Aki Taikai Recap-to-date - Kinki

Once again, Kinki is in a big state of flux, and if the rotation holds true, Osaka and Hyogo will be short a representative this time around!

Shiga
Shiga has the basic single elimination system, and it has gone for the most part surprisingly scratch as they move onto the semifinals and finals this weekend.

Not surprisingly Hikone Higashi is back on the warpath again, and score-wise looks the best of the rest remaining with 2 mercy rule wins.  They will face Oumi, who survived a 12-inning game against Hieizan - certainly not a pushover, but could put the team's strength into question.

On the other half could be Hikone Higashi's biggest threat - Oumi Kyoudaisha.  Admittedly, they too had a close call against Shiga Gakuen in the quarterfinals (much like Oumi), and they showed promise in the summer too, but they defeated Oumi in the summer and the offense seems stronger.

Interestingly, Oumi Kyoudaisha's opponent will be a rematch of their 1st round game in the summer - Youkaichi.  The offense surely looks strong, but the pitching seems the weakest of the lot and they haven't played really tough competition.

Kyoto
Aw... Kyoto Gaidai Nishi can't get up for the Super-regionals again...

Kyoto too is in the semifinals, and there is one outlier who will be trying to fight for a spot in the Super-regionals - Nishi-Jyouyou.  They didn't face much competition and has not dominated them either.  To secure a spot they will have to defeat Ryuukokudai Heian who most recently annihilated Kyoto Seishou 11-2.

On the other side, Ritsumeikan Uji was challenged by Ritsumeikan proper then had to outslug the aforementioned Kyoto Gaidai Nishi 10-5.  They will face the other long school name (see what I mean about scratch?) Fukuchiyama Seibi.  An uncharacteristic 11-8 game against Nissei puts up a red flag, but settled down afterwards for 4-0 and 5-1 wins.

Nara
Sakurai not surprisingly couldn't duplicate their success in the summer.

However, this time around (so far anyways), Chiben Gakuen is still alive - though a 2-0 and 11-5 wins against no-name teams do not bode well.  They should have no trouble with Nara Tousen... maybe.  They will face the winner of Kashiba (who narrowly lost to Sakurai in the summer) and Kansai Chuo.

Yamato Kouryou's been inconsistent, but gets to face a Kashihara Gakuin team who too has failed to live up to expectations.  Naradai Fuzoku, who was one game away from reaching Natsu Koushien, will look to get to Haru Koushien with unknown Heijyou immediately standing in the way.

Wakayama
Wakayama has the weird thing of having a tournament just to advance 4 into the quarterfinals, then having the remaining teams later compete in blocks for the other 4.  Chiben Wakayama obviously took the time to qualify the first time around, cruising comfortably until they qualified where they might have send out the reserves so as to not tip off the competition. Still, they got to the finals where they lost to Shinguu 6-3, though that result doesn't matter.  Also advancing was Kainan and Shiritsu Wakayama.

The rest would have to battle it out again, and the ones that climbed out of the ruckus were:

• Kinkidai Shinguu, who will have an intercity battle with Shinguu
• Tanabe, who will face Kainan to start
• Arita Chuo, who drew the short straw and will face Chiben Wakayama leaving
• Kouyasan to play Shiritsu Wakayama.

Osaka
With only 2 bids up for grabs in the major prefectures, it's all out for all the schools from Osaka and Hyogo - and that generally doesn't bode well for the non-powerhouse schools...

But there was a small victory for them as Riseisha and Osaka Touin would have to play in the round of 32.  Surprisingly, Riseisha mercy ruled Osaka Touin 13-1 in 5 innings!  Guess they have a bit of rebuilding to do.

Still though, that means that Riseisha has the inside rail at one of the two spots, and with PL Gakuen obliterating teams on the other half, it is a steep climb for the other 14 schools.

Hyogo
I don't know if it is a down cycle in Hyogo, but the powerhouse teams seem to be on the same part of the cycle.

I say this because in the quarterfinals, only one powerhouse managed to survive and they barely got away.  Houtoku Gakuen edged out Akashi Shougyou 3-2 and will face an Ichikawa team who beat Suma Gakuen 2-1 in 12.

The other side was supposed to be a Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku vs. Touyoudai Himeji affair, but both teams wound up losing!  Sanda Shousei would beat Kobe 3-2 in 10 innings, while Yashiro had the largest margin of victory in the quarters - a 4-2 win over Himeji.

This bodes well for Houtoku as they should advance to the Super-regionals (sorry Ichikawa), while Sanda Shouei and Yashiro will battle it out for a rare spot in the Super-regionals.

Aki Taikai Reacp-to-date - Tokai

Tokai is just about completed, with the urban Aichi to have their final games this weekend. All prefectures qualify 3 teams to the Super-Regional.

Shizuoka
Shizuoka wound up being fairly scratch - at least up until the semifinals.

Tokoha Tachibana had two straight scares in the prefecutrals beating Kakegawa Nishi in 10 innings, then needing 12 to defeat Iwata Higashi.  There was the possibility that they'd face their sister school Tokoha Kikugawa in the semfinals, but Gotenba Nishi actually quashed that in their first game.

In the end it wound up not being Gotenba Nishi, but Shizuoka Shougyou who also won 2 close affairs with a 6-5 win over Hamamatsu Shougyou then a 13-inning marathon over the aforementioned Gotenba Nishi.  And in that semifinal, Shizuoka Shougyou actually had a relative easier time winning 8-4 to secure a spot in the Super-Regional.

It actually wound up not being easy for any of the powerhouses early as on the other half Seisei and Shizuoka almost stumbled in their first game but made their way to the semifinals.  In that matchup Shizuoka would triumph with a 4-2 win, sending Seisei into a winner to Super-Regional game.  Sadly for Seisei, they would fall once again to Tokoha Tachibana 3-2 and be eliminated from contention.

And for the title and a bye, Shizuoka would win another extra inning affair with a 3-2 win in 11 innings.

Aichi
I won't even begin to say I understand how Aichi's Aki Taikai works.  52 teams qualified for the prefecturals.

There would be no repeat for Aikoudai Meiden though as they fell hard in the round of 16 to Touhou getting mercy ruled 12-3.  In fact, Touhou marched their way all to the final uncontested with their narrowest loss in the first round 5-0 to Komaki Minami!

As for the other half, Chuukyoudai Chuukyou seemed to be back on the rebound as they defeated Shigakukan and Aichi Keisei.  However, they were steamrolled in the semifinals by unknown Toyokawa 10-0 in just 6 innings!!  So they're sent to the 3rd place game to face Homare for the last bid.  Should be no trouble, but you never know...

Gifu
Oh man, I thought Aichi's qualification process was convoluted... Gifu's makes even less sense! Some regions have a semi-round robin where you don't face everyone, instead of separating groups into their own - appearing to make it even less equitable.

Despite all that, Oogaki Nichidai gained momentum in the prefecturals, culminating in a 4-0 win over unknown Gifu Seitoku Gakuen to claim their 6th title.

Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou didn't even make it to the prefecturals, and Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou narrowly lost to Seki Shoukou, who went on the 3rd place game defeating Gifu Kougyou 6-0.

Mie
Mie was totally controlled by Mie, with the only challenge in a win over Inabe Sougou Gakuen in the semifinals (they made a first inning run stick for the entire game).  Joining them in an automatic bid is Ise, who had some solid wins against Matsuzaka and Ise Kougyou, but like many couldn't keep up with Mie.

Not surprisingly, Inabe Sougou Gakuen took the 3rd place game easily against Tsuda Gakuen 9-1.

Aki Taikai Recap-to-date - Hokushinetsu

Most of the participants for the Super-Regional have already been determined, with the exception of Nagano - check that, they just completed today.

Nagano
Mostly because they go probably though one of the most convoluted processes out there.

First, during Natsu Koushien, all teams are playing in "qualifiers" which only determines seeded teams. Then the actual qualifications start with a certain quantity advancing from each region into the prefecturals.

