And now our last game to fill out our Best 8. The winner of this game will face last year's Best 4 finisher Sakushin Gakuin 2 days from now.
Wouldn't it be something if one of those teams was a first timer to Natsu Koushien?
Not only have the won their first aggregate (Spring/Summer) game, but they are one win away from reaching the Best 8! They've certainly exceeded my expectations this Koushien.
Toukaidai Koufu has basically breezed through Koushien. And I don't refer to blowout wins. I mean more in that their games have taken 72 and 90 minutes. That's fast.
I'm not sure if this is their pace, but it seems to work, and keep them out of the sun too. Today, they're giving ace Kanbara a rest, though he's thrown the least amount of pitches for any player who's pitched 2 full games. In fact, Muranaka-kantoku's sitting 2 of his normal starting OF too.
OH. He going for an all RH lineup against Sasanaga.
Ube Kougyou (Yamaguchi)
LF Tomonaga
SS Yamaoka
RF Hinoguchi
CF Kanemaru
3B Oono
P Sasanaga
C Nishino
2B Yasuda
1B Sugita
Toukaidai Koufu (Yamanashi)
SS Watnanabe
2B Shinkai
LF Yamamoto
C Ishii
1B Akiya
3B Aihara
RF Tanaka (#15)
P Honda (#10)
CF Itahashi (#18)
____________________________________________________________
15:32 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Strikeout of Tomonaga is a good way to start if you're spot starter Honda.
But then he goes full and loses Yamaoka.
And then after a quick flyout to left, he goes full again to Kanemaru and walks him.
Oono with a short flyer to right. Itahashi sprinting in from his position, reaches out and makes the stumbling catch! The wind is really blowing in from RF today, so he really had to book it.
Bottom 1st
Watanabe with a comebacker off Sasanaga's glove! It deflects to Yamaoka who goes to 1st for the out!
Shinkai goes down on a slider and there's 2 out.
Figures that the only lefty left in the lineup - Yamamoto, draws a walk against Sasanaga.
Ishii grounds to 3rd, who goes to 2nd for the force to retire the side.
Top 2nd
One down and Nishino registers Ube Koujyou's first hit with a ball clean through the right side.
Yasuda with a grounder to short, Watanabe with the shovel toss to Shinkai and he fires to first for textbook 6-4-3 double play.
Bottom 2nd
Akiya starts off with a single to left. Aihara tries to bunt him over, but Sasagawa goes to 2nd and gets the lead runner!
Tanaka with a comebacker to Sasanaga! He decides to go to 2nd, but Aihara's safe! Throw to 1st, Tanaka's also safe! Toukaidai Koufu with a developing situation!
But Honda grounds to 2nd! Yasuda with the tag of Tanaka, goes to 1st for the double play!
I dunno about that tag, but it's called and the side is retired.
Top 3rd
It's finally a quiet inning for Honda. He strikes out Sugita to start the inning, then gets Tomonaga to ground out.
Yamaoka tries the safety bunt, Akiya with the ball flips to Honda who just beats out Yamaoka to the bag.
Bottom 3rd
The game is starting to go at Toukaidai Koufu's pace. They're swinging away early in counts, as Itahashi grounds to short, Watanabe to 3rd, and Shinkai with a pop to Yamaoka in shallow left.
Top 4th
Hinoguchi works the count full, but is jammed and lines out to Watanabe.
Kanemaru swings on the first pitch and hits a can of corn to Watanabe as well.
And Oono gets frozen on a fastball across the plate and the side is retired.
Bottom 4th
The only theory I have about Toukaidai Koufu's fast play lies in the fact they have no errors. If they can play fast and have no errors, and other teams aren't used to the quick pace, perhaps they can force them into errors if they get them to play fast as well.
Sasanaga gets the call on a fastball on the outside corner for a 3 pitch strikeout. Ishii swings on the first pitch (much like Kanemaru!) and flies out to right.
Akiya with a hard grounder to the left side. Oono makes a great stop! Throws to 1st and Sasanaga is cruising along!
Top 5th
And if they're rushing at the plate too, perhaps they'll swing at pitches they wouldn't.
One down for Ube Koujyou and Nishino hits a ball to right center! The wind knocks it down, but Nishino's still in with a double!
Ace Kanbara is warming up in the bullpen.
Yasuda with a hard hit, past a diving Aihara down the left field line! That'll go for extra bases! Nishino scores on the double by Yasuda! 1-0!
Sugita with a drive to center!! Tanaka running back to the fence, it's over his head and bounces to the wall! Yasuda scores as Sugita hits the 3rd straight double! 2-0 Ube Koujyou!
Back to the top of the order and Tomonaga, but he goes down looking on a fastball.
Yamaoka to try and add one more run, and Honda helps out by throwing a wild pitch! Sugita advances to 3rd!
And now he hits a hard liner! But it's right to Shinkai for the 3rd out. But the 7-8-9 hitters go back-to-back-to-back doubles to give them a 2-0 lead!
Bottom 5th
One down and Tanaka hits a grounder to the left side. Yamaoka runs it down, tries to throw to 1st, but it's not in time. Good effort though!
#13 Ishiwa to hit for Honda - his day is done as Kanbara continues to warm up.
Ishiwa with a base hit to left! Douten runner is on for Toukaidai! Ozaki-kantoku calls time as #14 Kuriyama comes in to run for Ishiwa.
Itahashi in and showing bunt. But he takes a couple of pitches and falls behind 0-2. Takes one too many as he takes one at the knees for strike 3! 2 down!
Up to Watanabe who's hitless on the day.
Down 1-2, he desparately fighting at the plate.
Watanabe with a drive to right center! Kanemaru and Hinokuchi are chasing back after it! It falls in at the wall Tanaka scores! Kuriyama being sent around 3rd, he scores! Watanabe with a timely triple and we're all square at 2-2!!
Shinkai pops out to short, but an eventful 5th inning here! We hit the break all square at 2-2! And now Toukaidai's ace Kanbara will be entering the game.
We're playing a 4-inning ballgame!
Top 6th
And yes, ace Kanbara comes in for PR Kuriyama and takes the hill.
One down and Kanemaru chops a ball over Kanbara and into center for a leadoff single. Ozaki-kantoku tries to start the hit-and-run, but Oono flies out to right.
Sasanaga turns on a fastball and singles past a diving Shinkai into right.
Small chance for Ube Koujyou though quickly ends when Nishino chases a forkball in the dirt for strike 3.
Bottom 6th
Grounder back up the middle by Yamamoto gives them the leadoff runner. Ishii shows bunt and lays it down. Sasanaga is there quickly, but falls down! That forces him to go to 1st.
Yamamoto advances another 90 feet when Akiya grouds to 2nd, but now they have to have a base hit or error.
Aihara up, works the count full, then takes a pitch way inside for ball 4! Ozaki-kantoku calls for time.
Tanaka now steps in, he started that 2-run 5th with a single.
But Sasanaga won't let him have one this time! He grounds to short where Yamaoka makes the throw to 1st to retire the side!
Top 7th
Kanbara cruising along at ludicrous speed. This time around he retires both Yasuda and Sugita, and then freezes Tomonaga again on a fastball.
Bottom 7th
Kanbara with a grounder to short. Yamaoka throws it away, and it goes into the camera well! Kanbara goes to 2nd.
Itahashi lays don the great sac bunt down the 3rd base line and he would ahve been safe had he not dove.
And they basically intentionally walk Watanabe to set up a double play opportunity.
Ozaki-kantoku calls time as Shinkai steps in. He was batting in the 9-spot last game, but now is batting in the 2-spot in the order.
Slow chopper to the left side! Oono can't get to it! Yamaoka gets there, makes the throw to 1st, and gets Shinkai!
But Kanbara scores to make it 3-2 Toukaidai, and Watanabe, alertly seeing that both Oono and Yamaoka were going for the play, advance to 3rd!
Sasanaga though limits the damage to just the one run as he gets Yamamoto to groundout to short.
Top 8th
One down, Hinokuchi singles to left center! He thinks about 2, but scrambles back when Yamamoto gets to the ball and fires it in.
Kanemaru hits a comebacker to Kanbara! Throw to 2nd, almost too high but Watanabe has it! Throw to 1st... double play!
Kanbara turns the inning-ending 1-6-3 double play! Ube Koijyou will be to their final 3 outs!
Bottom 8th
Ishii starts off the inning with a 7 pitch walk. Muranaka-kantoku tries to send him to 2nd, but Nishino guns him down, erasing the runner.
Furthermore, Akiya goes down swinging on the very next pitch. 2 down.
Aihara keep the inning going with a single through the left side.
Now Sasanaga walks Tanaka on 4 straight and there's a runner in scoring position for Kanbara.
And another baserunning error! Sasanaga picks off Aihara at 2nd and the inning is over. Now it's hang on time if you're Toukaidai Koufu
Top 9th
And if you're Ube Koujyou, you got 3 outs left in your Cinderella run.
Oono with a drive to center! Tanaka back and makes the catch! One down!
Sasanaga with a hard hit to the left side! Watanabe with a great backhanded stop! Throw to 1st, beats out Sasanaga!
One out left! Nishino steps in, swings on the first pitch! Grounder to 2nd! Shinkai charging in, picks it, throws.
OUT! The throw beats out a diving Nishino and Toukaidai Koufu advance to the Best 8 for the 3rd time in school history!
Ube Koujyou had one heck of a run in my opinion. Sure, they didn't beat any of the big names in Toyama Kougyou or Sasebo Jitsugyou, but to win 2 games in your first ever Natsu Koushien I think is impressive. So while they didn't reach the Best 8, they had a great Koushien tournament.
For Toukaidai Koufu, they're onto the Best 8, and surprisingly every time except once they've at least reached the Best 8 at Koushien (Spring or Summer), they've advanced to the semifinals and lost.
They'll look to at least continue that trend with their fast play style against Sakushin Gakuin. It's seemed to work so far.
Notable Players
Kanbara Yuu (Toukaidai Koufu) - W, 4 IP, 3 K, 2 BB
Watanabe Ryou (Toukaidai Koufu) - 1-3, 3B, 2 RBI, BB
Sasanaga Minori (Ube Koujyou) - 8 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 H, 3 K, 5 BB
Nishino Koutarou (Ube Koujyou) - 2-4, 2B, R
Yasuda Shou (Ube Koujyou) - 1-3, 2B, R, RBI
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Day 11, Game 3 - Urawa Gakuin (Saitama) vs. Tenri (Nara)
Well, with the draw out (see 2 posts prior), Tenri and Urawa Gakuin know what's at stake should they win - a matchup tomorrow against Senbatsu winners Osaka Touin.
Whee.
But, even though the matchup isn't ideal, you still want to be there because you want that chance.
For both schools, it's a batle of respect.
Saitama has experienced a drought at Koushien for 10 years and Seibou Gakuen. For Urawa Gakuin, it's their first Summer appearance in the 3rd round since their first time in 1986.
For Tenri, they have not reached the 3rd round since 2004. Since then, the team has been mired a bout of medocrity, topped with the fact that Chiben Gakuen had surpassed them.
Both teams have looked good in their 2 games so far. Osaka Touin can wait for later. For now, it's a spot in the Best 8.
Urawa Gakuin (Saitama)
SS Takemura
C Rinzaki
CF Satou
LF Yamane
RF Sasagawa
3B Takada
1B Akashi
P Yamaguchi (#10)
2B Midorikawa
Tenri (Nara)
LF Hayata
CF Higashihara
2B Watase
3B Furuta
1B Inabetsu
SS Yoshimura
RF Kimura
P Nakatani
C Funabiki
____________________________________________________________
13:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Nakatani off to a smooth start. Takemura strikes out swinging on an outside fastball. Rinzaki hits an easy comebacker to Nakatani. And Satou flies out to left.
Bottom 1st
Yamaguchi taking the hill instead of Satou. I don't know if you set your lineups ahead of the draw or not, but this may be trying to rest him should they win.
Hayata, after fouling a couple of balls off, gets hit by a slow curve.
Higashihara not bunting, chops a ball up the 3rd base line. Takada takes it fair and throws to 1st for the out.
Yamaguchi having a bit of trouble finding the zone, going 3-1 to Watase before having him chase a slow curve in the dirt. He then gets under one and pops up to 2nd.
2 down for Furuta and Yamaguchi throws behind him. Oy. If Tenri picks up on this they should focus on the fastball and ignore the curve.
Yamaguchi behind Furuta 3-1 too. Ball inside and that brings up Inabetsu as Rinzaki goes out to talk with Yamaguchi.
And now he hits Inabetsu! Two down, manrui for Yoshimura!
Wild pitch! Curve gets away from Rinzaki and Hayata scores to make it 1-0!
Yoshimura gets under another curve and Akashi is there at the 1st base fence for the catch.
So without a hit, Tenri scores a run. For Urawa Gakuin, they should be happy it wasn't more.
Top 2nd
Yamane takes the first pitch from Nakatani and singles to left center. Higashihara cuts it off quickly limiting it to a single.
Now Nakatani hits Sasagawa! Now Urawa Gakuin has a scoring opportunity! Takada bunts the runners into scoring position.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Akashi shows squeeze late, but lays it down! Inabetsu's only play is to 1st, and Urawa has tied the game up at 1-1!
Yamaguchi flies out to left, but Urawa gets Yamaguchi's back this time around and responds quickly to the run from Tenri!
Bottom 2nd
Yamaguchi almost gets a 1-2-3 inning, but after retiring Kimura and Nakatani on 4 pitches, he issues a 4 pitch walk to Funabiki.
That flips the lineup back to Hayata.
He drives a ball to right center! Sasagawa sprinting to his left, dives, but doesn't have it! Nishioka chases it to the walll as Hayata winds up with an RBI triple! 2-1 Tenri!
Higashihara a scorcher down the 3rd base line, it bounces off of Takada and into foul territory! Hayata scores as Higashihara takes 2nd! 3-1 Tenri!
Watase with a hard bounder to the right side. Akashi can't get to it, but Midorikawa has it. Has to wait a bit for Yamaguchi, but they retire Watase for the 3rd out.
But some hard hits from the top of the Tenri order give them back the lead!
Top 3rd
Midorikawa with a grounder to the gap on the right side. Watase makes the great diving stop, but loses the ball when getting up to make the throw.
Takemura pops up his bunt! Inabetsu charging in dives to his left, and makes the catch! Wow!
But now Nakatani is called for a balk! Midorikawa in scoring position.
Rinzaki grounds out to 1st, but does advance the runner.
But Satou, anticipating the fastball, is way in front of a slider, and pops it up! Watase out in shallow center makes the catch!
Bottom 3rd
Pitching change for Urawa Gakuin. But it's not what you think.
#14 Kojima comes in for Yamaguchi and takes the hill.
After Furuta can't get around an inside fastball, Inabetsu takes a ball the other way past Midorikawa.
#17 Wakumoto is warming up. I think they're going to throw the kitchen sink of pitchers at Tenri to try and rest Satou.
Yoshimura with a liner up the middle, Midorikawa has a chance at that one, but can't backhand it and it's into center! Inabetsu at 3rd, and it's runners at the corners for Kimura!
Kimura tries the squeeze, but it goes foul!
Instead he swings away and hits a ball to center! Nishoka is there for the catch and Inabetsu tags up! Throw in is cutoff and it's now 4-1 Tenri!
Nakatani inside-outs a fastball and sends it through to left! Yoshimura advances 90 feet.
#9 batter Funabiki up, and now he takes one the other way over Takemura into left! Manrui and the lineup turns back over to Hayata!
But he gets jammed and pops it up! Yamane coming in, catches it on the foul line for the 3rd out. But Tenri adds another run.
Top 4th
Yamane with a soft liner back up the middle, cues away from Yoshimura! Goes into center for a base hit!
Sasagawa with a grounder to the right side! Watase with the sliding pick, turns and throws to 2nd! Yoshikawa with the ball, goes to 1st... double play!
Inabestu with the great pick at first finishes the double play! But it was Watase great pick and throw, all in one motion it seemed, that started it.
OH BOY.
Takada just crushed a ball. I mean you don't have to look to know, you just hear the sound and you're like, "That's gone."
Hayata gave it the token run, but I think he knew too. It's now 4-2!
Akashi grounds to 3rd, but Takada no doubt about it HR gets a run back.
Bottom 4th
Higashihara opens the inning with a fly to center.
Watase cannot buy a base hit right now. Hard hit ball right on the 1st base line it seems is dived for and grabbed by Akashi who tosses to Kojima for the out.
For that part, neither can Furuta. He strikes out on a slider in the dirt and he's 0-2 on the day.
For Kojima, it's Urawa's first 1-2-3 inning this game.
Top 5th
After an excuse me swing that resulted in a comebaker to Nakatani, he freezes Midorikawa on a fastball.
Back to the top of the order and Takemura, he hits a grounds to 1st. Inabetsu tosses to Nakatani who just beats Takemura to the bag.
Bottom 5th
Inabetsu with a hot shot that just eats up Takada and goes down the line to the wall. He's in with a leadoff double.
Yoshimura with the bunt! Both Kojima and Takada are late getting to the ball. Throw to 1st, not in time! All safe!
Yoshimura takes off for 2nd! Rinzaki with the, WHAT THE??
Rinzaki throws the ball into the ground! Worse it it goes in betwen Takemura and Takada into left! Inabetsu scores and Yoshimura takes 3rd! 5-2 Tenri?!
I have to think he was either not going to throw him out, but then realized he had a chance and released it too late or he just couldn't hold on to it when faking the throw. Either way a run scores.
Kimura looking to extend the lead, but he hits it to short! Takemura looks down Yoshimura then makes the play at 1st. One down.
Nakatani also grounds to 2nd! And again Takemura checks Yoshimura and makes the 2nd out!
But Funabiki will have none of it! He singles past a diving Midorikawa into center! Yoshimura comes in to make it 6-2!
Hayata pops out to Midorikawa to end the inning, but a bizarre play resuls in two more runs for Tenri as we hit the break.
Top 6th
One down and Satou doesn't do too much with the outside fastball, taking it the other way for a base hit.
Nakatani get a little careful with Yamane (he is 2-2 on the day), and winds up walking him on 4 straight. That gets Hashimoto-kantoku to call for a conference.
Sasagawa with a very hard liner to right. Kimura running over makes the catch.
That brings up Takada who hit the HR in his last AB.
Nakatani being a little careful with him too, falling behind 3-1. He walks him and it's manrui. Funabiki goes out to talk to him as the douten run in Akashi steps to the plate.
Akashi swings on the first pitch and pop it up! Furuta in foul territory waits for it, and makes the catch! Big chance for Urawa Gakuin to narrow the margin goes begging here in the 6th!
Bottom 6th
Okay so it wasn't the kitchen sink. Ace Satou takes the mound here in the 6th while #8 Nishioka takes his position in the lineup (for Kojima) and his position (CF).
Watase with a nubber up the 1st base line. Satou goes to track it down, but misses the pickup with the glove! He finally has his first hit of the day! (Hurrah?)
Cleanup batter Furuta though is still hitless after he flies out to right.
Inabetsu up, but Watase tries to steal 2nd! Throw from Rinzaki though is in time and the side is retired.
Top 7th
Nishoka with a ball to the right side. Watase runs it down at the outfield grass and throws him out.
#12 Morito in to hit for Midorikawa. Grounder to short and Yoshimura loses the ball! Gets it back, but too late!
Takemura with a drive to center! Higashihara running back, makes the catch! 2 down.
Rinzaki with a fly ball to shallow lefr center! The middle infield and Hayata and Higashihara converge, but Highashihara calls all of them off to make the catch.
Bottom 7th
Morito stays in the game at 2B.
After a quick groundout by Inabetsu, Yoshimura fouls off pitch after pitch, and on the 14th pitch of the AB, draws a walk!
Kimura up, and he's without a hit on the day (him and Furuta are the only ones).
2-1, he almost takes off the head of his 3rd base coach.
Count full now, he grounds one to short. No play on Yoshimura, so he throws out Kimura.
Nakatani goes down on 3 straight, so nothing for Tenri in the lucky 7.
Top 8th
Satou with a comebacker up the middle, snagged by Nakatani for the 1st out.
