The problem with trying to handicap these games is that most of them ended in blowouts, so it's very hard to make anything out of the games. Shizuoka had no problems with Ritsumeikan Uji, while Kisuradzu Sougou handled Okayama Ridai Fuzoku easily.
Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
RF Suzuki Shouhei
2B Ooshi Tomoki
CF Uchiyama Shun
C Horiuchi Kengo
SS Yasumoto Ryuuji
1B Hirano Hidemaru
LF Hirose Shun
P Muraki Fumiya
3B Sanpei Shinya (#13)
Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
LF Kido Ryou
3B Ishii Ryou
CF Obara Naoki
SS Himura Atsushi
2B Koike Kazuki
1B Isogai Tomoya
RF Sasaki Shun
C Oosawa Shou
P Hawakawa Takahisa (#10)
__________________________________________________
09:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Hayakawa gets the first base hit out of the way with a single through the left side.
Kuribayashi-kantoku decides to give the green light and Suzuki takes off for 2nd! Throw from Oosawa is in time to make the catch for the out!
After that, it's a routine grounder to Tomoya, and a pop fly to shallow left for Okayama.
Bottom 1st
Kido uppercuts a ball from Muraki and skies one to Yasumoto.
Ishii takes a ball the other way, but Suzuki is playing near the line and makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Ohara makes good contact and shoots a ball back up the middle for a base hit.
But Himura gets one off the end of the bat and pops it up. Sanpei makes the catch in foul territory to retire the side.
Top 2nd
Horiuchi with a slow roller to the right side, Koike charges in and throws to 1st for the out.
Yasumoto looking for a pitch to hit, fouls off a couple to stay alive. But Hayakawa put a fastball just out of his reach for the 2nd out.
Hirano falls victim to the fastball as well, swinging over one at the knees for the 3rd out.
Bottom 2nd
One down for Kisaradzu and Isogai simply places a ball into center for a base hit.
Muraki not without tricks of his own, pulls out the forkball on Sasaki to record his first K. Oosawa pops out on the next pitch and the side is retired. Early on, it looks like Kisaradzu has the better of it.
Top 3rd
Shizuoka's bottom of the lineup struggling early on. Hirose swings on the first pitch and flies out to left. After that Muraki chases a very high fast ball for Hayakawa's 3rd K. Sanpei gets a base hit, as his soft liner gets over Koike into right.
Kuribayashi-kantoku decides to send Sanpei, but the pitch home is high and allows Oosawa to make a quick throw, cutting Sanpei down by a wide margin.
Bottom 3rd
Hayakawa does the right thing and takes a pitch away to the opposite field. Kido takes a couple of poor bunts, but when he three bunts, it's good enough.
Ishii with a ball back up the middle! Yasumoto can't track it down! Hayakawa being sent home and the throw is cutoff! Ishii with a timely hit gives Kisaradzu Sougou the 1-0 lead!
After Obara goes down swinging on a curve, Himura drives a ball to deep left center. But he got under it and while Uchiyama has to make a run, he tracks it down for the 3rd out.
Top 4th
Suzuki (Shouhei) the only one who's seeing Hayakawa's pitches. He hits another ball to left for a base hit. This time Tomoya bunts him over.
Uchiyama hits a fly ball to left, but Kido comes in to make the catch. 2 down for Horiuchi.
Blooper to left field, Kido charging in.. can't get to it in time! Shouhei scores and it's douten at 1-1!
Yasumoto connects on a ball and sends it to deep left center! That falls in at the wall and Horiuchi comes in all the way from 1st to give Shizuoka the 2-1 lead!
Hirano flies out to center, but they put together some base hits to turn the tables on Kisaradzu Sougou!
Bottom 4th
Koike with a single to left, puts the douten runner immediately on base. Isogai bunts him over.
And now Gojima-kantoku puts in #15 Yashiro to hit for Sasaki.
He tries to sneak the bunt down! Muraki on it and his throw to 1st just beats him out. Now only a base hit or an error will bring in the run.
But Oosawa chases the high fastball and the side is retired!
Top 5th
One down and Muraki checks in with his first hit with a single to right. Sanpei tries to lay down the bunt, but fouls his three bunt and goes down for the 2nd out.
Hawakawa close to getting out of the inning, but has a pitch get away from him and hit Shouhei! I wonder if it hit the bat and not the batter because he didn't react, but the umpire has made his call.
Tomoya with a slicer down the left field line.. fair!!! It just falls in fair and that means Muraki will score! 3-1 in favor of Shizuoka!
Uchiyama almost beats out a slow roller up the right side, but is retired for the 3rd out. They're not making great contact, but the balls are falling in for base hits, and that's all that matters.
Bottom 5th
It seems like that Kisaradzu Sougou now is struggling at the plate. Muraki gets two infield popups, and while he yields another single to Ishii, Obara hits one back to Muraki to end the inning.
And so we hit the break with the Tokai champs in what seems like a comfortable lead.
Top 6th
Horiuchi with a single through the right side and it looks like Hayakawa's day is done. Ace Suzuki Kenya comes in to relieve him.
Yasumoto with a soft liner to 2nd, and Koike lets it drop in front of him! Steps on 2nd for one, and it's an easy double play to 1st.
Hirano chases an outside fastball to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
Himura working the count full, tries to buy the walk, but falls a little as he see the umpire begin his strike call.
Two down for Isogai, and he hits a slow roller to the left side. Yasumoto charges in, but his throw is way high! Into the camera box it goes, and off Isogai goes to 2nd.
Yashitro grounds to 3rd though and Muraki bends, but doesn't break.
Top 7th
Hirose still without a base hit as he goes after the high fastball. After that though Kenya loses Muraki.
Kuribayashi-kantoku is having Sanpei bunt again, despite the sub-par effort last time.
It still looks bad, but he manages to lay it down.
Back to the top of the order and Shouhei, who is 2-2 with a walk.
Shouhei has already shown a propensity to wait for a pitch and runs the count full. 9th pitch of the AB and while he hits his target, the umpire isn't buying it!
And after that , Gojima-kantoku pulls Oosawa for his backup #13 Aga.
It's confirmation bias, but Kenya gets 2 called strikes and then Tomoya chases a fastball outside for the 3rd out.
Bottom 7th
Aga immediately gets an AB, hits the ball hard, but right to Sanpei.
Kenya with a booming drive to left center! Uchiyama sprinting back, stretches... and makes the running catch!
Kido kind of buys the HBP by turning, but not really getting away, from the ball inside. Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
Ishii, the only bright spot in the lineup, gets his 3rd hit, with a line shot to center. Chance here to perhaps get a run back.
But Obara bites on the forkball! It rolls to Tomoki who gets it to 1st for the 3rd out!
Top 8th
Uchiyama and Horiuchi with routine flyouts to center.
Yasumoto has the ball squared up, but not the timing. In the end Kenya puts a fastball down the middle an Yasumoto immediately takes the walk back.
Bottom 8th
2 runs isn't a lot, but the Kisaradzu Sougou batters can't generate any sustained offense.
Muraki feels that turnabout is fair play and puts one on the outside half to freeze Himura for the 1st out.
Koike keeps the bat in the zone long enough to poke the forkball to right for a base hit.
Isogai connects on the forkball, down the left field line, but foul! He had that lined up, just too early on it.
And now he pops it up! Tomoki with it for the 2nd out.
Hey, Yashiro takes a ball the other way himself into left for another hit!
Uh oh! Now Muraki can't find the zone! He's behind Aga 3-1 before he gets a foul ball to fill up the count.
High fastball gets saved by a swing and a foul ball.
Aga jammed, but hits the ball to the left side where no one is! Yasumoto goes to get it, but has no play! All safe and manrui as Kuribayashi-kantoku calls time!
0-1 pitch for a strike and Horiuchi fires to 2nd where Aga is left stranded! But it's a trap! They look back home as perhaps it was to try and score a run.
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kenya is fooled on a curveball inside and the side is retired!
Top 9th
Things bight have finally broken for Kisaradzu Sougou. Kenya walks Hirano on 4 straight. When Hirose bunts, Kenya decides late to go to 2nd, but fails to notice that Hirano is almost there.
Muraki tries the push bunt up the left side, and almost makes it if not for Kenya scrambling off the mound.
Sanpei hits it right to 1st, it's a contact play but Isogai goes home and Aga gets the tag just before Hirano slides in.
Kenya, with 1st base open, is careful with Shouhei and ends up walking him. Gojima-kantoku calls for time.
But Kenya spikes the 1st pitch and it gets away from Aga. Hirose scores and it's 4-1. Tomoya grounds out to end the inning
Bottom 9th
One down for Kisaradzu Sougou and Ishii hits a slow ball up the middle. The defense is playing back, so there's no play.
Obara with a similar ball, but with the double play opportunity the defense is closer. Tomoki tags Ishii for the 2nd out.
Himura with a grounder to the left side, Yasumoto there, but his sliding backhand backfires! It goes off his glove and everyone's safe! Kisaradzu can bring the tying run to the plate in Isogai.
SANSHIN!!!
Muraki finally shuts the door with his forkball and his team advances to the Best 8!
Shizuoka advances, but not without some difficulty. Kisaradzu Sougou gets 14 hits off of ace Muraki, but with the exception of the 3rd inning, he found a way to a) scatter them and b) get out of any jam he was in. It's not a recipe for success by any stretch, but it did the job today.
Despite the 14 hits, it wasn't until the last stages where you felt they might have a chance at breaking Muraki. But there was little margin for error at that point. Hayakawa wasn't bad on the mound, there were wuite a few hits that just fell in instead of solid hits. So there's little you can do but shrug your shoulders and say it wasn't your day. I think they can come back and contend for the summer, but the offense will need to improve to make any type of run.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Day 6, Game 3 - Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki) vs. Imabari Nishi (Ehime)
The winner of this gets the reward of facing Osaka Touin. Chances are, given the first games for each squad, it'll be Jyousou Gakuin, and Shikoku will be eliminated. That's about the long, or rather short, of it.
Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
2B Ugusa Kouki
CF Takeuchi Ryou
RF Wada Shingo
1B Ishii Daiki
LF Arahara Hiroki
P Suzuki Shouta
C Takase Shoutarou
SS Minakami Yuuhei
3B Ara Masahiro (#15)
Imabari Nishi (Ehime)
1B Akigawa Yuushi
SS Nakauchi Atsuya
P Sugiuchi Kouki
CF Fujiwara Yoshiki
LF Yamauchi Atsuya
3B Takao Yousuke
RF Sugino Akihiko
C Andou Yuuto
2B Yoshihara Yuunousuke
__________________________________________________
13:46 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Grounder to 2nd by Ugusa take a high hop and Yoshihara can't field it. That's rather ominous.
Takuechi not swinging and he draws a walk. I wonder if the batters are under orders to not swing and take pitches until they either find one they really like, or there's 2 strikes.
Sasaki-kantoku figures it's a good time to bunt the runners over and Wada does so.
Ishii draws a walk, and it's manrui for Jyousou Gakuin and this could get ugly real quick.
IT JUST DID.
Arahara with a drive down the right field line, and Sugino's given up on it. That, my friends, is a manrui home run, and game over before it even started. 4-0 Jyousou Gakuin.
There's another hit batter in the inning, but that's of little consequence. Sugiuchi gives up no more runs, but doesn't need to.
Bottom 1st
Akigawa gets a ball down the middle, but pulls it to Ara for the 1st out. After a strikeout to Nakauchi, Sugicuhi gets hit by Suzuki.
Fujiwara though grounds out to Ishii, who walks it to the bag for the 3rd out.
Top 2nd
One down, and it's Sugiuchi's 4th free pass when he walks Ugusa. He steals 2nd with ease and then moves to 3rd when Takeuchi decides last minute to hit the ball the other way.
Sugiuchi gets out of the inning by getting Wada to chase a high fastball and pop it up. He secures it, with some difficulty, to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Already under pressure, Imabari's batters are like many other teams swinging to get things going.
As a result in 9 pitches, Suzuki has the side retired.
Top 3rd
Sugiuchi retires the 1st two batters, then realizes he hadn't given a free pass yet, so he walks Suzuki and Takase before getting the 3rd out.
Bottom 3rd
Is it really over that Kuroki-kantoku is going to his bench? Yuuto is replaced before his first AB with #10 Yoshimoto.
And the team goes down in order.
Top 4th
Now follow me on this, because there will be 2 huge shifts int he inning.
First to start the inning:
Bottom 4th
It's another 3 up, 3 down inning. But it's not really impressive. A lot of Suzuki's off speed pitches are buried in the dirt and the batters are going after them. A discerning eye might hold off on these, so I wonder what would happen then for Suzuki.
Top 5th
To be honest, when it's a blowout there isn't a point in detailing what they're doing. In fact, if I were Jyousou Gakuin, I'd rest my players for the upcoming match.
That's not how the Japanese work though. So Suzuki and Minakami get doubles and tack on another run to make it 8-0.
Bottom 5th
Also, if I could, I'd be sitting Suzuki. He's only going to get 2 full days of rest.
He would have retired the side in order, but one of those buried balls gets away from Takase and allows Sugino to reach base.
So he does the same to Yoshimoto, but without the wildness.
Top 6th
Takeuchi checks in with a gapper to right center for a base hit. He manages to get to 3rd, but is left stranded after 2 groundouts and a pop up.
Bottom 6th
I had been focused on what Suzuki was doing on the mound, I forgot as Akigawa hits a one out single past a diving Minakami - that that was their first hit!
Well, the rest of the batters don't really do a whole lot afterwards, but hey, no no-no!
Top 7th
I suppose if there is something that I can comment with Jyousou Gakuin's ABs, its that their hits aren't really all that solid. Yes, they boom the ball today, but a well-positioned outfield can turn those into outs.
I say that and Takase sends a ball back up the middle for a 1-out single. But for the most part it's sill routine grounders and fly balls.
Bottom 7th
More of the same, balls in the dirt being swung at for strike 3. Suzuki picks up 2 more Ks.
Top 8th
Ugusa working on a bunt single gets thrown out, but not by much. Otherwise, their contact on the ball is still not very good with balls in the infield.
Bottom 8th
After a groundout, Suzuki is finally pulled. #10 Kashimuira is placed in the game. They finally relieve Suzuki about a couple inning late if you ask me.
I say that and then he walks the first batter on 4 straight. Then with 2 down Akigawa gets a hold of one and sends it into the left center field gap for a double, and the shutout is gone as well. There's some consolation in that though it's 8-1.
Top 9th
#11 Andou Itsuki, who hit for Yoshihara causes another shift:
Bottom 9th
Sanbonmatsu stays in to play LF, and #11 Sugiwara comes in to for Arahara to take the mound.
He strikes out Sugiura, and then is replaced by #18 Inoue. He comes out with a 140+ fastball, well more like around 140 and finishes the job.
I'd make more of the last couple of innings, but we've had so many of these games, it's unfortunate.
Imabari Nishi had the fortune of facing a 21st century team and got away with a lot of things. All of that was demolished in the very 1st inning this game and there really wasn't much else to say. Imabari Nishi will probably contend in prefecture to head back to Koushien, but their prospects here are dim unless hey get a favorable matchup or improve significantly.
With Imabari Nishi's loss Chuugoku's official representatives are eliminated. All that's left is the 21st century team Matsuyama Higashi.
As for Jyousou Gakuin, they face Osaka Touin, and there are enough gaps that their prospects aren't good. Not as bad as Imabari Nishi's today, but not good either. They knocked out only 8 hits for those 8 runs, and a lot of their hits can be countered. On the pitching side, Suzuki isn't a terrible pitcher, but a lot of his K's were on pitches that took a bounce before reaching Takase. I really don't think that Osaka Touin's batters will bite, but I could be wrong. Also, it could be that Inoue starts the game instead. We'll know in 2 days time.
Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
2B Ugusa Kouki
CF Takeuchi Ryou
RF Wada Shingo
1B Ishii Daiki
LF Arahara Hiroki
P Suzuki Shouta
C Takase Shoutarou
SS Minakami Yuuhei
3B Ara Masahiro (#15)
Imabari Nishi (Ehime)
1B Akigawa Yuushi
SS Nakauchi Atsuya
P Sugiuchi Kouki
CF Fujiwara Yoshiki
LF Yamauchi Atsuya
3B Takao Yousuke
RF Sugino Akihiko
C Andou Yuuto
2B Yoshihara Yuunousuke
__________________________________________________
13:46 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Grounder to 2nd by Ugusa take a high hop and Yoshihara can't field it. That's rather ominous.
Takuechi not swinging and he draws a walk. I wonder if the batters are under orders to not swing and take pitches until they either find one they really like, or there's 2 strikes.
Sasaki-kantoku figures it's a good time to bunt the runners over and Wada does so.
Ishii draws a walk, and it's manrui for Jyousou Gakuin and this could get ugly real quick.
IT JUST DID.
Arahara with a drive down the right field line, and Sugino's given up on it. That, my friends, is a manrui home run, and game over before it even started. 4-0 Jyousou Gakuin.
There's another hit batter in the inning, but that's of little consequence. Sugiuchi gives up no more runs, but doesn't need to.
Bottom 1st
Akigawa gets a ball down the middle, but pulls it to Ara for the 1st out. After a strikeout to Nakauchi, Sugicuhi gets hit by Suzuki.
Fujiwara though grounds out to Ishii, who walks it to the bag for the 3rd out.
Top 2nd
One down, and it's Sugiuchi's 4th free pass when he walks Ugusa. He steals 2nd with ease and then moves to 3rd when Takeuchi decides last minute to hit the ball the other way.
Sugiuchi gets out of the inning by getting Wada to chase a high fastball and pop it up. He secures it, with some difficulty, to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Already under pressure, Imabari's batters are like many other teams swinging to get things going.
As a result in 9 pitches, Suzuki has the side retired.
Top 3rd
Sugiuchi retires the 1st two batters, then realizes he hadn't given a free pass yet, so he walks Suzuki and Takase before getting the 3rd out.
