"Hyaa-ha-haa!"
When Kuramochi Yoichi stepped onto first base, the crowd went wild.
"THIS IS IT!!"
"OOOOOH!!"
"RIGHT FROM THE START!!"
"AWESOME!!"
"KURAMOCHIII!!!"
"CHEETAAAH!!!"
As expected, their instincts were correct. Today's game was not going to be a pitching duel but a crazy offensive battle.
Inajitsu scored right from the start.
Soon after, the players of Seidou High School responded fiercely. The man known as the offensive engine of Seidou High School successfully reached base.
'This is bad!'
Unlike the eager audience, Tadano's brows were furrowed with concern from his position as catcher.
"The most dangerous man has made it on base!"
With no Outs, Kuramochi Yoichi was on the base.
In this situation, even if Narumiya Mei took the mound, it would be tough to avoid giving up runs, right?
"SEIDOU!!"
"SEIDOU!!!"
"KING SEIDOU!!!!"
The Seidou High School supporters waved everything they could and cheered in unison for their team.
Compared to the makeshift cheer squad of Inajitsu, Seidou's fan base was far more professional.
Their voices united with a powerful rhythm.
That rhythm hit Tadano's heart like a hammer, making him acutely aware of the danger in front of him.
But he felt helpless.
'No, I can't just give up. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, before Mei-san returns to the mound, I must hold the score. At the very least, I can't let it expand uncontrollably.'
Once a person makes up their mind, their fighting spirit can be terrifying.
Tadano activated every cell in his body, keeping an eye on the batter, Haruichi Kominato, while also focusing on Kuramochi on the bases.
'He is Distracted!'
The opponent's performance didn't escape Kominato Haruichi's Devilish eyes.
On the surface, he appeared to be the polite neighbor's kid, but his true nature was anything but.
Especially when standing in the Batter's Box, his threat level was no less than his brother, the legendary Kominato Ryosuke.
He was a batter with a keen sense of opportunity.
He would never miss a chance.
With his bat raised high, Kominato's eyes were fixed like a predator ready to strike.
With such an opponent in the Batter's Box and Kuramochi on base, Tadano felt the pressure mount.
Hirano, who was preparing to pitch, was also feeling the strain.
At first base, Kuramochi was annoying.
He was close to first base but not too close.
This was clearly not a bluff; given Kuramochi's reflexes and speed, he could easily create more distance if he wanted to.
Instead, he stayed just three or four meters away from the base.
At this distance, he could easily dodge a pick-off throw and also steal second base with agility.
From a pitcher's perspective, Kuramochi at this position was nearly impossible to stop.
Throw a pick-off?
MUDA!! (Useless!)
Without a pick-off throw, would the opponent definitely steal the base?
What to do?
A flustered Hirano turned his hopeful gaze to Tadano behind the plate.
Tadano, however, remained calm.
'Focus on the batter; I'll handle the runner!'
In this moment, Tadano showed the spirit of a main catcher.
In winter practice, they simulated plays against Kuramochi to practice stopping him.
Their success rate should be high!
This training gave Tadano great confidence.
He believed he could definitely handle Kuramochi, signaling Hirano to pitch.
Whoosh!
Hirano obeyed, throwing the ball without hesitation.
"This idiot!"
In the outfield, Narumiya's face was almost twisted in frustration.
He always knew that Tadano hated being just a target for the ball.
'But he had to be aware of the situation.'
A Caught Stealing wasn't something the catcher could do alone.
Kuramochi's average speed from first to second base was 2.91 seconds.
It wasn't that Tadano couldn't stop him.
But that was under Narumiya's pitching; not everyone had Narumiya's ball velocity, rhythm, and accuracy.
At least Hirano didn't.
Though the difference might be minimal—just 0.1 to 0.2 seconds—baseball was a game where even slight discrepancies could be decisive.
Facts proved that Narumiya's concerns were entirely justified.
Before the baseball reached second base, Kuramochi had already stepped on the bag.
"SAFE!!!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Koshien was a magical place; a single brilliant play could send fans into a frenzy.
For the players, this was an immense thrill.
Kuramochi felt like the biggest star on the field.
"YEAH!!"
"USE THOSE LEGS!!!!"
"CHEETAAAAH!!!!!!!!"
"SO COOL!!!"
In the Batter's Box, Kominato remained unfazed.
He had planned to swing at the next pitch, but a signal from the dugout came just then.
'Bunt and Walk him to the next base!'
At that moment, Coach Kataoka signaled for a bunt.
Simultaneously, Kuramochi received a signal as well.
'Don't stop, keep running.'
This was a coordinated move.
'Aren't I supposed to use my own batting style?'
Kominato felt a bit dissatisfied with Coach Kataoka's suggestion.
But orders were orders; no matter how displeased, he had to obey.
Paak!
Kominato executed a bunt.
Kuramochi took off a step early.
"Whoa!"
With no Outs and a runner on second, the Inajitsu players had expected Seidou to play it normally.
They never anticipated this aggressive approach.
Seidou's tactics were straightforward and daring.
As the white ball landed in the first baseman's mitt, the referee at first base signaled the Out.
"OUT!"
