Chapter 115: Yakushi Battle - Seizing the Opening
"Ping"
"Bang!"
"Kuramochi-senpai!!"
Eijun quickly turned his head and shouted at Kuramochi, who was not far behind.
"Got it, got it, leave it to me! It's always these troublesome balls!!" Kuramochi muttered as he swiftly moved into position, intercepting the bouncing ball. His left-handed glove reliably caught the ball.
"Snap"
"Out!!!!"
There was no need for excessive caution, especially against the lower part of the lineup.
If Yakushi's lineup was aggressive, then we needed to adopt an even more offensive approach to dominate them, securing control of the game firmly in our hands.
With the first batter, Watanabe, quickly out.
Next up, Yakushi High's eighth batter, Kobayashi, also didn't gain any advantage against Eijun and was swiftly struck out on three pitches.
However, the tendencies displayed during their at-bats and their delayed swings created a growing unease in both Eijun and Miyuki.
The way they were waiting for the pitches was too concerning, their behavior was highly suspicious.
It felt as if they were thoroughly aiming for certain types of pitches, and as this thought emerged, Eijun felt the likelihood of this being true was quite high, though it struck him as quite laughable.
Because it was simply too simplistic and obvious.
Miyuki seemed to have thought of this potential as well, but such a tactic—if it really was only aimed at outside pitches—was far too straightforward and foolish.
If Yakushi High School only had such tricks up their sleeves...
Then this game would be over right here!!
There was a unique light gleaming in Eijun's eyes.
"Whoosh"
"Ping!!!!"
"Bang!"
"Foul!!!"
After two consecutive pitches pressured Kobayashi, Miyuki subtly signaled from behind: a cutter. Let's get this batter out and end the inning before Raichi takes the field.
In the next inning, if we face Raichi with no runners on base and strike him out again, this game can end!
"Mm," Eijun's eyes flashed.
His instincts were correct; Yakushi wasn't simple.
They had found a gap not dictated by Eijun's speed but by a slight oversight between the pitcher and catcher.
"Whoosh"
That glimmer shone once more at the critical moment.
In the batter's box, Oota Isao suddenly recalled Coach Todoroki's words before he stepped up to bat.
This at-bat, this pitcher would definitely aim for the inside pitch in the end, and it would certainly be an inside cutter up high!!
Before being pressured, he would act like he was ready to swing normally, but on the next pitch after the pressure, he would catch that inside cutter and hit it out of the park!!!!
"Tap!"
"Swish!!!!"
With a whooshing sound, Oota's stance changed.
Unlike his previous wait, he swiftly swung at the moment that brilliant light appeared.
As the dazzling ball came toward home plate.
The bat met the ball head-on.
"Ping!!!!!!"
Under Miyuki's suddenly changed expression, the ball and bat connected perfectly, producing a sharp sound.
"What!?"
The light shot up into the sky, illuminating the scene and reflecting the wide-eyed, incredulous expression on Eijun's face.
"Whoosh"
The rapidly soaring ball passed over the infield and dove straight into the outfield, causing Eijun's expression on the mound to darken instantly.
"Thud"
Isashiki quickly reacted and raced towards the ball's landing spot, but he was still a step too late.
As the ball hit the ground just two positions ahead of him.
Using the first two batters as bait, Coach Todoroki's strategy to get one batter on base and extend the inning had succeeded!!!
"Ohhhhhh!!! In the top of the seventh inning, with two outs, Yakushi High School has finally secured their first hit against Seido's freshman pitcher, Eijun Sawamura! Oota-kun with a clean single to center-left field!!! And now, the real main event begins!!!!"
"Great job, Oota!!!"
"I knew you could do it, you little brat!!!"
"Excellent!!!"
"Oota, I owe you a barbecue tonight!"
"Haha, that's how it's done!"
In the dugout, Coach Todoroki leaned back with a satisfied smile, crossing his legs. "Kid, you think you can challenge me? You're still too inexperienced."
Now the lineup could move on to his beloved son.
Heh, Raichi, show this unaware kid what's what!!!
Eijun's expression turned grim as he watched Yakushi's runner, Oota, step onto second base. Oota wore an excited look, pumping his fist in triumph.
In that moment, Eijun realized that despite having continuously reminded himself to be careful and vigilant, the series of victories had somewhat clouded his judgment. He had begun to feel proud.
After all, what kind of player would truly aim for that sacred land without being exceptional?
He had let his guard down a bit, or rather, his pride had overshadowed his instincts.
The lingering obsession of the third-years—their dedication was the same as his!!!
He had revealed a slight opening, and it had been seized so easily!!
"First in the lineup, third baseman, Raichi-kun!!!"
Eijun's sense of regret, in the next second, was overshadowed by the powerful aura and thunderous footsteps approaching, a strong pressure sweeping in like a hurricane.
Eijun couldn't help but stiffen.
Gradually turning his head, he looked at the figure stepping into the batter's box, swallowing hard.
This player, without a doubt, the strongest batter of this generation (in the first-year group) — Raichi Todoroki!!!
I will crush you, send you flying; this time, I will definitely catch you!!!
With that fierce grin, those eyes brimming with intensity, and the overwhelming presence of his bat, Raichi was stepping up to the plate for his second at-bat!!!
"Sawamura, this was just an accident, it was pure luck to hit that one!!!"
"Sawamura, if you can strike him out once, you can do it again; go on the attack!!!"
"Raichi, hit it out of the park!!!"
"Raichi-kun!"
"Sawamura, we've got your back!!!"
"Raichi, it's all up to you!!!"
Faced with the overwhelming momentum of Raichi, Eijun took a deep breath. Making a mistake once was okay, but he couldn't allow it a second time. With two outs already, he needed to focus and not rush.
He was still in the advantageous position.
Meanwhile, Miyuki's expression at home plate was not any better. When that last ball was hit, if Miyuki hadn't reacted quickly, he would not deserve to call himself an exceptional catcher.
This was all part of that bastard uncle's plan.
To exploit the gap in Sawamura's pitching.
What a crafty move, you bastard uncle!!!
Miyuki thought to himself, gritting his teeth.
However, the advantage still lay with them; with two outs already, now all he hoped for was that Eijun wouldn't be shaken by this hit.
That kid had been too lucky lately, and just now, he had let his guard down, failing to pitch to the required spot. He lacked the rigorous professional experience that—
Wait…
As thoughts of concern flashed through Miyuki's mind and his gaze shifted back to the pitcher's mound…
His expression momentarily froze. What came into Miyuki's view was Eijun's exceptionally calm demeanor and fully focused eyes.
This kid!!!
Miyuki couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head slightly. It seemed he had worried for nothing. The kid's emotional transition was excellent!
If that's the case, then it could come down to this!
A moment of intense light glimmered in Miyuki's eyes, making his heart race.
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