Chapter 155: The Equally Formidable Inashiro Match
"Whoosh."
"Ping."
"Bang."
The baseball smacked down hard onto the ground as shortstop Kuramochi quickly slid to intercept it, then swiftly threw it toward first base.
"Smack!"
"OUT!"
"Three outs! Switch sides!"
"An impressive performance! Even after the home run, Seidou's first-year left-handed pitcher, Eijun Sawamura, struck out Narumiya Mei in three pitches, got Yamaoka out at sixth, and put an end to Inashiro Industrial's attack. He's declaring that he won't go down easily! However, Inashiro still managed to score the two points they needed, bringing both teams back to even footing in this late-game battle!"
As Kuramochi intercepted the ball and the first base umpire made the call, Eijun's tightly-strung nerves finally relaxed, if only slightly.
"Ah..."
Eijun exhaled slowly, then, without hesitation, walked off the pitcher's mound, jogging back toward Seidou's dugout. Watching his back, most of Inashiro's players had increasingly serious expressions.
Even Coach Kunitomo's eyes showed a subtle change.
In Jingu Stadium, the thousands of spectators in the stands burst into loud discussions.
"He didn't break under pressure. Is this guy really a first-year pitcher?"
"No. 11? Eijun Sawamura—he looks like he's ready to wear the ace number!"
"Inashiro's home run was unexpected, but this lefty's performance is even more surprising!"
"He stays calm under pressure. What matters is how you respond after a hit. This lefty has already shown remarkable skill and mental strength."
"Now that the game is back to even, it's getting even more interesting."
"Just three more innings—ahhh, I've got goosebumps!"
Back in the dugout.
Seeing Coach Kataoka's calm gaze, Eijun hesitated slightly, showing a conflicted, uncertain expression. But soon, it was replaced by a determined look.
He didn't want to leave the mound, not even after giving up a home run.
Eijun Sawamura—this is the one position he refuses to surrender to anyone!
Their eyes met for just a moment, then Coach Kataoka gave a small nod.
"Good job. For the next three innings, keep it up."
His words were simple and calm, but they lifted Eijun's biggest worry. He knew that for the next three innings, Coach Kataoka still believed in him.
Beside him, Chris and Miyuki both gave subtle smiles.
And in the dugout, at this moment, whether it was Tanba, Furuya, or Kawakami, they all looked at Eijun with complex yet admiring gazes.
Especially Tanba and Kawakami. Here was a first-year under intense pressure in a decisive game, standing tall and battling bravely, even after allowing a home run. That unwavering figure, refusing to yield.
It wasn't just his skill.
Tanba truly understood why Coach Kataoka trusted and recognized Eijun, allowing him to start and possibly even finish such a critical game.
It was also Eijun's unbreakable spirit—something none of them could match.
"I'm really sorry. My inexperience let them tie the score. But from now on, I absolutely won't slip up again!" Eijun suddenly bowed, loudly apologizing to the team in the dugout.
"Haha, Sawamura, you're already pitching excellently!" Jun Isashiki replied, "Holding down Inashiro's lineup like this—you've done great!"
"Hehe, leave the rest to us upperclassmen," Ryousuke said with a smile.
"Count on us," team captain Yuuki's words were always firm.
"Yes!"
Eijun replied in a low voice, then glanced toward Inashiro's dugout with a resolute gaze.
The game wasn't over yet. Even though the score was even, the victory in this game would be ours, Narumiya Mei!
Meanwhile, in the third-base dugout on Inashiro's side…
The two-run home run had tied the game, lifting Inashiro's spirits. But after that, Eijun's performance tempered their excitement.
They hadn't truly broken this lefty.
That was the hardest thing for them to believe.
They had expected this lefty to collapse after the home run. Inashiro had even started planning for Seidou's next pitcher and how to keep scoring.
Eijun's response was a sharp slap in the face.
Coach Kunitomo's conviction grew stronger, not for any specific reason, but because Eijun's performance at this moment was even better than Narumiya's in his first year.
A pitcher doesn't just need to throw well.
"No matter what, the score is tied. Three more innings. Guard carefully. One run, just one, got it?" Coach Kunitomo maintained his usual cold demeanor.
"Yes!"
"Top of the seventh inning, Seidou's turn at bat. Seventh in the lineup, left fielder, Sakai-kun."
It must be said that with the momentum from the home run and the tied score, Inashiro Industrial has, for the first time in this game, taken control and suppressed Seidou's momentum. This surge in energy is evident not only in their offense but now flowing into their defense as well.
"Whoosh."
"Smack."
"Strike!"
One pitch after another, Narumiya's throws become increasingly powerful and intimidating.
"Whoosh."
"Ping."
"Bang."
"Foul!"
As Sakai's bat connected with the ball, a pained expression flickered across his face. This was his third at-bat in this game, and from start to finish, he had been completely outmatched. While others had managed to contribute in some way, he alone felt painfully ineffective.
No, he couldn't let it end like this—he had to make a contribution, even if it was just something small!
As the ball flashed into his view like a sudden, piercing light, he steeled himself.
"Whoosh."
"Swish."
With a sudden swing, Sakai put everything he had into one final attempt, betting on this moment to make his three years of effort count!
However, while dreams may be inspiring, reality can be harsh. The white blur of the ball sped past his bat with ease, landing perfectly in Harada's glove.
At the sharp, clear sound of the catch, Sakai's pupils contracted.
"Smack."
"Strike! Batter out!"
His body stiffened, and his face turned crestfallen. At that moment, Sakai felt a deep sense of helplessness. Against a pitcher like Narumiya, he was powerless.
He had been swept aside like nothing more than debris, crushed without effort.
With a desolate expression, Sakai finally walked off the batter's box, defeated.
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