高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

Our first full game of teams who have taken the field. Haru-Natsu contender Chiben Gakuen, who admittedly appear vulnerable. Naruto should provide a decent challenge to the Nara champs.

Naruto (Tokushima)
SS Hino Koutarou (日野 洸太郎)
2B Kamata Kouhei (鎌田 航平)
1B Fuji Yoshimoto (冨士 佳資)
CF Tezuka Kaito (手束 海斗)
C Sahara Yuudai (佐原 雄大)
RF Yatake Masaya (矢竹 将弥)
P Kawano Ryuusei (河野 竜生)
LF Watanabe Yuuya (渡辺 裕哉)
3B Takeishi Ren (武石 蓮)

Chiben Gakuen (Nara)
LF Osame Daichi (納 大地)
CF Aoki Yuudai (青木 雄大)
2B Oota Hidetake (太田 英毅)
RF Fukumoto Yuuma (福元 悠真)
1B Takahashi Naoki (高橋 直暉)
P Murakami Shouki (村上 頌樹)
3B Oohashi Shunpei (大橋 駿平)
C Okasawa Tomoki (岡沢 智基)

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15:55 - First Pitch!

Well, I thought Naruto was going to give Chiben Gakuen some trouble, but early on it doesn't look good. Bottom 1st, Osame gets fortunate on a high chopper up the middle that he outruns for a base hit.

2 down, runners at 1st and 2nd for Takahashi, Kawano leaves a fastball middle-middle and it's taken to center for a base hit, just out of the reach of a charging Tezuka. Murakami helps his own cause afterwards, with an RBI single to left center. Like that it's 2-0 Chiben Gakuen.

Naruto finally gets something resembling a chance in the 3rd. Hino would lead off with a single through the right side. But Kamata's bunt was nowhere near good enough and Hino would be thrown out. He's find his way to 3rd on a stolen base and a wild pitch, but in the end Tezuka would chase after a slider and ground out to short.

The game enters a period of both sides just swinging away resulting in a lot of outs. Most are ground balls and some good plays by the infields. But it's still 0s as both offenses scuffle.

Naruto would finally get a baserunner in the 5th when Watanabe would single to right. It looked like he would be stranded at 2nd again, but on Kamata's grounder to 2nd, Oota whiffs on the ball! That allows Watanabe to score cutting the deficit to 2-1. There might have been more, but Fuji's fly ball down the left field line is caught by a diving Osame who sold out for it.

That's where we end at the break. Chiben Gakuen has the lead but it's been made a bit less comfortable. There's still work to be done, and Chiben Gakuen still not showing it can separate itself from the competition.

And in fact, the momentum still seems to be with Naruto. Tezuka starts with a 4 pitch walk. Takahashi can't handle the throw on a pickoff and that allows Tezuka to get into scoring position. That proves costly 2 batters ;ater when Sahara singles to center scoring the douten run. 2-2.

Chiben Gakuen may be making progress again on Kawano as the first 2 outs are driven fly balls. It winds up being a 1-2-3 inning in the 6th, but it's something worth monitoring.

Naruto looks to put another stick on the board when Watanabe hits a ball down the right field line for a triple. But Takeishi first pitch pops out to 1st. Hino golfs a ball to shallow left, but Osame charging in makes a spectacular diving catch. The indignity of not scoring from 3rd, no out could hurt them.

The game stalls, perhaps like an object going towards a black hole, as the teams are inexorably pulled towards enchousen.

But in the top of the 9th Naruto gets one last chance. Yatake with a deep ball to right, it looks gone but the hamakaze knocks it down in front of the wall. He's in with a double a bunt over and the have a runner 90 feet away yet again.

Watanabe hits a hot shot to the right side, but Oota is there once again, almost like the entire game, to make the stop and play at 1st.

PH #10 Hama is hit and #14 Takai replaces him. And then if that wasn't enough Murakami walks Hino to load the bases!

But Kamata hits a blooper to right! Oota and Fukumoto converge, but neither can get to it. One run is in! Fukumoto comes up firing, but his throw is over everything! This as Takai scores and now Hino comes in to score and the error costs them another run! It's 5-2! That's all they get, but it may be enough!

Naruto tries to mount one final rally as Fukumoto gets on base thanks to an error by Fuji. But nothing eve materialized, so as Kamata secures the final out, Naturo has defeated the Haru Koushien champs denying them a chance for a haru-natsu title.

But the writing was on the wall. The easy road through Haru Koushien, the same through the prefecturals. And yet there games where they struggled. This was easily gong to be one of them, and in the end it wasn't enough.

Back from getting food, but Izumo needs a ton of miracles to compete today.

Chiben Gakuen (Nara)
LF Osame Daichi (納 大地)
CF Aoki Yuudai (青木 雄大)
2B Oota Hidetake (太田 英毅)
RF Fukumoto Yuuma (福元 悠真)
1B Takahashi Naoki (高橋 直暉)
P Murakami Shouki (村上 頌樹)
3B Oohashi Shunpei (大橋 駿平)
C Okasawa Tomoki (岡沢 智基)
SS Nakamura Akita (中村 晃)
Izumo (Shimane)
CF Hashimoto Noriyuki (橋本 典之)
3B Morimoto Teruyasu (森本 晃叶)
RF Shinguu Kenta (新宮 健太)
C Hayashi Masahiro (林 将広)
1B Katou Masahiko (加藤 雅彦)
LF (17)Sugitani Tsumugi (杉谷 紡生)
P Hara Satoru (原 暁)
2B Mizutaki Kazuki (水滝 一貴)
SS Miyakoda Koudai (都田 紘大)

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13:20 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
I get back from getting food to see the leadoff runner on with a base hit. after a sac bunt and the comment on twitter that you should send a prayer for Izumo, Oota hits a 2-run HR to center. 2-0.

Hara gets the next 2 batters out, but they're on hard hit balls. It's going to be a long day for them.

Bottom 1st
Shinguu hits a 2-out line single to right, showing that perhaps they're not totally feckless against the Haru champs, but he's later caught off the base for the 3rd out.

Top 2nd
Well, that's unexpected. Both Murakami and Oohashi strike out to start the 2nd. Though that's followed up with a walk.

But a great throw from Hayashi cuts down Okazawa and Hara gets a 0!

Top 3rd
Hara almost gets his 2nd 1-2-3 inning, but Aoki ruins it with a blooper to center.

No HR from Oota, but he does single to right, putting runners at the corners and causing a timeout by Ueda-kantoku.

But after Fukumoto singles to center making it 3-0, Ueda-kantoku makes a switch putting 1B Katou in at P, and moving Hara to 1B. Katou does get the 3rd out, but Izumo even more on the back foot.

Bottom 3rd
Hara gets his team a baserunner when he singles to center. He's bunted over, but last batter Miyakoda can't make anything of it.

Hashimoto drives a ball to deep left, Osame seems to have a beat on it, but then he turns at the last minute and it's over his head! Hara comes in to score and Izumo's on the board! 3-1!

Morimoto strikes out to end the inning, but there's at least a little fight in the boys from Shimane!

Top 4th
Chiben Gakuen threatens again after a 1-out double by Oohashi. 2 down, Nakamura lines a single to left but it's too hard and Oohashi has to hold at 3rd.

And despite walking Osame to make the bases loaded, Miyakoda makes a great snag of a ball back up the middle and throw to 1st to end the inning without any damage.

Bottom 4th
Of course Izumo can't always be getting opportunities like they did in the 3rd, and go quickly down in order.

Top 5th
Katou perhaps becoming a little more hittable, Oota drives a ball to deep center, but Hashimoto presses against the fence to make the catch for the first out.

2 down and Takahashi just drops in a single in front of the sliding Shinguu. But that's all they get as Murakami drives a ball into the wind in right and it dies to Shinguu for the 3rd out.

Bottom 5th
One down, Hara hits a grounder to the left side. Oohashi can't get to it, but Nakamura runs it down! His throw to 1st is wide and allows Hara to reach 2nd! Izumo could get within 1!

Ueda-kantoku pulling the strings again sending in #13 Tsugeue, and he rips into one, but Oota makes the snag for the 2nd out - leaving it to #9 Miyakoda.

Count runs full...

Fouls one off...

But he strikes out on a 144 kph fastball that Murakami put some extra on and the side is retired. Same score at break, but there isn't the same feeling you had with Izumo that you had with Saku Chousei.

Leadoff walk to Oohashi gets compounded when Okazawa's push bunt is fielded by everyone, leaving no one at 1st.  After a sca bunt, Osame lays down another bunt and again everyone goes to field it. No one is out, and a run scores to boot, 4-1.

After a pop fly, Oota has a chance to put the game out of reach.

But instead, Hara gets him up and in to pop out to short. Inning over, but Chiben Gakuen is able to play add-on.

Bottom 6th
Even still Izumo is getting base runners. Hashimoto hits a grounder to 2nd that a charging Oota boots.

But they try putting the game in motion, and Hashimoto is out by a mile.

You're down 3!

Shinguu gets a 2-out base hit, but noting unfortunately comes of it.

7th Inning
The lucky 7th comes and goes without much incident.

Top 8th
Chiben Gakuen begins putting on the pressure. Leadoff hit from Oohashi is followed by back to back extra base hits over the LF scoring 2 runs and making it 6-1, prompting Ueda-kantoku to put the ace back on the mound.

He gets the last 2 outs, the latter thanks to a great diving stop by Hashimoto, but this game well in hand now.

Rest of game
Izumo provides little resistance afterwards and move on with the 6-1 victory. Izumo certainly was going to be on the losing end, but they did well for first timers - especially when facing the haru champions.

You're not going to get a lot to read off of this game, rather it's a way for Chiben Gakuen to acclimate themselves to the tournament. 6 days off to prepare for their next game should be a big help.

So here we are at the final, with one team perhaps becoming the new "Chiben" and the other looking to do what 3 other teams in history have done.

First of all, Takamatsu Shougyou. Should they win today, they would be just the 4th team in history to win the Meiji Jingu Tournament and then the following spring's Haru Koushien tournament:

• 1983-84 - Iwakura (Tokyo)
• 1997-98 - Yokohama (Kanagawa)
• 2001-02 - Houtoku Gakuen (Hyogo)

Takamatsu Shougyou has gotten an easier time of things, what with Tsuruga Kehi and Osaka Touin both eliminated before they had to face them. They were given a bit of a shock right off the bat when facing Inabe Sougou Gakuen, but did not appear to be tested until their semifinal game yesterday again Shuugakukan.

Ura's main effectiveness is in his offspeed pitches. His repertoire has a slider, curve and fork, but in reality it seems that his curve isn't really a curve, but a slurve. From the game footage it seems like his looping curveball actually tails away from a right handed batter, causing many a Shuugakugan batter to swing and miss.

