fly to short center.
Things gets a little scary as on the next pitch Takuya plunks Momiayma on the helmet. It seems to be a glancing blow though, but he's replaced on the basepaths temporarily by Nojima. Hiramoto comes in and its 12-2.
Saigou follows that up immediately with a liner to center scoring 2 more and the score is 14-2.
Nara is pinch-hit for by #16 Hamano and strikes out to end the inning.
Bottom 8th
#17 Kinoshita comes in for PH Hamano and plays right. Kurabuchi starts the inning with a grounder to the right side, but Nojima makes a fine stop and throws him out.
#9 Tsubouchi comes in to PH for Takuya and flies out to left.
Kubo gets a base hit with a grounder through the right side before Hamamoto grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.
Top 9th
Since Houtoku batted around Hiramoto, already 5-5 on the day will get one more AB.
With the PH for Takuya in the 8th, the defense shifs one more time:
- Ooto returns to the mound for the 4th time coming in from 1st
- Hino moves from LF to 1st
- Tsubouchi remains in the game to play LF
- 6-6, 2 3B, 2 HR, 4 R, 4 RBI
Bottom 9th
With one down, Takino gets his 3rd hit of the day, a bloop single right on the 3rd base line. Seki grounds to 2nd and they're down to their final out.
And with that, Nagata-kantoku makes the following changes:
- #10 Ioku comes in at Miyamoto's spot in the lineup and is at P
- #11 Wada comes in at Fujikura's spot in the lineup and is at 1B
- Miyatani is relieved from the mound and goes to LF
And a pop-up to short ends the game mercifully for Imabari Nishi. What seemed like a good matchup unfortunately turned into a massacre. But give credit to the team from Ehime as they stuck it through to the end.
Day 6 - Game 2 - Chūkyōdai Chūkyō (Aichi) vs. Kurashiki Kōgyō (Okayama)
This game stars the 2nd round of games here at the Spring Koushien...
Kurashiki Kougyou in their 1st round game versus Konkou Osaka had to come from behind several times before defeating them in extra innings 11-10. As for Chuukyoudai Chuukyou, they had an easy time against Kamimura Gakuen cruising to a 5-1 victory. If Kurashiki is to have a chance in this game, their pitching will have to do better this time around.
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11:50 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Yamasaki hasn't seemed to have solved his pitching issues from the first round. He hits Yamanaka, who is moved over. Then he walks Kawai on 4 straight! He continues to miss the zone against Doubayashi throwing 2 balls before having him hit a sharp liner foul down the 1st base line. But he doesn't miss the next pitch, shooting a grounder through to left! And it goes under the glove of Yamamoto and continues toward the wall! Yamanaka comes in from 3rd to score! Kawai takes off from 2nd, he comes into score! A two base error by Yamamoto gives Chuukyoudai Chuukyou the quick 2-0 lead!
Not a good start for a team that has to play perfect baseball to get the win.
Yamasaki's struggles continue as Isomura earns Chuukyou's 3rd walk (1 hit batter). But he finally settles down and retires the next 2 batters. But once again, Kurashiki Kougyou will have to work from behind.
Bottom 1st
Kurashiki has no response to Doubayashi as he strikes out the side. He certainly has his own control issues to start against Yori, but quickly settles down - with a little help from swinging bats.
Top 2nd
Morimoto with the chopper to Uchiyama, and it deflects off of him and behind a covering Mimura! E5 and Chuukyou has another leadoff runner!
Morimoto is moved over to 2nd as the lineup turns over to Yamanaka.
A wild pitch by Yamasaki sends Morimoto to 3rd. And then he plunks Yamanaka for the 2nd time in as many innings. Runners at the corners with 1 down for Chuukyou.
As Kunitomo steps up, it sounds like the band is playing a version of Dash Keio... Strange...
Anyways, Kunitomo hits a slow grounder to 2nd. Miki's only play is to 1st and Morimoto scores extending their lead to 3-0. Kurashiki has not done themselves any favors this game so far.
Kawai with a drive to deep left-center! It one-bounds the wall!! Yamanaka scores and Chuukyou takes a commanding 4-0 lead!
And they're not done! Doubayashi takes the first pitch back up the middle past a diving Mimura! Inoue up with the throw, but it's not nearly in time! It's now 5-0 and Doubayashi takes 2nd on the throw home!
Isomura flies out to center, but the game has quickly slipped away from Kurashiki.
Bottom 2nd
The first two batters are retired quickly before Yamagata lines the first pitch to right giving Kurashiki its first baserunner.
Yamasaki tries to work the situation, and earns a walk after the count runs full. Runners on 1st and 2nd for Kurashiki.
Uchiyama too works the count, but he hits a grounder to first. But it takes a very high hop and glances off of Morimoto's glove! It goes into shallow right, and Yamagata scores! A favorable bounce gives Kurashiki their first run of the game, 5-1! Yamasaki advances to 3rd on the play. Yamamoto now with a chance to tack on another run.
He strikes out, but the ball gets by Shibata! Yamamoto dashes to 1st! Shibata gathers it, throws to 1st, just in time to get him out! Almost another fortunate break for Kurashiki. But they are at least on the board.
Top 3rd
Shibata hits a blooper to right, Miki chases and dives, but doesn't come up with it! Itou moves him over. Morimoto with a base hit past a diving Kusaka! Shibata rounds 3rd, but is held up as Yamagata makes a strong throw home! Yamasaki in yet another pinch with runners at the corners! Oofuji-kantoku elects not to put on the squeeze, and Kaneyama grounds into the 4-6-3 double play! Yamasaki gets out of this pinch with no further damage!
Bottom 3rd
Kurashiki's batter are making Doubayashi work, taking a lot more pitches. He retires the side in order, but they're taking the right approach.
Top 4th
Chuukyou gets their 4th straight leadoff batter on base as Yamanaka gets a base hit to right (instead of getting hit). Yamasaki is having control issues again has he throws 3 balls to Kunitomo who's showing bunt. He gets a low strike before Kunitomo successfully puts the bunt down. He falls behind Kawai too, sending the count full before striking him out on an outside fastball.
2 down for Chuukyou with Doubayashi up. And he hits a comebacker that goes through into center! His 3rd hit of the game scores Yamanaka and the lead goes back to 5 at 6-1!
Bottom 4th
Kusaka gives Kurashiki their 3rd base hit as he lines one to right. Nakayama-kantoku isn't being careful here, calling for the hit-and-run! It doesn't work, and later in the AB, he grounds to 1st. They get Kusaka at second, but can't complete the double play. But Yamasaki flies out to center to end the inning.
Top 5th
Morimoto hits a flare to left with two down. Kaneyama follows that up with a single back up the middle! Inoue fumbles with the ball, but Morimoto holds up at 3rd. 2 down, and runners at the corners yet again for Chuukyou!
And we're back to the top of the order and Yamanaka! Yamasaki goes after him though and gets ahead 1-2. But Yamanaka hits a sharp comebacker!! Miki dives, and makes the stop!!! He toss to 2nd and they get out of the pinch!! Miki's fine play prevents another run from scoring!!!!!
Bottom 5th
Kurashiki once again goes in order, and has yet to mount their comeback.
Top 6th
Kurashiki's defense continues to keep them in the game. With one down Kawai hits a hard grounder down the 1st base line, but Kusaka makes the diving grab to prevent an extra-base hit!
Then Doubayashi hits a ball deep to left center! But Yamamoto runs over and makes the leaping catch!!! 2 more fine plays by the defense!
Bottom 6th
Inoue with a liner off the glove of Kawai goes into left for a base hit! Nakayama-kantoku had Mimura showing bunt, but after a throw to 1st, is swinging away.
Oofuji-kantoku calls for a conference on the mound - this being the first time Kurashiki has gotten its leadoff batter on. Doubayashi can't throw a strike now, and a ball in the dirt allows Inoue to advance! And Doubayashi walks Mimura! Big chance developing for Kurashiki!
But Miki is fooled on two straight and is down 0-2. Then he hits a grounder to short, AH!!!!!
The ball takes another high hop, and it goes off of Yamanaka up the left field line!!!!! Inoue scores, Mimura advances to 3rd and Miki to 2nd! Yet another favorable infield bounce scores another run!! 6-2!! Runners at 2nd and 3rd for Kusaka!
And he hits one deep to center!! Itou goes back to make the catch, but the runners advance! Mimura scores and it's now 6-3!
Yamagata with another deep drive to center! This time Itou can't get to it! That one hops the wall!! Miki scores on the double and it's now 6-4!! Is this the rally that Kurashiki is looking for?
YES!!! Yamasaki lines the first pitch over Kawai's head and into left!!! Yamagata scores and Kurashiki is within 1!! 6-5!!
Oofuji-kantoku calls a conference on the mound - part to slow Kurashiki's momentum, part to slow down Doubayashi.
Uchiyama looks to bunt, but instead swings away! It's a chopper to the right side!! But Kunitomo makes the fine stop and gets Yamasaki at 2nd for the 2nd out!
Yamamoto with a grounder to 3rd, but the slightly high hop is taken by Kawai and he makes the play at 1st! BUT!! Kurashiki explodes for 4 runs, and they have cut the lead to 1!
Top 7th
With new life, Kurashiki plays with confidence! Yamasaki retires the side in order!
Bottom 7th
With two down, Mimura hits a grounder to the left side! Yamanaka makes the stop, but the throw isn't in time!
However, Miki grounds to 1st and Kurashiki is running out of time.
Top 8th
Once again, Yamasaki and Kurashiki retire Chuukyou in order. Momentum is definitely with them, can they take advantage of it?
Bottom 8th
Kurashiki appears to be pressing though. Yamagata with a hard hit up the middle but Kunitomo makes a diving stop and completes the play at 1st! Kurashiki quickly goes down in order and find themselves 3 outs for being eliminated!
Top 9th
Yamasaki retires the first 2 batters with some help from Mimura as he corrals an irregular hop for the 2nd out. But when Doubayashi hits a slow grounder to Mimura, it goes under his glove!
And then Isomura lines one down the right field line! Doubayashi advances to 3rd and Chuukyou looks to add an insurance run!
Grounder to short again! Mimura makes the running grab and steps on 2nd for the final out!
Bottom 9th
Kurashiki down to their last outs. This is it for them now! Kurashiki's oen-dan cheers, hoping they can mount yet one more comeback.
But Uchiyama flies to center for the first out...
Doubayashi seems to have picked up his pace since Kurashiki scored their 4 runs. Is it throwing off the Kurashiki batters?
Yamamoto takes the 1st pitch through the right side! The tying run is on base!!
Yori steps up, hitless on the day. Can he get a hit? No! He flies to center!
It's all down to Inoue... Is the cinderella run over for Kurashiki Kougyou?
Yes. He swings at a slider in the dirt, Shibata makes the throw to 1st and Chuukyoudai Chuukyou holds off Kurashiki Kougyou for the 6-5 victory!!
Kurashiki fought hard, and seemed to have the baseball gods on their side... but it was not to be. An amazing story indeed for Kurashiki, but it ends here in the 2nd round.
Kurashiki Kougyou in their 1st round game versus Konkou Osaka had to come from behind several times before defeating them in extra innings 11-10. As for Chuukyoudai Chuukyou, they had an easy time against Kamimura Gakuen cruising to a 5-1 victory. If Kurashiki is to have a chance in this game, their pitching will have to do better this time around.
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11:50 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Yamasaki hasn't seemed to have solved his pitching issues from the first round. He hits Yamanaka, who is moved over. Then he walks Kawai on 4 straight! He continues to miss the zone against Doubayashi throwing 2 balls before having him hit a sharp liner foul down the 1st base line. But he doesn't miss the next pitch, shooting a grounder through to left! And it goes under the glove of Yamamoto and continues toward the wall! Yamanaka comes in from 3rd to score! Kawai takes off from 2nd, he comes into score! A two base error by Yamamoto gives Chuukyoudai Chuukyou the quick 2-0 lead!
Not a good start for a team that has to play perfect baseball to get the win.
Yamasaki's struggles continue as Isomura earns Chuukyou's 3rd walk (1 hit batter). But he finally settles down and retires the next 2 batters. But once again, Kurashiki Kougyou will have to work from behind.
Bottom 1st
Kurashiki has no response to Doubayashi as he strikes out the side. He certainly has his own control issues to start against Yori, but quickly settles down - with a little help from swinging bats.
Top 2nd
Morimoto with the chopper to Uchiyama, and it deflects off of him and behind a covering Mimura! E5 and Chuukyou has another leadoff runner!
Morimoto is moved over to 2nd as the lineup turns over to Yamanaka.
A wild pitch by Yamasaki sends Morimoto to 3rd. And then he plunks Yamanaka for the 2nd time in as many innings. Runners at the corners with 1 down for Chuukyou.
As Kunitomo steps up, it sounds like the band is playing a version of Dash Keio... Strange...