Bottom 3rd
Is it really over that Kuroki-kantoku is going to his bench? Yuuto is replaced before his first AB with #10 Yoshimoto.
And the team goes down in order.
Top 4th
Now follow me on this, because there will be 2 huge shifts int he inning.
First to start the inning:
- Yoshimoto stays in to play RF,
- who shifts Sugino to CF,
- who shifts Fujiwara to 1B,
- who shifts Akigawa to 3B,
- who shifts Takao to C.
- Yoshimoto comes in to P,
- who shifts Sugiuchi to 3B,
- who shifts Akagawa back to CF,
- who shifts Sugino back to RF.
Bottom 4th
It's another 3 up, 3 down inning. But it's not really impressive. A lot of Suzuki's off speed pitches are buried in the dirt and the batters are going after them. A discerning eye might hold off on these, so I wonder what would happen then for Suzuki.
Top 5th
To be honest, when it's a blowout there isn't a point in detailing what they're doing. In fact, if I were Jyousou Gakuin, I'd rest my players for the upcoming match.
That's not how the Japanese work though. So Suzuki and Minakami get doubles and tack on another run to make it 8-0.
Bottom 5th
Also, if I could, I'd be sitting Suzuki. He's only going to get 2 full days of rest.
He would have retired the side in order, but one of those buried balls gets away from Takase and allows Sugino to reach base.
So he does the same to Yoshimoto, but without the wildness.
Top 6th
Takeuchi checks in with a gapper to right center for a base hit. He manages to get to 3rd, but is left stranded after 2 groundouts and a pop up.
Bottom 6th
I had been focused on what Suzuki was doing on the mound, I forgot as Akigawa hits a one out single past a diving Minakami - that that was their first hit!
Well, the rest of the batters don't really do a whole lot afterwards, but hey, no no-no!
Top 7th
I suppose if there is something that I can comment with Jyousou Gakuin's ABs, its that their hits aren't really all that solid. Yes, they boom the ball today, but a well-positioned outfield can turn those into outs.
I say that and Takase sends a ball back up the middle for a 1-out single. But for the most part it's sill routine grounders and fly balls.
Bottom 7th
More of the same, balls in the dirt being swung at for strike 3. Suzuki picks up 2 more Ks.
Top 8th
Ugusa working on a bunt single gets thrown out, but not by much. Otherwise, their contact on the ball is still not very good with balls in the infield.
Bottom 8th
After a groundout, Suzuki is finally pulled. #10 Kashimuira is placed in the game. They finally relieve Suzuki about a couple inning late if you ask me.
I say that and then he walks the first batter on 4 straight. Then with 2 down Akigawa gets a hold of one and sends it into the left center field gap for a double, and the shutout is gone as well. There's some consolation in that though it's 8-1.
Top 9th
#11 Andou Itsuki, who hit for Yoshihara causes another shift:
- Itsuki stays in to play 1B,
- which moves Akigawa back to 3B,
- which moves Sugiuchi to SS,
- and Nakauchi across the keystone to 2B.
Bottom 9th
Sanbonmatsu stays in to play LF, and #11 Sugiwara comes in to for Arahara to take the mound.
He strikes out Sugiura, and then is replaced by #18 Inoue. He comes out with a 140+ fastball, well more like around 140 and finishes the job.
I'd make more of the last couple of innings, but we've had so many of these games, it's unfortunate.
Imabari Nishi had the fortune of facing a 21st century team and got away with a lot of things. All of that was demolished in the very 1st inning this game and there really wasn't much else to say. Imabari Nishi will probably contend in prefecture to head back to Koushien, but their prospects here are dim unless hey get a favorable matchup or improve significantly.
With Imabari Nishi's loss Chuugoku's official representatives are eliminated. All that's left is the 21st century team Matsuyama Higashi.
As for Jyousou Gakuin, they face Osaka Touin, and there are enough gaps that their prospects aren't good. Not as bad as Imabari Nishi's today, but not good either. They knocked out only 8 hits for those 8 runs, and a lot of their hits can be countered. On the pitching side, Suzuki isn't a terrible pitcher, but a lot of his K's were on pitches that took a bounce before reaching Takase. I really don't think that Osaka Touin's batters will bite, but I could be wrong. Also, it could be that Inoue starts the game instead. We'll know in 2 days time.
Day 6, Game 2 - Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori) vs. Osaka Touin (Osaka)
Seriously, how much would Kousei like to rid themselves of Osaka Touin. They've faced them twice in back-to-back Koushien finals and lost both times. You could even jokingly say they changed their official school name to get rid of the bad mojo.
And yet here we are again. Kousei, probable underdogs to the powerhouse Osaka Touin.
I'm sick of it too, so here we go.
Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori)
CF Arai Katshuhiro
RF Kasumi Shouta
SS Adachi Yuuya
LF Sawada Shunichi
2B Nakazaki Jyukiya
3B Kobayashi Naoki
C Baba Ryuusei
1B Sawaya Kousuke
P Nakagawa Masashi
Osaka Touin (Osaka)
3B Nakayama Yuuto
2B Nagahiro Tomoki
RF Fujii Kenpei
CF Aoyagi Kouki
LF Harada Tomoki (#3)
C Taniguchi Kazuki
SS Fukuda Kouki
1B Yoshizawa Kazuto (#12)
P Tanaka Seiya
__________________________________________________
11:25 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Tanaka ready to rack up the Ks, fastball at the knees to Arai to start the game.
After a quick flyout by Kasumi, Tanaka tries to sell a 3-2 fastball on the outside corner by running off the mound, but the umpire doesn't buy it.
Unfortunately, Kousei commits their first unforced error. Adachi is caught wide of 1st and is picked off for the 3rd out.
Bottom 1st
One down for Osaka Touin and Nagahiro gets a hit to left.
Nishitani-kantoku starts the wheels early and sends Nagahiro. Throw is late and Osaka Touin is on the move.
Nakagawa almost throws behind Fujii, but perhaps fortunately, he ends up hitting him.
Well, that's not good. He may have not minded hitting Fujii, but then he throws at Aoyagi, and when he ducks it goes off his helmet. He's holding his head, and is led back for an injury runner. Manrui for Osaka Touin.
Harada hits a fly ball down the left side. Sawada decides to take the given out in foul territory, even if it means Nagahiro scores from 3rd. 1-0.
And it's another HBP! This time he hits Taniguchi in the back. Manrui once again.
The game sadly looks over before it's really begun. He walks Fukuda to force in a run, 2-0.
Yoshizawa strikes out to retire the side, but damage has already been done.
Top 2nd
Nakazaki with a clean hit to left gets Kousei a runner with 1 down.
But Kobayashi can't check his swing on a high fastball, and goes down for the 2nd out. Baba grounds to 2nd, and as Nagahiro tosses the short way, the side is retired.
Bottom 2nd
Nakagawa's 2nd inning goes much better than his first - though it would be really hard to get any worse.
3 pitches in and he's retired both Tanaka and Nakayama. Nagahiro is a bit more stubborn, but ends up grounding out harmlessly to short.
Top 3rd
With Tanaka striking out batters at a strong clip, it's not surprising he's recording them here.
Ogasawara behind 1-2, can't check his swing and goes down. Nakagawa goes down swinging on a forkball.
Arai hits a dying ball to center, but Aoyagi runs it down for the 3rd out.
Bottom 3rd
It may have been 1st inning jitters, but it may cost them in the end. Osaka Touin is going after pitches in the zone and helping him out to some extent. Facing the heart of the order, he gets Fujii on a pop out, Aoyagi hits a grounder to short, and Harada is too early on a slider and weakly grounds to 2nd.
Top 4th
Kousei gets a leadoff runner when Kasumi draws a walk. Adachi isn't bunting and gets a great pitch from Tanaka, but he grounds it right to Yoshizawa. Goes to 2nd for one, but Fukuda stops there as there is no one covering 1st.
Sawada ahead of a slider, grounds one right to Nakayama. Goes to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st... double play to end the inning.
Bottom 4th
Bottom of the order being more patient against Nakagawa, but he's staying low in the zone and making them reach down to make contact. As a result, Taniguchi and Fukuda both ground out.
Yoshizawa watches a fastball paint the outside corner for strike 3 and the side is retired.
Top 5th
Tanaka meanwhile is playing the outside/inside game, and avoiding the middle of the zone if possible. Kousei then is either jammed, trying to pull outside pitches, or is early to swing and winds up with a weak grounder. Nakayama and Kobayashi are 2 such batters.
Baba can't square up Tanaka's fastball and foul tips it back for strike 3. Side retired.
Bottom 5th
Ever since the 1st, Nakagawa has not allowed a runner on base. He gets two more weak grounders and a fly ball, and it's now 13 straight retired as we hit the break. Nakagawa looks good, but that abominable 1st is the difference in the game. Kousei will need to step up the offense to have any shot.
Top 6th
Kousei gets their 4th runner of the as a grounder by Nakagawa takes a high hop and eats up Nakayama. Arai hits a foul ball to right field, Fujii chases after it, and makes the sliding catch in foul territory right before the fence.
Kasumi grounds out to 2nd though and the inning is over.
Bottom 6th
Again against the heart of the Osaka Touin lineup and Nakagawa continues to dominate. Fujii swings over a changeup in the dirt for the first out. Aoyagi chases a slider low. And Harada grounds out to short. 16 straight retired by Nakagawa.
Top 7th
Kousei running out of time.
Adachi, looking for any way on base, hits the 3-2 pitch back up the middle for a base hit! Nakai-kantoku will not play for 1 and has Sawada hit.
But Kousei's batters can't recognize a ball out of the zone. Sawada is fooled on the curveball and goes down for the first out.
Nakazaki gets a fastball down the middle, but flies out to center.Kobayashi succumbs to the forkball and it's 3 doun.
Bottom 7th
Taniguchi connects on a hanging slider and hits a HR to left. 3-0.
2 down, Tanaka hits a ball to short, but Adachi short hops the throw. He's safe at first.
Nakayama drives a ball to deep right center, and that goes fo a double to the wall. Tanaka scores and it's 4-0.
Nagahiro grounds out to end the inning.
Top 8th
#15 Himeno hits for Ogasawara and gets a one-out walk. #14 Endou hits for Nakagawa and hits a grounder to 2nd, Nagahiro flips to Fukuda but he's focused on going to 1 and drops the ball.
After a popup from Arai, Kasumi lines a ball just over Fukuda for a base hit. Himeno comes home uncontested to make it 4-1.
Adachi flies out to center, and Kousei at least prevents the shutout.
Bottom 8th
#13 Nakajima comes in for Himeno to play 1B. #11 Goya comes in for Endou to take the hill.
After yielding a leadoff walk, and 2 outs, Nakai-kantoku pulls him for Yagi to get some work.. He doesn't finish an AB as Fujji is caught stealing 2nd.
Top 9th
Kousei goes down in order with PH #12 Sueyoshi striking out to end the game.
Yep, I'll just leave this here before I flip a table.
And yet here we are again. Kousei, probable underdogs to the powerhouse Osaka Touin.
I'm sick of it too, so here we go.
Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori)
CF Arai Katshuhiro
RF Kasumi Shouta
SS Adachi Yuuya
LF Sawada Shunichi
2B Nakazaki Jyukiya
3B Kobayashi Naoki
C Baba Ryuusei
1B Sawaya Kousuke
P Nakagawa Masashi
Osaka Touin (Osaka)
3B Nakayama Yuuto
2B Nagahiro Tomoki
RF Fujii Kenpei
CF Aoyagi Kouki
LF Harada Tomoki (#3)
C Taniguchi Kazuki
SS Fukuda Kouki
1B Yoshizawa Kazuto (#12)
P Tanaka Seiya
__________________________________________________
11:25 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Tanaka ready to rack up the Ks, fastball at the knees to Arai to start the game.
After a quick flyout by Kasumi, Tanaka tries to sell a 3-2 fastball on the outside corner by running off the mound, but the umpire doesn't buy it.
Unfortunately, Kousei commits their first unforced error. Adachi is caught wide of 1st and is picked off for the 3rd out.
Bottom 1st
One down for Osaka Touin and Nagahiro gets a hit to left.
Nishitani-kantoku starts the wheels early and sends Nagahiro. Throw is late and Osaka Touin is on the move.
Nakagawa almost throws behind Fujii, but perhaps fortunately, he ends up hitting him.
Well, that's not good. He may have not minded hitting Fujii, but then he throws at Aoyagi, and when he ducks it goes off his helmet. He's holding his head, and is led back for an injury runner. Manrui for Osaka Touin.
Harada hits a fly ball down the left side. Sawada decides to take the given out in foul territory, even if it means Nagahiro scores from 3rd. 1-0.
And it's another HBP! This time he hits Taniguchi in the back. Manrui once again.
The game sadly looks over before it's really begun. He walks Fukuda to force in a run, 2-0.
Yoshizawa strikes out to retire the side, but damage has already been done.
Top 2nd
Nakazaki with a clean hit to left gets Kousei a runner with 1 down.
But Kobayashi can't check his swing on a high fastball, and goes down for the 2nd out. Baba grounds to 2nd, and as Nagahiro tosses the short way, the side is retired.
Bottom 2nd
Nakagawa's 2nd inning goes much better than his first - though it would be really hard to get any worse.
3 pitches in and he's retired both Tanaka and Nakayama. Nagahiro is a bit more stubborn, but ends up grounding out harmlessly to short.
Top 3rd
With Tanaka striking out batters at a strong clip, it's not surprising he's recording them here.
Ogasawara behind 1-2, can't check his swing and goes down. Nakagawa goes down swinging on a forkball.
Arai hits a dying ball to center, but Aoyagi runs it down for the 3rd out.
Bottom 3rd
It may have been 1st inning jitters, but it may cost them in the end. Osaka Touin is going after pitches in the zone and helping him out to some extent. Facing the heart of the order, he gets Fujii on a pop out, Aoyagi hits a grounder to short, and Harada is too early on a slider and weakly grounds to 2nd.
Top 4th
Kousei gets a leadoff runner when Kasumi draws a walk. Adachi isn't bunting and gets a great pitch from Tanaka, but he grounds it right to Yoshizawa. Goes to 2nd for one, but Fukuda stops there as there is no one covering 1st.
Sawada ahead of a slider, grounds one right to Nakayama. Goes to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st... double play to end the inning.
Bottom 4th
Bottom of the order being more patient against Nakagawa, but he's staying low in the zone and making them reach down to make contact. As a result, Taniguchi and Fukuda both ground out.
Yoshizawa watches a fastball paint the outside corner for strike 3 and the side is retired.
Top 5th
Tanaka meanwhile is playing the outside/inside game, and avoiding the middle of the zone if possible. Kousei then is either jammed, trying to pull outside pitches, or is early to swing and winds up with a weak grounder. Nakayama and Kobayashi are 2 such batters.
Baba can't square up Tanaka's fastball and foul tips it back for strike 3. Side retired.
Bottom 5th
Ever since the 1st, Nakagawa has not allowed a runner on base. He gets two more weak grounders and a fly ball, and it's now 13 straight retired as we hit the break. Nakagawa looks good, but that abominable 1st is the difference in the game. Kousei will need to step up the offense to have any shot.
Top 6th
Kousei gets their 4th runner of the as a grounder by Nakagawa takes a high hop and eats up Nakayama. Arai hits a foul ball to right field, Fujii chases after it, and makes the sliding catch in foul territory right before the fence.
Kasumi grounds out to 2nd though and the inning is over.
Bottom 6th
Again against the heart of the Osaka Touin lineup and Nakagawa continues to dominate. Fujii swings over a changeup in the dirt for the first out. Aoyagi chases a slider low. And Harada grounds out to short. 16 straight retired by Nakagawa.
Top 7th
Kousei running out of time.
Adachi, looking for any way on base, hits the 3-2 pitch back up the middle for a base hit! Nakai-kantoku will not play for 1 and has Sawada hit.
But Kousei's batters can't recognize a ball out of the zone. Sawada is fooled on the curveball and goes down for the first out.
Nakazaki gets a fastball down the middle, but flies out to center.Kobayashi succumbs to the forkball and it's 3 doun.
Bottom 7th
Taniguchi connects on a hanging slider and hits a HR to left. 3-0.
2 down, Tanaka hits a ball to short, but Adachi short hops the throw. He's safe at first.
Nakayama drives a ball to deep right center, and that goes fo a double to the wall. Tanaka scores and it's 4-0.
Nagahiro grounds out to end the inning.
Top 8th
#15 Himeno hits for Ogasawara and gets a one-out walk. #14 Endou hits for Nakagawa and hits a grounder to 2nd, Nagahiro flips to Fukuda but he's focused on going to 1 and drops the ball.
After a popup from Arai, Kasumi lines a ball just over Fukuda for a base hit. Himeno comes home uncontested to make it 4-1.
Adachi flies out to center, and Kousei at least prevents the shutout.
Bottom 8th
#13 Nakajima comes in for Himeno to play 1B. #11 Goya comes in for Endou to take the hill.
After yielding a leadoff walk, and 2 outs, Nakai-kantoku pulls him for Yagi to get some work.. He doesn't finish an AB as Fujji is caught stealing 2nd.
Top 9th
Kousei goes down in order with PH #12 Sueyoshi striking out to end the game.
Yep, I'll just leave this here before I flip a table.
Day 6, Game 1 - Toukai Dai-yon (Hokkaido) vs. Toyohashi Kougyou (Aichi)
And now out final game of the first round, the Hokkaido champs Toukai Dai-yon versus the last 21 century squad Toyohashi Kougyou.
For Toyohashi Kougyou, seeing Matsuyama Higashi pull off the upset had to be heartening as perhaps they can take something from that to their own performance today. While they are facing the Hokkaido champions, they are facing the Hokkaido champions, and not say a team from the Kanto or Kinki area, et al.
