98th Natsu Koushien - Day 9, Game 2 - Shounan (Kagoshima) v Hanasaki Tokuharu (Saitama)

2 matches to go in round 2. Both Shounan and Hanasaki Tokuharu won handily in the 1st round, it'll be interesting to see how these teams fare, because they're certainly not as good as their 1st games indicate.

Hanasaki Tokuharu (Saitama)

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

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

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12:10 - First Pitch!

For certain Hanasaki Tokuharu with their ace in Takahashi is probably favored. But Hamaya at least in his first game looked well enough to compete, and responded early with routine groundouts and a couple of Ks. Nishikawa did gets a line single to left, but it's been one of the few square-ups the team has had early.

On the other hand though Takahashi has had quite a few baseballs squared up on. Top 1st, both Imada and Oozawa hit line singles to the outfield. Now, they ran themselves out of the inning when Imada was picked off 1st, but you had to wonder if it was just a fluke.

2nd inning, Sekiyama gets a base hit up the middle. After they fail to bunt the runner over, it's Sekiyama's turn to get picked off 1st by Nomoto. 2 innings in a row while you're hitting the ace good? You're not going to get these opportunities forever.

And yet Shounan still gets a chance at a run after Orio is plunked and Kusumoto makes a high throw on Hamaya's grounder, but nothing comes of it.

But if nothing else, Hamaya and his defense are preventing Hanasaki Tokuharu from taking the Shounan mistakes and turning them into an advantage. Top 3, 1 down and Nomoto hits a ball to shallow left. Yoshiuchi charges in, dives, and makes a great catch for the 2nd out.

Now for sure Hanasaki Tokuharu is having baserunners, but not in dangerous situations except for Nishkawa's leadoff in the 2nd.

But once again, Shounan's main skill appears to be to shoot themselves in the foot.

Bottom 3, leadoff single by Imada. After a sac bunt, it's Okazaki's turn to throw a ball to 1st high.

AND YET. When Nomoto tries to catch Imada coming home on a possible squeeze, Kamikuri takes off for 2nd, and...

Well do I need to say?

3 straight rallies killed off by poor baserunning. No need to say it, but they'll certainly regret it later.

Bottom 4th, Orio hits a blooper to left that somehow finds its way between Okazaki and Nishikawa. During Hamaya's AB, Orio takes off for 2nd, but doubles back after he stumbles. He barely makes it back to 1st without being thrown out.

And on the VERY NEXT PITCH, Hamaya drives a hanging slider to left center and to the wall for a double, which scores Orio, 1-0.

Hamaya takes that lead to the break, thanks to 9 groundball outs which have to have frustrated the Hanasaki Tokuharu team.

But post-break, Hamaya finds himself in a spot of trouble. He hits Nomoto, and then with 2 down and Nomoto on 3rd, he walks Okazaki.

Nishikawa then hits a comebacker off of Hamaya's glove. It slows down enough going up the middle that Orio has no play when he gets there. Nomoto scores the douten run to make it 1-1.

And all those runs that could have been come back to bit them here, because on the next batter Kusumoto sneaks one past a diving Kamikuri down the right field line for a bases clearing triple. 3-1.

Toss in another HBP and a single past a diving Oozawa up the middle and the final tally ends up at 4-1.

Hamaya would be relieved in 7th for #10 Hatakenaka soon after walking a batter, but he would give up that runner and one more. 6-1 and if the game wasn't in hand then, it is now.

Shounan scores some token runs late, but the game was never in doubt as Hanasaki Tokuharu advances 6-3.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 9, Game 1 - Nichinan Gakuen (Miyazaki) v Shiritsu Wayakayama (Wakayama)

Last games of round 2. Not very good places to draw into left.

Nichinan Gakuen (Miyazaki)
CF Nagahara Takumi (長原 拓海)
3B Yoshiga Kenshin (芳賀 憲伸)
2B Maeda Naoki (前田 尚輝)
LF Masuda Kaisei (益田 海成)
RF Hamamoto Itsuki (浜本 樹)
C Hagiwara Hiro (萩原 哲)
SS Ishijima Yuuto (石嶋 友翔)
1B Ishida Kouhei (石田 航平)
P (11)Minoo Riku (蓑尾 陸)

Shiritsu Wakayama (Wakayama)
3B Yamazaki Takuya (山崎 拓哉)
2B Kawasaki Makoto (河崎 真)
CF (13)Yabui Kanta (藪井 幹大)
1B Kitajima Riku (北嶋 陸)
RF Kinoshita Kouji (木下 康司)
LF (8)Shichino Rei (七野 怜)
C Okamoto Naoki (岡本 尚輝)
P (10) Kurusu Takumi (栗栖 拓巳)
SS Hamano Shougo (浜野 匠吾)

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09:30 - First Pitch!

Both teams going with different pitchers to start the game. Probably in an attempt to save the arms for the home stretch should they get there. Also given who they may be drawing into, beating the other team with as much 2nd tier stuff is desirable.

But in a game like this where neither team is all that great, it really boils down to execution. The team who minimizes mistakes wins. Not like the powerhouse teams where there is some room for error. For these teams there usually isn't.

Judging from the starters used this seems to be the case.

And unfortunately for Nichinan Gakuen, they make the first unforced error in the 2nd inning.

It starts innocuously enough when Kinoshita singles to left. But when Shichino pops a bunt down the 1st base line, no one can get to it to catch it, and then they wait too long to see if it goes foul (which it never does).

After a sac bunt, Kurisu hits a ball to 2nd, but Maeda is anticipating the throw home and whiffs on the ball. That allows both Kinoshita and Shichino to score for a 2-0 Shiritsu Wakayama lead.

Then after a walk to the last batter Hamano (which is a cardinal sin), Kawasaki singles to right making it a 3-0 game and forcing Nichinan Gakuen to send in ace Moriyama.

