高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

So in less than a couple weeks time, we will have the projected field for the 86th Haru Koushien. Most of the field is pretty much decided, but there is the matter of the 21st century bids which the JHBF gives out to those schools which have shown success in the face of adversity, or for things they have contributed to the community.

The final 9 nominees are:

• Hokkaido - Kitami Kougyou
• Tohoku - Matsushima (Miyagi)
• Kanto/Tokyo - Tomioka (Gunma)
• Hokushinetsu - Kanazawa Shougyou (Ishikawa)
• Tokai - Toyohashi Kougyou (Aichi)
• Kinki - Touin (Wakayama)
• Chuugoku - Hirata (Shimane)
• Shikoku - Matsuyama Higashi (Ehime)
• Kyushu - Yahata Minami (Fukuoka)

Remember that there are 3 bids given out, 1 for the Western regionas, 1 for the Eastern regions and 1 as a wild card.

Let's go through each nominee:

Kitami Kougyou (Lost in Super-Regional Quarterfinals)
Kitami Kougyou actually has a great resume. They didn't have to face Kitami Hokuto in the regionals, but did play and defeat Engaru with 2 runs late. They then defeated Sapporo Dai-ichi and Hakodate Kougyou before losing a 2-0 lead to eventual champions Toukai Dai-yon late.

It would be nice to see a team from Hokkaido to make it as a 21st century team as I think they are generally under-represented. Kitami Kougyou might make it through this year.

Matsushima (Lost in 2nd round of Super-Regionals)
Matsushima's resume, despite reaching the super-regionals, is very weak. They qualified as the 3rd place team out of Miyagi, having been shutout in the regional final to Touryou 5-0, and losing in the semifinals 7-0 to Sendai Ikuei. They defeated Furukawa Gakuen 9-2 in 8 to get that 3rd place.

They blew out Miyako Shougyou in the first round before losing in 10 innings to Oomagari Kougyou 3-2 in 10 innings.

The lack of competitiveness in the major games means on baseball merit they don't really have a leg to stand on that way.

Tomioka (Lost in semifinals of Gunma prefecturals)
Tomioka's resume is much shorter, and therefore is harder to build compared to other schools. Their signature win was in the round of 16 where they defeated Tokyou Noudai Dai-ni 2-1 in 12 innings. They did hold firm early against Kendai Takasaki in the semifinals, but faltered late giving up 5 runs to fall 7-3.

Like Matsushima, if they get in it will be based upon some other merit than on the field results.

Kanazawa Shougyou (Lost in 1st round of Super-Regionals)
Kanazawa Shougyou was impressive in prefecture, defeating powerhouses Kanazawa and Seiryou back-to-back to win the title (They shutout Kanazawa, and then rallied after falling behind 6-3 in the final 2 innings to win 8-6).

The problem is that they suffered a mercy-rule loss to Toyama Dai-ichi. They were shutout by Tsuruga Kehi 2 games later, but then again who didn't? The big name victories in-prefecture will be a plus.

Toyohashi Kougyou (Lost in 1st round of Super-Regionals)
Give credit to Toyohashi Kougyou, they did reach the super-regionals. But they didn't have to defeat any of the big-name schools and when they did it was a 10-0 loss to Aikoudai Meiden. They did salvage 3rd when they defeated Haruhigaoka 3-1.

And in the super-regionals, they fell behind quickly to Hamamatsu Shuugakusha (Shizuoka 2) and lost 6-1.

Sadly, they fall in with the likes of Matsushima and Tomioka when considering teams using baseball merit.

Touin (Lost in prefectural quarterfinals)
Touin's resume might actually be the weakest of them all. They qualified for the prefecturals proper by being one of the 4 winners of the 1st year tournament. But in the first round (i.e. the quarterfinals), they lost 7-5 to Minoshima.

Now, the loss could be qualified in that they gave up 6 runs in the bottom of the 8th, but still with Minoshima not performing well in the super-regionals it doesn't really give Touin that much weight for consideration.

Hirata (Lost in super-regional quarterfinals)
Hirata, for what it's worth in Shimane, built about a good of a resume as they could have.

First, in the first stage, they defeated a solid Izumo Nourin squad 4-0. Then, in the prefecturals they defeated Masuda Shouyou and Taisha before almost slipping up against Matsue Kita, winning in sayonara fashion 3-2. They then gave Risshoudai Shounan all they could handle rallying from behind to force enchousen, but lost an inning later 5-4.

Hirata had a favorable draw in the super-regionals, getting Yonago Higashi (Tottori 4) to open - though they needed all 9 innings to win 2-0. Unfortunately, scoring late was not a successful strategy against Ube Shougyou (Yamaguchi 2) as by that time they were already trailing 4-0, eventually losing 6-3.

Matsuyama Higashi (Lost in 1st round of super-regionals)
Matsuyama Higashi's run this year started off well with a 7-1 win over Touon in the regionals. But when they reached the prefecturals, they struggled all the way through against teams like Matsuyama Kita and Komatsu before putting together a solid 3-2 win over a resurging Nitta squad. However, when paired with Imabari Nishi in the final, they fell flat losing in a shutout 5-0.

They didn't really appear to recover from that in the super-regionals, though admittedly it didn't help that they were paired against Naruto (Tokushima 3). A 5-2 loss spelled the end of things.

Yahata Minami (Lost in 1st round of super-regionals)
Yahata Minami had a good run this year, starting with an exhaustive 8-6 victory versus Touchiku to advance to the prefecturals.

In the prefecturals, they then put a solid game together against Nishi-Nippon Tankidai Fuzoku, narrowly winning 4-3 before failing late, yielding 5 runs in the final 2 innings to fall 5-4 to eventual winners Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu. Still, with Fukuoka qualifying 4 teams as the host, they advanced to the super-regionals.

They unfortunately drew one of the few first round spots and a game against St. Ursula (Miyazaki 2). Once again, they failed to hold a lead, relinquishing a 2-0 and then a 3-2 lead, falling 4-3 for an early exit.

The run for them was good, but there wasn't a true quality win in their run. Still, compared to some of the other resumes it looks better than most of them.

____________________________________________________________

So, with a summary of all the nominees, who is projected to receive that phone call?

It's hard to say. Mostly because there is that part that can award a bid for something outside of baseball merit.

But, as best as I can determine, here's what I see happening:

• Hokkaido - Kitami Kougyou
• Tohoku - Matsushima (Miyagi)
• Kanto/Tokyo - Tomioka (Gunma)
• Hokushinetsu - Kanazawa Shougyou (Ishikawa)
• Tokai - Toyohashi Kougyou (Aichi)
• Kinki - Touin (Wakayama)
• Chuugoku - Hirata (Shimane)
• Shikoku - Matsuyama Higashi (Ehime)
• Kyushu - Yahata Minami (Fukuoka)

And so we reach the championship game.  For all the potential favorites that were out there, we are left with an all-Kinki affair, and a rematch at that.

Riseisha has made it here dominating every game, until that completely nuts game against legitimate contender (and first timers!) Toyokawa.  Despite jumping on not relief starter Abe, but actually ace Tanaka Sora (who had been one of the more dominating pitchers), reliever Nagatani looked finally human for once and they found themselves seemingly in a dogfight late.