Toukai Dai-yon (Hokkaido)
SS Tomita Yuuki
2B Kanemura Kousei
RF Yamamoto Kouhei
1B Sou Kangi (#7)
LF Shiota Gen
C Ogawa Kouhei
3B Tachibana Susumu (#3)
P Oosawa Shiiya
CF Watase Taiki
Toyohashi Kougyou (Aichi)
1B Chuubachi Takahiro
2B Suzuki Kyouma
SS Egawa Seitarou
P Mori Keima
C Hikosaka Takuma
RF Oka Ryuuki
LF Enomoto Shougo
3B Kawai Tomoya
CF Araki Yuugo (#18)
__________________________________________________
09:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
I swear, we have the worst internet connection in the city.
I will have to rewatch the 1st inning. I did watch the first strikeout of Tomita. But somewhere along the way in the top of the 1st, Yamamoto hits a triple to right.
Keima in turn replies with striking out Sou, and in turn the side!
Bottom 1st
Again, not really able to watch the inning as carefully as I'd like as I'm trying to catch up, but it would appear that Oosawa is getting ahead of batters and thus able to retire them on less than ideal pitches.
Top 2nd
Keima still cruising along, though he allows Ogawa to get on base with a wild pitch on a strikeout (that's his 3rd already).
Even with one out, Oowaki-kantoku calls for the bunt and Tachibana moves him along.
Oosawa with a base hit to right! Ogawa holds at 3rd.
What's this? The umpires converge and Ogawa is called out at 3rd! The umpires claim that the runner made contact with the 3B coach and as a result is out! Replays show he did touch him and by the letter of the law they're right. But that call seems a bit ticky-tack to me.
With that, the inning is over.
Bottom 2nd
Keima with a blooper to the left side. Sou and Tachibana converge on the ball, but neither of them catch it! Keima on his horse, gets to 2nd and Toyohashi Kougyou is in business! Hikosaka lays down the bunt and now a sac fly can give them the lead.
Oka line shot! But it's right at Tomita! He goest to 3rd, but the runner is back. 2 out!
SANSHIN!!!!!!!
Oosawa pulls out the curve and Enomoto strikes out to end the inning!
Top 3rd
Watase looking to regain the momentum of the 2nd inning, singles through the left side. Tomita bunts him along.
But Keima comes back and strikes out Kanemura on an outside fastball. He's almost out of the jam again!
Yamamoto though won't go away easily, and perhaps with a base open Keima errors on the side of caution and walks him as it would create a force.
But a pitch from Keima goes off Hikosaka's glove and to the backstop! Hikosaka recovers, but the throw to 3rd is late! Runners at 2nd and 3rd now for Toukai!
And perhaps again with a base open, Keima is more apt to walk the batter to create a force at any base.
It works to perfection! Shiota grounds to 3rd and Kawai takes it to the bag for the 3rd out!
Bottom 3rd
Kawai leads off the inning with a single to left. Araki to bunt, no!
He pulls it back and swings away! It's a grounder through the drawn in infield and now Toyohashi has runners on 1st and 2nd with no out!
Chuubachi is not bunting as well. Instead, Hayashi-kantoku calls for a hit-and-run! He strikes out, but the throw to 3rd is not in time!! Runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 down!
Suzuki with a chance to drive in 2, but he hits one right back to Oosawa! He looks to 3rd and has Kawai in no-man's land! He runs him back to 3rd where Araki is already, but it's Araki who is out (Kawai had rights to return to the bag). Suzuki goes to 2nd.
Oosawa gets out of the jam! Egawa grounds out to 2nd and the runners are stranded!
Top 4th
Ogawa with a line single to right to get another leadoff runner on. Tachibana bunts him along.
Oosawa can only move the runner to 3rd with a groundout.
Watase is jammed! It's a fly ball to left and Enomoto is there for the catch! Another runner left stranded!
Bottom 4th
One down and Hikosaka gets on base when Tachibana airmails a throw. Oka not bunting, but Oosawa catches him trying to leave early! He's run down and that's a baserunning error by the team from Aichi.
Ah, but Oosawa hits Oka, and the runner is right back on base.
Uh oh, a pitch from Oosawa goes off Ogawa's glove! Oka takes off for 2nd, Ogawa with the throw...
OUT!!! Ogawa recovers just in time to get the out at 2nd and Toyohashi has run themselves out of the inning!
Top 5th
Tomita with a liner up the middle, but Keima snipes it for the out.
I never got a chance to mention it before, but ace Keima can throw in the upper 130s, which isn't bad.
He also apparently throws a heavy fastball, because I swear when Kanemura swings over a ball for his 6th K, it looks like it has a late dip.
And now he strikes out Yamamoto on a fastball inside! That's 7 K's already!
Bottom 5th
Oosawa would like an easy inning. It's been rather busy the last couple.
He gets that as he retires the bottom of the Toyohashi order to send us to the break. And much like the last game of yesterday, it's the 21st century team that has the advantage halfway through!
Top 6th
Make that 8 Ks! He paints the outside corner on Sou and he goes down looking!
Shoita grounds to 3rd, but Kawai airmails the throw into the camera well! Shiota is awarded 2nd.
Ogawa can't get the base hit, but moves the runner along.
But 3rd's as far as they'll go again! Tachibana flies out to center and another runner is stranded in scoring position!
Bottom 6th
Oosawa, maybe needing the break, comes back with vigor to start the 2nd half.
Chuubachi does down swinging on a well placed fastball. After a groundout by Suzuki, he climbs the ladder on Egawa to end the inning.
Top 7th
Oosawa needing something for his team, does it himself as he singles to the right side. Watase bunts him along.
Tomita grounder to 2nd, Suzuki with it, but doesn't throw to 1st! All safe!
Suzuki didn't throw to 1st because Chuubachi had overrun the bag and needed to get back! But now there's 2 runners on instead of 1 and 2 out!
Kanemura asked to bunt, but he's unable to lay it down. Down 0-2, he goes for the three bunt! But it goes back foul and he's out! 2 down!
Yamamoto up, and Keima is being awfully careful with him again.
Oowaki-kantoku then decided to send the runners! Throw to 3rd, but not time!! Everyone's safe!
Again, with 1st open and Yamamoto up, they given him the free pass to hopefully get the double play.
Sou pops it up! Suzuki goes out to shallow right as Oka comes in.
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps concerned with running into Oka, the ball goes off Suzuki's glove and falls down! Everyone scores as Sou eases into 3rd and Toukai Dai-yon has a 3-0 lead! Toyohashi had been doing so well until that point, you'd think they have a chance and then something like this happens!
Shiota strikes out making to for Keima, but the more important number is the 3 that Toukai Dai-yon has put on here in the 7th!
Bottom 7th
Toyohasi Kougyou continues to fight though, but have failed to get the opportunities they did early on. The best shot they had was a liner back to Oosawa by Hikosaka.
Top 8th
Despite the 3 runs, Toukai continues to struggle against Keima. In fact he racks up 2 more strikeouts in a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 8th
There's some hope for Toyohashi Kougyou as PH #10 Nakamura (in for Kawai), draws a walk. He's replaced by #16 Ukai.
Araki with a liner up the middle, but Tomita makes the leaping catch as Ukai has to scramble back.
Ukai then takes off for 2nd, and doesn't draw a throw! You could argue that that particular run doesn't matter, but it kind of does in that perhaps plating the first run might lead to more.
But Chuubachi can't get the key hit! He pops out to Sou and the inning is over.
Top 9th
#14 Ogiwara comes in to play 3B.
Keima finishes his complete game with a flourish, striking out Kanemura looking to make 13 on the day. But it looks like it'll come in a losing effort.
Bottom 9th
There's no comeback for the boys from Aichi. Oosawa shuts the door himself with 2 strikeouts, giving him 10 for the game. Toukai Dai-yon advances with a 3-0 win.
You never want to see the game decided by something like an error. But it was a dropped catch in the "lucky" 7 that wound up being the difference. Keima did everything he could to keep his team in the game, stymieing the Hokkaido champs throughout the game. And while their chances of getting back to Koushien in the summer are slim (they know that too, as they go to pick up dirt), they shouldn't be disappointed with their performance.
For Toukai Dai-yon, it perhaps wasn't expected for the game to be this close, but at the same time it's not surprising either. While another 21st century team lies next, it's Matsuyama Higashi, and they do not look like an easy game by any means.
For Toyohashi Kougyou, seeing Matsuyama Higashi pull off the upset had to be heartening as perhaps they can take something from that to their own performance today. While they are facing the Hokkaido champions, they are facing the Hokkaido champions, and not say a team from the Kanto or Kinki area, et al.
Toukai Dai-yon (Hokkaido)
SS Tomita Yuuki
2B Kanemura Kousei
RF Yamamoto Kouhei
1B Sou Kangi (#7)
LF Shiota Gen
C Ogawa Kouhei
3B Tachibana Susumu (#3)
P Oosawa Shiiya
CF Watase Taiki
Toyohashi Kougyou (Aichi)
1B Chuubachi Takahiro
2B Suzuki Kyouma
SS Egawa Seitarou
P Mori Keima
C Hikosaka Takuma
RF Oka Ryuuki
LF Enomoto Shougo
3B Kawai Tomoya
CF Araki Yuugo (#18)
__________________________________________________
09:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
I swear, we have the worst internet connection in the city.
I will have to rewatch the 1st inning. I did watch the first strikeout of Tomita. But somewhere along the way in the top of the 1st, Yamamoto hits a triple to right.
Keima in turn replies with striking out Sou, and in turn the side!
Bottom 1st
Again, not really able to watch the inning as carefully as I'd like as I'm trying to catch up, but it would appear that Oosawa is getting ahead of batters and thus able to retire them on less than ideal pitches.
Top 2nd
Keima still cruising along, though he allows Ogawa to get on base with a wild pitch on a strikeout (that's his 3rd already).
Even with one out, Oowaki-kantoku calls for the bunt and Tachibana moves him along.
Oosawa with a base hit to right! Ogawa holds at 3rd.
What's this? The umpires converge and Ogawa is called out at 3rd! The umpires claim that the runner made contact with the 3B coach and as a result is out! Replays show he did touch him and by the letter of the law they're right. But that call seems a bit ticky-tack to me.
With that, the inning is over.
Bottom 2nd
Keima with a blooper to the left side. Sou and Tachibana converge on the ball, but neither of them catch it! Keima on his horse, gets to 2nd and Toyohashi Kougyou is in business! Hikosaka lays down the bunt and now a sac fly can give them the lead.
Oka line shot! But it's right at Tomita! He goest to 3rd, but the runner is back. 2 out!
SANSHIN!!!!!!!
Oosawa pulls out the curve and Enomoto strikes out to end the inning!
Top 3rd
Watase looking to regain the momentum of the 2nd inning, singles through the left side. Tomita bunts him along.
But Keima comes back and strikes out Kanemura on an outside fastball. He's almost out of the jam again!
Yamamoto though won't go away easily, and perhaps with a base open Keima errors on the side of caution and walks him as it would create a force.
But a pitch from Keima goes off Hikosaka's glove and to the backstop! Hikosaka recovers, but the throw to 3rd is late! Runners at 2nd and 3rd now for Toukai!
And perhaps again with a base open, Keima is more apt to walk the batter to create a force at any base.
It works to perfection! Shiota grounds to 3rd and Kawai takes it to the bag for the 3rd out!
Bottom 3rd
Kawai leads off the inning with a single to left. Araki to bunt, no!
He pulls it back and swings away! It's a grounder through the drawn in infield and now Toyohashi has runners on 1st and 2nd with no out!
Chuubachi is not bunting as well. Instead, Hayashi-kantoku calls for a hit-and-run! He strikes out, but the throw to 3rd is not in time!! Runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 down!
Suzuki with a chance to drive in 2, but he hits one right back to Oosawa! He looks to 3rd and has Kawai in no-man's land! He runs him back to 3rd where Araki is already, but it's Araki who is out (Kawai had rights to return to the bag). Suzuki goes to 2nd.
Oosawa gets out of the jam! Egawa grounds out to 2nd and the runners are stranded!
Top 4th
Ogawa with a line single to right to get another leadoff runner on. Tachibana bunts him along.
Oosawa can only move the runner to 3rd with a groundout.
Watase is jammed! It's a fly ball to left and Enomoto is there for the catch! Another runner left stranded!
Bottom 4th
One down and Hikosaka gets on base when Tachibana airmails a throw. Oka not bunting, but Oosawa catches him trying to leave early! He's run down and that's a baserunning error by the team from Aichi.
Ah, but Oosawa hits Oka, and the runner is right back on base.
Uh oh, a pitch from Oosawa goes off Ogawa's glove! Oka takes off for 2nd, Ogawa with the throw...
OUT!!! Ogawa recovers just in time to get the out at 2nd and Toyohashi has run themselves out of the inning!
Top 5th
Tomita with a liner up the middle, but Keima snipes it for the out.
I never got a chance to mention it before, but ace Keima can throw in the upper 130s, which isn't bad.
He also apparently throws a heavy fastball, because I swear when Kanemura swings over a ball for his 6th K, it looks like it has a late dip.
And now he strikes out Yamamoto on a fastball inside! That's 7 K's already!
Bottom 5th
Oosawa would like an easy inning. It's been rather busy the last couple.
He gets that as he retires the bottom of the Toyohashi order to send us to the break. And much like the last game of yesterday, it's the 21st century team that has the advantage halfway through!
Top 6th
Make that 8 Ks! He paints the outside corner on Sou and he goes down looking!
Shoita grounds to 3rd, but Kawai airmails the throw into the camera well! Shiota is awarded 2nd.
Ogawa can't get the base hit, but moves the runner along.
But 3rd's as far as they'll go again! Tachibana flies out to center and another runner is stranded in scoring position!
Bottom 6th
Oosawa, maybe needing the break, comes back with vigor to start the 2nd half.
Chuubachi does down swinging on a well placed fastball. After a groundout by Suzuki, he climbs the ladder on Egawa to end the inning.
Top 7th
Oosawa needing something for his team, does it himself as he singles to the right side. Watase bunts him along.
Tomita grounder to 2nd, Suzuki with it, but doesn't throw to 1st! All safe!
Suzuki didn't throw to 1st because Chuubachi had overrun the bag and needed to get back! But now there's 2 runners on instead of 1 and 2 out!
Kanemura asked to bunt, but he's unable to lay it down. Down 0-2, he goes for the three bunt! But it goes back foul and he's out! 2 down!
Yamamoto up, and Keima is being awfully careful with him again.
Oowaki-kantoku then decided to send the runners! Throw to 3rd, but not time!! Everyone's safe!
Again, with 1st open and Yamamoto up, they given him the free pass to hopefully get the double play.
Sou pops it up! Suzuki goes out to shallow right as Oka comes in.
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps concerned with running into Oka, the ball goes off Suzuki's glove and falls down! Everyone scores as Sou eases into 3rd and Toukai Dai-yon has a 3-0 lead! Toyohashi had been doing so well until that point, you'd think they have a chance and then something like this happens!
Shiota strikes out making to for Keima, but the more important number is the 3 that Toukai Dai-yon has put on here in the 7th!
Bottom 7th
Toyohasi Kougyou continues to fight though, but have failed to get the opportunities they did early on. The best shot they had was a liner back to Oosawa by Hikosaka.
Top 8th
Despite the 3 runs, Toukai continues to struggle against Keima. In fact he racks up 2 more strikeouts in a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 8th
There's some hope for Toyohashi Kougyou as PH #10 Nakamura (in for Kawai), draws a walk. He's replaced by #16 Ukai.
Araki with a liner up the middle, but Tomita makes the leaping catch as Ukai has to scramble back.
Ukai then takes off for 2nd, and doesn't draw a throw! You could argue that that particular run doesn't matter, but it kind of does in that perhaps plating the first run might lead to more.
But Chuubachi can't get the key hit! He pops out to Sou and the inning is over.
Top 9th
#14 Ogiwara comes in to play 3B.
Keima finishes his complete game with a flourish, striking out Kanemura looking to make 13 on the day. But it looks like it'll come in a losing effort.
Bottom 9th
There's no comeback for the boys from Aichi. Oosawa shuts the door himself with 2 strikeouts, giving him 10 for the game. Toukai Dai-yon advances with a 3-0 win.
You never want to see the game decided by something like an error. But it was a dropped catch in the "lucky" 7 that wound up being the difference. Keima did everything he could to keep his team in the game, stymieing the Hokkaido champs throughout the game. And while their chances of getting back to Koushien in the summer are slim (they know that too, as they go to pick up dirt), they shouldn't be disappointed with their performance.
For Toukai Dai-yon, it perhaps wasn't expected for the game to be this close, but at the same time it's not surprising either. While another 21st century team lies next, it's Matsuyama Higashi, and they do not look like an easy game by any means.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Day 5, Game 3 - Masuyama Higashi (Ehime) vs. Nishougakushadai Fuzoku
Our final 2 games of the 1st round are upon us and both involve 21st century teams.
First up is Matsuyama Higashi. They were at Senbatsu 1 time before, and that was 82 years ago. That has to be the longest time between appearances I've seen in ever.
Being a 21st century team means you're generally the underdog. And they're facing the Tokyo runner-ups Nishougakushadai Fuzoku who has been hot in recent years in Tokyo. It's a tough ask, but 21st century teams have done it before.
Matsuyama Higashi (Ehime)
LF Shimizu Tomoki
SS Ishiyama Tarou
CF Sakai Yuusuke
C Yoneda Keisuke
P Kameoka Yuuki
1B Yamada Kai
RF Yamada Taisei
3B Arita Toranosuke
2B Matsushita Kouki
Nishougakushadai Fuzoku (Tokyo)
CF Hirano Tomoya (#15)
SS Shimane Kanto
2B Miguchi Eito
3B Kitamoto Kazuki
LF Okada Kouki
C Imamura Taiki
1B Hashimoto Masaya
P Ooe Ryuusei
RF Oobayashi Yuuma (#13)
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14:35 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Ooe not off to a strong start as he walks Shimizu. Ishiyama bunts him along into scoring position.
However, he comes back and gets Sakai on a high fastball, and Yoneda grounds out to 3rd for the 3rd out.
