One Out, no one on base.
"Fifth Batter, first baseman, Matsumoto-kun."
Right now, it was Matsumoto Kengen's turn at bat, he was the older brother of Sawamura's middle school teammate Matsumoto Jun.
Matsumoto Kengen is also extremely talented in hitting. Back in Nagano, there were only two Batters who made Sawamura feel threatened.
One is Nanami Haruka, and the other is Matsumoto Kengen.
He averaged a whopping 7.4 points per game in games prior to this game in Koshien.
Such attack power is also very rare in Koshien. Among the fourth, fifth, and sixth batters in the core line alone scored an average of 5.3 points per game overall.
The rest six batters averaged just over two points.
'This is also a Batter not to be underestimated!'
Chris thought and gave Tanpa a sign.
On the mound, Tanpa nodded affirmatively and threw the ball.
Whoosh!
The small white ball is extremely sharp and flew to the inner corner.
Chris, who was in the catcher position, didn't look very good.
'There again, a sweet ball for a ball control error. Although this Pitch was not extremely sweet, compared to Tanpa's average level, this Pitch was obviously a mistake.'
If there is any problem with the current Tanpa, That is the sweet Straight ball that pops up from time to time.
On the strike zone, Matsumoto's face brightened.
'Finally after the wait, a sweet Straight ball.'
Ping!
After the small white ball was hit, it landed in the gap guarded by Seidou High School.
Matsumoto ran to first base immediately.
"Safe!"
Matsumoto breathed a sigh of relief until he was safely on the base.
'So close!'
If he moved a little slower, he might have been blocked by the ball returned by Seidou High School.
The opponent's movements were too fast, which was terrifyingly fast.
'And although the ball is easy to hit, its power is good, and there is no way to force it out.'
One Out, there's a runner at first base!
In the dugout of Hoshiryu High School, Hosho Ryuki decisively gave the players a sign on the field.
'Matsumoto will steal a base on the first pitch. If the opportunity is right, Okuchi will cooperate with the hit-and-run. If the opportunity is not right, let Matsumoto steal bases by himself.'
"We must shake the defense of Seidou High School to the greatest extent possible!"
After seeing Matsumoto go to base, Hosho Ryuki breathed a sigh of relief.
Before watching Tanpa Koichiro pitching, he thought Tanpa Koichiro was a pitcher no less than Sawamura Eijun.
If that was the case, they wouldn't have to mess around.
Now seeing that Tanpa is not much different from what is shown in the data. (Although the players have not trained or had a strategy against Tanpa Koichiro, Hosho Ryuki has collected information on Tanpa Koichiro.)
The strategy to deal with him like this is obvious!
According to the data collected by Hosho Ryuki before, Tanpa has two major weaknesses.
The first is that once someone hits the base, it's easier for him to lose his calm. The second is that he often throws some sweet straight Pitches.
Against this pitcher, the strategy is extremely simple.
'Aim for those Straight balls that are easy to hit, and aggressively steal bases as soon as someone hits the base.'
"I believe that in this way, it will be a matter of time to conquer the opponent."
"Sixth Batter, catcher, Hosho-kun."
After Hosho stood on the strike zone, Chris keenly discovered that Matsumoto, who was at first base, was not standing still.
'He was about to move, ready to steal bases.'
This was also discovered by Tanpa on the mound. But he's a right-handed, with his back to first base when he's ready to pitch. It is not easy to pin down Matsumoto with his look.
"Damn!"
Seeing Matsumoto leave the first base, further and further away.
Tanpa directly threw a pinning ball at the runner.
SNAP!
Matsumoto returned to first base the moment Tanpa threw the ball.
Right now, Matsumoto also broke out in a cold sweat.
Tanpa is even better than he expected.
'Even the skill involved is scary!'
The small white ball appeared in the Mitt of the first baseman almost instantly. If his reaction was a little slower, he would probably have been solved Out by a direct touch.
The game continued, but Matsumoto was standing still and did not dare to continue stealing bases.
Tanpa glared at him viciously from the corner of his eyes, then looked away, ready to throw the ball.
Just before Tanpa was about to open his stance, Matsumoto moved!
In a few steps, he crossed the place where he had planned to steal the base.
Even if Tanpa wanted to turn around to stop it right now, it was too late, he had already made his stride.
Chris saw this and showed nothing.
Tanpa is not Sawamura Eijun, and if he temporarily changes the direction of the pitch, it is very likely that there will be an unexpected wide.
At this point Chris can only wait, waiting for the baseball to fly into his Mitt.
Whoosh!
The small white ball was like a quick ray of light, instantly appearing in Chris's Mitt.
Hosho on the strike zone did not swing the bat against this tricky ball.
SNAP!
The baseball landed precisely in Chris' Mitt.
While catching the ball, Chris was already half-standing up. By the time Mitt caught the ball, he was fully on his feet.
Then without any hesitation, he took the ball out of his Mitt and passed it to second base.
"Hyaa-ha-haa!"
Shortstop Kuramochi ran to second base in advance to cover and caught the ball firmly.
SNAP!
Matsumoto, who seized the opportunity and rushed ahead, also happened to reach second base.
"OUT!"
Matsumoto was directly solved Out by Kuramochi.
"Yes, Yes! Thank you very much for your hard work!" Kuramochi smiled wickedly.
Matsumoto ignored him but looked at the catcher's position.
There was no problem with his start just now. Although Tanpa blocked it for a moment before, on the whole, he should have a chance to steal the base.
But Kuramochi touched him Out, and it was very easy.
"The speed of the opponent's restraint is too fast!"
Previously overshadowed by the talent of Maou Sawamura Eijun, the performance of Chris as a catcher can only be regarded as remarkable in the eyes of ordinary people.
Now it seems that they have misunderstood.
The handsome catcher just didn't have the opportunity to show his skills before.
When there is really a chance to show his strength. Chris's level is not bad at all, and it can even be said that he is clever and scary.
Famous School!
'Is the catchers in Famous High School that strong?'
'No, not possible.'
Not to mention that there are two Famous Schools in the Nagano region itself, even after Hoshiryu High School entered Koshien, Seidou was not the only Famous School encountered.
The main catchers of other giants obviously do not have such strength.
"What scary fellows!"
Matsumoto's failure to steal bases this time was a huge blow to Hoshiryu.
There are several good speed players in their team, which was originally one of the trump cards they prepared.
Now it seems that the threat of this trump card to Seidou High School may be far less than they thought before.
...