Ken overran the base for a few meters while he tried to slow down his speed.
"Safe!"
He turned around and heard the umpire's decision, filling him with unadulterated joy.
"Yes!" Ken pumped his fist in triumph, making his way back to the first base. This feeling was something that he had long forgotten, the sense of achievement that could only come from succeeding when you tried your hardest.
As his body was filled with adrenaline and euphoria, he glanced over at Keisuke who was now situated on 2nd base. Keisuke was looking at him as if he had just seen a ghost.
He sent a smile back, but also made some signs indicating that he wanted to steal a base. Once again Keisuke gave him a weird look before briefly turning his attention to the coach. Seeing as there was no orders, he turned back and sent a thumbs up to Ken.
Kenta, the captain of Seiko team was up next to bat. He made his way to the batters box with an intimidating expression on his face. After positioning himself, he raised his bat and turned his attention to the pitcher.
Yoshinao seemed to be pissed off, outwardly showing his emotions. He had already put two runners on the base with only two pitches. This was not how he had wanted to start the game.
He received the ball from the catcher and tightened his grip on the ball.
'I won't let you hit the first pitch this time…' Yoshinao said inwardly as he began to pitch the ball.
The moment he began his throwing action, he heard the sound of rushing feet behind him, throwing him off a little. The ball that was meant to be a slider to the outside, was suddenly pitched too far inwards.
Kenta held his breath as he took a big swing at the ball sliding towards him.
DONG
The ball was hit cleanly and sent into the space between 2nd and 3rd baseman at breakneck speed. Due to getting a running start, Keisuke was almost hit by the ball as he ran past, just narrowly missing his left shoulder.
The third base coach was waving Kesiuke along, giving him the green light to head towards home plate. He deftly stepped on the bag and continued his sprint, easily touching home plate and pumping his fist.
Ken too continued his run, making his way to third base. It felt really weird as the moment he stepped on 2nd base, his speed dropped a little. However, he didn't have time to think about it, running with all his might towards third.
The third base coach suddenly looked panicked and made the motion to slide, giving Ken a sense of anxiety. He was only a few yards away from the plate and he decided to not hold back, diving to the ground and reaching his long arms out to touch the base.
In a fraction of a moment later, the opponents glove tapped his forearm.
"Safe!" The umpire motioned with his arms.
Ken let out a sigh of relief, getting back to his feet while still touching the base. He turned around and saw Kenta was standing on second base, his once intimidating expression now plastered with a dumb smile.
He shook his head yet let out a chuckle. His captain was always like that, scary and intimidating when it came time to bat, yet seemed harmless after he got on base.
His attention turned to Daichi who had just stepped up to the batters box, his wide shoulders taking up far too much space.
All sense of nervousness left Daichi's body as he stepped up to the plate. Seeing Ken get his chance and perform so well had motivated him intensely. There was no way he would let the teams hard work end right now.
He stared down at Yoshinao who was beginning to despair. Having given up a run in the very first innings in only 3 pitches, his confidence was at an all time low.
The catcher quickly called a time out and walked over to the mound to give him a talking to. Ken nodded, however a grin formed on his face. 'It's no use. No matter what you say to him, Daichi is gonna smack this out of the park.'
After a few moments, the catcher returned to his place, leaving Yoshinao on the mound. Judging by his expression, it seemed that the quick timeout had its benefits. He was no longer looking lost, nor in despair.
The first ball pitched low and outside which Daichi correctly ignored.
"Ball"
The next pitch was a slider, scraping the bottom of the strike zone.
"Strike."
Daichi didn't seem nervous. He had judged that even if he hit the ball, it would likely be a grounder back towards the pitcher which could result in a double play.
He waited patiently as the next two pitches were balls on the outside.
The next pitch came roaring towards him on an inside course, causing his eyes to light up. Daichi gripped his bat and swung hard, causing the sound of rushing wind to fill his ears.
DONG!
The ball was sent rocketing into the air, causing all those in attendance to watch with interest. A smile bloomed on Ken's face as the ball seemed to grow wings and fly towards the outfield and over the fence.
He jogged towards home plate and let out a chuckle, at least until he saw Daichi running with his bat still clutched in his hands. Ken resisted the urge to facepalm as the teenager jogged around the bases, holding his bat like a trophy.
Yet there was nothing he could do but hope the opposing team wouldn't be too upset. He stepped onto home base and turned around, giving Kenta a high-five once he stepped onto the plate.
Daichi finally dropped the bat at third base after the third base coach took it from him. A smile shined brilliantly on his face as he finally made it towards home plate, receiving high-fives and congratulations from Ken and Kenta.