"SAFE!"
With the loud shout of the head umpire, the situation in the game immediately shifted again.
Originally, with only half of their main lineup, Seidou High School had been fighting fiercely against Yakushi High School, matching them almost equally.
But now, they had fallen behind once again.
In the stands, the voices of Seidou High School supporters had noticeably quieted down.
It wasn't that they didn't want to cheer on their team and players, but this situation was one that could not be solved just by cheering.
The gap between the two teams was slowly starting to show.
As a freshman, Nishiyama's performance had been very impressive. If any other first-year student had been in his place, they would have had no chance of stopping Yakushi High School's aggressive lineup.
But no matter how well he performed, it was ultimately futile. The difference between the two teams was clear to everyone. Despite Nishiyama's best efforts, the fact remained: the balls he threw were getting increasingly easy for the opposing batters to hit.
This wasn't just about his fastballs and regular breaking balls; even his signature 'Gyro ball' had gradually been figured out by the batters.
Nishiyama had only pitched three innings so far.
But even after just three innings, his breathing had already become erratic...
"Haa…haa…"
The irregularity in his breath signified that Nishiyama was under immense pressure—far beyond what he could handle.
"It looks like this is enough for Nishiyama!"
Coach Ochiai bitterly shook his head and glanced at Kataoka.
While he had high expectations for Nishiyama, the reality was unavoidable and somewhat regrettable.
Facing Yakushi High School's most brutal lineup, Nishiyama's performance had clearly begun to show signs of struggle.
'This couldn't be helped. At this point, for the sake of the team's overall benefit, the best move would be to replace Nishiyama.'
Whether it was to bring in Furuya or Kawakami, either of them could take over the mound.
He turned to Kataoka with a questioning look.
It was time to make a move. If they waited any longer, it would be too late...
If the gap in score kept widening, Seidou High School would lose control of the game. It was important to note that Yakushi High School hadn't even used their Ace pitcher, Sanada Shunpei, yet.
He was still on first base and hadn't taken the mound. If Yakushi gained a big lead, they might send Sanada out to pitch to ensure they clinched the win in the Spring Tournament...
If that happened, Seidou's situation would be even more dire.
Kataoka, with his sunglasses on, showed no expression.
It took a long while before he finally spoke, his voice low.
"Three runs."
Coach Ochiai couldn't help but frown slightly.
Kataoka's stubbornness was beyond his imagination.
Was this first-year Nishiyama really worth Kataoka taking such a risk?
Before Ochiai could overthink, Kataoka explained his reasoning.
"The pitcher on the mound hasn't lost his fighting spirit yet. He still hasn't fully seen the true cruelty of high school baseball. He's just lacking some smelting..."
Kataoka's explanation only served to further cement Ochiai's earlier thoughts.
Kataoka was truly going all out to nurture the newcomers. He was willing to take any risk for this.
'Although winning the Spring Tournament might not be as crucial for Seidou High School right now, a Championship was still a Championship. Given Seidou's current situation, they could never afford to simply give up on victory.'
But from Kataoka's words, it seemed he wanted Nishiyama to come to a realization in this game...
This level of trust and development was almost akin to what they would show to an Ace pitcher.
"And I believe Yakushi's Ace pitcher won't be coming in so soon!"
Kataoka seemed to let out a breath, finally revealing his true thoughts.
Ochiai silently nodded in agreement.
He had been overthinking things. When it came to analyzing the game's flow, Kataoka wasn't necessarily worse than him.
Yesterday, Yakushi High School played an incredible pitcher's duel against Teitou High School.
In that game, Yakushi's Ace, Sanada, had pitched the entire game from start to finish.
Now, they were going into the final match...
'Even if Sanada's stamina wasn't perfect, there was no way a pitcher could handle such a high-intensity game back to back.'
Kataoka's judgment that Yakushi's Ace wouldn't be coming in soon seemed correct.
'In that case, even if Seidou conceded a couple more runs, allowing Nishiyama to develop seemed like a viable option.'
'Still, this was a lot of trust in him'.