It was Shiritsu Wakayama's turn to reciprocate in the 3rd.

After Ishida led of with a single, and moved to 2nd. Kurusu then could not find the strike zone at all walking both Nagahara and Yoshiga on 4 straight (and it wasn't even close). However, Nichinan was not able to bring in more than 1 run, and that was on Maeda's sac fly. 3-1.

Now obviously these teams can't execute each time they get an opportunity, but you expect them to do so at some point. And the more you get, the more likely you should be able to convert one of them into runs.

We could see this in the inning following. Shiritsu Wakayama would get a 1-out and a 2-out single from Kinoshita and Okamoto, but with 2 down they needed a hit and couldn't get one.

Nichinan Gakuen actually had a good chance in the 4th when Hagiwara had a double to left center, but was left stranded there by the following 2 batters.

Shiritsu Wakayama wasted a chance in their half of the 4th when after a leadoff hit by Hamano, Yamazaki couldn't lay down a good bunt, and when Kawasaki laid down his, it was successful, but when the ball gets dislodged in a collision, Hamano goes for 3rd and is thrown out.

That tails directly into the 5th for Nichinan Gakuen where with one down Nagahara is hit. After a flyout Kurusu seems poised to get out of the jam. However, his plan of attacking Maeda and Masuda backfires, because without pitching inside, the batters cheat on the pitch. Maeda taking it the other way and Masuda pulled over Shichino's head, both for doubles and both for an RBI tying the game at 3-3.

That's where the game would be at the break where Shiritsu Wakayama has handed the momentum to Nichinan Gakuen. In addition, Kurusu I don't believe has an answer for the middle of the lineup. Should he face them again, he'll be in trouble.

As I had hoped Shiritsu Wakayama goes to their ace Akaba. Unfortunately, he's struggling against the bottom of the lineup. Hagiwara had a routine grounder to short, but Hamano's short hop means Kitajima can't field it. After that was a single by Ishijima.

The contact play was a failure for Nichinan Gakuen as Ishijima went home and initiated the rundown. However, walking Moriyama meant the top of the lineup was definitely going to get involved.

Akaba gets a second key out when he strikes out Nagahara on an inside fastball, but once again Shiritsu Wakayama gets in their own way as Okamoto is called for catcher's interference. a run scores and it's 4-3 with Maeda coming to the plate.

And Akaba walks Maeda making it 5-3. Masuda swings over a fastball down and away to retire the side, but it really looks like they're pitching a bit scared. Almost all pitches were away.

At this point I'm seeing if there's any life in the Shiritsu Wakayama offense. If there's none in the next couple of innings, they're done.

Leadoff double by Shichino is a good start in the 6th, and a grounder gets him to 3rd. However, Akaba can't hit a ball on the outside half of the zone, and Hamano grounds out.

They get another try at it in the 7th when Yamazaki walks but after a sac bunt and a flyout there's quickly 2 down. That's when Kitajima reaches out on an outside fastball and drives it over Hamamoto's head for an RBI double making it 5-4. They're within 1, but need to continue creating opportunities for themselves to possibly convert.

However, in the 8th, after Okamato dumps a ball into left center for a hit, he tries to steal 2nd, but is thrown out by a good margin - killing the potential rally and leaving it for the 9th inning.

Now all Akaba has to do is hold serve, but Maeda-Masuda stand in first. Akaba walks Maeda again, but on the first pitch Masuda grounds into the 6-4-3 double play!

The hard part seems over, but Hamamoto singles to center.

And then to Hagiwara, who may have been forgotten, Akaba pitches one inside, but somehow that Hagiwara is able to send down the RF line for an RBI triple. 6-4 and certainly a key insurance run for Nichinan Gakuen.

And that's how the game ends as Shiritsu Wakayama goes quietly in the 9th. Nichinan Gakuen advances, and with the matchup against Hokkai, could reach the Best 8.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 8, Game 4 - Riseisha (Osaka) v Yokohama (Kanagawa)

I'm still mad, not that Kousei lost, but that they had to lose because of incompetence instead of the play on te field.. Here are the lineups.

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

Riseisha (Osaka)
CF Fukuda Kandai (福田 観大)
2B Kitano Shuu (北野 秀)
1B Yoshikawa Yuuto (四川 雄翔)
3B Yasuda Hisanori (安田 尚憲)
C Imachi Taisei (井町 大生)
P Terashima Naruki (寺島 成輝)
LF (13)Wakabayashi Shouhei (若林 将平)
RF Yamamoto Yuutaku (山本 侑度)
SS Wakabayashi Kenji (若林 健治)

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16:45 - First pitch

The revitalized Yokohama squad jumps on Terashima to start. Tobori single, a sac bunt that becomes a fielder's choice when Imachi decides to go to 2nd and loses, an actual sac bunt, and a sac fly from Murata makes it 1-0.

17:12 - Weather delay (lightning/rain)
On a 3-2 count to Terashima in the 2nd, the players are called in. The skies are a dark gray, but it's the chance of lightning that causes this delay.

17:53 - Resumption of play
Well first pitch to Terashima went strike 3 swinging, but it was down and in.

But now Ishikawa looks a bit out of sorts, this when Wakabayashi hits a liner to right for a single.

And there we go.

Still struggling with the strike zone, Ishikawa grooves one in there and Yamamoto blasts it to tomorrow. Actually, halfway up the stands. down the left field line. 3-1 Riseisha.

Yet even more struggles as Ishikawa walks Wakabayashi.

18:01 - Weather delay (lightning/rain)
Umpires are calling everyone in again... No rain this time, just the lightning threat.

Nope, there's the rain. and of the deluge variety.

