After his parents and brother go back, Mio contemplate seido's match throughout the tournament. If he's got warded for at least two weeks then he can't join the team facing Akikawa. Akikawa where's You Shunshin at. There's nothing he can do, considering Seido strength they'll be fine. He need to focus on his own recuperation before going back.
***
Top of the eight inning, this is the fourth showdown between Tanba and Raichi. Raichi laughed maniacally, showing that he will hit whatever pitch Tanba throw meanwhile Tanba glare viciously towards him. Did they take him for a pushover? Seido will not give it a damn. Tanba throw and Raichi connected it. Seeing this Miyuki stand up, the ball landed perfectly past third base. the audience cheers and some of them groans. One out runner on first. Yakushi need a runner on the scoring position to get the same score and extend the match to an extra inning. 5-4. There's some movement on the Seido's dugout , the coach signaled for a pitcher change.
'PITCHER CHANGE! COMING FOR TANBA-KUN IS SAWAMURA-KUN'
Seeing the coach decisiveness, whispers and questions pouring out like a water.
'Sawamura you know our situation right? '
'I understand Chris-senpai'
'Go, Miyuki will lead you'
Tanba was disappointed but he know, the coach subbing him out because his pitch count is reaching the limit. He tap sawamura shoulder and head to the dugout. Seeing Tanba tall back shouldering the burden with compose, Sawamura clenched his fist. He need to do something for his team, Furuya and Mio also help the team in a different way. He will prove it. Sawamura take a deep breath and doing his usual routine, the catchphrase. Miyuki smile seeing Sawamura on his usual self so he squatted down, ready for the match to resume. Kuramochi and Jun grumbles saying that if sawamura messed up they will smack him. Seido look relax considering their situation but it's not different with Yakushi.
'Sanada can you do it? '
'Of course coach, his fastball is hittable '
Sawamura start with Sanada, the fifth batter.
'!!'
'STRIKE! '
Sanada's pupil shook, his form is weird? You can't see his release point until the ball is in front of you. Sanada adjust his grip. Seeing this, miyuki smirk. They need to take precautions about Sawamura's pitch. He's annoying to be deal off and most importantly his pitch is disgusting.
*sign*
Sawamura is taken back but he smile after. An outside pitch! He grinned. Seeing the ball come straight to him Sanada swing his bat but suddenly the ball move. He jammed the ball, shortstop kuramochi take a fast action and throw the ball towards second base.
'OUT! CHANGE'
Raichi run towards second base but got caught by the combination of Kuramochi and Ryousuke.
'woah! he did it!'
'They have a scary impregnable keystone duo! '
Kuramochi and Ryousuke high five with each other. They head back to the dugout to switch gears. Seido is on the offense!
Offense was start with kuramochi as the lead off. After a few showdown with Sanada, Kuramochi can roughly guess his pitch still it's no use tho. His pitch was disgustingly hard to hit combine with the catcher game calling, Sanada was an opponent to be feared.
'Like hell I will give up though'
Kuramochi try to hit it long but he jammed it. One out and Ryousuke is up. Ryousuke fouled a few pitches causing his actions got on Sanada's nerves, maybe it was a blessing in disguise that the ball is slightly off so Ryousuke take this chance. Seido's dugout cheers on him when he look there and he bump his fist. Ryousuke readied himself but the announcement flabbergast him.
'PINCH HITTER, KOMINATO-KUN'
'??'
'Kominato? isn't there's Kominato on the field?'
'I think it's the younger one'
'You mean that persistent batter's younger brother'
*nodded *
Haruichi look antsy coming in as Jun pinch hitter but he recall Jun encouraging words instead.
'Go, no need to be nervous. The coach know the best about our ability besides I'm not that petty. Ah! since you practice so hard for this team show us, show us your worth why you are here instead of the other senpai'
'..'
'Can you do it mini Kominato? '
'yes!'
The senpais smile kindly. Haruichi even more determined than usual, looking back he was disheartened that he can't play on the field. The only way to kill that frustration was to practice more, more than other. He was envious because the other freshman on the regular got to play but then there's someone who gave him an advice.
'Haruichi? You're still practicing?'
'umm.. '
'Come on, you need to rest. Rest is part of our practice you know that right?'
*nodded*
'Then let's go'
'But..'
'Hey your time will come, just do what you're doing right now and believe me your hard work will not betray you'
Late at night he encounter Mio. He gave out an advice and kindly settled his frustration and thanks to him, he was doing it right.