On the pitcher's mound, Nishiyama didn't share the same calm as coach Ochiai, he was completely consumed by the game.
'One more Out.'
He just needed one more Out, and he could finish the inning successfully.
At this point, all Nishiyama could focus on was the batter in front of him, his mind consumed with only how to get that batter Out.
After the Raichi match, the batter facing him now was Sanada.
Sanada had previously crushed one of Nishiyama's pitches. And this time, he was eyeing Nishiyama's breaking balls from the start...
'According to the scouting data Seidou High had gathered, Sanada was not very good at hitting breaking balls. He had a much higher success rate with fastballs.'
'Sanada's weakness with breaking balls was clear.'
Yakushi's players must have figured this out too. That was why they had attacked the first breaking ball Nishiyama threw.
These thoughts flashed through Nishiyama's mind in an instant.
He understood now that Sanada wasn't an opponent he could easily deal with. In fact, he was even more dangerous than the "monster" from Raichi.
'Should I throw a breaking ball again?'
Nishiyama himself was torn.
Seeing how Sanada had hit his ball earlier, Nishiyama knew it wouldn't be easy to defeat this batter with a simple pitch.
He had no choice but to dig deep and use all his strength.
Whoosh!
It was like a bullet fired from a Desert Eagle, impossible to dodge.
Snap!
The small ball zipped through the air and into the catcher's Mitt.
"STRIKE!"
Sanada stood motionless, not swinging at the pitch.
Instead, he studied it carefully.
'This was a good ball.'
'First-year freshmen really are full of monsters.'
Though impressed by Nishiyama's talent, when facing him on the field, Sanada showed no intention of going easy.
The more potential a freshman had, the harder they needed to be crushed.
This was a consensus shared by most upperclassmen.
When Sawamura Eijun first emerged as a 'Great Demon King,' even though he had already become a nationwide sensation, the second and third-year senpais spared no effort in dealing with him.
Now, Sanada was dealing with this on a much smaller scale.
Seeing the pitch coming, Sanada decisively swung his bat.
He knew that after one called Strike, he had to swing at the second pitch to avoid being put in a passive position.
Sanada understood this, and so did Seidou's catcher, Ono.
Watching the ball come in, Sanada didn't hesitate to swing.
Ping!
The ball was struck and flew along the third base line.
Ono, the catcher, had a grim expression.
'Damn!'
He had been outwitted!
Knowing that Sanada was likely to swing, Ono had called for a pitch just outside the strike zone.
But the pitch was still close enough to the strike zone, so Sanada had no problem swinging.
Sanada had anticipated this. He had already targeted the low inside corner.
He had stepped away just slightly before executing his perfect hit.
"Keha-ha-haa!"
Todoroki, who had reached second base, didn't miss the opportunity presented to him. He sprinted home.
The score was now 4:2, with Seidou trailing by two runs.
The situation had become dire.
In Seidou High's dugout, Coach Kataoka crossed his arms and said nothing.
Despite the two-run difference, both Coach Kataoka and coach Ochiai felt a deep sense of relief.
The ferocious attack from Yakushi was finally coming to a close.
Yakushi's lineup was thin beyond the top five batters. Based on Nishiyama's earlier performance, he should have no problem dealing with the lower half of Yakushi's order.
Even though the score looked bad, with Seidou High now trailing by two runs, it was only the third inning.
Seidou High had never been in a situation like this before.
The Seidou fans in the stands were growing increasingly angry. This kind of situation was more than they could bear.
But no matter how much they couldn't take it, it all came down to Coach Kataoka's decision.
And even Kataoka was nearing his limit.
Three runs.
That was the agreement with Nishiyama. It was the margin Kataoka was confident he could recover in a short time.
He had full faith in his players.
But that margin couldn't be any bigger.
4:2 was the limit that Kataoka was willing to tolerate.
Fortunately, based on the current situation, Nishiyama should be able to get through the third inning safely.
Nishiyama just needs one more Out.
The supporters of Seidou High School suppress their dissatisfaction and continue to watch Nishiyama's performance on the mound.
