98th Natsu Koushien - Day 11, Game 3 - Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba) v Hiroshima Shinjyou (Hiroshima)

Headache gone, but not 100%. Last game disappointed a bit, let's see if things pick up in the afternoon session.

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)

Hiroshima Shinjyou (Hiroshima)
2B Sugimura Hiroyoshi (杉村 泰嘉)
3B Furukawa (田中 政範)
LF (14)Tanaka Masanori (田中 政範)
RF Kitatani Shougo (北谷 奨吾)
1B Ogawa Toranousuke (小河 虎之介)
C Furumoto Kouki (古本 幸希)

CF Kawauchi Kyouei (河内 恭英)
P Hori Mizuki (堀 瑞輝)
SS Tanaka Ryouta (田中 亮太)

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13:27 - First Pitch!

I didn't even get a chance to finish putting my twitter post to this blog post when Kido blasted a ball through the hamazake and out to RF for a home run. 1-0 Kidaradzu Sougou.

I thought perhaps it might be another one of those games. Thankfully it wasn't because Hori would shut it down afterwards.

And actually, both aces would shut things down for a while. Hori wouldn't give up a hit until the 3rd when OOsawa would hit a double to right center, but be stranded. Hayakawa wouldn't give up a hit until the 4th when Sugimura would get a leadoff single back up the middle. He would get picked off by Oozawa, and then on a Furukawa walk Tanaka would ground into the 6-4-3 double play.

The difference is while both were recording their fair share of strikeouts, Hori would get a few flyball outs while Hayakawa were almost all on the ground.

Kisaradzu Sougou would get one more chance to add to their lead in the 5th after a leadoff hit, but Hosoda would be stranded at 2nd as the bottom of the lineup would be unable to deliver.

So at the break the aces combined have given up just 4 hits, 1 walk and stuck out 9. At this point, since Kisaradzu Sougou has the lead, the impetus will be on them to get their offense going soon.

The problem is, they're only with 1 of the 4 hits while Kisaradzu Sougou has had runners on for the last couple. There was the aforementioned 5th, the 6th where they got a 1-out single (that was later picked off), and now int he 7th when Toriumi gets a leadoff single.

Later in the inning, 2 down Toriumi on 2nd, Inoue comes through with a base hit up the middle. Toriumi is waved home and the throw not nearly in time. 2-0 and Hiroshima Shinjyou's task gets that much harder.

And while Hori would only give up 2 runs, his team would only be able to muster just 3 hits against ace Hayakawa as they would indeed fall 2-0. A masterful performance by the Chiba ace. And he must continue that because next up will be Sakushin Gakuin!

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 11, Game 2 - Hanasaki Tokuharu (Saitama) v Sakushin Gakuin (Tochigi)

This inter-regional matchup is probably the marquee game of the day as both Hanasaki Tokuharu and Sakushin Gakuin fight for a spot in the quarterfinals.

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 (10) Tsunawaki Sui (綱脇 慧)

C Nomoto Masayasu (野本 真康)

Sakushin Gakuin (Tochigi)

SS Yamamoto Genki (山本 挙輝)

RF Yamanoi Ryuuga (山ノ井 隆雅)

1B Irie Taisei (入江 大生)

CF Kobayashi Koutarou (小林 虎太郎)

2B Fujino Yuusuke (藤野 佑介)

LF Ikari Taisei (碇 大誠)

3B Shinozaki Takashi (篠崎 高志)

C Ayugase Kazuya (鮎ケ瀬 一也)

P Imai Tetsuya (今井 達也)

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10:50 - First pitch!

Imai out to show his presence on the mound, pumping in faster and faster fastballs. He strikes the first 2 batters out maxing at 152 kph (95 mph). That's good and all, but you have 8 more innings and 3 more games to go.

As for his counterpart, Tsunawaki won't be mistaken for such a fireballer. Unfortunately he gets into early trouble walking Yamamoto. Good thing though is that he's thrown out trying to steal 2nd. But with 2 down, he gives up back to back line drives to Irie and Kobayashi. He escapes out of the inning, but it appears he might have some work ahead of him...