Yamane with his 3rd hit, a scorcher on the ground past a diving Watase.
Sasagawa with a grounder up the middle past Nakatani! But Yoshimura is there to field it! Takes it to 2nd for one, throw to 1st, double play!
Bottom 8th
Tenri is retired in order here in the 8th, so they're 3 outs away from closing out the game.
Top 9th
Last chance for Urawa Gakuin.
Takada flies out to right for the 1st out.
#18 Hattori comes in to hit for Akashi. Ground to the left side, Furuta makes a good stop, throws to 1st for the 2nd out!
Last chance in Nishioka. He hits one to left center! That falls in for a base hit! Higashihara is there to get it, but Nishioka has a double!
Morito steps in now.
Count goes to 3-1. Morito swings and pops it up! Watase at the right field line, makes the catch! Tenri advances to the Best 8!! 8 years in coming for a school that had been good in years past.
For Urawa Gakuin, it's unfortunate as they rested Satou to start the game, and the gamble didn't pay off as they found themselves behind by the time he came in the game. As a result, Saitama falls short of reaching the best 4 again. And the realization of the end of the summer comes upon the Urawa Gakuin players and it's very hard - especially for ace Satou. But they represented Saitama well in my opinion.
For Tenri, it's a surprise for me to see them reach the Best 8. Perhaps I had lowered expectations, or the team is better than I think, but they've certainly earned their ticket.
But there's little time to rejoice. Return to the the hotel, get some sleep, and wake up to face Osaka Touin in the quartefinals.
Notable Players
Nakatani Kenta (Tenri) - CG, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 K, BB, 2 HBP
Inabetsu Akira (Tenri) - 2-3, 2B, 2 R, HBP
Yoshimura Kousuke (Tenri) - 2-3, R, BB, SB
Takada Ryouta (Urawa Gakuin) - 1-2, HR, R, RBI, BB
Yamane Yuuta (Urawa Gakuin) - 3-3, R, BB
Whee.
But, even though the matchup isn't ideal, you still want to be there because you want that chance.
For both schools, it's a batle of respect.
Saitama has experienced a drought at Koushien for 10 years and Seibou Gakuen. For Urawa Gakuin, it's their first Summer appearance in the 3rd round since their first time in 1986.
For Tenri, they have not reached the 3rd round since 2004. Since then, the team has been mired a bout of medocrity, topped with the fact that Chiben Gakuen had surpassed them.
Both teams have looked good in their 2 games so far. Osaka Touin can wait for later. For now, it's a spot in the Best 8.
Urawa Gakuin (Saitama)
SS Takemura
C Rinzaki
CF Satou
LF Yamane
RF Sasagawa
3B Takada
1B Akashi
P Yamaguchi (#10)
2B Midorikawa
Tenri (Nara)
LF Hayata
CF Higashihara
2B Watase
3B Furuta
1B Inabetsu
SS Yoshimura
RF Kimura
P Nakatani
C Funabiki
____________________________________________________________
13:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Nakatani off to a smooth start. Takemura strikes out swinging on an outside fastball. Rinzaki hits an easy comebacker to Nakatani. And Satou flies out to left.
Bottom 1st
Yamaguchi taking the hill instead of Satou. I don't know if you set your lineups ahead of the draw or not, but this may be trying to rest him should they win.
Hayata, after fouling a couple of balls off, gets hit by a slow curve.
Higashihara not bunting, chops a ball up the 3rd base line. Takada takes it fair and throws to 1st for the out.
Yamaguchi having a bit of trouble finding the zone, going 3-1 to Watase before having him chase a slow curve in the dirt. He then gets under one and pops up to 2nd.
2 down for Furuta and Yamaguchi throws behind him. Oy. If Tenri picks up on this they should focus on the fastball and ignore the curve.
Yamaguchi behind Furuta 3-1 too. Ball inside and that brings up Inabetsu as Rinzaki goes out to talk with Yamaguchi.
And now he hits Inabetsu! Two down, manrui for Yoshimura!
Wild pitch! Curve gets away from Rinzaki and Hayata scores to make it 1-0!
Yoshimura gets under another curve and Akashi is there at the 1st base fence for the catch.
So without a hit, Tenri scores a run. For Urawa Gakuin, they should be happy it wasn't more.
Top 2nd
Yamane takes the first pitch from Nakatani and singles to left center. Higashihara cuts it off quickly limiting it to a single.
Now Nakatani hits Sasagawa! Now Urawa Gakuin has a scoring opportunity! Takada bunts the runners into scoring position.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Akashi shows squeeze late, but lays it down! Inabetsu's only play is to 1st, and Urawa has tied the game up at 1-1!
Yamaguchi flies out to left, but Urawa gets Yamaguchi's back this time around and responds quickly to the run from Tenri!
Bottom 2nd
Yamaguchi almost gets a 1-2-3 inning, but after retiring Kimura and Nakatani on 4 pitches, he issues a 4 pitch walk to Funabiki.
That flips the lineup back to Hayata.
He drives a ball to right center! Sasagawa sprinting to his left, dives, but doesn't have it! Nishioka chases it to the walll as Hayata winds up with an RBI triple! 2-1 Tenri!
Higashihara a scorcher down the 3rd base line, it bounces off of Takada and into foul territory! Hayata scores as Higashihara takes 2nd! 3-1 Tenri!
Watase with a hard bounder to the right side. Akashi can't get to it, but Midorikawa has it. Has to wait a bit for Yamaguchi, but they retire Watase for the 3rd out.
But some hard hits from the top of the Tenri order give them back the lead!
Top 3rd
Midorikawa with a grounder to the gap on the right side. Watase makes the great diving stop, but loses the ball when getting up to make the throw.
Takemura pops up his bunt! Inabetsu charging in dives to his left, and makes the catch! Wow!
But now Nakatani is called for a balk! Midorikawa in scoring position.
Rinzaki grounds out to 1st, but does advance the runner.
But Satou, anticipating the fastball, is way in front of a slider, and pops it up! Watase out in shallow center makes the catch!
Bottom 3rd
Pitching change for Urawa Gakuin. But it's not what you think.
#14 Kojima comes in for Yamaguchi and takes the hill.
After Furuta can't get around an inside fastball, Inabetsu takes a ball the other way past Midorikawa.
#17 Wakumoto is warming up. I think they're going to throw the kitchen sink of pitchers at Tenri to try and rest Satou.
Yoshimura with a liner up the middle, Midorikawa has a chance at that one, but can't backhand it and it's into center! Inabetsu at 3rd, and it's runners at the corners for Kimura!
Kimura tries the squeeze, but it goes foul!
Instead he swings away and hits a ball to center! Nishoka is there for the catch and Inabetsu tags up! Throw in is cutoff and it's now 4-1 Tenri!
Nakatani inside-outs a fastball and sends it through to left! Yoshimura advances 90 feet.
#9 batter Funabiki up, and now he takes one the other way over Takemura into left! Manrui and the lineup turns back over to Hayata!
But he gets jammed and pops it up! Yamane coming in, catches it on the foul line for the 3rd out. But Tenri adds another run.
Top 4th
Yamane with a soft liner back up the middle, cues away from Yoshimura! Goes into center for a base hit!
Sasagawa with a grounder to the right side! Watase with the sliding pick, turns and throws to 2nd! Yoshikawa with the ball, goes to 1st... double play!
Inabestu with the great pick at first finishes the double play! But it was Watase great pick and throw, all in one motion it seemed, that started it.
OH BOY.
Takada just crushed a ball. I mean you don't have to look to know, you just hear the sound and you're like, "That's gone."
Hayata gave it the token run, but I think he knew too. It's now 4-2!
Akashi grounds to 3rd, but Takada no doubt about it HR gets a run back.
Bottom 4th
Higashihara opens the inning with a fly to center.
Watase cannot buy a base hit right now. Hard hit ball right on the 1st base line it seems is dived for and grabbed by Akashi who tosses to Kojima for the out.
For that part, neither can Furuta. He strikes out on a slider in the dirt and he's 0-2 on the day.
For Kojima, it's Urawa's first 1-2-3 inning this game.
Top 5th
After an excuse me swing that resulted in a comebaker to Nakatani, he freezes Midorikawa on a fastball.
Back to the top of the order and Takemura, he hits a grounds to 1st. Inabetsu tosses to Nakatani who just beats Takemura to the bag.
Bottom 5th
Inabetsu with a hot shot that just eats up Takada and goes down the line to the wall. He's in with a leadoff double.
Yoshimura with the bunt! Both Kojima and Takada are late getting to the ball. Throw to 1st, not in time! All safe!
Yoshimura takes off for 2nd! Rinzaki with the, WHAT THE??
Rinzaki throws the ball into the ground! Worse it it goes in betwen Takemura and Takada into left! Inabetsu scores and Yoshimura takes 3rd! 5-2 Tenri?!
I have to think he was either not going to throw him out, but then realized he had a chance and released it too late or he just couldn't hold on to it when faking the throw. Either way a run scores.
Kimura looking to extend the lead, but he hits it to short! Takemura looks down Yoshimura then makes the play at 1st. One down.
Nakatani also grounds to 2nd! And again Takemura checks Yoshimura and makes the 2nd out!
But Funabiki will have none of it! He singles past a diving Midorikawa into center! Yoshimura comes in to make it 6-2!
Hayata pops out to Midorikawa to end the inning, but a bizarre play resuls in two more runs for Tenri as we hit the break.
Top 6th
One down and Satou doesn't do too much with the outside fastball, taking it the other way for a base hit.
Nakatani get a little careful with Yamane (he is 2-2 on the day), and winds up walking him on 4 straight. That gets Hashimoto-kantoku to call for a conference.
Sasagawa with a very hard liner to right. Kimura running over makes the catch.
That brings up Takada who hit the HR in his last AB.
Nakatani being a little careful with him too, falling behind 3-1. He walks him and it's manrui. Funabiki goes out to talk to him as the douten run in Akashi steps to the plate.
Akashi swings on the first pitch and pop it up! Furuta in foul territory waits for it, and makes the catch! Big chance for Urawa Gakuin to narrow the margin goes begging here in the 6th!
Bottom 6th
Okay so it wasn't the kitchen sink. Ace Satou takes the mound here in the 6th while #8 Nishioka takes his position in the lineup (for Kojima) and his position (CF).
Watase with a nubber up the 1st base line. Satou goes to track it down, but misses the pickup with the glove! He finally has his first hit of the day! (Hurrah?)
Cleanup batter Furuta though is still hitless after he flies out to right.
Inabetsu up, but Watase tries to steal 2nd! Throw from Rinzaki though is in time and the side is retired.
Top 7th
Nishoka with a ball to the right side. Watase runs it down at the outfield grass and throws him out.
#12 Morito in to hit for Midorikawa. Grounder to short and Yoshimura loses the ball! Gets it back, but too late!
Takemura with a drive to center! Higashihara running back, makes the catch! 2 down.
Rinzaki with a fly ball to shallow lefr center! The middle infield and Hayata and Higashihara converge, but Highashihara calls all of them off to make the catch.
Bottom 7th
Morito stays in the game at 2B.
After a quick groundout by Inabetsu, Yoshimura fouls off pitch after pitch, and on the 14th pitch of the AB, draws a walk!
Kimura up, and he's without a hit on the day (him and Furuta are the only ones).
2-1, he almost takes off the head of his 3rd base coach.
Count full now, he grounds one to short. No play on Yoshimura, so he throws out Kimura.
Nakatani goes down on 3 straight, so nothing for Tenri in the lucky 7.
Top 8th
Satou with a comebacker up the middle, snagged by Nakatani for the 1st out.
Yamane with his 3rd hit, a scorcher on the ground past a diving Watase.
Sasagawa with a grounder up the middle past Nakatani! But Yoshimura is there to field it! Takes it to 2nd for one, throw to 1st, double play!
Bottom 8th
Tenri is retired in order here in the 8th, so they're 3 outs away from closing out the game.
Top 9th
Last chance for Urawa Gakuin.
Takada flies out to right for the 1st out.
#18 Hattori comes in to hit for Akashi. Ground to the left side, Furuta makes a good stop, throws to 1st for the 2nd out!
Last chance in Nishioka. He hits one to left center! That falls in for a base hit! Higashihara is there to get it, but Nishioka has a double!
Morito steps in now.
Count goes to 3-1. Morito swings and pops it up! Watase at the right field line, makes the catch! Tenri advances to the Best 8!! 8 years in coming for a school that had been good in years past.
For Urawa Gakuin, it's unfortunate as they rested Satou to start the game, and the gamble didn't pay off as they found themselves behind by the time he came in the game. As a result, Saitama falls short of reaching the best 4 again. And the realization of the end of the summer comes upon the Urawa Gakuin players and it's very hard - especially for ace Satou. But they represented Saitama well in my opinion.
For Tenri, it's a surprise for me to see them reach the Best 8. Perhaps I had lowered expectations, or the team is better than I think, but they've certainly earned their ticket.
But there's little time to rejoice. Return to the the hotel, get some sleep, and wake up to face Osaka Touin in the quartefinals.
Notable Players
Nakatani Kenta (Tenri) - CG, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 K, BB, 2 HBP
Inabetsu Akira (Tenri) - 2-3, 2B, 2 R, HBP
Yoshimura Kousuke (Tenri) - 2-3, R, BB, SB
Takada Ryouta (Urawa Gakuin) - 1-2, HR, R, RBI, BB
Yamane Yuuta (Urawa Gakuin) - 3-3, R, BB
Day 11, Game 2 - Toukou Gakuen (Kanagawa) vs. Urasoe Shougyou (Okinawa)
Realistically, this game feels more like a Best 8 game or better in my opinion, and the fact that it's a 3rd round game is a shame really.
Because on one hand, you have the guy that broke and tied the old record for Ks in a 9-inning game in Matsui Yuuki of Toukou Gakuen (22 - 19), versus an Urasoe Shougyou squad who seems to do well at Koushien when they do actually qualify.
Toukou Gakuen (Kanagawa)
2B Suzuki Takumu
C Ukawa
CF Mizukai
RF Uekusa
LF Yamaguchi
1B Tanaka
P Matsui
SS Take
3B Nakano
Urasoe Shougyou (Okinawa)
1B Agarie
CF Ooshiro Rishuu
P Miyazato
LF Goya
C Iraha
2B Touma
RF Teruya (#10)
3B Kise
SS Uchima
____________________________________________________________
10:16 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Takumu with a drive to right center!! Rishuu runnin back but gives up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another leadoff homerun! This time by Toukou's Suzuki Takumu! Toukou leads 1-0!
Miyazato then strikes out Ukawa swinging, but then walks Mizukai on a full count, then turns around and strikes out Uekusa looking.
2 down and now Yamaguchi singles to center! Miyazato certainly looking a bit shaky in the early going.
He goes full on Tanaka before getting him to chase on a slider away to finally end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Agarie on an 0-2 pitch reaches out on a slider and pokes it to center for a base hit!
Rishuu not bunting, and flies out to right. Miyazato not bunting either, and he too flies out to right.
So Miyara-kantoku sends Agarie to 2nd, and no one's at 2nd for the throw from Ukawa! It's into center and Agarie into's 3rd!
But Goya grounds out to 2nd and the inning is over. Notice what's missing? Yep, a K.
Top 2nd
One down and Take singles to right center. Nakano going to bunt, and he's hit! Runners at 1st and 2nd as Takumu comes in.
After a ball, Miyara-kantoku calls for a conference.
Takumu is way ahead of a slow change and pops it up! Infield fly is called as Touma makes the catch.
And Ukawa can't hold off on a forkball and the side is retired.
Bottom 2nd
Iraha stands in and is very patient, taking some close pitches, including the 3-2 one that gives him the walk.
Touma tries the safety bunt up the right side, but Toukou's defense adjusts as Takumu tosses to Tanaka for the out.
Teruya being patient at the plate taking a lot of pitches. And once again, he holds off on the 3-2 pitch at the knees and takes the walk!
Kise up and he's just defending the plate. Down 0-2, he fouls one off before lining a soft one to 2nd! Takumu quick tosses to 2nd and they have the double play to end the inning!
Top 3rd
Mizukai with a drive to left! Goya running back to the fence!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two HR's now for Toukou Gakuen and they lead 2-0!
Uekusa with a drive to right center! Rishuu sprinting over, dives, but misses it near the wall! Goya throws it in as Uekusa has a double!
Yamaguchi with a pop up! Uchima running back, gets turned around, but makes the catch! And Uekusa is caught way off 2nd and is thrown out! Bad baserunning there as he's doubled up. You prevent the out first and foremost, then take the base.
Tanaka pops out to Iraha in foul territory to end the inning, but Toukou has another run!
Bottom 3rd
But their strategy is clear. Make Matsui prove he's the K pitcher he is. Take as many pitches as possible, swing only when you have to. Make him throw strikes, and make him stay on the mound as long as possible.
In other words, it's a battle of attrittion.
After two more non-K outs, Rishuu singles to right! And on a pickoff move by Matsui, he's called for a balk! Rishuu advances to 2nd!
He wants more! He takes off on the 1-0 pitch and slides in safely! Their first run 90 feet away!
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matsui finally records his first K on an inside slider!
Top 4th
2 down and Nakano singles through the middle to center and he reaches safely for the 2nd time.
But that's all they get as Takumu hits a comebacker to Miyazato to end the inning.
Bottom 4th
Goya falls behind 0-2, and grounds out to short.
Iraha works the count full yet again, but freezes on a slider.
Touma works the count full after going behind 0-2, but chases the slider for Matsui's 3rd K.
Top 5th
Ukawa tuns the tables on Miyazato a bit and works the count full, drawing a walk. Mizukai bunts him to 2nd.
But Uekusa falls behind 1-2, and flies out to center.
Conference on the mound as Yamaguchi stands in.
He hits a ball to shallow center! Goya running in, dives, and makes the catch!! Great diving catch by Goya saves another run from scoring and ends the inning!
Bottom 5th
Urashou's strategy might be unraveling here in the 5th. Teruya swings on the first pitch and grounds to short. Kise works the count full, but chases a slider again for a K.
And Uchima tries to bloop one over Takumu, but he makes a great leaping catch to retire the side!
We hit the break with 2 HR's from Toukou Gakuen being the difference in the game, but will Matsui be able to finish the game?
Top 6th
One down, Matsui hits a foul fly down the right field side, Teruya down the 1st base fence makes the leaping catch.
Take with a squibbler up the right side. Agarie fields it, but his toss to Miyazato is late!
Now Nakano follows that with a single to left! Small chance for Toukou as Miyara-kantoku calls for time.
Top of the order and Takumu steps in. Miyazato misses on the first two, and now Agarie goes to talk to him.
Pitch outisde, but Takumu swings! Now a change now at the knees for strike 2!
But Takumu drives a ball to the opposite field! Goya and Rishuu both try and chase it down in left center! No good! It falls in front of the wall! Take scores! Nakano from 1st, he comes around to score! Takumu slides in with a triple and it's now 4-0!!
And perhaps a batter too late, Miyara-kantoku sends in Teruya from the outfield to replace Miyazato on the hill. He gets Ukawa to groundout to 2nd to end the inning, but the damage has been done. Now Urashou faces a 4-run deficit.
I didn't think that when I was talking about a pitcher fatiguing, it'd be Urashou's ace.
Bottom 6th
It's really coming apart for Urashou now. Agarie swings on the first pitch and flies to center. Rishuu, behind 1-2, swings and misses on the slider. And Miyazato works the count full, but can only watch a fastball down the middle for strike 3.
Top 7th
Teruya doing what he can in relief. Mizukai fouls out to right, Uekusa drives a ball to deep left, but Goya is there in front of the fence for the 2nd out.
Almost gets a 1-2-3 inning, but "gently" hits Yamaguchi.
...Then walks Tanaka on 4 straight.
But Matsui grounds out to 2nd and no damage done.
Bottom 7th
With a 4-run lead, Matsui is attacking the zone more. Goya falls behind 1-2, flies to left. Iraha goes to 2-2 and flies out right. And Touma falls behind 1-2, grounds to 2nd.
Top 8th
After recording 2 outs Takumu is hit by Teruya. Doubt it's on purpose or frustration, just trying to pitch inside.