Anyways, Kunitomo hits a slow grounder to 2nd. Miki's only play is to 1st and Morimoto scores extending their lead to 3-0. Kurashiki has not done themselves any favors this game so far.
Kawai with a drive to deep left-center! It one-bounds the wall!! Yamanaka scores and Chuukyou takes a commanding 4-0 lead!
And they're not done! Doubayashi takes the first pitch back up the middle past a diving Mimura! Inoue up with the throw, but it's not nearly in time! It's now 5-0 and Doubayashi takes 2nd on the throw home!
Isomura flies out to center, but the game has quickly slipped away from Kurashiki.
Bottom 2nd
The first two batters are retired quickly before Yamagata lines the first pitch to right giving Kurashiki its first baserunner.
Yamasaki tries to work the situation, and earns a walk after the count runs full. Runners on 1st and 2nd for Kurashiki.
Uchiyama too works the count, but he hits a grounder to first. But it takes a very high hop and glances off of Morimoto's glove! It goes into shallow right, and Yamagata scores! A favorable bounce gives Kurashiki their first run of the game, 5-1! Yamasaki advances to 3rd on the play. Yamamoto now with a chance to tack on another run.
He strikes out, but the ball gets by Shibata! Yamamoto dashes to 1st! Shibata gathers it, throws to 1st, just in time to get him out! Almost another fortunate break for Kurashiki. But they are at least on the board.
Top 3rd
Shibata hits a blooper to right, Miki chases and dives, but doesn't come up with it! Itou moves him over. Morimoto with a base hit past a diving Kusaka! Shibata rounds 3rd, but is held up as Yamagata makes a strong throw home! Yamasaki in yet another pinch with runners at the corners! Oofuji-kantoku elects not to put on the squeeze, and Kaneyama grounds into the 4-6-3 double play! Yamasaki gets out of this pinch with no further damage!
Bottom 3rd
Kurashiki's batter are making Doubayashi work, taking a lot more pitches. He retires the side in order, but they're taking the right approach.
Top 4th
Chuukyou gets their 4th straight leadoff batter on base as Yamanaka gets a base hit to right (instead of getting hit). Yamasaki is having control issues again has he throws 3 balls to Kunitomo who's showing bunt. He gets a low strike before Kunitomo successfully puts the bunt down. He falls behind Kawai too, sending the count full before striking him out on an outside fastball.
2 down for Chuukyou with Doubayashi up. And he hits a comebacker that goes through into center! His 3rd hit of the game scores Yamanaka and the lead goes back to 5 at 6-1!
Bottom 4th
Kusaka gives Kurashiki their 3rd base hit as he lines one to right. Nakayama-kantoku isn't being careful here, calling for the hit-and-run! It doesn't work, and later in the AB, he grounds to 1st. They get Kusaka at second, but can't complete the double play. But Yamasaki flies out to center to end the inning.
Top 5th
Morimoto hits a flare to left with two down. Kaneyama follows that up with a single back up the middle! Inoue fumbles with the ball, but Morimoto holds up at 3rd. 2 down, and runners at the corners yet again for Chuukyou!
And we're back to the top of the order and Yamanaka! Yamasaki goes after him though and gets ahead 1-2. But Yamanaka hits a sharp comebacker!! Miki dives, and makes the stop!!! He toss to 2nd and they get out of the pinch!! Miki's fine play prevents another run from scoring!!!!!
Bottom 5th
Kurashiki once again goes in order, and has yet to mount their comeback.
Top 6th
Kurashiki's defense continues to keep them in the game. With one down Kawai hits a hard grounder down the 1st base line, but Kusaka makes the diving grab to prevent an extra-base hit!
Then Doubayashi hits a ball deep to left center! But Yamamoto runs over and makes the leaping catch!!! 2 more fine plays by the defense!
Bottom 6th
Inoue with a liner off the glove of Kawai goes into left for a base hit! Nakayama-kantoku had Mimura showing bunt, but after a throw to 1st, is swinging away.
Oofuji-kantoku calls for a conference on the mound - this being the first time Kurashiki has gotten its leadoff batter on. Doubayashi can't throw a strike now, and a ball in the dirt allows Inoue to advance! And Doubayashi walks Mimura! Big chance developing for Kurashiki!
But Miki is fooled on two straight and is down 0-2. Then he hits a grounder to short, AH!!!!!
The ball takes another high hop, and it goes off of Yamanaka up the left field line!!!!! Inoue scores, Mimura advances to 3rd and Miki to 2nd! Yet another favorable infield bounce scores another run!! 6-2!! Runners at 2nd and 3rd for Kusaka!
And he hits one deep to center!! Itou goes back to make the catch, but the runners advance! Mimura scores and it's now 6-3!
Yamagata with another deep drive to center! This time Itou can't get to it! That one hops the wall!! Miki scores on the double and it's now 6-4!! Is this the rally that Kurashiki is looking for?
YES!!! Yamasaki lines the first pitch over Kawai's head and into left!!! Yamagata scores and Kurashiki is within 1!! 6-5!!
Oofuji-kantoku calls a conference on the mound - part to slow Kurashiki's momentum, part to slow down Doubayashi.
Uchiyama looks to bunt, but instead swings away! It's a chopper to the right side!! But Kunitomo makes the fine stop and gets Yamasaki at 2nd for the 2nd out!
Yamamoto with a grounder to 3rd, but the slightly high hop is taken by Kawai and he makes the play at 1st! BUT!! Kurashiki explodes for 4 runs, and they have cut the lead to 1!
Top 7th
With new life, Kurashiki plays with confidence! Yamasaki retires the side in order!
Bottom 7th
With two down, Mimura hits a grounder to the left side! Yamanaka makes the stop, but the throw isn't in time!
However, Miki grounds to 1st and Kurashiki is running out of time.
Top 8th
Once again, Yamasaki and Kurashiki retire Chuukyou in order. Momentum is definitely with them, can they take advantage of it?
Bottom 8th
Kurashiki appears to be pressing though. Yamagata with a hard hit up the middle but Kunitomo makes a diving stop and completes the play at 1st! Kurashiki quickly goes down in order and find themselves 3 outs for being eliminated!
Top 9th
Yamasaki retires the first 2 batters with some help from Mimura as he corrals an irregular hop for the 2nd out. But when Doubayashi hits a slow grounder to Mimura, it goes under his glove!
And then Isomura lines one down the right field line! Doubayashi advances to 3rd and Chuukyou looks to add an insurance run!
Grounder to short again! Mimura makes the running grab and steps on 2nd for the final out!
Bottom 9th
Kurashiki down to their last outs. This is it for them now! Kurashiki's oen-dan cheers, hoping they can mount yet one more comeback.
But Uchiyama flies to center for the first out...
Doubayashi seems to have picked up his pace since Kurashiki scored their 4 runs. Is it throwing off the Kurashiki batters?
Yamamoto takes the 1st pitch through the right side! The tying run is on base!!
Yori steps up, hitless on the day. Can he get a hit? No! He flies to center!
It's all down to Inoue... Is the cinderella run over for Kurashiki Kougyou?
Yes. He swings at a slider in the dirt, Shibata makes the throw to 1st and Chuukyoudai Chuukyou holds off Kurashiki Kougyou for the 6-5 victory!!
Kurashiki fought hard, and seemed to have the baseball gods on their side... but it was not to be. An amazing story indeed for Kurashiki, but it ends here in the 2nd round.
Day 6 - Game 1 - Rifu (Miyagi) vs. Kakegawa Nishi (Shizuoka)
Day 6 begins with the last game of round 1. Rifu, the final 21st century team, faces off against Kakegawa Nishi. For Kakegawa Nishi, they finished runner-up to Chuukyoudai Chuukyou in the Tokai tournament, and this is their 1st appearance in 15 years. This is Rifu's 1st ever Koushien appearance, Spring or Summer, and they had an extra inning loss against Ichinoseki Gakuin in the semifinals of the Tohoku tournament.
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9:02 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Endou starts the game off with a comebacker through the middle.
Horino is certainly not a fireballer, with a fastball sitting in the 120 kph range and offspeed pitches in the 100 kph range.
Fujiwara bunts Endou over and quickly Rifu has a scoring chance here in the 1st.
Baba with a grounder that looks to go through the gap in right, but Oosumi covers the ground and makes the play to a covering Horino for the 2nd out.
Horino though falls behind Yunomura, and on a 3-1 pitch he drives it to the left center field gap! Agata quickly gets the ball in, but a timely 2-out double scores the first run! 1-0!
A popup by Sakurada ends the inning, but Rifu strikes first in the last game of this opening round!
Bottom 1st
Tsukamoto appears to have the same pitch speed range as Horino.
Matsushita strikes back for Kakegawa Nishi with a double to the left center field gap! Oosumi puts down a great bunt and would have probable reached base had he not slid. But one down, runner at 3rd for Miura. But he hits a short pop-up that cannot score Matsushita.
And Tsukamoto strikes out Edzuka to end the inning. A leadoff double goes for naught here in the 1st!
Top 2nd
With one down, ace Tsukamoto gets the Rifu offense going with a single to right. Satou Yuuji bunts him over to 2nd. With 2 down, they have a runner in scoring position for last batter Fuse.
As the AB develops, I notice that in the first row behind home plate a person wearing a Waseda hat. Wonder if they're scouting these teams...
And Fuse takes the ball the other way into the right-center field gap for another timely double! Rifu now up 2-0!!
Endou pops up to 3rd to end the inning, but they tack on another run.
Bottom 2nd
And as Kakegawa Nishi comes to bat, I hear familar music from the Tokyo Big 6 league. And after some searching, it turns out to be Knock Out March from Meiji Daigaku's medley.
With one down Katsumata hits a hard drive to left center! Fujiwara runs, leaps and makes the diving catch! What a play by Fujiwara!!
Horino next draws a two-out walk. And Furuta with a grounder under the diving Sakurada gives Kakegawa Nishi runners at 1st and 2nd for Agata. But he takes the first pitch to 1st, ending the inning.
Top 3rd
Fujiwara with a shot back up the middle, but SS Furuta makes the play at 1st.
Baba though hits his own liner up the middle for a base hit. And Horino is called for a balk! Baba advances to 2nd and is in business again!
Yunomura lines out to right though and there's 2 down.
And he hits Sakurada! Horino tries to appeal saying he dipped into it, but to no avail. He's surprised, and to some extent so is Uehara-kantoku.
Inoue with a flare to left! Baba comes in to score and Rifu has it's 3rd run in as many innings! 3-0!
And before you can blink an eye, Horino is running to the dugout. Uehara-kantoku has pulled him from the mound for #10 Inagaki. A sidethrower, he throws about the same speed as Horino with a lot of balls tailing away from a left-hander.
Inagaki gets Tsukamoto to end the inning, but Rifu continues to slowly add on to its lead.
Bottom 3rd
Matsushita, leading off the inning yet again shoots a grounder through the right side for another hit!
Oosumi tries to play games with the Rifu battery, switching between bunting and pulling it back to hit, but he eventually lays the bunt down. Once again, runner in scoring position for Miura.
And once again he pops it up to 2nd. 2 down... again... for Edzuka.
But unlike the 1st inning, Tsukamoto hits him! Obara-kantoku calls for a quick conference as Kakegawa Nishi has a yet another scoring chance with Ozaki stepping up. He falls behind 0-2, but slowly works the could back, and eventually runs it full! Ozaki continues to foul off pitches. But on the 9th pitch, he grounds out to 3rd and the inning is over.
Top 4th
Satou Yuuji begins the 4th with a single to right. And more Ruroni Kenshin music plays as Fuse looks to bunt. He fails twice though, but is still squaring. He puts it down. Inagaki comes in makes the grab, but his foot gives from under him and he falls. He gets up and makes the throw, but it's too late! E1 and Rifu has yet another good scoring chance!
Endou with a liner over a leaping Ozaki and down the left field line! Yuuji scores and it's 4-0!
Fujiwara follows that up with a bunt. But he's flying down the line! Ingaki gets the ball, but Fujiwara beats the throw! Manrui chance for Baba!
Grounder to 2nd! Oosumi decides to goes home, and gets the force - but they cannot complete the double play at 1st. Still manrui chance for Rifu. They could've given up the run for the 4-6-3 double play, but decide not to. One wonders if they should have as the next batter is clean-up hitter Yunomura. I have a bad feeling about this.
Oh dear...
Yunomura drives a hanging pitch to the opposite field! The outfield is drawn in and the ball one bounds the wall! Agata and Matsushita hurry back to field it! Meanwhile the runners are flying around the bases with Baba catching up to Fujiwara rounding 3rd! It's a bases clearing triple and Rifu has blown it wide open now leading by a margin of 7-0!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obara-kantoku continues to push! Sakurada dives at a pitch low and outside and puts the bunt down! Inagaki has no play but to 1st and it's now 8-0!