Hanasaki Tokuharu gets their first hit out of the way quickly after, with Kusumoto hitting a ball to right center and hustling for a double. That's all they get though, but at least they've proven he's not unhittable.

And then we have our proverbial (at least this tournament) big inning. Sakushin Gakuin goes to town on Tsunawaki with singles from Ikari, Shinozaki, Imai and Yamanoi making it 3-0 before Irie blasts a HR to left center. 5-0 and #11 Shimizu enters the game.

(I'm coming down with a headache as well as being fatigued. Will be updating when I can)

Hanasaki Tokuharu does manage to score a run before the break, However, they had runners on the corners with 1 down in the 4th, and manrui with 2 out in the 5th and were not able to score any further to close the gap. There's some hope there in getting base runners, and in Imai's control, but they need to convert these with just 4 innings to go,

Quite predictably, Hanasaki Tokuharu doesn't recover from the deficit, unlike me who at least doesn't have the headache anymore (but I'm still tired as all heck). The spot start hurts them as they fail to win today to make use of resting the ace.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 11, Game 1 - Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima) v Touhou (Aichi)

Opening up our last day of Round of 16 action are the "comeback" kids of Touhou vs the Koushien mainstays in Seikou Gakuin. If Touhou can put up any type of decent performance I think they can advance

Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima)

3B Matsumoto Kouki (松本 康希)

2B Koizumi Teppei (小泉 徹平)

CF (9)Kanou Satsuki (加納 皐)

P (8)Suzuki Takuto (鈴木 拓人)

LF Kamakura Takashi(鎌倉 誠)

CF (16)Nakaya Daisuke(中屋 大輔)

1B (13)Nishikawa Shouya (西川 将也)

C Kadoi Taijyu (門井 泰寿)

SS Segawa Kouki (瀬川 航騎)

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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08:00 - First pitch!

While I continue to maintain that Seikou Gakuin is one of the weaker teams here, and that they were almost beaten by Clark Kokusai, they're in the Round of 16 with a decent chance of reaching Best 8.

And they're trying to get on the board early in the 1st. Matsumoto hits a single to right, He steals 2nd, then takes 3rd on a wild pitch. No wonder then that Kanou hits a single through the right side and it's 1-0 Seikou just like that.

In addition, remember that until Kousei put in Sakurai, they were doing pretty much nothing. so seeing Suzuki collect a single through the 6-hole makes you wonder if they'll have anything for this game.

Touhou's 1st inning is rather uninspiring as they're routinely retired. But it's still early.

Fuijishima almost gets a clean inning, but walks Segawa on 4 straight, flipping the lineup over. After a wild pickoff move, and a wild pitch, Matsumoto is walked. Clearly Fujishima is laboring on the mound.

Koizumi blasts one to right, but perhaps the hamakaze knocks it down as Matsuyama makes the catch with room to spare.

Bottom 2nd, Touhou finally gets something brewing. Fujishima gets an infield hit that deflects off of Matsumoto. After another single and bunt, Suzuki decides to delve deeper into the lineup and walks Takagi with a base open.

But Rio instead makes him pay with a liner to right. The relay throw is not nearly in time and we're all tied at 1-1!

Seikou quick to reply as Takuto scorches a ball past a diving Konishi down the 3rd base line for a double. Kamakura then singles to center and Takuto is waved home. But Tanaka's throw and Rio's relay is just enough to get the out!  That kills the rally and leaves the game tied.

Touhou for their part is making better progress. Hamajima gets a one out single, and while he advances by stealing 2nd, He's stranded there.

However, Seikou is the one who strikes the scoreboard again, this in the 5th. Matsumoto reaches base for the 3rd time in as many ABs with a ball all the way to the padding in left. Suzuki has to chase it down after it ricochets, and Matsumoto is in with a triple. Koizumi hits a deep liner to right, Matsuyama makes the great catch, but Suzuki can walk home to make it 2-1.

They tack on another in the 6th when Kamakura's fly ball meekly drops in between Tanaka and Matsuyama. He reaches 2nd on the miscommunication. Nakaya lays down the bunt and beats out the throw to 1st.