18:40 - Resumption of play
Well, Ishikawa hits Fukuda and now finally the switch is made. Should've been done after the first delay (even if temporary) like the pros, but it's being done now. Which might be even worse because now it's admitting the mistake.

Kitano the takes the first pitch doubles down the right field line and 2 more come in to make it 5-1 Riseisha.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 8, Game 3 - Touhou (Aichi) v Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori)

Well 2 blowouts for Day 8 so far I'm not sure if the trend continues in this game, but I think Kousei is a bit on the back foot, especially if they exceed the daily allowance of TOOTBLANs.

Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori)
2B Itou Yuuhei (伊藤 優平)
3B Tokuda Taishi (徳田 大沙)
RF Tashiro Tsubasa (田城 飛翔)
1B Masuda Atsuhira (益田 敦成)
CF Hanaoka Kojirou (花岡 小次郎)
SS Kobayashi Naoki (小林 直輝)
LF (17)Kobuchi Akihiro (小淵智 輝弘)
P (10)Wada Yuuya (和田 悠弥)
C Okumura Kouta (奥村 幸太)

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

CF (10)Tanaka Raiki (田中 来起)

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13:30 - First pitch

The script seems a bit flipped to start the game. It's Kousei that is leading proceedings to start the game. Staring right off the siren when Itou lays down the bunt and beats out the throw for a base hit. He's moved to 2nd and after a walk to Tashiro, both runners advance a base on the K  by Masuda.

Hanaoka pays it off with a base hit past a diving Konishi and it's 1-0.

They almost do it again in the 2nd when Takagi gets a leadoff single, steals 2nd and moves to 3rd with 2 down. But this time Itou can't get the timely hit to add to the lead.

Touhou finally musters a response in the 2nd. Fujishima leads off with a walk. Kojima not bunting instead laces a ball to left. Matsumoto's bunt fails as Fujishima is cut down, but Takagi solves that by hitting an RBI single to center. 1-1. Unfortunately, that's all they get as Rio hits into the 1-6-3 double play.

But Fujishima for some reason continues to struggle. 3rd inning, he's just given the tie. And yet, he gives up a single to Itou. A ball up the middle by Tokuda is saved by Rio who makes the out at 1st. But then he hits a batter, gives up 2 singles the second being a 2-RBI variety to Hanaoka making it 3-1.

After Fujishima hits Kobayashi, they've seen enough. Matsuyama and Fujishima switch places.

The best Matsuyama can do is 1 run as he actually walks in a run, but Touhou is in a bad way down 4-1.

Wada would have been well suited to have a quick inning to solidify the lead, but the top of the Touhou lineup wouldn't allow it. Despite getting the 1st 2 outs, Wada leaves a pitch middle and Hamajima doubles to right center. After a walk to Matsuyama, Fujishima at least helps out with the bat, hitting an RBI single to center, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

Kousei going to their bullpen here in the 4th as #16 Toda comes in relief of Wada who certainly was struggling. No ace yet, so they're going by committee it would seem.

He doesn't throw hard, but the drop that slider had to freeze Takagi looked sick.

Kousei extends that lead when out of nowhere with Masuoka at 1st, Hanaoka blasts a 2-run HR to the 2nd level in center. 6-2 and Touhou's hole gets deeper.

They almost get some runs back in the 5th. Again 2 down, and Hamajima singles to left. Matsuyama takes a walk, and then a wild pitch sends both runners into scoring position. Fujishima hits the ball hard, but Tokuda is able to make the putout, retiring the side and sending us to the break.

It unfortunately gets worse in the 7th. One down and Hanaoka single to right. A wild pitch and a base hit made it 7-2.

After PH Yoshimura got hit to load the bases, Okumura hit a ball to Konishi. But his throw home was wild and that allowed 2 runners to score. 9-2.

Now ace Sakurai would enter the game and get work in, but it's not good work. One down and Mizuki, Matsyama and Fujishima all get base hits, the latter two driving in runs thanks to some SBs to make it 9-4.

Sakurai is continuing to let Touhou climb back, but there's not much time left. In the 8th he gives up a leadoff double to Konishi, after a groundout, a hard liner by Takagi scores Konishi to make it 9-5.

And in the 9th comes the biggest, most needless, Titanic-size disaster, and I was furious the whole time because it was unnecessary.

Already struggling and should have been relieved, the sequence of events in the 9th went like:

• Suzuki single to left
• Hamajima flyout to deep left
• Matsuyama single through right side, 9-6
• Fujishima flyout to shallow center
• Konishi line single to right, 9-7
• Nakanishi double off of LCF wall, 9-9
• Suzuki Rio single to LCF, 10x-9

At 9-6 you had a chance to relieve Sakurai. At 9-7, you STILL had a chance to relieve Sakurai.

But nope, you didn't and Kousei, you deserved to lose. And not the players, but Kosaka-kantoku. That's all at his feet. Every single little bit of it.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 8, Game 2 - Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki) v Chuukyou (Gifu)

There aren't that many slots left, and teams are account for in matchups. Both these teams want to avoid Yokohama or Riseisha at all costs, but have to win this game first. While both were blowout wins, Jyousou Gakuin has the clear advantage on the mound.

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

Chuukyou (Gifu)
SS Watanabe Takashi (渡辺 豪)
CF Katou Souta (加藤 壮太)
RF Kitagawa Ryuunosuke (北川 竜之介)
1B Imai Jyunnosuke (今井 順之助)
2B Yoshii Shougo (吉位 翔伍)
3B Taira Hidemasa (平 秀匡)
C Nagatani Daiki (水谷 大貴)
LF Nishikawa Souma (西川 颯真)
P (16)Furuta Shouto (古田 星投)

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10:35 - First pitch

Interestingly, it's Suzuki for Jyousou Gakuin that is struggling out of the blocks. Watanabe hits a fly to shallow center, Suyama charging in, dives, but can't make the catch. It hung up there for so long Watanabe has a double.