Sadly, Ueda Nishi's time in the sun has already passed. They couldn't get past the first game against Ueda, getting mercy-ruled 7-0.

Interestingly, while many of the familiar names advanced through the prefecturals, they all seemed to fall in the quarterfinals thus ensuring mostly newcomers would be advancing to the Super-Regionals.

First it was Matsushou Gakuen falling 3-1 to Toukai Dai-san. Then after Iiyama beat Nanshin top seed Okaya Minami, Chikyuu Kankyou upset Nagano Nichidai 4-2 and Nagano Nishi topping Saku Chousei 1-0!

But while the quarterfinals were close, the semifinals were anything but with Toukai Dai-san mercy-ruling Iiyama, and Chikyuu Kankyou holding Nagano Nishi to just 1 run in a 6-1 victory.

Nagano Nishi and Iiyama had one last chance, and it was all Nagano Nishi, leading wire-to-wire 8-3.

I don't have any score, but through twitter it appears that Toukai Dai-san has won their first fall title defeated Chikyuu Kankyou.

Niigata
It seemed to be the status quo for the 2 main powerhouses of the prefecture, though Niigata Meikun had the easier time of it getting to the finals with only a 4-1 win over Chuuetsu being the only main challenge.  Nihon Bunri on the other hand had to go sayonara against Hokuetsu and followed that up with another nailbiter against Sanjyou.

Nihon Bunri would have to play the cardiac kids again rallying with 3 in the 8th to defeat Niigata Meikun 4-3 to claim their 18th title.  Joining them would be Chuuetsu who edged Sanjyou 3-2 and made it seemingly an all-scratch representation.

Toyama
Eager to show their Koushien run wasn't a fluke, Toyama Dai-ichi blew through the early parts of the Toyama prefectural. But the last two steps were the most difficult, but in both cases they just passed the test - first with a 4-3 win over Shin-Minato, then a 2-1 win over Toyama Shougyou.

Shin-Minato would join the duo in the Super-regionals after defeating Toyama Kokusaidai Fuzoku 6-1 in the 3rd place game.

Ishikawa
The school responsible for sending home my friend's JET school (Komatsu Meihou) home this past summer, wound up being a one-school wrecking crew in the fall. Komatsu Ootani was single-handedly defeated Kanazawa and Seiryou... and still didn't make the finals! They wound up falling to Ishikawa-ken Kougyou 2-1 in the semifnals!

But that allowed them to demolish another team shutting out Yuugakukan 3-0 to take the final spot!

Question was, who was that other team who sent Yuugakukan to the last chance game anyways?

That school would be Tsubata, who basically survived on just 2 runs in 3 straight games versus Kanazawa Shougyou and Hakui before doing the same to Yuugakukan.

In the final, they would continue do just enough to defeat Ishikawa-ken Kougyou 4-3 to claim the title.

Fukui
Fukui is hosing the Super-regional this year and as a result will qualify 4 teams.

And the tournament went fairly scratch with one exception. Fukui Shougyou wound up being upset in the quarterfinals by Hokuriku 10-6.  Not only that, but they'd go on to upset Tsuruga Kehi as well actually mercy-ruling them 7-0!

They would almost pull off the full upset as they lead Fukui Koudai Fukui 5-1 heading into the final 3 innings, but could not close it out as they would score in each of the frames forcing enchousen and winning one inning later 7-6.

It would be more insult to injury for Tsuruga Kehi as they would lose the 3rd place game 6-4 to Harue Kougyou.  They'll still make it to the Super-regionals, but it's not a good way to enter it.

Aki Taikai Recap-to-date - Tokyo

Tokyo gets their own region and has 24 blocks which contain 2 brackets, all of which has finished. The teams to advance are as follows:

Block 1

• Obirin (Oberlin) - Back to the super-regionals, but a 12-9 win against Waseda in the block final not very strong
• Toukaidai Takanawadai

Block 2

• Ooshima - Good for the small island school. They defeated Teikyoudai and Nichidai Sakuragaoka(!) to advance.
• Horikoshi - No problems at all for them as they score 10 runs in all 3 games to try and get an invite to Haru Koushien.

Block 3

• Hachiouji 
• Nishhougakushadai Fuzoku - A strong win over Kokugakin Kugayama is promising.

Block 4

• Tokyo Sougou Kouka
• Ouji Sougou

Block 5

• Kokushikan - Perhaps they're back after 2 strong games early.
• Edogawa

Block 6

• Setagaya Gakuen
• Teikyou - Strong early, but a 4-1 win over Nichidai-ichi doesn't look promising.

Block 7

• Nichidai Tsurugaoka - Slow start versus Jyoutou, but picked up steam as they progressed.
• Machida - No problems at all for them as they score 10 runs in all 3 games to try and get an invite to Haru Koushien.

Block 8

• Kanto Dai-ichi - Two mercy rule wins perhaps put them in good position.
• Shouwa

Block 9

• Nichidai Buzan
• Higashi-Yamato Minami

Block 10

• Kousei Gakuen - Needed 10 innings for a 1-0 win over Tokyo Jitsugyou in the final, but it's not a bad thing.
• Chitosegaoka

Block 11

• Iwakura
• Shiba

Block 12

• Rikkyo Ikebukuro
• Sundai Gakuen

Block 13

• Shuutoku - Two mercy rule wins, including a 7-0 win over Kokugakuin is a plus.
• Komagome

Block 14

• Komadai
• Jyouhoku

Block 15

• Nittai Ebara - Will they finally find a way to break through?
  
• St. Paulo Gakuen - Always in the mix, but the test lies ahead.

Block 16

• Kodaira Minami
• Adachi Nitta

Block 17

• Taisei
• Waseda Jitsugyou - Totally annihilated their opposition.

Block 18

• Shibaura Koudai
• Dai-yon Shougyou

Block 19

• Musashi Murayama
• Toukaidai Sugao

Block 20

• Ooizumi
• Musashigaoka

Block 21

• Adachi Nishi
• Seikei

Block 22

• Nichidai-san - Nothing to see here, just the usual blowouts.
• Hiro-o

Block 23

• Nichidai-ni - Always in it, but never in real contention.
• Tanashi

Block 24

• Oyamadai
• Houyuu Gakuin

Aki Taikai Recap-to-date - Kanto ex Tokyo

Things get a bit more wacky as we start heading south and west...

Ibaraki
Regional play has been completed, and 29 teams moved on to prefectural play.  Jyousou Gakuin got a free pass and is probably expected to go deep into the tournament. Kasumigaura, who was just 6 outs away from winning their first title, is also present - but the question will be has their time passed them by? If they do get their revenge matchup it will be in the finals, but in the haru format does not guarantee them a spot in Koushien.

However, the other seeded teams are Meishuu Hitachi, Suijyou and Fujishiro - the latter 2 being familiar names.

Tochigi
Tochigi has no such regionals, all 61 teams are just thrown into a bracket and they beat each other up. So far, Sakushin Gakuin looks to be the front-runner with mercy-rule wins in their first two games and advancing into the quarterfinals.

Joining them are 5 other "seeded teams" including Sano Nichidai, Hakuoudai Ashikaga and Bunsei Geidai Fuzoku. Only the former has had mercy-rule wins throughout.

Gunma
Sadly, when it comes to the one-time winners, it kind of follows that they are unable to follow it up.

Such was the case with Maebashi Ikuei, who couldn't get past their first game losing to Oota Kougyou 4-3...

As a result, the mainstays have been able to reassert themselves within the prefecture at least - sort of.

Kendai Takasaki has made the semifinals, in Kendai fashion, with not one, not two, but three 1-run ballgames. They will face Kitoku, who is definitely a solid C team, for an automatic bid into the Super-Regional.

On the other side, Kiryuu Dai-ichi is back once again and will face unknown Takasaki Shoudai Fuzoku.

Saitama
The struggles for Urawa Gakuin continue... Ojima cannot get them past their 2nd game of the prefecturals, falling to Honjyou Dai-ichi 3-2.  They will face Yashio Minami for a spot in the semifiinals.