When Nishikawa drives a double to right making it 3-1, that's it for Fujishima. He and Matsuyama switch places. He gives up one more run on Segawa's base hit, so Touhou is now chasing 3 at 4-1. It could have been more as Matsumto hit a hard grounder up the 3rd base side, but Konishi - already playing in - makes a great diving stop and catches Nishikawa in a rundown at home.

The complete lack of sleep last night is getting to me early, but in watching the game Touhou made one last good attempt in the 8th where they quickly scored a run, but couldn't go any further with runners at the corners and 1 out. But the margin of loss stays the same at 5-2.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 10, Game 4 - Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki) v Riseisha (Osaka)

Jyousou Gakuin will have their work cut out for them. By far.

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

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)
LF (13)Wakabayashi Shouhei (若林 将平)
RF Yamamoto Yuutaku (山本 侑度)
SS Wakabayashi Kenji (若林 健治)
P (10)Yamaguchi Yuujirou (山口 裕次郎)

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16:45 - First pitch

And yet, it's Jyousou Gakuin who gets the jump! Yamaguchi leaves one over for Arimura and he drives it to left center for a leadoff double! However, after a failed bunt and a groundout it looks like the runner might be stranded. Yet right after Hanawa walks, Shimizu hits the first pitch to right center splitting the defense! Both runners come around to score and it's a 2-0 Jyousou lead!!

On the other hand, while Fukuda gets on via a high chopper, and he winds up on 3rd with 2 out, Yasuda can't drive him in. It's still early though.

Uh oh. Ishikawa with a line single just off the glove of a leaping Wakabayashi. after a sac bunt Yamaguchi walks Kaito and that'll be enough. Ace Terashima comes in to try and salvage the situation.

Uh oh....

Arimura already with an extra base hit, decides to get one off of Terashima! He drives one to center, and Fukuda makes a quick retreat as he realizes it's over his head!! Both runners score and it's 4-0 Jyousou Gakuin!!

Make that 5-0! Suyama lines another one out of Wakabayashi's reach and Arimura can waltz home!!

Riseisha on the other side of the ledger right now, but it's still early.

And here they come!

Imachi leadoff single to right. 2 batters late Yamamoto singles through the 6-hole. Fielders choice at 3rd makes it 2 down, but that doesn't phase them. Terashima instead singles to center making it 5-1. Fukuda extends the inning with a single, but Kitano grounds out to 2nd. Still, it's 1 run back immediately.

Jyousou Gakuin knows it has to continue scoring - no lead is safe. And so Nakamura lines a ball out of the reach of Yoshikawa and down the right field line for a triple (just).

Ishikawa flies out to left, but not nearly enough to tag on... And Shouta grounds out to retire the side.

Shouta flirts with danger again in the 4th. One down against the bottom of the Riseisha lineup he gives up a walk and two singles to load the bases. Yet given a slider middle low, Fukuda skies it for the 2nd. Kitano their last chance to extend the inning, and he scorches one, but it's right at Hanawa who gets the force at 3rd for the 3rd out!!

Things are not getting better for Terashima. He leaves one over for Miyazato who pummels it to right center for a double.  Then on a bunt Terashima fires it high to 1st.  A wild pitch brings in Miyazato making it 6-1. They lay down another bunt, Imachi goes to 3rd, but they don't get Hanawa! He's safe!

Nakamura with a safety squeeze?! Hanawa doens't go home so all it does is advance the trailing runner.

But now Ishikawa squeezes! They have no play at home and it's 7-1! Is it officially time to panic?

Riseisha makes one last push before the break. 2 down, Imachi takes an outside fastball the other way deep to left! Ishikawa jumps, but the ball takes a big ricochet off the padding and back towards home! He's in with a triple!

Shouhei hits a grounder to 3rd, and it looks to be the end of the inning, except that Hanawa airmails the throw letting Imachi score to put the deficit back at 5. 7-2.

Riseisha claws another run back in the 6th when Terashima (yes, the last batter Terashima) doubles down the left field line. Jyousou Gakuin happy to take the 2 groundsouts it took to score the run. 7-3.

I made it to the end of the game but am too tired. Riseisha scores one more in 9th, but not nearly enough as Jyousou Gakuin is the one that advances to face Shuugakukan in the Best 8!

