Chapter 112: Yakushi Battle – Equally Tenacious
The formidable presence of Yuuki imposed great pressure on Sanada.
Moreover, the Yakushi catcher was just an average player, unable to provide significant support to Sanada. In a one-on-one situation, very few pitchers at this stage can gain much advantage against Yuuki.
The trajectory of the cutter was perfectly captured.
A hit that struck the left outfield fence allowed Yuuki to successfully reach second base.
Had it not landed in left field, Yuuki might have even made it to third base. Only Yuuki could push Sanada to such an extent. Next up was the fifth batter, Masuko.
A power hitter, Masuko couldn't secure a hit from Sanada.
In a straightforward confrontation, Sanada managed to overpower Masuko's strength. During the pitch, you could see the muscles in Sanada's arms tremble with explosive force, a visually remarkable display.
Unyielding and direct, he did not give Masuko many opportunities.
A three-pitch strikeout secured the third out of the inning, leaving Yuuki stranded on second base without allowing Seidou High School to score a single run, thus ending their offensive drive.
"What a tenacious guy," Miyuki said with a smile.
"After all, he's practically the ace of the team, isn't he, Miyuki-senpai?" Eijun said softly, with a faint spark in his eyes.
"Indeed..." Miyuki responded, glancing at Eijun with a meaningful look.
"The top of the sixth inning, Yakushi High School's attack, fourth batter, right fielder, Yamauchi-kun."
Overall, Yakushi High School's batting lineup appeared quite strong. However, upon closer analysis, many weaknesses became apparent.
After careful observation over the first three to four innings, Miyuki reached such a conclusion.
"Whoosh"
"Pop"
"Strike!!!!"
An outside fastball! Damn, I was too focused on the pitch that struck out Raichi.
In the batter's box, the fourth batter, Yamauchi, showed a hint of regret.
Even though he knew deep down and kept reminding himself not to focus too much on that pitch, his body couldn't help but pay attention.
Focus, I must concentrate fully.
"Whew..."
Miyuki's eyes flickered subtly, and his fingers moved slightly beneath.
Eijun nodded slightly, the ball spun quietly behind him, and his grip shifted slightly in position.
"Whoosh"
As he swung, a sudden glint flashed.
Here it comes, a fastball!
This time, having fully tracked the trajectory of the fastball, Yamauchi seemed to have caught onto the ball's path.
However—
"Whoosh"
As the ball approached home plate, it sharply broke with even more inward curve, diving deeper into the inner corner.
"Crack!!!!"
The ball and bat collided fiercely.
"Bang"
Then it shot out, striking the first base boundary line.
Eijun quickly ran off the pitcher's mound, sprinting towards first base.
Yuuki picked up the ball and, twisting his body, flung it towards first base.
"Pop"
Eijun firmly caught the ball.
"Out!!!!"
"Nice backup, Sawamura!!!!"
"Focus, focus, always stay focused, Sawamura!!!!"
"Great throw, Eijun-kun."
"One out, one out, one out!!!"
The first one!!!
Eijun tilted his head back slightly.
In those slightly narrowed eyes, a glimmer of coldness flickered, and at that moment, Eijun's determination surged like a torrent. "I won't allow you to get a single run!!!"
"This kid!!!" Coach Todoroki gritted his teeth in the dugout, his expression showing a touch of anger. "Don't get too cocky!!!!"
"Fifth batter, second baseman, Fukuda-kun."
Just like Coach Todoroki's mood, the entire Yakushi High School team felt provoked by Eijun's stance.
"Kid, we'll show you just how terrifying our lineup can be!!!"
"First pitch, inside fastball!!!"
"Whoosh"
Inside!?
This kid!!!!
"Don't get too full of yourself!!!!"
Fukuda gritted his teeth, swinging the bat hard to meet the incoming white blur.
"Pop"
"Strike!!!!"
Was my swing too early!? The ball speed is faster than expected, over 135 KM? But the data said it was only 130!
"Whoosh"
Eijun and Miyuki weren't going to give the batter too much time to think.
After pressuring with the first pitch, they followed with the second pitch on the same trajectory, almost as if declaring war.
A high-pressure pitch approach.
Quickly driving the batter into a desperate situation.
"Crack!!!"
This time, from an inside pitch, it veered outwards!?
Fukuda's eyes widened with a look of shock—what a strange twist that ball took at the last moment!
"Bang"
"Senpai!!!" Eijun quickly turned his head, shouting to Ryousuke.
"Yes, yes." Ryousuke, with a hint of a smile, slid and intercepted the ball, then spun and threw it toward first base.
"Pop"
"Out!!!"
Fukuda halted frustratedly on the way to base, glaring at Eijun before leaving the field in anger.
"Sixth batter, pitcher, Sanada-kun."
"Whoosh"
"Crack"
"Bang"
"Foul!!!!"
Indeed, watching from the side didn't convey the real speed—much faster than it appeared. This pitching style, too, made it hard to time the swing correctly.
Sanada tightened his grip on the bat, quietly contemplating.
Eijun's firmness allowed no chance, no room for error at all. This was Eijun's pitching stance at the time.
As the game progressed, Eijun's pitch power only grew stronger, the intensity of his pitches amplifying.
He was hitting his stride.
Miyuki had to admit that Sawamura was in peak form today.
Especially after striking out Raichi, Sawamura's momentum reached its zenith, landing pitches almost perfectly in place. The deviations were negligible.
In this condition, Miyuki sensed that Eijun's precision on outside pitches had elevated again.
It wasn't just limited to low outside pitches.
Eijun was able to control the entire outside edge finely.
Of course, this might just be an exceptional moment during a peak state, but Miyuki believed that with such a starting point, Eijun's control would only become more refined moving forward.
"No need to waste pitches. Next, a four-seam fastball, an inside fastball, let's finish this!!!" After chasing down Sanada, Miyuki did not overthink it.
Textbook pitch calling? For Miyuki, such things were merely references for learning.
A catcher needs to learn to adapt to the situation!!!!
"Whoosh"
Judging the field, predicting the batter's condition.
Decisive pitch calling.
Guiding the pitcher.
All these elements reached a zenith for Miyuki as they entered the game's middle to late stages.
The white light dashed, a masterpiece between pitcher and catcher.
"Pop!!!"
"Strike, batter out!!!"
As the melodious sound reverberated through the field, it heralded the triumphant dance of a king!!!!
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