Elsewhere, familiar names Saitama Sakae and Hanasaki Tokuharu after eking out 4-3 sayonara wins will face each other... there's an all-Kawagoe matchup as Kawagoe Higashi and Shiritsu Kawagoe meetup...

...and can Kasukabe Kyouei finally get to Koushien please? Two shutout wins pit them now against Matsuyama for a spot in the semis.

Chiba
Kisaradzu Sougou had the unfortunate draw to face Toukaidai Bouyou right off the bat in the prefecturals... and lost 2-1.  Oddly enough they then lost to unknown Abiko in the very next game 3-1!

There were even more early strong matchups as Chiba Keizaidai Fuzoku defeated Toukaidai Urayasu 3-1.  Senshuudai Matsudo has been given no favors having to face Chiba Keiai and now Narita.

Narashino is still alive, but two close games so far do not instill confidence in the team's strength early despite having an easy road so far.

And don't forget about Kashiwa Nittai, they're always in the mix and may not have a challenge until a possible matchup with Chiba Reimei in the quarterfinals.

Kanagawa
Toukou Gakuen look to make it back to the Super-Regionals having defeated Nichidai Fujisawa and Yokohama Sougakukan.  They should have no trouble against a Nichidai squad despite them giving up their first runs of the taikai in the last round in a 5-4 win over Busou.

The bigger matchup is Toukaidai Sagami (who has just beat the heads in on all opponents - including Touin Gakuen) all without giving up a run, versus a Yokohama squad who once again does not look all that impressive though they did have to face Yokohama Hayato and Keio Gijyuku.

Yamanashi
We could be in line for a rematch of the natsu final as both Hikawa and Nihon Koukuu are on opposite sides of the bracket and are on a collision course. In their way immediately right now are Koufu Kougyou and Koufu Shougyou respectively.  After that, it could be fellow powerhouses Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku and Toukaidai Koufu. So while the rematch may happen, there's still some obstacles left to go.

Aki Taikai Recap-to-date - Tohoku

Onto the Tohoku Super-Regionals...

Aomori
Draw is set in Aomori, teams qualified are as follows:

Aomori Regionals

• Block winners - Aomori Kita & Aomori Yamada
• Repechage winners - Aomori Shougyou & Aomori Kita

 Goshogawara Regionals

• Block winners - Kidzukuri & Goshogawara
• Repechage winner - Goshogawara Shougyou

 Hirosaki Regionals

• Block winners - Hirosaki Higashi & Touou Gijyuku
• Repechage winner - Hirosaki Chuo

 Towada Regionals

• Block winners - Misawa Shougyou & Misawa
• Repechage winner - Sanbongi

 Hachinohe Regionals

• Block winners - Hachinohe Kita & (Hachinohe) Kousei Gakuin
• Block runner-ups - Hachinohe Nishi & Hachinohe
• Repechage winner - Takko

 Mutsu Regionals

• Block winner - Oominato
• Repechage winner - Mutsu Kougyou

Seiai joins the rest of the field in where the draw spreads out the major teams. Aomori Yamada and Kousei Gakuin are all in different quadrants. Should be interesting!

Akita
Akita regionals are completed and they are in the quarterfinals of the prefecturals. Missing from the list is Natsu representative Akita Shougyou who did not even make the prefecturals losing in the 2nd round of the Chubu regionals 8-4 to Nishime.

And the power vacuum was filled in by teams who were more resourceful than the other powerhouse teams. Oomagari Kougyou rallied from down 5-1 to defeat Oodate Houmei 6-5. Akita Chuo mercy ruled Noshiro Shougyou 9-0! Oomagari won a 13-12 bloodbath versus Akita Minami, and Akita was walked off by Kakunodate 7-6.

For Kakunodate's sake I hope they get to the super-regionals and more. They were so close in the summer.

Iwate
Iwate's regionals are done and the teams to advance are as follows:

Kuji Regionals

• Winner - Kuji Kougyou
• Repechage winner - Kuji

Ninohe Regionals

• Winner & Runner-up - Fukuoka & Ibonai
• Repechage winner - Kuzumaki

Morioka Regionals

• Winner & Runner-up - Moriokadai Fuzoku & Morioka Chuo
• Semifinalists - Morioka Dai-yon & Iwate
• Repechage winners - Morioka Dai-san & Morioka Shiritsu

Hanamaki Regionals

• Extra winner - Hanamaki Higashi (they played the block winner and won 12-0)
• Block winner & Runner-up - Touno & Hanamaki Kita
• Repechage winner - Hanamaki Nougyou & Hanakita Seiuun

Hokuou Regionals

• Winner & Runner-up - Senshuudai Kitakami & Mizusawa
• Repechage winners - Kurosawajiri Kougyou & Mizusawa Dai-ichi
• 2nd Repechage winner - Mizusawa Kougyou

Ichinoseki Regionals

• Winner & Runner-up - Ichinoseki Gakuin (Again...) & Daitou
• Repechage winner & runner-up - Ichinoseki Dai-ni & Ichinoseki Dai-ichi

Engan Minami Regionals

• Winner - Oofunato
• Repechage winner & Runner-up - Takada & Kamaishi

Engan Kita Regionals

• Winner & Runner-up - Yamada & Miyako Kougyou
• Repechage winner - Miyako Shougyou

Yamagata
Nichidai Yamagata plus several others got a free pass to the prefecturals, and has reached the finals only having to face Tsuruoka Higashi. Their finals opponent is Yamamoto Gakuen who rallied to defeat Sakata Minami 3-2.

In the 3rd place game the aforementioned Sakata Minami will probably have an easy time against Sakata Kouryou.

Miyagi
Sendai Ikuei will head to the Super-Regionals as the Miyagi champion... just. They escaped with a 3-2 10 inning win over Matsushima in the quarterfinals, then edging Touryou 2-1 in the finals.

Surprisingly, Rifu did not win the 3rd place game. Instead they lost 6-5 to Shibata.

Fukushima
There was a bombshell in Fukushima, well, sort of.

I say sort of because Seikou Gakuin still advanced out of the prefecture. However, they had to get in through the backdoor after losing 5-1 to Nichidai Tohoku in the semifinals. Nichidai Tohoku would win the prefecture with a convincing 6-2 win over Sukagawa.

Aki Taikai Recap-to-date - Hokkaido

While the Aki Taikai is important for determining teams who will go to Haru Koushien, information on brackets and the like is not as well covered.

Hokkaido
Unlike the summer where they split Hokkaido, here there is only 1 spot, which I guess while warranted because of the weakness in prefecture, is somewhat disappointing.

Anyways, we have our teams as follows going to the Super-Regional:

Hakodate Regionals

• Hakodatedai Yuuto - Perhaps in a rebuilding year, struggled against Hakodate Kougyou and Shiritsu Hakodate.
• Hakodate Shougyou - Went on an offensive rampage before eking a 2-0 win over Hakodate Ootani.  Did not have to face Hakodate LaSalle

Muroran Regionals

• Komadai Tomakomai - They advance, but a 2-1 block win over Hokkaido Sakae does not instill confidence.
• Tomakomai Chuo - Only runs given up in opening game versus Muroran Sakae. Will get tested in Super-Regional play.

Sapporo Regionals

• Sapporo Ootani - Had close calls versus Sapporo Nichidai and unknown Hokkaido Kokusai Jyouhou.
• Sapporo Minami - Routed all opponents, though had a 15-8 barnburner against Sapporo Atsubetsu.
• Toukai Dai-yon - Once again, they make it with no issues (including a convincing win over Sapporo Dai-ichi!), but you have to wonder if they'll ever breakthrough.
• Sapporo Seishuu -  Had several close games before blowing out Sapporo Touryou in block final. But no quality opponents and team is a relative unknown.

Otaru Regionals

• Hokushou - Need I say more?

Sorachi Regionals

• Komadai Iwamizawa - A very close call with a 10 inning win over Takigawa Nishi, but otherwise smooth sailing.