Allowing runs is something they can tolerate, but the most important thing is to quickly close the gap and not let the opponent pull further ahead.
In Yakushi High's dugout, Coach Todoroki Raizou grins wickedly.
'Too naive,' he thought.
'Do you really think that you are now out of danger?'
"Do your best!"
"Keep it up!"
"Hideo, hit the ball out of the park!"
Cheering voices rise from Yakushi's dugout.
It's clear that the Yakushi players are excited. Their energy is completely different from the previous innings.
Having taken the lead, they are no longer satisfied but instead seem to be enjoying the game more than ever.
On the mound, Nishiyama can feel his heart pounding in his chest, full of strength.
Although he gave up two runs earlier from consecutive hits, his mental state is in a great place.
It feels a bit wrong to say this, but in truth, Nishiyama is thoroughly enjoying this state of mind.
His blood is rushing, and all he can see is his opponent.
It's a wonderful feeling! It completely captivates Nishiyama. He had come to Seidou for moments like this, to face challenges like these.
'It feels amazing.'
He is deeply thankful for his choice to come to Seidou High.
With these thoughts in his head, Nishiyama throws his next pitch without holding back.
Since he isn't concerned with conserving energy anymore, he focuses entirely on throwing his Gyro ball.
Whoosh!
The ball transforms into a bullet and whizzes through the strike zone.
'Very good!'
The release of the ball feels smooth. Though it's not his best pitch in this game, it certainly ranks among the top five.
The most memorable pitch from earlier in the game was the one he threw to Raichi, which ended up being hit for a home run.
That was an embarrassing memory.
Now is not the time to dwell on unhappy thoughts. What matters most is getting rid of his current opponent. He can already imagine the situation where he strikes out the batter.
Ping!
No one expected Yakushi's unassuming sixth batter to swing at this pitch.
And he was targeting Nishiyama's Gyro ball.
In Yakushi High's dugout, Todoroki Raizou's evil grin grows wider.
'Fool. Do you think we don't know what you're going to throw?'
'Don't underestimate our team's third-years. They've been training with me for a full two years. If your fastball was 150 km/h, we might have had a problem. But now... too bad.' (93 mph)
No one saw this coming—except for a few of Yakushi's star players, there were other, seemingly minor players in Yakushi's team who could actually hit Nishiyama's fastball.
Abe Hideo!
His appearance is plain, looking like the foolish son of a neighboring house.
He has a simple, honest look.
But this unremarkable person has done something extraordinary in today's game.
The ball was hit perfectly and flew toward third base.
"Shuu Shuu!"
Seidou's third baseman, Higasa, is out on the field today, and in terms of batting strength, he is certainly no weaker than Kanemaru.
But when it comes to defense, he's just slightly off.
By a mitt's length, the ball slips past him.
Thanks to this hit, Sanada races back to home plate!
Yakushi High has now extended their lead to 5:2.
Yakushi's lead over Seidou has grown to a three-run margin.
A game that seemed secure for Seidou is now in a perilous state.
In the stands, the supporters of Seidou hang their heads, visibly dejected.
Given the series of glorious achievements under Coach Kataoka, they could never openly criticize him.
But this situation—this moment—is hard for them to accept. When have Seidou fans ever faced such disappointment?
Even in Seidou's dugout, the atmosphere is thick with gloom.
Not only the supporters but even the players on the field are bewildered.
Nishiyama's condition seems off. It's not that the players don't trust their teammates, but the facts are evident.
"Are you ready?" Coach Kataoka, wearing sunglasses, speaks to the pitcher he was going to send. As soon as the score becomes 5:2, he steps forward.
"I know you have been itching to pitch more for a while now, so I will leave this to you!"
"The situation is now like this, we are three runs behind. The opponents' spirit is up, so they will come swinging."
"I want you to suppress their momentum completely! Let them know what the name 'King' is!"
"You Got It!" The pitcher replied to his Coach.
"Seidou High School requests a substitution!"
In Yakushi's dugout, Todoroki Raizou's eyes gleam with malicious delight.