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 10, Game 3 - Naruto (Tokushima) v Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)

Interesting that both teams again go to their bench to start the game. Moriokadai Fuzoku gives the ball to it's 3rd different starter in #10 Inoue (though he did pitch to one batter last game). Kawano for Naruto gets a break after 2 straight games, with the ball handed off to #9 Yatake

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 (11)Nakayama Terukazu (中山 晶量)
P (9)Yatake Masaya (矢竹 将弥)
LF Watanabe Yuuya (渡辺 裕哉)
3B Takeishi Ren (武石 蓮)

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 Obara Taiga (小原 大河)
LF (16)Nishiyama Yuuki (西山 雄基)
SS (14)Higa Kenshin (比嘉 賢伸)
P (10)Inoue Ryouhei (井上 涼平)

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13:45 - First Pitch!

The bullpen starts are looking like both sides trying to save their main pitching staff. Inoue goes 2-2 or more against all the batters in the 1st, gives up a walk, but nothing else. Yatake gives up 3 singles, and despite a manrui situation, gets Itou to ground into the 5-3 double play.

It's probably going to be each team on the edge as they ride their Plan B/C options on the mound.

The game is in a constant state of alert as both sides try to ride out their starters as long as possible. This means that both sides are going to have opportunities.

For Naruto, Yatake's time on the mound lasts 2 innings. #12 Ozaki comes in for LF Watanabe to pitch. Yatake goes to his numbered position in RF, and Nakayama to LF.

Unfortunately Obara is hit in the face by a pitch. He has to be helped to the dugout and eventually would not return to the game. But the bottom of the lineup is unable to do anything after injury runner Itou is bunted to 2nd.

Meanwhile, Inoue continues to struggle, walking Takeishi to start the 3rd. He also walks Fuji with 2 down but fortunately it comes out to nothing.

That changes in the 4th. Lead off base hit to Sahara, and then Inoue leaves a ball middle out and Nakayama takes it up and over in left as Nishiyama crashes into the padding for a 2-run HR! 2-1.

I would have expected Inoue to leave the game, but he stays in... and that's a mistake.

He walks Yatake, and the Takeishi. Now back to the top of the lineup, he doesn't get in far enough on Hino and he fights an inside pitch to deep left and over Nishiyama's head for a bases clearing triple and a 4-1 lead. Inoue is finally replaced by #11 Miura, but it may be already too late.

Because on the first pitch Kamata sells out on the squeeze and lays it down successfully. 5-1. Looks like Naruto has played their bullpen to perfection so far.

And then the bottom of the 5th happened.

Nishiyama starts it off with a single to right. He's replaced on the basepaths by #7 Nozaka. Higa hits a ball right to Fuji, but he goes to 2nd and Hino is not on the bag! And no one's covering 1st! All safe!

After a bunt out by Miura, Ishibashi draws a walk to load the bases. That's when Sugiwara hits a base hit through the 6-hole for a 2-RBI double to make it 5-3.

After Ueda is almost hit in the head like his teammate Obara, Shiotani singles to left and that scores 2 to tie the game at 5-5! Itou can't keep it going, grounding into a double play, but we suddenly have a new ball game!

The game is back to it's starting state where each team is still on the edge.

And once again, it appears Moriokadai Fuzoku waits just a little too long...

Miura walks Kamata to start off the 7th. After a sac bunt, a wild pitch moves him to 3rd. Then he walks his 2nd batter of the inning in Tezuka.

Two down, and almost out of the mess Nakayama hits a base hit through the 6-hole and Naruto retakes the lead at 6-5!

Moriokadai Fuzoku tries to respond against ace Kawano who now enters the game to close it out. One down, Sugawara and Ueda both draw a walk. Shiota lines a ball over a leaping Hino, but that meant the runners had to hold until it left the infield, so it's manrui!

And yet Kawano goes and fools Itou on a slider, and on the very next pitch gets Nihashi to ground out to 1st to retire the side!