However, Suzuki catches a break when Shimizu finds Watanabe wandering too far from 2nd and initiates the rundown for the first out.

But that's doesn't stop Suzuki's early problems. He walks Katou thereafter, then gives up a hit to right to Kitagawa.

Imai hits a ball right back at Suzuki, it glances off of him and to the right side. The defense is obviously not ready and everyone is safe, including Katou at home. 1-0. Making matters worse is that he walks Yoshii to load the bases.

Miyazato stops some extra runs from scoring as he picks a ball destined for down the right field line. He goes to 2nd for 1, but the relay throw back isn't in time. Kitagawa scores and it's a 2-0 game.

The damage is limited to that, but it's a little concerning for the Jyousou Gakuin side.

Jyousou Gakuin trying to make a quick reply. Hanawa hits a ball right at Imai, but it somehow gets past him and into right. E3 puts him at 2nd. Two outs later, Furuta is looking to get out of the jam, but Miyazato singles to left! And when Nishikawa boots the ball, that seals the run. 2-1 Chuukyou.

Suzuki's struggles still continue in to 2nd. 2 strikeouts ironically enough before he walks Watanabe, then give up a base hit, then walk Kitagawa. Manrui!

Imai hits a hard ball, but right at Miyazato who makes the play and leaves all the runners stranded. Suzuki has been fortunate so far.

His team though gives him a hand as Kaito dumps a ball into right for a leadoff hit, and then proceeds to steal 2nd. Now on 3rd with one out, Arimura hits a fly to right and Kaito can waltz in for a 2-2 tie.

Jyousou Gakuin continues to make the most of their opportunities. one down in the 5th, Kaito comes through again with a double to left center. After that Suyama lays down a bunt that Furuta fields, but has no one at 3rd to throw to, so everyone's safe!

To top it off, Katou lays down a safety squeeze of his own! Chuukyou's defense isn't ready and they have to go to 1st instead conceding the run! 3-2!

And in a manner similar to last game, Chuukyou's pitching suffers a similar fate to Yamanashi Gakuin. Afer a leadoff single by Hanawa and a sac bunt, #11 Kodzuru comes in to pitch, but walks Taira. #1 Iwakawa is brought in next, but he hits Miyazato to fill up the bases, and then a grounder through the 6 hole for 2 runs, making it a 5-2 game. Iwakawa strikes out the next 2 batters, but once again the damage has been done.

You toss in 2 more with back-to-back doubles by Shimizu and Shouta as Iwakawa continued to get battered on the mound. 7-2.

The game is pretty much over, though both teams add another run and Chuukyou empties their bench save for #14 Akamatsu (why you don't empty your bench fully I don't know. Even if you wound up forfeiting due to injury you're already lost. Let the kid play). Jyousou Gakuin advances easily 8-3.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 8, Game 1 - Yamanashi Gakuin (Yamanashi) v Inabe Sougou Gakuen (Mie)

Got a good night's sleep in, but as a result not much time to get ready for today.

Yamanashi Gakuin (Yamanashi)
LF Tsuchida Yoshitake (土田 佳武)
3B Miyashita Rui (宮下 塁)
2B Chikenji Daiji (知見寺 代司)
CF Takisawa Kotarou (滝沢 虎太朗)
C Igarashi Hiroto (五十嵐 寛人)
RF Matsuo Kouta (松尾 孝太)
1B (13)Kobayashi Kanta (小林 侃汰)
P (11)Yoshimatsu Rui (吉松 塁)
SS Hirose Takuma (広瀬 巧真)

Inabe Sougou Gakuen (Mie)
CF Okumura Touki (奥村 拓希)
RF Miyazaki Yuuto (宮崎 大和)
2B Kanda Shouji (神田 将嗣)
LF Fujii Ryouma (藤井 亮磨)
C Watanabe Yuuta (渡辺 雄太)
SS Morita Ryouma (守田 良真)
1B Fukase Ryoutarou (深瀬 凌太郎)
3B Fujita Ryouga (藤田 涼雅)
P (16)Akagi Sousuke (赤木 聡介)

____________________________________________________________

08:00 - First pitch

The test for Inabe Sougou Gakuen will be to hold on until they can get to Yamanashi Gakuin's bullpen. Kurio did not show good stuff when he came in, so if hey can hang in there they might have a chance.

Yamanashi Gakuin will be determined to score early and build a big lead to pad Kurio's appearance. With 2 down in the first Chikenji draws a walk, and although Takizawa's grouder up the middle is run down by Kanda, he has no play.

Igarashi flies out to right, but it's a deep right, and the other two outs were flyouts. They're getting on the ball early, so it might be something to watch.

For ISG's part, Okumura singles off Miyashita's glove. But despite a wild pitch to move him to 2nd, Miyazaki flies out, and Yoshimatsu strikes out the other 2. The last one though C Igarashi was holding the glove on 3 consecutive balls thinking they had strike 3. Can't be hoping for strikes, gotta throw them.

Bottom 2 now and Yoshimatsu seemingly with a case of the yips. He walks Watanabe, then Morita. Fukase bunts the runners over (WHY?) to put runners in scoring position.

Fujita hangs in there, but whiffs on a changeup. 2 down, and it's up to Akagi to help his cause.

He hits a grounder to short, but Chikenji fumbles the ball! His throw to 1st is late and Watanabe scores to give Inabe Sougou Gakuen the 1-0 lead!

Akagi is staying in the game by making good misses. If he's pitching inside, he's missing inside, etc. But if you miss too much, I think you know where that is going.