Ukawa flies to center and that's the inning.
Bottom 8th
Teruya with a drive to left! Yamaguchi running back to the fence!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well! Teruya gets a run back all by himself with a HR off of what may be considered the most dominating pitcher at Koushien so far! It's 4-1!
#15 Ooshiro Shou comes in to hit for Kise. He works the count full.
SANSHIN!!! Shou chases a fastball high and away for the first out!
Well, I think Matsui is just rearing back and throwing the fastball. Uchima is fed a diet of them and cannot catch up to a 145 and goes down swinging.
And Agarie cannot do much either. Down a quick 0-2, he chases a high fastball and goes down for the 9th K.
They get a run, but there's a long ways to go.
Top 9th
Shou stays in the game to play 3B.
One down and Uekusa checks in with his 2nd hit, a simple liner to right.
Yamaguchi hits a grounder to 2nd, but Touma double clutches and then thows it away! Everyone's safe!
Tanaka with a grounder to Touma again! He fumbles it again, but manages to make the toss to 2nd.
Uekusa not stopping is sent home! He tries to catch the Urasoe defense off-guard, but Uchima makes the throw home for the out.
Bottom 9th
Last ups as the oen-dan whistles Haisai Oji-san. Rishuu though goes down swinging.
Miyazato get a hold of a slider and drives it to left! Yamaguchi chasing it to the left field line, off the padding! He's in with a double!
Cleanup batter Goya standing in now. Behind 2-2, watches a fastball just miss outside!
Slider in the dirt! He walks! Now the douten run will be stepping into the box! Noro-kantoku will call time.
#13 Kinjyou Kai will hit for Iraha.
Full swing fouls it off of Ukawa's mask!
Swings on a slider and is behind 0-2! Can you be that clutch cold against a guy like Matsui?
NO! He, like many before him, chase a slider in the dirt and goes down for the 2nd out.
One last out for Matsui. Another conference on the mound, as Touma steps in. He's 1-9. His only hit? A homerun.
Matsui falls behind 2-0. Takes a fastball outside for ball 3!
Takes a little off and catches the outside edge. And Touma chases a high fastball! Full count!
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Touma is ahead of a 136 kph fastball and Toukou Gakuen advances to the Best 8!
Urasoe's strategy was the best I've seen, and it almost worked even though it looked like all was lost in the late innings. They made Matsui work as hard as I've ever seen him work in the early innings. And near the end, he almost gave out. But they gave themselves a chance, and that's all you can ask for. Yeah, Miyazato taking it about as hard if not more than I've seen anyone. But you know what, you did very well, even if the score or the stats don't show it.
For Toukou Gakuen, Matsui will have to recover as they will have to turn around quickly as they will face a Kousei Gakuin team that is determined to make the finals more than I think any other team. Matsui has carreid this team further than any prior team, and he'll need to dig deep tomorrow.
Notable Players
Matsui Yuuki (Toukou Gakuen) - CG, ER, 4 H, 12 K, 3 BB
Suzuki Takumu (Toukou Gakuen) - 2-4, 3B, HR, R, 3 RBI
Mizukai Shouta (Toukou Gakuen) - 1-3, HR, R, RBI, BB
Uekusa Yuuta (Toukou Gakuen) - 2-5, 2B, K
Teruya Hikaru (Urasoe Shougyou) - 3.1 IP, H, K, BB, 2 HBP
Miyazato Taiyuu (Urasoe Shougyou) - 1-4, 2B, 2 K
Teruya Hikaru (Urasoe Shougyou) - 1-2, HR, R, RBI, BB
Because on one hand, you have the guy that broke and tied the old record for Ks in a 9-inning game in Matsui Yuuki of Toukou Gakuen (22 - 19), versus an Urasoe Shougyou squad who seems to do well at Koushien when they do actually qualify.
Toukou Gakuen (Kanagawa)
2B Suzuki Takumu
C Ukawa
CF Mizukai
RF Uekusa
LF Yamaguchi
1B Tanaka
P Matsui
SS Take
3B Nakano
Urasoe Shougyou (Okinawa)
1B Agarie
CF Ooshiro Rishuu
P Miyazato
LF Goya
C Iraha
2B Touma
RF Teruya (#10)
3B Kise
SS Uchima
____________________________________________________________
10:16 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Takumu with a drive to right center!! Rishuu runnin back but gives up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another leadoff homerun! This time by Toukou's Suzuki Takumu! Toukou leads 1-0!
Miyazato then strikes out Ukawa swinging, but then walks Mizukai on a full count, then turns around and strikes out Uekusa looking.
2 down and now Yamaguchi singles to center! Miyazato certainly looking a bit shaky in the early going.
He goes full on Tanaka before getting him to chase on a slider away to finally end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Agarie on an 0-2 pitch reaches out on a slider and pokes it to center for a base hit!
Rishuu not bunting, and flies out to right. Miyazato not bunting either, and he too flies out to right.
So Miyara-kantoku sends Agarie to 2nd, and no one's at 2nd for the throw from Ukawa! It's into center and Agarie into's 3rd!
But Goya grounds out to 2nd and the inning is over. Notice what's missing? Yep, a K.
Top 2nd
One down and Take singles to right center. Nakano going to bunt, and he's hit! Runners at 1st and 2nd as Takumu comes in.
After a ball, Miyara-kantoku calls for a conference.
Takumu is way ahead of a slow change and pops it up! Infield fly is called as Touma makes the catch.
And Ukawa can't hold off on a forkball and the side is retired.
Bottom 2nd
Iraha stands in and is very patient, taking some close pitches, including the 3-2 one that gives him the walk.
Touma tries the safety bunt up the right side, but Toukou's defense adjusts as Takumu tosses to Tanaka for the out.
Teruya being patient at the plate taking a lot of pitches. And once again, he holds off on the 3-2 pitch at the knees and takes the walk!
Kise up and he's just defending the plate. Down 0-2, he fouls one off before lining a soft one to 2nd! Takumu quick tosses to 2nd and they have the double play to end the inning!
Top 3rd
Mizukai with a drive to left! Goya running back to the fence!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two HR's now for Toukou Gakuen and they lead 2-0!
Uekusa with a drive to right center! Rishuu sprinting over, dives, but misses it near the wall! Goya throws it in as Uekusa has a double!
Yamaguchi with a pop up! Uchima running back, gets turned around, but makes the catch! And Uekusa is caught way off 2nd and is thrown out! Bad baserunning there as he's doubled up. You prevent the out first and foremost, then take the base.
Tanaka pops out to Iraha in foul territory to end the inning, but Toukou has another run!
Bottom 3rd
But their strategy is clear. Make Matsui prove he's the K pitcher he is. Take as many pitches as possible, swing only when you have to. Make him throw strikes, and make him stay on the mound as long as possible.
In other words, it's a battle of attrittion.
After two more non-K outs, Rishuu singles to right! And on a pickoff move by Matsui, he's called for a balk! Rishuu advances to 2nd!
He wants more! He takes off on the 1-0 pitch and slides in safely! Their first run 90 feet away!
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matsui finally records his first K on an inside slider!
Top 4th
2 down and Nakano singles through the middle to center and he reaches safely for the 2nd time.
But that's all they get as Takumu hits a comebacker to Miyazato to end the inning.
Bottom 4th
Goya falls behind 0-2, and grounds out to short.
Iraha works the count full yet again, but freezes on a slider.
Touma works the count full after going behind 0-2, but chases the slider for Matsui's 3rd K.
Top 5th
Ukawa tuns the tables on Miyazato a bit and works the count full, drawing a walk. Mizukai bunts him to 2nd.
But Uekusa falls behind 1-2, and flies out to center.
Conference on the mound as Yamaguchi stands in.
He hits a ball to shallow center! Goya running in, dives, and makes the catch!! Great diving catch by Goya saves another run from scoring and ends the inning!
Bottom 5th
Urashou's strategy might be unraveling here in the 5th. Teruya swings on the first pitch and grounds to short. Kise works the count full, but chases a slider again for a K.
And Uchima tries to bloop one over Takumu, but he makes a great leaping catch to retire the side!
We hit the break with 2 HR's from Toukou Gakuen being the difference in the game, but will Matsui be able to finish the game?
Top 6th
One down, Matsui hits a foul fly down the right field side, Teruya down the 1st base fence makes the leaping catch.
Take with a squibbler up the right side. Agarie fields it, but his toss to Miyazato is late!
Now Nakano follows that with a single to left! Small chance for Toukou as Miyara-kantoku calls for time.
Top of the order and Takumu steps in. Miyazato misses on the first two, and now Agarie goes to talk to him.
Pitch outisde, but Takumu swings! Now a change now at the knees for strike 2!
But Takumu drives a ball to the opposite field! Goya and Rishuu both try and chase it down in left center! No good! It falls in front of the wall! Take scores! Nakano from 1st, he comes around to score! Takumu slides in with a triple and it's now 4-0!!
And perhaps a batter too late, Miyara-kantoku sends in Teruya from the outfield to replace Miyazato on the hill. He gets Ukawa to groundout to 2nd to end the inning, but the damage has been done. Now Urashou faces a 4-run deficit.
I didn't think that when I was talking about a pitcher fatiguing, it'd be Urashou's ace.
Bottom 6th
It's really coming apart for Urashou now. Agarie swings on the first pitch and flies to center. Rishuu, behind 1-2, swings and misses on the slider. And Miyazato works the count full, but can only watch a fastball down the middle for strike 3.
Top 7th
Teruya doing what he can in relief. Mizukai fouls out to right, Uekusa drives a ball to deep left, but Goya is there in front of the fence for the 2nd out.
Almost gets a 1-2-3 inning, but "gently" hits Yamaguchi.
...Then walks Tanaka on 4 straight.
But Matsui grounds out to 2nd and no damage done.
Bottom 7th
With a 4-run lead, Matsui is attacking the zone more. Goya falls behind 1-2, flies to left. Iraha goes to 2-2 and flies out right. And Touma falls behind 1-2, grounds to 2nd.
Top 8th
After recording 2 outs Takumu is hit by Teruya. Doubt it's on purpose or frustration, just trying to pitch inside.
Ukawa flies to center and that's the inning.
Bottom 8th
Teruya with a drive to left! Yamaguchi running back to the fence!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well! Teruya gets a run back all by himself with a HR off of what may be considered the most dominating pitcher at Koushien so far! It's 4-1!
#15 Ooshiro Shou comes in to hit for Kise. He works the count full.
SANSHIN!!! Shou chases a fastball high and away for the first out!
Well, I think Matsui is just rearing back and throwing the fastball. Uchima is fed a diet of them and cannot catch up to a 145 and goes down swinging.
And Agarie cannot do much either. Down a quick 0-2, he chases a high fastball and goes down for the 9th K.
They get a run, but there's a long ways to go.
Top 9th
Shou stays in the game to play 3B.
One down and Uekusa checks in with his 2nd hit, a simple liner to right.
Yamaguchi hits a grounder to 2nd, but Touma double clutches and then thows it away! Everyone's safe!
Tanaka with a grounder to Touma again! He fumbles it again, but manages to make the toss to 2nd.
Uekusa not stopping is sent home! He tries to catch the Urasoe defense off-guard, but Uchima makes the throw home for the out.
Bottom 9th
Last ups as the oen-dan whistles Haisai Oji-san. Rishuu though goes down swinging.
Miyazato get a hold of a slider and drives it to left! Yamaguchi chasing it to the left field line, off the padding! He's in with a double!
Cleanup batter Goya standing in now. Behind 2-2, watches a fastball just miss outside!
Slider in the dirt! He walks! Now the douten run will be stepping into the box! Noro-kantoku will call time.
#13 Kinjyou Kai will hit for Iraha.
Full swing fouls it off of Ukawa's mask!
Swings on a slider and is behind 0-2! Can you be that clutch cold against a guy like Matsui?
NO! He, like many before him, chase a slider in the dirt and goes down for the 2nd out.
One last out for Matsui. Another conference on the mound, as Touma steps in. He's 1-9. His only hit? A homerun.
Matsui falls behind 2-0. Takes a fastball outside for ball 3!
Takes a little off and catches the outside edge. And Touma chases a high fastball! Full count!
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Touma is ahead of a 136 kph fastball and Toukou Gakuen advances to the Best 8!
Urasoe's strategy was the best I've seen, and it almost worked even though it looked like all was lost in the late innings. They made Matsui work as hard as I've ever seen him work in the early innings. And near the end, he almost gave out. But they gave themselves a chance, and that's all you can ask for. Yeah, Miyazato taking it about as hard if not more than I've seen anyone. But you know what, you did very well, even if the score or the stats don't show it.
For Toukou Gakuen, Matsui will have to recover as they will have to turn around quickly as they will face a Kousei Gakuin team that is determined to make the finals more than I think any other team. Matsui has carreid this team further than any prior team, and he'll need to dig deep tomorrow.
Notable Players
Matsui Yuuki (Toukou Gakuen) - CG, ER, 4 H, 12 K, 3 BB
Suzuki Takumu (Toukou Gakuen) - 2-4, 3B, HR, R, 3 RBI
Mizukai Shouta (Toukou Gakuen) - 1-3, HR, R, RBI, BB
Uekusa Yuuta (Toukou Gakuen) - 2-5, 2B, K
Teruya Hikaru (Urasoe Shougyou) - 3.1 IP, H, K, BB, 2 HBP
Miyazato Taiyuu (Urasoe Shougyou) - 1-4, 2B, 2 K
Teruya Hikaru (Urasoe Shougyou) - 1-2, HR, R, RBI, BB
Best 8 Matchups
The draw for the Best 8 was done between the 1st and 2nd games of Day 11. I'll let it simmer.
Day 12, Game 1 - Kousei Gakuin (Aomori) vs.[Winner of Toukou Gakuen (Kanagawa) vs. Urasoe Shougyou (Okinawa)]
Day 12, Game 2 - Osaka Touin (Osaka) vs. [Winner of Tenri (Nara) vs. Urawa Gakuin (Saitama)]
Day 13, Game 1 - Sakushin Gakuin (Tochigi vs. [Winner of Ube Koujyou (Yamaguchi) vs. Toukaidai Koufu (Yamanashi)]
Day 13, Game 2 - Kurashiki Shougyou (Okayama) vs, Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi)
Day 12, Game 1 - Kousei Gakuin (Aomori) vs.[Winner of Toukou Gakuen (Kanagawa) vs. Urasoe Shougyou (Okinawa)]
Day 12, Game 2 - Osaka Touin (Osaka) vs. [Winner of Tenri (Nara) vs. Urawa Gakuin (Saitama)]
Day 13, Game 1 - Sakushin Gakuin (Tochigi vs. [Winner of Ube Koujyou (Yamaguchi) vs. Toukaidai Koufu (Yamanashi)]
Day 13, Game 2 - Kurashiki Shougyou (Okayama) vs, Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi)
Day 11, Game 1 - Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi) vs. Sakushin Gakuin (Tochigi)
Unfortunately yesterday's games kicked my butt in that the rain delay caused me to say up later, and I wound up falling asleep twice and had to rewatch the games. So pre-game writeups will unfortunately be at a premium.
Sendai Ikuei if they're going to advance, need a better start from Watanabe. Continually spotting the opposition runs early cannot continue to be a recipe for success.
For Sakushin Gakuin, there is the matter of a baseball player accused of robbery that may be a distraction to the team. I had seen this during the broadcast, but was wondering what it was all about since I didn't quite understand the story due to my poor Japanese. They're not pulling out of the tournament, and have received clearance to play, but still It's not a good thing.
On the field, Tsutsui needs to continue having a good start like he did against Risshoudai Shounan. They do have some offense to speak of, but much like his counterpart, a good start will be key.
Because it comes down really to the aces on the mound, and I only have 2 games of data to go off of, it's really hard to say which one has the better probability of pitching a more consistent game.
Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi)
SS Takahashi Ryuunosuke
2B Kashiwagi
LF Hoshi
CF Uebayashi
RF Hayasaka
P Watanabe
3B Inazawa
1B Itou
C Tanaka
Sakushin Gakuin (Tochigi)
SS Ishii
CF Tsuruta (#7)
RF Shinohara
C Takayama
1B Yamashita Yuuto (#13)
LF Yoshida (#16)
3B Takashima
2B Yamanashi
P Tsutsui (#10)
____________________________________________________________
8:01 - First Pitch
Top 1st
Ryuunosuke with a hard liner to center, but right at Tsuruta for the first out.
Kashiwagi swings early as well but singles to center.
Hoshi with a drive deep down the left field line! Yoshida running back towards the foul pole and the ball lands at the fence! Kashiwagi running to third, being waved home! Throw from Yoshida is cutoff and Sendai Ikuei takes the 1-0 lead!
Uebayashi and Hayasaka both ground out to end the inning, but Sendai Ikuei has struck first in this battle of East Japan!
Bottom 1st
Ishii with a slow grounder to 2nd. Kashiwage charging in, but doesn't get anything on the throw and the douten runner is quickly on. And then in scoring position as Tsuruta hits a hard grounder to 3rd that Takashima takes behind the bag and goes to 1st.
Shinhara, who has had a good Koushien so far has a chance to drive in a run, but Watanabe catches the insider corner with his fastball for strike 3!
Two down for Takayama, and he too like Shinohara takes the count full. This time, he gets the call on the inside corner for walk. That puts runners at the corners for Yuuto.
And he takes a change off the end of the bat into left! Hoshi running back to the fence... It bounces off the padding! Ishii scores! Takayama being waved around 3rd, he scores! Sakushin Gakuin replies right back scoring the douten and gyakuten run! 2-1 Sakushin!
Now Yoshida with a high chopper to 3rd. Inazawa has to wait for it and his throw to 1st isn't in time!
Sasaki-kantoku calls for time. This wasn't the kind of start he was imagining.
Takashima with another high chopper, but this time to Watanabe. He makes the play at first to retire the side, but not before he gives up the lead!
Top 2nd
Watanabe crushes a 2-0 pitch from Tsutsui! That looks good for Sendai Ikuei!! Tsuruta giving up at the wall!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Watanabe puts the deficit on his own back and gets the douten run himself as it lands just right of center! It's 2-2!!
Tsutsui settles down after the HR, getting 3 groundouts from the bottom of the order - and a great stop by Ishii in the gap to rob Tanaka of a hit.
But he couldn't stop Watanabe from tying up the ballgame on a HR and it seems both pitchers are in for it today!
Bottom 2nd
Yamanashi tries the safety bunt, but Watanabe comes in and makes a good throw to get him.
Tsutsui draws a walk from Watanabe, but the leadoff batters fritter that away as Ishii swings on the first pitch and fouls out to Tanaka, and Tsuruta flies out to center.
Top 3rd
Ryuunosuke with another liner, this time to Hayasaka in right. Kashiwagi goes down swinging on a slider, and Hoshi uppercuts one that Ishii gets behind 2nd for the 3rd out.
Bottom 3rd
One down for Sakushin and Takayama hits a ball past the glove of Watanabe and a diving Kashiwagi for a base hit.
Yuuto up for Sakushin, goes 2-2, Watanabe shakes him off a couple of times, throws a change inside and gets the call for the 2nd out.
Yoshida quickly flies out to left and the side is retired.
Top 4th
Huh, just when I thought that both pitchers would be having issues, neither seem to be. Facing Sendai's 4-5-6 batters, Tsutsui gets two routine grounders from Uebayashi and Watanabe, and Hayasaka hits a high fly to center.
Bottom 4th
Takashima is the one in the bottom of the lineup to try a safety bunt. His rolls up the 1st base line. Itou runs in to field it, but the throw is late and its wild going past Kashiwagi. Takashima can't advance.
Yamanashi bunts him along for Tsutsui, but he falls behind 1-2. Evens the count, but throws a two seamer that goes back over the inside corner for the 2nd out.
Ishii is fooled on a slider and weakly grounds to 2nd for the 3rd out.
Top 5th
It looks like we've entered the stage of the game now where the teams are just in a holding pattern as all they can do is put up 0's.
Of course, I type that and Tsutsui walks Inazawa on 4 straight.