Asahikawa Regionals

• Asahikawadai - They're back in the spotlight, and had quality wins over Asahikawa Jitsugyou and a 14 inning marathon against Furano. Did not give up a single run in the block.
• Asahikawa Meisei - Makes just their 3rd appearance, and only after outlasting Asahikawa Minami 8-7.

Nayoro Regionals

• Teshio - Makes their 4th appearance after defeating Wakkanai Ootani 3-1 in block final.

Kitami Regionals

• Abashiri Keiyou - A real unknown who gave up runs only in a 11 inning 5-4 win over Kitami Kougyou.
• Kitami Hokuto - Got stronger as they progressed, struggling against Kitami Hokuyou before defeating Engaru and Memanbetsu.

Tokachi Regionals

• Shirakaba Gakuen - Had an uncharacteristic hiccup in 4-3 10 inning win over Shimizu, but otherwise breezed through.
• Obihiro Sanjyou - The fabled Obihiro Ootani couldn't make it back as they lost 4-1 in the block final.

Kushine Regionals

• Kushiro Meiki - Another unknown, walked off Kushiro Hokuyou 4-2 to advance.
• Bushuukan - Had to walk off against Nakashibetsu, but routed everyone else otherwise.

Day 15 - Final - Maebashi Ikuei (Gunma) vs. Nobeoka Gakuen (Miyazaki)

And then there were 2...

And who saw this coming? If you did, you can take over my blog because you know a heck of a lot more than I do apparently (I could also just watch games again to watch games, but I digress.)

First of all Nobeoka Gakuen. 32 year old kantoku Shigemoto Kouji let out one hell of a scream after the final out was recorded. It has been a long road, one that almost didn't happen because St. Ursula battled with them the entire game before Nobeoka finally prevailed in the 10th.

Nobeoka has been the master of the mid-game adjustment. They have scored 15 of their 21 runs after the mid-game break. If you include the 5th inning, it becomes 19 of 21 runs.

I don't know what it is either, whether they spend the first time or so through the lineup assessing the pitcher and then striking, or if they know the mid-game break could affect a pitcher's rhythm and thus are somehow able to take advantage of it when other schools can't, but 9 of their 21 runs scored were scored in the 6th.

It's so prevailing that it may have been the reason why Hanamaki Higashi tried to attack ace Yokose Takahiro early in counts to try and get a lead before the eventual strike. But changing your strategy to something you're not used to just to try and preempt someone else's strategy doesn't generally lead to victory.

The last thing you need is to give ace Yokose an easy time on the mound. Hanamaki Higashi swung themselves to 9 Ks and 2 walks with a grand total of 3 hits. But in the Toyama Dai-ichi game, he was not as effective, giving up 6 hits, 2 walks and 3 runs in just 3 IP before Ide finished it out.

If we are to believe his interview after the Hanamaki Higashi win, Yokose will start the final - and why not? His one time he came out of he pen was his worst performance.

Maebashi Ikuei gets here having dominated Nichidai Yamagata from start to finish. They took my questions regarding their ability to score runs, laughed, and tore up my sheets. It's not that they scored a lot of runs, it's just that they scored them early so as to try and demoralize Nichidai Yamagata - who showed resiliency in the game against Meitoku Gijyuku.

Arai-kantoku made a key move before the game as Takahashi Tomoya went from the bottom of the lineup to 2nd and immediately rewarded him with a 3-3 effort with a 2B, a SB and 2 runs. Driving him in is the manager's son Arai Kaito, who only went 1-3, but has a sac fly and an effective groundout showing that he knows the situation and what he needs to do.

Interestingly the former #2 batter Tamura Hayato, moved down to #8 in the order and went 2-4 with a triple down the right field line.

On the mound, Takahashi Kouna has pitched all but the first 5 innings against Jyousou Gakuin. He's not the dominating ace that you'd associate with a championship team, but he scatters hits and walks and when he does get into a pinch he shuts the door.

However, I wonder if they'll send out their ace to start the game. It is the final, so perhaps he starts and then Kitagawa comes in. But chances are Kitagawa starts like the Jyousou Gakuin game and then Kouna would come in to close it out. The risk you run is much like their game against Jyousou Gakuin, and more prominently the 2006 final replay where Kikuchi Shouta started for Komadai Tomakomai instead of Tanaka Masahiro. Waseda Jitsugyou would score the opening run in the first, knock Kikuchi out and stay ahead for the rest of the game.

We just don't know a whole lot about their bullpen, unlike Nobeoka - who has 2 other pitchers that in the event of an emergency Shigemoto-kantoku can break the glass and go to. That's a comforting thought for a kokoyakyu kantoku.

I don't think there is a clear favorite, but if it does come down to the pitching - just from what we've seen in terms of depth, Nobeoka Gakuen has the advantage.

It's time for the final! This Natsu Koushien has been very enjoyable from start to finish, and I don't expect anything less from this game either! Play ball!


Maebashi Ikuei (Gunma)
CF Kudou Youhei
2B Takahashi Tomoya
SS Tsuchiya Keisuke
3B Arai Kento
C Ogawa Toshiki
RF Itagaki Fumiya
P Takahashi Kouna
LF Tamura Hayato
1B Kusunoki Hiroki

Nobeoka Gakuen (Miyazaki)
2B Kajiwara Shouto
SS Matsumoto Masaya
CF Sakamoto Ryougo
RF Iwashige Akihito
LF Hamada Shintarou
1B Tanaka Yuuki
3B Usuda Ryou (#14)
C Yanase Naoya
P Yokose Takahiro

____________________________________________________________

12:01 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
First pitch Kudou swings at and grounds right to Kajiwara for the first out.

Ah, and it looks like Kajiwara was injured in the last game, and he can't go.  #5 Watarai comes in to take 3rd and Usuda goes to 2nd.

Tomoya looking for a pitch from Yokose, but Yokose looks to be careful around him. He walks him!

Yokose working outside to Tsuchiya, but he takes one back up the middle past Usuda into center!

Arai also working the count on Yokose, gets it full.

Single through to right! Tomoya being held at 3rd as Iwashige's throw goes right home on the fly! But still manrui for Maebashi with 1 out!

Oh no! Ogawa's swing is basically a bunt in front of home! Yanase picks it up, stands on home, goes to 1st, double play!!

Big chance for Maebashi Ikuei lost by an unlucky swing!

Bottom 1st
Watarai up, probably expecting to come in for Kajiwara, quickly grounds out to short.

Kouna falls behind Matsumoto 3-0, but comes back to fill up the count. Comes with another fastball and Matsumoto rolls one to Kusunoki for the 3rd out.

Sakamoto flies out to right and it's a 0 for both aces to start.

Top 2nd
Maebashi having to start from scratch against Yokose now here in the 2nd. Itasaka gets a hold of a fastball, but it's off the end of his bat and he flies out to center.

Kouna ahead in the count early, sees Yokose even it up and then goes after an inside fastball and roll it to short for the 2nd out.

And Tamura too can't get level on a low fastball and grounds to short. No problem for Matsumoto and the side is retired. That first inning though has to hurt.

Bottom 2nd
Kouna gets ahead quickly on Iwashige 0-2, then cant get him to chase on any of the next 3 balls. Has to put him away with a slider over the plate looking.

Hamada takes a close pitch outside for ball 3, gets jammed inside and hits a slow liner to short.

Tanaka with a grounder to the gap in short, Tsuchiya cuts it off in the gap, throws a 3 or 4 bouncer to 1st and Kusunoki makes the pick for the 3rd out!

Top 3rd
Kusunoki slow chopper up middle over Yokose's head! Usuda ranging over, but misses handle and won't have a play at 1st! Idfield hit for Maebashi!

No bunting from Kusunoki.

Kusunoki picked off! No! He's called for a balk! Kusunoki advances to scoring position!

But Kudou can't even advance him! He goes after the slow curve but pops out to Iwashige in shallow right.

EH? 1-1 to Tomoya and he tries the safety bunt, but fouls it off! Yokose tries the outside pitch to get him to chase, but NG. Then a slow curve and he just makes a late swing to foul it off.