So top 4, Akagi walks Igarashi with one down. Then he doesn't even make that bad of a pitch to Matsuo but while jammed still gets it by Fukase to put runners at the corners. Akagi clamps down hard though as Kobayashi can't pull the trigger on an inside fastball, and Kanda makes a great stop on a ball hit by Yoshimatsu to retire the side.

Inabe Sougou though continues to give chances to Yamanashi Gakuin. Kanda boots a grounder from Hirose to lead off the inning. Akagi seemingly is about to get out of the inning after recording 2 outs, but on Chikenji's grounder up the middle, Kanda boots another one! That's 2 errors now and runners at the corners.

They could survive one extra out, but not 2. Akagi finally makes a bad mistake and Takizawa doesn't miss it. It goes all the way to the wall for a bases clearing double and like that Yamanashi Gakuin has the 2-1 lead.

Surprisingly though, that lead doesn't last long. One down and Akagi of all batters hits a single through the left side. This time it's Yoshimatsu to makes a mistake and Okumura drive it to deep left for a double of his own. The throw home is cut off and we're all tied at 2-2!

Advantage right now has to rest with Inabe Sougou Gakuen as they've basically made it a 4-inning game now.

In fact in the 6th, with 2 down, Yoshimatsu is PH for which means Kurio will be in the game.

For his part though, Kurio retires the side inducing middling contact at best, but you can see some of the control issues there.

Yamanashi Gakuin still trying to jump ahead while they can. Tsuchida finally collects his first hit, a ball just out of the reach of Okumura at the wall for a double. Miayazaki's single to right puts runner at the corners. and Ozaki-kantoku has to call time.

Akagi gets a key out when Chikenji flies out to shallow center preventing any tagups. But then he turns around to hit Takizawa to load the bases.

But in the end, Akagi plays magician and gets out of the jam, as Igarashi grounds into a fielder's choice at 2nd!

Suddenly, it seems like Yamanashi Gakuin has the momentum. Ace Yamauchi comes in in the 8th to relieve Akagi, but gives up a base hit to Matsuo. After a one-out walk, they get a fielder's choice for the 2nd out, but the go-ahead run is just 90 feet away.

Instead though, Yamauchi plays his magic and he just gets the corner on Tsuchida to retire the side!

The game immediately craters in the 8th. Leadoff single to Miyazaki. One down now, Kurio leaves a fastball over the plate and Fujii hits it to deep right for a go-ahead double. 3-2.

It gets really ugly after that:

• Watanabe single through left side,
• Morita bunt foulout (WHY?)
• Fukase walk
• Fujita RBI single back up the middle, 4-2

The capper is a slider away that Yamauchi drives over Tsuchida for a bases clearing triple 7-2.

And this being the bottom of the 8th, there is no coming back. Kurio, already struggling in their win before, cannot hold the tie in this game and Inabe Sougou Gakuen is into the 3rd round.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 7, Game 4 - Naruto (Tokushima) v Chiben Gakuen (Nara)

Our first full game of teams who have taken the field. Haru-Natsu contender Chiben Gakuen, who admittedly appear vulnerable. Naruto should provide a decent challenge to the Nara champs.

Naruto (Tokushima)
SS Hino Koutarou (日野 洸太郎)
2B Kamata Kouhei (鎌田 航平)
1B Fuji Yoshimoto (冨士 佳資)
CF Tezuka Kaito (手束 海斗)
C Sahara Yuudai (佐原 雄大)
RF Yatake Masaya (矢竹 将弥)
P Kawano Ryuusei (河野 竜生)
LF Watanabe Yuuya (渡辺 裕哉)
3B Takeishi Ren (武石 蓮)

Chiben Gakuen (Nara)
LF Osame Daichi (納 大地)
CF Aoki Yuudai (青木 雄大)
2B Oota Hidetake (太田 英毅)
RF Fukumoto Yuuma (福元 悠真)
1B Takahashi Naoki (高橋 直暉)
P Murakami Shouki (村上 頌樹)
3B Oohashi Shunpei (大橋 駿平)
C Okasawa Tomoki (岡沢 智基)

SS Nakamura Akita (中村 晃)

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15:55 - First Pitch!

Well, I thought Naruto was going to give Chiben Gakuen some trouble, but early on it doesn't look good. Bottom 1st, Osame gets fortunate on a high chopper up the middle that he outruns for a base hit.

2 down, runners at 1st and 2nd for Takahashi, Kawano leaves a fastball middle-middle and it's taken to center for a base hit, just out of the reach of a charging Tezuka. Murakami helps his own cause afterwards, with an RBI single to left center. Like that it's 2-0 Chiben Gakuen.

Naruto finally gets something resembling a chance in the 3rd. Hino would lead off with a single through the right side. But Kamata's bunt was nowhere near good enough and Hino would be thrown out. He's find his way to 3rd on a stolen base and a wild pitch, but in the end Tezuka would chase after a slider and ground out to short.

The game enters a period of both sides just swinging away resulting in a lot of outs. Most are ground balls and some good plays by the infields. But it's still 0s as both offenses scuffle.

Naruto would finally get a baserunner in the 5th when Watanabe would single to right. It looked like he would be stranded at 2nd again, but on Kamata's grounder to 2nd, Oota whiffs on the ball! That allows Watanabe to score cutting the deficit to 2-1. There might have been more, but Fuji's fly ball down the left field line is caught by a diving Osame who sold out for it.

That's where we end at the break. Chiben Gakuen has the lead but it's been made a bit less comfortable. There's still work to be done, and Chiben Gakuen still not showing it can separate itself from the competition.

And in fact, the momentum still seems to be with Naruto. Tezuka starts with a 4 pitch walk. Takahashi can't handle the throw on a pickoff and that allows Tezuka to get into scoring position. That proves costly 2 batters ;ater when Sahara singles to center scoring the douten run. 2-2.