Bottom 1st
Kameoka retires the first two Nishou batters without much incident before giving up a single to Miguchi. But it looks like another day in the office as Kameoka gets cleanup batter Kitamoto to fly out to left.
Top 2nd
Ooe righting the ship in a hurry. Kameoka chases the slider away for Ooe's 2nd K, then Kai watches another slider hit the outside corner.
Taisei makes contact, but its a routine grounder to 1st and Hashimoto takes it to the bag.
Bottom 2nd
Nishou's batters attacking Kameoka's pitches early, but getting nowhere. Okada with a grounder to 3rd, and Imamura a flyout to center. Hashimoto is patient enough at the plate to draw a walk, but Ooe chooses to go after a 2-0 pitch and grounds out to short to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Computer troubles have me trying to catch up with commentary, but the game is going too fast for me!
Ooe just mowing down batters. Arita goes down swinging on a high fastball. Matsushita watches one go by. Shimizu flies out to center, and Ooe is on a roll!
Bottom 3rd
Nishogakusha still attacking Kameoka's pitches trying to break through. But Oobayashi gets all twisted on a fastball up and in, and then in two more pitches Tomoya and Shimane are retired! They're making it easy on them and keeping them in the game!
Top 4th
Ooe hit a hiccup to start the inning as he walks Ishiyama. Sakai tries to bunt him along, but gets to 2 strikes. Hits a chopper off of the plate and goes up the 1st base line. Hashimoto chooses to let the ball go, but it still stays fair, stays fair... and stays fair!!! All safe!
AH! And now Ooe hits Yoneda! Just like that it's manrui for Matsuyama Higashi!
Kameoka liner to right for a base hit! Ishiyama scores and it's 1-0 Matsuyama Higashi!
Kai with a shot up the 3rd base side, but Kitamoto has it! Goes home to get the lead runner. One down.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Taisei lays down the push squeeze and the only play is at first! Yoneda scores and it's 2-0 Matsuyama!
Arita strikes out, but Ooe has done damage to his own team!
Bottom 4th
Meanwhile, now it's Kameoka on a roll! He strikes out Miguchi on an outside fastball!
Kitamoto swings at a high fastball and hits it to left. Shimizu running back, running back...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With a swing of the bat, Kitamoto brings his team within 1! It's 2-1!
But Kameoka doesn't mind it at all. Okada? Slider away. Imamura? Fastball up and in.
He strikes out the side! But Nishogakushadai gets one run back.
Top 5th
I don't understand Ooe at all. It's like he just plain forgot how to pitch in the 4th. Because he strikes out Matsushita for the 2nd time, then Shimizu. And after that Ishiyama hits a comebacker. 3 up, 3 down.
Bottom 5th
Hashimoto grounder up the 1st base line.. fair!! He hustles as Taisei reaches the ball and gets 2nd easily.
But Ooe flubs his bunt! He pops it up and it's easy pickings for Kameoka!
Oobayashi at the bottom of the order is the 2nd batter to actually work the count. He runs it full, and hits a liner, but right to Arita.
And Tomoya goes after the first pitch and grounds out to 2nd! We're racing though this game at breakneck speed much to the advantage of Mastuyama Higashi. With Nishougakusha's batters swinging at everything, they're shortening the game for them!
Top 6th
#9 Suzuki in for Oobayashi to play RF.
Matsuyama Higashi back on the warpath? Sakai leads off with a single to center.
And Horiuchi-kantoku starts him! Imamura double-clutches and has no chance!
Now Yoneda with a solid single to right! Sakai stops at 3rd but they're threatening again!
Kameoka on a ball down and in. Okada is running back! He's still running back!! It's over his head! That'll go all the way to the wall and score both runners! Matsuyama Higashi leads Nishogakushadai Fuzoku 4-1!!! And Kameoka has 3 of the teams 4 runs!
Kai comes back to strike out Kai and Taisei on back to back fastballls away. Arita lines out to center, but Nishougakusadai is in real trouble now!
Bottom 6th
One down for Nishogakushadai and Miguchi hits a ball to deep left. Shimizu playing in has to run it down, and it falls in! He's in with a double!
Kitamoto chimes in with a liner to right. Miguchi holds up at 3rd.
And now Kameoka hits Okada! Manrui for Nishougakushadai! Horiuchi-kantoku calls for time.
Imamura liner to center for a base hit! Miguchi scores! Kitamoto being waved around! He scores!! It's a 4-3 game!
Kameoka refusing to give in, fighting tooth and nail and keeping to the plan. He puts the fastball inside on Hashimoto for the 2nd out.
Ooe up again in a key spot. This time he needs a base hit.
Back to the wall with 2 strikes, he fouls off pitch after pitch working the count full allowing the runners to take off.
Liner to center... falls in! Okada rounding 3rd will score and were all square at 4-4!!!!
Suzuki hits a comebacker to Kameoka to end the inning, but we have a new ballgame!
Top 7th
Can Matsuyama Higashi re-rally here in the Lucky 7?
One down and Shimizu gets things started with a single to right.
Horiuchi-kantoku giving the green light and Shimizu takes off! Ooe bounces the ball and Imamura has no throw! The go-ahead run is in scoring position!
And now Ooe walks Ishiyama! Is Ooe falling apart yet again?
Ooe is so concerned with the bunt that he's missing the strike zone to induce a bad bunt! He's behind 3-1 to Sakai! He manages to fill up the count...
Liner to left... fair!!! Shimizu given the go signal and he's heading home! Throw from Okada, the relay... not in time! Matsuyama Higashi retakes the lead at 5-4!!
Yoneda with a ball back up the middle! Shimane stretches and makes the pick off the ground! Flips to 2nd for one, Miguchi goes to 3rd, but can't catch Ishiyama off the bag. 2 down.
Ooe finally gets out of the inning, retiring the dangerous Kameoka on a slider in the dirt. But no matter! Matsuyama has the lead once again!
Bottom 7th
Top of the order for Nishougakushadai to try and come back once more.
Tomoya behind in the count, chases a ball outside and chops it to the right side. Kameoka snags it and goes to 1st for the out. Shimane also behind 1-2 grounds out to Ishiyama.
Miguchi down 0-2 also grounds to short. He tries diving into 1st, but to no avail. 3 up, 3 down, and Matsuyama Higashi is 6 outs away from a spot in the 2nd round!
Top 8th
Ooe is like Jekyll and Hyde on the mound. In the 8th, he's dominant again. Strikes out 2, and barely beats Taisei to the bag. It's all the first time I see an umpire start motioning safe, then changing his call.
Bottom 8th
Uh oh. Is it nerves for Kameoka? He walks Kitamoto to start the inning!
After trying the hit and run, Okada tries the bunt. But now he's 0-2.
Kameoka paying a lot of attention to Kitamoto, and almost picks him off.
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kameoka puts it right at the knees and he's rung up Okada! 1 down.
Another hit and run! But Kameoka jams Imamura and pops it up! Arita with it for the 2nd out!
Maybe out of frustration, Ichihara-kantoku sends Kitamoto! The pitch is high and Yoneda fires to 2nd...
OUT!!
The ball is there in plenty of time and Nishogakushadai has run themselves out of the inning!
Top 9th
Matsushita earns the golden sombrero here in the 9th, striking out for the 4th time on a slider in the dirt. That's 15 K's for Ooe, but he's losing!
Shimizu goes down swinging, and that's 16!
Ishiyama grounds out to 3rd and it's closing time for Matsuyama Higashi!
Bottom 9th
And worse for Nishogakushadai, it's the bottom of the lineup who's a combined 2-8.
Hashimoto comebacker to Kameoka! He goes to 1st and they're 2 outs away!
Ooe grounder up the middle, Ishiyama over and AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He misses the ball and it goes off his foot and into left field! E6 and the douten runner is on! Horiuchi-kantoku calls time as #14 Hirano Jyun comes in to hit for Suzuki.
Kameoka perhaps being careful with Jyun, goes to 3-0! Will Jyun let 2 strikes pass?
He lets one go.
He can't hold his swing and it's strike 2!
Pops it up! Matsushita and Ishiyama converge, bump! But Kai has it for the 2nd out!
Tomoya the last chance.
Chopper back up the middle. Off Kameoka's glove! He chases it down, but everyone's safe! Yoneda goes out to talk to him.
Shimane with no hits so far is their last chance now.
Safety bunt??!! He gets a good jump, but it rolls foul!
Grounder to 2nd! Matsushita with it! Goes to 1st...
GAME SET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matsuyama Higashi defeats the Tokyo runner-ups Nishougakushadai Fuzoku 5-4!
That was unexpected by a wide margin. As I mentioned during the game, Nishougakushadai allowed Kameoka to pitch whatever he wanted because they were just attacking pitches early in the count. Despite the fact that he threw 136 pitches, 11 of the 38 batters went 2 pitches or less into the AB before putting the ball in play. Only 5 times did he ever reach 3 balls. Yes, Nishougakushadai Fuzoku got their runs, but for the most part he wasn't in high leverage counts or situations.
On the mound, Ooe went from one extreme to another. Where else do you strike out 16, give out 4 free passes, and 5 runs to lose the game? In fact, all of their scoring came in the 3 innings where they got at least 1 hit. Even if they had advanced, I'm not sure how good their chances would be.
So tip your hat to Matsuyama Higashi. They didn't just take this as their 1 free game and go home. They took the game to the metropolitan team, and it turned out to be more then they could handle. Now, will it be enough for the next game? Possibly as they will face either Toukai Dai-yon or Toyohashi Kougyou. They'll have their chances for sure if they play like they did today.
Day 5, Game 2 - Kendai Takasaki (Gunma) vs. Ube Koujyou (Yamaguchi)
We have another region in jeopardy of being eliminated in this game, and it's Kyushu's neighbor Chuugoku. Their champs are in play as the last team, facing the always scrappy Kendai Takasaki.
Kendai Takasaki (Gunma)
2B Souma Yuuto
SS Hayashi Kenya
C Tsuge Sena
3B Shibahiki Ryousuke
RF Satou Nozomu
CF Kasuga Yuuma
LF Higa Tsubasa (#14)
P Kawai Tomoya
Ube Koujyou (Yamaguchi)
2B Fujita Tsukasa
P Uenishi Ranma
RF Ueda Rikiya
LF Okada Katsuki
1B Nakanishi Atsuhisa
C Machida Shouhei
CF Umemoto Daiki
SS Umeoka Ryouta
3B Yoshiura Tomoki
__________________________________________________
11:35 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Souma draws a 4-pitch walk and let's see if Kendai does their running. They didn't do a lot of it in the super-regionals.
And he does take off! But the pitch from Uenishi almost takes off Hayashi's head! Machida has to chase it down and Souma goes to 3rd!
The umpires converge to talk about things as Ozaki-kantoku maintains the ball hit Hayashi's bat when he ducked for cover. But after discussion it was ruled to not be the case.
Hayashi gets a chance to plate the first run, but he hits a shallow fly to center! Umemoto is there and Souma can't score.Tsuge with the next chance to plate the run.
But Uenishi intends to to shut them down! He strikes out Tsuge on a slider right on the corner for the 2nd out! Shibahiki last chance to get the runner in this inning.
Ball back up the middle, through for a base hit! Souma finally scores and it's 1-0 Kendai!
Ooshima grrounds to 3rd to end the inning, but Kendai Takasaki takes the quick lead!
Bottom 1st
Fujita starting the rally right off the bat with a base hit up the middle! Uenishi with the bunt, but Shibahiki sells out! He crashes in and is right on the ball! Goes to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st... double play!! Risk from the 3B, but it pays off!
Ueda goes down swinging and the inning is over.
Top 2nd
Satou with a ball back up the middle himself for a leadoff single.
Kasuga not bunting, instead hits a blooper to the left side! Umeoka turning back and.. can't get it! Everyone's safe! Kendai Takasaki threatening again.
Higa lays down the bunt, and this time it's Uenishi who crashes in! He goes to 3rd and they cut down the lead runner! One down.
Kawai now with a slow grounder to short, toss to 2nd. SAFE?!
Fujita stretching for the ball, goes off the bag! Higa slides in ahead of the re-establishment and all safe! Manrui!
Souma up, and the infield is playing in looking for the squeeze.
But he swings away! The outfield is in and Okada has to turn tail! All 3 runners are going to score on the play! Souma's in with a bases clearing triple! Kendai Takasaki leads 4-0!
After some discussion by the umpires and some direction, Ube Koujyou appeals that the runner didn't touch 2nd, but the umpires show safe.
Hayashi tries to hit a sac fly, but hits it too shallow.
Tsuge grounds to 3rd to end the inning, but it's a big hit instead of their running that scores the runs!
Bottom 2nd
Okada line drive down the left field line... Fair! Higa runs it down, but not before Okada reaches 2nd!
No bunting down 4, but Nakanishi bites on a slider for the 1st out.
And Machida does the same on a changeup! 2 down and Kawai might get out of the jam!
Umemoto hits a single to center... it falls in! They're waving Okada home! Throw from Kasuga... is on a line and right to Tsuge! It's in plenty of time and Okada is out to retire the side. That's a bit too aggressive there when there's plenty of time.
Top 3rd
Uenishi looking for a bagel, or more importantly a quick inning. And he gets Shibahiki and Ooshima to groundout.
Satou swings and misses on a slider, but the ball gets away from Machida and Satou reaches 1st!
Once again the runners are allowed to run wild and Satou takes off for 2nd, and gets no throw!
But Satou goes a bridge too far! Machida pops out after the 1-2 pitch and pumps his throw before having Satou in no-man's land! He's run down and the inning is over.
Bottom 3rd
Meanwhile, Ube Koujyou's offense can't get anything started against Kawai. The 8-9-1 batters are retired in 10 pitches and things do not look good.
Top 4th
Kasuga with a base hit to right gets Kendai's offense going again. No running or bunting though, looks like Aoyagi-kantoku is playing it straight at the bottom of the lineup.Last batters Higa and Kawai both fly out to center.
Souma comes up ready to do more damage, but Uenishi ends up hitting him.
Hitting him isn't good, but that brings up Hayashi who is 0-2 on the day. Uenishi pits him away with a slider and that's the inning.
Bottom 4th
Despite the troubles, Ube Koujyou has gotten leadoff men on base. This time it's Uenishi who draws a walk.
Ueda follows that up with a line single to right! 2 on, no out and Ube Koujyou threatening!
Ah, but Okada hits a ball up in foul territory! Satou and Ooshima collide and it's Satou with the catch! But Ooshima looks hurt. He's slow to get up and hobbles back to his position.
Now the umpires call time as they notice blood from Ooshima. They roll up his left leg and there is indeed blood. He has to leave to get treatment, and is visibly limping towards the stairs.
After a while, Aoyagi-kantoku goes over to where Ooshima went, and scrambles back, making a change.
#16 Minakawa comes in for Ooshima and goes to RF, Satou goes to 3B and Shibahiki goes to 1B.
Nakanishi up after the delay to try and get the timely hit.
And it seems like the break has affected Kawai! He can't throw a strike and falls behind 3-0! He fights back to level the count.
SANSHIN!!!
It's a fastball on the outside corner for the 2nd out!
Machida the last chance here after a great start to the inning.
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Machida can only walk back towards the dugout after he watches a slider hit the inside corner for strike 3! 3 out!
Top 5th
Tsuge with a liner down the left field line for a long single.
Uenishi paying a lot of attention to him, and then catches Tsuge taking off early for 2nd! Uenishi runs him down for the first out.
Shibahiki makes contact and does a bat flip?
Umemoto runs over to left center, and back to the wall... 待って。。本当に？？！！
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess he knew something we didn't because that ball clears the fence! It's 5-0 Kendai Takasaki!
Minakawa and Satou are retired afterwards, but the lead is extended!
Bottom 5th
Ube Koujyou needs the break as the offense is on it's heels with Kawai hitting the corners. In fact, he strikes out the bottom of the lineup and Kendai Takasaki looks in total control.
Top 6th
Kasuga with a drive to left, and again the outfield is in! Okada has to chase after it and Kasuga presses to 3rd! The throw in... and he's safe! He's keeping his toe on the bag, but he's safe!
Higa hot shot to 1st, but Nakanishi is there! He looks Kasuga back and goes to 1st for the out.
Kawai still looking for his first hit but he chases a slider for the 2nd out.
And Uenishi prevents any further damage. Souma flies out to left to retire the side.
Bottom 6th
Make that 4 Ks in a row! Fujita goes down swinging on a changeup and that's Kawai's 10th K!
Uenishi puts the bat on the ball and guides it to left, but Hayashi jumps and high points the ball for the out.
And Ueda hits a weak comebacker to Kawai. That's 9 consecutive batters retired and Kawai appears to be in cruise control.
Top 7th
Hayashi draws the leadoff walk.
Tsuge swinging away, but hits one up the middle to Umeoka. But he drops the ball! His only play is to 1st for one.
And Hayashi makes him pay! He steals 3rd without a throw!
And Shibahiki drives in his 3rd run! Just a clean single to right. 6-0.
#7 Chinen in to hit for Minakawa. And he singles to left! Everything going Kendai's way.
2 down now for Kasuga, and he hits a single through the left side! Shibahiki is given the green light around 3rd, but Okada is firing home! Throw in... OUT!
The throw is on line and Shibahiki didn't have a chance!
Bottom 7th
Ube Koujyou finally gets their first hit in 3 innings as PH #13 Nakamura, hitting for Nakanishi, hits a liner to left.
That's all they get though as Machida and Umemoto are retired thereafter.
Top 8th
Nakamura stays in to play 1B.
Kendai Takasaki content with their lead, go down in order to shorten the game.
Bottom 8th
One down and captain #15 Makihata comes is sent in to hit for Yoshiura.
Sharp ball to the left side, Hayashi runs it down in the gap, but the throw is wide and Makihata has a base hit!
That seems to spur on the team! Fujita follows that up with a single to left!
And now Uenishi singles back up the middle! Makihata holds up at 3rd, but it's manrui for Ube Koujyou!
