Chapter 128: The Intensifying Battle Against Sensen
"Safe at first!"
After confirming that the ball had hit the ground, Shirasu sprinted toward first base.
By the time the Sensen High School left fielder managed to retrieve the ball, Shirasu had already safely reached the first base bag.
Observing the fielder's stance, he wisely decided to stay at first rather than attempt to advance further.
"Nice, Shirasu!"
"Haha, that was a great hit."
"The timing was spot on, Shirasu!"
"Seidou! Seidou! Seidou!"
Shirasu's solid hit stirred up a wave of cheers from Seidou High's bench, while on the field, the players from Sensen High School exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions growing more serious.
Was Maki's curveball perfectly timed by chance? Or was this intentional?
Behind the plate, Sensen's catcher, Yagi, cast a questioning look toward his dugout.
In the dugout, Coach Ugai furrowed his brow slightly, and after a brief moment of thought, he gently patted his chest and shook his head.
Understanding the signal, Yagi nodded in acknowledgment.
"Now batting, shortstop Kuramochi."
No need to slow the pace. Keep up the pressure and accelerate the tempo of the offense!
Seidou's Coach Kataoka relayed instructions to Kuramochi, who had just stepped into the batter's box. Kuramochi touched the brim of his cap in response.
Yagi crouched back down behind home plate and flashed a sign.
On the mound, Maki took a deep breath and nodded slowly.
Whoosh
With a quick motion, the ball shot out like a streak of light.
As it neared the plate, the pitch took a sharp dive toward the inside corner, twisting dramatically in midair before bending abruptly toward the outer edge.
A curveball!
In the batter's box, Kuramochi's expression tightened as his eyes locked onto the ball's trajectory. He quickly widened his stance and took a long stride forward.
Lowering his bat, he swung with precision and speed.
Crack!
The sound echoed sharply, and Coach Ugai's eyes narrowed in shock.
On the field, the Sensen players' faces turned pale.
Whoosh
The ball rocketed toward the first base line.
Sensen's first baseman dove and extended his glove, barely making contact with the ball. However, he couldn't trap it in the mitt. The ball bounced off and rolled into right field.
Kuramochi swung on the first pitch and sent it into right field for a base hit!
One out, runners on first and second!
"Now batting, second baseman Kominato-kun."
Maki's curveball was completely read.
Has Seidou's batting really become this sharp?
No, they have to be stopped, even if it means giving everything they have.
In the center of the field, the Sensen infielders' faces steeled with determination. They were resolved to support their ace at all costs.
Standing on the mound, Maki's chest heaved as he struggled to stay calm.
His growing frustration and agitation, repeatedly targeted by Seidou, were becoming evident. As seen in the original series, Maki's mental composure was already questionable.
In this match, Seidou High School had succeeded in rattling him.
What made it worse was that, just like in the original story, Coach Ugai hadn't realized the emotional instability of his ace pitcher.
"Ryo-san, send it flying!"
"Come on, Maki, get this guy out!"
"Let's go, Kominato-senpai!"
"Break him down!"
"Take him out!"
"Crush it! Crush it! Crush it!"
Looks like they're focusing on the curveball. Yagi, change up the pitch mix to disrupt their timing.
Coach Ugai's eyes flashed as he calmly gave his instructions.
Yagi gave a slight nod in return.
On the mound, Maki's face was dark with frustration. Being repeatedly targeted left him filled with anger, and little by little, his rationality was being eaten away.
From the dugout, Eijun narrowed his eyes. In a strangely mystical way, he seemed to faintly sense the anger and dissatisfaction radiating from Maki on the mound. A faint smile appeared on Eijun's lips.
The pitcher is starting to waver...
Whoosh
As expected, in situations like this, a surprising tactic can often turn the tide. With runners in scoring position, Ryousuke Kominato quickly bent down, preparing for a bunt.
At the same time, Shirasu and Kuramochi took off from first and second base.
Crack!
The sharp sound of contact echoed.
At home plate, Yagi and Maki's faces changed instantly.
Whoosh
The ball shot out and smacked the ground.
"Oh! A bunt! Seidou High has made an unexpected move!"
"Shortstop, get to first!"
It was too late to make a play at second or third, but they needed to minimize the damage. As a fundamental rule, an out is still an out, and Sensen's catcher Yagi remained calm.
However, Ryousuke's bunt was placed too perfectly. Sensen's infielders had no way to properly handle the ball. All they could do was watch as Ryousuke reached first base.
"Bases loaded! At the top of the fifth inning, Seidou High's batting lineup has finally caught onto Maki's pitching. With one out and the bases loaded, Seidou has a golden opportunity to turn the game around. Will Sensen High weather the storm and maintain their lead, or will Seidou deliver the crucial hit to take control?"
The commentator's voice rose in excitement, adrenaline surging as the game intensified.
Maki, standing on the mound, looked dazed.
Bases loaded... How did it come to this?
"Now batting, third in the lineup, center fielder Isashiki-kun."
"You bastard, it's just getting started! Grit your teeth and hold on!"
With a fierce expression and aggressive words, Jun Isashiki exuded a powerful aura. His overwhelming presence sent a chill down the spines of the Sensen players.
"Maki, just let it go and pitch! We've got your back!"
"Ace, crush them!"
"Yosuke, you can do it! We believe in you!"
"Come on!!!"
Sensen's dugout and cheering section gave their support, rallying behind their ace, Yosuke Maki.
This was a fight to the death.
Seidou was determined to score, while Sensen was resolute in their defense. Neither side was willing to give an inch.
"Bring it on!!!" Jun Isashiki stood in the batter's box, his roar and the relentless rhythm of Seidou's offense pushing their momentum to the highest peak!
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