Chiben Gakuen may be making progress again on Kawano as the first 2 outs are driven fly balls. It winds up being a 1-2-3 inning in the 6th, but it's something worth monitoring.

Naruto looks to put another stick on the board when Watanabe hits a ball down the right field line for a triple. But Takeishi first pitch pops out to 1st. Hino golfs a ball to shallow left, but Osame charging in makes a spectacular diving catch. The indignity of not scoring from 3rd, no out could hurt them.

The game stalls, perhaps like an object going towards a black hole, as the teams are inexorably pulled towards enchousen.

But in the top of the 9th Naruto gets one last chance. Yatake with a deep ball to right, it looks gone but the hamakaze knocks it down in front of the wall. He's in with a double a bunt over and the have a runner 90 feet away yet again.

Watanabe hits a hot shot to the right side, but Oota is there once again, almost like the entire game, to make the stop and play at 1st.

PH #10 Hama is hit and #14 Takai replaces him. And then if that wasn't enough Murakami walks Hino to load the bases!

But Kamata hits a blooper to right! Oota and Fukumoto converge, but neither can get to it. One run is in! Fukumoto comes up firing, but his throw is over everything! This as Takai scores and now Hino comes in to score and the error costs them another run! It's 5-2! That's all they get, but it may be enough!

Naruto tries to mount one final rally as Fukumoto gets on base thanks to an error by Fuji. But nothing eve materialized, so as Kamata secures the final out, Naturo has defeated the Haru Koushien champs denying them a chance for a haru-natsu title.

But the writing was on the wall. The easy road through Haru Koushien, the same through the prefecturals. And yet there games where they struggled. This was easily gong to be one of them, and in the end it wasn't enough.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 7, Game 3 - Soushi Gakuen (Okayama) v Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)

Our first winner from round 1 appears in Moriokadai Fuzoku who survived several comebacks from Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku. They've had time to rest, so that game should be behind them.

The question is with the final team to take the field, and that's Soushi Gakuen. They were dead to rights until a botched call (that was made right by the way) changed it all around in their favor.

The question will be, which Takada will show up? The one that produced consistent results throughout the prefecturals, or the one that lost to Takamatsu Shougyou? He can throw hard, that's no doubt, but can Moriokadai be patient enough when he's struggling?

Soushi Gakuen (Okayama)
RF Takai Shou (高井 翔)
2B Yui Asuka (湯井 飛鳥)
SS Kitagawa Daiki (北川 大貴)
LF Nanba Yuuhei (難波 侑平)
1B Fujise Kanei (藤瀬 幹英)
CF Kusaka Minoru (草加 稔)
C (12)Fujiwara Shunya (藤原 駿也)
P Takada Housei (高田 萌生)
3B Honda Ryuuma (本田 竜真)

Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
1B Ishibashi Taisei (石橋 泰成)
2B Sugawara Yuuki (菅原 優輝)
CF Ueda Taku (植田 拓)
RF Shiotani Hiroki (塩谷 洋樹)
C Itou Yuuki (伊藤 勇貴)
3B Ohara Taiga (小原 大河)
LF (17)Akasaka Shouki (赤坂 祥基)
SS (14)Higa Kenshin (比嘉 賢伸)
P (18)Saitou Masaki (斎藤 真輝)

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12:45 - First Pitch!

Moriokadai Fuzoku must've been paying attention to that Takamatsu Shougyou game in the spring. There Takada gave up 8 walks. He starts this game walking Ishibashi.

Sugawara isn't bunting, but his swings basically lays down the perfect bunt putting runners on 1st and 2nd.

Ueda is perhaps a little less patient, but is able to fight off several pitches before foul tipping a ball for the . Shiotani is the same, and just checks his swing on a 2-2 count to fill up the count.

But Takada gets Shiotani way ahead of a slider and weakly grounds into the 6-4-3 double play. Still, not a bad start as long as they can continue to play that game.

Unfortunately things do not go as smoothly in the 2nd.

Saitou issues a leadoff walk to Kawase. Kusaka lays down the bunt, but there's confusion between Saitou and Itou on who takes the ball and as a result the throw is late. Then with runners at the corners, Takada hits a ball to 3rd. Ohara wants to go home, but he double clutches and that makes the throw more than late and the run scores. 1-0.

The run and not getting the out hurts because on the very next pitch Soushi goes after the throat and has Honda squeeze. Moriokadai's defense isn't ready and the squeeze goes off without a hitch. 2-0.

Toss in a base hit by Takai scoring Takada and a 3-0 lead is not what Moriokadai needed. Especially when it could be 2-0 or 1-0 instead with good defense.

Add in another run in the 3rd, when another leadoff walk comes home on a 2-out triple to right center by Kusaka. 4-0.

Bottom 4th now, and Ueda gets Moriokadai Fuzoku on the board by blasting a letter high slider over the LCF wall. But it's just a solo HR and the score is 4-1.

Suddenly though, Moriokadai Fuzoku plays the waiting game.

• Shiotani walks
• Itou walks!
• Obara walks!!

And on that last one, Takada shook off Fujiwara several times, then threw the fastball low for the walk.

So they got what they wanted, but could they capitalize?

Akasaka perhaps wanting to deliver a hit grounds to 2nd. But Yui bobbles the ball perhaps anticipating the double play! He has to go to 1st and they concede another run. 4-2.

But then Higa chops one up the middle. Yui runs it down, but stumbles making the turn and goes to 3rd as his only possible play! Everyone's safe and it's now 4-3!

Miura with a chopper to the right side! Both Takada and Fujise are converging on the ball! Yui sprints to cover 1st, but when he receives the throw he can't find the bag! All safe again and were douten at 4-4!

They're not out of the woods just yet. They're only tied and Miura has to hold serve for Moriokadai Fuzoku. He does, despite allowing a leadoff HBP to reach 3rd.