In reality though he isn't a strikeout pitcher, but instead uses these to induce poor contact. Of course, all one team has to do is develop a strategy of going after them or to just ignore them and work the count, but so far he's been effective enough and stamina shouldn't be an issue given their fall results.

What should be of more concern is their hitting, which struggled against Horie and needed help from the other side to eventually win the game. Ura might be able to keep them in it, but the offense needs to come though one last time.

With Takashima-kantoku's retirement and the steady decline his program has faced over the past decade, the parent Chiben Gakuen has now supplanted its younger Chiben Wakayama as the more dominant red "C" in the ouen-dan.

This run has seen them go through their 4 games giving up 1 run or less thanks to their ace Murakami. The weird bit is that unlike most pitchers who work laterally in the bottom of the zone, Murakami seems to work vertically, predominantly working the upper parts of the zone. Now, if you have a team that can hit the high ball, he might be in trouble, but so far it seems to be working. It's much harder to drive something from higher in the zone, and most batters are probably well-practiced in hitting the lower pitches. He even throws his offspeed stuff (slider, curve, change fork) up as well. It might explain why batters have a hard time driving the ball.

Offensively, the team can score runs, but their last game against Shuugakukan really saw them scuffle to put any scoring opportunity together until magically in the bottom of the 9th when everything just fell together. I don't know if they will be able to hold off on Ura's slurve, but if not this could prove an equally troublesome game.

As for predicting a winner, I don't think this will be a blowout either way. Unless either ace just fatigues out I expect this to be a low-scoring affair that won't be decided until the end. Takamatsu Shougyou is either (a) under pressure because they could go Aki-Haru, or (b) under no pressure because they've in some ways gone through it in the fall facing powerhouses bigger than Chiben.

It should be a lot of fun. I just hope I get to see it all (thanks MBS).

Takamatsu Shougyou (Kagawa)
CF Anzai Tsubasa
RF Arauchi Shunsuke
SS Yonebaku Keizou
C Ueda Kyousuke
2B Mino Kousei
1B Ueda Rikuto
LF Takeuchi Hiroto
P Ura Daiki
3B Yamashita Tatsuki

Chiben Gakuen (Nara)
2B Osame Daichi
C Okasawa Tomoki
SS Oota Hidetake
RF Fukumoto Yuuma
1B Takahashi Naoki
P Murakami Shouki
3B Oohashi Shunpei
LF Nakamura Akita (#13)
CF Aoki Yuudai

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12:33 - First Pitch!

Well, Anzai quick to start affairs! He lines a ball down the right field line for a double!

Arauchi lays the bunt down, Murakami spins and turns to 3rd... SAFE!!!

The throw was in plenty of time, but somehow Anzai gets under the tag! All safe! Takashou threatening immediately!!

But Yonebaku grounds right to 3rd! Oohashi has it, Anzai skirmishes back to 3rd, and that allows Oohashi to get the 5-4-3 double play! 2 out and you have to wonder if Anzai should've taken the bullet to prevent that.

Up to Kyousuke to get the timely hit. He hits a liner, but Oohashi is there again to make the quick catch! 3 out and Murakami gets his disappearing act!

Ura meanwhile is on it to start. Osame is keen to wait on the balls, but when push comes to shove, Ura's forkball catches the outside edge and he's down.

2 down, and Ura tries to sneak a fastball in, but Oota turns on it and sends it past a diving Yonebaku for a base hit.

That brings up the dangerous Fukumoto, but Ura goes high on him and he pops out to retire the side. Looks like the no rest hasn't hurt him to start.

Mino learning about swinging high, can't quite square up the ball and flies out to left center. Takeuchi draws a 2-out walk for Takashou, bringing up ace Ura who is actually not bad with the bat.

Murakami trying to blow him away, but Ura continues to foul off pitches.

He gets a hold of one! Aoki backpedaling.... makes a slight jump to make the catch! If Murakami things he can just blow fastballs by him, I think he might be underestimating him if prior games are an indicator.

After a quick out by Takahashi, Murakami is able to hold off the slurve and draw a walk. Oohashi also doesn't bite and he gets one he can line to center for a base hit. Runners at the corners for Nakamura! He hits a chopper to the right side, but Mino has to go for 2! Throw to 2nd, a bit high, relay to 1st won't be in time! Murakami scores and Chiben has the 1-0 lead!

And now Aoki slices one down the LF line... fair! Nakamura goes to 3rd on the play and Chiben threatens to take a larger lead!

Osame though flies out to left to end the inning, but Murakami's walk comes around to score!

Takashou still struggling a bit with looking vertically as well as some of them just can't level one of those pitches. Arauchi gets a 2 out double down the right field line, but not much else.

On the other hand, the 2-3-4 batters for Chiben in their 3rd all make solid contact, sending balls deep to left and center. You have to wonder if they're already sizing up Ura's pitches.

It really looks like Ura is avoiding the fastball as his velo may be down from yesterday. As a result, while he can strike out Murakami on a forkball on the outside edge, he either gives up a basehit if he turns to the straight (like in Oohashi's AB) or they start sizing it up, like the 3rd inning and Nakamura's flyball to center.

Tough luck for Oota to start the 6th, ball takes a bit of a high hop and he can't field it cleanly. E6 and Ura bunts him over for last batter Yamashita.

Once again though, Murakami plays the higher part of the strike zone and Yamashita and Anzai can't make anything out of it. 3 outs and more frustration on the bench of the Meiji Jingu champs.

Ura manages to hold serve to the break, but his offense needs to unlock the mystery of Murakami and quick.

Kyousuke gets a 2 out double to deep right center. Murakami then walks Mino to bring up Rikuto, whom he gets this time with a slider down. Murakami is allowing baserunners, but when it might hurt him less.

The innings continue to tick away, but Takashou just can't get their bat to make solid contact and they're quickly running out of time.

Anzai with a grounder to the right side. Takahashi with it, but Anzai beats him to the bag! Leadoff single and where we are in the order, this might be their best chance. Arauchi bunts him over.

And Yonebaku lines a ball to center! Anzai given the green light!! Aoki's throw home... not in time!! The captain gives his team life as we're all tied at 1-1! And with Yonebaku at 2nd, it's a great chance!

And then I see both Kyousuke and Mino go after the high pitches again, and both are unable to make anything out of it... Still, what matters is the game is tied!

But will it stay that way? One out, Osame hits a ground ball right at Rikuto and it deflects off him and towards center! Mino is out of position, and Osame bolts for 2nd! Anzai holding back, charges and throws to 2nd.. OUT!!!

Osame tries to take 2, but Anzai perhaps baiting him gets him out and the early chance is lost! That's a shame because Okasawa bloops a ball over Yonebaku for a single!

Oota with a ball to 3rd, and the hop eats up Yamashita! The ball goes to left and with Takeuchi's throw to 3rd, allows Oota to take 2nd!! Will that cost them?

Fukumoto chopper to 3rd. Yamashita has this one! He throws to first, but the throw is wide! Rikuto goes for the tag....

OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Somehow, he just gets Fukumoto on the leg as he's diving past him and they get the 3rd out! Oh man....

Rikuto looks to give Takashou the lead in the 9th as he singles to center! He's bunted over, but can the bottom of the lineup deliver the final blow?

(Follow the twitter feed, this is going too fast.)

Here's how it all went.

After Rikuto's base hit, they bunted him over hoping that they could get a base hit. But Murakami plays an audible, pitching away and inducing bad contact. Ura on the other hand, completely goes into boss mode in the 9th, sending it into extras.

In the 10th, both teams would get a chance to win the game. Anzai gets a single through the right side, and with his speed you had to bet he could steal. And as I thought that he did. Arauchi though couldn't bunt him over, and instead of three-bunting, he swings away and flies out. After that Yonebaku and Kyousuke both try to get base hits, but Murakami goes back up again in the zone and both fly out to end the threat.

For Chiben, it was Nakamura who singled to center. Aoki couldn't bunt him along, actually tried the three-bunt, but failed. Kosaka-kantoku goes for the bunt again looking for the one-timer, but Okazawa meekly grounds out to 2nd to move the game to the 11th.

Rikuto gets a one out single to center, but Nagao-kantoku elects not to bunt the runner over for his own one-timer. Once again, both batters fail to deliver.

To the bottom of the 11th, and after 2 quick outs, Takahashi singles back up the middle past Yonebaku. At that moment I was trying to swipe into my phone to make sure to play no-doubles defense.

And again, as I thought that, Murakami blasts a ball to center. Anzai has speed, but not enough this time as it goes over his leaping glove. That all but seals their fate as Takahashi slides in to give Chiben Gakuen the 2-1 sayonara victory, their first ever Koushien title.

It seemed like something preventable, but perhaps it was lost in the strategy, much like the 1st inning and maybe the 10th inning. For Takamatsu Shougyou, this was a grand opportunity to claim the title for their own, but alas it was not to be. Ura certainly is a great pitcher, but as is always the case with one-and-done scenarios anything can happen.

So it's instead the parent Chiben Gakuen who rises above its younger school to take up the mantle. While they certainly are the big dogs in Nara now, I'm sure people will pay attention to Murakami's pitching style and we will have to see come the summer if they have the same success again.

I will try to go back and watch the games that are available to see if there's any more information to gather for the summer. Until then I may have other things in store, time depending.

Well, I'm back, and the scene at Koushien is not what I quite expected. On this half of the bracket, if you had put a gun to my head, I would have picked 2 teams from the Kinki region, but just not these two. Instead I would have picked Shiga Gakuen and Akashi Shougyou.

The Chiben Gakuen appearance here really surprises me. They weren't any big shake in their first game, but certainly could have held their own against Kajitsu. But Shiga Gakuen seemed to be having the better of things going into their quarterfinal matchup. Instead, Murakami throws a 2-hitter against the runner-ups and they're here now!

Weirdly, while both semifinalists here played someone from the Kinki region in the quarterfinals, it wasn't any type of revenge match from the super-regionals. And even more odd, neither is this one. Heian's road is a bit more believable as they had Kousei in the 2nd round (who hadn't graded out all that well) and Akashi Shougyou (who rightfully provided an equal challenge).

I can't really speculate on games I haven't seen, but these teams initially graded out about the same. The pitchers have been equally effective at limiting runs, but it seems that at this point (a) Chiben Gakuen has been able to put runs on the board more consistently, and (b) Heian despite the day off has to recover from a 12 inning game. On both sides the advantage should favor Chiben Gakuen to reach their first ever final.

Ryuukokudai Heian (Kyoto)
CF Ogawa Koutarou
2B Kubota Yuu
SS Nishikawa Ranse
1B Hashimoto Kazuki
P Ichioka Souma
3B Tomita Shintarou
LF Okada Yuuki
RF Takeuchi Yoshinori
C Takeba Akahito

Chiben Gakuen (Nara)
2B Osame Daichi
C Okasawa Tomoki
SS Oota Hidetake
RF Fukumoto Yuuma
1B Takahashi Naoki
P Murakami Shouki
3B Oohashi Shunpei
LF Nakamura Akita (#13)
CF Aoki Yuudai

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11:04 - First Pitch!