However for Toyokawa, they gambled - going all out on offense at the expense of pitching, reminding all of us of the famous (or infamous depending on who you rooted for) Teikyou-Chiben Wakayama game of 2006.  And without #11 Ochiai due to illness, they were out of legitimate pitchers.  Imai-kantoku did his best to find an emergency pitcher, but much like Teikyou, it was all in vain.

I did not have Riseisha as a possible contender for the title, mainly because the pitching didn't seem to hold water.  However, they have succeeded by jumping on their opposition early, and forcing their hand relative to pitching and their offense pressing playing from behind.  Mizota isn't really a stud ace, but has been serviceable despite giving up several runs.  Instead, the heft of the weight actually falls upon Nagatani who is generally tasked with holding the line, wherever it is when he enters the game.  But yesterday's efforts may mean that his effectiveness might be cracking just a bit.

Ryuukokudai Heian had the potential to be a contender considering that Harada-kantoku had been supposedly combining multiple pitchers together to complete a game - essentially breaking the game up into smaller parts that each pitcher could handle.

And yet, for the most part at Koushien, he instead has asked these pitchers to go a full 9 - instead alternating his starters.  This isn't new news, other teams such as Narashino have done it before.  So far, it's been #10 Takahashi Keiji and unknown #18 Motouji Reiji (he wasn't even on the fall roster!!).  Ace Nakata has been put in relief, but outside of his 4.1IP performance, has been used in short stints.  Not a surprise since I believe from reports he's actually considered their "closer".  And there's still 2 pitchers that they haven't used - #11 Inudzuka Takaya and #16 Minato Youichi.  Harada-kantoku has made his pitching as close to true pitching staff as we've seen.

The offense is also impressive from a skill standpoint.  There have been points where Heian have shown their power (hey, it's that Motouji guy hitting a HR!).  But as the Kiryuu Dai-ichi game showed us, these guys can run.  Now sure, against Sano Nichidai, they were like the Blues Brothers, just running around and around, but if done properly it looks to be a legitimate threat.  Speed doesn't slump, and Heian appears to have speed for days.

Now as mentioned before, this is a rematch.  These teams played in the Kinki Super-Regional semifinals with Heian winning that game 11-7.  In that game, Keiji started for Heian, struggled, and then handed it over to Inudzuka who gave up apparently just 1 run thereafter.

On the other side, Nagatani actually started that game, and had two bad innings where he was tagged for 4 runs apiece.  He handed it over to the relief staff who failed to record and out, before ace Mizota entered the game, and finished the final 2.2 innings while giving up another 3 runs.

There should be no secrets going into this game.  These teams are familiar with each other well enough (even #18 Motouji now that Riseisha has 2 games of data) and should make for a very competitive, high-tension final.

The ouen-dans are ready, Riseisha's yellow R, and Heian's black H displayed prominently.  For both Harada-kantoku and Okada-kantoku, it's a high point in their long tenures.  Okada's is approaching 30 years, Harada 20...

So without further ado... our championship game!

Riseisha (Osaka)
3B Tsuji Motomasa
2B Inoue Kazuya
SS Yoshida Yuuki
LF Nakayama Shouta
RF Nishimura Takahiro
C Hatta Natsu
CF Kanaoka Youhei (#13)
1B Kinuta Shouta (#14)
P Mizota Yuuto
____________________________________________________________

12:34 - First Pitch!

So Harada-kantoku will go with Keiji once more like the semifinal.  Riseisha goes with Mizota to start instead....

And a cute little elementary school girl throws out the championship game's ceremonial 1st pitch.  Aw....

Top 1st
Tokumoto scorches a slider down the right field line!  He's going for 3!  Riseisha has to throw as he gets in standing triple!

Ootani ball back up middle!  Inoue runs it down, glove tosses to Yoshida, but he has no throw!  Nice try, but Tokumoto scores to make to 1-0 Heian!!

Himeno showing bunt, but can't lay it down running the count to 2 strikes.

Shows bunt!  And he lays it down.

#10 Nagatani already in the bullpen as Mizota falls behind 2-0.

Kawai slicer down left field line... just foul!

Ball 4!  Mizota puts another runner on as Hatta goes to to talk to his ace...

It doesn't help!  Mizota walks Nakaguchi on 4 straight and it's manrui for Heian!  Hatta goes out for another talk as Nagatani warms up...

Ball 1 way high!  Will Tsune hand Mizota the rope?

Doesn't need to!  Mizota hits him in the back!  Oshidashi dead ball and it's 3-0 Heian!

And still no change at P!

Finally, a first pitch strike to Ishikawa.  He swings and fouls off another, behind 1-2.

Checks his swing, just....  Umpire doesn't give go around.

Jammed!  Pops it up to 2nd.  Inoue on the outfield grass, makes the catch,  2 down.

Mizota still struggling with the zone.  Falls behind Yuuya 2-0 before firing 2 to level the count.

Pops it up!  Kinuta near the bullpen, makes the catch to retire the side.

But Heian has decided to take the fight to Riseisha and put them on their heels!  Despite the barrage Mizota stays in.

Bottom 1st
How will Riseisha respond?

Before that, Himeno is apparently getting treatment for something.  For what I'm not sure.  He emerges, and looks ok, but not sure what happened there.

Keiji not looking too sharp, falling behind Tsuji 3-0, and then hits him!  Oy.

The wildness works to Keiji's advantage against Inoue who was trying to bunt.  Winds up behind 0-2.

Lunges to bunt, and pushes it foul!  1 out!  Why bunt on that pitch?

Keiji at least missing in the right places, but still not close and wait a sec.. a pitch that looked over the plate is called ball 4??

Nakayama up now with the douten run on base.

And suddenly, against the righty, he gets ahead 0-2?!  Then gives one back on a waste pitch.

Nakayama ball down the right field line... foul!!!  Just foul!

Fastball inside, just a little too much...

SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keiji throws out the curve and Nakayama is way out in front for the 2nd out!

Nishimura high chopper in front of the plate!  Keiji waits for it, turns and fires.. 3 out!  Keiji has his own issues on the mound, but unlike his counterpart, gets the donut!

Top 2nd
A better start to the inning for Mizota as Keiji rolls one to short for the first out.

Tokumoto still going after Mizota, but gets under a pitch this time.  Nakayama coming in, makes the sliding catch for the 2nd out.

Ootani up, behind early, he works the count full... only to watch the changeup go right down the middle for the 3rd out.  Well, for at least an inning, Mizota has settled down.

Bottom 2nd
Hatta sharp liner through the left side for a leadoff single.  Kanaoka, getting a start after his efforts last game,bunts the runner along.  Riseisha fine with playing for 1 run early.

Kinuta goes after a high pitch and hits it up the middle!  Inoue looks to be there, but no!  It somehow gets by him and into center!  Hatta being sent home!  Throw from Tokumoto... not in time!  Kinuta gets a run back with a timely single!  2-1!

Mizota up, and he bunts the runner along for the top of the order.

Tsuji ball up middle!  Ishikawa just picks it up off the end of his glove!  Square and throws to 1st... 3 out!!!  Nice play by Ishikawa to keep the lead!

Top 3rd
One down, and I don't think Mizota wants to face Kawai at all.  He winds up walking him for the 2nd time.

And now he's missing the zone on Nakaguchi as well, and walks him again on 4 straight!

