Chapter 94: The Victors and the Defeated
"A timely double! After a grueling five innings, Seido High School finally broke through Akikawa High School's defense in the bottom of the fifth inning. The offensive push, initiated by the sixth batter, Miyuki-kun, saw the two freshmen take turns at the plate, with Sawamura-kun ultimately securing the first two runs of the game!"
"What the—!? Such a deep hit!?"
"This guy can hit for power too!?"
"Are you serious? Does this grade have two two-way monster players!?"
"My god, Eijun Sawamura, this guy never fails to surprise and amaze!"
"It's over. Akikawa is done for. All the hard work they've put into this game has just collapsed in an instant. But in hindsight, this outcome was inevitable. No one expected Sawamura to be the one to break it open, though."
"Incredible. Really amazing. A two-run timely hit, and with no outs and a runner on second."
"Akikawa High School is in danger."
The powerful hit by Eijun sent shockwaves through the audience, who gasped in disbelief. Many people wore expressions of astonishment, their jaws practically on the floor.
On Akikawa's bench and on the field, the players were equally stunned, unable to believe what had just happened.
Especially the center fielder who failed to catch the ball—he pounded the ground in frustration and regret.
On the mound, You Shunshin instinctively lowered the brim of his cap.
No one noticed, but Shunshin's right hand, which rested on his cap, was trembling slightly. No matter how composed and calm he tried to stay, one fact couldn't be denied.
His pitch had been hit, and the consequences of that hit—the two runs—were something he didn't want to face.
It wasn't just the two runs; it was the domino effect those runs would trigger.
Glancing at the expressions of his teammates from Akikawa High School, Shunshin knew just how significant those two runs were.
Perhaps... this game might end right here...
A faint, bitter smile appeared on Shunshin's lips as he silently thought to himself.
"He hit it, he hit it! He actually hit it!!!"
Eijun, now standing on second base, couldn't believe the situation he was in. After all, that pitch was a simple decision based on an instinctive read.
Sure, his solid fundamental skills played a role, but luck was definitely a big part of it.
"Hahaha, Sawamura!!!!"
"You're stealing all the spotlight, kid!!!!"
"Damn it, Sawamura, you took all the glory! Damn you!!!"
"You bastard! Could you stop hogging all the attention!?"
"Haha, that was brilliant, Sawamura!"
"A perfect hit, Eijun!!!"
"Seido! Seido! Seido!!!"
On the bench, in the cheering section, among his peers and seniors—everyone was showing their joy and excitement. Even Director Ota, while dancing with excitement, wore a face of disbelief.
It seemed like he, too, was shocked that Eijun managed to pull off such a timely hit.
But in sports, only the result matters. Whether it's skill or luck, the outcome is everything!!!!
Seido High School had finally broken the deadlock.
Now, the game was truly in their hands.
Coach Kataoka, watching Eijun standing on second base, rarely showed emotion, but even he cracked a faint smile and gave a slight nod.
"Ninth batter, right fielder, Shirasu-kun."
Eijun's hit had fully unleashed Seido High's aggressive offense.
Even though You Shunshin hadn't completely crumbled, the momentum of Akikawa High School's players had utterly deflated.
The overwhelming pressure, combined with seeing their previously unstoppable Shunshin being taken down, left them with no hope for the future.
The relentless attacks, the constant breakdowns in defense.
Their lineup was now in total disarray.
There was no longer any semblance of the impenetrable defense centered around You Shunshin.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Akikawa High School ultimately gave up five runs. This marked the turning point of the game, from which Akikawa slid helplessly into the abyss.
........
"Whoosh."
"Pop!"
"Strike! Batter out!!!!"
"Three outs, the game is over!!!!"
"We won!!!!"
"Into the quarterfinals!!!"
"Great pitch, Kawakami!!!"
"Yahaha, quarterfinals, here we come!!!"
With Kawakami securing the final out for Akikawa High School in the top of the ninth inning, this game ended on what was a perfect note for Seido High School.
8 to 1.
A clear and overwhelming score difference, marking Seido High's complete victory.
After the fifth inning, You Shunshin corrected himself and, despite a valiant effort to regain control, managed to hold off Seido's relentless attacks for a while.
And in the seventh inning, after Eijun was taken off and Kawakami came in, Akikawa managed to get one run back.
But in the end, Akikawa High School relying solely on You Shunshin was simply too weak, too thin.
In the bottom of the seventh, pinch hitter Haruichi delivered an RBI single.
In the bottom of the eighth, after captain Tetsu was walked, Masuko's powerful sweep added two more RBIs.
This completely declared that Akikawa had no hope of a comeback.
The most crucial turning point of this game remained the two RBIs in the bottom of the fifth.
From that point on, the game flowed entirely in Seido High School's favor.
The outcome had been decided right then and there.
At that moment, in Akikawa High School's dugout, many of the players could no longer contain the sadness welling up inside them—the heartache of knowing their summer was about to end.
The tears that fell were a reflection of the pain of defeat.
The victor—Seido High School. The defeated—Akikawa High School.
"Salute!!!"
"Thank you for the game!!!!"
The air was filled with the youthful excitement and bitter disappointment, accompanied by the sound of the air raid siren.
In this fourth-round match, Seido High School defeated Akikawa High School, securing their spot in the quarterfinals.
Today, Eijun's performance was nothing short of extraordinary. He pitched six innings, shutting out Akikawa High School, and also delivered a key timely hit with two RBIs.
This solidified Eijun's presence even further within the team, especially among the pitching rotation.
"You Shunshin, I look forward to our next battle," Miyuki said with a smile as they shook hands at the end of the game.
From Miyuki's perspective, You Shunshin was undoubtedly a pitcher who brought joy to any catcher, with his command and other qualities as a pitcher.
"The next time, huh? Heh," You Shunshin responded with a slight smile. After nodding, he walked away with light yet heavy steps.
The next time?
Eijun also watched Shunshin's back, knowing full well that Shunshin's only "next time" would be in the autumn tournament.
There would be no next summer for him, no next time in the summer tournament.
This was his last summer.
The winners march on, while the defeated immediately exit. This is the brutal reality of competitive sports.
I absolutely cannot let this summer end!!!!!
Eijun clenched his fist, determination flashing in his eyes.
Here I come!!!!!!
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