高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

Also by this time, tournaments are now beginning on the "mainland" as it were. Some are in the early stages, but since it has started, we might as well cover them.

Ok, quite a bit has happened since Minami Hokkaido got the Natsu Qualifying started. The coverage here won't be as extensive, and I'll leave a lot of coverage on teams that had good runs, but fell short for another post. But this weekend, all but Shimane and Kochi have started play.

Kita Hokkaido - Regional Play & Round of 16 draw completed
Here's who advanced out of regional play:

Kushine

• A - Kushiro Kougyou (who gave up a 5-3 lead in the 9th to Kushiro Koryou and eventually won in 12.
• B - Kushiro Hokuyou
• C - Bushuukan (11-4 and 7-0? Still got it, so far at least)

And you guys may be better off following my twitter (see the left side of the page) to get relatively real-time coverage on the games, because work has been too busy to allow me to catch-up on the prior day's games.
Like many other prefectures, it seems like this is the year for the tier 3 schools to make hay.

FYI, when I say tier 3, I mean the following:

• Tier 1 - Schools that regularly make Koushien (Chiben Wakayama, Nichidai-san, Houtoku Gakuen, Ryuukokudai Heian, Osaka Touin, etc,)
• Tier 2 - Schools that have made it to Koushien, but generally run into the upper tier (Yokohama Hayato, Chiba Keizaidai Fuzoku, Nihon Koukuu)
• Tier 3 - Schools that regularly do well, but rarely, if ever reach Koushien (Bushuukan, Toukai Dai-yon, Kyoto Subaru, Kasukabe Kyouei, St. Ursula, Oberlin, etc.)

And so this final was a chance for both schools to get to Koushien.  And actually Kushiro Kougyou had made it once before back in 1979, but lost in the first round to Hieizan.

But the game wasn't close, Bushuukan put up 3 runs in the first inning and never really looked back.  Kushiro Kougyou made it close with a pair of runs in the 9th, but an 8-5 win means that they're making their first ever appearance at Natsu Koushien!

Aomori - Aomori v. Hachinohe Gakuen Kousei
Aomori had a magical run, defeating both Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi and Aomori Yamada to reach the final.  But then they had to face Kousei, and you would think that the run would end.

Thankfully for everyone (except Kousei) they didn't get the memo.  In fact, they were the ones to strike first, with 3 runs in the second no less.  And when Kousei replied with 3 of their own the 3rd, they scored another in the 4th.  But after Kousei tied it yet again in the 5th, you had to wonder if Aomori was going to have another burst in them.

The answer seemed to come 2 innings later when Kousei would score 4 in the 7th to seemingly take a commanding 8-4 lead.  Aomori made one final push in the 9th, but it would fall short as Kousei goes yet again to Koushien with a 8-6 win.  Now if only they could win Koushien itself...

Iwate - Hanamaki Higashi v. Moriokadai Fuzoku
If there is one name that you need to know from this matchup, it is ace Matsumoto Yuuki.

No, not Hanamaki Higashi, but Moriokadai Fuzoku!

Because in the 1st inning, he blasted a 2-run HR to deep right to the 2nd fence (the one actually bordering the entire ballpark!).

Now, it was obviously still early, and Hanamaki as they are wont to do, started scrapping runs together, first with a run in the 2nd, and then 3 more in the 4th.  You had to wonder if Moriokadai would be able to mount another charge against the vaunted squad.

Fast forward 1 inning later, and Moriokadai had managed to score a run to cut the lead to 4-3.  And wouldn't you know it, Matsumoto stepped in once again, this time with runners at the corners.  After a SB, a base hit could give the team back the lead.

Matsumoto drives a ball to deep center, and somehow over the fielder's head yet again!  2 runs do score and Moriokadai Fuzoku took the 5-4 lead!