Ueda with a slow grounder to the right side... Souma goes to 2nd for 1, and that's it! Makihata scores and Ube Koujyou is finally on the board at 6-1.
Unfortunately, the momentum dies there as Okada grounds out to 2nd. But the shutout is prevented.
Top 9th
Kendai Takasaki scores 3 more runs, which included the following:
Ube Koujyou goes down in order in the 9th, and the game ends mercifully.
Ube Koujyou just got off to a weird start. From talking to the umpire about the wild pitch in the 1st thinking it was a foul ball, to the appeal at 2nd, it felt like they were trying to buy as many breaks as possible. And I think it took away from the team a little. By the time they had chances, it seemed like they were already pressing and it was over from there.
With that loss Chuugoku, along with Kyushu, have been eliminated.
Kendai Takasaki looked like the team we're used to seeing. Aggressive on the basepaths and solid defense. We really didn't see the grittyness, as the game was never in doubt, but they look like a contender yet again. Kawai isn't as good as he showed today, but he was hitting his spots and forcing the Ube Koujyou batters into bad swings, or none at all sometimes.If his control can keep up throughout, they could be scary yet again. Tenri may be next, but it's certainly a winnable game.
Kendai Takasaki (Gunma)
2B Souma Yuuto
SS Hayashi Kenya
C Tsuge Sena
3B Shibahiki Ryousuke
RF Satou Nozomu
CF Kasuga Yuuma
LF Higa Tsubasa (#14)
P Kawai Tomoya
Ube Koujyou (Yamaguchi)
2B Fujita Tsukasa
P Uenishi Ranma
RF Ueda Rikiya
LF Okada Katsuki
1B Nakanishi Atsuhisa
C Machida Shouhei
CF Umemoto Daiki
SS Umeoka Ryouta
3B Yoshiura Tomoki
__________________________________________________
11:35 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Souma draws a 4-pitch walk and let's see if Kendai does their running. They didn't do a lot of it in the super-regionals.
And he does take off! But the pitch from Uenishi almost takes off Hayashi's head! Machida has to chase it down and Souma goes to 3rd!
The umpires converge to talk about things as Ozaki-kantoku maintains the ball hit Hayashi's bat when he ducked for cover. But after discussion it was ruled to not be the case.
Hayashi gets a chance to plate the first run, but he hits a shallow fly to center! Umemoto is there and Souma can't score.Tsuge with the next chance to plate the run.
But Uenishi intends to to shut them down! He strikes out Tsuge on a slider right on the corner for the 2nd out! Shibahiki last chance to get the runner in this inning.
Ball back up the middle, through for a base hit! Souma finally scores and it's 1-0 Kendai!
Ooshima grrounds to 3rd to end the inning, but Kendai Takasaki takes the quick lead!
Bottom 1st
Fujita starting the rally right off the bat with a base hit up the middle! Uenishi with the bunt, but Shibahiki sells out! He crashes in and is right on the ball! Goes to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st... double play!! Risk from the 3B, but it pays off!
Ueda goes down swinging and the inning is over.
Top 2nd
Satou with a ball back up the middle himself for a leadoff single.
Kasuga not bunting, instead hits a blooper to the left side! Umeoka turning back and.. can't get it! Everyone's safe! Kendai Takasaki threatening again.
Higa lays down the bunt, and this time it's Uenishi who crashes in! He goes to 3rd and they cut down the lead runner! One down.
Kawai now with a slow grounder to short, toss to 2nd. SAFE?!
Fujita stretching for the ball, goes off the bag! Higa slides in ahead of the re-establishment and all safe! Manrui!
Souma up, and the infield is playing in looking for the squeeze.
But he swings away! The outfield is in and Okada has to turn tail! All 3 runners are going to score on the play! Souma's in with a bases clearing triple! Kendai Takasaki leads 4-0!
After some discussion by the umpires and some direction, Ube Koujyou appeals that the runner didn't touch 2nd, but the umpires show safe.
Hayashi tries to hit a sac fly, but hits it too shallow.
Tsuge grounds to 3rd to end the inning, but it's a big hit instead of their running that scores the runs!
Bottom 2nd
Okada line drive down the left field line... Fair! Higa runs it down, but not before Okada reaches 2nd!
No bunting down 4, but Nakanishi bites on a slider for the 1st out.
And Machida does the same on a changeup! 2 down and Kawai might get out of the jam!
Umemoto hits a single to center... it falls in! They're waving Okada home! Throw from Kasuga... is on a line and right to Tsuge! It's in plenty of time and Okada is out to retire the side. That's a bit too aggressive there when there's plenty of time.
Top 3rd
Uenishi looking for a bagel, or more importantly a quick inning. And he gets Shibahiki and Ooshima to groundout.
Satou swings and misses on a slider, but the ball gets away from Machida and Satou reaches 1st!
Once again the runners are allowed to run wild and Satou takes off for 2nd, and gets no throw!
But Satou goes a bridge too far! Machida pops out after the 1-2 pitch and pumps his throw before having Satou in no-man's land! He's run down and the inning is over.
Bottom 3rd
Meanwhile, Ube Koujyou's offense can't get anything started against Kawai. The 8-9-1 batters are retired in 10 pitches and things do not look good.
Top 4th
Kasuga with a base hit to right gets Kendai's offense going again. No running or bunting though, looks like Aoyagi-kantoku is playing it straight at the bottom of the lineup.Last batters Higa and Kawai both fly out to center.
Souma comes up ready to do more damage, but Uenishi ends up hitting him.
Hitting him isn't good, but that brings up Hayashi who is 0-2 on the day. Uenishi pits him away with a slider and that's the inning.
Bottom 4th
Despite the troubles, Ube Koujyou has gotten leadoff men on base. This time it's Uenishi who draws a walk.
Ueda follows that up with a line single to right! 2 on, no out and Ube Koujyou threatening!
Ah, but Okada hits a ball up in foul territory! Satou and Ooshima collide and it's Satou with the catch! But Ooshima looks hurt. He's slow to get up and hobbles back to his position.
Now the umpires call time as they notice blood from Ooshima. They roll up his left leg and there is indeed blood. He has to leave to get treatment, and is visibly limping towards the stairs.
After a while, Aoyagi-kantoku goes over to where Ooshima went, and scrambles back, making a change.
#16 Minakawa comes in for Ooshima and goes to RF, Satou goes to 3B and Shibahiki goes to 1B.
Nakanishi up after the delay to try and get the timely hit.
And it seems like the break has affected Kawai! He can't throw a strike and falls behind 3-0! He fights back to level the count.
SANSHIN!!!
It's a fastball on the outside corner for the 2nd out!
Machida the last chance here after a great start to the inning.
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Machida can only walk back towards the dugout after he watches a slider hit the inside corner for strike 3! 3 out!
Top 5th
Tsuge with a liner down the left field line for a long single.
Uenishi paying a lot of attention to him, and then catches Tsuge taking off early for 2nd! Uenishi runs him down for the first out.
Shibahiki makes contact and does a bat flip?
Umemoto runs over to left center, and back to the wall... 待って。。本当に？？！！
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess he knew something we didn't because that ball clears the fence! It's 5-0 Kendai Takasaki!
Minakawa and Satou are retired afterwards, but the lead is extended!
Bottom 5th
Ube Koujyou needs the break as the offense is on it's heels with Kawai hitting the corners. In fact, he strikes out the bottom of the lineup and Kendai Takasaki looks in total control.
Top 6th
Kasuga with a drive to left, and again the outfield is in! Okada has to chase after it and Kasuga presses to 3rd! The throw in... and he's safe! He's keeping his toe on the bag, but he's safe!
Higa hot shot to 1st, but Nakanishi is there! He looks Kasuga back and goes to 1st for the out.
Kawai still looking for his first hit but he chases a slider for the 2nd out.
And Uenishi prevents any further damage. Souma flies out to left to retire the side.
Bottom 6th
Make that 4 Ks in a row! Fujita goes down swinging on a changeup and that's Kawai's 10th K!
Uenishi puts the bat on the ball and guides it to left, but Hayashi jumps and high points the ball for the out.
And Ueda hits a weak comebacker to Kawai. That's 9 consecutive batters retired and Kawai appears to be in cruise control.
Top 7th
Hayashi draws the leadoff walk.
Tsuge swinging away, but hits one up the middle to Umeoka. But he drops the ball! His only play is to 1st for one.
And Hayashi makes him pay! He steals 3rd without a throw!
And Shibahiki drives in his 3rd run! Just a clean single to right. 6-0.
#7 Chinen in to hit for Minakawa. And he singles to left! Everything going Kendai's way.
2 down now for Kasuga, and he hits a single through the left side! Shibahiki is given the green light around 3rd, but Okada is firing home! Throw in... OUT!
The throw is on line and Shibahiki didn't have a chance!
Bottom 7th
Ube Koujyou finally gets their first hit in 3 innings as PH #13 Nakamura, hitting for Nakanishi, hits a liner to left.
That's all they get though as Machida and Umemoto are retired thereafter.
Top 8th
Nakamura stays in to play 1B.
Kendai Takasaki content with their lead, go down in order to shorten the game.
Bottom 8th
One down and captain #15 Makihata comes is sent in to hit for Yoshiura.
Sharp ball to the left side, Hayashi runs it down in the gap, but the throw is wide and Makihata has a base hit!
That seems to spur on the team! Fujita follows that up with a single to left!
And now Uenishi singles back up the middle! Makihata holds up at 3rd, but it's manrui for Ube Koujyou!
Ueda with a slow grounder to the right side... Souma goes to 2nd for 1, and that's it! Makihata scores and Ube Koujyou is finally on the board at 6-1.
Unfortunately, the momentum dies there as Okada grounds out to 2nd. But the shutout is prevented.
Top 9th
Kendai Takasaki scores 3 more runs, which included the following:
- #10 Nakasugi coming in for 1 batter, then relieved by #11 Kiba.
- Aoyagi PH for his cleanup hitter, drawing questions from the announcers.
- A catcher's interference that instead of an out at home, resulted in a manrui situation.
- A HBP that the umpires had to converge on.
- An attempt to score 2 runs on a squeeze play that resulted in a 1-3-2 double play.
Ube Koujyou goes down in order in the 9th, and the game ends mercifully.
Ube Koujyou just got off to a weird start. From talking to the umpire about the wild pitch in the 1st thinking it was a foul ball, to the appeal at 2nd, it felt like they were trying to buy as many breaks as possible. And I think it took away from the team a little. By the time they had chances, it seemed like they were already pressing and it was over from there.
With that loss Chuugoku, along with Kyushu, have been eliminated.
Kendai Takasaki looked like the team we're used to seeing. Aggressive on the basepaths and solid defense. We really didn't see the grittyness, as the game was never in doubt, but they look like a contender yet again. Kawai isn't as good as he showed today, but he was hitting his spots and forcing the Ube Koujyou batters into bad swings, or none at all sometimes.If his control can keep up throughout, they could be scary yet again. Tenri may be next, but it's certainly a winnable game.
Day 5, Game 1 - Itoman (Okinawa) vs. Tenri (Nara)
We are winding down the 1st round games, and the first is a matter of survival. Itoman has claimed the flag of Kyushu from Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu and is the last team standing. Should they lose to Tenri, Kyushu will be completely eliminated in the very first round!
As for Tenri, I've been overestimating them for years now, only in the last year or two finally ratcheting down expectation. Given who has advanced out of Kinki, and my original thoughts of it being a weaker region this year, I'm not sure what to expect from them. Thing is, Itoman doesn't really profile as a strong team, so even with conservatively estimating Tenri's chances, Itoman may have a heck of a battle on their hands.
Itoman (Okinawa)
SS Ikema Takato
2B Okada Tatsuki
CF Kinjyou Ryuuki
P Kinjyou Noa
LF Oota Takato
1B Kinjyou Akisada
RF Ganaha Yuuki
3B Kinjyou Shougo
C Higa Ryouhei
Tenri (Nara)
CF Funabiki Wataru
P Saitou Yuu
SS Sadamitsu Hiroto
1B Sakaguchi Hiroya
RF Tomiki Ryouga
3B Kawasaki Koudai
LF Hashimoto Kouki (#17)
2B Maekubo Tomoya
C Tsutsumida Reo
__________________________________________________
09:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
As usual, lefty Saitou works his slider away against leadoff batter Ikema and records a K.
He leaves a pitch a bit over the plate and Okada sends it to right, but it's a lazy fly that Tomiki waits quite a time for.
And am I reading the gun right? His fastball barely touches 130??
Ryuuki grounds out to short. Sadamitsu with the easy play and the side is retired.
Really? Kinki champs with a pitcher who barely throws 130?!
Bottom 1st
Yes, you're reading the lineup right, there are 4 Kinjyou's on the starting roster. There are also 2 Higa's and 2 Ooshiro's on the team roster.
Funabiki grounder to 1st, Akisada runs to 1st, but flips to Noa. He barely beats Funabiki for the first out.
Saitou, as a pitcher, is batting 2nd. That's really rare. Either you see them as the cleanup batter, or buried deep in the lineup. Supposedly he has good speed which Hashimoto-kantoku likes to use.
He's a little early to a changeup and winds up weakly grounding to 2nd.
Sadamitsu flies out to center and it's a good start for the Okinawan representatives.
Top 2nd
Noa gets his offense started with a clean hit to left. Oota immediately sends him to 2nd.
Akisada looks for a pitch the other way and gets one. Sakaguchi fumbles with the ball, but still runs it himself to the bag for the out. Noa advances to 3rd.
Saitou jams him and he chops one to 2nd! Maekubo secures it, and throws to 1st to end the inning. Itoman with the early chance, but can't convert.
Bottom 2nd
Sakaguchi looking to get on base works the count, and takes a 3-2 pitch just outside for ball 4! Tomoki looks to bunt him over, but his first attempt looks shaky. His 2nd attempt he fouls back to the screen. Yikes, he bunts like an AL MLB player would.
He three bunts! And he lays it down! Wow, that's gutsy considering his 1st 2 tries.
Kawasaki also moves the batter over with a grounder to the right side. So it's the same situation as Itoman earlier.
But new starter Hashimoto swings at the first pitch and like Ganaha, grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Shougo tries the work the count approach, but completely wastes it when he chases a fastball almost in the left handed batters box for the first out.
Saitou leaves a fastball over the plate and Ryouhei smacks it back up the middle for a base hit.
Ikema hits one back up the middle as well, but this time Sadamitsu is there! Runs it to 2nd for 1, throws to 1st to complete the double play!
Bottom 3rd
Maekubo with a ball to center. Ryuuki running back, still running, leaps! It's down and off the wall! Maekubo is in with a double and Tenri is in business! Tsutsumida bunts him over.
Infield is in for Itoman to try and throw out the runner.
But Funabiki just puts the bat on the ball and it goes through the infield for a base hit! Maekubo scores and Tenri leads 1-0!
Hashimoto starts the runners on the basepaths! Funabiki takes off for 2nd! Ryouhei's throw to 2nd... OUT! Ikema with the tag just in time for the out!
And that's too bad as Saitou hits a soft looper over Ikema for a base hit!
Now Sadamitsu with a smoker through the right side! Saitou takes the express to 3rd and the throw from Ganaha is late! Tenri still threatens!
Noa really trying to pound the outside to Sakaguchi, but he winds up walking him! Manrui for Tenri!
But Noa is quickly let off the hook! Tomiki goes after the first pitch and skies it to center! Ryuuki secures it for the 3rd out and Noa only gives up the 1 run!
Top 4th
Itoman looks to get that run back as Okada singles to center for a leadoff hit.
No bunting from Ryuuki, instead a hit and run! Ryuuki strikes out, but Tstsumida drops the ball on the transfer.
Noa looking to help his own cause hits a liner to left, but Hashimoto is there to make the running catch for the 2nd out.
Oota with a drive to left again! This time Hashimoto has to run back! He leaps, but he's not close! Okada walks home and we're douten at 1-1!
Haisai Oji-san plays as Itoman looks to take the lead with a base hit, but Saitou shuts the door! He strikes out Akisada to end the inning, but how bad does that wasted opportunity for Tenri look now?
Bottom 4th
Kawasaki playing the waiting game at the plate, but Noa puts a changeup at the outside corner and gets Kawasaki looking.
Hashimoto attacks said pitch and sends it through the left side for a base hit.
Maekubo with a ball to left center! Ryuuki takes a bad route and has to chase it to the wall! Hashimoto comes walking home on Maekubo's 2nd extra base hit and Tenri re-takes the lead at 2-1!
Tsutsumida can't bring the run home as he skies a ball in the infield. Akisada makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Funabiki does the same and the inning comes to an end. Tenri has the lead again, but are leaving runners in scoring position.
Top 5th
Saitou doing his best to place his pitches, but it can be inconsistent. He gets in on Ganaha and gets a weak grounder for the out.
But to righty Shougo, he seems to be missing wide at times, allowing Shougo to run the count full for cheap as well as knowing where to look for the ball.
And what looks like strike 3 on the inside is called ball 4! That looked good.
But a walk is a walk. Uehara-kantoku has Ryouhei bunt the runner along for a 1-timer from Ikema.
Saitou seemingly having problems finding the strike zone, falls behind Ikema 3-1. This time though Saitou wins as Ikema hits a weak grounder to 1st. Maekubo flips to Saitou and the side is retired.
Bottom 5th
Noa, desperate for an easy inning, strikes out Saitou on a slider.
Sadamitsu flies out to right, and Sakaguchi soon afterwards pops out to Shougo and we hit the break with Tenri narrowly ahead 2-1. The lead isn't safe by any means and Tenri could have scored more runs with their chances earlier. So it's still anyone's game.
Top 6th
Okada goes after the first pitch and hits one right to Sadamitsu for the 1st out.
Ryuuki works the count, but in the end is jammed and hits another grounder to Sadamitsu for the 2nd out.
Saitou sells the pitch as he hits the outside corner to strike out Noa looking for the 3rd out!