Huh, Ogawa on the first pitch with a routine chopper to Oota, but he hustles out of the box and reaches safely! Kubota tries to pitch a ball that puts him on his kiester, and that never turns out well. Pops out to Okazawa.

Murakami though seems to be hitting the ground running. He's already working the sides of the zone. While Nishizawa and Hashimoto do try to go the other way, they can do no better than flying out.

Meanwhile, Ichioka isn't as on his game for Heian. Despite getting the first out, Okazawa lines a bender back up the middle for a single.

Both managers seem to want to keep the running game going as Kosaka-kantoku also gives the green light to his runners. He doesn't need to though as Oota draws a walk, creating an early pinch.

Ichioka seems to work exclusively away to Fukumoto to take away his power and I can't tell if he jus doesn't adjust, but he falls for a changeup wide for the 2nd out.

And Kosaka goes for a double steal for I don't know why and Okazawa is out by a country mile. 3 out and Ichioka walks away unscathed.

I thought Murakami was going to get an easy 2nd inning, as his first two pitches were flown out to right. However he then goes to issue a 4 pitch walk to Okada. The struggles continue as Takeuchi doesn't bite on the outside pitches, instead taking one at 3-1 back up the middle for a base hit.

Takeba though wipes it all out with one pitch, swinging at a ball up at his eyes, and not surprisingly popping out to Oota behind 2nd to end the inning. Still a 0, but perhaps a little more work than he really needed.

Ichioka continues to work exclusively outside to the batters. Takahashi falls victim the same way Fukumoto did, but when Murakami doesn't bite he gets a better pitch to hit and pulls a single through the left side.

But when Oohashi goes down swinging the same way the last 2 went, I notice that Ichioka's release on his Ks looks like he's trying to put reverse side spin to make it go away from the righties.

Nakamura does make contact, but grounds out to 2nd leaving the game scoreless.

It doesn't last for long though. After a single by Kubota, Hashimoto delivers a 2 out single to left. But bench starter Nakamura has the ball bounce off the heel of the glove and it gets by him. Kubota scores and Heian takes the 1-0 lead.

Ichioka tries to add on with a single to center, but Aoki shows how it's done with a seed to home throwing out Hashimoto by a wide margin.

Chiben Gakuen though is getting baserunners, but seems to be running themselves out of innings. Last batter Aoki gifts his team with a leadoff hit. But there's a failed bunt by Osame, and then he's picked off 1st to boot, effectively killing the inning.

Okada is really becoming a pain in the side of Murakami as he draws his 2nd walk. Not only that, but he picks the right time to take off for 2nd as Murakami's pitch is in the dirt and Okazaki can't cleanly pick and make a throw. However, they can't bring him home this time either as Takeuchi and Takeba both ground out.

Chiben Gakuen isn't even getting breaks when things seem to go right. After Fukumoto gets a one-out single, Takahashi scorches a ball up the 3rd base line. Tomita though, makes the diving stop right over the bag, fires to 2nd and just gets Fukumoto for the out. That stops that rally too and Heian still leads.

Murakami continues to put himself in bad situations. He walks Ogawa to lead off the 5th, then Ogawa takes off on the next pitch and just gets under the tag. A bunt over and Heian looks to double their lead.

Murakami blows one chance when he gets Nishikawa to fly out out center, and Hashimoto can only wince when he's called out on a change that just grabs the outer edge.

He's held serve, but his offense can't get anything going. Aoki gets on with 2 outs, but Osame's struggles at the plate continues, popping out in foul ground to send us to the break.

As much as I'd though Chiben Gakuen would have the advantage, it's actually been the reverse. Murakami looks like the more tired pitcher while Ichioka is giving the batters fits.

Post-break, the game seems to be giving the breaks to Heian. Bottom 6, Oota at 1st with 2 out and Takahashi hits another ball up the 3rd base line, and once again Tomita makes the stop and throw to 1st for the 3rd out.

And now in the lucky 7, Takeuchi's grounder to 1st takes a high bound at the last minute and goes over Takahashi for what turns out to be a double. After an apparent hit-and-run that is fouled off the non-protected part of Okasawa, Murakami goes top shelf to strike out Ogawa.

Kubota makes things interesting with a slow chopper to the middle, but Osame cuts it down, and makes the running throw across his body to 1st to get the 3rd out.

Kosaka-kantoku is running out of time and is resorting to pushing the envelope. Oohashi draws a one-out walk and gets bunted to 2nd for the one-timer. However, that forces him to send him home when Aoki gets a single to left. Okada comes up with a great throw home, and the side is retired with just 6 outs to go for the Chiben squad.

It's about this time that the MBS stream breaks repeatedly. But I'm able to get parts of the game where Osame singles to left and after a bunt Oota singles through the left side. Kosaka-kantoku doesn't send him this time with just one down.

But Chiben Gakuen cannot solve the problem of the outside pitch. Fukumoto chases that mysterious change away, and then Takahashi chases the high fastball away for the 3rd out.

The stream continues to break as Chiben makes one last rally in the 9th. But I catch Oohashi with a single through the left side, then the short clip when Nakamura singles to center, and then of Aoki with a single to right! Amazingly it's manrui!

But it breaks one more time. Am I really going to miss a sayonara hit?

Well no. But Osame singles back up the middle, 1 run will definitely score, but when Ogawa misplays the ball, the game is over and out of nowhere Chiben Gakuen comes back with 4 hits to win 2-1!

No, I don't understand what happened. Chiben Gakuen didn't get a break, couldn't get a hit, couldn't figure out Ichioka's changeup. And 4 hits later, they have a win.

*throws book out window*

Go figure.

I don't know if the better team won. Maybe they did because the other team couldn't finish. But maybe it was Heian who paid for all those breaks earlier that they couldn't cash in on. Either way Chiben Gakuen is in the finals.

So we're finally off and running here at Koushien! And it's two mainstays to open up proceedings here in the 88th Senbatsu.

Fukui Koudai Fukui didn't get a pattycake pairing, but also didn't get one of the powerhouses. Getting to face Chiben Gakuen's Murakami Shouki though, isn't a good thing. The pressure early will be on the offense to give ace Tanaka a break with a lead. If not, it may be a long day for him and his defense.

Chiben Gakuen by default looks to secure the final spot in the Kinki region on the basis that the other 2 quarterfinalists resume's are just as bad. They did play Yamato Kouryou and Naradai Fuzoku, but while they may be above average (and have gone to Koushien), the gap between it and almost all the other schools is still rather big. The loss to Osaka Touin would normally eliminate it in other years, but again, since Shiritsu Wakayama and Hannandai were mercy-ruled and shutout, here they are.

Their apparent saving grace is their ace Murakami Shouki (村上 頌樹). He actually pitched at Koushien in his first year, the last pitcher in a blowout loss to Meitoku Gijyuku. He faced 3 batters, gave up a hit, and struck out a batter. Back then he was hitting upper 130s. Apparently he still does, along with a slider, change and curve. His K rate is probably in line with an above average pitcher, but as in the Osaka Touin and Naradai Fuzoku games, can be prone to give up walks.

Offensively, the best batter by far is their leadoff batter SS Oota Hideki (太田 英毅). He was able to collect a base hit in their last 4 games, even plating 3 of their 4 runs against Shinkou Gakuen. The rest of the team is inconsistent, and Murakami himself batting 3rd means that they may be a bit offensively challenged.

Their prospects are not good, and they'll need a better than average draw to get past the first game.

Today wraps up the first round of the 96th Natsu Koushien tournament with our final game actually starting Round 2.

Chiben Gakuen may actually be supplanting Chiben Wakayama as the predominant baseball school.  As Wakayama has fallen from their heights in the early-mid 2000s, Gakuen has started to see more and more success at Koushien.  Does that mean that Gakuen's "C" will be more prevalent in the years to come? Hard to say, but probably.

Meitoku Gijyuku must be counting their lucky starts.  They avoided traps and pitfalls that befell other major schools elsewhere around the country, and yet still almost didn't make it here as Kishi had to navigate a 1-0 win over Kochi Shougyou and then a 6-5 thriller over Kochi.

Kishi is the same ace we've seen in prior years, so really it's a matter of his supporting cast being able to give Kishi some breathing space so he's not under pressure the entire tournament.

If there was a year that the tournament seemed wide open, it's this one.  And from the looks of the games in recent days, I think everyone knows it.

So, who wants it?

Chiben Gakuen (Nara)
CF Oonishi Ryouta
C Yoshida Takaaki
1B Okamoto Kazuma
SS Yoshioka Fumiya
2B Iwata Taku
RF Takaoka Yuuichi
3B Hirooka Taishi
LF Yamanaka
P Oda Kyouhei

Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi)
RF Takano Kouhei
CF Ootani Yuuki
P Kishi Jyunichirou
1B Nishioka Souta
2B Mori Shouma
SS Yasuda Takayuki
C Mizuno Katsuya
LF Ozaki Yuuto
3B Oonishi Kazumasa

____________________________________________________________

09:30 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
I had liked Kishi when I first saw him because it seemed like his control was the best out of everyone that year.  Yeah, he does throw low-mid 140s, but the control I liked the best.

Hasn't changed.

After a groundout to open the game, his sliders get the best of both Yoshida and Okamoto to retire the side in order.

Bottom 1st
Chiben Gakuen not messing around this game, they send out ace Oda to start the game with their relief staff to follow.  In fact, looking at the books, Gakuen's performance is that more stunning given that Oda pitched just 1 inning in the prefecturals! 1!

Looks like Meitoku's plan of action is to attack anything in the zone.  Takano first pitch grounder to short.  Ootani rightly takes an outside pitch the other way, but it's also at Yoshioka.

Kishi, who tends to be wildly hot and cold with the bat here, gives Yoshioka his 3rd assist of the inning with a groundball to end the inning.

Top 2nd
Iwata gets Chiben Gakuen's first hit with a single past a diving Yasuda.

But after that, Kishi just slams the door on the inning.  First, a slider on the outer half to freeze Takaoka, and then Hirooka skies a slider at home.  Mizuno with the catch and the side is retired.

Bottom 2nd
Nishioka has little luck at the plate, getting rung up on a fastball right at the bottom of the zone.

Finally Mori gets Meitoku's first hit, a ball the other way into right for a single.

Oda goes up the ladder to strike out Yasuda for his 2nd K.

Mizuno with a liner the opposite way!  Takaoka charging in, dives... but it bounces by him!  He has to scramble back to the wall as Mori is waved home!  There's no challenge and a bad gamble by Takaoka costs his team a run! 1-0 Meitoku!


Make that 2! Ozaki rips a ball down the 3rd base line, and Hirooka can't stop it!  It deflects into foul territory and Mizuno can score to make it a 2-0 ballgame!