And so with that, Yokose goes up and in and Tomoya has no chance.

Tsuchiya with a base hit past Tanaka, but Kusunoki can't go home because it's hit to Iwashige and he fires one back home for the 3rd out.

Arai comebacker up middle! It hits Yokose and stays near the mound! He recovers, throws to 1st and that's 3 outs! Another unfortunate event for Maebashi!

Bottom 3rd
あ。 Kouna hits Usuda to start the inning. Yanase lays down the bunt, but Kouna is right there on it, fires to 2nd, just gets Usuda, throw to 1st late.

Yokose bunting too. But falls behind 0-2. Does it anyways! Arai charges in throws to 2nd again, and they just get Yanase! Again late at 1st.

Watarai grounder to 1st  and that's the inning. Wonder if part of the bunting strategy is to try and put stress on the defense for later?

Top 4th
Ogawa can't check his swing on a fastball high and is called out.

Itagaki gets around on a fastball inside and singles to left. As expected no bunting.

But there's a hit-and-run on 2-2! Ball way inside and Kouna still manages to foul it off! Yokose goes fastball down and away and Kouna can't reach out to it.

Tamura down quickly 0-2 on a curve and slider in the zone. And Arai-kantoku decides instead to send Itagaki! Throw from Yanase, not even close! Itagaki is out by a mile and the inning is over.

Bottom 4th
Matsumoto being a thorn in Kouna's side. Behind 0-2, he spoils several of Kouna's pitches and works the count full.

Ball back up middle. Tsuchiya with the great pick, turn and throw to 1st... nice play!

Matsumoto liner to 3rd, Arai puts a glove on it, but can't secure the catch! Prevents a possible double though.

And that's key! Iwashige fists one to right and it gets over Tomoya for a base hit! Nobeoka Gakuen threatening!

He gets one of the 2 outs! Hamada hits a pop to Arai, infield fly called for the 2nd out.

Kouna though can't find the strike zone on Tanaka! He walks him and it's manrui for Nobeoka!

Arai-kantoku calls time.

Usuda chopper to 3rd! Arai has to wait for it... throws to AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His throw right off the hand is high and goes over everything!! Sakamoto already in, Iwashige comes in and it's 2-0 Nobeoka Gakuen!

Kona can't find the outer half on Yanase and he walks him to load the bases again for counterpart Yokose.

Single to right! Tanaka scores! Usuda coming home, throw from Itagaki... in time!

But Nobeoka extends the lead to 3-0! That's usually death for the opponent, but how will Maebashi respond?

Top 5th
Tamura with a ball to left! Hamada running back to the wall! Still running... Looking up!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's how they respond. #8 batter Tamura with a leadoff HR and it's 3-1!

Kusunoki with the safety bunt. Bobbled by Yokose! He has no play!

Kudou with a base hit to the right side! Kusunoki taking 3rd and the douten runner is in scoring position!

That's going to be it for Yokose! Shigemoto-kantoku sends in #11 Ide in relief.

SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomoya lays down the perfect squeeze and the defense is caught off guard! Ide can only go to 1st and it's now 3-2!! And the douten runner is at 2nd!!

Oh? What's this! Ide walks Tsuchiya on 4 pitches! Pinch for Nobeoka!

And now he's 3-0 to Arai!

Arai with one off the bat, but it's looks like he got it caught at the end of the bat and flies out to center! Kudou was halfway and did not tag up! 2 down!

Ogawa ahead in the AB, works the count full...

Single through to right! Kudou rounding 3rd... he scores with no throw!

WE'RE DOUTEN AT 3-3!!!

And that's it for Ide! Shigemoto-kantoku scrambling as #10 Nasu comes in.

No help! He walks Itagaki on 4 straight and it's manrui for Maebashi Ikuei! Shigemoto-kantoku calling time, anything to stop the bleeding.

And it works! Kouna hits a grounder to 3rd. Watarai goes to 1st and the inning is finally over, but not before Maebashi counters to tie the game!!

Bottom 5th
Two quick outs from the top of the Nobeoka order. Watarai pulls one right to Kusunoki for the first out, then Matsumoto tries the drag bunt to the right side with no success.

Sakamoto with a line shot that tips off Kouna's glove and up the middle to center for a base hit!

But Kouna shuts the door with a slider up and in and we're at the break!

In a surprising development Nobeoka strikes earlier than expected, only to give it right back with interest as they're on their 3rd pitcher! The pitching advantage has disappeared for Nobeoka! How will it play out!

Top 6th
Tamura, with a ball off the end of the bat, back to Nasu for the 1st out.

Nasu with a rare K as Kusunoki goes after a fastball down and in. 2 down!

Kudou with ball off end of bat, drives it the other way all the way down the line and hits off the top of the padding in front of the foul pole! He's in with a double!

Tomoya grounder to short, Masumoto can't field it cleanly! Goes to 3rd...

OUT!!!!

Kudou caught rounding 3rd too far and Matsumoto alertly goes there for the out! Side retired!!!

Bottom 6th
Once again Kouna falls behind a batter 3-0, this time Hamada, gets back to full and hits comebaker to Kouna for the first out.

He gets ahead of Tanaka and gets a flyout to left.

And it's a 1-2-3 inning for Kouna post-break! Usuda weak grounder to 2nd and the side is retired!

Top 7th
Tsuchiya with a rip down the right field line... FAIR!!  Takes a hop to the wall, and Iwashige fumbles with the ball at the wall! Tsuchiya in with a 3B and Maebashi Ikuei has a great scoring chance!

Arai scorcher up the 3rd base line... FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tsuchiya comes home and Maebashi Ikuei has the 4-3 lead!!!

Ah, but Arai-kantoku tries to steal a base, and Arai's attempt is about as bad as Itagaki's earlier. 1 out...

And now Ogawa goes down swinging on the slider for the 2nd out.

Working to Itagaki, he can't seem to find either the outer or upper parts of the zone and he walks Itagaki!

AHHH!!! Wild pitch from Nasu gets under Yanase and Itagaki advances to 2nd!

And now behind 1-2, Kouna works the count full and works another walk from Nasu! That brings up Tamura...

Ball back up middle, Usuda caught leaning the wrong way, dives... makes the stop! Takes it to 2nd for the out, but Maebashi has the lead!

Bottom 7th
Nobeoka looks to be in trouble. Yanase with a regular grounder to 2nd. Nasu goes down on high away fastball...

And Watarai swings and misses on the forkball! They must be in red alert mode now!!

Top 8th
It's a 1-2-3 inning for Nasu as he settles down getting Kusunoki to fly to right, Kudou a routine grounder to 2nd, and another fly to right by Tomoya. He's trying to give his team a chance to get back in the game.

Bottom 8th
Matsumoto with a pop fly to Tsuchiya for the first out.

Ah, but Sakamoto works a walk! Douten runner on base!

Iwashige ball back up middle! Tsuchiya with an awkward toss to 2nd for 1, Tomoya's throw to 1st...

OUT!!!

Kusunoki stumbles after contorting to make the catch and the 6-4-3 double play ends the inning!

Top 9th
Nasu starting the inning off with a 4 pitch walk to Tsuchiya.

And now he's behind Arai 3-0! Shigemoto-kantoku gives a couple of words to Nasu from the bench...

Strike 1... and a fly ball! Hamada camps under it for the 1st out.

Tsuchiya takes off for 2nd! Throw from Yanase... hits Tsuchiya and bounds into left! Tsuchiya takes 3rd with a key insurance run!

Ogawa up to try and get the run in.

Nasu laboring out there as he goes from ahead 1-2 to a full count.

Ogawa dribbler back up the middle! Nasu blocks it with his arm, and keeps the runner at 3rd! Goes to 1st and there's 2 down!

Itagaki works count full after taking a just low strike at 2-2...

Gets the walk!Runners at the corners now for Kouna!

Grounder to short! Matsumoto goes to 2nd for the force and we're headed to the bottom of the 9th!

Bottom 9th
Kouna after getting ahead 0-2 to Hamada throws 3 straight balls... and then hits him! Douten runner on and Arai-kantoku calls time!