Once again, that spells the death knell for Moriokadai Fuzoku. Miura still in the game, 2 outs, Hino hits a HR to left center. After that the next 5 people reach safely, scoring 4 more runs and making removing all certainty yet again 11-5.

I was about to write how things would go once again unsurprisingly.

Though Moriokadai Fuzoku, in the manner that they have played this tournament, make one last, and eventual meaningful rally...

Leadoff double and then single by Sugawara and Ueda. Shiotani blasts a 3-run HR to left to make it 11-8. Still, they're 3 runs down.

After a strikeout, Nihashi hits a high fly to shallow left. Everyone converges, but no one gets it! Still, you're down 3...

Then a walk, and then another. Douten runner on base with 1 out, but even still I want to see one more run come in without an out.

And then another walk... 11-9. Douten runner on 2nd. 1 out...

OK. Now we're talking. Now a base hit can tie the game. And you're at the top of the lineup..

But as quickly as I begin the believe express, Ishibashi grounds into the 1-2-3 double play, and the game is over.

We saw it before with a team down 4 in the 9th, but 6 perhaps was a bridge too far... Hey, while I didn't believe until it basically ended, give the kids credit for making the comeback they did. We saw 2 teams basically give up and this team didn't. They still lost, but at least they showed fight.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 10, Game 2 - Shuugakukan (Kumamoto) v Inabe Sougou Gakuen (Mie)

Unfortunately, I was in a meeting when Shuugakukan was in play, so I can't really handicap this.

Shuugakukan (Kumamoto)

CF Harada Takumi (原田 拓実)

SS Matsuo Taiga (松尾 大河)

1B Kimoto Ryouga (木本 凌雅)

C Kuki Ryuuhei (九鬼 隆平)

LF Amamoto Kousuke (天本 昂佑)

3B Hirobe Shuuhei (廣部 就平)

2B Horie Kouhei (堀江 航平)

RF Kimura Yuuji (木村 勇次)

P (11) Taura Fumimaru (田浦 文丸)

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)

P Yamauchi Tomoki (山内 智貴)

1B Fukase Ryoutarou (深瀬 凌太郎)

3B (15) Itou Ryuunousuke (伊藤 竜之介)

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10:55 - First pitch!

From the get-go Shuugakukan seemed to have the advantage. Yamauchi would walk the leadoff batter, but that would be wiped out when Harada is thrown out stealing 2nd.

In the 2nd inning, Kuki's leadoff single this time is paid off. He steals 2nd, and 2 batters later Hirobe singles off a charging Itou and deflects towards center. 1-0.

That becomes 2-0 in the 3rd as Shuugakukan gets their 3rd leadoff batter on base in as many innings when Taura of all people doubles to left center. While he's thrown out on a failed bunt attempt, Kimoto hits a scorcher past a diving Itou down the 3rd base line for a double. In fact, it's not until the 4th that Yamauchi can retire the leadoff batter.

As for Inabe Sougou Gakuen, Taura was holding them off the basepaths. Wasn't pretty at times, but it was good enough to eventually induce weak outs.

That would change in the 4th though. First Matsuo somehow wiffs on a slow grounder up the middle. After being moved over on a hit-and-run attempt, Taura leaves a cement mixer in the middle of te plate and Kanda drives it to right center for an RBI double. The no-hitter and shutout are gone in one swing and it's game on at 2-1.

Taura would end up being relieved after he hits Fujii and #10 Nakai, not the ace, comes in.  He gets the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning and limit the damage.

Post-break the momentum seems to have shifted significantly to Inabe Sougou Gakuen. Bottom 6th, Itou lines a single to left. Kuki's throw to 1st on a sac bunt brings Kimoto off the bag, but Itou tries to press for 3rd, but is easily caught. That proves costly because despite a failed bunt, Kanda almost takes Nakai's head off as it sails into center. It might not have scored it the run, but it would have been manrui. Instead Fujii flies out to retire the side.

Meanwhile Inabe Sougou Gakuen goes to their bullpen. #11 Mizutani comes in for Itou to take the hill, but Yamauchi stays in to play 3B. He gives up a leadoff walk, but nothing else, allowing his team to get back on the sticks.