And now Kobari-kantoku sends in Mizunuma in to relieve Tsutsui. Might seem preemptive, but we've seen many managers take out a pitcher way too late as opposed to too early.
Plus there's that question of #1 Ootani...
Itou starts off by golfing a ball way up. Yuuto in foul territory makes the catch for the 1st out.
Tanaka lays down the sac bunt and they'll look to Ryuunosuke to get the timely hit.
But he can't quite get to a shuuto on the outside half and grounds to 2nd to retire the side.
Bottom 5th
One down for Sakushin, and Shinohara registers his first hit on a ball back up the middle for a single.
Compounding the situation now for Watanabe, he walks Takayama.
Yuuto up, but he can't deliver another timely hit, and instead grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to send the game to the break.
The game as mentioned earlier seems to have entered the lull stage in the middle. Now the battle will be to see which ace holds out the longest.
Top 6th
Mizunuma quickly racking up the outs in relief. Kashiwagi and Hoshi both fly out to right on 3 total pitches, and then freezes Uebayashi on a forkball for a 1-2-3 inning post-break
Bottom 6th
Yoshida with a grounder that a diving Itou can't field! He's on with a single!
Tanaka with a pickoff throw to 1st, but it goes off of Yoshida into foul territory! He takes off for 2nd and the ball goes into the dugout!
And since he would have been going to 2nd, he gets that plus one and is awarded 3rd!
Sasaki-kantoku asks for an explanation (as that rule can be confusing), and then calls a conference.
Takashima up and he hits a comebacker to Watanabe! He looks Yoshida back then goes to 1st for the out.
Yamanashi with a grounder to 2nd! Kashiwagi goes home with the throw and Tanaka makes a great blokc for the out! 2 down!
And now Yamanashi tries to steal 2nd, but is thrown out to end the inning. Runner on 3rd and no outs and they can't score the run. That could prove to be costly.
Top 7th
Defensive change fore Sakushin as #14 Asano comes in for Takashima at 3B.
Mizunuma continues to work quickly getting contact from the Sendai Ikuei batters. Hayasaka flies out to left, Watanabe grounds out to Yamanashi, and Inazawa flies to right. All in 6 pitches.
Bottom 7th
One down (why did they steal when they had the #9 batter up??) and Ishii singles past a diving Ryuunosuke into center! And Uebayashi misplays the ball! Ishii advances on the error!
Tsuruta witha grounder, that's past Itou into right! Ishii being waved around! Throw in is cutoff and Sakushin takes the lead here in their Lucky 7! It's 3-2!
Tsuruta takes off for 2nd! Ball in the dirt and the throw is late!
Shinohara with a liner right to Itou! Goes to 2nd, but the throw is low and Tsuruta is in pain on the ground. He's holding his ribs there.
OH. The ball was low and Tsuruta dived on the ball. That's gotta hurt.
So he's helped off as Shinohara, who hit that liner is on 2nd. No... the umpires determine the injury runner is Ishii and not Shinohara.
Anyways, Takayama steps in and hits a ball to deep left! Hoshi running back, makes the over the shoulder catch near the fence for the 3rd out!
Top 8th
Now there's a delay to see if Tsuruta can come back out after diving on the ball.
And he does.
But it's more of the same from Mizunuma. Itou first pitch flies to center. #12 Kobayashi, hitting for Tanaka grounds to 3rd on 2 pitches.
Ryuunosuke finally scores the first hit off of Mizunuma with a single to center.
Kashiwagi with a single past a diving Yuuto into right! Ryuunosuke advances to 3rd and Sendai Ikuei has a scoring chance as Kobari-kantoku calls for time.
But Hoshi hits a hard grounder to 2nd! Yamanashi fields it and throws to 1st for the 3rd out! Mizunuma gets out of the 2-out pinch and retains the lead!
Bottom 8th
#13 Takahashi Yuuta comes in for Itou at 1B. Kobayashi stays in at C.
Yuuto finally with his 2nd hit as it goes past Yuuta into right.
Yoshida gives the ball a ride to center! Uebayashi back to the fence... makes the catch as he collides into the wall!
Sasaki-kantoku will now go for the insurance run as Asano bunts him along.
Yamanashi grounds to 2nd though, and it's hang on time for Sakushin Gakuin!
Top 9th
Mizunuma will have to face the 4-5-6 batters for Sendai Ikuei.
Uebayashi pops it up! Asano, Ishii and Tsuruta converge on it, and it's Ishii in foul territory making the catch! One down!
Hayasaka stepping in, no luck so far today. Slow comebacker to Mizunuma! He goes to 1st, two down!
It's down to Watanabe, who hit the HR way back in the 2nd.
Mizunuma working away from Watanabe on all 3 pitches so far, going behind 2-1. Inside at the knees for strike 2!
Grounder to short! Ishii with the throw, 3 out! Sakushin Gakuin moves on with a close 3-2 win over Sendai Ikuei!
The game went about how I expected, with both teams scoring early against the shaky aces, but settling down afterwards. It was then a matter of who would get to the aces in the later stages, and in this game it was Sakushin Gakuin.
It's pretty painful for the Sendai Ikuei team, as for the 3rd straight Natsu Koushien, they are denied once again a spot in the Best 8. 4 years ago it was Yokohama. 2 years ago it was Kounan. And now it is Sakushin Gakuin.
They probably caried a lot more on their shoulders than most teams considering the prefecture they play for. But I think the people of Miyagi will be proud of their efforts, even though they weren't able to progress any further.
For Sakushin Gakuin, they're one step away from another Best 4 apperance, but the question will be if they have a chance to go all the way.
Notable Players
Mizunuma Kazuki (Sakushin Gakuin) - W, 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, K
Ishii Kazushige (Sakushin Gakuin) - 2-4, 2 R
Yamashita Yuuto (Sakushin Gakuin)- 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Watanabe Fumiya (Sendai Ikuei) - 8 IP, 3 ER, 10 H, 3 K, 3 BB
Watanabe Fumiya (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Kashiwagi Yuuto (Sendai Ikuei) - 2-4, R
Sendai Ikuei if they're going to advance, need a better start from Watanabe. Continually spotting the opposition runs early cannot continue to be a recipe for success.
For Sakushin Gakuin, there is the matter of a baseball player accused of robbery that may be a distraction to the team. I had seen this during the broadcast, but was wondering what it was all about since I didn't quite understand the story due to my poor Japanese. They're not pulling out of the tournament, and have received clearance to play, but still It's not a good thing.
On the field, Tsutsui needs to continue having a good start like he did against Risshoudai Shounan. They do have some offense to speak of, but much like his counterpart, a good start will be key.
Because it comes down really to the aces on the mound, and I only have 2 games of data to go off of, it's really hard to say which one has the better probability of pitching a more consistent game.
Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi)
SS Takahashi Ryuunosuke
2B Kashiwagi
LF Hoshi
CF Uebayashi
RF Hayasaka
P Watanabe
3B Inazawa
1B Itou
C Tanaka
Sakushin Gakuin (Tochigi)
SS Ishii
CF Tsuruta (#7)
RF Shinohara
C Takayama
1B Yamashita Yuuto (#13)
LF Yoshida (#16)
3B Takashima
2B Yamanashi
P Tsutsui (#10)
____________________________________________________________
8:01 - First Pitch
Top 1st
Ryuunosuke with a hard liner to center, but right at Tsuruta for the first out.
Kashiwagi swings early as well but singles to center.
Hoshi with a drive deep down the left field line! Yoshida running back towards the foul pole and the ball lands at the fence! Kashiwagi running to third, being waved home! Throw from Yoshida is cutoff and Sendai Ikuei takes the 1-0 lead!
Uebayashi and Hayasaka both ground out to end the inning, but Sendai Ikuei has struck first in this battle of East Japan!
Bottom 1st
Ishii with a slow grounder to 2nd. Kashiwage charging in, but doesn't get anything on the throw and the douten runner is quickly on. And then in scoring position as Tsuruta hits a hard grounder to 3rd that Takashima takes behind the bag and goes to 1st.
Shinhara, who has had a good Koushien so far has a chance to drive in a run, but Watanabe catches the insider corner with his fastball for strike 3!
Two down for Takayama, and he too like Shinohara takes the count full. This time, he gets the call on the inside corner for walk. That puts runners at the corners for Yuuto.
And he takes a change off the end of the bat into left! Hoshi running back to the fence... It bounces off the padding! Ishii scores! Takayama being waved around 3rd, he scores! Sakushin Gakuin replies right back scoring the douten and gyakuten run! 2-1 Sakushin!
Now Yoshida with a high chopper to 3rd. Inazawa has to wait for it and his throw to 1st isn't in time!
Sasaki-kantoku calls for time. This wasn't the kind of start he was imagining.
Takashima with another high chopper, but this time to Watanabe. He makes the play at first to retire the side, but not before he gives up the lead!
Top 2nd
Watanabe crushes a 2-0 pitch from Tsutsui! That looks good for Sendai Ikuei!! Tsuruta giving up at the wall!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Watanabe puts the deficit on his own back and gets the douten run himself as it lands just right of center! It's 2-2!!
Tsutsui settles down after the HR, getting 3 groundouts from the bottom of the order - and a great stop by Ishii in the gap to rob Tanaka of a hit.
But he couldn't stop Watanabe from tying up the ballgame on a HR and it seems both pitchers are in for it today!
Bottom 2nd
Yamanashi tries the safety bunt, but Watanabe comes in and makes a good throw to get him.
Tsutsui draws a walk from Watanabe, but the leadoff batters fritter that away as Ishii swings on the first pitch and fouls out to Tanaka, and Tsuruta flies out to center.
Top 3rd
Ryuunosuke with another liner, this time to Hayasaka in right. Kashiwagi goes down swinging on a slider, and Hoshi uppercuts one that Ishii gets behind 2nd for the 3rd out.
Bottom 3rd
One down for Sakushin and Takayama hits a ball past the glove of Watanabe and a diving Kashiwagi for a base hit.
Yuuto up for Sakushin, goes 2-2, Watanabe shakes him off a couple of times, throws a change inside and gets the call for the 2nd out.
Yoshida quickly flies out to left and the side is retired.
Top 4th
Huh, just when I thought that both pitchers would be having issues, neither seem to be. Facing Sendai's 4-5-6 batters, Tsutsui gets two routine grounders from Uebayashi and Watanabe, and Hayasaka hits a high fly to center.
Bottom 4th
Takashima is the one in the bottom of the lineup to try a safety bunt. His rolls up the 1st base line. Itou runs in to field it, but the throw is late and its wild going past Kashiwagi. Takashima can't advance.
Yamanashi bunts him along for Tsutsui, but he falls behind 1-2. Evens the count, but throws a two seamer that goes back over the inside corner for the 2nd out.
Ishii is fooled on a slider and weakly grounds to 2nd for the 3rd out.
Top 5th
It looks like we've entered the stage of the game now where the teams are just in a holding pattern as all they can do is put up 0's.
Of course, I type that and Tsutsui walks Inazawa on 4 straight.
And now Kobari-kantoku sends in Mizunuma in to relieve Tsutsui. Might seem preemptive, but we've seen many managers take out a pitcher way too late as opposed to too early.
Plus there's that question of #1 Ootani...
Itou starts off by golfing a ball way up. Yuuto in foul territory makes the catch for the 1st out.
Tanaka lays down the sac bunt and they'll look to Ryuunosuke to get the timely hit.
But he can't quite get to a shuuto on the outside half and grounds to 2nd to retire the side.
Bottom 5th
One down for Sakushin, and Shinohara registers his first hit on a ball back up the middle for a single.
Compounding the situation now for Watanabe, he walks Takayama.
Yuuto up, but he can't deliver another timely hit, and instead grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to send the game to the break.
The game as mentioned earlier seems to have entered the lull stage in the middle. Now the battle will be to see which ace holds out the longest.
Top 6th
Mizunuma quickly racking up the outs in relief. Kashiwagi and Hoshi both fly out to right on 3 total pitches, and then freezes Uebayashi on a forkball for a 1-2-3 inning post-break
Bottom 6th
Yoshida with a grounder that a diving Itou can't field! He's on with a single!
Tanaka with a pickoff throw to 1st, but it goes off of Yoshida into foul territory! He takes off for 2nd and the ball goes into the dugout!
And since he would have been going to 2nd, he gets that plus one and is awarded 3rd!
Sasaki-kantoku asks for an explanation (as that rule can be confusing), and then calls a conference.
Takashima up and he hits a comebacker to Watanabe! He looks Yoshida back then goes to 1st for the out.
Yamanashi with a grounder to 2nd! Kashiwagi goes home with the throw and Tanaka makes a great blokc for the out! 2 down!
And now Yamanashi tries to steal 2nd, but is thrown out to end the inning. Runner on 3rd and no outs and they can't score the run. That could prove to be costly.
Top 7th
Defensive change fore Sakushin as #14 Asano comes in for Takashima at 3B.
Mizunuma continues to work quickly getting contact from the Sendai Ikuei batters. Hayasaka flies out to left, Watanabe grounds out to Yamanashi, and Inazawa flies to right. All in 6 pitches.
Bottom 7th
One down (why did they steal when they had the #9 batter up??) and Ishii singles past a diving Ryuunosuke into center! And Uebayashi misplays the ball! Ishii advances on the error!
Tsuruta witha grounder, that's past Itou into right! Ishii being waved around! Throw in is cutoff and Sakushin takes the lead here in their Lucky 7! It's 3-2!
Tsuruta takes off for 2nd! Ball in the dirt and the throw is late!
Shinohara with a liner right to Itou! Goes to 2nd, but the throw is low and Tsuruta is in pain on the ground. He's holding his ribs there.
OH. The ball was low and Tsuruta dived on the ball. That's gotta hurt.
So he's helped off as Shinohara, who hit that liner is on 2nd. No... the umpires determine the injury runner is Ishii and not Shinohara.
Anyways, Takayama steps in and hits a ball to deep left! Hoshi running back, makes the over the shoulder catch near the fence for the 3rd out!
Top 8th
Now there's a delay to see if Tsuruta can come back out after diving on the ball.
And he does.
But it's more of the same from Mizunuma. Itou first pitch flies to center. #12 Kobayashi, hitting for Tanaka grounds to 3rd on 2 pitches.
Ryuunosuke finally scores the first hit off of Mizunuma with a single to center.
Kashiwagi with a single past a diving Yuuto into right! Ryuunosuke advances to 3rd and Sendai Ikuei has a scoring chance as Kobari-kantoku calls for time.
But Hoshi hits a hard grounder to 2nd! Yamanashi fields it and throws to 1st for the 3rd out! Mizunuma gets out of the 2-out pinch and retains the lead!
Bottom 8th
#13 Takahashi Yuuta comes in for Itou at 1B. Kobayashi stays in at C.
Yuuto finally with his 2nd hit as it goes past Yuuta into right.
Yoshida gives the ball a ride to center! Uebayashi back to the fence... makes the catch as he collides into the wall!
Sasaki-kantoku will now go for the insurance run as Asano bunts him along.
Yamanashi grounds to 2nd though, and it's hang on time for Sakushin Gakuin!
Top 9th
Mizunuma will have to face the 4-5-6 batters for Sendai Ikuei.
Uebayashi pops it up! Asano, Ishii and Tsuruta converge on it, and it's Ishii in foul territory making the catch! One down!
Hayasaka stepping in, no luck so far today. Slow comebacker to Mizunuma! He goes to 1st, two down!
It's down to Watanabe, who hit the HR way back in the 2nd.
Mizunuma working away from Watanabe on all 3 pitches so far, going behind 2-1. Inside at the knees for strike 2!
Grounder to short! Ishii with the throw, 3 out! Sakushin Gakuin moves on with a close 3-2 win over Sendai Ikuei!
The game went about how I expected, with both teams scoring early against the shaky aces, but settling down afterwards. It was then a matter of who would get to the aces in the later stages, and in this game it was Sakushin Gakuin.
It's pretty painful for the Sendai Ikuei team, as for the 3rd straight Natsu Koushien, they are denied once again a spot in the Best 8. 4 years ago it was Yokohama. 2 years ago it was Kounan. And now it is Sakushin Gakuin.
They probably caried a lot more on their shoulders than most teams considering the prefecture they play for. But I think the people of Miyagi will be proud of their efforts, even though they weren't able to progress any further.
For Sakushin Gakuin, they're one step away from another Best 4 apperance, but the question will be if they have a chance to go all the way.
Notable Players
Mizunuma Kazuki (Sakushin Gakuin) - W, 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, K
Ishii Kazushige (Sakushin Gakuin) - 2-4, 2 R
Yamashita Yuuto (Sakushin Gakuin)- 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Watanabe Fumiya (Sendai Ikuei) - 8 IP, 3 ER, 10 H, 3 K, 3 BB
Watanabe Fumiya (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Kashiwagi Yuuto (Sendai Ikuei) - 2-4, R
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Day 10, Game 4 - Kurashiki Shougyou (Okayama) vs. Akita Shougyou (Akita)
Well, after the rain delay, this game will be played under the lights.
Kurashiki Shougyou honestly looked dead to rights against Matsusaka. Even though they were down 3-2 heading into the 8th, they hadn't been able to do a whole lot against ace Takeuchi. But when CF Manabe let that ball drop allowing the douten run to score, it all collapsed. It'll be hard to expect being ineffective like that again and advancing to the Best 8.
Though I suppose that if you have a team that it might be able to work against, it would be Akita Shougyou. They were basically given gifts by Fukui Koudai Fukui in the form of walks in which they used to turn into runs. 7 to be exact enroute to an 8-3 win. They certainly can't expect gift horses like that as well.
So which team will perform better under normal circumstances? Well, outside of the damp field. My bet will be Kurshiki Shougyou.
Kurashiki Shougyou (Okayama)
3B Fujii
RF Harukawa
CF Sakada
C Michishita
1B Okada
2B Shimizu
SS Katayama
LF Kataoka Hiroyuki (#17)
P Nishi
Akita Shougyou (Akita)
SS Yanagida
2B Oozeki
LF Sugiya
P Kondou
CF Wada
3B Ootomo
1B Sakaya
C Miura Kentarou
RF Satou Sou
____________________________________________________________
17:45 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Fujii with a hit to deep left. Sugiya running back towards the foul pole...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, so two leadoff homeruns in the same day?? Kurashou takes the 1-0 lead!
Kondou settles down after that, getting 3 straight groundouts. The defense is still a bit tentative playing on the diamond-dry filled infield, but no big issues.
Bottom 1st
Yanagida with a drive to deep center! Sakada running back! Are we going to have another leadoff homerun??
No! The ball bounces off the fence as Yanagida is in with a leadoff double!
Oozeki bunts him over for Sugiya and a one-chance.
But Oota-kantoku calls for a three bunt when Sugiya falls behind 1-2! He fouls it off and is down on strikes. 2 down.
That leaves it up to Kondou... who singles right back between Nishi's legs into center! We're tied at 1-1!
Wada grounds to 1st, but Akita Shougyou's found a way to level the score!
Top 2nd
The cooler and less humid weather may benefit Akita Shougyou though as they certainly don't have to worry as much about fatigue as much starting at 5:45 PM.
Okada with a foul fly to the right side. Sakaya makes the catch right at the fence.
Shimizu looks to get the lead back as he singles just fair down the right field line. Sou mishandles the ball , allowing Shimizu to advance to 2nd.
Hiroyuki with a foul fly, Miura right at the back screen, makes the catch! 2 foul flies caught at the fence and the side is retired!
Bottom 2nd
Ootomo gives Akitashou antoher leadoff runner with a single to left center (Sakada runs the ball down very quickly). So Sakaya bunts him into scoring position. Bunts will also die sooner on the ground, which may or may not be a good thing.
After falling behind Kentarou 2-0, he manages to level the count before getting him to swing on a slider down and away for the 2nd out.
So it'll be up to last batter Sou to try and give Akitashou the lead.
But he flies out to right and the inning is over.
Top 3rd
After a groundout by Nishi, it's back to the top of the lineup and Fujii.
Kondou wins this battle as Fujii grounds to Yanagida for the 2nd out. But just when he thinks he'll have a 1-2-3 inning, he hits Harukawa.
Sakada with a hard shot down the 3rd base line! Ootomo knocks it down, but has no play! But it's still a good stop to prevent extra bases.
