The total score has changed to 4:0, and with Sawamura hitting this home run, Seidou's victory seems undeniable.
The only regret is that Sankou hasn't given up resisting. Even after being hit by a home run for the second time, Amahisa still wears an expression of unwillingness to take it down.
This is the nature of a player!
No matter how unfavorable the situation is, it cannot shake the pitcher's confidence.
From this perspective, Amahisa is already a very qualified Ace.
Even Coach Kataoka of Seidou praises Amahisa's performance.
'Kataoka-san seems to really appreciate the opposing Ace pitcher,' Coach Ochiai remarked, stroking his chin beard.
When it comes to pitching talent, Seidou has Sawamura, the legendary Ace, and the super prodigy, Furuya, both of whom are definitely not inferior to Amahisa.
Even by current strength standards, Sawamura is at least a level above Amahisa.
It seems that no matter how talented Amahisa is, there's no need for Coach Kataoka to appreciate him so much.
But looking at Coach Kataoka's expression, it's clear that's not the case.
Even through his sunglasses, the admiration in Coach Kataoka's eyes is unmistakable.
Coach Kataoka nodded, saying nothing.
A natural Ace pitcher not only requires superb skills but also needs excellent psychological quality. Sawamura has such exceptional skills that he has barely faced a real desperate situation since debuting.
No matter how tough the circumstances, as long as Sawamura is on the field, the team has hope for a comeback. So he's never had the chance to showcase this side of him even though he was ABSOLUTELY SURE that Sawamura had it in him.
Kataoka's trust in his Ace is that high!
Furuya is also fearless!
But his fearless spirit comes more from his character flaws. Furuya is too self-centered, which prevents him from ever admitting defeat…
In contrast, Kousei's fighting spirit—fighting to the death even when he knows he's lost—truly earns Kataoka's respect.
Even after being hit twice, he still wears a smile on his face.
This is a rare trait, one that Kataoka highly values.
'No matter the game situation, he pitches aggressively and enjoys the process,' he noted.
It's as if he's a child just playing baseball.
Given the pitching and skills Amahisa has shown, he clearly isn't just a beginner, making his ability to maintain this performance all the more commendable.
'This player is born to be a pitcher!'
Coach Kataoka looks at Amahisa Kousei on the mound, and memories of his last group of students flood his mind.
The boy was named Tanba Koichiro.
When it comes to pitching talent, Tanba Koichiro isn't bad at all. If his character were a bit stronger, he could have reached this level nationally, even if he didn't make it to the top.
'What a pity…'
In developing an Ace pitcher, skill cultivation is essential, but character development is also a top priority.
The game continues. After Sawamura hits a home run, the situation on the field changes to no outs and no one on base.
Miyuki steps into the Batter's Box, full of energy. He is certainly motivated; this is a prime opportunity to strike down his opponent.
'No matter how calm Amahisa appears, having just given up a home run, he must be anxious to regain his form.'
'Thus, he can only choose between two types of pitches: a sharp fastball or the Slider he's best at.'
'As for the newly honed vertical Slider, now used as his winning shot, Amahisa is 100% unlikely to use it right now.'
Why?
It's simple: the last pitch hit for a home run was his vertical Slider.
A pitch that has just been hit for a home run, even if the pitcher is tough, he will not want to throw it again. The catcher will never allow it either.
'Bring it!'
Miyuki, having calculated everything, stands close to the inner corner of the strike zone from the very start.
He completely blocks Amahisa's space to throw the Slider.
This approach naturally frustrates both Takami and Kousei.
'That guy!!!'
Looking intently at the strike zone, Miyuki seems to be deliberately provoking him. Takami's heart fills with unease.
Now he's also in a dilemma.
Originally wanting to use Kousei's best Slider, it now seems impossible.
'No!'
'I shouldn't think that way.'
Like a wake-up call, a thought suddenly pops into Takami's mind.
'The opponent is deliberately blocking Kousei's Slider space, but conversely, once he throws the Slider…'
'Miyuki should also be helpless, right?'
With this thought, Takami looks up at Kousei on the mound.
Amahisa clearly thinks the same way. Seeing Takami's signal, he nods without hesitation.
The more the opponent believes he can't throw the Slider now, the more he has to try it.
Amahisa Kousei is that stubborn.
After receiving the signal, there's almost no pause as he throws the ball.
Whrroosh!
The small ball seems to be flying directly towards Miyuki.
