The fourth inning began with Kenta stepping into the batter's box as Takumi returned to the mound. After nearly giving up a home run to Kenta in their first encounter in the first inning, Takumi and his catcher were a bit more cautious with Shoto Junior High's captain.
With the score tied, even a solo home run could make the difference in the game, and with no one on base, the obvious strategy was to take a cautious approach against Kenta. That's exactly what Kasuga's catcher did.
The first pitch of the duel was a low sinker outside the zone, which Kenta simply watched. The second pitch was a slider on the outer edge, breaking away from the strike zone, and Kenta, once again, just watched. With a count of two balls and no strikes, Kasuga's catcher called for a circle changeup on the outside corner of the strike zone, trying to sneak a strike past Kenta. Takumi pitched as requested.
WOOSH
DOONG