Bottom 6th
Tomoki reaching out and driving a ball down and away. But he lifts it to center, and Ryuuki has room to run it down for the 1st out.
Kawasaki goes for the blooper hit instead and Ryuuki can't reach that one.
Hashimoto with a drive down the right field line.. FAIR!! It falls in fair and Ganeha misplays it! Kawasaki comes home and it's 3-1 Tenri as Hashimoto comes in with a double/E9!
NO! It's a squeeze!
TENRI IS TERRIBLE AT THESE!
It's right back to Noa and Hashimoto is hung up. Maekubo, who had been 2-2 on the day with 2 extra base hits, ends up at 2nd.
Tsutsumida chops one back to Noa and the inning is over.
Ugh. IF there is a team that can't lay down a squeeze bunt, EVER, it's Tenri.
Top 7th
One down for Itoman in the lucky 7 and Akisada singles to center. Uehara-kantoku continues to play the small ball game as Ganaha bunts the runner over.
Shougo can't get the one timer though as he grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.
Bottom 7th
Funabiki, leading off for Tenri draws a leadoff walk. Saitou looks terrible trying to lay down the bunt.
He gets it down, Ryouhei fires to 2nd... SAFE!!!
It's a delayed call, but he is in safely! It's always an adventure when Tenri bunts.
This time there is no bunt (thank God), but Sadamitsu hits a grounder to 2nd! Okada goes to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st in time for a double play!!!
Well, that went bad. Now there's 2 outs with Funabiki at 3rd.
は。。。
So, Sakaguchi gets a hold of one to left center. Ryuuki sprinting back to the wall...
HAITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's that. Sakaguchi with his first hit of the game makes it count with a HR to make 5-1.
Tomoki flies out to left to end the inning, but Tenri extends their lead.
Bottom 7th
Looks like there's a delay as Funabiki for Tenri is getting some treatment for something.
Funabiki finally emerges, and just for a batsu game Ryouhei hits one to deep left-center that he runs down.
Unsatisfied with that result, Ikema drives one to deep center. Funabiki runs back, but has to play it off the base of the wall as Ikema comes in with a double. Ikema looks semi-pleased.
No bunting down 4, but Okada grounds out to 2nd. Ikema advances 90 feet.
And in a complete miss, Saitou flies open on a pitch to a lefty and hits Ryuuki in the elbow. Ow.
Noa with a ball up the 3rd base line! But Kawasaki makes the stop and throws to 1st for the 3rd out!
Bottom 8th
Uh on. After a pop out, Hashimoto takes a swing and he's hurt. They way it looks like it's as if he hurt his shoulder or perhaps dislocated it?
So #18 Higaki comes in to hit with a 1-2 count.
And gets a base hit! It's a single through the left side!
That'll be it for Noa. He's sent to RF while #16 Hirayasu comes in.
After a flyout by Maekubo, Hirayasu is pulled for #10 Adaniya. Might be Uehara-kantoku emptying the bench.
Tsutsumida takes advantage with his first hit to center.
Funabiki with a shot to right center. Noa has to chase it all the way to the wall. 2 more runs score and it's 7-1.
And Noa returns to the mound. #18 Ooshiro Shoutarou comes in for Adaniya and goes to RF.
The inning finally ends as Saitou grounds to 3rd.
Top 9th
#11 Moriura comes into the game to finish it out. He comes in for PH Higaki. It's a double switch as #7 Muneta comes in for Saitou to take over in LF.
Oota grounds out to 2nd for the first out. Akisada grounds one to 3rd, and Sakaguchi flubs the ball! It goes behind him and that's Tenri's 1st error.
Akisada is replaced at first by #14 Uehara.
Shoutarou in his first AB strikes out, but Uehara steals 2nd.
#14 Higa Kaito comes in to hit for Shougo. He's not just hacking away though, he's fighting at the plate and taking close pitches. He even works the count full.
And he's rewarded! He takes a ball the other way for a base hit and Uehara scores to make it 7-2.
#12 Shimabukuro comes in to hit for Ryouhei.
And that should be the game. He grounds to 2nd and Maekubo takes it himself to the bag for the 3rd out! Tenri takes out the final Kyushu team, defeating Itoman 7-2!
Tenri gave Itoman some chances early, and kept them in the game leaving runners on base. But they were unable to capitalize, and eventually Tenri was able to pull away in the late stages to advance.
Again, not a very impressive performance by Tenri. The bunting as as awful as ever. The ace barely hitting 130 is a severe issue, and Hashimoto - who had some of the bigger hits, might be seriously injured. That's a lot of things going against them. But, they're moving on.
Itoman was eventually blown out, and certainly they're in the same range as the other schools in Kyushu. Unfortunately, there's going to have to be some marked improvement for them to be considered a contender in the summer.
As for Tenri, I've been overestimating them for years now, only in the last year or two finally ratcheting down expectation. Given who has advanced out of Kinki, and my original thoughts of it being a weaker region this year, I'm not sure what to expect from them. Thing is, Itoman doesn't really profile as a strong team, so even with conservatively estimating Tenri's chances, Itoman may have a heck of a battle on their hands.
Itoman (Okinawa)
SS Ikema Takato
2B Okada Tatsuki
CF Kinjyou Ryuuki
P Kinjyou Noa
LF Oota Takato
1B Kinjyou Akisada
RF Ganaha Yuuki
3B Kinjyou Shougo
C Higa Ryouhei
Tenri (Nara)
CF Funabiki Wataru
P Saitou Yuu
SS Sadamitsu Hiroto
1B Sakaguchi Hiroya
RF Tomiki Ryouga
3B Kawasaki Koudai
LF Hashimoto Kouki (#17)
2B Maekubo Tomoya
C Tsutsumida Reo
__________________________________________________
09:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
As usual, lefty Saitou works his slider away against leadoff batter Ikema and records a K.
He leaves a pitch a bit over the plate and Okada sends it to right, but it's a lazy fly that Tomiki waits quite a time for.
And am I reading the gun right? His fastball barely touches 130??
Ryuuki grounds out to short. Sadamitsu with the easy play and the side is retired.
Really? Kinki champs with a pitcher who barely throws 130?!
Bottom 1st
Yes, you're reading the lineup right, there are 4 Kinjyou's on the starting roster. There are also 2 Higa's and 2 Ooshiro's on the team roster.
Funabiki grounder to 1st, Akisada runs to 1st, but flips to Noa. He barely beats Funabiki for the first out.
Saitou, as a pitcher, is batting 2nd. That's really rare. Either you see them as the cleanup batter, or buried deep in the lineup. Supposedly he has good speed which Hashimoto-kantoku likes to use.
He's a little early to a changeup and winds up weakly grounding to 2nd.
Sadamitsu flies out to center and it's a good start for the Okinawan representatives.
Top 2nd
Noa gets his offense started with a clean hit to left. Oota immediately sends him to 2nd.
Akisada looks for a pitch the other way and gets one. Sakaguchi fumbles with the ball, but still runs it himself to the bag for the out. Noa advances to 3rd.
Saitou jams him and he chops one to 2nd! Maekubo secures it, and throws to 1st to end the inning. Itoman with the early chance, but can't convert.
Bottom 2nd
Sakaguchi looking to get on base works the count, and takes a 3-2 pitch just outside for ball 4! Tomoki looks to bunt him over, but his first attempt looks shaky. His 2nd attempt he fouls back to the screen. Yikes, he bunts like an AL MLB player would.
He three bunts! And he lays it down! Wow, that's gutsy considering his 1st 2 tries.
Kawasaki also moves the batter over with a grounder to the right side. So it's the same situation as Itoman earlier.
But new starter Hashimoto swings at the first pitch and like Ganaha, grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Shougo tries the work the count approach, but completely wastes it when he chases a fastball almost in the left handed batters box for the first out.
Saitou leaves a fastball over the plate and Ryouhei smacks it back up the middle for a base hit.
Ikema hits one back up the middle as well, but this time Sadamitsu is there! Runs it to 2nd for 1, throws to 1st to complete the double play!
Bottom 3rd
Maekubo with a ball to center. Ryuuki running back, still running, leaps! It's down and off the wall! Maekubo is in with a double and Tenri is in business! Tsutsumida bunts him over.
Infield is in for Itoman to try and throw out the runner.
But Funabiki just puts the bat on the ball and it goes through the infield for a base hit! Maekubo scores and Tenri leads 1-0!
Hashimoto starts the runners on the basepaths! Funabiki takes off for 2nd! Ryouhei's throw to 2nd... OUT! Ikema with the tag just in time for the out!
And that's too bad as Saitou hits a soft looper over Ikema for a base hit!
Now Sadamitsu with a smoker through the right side! Saitou takes the express to 3rd and the throw from Ganaha is late! Tenri still threatens!
Noa really trying to pound the outside to Sakaguchi, but he winds up walking him! Manrui for Tenri!
But Noa is quickly let off the hook! Tomiki goes after the first pitch and skies it to center! Ryuuki secures it for the 3rd out and Noa only gives up the 1 run!
Top 4th
Itoman looks to get that run back as Okada singles to center for a leadoff hit.
No bunting from Ryuuki, instead a hit and run! Ryuuki strikes out, but Tstsumida drops the ball on the transfer.
Noa looking to help his own cause hits a liner to left, but Hashimoto is there to make the running catch for the 2nd out.
Oota with a drive to left again! This time Hashimoto has to run back! He leaps, but he's not close! Okada walks home and we're douten at 1-1!
Haisai Oji-san plays as Itoman looks to take the lead with a base hit, but Saitou shuts the door! He strikes out Akisada to end the inning, but how bad does that wasted opportunity for Tenri look now?
Bottom 4th
Kawasaki playing the waiting game at the plate, but Noa puts a changeup at the outside corner and gets Kawasaki looking.
Hashimoto attacks said pitch and sends it through the left side for a base hit.
Maekubo with a ball to left center! Ryuuki takes a bad route and has to chase it to the wall! Hashimoto comes walking home on Maekubo's 2nd extra base hit and Tenri re-takes the lead at 2-1!
Tsutsumida can't bring the run home as he skies a ball in the infield. Akisada makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Funabiki does the same and the inning comes to an end. Tenri has the lead again, but are leaving runners in scoring position.
Top 5th
Saitou doing his best to place his pitches, but it can be inconsistent. He gets in on Ganaha and gets a weak grounder for the out.
But to righty Shougo, he seems to be missing wide at times, allowing Shougo to run the count full for cheap as well as knowing where to look for the ball.
And what looks like strike 3 on the inside is called ball 4! That looked good.
But a walk is a walk. Uehara-kantoku has Ryouhei bunt the runner along for a 1-timer from Ikema.
Saitou seemingly having problems finding the strike zone, falls behind Ikema 3-1. This time though Saitou wins as Ikema hits a weak grounder to 1st. Maekubo flips to Saitou and the side is retired.
Bottom 5th
Noa, desperate for an easy inning, strikes out Saitou on a slider.
Sadamitsu flies out to right, and Sakaguchi soon afterwards pops out to Shougo and we hit the break with Tenri narrowly ahead 2-1. The lead isn't safe by any means and Tenri could have scored more runs with their chances earlier. So it's still anyone's game.
Top 6th
Okada goes after the first pitch and hits one right to Sadamitsu for the 1st out.
Ryuuki works the count, but in the end is jammed and hits another grounder to Sadamitsu for the 2nd out.
Saitou sells the pitch as he hits the outside corner to strike out Noa looking for the 3rd out!
Bottom 6th
Tomoki reaching out and driving a ball down and away. But he lifts it to center, and Ryuuki has room to run it down for the 1st out.
Kawasaki goes for the blooper hit instead and Ryuuki can't reach that one.
Hashimoto with a drive down the right field line.. FAIR!! It falls in fair and Ganeha misplays it! Kawasaki comes home and it's 3-1 Tenri as Hashimoto comes in with a double/E9!
NO! It's a squeeze!
TENRI IS TERRIBLE AT THESE!
It's right back to Noa and Hashimoto is hung up. Maekubo, who had been 2-2 on the day with 2 extra base hits, ends up at 2nd.
Tsutsumida chops one back to Noa and the inning is over.
Ugh. IF there is a team that can't lay down a squeeze bunt, EVER, it's Tenri.
Top 7th
One down for Itoman in the lucky 7 and Akisada singles to center. Uehara-kantoku continues to play the small ball game as Ganaha bunts the runner over.
Shougo can't get the one timer though as he grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.
Bottom 7th
Funabiki, leading off for Tenri draws a leadoff walk. Saitou looks terrible trying to lay down the bunt.
He gets it down, Ryouhei fires to 2nd... SAFE!!!
It's a delayed call, but he is in safely! It's always an adventure when Tenri bunts.
This time there is no bunt (thank God), but Sadamitsu hits a grounder to 2nd! Okada goes to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st in time for a double play!!!
Well, that went bad. Now there's 2 outs with Funabiki at 3rd.
は。。。
So, Sakaguchi gets a hold of one to left center. Ryuuki sprinting back to the wall...
HAITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's that. Sakaguchi with his first hit of the game makes it count with a HR to make 5-1.
Tomoki flies out to left to end the inning, but Tenri extends their lead.
Bottom 7th
Looks like there's a delay as Funabiki for Tenri is getting some treatment for something.
Funabiki finally emerges, and just for a batsu game Ryouhei hits one to deep left-center that he runs down.
Unsatisfied with that result, Ikema drives one to deep center. Funabiki runs back, but has to play it off the base of the wall as Ikema comes in with a double. Ikema looks semi-pleased.
No bunting down 4, but Okada grounds out to 2nd. Ikema advances 90 feet.
And in a complete miss, Saitou flies open on a pitch to a lefty and hits Ryuuki in the elbow. Ow.
Noa with a ball up the 3rd base line! But Kawasaki makes the stop and throws to 1st for the 3rd out!
Bottom 8th
Uh on. After a pop out, Hashimoto takes a swing and he's hurt. They way it looks like it's as if he hurt his shoulder or perhaps dislocated it?
So #18 Higaki comes in to hit with a 1-2 count.
And gets a base hit! It's a single through the left side!
That'll be it for Noa. He's sent to RF while #16 Hirayasu comes in.
After a flyout by Maekubo, Hirayasu is pulled for #10 Adaniya. Might be Uehara-kantoku emptying the bench.
Tsutsumida takes advantage with his first hit to center.
Funabiki with a shot to right center. Noa has to chase it all the way to the wall. 2 more runs score and it's 7-1.
And Noa returns to the mound. #18 Ooshiro Shoutarou comes in for Adaniya and goes to RF.
The inning finally ends as Saitou grounds to 3rd.
Top 9th
#11 Moriura comes into the game to finish it out. He comes in for PH Higaki. It's a double switch as #7 Muneta comes in for Saitou to take over in LF.
Oota grounds out to 2nd for the first out. Akisada grounds one to 3rd, and Sakaguchi flubs the ball! It goes behind him and that's Tenri's 1st error.
Akisada is replaced at first by #14 Uehara.
Shoutarou in his first AB strikes out, but Uehara steals 2nd.
#14 Higa Kaito comes in to hit for Shougo. He's not just hacking away though, he's fighting at the plate and taking close pitches. He even works the count full.
And he's rewarded! He takes a ball the other way for a base hit and Uehara scores to make it 7-2.
#12 Shimabukuro comes in to hit for Ryouhei.
And that should be the game. He grounds to 2nd and Maekubo takes it himself to the bag for the 3rd out! Tenri takes out the final Kyushu team, defeating Itoman 7-2!
Tenri gave Itoman some chances early, and kept them in the game leaving runners on base. But they were unable to capitalize, and eventually Tenri was able to pull away in the late stages to advance.
Again, not a very impressive performance by Tenri. The bunting as as awful as ever. The ace barely hitting 130 is a severe issue, and Hashimoto - who had some of the bigger hits, might be seriously injured. That's a lot of things going against them. But, they're moving on.
Itoman was eventually blown out, and certainly they're in the same range as the other schools in Kyushu. Unfortunately, there's going to have to be some marked improvement for them to be considered a contender in the summer.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Mid 1st-round summary
Man this is as brutal as I've seen it so far. We're not all the way through the 1st round, and some regions are on the verge of being shut out. I was kind of hoping that my analysis wasn't that accurate, but the Kyushu region hasn't won a game yet, and if Itoman loses to Tenri tomorrow, they're completely eliminated.
Same goes for the Chuugoku region. If Ube Koujyou loses to Kendai Takasaki, they're eliminated as well.
Shikoku has 1 of its 2 representatives left as Imabari Nishi beat Touin.
Kinki isn't looking in good shape either. Oumi's win puts the region's record at 2-3 with the aforementioned Tenri left to play.
Head east from Kinki and of course the results improve (it has to somewhere). Tokai has both of its representatives still alive. Hokushinetsu has their champion poised for a deep run.
Kanto, which I though was weak, is about to send all 4 representatives to the 2nd round should Kendai Takasaki win. Tokyo on the other hand, rests its hopes on Nishougakushadai Fuzuoku, who plays Matsuyama Higashi.
And the region that seems to be getting stronger? The Tohoku region! All 3 teams, including Oomagari Kougyou, have advanced! (You can tell I'm really surprised by the Akita representative).
Lastly, Toukai Dai-yon from Hokkaido will be the last game to play of the 1st round.
It's been known that the Chuugoku and Shikoku regions struggle for relevancy. But to see Kyushu performing as poorly as they have is shocking. Again, not like the statistics didn't point to that being a possibility, but still.
It really does look like we're losing parity at a growing rate. I hope it's not the case because I'd like to believe that every school has a chance - though I already know they don't.
Same goes for the Chuugoku region. If Ube Koujyou loses to Kendai Takasaki, they're eliminated as well.
Shikoku has 1 of its 2 representatives left as Imabari Nishi beat Touin.
Kinki isn't looking in good shape either. Oumi's win puts the region's record at 2-3 with the aforementioned Tenri left to play.