Still, it brings up Michishita.
He takes a pitch outside and singles to center! Harukawa comes around to score and it's 2-1 in favor of Kurashou!
Okada continues to struggle at the plate as he flies out to left to end the inning, but a 2-out rally sparked by a hit batter gives Kurashou the lead!
Bottom 3rd
It's a 1-2-3 inning for Nishi as he gets a groundout from Yanagida, and two flyouts from Oozeki and Sugiya.
Top 4th
Shimizu swings early but keep the bat in the zone enough to hit a ball back up the middle past a diving Yanagida into center. Katayama bunts him along to 2nd.
Hiroyuki witha single through the right side! Shimizu will score without a throw and it's 3-1 Kurashou!
Oota-kantoku goes with a pitching change after that. #10 Abe comes in for Sou and takes over on the mound which Kondou goes to right.
Nishi lays down the bunt looking for a one-timer from Fujii.
Abe is careful with him, but Fujii singles through the gap into left! Sugiya up with the throw, but it's not in time. Miura fires to 2nd where Fujii is tagged out easily. But Kurashiki doubles their run total and now lead 4-1.
Bottom 4th
Kondou leads off the inning with his 2nd hit of the game a single to shallow center. After a sac bunt, Ootomo hits a hard grounder to the left side. Katayama dives and makes a great stop. Looks to 1st, determines he has no play, then tosses to 3rd, though it's way too late.
So now Akitashou has a chance here to cut into the deficit with Sakaya up.
But he goes down swinging on a sinker and there's 2 down! And Kentarou swings on the first pitch and hits a comebacker to Nishi! He has trouble fielding it from the mound, but eventually makes the play at 1st for the 3rd out. And Akitashou can't chip into that 3-run deficit.
Top 5th
Abe finally gets a 1-2-3 inning for Akitashou, with two quick groundouts to 2nd, and a flyout to right from cleanup batter Michishita.
Bottom 5th
One down for Akitashou and leadoff batter Yanagida gets his 2nd hit, a single through the left side.
Oozeki swings on the first pitch and makes good contact, but flies out to center.
Sugiya hits a hard ball to the right side, but Shimizu makes a great diving stop and throws to first to retire the side.
Kurashiki Shougyou as expected leads Akita Shougyou 4-1. And without help from opposing ace Nishi, it'll be hard to make a comeback.
Top 6th
It's another quick inning for Abe as Kurashou's batters appear to be hacking away at everything. He just needs 8 pitches to retire the side.
Bottom 6th
Unfortunately for Akitashou, their bad offense has reared its head again, as not even Kondou now is impervious to the K. In fact, all three batters in the inning strike out.
Top 7th
One down and last batter Nishi singles to left.
Abe gets his first K as he strikes out, of all people, top batter Fujii on a high and ouside fastball!
2 down, but not out of the woods yet as he wasks Harukawa. Oota-kantoki calls for time.
Sakata with a chopper down the first base line, and Sakaya can't field it! The ball seems to elude his attempts and Sakata's safe on the error!
From the replays it looke like the ball hit the bag, and that was where all the trouble started.
Abe gets out of the jam though as Michishita grounds to 3rd, and Ootomo takes it to the bag to retire the side!
Bottom 7th
Akitashou's lucky 7 goes without much fanfare as try as they might, taking pitches, swinging early, nothing can get their offense going.
Top 8th
This time it's Abe's turn to strike out the side, getting 2 of the 3 to watch the fastball go by them.
Bottom 8th
But Nishi goes to his sinker time and time again because he knows that none of the Akitashou's batters can hit it. He racks up two more K's while Fukumori makes a great running catch in left.
Top 9th
One down, and Nishi gets his 2nd base hit, and once again it's to left. Fujii lays down the bunt, Abe goes to 2nd, but the throw is high and pulls Yanagida off the base!
Harukawa with a base hit to left! Nishi has to hold off at 3rd.
Sakata with a fly to left! Sugiya makes the catch and Nishi comes in to make it 5-1.
Fujii is picked off 2nd to end the inning, but the Best 8 is in sight for Meitoku Gijyuku.
Bottom 9th
Two quick outs in the last ups for Akitashou as Kondou lines out to short and Wada goes down on 3 straight sinkers.
Ootomo gets his 3rd base hit with a drive over Harukawa's head for a double.
Nishi finally finishes the game as Sakaya hits a comebacker to him for the 3rd out.
Kurashiki Shougyou honestly looked dead to rights against Matsusaka. Even though they were down 3-2 heading into the 8th, they hadn't been able to do a whole lot against ace Takeuchi. But when CF Manabe let that ball drop allowing the douten run to score, it all collapsed. It'll be hard to expect being ineffective like that again and advancing to the Best 8.
Though I suppose that if you have a team that it might be able to work against, it would be Akita Shougyou. They were basically given gifts by Fukui Koudai Fukui in the form of walks in which they used to turn into runs. 7 to be exact enroute to an 8-3 win. They certainly can't expect gift horses like that as well.
So which team will perform better under normal circumstances? Well, outside of the damp field. My bet will be Kurshiki Shougyou.
Kurashiki Shougyou (Okayama)
3B Fujii
RF Harukawa
CF Sakada
C Michishita
1B Okada
2B Shimizu
SS Katayama
LF Kataoka Hiroyuki (#17)
P Nishi
Akita Shougyou (Akita)
SS Yanagida
2B Oozeki
LF Sugiya
P Kondou
CF Wada
3B Ootomo
1B Sakaya
C Miura Kentarou
RF Satou Sou
____________________________________________________________
17:45 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Fujii with a hit to deep left. Sugiya running back towards the foul pole...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, so two leadoff homeruns in the same day?? Kurashou takes the 1-0 lead!
Kondou settles down after that, getting 3 straight groundouts. The defense is still a bit tentative playing on the diamond-dry filled infield, but no big issues.
Bottom 1st
Yanagida with a drive to deep center! Sakada running back! Are we going to have another leadoff homerun??
No! The ball bounces off the fence as Yanagida is in with a leadoff double!
Oozeki bunts him over for Sugiya and a one-chance.
But Oota-kantoku calls for a three bunt when Sugiya falls behind 1-2! He fouls it off and is down on strikes. 2 down.
That leaves it up to Kondou... who singles right back between Nishi's legs into center! We're tied at 1-1!
Wada grounds to 1st, but Akita Shougyou's found a way to level the score!
Top 2nd
The cooler and less humid weather may benefit Akita Shougyou though as they certainly don't have to worry as much about fatigue as much starting at 5:45 PM.
Okada with a foul fly to the right side. Sakaya makes the catch right at the fence.
Shimizu looks to get the lead back as he singles just fair down the right field line. Sou mishandles the ball , allowing Shimizu to advance to 2nd.
Hiroyuki with a foul fly, Miura right at the back screen, makes the catch! 2 foul flies caught at the fence and the side is retired!
Bottom 2nd
Ootomo gives Akitashou antoher leadoff runner with a single to left center (Sakada runs the ball down very quickly). So Sakaya bunts him into scoring position. Bunts will also die sooner on the ground, which may or may not be a good thing.
After falling behind Kentarou 2-0, he manages to level the count before getting him to swing on a slider down and away for the 2nd out.
So it'll be up to last batter Sou to try and give Akitashou the lead.
But he flies out to right and the inning is over.
Top 3rd
After a groundout by Nishi, it's back to the top of the lineup and Fujii.
Kondou wins this battle as Fujii grounds to Yanagida for the 2nd out. But just when he thinks he'll have a 1-2-3 inning, he hits Harukawa.
Sakada with a hard shot down the 3rd base line! Ootomo knocks it down, but has no play! But it's still a good stop to prevent extra bases.
Still, it brings up Michishita.
He takes a pitch outside and singles to center! Harukawa comes around to score and it's 2-1 in favor of Kurashou!
Okada continues to struggle at the plate as he flies out to left to end the inning, but a 2-out rally sparked by a hit batter gives Kurashou the lead!
Bottom 3rd
It's a 1-2-3 inning for Nishi as he gets a groundout from Yanagida, and two flyouts from Oozeki and Sugiya.
Top 4th
Shimizu swings early but keep the bat in the zone enough to hit a ball back up the middle past a diving Yanagida into center. Katayama bunts him along to 2nd.
Hiroyuki witha single through the right side! Shimizu will score without a throw and it's 3-1 Kurashou!
Oota-kantoku goes with a pitching change after that. #10 Abe comes in for Sou and takes over on the mound which Kondou goes to right.
Nishi lays down the bunt looking for a one-timer from Fujii.
Abe is careful with him, but Fujii singles through the gap into left! Sugiya up with the throw, but it's not in time. Miura fires to 2nd where Fujii is tagged out easily. But Kurashiki doubles their run total and now lead 4-1.
Bottom 4th
Kondou leads off the inning with his 2nd hit of the game a single to shallow center. After a sac bunt, Ootomo hits a hard grounder to the left side. Katayama dives and makes a great stop. Looks to 1st, determines he has no play, then tosses to 3rd, though it's way too late.
So now Akitashou has a chance here to cut into the deficit with Sakaya up.
But he goes down swinging on a sinker and there's 2 down! And Kentarou swings on the first pitch and hits a comebacker to Nishi! He has trouble fielding it from the mound, but eventually makes the play at 1st for the 3rd out. And Akitashou can't chip into that 3-run deficit.
Top 5th
Abe finally gets a 1-2-3 inning for Akitashou, with two quick groundouts to 2nd, and a flyout to right from cleanup batter Michishita.
Bottom 5th
One down for Akitashou and leadoff batter Yanagida gets his 2nd hit, a single through the left side.
Oozeki swings on the first pitch and makes good contact, but flies out to center.
Sugiya hits a hard ball to the right side, but Shimizu makes a great diving stop and throws to first to retire the side.
Kurashiki Shougyou as expected leads Akita Shougyou 4-1. And without help from opposing ace Nishi, it'll be hard to make a comeback.
Top 6th
It's another quick inning for Abe as Kurashou's batters appear to be hacking away at everything. He just needs 8 pitches to retire the side.
Bottom 6th
Unfortunately for Akitashou, their bad offense has reared its head again, as not even Kondou now is impervious to the K. In fact, all three batters in the inning strike out.
Top 7th
One down and last batter Nishi singles to left.
Abe gets his first K as he strikes out, of all people, top batter Fujii on a high and ouside fastball!
2 down, but not out of the woods yet as he wasks Harukawa. Oota-kantoki calls for time.
Sakata with a chopper down the first base line, and Sakaya can't field it! The ball seems to elude his attempts and Sakata's safe on the error!
From the replays it looke like the ball hit the bag, and that was where all the trouble started.
Abe gets out of the jam though as Michishita grounds to 3rd, and Ootomo takes it to the bag to retire the side!
Bottom 7th
Akitashou's lucky 7 goes without much fanfare as try as they might, taking pitches, swinging early, nothing can get their offense going.
Top 8th
This time it's Abe's turn to strike out the side, getting 2 of the 3 to watch the fastball go by them.
Bottom 8th
But Nishi goes to his sinker time and time again because he knows that none of the Akitashou's batters can hit it. He racks up two more K's while Fukumori makes a great running catch in left.
Top 9th
One down, and Nishi gets his 2nd base hit, and once again it's to left. Fujii lays down the bunt, Abe goes to 2nd, but the throw is high and pulls Yanagida off the base!
Harukawa with a base hit to left! Nishi has to hold off at 3rd.
Sakata with a fly to left! Sugiya makes the catch and Nishi comes in to make it 5-1.
Fujii is picked off 2nd to end the inning, but the Best 8 is in sight for Meitoku Gijyuku.
Bottom 9th
Two quick outs in the last ups for Akitashou as Kondou lines out to short and Wada goes down on 3 straight sinkers.
Ootomo gets his 3rd base hit with a drive over Harukawa's head for a double.
Nishi finally finishes the game as Sakaya hits a comebacker to him for the 3rd out.
Day 10, Game 3 - Niigata Meikun (Niigata) vs. Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi)
Our early afternoon game features the last two teams from their respective regions remaining in the tournament.
Niigata Meikun is looking to continue the uptrend in Niigata of teams going deep into Koushien. Up until 2009, only 3 teams had made it into the Best 8. Then in back-to-back years Nihon Bunri and Niigata Meikun both achieved the same feat. Should they advance today, that would be 3 in the last 4 years! This from a region not known well for baseball.
In their first game, Niigata Meikun simply built a lead over several innings versus Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou en route to a 6-1 victory. Now some those runs were self-inflicted mistakes by their opponent, but they had some solid hits throughout the game.
As for ace Takeishi, he didn't overpower Kengifushou, but he just pitched effectively, walking none in his complete game effort.
Meitoku Gijyuku barely eked by Sakata Minami in their 2nd round matchup. Early walks by opposing ace Aita led to 2 runs, and as he ran out of gas a pair of hits led to the decisive 3rd run.
A 3-2 win over a team from Yamagata though doesn't inspire too much confidence though, and it's hard to translate any of ace Fuku's performance over to this game against Niigata Meikun.
Because it's one thing when you defeat a team that you're supposed to by a wide margin. It's another when you barely beat said team.
Niigata Meikun (Niigata)
CF Kaneko
LF Komiyama
RF Ikeda
C Miyajima
P Tateishi
1B Oonobu
2B Ishiyama
3B Satou
SS Takeuchi
Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi)
3B Itsuzaki (#11)
CF Gouda
2B Iyota (#5)
RF Kishi (#12)
C Sugihara
1B Nishioka
LF Son
P Fukunaga (#10)
SS Imazato
____________________________________________________________
13:05 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
One down, and Komiyama draws a walk. Instead of the bunt, Satou-kantoku has him try and steal it instead. He takes off on the 2-1 pitch, and while Sugiwara's throw is there, it's a bit short and Imazato can't field the ball.
Ikeda though goes down swinging for the 2nd out. Up to cleanup batter Miyajima.
He has the green light at 3-1, but grounds to short to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Quick inning for Takeishi to start. Gouda strikes out on a fastball inbetween two groundouts to 2nd for 1-2-3 inning.
Top 2nd
Oonobu starts off the inning with a 8 pitch walk. Ishiyama bunts him into scoring position.
Takeishi is able to inside-out a pitch and slice it to left for a single. Runners at the corners for Satou.
Satou hits it to short, Oonobu was going on contact, but stops. Well, he's caught in the rundown now for the 2nd out.
Takeuchi runs the count full, then Fukunaga throws a pitch way wide to load the bases. Manrui for Kaneko as Mabuchi-kantoku calls for time.
Kaneko with a ball to right, but it's not far enough and Kishi is there for the catch to end the threat.
Bottom 2nd
Two quick outs for Takeishi as Kishi and Suguwara fly out. Nishioka works the count full, but is eventually retired, when his attempt to foul a ball off fails as Miyajima makes the catch at the 3rd base dugout to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Fukunaga still struggling a bit with his control as he goes 3-0 to Komiyama. He comes back to get a groundout from the AB, and after that looks fine as Ikeda grounds to short on his first pitch, and Miyajima pops out to Imazato.
Bottom 3rd
After yet 2 more quick groundsouts, Imazato delivers Meitoku's first hit as he reaches down on an outside slider and singles to center.
However, Itsuzaki can't take advantage of the 1st it and flies out to left to end the inning.
Top 4th
One down for Niigata and Ishiyama singles past a diving Matsumura. Fukunaga goes full on Takeishi, but then plunks him.
Mabuchi-kantoku looks to be preemptive here and relieves Fukunaga. Kishi comes in from right to take the mound and #9 Oonishi heads out in Fukunaga's spot in the lineup and goes to RF.
Grounder to 2nd. Iyota goes to 2nd for one, but Imazato has to double clutch as Takeishi is in the way. The throw then is subsequently late.
No runner interference is called despite the appeal from Meitoku and the inning goes on. Doesn't matter as Takeuchi flies out to right to end the inning
Bottom 4th
Gouda reaches down and bloops a ball into shallow center. Iyota already showing bunt. Takes the pitch, then doesn't show bunt. Then shows and lays down the bunt.
Kishi goes after the first pitch from Takeishi, but flies out to center.
Sugiwara unable to make good contact, grounds to short to end the inning.
Top 5th
One down and we have another weird play. Well, it's actually the same as an earlier game. Komiyama hits a comebacker up the middle that deflects off of the inside of Kishi's left leg and to 3rd. Itsuzaki fields it and makes the out at 1st.
After some spray and a couple of pitches, Kishi says he's good to go, but walks Ikeda.
Miyajima with a screaming liner down the left base line.. foul!
That was a close one for Meitoku, and Kishi goes away on the next two pitches, and Miyajima, not on the uptake obliges by swinging and missing both of them to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
Nishoka opens the inning with a base hit past a diving Oonobu.
After a sac bunt, Oonishi can only advance the runner with a grounder to 2nd.
Now, Takeishi its Imazato and there's runner on 1st and 3rd. The control problems persist to Itsuzaki where he walks him on 4 straight. It's now manrui for Gouda.
He hits a fly ball to right center! Kaneko trying to over and chase it down, but it falls in! Nishoka and Imazato both score on the play and Meitoku Gijyuku has a 2-0 lead!
Iyota with a liner to left center! Komiyama has to turn around and chase it to the wall! Itsuzaki scores, and so does Gouda all the way from 1st! It's now a 4-0 lead for Meitoku!
Oy, now a ball gets away from Takeishi and goes off Kishi's helmet. It's a glancing blow, but for now he's replaced by Gouda on the basepaths.
And Sugihara is now hit by Takeishi. Manrui now for Meitoku again.
Nishioka back up at the plate, hits a grounder up the middle. Ishiyama makes a great diving stop. The ball leaks away, but he grabs and tosses to Takeuchi to retire the side. But Niigata Meikun heads into the break down 4-0 and with a sputtering offense that has managed just 2 hits.
Top 6th
Niigata Meikun's offense is just unable to make solid contact on the ball. Oonobu pops out to Imazato at short, while Ishiyama and Takeishi weakly grounds out for a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 6th
Takeishi about to get a 1-2-3 inning but Imazato with an excuse me swing singles to center.
He takes off on the 1-0 pitch and the pitch to Itsuzaki is low making the throw difficult.
And he can't find the plate again and walks Itsuzaki to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Takeishi with a pickoff throw to 2nd, but it offline and Imazato advances to 3rd.
After a strike, Itsuzaki takes off for 2nd. The ball is foul tipped into Miyajima's glove and he has no throw.
Gouda with a high pop. Ishiyama under it, but now coming in, coming in and makes the catch! There are storms going around but not at Koushien, and the wind was coming in from right at 10 m/s.
Top 7th
The ABC wind graphic now shows 17 m/s at the RF foul pole.
After a 3 pitch strikeout to Satou, Takeuchi hits one right back at Kishi and it deflects off his arm and drops in front of him. He picks it up and throws to 1st, but he's getting battered at the plate.
He says he's ok, so the game continues.
And apparently with thunder about, the umpires call the teams in for now. Though why the people in the stands aren't moving, I don't know.
14:37 - Thunder(?) Delay (2 outs, 1-1 count to Kaneko)
They're even bringing out the tarps just in case, though it's not raining.
Though now at 14:40 I can see lightning bolts come down from the clouds in left.
At 14:51 the rainfinally comes and people if they haven't already head up in the stands.
15:23, the rain continues to fall and I know the forecast didn't look too good. But, we're so close to an official game, that I think the umpires will wait it out as long as possible.
16:00 and the Metitoku players are outside the dugout. That's a good sign. They'll have to prep the field a whole lot even if they start now.
16:04 Nope, more rain.
16:08 The groundscrew emerges to applause, though they're just trying to mop up the puddle areas, as they try to keep the field in playable condition.
16:20 The groundscrews are out in full force now with big applause as they try to tend the field.
16:40 The stadium lights turn on while the players play catch ball again
16:54 - Game Resumes
Well, as expected, it'll probably take a while for Kishi to get warmed up again, and Kaneko gets a walk.