Takada's struggles go into the 5th. Sugawara and Ueda both start off with base hits.

See, Takada's in a pickle, and this is why I want batters to let a pitcher hang themselves when they're struggling. After that inning, he realizes the batters will draw a walk if they can. He just can't throw a fastball up there wherever and have them swing and miss.

He needs to hit the strike zone.

And that means the batters can size up the ball better.

Shiotani draws a walk, because you don't forget that he's still struggling out there on the mound. Manrui no out.

Itou though violates the one rule I have. Never swing on the first pitch. In the pros that might not be the case, but you're dealing with kids here and pressure can be much harder to deal with.

He falls behind 0-2, fouls off a couple, but then hits a grounder through the 6 hole! That makes it a 6-4 game!

2 outs now and Nozaka up for his first AB.

On the first pitch he blasts a ball off the left field wall for a bases clearing double and an 8-4 lead!

But with runners at the corners now and Ishibashi up Takada throws a wild pitch, but it's not that far away and yet Nozaka tries to come home. He's thrown out and the inning is over.

Things look bleak for Soushi Gakuen, even after Takai gets a 2 out single. But when Yui pops one up to shallow right, Sugawara drops the ball. All safe.

Oh, you never slack off... You're ahead, but you're not done yet...

Kitagawa hard shot right at Sugawara and it bounces off of him and into no-man's land. One run scores to make it 8-5.

Nanba with a base hit to left, now Nozaka fumbles the ball and that allows 2 runners to score, and that lead is now only 1 at 8-7. They get the 3rd out, but that was a perfect lesson in doing your job.

Now, was Moriokadai Fuzoku able to respond?

Well, after a quick K, Sugawara singles to right, then steals 2nd. He gets to 3rd on a groundout, but if they can't put a point on the board, it's game on.

OH.

Except that Takada makes one too many mistakes. He leaves a pitch over the plate that Shiotani drives to left. It's going, going... off the foul pole for a 2-run HR! That brings the lead back to 10-7 and more importantly deflates Soushi Gakuen who had thought they might be back in it.

With that HR, Takada is relieved of his duties. Nanba comes in to pitch, Takai shifts to right, and #17 Yamagami comes in for Takada to play RF.

Nanba doesn't provide much relief, giving up 3 more singles and 1 run before the side is retired. 11-7 but once again, the job isn't done.

Because Soushi Gakuen makes another rally. Kusaka starts it off with a single to center. One down now and Yamagami hits a clean single through the left side. Asou rounds it off hitting a cement mixer changeup into left for a base hit, making it 11-8 and causing a time out.

Miura gets out of the inning, but the game isn't over yet.

Moriokadai Fuzoku though goes down in order in their lucky 7. There's still 2 more to go.

Eventually it's the 9th and Soushi gets one last chance. Kusaka lays down the drag bunt and catches everyone off guard! #18 Tsuchinishi comes in to hit, and Kusaka takes the opportunity to steal 2nd. Itou's throw is way high, but there's backup to prevent Kusaka from going to 3rd.

Tsuchinishi drives a ball to deep left, but it's not enough and becomes the 1st out. Kusaka tags, but should be given no mind.

Yamagami strikes out swinging, unable to get to the outside fastball. 2 down.

Interestingly, Miura is being relieved. #10 Inoue is coming in as a righty to face the right Asou!

Asou flies out to center and Moriokadai Fuzoku completes the win 11-8!

And that my friends, is a lesson in letting a pitcher struggle on the mound. It's possible, it really is.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 7, Game 2 - Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi) v Sakai (Tottori)

Meitoku Gijyuku is probably the weakest it's been since I've been covering them, and yet they still have a good chance to advance against Sakai whose ace Okiya has his K and BB rates reversed.

How the heck did they win?

Sakai (Tottori)
CF Matsubara Daichi (松原 大地)
2B Takadzuka Kouta (高塚 孔大)
RF Katsube Kouhei (勝部 浩平)
LF Shiota Kaito (塩田 海斗)
1B Kamoto Yuuki (嘉本 悠貴)
3B Watanabe Jin (渡辺 仁)
SS Ueji Ippo (上地 一歩)
P Oka Naoto (隠家 直人)
C Hama Tomoya (浜 智也)

Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi)
CF Tachibana Kotarou (立花 虎太郎)
LF Nishimura Shun (西村 舜)
1B Nishiura Souta (西浦 颯大)
RF Wakiya Noriyuki (脇屋 紀之)
C Koga Yuudai (古賀 優大)
3B Ookita Kaito (大北 海斗)
SS Takamura Kazushi (高村 和志)
2B Imai Ryousuke (今井 涼介)
P (10)Kanadzu Tomoyasu (金津 知泰)

____________________________________________________________

10:15 - First Pitch!

The real question to be asked is if Oka can do anything against Meitoku Gijyuku despite the fact that they've been in decline despite reach Koushien for 6 (now 7 straight years).

An innocuous HBP to Nishimura with one down comes around to score after Meitoku puts the hit-and-run on with Nishiura hitting a single up the middle past a diving Kamichi and Wakiya avoiding the double play. 1-0.

A Koga single through the 4 hole scores another for 2-0. Things were spiraling out of control as Koga was caught off 1st, and yet the throw from Ueji in the rundown was wide allowing Koga to reach 2nd. The inning probably would have continued after Ookita's base hit if not for Koga trying to reach home and getting thrown out.

Fast forward to the 3rd inning and Ueji gets Sakai's first hit on a single through the right side. Oka actually strikes out bunting, bringing up Hama.

And out of nowhere, he hits a ball to deep left. Nishimura goes back to the foul pole, and it actually leaves the yard! It's wasn't a no doubter and seemed like it would have been a routine fly. Instead we suddenly have a tie ballgame at 2-2!