It's also costing Oda some pitches on the mound as now he walks Kazumasa and the lineup turns over to Takano.

Chopper up the middle for Takano AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Iwata plain misses the ball!  It goes into center and Ozaki scores to make it a 3-0 game!

Iwata makes the play on the next ball hit to him, but questionable defense has cost Chiben Gakuen 3 runs!

Top 3rd
Yamanaka with a shot to 3rd, and apparently it's too hot at the hot corner because Kazumasa can't get the glove on the ball, but is lucky to have the ball go off his right ankle to leave it at a single.  With last batter Oda up, Kosaka-kantoku elects to bunt.

Kishi elevates a ball and Ryouta shoots it through the right side!  Yamanaka getting the green light and the throw is cut off! Chiben cuts into the lead at 3-1!

And now is another bunt by Kosaka-kantoku! They'll try to tack on another run with Okamoto at the plate.

Kishi tries to go with the slider, but he leaves it over the plate and Okamoto is expecting it!  Drives it to left for a base hit and Ryouta scores to make it a 3-2 ballgame!

Yoshioka really trying for a HR, just flies out to center again.  Still, Chiben Gakuen makes a big dent in the deficit.

Bottom 3rd
Kishi still cold at the plate, lining out to Takaoka.

Nishioka gets a liner over Oda into center, but only one pitch later is it wiped out as Mori grounds into the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Top 4th
Kishi keeping his defense busy using all of the field.  Though this inning it's left.  While he does record a K v. Takaoka, Iwata and Hirooka both boom balls to deep left - but the park holds it in and Ozaki makes both plays with ease.

Bottom 4th
Yasuda with a ball to deep right!  Takaoka has to play it off the wall and he's in with a leadoff double!

Bunt from Mizuno, and Oda falls down!!  Okamoto can't double back to the ball in time and everyone's safe!  That's a bad break for Chiben there.

Oda unable to find the strike zone after falling down, falls behind Ozaki 3-0 before finally getting a strike.

And now he hits him to load the bases as #11 Murakami starts warming up.  Kosaka-kantoku calls time to buy his P time just in case...

Last batter Kasumasa up for Meitoku to try and open up the game for Meitoku.

SQUEEZE!!!  It's a pitchout!  But Kazumasa's leap to reach it just makes contact to push it foul!

They don't risk another one, but Kazumasa hits it right at 2nd!  Iwata goes home for 1, but Yoshida can't complete the double play.  Still 2 outs, but no runs in.

Not any longer! Takano seeing Oda perfectly, almost takes him out with a liner back up the middle!  It's station-to-station as Mizuno scores to make it 4-2!

Ootani with a full count, makes a cardinal sin in letting a close pitch go.  He goes down looking on the fastball inside and there's 2 out!

That leaves it up to Kishi who is 0-2 on the day.

SANSHIN!!!!  Oda once again brilliant with a screwball that catches the outside corner to freeze Kishi and retire the side!

Top 5th
Kishi seems to have settled back down, after the shaky 3rd.  He retires both Yamanaka and Oda without much incident.

Of course then Ryouta comes up and Kishi leaves another slider over the plate! Ryouta with a drive to center, Ootani racing back, leaps, but it's off his glove!  Ryouta makes it all the way to 3rd and Chiben has a chance to cut the lead once again!

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

No dice!  Kishi goes top shelf with the slider and Yoshioka can't make contact with it! Side retired and Kishi keeps the lead at 2!

Bottom 5th
Nishoka with a slider down the right field line and he's in with a leadoff double!  Mori bunts him over for Yasuda.

Kosaka-kantoku makes a defensive change, sending in #11 Murakami to replace Yamanaka in LF.

Yasuda liner!  But it's right at Iwata and he makes the reflex catch (he was drawn in!!).  2 out!

Mizuno liner! Iwata leaps and makes another catch to end the inning!  Iwata with some good defensive works saves the run.  And as we hit the break, Kishi and Meitoku Gijyuku hold a 4-2 lead, but they can't feel too comfortable with it.

Top 6th
Kishi being too careful with Okamoto going all away, and he takes the 3-2 pitch the other way! Mori racing out to shallow right center, leaps, but can't get it!  He's on with a leadoff single!

Yoshioka with the same and hits one fair down the 1st base line!  Takano has to field it near the wall but gets it back to prevent Okamoto from coming home.  Douten runner in scoring position!

Iwata with a fly to left! Ozaki trying to wind up for the throw... Okamoto racing home as the throw comes in, Yasuda with the relay, but it's not in time! 4-3!

Takaoka with a fly to right, it's deep enough to advance the runner and now a base hit or a wild pitch can tie the game.

Instead it's a grounder to Hiraoka and the side is retired!

Bottom 6th
Bottom of the lineup trying to get on base, Kazumasa tries the safety bunt, but dives to first on a relatively close play at first and 1 down.

Despite no one on base Oda rather not wants to deal with Takano, and winds up walking him.

Ootani works another long AB versus Oda, but can't crack the code just yet as he chases the high fastball for the 3rd out.

Top 7th
Looks like Oda's day is done.  One down and #17 Osamu comes in to PH for him, he winds up grounding out to 2nd.

Ryouta on fire today against Kishi, hits a deep ball down the left field line... fair!  He's in with a double and is a HR away from the cycle!

But Yoshida can't bring him in! He pops it up behind home plate and Mizuno makes the catch to retire the side!

Bottom 7th
With that, #10 Uranaka comes in the game and takes over on the mound.

Kishi with a ball back up the middle, just out of the reach of Yoshioka for a leadoff single.  Nishioka bunts him along for Mori.

Ball back up middle, past a diving Iwata into center!  Kishi rounding 3rd gets the stop sign and Meitoku is threatening here in the 7th!

Uh oh.  Something's wrong.  Ryouta calls time, and is walking slowly in. Looks like he might be injured, but from the replay it's hard to tell what's wrong.

Looking at it carefully again, it looks like on the step before reaching the ball, his right leg/angle bent a bit, then after the throw, it gave again.

But after a small delay, he emerges from the dugout and the game continues with Yasuda given a big chance here.

The delay seems to have affected Uranaka because he walk Yasuda on 4 straight to load the bases for Mizuno! Kosaka-kantoku calls for time.

Grounder to 2nd!  Iwata goes to 2nd for 1, but Yoshioka drops the ball on the transfer!  They only get 1 and Kishi scores and it's 5-3!

Now Mabuchi-kanoku sends in #11 Tanaka to hit for Ozaki.

ああああああああ！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！

First pitch Tanaka swings and pumps his fist in the air!  Osamu back to the wall....

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tanaka needs just 1 pitch and he hits a 3-run HR to blow open the game! The ball ends up about 15 rows up and it's 8-3 Meitoku Gijyuku!

That's it for Uranaka.  Okamoto comes in from 1B to take the hill and #13 Shimizu comes in for Uranaka to take the hill.

He gets Kazumasa to ground out, but the destruction is complete.

Top 8th
#18 Tada comes in for PH Tanaka to take over in left.

And Chiben, probably broken now, goes quietly in just 8 pitches...

Bottom 8th
With the game out of hand, no need for Oonishi to hurt himself further, he's replaced by #16 Takeda.

Takano starts off the 8th with a walk and after a groundball advances him Kishi in garbage time collects another base hit and an RBI as Takano scores on the play. 9-3.  Liner to left by Mori, 10-3.

That's it for Okamoto.  He goes back to 1st as Murakami comes in from LF to take the hill.  #14 Takahashi comes in for Shimizu to take over in LF.

Yasuda goes down and bloops a ball to left. Runners move up a station and it's manrui for Mizuno.

Mizuno understands the need to finish the game and save energy, strikes out swinging.

Tada gives the ball a ride, Takaoka has to scramble back, but has enough time to park under it and make the catch for the out.  Side retired, and Chiben will get their last ABs

Top 9th
The game may be out of hand, but Hirooka finally checks in with a base hit, and a HR no less to left field. 10-4.

But that just delays the inevitable.  Murakami and Takahashi are quietly dispatched as Kishi and Meitoku Gijyuku take care of Chiben Gakuen 10-4.

It was a good game to start too.  A pitchers duel that started to see cracks in both pitchers armor as Chiben Gakuen was scoring runs against Kishi.

However, the game ended on one pitch when PH Tanaka sent a curve into the stands for a 3-run HR. That unfortunately crushed the spirits of Chiben Gakuen resulting the score you see.

Kishi as mentioned was far from dominating and left several pitches up and Chiben promptly punished them.  He'll need to clean those up if they want to make a deep run, powerhouse team or not.

It's sad for Chiben Gakuen to end their year this way, but the kouhais will be winding up now to secure a spot at senbatsu.

Our final game of the day is Sano Nichidai versus Chiben Gakuen.  Sano Nichidai faced a Chinzei squad bereft of offense, so when they scored 2 runs in the 5th it would be more than enough to advance.  Tajima had 12 Ks but you have to adjust that based upon the competition.

Chiben Gakuen easily dispatched a Mie team that I had high hopes for - especially after the performance of Toyokawa.  Offensively, they pretty much took apart Mie right from the beginning and looked rather impressive, especially with 2 HRs from Okamoto.  Oda wasn't dominating by any means, and he did give up some big hits to Mie, which could be an issue.

Chiben Gakuen (Nara)
RF Hirooka Taishi
CF Oonishi Ryouta
1B Okamoto Kazuma (#5)
SS Yoshioka Fumiuya (#6)
LF Takaoka Yuuichi
2B Iwata Taku
C Yoshida Takaaki
3B Shimizu Seiya (#15)
P Oda Kyouhei

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

14:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1
Before the siren can wind down, Hirooka swings on the first pitch slider and grounds to 3rd.

Heavy diet of slider from Tajima to start as Ryouta grounds one to 2nd.  Okamoto goes after one too and hits one to left.  Inaba, already playing back goes near the fence to make the catch for the 3rd out.

Bottom 1st
One down for Sano Nichidai and Takemura goes down to hit the forkball dropping it in shallow left center for a base hit.

Toshiki with a drive to left center!  Takaoka has to chase it back to the wall!  Takemura rounding 3rd, given the green light!  He scores, but the cutoff throw goes to 3rd where Toshiki gets too aggressive and is easily thrown out.

Inaba pops out to Iwata on the grass behind 2nd for the 3rd out.  Sano Nichidai gets 1, but a base running error prevents more.

Top 2nd
Yoshioka looks to get Chiben back on track, lines a ball to center for a base hit.  Takaoka fails to bunt the runner over, looks to swing away, but ends up watching a fastball hit the outside corner for the 1st out.

Iwata with a hot shot to 1st, Tamura has it right at the bag for the out.  And the inning is over just like that when Takaaki grounds right to 3rd.  Kakizawa blocks it in front of him and he makes the throw in time for the out.

Bottom 2nd
Oda getting back on track after the first, striking out Tajima with a fastball outside, and then inducing two towering pop flies to the outfield.