Satou-kantoku calls for a bunt even with 2 outs gambling on the ground condition. Kishi goes full on Komiyama as well, but he swings and flies out to center to end the inning
Bottom 7th
Takeishi with his own troubles restarting after the rain delay, walk Iyota on 4 straight. Mabuchi-kantoku decides to test Niigata Meikun's battery by having Iyota go for 2, which he takes successfully.
Kishi though, can't advance the runner as he pops out to Takeuchi.
Sugawara with a fly foul down the right field side, Ikeda makes the catch, but that allows Iyota to advance to 3rd.
And while Takeishi has some control problems leaving the pitches high, he gets Nishioka to strike out to end the inning.
Top 8th
Ikeda with a routine grounder to short, but just loses out on the dive to 1st.
After a popup by Miyajima, Oonobu gives the ball a ride to right. Oonishi running back towards the wall makes the catch for the 3rd out.
Bottom 8th
It's a routine 1-2-3 inning for Meitoku Gijyuku as I bet that after a 2+ hour rain delay, they probably wanted to finish the game and head back to rest.
Top 9th
Last chance for Niigata Meikun.
Ishiyama grounds out to short. Takeishi swings on a high fastball and strikes out.
And Satou with a hard grounder to 2nd. It's off Iyota, but he regroups, gets the ball and makes the play at 1st for the final out.
So, it may have taken a couple of hours longer than expected due to the rain, but Meitoku Gijyuku becomes the 3rd team to put their spot in the Best 8.
Unfortunately it was just one bad inning for Tateishi and Niigata Meikun that resulted in all 4 runs and thus their defeat. It's a hard loss to take, being one step away from the Best 8, going down and then having to think about it during a rain delay. But while they may have not lived up to their expectations, and they are certainly disappointed, they did well for their school and their manager (who I think was leaving after this season ended).
For Meitoku Gijyuku, having one good inning generally won't be enough going forward, so the offense will need to shore itself up for the stretch run. Today though, head back to the hotel and rest.
Notable Players
Kishi Jyunichirou (Meitoku Gijyuku) - 5.2 IP, 0 H, 3 K, 2 BB
Iyota Kazuki (Meitoku Gijyuku) - 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
Gouda Satoru (Meitoku Gijyuku) - 2-4, K
Imazato Seima (Meitoku Gijyuku) - 2-3, R, SB
Tateishi Tomoya (Niigata Meikun) - 1-3, HBP
Niigata Meikun is looking to continue the uptrend in Niigata of teams going deep into Koushien. Up until 2009, only 3 teams had made it into the Best 8. Then in back-to-back years Nihon Bunri and Niigata Meikun both achieved the same feat. Should they advance today, that would be 3 in the last 4 years! This from a region not known well for baseball.
In their first game, Niigata Meikun simply built a lead over several innings versus Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou en route to a 6-1 victory. Now some those runs were self-inflicted mistakes by their opponent, but they had some solid hits throughout the game.
As for ace Takeishi, he didn't overpower Kengifushou, but he just pitched effectively, walking none in his complete game effort.
Meitoku Gijyuku barely eked by Sakata Minami in their 2nd round matchup. Early walks by opposing ace Aita led to 2 runs, and as he ran out of gas a pair of hits led to the decisive 3rd run.
A 3-2 win over a team from Yamagata though doesn't inspire too much confidence though, and it's hard to translate any of ace Fuku's performance over to this game against Niigata Meikun.
Because it's one thing when you defeat a team that you're supposed to by a wide margin. It's another when you barely beat said team.
Niigata Meikun (Niigata)
CF Kaneko
LF Komiyama
RF Ikeda
C Miyajima
P Tateishi
1B Oonobu
2B Ishiyama
3B Satou
SS Takeuchi
Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi)
3B Itsuzaki (#11)
CF Gouda
2B Iyota (#5)
RF Kishi (#12)
C Sugihara
1B Nishioka
LF Son
P Fukunaga (#10)
SS Imazato
____________________________________________________________
13:05 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
One down, and Komiyama draws a walk. Instead of the bunt, Satou-kantoku has him try and steal it instead. He takes off on the 2-1 pitch, and while Sugiwara's throw is there, it's a bit short and Imazato can't field the ball.
Ikeda though goes down swinging for the 2nd out. Up to cleanup batter Miyajima.
He has the green light at 3-1, but grounds to short to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Quick inning for Takeishi to start. Gouda strikes out on a fastball inbetween two groundouts to 2nd for 1-2-3 inning.
Top 2nd
Oonobu starts off the inning with a 8 pitch walk. Ishiyama bunts him into scoring position.
Takeishi is able to inside-out a pitch and slice it to left for a single. Runners at the corners for Satou.
Satou hits it to short, Oonobu was going on contact, but stops. Well, he's caught in the rundown now for the 2nd out.
Takeuchi runs the count full, then Fukunaga throws a pitch way wide to load the bases. Manrui for Kaneko as Mabuchi-kantoku calls for time.
Kaneko with a ball to right, but it's not far enough and Kishi is there for the catch to end the threat.
Bottom 2nd
Two quick outs for Takeishi as Kishi and Suguwara fly out. Nishioka works the count full, but is eventually retired, when his attempt to foul a ball off fails as Miyajima makes the catch at the 3rd base dugout to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Fukunaga still struggling a bit with his control as he goes 3-0 to Komiyama. He comes back to get a groundout from the AB, and after that looks fine as Ikeda grounds to short on his first pitch, and Miyajima pops out to Imazato.
Bottom 3rd
After yet 2 more quick groundsouts, Imazato delivers Meitoku's first hit as he reaches down on an outside slider and singles to center.
However, Itsuzaki can't take advantage of the 1st it and flies out to left to end the inning.
Top 4th
One down for Niigata and Ishiyama singles past a diving Matsumura. Fukunaga goes full on Takeishi, but then plunks him.
Mabuchi-kantoku looks to be preemptive here and relieves Fukunaga. Kishi comes in from right to take the mound and #9 Oonishi heads out in Fukunaga's spot in the lineup and goes to RF.
Grounder to 2nd. Iyota goes to 2nd for one, but Imazato has to double clutch as Takeishi is in the way. The throw then is subsequently late.
No runner interference is called despite the appeal from Meitoku and the inning goes on. Doesn't matter as Takeuchi flies out to right to end the inning
Bottom 4th
Gouda reaches down and bloops a ball into shallow center. Iyota already showing bunt. Takes the pitch, then doesn't show bunt. Then shows and lays down the bunt.
Kishi goes after the first pitch from Takeishi, but flies out to center.
Sugiwara unable to make good contact, grounds to short to end the inning.
Top 5th
One down and we have another weird play. Well, it's actually the same as an earlier game. Komiyama hits a comebacker up the middle that deflects off of the inside of Kishi's left leg and to 3rd. Itsuzaki fields it and makes the out at 1st.
After some spray and a couple of pitches, Kishi says he's good to go, but walks Ikeda.
Miyajima with a screaming liner down the left base line.. foul!
That was a close one for Meitoku, and Kishi goes away on the next two pitches, and Miyajima, not on the uptake obliges by swinging and missing both of them to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
Nishoka opens the inning with a base hit past a diving Oonobu.
After a sac bunt, Oonishi can only advance the runner with a grounder to 2nd.
Now, Takeishi its Imazato and there's runner on 1st and 3rd. The control problems persist to Itsuzaki where he walks him on 4 straight. It's now manrui for Gouda.
He hits a fly ball to right center! Kaneko trying to over and chase it down, but it falls in! Nishoka and Imazato both score on the play and Meitoku Gijyuku has a 2-0 lead!
Iyota with a liner to left center! Komiyama has to turn around and chase it to the wall! Itsuzaki scores, and so does Gouda all the way from 1st! It's now a 4-0 lead for Meitoku!
Oy, now a ball gets away from Takeishi and goes off Kishi's helmet. It's a glancing blow, but for now he's replaced by Gouda on the basepaths.
And Sugihara is now hit by Takeishi. Manrui now for Meitoku again.
Nishioka back up at the plate, hits a grounder up the middle. Ishiyama makes a great diving stop. The ball leaks away, but he grabs and tosses to Takeuchi to retire the side. But Niigata Meikun heads into the break down 4-0 and with a sputtering offense that has managed just 2 hits.
Top 6th
Niigata Meikun's offense is just unable to make solid contact on the ball. Oonobu pops out to Imazato at short, while Ishiyama and Takeishi weakly grounds out for a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 6th
Takeishi about to get a 1-2-3 inning but Imazato with an excuse me swing singles to center.
He takes off on the 1-0 pitch and the pitch to Itsuzaki is low making the throw difficult.
And he can't find the plate again and walks Itsuzaki to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Takeishi with a pickoff throw to 2nd, but it offline and Imazato advances to 3rd.
After a strike, Itsuzaki takes off for 2nd. The ball is foul tipped into Miyajima's glove and he has no throw.
Gouda with a high pop. Ishiyama under it, but now coming in, coming in and makes the catch! There are storms going around but not at Koushien, and the wind was coming in from right at 10 m/s.
Top 7th
The ABC wind graphic now shows 17 m/s at the RF foul pole.
After a 3 pitch strikeout to Satou, Takeuchi hits one right back at Kishi and it deflects off his arm and drops in front of him. He picks it up and throws to 1st, but he's getting battered at the plate.
He says he's ok, so the game continues.
And apparently with thunder about, the umpires call the teams in for now. Though why the people in the stands aren't moving, I don't know.
14:37 - Thunder(?) Delay (2 outs, 1-1 count to Kaneko)
They're even bringing out the tarps just in case, though it's not raining.
Though now at 14:40 I can see lightning bolts come down from the clouds in left.
At 14:51 the rainfinally comes and people if they haven't already head up in the stands.
15:23, the rain continues to fall and I know the forecast didn't look too good. But, we're so close to an official game, that I think the umpires will wait it out as long as possible.
16:00 and the Metitoku players are outside the dugout. That's a good sign. They'll have to prep the field a whole lot even if they start now.
16:04 Nope, more rain.
16:08 The groundscrew emerges to applause, though they're just trying to mop up the puddle areas, as they try to keep the field in playable condition.
16:20 The groundscrews are out in full force now with big applause as they try to tend the field.
16:40 The stadium lights turn on while the players play catch ball again
16:54 - Game Resumes
Well, as expected, it'll probably take a while for Kishi to get warmed up again, and Kaneko gets a walk.
Satou-kantoku calls for a bunt even with 2 outs gambling on the ground condition. Kishi goes full on Komiyama as well, but he swings and flies out to center to end the inning
Bottom 7th
Takeishi with his own troubles restarting after the rain delay, walk Iyota on 4 straight. Mabuchi-kantoku decides to test Niigata Meikun's battery by having Iyota go for 2, which he takes successfully.
Kishi though, can't advance the runner as he pops out to Takeuchi.
Sugawara with a fly foul down the right field side, Ikeda makes the catch, but that allows Iyota to advance to 3rd.
And while Takeishi has some control problems leaving the pitches high, he gets Nishioka to strike out to end the inning.
Top 8th
Ikeda with a routine grounder to short, but just loses out on the dive to 1st.
After a popup by Miyajima, Oonobu gives the ball a ride to right. Oonishi running back towards the wall makes the catch for the 3rd out.
Bottom 8th
It's a routine 1-2-3 inning for Meitoku Gijyuku as I bet that after a 2+ hour rain delay, they probably wanted to finish the game and head back to rest.
Top 9th
Last chance for Niigata Meikun.
Ishiyama grounds out to short. Takeishi swings on a high fastball and strikes out.
And Satou with a hard grounder to 2nd. It's off Iyota, but he regroups, gets the ball and makes the play at 1st for the final out.
So, it may have taken a couple of hours longer than expected due to the rain, but Meitoku Gijyuku becomes the 3rd team to put their spot in the Best 8.
Unfortunately it was just one bad inning for Tateishi and Niigata Meikun that resulted in all 4 runs and thus their defeat. It's a hard loss to take, being one step away from the Best 8, going down and then having to think about it during a rain delay. But while they may have not lived up to their expectations, and they are certainly disappointed, they did well for their school and their manager (who I think was leaving after this season ended).
For Meitoku Gijyuku, having one good inning generally won't be enough going forward, so the offense will need to shore itself up for the stretch run. Today though, head back to the hotel and rest.
Notable Players
Kishi Jyunichirou (Meitoku Gijyuku) - 5.2 IP, 0 H, 3 K, 2 BB
Iyota Kazuki (Meitoku Gijyuku) - 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
Gouda Satoru (Meitoku Gijyuku) - 2-4, K
Imazato Seima (Meitoku Gijyuku) - 2-3, R, SB
Tateishi Tomoya (Niigata Meikun) - 1-3, HBP
Day 10, Game 2 - Seiseiko (Kumamoto) vs. Osaka Touin (Osaka)
The stands are filled to the top today, not just because it's vacation, but because the upcoming team will be taking the field here in the 2nd game.
Osaka Touin as expected had no trouble in their first game, defeating Kisaradzu Sougou in dominating fashion as Tabata finally took the field for the first time (he missed playing in Senbatsu due to an injury) and hit a HR, as well as Kasamatsu in an 8-2 victory. The offense looks to be in good form.
What probably was surprising was that Nakatani-kantoku left Fujinami in for all 9 innings. This even though they had held a 7-2 lead after 6 innings and it was the early afternoon game. Fujinami''s stamina is his biggest issue, and I can't imagine being out there entire game helps.
The team tasked with trying to defeat the senbatsu chanpions is Seiseiko out of Kumamoto. They drew one of the Best 4 from the spring - Naruto, and held them to just 1 run on 3 hits!
That was thanks in part to ace Ootake, who struck out 9 and got 11 groundball outs. He'll need to have his best game today to try and curb Osaka Touin's offense.
Speaking of offense, Seiseiko's offense is partially based on speed - though they were picked off a couple of times on the bases. They don't necessarily steal bases, but they use it to force defenses into making different plays.
It can work against weak teams, and even to some extent against average/above average teams. But against the Senbatsu champions? I'm not so sure about that..
Seiseiko (Kumamoto)
RF Matsunaga
SS Nishi
LF Nakamura Kenrou
CF Yamashita
C Nishiguchi
3B Nakagawa
P Ootake
2B Nakamura Kenta (#3)
1B Andou (#12)
Osaka Touin (Osaka)
C Mori
2B Oonishi
RF Mizumoto
1B Tabata
LF Yasui
3B Kasamatsu
CF Hakusui
SS Mizutani (#14)
P Sawada (#10)
____________________________________________________________
10:45 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Not anything against Seiseiko, but starting Sawada is the right decision. Anytime you can rest your ace, take it.
One down Nishi singles through to right.
Ikeda-kantoku tries for the hit-and-run, but Kengo fouls it off.
So Nishi tries for the straight steal, but is thrown out easily.
And Kenrou grounds right to Tabata at 1st to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Mori insides out a pitch and singles to left.
Oonishi with a nubber up the 3rd base line. Ootake fields and throws wide to 1st. Kenta is there for the catch, and has a pretty hard collision with Oonishi - but holds on for the out.
Mizumoto with a single past Kenta into right! Mori scores easily and as expected, Osaka Touin leads 1-0.
Yasui flies out to center for the 2nd out.
Ootake trying to paint the corners or get Kasamatsu to chase, but he doesn't. Manrui for Osaka Touin. But Hakusui grounds to 1st to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Yamashita gets hit to start the inning. Douten runner is on for Seiseiko.
Nishiguchi tries put something on his swing, but he's under it and flies out to left.
Sawada with another pitcher way inside, Nakagawa tries to jump, but it's off his right knee for a dead ball.
And I mean that was flush on the knee as it ricochet off towards the Seiseiko bench. So Kenrou goes to run for him.
Ootake up with one down, and he's showing bunt?
He lays it down, Sawada chases after it but can't catch up to it. Kasamatsu charges in late, makes the throw, just beats Ootake!
So Seiseiko is looking for the one timer from Nakamura.
Doesn't need it! Sawada throws behind Nakamura! Yamashita comes in to score and we're tied at 1-1!
And now Sawada walks Nakamura on 4 straight! Runners at the corners with 2 down though and Seiseiko needs a hit.
And Andou can't pull the trigger on a strike at the knees and he's out #3! But a wild pitch from Sawada at least gives Seiseiko something to work with!
Bottom 2nd
Mizutani swings on an outside pitch and hits a comebacker to Ootake for the first out.
Ootake keeping the pitches low, bu falls behind 3-1 before filling up the count.
Sawada though puts it past Ootake's glove into center for a base hit.
Mori swings on the first pitch and fouls out to Nakagawa, who's OK after being hit in the knee.
And Ootake gets Oonishi to chase an outisde fastball for the 3rd out. A good recovery inning after the 1st.
Top 3rd
Top of the order for Seiseiko.
Matsunaga can't get the bat on an ouside fastball and goes down swinging.
Nishi feign bunt twice and takes 2 strikes. Has to defend now, fouling one off. He makes contact, but grounds out to 2nd.
Kenrou too rolls one to 2nd, and the side is retired.
Bottom 3rd
Mizumoto first pitch singles back up the middle.
Cleanup batter Tabata, bunting?? He lays it down and Nishiguchi throws him out, but it's making me wonder how seriously they're taking this game.
They may be using this as practice since they can figure they can pull away at any time. It might be true, but I figure you'd do it after you got ahead, not before. Or I suppose they could just be sizing up Ootake's pitches for later.
Anyways, Yasui up and Ootake strikes him out swinging on an inside fastball.
But with 2 down, he hits Kasamatsu.
After a way inside pitch to Hakusui, Nishiguchi goes out to talk to him.
Hakusui swings at a slider close to the other batting box and the side is retired.
Top 4th
Yamashita with a hot shot to 3rd, but Kasamatsu has it for the 1st out.
Nishiguchi gets a man on for Seiseiko with a single to right.
Nakagawa tries to chop bunt one while running, but it goes foul. He lays down a traditional one and advances Nishiguchi for Ootake.
He'll need a base hit or error to score him though.
But he swings on a inside slider and rolls a grounder to 1st.
Bottom 4th
Huh. Mizutani swings over a fastball for the first out.
Sawada with a ball to to the opposite field. Kenrou running back towards the foul pole? Still running! Looks up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, on a rather innocuous swing, Sawada is able to hit it over the fence in left for a HR! That's some power he hast there. 2-1 Osaka Touin!
Mori up, and he drives a ball to deep right! Matsunaga running back to the fence, but he's giving up!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's back-to-back HR's for Osaka Touin now! They're not playing around anymore (if they ever were). 3-1 now in favor of the Senbatsu champs!
Oonishi can't check his swing and goes down for the 2nd out.
Mizumoto after fouling off 4 pitches, singles past a diving Kenta for his 3rd hit of the day.
Tabata pulls one through the gap for another hit.
Yasui takes an inside pitch the other way over Nakagawa for another hit. Mizumoto scores to make it 4-1!
Kasamatsu hits a weak grounder back to Ootake who finally tosses to 1st to end the inning.
But Osaka Touin flexes it's offense and take the lead once again.
Top 5th
Nishimura singles past Tabata into right for a leadoff single. Andou bunts him along.
Matsunaga twice tries the bunt and run, but fouls it off both times.
Forced to swing away, he lines up the fastball and lines it to center! Hakusui comes in, slides, but can't get to it! Nakamura scores to make it 4-2!!
Nishi showing bunt again looking to try for a one-timer.
But he takes strike 2 and will he three bunt? He's showing it at the plate at least.
He swings away, but grounds into the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Seiseiko at least gets one back.
Bottom 5th
Ootake finally gets a 1-2-3 inning with 3 groundouts from the bottom of the order. We hit the break with Osaka Touin leading Seiseiko 4-2 behind back-to-back HR's by the Osaka Touin battery.
Top 6th
It's a quick inning for Sawada as he retires the heart of the order in 10 pitches. Flyout by Kenrou, a slow roller to 2nd by Yamashita, and a strikeout looking by Nishiguchi.
Bottom 6th
Two quck groundouts to 2nd and Ootake looked to have a quick inning, but Mizumoto hits a ball to deep center. Yamashita running back, leaps, but it's off his glove as he runs into the wall! Mizumoto rounding 2nd, reaches 3rd easily.