Miyuki, standing in the Batter's Box, watches the ball approach without any panic.
He calmly turns his body sideways and slides his feet naturally a step.
He's created a space of over ten centimeters from where he was standing tight to the inner corner.
Amahisa's Slider doesn't seem to be able to reach Miyuki either.
Thinking Miyuki is frightened and backed away, Takami feels a flash of joy in his heart.
'If Miyuki voluntarily retreated, then their next pitch should be easier.'
But this momentary joy hasn't settled in his heart before the situation changes again.
It seems Miyuki's retreat isn't a spontaneous impulse or a scared response.
He has a plan.
To put it bluntly, he's intentionally pulling back to lure Sankou's pitcher and catcher into throwing the pitch he wants.
The opponent seems to be acting out the script Miyuki set, fitting perfectly without any deviation.
He throws exactly the pitch Miyuki guessed.
'Yay!'
Even the calm Miyuki can't maintain his composure.
He's overjoyed!
And he doesn't hide his excitement at all.
Ping!
The Slider that was perfectly timed is hit directly.
After the baseball is struck, it draws a perfect arc and lands between the two outfielders.
Miyuki discards the bat and dashes to second base without stopping.
The situation shifts to no Outs and a runner on second base.
The supporters of Seidou watching this scene feel their blood surging.
"SEIDOU!"
"KING SEIDOU!!!"
"SEIDOU!!"
"MIYUKI!!"
"CAPTAIN!"
"MIYUKI!!!"
They excitedly call out Seidou and Miyuki's names. Based on Seidou's characteristics, additional points this time seem like a sure thing.
Don't underestimate this extra run…
We're now in the sixth inning, and the lineup is moving quickly.
If Seidou can score additional runs now, they may even have a chance to end the game early in the seventh inning.
If it were a typical opponent, even if Seidou finished early, it wouldn't seem worth celebrating.
The strength difference is just too great!
The two teams aren't even in the same league; it's like a twenty- or thirty-year-old adult bullying a five-year-old child. Winning like that is hardly something to be proud of.
Even if they knock the opponent down with one kick, it's still bullying a child.
The nature of the situation doesn't change.
But if they can solve Sankou in seven innings, the effect is vastly different.
This is a contest of equal level, and Seidou will only earn respect by winning.
"They currently lead by four points, and if they score one more, it'll be five points."
"That way, as long as they can score two more in the seventh inning…"
"The scenario is too beautiful to imagine."
Just the thought of Seidou brutally defeating Sankou sends their supporters into a frenzy.
Especially the die-hard fans, who are even more excited.
The deep-seated rivalries among the three giants of West Tokyo cannot be overstated. To be able to dominate a competitor to this extent—what could be more thrilling?
Almost everyone at the scene believes Seidou won't miss this opportunity to expand their lead.
Coach Kataoka in Seidou's dugout naturally doesn't want to miss such an opportunity, but the unfolding scene is beyond his control.
He glances at Seidou's fifth and sixth batters, dismissing his previous thoughts.
Tactical scoring isn't impossible, but it depends on who the runners and batters are on the field.
If it were another veteran, Coach Kataoka would act without hesitation. Even the bench veterans have honed their skills in tactical hitting and cooperation.
But now Seidou has two freshmen on the field.
Letting them coordinate with Miyuki to steal bases is, quite frankly, a cause for concern.
After hesitating for a moment, Coach Kataoka ultimately abandons his previous tempting plan.
He decides to leave the situation completely to the players and let them make their own choices.
Stepping into the Batter's Box is Seidou's new freshman, Yuuki Masashi.
When he sees that Coach Kataoka hasn't given him the signal to bunt walk, Yuuki breathes a sigh of relief.
Having him bunt would be too much to ask. Not only is the opponent Amahisa Kousei, a tough competitor, but even against ordinary pitching, bunting is quite challenging for him.
Compared to bunting, he prefers to believe in his swinging ability.
With his bat raised high, he fixes his eyes on Amahisa on the mound.
Yuuki isn't relaxed because the situation has completely turned in Seidou's favor. On the contrary, his chest burns with a fierce fighting spirit.
If he can't showcase his own value and strength here, how can he replace those Senpais?
Whrroosh!
Not giving Masashi a moment to think, the ball comes flying in straight.
'Good!'
Seeing the incoming baseball, Yuuki shouts in his mind.
Then, he decisively swings his bat.
BUZZZZ!!
As the bat swings, a tremendous sound rushes past Takami's nose.
…