Top 3rd
Tajima really on his game early.  While the counts to run deep on Shimzu and Oda, he blows the fastball by both of them to register his 2nd and 3rd Ks.  He completes the clean inning as Hirooka grounds to 3rd.

Bottom 3rd
On the other side, Oda issues his first walk to Tamura.  Sagawa doing the buster hitting for the first two strikes, but now a 2 strikes he shows bunt and yet manages to go from 1-2 to a full count!  He then three bunts and fouls out.  That made no sense.

Back to the top of the order and Nagasawa.  At 2 strikes, he punches pitch after pitch the other way until he gets one he likes and lines it past Yoshioka for a base hit.

Tamura showing bunt with 1 down?  Takes a couple before finally swinging away.  Hits a ball to short, and Yoshioka elects to get the lead runner at 3rd.  Makes sense if you can't turn 2 (which I don't think they could have).

Quick timeout from Kosaka-kantoku.

Oda gets himself out of the jam as Toshiki grounds to 2nd.

Top 4th
By far Sano Nichidai has the advantage with the sticks right now, but that was to be expected given the aces for both squads.  Generally, Tajima is working ahead of the batters and making them work.

Of course I say that and Ryouta lines a ball to right.  He's flying around 1st and reaches 2nd on what would normally be a single!

But with the double, 1st base is open, and I think Tajima knows it.  He's giving Okamoto nothing to hit, falling behind 2-1.

So Ryouta takes it into his own hands!  He takes off for 3rd and easily beats the throw!  Man he's fast.

Also, Okamoto would like to hit, so he sheepishly swings at ball 4 to fill the count.

Tajima obliges!  He throws the slider and Okamoto swings and misses! 1 out!

AH!  Sagawa just completely misses on the 2-1 pitch and Ryouta can just walk home!  That was a very lackadaisical attempt by Sagawa and it costs them a run!  1-1!

What's more, Tajima walks Yoshioka putting the gyakuten runner on base.  Takaoka bunts him over for Iwata.  But he grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.

Still, the passed ball by Sagawa ties up the game!

Bottom 4th
Inaba with the leadoff single past a diving Yoshioka into left.  Tajima with the bunt, and Shimizu can't glove the ball!  Everyone's safe!

Kakizawa lays down his bunt and now both runners are in scoring position for Koizumi.

Koizumi inside-outs a ball and bloops it to left!  Takaoka charging, but he can't get there!  Inaba scores to make it 2-1!

あ。

Tamura with a blast to right center!  There's no way the fielders are going to get to that!  Tajima scores, Koizumi reaching 3rd being waved in!  Throw in goes to 3rd where they get Tamura trying to stretch it out to a triple.  I'll forgive that one since it was to RF.  But his base hit gives Sano Nichidai the 4-1 lead!

Fortunate for Oda as Sagawa singles to left.  However, he limits the damage as he retires Nagasawa to end the inning.  Still, he's being knocked around and may not be long for this game.

Top 5th
In fact, being due up 3rd, he may not get an AB.

Takaaki goes down looking on a cut fastball?  It looked like a fastball but was 10 kph slower.

After a groundout by Shimizu, it is indeed the end of Oda's day.  #16 Nakanishi pinch hits for him.  But he can do no better also grounding out to short.

Bottom 5th
#18 Uranaka comes in for PH Nakanishi to take the hill.

Uranaka doesn't particularly throw very hard, but he fools Takemura on the forkball for the first out.

Toshiki gets the bat around on the inside pitch, but he flies out to right.  Today is the first day I can recall where the wind is blowing normally from right to left field.

It's a clean first inning for Uranaka thanks to an assist from Hirooka!  Popup from Inaba, Hirooka charging in toward the foul line, makes the sliding catch!

As perhaps expected, Oda had troubles with the Sano Nichidai lineup and as a result his squad finds themselves behind against a fairly strong ace in Tajima.

Top 6th
Hirooka gets around on the inside fastball and drives it to left center!  Nagasawa chases it down at the wall and it's a leadoff double!  Ryouta moves him over with a grounder to 2nd, bringing up Okamoto.

Tajima goes after him, getting Okamoto to chase 2 consecutive sliders.  He at least holds up on the 3rd one, and just foul tips the 4th one.  Tajima misses wide to fill up the count.

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

Tajima fires the gas on the inside half and Okamoto doesn't even move the bat! 2 out!

Ball back to Tajima!  He fumbles it a bit, but throws it to first. AHHHHH!!!

Tajima throws it into the ground and Tamura can't field it!  Tajima's unforced error gives Chiben Gakuen some life! It's 4-2!

Yoshida makes a diving catch on the short pop from Takaoka, but there's still plenty of time with the deficit sitting at 2.

Bottom 6th
With Uranaka's slower pitching, Sano's bats are just a step ahead of where they should be.  Tajima and Kakizawa both roll grounders to Yoshioka.

Koizumi finds the speed just fine and grounds a ball back up the middle.  Iwata keeps it in front of him, but can do no more.

Tamura continues the bigger trend though and pulls one to 2nd.  Iwata goes the short way for the 3rd out.

Top 7th
Despite hitting Shimizu with 2 outs, Tajima continues to make batters pound the ball into the ground.  All 3 outs recorded were via the groundball.

Bottom 7th
Last batter Sagawa gets hit on the hand truing to lead out of the pitch.  Nagasawa bunts him along.

Now 2 down, Uranaka doesn't want anything to do with Toshiki and walks him on 4 straight.  That works as Inaba pops out to Iwata behind 2nd for the 3rd out.

Top 8th
After falling behind to Hirooka, he throws 3 sraight strikes, the last hit to short.

Ryouta gets to wreak havoc on the basepaths as he pokes a ball to left for a base hit.

Okamoto shot to short, and Takemura overruns the ball and can't make the grab!  It trickles into center as Ryouta heads to 3rd!  Chance for Chiben with 1 down!

Yoshioka opens the door!  First pitch single through the left side and the score is now 4-3, with still only 1 down!

Takaoka with a ball up the first base line, あああああああ！！！！

Takaoka, running to field the ball, kicks it back towards home and there's no play!  Manrui!  It's a repeat of the Komadai Tomakomai game!

Iwata up to tie or take the lead...

He ties the game!  Another single through the left side and Okamoto scores to tie the game at 4-4!!

And still one down!

Tajima gets one break when Takaaki pops out to Tamura in foul territory.

But still Shimizu with his first base hit can give Chiben Gakuen the lead.

Tajima catches another break!  Shimizu goes around and despite the ball getting away, the inning is over.  But we have a new ballgame with all the momentum sitting with Chiben Gakuen!

Bottom 8th
Sano Nichidai has no answers!  Tajima hits a weak grounder back to Uranaka.  Kakizawa works the count full in an attempt to get on base, but strikes out on the fastball inside.

And Koizumi grounds to 2nd!  3 up, 3 down!

Top 9th
And Chiben Gakuen has a chance to take the lead here in the 9th!

Uranaka's good work is done as #3 Oonishi Ritsuki hits for him in an attempt to start the offense.  But he strikes out swinging.

Hirooka is quickly retired and Ryouta strikes out looking, so the momentum may be lost.

Bottom 9th
Okamoto takes the hill for Chiben Gakuen.  Shimizu goes to 1st, and #14 Kaminakano comes in for PH Ritsuki and takes over at 3B.

Tamura with a ball to deep right, but Hirooka is there for the catch.

Sano Nichidai perhaps in sense of desperation, swings away early in counts which only helps Okamoto get outs.  4 pitches later, and the side is retired.  We're headed to enchousen!

Top 10th
And the first thing Tajima does is hit Okamoto, putting the gyakuten runner on base!  Yoshida bunts him over to 2nd.

But Okamoto gets too aggressive!  Takaoka hits a grounder to short and Okamoto takes off!  Takemura goes to 3rd and Okamoto is meat!

Yoshioka flies out to deep right to end the inning, but will the baserunning mistake cost them?

Bottom 11th
Takemura gives Sano Nichidai the sayonara runner with a single to center!  Toshiki not bunting, but Okamoto can't find the zone either!  He falls behind 3-0, and despite a strike he walks him!  Chiben Gakuen in a big pinch!

Inaba with the bunt, and Shimizu fields it and goes to 3rd???!!  It's not in time and Sano Nichidai may get up to 3 tries to get the run in!  Kosaka-kantoku calls time.

First up, Tajima.

Okamoto going after him, gets ahead 0-2...

SANSHIN!!!!!

Okamoto puts the fastball just out of Tajima's reach and there's 1 down.

Kakizawa with his chance to end the game.  First pitch strike on the outside corner, second fouled off...

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

Okamoto gets Kakizawa on the slider and there's 2 out!  One more and Chiben Gakuen may be able to pull the game out.

Grounder to short... Yoshioka can't get it!!  サヨナラ！！！

Takemura comes home and Sano Nichidai pulls it out in enchousen 5x-4!!

Notable Players
Tajima Daiki (Sano Nichdai) - 10 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 8 K, BB, 2 HBP
Koizumi Keita (Sano Nichidai) - 3-4, R, 2 RBI
Tamura Kaito (Sano Nichidai) - 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
Okamoto Kazuma (Chiben Wakayama) - 5.2+ IP, ER, 3 H, 4 K, 2 BB, HBP
Yoshioka Fumiya (Chiben Wakayama) - 2-3, RBI, BB
Okamoto Kazuma (Chiben Wakayama) - 0-4, 2 K, HBP

The question now becomes coming into this game - how the heck did Mie defeat Toyokawa considering that they sent out Tanaka Sora faced them?  Is Mie that good to have gotten 10 hits off of him?

Both teams have a dearth at the bottom of the lineup, though Chiben Gakuen's is a little more stark.  But with Mie's offense holding up more deeper into the tournament, that's a significant plus for Mie.  This combined with the fact that Mie's pitching also held up better against stronger competition means that perhaps Mie might have the edge in this matchup.

Chiben Gakuen (Nara)
SS Yoshioka Fumiuya
CF Oonishi Ryouta
3B Okamaoto Kazuma
RF Hirooka Taishi
LF Takaoka Yuuichi
1B Oonishi Ritsuki
2B Iwata Taku
C Yoshida Takaaki
P Oda Kyouhei

Mie (Mie)
SS Nagano Hayato
3B Uchida Ren
2B Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
CF Seko Ren
RF Inaba Ryuuya
LF Yamamoto Youma
P Imai Shigetarou
C Nakabayashi Kengo

____________________________________________________________

09:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1
Imai working around the plate, gets the first 2 batters out via the grounder.

But Okamoto connects on a slider and drives it to center!  Seko running back, at the fence looks up...

HAITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okamoto gives Mie the quick 1-0 lead with a HR to dead center!

Hirooka strikes out to end the inning, but Mie will start from behind!

Bottom 1st
Mie perhaps getting their feet under them as Nagano unexpectedly freezes on a ball down the middle for the first out.