Tabata with a blast to center! He's raising his fist! Yamashita running back again! Looks up!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tabata enjoying his time at Koushien this time around, takes the first pitch from Ootake and drives it out to dead center! 6-2 Osaka Touin!
Ootake finally gets that 3rd groundout to 2nd, but 2 batters too late.
Top 7th
Nakagawa with a hit to the left side, but Kasamatsu whiffs on the play! It deflects to left and Seiseiko has their leadoff runner.
Ootake showing bunt despite being down 4.
But Kasamatsu crashing in on the bunt, starts the 5-4-3 double play.
Nakamura lines out to 2nd and the lucky 7 ends for Seiseiko.
Bottom 7th
It's a quick inning for Osaka Touin as well. Two groundouts sandwich a K, and I think they're ready to finish this game ASAP and get out of the heat.
Top 8th
#6 Mega in the game now at SS, replacing PH Konda who hit in the 7th.
Andou goes down swinging on a slider, Matsunaga gets frozen on a slider, and Nishi pops out to left.
Bottom 8th
One down, and leadoff batter Mori drives one to the left center field wall for a double.
After a groundout by Oonishi, Ootake hits Mizumoto after getting up 0-2, so the inning continues.
Tabata lifts one to center, Yamashita up to retrieve it, and the side is retired.
Top 9th
Last AB's now for Seiseiko.
Kenrou lines out to Mega for the first out.
Yamashita checks in with his first hit, a seeing-eye single back up the middle. Nishiguchi follows that up with a single through to right!
Two on with one down for Nakagawa. And he's hit for the 2nd time! Manrui for Seiseiko!
#10 Ejima comes in to hit for Ootake. Swings on the first pitch, but lines out to center! 2 down!
Last chance in Nakamura respresenting the douten run.
But he flies out to left and the game ends there.
The result was expected, the score perhaps too. But Seiseiko for a little while stood toe-to-toe with arguably the best team in the country. And despite being down 4, they at least fought to the end as well. I'm sure their large oen-dan section is proud of their efforts despite the loss. Great job to the boys from Seiseiko.
It seems fitting that the first 2 teams to punch their tickets are the runner-up and champion of this year's senbatsu. It's like a message to the other teams that they're not going anywhere. Osaka Touin for their part was able to rest their ace, and hopefully have him at full strength for the stretch run.
Notable Players
Sawada Keisuke (Osaka Touin) - CG, 2 ER, 6 H, 5 K, BB, 3 HBP
Sawada Keisuke (Osaka Touin) -2-4, HR, R, RBI
Mori Tomoya (Osaka Touin) -3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI
Mizumoto Gen (Osaka Touin) - 4-4, 3B, 3 R, RBI, HBP
Tabata Yoshiki (Osaka Touin) -3-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
Nishiguchi Takahiro (Seiseiko) - 2-4, K
Matsunaga Kunpei (Seiseiko) - 1-4, RBI, 2 K
Osaka Touin as expected had no trouble in their first game, defeating Kisaradzu Sougou in dominating fashion as Tabata finally took the field for the first time (he missed playing in Senbatsu due to an injury) and hit a HR, as well as Kasamatsu in an 8-2 victory. The offense looks to be in good form.
What probably was surprising was that Nakatani-kantoku left Fujinami in for all 9 innings. This even though they had held a 7-2 lead after 6 innings and it was the early afternoon game. Fujinami''s stamina is his biggest issue, and I can't imagine being out there entire game helps.
The team tasked with trying to defeat the senbatsu chanpions is Seiseiko out of Kumamoto. They drew one of the Best 4 from the spring - Naruto, and held them to just 1 run on 3 hits!
That was thanks in part to ace Ootake, who struck out 9 and got 11 groundball outs. He'll need to have his best game today to try and curb Osaka Touin's offense.
Speaking of offense, Seiseiko's offense is partially based on speed - though they were picked off a couple of times on the bases. They don't necessarily steal bases, but they use it to force defenses into making different plays.
It can work against weak teams, and even to some extent against average/above average teams. But against the Senbatsu champions? I'm not so sure about that..
Seiseiko (Kumamoto)
RF Matsunaga
SS Nishi
LF Nakamura Kenrou
CF Yamashita
C Nishiguchi
3B Nakagawa
P Ootake
2B Nakamura Kenta (#3)
1B Andou (#12)
Osaka Touin (Osaka)
C Mori
2B Oonishi
RF Mizumoto
1B Tabata
LF Yasui
3B Kasamatsu
CF Hakusui
SS Mizutani (#14)
P Sawada (#10)
____________________________________________________________
10:45 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Not anything against Seiseiko, but starting Sawada is the right decision. Anytime you can rest your ace, take it.
One down Nishi singles through to right.
Ikeda-kantoku tries for the hit-and-run, but Kengo fouls it off.
So Nishi tries for the straight steal, but is thrown out easily.
And Kenrou grounds right to Tabata at 1st to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Mori insides out a pitch and singles to left.
Oonishi with a nubber up the 3rd base line. Ootake fields and throws wide to 1st. Kenta is there for the catch, and has a pretty hard collision with Oonishi - but holds on for the out.
Mizumoto with a single past Kenta into right! Mori scores easily and as expected, Osaka Touin leads 1-0.
Yasui flies out to center for the 2nd out.
Ootake trying to paint the corners or get Kasamatsu to chase, but he doesn't. Manrui for Osaka Touin. But Hakusui grounds to 1st to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Yamashita gets hit to start the inning. Douten runner is on for Seiseiko.
Nishiguchi tries put something on his swing, but he's under it and flies out to left.
Sawada with another pitcher way inside, Nakagawa tries to jump, but it's off his right knee for a dead ball.
And I mean that was flush on the knee as it ricochet off towards the Seiseiko bench. So Kenrou goes to run for him.
Ootake up with one down, and he's showing bunt?
He lays it down, Sawada chases after it but can't catch up to it. Kasamatsu charges in late, makes the throw, just beats Ootake!
So Seiseiko is looking for the one timer from Nakamura.
Doesn't need it! Sawada throws behind Nakamura! Yamashita comes in to score and we're tied at 1-1!
And now Sawada walks Nakamura on 4 straight! Runners at the corners with 2 down though and Seiseiko needs a hit.
And Andou can't pull the trigger on a strike at the knees and he's out #3! But a wild pitch from Sawada at least gives Seiseiko something to work with!
Bottom 2nd
Mizutani swings on an outside pitch and hits a comebacker to Ootake for the first out.
Ootake keeping the pitches low, bu falls behind 3-1 before filling up the count.
Sawada though puts it past Ootake's glove into center for a base hit.
Mori swings on the first pitch and fouls out to Nakagawa, who's OK after being hit in the knee.
And Ootake gets Oonishi to chase an outisde fastball for the 3rd out. A good recovery inning after the 1st.
Top 3rd
Top of the order for Seiseiko.
Matsunaga can't get the bat on an ouside fastball and goes down swinging.
Nishi feign bunt twice and takes 2 strikes. Has to defend now, fouling one off. He makes contact, but grounds out to 2nd.
Kenrou too rolls one to 2nd, and the side is retired.
Bottom 3rd
Mizumoto first pitch singles back up the middle.
Cleanup batter Tabata, bunting?? He lays it down and Nishiguchi throws him out, but it's making me wonder how seriously they're taking this game.
They may be using this as practice since they can figure they can pull away at any time. It might be true, but I figure you'd do it after you got ahead, not before. Or I suppose they could just be sizing up Ootake's pitches for later.
Anyways, Yasui up and Ootake strikes him out swinging on an inside fastball.
But with 2 down, he hits Kasamatsu.
After a way inside pitch to Hakusui, Nishiguchi goes out to talk to him.
Hakusui swings at a slider close to the other batting box and the side is retired.
Top 4th
Yamashita with a hot shot to 3rd, but Kasamatsu has it for the 1st out.
Nishiguchi gets a man on for Seiseiko with a single to right.
Nakagawa tries to chop bunt one while running, but it goes foul. He lays down a traditional one and advances Nishiguchi for Ootake.
He'll need a base hit or error to score him though.
But he swings on a inside slider and rolls a grounder to 1st.
Bottom 4th
Huh. Mizutani swings over a fastball for the first out.
Sawada with a ball to to the opposite field. Kenrou running back towards the foul pole? Still running! Looks up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, on a rather innocuous swing, Sawada is able to hit it over the fence in left for a HR! That's some power he hast there. 2-1 Osaka Touin!
Mori up, and he drives a ball to deep right! Matsunaga running back to the fence, but he's giving up!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's back-to-back HR's for Osaka Touin now! They're not playing around anymore (if they ever were). 3-1 now in favor of the Senbatsu champs!
Oonishi can't check his swing and goes down for the 2nd out.
Mizumoto after fouling off 4 pitches, singles past a diving Kenta for his 3rd hit of the day.
Tabata pulls one through the gap for another hit.
Yasui takes an inside pitch the other way over Nakagawa for another hit. Mizumoto scores to make it 4-1!
Kasamatsu hits a weak grounder back to Ootake who finally tosses to 1st to end the inning.
But Osaka Touin flexes it's offense and take the lead once again.
Top 5th
Nishimura singles past Tabata into right for a leadoff single. Andou bunts him along.
Matsunaga twice tries the bunt and run, but fouls it off both times.
Forced to swing away, he lines up the fastball and lines it to center! Hakusui comes in, slides, but can't get to it! Nakamura scores to make it 4-2!!
Nishi showing bunt again looking to try for a one-timer.
But he takes strike 2 and will he three bunt? He's showing it at the plate at least.
He swings away, but grounds into the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Seiseiko at least gets one back.
Bottom 5th
Ootake finally gets a 1-2-3 inning with 3 groundouts from the bottom of the order. We hit the break with Osaka Touin leading Seiseiko 4-2 behind back-to-back HR's by the Osaka Touin battery.
Top 6th
It's a quick inning for Sawada as he retires the heart of the order in 10 pitches. Flyout by Kenrou, a slow roller to 2nd by Yamashita, and a strikeout looking by Nishiguchi.
Bottom 6th
Two quck groundouts to 2nd and Ootake looked to have a quick inning, but Mizumoto hits a ball to deep center. Yamashita running back, leaps, but it's off his glove as he runs into the wall! Mizumoto rounding 2nd, reaches 3rd easily.
Tabata with a blast to center! He's raising his fist! Yamashita running back again! Looks up!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tabata enjoying his time at Koushien this time around, takes the first pitch from Ootake and drives it out to dead center! 6-2 Osaka Touin!
Ootake finally gets that 3rd groundout to 2nd, but 2 batters too late.
Top 7th
Nakagawa with a hit to the left side, but Kasamatsu whiffs on the play! It deflects to left and Seiseiko has their leadoff runner.
Ootake showing bunt despite being down 4.
But Kasamatsu crashing in on the bunt, starts the 5-4-3 double play.
Nakamura lines out to 2nd and the lucky 7 ends for Seiseiko.
Bottom 7th
It's a quick inning for Osaka Touin as well. Two groundouts sandwich a K, and I think they're ready to finish this game ASAP and get out of the heat.
Top 8th
#6 Mega in the game now at SS, replacing PH Konda who hit in the 7th.
Andou goes down swinging on a slider, Matsunaga gets frozen on a slider, and Nishi pops out to left.
Bottom 8th
One down, and leadoff batter Mori drives one to the left center field wall for a double.
After a groundout by Oonishi, Ootake hits Mizumoto after getting up 0-2, so the inning continues.
Tabata lifts one to center, Yamashita up to retrieve it, and the side is retired.
Top 9th
Last AB's now for Seiseiko.
Kenrou lines out to Mega for the first out.
Yamashita checks in with his first hit, a seeing-eye single back up the middle. Nishiguchi follows that up with a single through to right!
Two on with one down for Nakagawa. And he's hit for the 2nd time! Manrui for Seiseiko!
#10 Ejima comes in to hit for Ootake. Swings on the first pitch, but lines out to center! 2 down!
Last chance in Nakamura respresenting the douten run.
But he flies out to left and the game ends there.
The result was expected, the score perhaps too. But Seiseiko for a little while stood toe-to-toe with arguably the best team in the country. And despite being down 4, they at least fought to the end as well. I'm sure their large oen-dan section is proud of their efforts despite the loss. Great job to the boys from Seiseiko.
It seems fitting that the first 2 teams to punch their tickets are the runner-up and champion of this year's senbatsu. It's like a message to the other teams that they're not going anywhere. Osaka Touin for their part was able to rest their ace, and hopefully have him at full strength for the stretch run.
Notable Players
Sawada Keisuke (Osaka Touin) - CG, 2 ER, 6 H, 5 K, BB, 3 HBP
Sawada Keisuke (Osaka Touin) -2-4, HR, R, RBI
Mori Tomoya (Osaka Touin) -3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI
Mizumoto Gen (Osaka Touin) - 4-4, 3B, 3 R, RBI, HBP
Tabata Yoshiki (Osaka Touin) -3-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
Nishiguchi Takahiro (Seiseiko) - 2-4, K
Matsunaga Kunpei (Seiseiko) - 1-4, RBI, 2 K
Day 10, Game 1 - Kousei Gakuin (Aomori) vs. Kamimura Gakuen (Kagoshima)
Day 10 starts fielding our teams for the Best 8.
First on the docket is a team desperately looking to return to the finals, and win this time.
Kousei Gakuin has returned to their 3rd consecutive calendar Koushien, and unfortunately did not look as dominant in their 4-0 defeat of Yuugakukan, with two of those runs being scored on a late HR by Houjyou. Offense has been by far their biggest weakness (hello Sanko and Osaka Touin) and this summers' version is pretty much the same. They have been able to beat the teams they need to beat, but not the big game.
And with the offense not all-star calibur, it has been Jyouma and Kanazawa that have helped carry the teams. Jyouma has shown to be above all else a contact pitcher who thrives on weak contact, but is not a soft-tosser either. This year though, he has emerged as the ace of the staff as he is heavily used, this despite still wearing the #4.
Kamimura Gakuen defeated an offensively challenged Chiben Wakayama squad. However, as Chiben's pitching showed, their own offense is not overpowering as well.
What was perhaps a bit surprising is that while ace Kakizawa is one of the harder throwers out there (~mid 140s), he doesn't rack up a lot of strikeouts. If you remember he had just 3 against Chiben Wakayama. So I suspect then that he uses his speed, control and willingness to be in the zone to get bad contact.
So what do I expect out of this game? Probably a lot of the pitching staffs trying to control the game as both offenses will try to manufacture runs. I think it'll be a tough game all around, with a lot more pressure on the Kousei squad to repeat last year's performance.
Kousei Gakuin (Aomori)
RF Ameku
LF Murase
C Tamura
SS Houjyou
1B Takeda
3B Oosugi
2B Jyouma
CF Kimura
P Kanazawa
Kamimura Gakuen (Kagoshima)
CF Niiro
SS Tanaka
RF Koga
P Kakizawa
LF Seguchi (#11)
2B Nagao
3B Nakazono
C Nakano
1B Nikou
____________________________________________________________
8:01 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Ameku swings on the first pitch and hits it the opposite way to left.
Seguchi running towards the foul pole. Eases up...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What? Ameku hits the first pitch for a home run (while the siren is still blaring)???
The announcers are going crazy, while I'm just speechless! 35th HR this tournament is a leadoff HR to give Kousei the 1-0 lead!
One down now and Tamura goes full befofe drawing a walk.
Houjyou with a drive to left center! Seguchi running towards the fence again!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you kidding me??!!
Ameku with a leadoff homerun, and now cleanup batter Koujyou hits a 2-run HR? Where is this offensive output coming from??!! It's 3-0 Kousei Gakuin!
Takeda and Oosugi trying to get Kakizawa while's he stunned, but they can only manage groundball outs. Kakizawa gets out of the inning, but his team has sustained disabling damage right from the start.
Bottom 1st
Nothing doing early on for Kamimura Gakuen. Niiro grounds to 2nd, Tanaka hits a foul fly near Kousei's dugout, and Koga makes good contact, but it's right at Oosugi who fields it for the 3rd out.
Top 2nd
After a quick flyout by Jyouma, Kimura gets a single through to right. Kanazawa tries to lay down the bunt, but Kakizawa calmly fields it, throws to 2nd for one and the relay to 1st in time to get a not so speedy Kanazawa for the double play.
Bottom 2ndKakizawa with a grounder that sneaks under Jyouma's glove into right for a leadoff single.
Just as quickly, the runner is erased as Seguchi grounds into the easy 1-6-3 double play.
Nagao flies to right and the inning is over.
Top 3rd
Top of the order and Ameku. He lines one up and pulls it past a diving Nagao for a base hit. Murase tries to lay down the bunt, but it's right in front of home. Nakano makes the quick throw to 2nd for the out.
Nakai-kantoku replaces Murase at 1st with #18 Sekiguchi. Wonder what that was about.
Tamura with a drive to left center!! Seguchi and Niiro running back to the wall! Still running!! NO WAY!!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm completely speechless! What the heck is going on here! That's now 3 HR's by Kousei Gakuin!!! 5-0!!!
And Yamamoto-kantoku has seen enough. #7 Hirayabu comes in for Seguchi and takes the hill, pushing Kakizawa to left.
First up, cleanup batter Houjyou. And you wouldn't blame Hirayabu for being careful and walking him on a full count.
Takeda first pitch tries to get in on the HR parade, but his swing is more of a golf swing and he flies out to left.
Nakai-kantoku goes with the hit-and-run, Oosugi singles to left to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
But Jyouma puts another golf swing on the ball, flies out to center, and Hirayabu prevents further damage. Still yet another HR contributes 2 more runs to Kousei's good.
Bottom 3rd
Well, I think Kamimura's in shock a bit. Nakazono can't connect on a slider over the plate and strikes out.
Nakano reaches out on an outside fastball and grounds to 2nd. And Nikou can't get level on a high slider and flies out to center.
Top 4th
Kimura with a grounder to 3rd. Nakazono's throw is off line and Kimura avoids the tag. Kanazawa tries the safety bunt, but the infield is crashing in and they retire the lead runner yet again.
Hirayabu works around Ameku, to pitch to Sekiguchi. Once again they try the bunt, but again, a crashing Nikou fires to 3rd to get the lead runner in Kanazawa for the 2nd out.
(Gotta keep them honest with the bust-and-run).
Again Hirayabu is careful with Tamura, and he walks him too.
But now it's manrui for Houjyou, who also hit a homerun, and there's nowhere to put him.
Houjyou with a drive to center, but it's off the end of his bat, and Niiro camps under it (still near the wall!) for the 3rd out. Hirayabu works out of the pinch and can breath a slight sigh of relief for next inning.
Bottom 4th
One down and Tanaka draws a 4-pitch walk. But Koga hits one right to Jyouma who goes to 1st and doubles off Tanaka to end the inning!
Top 5th
After Hirayabu strikes out Takeda, Oosugi singles to left on the next pitch. Jyouma standing in, gets hit in the back by a Hirayabu fastball.
Runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 down, and Kimura takes another uppercut hack that results in a fly to right.
Kanazawa swinging all over the place, chases a slider in the dirt for strike 3.
Bottom 5th
Kanazawa unable to find the plate against Kakizawa and gives him the leadoff walk. Hirayabu then hits a chopper up the middle right in-between Jyouma and Houjyou. Nagao lays down a successful bunt, and now a base hit can score 2!
Nakazono with a grounder to 3rd. Oosugi with it, throws home!
Ball bounces out of Tamura's glove and Kakizawa slides in safely! Tamura just didn't close the glove on that one and Kamimura Gakuen is on the board! 5-1!
Hit-and-run for Kamimura! But Nakano pops it up! Houjyou under it for the the 2nd out.
Kanazawa freezes Nikou on a slow curve and the side is retired. Kamimura Gakuen gets one back right before the break, but still find themselves down by a good margin.
Top 6th
It's obvious now that Hirayabu and Kamimura are pitching out the HR hitters.
Ameku decides to swing away anyways and grounds to 2nd.
After hard-hit groundout to 1st by Sekiguchi, Tamura walks on 4 straiight. Houjyou too draws a 5-pitch walk.
They're going to make #5 batter Takeda beat them.