Tanaka liner down the left field line... FOUL! Shigemoto-kantoku gives him a smile and a clap for good effort.

Tanaka ball back up middle for a base hit! Runners on 1st and 2nd no out for Nobeoka Gakuen!

#13 Nozaki to hit for Usuda...

Pops it up! Tamura under it in shallow left center for the 1st out!

Yanase up now looking for timely.

Hit-and-run!  But Yanase pulls it just foul!

Pops it up! Ogawa scrambling to the Nobeoka dugout, slides... makes catch!!! 2 out!

And now it's P vs. P as Nasu steps in!!

1-1, Kouna goes 141 to get strike 2 on Nasu!!

Fork outside, emergency fouled off by Nasu!

SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kouna with his arms in the air as he strikes out Nasu to win the game! Maebashi Ikuei in their first ever Koushien appearance wins the 95th Natsu Koushien tournament!

And in the hardest part of Natsu Koushien, the losing team is crying at the loss given their opportunity. Even Shigemoto-kantoku is crying... that's hard to take, but I loved the emotion he showed. It made it feel like he cared as much about it as the players. And I bet it makes the players play hard for him as well.

It's hard. It's the hardest part about Koushien, the fact that these kids may have their only shot at Koushien just to fall short. Whether it's in the first round, in the Best 8, or in the finals, to lose and have to deal with your emotions and the reporters and the loss. It's something the media can easily capitalize on. But remember, these are just high school kids that fight with their teammates throughout the year, throughout 3 years, working for this goal. Only 49 get the chance to come here, and only 1 can be the champion.

おめでとうございます前橋育英！
おつかれさまでした延岡学園！
みなさん、本当にありがとうございました!!

Final Lines
Maebashi Ikuei
Kudou Youhei - 2-5, 2B, R
Takahashi Tomoya - 0-3, RBI, BB, K
Tsuchiya Keisuke - 3-3, 3B, R, 2 BB, SB
Arai Kaito - 2-5, RBI
Ogawa Toshiki - 1-5, RBI, 2 K
Itagaki Fumiya - 1-2, 3 BB
Takahashi Kouna - 0-4, K, BB
Tamura Hayato - 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Kusunoki Hiroki - 2-4, R, RBI, K

Takahashi Kouna - CG, 3 ER, 7 H, 5 K , 3 BB, 2 HBP

Nobeoka Gakuen
Kajiwara Shouto - 0-0 (Removed after 1st batter due to injury)
Watarai Akihiro - 0-4, K
Matsumoto Masaya - 1-4
Sakamoto Ryougo - 2-3, R, BB
Iwashige Akihito - 1-4, R, 2K
Hamada Shintarou - 0-3, HBP
Tanaka Yuuki - 1-3, R, BB
Usuda Ryou - 1-2, RBI, HBP
Nozaki Kouji - 0-1
Yanase Naoya - 0-3, BB
Yokose Takahiro - 1-2, RBI
Ide Ichirou, - 0-0
Nasu Ryouto - 0-2, 2K

Yokose Naoya - 5+ IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 3 K, BB
Ide Ichirou - 0.2+ IP, 0 R, H, BB
Nasu Ryouto - 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 K, 5 BB

Day 14 - Semifinal 2 - Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate) vs. Nobeoka Gakuen (Miyazaki)

With Maebashi Ikuei in the final, who will face them? Hanamaki Higashi has the offense on their side, while Nobeoka seemingly has the pitching on their side.

Hanamaki Higasahi (Iwate)
2B Yagi Hikaru (#14)
CF Chiba Shouta
LF Kishisato Ryousuke (#1)
RF Oota Ryousuke
3B Tadano Shouta (#3)
C Yamashita Hayato
SS Mogi Kazuhiro
1B Oguma Yuuki (#16)
P Nakazato Yuusuke (#11)

Nobeoka Gakuen (Miyazaki)
2B Kajiwara Shouto
SS Matsumoto Masaya
CF Sakamoto Ryougo
RF Iwashige Akihito
LF Hamada Shintarou
1B Tanaka Yuuki
3B Usuda Ryou (#14)
C Yanase Naoya
P Yokose Takahiro

____________________________________________________________

13:30 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Yagi up, goes full count, and grounds to 2nd.

Chiba up, and he's not trying to work the count? Swings 1-0 and grounds to 3rd...

Oof... then collides with Tanaka at 1st. He's shaken up a bit, but eventually gets up and heads to dugout. Though, given his stature there's not a lot he won't win in a collision.

Apparently the patience game is being played by Chiba's teammates, because Kishisato goes full, fouls off a couple and takes a walk.

Oota, behind 1-2, fouls off one... and another... and another, and another!

Yokose finally gets him to ground to 1st, but that's 25 pitches in the inning. Chiba would be proud.

Bottom 1st
And there's Ama-chan's OP theme.

Kajiwara though chops one to short, Mogi makes the play for the 1st out.

Matsumoto hard ball to Oguma, gets in front and takes it to the bag for the 2nd out.

And Matsumoto way out in front of a curve, grounds to Mogi again. Short hops throw, but Oguma makes pitch for a 1-2-3 innning.

Top 2nd
After pitching Tadano low, Yokose goes up and in and Tadano can only roll it to Tanaka for the 1st out.

Yokose doesn't pull out the slider, but the changeup as Yamashita goes down for his first K.

And Mogi first pitch flies out to Sakamoto and the inning is over.

Bottom 2nd
Iwashige short ball to the left side, Mogi charges, gets the throw off and gets Iwashige for out #1.

Hamada swings over a slider letter high for the 2nd out.

Tanaka rolls one to 2nd and... AH!

Yagi whiffs on the ball and it goes 5-hole! Inning continues!

Usuda, after falling 1-2 works the count full. Next pitch... ball!

Oh... that was close... But the inning continues as Yanase steps in with runners at 1st and 2nd.

Sanshin!!!

Nakazato gets Yanase to swing and miss on a slider and the inning is over, but not before he has to throw 11 more pitches.

Top 3rd
Oguma goes after yet another curve, and grounds out to Matsumoto up the middle.

Once again the battery does the ol' setup outside pitch over the plate to get Nakazato.

Yagi with the 6th groundout for Yokose as he hits one to Kajiwara for the 3rd out. Right now he has the Hanamaki batters all fouled up in their timing.

Bottom 3rd
Nakazato doing a great job matching Yokose on the mound, first of all getting his counterpart to pull an outside slider weakly to 2nd and Kajiwara to fly to center on the same.

Matsumoto, though hits a hard grounder up the middle. Yagi makes the great stop, but throws it to 1st when he has no play and throws it away! Sensei (先制) runner on at 2nd base!

But once again Nakazato picks up his 2B. Matsumoto grounds to short and the inning is over!

Top 4th
Wait, who is this person batting as Chiba? He's swinging to put the ball in play!

Slaps one to the left side, takes a high hop that Matsumoto fields, throws to 1st... beats a diving Chiba!

(RUN THROUGH THE BAG!!!!)  (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Kishisato, attacking the 3-1 pitch whizzes it by Tanaka for a base hit.

Hit-and-run! Oota swings, but hits it right to Matsumoto. Has no play at 2nd so goes to 1st for the 2nd out.

Tadano can't get level on a high fastball and flies out t o right and we're still scoreless.

Bottom 4th
This game is whizzing by at a quick pace. Iwashige gets caught on an inside fastball and flies out to Chiba.

Hamada trying to attack first pitch, gets ahead of the changeup and grounds to Mogi.

Tanaka with a slicing liner that Kishisato runs down and we're already to the 5th inning at a neat 40 minutes!

Top 5th
Yamashita with a curve off the end of the bat drops it in center. Mogi laying down bunt, Yokose fields, AHHHHH!!!!!

Yokose falls over and his throw to 1st from the seat of his pants pulls Tanaka off the bag!

Shigemoto-kantoku call for time.

Oguma bunts, but it dies right at home! Yanase goes to 3rd for one, throw to 1st... Oguma just beats it out!