Are they trying to work around the 4 & 5 batters?? So they'll walk 2 batters just to get to Tsune?

It might work though!  Tsune grounds to 2nd.  Yoshida to 2nd for 1, throw to first high!  Kinuta tries the tag, but he's safe!  Heian still has a chance!

Ishikawa grounder to the right side!  That's by Kinuta!  That gets by Inoue too!! Base hit!  Kawai scores!  Tsune to 3rd!  Ishikawa going to 2nd... throw from Tsuji... OUT!!!

Ishikawa runs himself out of the inning trying to take an extra base!  The run does score, but Riseisha avoids more.  3-1 Heian!

Bottom 3rd
Inoue gets Riseisha another leadoff runner with a hard single past a diving Ishikawa.  Yoshida not bunting though.

Yoshida takes the slider the other way!  It slices down the left field line fair!  Inoue heads to 3rd and Riseisha with a great opportunity here!

And it looks like it's forced Harada-kantoku's hand here.  #18 Motouji comes in for Keiji to take the hill.

Okada-kantoku elects to bunt!  Nakayama lays it down, and advances Yoshida to 2nd.  Interesting...

Nishmura chopper!  Runners going on contact!   Tsune goes home... and Inoue doesn't even make it there.  2 out.

Motouji though being very careful with Hatta.  Borderline pitches all the way, yet he sneaks one in and gets a swinging strike on a change.  Full count.

Grounder to 2nd!  Himeno gathers it in!  Takes his time, goes to 1st... 3 out!  Motouji gets Heian out of a no out, runners at the corners situation!

Top 4th
Yuuya swings on a high fastball and drives it to right center.  Tateishi and Nishimura headed towards the wall!  It lands just in front of it!  Yuuya already around 2nd, and reaches 3rd without a throw!

Motouji looking for any decent fly ball to get the runner in, has the count run to 2 strikes and fights a pair off.

But Mizota wins the battle, twisting him on a fastball inside.

Now the hard part begins.  Leadoff batter Tokumoto steps in.

However, he is not eager.  Takes his pitches, gets ahead 3-1.  Takes a change for strike 2.

Fastball outside and up!  Tokumoto takes it the other way!  Yoshida has no play and Yuuya makes it 4-1!

And Tokumoto takes off for 2nd!  Throw from Hatta, not nearly in time!  Now a base hit from Ootani could tack on another!

But again, he's patient.  Not chasing, and works his count full.

SANSHIN!

This time though, Mizota breaks out the change and Ootani swings and misses for the 2nd out.

If Riseisha is really unintentionally intentionally walking the 4-5 batters, they probably would like to get Himeno out.

And they do.  Himeno flies to left to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
Kanaoka with a screamer towards 2nd.  Himeno smothers it, goes to 1st for the out.

But Kinuta needs a moment at 1st after Motouji hits home on the first pitch.  Okada-kantoku has Mizota bunting.

You don't suppose in this case, Harada-kantoku had Kinuta put on base so Okada-kantoku would waste an out with a bunt?

Well with the count 1-2, he tries it anyways, lays it down on the line, and Yuuya makes the executive decision to make the play at 1st since they were running out of time for any play whatsoever.

Top of the order and Tsuji.

He's looking for his pitch, but Motouji makes the decision for him with a slider for strike 2.

And he gets him to chase the slider down and away for the 3rd out!

Top 5th
Well, it looks like my working around of the middle batter theory isn't really valid.  Mizota is going after Kawai and strikes him out swinging on the slider.

Goes after Nakaguchi as well.  And on a full count, he climbs the ladder on him and it's back-to-back K's.  That's just weird for the 4-5 batters...

Tsune grounds to short for the 3rd out  and it's just Mizota's 2nd 1-2-3 inning.

Bottom 5th
Inoue with a liner to center, but perhaps off the end of the bat and Tokumoto is there for the catch.

Yoshida ball up middle.  Himeno slides over, but can't field it cleanly!  Desperate throw to 1st, not in time!  E4.

AH!  And a low pitch from Motouji scoots on the grounder under Hatta!  Yoshida advances to 2nd!

Nakayama with a ball up the middle!  Himeno makes a great sliding catch!  Double clutches, goes to 1st, gets the out!  He comes back with a great play after the error!

AH!  Nishimura gets a hold of a pitch!  Tokumoto sprinting to the wall!   Leaps!  Just out of his reach!  Yoshida scores and it's a 4-2 ballgame on Nishimura's double!

Hatta looking to make it a one-run game with a base hit.

But he can't!  Motouji with the change gets him swinging and keeps the lead at 2!  We hit the break with Riseisha continuing to chase Heian.  But Motouji in relief has for the most part kept Riseisha at bay.  It's possible in the final Harada-kantoku will go back to splitting the game up into parts like he did in the fall taikais.

Top 6th
Ishikawa badly fooled on a fastball outside, goes down on 3 straight.

Yuuya making it look easy, liner to right for a single. Motouji not bunting, not after that HR in the first game  Makes decent contact, but it's a fly right to Kanaoka for the 2nd out.

Tokumoto with his 3rd hit of the day, a single through the opposite way.

Ootani waiting for his pitch, takes a real borderline one for ball 3... but can't get fortunate twice. He gets rung up and the inning is over.

Bottom 6th
Kanaoka with a blooper to right center.  Tokumoto and Himeno converge, but can't get there in time!  Leadoff runner on again for Riseisha!

After Kinuta bunts the runner over, Mizota is called back.  His day is done as #17 Tsujii comes to hit.  He grounds to 2nd, and advances the runner for the top of the order.

Tsuji though, doesn't have a hit so far...

SANSHIN!!!

And still doesn't!  He chases the forkball and the side is retired!

Top 7th
#10 Nagatani as expected, comes to the mound looking to maintain the line for Riseisha.

His job starts against the 3-4-5 hitters for Heian.

Himeno having a better time of it against Nagatani, has an 9 pitch AB capped off with a liner to center for a base hit.  Kawai, despite having 2 strikes, successfully bunts him along.

Nakaguchi in a prolonged AB against Nagatani, fouling off several pitches...

But Riseisha wins again!  Nagatani has him chasing the slider way outside for the 2nd out.

Tsune trying to get his first base hit, but Nagatani pulls out the slider again, and he foul tips it into the glove for the 3rd out!  Nagatani giving up the leadoff hit, but bearing down after that.  Holds the line for now, but they're slowly running out of time.

Bottom 7th
Lucky 7 for Riseisha, can they start a rally?

0-2 for Inoue, grounder to short for the 1st out.

Motouji issues his first walk of the game, walking Yoshida on 4 straight.

But Nakayama swings on the first pitch and grounds to 3rd!  Tsune goes to 2nd for 1... Himeno to 1st... double play!!  They turn the double play to end the inning!

Top 8th
Defensive changes for Riseisha.  #8 Tateishi comes in for Nakayama and goes to CF.  Kanaoka goes to LF.

Ishikawa a quick flyout to left.

Yuuya with his 3rd hit, waiting on the slider hits it to left.

Motouji hitting, but chases the fastball away for the 2nd out.

Oh?  Balk called on Nagatani? Ah, he really didn't step towards first on that pickoff throw.

Tokumoto with a controlled swing, tries to poke one the other way, but it's hit too hard and Kanaoka makes the catch.

