The next couple of innings went by in similar fashion, with Fujimi showing the same tactics, yet unable to get a run on the board. The controlled and consistent pitching of Kouichi kept them at bay.
However, Ken noticed a shift in the players body language. If before they were just going through the motions with expressionless faces, they now seemed more alert, making eye contact with each other and even being more vocal.
Kenji and Shiro were the proponents of this as they started to be more aggressive with their pitches. It was the top of the 6th innings and Keisuke was in the batters box, ready for the first pitch.
His expression was desperate. This was the first game that he had such little impact, not even able to get onto first base after 2 at-bats. He prided himself on being the lead-off batter for Seiko, yet he was being shutdown.
Keisuke had already resolved himself to swing for the fences, no matter what.
