The action on the field was so fast-paced that even the spectators felt a whirlwind of dizziness. It was as if a single blink could mean missing the most thrilling moment of the game.
First of all, Nanami Haruka threw a Strike after restraining Kuramochi.
During his pitches, Kuramochi didn't find a chance to steal bases.
This is equivalent to Nanami Haruka holding Kuramochi and pinning him firmly at the first base. It's easy to say, but it's really not easy to do. A pitcher must have the ability to throw the ball fast enough to get the ball out of his hand before the runner can react, and to make sure he can throw the ball well to the zone.
Previously, Sawamura Eijun achieved this feat. It is challenging for others to justify such rapid pitching techniques.
Nanami Haruka is the second one.
Kominato Ryosuke, with his keen awareness in the strike zone, quickly realized that Kuramochi would have difficulty stealing bases due to Nanami's attentive defense. Shifting tactics, he decided to forgo his original plan of supporting Kuramochi's base-stealing attempts and instead opted for a hit-and-run strategy.
He wants to make sure the hit is a grounder, not a fly high.
And he made it!
Moreover, he hit the ball precisely in front of the shortstop, which is especially important!
In this way, Oda Honjo, a shortstop, cannot go to the second base to cover base, and can only run forward to catch the ball.
While Oda was catching the ball, Kuramochi went full throttle and ran to second base.
After Oda caught the ball, he lost the chance to block Kuramochi!
So he could only open his stance, pass the ball to first base, and block Kominato Ryosuke, the batter/runner.
Should the matter conclude at this juncture, the current results would be deemed at best a partial win, with both parties regarded in a tie.
And just when Hoshiryu High School accepted this reality, Kuramochi, who had just reached second base, suddenly moved.
He ran to the third base like crazy!
It wasn't until this time that Hosho, the catcher, realized something was wrong.
Kuramochi steal was evidently premeditated, and not a spur-of-the-moment decision. The rapid execution of the act suggests it was not made arbitrary.
'Thinking further, Looks like that Kominato Ryosuke's hit directly in front of the shortstop was intentional, and they had already made this plan.'
In fact, Hosho Okuchi really guessed right.
In previous games, Seidou High School had a similar experience. After that, Coach Kataoka, who had tasted the sweetness of the results, immediately practiced this as a tactic.
Indeed, this strategy demands significant individual skill. Presently, within the Seidou lineup, only the pairing of the first and second batters possesses the capability to execute it effectively.
Now Kuramochi and Kominato Ryosuke are showing off their practice results.
Kominato Ryosuke skillfully struck the ball, sending it directly in front of the shortstop and just off third base, creating the longest possible throw for the shortstop to make it to first base, and at the most challenging angle.
And the first baseman catches the ball with a wide stride, and it is difficult to change his posture immediately after catching the ball and passing the third base.
Everything seemed to be a matter of course. After Oda Honjo passed the ball, everything was doomed.
"OUT!"
"Safe!"
Kominato Ryosuke was Out from the play.
Kuramochi went from first base to third base.
"Oh my, what did I see?"
"This base run is crazy!"
"Damn! Seidou is so Strong!"
"A human Cheetah!"
"Right!"
***
In the stands, as well as in front of televisions and network media Nationwide, a countless number of spectators applauded Seidou High School's remarkable performance.
The visual impact of their display rivaled that of a home run, captivating the audience with its intensity.
In the corner of the stand, an unshaven middle-aged man smiled slightly.
"The level of this game is obviously higher than the level of high school!"
Yeah, it's a game beyond the high school level.
It's just that not many people see this now.
"Kuramochi!"
"Kuramochi!!"
"Seidou!"
"Seidou!!"
Following the famed five stars of Seidou, Seidou High School is witnessing the ascent of another star player.
While his renown may not yet match that of the preceding five stars, Kuramochi-kun is carving out his own legacy as one of the nation's elite high school players, and now officially stepping into the spotlight.
Although Koshien is the dream place of all high school students, many players even regard Koshien as a ladder to advance to the profession.
But if you want to advance to the profession, it doesn't mean that you just get into Koshien.
Imagine playing a game at Koshien and being defeated without any chance to fight back. Under such circumstances, is it still possible to be favored by professional teams?
So, if you want to advance to a career, you also have to perform in Koshien, attract the attention of professional baseball scouts, and preferably make a name for yourself in front of all the audiences in the country.
This can be the ladder for you to advance in your career.
Now, Yoichi Kuramochi has done it!
Even if he never got the chance to play in Koshien again in his high school career. Just the performance he has accumulated so far is enough for him to enter the draft.
One Out, runner at third base!
"Third batter, outfielder, Sawamura-kun."
With someone at third base, Sawamura Eijun stepped into the strike zone.
The bat in his hand was held high, and it looked like he was going to face off against Nanami Haruka.
Hosho, who was in the position of the catcher, finally calmed down after the initial shock.
Right now, he also realized that losing a point was almost inevitable.
Unless they can forget their pride and walk Sawamura and Yuuki, it is difficult to guarantee not to lose points.
And even if they walked Sawamura and Yuuki, facing Isashiki Jun who hit an unexpected hit before, they didn't have the confidence to win.
In this situation, it is more appropriate to throw the ball with the mindset of dropping a Run.
'Don't worry about the bunt, just fight with Sawamura as normal.'
Facing the sign given by Hosho, Nanami also nodded.
The more familiar Sawamura Eijun is, the more he understands how terrible Sawamura's bunts are.
Hosho was once Sawamura Eijun's partner in middle school, and Nanami Haruka was Sawamura Eijun's biggest rival in the Nagano region in middle school.
They all knew Sawamura's strength so well that they completely gave up the bunt against Sawamura.
And now, in the rest area of Seidou High School, Coach Kataoka also gave a sign.
'On the first ball, use the forced score!'
Sawamura bunts when Nanami throws the ball, and Kuramochi runs directly.
Whoosh!
The small white balls flew like a shooting star.
On the strike zone, Sawamura, who had been making a normal stance, suddenly changed to bunts.
Ping!
The white ball was knocked forward.
Kuramochi successfully returned to home plate and helped Seidou High School score the second point.
The ball that was knocked out by Sawamura rolled onto the center of the mound and third bases without any deviation. The speed of the rolling ball is neither fast nor slow, whether it is the catcher chasing it, the third baseman catching it up, or the pitcher receiving it, the distance is almost the same.
A Fabulous Bunt!
In the press box, Fujio said with a smile on his face. "This superb bunt is completely wasted in the hand of Sawamura-kun."
"How so?"
"A 100% bunt success rate could make a miracle player in the hand of a fast runner. However, for Sawamura, it's only useful when such tactics are necessary."
…
T/N: This Volume is Completed on Pater0n!
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There are +100 Chapters there.
Thank you all for reading!! And I hope you all have a nice day!