2 down now for Mie and Utsunomiya does a half swing, punching the ball the opposite way between 1st and 2nd for a base hit.

And now Nishioka hits a grounder to Okamoto that he oles!  That's an E5 and Mie has a small opportunity!

But Seko is a little ahead and on top of the slider, chopping one over Oda! Yoshioka is there to back him up and makes the play at 1st to end the inning.

Top 2nd
Takaoka leads off the inning with a ball back up the middle.  But he tries to steal 2nd, and is just thrown out by Nakabayashi.

That's winds up being costly as 2 batters late Iwata would double down the right field line.  Takaoka could have scored from 1st had he waited.

Instead with 2 down and a runner on 2nd, Yoshioka bombs one to deep left, but the park holds it as Yamamoto catches it near the fence by the foul pole for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
Mie's lower part of the lineup attacking Oda's pitches.  Inaba and Yamamoto make solid contact, but not good enough as both fly out to Hirooka in right.

Imai just kinda twirls the bat at a slider outside and pops out to short to end the inning.

Top 3rd
Imai getting his K of the inning early as Oda whiffs on the slider for the 1st out.  To be honest though, it's due to the Chiben batters not being disciplined enough.

Yoshioka and Ryouta are retired quickly enough thereafter and outside of the HR, Imai hasn't done badly - just hasn't really impressed either.

Bottom 3rd
Mie's bats are getting strong contact though.  Last batter Nakabayashi crushes one to left, but it's just short as Takaoka makes the backpedaling catch just in front of the fence.

Nagano gets rung up by the umpire on a pitch that end up in the border of the opposing batters box.

And with the seemingly expanded strike zone, Uchida goes after a ball outside and flies to right.  I think we have an umpire that has the expanded strike zone, and is quick to call a go around on a check swing.

Top 4th
Okamoto leading off the inning, quickly turns the first pitch around and past a diving Nagano into center.  Hirooka gets luck when he reaches out and punches the slider through the hole in left for a base hit.  Kosaka-kantoku has Takaoka bunt the runners into scoring position.

Ritsuki can't drive him in as he continues to chase the slider time and again into the ground.

Jock Rock meanwhile plays in the Chiben Gakuen ouen-dan.

With 2 down, Iwata steps in and the same people are beating up in Imai!  Iwata crushes one down the left field line and it goes off the padding!  Both runners will score on Iwata's double and it's 3-0 Chiben Gakuen!

And now a wild pitch, followed by a Yoshida blooper into center scores Iwata and it's 4-0 Chiben.  Yoshida unwisely tries to turn it into a double, and is thrown out to end the inning, but Mie is in a hole yet again.

Bottom 4th
Utsunomiya can't pull the trigger on a fastball inside and goes down looking.

Nishoka crushes a curve!  Takaoka goes back, but he's looking up!  Yep, no doubt about it...

HAITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mie doesn't seem to turn on the jets until they've fallen behind, so now's a good time as any for Nishioka to make it a 4-1 game.

Seko and Inaba both are retired thereafter, but don't be surprised if Mie works their way back into this game.

Top 5th
Well, that was quick.  3 groundouts in 7 pitches, finished off with a poor safety bunt attempt by Ryouta.

Bottom 5th
Defensive changes as Okamoto goes from 3B to 1B, and #15 Shimizu comes in for Ritsuki and takes over at 3B.

2 quick outs for Mie, and what is Nakabayashi doing at the bottom of the lineup!  He clobbers a ball this time to right center and right between both Oonishi and Hirooka in front of the wall!  Nakabayashi winds up with a sliding triple!!

I say this because Nagano, who has been pretty useless at the plate with 2 K's looking steps in.

Nagano makes contact, but lines to left! Takaoka makes a small jump, but makes the catch for the 3rd out!  So we hit the break with Chiben Gakuen holding a 4-1 lead, but Mie certainly seems to have the bats to make up that difference.

Top 6th
Ah, well then...

Imai figures Mie needs more grit in their comeback, so he pitches to Okamoto, who promptly obliges with a no doubt HR to left that goes up about 15 or so rows.  5-1 Chiben Gakuen.

The next 3 batters are no problem for Imai, so perhaps Imai thinks this is good for Mie to come back from.

Bottom 6th
Sadly, that grit seems to not be coming as Mie is routinely retired in order.  Of note though, Nishioka was jammed and flied out to left. But Takaoka still had to go back to field it.  Yikes.

Top 7th-Top 8th
So, while I lose connectivity again thanks to MBS (not CenturyLink like I first though), Imai holds the line at 5 runs for Chiben, despite a 2-out walk to Oda.

In the bottom half of the inning, Seko gets a leadoff hit, but unfortunately for him and Mie, Inaba grounds out into a 4-6-3 double play.  Yamamoto strikes out to end the inning.

Imai perhaps on his last legs gives up a double to Ryouta.  That is the end for him as #10 Tsujimoto comes in.  He actually goes to Inaba's spot while #17 Nakamura comes in for Imai to play RF.

Back to live action (for me anyways), and Okamoto finally gets retired when he skies one to 2nd for the first out.  However, he can't stop Hirooka, who singles through to right.  Ryouta scores, but Nakabayashi fires to 2nd and get Hirooka trying to advance on the play. 6-1 Chiben Gakuen.

That for Mie at least prevents another run as Takaoka hits a double to left center.  Shimizu grounds out to end the inning.

Bottom 8th
New RF Nakamura starts off the inning with a single to center.  A flub by Oonishi allows him to take 2nd.  After being moved over to 3rd on a grounder, Nagano scores him with a sac fly to center to make it 6-2.  PH #14 Sada ends the inning with a K.

Top 9th
Sada stays in the game at 3B.

Tsujimoto records 2 outs and looks to have a clean inning, but then he just misses strike 3 on Oda, giving up a walk.  Then Yoshioka blasts one over Yamamoto's head for a double scoring Oda to make it 7-2.  Ryouta strikes out to end the inning.

Bottom 9th
Nishioka tries to jumpstart one final rally with a single through the left side.  But Seko's drive to left is caught by Takaoka, who has to stretch up to make the catch.

Last chance goes to #15 Kan, who is sent in to hit for Tsujimoto.

Kan gives it a rip, but flies out to center and that's the game.

I'm slightly disappointed in Mie, considering they defeated Toyokawa.  And they even had many solid hits.  But they found the opposing fielders.  In addition, the Mie staff figured it was a good idea to pitch to batters like Okamoto and Iwata, so there's that too.

Chiben Gakuen moves on, but despite the offensive output, Mie did make good contact on the ball. If it was better contact, they would be in trouble.  Though next game it's against Sano Nichidai, so they may get one more break.

Notable Players
Oda Kyouhei (Chiben Gakuen) - CG, ER, 6 H, 5 K, 0 BB
Okamoto Kazuma (Chiben Gakuen) - 3-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI
Takaoka Yuuichi (Chiben Gakuen) - 2-3, 2B
Iwata Taku (Chiben Gakuen) - 2-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI
Imai Shigetarou (Mie) - 7+ IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 4 K, BB
Nishioka Musashi (Mie) - 2-4, HR, R, RBI
Nakabayashi Kengo (Mie) - 1-3, 3B
Nakamura Isayo (Mie) 1-1, R

With Tenri having faded into the depths of Nara's anonymity, Chiben Gakuen has planted their flag as the top team in the prefecture.  And they could be in a more dormy position than brethren school Chiben Wakayama as Nara is certainly weaker from top to bottom than Wakayama.  Sure, with only one school dominating the prefecture, there isn't the ironclad grip that other areas have - remember, Sakurai won this past summer. But for Chiben Gakuen, the title in Nara will be theirs to lose.

Road to Senbatsu
Nara Prefecturals

• def. Nara 2-0
• def. Houryuuji Kokusai 11-5
• def. Nara Tousen 7-0 (7 inn)
• def. Kashiba 12-0 (5 inn)
• def. Naradai Fuzoku 11-7

Kinki Super-Regionals

• def. Youkaichi 8-0 (7 inn)
• lost Ryuukokudai Heian 2-1

I say all that stuff in the introduction, then you look at their resume and it looks especially weak.  There is the unusual 2-0 won against Nara in the first round, and despite a win 11-5 over Houryuuji Kokusai they didn't get a mercy-rule shortened game.  And then versus Naradai Fuzoku in the final, starter Oda Kyouhei (尾田 恭平) struggled, giving up a 5-run lead and 7 runs in all before his team bailed him out.

The super-regionals went about the same as they handled unknown Youkaichi with little trouble before having their offense stonewalled by Heian.


Oda throws slower than average (high 120s), with the standard curve and slider.  Reliever Okamoto Kazuma (岡本 和真) is actually their 1B as well as their #4 batter.

I suppose there can be some players on offense to mention for Chiben Gakuen - 2nd batter CF Oonishi Ryouta (大西 涼太) and 3rd batter SS Yoshioka Ikuya (吉岡 郁哉) but the problem I find is that in their one real game against a Koushien power, they managed just 6 hits and none of the extra base variety.  It is one game, but it's hard to take any of the other games seriously given Chiben Gakuen's status in the past as well as the weakness of Nara prefecture in general.

If they run into weaker competition, they can take those games, but the minute they run into more stiffer competition, I think it will be hard for them to advance.

Next up, we move on to the Chuugoku region and champions Iwakuni.

We end the 2nd round with a high-profile matchup.  Though several years ago you may not have been able to say that.

Chiben Gakuen had won the Kinki super-regional, and did defeat Hayatomo 5-2, but their offense was all generated in one inning.  And outside of the 5-run 5th inning, they managed just one hit with 3 walks and a hit batsmen.  Now, this was against Hayatomo, and for the most part against a pitcher who had only pitched a couple of innings.  So perhaps their preparation for ace Aidzu threw them off when Horita started the game.

Kanto Dai-ichi was given a surprise when facing Beppu Aoyama.  They scored just 1 run on 6 hits, and that run was in part because the Beppu defense failed to recognize the speed at the top of the order.  And 7 K's against the Beppu pitching staff may not be a good sign either.

And yet, this was the team that wound up winning the Tokyo regional.  So either Beppu Aoyama's pitching was above average or the Tokyo Regional was sub-average this year.


3B  Isobe Yuuta (#9)
RF  Kishi Naoya (#16)
2B  Kiuchi Jyunshou
CF  Akiyama Shouta
LF  Itou Hiroki
SS  Yoshie Masakazu (#5)
1B  Anzai Kouyou
C  Matsutani Tsubasa
P  Nakamura Yuuta

C  Nakamichi Katsushi
CF  Urano Jyunya
P  Aoyama Daiki
RF  Ono Youhei
3B  Komeda Shintarou
1B  Koike Masahiro
LF  Uenishi Ryouki (#12)
2B  Yamaguchi Yuuki (#6)
SS  Takeda Ichiya (#13)

__________________________________________________

14:45 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
After two quick outs by the Kanto offense, Kiuchi hits a single through to left.  Akiyama follows that up slicing a ball the opposite way to left.

