Chapter 59: The Course of Evolution
In the top of the third inning, Eijun just managed to disrupt Kiryu's batting attack.
Given the circumstances, conceding only one run could be seen as commendable. However, it couldn't overshadow the fact that Kiryu had effectively figured out Eijun's pitching patterns.
The flow of the game had clearly shifted in favor of Kiryu High School. With Hiromi firing on all cylinders and Seido not at their best, it was only natural for Kiryu to seize control.
In the bottom of the third inning, Ryosuke Kominato was struck out. Jun Isashiki managed an infield single to reach first base, but Kiryu's cleanup hitter, choosing not to face Tetsu, walked him. The next hitters, Masuko and Miyuki, were quickly taken care of, leaving them unable to capitalize.
Kiryu's proactive defense increasingly translated into offensive strength.
In the top of the fourth inning, the batting order returned to Kiryu's side. It must be said: Kiryu High School's batting line-up was formidable. As the game moved into its middle stages, their confidence grew.
Every pitch Eijun threw left him drenched in sweat and struggling under the pressure.
The key issue was Miyuki's strategy of focusing on outside pitches. Even the cutter, typically his out pitch, served merely as bait, akin to his four-seam fastball in this game.
Unfortunately, Eijun's control over outside pitches wasn't as steady or low as his inside pitches, which often caused the pitch to stray high. Kiryu's hitters, with acute timing, capitalized on these high pitches lacking power.
If it weren't for Miyuki's sophisticated pitch-calling and the cutter's deception, tricking Kiryu into preparing for both inside and outside corners, Eijun might have been hit even harder.
Honestly, Eijun's cutter in the third inning surprised Kiryu's line-up, earning Eijun higher praise from Coach Matsumoto. With such ball movement focusing on inside pitches, if Eijun could enhance his control, his effectiveness would be incalculable.
This also heightened Kiryu's vigilance against Eijun's inside pitches, making them less focused on his outside pitches.
Additionally, due to reliable defense support, Eijun wasn't fully exploited in these innings. But the instability of his outside control led to frequent opportunities for Kiryu hitters to score hits, compounding the caution against his inside pitches.
Starting from the second inning, Eijun was under relentless pressure.
Although the lower part of the batting order managed to hold Kiryu without runs in the fourth inning, Eijun conceded two more runs in the fifth. After missing the strike zone on outside balls, he sought to regain control with inside pitches, only for Kiryu to seize the opportunity, hitting a deep drive to the center field fence.
This brought the score to 4-3, with Kiryu High School pulling ahead, having managed to suppress Seido's offense after their solo home run and allowing no runs by the fifth.
As the game momentum shifted back to Kiryu, Eijun sat on the bench, gasping for breath after finally stemming Kiryu's hits.
"It seems asking you to control the low outside corner is a bit premature...tsk tsk...can't keep the pitches low, or if you do, they miss the strike zone," Miyuki Kazuya remarked beside him, with a teasing tone tinged with sarcasm.
Even though Eijun knew Miyuki was provoking him, a touch of resentment still welled up inside him, naturally showing on his face.
"Hmph, I'll definitely pitch to that location for you to see!" Eijun gritted his teeth as he said this determinedly.
"Ha ha."
Miyuki's mocking laughter in response only further unsettled Eijun, making his chest tighten with determination. He couldn't let this guy look down on him, even if he knew it was just Miyuki's way of motivating him.
After all, Miyuki's smug smile was truly infuriating.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Seido went on the offensive.
This time, Seido's batting lineup finally adapted to the heavy quality of Hiromi's pitches. In his third at-bat, Kuramochi managed an infield single, reaching first base.
Ryosuke Kominato then executed a strategic bunt to advance the runner.
Kiryu High School, planning to deal with Jun Isashiki and then intentionally walk the cleanup hitter, didn't expect Isashiki to explode in this at-bat.
He fiercely launched an inside pitch into the right field, the blinding white ball crashing against the right field fence with a resounding thud.
At home plate, Shibata was left in disbelief.
That was a bad pitch, an exceedingly inside corner ball! Yet this apparently wild batter managed to precisely drive it to the opposite field?
Fueled by Isashiki's powerful hit and Kuramochi's exceptional base running speed, Kuramochi easily rounded third and scored, tying the game for Seido once again.
"This batter..." Coach Matsumoto nodded, then gently shook his head.
Seido was truly a team noted for their powerful hitting nationwide. As Kiryu's coach, Matsumoto was well aware that Seido's players seemed somewhat heavy and stiff today.
Knowing that Seido was still in training camp, he realized the players were likely still dealing with fatigue.
In other words, they weren't even in peak condition. Yet, with a first-year pitcher, they managed to battle Kiryu to a standstill. Even though Matsumoto himself hadn't played all his cards and wasn't using his complete starting lineup, it still highlighted Seido's formidable strength.
"This year, perhaps the Tokyo tournament will be particularly interesting..." Matsumoto thought to himself, lowering his gaze.
"NICE hit, Isashiki-senpai!" Eijun shouted joyously from the bench after Isashiki's timely hit.
"Nicely done, Jun-san!"
"Ha ha, we knew you wouldn't go quiet."
"Tying the game!!!"
"The number three hitter is truly something."
"Keep going, captain."
"Come on, let's turn this around!"
Following Isashiki's timely hit and reaching second base, their cleanup hitter followed with another hit, setting up runners on first and third with one out.
The fifth batter, Masuko, wasn't about to be outdone, launching a long drive. Though it was caught by Kiryu's outfielder, Isashiki tagged up and raced home, bringing Seido another run. In the bottom of the fifth, Seido turned the tides, taking a 5-4 lead.
Unfortunately, Miyuki missed an opportunity and hit a ground ball to third, which resulted in him being thrown out to end the inning's offensive drive.
Seido High School entered the latter half of the game with a one-run advantage.
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