That ends Inagaki's day. Uehara's laughing attitude earlier in the game has become more grim as his team finds itself down 8 runs. He sends #15 Okajima to stem the tide. An overthrow pitcher, his mold is similar to the others.
Inoue welcomes him with a liner to right.
Tsukamoto is next, representing the 9th batter to come to the plate this inning. Thankfully, Okajima gets him to fly out to center and the inning is over. But Rifu continues to pour it on the Kakegawa Nishi squad.
Bottom 4th
Rifu finds no answers as Tsukamoto retires them in order. Only the 4th inning, one has to wonder the state of the Kakegawa Nishi players.
Top 5th
Fuse gets his 2nd hit of the day with a shot through the left side. Runner on 1st, one down for top batter Endou. And he lines one over Ozaki's head into left! Rifu has had scoring chances in each inning so far!
And Okajima falls behind Fujiwara 3-1! And the next pitch Fujiwara lines to center! Manrui for Baba!
He pops one to the left side just out of the infield. Furuta runs back, has a play, but he can't field it! Everyone starts running! LF Miura is up with the ball, but can't find a base to throw to! He looks to 3rd, but Ozaki is looking for the cutoff throw, and by the time he looks to 2nd, Fujiwara has reached! All safe and it's 9-0. What an unlucky break by Kakegawa Nishi!
Uemura-kantoku has seen enough once again. 3B Ozaki is called in to pitch. Miura moves from LF to 3B, and #16 Uchiyama comes in Okajima's spot to play LF.
Ozaki is a side thrower with about the same velocity than the others, but all he's asked to do now is hold Rifu off. And he does so, getting the next 2 batters to pop out in foul territory.
At this point it's a matter of pride for Kakegawa Nishi who finds themselves down 10-0.
Bottom 5th
Tsukamoto retires the side in order yet again. Can Kakegawa Nishi avoid the shutout?
Top 6th
Tsukamoto with a grounder to short, but Furuta can't pick up the ball and Tsukamoto reaches on the error. He's bunted to 2nd and one more scoring chance for Rifu. But this time Ozaki retires the next 2 batters and finally Rifu is held scoreless in the 6th!
Bottom 6th
Kakegawa Nishi's batters are getting some good contact of the ball here in the 6th. The timng is off as they are pulling the ball foul. That is, until Edzuka hits a ball deep to left-center for a one-out double!
However, Ozaki is caught looking and Katsumata grounds out to short. But at least there is some sign of life in their bats,
Top 7th
For the first time in the game, Ozaki retires the Rifu batters in order!
Bottom 7th
Uchiyama with a blast to left center!!! Fujiwara to the wall!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
New LF Uchiyama hits a solo homerun to left center and with one swing puts Kakegawa Nishi on the board and prevents the shutout! 10-1!
The next 2 batters are retired, but finally something to cheer about for Kakegawa Nishi!
Top 8th
Another pitching change for Kakegawa Nishi.
Inoue again welcomes the new pitcher with a single to center. Tsukamoto follows that up with a single through the right side. Edzuka walks Yuuji for yet another manrui situation for Rifu here in the 8th.
A fly to right is caught by Matsushita, but Inoue doesn't tag up from 3rd. Can't tell whether that is because of the throw or Obara-kantoku's order to call off the dogs so to speak.
And a grounder by Endou to 3rd ends the inning.
Bottom 8th
Oosumi with a grounder to short, but a high hop eats up Sakurada and it bounces off him into center!
#17 Yoshida come in to PH for Miura, but strikes out.
AND EDZUKA BLASTS ONE TO CENTER!!!
That ball is definitely out of here! In fact it almost hits the グリコ sign in center! Edzuka with Kakegawa Nishi's 2nd HR of the day and it's 10-3!
Ozaki with a hard hit grounder to short! Sakurada can't field this one cleanly either and the error allows Ozaki to reach 1st!
And Katsumata lines one to right! Runners at 1st and 2nd with only one down here in the 8th! And Uchiyama is up again!
Ah, but he hits a fly ball to center! 2 down for Kakegawa Nishi.
And Obara-kantoku figures he'd better give his ace a rest after the 2 HR's. #10 Takahashi comes to relieve him on the mound. Takahashi is a lefty, and the announcer said he has a 2-seam fastball, slider and screwball.
But right now he can't find the plate, falling behind Yoshida before running the count full. The payoff pitch is fisted into the infield. Baba charges, but Takahashi runs back, call him off, and makes the catch. And while it is probably too late, Kakegawa Nishi is putting up a good show later with 2 HR's!
Top 9th
#13 Ohama comes in for PH Yoshida and plays 1B.
One down, Baba hits a ball into the right center field gap. Agata comes in and makes the running catch just before the ball falls in! A great play as Edzuka retires the side in order yet again!
Bottom 9th
These will probably be the last ups for Kakegawa Nishi, but you have to applaud them for their effors here late - even if they were in a losing cause.
#14 Atsumi comes in to PH for Agata as the Kakeagawa oen-dan cheers on the team.
The count runs full on Atsumi, but he hits a grounder to short. Sakurada with the ball, but the throw to 1st is high! Atsuki slides in on the error!
However, Matsushita pops up to 2nd and Oosumi lines out to 2nd. Ohama represents their last chance. The count goes full.
And he hits a liner to left! That's in there for a base hit! AHHH!!!!!
The ball gets by Fuse and it has a one way ticket to the wall! Atsumi come in to score, Ohama is rounding the bases!! Fujiwara comes over from center to field it and they get the throw in, but not before Ohama reaches 3rd! 10-4 Kakegawa Nishi!
But that's as far as they'll get. Edzuka grounds out to short to end the game. Rifu advances with the 10-4 victory, but Kakegawa Nishi fought hard at the end.
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9:02 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Endou starts the game off with a comebacker through the middle.
Horino is certainly not a fireballer, with a fastball sitting in the 120 kph range and offspeed pitches in the 100 kph range.
Fujiwara bunts Endou over and quickly Rifu has a scoring chance here in the 1st.
Baba with a grounder that looks to go through the gap in right, but Oosumi covers the ground and makes the play to a covering Horino for the 2nd out.
Horino though falls behind Yunomura, and on a 3-1 pitch he drives it to the left center field gap! Agata quickly gets the ball in, but a timely 2-out double scores the first run! 1-0!
A popup by Sakurada ends the inning, but Rifu strikes first in the last game of this opening round!
Bottom 1st
Tsukamoto appears to have the same pitch speed range as Horino.
Matsushita strikes back for Kakegawa Nishi with a double to the left center field gap! Oosumi puts down a great bunt and would have probable reached base had he not slid. But one down, runner at 3rd for Miura. But he hits a short pop-up that cannot score Matsushita.
And Tsukamoto strikes out Edzuka to end the inning. A leadoff double goes for naught here in the 1st!
Top 2nd
With one down, ace Tsukamoto gets the Rifu offense going with a single to right. Satou Yuuji bunts him over to 2nd. With 2 down, they have a runner in scoring position for last batter Fuse.
As the AB develops, I notice that in the first row behind home plate a person wearing a Waseda hat. Wonder if they're scouting these teams...
And Fuse takes the ball the other way into the right-center field gap for another timely double! Rifu now up 2-0!!
Endou pops up to 3rd to end the inning, but they tack on another run.
Bottom 2nd
And as Kakegawa Nishi comes to bat, I hear familar music from the Tokyo Big 6 league. And after some searching, it turns out to be Knock Out March from Meiji Daigaku's medley.
With one down Katsumata hits a hard drive to left center! Fujiwara runs, leaps and makes the diving catch! What a play by Fujiwara!!
Horino next draws a two-out walk. And Furuta with a grounder under the diving Sakurada gives Kakegawa Nishi runners at 1st and 2nd for Agata. But he takes the first pitch to 1st, ending the inning.
Top 3rd
Fujiwara with a shot back up the middle, but SS Furuta makes the play at 1st.
Baba though hits his own liner up the middle for a base hit. And Horino is called for a balk! Baba advances to 2nd and is in business again!
Yunomura lines out to right though and there's 2 down.
And he hits Sakurada! Horino tries to appeal saying he dipped into it, but to no avail. He's surprised, and to some extent so is Uehara-kantoku.
Inoue with a flare to left! Baba comes in to score and Rifu has it's 3rd run in as many innings! 3-0!
And before you can blink an eye, Horino is running to the dugout. Uehara-kantoku has pulled him from the mound for #10 Inagaki. A sidethrower, he throws about the same speed as Horino with a lot of balls tailing away from a left-hander.
Inagaki gets Tsukamoto to end the inning, but Rifu continues to slowly add on to its lead.
Bottom 3rd
Matsushita, leading off the inning yet again shoots a grounder through the right side for another hit!
Oosumi tries to play games with the Rifu battery, switching between bunting and pulling it back to hit, but he eventually lays the bunt down. Once again, runner in scoring position for Miura.
And once again he pops it up to 2nd. 2 down... again... for Edzuka.
But unlike the 1st inning, Tsukamoto hits him! Obara-kantoku calls for a quick conference as Kakegawa Nishi has a yet another scoring chance with Ozaki stepping up. He falls behind 0-2, but slowly works the could back, and eventually runs it full! Ozaki continues to foul off pitches. But on the 9th pitch, he grounds out to 3rd and the inning is over.
Top 4th
Satou Yuuji begins the 4th with a single to right. And more Ruroni Kenshin music plays as Fuse looks to bunt. He fails twice though, but is still squaring. He puts it down. Inagaki comes in makes the grab, but his foot gives from under him and he falls. He gets up and makes the throw, but it's too late! E1 and Rifu has yet another good scoring chance!
Endou with a liner over a leaping Ozaki and down the left field line! Yuuji scores and it's 4-0!
Fujiwara follows that up with a bunt. But he's flying down the line! Ingaki gets the ball, but Fujiwara beats the throw! Manrui chance for Baba!
Grounder to 2nd! Oosumi decides to goes home, and gets the force - but they cannot complete the double play at 1st. Still manrui chance for Rifu. They could've given up the run for the 4-6-3 double play, but decide not to. One wonders if they should have as the next batter is clean-up hitter Yunomura. I have a bad feeling about this.
Oh dear...
Yunomura drives a hanging pitch to the opposite field! The outfield is drawn in and the ball one bounds the wall! Agata and Matsushita hurry back to field it! Meanwhile the runners are flying around the bases with Baba catching up to Fujiwara rounding 3rd! It's a bases clearing triple and Rifu has blown it wide open now leading by a margin of 7-0!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obara-kantoku continues to push! Sakurada dives at a pitch low and outside and puts the bunt down! Inagaki has no play but to 1st and it's now 8-0!
That ends Inagaki's day. Uehara's laughing attitude earlier in the game has become more grim as his team finds itself down 8 runs. He sends #15 Okajima to stem the tide. An overthrow pitcher, his mold is similar to the others.
Inoue welcomes him with a liner to right.
Tsukamoto is next, representing the 9th batter to come to the plate this inning. Thankfully, Okajima gets him to fly out to center and the inning is over. But Rifu continues to pour it on the Kakegawa Nishi squad.
Bottom 4th
Rifu finds no answers as Tsukamoto retires them in order. Only the 4th inning, one has to wonder the state of the Kakegawa Nishi players.
Top 5th
Fuse gets his 2nd hit of the day with a shot through the left side. Runner on 1st, one down for top batter Endou. And he lines one over Ozaki's head into left! Rifu has had scoring chances in each inning so far!
And Okajima falls behind Fujiwara 3-1! And the next pitch Fujiwara lines to center! Manrui for Baba!
He pops one to the left side just out of the infield. Furuta runs back, has a play, but he can't field it! Everyone starts running! LF Miura is up with the ball, but can't find a base to throw to! He looks to 3rd, but Ozaki is looking for the cutoff throw, and by the time he looks to 2nd, Fujiwara has reached! All safe and it's 9-0. What an unlucky break by Kakegawa Nishi!
Uemura-kantoku has seen enough once again. 3B Ozaki is called in to pitch. Miura moves from LF to 3B, and #16 Uchiyama comes in Okajima's spot to play LF.
Ozaki is a side thrower with about the same velocity than the others, but all he's asked to do now is hold Rifu off. And he does so, getting the next 2 batters to pop out in foul territory.
At this point it's a matter of pride for Kakegawa Nishi who finds themselves down 10-0.
Bottom 5th
Tsukamoto retires the side in order yet again. Can Kakegawa Nishi avoid the shutout?
Top 6th
Tsukamoto with a grounder to short, but Furuta can't pick up the ball and Tsukamoto reaches on the error. He's bunted to 2nd and one more scoring chance for Rifu. But this time Ozaki retires the next 2 batters and finally Rifu is held scoreless in the 6th!
