Chapter 35: Consecutive Victories
The victory in the first match truly established Eijun's confidence.
In the subsequent practice games, unless the opponent was particularly strong, Coach Kataoka generally assigned the second-string team to take over. After his outstanding performance in the initial match, Eijun Sawamura was consistently chosen as the starting pitcher for every game.
Teams from within Tokyo, as well as those from neighboring prefectures in the Kanto region, regularly came to Seidou High School for friendly matches and warm-up games during May. During the Golden Week, teams from even further regions, such as Shikoku and Kyushu, also visited Seidou. Naturally, these long-distance visitors were often strong, prestigious teams, so Seidou's first-string team would usually face them, while the second-string would play against less formidable opponents.
Throughout this series of matches, Eijun, who was always the starting pitcher, continued to impress. He would typically pitch until the fifth inning before being substituted. In every game, the number of hits, walks, and runs allowed by Eijun remained extremely low. Apart from occasional control issues that led to walks and runs, Eijun's pitches rarely allowed the ball to be hit beyond the infield.
In fact, the number of legitimate hits against him could be counted on one hand.
While it's true that the opposing teams weren't particularly strong, Eijun's own skill was undeniable.
Including the first practice match against Komashiro, Eijun participated in four practice games in May. In each game, he started and pitched until the fourth or fifth inning before stepping down. Over these games, he allowed a total of 11 hits, gave 6 walks, and conceded 4 runs.
For a first-year pitcher, these are impressive statistics in second-string games, and they have raised the expectations of many within Seidou High School for Eijun's future.
Eijun was quite satisfied with his performance, and his teammates' trust in him grew steadily. At this point, Eijun could almost be considered the ace pitcher of the second-string team.
If things continued at this pace, Eijun was confident that, just like in the original story, he would make it onto the roster before the summer tournament. This wasn't baseless arrogance, but a confident judgment based on careful analysis.
What Eijun didn't know was that his impressive performances had not only caught the attention of baseball enthusiasts but also of a certain someone who was constantly watching him. Every time Eijun took the mound, this person's eyes would shine brightly, captivated by his presence.
This unforeseen attention would eventually lead to complications for Eijun, bringing him trouble of a different kind in the future.
However, these were matters beyond Eijun's current awareness. Right now, his focus was solely on the summer tournament and securing one of the last two spots on the first-string team.
Seidou High School's first-string team currently had 18 players. According to the rules set by Japan's High School Baseball Federation, each team participating in the regional preliminaries could register 20 players. This meant that Seidou still had two open spots, and it was clear that these spots would be filled by players from the second-string team.
Regular training and performance in practice games would be the most direct factors in determining who would fill these spots.
In the eyes of everyone, including the senior players in the second string, there was a growing sense that only one spot was likely left available. The other spot seemed almost certain to go to Eijun. This was a consensus among most people. It wasn't that Eijun was guaranteed to make it into the first string, but compared to others, his chances were significantly higher. Whether considering Seidou High's shortage of strong pitchers or Eijun's performance in recent practice matches, it was evident that he was the most likely candidate to be selected for the first string from the second string.
Especially in the most recent practice game, where Eijun started as a pitcher and maintained a scoreless game until the fifth inning, allowing only one walk and two hits, his brilliant performance left most of the senior players in the second string feeling no need to compete for the spot.
In their eyes, or rather, in the eyes of the spectators who watched the game, it was only a matter of time before Coach Kataoka announced Eijun's inclusion in the first string.
Due to Eijun's outstanding performance, scouting teams from other schools began paying attention to him. After all, Seidou High's lineup was already of national level, and if they managed to fill the gap on the pitching mound, their strength would become formidable.
Naturally, including Furuya Satoru and the notably active Sawamura Eijun in the second string, scouts wouldn't overlook any detail about these potential pitchers. Especially teams from the same region were particularly meticulous in their observations.
No opportunity for victory could be overlooked!!!
Under such circumstances, Eijun was gradually entering the sights of various teams. However, since he hadn't yet faced any top-tier teams and was not officially a member of Seidou's first string, the teams were only keeping him on their radar rather than prioritizing him.
It was only with the beginning of the summer that Eijun would truly sweep onto the scene as a rising star and gain significant attention from everyone.
Currently, Eijun was still relatively inconspicuous compared to Furuya Satoru, who had already appeared in the Kanto Tournament and was a bona fide first-string member at Seidou High. With his god-given talent and fastball, it was no surprise that strong teams gave Furuya the utmost attention.
As Seidou High continued to enjoy victories and progress, they began adjusting their roster in preparation for the upcoming summer tournament.
In late May, as June approached and the countdown to the summer tournament began, every team was in the midst of preparations.
At Seidou High, inside the Seishin Dormitory, in Coach Kataoka's office:
"Tomorrow's practice game against the Kokushikan High will be handled by the second string. Regardless of the outcome, Sawamura will pitch the entire game," Coach Kataoka instructed.
"Eh? You mean let Sawamura pitch the whole game tomorrow?" Director Oota looked surprised at Coach Kataoka, his lips moving as he asked in shock.
"Yes, tomorrow's practice game is our last before the summer, so it's time to make a decision. Consider tomorrow as Sawamura's final test," Coach Kataoka nodded and replied solemnly.
"But..." Director Oota furrowed his brows, feeling an odd sensation. Even if it was a test, was a complete game necessary? Given Eijun's current performance, he seemed plenty qualified to join the first string. Was there really a need for him to pitch a complete game just for a final test?
Could Coach Kataoka have other plans?
Director Oota couldn't quite understand Coach Kataoka's intentions. Of course, even with ample courage, he wouldn't dare question or alter Coach Kataoka's decision.
"Regardless, the summer is what truly matters. Based on tomorrow's practice game results, we will select the final two members for the first string. From then on, we will operate with the 20 core members of the first string, ensuring all preparations are in place," Coach Kataoka stated, fully focused on the upcoming major tournament.
"Understood!"
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