Bottom 8th
Nishimura grounder to short, throw to 1st.  LATE!!!  Ishikawa takes too much time getting the ball off and it's a base hit for Riseisha!  Oh, that's a mental error there from Ishikawa.

Riseisha meanwhile not bunting.  With just 6 outs to play, you might not be able to afford giving one up.

They may not have to!  Motouji falls behind Hatta 3-1 and just gets the call on an inside fastball.

Hit and run!  Grounder to short!  Ishikawa bounces it to first.. and Kawai makes the pick for the out!  Oh, that's dangerous.

And #11 Inudzuka is warming up with the count 2-0 to Kanaoka.  Make that 3-0!  Will we see his first appearance in the finals?

Well, Motouji gets two strikes in to fill up the count, but then bounces a ball for ball 4!  Runners on 1st and 2nd for Riseisha as indeed #11 Inudzuka makes his first appearance on the mound!

His first batter will be Kinuta, no easy out at all.

Hard liner down the right field line foul!

Inudzuka has a weird motion that almost looks like he throwing overhand, yet trying to create a sidearm action?

Either way, after that first foul, he falls behind 3-1!  AND WALKS HIM!!!  Manrui for Heian!!

Nagatani up to hit, but he doesn't really.  What will Okada-kantoku do?

Slow curve way high.  Curve way low!

And after that pitch, Harada-kantoku can't afford to wait any longer.  In comes the first right hander, their closer ace Nakata.

But he enters the game with the bases loaded and the count 2-0!  Not much room for error at all!  Did Harada-kantoku mismanage the bullpen?

Pitch high!  3-0!!

Fastball over for a strike.  3-1.  Fastball again... full count!!!

SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nakata goes for the slider on a full count and gets the K!  Oh, that takes a lot of balls...

Tsuji up and Nakata gets ahead 1-2!  Waste pitch, 2-2 (Can you really afford that?)

Tsuji jammed!  Grounder back to Nakata!  Goes to 1st... 3 OUT!!!!!

Kawai pumps his fist as Nakata gets out of a manrui 1-out pinch!!!

Top 9th
Ootani walks on 4 pitches to start.  Oh, is this the end for Riseisha?  Himeno bunts him along.

OH?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kawai crushes a ball! Is it gone?  Is it gone??  Nishimura looking up!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kawai all but puts the game away with a 2-run HR!  6-2 Heian!!!

Nagatani gets the final 2 outs, but Heian is all but on the precipice of winning the 86th Haru Koushien!

Bottom 9th
Inoue at least will not give up without a fight.  He singles to left center.

Nakata falls behind Yoshida 3-1, but fills up the count, and gets a popup!  Ishikawa secures it for the first out!

#3 Miura to hit for Tateishi, hits a ball down the right field line.. foul!

Count goes to 2-2... now 3-2.

Liner!  But right to Ishikawa!  2 down!! Nishimura the last chance.

Flyball to center!  Tokumoto under it.  Makes the catch!

The team runs out of the dugout as Ryuukokudai Heian wins their first ever senbatsu, 6-2!!

Ryuukokudai Heian had the whole package this Koushien, with a deep pitching staff and an offense that flashed both power and speed.   And outside of the Kiryuu Dai-ichi game, they never trailed in any matchup.  And when they were down, they continued to fight inning after inning putting extreme pressure on a team already tired from 2 consecutive games. Finally, they always seemed to understand the situation at hand.

It was about as complete a performance you could find from a champion.

Credit should be given to Riseisha as well.  Perhaps not considered a title contender to start the tournament, they slowly made their case game after game, putting teams away with their offense and the combination of Mizota and Nagatani on the mound.  And after laying ace Tanaka Sora and Tokoyawa to rest in the semifinal, you had to wonder if this would be their year, especially with the opportunity to avenge the loss they suffered in the Kinki Super-Regional semifinal.

It was not to be though, as it was Heian who played their own game to perfection.  They will have to wait for another time, perhaps a possible draw at Natsu Koushien for another shot.

But congratulations are in order for both teams and for the first time champs Ryuukokudai Heian!

Notable Players
Takahashi Keiji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 2+ IP, ER, 4 H, 2 K, BB, HBP
Motouji Reiji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - W, 5.1+ IP, ER, 3 H, 3 K, 2 BB, HBP
Nakata Ryuuji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - SV, 1.2 IP, 0 ER, H, K, 0 BB
Tokumoto Kentarou (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 3-5, 3B, R, SB
Kawai Taisei (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 1-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Takahashi Yuuya (Ryuukokudai Heian) -3-4, 3B, R
Mizota Yuuto (Riseisha) - L, 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 7 K, 4 BB, HBP
Nagatani Takahiro (Riseisha) -  3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 K, BB
Nishimura Takahiro (Riseisha) - 2-5, 2B, RBI
Inoue Kazuya (Riseisha) - 2-5

Things are always what they seem, it seems... so perhaps this matchup isn't what I think it is.

I say that because Ryuukokudai Heian looked rather average against Kiryuu Dai-ichi - a team that had played 24 innings over the last 2 days.  They started a "relief" pitcher as it were, and from all indications Heian should have dominated.

But perhaps they let their guard down, or looked past them in some way, because Kiryuu came out swinging and put the title contender on their heels.  Give credit to them, they didn't panic, continued to play their own game - which was putting pressure on the basepaths, and the plan worked beautifully as Kiryuu finally had to go to the ace who had gone the aforementioned 24 innings.

Sano Nichidai was given a gift by Meitoku Gijyuku.  Mabuchi-kantoku wanted to play the same-handed matchup so much, he intentionally walked a batter with 3rd base open to do so.  He had tried it in the 7th and it worked out - but not for the reasons perhaps that he thought, but this was a bridge way, way too far to cross.  At some point you have to believe that your team is good enough to get an out.  Instead, Meitoku gave up 2 runs in the 11th, and that pretty much sent them home.

The bigger issue is that Tajima allowed Meitoku to even get back in the game.  They're not a high-scoring squad, but somehow strung 5 consecutive hits to score 4 runs and take the lead.  It's its a symptom of his mentality, then Sano Nichidai had better give him the lead, or else they could be in trouble.

Ryuukokudai Heian still looks like the stronger team, but the shine has been dulled a bit.  An all-Kinki final is at stake if they can win, but Sano Nichidai stands in the way.

Sano Nichidai (Tochigi)
SS Takemura Ritsuki
CF Nagasawa Yoshitaka
2B Yoshida Toshiki
LF Inaba Kousei
RF Koizumi Keita
1B Tamura Kaito
3B Kakizawa Fumiya
P Tajima Daiki
C Sagawa Shou

Semifinal action means the 2nd consecutive game for all 4 teams.  Winning it all means winning 3 games in 3 days - something that is a lot to ask for a lot of teams, even the best of them.

Riseisha and Toyokawa both won their game in handy fashion 6-2.  Riseisha's offense continues to impress, this time around putting early pressure on Fukuchiyama Seibi and not letting go.  Mizota was his usual successful, but shaky self and had to concede the mound again to Nagatani, who does have more than just the fastball, though I think he likes to see if batters can hit it.  He's become more than a serviceable reliever, and has steadied the ship when things appear to go awry.

Toyokawa has impressed in every step of the way, defeating the likes of Nihon Bunri and yesterday Okinawa Shougaku.  The offense isn't as strong as Riseisha, but seems to have good prep for the opposing starter.