But Itou winds up looking at a fastball on the outside corner to end the inning.  May have been some framework there, but with the angle it's always hard to tell.

Bottom 1st
Nakamura looking sharp to start, getting Nakamichi to chase a slider inside for the first out.  And after an Urano flyout, Aoyama goes down on 3 pitches, watching the last one hit the outside corner for strike 3.

Top 2nd
Aoyama's good control early hitting the outside corners are forcing the batters to chase the ball.  And such was the case with Anzai for the 2nd out.

Matsutani scares the crap out of Aoyama by drilling a ball deep to left, but just is a little early.  Instead he grounds out to short to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd
Ono starts the inning with a gapper to right center.  Akiyama runs it down but not before Ono's in with a double.  Komeda bunts him over for Koike.

And the oen-dan starts playing Jock Rock a lot sooner than usual.

Nakamura walks Koike and Yonezawa-kantoku calls for time.

Uenishi works the count full, but winds up chasing a fastball up and away for the 2nd out.

And Yamagichi too cannot hit Nakamura's fastball and Kanto is out of the jam!

Top 3rd
Nakamura with a popup to left.  Takeda and Komeda run to get it, Komeda calls Takeda off, but makes a last second correction and misses the ball!  E7 and Kanto has a runner on!

Isobe can't lay down the bunt, and winds up grounding one back to Aoyama!  He goes to 2nd for one, but Takeda double clutches then sails the ball into the camera well!  It winds up being just like a bunt as Isobe is awarded 2nd.

Aoyama winds up walking Kishi on 4 straight, prompting Kosaka-kantoku to call for time.

Kiuchi with a grounder up the 3rd base line, and Uenishi makes a great stop!  He tags 3rd to get the force.  2 outs.

And Aoyama gets Akiyama to pop it up!  Ono takes a bit of a circuitous route to the ball, but runs down the right field line to make the catch.

Bottom 3rd
Nakamura with a 5 pitch inning , retiring the side in order in part thanks to a great snag by Isobe and a nice reach on a high throw by Anzai.

Top 4th
Defensive change for Chiben as #5 Odahara comes in for Uenishi and goes to 3B.  Komeda moves to LF.

Itou reaches out and hits a soft ball to the right side.  Yamaguchi charges, tries to make the barehanded throw but throws it away!  Infield single by Itou!

Yoshie lays down the bunt, Aoyama with it, but his throw to 2nd short hops Takeda and he can't pick it.  All safe!

Anzai lays down a great bunt which advances the runners.  It'll have to be up to Matsutani or ace Nakamura to get the runners home.  Infield playing for a throw home.

Matsutani jumps on the first pitch and lines it to left!  Itou comes home!  Yoshie is right behind him!  He chases him all the way home!  Matsutani puts Kanto up here in the 4th, 2-0!

Nakamura follows that up with a single through the right side!  Runners on 1st and 2nd with still 1 down!

Back to the top of the order and this could be bad for Aoyama.

Isobe with a slow chopper up the 3rd base side!  Uenishi charges, throws to 1st, beats a diving Isobe!

[Insert rant here]

The runners advance so that a base hit almost guarantees 2 runs, but there's also 2 outs.

Kishi standing in falls behind 1-2, but takes a couple of pitches, works the count full, and starts fouling off pitches.

(And someone has a vuvuzela??!)

Sanshin!  Kishi can't get around to the fastball and Aoyama is out of the inning!  But Kanto strikes first for a pair of runs!

Bottom 4th
Aoyama hits a ball to shallow right trying to jumpstart the Chiben offense. Ono not bunting, but gets under a Nakamura offering and flies out to left.

Komeda scorches a ball down the 1st base line, but it just goes foul.  He falls behind 1-2, but works the count full.  Ball inside winds up high instead and now runners are on 1st and 2nd for Koike.  Looks either like Nakamura is having control issues or is overthrowing the ball.

Ahead 0-2, Nakamura throws another one way high.  And another high fastball.  This could be concerning for Kanto.  Outside, and now the count is full once again.

High fastball, but close enough that Koike swings and fouls it off.  Fastball outside and it's manrui with one down.

Yonezawa-kantoku calling time, but he'd better be finding someone to warm up in the bullpen.

Odahara up to bat, and he bails Nakamura out by popping one up!

Two down for Yamaguchi and he's bailing out Nakamura by swinging at the high fastballs!

And he strikes out swinging!  For some reason the bottom of the order didn't wait to see if Nakamura would continue throwing balls!  Chiben wastes a great opportunity to tie or take the lead!

Top 5th
Kiuchi with a drive to left!  Komeda running back, but it's over his head!  He's in with a double!  However, Akiyama can't advance him via bunt and grounds out to Aoyama.

Itou flies out to center, and it's deep enough to advance Kiuchi.  Up to Yoshie to deliver.

He works a long AB but Aoyama finally gets the better of him on the 10th pitch inducing a grounder to 2nd to end the threat.

Bottom 5th
Takeda trying for the safety bunt, and while Anzai vacates 1st to field the ball, Kiuchi is there to cover just in time to record the out.

Nakamichi gets on base the old-fashioned way, he gets a hit (though the left side). Urano with a base hit the other way and now a situation is developing as Aoyama steps in.

But Aoyama is jammed and flies out to right.  2 down runners now at the corners for Ono.

The Kanto battery is being careful with Ono, and fall behind him 3-1.  Nakamura doesn't give in, but he sails one high and it's manrui for Komeda.  It's fine to walk Ono, but know that there's no room now for Komeda.

First ball from Nakamura goes high again.

But the next pitch Komeda flies to center!  Akiyama there for the catch, and Kanto is out of the jam!  Kanto Dai-ichi holds on to a tentative 2-0 lead.  However, Yonezawa-kantoku should be concerned that Nakamura is tiring a bit and may be opening his body and leaving his pitches up in the zone.  He's been lucky the last couple of innings, but it could come back to get them later.  They may want to tack on a couple of extra insurance runs just in case.

Top 6th
Anzai takes the first ball and drives it to right!  Ono sprinting back, but it's over his head!  It goes to the wall as Anzai goes for 2!  But Ono fumbles with the ball!  Anzai heads to 3rd and is in easily!  Chance immediately after the break of Kanto!

Matsutani works the count full and takes a ball down and away for ball 4.  Runners now at the corners with no down for ace Nakamura.

Comebacker by Nakamura!  But Aoyama gloves it, and re-secures it when it pops out!  He goes to 2nd for the force and there's one down.

Isobe with a small chopper up the 1st base side!  Aoyama hurries to it, throws home...

OUT!

Nakamichi blocks home as he makes the tag on Anzai for the out!  2 down!  Kishi up, but he struck out last AB.

This time around, he softly lines out to short and Kanto's leadoff "triple" (it was a 2B + error) goes for naught.

Bottom 6th
One down and Odahara hits a fly to deep left!  Itou chases it down as it hits the base of the wall.  Odahara in with a double.

Nakamura is definitely in a pinch.  If he tries to throw it his normal speed, he overthrows it.  If he throws it with conrol, it's a tick slower than usual and can be hittable.

As a result he's behind 3-2 to Yamaguchi, and the pitch outside, while hitting the glove this time, is wide.

But instead of keeping the pressure completely on Nakamura, Kosaka-kantoku has Takeda bunt the runners over for Nakamichi.

Nakamura though manages to get ahead 1-2.  But another pitch high and taking a change low fulls the count.

He hits a fly ball!  Nakamura gets him to chase a high fastball!  Akiyama under it and they get the 3rd out!  Kanto continues to play with fire and not get burned!

Top 7th
Aoyama finally get an uneventful inning in the lucky 7 no less as he retires the 3-4-5 batters with almost no issue at all.

Bottom 7th
Oddly enough, with all the troubles Nakamura has had recently, he too gets a quiet 1-2-3 inning as he seems to be finally pitching instead of overthrowing.

Top 8th
Yoshie with a grounder to the right side, and it's off the glove of Yamaguchi as he dives for it!  Leadoff man on for Kanto!

But Chiben gets a break when Anzai's bunt is mishandled by Aoyama!  Yoshie thinks it's caught and he's easily thrown out at 2nd.

Aoyama gives it right back when he throws a wild pitch allowing Anzai to advance to 2nd.  However, Matsutani swings up 2-0 and pop put to short, and Nakamura flies out to right to end the inning.

Bottom 8th
But the decreased velocity does allow for big hits!  Komeda drives a ball to deep right!  Kishi runs back as the ball hits the base of the wall!  Komeda rounding the bases and he's in at 3rd with a leadoff triple!

Koike now with his own drive to right!  Kishi running back again, leaps, and makes the catch!  What a great catch by Kishi!

But that of course yields the run, and Chiben Gakuen trails by just 1!  It's 2-1!

Odahara up now, and he strikes out looking on a 129 kph fastball!  2 down!

Yamaguchi trying to keep the inning going singles past Nakamura into center.  Douten runner on base!

But Nakamura gets Takeda to pop it up. Matsutani secures it for the 3rd out.  Chiben gets one back and now the deficit seems much more managable.

Top 9th
Two pitches, two outs for Aoyama as he gets a popup and a safety bunt attempt.

Kiuchi takes a little longer, but he fouls out to Koike near the camera well.

Bottom 9th
Nail-biting time if you're Kanto.  Top of the order up for Chiben with a fatigued Nakamura on the mound.

Of course, the first pitch to Nakamichi is a 136 fastball down the middle.  Natch.

He gets ahead 0-2, but throws two wide again and levels the count.

And Nakamichi takes the next pitch and returns it back up the middle for a base hit.  Douten runner on, and Urano successfully bunts him to 2nd.

Aoyama up, and Nakamura gets him to fly out!  Itou under it for the 2nd out!

It's down to Ono, and he fouls off the first pitch.  0-1...  He pops it up!  Anzai to the fence in foul territory and it's out of play.  0-2...

Overthrows high for ball 1...  Overthrows high again for ball 2!   High fastball fought off by Ono!  Another letter high fastball fouled off!  Outside fastball fouled off again!  Fastball inside!  Ono ducks but it goes off his bat!  It pops and rolls down the first base line... goes foul before anyone can get to it!  Fastball, this time fouled straight back!  Does he have the timing down?

Fastball high again!  Full count!  High fastball fouled off one more time!!!

He hits it foul again!  But this time is it playable?  Matsutani running towards his dugout, running out of room...

MAKES THE CATCH!

Matsutani makes the catch!  Ono fouls out to end the game!  Kanto Dai-ichi holds on to a 2-1 victory over the Kinki champions Chiben Gakuen!!!

WHAT A FINISH!!!!!

Kanto Dai-ichi ace Nakamura finds a way to hold on despite showing obvious signs of fatigue and mechanics breakdowns in the middle of the game finds a way to make 2 runs stick!