Bottom 6th
Kakegawa Nishi's batters are getting some good contact of the ball here in the 6th. The timng is off as they are pulling the ball foul. That is, until Edzuka hits a ball deep to left-center for a one-out double!
However, Ozaki is caught looking and Katsumata grounds out to short. But at least there is some sign of life in their bats,
Top 7th
For the first time in the game, Ozaki retires the Rifu batters in order!
Bottom 7th
Uchiyama with a blast to left center!!! Fujiwara to the wall!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
New LF Uchiyama hits a solo homerun to left center and with one swing puts Kakegawa Nishi on the board and prevents the shutout! 10-1!
The next 2 batters are retired, but finally something to cheer about for Kakegawa Nishi!
Top 8th
Another pitching change for Kakegawa Nishi.
- 1B Edzuka relieves Ozaki on the mound
- Ozaki returns to 3B
- Miura moves over to 1B
Inoue again welcomes the new pitcher with a single to center. Tsukamoto follows that up with a single through the right side. Edzuka walks Yuuji for yet another manrui situation for Rifu here in the 8th.
A fly to right is caught by Matsushita, but Inoue doesn't tag up from 3rd. Can't tell whether that is because of the throw or Obara-kantoku's order to call off the dogs so to speak.
And a grounder by Endou to 3rd ends the inning.
Bottom 8th
Oosumi with a grounder to short, but a high hop eats up Sakurada and it bounces off him into center!
#17 Yoshida come in to PH for Miura, but strikes out.
AND EDZUKA BLASTS ONE TO CENTER!!!
That ball is definitely out of here! In fact it almost hits the グリコ sign in center! Edzuka with Kakegawa Nishi's 2nd HR of the day and it's 10-3!
Ozaki with a hard hit grounder to short! Sakurada can't field this one cleanly either and the error allows Ozaki to reach 1st!
And Katsumata lines one to right! Runners at 1st and 2nd with only one down here in the 8th! And Uchiyama is up again!
Ah, but he hits a fly ball to center! 2 down for Kakegawa Nishi.
And Obara-kantoku figures he'd better give his ace a rest after the 2 HR's. #10 Takahashi comes to relieve him on the mound. Takahashi is a lefty, and the announcer said he has a 2-seam fastball, slider and screwball.
But right now he can't find the plate, falling behind Yoshida before running the count full. The payoff pitch is fisted into the infield. Baba charges, but Takahashi runs back, call him off, and makes the catch. And while it is probably too late, Kakegawa Nishi is putting up a good show later with 2 HR's!
Top 9th
#13 Ohama comes in for PH Yoshida and plays 1B.
One down, Baba hits a ball into the right center field gap. Agata comes in and makes the running catch just before the ball falls in! A great play as Edzuka retires the side in order yet again!
Bottom 9th
These will probably be the last ups for Kakegawa Nishi, but you have to applaud them for their effors here late - even if they were in a losing cause.
#14 Atsumi comes in to PH for Agata as the Kakeagawa oen-dan cheers on the team.
The count runs full on Atsumi, but he hits a grounder to short. Sakurada with the ball, but the throw to 1st is high! Atsuki slides in on the error!
However, Matsushita pops up to 2nd and Oosumi lines out to 2nd. Ohama represents their last chance. The count goes full.
And he hits a liner to left! That's in there for a base hit! AHHH!!!!!
The ball gets by Fuse and it has a one way ticket to the wall! Atsumi come in to score, Ohama is rounding the bases!! Fujiwara comes over from center to field it and they get the throw in, but not before Ohama reaches 3rd! 10-4 Kakegawa Nishi!
But that's as far as they'll get. Edzuka grounds out to short to end the game. Rifu advances with the 10-4 victory, but Kakegawa Nishi fought hard at the end.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Day 5 - Game 3 - Hikone Higashi (Shiga) vs. Narashino (Chiba)
After an exciting day of competition, Day 5 winds down with Hikone Higashi, the second 21st century team playing against Kanto Tournament runner-up Narashino. For Hikone Higashi, this is their 1st appearance in 56 years. As for Narashino, this is their 1st in 33 years.
Hikone Higashi seems to have their work cut out for them, and I'm kinda rooting for Narashino anyways because I love their band and unique songs. Shallow, I know.
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1:23 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
うわ。。。 The first thing I noticed is that Hikone Higashi's oen-dan takes up the entire section. It's an amazing sea of red.
Shingai Tadahiro starts off the game with a bloop single to center. His brother Tasuku looks to bunt him over. But then Imai-kantoku puts on the hit and run! Tasuku swings and misses, and Yamashita easily throws out Tadahiro!
Narashino's ace Yamada then proceeds to retire the side. An early opportunity to get on the board fals by the wayside.
Bottom 1st
Aw... They're not playing Lets go Narashino!... and there's not that many people in their oen-dan. Where's the love? Kidding. The band isn't bad though - although if you read my prior post, you'd notice that.
Oh, right - back to the game. Well, Kaneko for Hikone Higashi has had a 3-up, 3-down inning. Scoreless after 1.
Top 2nd
Ace Yamada is a sidethrower, definitely not overpowering. He has good control on his fastball, and decent control on his off-speed stuff. He's probably be considered an above average pitcher here at Koushien.
OMG. I'm hearing it again!! Hikone's ace Kaneko's song during his AB is Zankoku na tenshi no teeze!! Automatic win! Do I have to choose now between Kaneko's sing and Narashino's band. NOT FAIR!
But Yamada sits Kaneko down swining on a pitch in the dirt to end the inning. It seems like Hikone's batters are a free-swining bunch, so we'll see if it leads to stringing a few hits together later.
Bottom 2nd
Kaneko on the mound is about the same as Yamada, just replace sidethrower with three-quarters. It seems like he has a 2-seam fastball that runs in on a right-handed batter.
Narashino's squad, at least so far, is also swinging away at whatever good pitches they find. As a result, they're also quickly retired in order.
Top 3rd
Yamada's ace gives up his first walk of the game with one down in the 3rd to Suginaka. Imai-kantoku is having switch-hitter Kouno bunt the runner over, and does so. It's 2 down for leadoff batter Tadahiro.
And he hits a liner to left-center field. That has a chance! But Fukuda dashes all out and makes the running catch, 3 down!
Bottom 3rd
Hm. Narashino doesn't nearly have the numbers that Hikone has, but their band is much louder...
Meanwhile, Kaneko continues his dominance, striking out Fukuda to start the inning.
And Ace Yamda has Surfin' USA has his music???!!!! What??!!
The bottom third 0f Narashino's lineup is taking a lot more pitches. Fukuda went full before striking out, and Yamada went full before walking. It'd be interesting if this trend continued to the top of the order.
Kurihara though is looking to bunt, but can't find a pitch. Then Kobayashi-kantoku at 2-1 has him swinging away. He hits a short liner, but Nozawa playing in makes the easy catch.
It seems more like that Kaneko is having slight control issues has he's walked his 2nd batter of the inning in Motoyama. Runners at 1st and 2nd with 2 down. And now I hear the familar sound of Lets go Narashino...
It's short lived though as Satou grounds the first pitch to short to end the inning.
Top 4th
Yamada quickly gets 2 outs in the 4th before Kouzu reaches out and pokes one into shallow left. Satou runs it down in foul territory, but Kouzu easily reaches 2nd!
And Maekawa drives an inside curve to deep left!!! Satou runs back to the wall, but the ball one hops the wall! He quickly gets the ball back in, but Kouzu easily scores on the double by Maekawa and Hikone Higashi has the 1-0 lead!
And the band and the oen-dan is are much louder. That's what I was expecting from them.
Oh! And Yamada hits Kaneko! Runners at 1st and 2nd now for Hikone Higashi!
Yamada's pace has started to slow and he's nibbling the corners (outside and in) looking for some help by the Hikone batters. He gets it as Nozaka grounds to 3rd to end the inning. But 21st century team Hikone Higashi has taken a lead of Kanto runner-up Narashino!
Bottom 4th
Narashino's start of inning music is really growing on me. I think it's unique and I really like it.
At the dish, Narashino is finding no answers. They're continously being fooled by Kaneko's off-speed pitches.
But then clean-up batter Yamashita hits a liner to left! Nozaka runs to get it, leaps, and it's off his glove! It takes a high bounce behind him and Yamashita reaches 2nd! Great chance for Narashino!
And Lets go Narashino starts playing once again.
AH!! A wild pitch by Kaneko is lost by Suginaka and Yamashita breaks for 3rd. The throw isn't in time! Now Narashino's tying run is 90 feet away!
Toyoda hits a hard liner to the right of Kaneko!! But Kouzu makes the running catch! Kouzu with the fine play to prevent the run from scoring. 2 down for Takahashi.
He strikes out, but the ball gets away from Suginaka! Takahashi breaks for 1st and Yamashita breaks for home! He gets the ball, but no throw! Narashino's tied the game!!
But wait, the Hikone players are appealing to the plate umpire and he calls the batter out! What happened??!
According to the announcers, it appears that in the act of swinging, the ball hits Takahashi causing it to get away from Suginaka. And that's the reason why he was called out. So the run doesn't count and at the end of 4 it's still a 1 run Hikone Higashi lead.
Top 5th
Suginaka with a grounder into the right side, but Motoyama ranges over into the grass (!) and makes the stop and throw.
Yamada retires the side thereafter, although Kouno does give him a small fight with a 9 pitch AB. Outside of the back-to-back doubles, he's pitched well - but his team still find themselves behind by one and with little offense to speak of.
Bottom 5th
After the 1-0 pitch, Kaneko seems to be in some pain. Suginaka comes out to meet him, and he trying to work out his fingers to no avail. The plate umpire is coming out and Kaneko asks to go to the dugout to work out the issue. Meanwhile, Imai-kantoku has #10 Oozawa and #11 Imai quickly warming up in the pen.
Kaneko does emerge, takes a couple of pitches before resuming play. He's still working the fingers a little.
And Fukuda hits a comebacker past Kaneko for Narashino's first hit of the day!
They try the bunt, but Yamada's finding nothing he likes. And Fukuda takes off for 2nd! The throw by Suginaka is placed perfectly and they get Fukuda at 2nd! What a bad break for Narashino!
It looks like whatever was bothering Yamada has passed as he retires the next two batters. Narashino gets their first hit of the day, but cannot materialize anything from it.
Top 6th
While Yamada plunks his 2nd batter of the day in Kouzu with 2 down, nothing comes out of it. He continues to pitch well holding the Hikone batters at bay.
Bottom 6th
As the inning starts Kaneko can be seen continuing to work on his hand.
Top batter Motoyama leads off the inning for Narashino and lines one down the left field side! Nozaka chases after it, leaps and it's over his head!! He has to chase it back to the wall and Motoyama starts off the inning with a leadoff triple!!! Narashino with a great chance to equalize here in the 6th!!
Imai-kantoku calls for a conference on the mound as Lets go Narashino plays yet again. Afterwards, once again Kaneko continues to work on his hand as whatever discomfort he's having still bothers him.
Short chopper by Satou!! Kouno and Tadahiro charge at the ball, but Kaneko isn't at 1st!! Satou outruns Kaneko and Tadahiro has no play! Now it's runners at the corners with no down for Narashino!!
And Kobayashi-kantoku pushes the action! Satou breaks for 2nd and the throw is wide! Now runners at 2nd and 3rd and Yamada really finds himself in a pinch!
Kaneko seems to be going to the rosin bag more as if to give his hand a break.
Miyauchi with a fly to left-center should get the tying run in. Nozaka takes a somewhat circuitous route, but makes the catch. Motoyama comes in to score and Narashino has tied it up at 1-1!!
Imai-kantoku has #15 Kiyougoku ask if Kaneko's leg is fine and he replies that he is. Play contines on as #11 Imai warms up.
Kaneko can't find the plate as he walks Yamashita! Runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 down!
Toyoda comes to the plate looking for the timely hit, but he grounds to short! Kouzu with the throw to 2nd for 1, the relay by Kouno is not in time! Toyoda beats out the throw and the rally is still on!
But with the count 1-1 to Takahashi, Kanaeko isn't finding his hand to be the problem, it's his right leg!! The umpires and Suginaka come in, but he continues to work it out and says he's fine.
Takahashi though takes the next pitch to the right side. Tadahiro comes up with the ball, but again no one's covering 1st. Kaneko tries to run over, but while running, he lands on his right leg and starts limping! Takahashi slides in safe and Satou scores! Narashino takes advantage of Kaneko's situation and take the lead 2-1!
Kaneko is in obvious pain now as he can't even walk anymore. He's obviously hurt and limps to the bench. They're working on him in the dugout, but the way his leg looks his day has to be done.
After several minutes, the verdict comes down and Kaneko's day is done. #11 Imai takes the hill for the injured Kaneko. A lefty, he seems to sport a slow curve.