Head east from Kinki and of course the results improve (it has to somewhere). Tokai has both of its representatives still alive. Hokushinetsu has their champion poised for a deep run.
Kanto, which I though was weak, is about to send all 4 representatives to the 2nd round should Kendai Takasaki win. Tokyo on the other hand, rests its hopes on Nishougakushadai Fuzuoku, who plays Matsuyama Higashi.
And the region that seems to be getting stronger? The Tohoku region! All 3 teams, including Oomagari Kougyou, have advanced! (You can tell I'm really surprised by the Akita representative).
Lastly, Toukai Dai-yon from Hokkaido will be the last game to play of the 1st round.
It's been known that the Chuugoku and Shikoku regions struggle for relevancy. But to see Kyushu performing as poorly as they have is shocking. Again, not like the statistics didn't point to that being a possibility, but still.
It really does look like we're losing parity at a growing rate. I hope it's not the case because I'd like to believe that every school has a chance - though I already know they don't.
Day 4, Game 3 - Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu (Fukuoka) vs. Oumi (Shiga)
We're onto our final game of the day, and it may be an even matchup, though perhaps it won't be a palatable game.
Oumi backed their way into senbatsu when compared to the other quartefinalists. The offense sputtered at the end when facing tougher competition. On the mound, their ace throws harder than the average, but his peripherals look worse than average.
For Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu, their loss to Kyushu Gakuin looks really bad given their performance, the offense has voids at the bottom, and the pitching peripherals given said competition make it look even worse.
So it's going to possibly be an ugly game where the team that can overcome more of their deficiencies can advance, if even for just 1 game.
Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu (Fukuoka)
3B Kage Naoki
CF Hamada Ryouta
LF Ozaki Seiya
1B Katakura Eiji
2B Oono Ryuuji
RF Satou Ryuusuke
P Iwata Masaki
SS Kanno Hayato
C Nakahama Hidetoshi
Oumi (Shiga)
SS Oka Katsuki
2B Okuda Riku
LF Sugino Shougo
1B Tamamoto Daichi
CF Sasaji Kenta
RF Fujiwara Koutarou
3B Hibi Ryousuke
C Nakaya Jyunpei
P Ogawa Ryouken
__________________________________________________
13:45 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Ogawa not off to a good start as he hits Kage.
Hamada showing bunt.. No! It a bust-and-run! He chops the ball to the left side. Hibi is up with it, fires to 2nd! They get the first out, throw to 1st... double play! Oh, I like the call, but the result is disastrous.
Ozaki grounds out to 1st and just like that the side is retired.
Bottom 1st
Iwata also starts off with a free pass. He walks Oka to start the opening frame. I have a feeling we'll see a bit of those.
Iwata is another sidearmer who has a screwball and a 2-seamer along with the usual selection of pitches.
He's trying to use the sidearm action to get the outside corner, but the home plate umpire isn't giving him extra room. Iwata ends up walking Okuda as well. Sugino lays down a hard bunt, but it still does the job.
Outside of that bunt though, Iwata can't find the zone at all. He walks Yamamoto and it's manrui! Morisaki-kantoku calls time as the bullpen is quickly assembled.
Liner! Oono makes a leaping stop to block the ball! He goes to 2nd for the force, but they only let the one cross. It could have been a double play, but at the same time it could have been much worse. Oumi takes the 1-0 lead.
And Iwata gets out of the jam! Fujiwara hits a fly ball to center that Hamada backs up to, but the side is retired with minimal damage.
Top 2nd
Well, there's another walk as Ogawa walks the leadoff batter.Morisaki-kantoku has Oono bunt the runner along.
But in a rare display, Ogawa goes to his sinker and strikes out Satou.
And again! This time it's Iwata and Ogawa has back-to-back Ks!
Bottom 2nd
Oh man, Neither offense looks particularly good. Batters off balance, flailing at pitches. The bottom of Oumi's order can't get the ball out of the infield as Hibi and Nakaya pop out. Ogawa goes down swinging and it's a clean inning.
Top 3rd
As expected, the bottom of Kyusandai's order is empty. Kanno looks all sorts of wrong swinging at a ball outside for Ogawa's 3rd K. Nakahama grounds out to 1st.
Hey! we have our first hit! Kage hits one back up the middle past a late reacting Ogawa into center!
And another base hit! Hamada with a single past a chasing Okada puts a runner in scoring position.
Ozaki hits a liner, but right to Sasaji for the 3rd out. A tean finally shows some life at the plate. Will they be able to take that into next inning?
Bottom 3rd
Oumi meanwhile, appears to still be having problems with the sidearm action. Iwata retires the side in order, and Oumi is still without a hit.
Top 4th
Kyusandai's batters trying anything to get on base. Katakura goes after the first pitch, but flies out to left. Oono works the count in his favor, but grounds out to 1st.
Satou with a hot shot to 3rd, Hibi smothers it and quick fires to 1st. It takes several hops... SAFE! It is just a hair late, but it was a great try by the Oumi 3B.
The inning ends soon enough when Iwata chops one back to Ogawa.
Bottom 4th
Yamamoto goes for the path of least reaction time and hits it back at Iwata. Unfortunately for him, Iwata is able to stop the ball and make the throw to 1st.
Sasaji with a bounding ball up the right side, Katakura blocks it and runs it himself for the 2nd out.
Fujiwara gets a hold of one and sends it to dead center. Hamada running back, still going, still going... makes the catch near the wall! 3 out!
Well, that's the first solid big hit I've seen in a while.
Top 5th
Kanno does the right thing and works the count on Ogawa, making him throw pitches. And he earns a walk! That lets Morisaki-kantoku have Nakahama bunt him along.
But Kage can't get the timely hit as he grounds to short.Oka looks the runner back.
Ogawa uncorks one! Nakaya can't block it and now the douten run is 90 feet away!
Hamada hot shot to the right side! Okada knocks it down! Throw to 1st... In time and the side is retired!
Bottom 5th
Hibi grounder to 3rd, Kage quick with the throw, and it short hops Katakura! The ball takes a high bounce into foul territory and Hibi takes 2nd!
And what's this? Hibi takes a delayed steal and catches the Kyusandai battery off guard! That's a miss by the battery.
And Nakaya makes them pay! He lines one over a leaping Oono into center for a base hit! Hibi scores and it's 2-0!
Looking for more, Taga-kantoku has Ogawa bunt the runner along.
Oka then hits a comebacker to Iwata, and he turns to find Nakaya in no-mans land! He's run down, but not before Oka replaces him at 2nd.
Okada up, and Iwata continues to try and work the crossfire as it were. He winds up walking him though.
Fortunately Sugino grounds a ball right to Katakura who takes it to the bag for the 3rd out. And so we're at the break with Oumi up 2-0, but the game really isn't clean by any sense.
Top 6th
Post-break and Kyusandai just cannot seem to square up Ogawa's pitches. Their 3-4-5 batters were due up, but none of them could even make the defense sweat a little. Ozaki and Oono both ground out to 2nd while Katakura flied out to center.
Bottom 6th
Oumi gets their 2nd base hit as Fujiwara delivers a 2-out single through to left. But that's all the offense they can muster this inning. Note that despite them leading 2-0, this was their 2nd hit.
Top 7th
I think what's getting the Kyusandai batters is the 2-seamer. Satou swings short of one such pitch and strikes out.
2 down now and Kanno hits a hanging curve to left. Sugino running back... it's over his head! Kanno heading to 2nd and Sugino's relay throw is terrible! That allows Kanno to advance to 3rd.
Nakazawa the chance for Kyusandai, fights off pitch after pitch looking for a way to continue the inning. But Ogawa gets him to hit one in play! It's hit right to Okada, who goes to 1st for the 3rd out! It's a bit of a scare in the lucky 7, but no damage done. to the lead.
Bottom 7th
Hey it's the Sailor Moon theme!
Nakaya doesn't seem to mind it as he lines a ball back up the middle for a leadoff hit! Ogawa fails in his first 2 bunt attempts, but Taga-kantoku calls for another one, and Ogawa can't lay it down! One out.
Oka look like he's hit into a double play, but there's some confusion as to who takes the ball at 2nd. Kanno makes the short toss for the out, but that costs them too much time and they can't turn it. It's ok as Okuda floes out to end the inning.
Top 8th
Ogawa continues to do whatever it is he's doing as Kyusandai continues to scuffles at the plate. Nothing squared up and all of them fairly routine outs.
Bottom 8th
Sugino with a ball to the right side, Oono flubs the grab, throw to 1st, not in time! E4 and Oumi has a runner on.
And now Taga-kantoku sends him! Throw to 2nd, also not in time! Oumi with a runner in scoring position for another insurance run.
Yamamoto with a ball back up the middle. Kanno runs it down! Throw to first.. in time! Nice stop up the middle by Kanno!
Sasaji with another grounder to the left side, Kanno makes another great stop, but he drops it! Gathers it back, fires.. and that's in time for the out. Good recovery there.
And Fujiwara pops out to 2nd to end the inning. No insurance run, but the game seems in hand.
Top 9th
Katakura swings on the first pitch and hits it back to Ogawa, throw to 1st, dropped by Yamamoto! He picks it up, but there's a collision at 1st! Katakura is called outl
But both players are on the ground. In the scramble, Katakura ran into Yamamoto's left leg and both take a pretty good knock. Taga-kantoku checks on his 1B while a bench player is sent to check on Katakura. Both players eventually get back on their feet and both seem to be ok, which his always good.
Oono with a chopper up the 3rd base line, Hibi charges, picks and throws to 1st for the 2nd out.
#16 Yamada sent in to be the last hope, but he hits it back to Ogawa and the game is over.
The game was about as good as I though it would be. Neither pitcher was dominating per se more than the batting wasn't very good. Oumi got very fortunate with their draw for the first game, but facing Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou next up won't be very fun. But that's for another day.
For Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu, kudos should be given for getting here, but they were simply outclassed today. Fortunately, they always stand a chance in Fukuoka so perhaps we'll see them again.
Oumi backed their way into senbatsu when compared to the other quartefinalists. The offense sputtered at the end when facing tougher competition. On the mound, their ace throws harder than the average, but his peripherals look worse than average.
For Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu, their loss to Kyushu Gakuin looks really bad given their performance, the offense has voids at the bottom, and the pitching peripherals given said competition make it look even worse.
So it's going to possibly be an ugly game where the team that can overcome more of their deficiencies can advance, if even for just 1 game.
Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu (Fukuoka)
3B Kage Naoki
CF Hamada Ryouta
LF Ozaki Seiya
1B Katakura Eiji
2B Oono Ryuuji
RF Satou Ryuusuke
P Iwata Masaki
SS Kanno Hayato
C Nakahama Hidetoshi
Oumi (Shiga)
SS Oka Katsuki
2B Okuda Riku
LF Sugino Shougo
1B Tamamoto Daichi
CF Sasaji Kenta
RF Fujiwara Koutarou
3B Hibi Ryousuke
C Nakaya Jyunpei
P Ogawa Ryouken
__________________________________________________
13:45 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Ogawa not off to a good start as he hits Kage.
Hamada showing bunt.. No! It a bust-and-run! He chops the ball to the left side. Hibi is up with it, fires to 2nd! They get the first out, throw to 1st... double play! Oh, I like the call, but the result is disastrous.
Ozaki grounds out to 1st and just like that the side is retired.
Bottom 1st
Iwata also starts off with a free pass. He walks Oka to start the opening frame. I have a feeling we'll see a bit of those.
Iwata is another sidearmer who has a screwball and a 2-seamer along with the usual selection of pitches.
He's trying to use the sidearm action to get the outside corner, but the home plate umpire isn't giving him extra room. Iwata ends up walking Okuda as well. Sugino lays down a hard bunt, but it still does the job.
Outside of that bunt though, Iwata can't find the zone at all. He walks Yamamoto and it's manrui! Morisaki-kantoku calls time as the bullpen is quickly assembled.
Liner! Oono makes a leaping stop to block the ball! He goes to 2nd for the force, but they only let the one cross. It could have been a double play, but at the same time it could have been much worse. Oumi takes the 1-0 lead.
And Iwata gets out of the jam! Fujiwara hits a fly ball to center that Hamada backs up to, but the side is retired with minimal damage.
Top 2nd
Well, there's another walk as Ogawa walks the leadoff batter.Morisaki-kantoku has Oono bunt the runner along.
But in a rare display, Ogawa goes to his sinker and strikes out Satou.
And again! This time it's Iwata and Ogawa has back-to-back Ks!
Bottom 2nd
Oh man, Neither offense looks particularly good. Batters off balance, flailing at pitches. The bottom of Oumi's order can't get the ball out of the infield as Hibi and Nakaya pop out. Ogawa goes down swinging and it's a clean inning.
Top 3rd
As expected, the bottom of Kyusandai's order is empty. Kanno looks all sorts of wrong swinging at a ball outside for Ogawa's 3rd K. Nakahama grounds out to 1st.
Hey! we have our first hit! Kage hits one back up the middle past a late reacting Ogawa into center!
And another base hit! Hamada with a single past a chasing Okada puts a runner in scoring position.
Ozaki hits a liner, but right to Sasaji for the 3rd out. A tean finally shows some life at the plate. Will they be able to take that into next inning?
Bottom 3rd
Oumi meanwhile, appears to still be having problems with the sidearm action. Iwata retires the side in order, and Oumi is still without a hit.
Top 4th
Kyusandai's batters trying anything to get on base. Katakura goes after the first pitch, but flies out to left. Oono works the count in his favor, but grounds out to 1st.
Satou with a hot shot to 3rd, Hibi smothers it and quick fires to 1st. It takes several hops... SAFE! It is just a hair late, but it was a great try by the Oumi 3B.
The inning ends soon enough when Iwata chops one back to Ogawa.
Bottom 4th
Yamamoto goes for the path of least reaction time and hits it back at Iwata. Unfortunately for him, Iwata is able to stop the ball and make the throw to 1st.
Sasaji with a bounding ball up the right side, Katakura blocks it and runs it himself for the 2nd out.
Fujiwara gets a hold of one and sends it to dead center. Hamada running back, still going, still going... makes the catch near the wall! 3 out!
Well, that's the first solid big hit I've seen in a while.
Top 5th
Kanno does the right thing and works the count on Ogawa, making him throw pitches. And he earns a walk! That lets Morisaki-kantoku have Nakahama bunt him along.
But Kage can't get the timely hit as he grounds to short.Oka looks the runner back.
Ogawa uncorks one! Nakaya can't block it and now the douten run is 90 feet away!
Hamada hot shot to the right side! Okada knocks it down! Throw to 1st... In time and the side is retired!
Bottom 5th
Hibi grounder to 3rd, Kage quick with the throw, and it short hops Katakura! The ball takes a high bounce into foul territory and Hibi takes 2nd!
And what's this? Hibi takes a delayed steal and catches the Kyusandai battery off guard! That's a miss by the battery.
And Nakaya makes them pay! He lines one over a leaping Oono into center for a base hit! Hibi scores and it's 2-0!
Looking for more, Taga-kantoku has Ogawa bunt the runner along.
Oka then hits a comebacker to Iwata, and he turns to find Nakaya in no-mans land! He's run down, but not before Oka replaces him at 2nd.
Okada up, and Iwata continues to try and work the crossfire as it were. He winds up walking him though.
Fortunately Sugino grounds a ball right to Katakura who takes it to the bag for the 3rd out. And so we're at the break with Oumi up 2-0, but the game really isn't clean by any sense.
Top 6th
Post-break and Kyusandai just cannot seem to square up Ogawa's pitches. Their 3-4-5 batters were due up, but none of them could even make the defense sweat a little. Ozaki and Oono both ground out to 2nd while Katakura flied out to center.
Bottom 6th
Oumi gets their 2nd base hit as Fujiwara delivers a 2-out single through to left. But that's all the offense they can muster this inning. Note that despite them leading 2-0, this was their 2nd hit.
Top 7th
I think what's getting the Kyusandai batters is the 2-seamer. Satou swings short of one such pitch and strikes out.
2 down now and Kanno hits a hanging curve to left. Sugino running back... it's over his head! Kanno heading to 2nd and Sugino's relay throw is terrible! That allows Kanno to advance to 3rd.
Nakazawa the chance for Kyusandai, fights off pitch after pitch looking for a way to continue the inning. But Ogawa gets him to hit one in play! It's hit right to Okada, who goes to 1st for the 3rd out! It's a bit of a scare in the lucky 7, but no damage done. to the lead.
Bottom 7th
Hey it's the Sailor Moon theme!
Nakaya doesn't seem to mind it as he lines a ball back up the middle for a leadoff hit! Ogawa fails in his first 2 bunt attempts, but Taga-kantoku calls for another one, and Ogawa can't lay it down! One out.
Oka look like he's hit into a double play, but there's some confusion as to who takes the ball at 2nd. Kanno makes the short toss for the out, but that costs them too much time and they can't turn it. It's ok as Okuda floes out to end the inning.
Top 8th
Ogawa continues to do whatever it is he's doing as Kyusandai continues to scuffles at the plate. Nothing squared up and all of them fairly routine outs.
Bottom 8th
Sugino with a ball to the right side, Oono flubs the grab, throw to 1st, not in time! E4 and Oumi has a runner on.
And now Taga-kantoku sends him! Throw to 2nd, also not in time! Oumi with a runner in scoring position for another insurance run.
Yamamoto with a ball back up the middle. Kanno runs it down! Throw to first.. in time! Nice stop up the middle by Kanno!
Sasaji with another grounder to the left side, Kanno makes another great stop, but he drops it! Gathers it back, fires.. and that's in time for the out. Good recovery there.
And Fujiwara pops out to 2nd to end the inning. No insurance run, but the game seems in hand.
Top 9th
Katakura swings on the first pitch and hits it back to Ogawa, throw to 1st, dropped by Yamamoto! He picks it up, but there's a collision at 1st! Katakura is called outl
But both players are on the ground. In the scramble, Katakura ran into Yamamoto's left leg and both take a pretty good knock. Taga-kantoku checks on his 1B while a bench player is sent to check on Katakura. Both players eventually get back on their feet and both seem to be ok, which his always good.