Both teams had scoring opportunities throughout the game, but it was obviously in favor of Chiben Gakuen as the game progressed.  But due to strategies or plain unluckiness, they were never able to take advantage of them.  Aoyama only gave up the 2 runs when the bottom of the order delivered, but it proved to be enough.

A well fought game on both sides as Chiben Gakuen I think proves to everyone that they are power to be reckoned with going forward.

However, while Kanto Dai-ichi advances to face Yokohama in 2 days, they'll have to face the reality that Nakamura may not be 100 percent for that game.  Such is the case when you pitch on day 6, then day 8, and now day 10.  For them to win senbatsu, Nakamura will have to pitch on days 11 and 12 as well.  This could prove to be too much for Kanto Dai-ichi to overcome.

Our final game puts the winner of the Chuugoku/Shikoku floating bid Hayatomo versus the Kinki champions Chiben Gakuen.

Hayatomo won the Yamaguchi prefecturals then got fortunate in some ways to be paired in the same quadrant as Tottori. They defeated Yasu, then fellow Yamaguchi school Nanyou Kougyou before losing to Kurashiki Shougyou 6-3.

The team relies heavily on their starting 9 as only 3 other players have any ABs (and they all have 1 each).  The team batting average as a whole is poor (0.279) but they do have a lot of extra base hits.

Ace Aidzu strikes out a batter per inning, while allowing <1 H+BB per inning at the same time.  But you'll have to remember the context of the Chuugoku region as well.

Opposing them is the new reigning team in Nara, and for this year at least Kinki - Chiben Gakuen.

I remember last year when they came back on Yokohama to win, and while that may have been fluky, they have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with now.

This fall they defeated Tenri twice, last year's representative from Osaka - Higashi-Osakadai Kashiwara, and Riseisha.

Chiben's numbers aren't that impressive on paper.  A 0.315 batting average with some extra base hits.  Ace Aoyama's K rates are about average, but he doesn't allow many runners.

Hayatomo's going to have a hard time in this game against the Kinki champs.

Hayatomo (Yamaguchi)
CF  Nakamura Nozomu
LF  Nagahisa Kimiharu
SS  Miyazaki Ryuunousuke
3B  Kimura Yuuma
RF  Aidzu Yuusa (#1)
1B  Fujita Shouki
2B  Yamamoto Tatsuya
C  Harada Shouji
P  Horita Taiki (#10)

C  Nakamichi Katsushi
CF  Urano Jyunya
P  Aoyama Daiki
RF  Ono Youhei
LF  Komeda Shintarou
1B  Koike Masahiro
3B  Uenishi Ryouki (#12)
2B  Yamaguchi Yuuki (#6)
SS  Takeda Ichiya (#13)

__________________________________________________

13:42 - First pitch!

It was drizzling earlier, but now it's raining enough people are evacuating for higher and more importantly covered ground.

Top 1st
Hm?  Hayatomo has no band?

Aoyama off to a good star, getting an infield groundout and pop fly to Yamaguchi at 2B.

Finally, there's the band but it soon stops when Miyazaki pops out to 2nd.

Bottom 1st
Interesting Ookoshi-kantoku is going with Horita to start.

Nakmichi with a blast to left.  Nagahisa running back, reaches up and makes the running catch!

But they give it right back when Yamamoto throws away the ball on a routine grounder from Urano.  Urano takes 2nd on the play.

Horita walks ace Aoyama on 4 straight, and now it's cleanup batter Ono.

And now I've seen the second instance of the ball hitting the end of the bat.  This time it goes foul.

Horita gets Ono swinging on a ball in the dirt!  2 outs!

Both runners take off!  The ball is in the dirt and they have no play!  Now a base hit scores 2!

But Komeda grounds to 2nd!  Yamamoto's throw is good this time and they're out of the jam!

Top 2nd
So I get to see Hayatomo's oen-dan, and we have the battle of the letters!  Of course if you know kokoyakyu, you know if Chiben's red "C" on a white background.  Well, Hayatomo has a white "H" on a blue background!

Kimura up just lines one foul down the right field line.  But he is caught looking with some good framing to boot on a fastball outside.

Aoyama retires Aidzu on a grounder to 1st and Fujita, after a few stubborn foul balls, flies out to left.

Bottom 2nd
Koike is frozen on a slider for strike 3.  Horita is showing good control for someone who was only used for 2 innings in one game this past fall.

According to the announcers, he has a fastball in the mid-upper 130s with a slider, curve and shuuto.

Yamaguchi reaches on a dead ball, but is stranded when Takeda flies out to left.

Top 3rd
Hayatomo's bottom of the order are stubborn, but all three are retired.  Still no baserunners for Hayatomo yet.

Bottom 3rd
Nakamura making a great running catch in left-center to rob Urano of extra bases!  A groundout by Aoyama makes it a 1-2-3 inning.  Through 3, neither team has a hit.

Top 4th
Nakamura with a grounder to the right side!  Yamaguchi with the great diving stop, but the throw is late!  1st base hit for Hayatomo!

And predictably, a sac bunt to move him into scoring position for Miyazaki and Kimura.

Aoyama gets him to bite on a ball in the dirt for the 2nd out.

Kimura with a first pitch blast to left center!  Urano running back, but that's against the wall!  Nakamura scores easily and just like that Hayatomo has not only the first hit in the game, but the first run!  1-0!!

And Aidzu is hit in the back by Aoyama!  Fujita now to try and get another run in.

Fujita makes contact with a pitch low, but grounds out to 3rd to end the inning.  But I'm sure the Chiben oen-dan is a bit shocked to see Hayatomo leading 1-0!

Bottom 4th
But I'm also sure they know that their team can score runs too.

Yet while Chiben's batters make contact, they're fly balls that are caught by the defense.  Two flyouts to Aidzu and a K mean that Chiben is still without a hit!

Top 5th
Man, it looks like some of the Hayatomo players are mad at times.  When Aidzu got hit it looked like he stared Aoyama down.  And when Aoyama pitched inside to Harada, he kinda did the same.

I like that.

Though Harada goes down looking.  And then Horita as well to end the inning.

Bottom 5th
Bottom third of the order for Chiben.

Huh, Uenishi goes down swinging on three straight off-speed pitches.

And the no-hitter is gone.  Yamaguchi revenges getting hit by blowing one past Kimura into left for a single.  Takeda bunts him over as the lineup cycles back to leadoff hitter Nakamichi.

Wild pitch!  Harada can't find it and fortunately for him it went out of play.  Yamaguchi has to hold at 3rd.

Nakamichi can't hold his swing and falls behind 1-2!

K, wild pitch?  No, foul!  2-2 on Nakamichi...

And now he hits Nakamichi!  (Though he really didn't get out of the way).  The task of getting the runners home falls to Urano now.

Horita falls behind Urano 3-0.  You don't want to go manrui with Aoyama up.

But he does!  He loses him on the 3-1 pitch and now Ookoshi-kantoku calls time.

Key AB here.  No place to put Aoyama.

Continues to pitch down in the zone, but after getting the first strike, falls behind 2-1.

Inside, and now it's 3-1!  Does he give in?

Yes!  And Aoyama singles through the left side!  Nagahisa's throw is cut off and 2 runs score!  Gyakuten Chiben Gakuen!  They lead 2-1!

And they continue to apply the pressure!  Double steal on the first pitch and both are safe!

And with the count 2-2, they show Horita's face.  It looked like the one of someone who was rattled.

And just as I think that...  Ono connects on a ball.

And I don't have to think about it.

HA-I-TA.  Nagahisa barely gives chase.

5-1 Chiben Gakuen and even though it's early, that's a backbreaker.

Komeda grounds out to 2nd, but the damage has been done several times over.  Hayatomo will have to pull off one heck of a comeback to overcome this deficit.

Top 6th
But playing from behind against a better team is never easy.  Hayatomo goes down in order and they'll need to relax.

Bottom 6th
The rain seems to coming down a bit more now, but not affecting play.

Nakamura makes a great dive on a ball hit by Koike for the first out.

#15 Oosaki comes in to hit for Uenishi and goes down swinging.

And after a balk by Horita, I finally hear the first playing of "Jock Rock".

But Horita's struggling a bit.  He walks Takeda now and the lineup turns over.  Fortunately, for Horita, he finally strikes out Nakamich to end the inning.

Top 7th
Kimura leads off the lucky 7 with a single to center.  However, Aidzu grounds into a fielder's choice.  Furthermore, he tries and unsuccessfully steals 2nd.

(Why?  That run doesn't even matter!)

Fujita flies out to center and that's the inning.

Bottom 7th
Horita shuts down the Chiben offense again in order, but they need help.

Top 8th
Yamamoto pulls a ball down the left field line... fair!  He in with a leadoff double.

Harada tries to bloop one in up the middle, but Yamaguchi runs it down.

#9 Yamahito comes in to hit for Horita.  His day is done.  Horita strikes out swinging.

Nakamura with a ball back up the middle, goes through!  Yamamoto scores and Haytomo has one of the runs back!  5-2.

But Nagahisa pops out to short, and that's the inning.

Bottom 8th
Kawahito stays in and goes to right, and ace Aidzu takes the mound.

After a routine grounder to start, Koike lines one over Miyazaki for a base hit.  #5 Odahara comes to pinch run.

Oosaki grounds into a fielder's choice, and Yamaguchi to 3rd, and it's a smooth inning for Aidzu.

Top 9th
But they need at least 3 to extend the game.

Defensively, Odahara goes to 3rd, and Oosaki to 1st.

Miyazaki with a blast to right center!  That falls in at the base of the wall for a double!  But that's just one runner.  You need a couple more.

Kimura with a ball to the left side.  Takeda makes a nice grab and throw to get Kimura out.

It abruptly comes to an end as a liner by Aidzu is caught by Yamaguchi, and he tosses to Takeda to double off Miyazaki.

Hayatomo may have lost 5-2, but their pitchers combined to give up just 4 hits.  3 of those came in that fateful 5th inning.  If not for that when Horita lost his composure, Hayatomo may have had a chance.

Hayatomo gave a great effort today and has nothing to be ashamed about.  They easily earned their invitation here today.  Hopefully they'll make a run in the summer.

Chiben Gakuen will have to wait until tomorrow to see who their opponent is, but 4 hits today has to be a bit concerning going forward.


Notable Players
Horita Taiki (Hayatomo) - 7 IP, 5 ER, 3 H, 6 K, 6 BB
Nakamura Nozomu (Hayatomo) - 2-4, R, RBI, K
Kimura Yuuma (Hayatomo) - 2-4 RBI
Aoyama Daiki (Chiben Gakuen) - CG, 2 ER, 7 H, 8 K, BB
Ono Youhei (Chiben Gakuen) - 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, K
Yamaguchi Yuuki (Chiben Gakuen) - 1-2, R, BB, HBP