He gets the job done though as he fields a comebacker to him by Fukuda to end the inning. Narashino takes the lead at the cost of Hikone's ace. How will Hikone respond to losing their #1 pitcher?
Top 7th
Imai makes an immediate impact as he lines one over Miyauchi head and into left!
Imai-kantoku immediately has Nozaka bunt the runner over and there is life on the Hikone bench and oen-dan!!
Suginaka with a grounder to short. Miyazawa gathers the ball, but Imai seems to be way off the bag! But Suginaka instead of trying to get Imai, throws the ball to 1st for the 2nd out.
Yamada's pace has slowed as well as he gets concerned with Imai at 2nd.
Kouno with the safety bunt!! But it's foul. Gutsy play there. He works the count full, and hits a short grounder to the right side. Yamada fields it, but no one's covering first! Kouno and Yamads sprint to the bag, but Yamada dives! That allows Kouno to reach safely!!
AND IMAI IS HEADING HOME!!!!
Yamada stands up, makes the throw home, but Imai slides around the tag and is safe!! Yamada's dive costs the team twice, one for the possible out at 1st, the other allowing Imai to score! 逆転!! 2-2!!
Tadahiro flies out to deep center, but the damage has been done.
Bottom 7th
Imai on the hill has a slow curve and a very slow and start-stoppy delivery. It's very hard to describe. Needless to say he doesn't really throw it hard.
Control seems to be an issue as he walks Yamada as he walks Yamada.
The announcers seem to say that Kaneko has been sent to the hospital. It doesn't sound good for the Hikone ace.
Kobayashi-kantoku sends up #5 Someya to hit for Kurihara. Well, acutally to bunt. But he can't get it down and is swinging away. He contines to fight off pitch after pitch from Imai. And on a slow curve by Imai, he lines one through the left side! Quickly runners at 1st and 2nd with no down and Narashino is threatening once again!!
Lets go Narashino plays yet again as top batter Motoyama comes to the plate. He puts the bunt down. But Tadahiro overcharges it! Imai dives and just gets it! He makes the play at first as the runners advance.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kobayashi-kantoku immediately puts on the squeeze!! The infielders scramble! Oohashi fields it, but loses the grip on the ball!! It goes in the air, but he gets it back turns around and throws to 1st. That's just in time to get a diving Satou! They get the out, but Yamada scores and Narashino retakes the lead at 3-2!!
But they're still threatening! Imai plunks Miyauchi on a slow curve and then he takes 2nd on the 1-1 pitch to Yamashita! A base hit could blow the game wide open! The count runs full... and now it's manrui for Narashino!
But Imai gets Toyoda to pop it up! Kouzu is under it for the catch and Imai gets out of the manrui pinch! However, he relinquishes the lead.
Top 8th
Someya who came in to PH, remains in the game at 3rd.
Hikone starts the rally yet again with a single up the middle by Tasuku. Yamada's pace has slowed considerably and is affecting his pitching. Oohashi works the count full... and draws the walk! Runners at 1st and 2nd with no down!!
Kobayashi-kantoku quickly calls a conference on the mound.
Cleanup batter Kouzu stands in next and he's looking to bunt the runners over. But he can't put it down! The count runs to 1-2 and Kouzu is "free bunting"! He does lay the bunt down and now there are 2 runners in scoring position!
Yamada seems to be unintentionally intentionally walking Maekawa as he throws 4 straight.
And instead of Imai, who hit the single in the 7th, in to bat he has #9 Kimura instead!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kimura puts down the squeeze!! Yamada charge in, glove tosses to Yamashita... and Tasuku is out out at home! What a great play by Yamada! The overhead angle shows that the toss just beat the outstretched hand of Tasuku. Imai-kantoku gambles with the squeeze and it fails! 2 down manrui for Nozaka!
And Yamada falls behind 3-1! There's nowhere to put Nozaka!
The cameras point to the Hikone oen-dan and it appears a good number of the community members have shown up to support the team, thus accounting for the full oen-dan.
Comebacker up the middle! It's off Yamada's glove and heads toward foul territory. Yamada runs it down but has no play! Oohashi comes in to score!! 同点!! 3-3!! Still manrui for Suginaka!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the count 2-2, Yamada throws one way outside! Yamashita can't get to it and it goes to the backstop!! Maekawa scores on the wild pitch!! 逆転!! Hikone Higashi has taken the lead, 4-3!!
AHHHHH!!!! Suginaka with a drive to left! Satou running over... makes the catch! The inning is over, but Hikone Higashi with help from Yamada has tacked on 2 runs to take the lead!!
Bottom 8th
#10 Oozawa coms in for Imai on the hill. He's looked upon to hold Hikone's lead.
With time running out, Narashino's band plays Lets go Narashino in an attempt to get the team going.
But Takahashi strikes out to start the inning and the band returns to its start of the inning music.
Fukuda with a drive to left!!! Kimura runs to the wall...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fukuda with the line drive homerun and Narashino has tied the game up on one swing of the bat!! 4-4!!
The momentum continues for Narashino as Yamada walks on 4 straight! 1 down, runner on first for Someya. He bunts Yamada to 2nd. It's back to the top of the order and Motoyama.
But he grounds to 2nd. Kouno with a wide throw, but Tadahiro makes the stretch for the last out. What was a pitchers game has turned into an offensive game late. With teams trading runs. And as we head to the 9th it is tied yet again 4-4.
Top 9th
Hikone looks for an answer here in the last inning of regulation. But they find none as Yamada returns to his earlier pace and quickly retires the side. Now it's hold on time for Hikone as Narashino has it's AB in the bottom half of the frame.
Bottom 9th
Momentum has certainly shifted back to Narashino with the Fukuda homerun and the 1-2-3 inning, but is it enough?
Once again Lets go Narashino starts the inning to try and get the offense started...
Satou with a bloop to short left-center. Kouzu runs back, has to change course and falls!!! Kouzu falls and the ball falls next to him! Satou reaches base on the blooper! The cameras point to the flags at the scoreboard which are blowing hard from right to left. A fortunate hit for Narashino!
Miyauchi bunts him over to scoring position for cleanup batter Yamashita. Oozawa though is trying to get him to bite on corner pitches, but cannot as he walks on 4 straight.
Imai-kantoku calls for a conference on the mound as the Narashino's band plays even louder. TV shots go to both Kobayashi an Imai-kantoku showing their "veteran" faces.
Oozawa still cannot find the plate. He falls behind 2-0. But Toyoda hits a grounder to 3rd! Oohashi stops it, loses the handle for a split second, but makes the throw to 1st in time! But now the winning run is only 90 feet away!
Takahashi comes to the plate looking for the sayonara hit.
He get a hold of one, liner to right!! Tasuku charges in, but can't reach it! サヨナラ! サヨナラ!
Takahashi with the sayonara base hit to right wins the game for Narashino! They advance with a 5-4 victory!
But give credit to the Hikone Higashi players. Cheered on by the community, and in their 1st appearance in 56 years, they fought hard. Despite the loss of their ace Kaneko who was sent to the hospital, the offense responded time and time again. But in the end it was not enough.
The Hikone oen-dan gives the team a standing round of applause for their efforts, and all things considered everyone else should too. While it may be painful, there's nothing that team should hang it's head over.
Hikone Higashi seems to have their work cut out for them, and I'm kinda rooting for Narashino anyways because I love their band and unique songs. Shallow, I know.
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1:23 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
うわ。。。 The first thing I noticed is that Hikone Higashi's oen-dan takes up the entire section. It's an amazing sea of red.
Shingai Tadahiro starts off the game with a bloop single to center. His brother Tasuku looks to bunt him over. But then Imai-kantoku puts on the hit and run! Tasuku swings and misses, and Yamashita easily throws out Tadahiro!
Narashino's ace Yamada then proceeds to retire the side. An early opportunity to get on the board fals by the wayside.
Bottom 1st
Aw... They're not playing Lets go Narashino!... and there's not that many people in their oen-dan. Where's the love? Kidding. The band isn't bad though - although if you read my prior post, you'd notice that.
Oh, right - back to the game. Well, Kaneko for Hikone Higashi has had a 3-up, 3-down inning. Scoreless after 1.
Top 2nd
Ace Yamada is a sidethrower, definitely not overpowering. He has good control on his fastball, and decent control on his off-speed stuff. He's probably be considered an above average pitcher here at Koushien.
OMG. I'm hearing it again!! Hikone's ace Kaneko's song during his AB is Zankoku na tenshi no teeze!! Automatic win! Do I have to choose now between Kaneko's sing and Narashino's band. NOT FAIR!
But Yamada sits Kaneko down swining on a pitch in the dirt to end the inning. It seems like Hikone's batters are a free-swining bunch, so we'll see if it leads to stringing a few hits together later.
Bottom 2nd
Kaneko on the mound is about the same as Yamada, just replace sidethrower with three-quarters. It seems like he has a 2-seam fastball that runs in on a right-handed batter.
Narashino's squad, at least so far, is also swinging away at whatever good pitches they find. As a result, they're also quickly retired in order.
Top 3rd
Yamada's ace gives up his first walk of the game with one down in the 3rd to Suginaka. Imai-kantoku is having switch-hitter Kouno bunt the runner over, and does so. It's 2 down for leadoff batter Tadahiro.
And he hits a liner to left-center field. That has a chance! But Fukuda dashes all out and makes the running catch, 3 down!
Bottom 3rd
Hm. Narashino doesn't nearly have the numbers that Hikone has, but their band is much louder...
Meanwhile, Kaneko continues his dominance, striking out Fukuda to start the inning.
And Ace Yamda has Surfin' USA has his music???!!!! What??!!
The bottom third 0f Narashino's lineup is taking a lot more pitches. Fukuda went full before striking out, and Yamada went full before walking. It'd be interesting if this trend continued to the top of the order.
Kurihara though is looking to bunt, but can't find a pitch. Then Kobayashi-kantoku at 2-1 has him swinging away. He hits a short liner, but Nozawa playing in makes the easy catch.
It seems more like that Kaneko is having slight control issues has he's walked his 2nd batter of the inning in Motoyama. Runners at 1st and 2nd with 2 down. And now I hear the familar sound of Lets go Narashino...
It's short lived though as Satou grounds the first pitch to short to end the inning.
Top 4th
Yamada quickly gets 2 outs in the 4th before Kouzu reaches out and pokes one into shallow left. Satou runs it down in foul territory, but Kouzu easily reaches 2nd!
And Maekawa drives an inside curve to deep left!!! Satou runs back to the wall, but the ball one hops the wall! He quickly gets the ball back in, but Kouzu easily scores on the double by Maekawa and Hikone Higashi has the 1-0 lead!
And the band and the oen-dan is are much louder. That's what I was expecting from them.
Oh! And Yamada hits Kaneko! Runners at 1st and 2nd now for Hikone Higashi!
Yamada's pace has started to slow and he's nibbling the corners (outside and in) looking for some help by the Hikone batters. He gets it as Nozaka grounds to 3rd to end the inning. But 21st century team Hikone Higashi has taken a lead of Kanto runner-up Narashino!
Bottom 4th
Narashino's start of inning music is really growing on me. I think it's unique and I really like it.
At the dish, Narashino is finding no answers. They're continously being fooled by Kaneko's off-speed pitches.
But then clean-up batter Yamashita hits a liner to left! Nozaka runs to get it, leaps, and it's off his glove! It takes a high bounce behind him and Yamashita reaches 2nd! Great chance for Narashino!
And Lets go Narashino starts playing once again.
AH!! A wild pitch by Kaneko is lost by Suginaka and Yamashita breaks for 3rd. The throw isn't in time! Now Narashino's tying run is 90 feet away!
Toyoda hits a hard liner to the right of Kaneko!! But Kouzu makes the running catch! Kouzu with the fine play to prevent the run from scoring. 2 down for Takahashi.
He strikes out, but the ball gets away from Suginaka! Takahashi breaks for 1st and Yamashita breaks for home! He gets the ball, but no throw! Narashino's tied the game!!
But wait, the Hikone players are appealing to the plate umpire and he calls the batter out! What happened??!
According to the announcers, it appears that in the act of swinging, the ball hits Takahashi causing it to get away from Suginaka. And that's the reason why he was called out. So the run doesn't count and at the end of 4 it's still a 1 run Hikone Higashi lead.
Top 5th
Suginaka with a grounder into the right side, but Motoyama ranges over into the grass (!) and makes the stop and throw.
Yamada retires the side thereafter, although Kouno does give him a small fight with a 9 pitch AB. Outside of the back-to-back doubles, he's pitched well - but his team still find themselves behind by one and with little offense to speak of.
Bottom 5th
After the 1-0 pitch, Kaneko seems to be in some pain. Suginaka comes out to meet him, and he trying to work out his fingers to no avail. The plate umpire is coming out and Kaneko asks to go to the dugout to work out the issue. Meanwhile, Imai-kantoku has #10 Oozawa and #11 Imai quickly warming up in the pen.