And in the lucky 7th Watanabe immediately puts Nakai under pressure with a double down the left field line. After a popup and an 1-0 count to Shuugakukan goes with #12 Kawabata. A strange decision mid-AB, but it works as he gets Yamauchi to chase a changeup down and away and then Fukase on a fastball inside!

Come to the 8th and Shuugakukan was pretty much scuffling. However, Matsuo starts off with a single to center. Kimoto hits a ball to short, but Morita fumbles it trying to turn the double play! However, Kuki's bunt is jumped on and Matsuo is thrown out at 3rd.

So Amamoto is swinging away and he lines a single to right! Kimoto comes in to score and Shuugakukan gets a key insurance run! 3-1!

They're threatening for more, and yet Mizutani, seemingly trying to keep his head above water strikes out both Hirobe and Miyahira to retire the side!

And yet, and yet! Inabe Sougou Gakuen continues to fight back! One down, and the top of the order. Okumura takes a curve back up the middle. Miyazaki hits a ball to the 6-hole and while Matsuo runs it down, his throw to 1st is nowhere near in time! And now Kanda lines a single to left! It's too hard to allow Okumura to score, but it's manrui!

Fujii up and he lines a ball to left center! New LF Hanjyou charging in, and he makes the catch! No tag up and there's 2 out!

Kawabata completes the Houdini act as Watanabe pops out to new 3B Matsunari right off the mound!

With that scoring chance gone begging, Inabe Sougou Gakuen collapses in 9th. A leadoff walk to Kimura, a sac bunt, and then a triple from Harada and doubles from Matsuo and Kuki all score a run to put the game out of reach 6-1.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 10, Game 1 - Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi) v Kadena (Okinawa)

Onto the best 16 now and first up are first timers Kadena and mainstays Meitoku Gijyuku. Once again Meitoku Gijyuku has been the benefactor of an easier schedule, so how will the first timers fare?

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 Nakano Yasutoshi (中野 恭聖)

Kadena (Okinawa)
CF Kouchi Ryousuke (幸地 諒承)
RF Nakaima Kousuke (仲井間 光亮)
1B Ooishi Tetta (大石 哲汰)
C Chibana Takuya (知花 拓哉)
3B Higa Hanamichi (比嘉 花道)
SS Kojya Takuma (古謝 巧真)
P Nakachi Kuore (仲地 玖礼)
LF Ooshiro Kento (大城 堅斗)
2B Aragaki Kazuya (新垣 和哉)

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08:02 - First Pitch!

Neither ace is looking particularly sharp to open affairs.

Nakachi gives up a hit and 2 walks to load the bases before getting out of the 1st inning. Nakano gives up 2 singles to put runners at the corners before Chibana grounds into a double play.

Both pitchers have no problems in the 2nd against the bottom of the lineups, but the second time through the top of the lineup is no better for Nakachi. Nishimura gets his 2nd hit in as many AB's, but after a wild pitch and tagup on a deep fly, Aragaki boots a routine grounder allowing Nishimura to score giving Meitoku Gijyuku the 1-0 lead.

Kadena trying to respond as Aragaki takes a leadoff walk. But after a sac bunt and strikeout things look bleak. But with two down and Chibana at bat, a ball gets away from Koga and Aragaki takes 3rd. The throw is high and goes into center, and Aragaki hesitates and then breaks for home. That little wait though costs him as Nishimura fires a ball home and nails him at the plate denying Kadena the run.

After that, Meitoku Gijyuku begins to put it on Kadena.

4th inning, Koga leads off with a single. After a sac bunt, its back-to-back hits which score 1, 2-0. Then 2 batters later Tachibana comes through with a base hit through the right side scoring 2 more, extending the lead to 4-0. Toss in one more in the 5th, when after losing their leadoff double by trying to extend it to a triple, back to back 2-out doubles by Koga and Ookita make it 5-0. That also knocks out ace Nakachi and probably Kadena at this point.

Yeah, the top of the 6th is a disaster as Kadena tries to find a pitcher that can get outs. Either way, there's a manrui HR by Nishiura that's completely unnecessary as they reach double digits in 10-0.

There really isn't much point in reporting the rest of the game as it's garbage time. Nakano should be relieved to save his arm. And he is in fact pinch hit for in the 7th.