Oono with a chopper up the 3rd base line, Hibi charges, picks and throws to 1st for the 2nd out.
#16 Yamada sent in to be the last hope, but he hits it back to Ogawa and the game is over.
The game was about as good as I though it would be. Neither pitcher was dominating per se more than the batting wasn't very good. Oumi got very fortunate with their draw for the first game, but facing Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou next up won't be very fun. But that's for another day.
For Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu, kudos should be given for getting here, but they were simply outclassed today. Fortunately, they always stand a chance in Fukuoka so perhaps we'll see them again.
Day 4, Game 2 - Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou (Gifu) vs. Matsushou Gakuen (Nagano)
Well, that's more like it! I think we're finally starting to hit the groove now. So onto our matinee game is an all-central matchup between Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou and Matsushou Gakuen.
Kengifushou on paper has the better resume. A pitcher who can throw hard (though that in and of itself isn't a gamechanger) and has a splitter is always a good thing, but the lack of offensive production is an issue. Matsushou Gakuen finally makes it back, but their pitching is a step below, and the offense about the same.
I'm hoping for not a blowout in this game, but at the same time I realize that it's a hope and it probably won't happen.
Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou (Gifu)
LF Murai Shouma
RF Hirose Masaru
3B Takegoshi Hiroyuki
LF Yamada Youta
C Katou Jyunya
1B Murahashi Kazuaki
SS Oono Rikuo
P Takahashi Shunpei
2B Sakashita Reon
Matsushou Gakuen (Nagano)
CF Momose Masaya
2B Takano Yuuhi
LF' Funazaki Seiya
1B Arakura Kenta
3B Miyajima Shunpei
RF Yaguchi Naoki
SS Sakai Toshiki
C Matsubara Ryouta
P Onda Yuuya
__________________________________________________
11:20 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Two quick outs for Onda as Murai hit a soft looper to Sakai, and Hirose hits a fly to center that Murai doesn't have to move for.
But Takegoshi breaks that up and gets the hit out of the way. It's a clean single through the left side.
Yamaoka with ball to deep left, but Funazaki is there to make the catch. He give a high five to Momose as they pass each other and it's a clean inning to start.
Bottom 1st
Takahashi going for gusto early hitting 146, 150 and 147 on his first 3 pitches.
Momose fighting to stay in the AB, goes around on a 146 fastball inside.
After a 1 pitch out by Takano, Funazaki too succumbs to the fastball. He can't reach a ball outside and Takahashi has 2 Ks already.
Top 2nd
Things not going as swimmingly for Onda now. Katou with a ball to the left side, Sakai with the dive, but it's off his glove and into left for a base hit!
Ogawa-kantoku giving the green light as Katou takes off for 2nd! Matsubara's throw to 2nd... not in time!
And now Murahashi with a clean single through the left side. Runner at the corners and no out!
Adachi-kantoku calls for time.
Murahashi takes off for 2nd! Matsubara doesn't get a clean grip on the ball and now there's 2 runners in scoring position!
Oono isn't being hasty though and ends up taking a walk! Manrui for Kengifushou!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Onda hits his counterpart on the very first pitch! Oshidashi HBP and it's 1-0 Kengifushou on the unforced error! And it's still manrui!
Sakashita with a ball back to Onda! He goes home for 1, throw to 1st... double play! Boy, did they need that!
They're not out of the woods yet as it's the top of the order and Murai.
SANSHIN!!!!
Onda gets Murai on a forkball to end the inning, but Matsuhou Gakuin gives Kengifushou a gift!
Bottom 2nd
I'm not sure how Matsushou will deal with a fireballer as Arakura grounds out to short.
Miyajima with a pop fly to center, Murai charging in dives... just off the end of his glove as he rolls over! Base hit for Matsushou!
But Yaguchi hits a ball to 2nd and AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Sakashita, perhaps rueing his spoiling of the opportunity earlier, muffs the ball! It goes straight into right and Miyajima heads straight to 3rd and now Matsushou has something brewing!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sakai uses Takahashi's power against him as he pushes a bunt to the right side! Murahashi is there, but can only go to 1st and Matsushou ties the game! It's 1-1!
Matsubara strikes out on a slider, but with some help of their own Matsushou has leveled the game!
Top 3rd
Kengifushou out to reclaim the lead quickly as Hirose lines a ball to right.
Arakura snap throw to 1st.. and they nail Hirose! Baserunning mistake there.And that hurts even more when Takegoshi draws the walk.
Wild pitch from Onda! Matsubara can't corral it and Takegoshi takes 2nd!
Yamada jumps on the first pitch, but flies out to center for the 2nd out.
And now Takegoshi takes off for 3rd! Arakura's throw to 3rd... and they nail him! Two outs on the basepaths and it's a 0 on the board!
Bottom 3rd
Onda, perhaps realizing that baserunners are at a premium, tries to work the count, draws a leadoff walk!
Back to the top of the order, and there's no bunt from Momose! However he flies out to left and perhaps an out is wasted.
So they make it up! Takano lays down the safety bunt! Takegoshi charging in, throws to 1st... SAFE! Takano does the head sliding thing and still beats out the throw for a base hit!
But Takahashi buckles down. He gets Funazkai on a slider, and then Arakura on a fly to left and just like that he's out of the jam.
Top 4th
Onda cruising along here in the 4th, getting Katou to ground out to 2nd, and striking out Murahashi on a slider.
Well, that was odd. Onda went through his delivery but dropped the ball. Everyone has a good laugh.
But Oono gets a single to right.
And now Takahashi comes through with a single through the left side! Has something gone wrong? #11 Haga is warming up.
あ。
That's not good. Onda leaves one over the plate and Sakashita drives it to left and it doesn't look good.
Yep. That's a no-doubt about it 3-run HR. Sakashita makes up for his errors in spades and it's now 4-1. Matsubara wanted that away, it was dead center.
And after Onda hits Murai, Adachi-kantoku has seen enough. #11 Haga comes in to relieve Onda who pitched well for 3.2 innings.
No offense to him, but with Matsushou into the bullpen, the game is over.
Hirose with a short liner to right, Yaguchi makes the great sliding catch to end the inning. But whatever momentum Matsushou Gakuen had is completely gone.
Bottom 4th
The comfortable lead allows Takahashi to pitch more aggressively now. Miyajima fights in his AB, but flies out to left. Yaguchi can't catch up to the fastball, and Sakai pops out. 3 up, 3 down.
Top 5th
Haga walks Takegoshi to start the inning, and when Yamaoka hits a ball back to Haga, he hesitates too long and his throw to 1st is late. Ogawa-kantoku, wanting to make sure the game is in hand, has Katou bunt.
But Murahashi, after his good 1st AB, has struggled and can't check his swing. He goes down for the 2nd time.
Oono lines out to left to end the inning, but Haga will probably have more innings like this going forward.
Bottom 5th
It's a new inning, but the same story. Matsushou's batters are swinging away and either popping out or striking out. We're at the break and the game already feels decided.
Top 6th
Takahashi with a booming drive to left center, Momose running it down and makes the catch for the 1st out.
Sakashita, perhaps feeling his oats goes after a high fastball and goes down for a K. Murai grounds to 2nd there after and Kengifushou is looking to shorten the game.
Bottom 6th
Matsuhsou has waved the white flag. Takano, Funazaki and Arakura all go down swinging. It's not pretty.
Top 7th
Hirose collects his 2nd hit of the game as well as a SB, but Haga gest Takegoshi to foul out to Matsubara at the back screen (with a guy in blond hair and a yellow jacket waving him over). Yamaoka succumbs to the forkball, and Katou flies out to center to end the inning.
Bottom 7th
I think the message came through that if you wanted to shorten the game, get them to hit the ball.
Unfortunately for Takahashi it still takes the same number of pitches, but he does retire the side in order.
Top 8th
Not much to see here, Kengifushou is retired in order as they're not looking on piling on the score.
Bottom 8th
Adachi-kantoku getting his bench players in. #16 Iidzuka comes in for Matsubara and #12 Atou comes in for Haga. Still they're retired in order.
Top 9th
#10 Tokuda comes in for Iidzuka and takes over on the hill. Atou stays in to play C.
Hey, Tokuda is a true sidearmer. That's cool.
Murai gets a base hit, then takes too big of a turn and Funazaki fires from left and guns him down. Heh.
Tokuda yields a walk to PH #18 Ueno, but gets Takegoshi to hit a comebacker for the 3rd out.
Bottom 9th
Ueno stays in to play RF and #16 Kariya comes in for Sakashita to play 2B.
Matsushou is retired in order yet again, and the game comes to an end.
I realize I was terse with the last couple of innings, but when you've seen as much Koushien as I have, you know when a team's been defeated for the most part. That 3-run HR pretty much did it. Matsushou Gakuen did okay all things considered, but they just ran into a brick wall today in Takahashi Shunpei.
Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou gets tested early, but got it easy late. Teams won't break down as quickly as Matsushou Gakuen, but a win is a win in your opening game. As one of my twitter friends said, Takahashi was high in the zone, but as long as he doesn't miss middle, there have been examples of pitchers who have lived at the top of the zone. it's rare to see from a Japanese pitcher, but considering we've seen significantly less bunting, anything is possible. Now about those head sliding into first...
Anyways, Kengifushou advances to the 2nd round where they'll face the winner of the next game. Takahashi appears to have the goods to be a power ace, but we'll need to see him against tougher competition to see if he really is one.
Kengifushou on paper has the better resume. A pitcher who can throw hard (though that in and of itself isn't a gamechanger) and has a splitter is always a good thing, but the lack of offensive production is an issue. Matsushou Gakuen finally makes it back, but their pitching is a step below, and the offense about the same.
I'm hoping for not a blowout in this game, but at the same time I realize that it's a hope and it probably won't happen.
Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou (Gifu)
LF Murai Shouma
RF Hirose Masaru
3B Takegoshi Hiroyuki
LF Yamada Youta
C Katou Jyunya
1B Murahashi Kazuaki
SS Oono Rikuo
P Takahashi Shunpei
2B Sakashita Reon
Matsushou Gakuen (Nagano)
CF Momose Masaya
2B Takano Yuuhi
LF' Funazaki Seiya
1B Arakura Kenta
3B Miyajima Shunpei
RF Yaguchi Naoki
SS Sakai Toshiki
C Matsubara Ryouta
P Onda Yuuya
__________________________________________________
11:20 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Two quick outs for Onda as Murai hit a soft looper to Sakai, and Hirose hits a fly to center that Murai doesn't have to move for.
But Takegoshi breaks that up and gets the hit out of the way. It's a clean single through the left side.
Yamaoka with ball to deep left, but Funazaki is there to make the catch. He give a high five to Momose as they pass each other and it's a clean inning to start.
Bottom 1st
Takahashi going for gusto early hitting 146, 150 and 147 on his first 3 pitches.
Momose fighting to stay in the AB, goes around on a 146 fastball inside.
After a 1 pitch out by Takano, Funazaki too succumbs to the fastball. He can't reach a ball outside and Takahashi has 2 Ks already.
Top 2nd
Things not going as swimmingly for Onda now. Katou with a ball to the left side, Sakai with the dive, but it's off his glove and into left for a base hit!
Ogawa-kantoku giving the green light as Katou takes off for 2nd! Matsubara's throw to 2nd... not in time!
And now Murahashi with a clean single through the left side. Runner at the corners and no out!
Adachi-kantoku calls for time.
Murahashi takes off for 2nd! Matsubara doesn't get a clean grip on the ball and now there's 2 runners in scoring position!
Oono isn't being hasty though and ends up taking a walk! Manrui for Kengifushou!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Onda hits his counterpart on the very first pitch! Oshidashi HBP and it's 1-0 Kengifushou on the unforced error! And it's still manrui!
Sakashita with a ball back to Onda! He goes home for 1, throw to 1st... double play! Boy, did they need that!
They're not out of the woods yet as it's the top of the order and Murai.
SANSHIN!!!!
Onda gets Murai on a forkball to end the inning, but Matsuhou Gakuin gives Kengifushou a gift!
Bottom 2nd
I'm not sure how Matsushou will deal with a fireballer as Arakura grounds out to short.
Miyajima with a pop fly to center, Murai charging in dives... just off the end of his glove as he rolls over! Base hit for Matsushou!
But Yaguchi hits a ball to 2nd and AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Sakashita, perhaps rueing his spoiling of the opportunity earlier, muffs the ball! It goes straight into right and Miyajima heads straight to 3rd and now Matsushou has something brewing!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sakai uses Takahashi's power against him as he pushes a bunt to the right side! Murahashi is there, but can only go to 1st and Matsushou ties the game! It's 1-1!
Matsubara strikes out on a slider, but with some help of their own Matsushou has leveled the game!
Top 3rd
Kengifushou out to reclaim the lead quickly as Hirose lines a ball to right.
Arakura snap throw to 1st.. and they nail Hirose! Baserunning mistake there.And that hurts even more when Takegoshi draws the walk.
Wild pitch from Onda! Matsubara can't corral it and Takegoshi takes 2nd!
Yamada jumps on the first pitch, but flies out to center for the 2nd out.
And now Takegoshi takes off for 3rd! Arakura's throw to 3rd... and they nail him! Two outs on the basepaths and it's a 0 on the board!
Bottom 3rd
Onda, perhaps realizing that baserunners are at a premium, tries to work the count, draws a leadoff walk!
Back to the top of the order, and there's no bunt from Momose! However he flies out to left and perhaps an out is wasted.
So they make it up! Takano lays down the safety bunt! Takegoshi charging in, throws to 1st... SAFE! Takano does the head sliding thing and still beats out the throw for a base hit!
But Takahashi buckles down. He gets Funazkai on a slider, and then Arakura on a fly to left and just like that he's out of the jam.
Top 4th
Onda cruising along here in the 4th, getting Katou to ground out to 2nd, and striking out Murahashi on a slider.
Well, that was odd. Onda went through his delivery but dropped the ball. Everyone has a good laugh.
But Oono gets a single to right.
And now Takahashi comes through with a single through the left side! Has something gone wrong? #11 Haga is warming up.
あ。
That's not good. Onda leaves one over the plate and Sakashita drives it to left and it doesn't look good.
Yep. That's a no-doubt about it 3-run HR. Sakashita makes up for his errors in spades and it's now 4-1. Matsubara wanted that away, it was dead center.
And after Onda hits Murai, Adachi-kantoku has seen enough. #11 Haga comes in to relieve Onda who pitched well for 3.2 innings.
No offense to him, but with Matsushou into the bullpen, the game is over.
Hirose with a short liner to right, Yaguchi makes the great sliding catch to end the inning. But whatever momentum Matsushou Gakuen had is completely gone.
Bottom 4th
The comfortable lead allows Takahashi to pitch more aggressively now. Miyajima fights in his AB, but flies out to left. Yaguchi can't catch up to the fastball, and Sakai pops out. 3 up, 3 down.
Top 5th
Haga walks Takegoshi to start the inning, and when Yamaoka hits a ball back to Haga, he hesitates too long and his throw to 1st is late. Ogawa-kantoku, wanting to make sure the game is in hand, has Katou bunt.
But Murahashi, after his good 1st AB, has struggled and can't check his swing. He goes down for the 2nd time.
Oono lines out to left to end the inning, but Haga will probably have more innings like this going forward.
Bottom 5th
It's a new inning, but the same story. Matsushou's batters are swinging away and either popping out or striking out. We're at the break and the game already feels decided.
Top 6th
Takahashi with a booming drive to left center, Momose running it down and makes the catch for the 1st out.
Sakashita, perhaps feeling his oats goes after a high fastball and goes down for a K. Murai grounds to 2nd there after and Kengifushou is looking to shorten the game.
Bottom 6th
Matsuhsou has waved the white flag. Takano, Funazaki and Arakura all go down swinging. It's not pretty.
Top 7th
Hirose collects his 2nd hit of the game as well as a SB, but Haga gest Takegoshi to foul out to Matsubara at the back screen (with a guy in blond hair and a yellow jacket waving him over). Yamaoka succumbs to the forkball, and Katou flies out to center to end the inning.
Bottom 7th
I think the message came through that if you wanted to shorten the game, get them to hit the ball.
Unfortunately for Takahashi it still takes the same number of pitches, but he does retire the side in order.
Top 8th
Not much to see here, Kengifushou is retired in order as they're not looking on piling on the score.
Bottom 8th
Adachi-kantoku getting his bench players in. #16 Iidzuka comes in for Matsubara and #12 Atou comes in for Haga. Still they're retired in order.
Top 9th
#10 Tokuda comes in for Iidzuka and takes over on the hill. Atou stays in to play C.
Hey, Tokuda is a true sidearmer. That's cool.
Murai gets a base hit, then takes too big of a turn and Funazaki fires from left and guns him down. Heh.
Tokuda yields a walk to PH #18 Ueno, but gets Takegoshi to hit a comebacker for the 3rd out.
Bottom 9th
Ueno stays in to play RF and #16 Kariya comes in for Sakashita to play 2B.
Matsushou is retired in order yet again, and the game comes to an end.
I realize I was terse with the last couple of innings, but when you've seen as much Koushien as I have, you know when a team's been defeated for the most part. That 3-run HR pretty much did it. Matsushou Gakuen did okay all things considered, but they just ran into a brick wall today in Takahashi Shunpei.
Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou gets tested early, but got it easy late. Teams won't break down as quickly as Matsushou Gakuen, but a win is a win in your opening game. As one of my twitter friends said, Takahashi was high in the zone, but as long as he doesn't miss middle, there have been examples of pitchers who have lived at the top of the zone. it's rare to see from a Japanese pitcher, but considering we've seen significantly less bunting, anything is possible. Now about those head sliding into first...
Anyways, Kengifushou advances to the 2nd round where they'll face the winner of the next game. Takahashi appears to have the goods to be a power ace, but we'll need to see him against tougher competition to see if he really is one.
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