Kaneko does emerge, takes a couple of pitches before resuming play. He's still working the fingers a little.
And Fukuda hits a comebacker past Kaneko for Narashino's first hit of the day!
They try the bunt, but Yamada's finding nothing he likes. And Fukuda takes off for 2nd! The throw by Suginaka is placed perfectly and they get Fukuda at 2nd! What a bad break for Narashino!
It looks like whatever was bothering Yamada has passed as he retires the next two batters. Narashino gets their first hit of the day, but cannot materialize anything from it.
Top 6th
While Yamada plunks his 2nd batter of the day in Kouzu with 2 down, nothing comes out of it. He continues to pitch well holding the Hikone batters at bay.
Bottom 6th
As the inning starts Kaneko can be seen continuing to work on his hand.
Top batter Motoyama leads off the inning for Narashino and lines one down the left field side! Nozaka chases after it, leaps and it's over his head!! He has to chase it back to the wall and Motoyama starts off the inning with a leadoff triple!!! Narashino with a great chance to equalize here in the 6th!!
Imai-kantoku calls for a conference on the mound as Lets go Narashino plays yet again. Afterwards, once again Kaneko continues to work on his hand as whatever discomfort he's having still bothers him.
Short chopper by Satou!! Kouno and Tadahiro charge at the ball, but Kaneko isn't at 1st!! Satou outruns Kaneko and Tadahiro has no play! Now it's runners at the corners with no down for Narashino!!
And Kobayashi-kantoku pushes the action! Satou breaks for 2nd and the throw is wide! Now runners at 2nd and 3rd and Yamada really finds himself in a pinch!
Kaneko seems to be going to the rosin bag more as if to give his hand a break.
Miyauchi with a fly to left-center should get the tying run in. Nozaka takes a somewhat circuitous route, but makes the catch. Motoyama comes in to score and Narashino has tied it up at 1-1!!
Imai-kantoku has #15 Kiyougoku ask if Kaneko's leg is fine and he replies that he is. Play contines on as #11 Imai warms up.
Kaneko can't find the plate as he walks Yamashita! Runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 down!
Toyoda comes to the plate looking for the timely hit, but he grounds to short! Kouzu with the throw to 2nd for 1, the relay by Kouno is not in time! Toyoda beats out the throw and the rally is still on!
But with the count 1-1 to Takahashi, Kanaeko isn't finding his hand to be the problem, it's his right leg!! The umpires and Suginaka come in, but he continues to work it out and says he's fine.
Takahashi though takes the next pitch to the right side. Tadahiro comes up with the ball, but again no one's covering 1st. Kaneko tries to run over, but while running, he lands on his right leg and starts limping! Takahashi slides in safe and Satou scores! Narashino takes advantage of Kaneko's situation and take the lead 2-1!
Kaneko is in obvious pain now as he can't even walk anymore. He's obviously hurt and limps to the bench. They're working on him in the dugout, but the way his leg looks his day has to be done.
After several minutes, the verdict comes down and Kaneko's day is done. #11 Imai takes the hill for the injured Kaneko. A lefty, he seems to sport a slow curve.
He gets the job done though as he fields a comebacker to him by Fukuda to end the inning. Narashino takes the lead at the cost of Hikone's ace. How will Hikone respond to losing their #1 pitcher?
Top 7th
Imai makes an immediate impact as he lines one over Miyauchi head and into left!
Imai-kantoku immediately has Nozaka bunt the runner over and there is life on the Hikone bench and oen-dan!!
Suginaka with a grounder to short. Miyazawa gathers the ball, but Imai seems to be way off the bag! But Suginaka instead of trying to get Imai, throws the ball to 1st for the 2nd out.
Yamada's pace has slowed as well as he gets concerned with Imai at 2nd.
Kouno with the safety bunt!! But it's foul. Gutsy play there. He works the count full, and hits a short grounder to the right side. Yamada fields it, but no one's covering first! Kouno and Yamads sprint to the bag, but Yamada dives! That allows Kouno to reach safely!!
AND IMAI IS HEADING HOME!!!!
Yamada stands up, makes the throw home, but Imai slides around the tag and is safe!! Yamada's dive costs the team twice, one for the possible out at 1st, the other allowing Imai to score! 逆転!! 2-2!!
Tadahiro flies out to deep center, but the damage has been done.
Bottom 7th
Imai on the hill has a slow curve and a very slow and start-stoppy delivery. It's very hard to describe. Needless to say he doesn't really throw it hard.
Control seems to be an issue as he walks Yamada as he walks Yamada.
The announcers seem to say that Kaneko has been sent to the hospital. It doesn't sound good for the Hikone ace.
Kobayashi-kantoku sends up #5 Someya to hit for Kurihara. Well, acutally to bunt. But he can't get it down and is swinging away. He contines to fight off pitch after pitch from Imai. And on a slow curve by Imai, he lines one through the left side! Quickly runners at 1st and 2nd with no down and Narashino is threatening once again!!
Lets go Narashino plays yet again as top batter Motoyama comes to the plate. He puts the bunt down. But Tadahiro overcharges it! Imai dives and just gets it! He makes the play at first as the runners advance.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kobayashi-kantoku immediately puts on the squeeze!! The infielders scramble! Oohashi fields it, but loses the grip on the ball!! It goes in the air, but he gets it back turns around and throws to 1st. That's just in time to get a diving Satou! They get the out, but Yamada scores and Narashino retakes the lead at 3-2!!
But they're still threatening! Imai plunks Miyauchi on a slow curve and then he takes 2nd on the 1-1 pitch to Yamashita! A base hit could blow the game wide open! The count runs full... and now it's manrui for Narashino!
But Imai gets Toyoda to pop it up! Kouzu is under it for the catch and Imai gets out of the manrui pinch! However, he relinquishes the lead.
Top 8th
Someya who came in to PH, remains in the game at 3rd.
Hikone starts the rally yet again with a single up the middle by Tasuku. Yamada's pace has slowed considerably and is affecting his pitching. Oohashi works the count full... and draws the walk! Runners at 1st and 2nd with no down!!
Kobayashi-kantoku quickly calls a conference on the mound.
Cleanup batter Kouzu stands in next and he's looking to bunt the runners over. But he can't put it down! The count runs to 1-2 and Kouzu is "free bunting"! He does lay the bunt down and now there are 2 runners in scoring position!
Yamada seems to be unintentionally intentionally walking Maekawa as he throws 4 straight.
And instead of Imai, who hit the single in the 7th, in to bat he has #9 Kimura instead!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kimura puts down the squeeze!! Yamada charge in, glove tosses to Yamashita... and Tasuku is out out at home! What a great play by Yamada! The overhead angle shows that the toss just beat the outstretched hand of Tasuku. Imai-kantoku gambles with the squeeze and it fails! 2 down manrui for Nozaka!
And Yamada falls behind 3-1! There's nowhere to put Nozaka!
The cameras point to the Hikone oen-dan and it appears a good number of the community members have shown up to support the team, thus accounting for the full oen-dan.
Comebacker up the middle! It's off Yamada's glove and heads toward foul territory. Yamada runs it down but has no play! Oohashi comes in to score!! 同点!! 3-3!! Still manrui for Suginaka!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the count 2-2, Yamada throws one way outside! Yamashita can't get to it and it goes to the backstop!! Maekawa scores on the wild pitch!! 逆転!! Hikone Higashi has taken the lead, 4-3!!
AHHHHH!!!! Suginaka with a drive to left! Satou running over... makes the catch! The inning is over, but Hikone Higashi with help from Yamada has tacked on 2 runs to take the lead!!
Bottom 8th
#10 Oozawa coms in for Imai on the hill. He's looked upon to hold Hikone's lead.
With time running out, Narashino's band plays Lets go Narashino in an attempt to get the team going.
But Takahashi strikes out to start the inning and the band returns to its start of the inning music.
Fukuda with a drive to left!!! Kimura runs to the wall...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fukuda with the line drive homerun and Narashino has tied the game up on one swing of the bat!! 4-4!!
The momentum continues for Narashino as Yamada walks on 4 straight! 1 down, runner on first for Someya. He bunts Yamada to 2nd. It's back to the top of the order and Motoyama.
But he grounds to 2nd. Kouno with a wide throw, but Tadahiro makes the stretch for the last out. What was a pitchers game has turned into an offensive game late. With teams trading runs. And as we head to the 9th it is tied yet again 4-4.
Top 9th
Hikone looks for an answer here in the last inning of regulation. But they find none as Yamada returns to his earlier pace and quickly retires the side. Now it's hold on time for Hikone as Narashino has it's AB in the bottom half of the frame.
Bottom 9th
Momentum has certainly shifted back to Narashino with the Fukuda homerun and the 1-2-3 inning, but is it enough?
Once again Lets go Narashino starts the inning to try and get the offense started...
Satou with a bloop to short left-center. Kouzu runs back, has to change course and falls!!! Kouzu falls and the ball falls next to him! Satou reaches base on the blooper! The cameras point to the flags at the scoreboard which are blowing hard from right to left. A fortunate hit for Narashino!
Miyauchi bunts him over to scoring position for cleanup batter Yamashita. Oozawa though is trying to get him to bite on corner pitches, but cannot as he walks on 4 straight.
Imai-kantoku calls for a conference on the mound as the Narashino's band plays even louder. TV shots go to both Kobayashi an Imai-kantoku showing their "veteran" faces.
Oozawa still cannot find the plate. He falls behind 2-0. But Toyoda hits a grounder to 3rd! Oohashi stops it, loses the handle for a split second, but makes the throw to 1st in time! But now the winning run is only 90 feet away!
Takahashi comes to the plate looking for the sayonara hit.
He get a hold of one, liner to right!! Tasuku charges in, but can't reach it! サヨナラ! サヨナラ!
Takahashi with the sayonara base hit to right wins the game for Narashino! They advance with a 5-4 victory!
But give credit to the Hikone Higashi players. Cheered on by the community, and in their 1st appearance in 56 years, they fought hard. Despite the loss of their ace Kaneko who was sent to the hospital, the offense responded time and time again. But in the end it was not enough.
The Hikone oen-dan gives the team a standing round of applause for their efforts, and all things considered everyone else should too. While it may be painful, there's nothing that team should hang it's head over.
Day 5 - Game 2 - Tenri (Nara) vs. Waseda Jitsugyou (Tokyo)
The games so far have been exciting, and the next one shouldn't disappoint either. Through the draw, a lot of good teams find themselves playing each other, and this game had to be pegged by everyone out there. Waseda Jitsugyou, famous for Ou Sadaharu and Saitou Yuuki faces perennial powerhouse Tenri. This match could easily be a championship match, but because of the luck of the draw, they face each other here in round 1.
With Keio's loss earlier in the tournament, Tenri finds themselves as the new favorites to win it all.
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11:55 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Onoda retires the Tenri side in order to start the game.
Bottom 1st
Nakayama yield a one-out walk to Ooya to get Waseda's offense started. Tsuchiya follows that up with a single to right! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Waseda with only 1 down!
But Nakayama gets Mori to ground to 2nd! Harada starts the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning!
Top 2nd
Onoda quietly continues to retire the Tenri line-up, getting another 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 2nd
Nakayama too retires the Waseda batters in order. We could be looking at another pitching battle on our hands.
Top 3rd
Tenri's offense continues to struggle against Onoda. While not overpowering, it's enough to confuse the batters right now.
Bottom 3rd
With 2 down in the 8th, Nakayama walks leadoff batter Oono. And then Ooya on 4 straight! Runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 down.
A conference on the mound doesn't help! He falls behind 3-1 before filling up the count.
And Tsuchiya takes the next pitch down the left field line! Uchino gives chase to the wall. Oono and Ooya score and the walks come back to haunt Nakayama! Waseda takes a 2-0 lead to the tune of Konpeki no Sora!
Top 4th
Uchino with a liner that almost takes out 3B Rukazawa! He tumbles as the ball goes down the line and to the wall for a leadoff double!
Harada giving mixed signs, showing bunt and pulling it back. And he works a walk! Runners at 1st and 2nd with no down! Tenri with a great opportunity to close the gap.
Wild pitch by Onoda! Runners advance 90 feet! And to the tune of Wasshoi, Tokuyama walks loading the bases still with no down!!
Nishiura with the comebacker! Onoda has it! Goes home for one, back to 1st for the double play. Great play by Onoda and an unlucky break for Tenri!
Yasuda grounds out to short to end the inning, and Tenri cannot bring a runner home with a no-out manrui situation...
Bottom 4th
Nakayama still struggling with his control. Onoda works the count full and he hits one deep to left! Uchino to the wall, looks up... uh oh...
HAITA! Onoda hits the ball just over the fence and he gives himself and Waseda Jitsugyou a 3-0 lead!
Tenri finds itself in a situation it didn't want to be in, in a game they probably didn't want right away.