Kominato Haruichi was undoubtedly Out.
The players from Inajitsu High School initially believed that the matter had been settled.
Little did they know that a greater crisis was looming.
Kuramochi easily reached third base as Shirakawa, receiving the ball, reluctantly prepared to throw to first!
He, who had just rounded third base, sprinted toward home plate with incredible speed!!
Seidou went all in with a risky strategy.
Just as he moved, Kuramochi dashed past third base, heading straight for home plate!
"PASS HOME PLATE!"
At that moment, Kuramochi was no longer just accelerating; his speed had skyrocketed.
Kuramochi Yoichi's legs moved in a blur, resembling a hunting cheetah.
Every hair on Tadano's body stood on end as he shouted in alarm.
"Humph!"
Yamaoka huffed heavily, his nostrils flaring.
His eyes glowed a furious red as if he was going to punch someone.
Whoosh!
The white ball zipped back to home plate like a speeding arrow.
"WOAH!"
"SO FAST!"
From Shirakawa to first base, then from first base to home plate, the entire process was surprisingly intricate.
The baseball flew around the diamond, taking more than a second to travel.
Adding in the time for the two players to pass the ball and for Tadano to catch it, they still managed to throw it to Tadano's mitt just before Kuramochi reached home.
In that moment, the power of elite schools was undeniably evident.
At the on-deck circle, Sawamura widened his eyes in astonishment.
'Are these guys for real?'
Even in the Major League, such reaction time would be impressive.
And considering they were just sixteen- or seventeen-year-old high school students, their skill was incredible.
Kunitomo—Inajitsu's Coach—may not be the same type as Coach Kataoka, but his ability to train players in defense was exceptional.
Under his guidance, the already talented players from Inajitsu High had made remarkable improvements.
Of course, Seidou High's top agile player, Kuramochi, was not to be underestimated.
Just as Tadano caught the ball, Kuramochi dove and slid to the plate.
His quick response caught Tadano off guard.
"SAFE!!!!"
After a speed battle, Kuramochi Yoichi managed to score.
Inajitsu High School had taken a one-point lead, but just minutes later, Seidou High School had tied the game.
"That speed is incredible!"
"It feels even faster than that Inajitsu starter just now!"
In the outfield of Inajitsu High School, Carlos frowned in irritation.
"Tsk! It is obvious that I am faster!!"
The intense competition continued.
The score was now tied at 1:1.
Now it was Seidou High School's turn to bat, with the third batter, Sawamura Eijun, stepping up to the Box.
'No gaps!'
Sawamura scrutinized the gap between the fielders and had to admit, in today's game, Seidou High School didn't seem to have any special advantage over their opponents.
They could only pin their hopes on Furuya, hoping he wouldn't crumble too soon.
To stop Inajitsu High School, Furuya's strength was essential.
Otherwise, relying solely on Nori-senpai would be difficult.
It wasn't that Nori-senpai lacked skill; rather, his style was perfectly countered by Inajitsu's batters.
Inajitsu had so many star players that there was no weak link in the lineup for them.
In other words, no matter where the ball was pitched, they could hit it.
This was fatal for Nori-senpai.
While he could manage a few innings in relief, relying on him for a full game would be risky.
'The safest strategy was to widen the gap while Hirano-san was on the mound and Furuya was still in the game.'
Resolved, Sawamura raised his bat high.
As for Hirano, Seidou High didn't have much information on him.
So far, they only knew the types of pitches he favored. They knew nothing of his characteristics or habits.
Sawamura wasn't sure if Hirano would confront him directly.
Perhaps he was a calculative type of pitcher.
'If that were the case, it could spell trouble.'
Fortunately, Hirano wasn't entirely that type of pitcher. He still took pride in being a pitcher.
Even when facing Sawamura, he chose to confront him head-on.
Whoosh!
The white ball zipped toward the inner corner.
Sawamura, initially in a scarecrow stance, stepped forward as the ball approached.
'A breaking ball!'
It wasn't a terrifying pitch, and Sawamura felt confident.
Hirano had consistently used fastballs and had never thrown a breaking ball on the first pitch.
Now, he started with a breaking ball against Sawamura.
None of this was in Sawamura's game plan.
But even if it wasn't expected, it didn't stop him from swinging.
'A weak breaking ball to the Inside corner!'
For Sawamura, there was nothing more delightful than the pitch coming toward him.
Perfect!
He watched intently as the white ball neared.
The ball didn't come straight; instead, it slid inward, veering away from the strike zone.
'A Ball!'
Despite this, Sawamura didn't let it go. He adjusted his body, opening his stance.
'What a wide swing!'
Tadano, the catcher, nearly had his eyes pop out.
Sawamura twisted his body into an awkward position, making it hard to imagine how he would hit the ball.
Yet he did just that, executing it flawlessly.
PANG!!
The white ball connected solidly and flew away.
The baseball soared and eventually sailed over the left-field fence.
PAK!
The baseball landed heavily in the stands.
Sawamura raised one hand, forming a fist.
Home run!
In this year's Koshien, he hadn't hit many home runs.
'But after this game, catching up to Raichi should be no problem, right?'
-One more Chapter is on the way!-
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