But really, their strength is ace Tanaka Sora.  He has been dominant in every game so far, thanks to his various pitches and strong control.  Now, there were some hiccups in their most recent game against Okinawa Shougaku, and stamina will of course be an issue now.

However, if Tanaka can continue on like this, it's possible we will have 2 title holders that were first time participants (Maebashi Ikuei currently holds the Natsu Koushien title).

Riseisha (Osaka)
3B Tsuji Motomasa
2B Inoue Kazuya
SS Yoshida Yuuki
LF Nakayama Shouta
RF Nishimura Takahiro
C Hatta Natsu
1B Kinuta Shouta (#14)
CF Tateishi Satoshi
P Mizota Yuuto

Our last game may just be a formality now.  With the rest day gone, in order for Kiryuu Dai-ichi will have to win an unprecedented 5 games in 5 days, having already played 24 innings in those first 2 steps of that feat.

And given the fact that in the replay they went with ace Yamada again - it lends itself to not if, but when his arm will finally collapse.  With the team's offensive struggles to boot their prospects don't look too good, not that they were anyways but at least got an extra game in.

Heian has looked rather impressive, dispatching the Tohoku champs in their most recent game (though Kousei didn't look like they showed up to play).  What is also noteworthy is that they have used a different pitcher for each of the first two games, allowing his staff to pretty much get rest - especially since it's 3 games in 3 days for the title now.

There's nothing that would indicate that Heian won't advance to Best 4 today.

Kiryuu Dai-ichi (Gunma)
LF Yoshida Ryuuto
2B Ishii Shouta
RF Yanagiya Sansuke
1B Yamada Tomoki (#1)
C Onoda Toki
CF Kubo Shunsuke
3B Kubota Shinji
SS Takahashi Shoukei
____________________________________________________________

15:19 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Motouji on the mound again for Heian and he's off and running.  Strikes out Yoshida looking on a slider.

Ishii with a ball to the gap in short, Tsune ranges to field it, but it bounces off his glove and into the air!  It goes behind Ishikawa for a base hit!

But Yanagiya hits a grounder to short!  Ishikawa starts the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning!

Bottom 1st
Going to Toumiya for Fukuda-kantoku probably can't be helped with Yamada going 24 innings in 2 days.  He's at first, so if Toumiya struggles (which his peripherals suggest), he might yet still enter.

And it indeed is a shaky start as Toumiya walks Tokumoto to start his campaign.

But Tokumoto has the twichy foot and takes off for 2nd too early!  Toumiya starts the rundown and there's 1 out!

Again a deep count to Ootani, but he flies out to left.

Looks like it's going to be a lot of near walks as Himeno goes to 2-2.  But Toumiya puts over the slider for strike 3!!

One down, 8 to go...

Top 2nd
Yamada leads off with a clean single through the left side!  Onoda puts down the bunt, but Kawai elects to go to 2nd!!  His throw is high and Ishikawa can't secure it!  All safe!

Kubo now looking to bunt as well, but winds up fouling a couple off.  2 strikes, and he's still bunting!  He lays it down and successfully advances the runners!

Kubota with the first pitch single to center!  Yamada scores and it's Kiryuu Dai-ichi that takes the early lead! 1-0!

Shoukei up now to perhaps extend the lead with a sac fly or base hit.

Chopper to 3rd!  Onoda has to scramble back, and Tsune goes to 2nd!  They get the runner there and keep the force at either 1st or 2nd.

Toumiya to try and help his own cause with a base hit.

Drive to left!!  Nakaguchi going back, going back!! Makes the, NO!!

Nakaguchi tries to make the basket catch, but can't finish it!  Onoda scores!  Shoukei running all the way from 1st, he scores!!  Kiryuu Dai-ichi is up 3-0!!

Yoshida grounder to 1st.  Kawai makes the tag, AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ball somehow gets knocked out of Kawai's glove and that means Yoshida is safe!  Even more important, Toumiya scores from 2nd and it's 4-0 Kiryuu Dai-ichi!

Ishii flies out to right, but this is certainly a surprise!

Bottom 2nd
Of course, it's back to the nail-biting game that is Toumiya.

He walks Kawai to lead off the inning, and is bunted over.

Tsune with a single to left!  Yoshida tries to go home with the throw, but it's not in time and it allows Tsune to take 2nd!  4-1 Kiryuu.

(Hint to Yoshida - keep the force on.  You know Toumiya isn't that great, but you're putting him an bad position)

Case in point, Ishikawa grounder to short would have been an inning ending double play.  Instead, it's 2 outs, runner on 3rd for Yuuya.

No harm this time though as Yuuya flies out to right.  But Heian is taking the slow road back to douten.

Top 3rd
Yanagiya becomes the 2nd K victim as he goes after Motouji's slider.

Meanwhile, Yamada has Kawai on his backside as he scorches a grounder to right.

But Onoda too chases the slider, and Kubo grounds to 2nd to end the inning.

Bottom 3rd
Toumiya going after Motouji, despite him being a hitting pitcher.  But he gets him all twisted on a fastball inside for the 1st out.

After getting ahead of Tokumoto 1-2, the count runs full, and he misses inside for his 3rd walk.

And it gets even more hairy when Toumiya plunks Ootani on the back.  Fukuda-kantoke calls time as #18 Takano warms up in the bullpen.

Toumiya still can't find the zone, falling behind 2-0 to Himeno as well...

DOUBLE STEAL!!!  Onoda fires to 3rd, but not in time!  And it's 3-0 to Himeno!

Toumiya puts one over, Himeno takes.  And another!!

Himeno with a ball to deep right!  Yanagiya near the foul pole makes the catch, and Tokumoto can walk home to make it a 4-2 ballgame!  Ootani advances to 3rd on the play.

Kawai up, and Toumiya falls behind him 3-1...  Gives up yet another walk...

Finally, Toumiya gets ahead for a change, 1-2 on Nakaguchi...

Liner down 1st base line, foul, but he's perhaps timing things up now.

Kawai takes off for 2nd, but it's a slow curve from Toumiya and Onoda has no throw.  Now a base hit can tie the game!

Toumiya wins!  He gets Nakaguchi to fly out to center and he yields only the 1 yet again.  He can't keep doing that though...

Top 4th
Tsune makes a great stretching catch on a liner from Shoukei on what looked like a clean inning.  But a small hiccup as Motouji walks Toumiya.

Yoshida though makes that hiccup look a bit bigger after Yoshida singles to right, putting runners at the corners!

But Ishii gets under one and flies out to center.  Tokumoto secures it for the the 3rd out.

Bottom 4th
Fukuda-kantoku will try to piece together this game on the mound.  #15 Itoi comes in to pitch and occupies Toumiya's spot in the lineup.

Good start as Tsune swings and misses on the slider for the first out.

Ishikawa with a ball back up the middle, Ishii tries to make the sliding catch, but it gets through.

Now Ishikawa getting in on stealing act!  He takes off on the 1-1 count and beats the throw!

Once again though, Itoi pulls the string on the slider, striking out Yuuya for the second out.

Itou successfully puts up the bagel as Motouji grounds to 3rd to end the inning.

Top 5th
One down and Yamada booms a ball to dead center!  Tokumoto sprinting back, makes the catch near the fence for the 2nd out.