Nakazato up trying to give himself a lead...

But Yokose gets the generous outside strike call! 2 out!

And perhaps with that ouside pitch in mind, Yagi chases a fastball outside to close out the inning!

Bottom 5th
As if to "give back" to Nobeoka, Nakazato gets his own K on the outside corner.

Yanase a blooper to right, Yagi and Oota coming in... Yagi jumps, but can't get and it falls in for a single (he's having a rough day).

Yokose lays down the bunt, Tadano with it goes it 1st, AH!!

Throws it away! Yanase heads to 3rd, but Yagi is backing up the play! Throws to 3rd... and they got him! Nice cover by Yagi! (There you go!)

But man they're not making it easy on themselves! Nakazato uncorks a wild pitch and Yokose heads to 2nd!

Now a base hit from Kajiwara can give Nobeoka the lead!

But he goes after a high slider and hits a comebacker to Nakazato! Tosses it to 1st and the inning is over!

We hit the break with both teams with chances to score, but the starters closing the door. he game is going at breakneck speed... who will wipeout first?

Top 6th
This is not the Chiba I remember! He tries for the safety bunt and is thrown out by Yokose as he dives into 1st. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Kishisato gets setup with a fastball after a curve and pops out to Yanase for the 2nd out.

And before I can really even finish these recaps, Oota looks at an outside fastball for strike 3!

Bottom 6th
One down, and Sakamoto grounds one back up the middle for a base hit.

2-2, Sakamoto takes off for 2nd! Yamashita with the throw but it's high and Yagi cuts it off...

Chance for a base hit here to take the lead, but Iwashige pops it up! Mogi behind 2nd makes the catch for the 2nd out.

Hamada ball to right side, through for a base hit!! Sakamoto being waved around as Oota throws it in, but it's not going to be in time! Hamada breaks the deadlock as he advances on the throw and Nobeoka Gakuen leads 1-0! Once again, Nobeoka is the master of mid-game adjustments!

Tanaka blast to right center! No one's going to get that! Chiba chasing that to the wall, but Tanaka's going to get in with a RBI triple to make it 2-0!

Sasaki-kantoku calls for time...

Usuda grounds out to Mogi to end the inning, but now Hanamaki Higashi will be on the clock.

Top 7th
But they're playing like a team under a lot of pressure instead of digging in.

Tadano unable to pull trigger on fastball outside, goes down looking.

Yamashita an easy comeback to Yokose for the 2nd out..

And Mogi tries to take a fastball the other way, but it's not hit very hard and Kajiwara makes the play at 1st to retire the side!

Bottom 7th
Two quick outs against the bottom of Nobeoka's order as Yanase grounds to short and Yokose gets a taste of his own cooking as he chases an ouside fastball.

Kajiwara grounds out to 2nd and the inning is over.

Top 8th
Ahh....

Kajiwara injures himself running to 1st base and has to be carried off the field. He's crying so it looks like he won't be returning.

And #5 Kajiwara takes his spot, and goes to 3B, Usuda goes to 2B.

Oguma still not recognizing the outside strike goes down looking.

#15 Takeda hitting for Nakazato first pitch grounds to short.

Yagi finally gets a base runner for Hanamaki Higashi as he singles up the middle past Usuda.

Chiba up with a chance to work the count and get on base... maybe?

He swinging away! Hard shot to 2nd, but Usuda is there to block it! Takes it to 2nd and the inning is over!

Bottom 8th
#17 Hosokawa in for PH Takeda to take the hill.

Matsumoto welcomes him with a base hit to center.

But Hosokawa has him picked off! Rundown... oh...

Hosokawa called for the balk, and now Sasaki-kantoku calls for time.

Sakamoto expectedly bunts Matsumoto to 3rd.

SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But it's a pitchout! Iwashige throws the bat at the ball (which isn't legal anyways), misses, and Matsumoto is run down 2-5-1-6 for the 2nd out!

It almost becomes a 1-2-3 inning of sorts, but Hosokawa walks Iwashige.

Hamada flies out to left and the inning is over...

Top 9th
But they're just 3 outs away from defeat and they haven't played gritty all game!

3-4-5 batters up for Hanamaki Higashi...

Kishisato, first pitch jammed, flies out to center.

Oota flails at the outside fastball and there's 2 outs.

Last chance in Tadano.

He's quickly behind 0-2, now 1-2 fouls off a pitch before holding up on a slider. Works count full... and earns a walk!

Yokose gets up quickly on Yamashita 0-2.

SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!

Yokose gets Yamashita to swing on an outside slider and Nobeoka Gakuen wins 2-0!

Wow, did not expect this game. Nobeoka Gakuen did everything they normally do in a ballgame, made their mid-game adjustments and won the game.

But I am very surprised at Hanamaki Higashi and how they played their game. Instead of playing gritty, they played like Yasuda Gakuen a couple of years back who looked like they had somewhere else to go to.

And the poster boy for Hanamaki Higashi, Chiba Shouta, who can be visibly heard crying, is where I point the style blame to - not necessarily him.

Chiba was good in setting up the rest of the lineup, by taking pitches and getting on base. And yet today, he was swinging away like everyone else. I just didn't understand what their strategy was against Yokose. If it was to score before they made their adjustments, simply willy-nilly swinging wasn't going to get it done. If this was Sasaki-kantoku's doing then he loses a couple of managerial points in how he played this opportunity today.

I won't necessarily go so far as to say that a team deserved a loss, because all these teams worked hard to get here, but they did themselves no favors with how they played today.

Yokose and Yanase did exactly what they were supposed to do. Once they identified that the home plate umpire was giving the outside strike, they went there time and again with Hanamaki unable to adjust.

That's not to take everything away from Yokose's performance. He located his pitches well and hit the spots that Yanase was spotting. The question will be if he can do it on 0 days rest.

Day 14 - Semifinal 1 - Nichidai Yamagata (Yamagata) vs. Maebashi Ikuei (Gunma)

There is no preface needed given my reviews of the teams. It will come down to which ace, or perhaps which relief staff can hold the team up.

Nichidai Yamagata (Yamagata)
CF Aoki Tatsuya
2B Nakano Takumu
LF Mineta Jyunnosuke
SS Okumura Hiromu
1B Yoshioka ?
C Asanuma Takanori
RF Takeda Shouhei
P Shouji Misaki
3B Itasaka Hiroki

Maebashi Ikuei (Gunma)
CF Kudou Youhei
2B Takahashi Tomoya
SS Tsuchiya Keisuke
3B Arai Kento
C Ogawa Toshiki
RF Itagaki Fumiya
P Takahashi Kouna
LF Tamura Hayato
1B Kusunoki Hiroki

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11:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Kouna going outside to Aoki to start, he rolls over a 2-seamer to 2nd for the out.

Nakano with a ball back up the middle gets by Tsuchiya dives for it, but it gets past for a single.

Mineta with a base hit to center! Uh oh, these hits are back up the middle so far and Nichidai Yamagata is threatening.

Kouna despite the pinch, not giving in to Okumura, he tries to nibble the bottom of the zone, but to no avail! He's behind 3-0!

And he winds up walking him! Manrui for Nichdai Yamagata as Araki-kantoku calls time...

Shot to the right side! Tomoya with the pick! Throws to 2nd for 1, back to 1st...

DOUBLE PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kouna gets an assist from his 2B as he makes a spectacular play to get his ace out of the inning!

Bottom 1st
Kudou with a single just past a ranging Nakano for a leadoff single. Tomoya to bunt the runner..

NO!! It's a bust-and-run!

And Tomoya executes it perfectly! It goes right though the hole in the left side of the infield and now there's runners on 1st and 2nd with no out! This time Tsuchiya bunts the runners along looking for a timely.

Arai delivers! He hits a fly to right and Kudou tags up! Throw in not nearly in time and Maebashi Ikuei has the 1-0 lead!

Ogawa grounds out to short, but the first strike goes to the first timers!

Top 2nd
Kouna working away to Asanuma, he winds up early and pulling a slider right to Arai for the first out.

