Chapter 126: Sensen High School vs Seido High School
"Currently underway is the first semifinal match in West Tokyo, where Seido High School is facing off against Sensen High School. Both teams have overcome numerous obstacles to reach Jingu Stadium, but only one will advance to the finals the day after tomorrow. Sensen High School, who scored first, is temporarily in control as we enter the third inning..."
The commentator was passionately describing the ongoing semifinal from the booth.
On the field, the battle between the two teams had reached a fever pitch.
"Whoosh!" A powerful curveball whizzed toward Eijun's face, making him instinctively dodge backward in surprise.
"Pop."
"Strike three, batter out!"
"Three outs, side change!"
Frustrated, Eijun bit his lip lightly as he walked off the batter's box with a sense of injustice. Despite his caution, he had still been outsmarted. It was clear that he needed to mature more.
The score was 1-0. In the opening half of the semifinal, Seido High School was up against Sensen High School, and it was now the fourth inning.
This was Eijun's second time at bat, having already faced the pitcher once before.
During his first attempt, he mistimed his swing waiting too long on a curveball, and swung too early when faced with a fastball, resulting in a fly ball to left field that was caught. This time, he ended up striking out.
It wasn't that Eijun was absolutely confident he would hit a safe hit.
However, after experiencing Coach Kataoka's simulations yesterday, Eijun had a desire to get a hit off this opponent.
Especially due to his opponent's eyes.
Those eyes instilled a sense of displeasure deep within Eijun.
In the original story, Maki Yosuke, the ace of Sensen High School, harbored a deep animosity towards Seido High School, driven by a kind of love-hate relationship. This animosity peaked whenever Haruichi was up to bat.
"You, a first-year, have no right to wear this uniform!!!!"
In the original, during the confrontation with Haruichi, Maki's arrogance, disdain, jealousy, and rage clouded his vision, allowing Haruichi to seize an opportunity against his curveball.
A grand slam, three runs batted in.
It shattered Sensen High School completely. In this lifetime, it was the same scenario; Eijun, who was starting, faced Maki's cold, subtly disdainful expression.
This was why Eijun had been holding back, aiming to give a good lesson to this guy in his second at-bat of the fourth inning. But as reality showed, this guy really had skill.
A perfect strikeout.
Eijun had to swallow his pride reluctantly, feeling quite upset.
He returned to the bench, fuming.
Chris and Miyuki exchanged glances and then smiled, shaking their heads.
Then they turned their attention back to the field, where Maki, jogging back to the bench, was moments away.
Their eyes reflected a shared apprehension about him as they realized they may have underestimated this pitcher.
One had to admit.
Maki was truly a tricky opponent.
Even when facing Tetsuya Yuuki, who had almost scored with a double in the first at-bat, Maki adjusted his strategy and walked the captain.
Though Seido's lineup managed to hit scattered singles throughout the four innings, they couldn't string together an attack to score, keeping the advantage temporarily with Sensen High School.
Even though Seido High School planned to use the first or second round of at-bats to observe the pitches, it was quite surprising to be suppressed like this.
This only proved that Maki was an opponent worthy of Seido High School's full effort and focus to overcome.
In front of Seido's bench, all the starting players gathered in a semi-circle.
"What do you think?" Coach Kataoka asked his Seido players, arms crossed.
"Hmm, the curveball's trajectory is as expected." Isashiki said calmly, adjusting his cap.
"The timing and movement of the pitch can be controlled." added Masuko with a nod.
"We can hit it." Captain Tetsu spoke briefly. Right from the start, Yuuki had picked up on Maki's pitch routes, be they curveballs or fastballs.
Maki didn't dare to challenge the captain directly.
Listening to his seniors, Eijun's eyes gleamed with a hint of a smirk.
Humph, even if I can't hit your pitches, someone will. Just wait and see the true explosive power of our formidable lineup!
At that moment, such a childish thought flashed through Eijun's mind.
Eijun, having truly unshackled himself from his inner constraints, has now started to fully embrace and release his natural instincts.
"Hmm, there's no need to rush. Step by step, tighten the opponent's space, and then, finally deliver the decisive blow!" Coach Kataoka said with a slight smile.
"Yes!!!!"
Though Sensen High School temporarily held the upper hand, there was no reason for Seido High School to be anxious.
The game had only reached its midpoint, and the players had begun to find their rhythm. Moreover, Tanba was in good form today.
In the first three innings, Tanba had allowed only a few hits. The sole run given up was partly due to luck.
For the rest, under Miyuki's guidance, Seido High School had managed to suppress Sensen High School's batters steadily.
So there was no rush.
They just needed to move at their own pace, confident that victory would ultimately be theirs.
"Bottom of the fourth inning, Sensen High School, sixth batter, catcher Yagi."
"Whoosh."
"Clang!"
"Thud."
"Foul ball!"
After experiencing a poor performance against Yakushi, an introspective Tanba seemed to have had an overnight epiphany. This change in mindset allowed him to bring out his full potential in this semifinal.
In the third inning, despite the walks, hits, and a run allowed, Tanba remained calm while pitching.
Miyuki was particularly pleased with this.
Whether it was a fastball or a curveball, Tanba could precisely pitch to the required locations.
Though his fastball still lacked a bit of sharpness, it was sufficient.
"Whoosh."
"Pop."
"Strike three, batter out!!!!!"
After pressuring the batter, Tanba secured an out with a decisive curveball. Unlike Maki's curveball, Tanba's had its own unique trajectory, posing a considerable challenge for Sensen High School.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Tanba didn't allow further runs.
After striking out Yagi, he gave up a single due to a straightforward fastball, but he shut down the next two batters effectively.
With a fly ball to left field being easily caught by Eijun, the bottom of the fourth inning ended with Sensen High School failing to score.
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