He hits a ball right at Nagao, who flips to Tanaka for the out.
Bottom 6th
Niiro stars the 6th with a liner back up the middle.
Now Kanazawa on a pickoff throw throws it away! Niiro advances to 2nd, and that gets Nakai-kantoku to call time. For Kousei, this is no time to be complacent. They may not score any more runs as they're walking their big hitters.
But the home plate umpire calls Tanaka on a swing and he's down on strikes (I don't get what they call as "going around" as some of the check swings that are called for strikes look like they held up).
Koga with a chopper back up the middle! It's off Kanazawa's glove and deflects to short! But Houjyou was headed for the center and has to redirect! By the time he gets to the ball, he has no play!
Bad luck for Kousei turns into a run as Kakizawa hit a fly to left! Sekiguchi easily there, but it's deep enough to score Niiro to make it 5-2!
2 down for Hirayabu, and Kanazawa is struggling with the zone, he falls behind Hirayabu and walks him!
Situation now for Kousei as this could become an issue. Yamamoto-kantoku passes a message to Nagao as #10 Itou warms up for Kousei.
Nagao fouls two pitches and is quickly behind.
Reaches down and pokes one to the right side! Jyouma dives, but can't get to it! Koga scores on the single and it's now 5-3!!
Only now does Nakai-kantoku make the pitching change. He sends in Jyouma to take the hill while #14 Kishigawa comes in for Kanazawa to play 2nd.
Jyouma comes in with 2 down and runners at the corners. Nakazono drives a ball to center, but it's not deep enough! Kimura there with the catch and the side is retired! But what was a comfortable 5-1 lead, has become a hand-wringing 2-run lead! And with 3 innings to go, they cannot be giving up runs every inning.
Top 7th
Especially since the Kamimura side has decided to take the bat away from their 3 best hitters.
Oosugi slices down a ball deep down the left field line fair. He slides into 2nd, but notices too late the throw was wild.
Jyouma with a grounder to short, Tanaka misses it! He whiffs on the ball and now Oosugi is being waved around! Throw from Murase not in time! Nakano goes to 2nd to try and cut down Jyouma, but the throw is way high! Jyouma advances to 3rd on the 2nd error! 6-3 on the error!
Wild pitch from Hirayabu! It goes away from Nakano and Jyouma comes in to score! 3 straight errors by the Kamimura defense/battery and just like that Kamimura has given back those 2 runs they just scored. 7-3!
Hirayabu aftewards has no trouble retiring Kimura and new 2B Kishigawa. But back atop the lineup Ameku singles to left for his 3rd hit on the day.
And another way too high pitch from Hirayabu sends Ameku to 2nd.
Sekiguchi with a carbon copy single to left, and Ameku is waved home!
Boy, that's going to end bad...
And it predictably does as Ameku is easily thrown out at home for the 3rd out.
There is not so smart bunting and baserunning on Kousei's part here in this game. Not smart at all...
Bottom 7th
Nakano trying to re-start the Kamimura offense with a single to center.
Nikou with a drive to right! Ameku running back, running, jumps.. and makes the catch! Nakano has to go back on the catch!
Niiro with a slow chopper to the right side. Kishigawa charging tries to make the tag on Nakano, but can't, so he has to toss to 2nd for the out.
Jyouma having problems with Tanaka, but Tamura throws to 3rd on a ball in the dirt?
AH! Niiro was going on the wild pitch, but froze when he realized it wasn't far enough! He's run down 2-5-4-1-6 (I think) for the 3rd out!
Top 8th
And as expected Tamura walks for the 4th time (don't be surprised if Kousei's next opponent does this).
So Tamura takes off for 2nd, and Nakano's throw is high! He takes 2nd!
They still pitch to Houjyou for some reason, and he slices one down the left field line for an easy double, scoring Tamura and making it 8-3.
With a runner on, Takeda can do something... bunt. And so he does.
Oosugi with his 4th hit on the day! He singles to center scoring Houjyou to make it 9-3.
That'll be it for Hirayabu as he and Kakizawa switch places once again.
On the first pitch, Oosugi takes off for 2nd, and gets no throw.
But Kakizawa gets Jyouma to fly out to center, and Kimura to go down swinging to retire the side.
Bottom 8th
Two quick outs for Kamimura before Kakizawa singles past Kishigawa. Hirayabu hits one up the middle, but Houjyou makes a great grab behind 2nd, and throws to 1st for the 3rd out!!
Top 9th
One down, and Ameku hits a grounder to 2nd. It takes a very high hop, but Nagao makes a quick leap and snocones it. Throws to 1st for the second out.
I looked up after typing and saw 4 straight balls, but it wasn't Tamura, it was the in-between batter Sekiguchi!
They finally pitch to Tamura, and he lines out to Koga without him having to move. So he's finally retired, and so is the side.
Bottom 9th
So it's the last chance now for Kamimura.
Nagao after hitting one just foul, he hits a no doubter to center for a leadoff single.
Nakai-kantoku calls for a quick conference.
Nakazono goes down swinging for the first out.
Nakano tries to keep the inning going with a base hit past Kishigawa the opposite way.
And now a snap throw by Tamura trickles past Takeda and Nagao goes to 3rd. Why are you even throwing it to 1st when that run doesn't matter??
Now Nikou with a copy of Nakano's single and Nagao scores to make it 9-4!
Niiro with a short grounder to 2nd! Kishigawa charging in fields it and collides with Nikou! Kishigawa holds onto the ball for the out, but that was pretty hard.
2 down now for Kamimura as Tanaka steps in.
Comebacker up the middle! Jyouma kick-saves it! It deflects right to Oosugi who throws to 1st for the 3rd out!
A bizzare play to ends a game that was bizarre in it's own right. 3 early HR's from a team not known for one. Subsequent shutdown of the offense by basically pitching around those batters, a possible comeback when the ace quickly tires, only to see that lead expand back when they lose all sense of fielding. And then the final out.
Kamimura was certainly in shock after that first inning and had to find a way to regroup. But the deficit was just too much for them to come back from. They're eliminiated, but there's more promise in this team each year we see them, I think,
For Kousei Gakuin, they've cleared the first part where they could have tripped themselves up, and now will need to play for their lives starting in the Best 8.
Notable Players
Tamura Tatsuhiro (Kousei Gakuin) - 1-2, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 4 BB
Houjyou Fumiya (Kousei Gakuin) -2-3, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Ameku Shouto (Kousei Gakuin) -3-5, HR, R, RBI, BB
Oosugi Akinobu (Kousei Gakuin) - 4-5, 2B, R, RBI
Nagao Ryou (Kamimura Gakuen) - 2-3, R, RBI
Kakizawa Ryou (Kamimura Gakuen) - 2-2, R, RBI, BB
First on the docket is a team desperately looking to return to the finals, and win this time.
Kousei Gakuin has returned to their 3rd consecutive calendar Koushien, and unfortunately did not look as dominant in their 4-0 defeat of Yuugakukan, with two of those runs being scored on a late HR by Houjyou. Offense has been by far their biggest weakness (hello Sanko and Osaka Touin) and this summers' version is pretty much the same. They have been able to beat the teams they need to beat, but not the big game.
And with the offense not all-star calibur, it has been Jyouma and Kanazawa that have helped carry the teams. Jyouma has shown to be above all else a contact pitcher who thrives on weak contact, but is not a soft-tosser either. This year though, he has emerged as the ace of the staff as he is heavily used, this despite still wearing the #4.
Kamimura Gakuen defeated an offensively challenged Chiben Wakayama squad. However, as Chiben's pitching showed, their own offense is not overpowering as well.
What was perhaps a bit surprising is that while ace Kakizawa is one of the harder throwers out there (~mid 140s), he doesn't rack up a lot of strikeouts. If you remember he had just 3 against Chiben Wakayama. So I suspect then that he uses his speed, control and willingness to be in the zone to get bad contact.
So what do I expect out of this game? Probably a lot of the pitching staffs trying to control the game as both offenses will try to manufacture runs. I think it'll be a tough game all around, with a lot more pressure on the Kousei squad to repeat last year's performance.
Kousei Gakuin (Aomori)
RF Ameku
LF Murase
C Tamura
SS Houjyou
1B Takeda
3B Oosugi
2B Jyouma
CF Kimura
P Kanazawa
Kamimura Gakuen (Kagoshima)
CF Niiro
SS Tanaka
RF Koga
P Kakizawa
LF Seguchi (#11)
2B Nagao
3B Nakazono
C Nakano
1B Nikou
____________________________________________________________
8:01 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Ameku swings on the first pitch and hits it the opposite way to left.
Seguchi running towards the foul pole. Eases up...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What? Ameku hits the first pitch for a home run (while the siren is still blaring)???
The announcers are going crazy, while I'm just speechless! 35th HR this tournament is a leadoff HR to give Kousei the 1-0 lead!
One down now and Tamura goes full befofe drawing a walk.
Houjyou with a drive to left center! Seguchi running towards the fence again!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you kidding me??!!
Ameku with a leadoff homerun, and now cleanup batter Koujyou hits a 2-run HR? Where is this offensive output coming from??!! It's 3-0 Kousei Gakuin!
Takeda and Oosugi trying to get Kakizawa while's he stunned, but they can only manage groundball outs. Kakizawa gets out of the inning, but his team has sustained disabling damage right from the start.
Bottom 1st
Nothing doing early on for Kamimura Gakuen. Niiro grounds to 2nd, Tanaka hits a foul fly near Kousei's dugout, and Koga makes good contact, but it's right at Oosugi who fields it for the 3rd out.
Top 2nd
After a quick flyout by Jyouma, Kimura gets a single through to right. Kanazawa tries to lay down the bunt, but Kakizawa calmly fields it, throws to 2nd for one and the relay to 1st in time to get a not so speedy Kanazawa for the double play.
Bottom 2ndKakizawa with a grounder that sneaks under Jyouma's glove into right for a leadoff single.
Just as quickly, the runner is erased as Seguchi grounds into the easy 1-6-3 double play.
Nagao flies to right and the inning is over.
Top 3rd
Top of the order and Ameku. He lines one up and pulls it past a diving Nagao for a base hit. Murase tries to lay down the bunt, but it's right in front of home. Nakano makes the quick throw to 2nd for the out.
Nakai-kantoku replaces Murase at 1st with #18 Sekiguchi. Wonder what that was about.
Tamura with a drive to left center!! Seguchi and Niiro running back to the wall! Still running!! NO WAY!!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm completely speechless! What the heck is going on here! That's now 3 HR's by Kousei Gakuin!!! 5-0!!!
And Yamamoto-kantoku has seen enough. #7 Hirayabu comes in for Seguchi and takes the hill, pushing Kakizawa to left.
First up, cleanup batter Houjyou. And you wouldn't blame Hirayabu for being careful and walking him on a full count.
Takeda first pitch tries to get in on the HR parade, but his swing is more of a golf swing and he flies out to left.
Nakai-kantoku goes with the hit-and-run, Oosugi singles to left to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
But Jyouma puts another golf swing on the ball, flies out to center, and Hirayabu prevents further damage. Still yet another HR contributes 2 more runs to Kousei's good.
Bottom 3rd
Well, I think Kamimura's in shock a bit. Nakazono can't connect on a slider over the plate and strikes out.
Nakano reaches out on an outside fastball and grounds to 2nd. And Nikou can't get level on a high slider and flies out to center.
Top 4th
Kimura with a grounder to 3rd. Nakazono's throw is off line and Kimura avoids the tag. Kanazawa tries the safety bunt, but the infield is crashing in and they retire the lead runner yet again.
Hirayabu works around Ameku, to pitch to Sekiguchi. Once again they try the bunt, but again, a crashing Nikou fires to 3rd to get the lead runner in Kanazawa for the 2nd out.
(Gotta keep them honest with the bust-and-run).
Again Hirayabu is careful with Tamura, and he walks him too.
But now it's manrui for Houjyou, who also hit a homerun, and there's nowhere to put him.
Houjyou with a drive to center, but it's off the end of his bat, and Niiro camps under it (still near the wall!) for the 3rd out. Hirayabu works out of the pinch and can breath a slight sigh of relief for next inning.
Bottom 4th
One down and Tanaka draws a 4-pitch walk. But Koga hits one right to Jyouma who goes to 1st and doubles off Tanaka to end the inning!
Top 5th
After Hirayabu strikes out Takeda, Oosugi singles to left on the next pitch. Jyouma standing in, gets hit in the back by a Hirayabu fastball.
Runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 down, and Kimura takes another uppercut hack that results in a fly to right.
Kanazawa swinging all over the place, chases a slider in the dirt for strike 3.
Bottom 5th
Kanazawa unable to find the plate against Kakizawa and gives him the leadoff walk. Hirayabu then hits a chopper up the middle right in-between Jyouma and Houjyou. Nagao lays down a successful bunt, and now a base hit can score 2!
Nakazono with a grounder to 3rd. Oosugi with it, throws home!
Ball bounces out of Tamura's glove and Kakizawa slides in safely! Tamura just didn't close the glove on that one and Kamimura Gakuen is on the board! 5-1!
Hit-and-run for Kamimura! But Nakano pops it up! Houjyou under it for the the 2nd out.
Kanazawa freezes Nikou on a slow curve and the side is retired. Kamimura Gakuen gets one back right before the break, but still find themselves down by a good margin.
Top 6th
It's obvious now that Hirayabu and Kamimura are pitching out the HR hitters.
Ameku decides to swing away anyways and grounds to 2nd.
After hard-hit groundout to 1st by Sekiguchi, Tamura walks on 4 straiight. Houjyou too draws a 5-pitch walk.
They're going to make #5 batter Takeda beat them.
He hits a ball right at Nagao, who flips to Tanaka for the out.
Bottom 6th
Niiro stars the 6th with a liner back up the middle.
Now Kanazawa on a pickoff throw throws it away! Niiro advances to 2nd, and that gets Nakai-kantoku to call time. For Kousei, this is no time to be complacent. They may not score any more runs as they're walking their big hitters.
But the home plate umpire calls Tanaka on a swing and he's down on strikes (I don't get what they call as "going around" as some of the check swings that are called for strikes look like they held up).
Koga with a chopper back up the middle! It's off Kanazawa's glove and deflects to short! But Houjyou was headed for the center and has to redirect! By the time he gets to the ball, he has no play!
Bad luck for Kousei turns into a run as Kakizawa hit a fly to left! Sekiguchi easily there, but it's deep enough to score Niiro to make it 5-2!
2 down for Hirayabu, and Kanazawa is struggling with the zone, he falls behind Hirayabu and walks him!
Situation now for Kousei as this could become an issue. Yamamoto-kantoku passes a message to Nagao as #10 Itou warms up for Kousei.
Nagao fouls two pitches and is quickly behind.
Reaches down and pokes one to the right side! Jyouma dives, but can't get to it! Koga scores on the single and it's now 5-3!!
Only now does Nakai-kantoku make the pitching change. He sends in Jyouma to take the hill while #14 Kishigawa comes in for Kanazawa to play 2nd.
Jyouma comes in with 2 down and runners at the corners. Nakazono drives a ball to center, but it's not deep enough! Kimura there with the catch and the side is retired! But what was a comfortable 5-1 lead, has become a hand-wringing 2-run lead! And with 3 innings to go, they cannot be giving up runs every inning.
Top 7th
Especially since the Kamimura side has decided to take the bat away from their 3 best hitters.
Oosugi slices down a ball deep down the left field line fair. He slides into 2nd, but notices too late the throw was wild.
Jyouma with a grounder to short, Tanaka misses it! He whiffs on the ball and now Oosugi is being waved around! Throw from Murase not in time! Nakano goes to 2nd to try and cut down Jyouma, but the throw is way high! Jyouma advances to 3rd on the 2nd error! 6-3 on the error!
Wild pitch from Hirayabu! It goes away from Nakano and Jyouma comes in to score! 3 straight errors by the Kamimura defense/battery and just like that Kamimura has given back those 2 runs they just scored. 7-3!
Hirayabu aftewards has no trouble retiring Kimura and new 2B Kishigawa. But back atop the lineup Ameku singles to left for his 3rd hit on the day.
And another way too high pitch from Hirayabu sends Ameku to 2nd.
Sekiguchi with a carbon copy single to left, and Ameku is waved home!
Boy, that's going to end bad...
And it predictably does as Ameku is easily thrown out at home for the 3rd out.
There is not so smart bunting and baserunning on Kousei's part here in this game. Not smart at all...
Bottom 7th
Nakano trying to re-start the Kamimura offense with a single to center.
Nikou with a drive to right! Ameku running back, running, jumps.. and makes the catch! Nakano has to go back on the catch!
Niiro with a slow chopper to the right side. Kishigawa charging tries to make the tag on Nakano, but can't, so he has to toss to 2nd for the out.
Jyouma having problems with Tanaka, but Tamura throws to 3rd on a ball in the dirt?
AH! Niiro was going on the wild pitch, but froze when he realized it wasn't far enough! He's run down 2-5-4-1-6 (I think) for the 3rd out!
Top 8th
And as expected Tamura walks for the 4th time (don't be surprised if Kousei's next opponent does this).
So Tamura takes off for 2nd, and Nakano's throw is high! He takes 2nd!
They still pitch to Houjyou for some reason, and he slices one down the left field line for an easy double, scoring Tamura and making it 8-3.
With a runner on, Takeda can do something... bunt. And so he does.
Oosugi with his 4th hit on the day! He singles to center scoring Houjyou to make it 9-3.
That'll be it for Hirayabu as he and Kakizawa switch places once again.
On the first pitch, Oosugi takes off for 2nd, and gets no throw.
But Kakizawa gets Jyouma to fly out to center, and Kimura to go down swinging to retire the side.
Bottom 8th
Two quick outs for Kamimura before Kakizawa singles past Kishigawa. Hirayabu hits one up the middle, but Houjyou makes a great grab behind 2nd, and throws to 1st for the 3rd out!!
Top 9th
One down, and Ameku hits a grounder to 2nd. It takes a very high hop, but Nagao makes a quick leap and snocones it. Throws to 1st for the second out.
I looked up after typing and saw 4 straight balls, but it wasn't Tamura, it was the in-between batter Sekiguchi!
They finally pitch to Tamura, and he lines out to Koga without him having to move. So he's finally retired, and so is the side.
Bottom 9th
So it's the last chance now for Kamimura.
Nagao after hitting one just foul, he hits a no doubter to center for a leadoff single.
Nakai-kantoku calls for a quick conference.
Nakazono goes down swinging for the first out.
Nakano tries to keep the inning going with a base hit past Kishigawa the opposite way.
And now a snap throw by Tamura trickles past Takeda and Nagao goes to 3rd. Why are you even throwing it to 1st when that run doesn't matter??
Now Nikou with a copy of Nakano's single and Nagao scores to make it 9-4!
Niiro with a short grounder to 2nd! Kishigawa charging in fields it and collides with Nikou! Kishigawa holds onto the ball for the out, but that was pretty hard.
2 down now for Kamimura as Tanaka steps in.
Comebacker up the middle! Jyouma kick-saves it! It deflects right to Oosugi who throws to 1st for the 3rd out!
A bizzare play to ends a game that was bizarre in it's own right. 3 early HR's from a team not known for one. Subsequent shutdown of the offense by basically pitching around those batters, a possible comeback when the ace quickly tires, only to see that lead expand back when they lose all sense of fielding. And then the final out.
Kamimura was certainly in shock after that first inning and had to find a way to regroup. But the deficit was just too much for them to come back from. They're eliminiated, but there's more promise in this team each year we see them, I think,
For Kousei Gakuin, they've cleared the first part where they could have tripped themselves up, and now will need to play for their lives starting in the Best 8.
Notable Players
Tamura Tatsuhiro (Kousei Gakuin) - 1-2, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 4 BB
Houjyou Fumiya (Kousei Gakuin) -2-3, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Ameku Shouto (Kousei Gakuin) -3-5, HR, R, RBI, BB
Oosugi Akinobu (Kousei Gakuin) - 4-5, 2B, R, RBI
Nagao Ryou (Kamimura Gakuen) - 2-3, R, RBI
Kakizawa Ryou (Kamimura Gakuen) - 2-2, R, RBI, BB
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