Takeda gets a high fastball, but get the bat behind it and flies out to Kudou for the 2nd out.

And it's a 9 pitch inning for Kouna as Shouji liked what he saw from the Kouna's curveball, but he too is under it and flies out to right to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd
Itagaki with a hard grounder to the right side, but Tomoya's counterpart Nakano makes a great stop of his own for the 1st out.

Kouna, after seeing two pitches out of the zone, goes after the first good one, but it's a fastball down and in and he can't quite get the bat level on it. Skies into the air and Okumura takes it on the mound for the 2nd out.

あ。

Tamura with a powerful level swing sends one down the right field line. Takeda running over, slides... but can't get to it! He scrambles to get it in, but not before Tamura is in with a triple!

Kusunoki up.

Liner to 1st, off Yoshioka's glove!!! It goes into right and Tamura scores to make it 2-0 Maebashi!!

That's Kusunoki's first hit this Koushien and it's an unfortunate one for Yoshioka and Nichidai Yamagata!!

Kudou grounds to short, but once again, Maebashi Ikuei puts a runner on the board.

Top 3rd
Itasaka ball back up middle, off Kouna! Ah, but it deflects right to Tomoya who goes to 1st for the out! What bad luck!

And Aoki follows that up with a basehit past a racing Tomoya.

Kouna though looking to settle down, freezes Nakano on a forkball for the 2nd out.

But I think the Nichidai batters have Kouna's timing down though as Mineta hits yet another ball back through the middle for a base hit.

Of course timing is one thing, hitting the ball is another! Okumura goes down swinging on Kouna's slider and the inning is over!

Bottom 3rd
#16 Ajiki in for Takeda at RF.

Tomoya moving from #9 to #2 in the order immediately paying dividends for Maebashi! He hits a ball to the opposite way,  Ajiki charging in... but he can't get there! Tomoya in with a double! He's moved over to 3rd by Tsuchiya. Arai up with another RBI opportunity.

And he delivers! This time he pulls one through short and Tomoya scores to make it a 3-0 ballgame!

Ogawa and Itagaki both fly out to end the inning, but this game is accelerating out of hand!

Top 4th
Yoshioka chopper back up middle, guess who's there? Tomoya at 2nd fields and fires to 1st for the first out!

After that though Kouna walks Asaunma on 4 straight.

But it's like he's toying with them because Ajiki goes down swinging on an inside forkball, and Shouji guesses wrong on the slider for the 3rd out.

Bottom 4th
Shouji trying to get back on track, feeds Kouna steady diet of fastballs, then puts him away with the slider.

Tamura ball the other way, Nakano makes a great sliding stop and Yoshioka with the pick at 1st for the 2nd,

And it's finally a 1-2-3 inning for Shouji! Kusunoki flies out to left to retire the side!

Top 5th
Itasaka way ahead of a Kouna offering flies out to center.

Aoki also seeing Kouna well, singles to right. Nakano with the bunt up the 3rd base line, but Arai is there and fires to 2nd!!  They get the lead runner!

Mineta up liner to right, Tamura going back, leaps!

Just makes the catch! I think he was fooled a little there, but he still makes the catch for the 3rd out!

Bottom 5th
Kudou ball back up middle, Okumura trying to get to it, but it just gets past him. Tomoya, despite the 2 hits, bunts him over.

And Araki-kantoku pulls the plug! #11 Satou Kazumasa comes in to replace Shouji on the mound!

Kazumasa though not finding the zone on Tsuchiya walks him.

It feels like he's overthrowing as all the pitches are outside or up, and he's behind 3-0 to Arai!

Liner to 3rd, Itasaka makes the catch! 2 out!

Ogawa flies out to left, and we hit the break with Maebashi Ikuei getting to ace Shouji early and often. Does Nichidai Yamagata have an answer this time against Takahashi Kouna?

Top 6th
Okumura drives the first pitch to center right! Kudou scrambling to get there, but it'll fall in and one hop to the wall! Okumura headed to 2nd, AH!

Kudou's throw misses the cutoff man and Okumura takes 3rd on the error! Chance to get one back!

And they do! Yoshioka with a deep ball to left, Tamura makes the catch, but Okumura easily scores to make it 3-1!

What's this? Kouna being careful with Asanuma? He walks him again! Araki-kantoku has Ajiki bunt him along for a one-timer from Kazumasa.

Ah, but he twirls like a ballerina on a slider from Kouna and the inning is over. Still, they get one run ack!

Bottom 6th
Kazumasa still struggling a bit there with control, but goes up and in on Itagaki and he has no chance at it for the 1st out.

Oh?! He goes a really nice slider away that Kouna just waves the bat at for the 2nd out.

Tamura will not give Kazumasa the clean inning though, he singles just under the glove of Kazumasa into center.

Tamura takes the right opportunity to slide as the pitch as wide outside.

Kusunoki, looking for his 2nd hit skies one to shallow right, Ajiki comes in, slides and makes the catch for the 3rd out.

Top 7th
Itasaka can't replicate that first knock as Kouna whips out the slider and Itasaki has no chance.

Aoki chases a slider inside and pops out to Tsuhchiya.

And Nakano swings on a high slider and pops it to foul territory, Arai heading to the edge of the camera well near the bullpen, and makes the catch to retire the side!

Bottom 7th
#10 Satou Ryouta comes in now for Kazumasa and takes the hill.

Kudou immediately with a ball to the gap in short. Okumura stops it in the gap, fires to first... SAFE!!  Kudou just beats that one out.

Bust and run! But Tomoya misses! Throw to 2nd, SAFE!!

Kudou straight steals the base!

Tomoya with the bunt, Saitou goes to 3rd!

SAFE!!!!

The throw is a bit low and Arai doesn't have it when he goes to tag Kudou! Araki-kantoku calls time, but this situation will be hard to get away with without damage now...

Tsuchiya showing bunt, but doesn't offer. Ah! But Tomoya takes off for 2nd! Throw not in time!

Ahead 1-2 though, Saitou goes full.

Tsuchiya shot to right side! Nakano is in front of it! But he has no play at home and begrudgingly can only go to 1st... Maebashi reestablishes 4-1 lead!

Saitou gets a key 2nd out! Arai pops out to Yoshioka up the 1st base line and he's can limit the damage to 1.

Ah... but it's not that easy as he plunks Ogawa...

And now Ogawa takes off for 2nd! Throw from Asanuma has him, so he scrambles back! Okumura chasing him sees Tsuchiya breaking for home! He runs down Ogawa as Tomoya scores! Which came first?!

It's the out! The umpires rule the tag out came first and the run doesn't count!

Top 8th
But Nichidai Yamagata is surely pressing now. The side is retired in just 7 pitches and it really looks bad for them.

Bottom 8th
Well, Maebashi doesn't mind being retired in 8 pitches. Nichidai gets their first 1-2-3 inning, but it may well be too late.

Top 9th
Kouna at a neat 95 pitches entering the 9th.

Asanuma hits a curve back into center for a leadoff single.

#13 Mito hits for Ajiki, but succumbs to the slider, 1 down.

Saitou grounder to 2nd! Tomoya with it! Goes to 2nd for one, goes to 1st... double play!! Game set!

Takahashi Kouna and Maebashi Ikuei sends his team to the championship game with a 4-1 win over Nichidai Yamagata!!

It's really too bad for Nichidai Yamagata, having reached the semifinals for the first time in school and prefectural history, they were almost taken out of the game right off the bat. It looked like there still might be some fight left in them after scoring the run in the 6th, but Kouna would shut them down thereafter.

But it was a great run for the boys from Yamagata. I know they're crying because they lost and perhaps lost without a chance, but considering their run, they should still be proud of their achievements. Hopefully it won't be another 7 years before we see another team make a run.

For Takahashi Kouna, this has to be one of the best scenarios for him. Just a shade over 100 pitches in a winning effort and while he may not still be able to go the full 9, he will be able to go longer than perhaps they were expecting.

Just one more game before making history for his school.