The clean inning is ruined when Motouji walks Onoda, but that's the extent of the things as Kubo strikes out looking to end the inning.

Bottom 5th
Tokumoto finally gets to put the ball in play, but flies out to right.  Instead it's Ootani who gest a single back up the middle.

But Itou gets ahead of Himeno 0-2...  and then throws the ball away on a throw to 1st!  Now Himeno has a chance to get back yet another run.

Himeno gets more life afer Kubota can't catch a foul fly!  Will that come back to haunt them?

NO!  Himeno swings and misses on the slider and there's 2 outs!

Onoda goes out to have a word with Itoi before pitching to Kawai.  Once again, Itou is ahead of Kawai 1-2 before the pseudo-pitchout.  And another ball wide fills up the count.

Ball 4!  They elect to go outside, but he doesn't do anything.  Douten runner on base for Nakaguchi.

But Nakaguchi hits one off the end of the bat!  Kubo in cengter to field it and the inning is over!  We hit the break with Kiryuu Dai-ichi nursing a 2-run lead over Ryuukokudai Heian!

Top 6th
Harada-kantoku makes a change before the 6th.  Motouji leaves the mound and in steps ace number Nakata.

And he's working quickly on the mound.  Against the bottom of Kiryuu's lineup, he gets Kubo to foul out to Kawai and Shoukei to ground to 2nd.  He then emphatically heads to the dugout as he rings up Itou on the slider.

Bottom 6th
?  Itou walks Tsune, but that pitch even though it didn't hit the framed glove still came over for what I thought was a strike.

Tsune takes off!  Onoda fies to 2nd... OUT!!

Onoda finally wins the battle as he guns down Tsune!

But Itoi puts the runner back on 1st as he hits Ishikawa.

Ishikawa takes off for 2nd, but Onoda can't secure the ball to make the throw!  Heian is running roughshot on the basepaths!

Whatever was working for Itoi isn't as he falls behind Yuuya 3-1 before finally getting a swing.

SANSHIN!!!!!  Yuuya strikes out looking on a fastball inside!

Well, Nakata was in for his 1 inning as #17 Iwashita comes in to hit for him.  And now Fukuda-kantoku sends in sidearmer #18 Takano to counter!

And Iwashita is all crossed up!  He falls behind 0-2, but manages to take a couple to level the count.

SANSHIN!!!!!!

Iwashita feebly swings at the curve and Heian is held off the board!

Top 7th
#10 Takahashi Keiji enters the game now presumably to finish the game.  This as ace Yamada warms up in the bullpen!

As for Keiji, his inning is rather short. Just a grand total of 7 pitches and he retires the top of the Kiryuu lineup.

Bottom 7th
Fukuda-kantoku things he's gone far enough.  Ace Yamada takes the hill as #3 Hayamizu enters the last spot in the lineup and takes over at 1B.

Tokumoto greets him with a single to right.  And then he takes off for 2nd!  Onoda double-clutches and this throw is way late!

Ootani grounder to short, AHHHH!!!!

Shoukei can't field the ball and everyone's safe!!!  Fukuda-kantoku quickly calls for time...

Himeno up, looking to bunt the runners along.

AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yamada throws to 2nd, but no one's covering!  Shoukei is late and it goes into center!  everyone advances a base on the error!

Yamada makes that error effectively a bunt as Himeno strikes out on a slider outside.

Kawai up to try and possibly tie the game.  Gives the ball a rip, but foul.

Grounder to 3rd!  Kubota bounces the ball home!  Onoda's tag is late as a result and it's 4-3!

Nakaguchi with a liner to right!  Yanagiya makes the catch, Ootani tagging up!  Yanagiya's throw home... not in time!!  Heian has jumped on Kiryuu's miscues and has tied the game in their lucky 7!

Top 8th
Now how will Kiryuu respond now that their lead is gone?

After such a good start at the plate, Yamada is retired for the 2nd time chasing the slider outside.

2 down for Kiryuu, Kubo gets Kiryuu's first hit since the 4th with a single to right.

Kubo takes off for 2nd!  No throw from Yuuya!  Kiryuu with a mini-chance as they walk Kubota on 4 straight.  Harada-kantoku calls for time.

Keiji gets ahead of Shoukei 0-2, but Shoukei levels the count.

Shoukei gets one off the handle and towards 3rd!  Tsune makes the throw to 1st, 3 out!

Bottom 8th
Is this the final stanza for Kiryuu Dai-ichi?  Yamada hits Tsune to start off the inning.  Ishikawa bunts him along.

Yuuya with ball to deep center!  Kubo makes the catch, but Tsune advances another 90 feet.  It'll be up to Keiji to try and drive the run in.

Rip down the 1st base line.. Foul!!!!!

Now with 2 strikes, he starts fouling off anything close.  1, 2, 3 foul balls.  Yet another foul...  Ball 2...  Ball 3!  The top of the lineup looms large!

Grounder to short!  Shoukei up with it!  Throw to 1st.. 3 out!  Yamada sneaks out of one as we head to the final inning of regulation!

Top 9th
Hayamizu in for his first AB.  Winds up flying to center for the 1st out.

Yoshioka with a liner to right, but it's right to Otani for the 2nd out.

And Kiryuu will have to play for enchousen as Ishii lines to 2nd  for the 3rd out!

Bottom 9th
Chopper to short by Tokumoto, quick throw to 1st... in time!  But not by much!

Full count to Ootani, but he flies out to right.

Himeno pops it up!  Onoda secures it for the 3rd out.  We're headed to enchousen again!

Top 10th
Yanagiya singles to left for a base hit!  Yamada in to bunt, lays it down.

Onoda can't drive him in!  Popup to center too shallow to even advance the runner.

SANSHIN!  Kubo can only turn and head back to the dugout after being rung up!

Bottom 10th
Comebacker from Kawai hits Yamada in foot and deflects toward the right side!

Wild pitch!  Kawai advances to 2nd!  And now 3rd as Nakaguchi bunts him along.

Time from Fukuda-kantoku as the sayonara run is 90 feet away!

They will not walk Tsune and Yuuya to load the bases.  Or so I thought. Depsite getting 2 strikes, they wind up waking Tsune, and then walk Yuuya to indeed load the bases.

Wild pitch!!!!  Kawai sprints home and Heian comes back to win 5-4 in 10 innings!

(Final writeup tomorrow as I am falling asleep)

Meitoku Gijyuku as expected has reached the Best 8 with still a chance to win senbatsu. However, their road has perhaps been too rough for them to finish the race.

Ace Jyunichirou Kishi, already under stress from his weak offense, had to survive 15 innings against Chiben Wakayama.  That one game has already had implications as in their last game versus Kanto Dai-ichi as he did not look as sharp - despite the fact they still went on to win the game.  They day off they were supposed to get, they got yesterday, so it'll be 27+ innings for Kishi going forward to win.  He may win this one, but it doesn't look like he'll hold out.

Sano Nichidai's first big test in Chiben Gakuen almost ended in disaster.  Out to a 4-1 lead, unforced errors allowed Chiben to get back into the game and force enchousen.  They pulled it out in 10, but those mental errors will prove costly.  In addition, their offense hasn't been all too impressive either, which may be a relief to Kishi.

