Kohei threw a few warm-up pitches to Sugawara while Shun waited on the side. It didn't take long before Kohei signaled to the umpire that he was ready, and Shun positioned himself in the batter's box.
At the beginning of the fourth inning, with one out, Hokuto's ace, Kohei Sasaki, was facing the top of Shoto Junior High's batting order. Without a hint of fear or hesitation in his eyes, Kohei smiled as he brought his glove to his chest and lifted his leg.
He then stepped forcefully with his right foot, using his arm like a whip to hurl the ball towards home plate.
"Good!" - Sugawara smiled when he saw the pitch leave Kohei's hand. He watched the ball spin wildly as it approached the top of the zone with incredible speed. But in an instant, Sugawara's confident smile vanished when he saw Shun swing the bat in front of him.
WOOSH
DONG
Shun hit the ball hard without any hesitation.
POFT