Top 5th
With one down, Nishikawa hits a grounder right at Oono, but he can't pick up the ball! Nishikawa reaches on the error!
Tachibana looks to bunt him over. Onoda isn't throwing a strike and falls behind 3-0. But 2 more balls and the count is full! Perhaps he was looking for the walk - but now he has to swing away. He's fighting hard at the plate fouling off Onoda's deliveries.
But then he hits a ball deep into the left center field gap! And with a timely triple, Tenri finally is on the board! 3-1!
Tachibana up now, and they call for the squeeze! But the ball is high and inside and he can't hit it! Nakayama is caught in no man's land and is run down! 2 out!
For the 2nd time in as many times I've seen Tenri (1st was back in Natsu Koushien 2006), the squeeze bunt fails at a crucial time! I thought it then and I though it now, "please don't do it..."
And with the bases empty, Tachibana strikes out. Tenri gets back a run, but still trails by 2.
Bottom 5th
Oono reaches base yet again, this time on a one-out liner to right. But that is quickly erased and Ooya grounds into the 4-6-3 double play.
Top 6th
Harada with one down pops one up, but Tsuchiya and Rukazwa collide and Tsuchiya drops it! Luckily it wasn't hard and both are ok.
But Harada takes advantage of it lining one to left! Runner on for Tenri!
And Tokuyama scorches one down the right field line! That's quickly past Kakinuma and all the way to the wall! A timely triple and the lead is cut to one! 3-2!!
Nishiura takes the first pitch to right!! That scores Tokuyama!! 同点!! 3-3!!
Yasuda follows that up with Tenri's 4th consecutive hit, a grounder through the left side! Runners at 1st and 2nd with only 1 down!
But Onoda gets Oonishi to wave at outside pitches and Nishikawa to ground to short and Tenri's rally ends there. But they have come back to tie the game!
Bottom 6th
Nakayama's conrtol issues continue as he walks Tsuchiya to lead off the inning. He's quickly moved to 2nd.
Nakano strikes out, but the ball is in the dirt! They have to throw out Nakano at 1st allowing Tsuchiya to advance to 3rd. 2 down for Onoda.
And after working the count full yet again, Nakayama gets Onoda to swing at a ball in the dirt to end the inning.
Top 7th
Onoda's day on the mound is done as #9 Suzuki comes in to pitch. Onoda shifts to right and replaces Kakinuma.
Suzuki makes short work of Tenri's batters, something that Waseda desperately needed after Tenri surged back to tie the game.
Bottom 7th
Nakayama gives his team a breather as he retires Waseda in timely fashion.
Top 8th
Tenri's batters are trying to work the count and get a good look at Suzuki, but nothing comes of it as they are retired in order here in the 8th.
Bottom 8th
Oono looking to reach for the 3rd time this game, hits a grounder to Nishiura. But he bobbles the ball and Ooni reaches safely on the error!
Ooya puts down the bunt, but Nakayama quickly fields the ball and fires to 2nd! They get Oono at 2nd, but can't get Ooya for the double play.
Tsuchiya looking for the bunt, but Nakayama isn't giving in. And he works the count to 2-2. It's a grounder to short! Nishura starts the 6-4-3 double play and Waseda is retired here in the 8th
Top 9th
Again we head into the 9th inning with a tie ball game. Both teams surely are looking to find a way to end this in regulation.
Nishikawa gets a 2-out single to left, but is quickly stranded after Nakayama grounds to 1st. Tenri can't win it here, they'll have to look towards enchousen for another opportunity.
Bottom 9th
Clean-up batter Mori steps to the plate leading off the 9th.
Chopper up the middle gets through for a base hit! Izumi-kantoku immediately looks for the bunt. After some effort, he finally puts it down!
Morigawa-kantoku gets a conference on the mound. Ace Onoda, already with a homerun on the day looks to get the sayonara hit and end it here.
First pitch swinging! That's hit deep to left! Off the wall and Onoda delivers the sayonara hit! Waseda Jitsugyou pulls the upset of Tenri, 4-3!
And with Tenri's loss, the teams from the championship match of the National Fall Tournament have both been eliminated in the first round (Tenri vs. Keiou)! The tournament is now fully wide open for all teams remaining!
With Keio's loss earlier in the tournament, Tenri finds themselves as the new favorites to win it all.
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11:55 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Onoda retires the Tenri side in order to start the game.
Bottom 1st
Nakayama yield a one-out walk to Ooya to get Waseda's offense started. Tsuchiya follows that up with a single to right! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Waseda with only 1 down!
But Nakayama gets Mori to ground to 2nd! Harada starts the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning!
Top 2nd
Onoda quietly continues to retire the Tenri line-up, getting another 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 2nd
Nakayama too retires the Waseda batters in order. We could be looking at another pitching battle on our hands.
Top 3rd
Tenri's offense continues to struggle against Onoda. While not overpowering, it's enough to confuse the batters right now.
Bottom 3rd
With 2 down in the 8th, Nakayama walks leadoff batter Oono. And then Ooya on 4 straight! Runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 down.
A conference on the mound doesn't help! He falls behind 3-1 before filling up the count.
And Tsuchiya takes the next pitch down the left field line! Uchino gives chase to the wall. Oono and Ooya score and the walks come back to haunt Nakayama! Waseda takes a 2-0 lead to the tune of Konpeki no Sora!
Top 4th
Uchino with a liner that almost takes out 3B Rukazawa! He tumbles as the ball goes down the line and to the wall for a leadoff double!
Harada giving mixed signs, showing bunt and pulling it back. And he works a walk! Runners at 1st and 2nd with no down! Tenri with a great opportunity to close the gap.
Wild pitch by Onoda! Runners advance 90 feet! And to the tune of Wasshoi, Tokuyama walks loading the bases still with no down!!
Nishiura with the comebacker! Onoda has it! Goes home for one, back to 1st for the double play. Great play by Onoda and an unlucky break for Tenri!
Yasuda grounds out to short to end the inning, and Tenri cannot bring a runner home with a no-out manrui situation...
Bottom 4th
Nakayama still struggling with his control. Onoda works the count full and he hits one deep to left! Uchino to the wall, looks up... uh oh...
HAITA! Onoda hits the ball just over the fence and he gives himself and Waseda Jitsugyou a 3-0 lead!
Tenri finds itself in a situation it didn't want to be in, in a game they probably didn't want right away.
Top 5th
With one down, Nishikawa hits a grounder right at Oono, but he can't pick up the ball! Nishikawa reaches on the error!
Tachibana looks to bunt him over. Onoda isn't throwing a strike and falls behind 3-0. But 2 more balls and the count is full! Perhaps he was looking for the walk - but now he has to swing away. He's fighting hard at the plate fouling off Onoda's deliveries.
But then he hits a ball deep into the left center field gap! And with a timely triple, Tenri finally is on the board! 3-1!
Tachibana up now, and they call for the squeeze! But the ball is high and inside and he can't hit it! Nakayama is caught in no man's land and is run down! 2 out!
For the 2nd time in as many times I've seen Tenri (1st was back in Natsu Koushien 2006), the squeeze bunt fails at a crucial time! I thought it then and I though it now, "please don't do it..."
And with the bases empty, Tachibana strikes out. Tenri gets back a run, but still trails by 2.
Bottom 5th
Oono reaches base yet again, this time on a one-out liner to right. But that is quickly erased and Ooya grounds into the 4-6-3 double play.
Top 6th
Harada with one down pops one up, but Tsuchiya and Rukazwa collide and Tsuchiya drops it! Luckily it wasn't hard and both are ok.
But Harada takes advantage of it lining one to left! Runner on for Tenri!
And Tokuyama scorches one down the right field line! That's quickly past Kakinuma and all the way to the wall! A timely triple and the lead is cut to one! 3-2!!
Nishiura takes the first pitch to right!! That scores Tokuyama!! 同点!! 3-3!!
Yasuda follows that up with Tenri's 4th consecutive hit, a grounder through the left side! Runners at 1st and 2nd with only 1 down!
But Onoda gets Oonishi to wave at outside pitches and Nishikawa to ground to short and Tenri's rally ends there. But they have come back to tie the game!
Bottom 6th
Nakayama's conrtol issues continue as he walks Tsuchiya to lead off the inning. He's quickly moved to 2nd.
Nakano strikes out, but the ball is in the dirt! They have to throw out Nakano at 1st allowing Tsuchiya to advance to 3rd. 2 down for Onoda.
And after working the count full yet again, Nakayama gets Onoda to swing at a ball in the dirt to end the inning.
Top 7th
Onoda's day on the mound is done as #9 Suzuki comes in to pitch. Onoda shifts to right and replaces Kakinuma.
Suzuki makes short work of Tenri's batters, something that Waseda desperately needed after Tenri surged back to tie the game.
Bottom 7th
Nakayama gives his team a breather as he retires Waseda in timely fashion.
Top 8th
Tenri's batters are trying to work the count and get a good look at Suzuki, but nothing comes of it as they are retired in order here in the 8th.
Bottom 8th
Oono looking to reach for the 3rd time this game, hits a grounder to Nishiura. But he bobbles the ball and Ooni reaches safely on the error!
Ooya puts down the bunt, but Nakayama quickly fields the ball and fires to 2nd! They get Oono at 2nd, but can't get Ooya for the double play.
Tsuchiya looking for the bunt, but Nakayama isn't giving in. And he works the count to 2-2. It's a grounder to short! Nishura starts the 6-4-3 double play and Waseda is retired here in the 8th
Top 9th
Again we head into the 9th inning with a tie ball game. Both teams surely are looking to find a way to end this in regulation.
Nishikawa gets a 2-out single to left, but is quickly stranded after Nakayama grounds to 1st. Tenri can't win it here, they'll have to look towards enchousen for another opportunity.
Bottom 9th
Clean-up batter Mori steps to the plate leading off the 9th.
Chopper up the middle gets through for a base hit! Izumi-kantoku immediately looks for the bunt. After some effort, he finally puts it down!
Morigawa-kantoku gets a conference on the mound. Ace Onoda, already with a homerun on the day looks to get the sayonara hit and end it here.
First pitch swinging! That's hit deep to left! Off the wall and Onoda delivers the sayonara hit! Waseda Jitsugyou pulls the upset of Tenri, 4-3!
And with Tenri's loss, the teams from the championship match of the National Fall Tournament have both been eliminated in the first round (Tenri vs. Keiou)! The tournament is now fully wide open for all teams remaining!
Day 5 - Game 1 - Toyama Shougyou (Toyama) vs. Kounan (Okinawa)
There is a sense of anticipation for today's games. We've already seen one favorite go down already, the question is - will another?
Our warmup game features Kounan out of Okinawa, who made it to the best 4 of the Kyushu fall tournament before falling to Kamimura Gakuen - and Toyama Shougyou who was 1 inning away from claiming the Hokushinestu fall tournament before collapsing against Nihon Bunri.
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9:02 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Shimabukuro gets off to a hot start, striking out the side. It's early, but are there shades of Kikuchi and Hanamaki Higashi from yesterday?
Bottom 1st
While not as dominating as Shimabukuro, Murakami also retires the side in order. Both pitchers do not seem overpowering, so it could be up to the ace's control throughout the game.
Top 2nd
Shimabukuro strikes out the first 2 batters of the 2nd inning before giving up a soft single into left-center! And then he strikes out Murakami to end the inning! He has retired all 6 batters via the strikeout to start the game! The Toyama batters are just plain fooled by Shimabukuro!!
Bottom 2nd
Murakami also gives up his first baserunner, walking Furikawa to start the inning. Ishikawa moves him along, and Kounan has the first scoring chance. Then Murakami walks Maehira on 4 straight as well! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Yamagawa!!
Yamagawa with the grounder back up the middle! Morimoto gets to the ball quickly and prevents Furikawa from going home. But manrui chance for Kounan!!
First pitch ball to Shimabukuro has Sawada-kantoku calling a conference on the mound. There's nowhere to put him. Ball in the dirt and it's 2-0! Looks to squeeze, ball is away! 3-0!! Finally puts one down the middle, 3-1. Lots of pressure now for Murakami!
He bunts it in the air!! Kido gets under it for out number 2! One chance lost for Kounan! Last batter Ketashiro steps up looking for the timely hit. First pitch wide, 1-0. Next, low but fouled off. Next pitch... grounded to short! Kumazen has it and makes the play at 2nd! Murakami gets out of bases loaded with no damage!
Top 3rd
And the inning begins for Toyama... with another strikeout. Mabuchi is also retired, but he lines out to 3rd. And with Yokoyama flying out to center, Shimabukuro continues his dominance over the Toyama hitters.
Bottom 3rd
Mekaru puts a charge into the ball, but it lands just foul down the 3rd base line. Murakami still struggles with his control, but manages to strike him out on a very borderline pitch! However, he does retire the side in order and the game remains scoreless.