The saving grace is ace Tajima who has looked more than serviceable in his 2 games.  There was the hiccup late against Chiben Gakuen, so perhaps stamina might come into play though like Kishi the day off should help.

Sano Nichidai (Tochigi)
SS Takemura Ritsuki
CF Nagasawa Yoshitaka
2B Yoshida Toshiki
LF Inaba Kousei
RF Koizumi Keita
1B Tamura Kaito
3B Kakizawa Fumiya
P Tajima Daiki
C Sagawa Shou

Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi)
3B Ozaki Yuuto
RF Sanada Kazuto
LF Tada Tougo
1B Nishioka Souta (#11)
P Kishi Jyuunichirou
SS Yasuda Takayuki
2B Mori Shouma
C Mizuno Katsuya (#13)
CF Ootani Yuuki

____________________________________________________________

13:15 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Before the siren can even finish, Takemura hits a single into center!  Nagasawa bunts him over.

Yoshida with hit to right, the ball gets by Sanada and goes to the wall!  Takemura already in, but Yoshida advances to 3rd on the error!! 1-0 Sano Nichidai!

Mabuchi-kantoku calls for time.

Inaba up to tack on another run, but his fly to left is too short!  Yoshida holds up.

Koizumi flies out to left to end the inning, but a couple of base hits give Sano Nichidai the early lead!

Bottom 1st
Grounder to short from Ozaki, Takemura fumbles with the ball, his throw to 1st is high but Tamura makes the tag!

Ah.. but he's hurt.  He may have landed funny and is taken off for treatment.  It's taking quite a while too, might have been really serious...

It's also really quiet in the stadium right now...

And he emerges to take his position!  But how will his mobility be?

More importantly, the break may have affected Tajima a bit as he walks Sanada.

Tada pops up a short bunt that falls in.  Tajima goes to 1st to just get Tada for the 2nd out.  Meitoku will play for 1.

Nishoka with a slider to left center!  Sanada rounds 3rd and will easily score to tie the game at 1-1!

Kishi gets grazed by Tajima and the 2-out rally continues.  I think we have the home plate umpire that will call go-arounds and HBP easily.

Tajima gets Yasuda to hit one off the end of his bat back to him.  Goes to 1st for the 3rd out, but we're back level.

Top 2nd
One down for Nichidai and Kakizawa gets one off the end of his bat, but pokes it to left center for a base hit.

Tajima shows bunt early in the AB, but is hitting after the count hits 2 strikes.

It's a hit and run, but Tajima just kind of dumps it to Kishi.  It's pretty much a bunt as Tajima is retired.

Sagawa working the count on Kishi, runs it full... and hits a ball to right center!  Ootani has no chance at it as Kakizawa comes around to score on the double!  Sano Nichidai retakes the lead at 2-1!

Takemura tries to poke a ball for a base hit, but flies out to Tada for the 3rd out.  Considering that Kishi has given up a run in each of the first 2 innings he does not to appear to be 100% stamina-wise.

Bottom 2nd
And this is Meitoku's problem.  If they get into a scoring affair with Sano Nichidai, they will lose as their offense is not capable of scoring a lot of runs.

And as the bottom of the order goes down in order with little resistance, Kishi needs to draw the line and soon.

Top 3rd
It's not necessarily that Kishi is leaving pitches in the zone.  They're just hittable.

One down and Yoshida takes it the other way, just out of the reach of Ozaki for a single.

Hit-and run!  Kishi this time leaves it over and Inaba hits a hard grounder to the left side!  Yasuda sprinting over, and it's off his glove!  He has to chase it down as Yoshida takes 3rd!  Nichidai threatening again!

Koizumi with yet another fly to left, but it's too shallow and Yoshida has to hold.

Tamura with a grounder to the right side, but a diving Nishoka can't get to it!  Yoshida scores and it's 3-1 Sano Nichidai!

Kakizawa with another groudner to the right side, Mori going over, slides... and doesn't come up with it!  Inaba scores and it's 4-1!

Kishi finally gets out of the inning, but it's only because Ozaki fielded the hot grounder from Tajima and could just step on the bag at 3rd for the out.

Kishi's speed doesn't look too terrible, but he was already looking a bit out of sorts in the prior game, and it's just worse here...

Bottom 3rd
That and they don't really have the offense to play a barnburner game like this might be headed towards.

Still, Tajima doesn't attack the batters and walks Sanada to lead off the inning.  Tada tries to bunt, but Kakizawa comes up with it quickly and fires to 2nd to get the lead runner.

Mabuchi-kantoku goes for the hit and run instead, but Nishoka can only advance the runner with a groundout to 3rd.  A pop up by Kishi ends the inning.

Top 4th
One down for Sano Nichidai and they get yet another runner as Takaemura singles to center.

This time around though, Kishi retires both Nagasawa and Yoshida (who had been 2-2) and gets his first bagel of the game.

Bottom 4th
Meitoku continues to have issues at the dish.  Mori's fly out to to right get sandwiched by Tajima's first 2 K's of the game for his first 1-2-3 inning.

Top 5th
Sano Nichidai's batters suddenly change tack as both Inaba and Koizumi both swing early and are retired.  Tamura's flyout to center makes it a 7 pitch inning.

Bottom 5th
Ootani searching to get on base, swings early in the count and grounds to short.  Tajima has had his moments, but he looks better this game than in his last.

Ozaki hits a hard liner right at Tamura for the 2nd out... and Sanada looks befuddled as Sagawa's pitch frame goes back over the plate on a ball down the middle for strike 3.  Another victim of changing location after the batter takes a peek down to see where they're going with the pitch.

And so we hit the break with Sano Nichidai holding onto that early 4-1 lead.  Meitoku will be hard pressed to find a way to score 3 runs given their offense, and while Kishi has leveled off from his poor start, there's no guarantee he can hold on for the whole game.

Top 6th
Kishi has indeed settled down with yet another short inning of routine stuff.  Kakizawa grounds out to short, Tajima strikes out swinging and Sagawa hits a lazy fly to left in a grand total of 9 pitches.  He's keeping his team in it, but it may be too late.

Bottom 6th
Tada with a chopper to short, Takemura has to wait for the hop, but his throw to 1st beats a diving Tada for the out.

Nishioka comes back and lines a ball to right for a base hit.  Kishi follows that up whipping the bat around and shoots a ball through the left side for a base hit.

And now Yasuda with a grounder through the right side!  Nishoka holds at 3rd and it's manrui for Meitoku!  Where did this come from?  Matsumoto-kantoku calls time.

Mori with a single through the left side!  Everyone advances a station and it's 4-2!

Now 5 straight hits from Meitoku!!  Mizuno with a ball to right center!  Kishi scores!  Yasuda coming around, he scores!! WE'RE TIED UP AT 4-4!! WTF?!

Matsumoto-kantoku calling time again, as I'm sure he's as shocked as I am about Meitoku's explosion at the plate.

Ootani grounder to short!  Takemura goes to 2nd for 1, throw to first... not in time!!!  Ootani's slide beats out the throw and that means Mori scores from 3rd to give Meitoku the 5-4 lead!!

Ozaki flies out to right to end the inning, but out of nowhere Meitoku has put a big inning together and not only closed the deficit, but taken the lead!!

Top 7th
Now can Sano Nichidai play from behind?  Top of the order due up.