It's Meitoku who would have the next scoring chance in the 4th. After a ground ball from Ookita goes under Watanabe's glove, Takamura lays down a bunt and beats out the throw to 1st, creating a big scoring chance.

And yet, Imai's bunt is poor and gets the lead runner thrown out. PH Tanai almost grounds into a double play for the 2nd out, but does score Ookita from 3rd to take a 3-2 lead. A walk would complicate things more for Oka, but Nishimura chases a slider away and grounds out to 3rd to end the 4th.

Before the break, Meitoku would continue to extend he lead. Nishiura would hit a double down the 1st base line. He would have held up at 3rd on Wakiya's hit to center, but Matsubara fumbled with the ball allowing Nishiura to score for a 4-2 lead.

Nakano enters in the game in the 5th for Meitoku Gijyuku and he's certainly not a flamethrower, and really racks up the pitch count but continues to put up 0's.

On the other hand, Sakai is basically bleeding to death. In the 6th, there's a HBP to Imai, and after a bunt, 2 straight singles - the 2nd of which Watanabe made a great block to prevent extra bases.

But manrui, 1 out is no way to live. Sac fly from Nishiura makes it 5-2.

Sakai finally has a scoring chance in the Lucky 7 when Shiota singles through the right side. After a SB, Kamoto draws a walk. Things might finally be looking up a little.

Watanabe though grounds back to Nakano who opts to get Shiota at 3rd. After that Ueji lines out to 2nd and everyone's lingered off the base too early so Kamoto gets doubled off at 2nd for the inning-ending double play.

Meitoku Gijyuku would score 2 more in the 8th, one on a manrui wild pitch to PH Teranishi. Then on Teranishi's AB he grounded to short. They caught Nishimura in a rundown, but when they got to the 3rd base bag, the tag on Nishimura was safe (since he had first rights) but Nishiura (who came from 2nd) was out. But when that 2nd tag happened, the Nishimura started walking down the line. Everyone was confused who was out and before anyone knew it, Nishimura came home and scored to make it 7-2.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 7, Game 1 - Karatsu Shougyou (Saga) v Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)

Day 7, where the final teams take the field, and the ones that won begin to return. There are only 2 spots left in Day 11 to draw into, perhaps one of these teams will go there and get one extra day rest? Or do you take Day 10 and get the extra day if you win?

Karatsu Shougyou (Saga)
RF Inoue Jyukiya (井上 樹希也)
3B Yamazaki Haruki (山崎 遥稀)
LF Okamoto Akira (岡本 晃)
1B Hyakutake Taisei (百武 泰成)
C Tooriyama Shouichi (通山 正一)
SS Yokoyama Kaito (横山 魁人)
P Taniguchi Yuusei (谷口 優成)
CF Hirakawa Shouya (平川 将也)
2B Maeda Kaisei (前田 海成)

Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
2B Koike Kouki (小池 航貴)
CF Kido Ryou (木戸 涼)
SS Minemura Takaki (峯村 貴希)
RF Toriumi Ranma (鳥海 嵐万)
1B Yamashita Hikaru (山下 輝)
LF Hosoda Yuuki (細田 悠貴)
3B Inoue Mizuki (井上 瑞樹)
P Hayakawa Takahisa (早川 隆久)
C Oozawa Shou (大沢 翔)

____________________________________________________________

08:00 - First Pitch!

It is perhaps not surprising that early on, Hayakawa is dictating proceedings. as he carried a 9+ K/9 rate through the Chiba taikai. As for Taniguchi it's a different story as he was basically depending on pitching to contact and a good defense.

It shows up in the bottom of the 2nd where Toriumi leads proceedings for Kisaradzu Sougou with a single to right. After the obligatory bunt, Hosoda singles to right, scoring Toriumi to make it 1-0. Then comes a single from Inoue and Hayakawa scoring one more for 2-0. That's all they score, but it seems like it's going to be one of those days.

On the other hand Hayakawa was breezing through the first couple of innings, recording 5 of the first 6 outs via the K. He does hit #9 batter Maeda in the 3rd, but is reprieved when Oosawa completes a strike em out throw em out double play.

Okamoto gets the first base hit for Karatsu Shougyou in the 4th, but is immediately picked off by Hayakawa. and any thoughts of mounting a rally are squashed.

Meanwhile, Taniguchi appears to be settling down after the 1st. I noticed that his delivery seems rather short. As if he's pitching out of the stretch all the time.

The other thing is what Yoshitomi-kantoku is doing for Karatsu Shougyou. First he subs out his cleanup batter for #13 Utsukoshi. Then in the top of the 5th he pinch hits #10 Kawasaki for Tooriyama. Seems an odd thing to do with the middle of your lineup.

But the moves don't seem to be doing anything on offense, as his side is retired in order in the 5th, 6th and now 7th innings with very little signs of hope as Hayakawa reached double digits in Ks.

Now, Taniguchi is at least doing his part. It's not dominant for sure, but he certainly holding his own -bending in putting runners on base, but not breaking in giving runs. The 6th was a good example when he allowed a 1 out hit to Yamashita and then a 2 out walk to Inoue before getting Hayakawa to fly out.

But no matter what he does at this point, if his team can't get base hits and score runs it's all moot. Now Taniguchi gets Karatsu Shougyou's 2nd hit in the 8th, but it's with 2 out. And with Hirakawa grounding to 3rd, it's wiped off the board.

That's really all she wrote. Hayakawa would end up with 12 strikeouts giving up just 2 hits on the day. It's about as easy as it could get outside of relieving him so that he could get rest.

And they'll need it because they've drawn Shuugakukan creating a rematch of the Haru Koushien where Shuugakukan came back in the bottom of the 9th to win 2-1.