The second inning began and ended quickly. Haruto took down the fifth, sixth, and seventh batters without difficulty, while Sora also managed three outs against the sixth, seventh, and eighth batters after he started using his curveball.
The top of the third inning began with the eighth batter from Shoto Junior High at the plate. Shun put on his gear and walked out of the dugout towards the left batter's box.
"This guy, huh? I need to get back at him for eliminating me in the first inning" - Haruto, the pitcher, thought as he delivered his first pitch.
WOOSH
DING
"Foul!"
Shun made contact with the fastball on the outside low corner of the zone. The second pitch came.
WOOSH
DING
"Foul!"
This time it was a high fastball on the inside corner of the zone. Shun made contact and sent it to foul territory. The third pitch came.
PAH
"Ball!"
Shun stayed still as he watched a pitch similar to the last one, a fastball on the inside corner, but this time a little above the strike zone. The fourth pitch of the at-bat came.
PAH
"Ball!"
Shun remained motionless as he saw an outside pitch off the zone. The next pitch came.
WOOSH
DING
"Foul!"
A curveball that dropped inside the zone, Shun was a bit surprised. He clearly saw the pitch's trajectory but barely managed to make contact.
Shun looked at the pitcher and could see signs of irritation on his face. As a pitcher himself, Shun knew what irritated pitchers, and a batter who sent all their strikes to foul territory but didn't even flinch at pitches outside the zone was the most annoying kind of batter. The next pitch of the at-bat came.
PAH
"Ball!"
A high fastball. Shun just watched the pitch go above the zone. Shun observed the pitcher throwing the seventh pitch of the at-bat.
Shun saw a pitch right down the middle of the zone, and he gave a slight smile as he remained still.
POFT
"Ball! Ball Four!"
Shun looked at the curveball that broke just before reaching home plate, hitting the ground. He left his bat on the ground and walked to first base, trying not to show it, but he was happy to have earned a walk. His brilliant idea was working.
Shun watched Ren step into the batter's box. He signaled to Ren to wait and not swing. Ren nodded as he positioned himself in the batter's box. Ren, like Kenta, pitched right-handed but batted left-handed, making him even faster to reach the bases. This strategy worked even better for him.
Shun watched Haruto closely. He took a normal lead, but the moment Haruto started his windup, he sprinted towards second base.
"Steal!" – The first baseman shouted, alerting both the pitcher and the catcher.
PAH
"Strike!"
The catcher quickly stood up and threw the ball to second base.
PAH
The second baseman caught the ball and lowered his glove to tag Shun, but unfortunately for him, the boy's right hand was already touching the base.
"Safe!"
Shun waited for the second baseman to throw the ball back to the pitcher before standing up, smiling as he took a small lead off the base.
"This is it! It really works!" – Shun was excited to confirm that his legendary skill really worked.
[Master Thief (SS+)
Gives the user a significant speed boost while running between bases. Increases the success rate for stealing bases.]
Shun decided to stick with his plan. He took a small lead that indicated he wasn't interested in stealing another base, but as soon as Haruto turned and started his windup, he ran again.
"Steal!" – This time it was the second baseman who shouted, alerting the battery.
PAH
"Strike!"
The catcher caught the ball and threw it as fast as he could to third base. Shun slid towards the base, extending his hand. The fielder caught the ball and tagged Shun, but once again, the boy was quicker.
"Safe!"
Shun stood up excitedly, looking at Ren, who gave him a thumbs-up. Shun then looked at the opposing pitcher, who was clearly irritated.
"Haruto, don't worry about the runner, let's focus on the batter! We have 2 strikes and no balls, let's get him out" - The catcher thought as he signaled Haruto. Haruto also calmed down and decided to focus on the batter, delivering his pitch.
"Hehe, sorry, but we're not going to let you settle down now," – Shun looked at Haruto calming down and couldn't help but be impressed, but he quickly smiled. As soon as Haruto started his windup, Shun sprinted towards home plate.
Meanwhile, Ren saw the fastball coming his way. He changed his stance to lay down a bunt, holding the bat with both hands.
TONK
"There's no time! Throw to first!" – The catcher analyzed the situation and gave the command, but he was a little too late.
Haruto, who had run to field the ball, didn't want to give up a run and hesitated slightly when he heard the command. However, he quickly decided and threw to first base. But little did he know, that slight hesitation was more than enough for Ren's quick legs to carry him safely to first base.
"Safe!"
"Yeeeaaahhhhhh!" – The dugout erupted with excitement as they watched the brilliant play by the two friends. Shun scored a run just by stealing bases, while Ren reached first safely thanks to his incredible speed. The two players, making their debut as starters, tied the game by themselves.
Coach Yamada let a slight smile escape as he watched, thinking he made the right choice in giving these two boys a chance.
The game was now tied as the first batter stepped up to hit with a runner on first and no outs.
SHOTO 1 X 1 HOSHIZORA.