Takemura fly ball to left, Tada slips!  He gets back up and charges in making the running catch.  But afterwards #3 Oonishi comes out to replace him at LF.

But Nagasawa drives a ball to left center!  Ootani runs it down but not before Nagasawa has a double!

And now Mabuchi-kantoku intentionally walks Yoshida??  I can understand if it's the 9th, but here in the 7th?

DOUBLE STEAL!!!

Mizuno fires to 3rd, but Nagasawa slides in time and the walk backfires as there are 2 runners in scoring position now for Inaba!

Kishi still fighting though, gets the count to 2-2...  but they it goes full after a pitchout.

Flyball to left!  Oonishi with it and Nagasawa comes home!  Throw in is up the first base line and Mizuno's tag isn't in time!  We're back tied at 5-5!!

Mabuchi-kantoku calls time again as Koizumi steps in.

Count at 2-2, Mizuno goes out to talk with Kishi and it's a rather long chat.

They try to go inside to Koizumi, but it's just too much inside.

They double up and Koizumi hits one to center!  But it hands up and Ootani tracks it for the 3rd out.  The intentional walk was still a bit questionable, but regardless we're tied up again!

Bottom 7th
It looks like Meitoku is back to normal after that power inning.  Sanada grounds back to Tajima, new LF Oonishi can't check his swing, and Nishoka just flat out misses the ball to end the inning.

Top 8th
So if Meitoku's offense is back to normal, and the game is tied, Kishi cannot afford to give up another run.

Tamura with a liner to center!  Ootani late going back, leaps!  And makes the great contorting catch!  Not sure how he did that, but he makes the desperate leaping catch!

More defensive work as Ozaki smothers a hot shot from Kakizawa and makes the strong throw to 1st for the out.

And Tajima challenges Ootani again with a shallow ball to center, but he's up for it as well, making the diving catch to end the inning.

Bottom 8th
Not the best time for Tajima to lose the strike zone... he walks Kishi to lead off the inning!  Yasuda bunts him over for Mori.  Can he deliver the go-ahead shot?

Chopper to 3rd. Kakizawa with it, looks Kishi back and goes to 1st for the 2nd out!  It'll be up to Mizuno to drive in the run now.

Mizuno pops it up!  Sagawa going near his dugout, makes the catch!!  And tumbles into his dugout!  He holds up the glove with the ball, and the side is retired.  He also looks to be ok, which is good considering that was a good spill he had there.

Top 9th
Sadly Sagawa can't turn that into something at the plate as he grounds to short.

Back to the top of the lineup and Takemura, down 0-2, fouls off several balls before he can inside out one to left for a base hit.

Nagasawa butns the ball, Kishi slips while fielding the ball, throw to 1st.. SAFE!!!  Nagasawa slides in ahead of the throw and now Kishi is in a pinch!

This with Yoshida up to bat!

Kishi jams him!  It's a grounder to 1st.  Nishioka's only play is to 1st and they go ahead run is 90 feet away!

But Inaba pops it up!  Mori secures the ball and the side is retired!

Bottom 9th
Can Meitoku avoid another enchousen game?

#9 batter Ootani leads off the inning, but goes down swinging on the slider.  Back to the top of the order and Ozaki.

But Ozaki extends out to hit an outside pitch and flies out to Koizumi for the 2nd out.

Down to Sanada to keep the inning going.  They really can't afford to have it go to extras.

SANSHIN!!  Tajima's pitch supposedly catches the outside edge and we are indeed headed to enchousen!

Top 10th
Kishi will have to make the best of it.  He gives the outside forkball to Koizumi and he chases it.

After Mori takes a trip to the outfield to make a catch, Kishi collects yet another K as his slider is waved at my Kakizawa.

Bottom 10th
Apparently Oonishi isn't much of a hitter as he tries the safety bunt to get on base.  Doesn't quite work.

Nishioka with a hard shot goes into right for a base hit!

Kishi with a ball to the gap in short, and Takemura playing to his left, has to scramble over to get it.  Makes the sliding grab, but has no play!  Matsumoto-kantoku calls time.

What's this??  Yasuda singles to center!  Nishioka has to hold at 3rd, but it's manrui with just 1 out!

Mori gets extra instructions before heading up to bat.  Any decent fly could end this.

Goes after the first pitch, fouls it off!

Grounder up middle!!!  Takemura goes towards 2nd, dives... makes the stop!  Steps on 2nd, throw to 1st... IN TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Takemura saves the game with the 6-3 double play to end the inning!!!

Top 11th
Can Sano Nichidai turn that momentum into a run?

One down for Nichidai, and Sagawa singles to right center!  Mabuchi-kantoku calls time as Nagasawa steps in.

AH!!!  Kishi hits Nagasawa to bring up Yoshida!!

They're being extra careful with him, but do you really want to walk him?  Count goes to 2-0...

3-0! Are they really?? They are!!  They walk him to go after Inaba!!  This despite the fact it loads the bases!

But Kishi goes after him and he's quickly up 0-2.  After a pitchout, they try the slider but he doesn't bite!

Slow chopper to the left side!  Yasuda has it, but has no throw!  Sagawa scores and the strategy blows up in Mabuchi-kantoku's face!

Koizumi with a single to left!  Nagasawa scores!  Yoshida sent home!  Throw from Oonishi... in time to get Yoshida!

But 2 runs score on a backfired strategy and Meitoku will have to scramble to get back into the game.

Bottom 11th
Which is something they're not really accustomed to doing, despite the 4-run 6th.

Mizuno grounds out to 3rd... So does PH #14 Takahashi.

Already down to Ozaki... and he hits a fly to center!  Nagasawa over to field it... Game set!  Sano Nichidai wins in 11 7-5!

But perhaps instead of the fact that Kishi had to play another extra inning game, or that the offense somehow found a way to get back in the game, the focus and deserved criticism will be placed on Mabuchi-kantoku who decided with 3rd base "open" to walk Yoshida for the 2nd time to face Inaba in a same-handed matchup.  That plan backfired and cost his team the game.

Surely there comes a point where you can manage to give your team the best ability to get out of the inning, but walking to put the go-ahead run on 3rd base - even with 2 outs - is just plain mismanagement.

About the only good thing about this is that Kishi doesn't have to throw anymore.

For Sano Nichidai, they find themselves fortunate to advance despite blowing a 3-run lead.  Needless to say, despite falling into the doldrums of the middle innings, they woke up late and did what was necessary to win the game.  They may have trouble in the semifinals as the pitching is still suspect, but they can rejoice in the face that I believe this is their first time ever in the Best 4 of any Koushien.

Notable Players
Tajima Daiki (Sano Nichidai) - 11 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 7 K, 3 BB, 2 HBP
Inaba Kousei (Sano Nichidai) - 2-5, R, 2 RBI
Yoshida Toshiki (Sano Nichidai) - 2-4, R, RBI, SB, 2 IBB
Kishi Jyunichirou (Meitoku Giyuku) - 11 IP, 7 ER, 15 H, 3 K, BB, 2 IBB
Nishioka Souta (Meitoku Giyuku) - 3-5, R, RBI
Kishi Jyunichirou (Meitoku Giyuku) - 2-3, R, BB, HBP
Mizuno Katsuya (Meitoku Giyuku) - 1-5, 2 RBI