'Did you really think a newcomer could handle us? Is Coach Kataoka too naïve, or was he hoping to use us as practice targets for his rookie?'
'No matter what Kataoka's original plan was, he is now in a difficult situation.'
'What will he do now?'
'With the rookie's struggles on the mound, who will come to pitch next?'
'Kawakami? Furuya?'
Todoroki Raizou, who had been so confident, stares wide-eyed when he sees who is coming to replace Nishiyama.
"How could it be?"
Today is the Spring Tournament finals, and top teams from all regions are watching.
'How could Coach Kataoka bring in this pitcher at such a critical moment?'
In the stands, Owada Akiko is also surprised, her mouth hanging open.
Next to her, Fujio Mine seems calm.
With his understanding of Kataoka, Fujio Mine isn't surprised at all by this move.
The entire Seidou supporter section—especially the Demon King's Guard and the Brotherhood of Red Heart, who came all the way to cheer for Sawamura Eijun —goes wild!
"Demon King!"
"Demon King!!"
"Demon King!!!"
They don't even call him by his name, instead chanting his nickname over and over.
The one subbed in is none other than the great demon king, Sawamura Eijun.
Todoroki Raizou, who had been staring in surprise, suddenly narrows his eyes.
'It's only Sawamura. As Sawamura's staunch partner and the pillar of Seidou High, Miyuki Kazuya isn't entering the game.'
'What does this mean?'
He is puzzled by Coach Kataoka's decision.
Without Miyuki Kazuya, Sawamura's full strength will surely be reduced.
'Could it be that Seidou is giving up this game?'
'No, that doesn't make sense.'
If Kataoka and the coaching staff intended to abandon this match, there would be no reason to put Sawamura in now.
'Or does Coach Kataoka and the coaching staff believe that Sawamura alone can turn the game around?'
Todoroki Raizou is lost in thought, overwhelmed by various speculations.
Meanwhile, the players from Yakushi High don't have the luxury of overthinking. Upon seeing Sawamura take the mound, they are just excited.
It's clear that they are simply enjoying the match, relishing the opportunity to compete against the Devil King himself.
They don't care about the outcome at all.
Especially Raichi!
Though that freshman pitcher was impressive, the feeling of facing Sawamura is on an entirely different level.
If Nishiyama was just a warm-up, then Sawamura is the main course.
'He's here!'
'He's really here!!!'
Finally, he will face off against Eijun!
In Yakushi's dugout, Todoroki Raizou realizes: "This is a golden opportunity."
The chance to defeat the great Devil King Sawamura!
Even Sawamura, with his unshakable mental strength, hasn't yet faced a hitter capable of truly breaking his pitches. If Yakushi can land a hit on Sawamura in the Spring Tournament final, it will send shockwaves.
Amid the deafening cheers, Sawamura steps onto the mound.
He extends his mitt, waiting for Nishiyama to pass him the ball.
Nishiyama, usually cheerful, stands dumbfounded on the mound.
He's still lost in thought, confused about why his earlier pitch was hit out.
He has always been so confident in his Gyro ball...
"Rest up." Sawamura's voice sounds cool.
"Why?" Nishiyama looks up at him, mumbling to himself.
Sawamura, hearing his teammate's question, is momentarily stunned.
'Is he asking why his pitch was hit, or why Coach Kataoka decided to substitute?'
Sawamura completely ignores the first question and answers the second.
"Seidou's Spirit is not that light!"
Nishiyama is shaken as though he's been awoken from a dream, his face filled with shame.
He dejectedly hands the ball to Sawamura, walking off the field in embarrassment.
This former world runner-up pitcher, always so composed, now reveals an expression of defeat.
This is the first time he's shown such a face.
Sawamura shakes his head.
'Without the ability to take a hit, you can't become a true player.'
He hopes today's game will offer his Kohai a different experience.
The team is never about just one person.
Yakushi High, known for having the most savage lineup in the country, doesn't rely solely on its star players.
It's the collective effort of the entire team.
Each batter on their team is a formidable opponent.
Individually, they may not be extraordinary, but when combined, they unleash an extraordinary offensive power.
...