There is garbage time runs that are scored, but the game still ends up in a comfortable 13-5 win, though I imagine that the bullpen for Meitoku Gijyuku might be shelved at this point.

98th Natsu Koushien - Day 9, Game 3 - Toyama Dai-ichi (Toyama) v Hiroshima Shinjyou (Hiroshima)

Lucky Toyama Dai-ichi who managed just 2 hits, but the win, will face off against a Hiroshima Shinjyou squad who came back in the 9th and won in extras. I'm not sure Toyama Dai-ichi can survive another game like that.

Toyama Dai-ichi (Toyama)
CF Houdatsu Hiroki (宝達 洋樹)
SS Sasaki Hiromi (佐々木 拓海)
2B Iwaki Shunki (岩城 竣貴)
C Hazama Yuuki (狭間 悠希)
3B Kawahara Taisei (河原 大成)
RF Yamashita Ryuuya (山下 瑠也)
1B Matsui Taiga (松井 大駆)
LF Taniguchi Taisei (谷口 大成)
P Nakatsuhara Genki (中津原 元輝)

Hiroshima Shinjyou (Hiroshima)
2B Sugimura Hiroyoshi (杉村 泰嘉)
SS Tanaka Ryouta (田中 亮太)
RF Kitatani Shougo (北谷 奨吾)
LF Toyooka Takato (豊岡 稜人)
3B (14)Tanaka Masanori (田中 政範)
1B (5)Furukawa Tomoki (古川 智也)
CF Kawauchi Kyouei (河内 恭英)
P Hori Mizuki (堀 瑞輝)
C Furumoto Kouki (古本 幸希)

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15:07 - First Pitch!

As expected Hiroshima Shinjyou is generating the opportunities early. Nakatsuhara gives up a leadoff single to Sugimura, then walks Ryouta. But after a sac bunt, they get an unfortunate break when Tomooka hits it right at Nakatsuhara who looks the runners back.

In the 2nd, it's Furukawa who gets the leadoff single. After a bunt and walk, Furumoto hits into the 5-4-3 double play to retire the side.

As for Toyama Dai-ichi, well, it's more of the same. 3 no-hit innings and counting...

Hiroshima Shinjyou finally gets on the board, but in a weird way. Sugimura gets a leadoff hit, and after a bunt and base hit by Kitatani, Tomooka hits a ball to 1st. Matsui gets the out at 1st and throws to 2nd. Kitatani runs back to stall and Toyama Dai-ichi actually ignores Sugimura and gets the 3rd out despite giving up the run. 1-0.

Toyama Dai-ichi beats their drought of a base hit when Houdatsu drives a ball to center just out of the reach of Kawauchi. After a sac bunt, Iwaki hits a grounder to short, but when Ryouta double clutches, he goes to 1st conceding the run. 1-1.

Hiroshima Shinjyou gets one more crack at a run when Sugimura singles to lead off the 5th, but after a bunt, Kitatani can't get the bat off his shoulder and Toyooka grounds out. Toyama Dai-ichi goes back to their feckless selves.

Toyama Dai-ichi does get a leadoff hit for Mori to start the post-break action, but after a failed bunt attempt, they do it again - and with 2 outs, Iwaki's prospects are poor and he actually fouls out to Furumoto on the back netting.

Hiroshima Shinjyou also seemingly on the offensive post-break. Masanori singles to start the inning. After a sac bunt and a walk, Hori hits a grounder to 2nd, but Iwaki fumbles on the ball trying to tag the runner and everyone's safe.  That error would prove costly as Furumoto would hit a ball off the padding in center. It would score two to make it 3-1, but the 3rd stopped at 3rd and then tried coming home, and it was just a mess for the 2nd out.

Next pitch, the TOOTBLAN is complete as Furumoto is picked off 2nd right on the leg.

Eventually Toyama Dai-ichi would collapse in the 8th for 4 more runs to solidify the result. Hiroshima Shinjyou advances 7-1.

There really isn't much to see here. Toyama Dai-ichi got fortunate once, but not twice as they fall in the 2nd round.

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.