Top 4th
Morimoto leads off the inning with a single to right! Miyai can't put down the bunt! 2 strikes and he's still squared to bunt! He pushes it down the 1st base line! Shimabukuro follows it down, it stays fair... stays fair... stays fair, and goes foul just before the 1st base bag!!! Miyai strikes out!
Undeterred, Sawada-kantoku asks for another bunt and Kido puts it down! Runner at 2nd, 2 down for Yamamoto.
He weakly grounds to 1st and the inning is over.
Bottom 4th
Murakami continues to struggle with his command, but pitches just well enough to avoid the big situations now. He goes full on 2 of the 3 batters but retires them both.
Top 5th
Shimabukuro returns to his form early in the game, striking out the side in order. That's 11 K's for Shimabukuro through 5!!
Bottom 5th
Aided by the low strike, Murakami has settled down - relatively speaking. Still a little off with his off-speed pitches, he retires the side in quick fashion.
Top 6th
This is beyond unreal. For the 4th time this game, Shimabukuro records all 3 outs of the inning via the K. That's 13 so far. 13!
Bottom 6th
Murakami really has settled down from his shaky start. Kounan goes down in order, perhaps due to his inconsistent pitching, or his improved pitching... one of the two.
Top 7th
Cleanup batter Kido gets only the 3rd hit off of Shimabukuro! Runner on 1st, and one down for Toyama Shougyou! But Shimabukuro records his 14th K and there's 2 down for Kumazen.
And a grounder to left gives them runners at 1st and 2nd for ace Murakami! Can he help his own cause?
Meanwhile, Shimabukuro faces only the 2nd challenge of the day from Toyama. His pace has slowed significantly, throwing back to the runners at both 1st and 2nd. Eventually the count is worked full on Murakami. The payoff pitch... is a move toward 2nd. Reset and... WILD PITCH!!!
The ball is live!! The runners are off! Yamagawa rushes back to get the ball which has gone to the backscreen! KIDO'S HEADING HOME!!!!!!
Yamagawa throws it to Shimabukuro! The tag.... HE'S OUT!!! They make the play at home and Toyama Shougyou is denied the go-ahead run! What a play!!!!!
Bottom 7th
With momentum on their side, Ishikawa leads off the inning with a liner to center.
Gakiya-kantoku elects to have Maehira swing away, but he fouls it off. Then the bunt is put back on, and he can't put it down.... so he's back to swinging away.
And Ishikawa not waiting for the bunt tries to steal 2nd. Kido with the strong throw and he's out by a mile! Maehira grounds to 3rd to end the inning.
Top 8th
Shimabukuro continues to baffle the Toyama batters, recording one more K along the way.
Bottom 8th
Murakami has matched Shimabukuro inning for inning now, retiring the side in order for the 6th consecutive inning.
Top 9th
We head into the last inning of regulation scoreless and both pitchers shutting the offenses down.
Morimoto with a grounder to the right side. Yamagawa runs behind Maehira, fields it and throws to first, but the throw is low and Shimabukuro trips trying to field it! E4 and Toyama Shougyou has a great oppotunity in the 9th!
Miyai puts down the bunt, Maehira charges, gets the ball... to Kuniyoshi for one, back to Yamagawa... 2! They turn the double play! And the bases are empty once again!
Shimabukuro strikes out Kido and Toyama is turned away! Can Kounan turn this to their advantage?
Bottom 9th
One down, Yamamoto with a slow roller to the right side. Miyai and Yokoda converge on the ball leaving no one at 1st! Murakami comes over, but it's too late!
Conference on the mound as the sayonara runner stands at 1st.
#16 Oowan comes in to PH for Mekaru. And he puts the bunt down! Yamamoto at 2nd with two down. Can Furikawa deliver?
No! It's a fly to right, and we head to enchousen yet again!!
Top 10th
Kumazen collects his 3rd hit off of Shimabukuro with a one-out single to center! Murakami attempts the sac bunt, but can't put it down. Tries again, and fails... But he's still asked to bunt!
And he puts it down! Kumazen advances to 2nd for Yokoda, 2 down.
Yokoda with the comebacker. Shimabukuro loses the handle on the ball. Throw to 1st, not in time! E1!! Runners at the corners with 2 down!
Mabuchi up to bat. 1-1 and Yokoda steals 2nd! Now a base hit scores 2!
Mabuchi hits the ball, liner to center!! Kumazen scores! Yokoda rounds 3rd, throw home... not in time!!! Mabuchi gets the timely hits and Toyama Shougyou takes the 2-0 lead!!!
Yokoyama strikes out to end the inning, but they have taken the lead here in the 10th inning!
Bottom 10th
Last gasp here for Kounan. Ishikawa grounds to short, that's one down. Maehira grounds to 1st, 2 down... It's up to Yamagawa now...
And Murakami walks him! There's life for Kounan, and Shimabukuro steps up representing the tying run! The count runs full and he's down to his final strike.
Single through the left side and Kounan lives on!! Conference on the mound as Ketashiro comes up to bat. Is there something left in the tank? The oen-dan cheers louder and louder hoping for anything to extend the game.
But a grounder to 2nd ends the game for Kounan! Despite Shimabukuro's amazing 19 strikeouts, it is his error in the 10 inning that costs them the game. Credit to Kounan for fighting on, but more to Murakami and Toyama Shougyou for persevering and prevailing.
Our warmup game features Kounan out of Okinawa, who made it to the best 4 of the Kyushu fall tournament before falling to Kamimura Gakuen - and Toyama Shougyou who was 1 inning away from claiming the Hokushinestu fall tournament before collapsing against Nihon Bunri.
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9:02 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Shimabukuro gets off to a hot start, striking out the side. It's early, but are there shades of Kikuchi and Hanamaki Higashi from yesterday?
Bottom 1st
While not as dominating as Shimabukuro, Murakami also retires the side in order. Both pitchers do not seem overpowering, so it could be up to the ace's control throughout the game.
Top 2nd
Shimabukuro strikes out the first 2 batters of the 2nd inning before giving up a soft single into left-center! And then he strikes out Murakami to end the inning! He has retired all 6 batters via the strikeout to start the game! The Toyama batters are just plain fooled by Shimabukuro!!
Bottom 2nd
Murakami also gives up his first baserunner, walking Furikawa to start the inning. Ishikawa moves him along, and Kounan has the first scoring chance. Then Murakami walks Maehira on 4 straight as well! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Yamagawa!!
Yamagawa with the grounder back up the middle! Morimoto gets to the ball quickly and prevents Furikawa from going home. But manrui chance for Kounan!!
First pitch ball to Shimabukuro has Sawada-kantoku calling a conference on the mound. There's nowhere to put him. Ball in the dirt and it's 2-0! Looks to squeeze, ball is away! 3-0!! Finally puts one down the middle, 3-1. Lots of pressure now for Murakami!
He bunts it in the air!! Kido gets under it for out number 2! One chance lost for Kounan! Last batter Ketashiro steps up looking for the timely hit. First pitch wide, 1-0. Next, low but fouled off. Next pitch... grounded to short! Kumazen has it and makes the play at 2nd! Murakami gets out of bases loaded with no damage!
Top 3rd
And the inning begins for Toyama... with another strikeout. Mabuchi is also retired, but he lines out to 3rd. And with Yokoyama flying out to center, Shimabukuro continues his dominance over the Toyama hitters.
Bottom 3rd
Mekaru puts a charge into the ball, but it lands just foul down the 3rd base line. Murakami still struggles with his control, but manages to strike him out on a very borderline pitch! However, he does retire the side in order and the game remains scoreless.
Top 4th
Morimoto leads off the inning with a single to right! Miyai can't put down the bunt! 2 strikes and he's still squared to bunt! He pushes it down the 1st base line! Shimabukuro follows it down, it stays fair... stays fair... stays fair, and goes foul just before the 1st base bag!!! Miyai strikes out!
Undeterred, Sawada-kantoku asks for another bunt and Kido puts it down! Runner at 2nd, 2 down for Yamamoto.
He weakly grounds to 1st and the inning is over.
Bottom 4th
Murakami continues to struggle with his command, but pitches just well enough to avoid the big situations now. He goes full on 2 of the 3 batters but retires them both.
Top 5th
Shimabukuro returns to his form early in the game, striking out the side in order. That's 11 K's for Shimabukuro through 5!!
Bottom 5th
Aided by the low strike, Murakami has settled down - relatively speaking. Still a little off with his off-speed pitches, he retires the side in quick fashion.
Top 6th
This is beyond unreal. For the 4th time this game, Shimabukuro records all 3 outs of the inning via the K. That's 13 so far. 13!
Bottom 6th
Murakami really has settled down from his shaky start. Kounan goes down in order, perhaps due to his inconsistent pitching, or his improved pitching... one of the two.
Top 7th
Cleanup batter Kido gets only the 3rd hit off of Shimabukuro! Runner on 1st, and one down for Toyama Shougyou! But Shimabukuro records his 14th K and there's 2 down for Kumazen.
And a grounder to left gives them runners at 1st and 2nd for ace Murakami! Can he help his own cause?
Meanwhile, Shimabukuro faces only the 2nd challenge of the day from Toyama. His pace has slowed significantly, throwing back to the runners at both 1st and 2nd. Eventually the count is worked full on Murakami. The payoff pitch... is a move toward 2nd. Reset and... WILD PITCH!!!
The ball is live!! The runners are off! Yamagawa rushes back to get the ball which has gone to the backscreen! KIDO'S HEADING HOME!!!!!!
Yamagawa throws it to Shimabukuro! The tag.... HE'S OUT!!! They make the play at home and Toyama Shougyou is denied the go-ahead run! What a play!!!!!
Bottom 7th
With momentum on their side, Ishikawa leads off the inning with a liner to center.
Gakiya-kantoku elects to have Maehira swing away, but he fouls it off. Then the bunt is put back on, and he can't put it down.... so he's back to swinging away.
And Ishikawa not waiting for the bunt tries to steal 2nd. Kido with the strong throw and he's out by a mile! Maehira grounds to 3rd to end the inning.
Top 8th
Shimabukuro continues to baffle the Toyama batters, recording one more K along the way.
Bottom 8th
Murakami has matched Shimabukuro inning for inning now, retiring the side in order for the 6th consecutive inning.
Top 9th
We head into the last inning of regulation scoreless and both pitchers shutting the offenses down.
Morimoto with a grounder to the right side. Yamagawa runs behind Maehira, fields it and throws to first, but the throw is low and Shimabukuro trips trying to field it! E4 and Toyama Shougyou has a great oppotunity in the 9th!
Miyai puts down the bunt, Maehira charges, gets the ball... to Kuniyoshi for one, back to Yamagawa... 2! They turn the double play! And the bases are empty once again!
Shimabukuro strikes out Kido and Toyama is turned away! Can Kounan turn this to their advantage?
Bottom 9th
One down, Yamamoto with a slow roller to the right side. Miyai and Yokoda converge on the ball leaving no one at 1st! Murakami comes over, but it's too late!
Conference on the mound as the sayonara runner stands at 1st.
#16 Oowan comes in to PH for Mekaru. And he puts the bunt down! Yamamoto at 2nd with two down. Can Furikawa deliver?
No! It's a fly to right, and we head to enchousen yet again!!
Top 10th
Kumazen collects his 3rd hit off of Shimabukuro with a one-out single to center! Murakami attempts the sac bunt, but can't put it down. Tries again, and fails... But he's still asked to bunt!
And he puts it down! Kumazen advances to 2nd for Yokoda, 2 down.
Yokoda with the comebacker. Shimabukuro loses the handle on the ball. Throw to 1st, not in time! E1!! Runners at the corners with 2 down!
Mabuchi up to bat. 1-1 and Yokoda steals 2nd! Now a base hit scores 2!
Mabuchi hits the ball, liner to center!! Kumazen scores! Yokoda rounds 3rd, throw home... not in time!!! Mabuchi gets the timely hits and Toyama Shougyou takes the 2-0 lead!!!
Yokoyama strikes out to end the inning, but they have taken the lead here in the 10th inning!
Bottom 10th
Last gasp here for Kounan. Ishikawa grounds to short, that's one down. Maehira grounds to 1st, 2 down... It's up to Yamagawa now...
And Murakami walks him! There's life for Kounan, and Shimabukuro steps up representing the tying run! The count runs full and he's down to his final strike.
Single through the left side and Kounan lives on!! Conference on the mound as Ketashiro comes up to bat. Is there something left in the tank? The oen-dan cheers louder and louder hoping for anything to extend the game.
But a grounder to 2nd ends the game for Kounan! Despite Shimabukuro's amazing 19 strikeouts, it is his error in the 10 inning that costs them the game. Credit to Kounan for fighting on, but more to Murakami and Toyama Shougyou for persevering and prevailing.
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