The rest of the game was hang on time.  Matsumoto was by no means dominant on the hill, but he was doing just enough to get by, with some help from Hanamaki at times.  For instance in the 6th runner on 2nd, bunt is placed, but right to Matsumoto who wheels to 3rd for the tag.  They get a 2-out double in the 7th, but a great diving catch by Moriokadai's LF saved the game.

Once that catch was made, I think the rally in Hanamaki Higashi was dashed.  The last 6 outs went by without a whimper and Moriokadai Fuzoku (or rather Matusmoto Yuuki) claims the Iwate title!

Yamagata - Sakata Minami v. Yamagata Chuo
Yamagata Chuo had claimed their only title 4 years ago, and if you go back and look at the records, it wasn't against the top competition the prefecture had to offer (Sakata Minami, Nichidai Yamagata, Tsuruoka Higashi, etc.).  So while they were here in the finals, it was against the aforementioned Sakata Minami, and you had to think that they would fall short again...

It certainly looked that way.  Despite ace Ishikawa eventually recording 12 K's, it was Sakata Minami who held the 2-0 lead going into the 9th.

But in that 9th, Okuyama would start off with a double,  couple of batters later Aoki would hit a 2-RBI double to tie the game.  And Nagai and Takahashi would complete the comeback with timely hitting on their own.  5-runs later and Sakata Minami and their supporters were shocked to see themselves down 5-2 with just 3 outs to go!

There would be no rally as Yamagata Chuo would truly break their curse of Koushien and punch their second ticked with a 5-2 win!

5 finals matchups are set now, let’s see who will be playing for the title:

Minami Hokkaido
Things got turned upside down in the quarterfinals. First, in the second half of the quarterfinals, Toukai Dai-yon never trailed against Sapporo Dai-ichi, pulling away to an 11-5 win. Sapporo Nichidai also never trailed in their matchup, sending Komadai Tomakomai home with a 5-1 victory. This meant there was no real top level powerhouse left. It also meant that the winner of the first semifinal stood a better chance of claiming the title.

In that semi Otaru Chouryou, continuing their run long after defeating Hokushou in the regionals, built a 8-4 lead over Urakawa. But much like Nihon Koukuu yesterday in Yamanashi, they couldn’t record the final 3 outs. Urakawa would score 5 runs to take a 9-8 lead. But unlike Nihon Koukuu, Otaru Chouryou didn’t know the meaning of give up. They came back and scored 2 runs to win the game 10-9 to reach the finals! The other semifinal was not as climactic. Toukai Dai-yon scored a pair of runs early, but it was the 6-run 5th that put the game away. 2 more in the 6th and it was all over for Sapporo Nichidai.

So it’ll be the Cinderella Otaru Chouryou and the always decent, but never good enough Toukai Dai-yon who will play for the Minami Hokkaido title.

Aomori
The third quarterfinal was a shocker.  Aomori scored in only one inning against Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi, but they scored 6 in that frame.  They made it hold up in a 6-4 victory to advance to the semis.  Their opponent would be as expected Aomori Yamada, who blanked Goshogawara Shougyou 4-0.

The first semifinal was as expected, but not in the manner we expected.  First Seiai slowly built a 4-0 lead through the middle innings. That was completely wiped out by a 4-run 7th from Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei. An inning later, Kousei would push through the gyakuten run, and with 3 outs to go, Seiai couldn't find a response.  Kousei prevails 5-4 and is one step away from yet another trip to Koushien.

Meanwhile on the other semifinal, Aomori Yamada, who has been trying to return back to their glory years, also built up a 3-0 lead over Aomori.  But for some reason, despite being the more "experienced" team, they could not record the final 3 outs.  Aomori puts together 7 hits and 5 runs in the top of the 9th and completely crushes Aomori Yamada's spirit, winning 5-3!

So Aomori will need to put another performance like that against Kousei if they want to reach Koushien.

Akita
Just about all of the quarterfinal matchups were in doubt.  In fact 3 were mercy ruled (though Noshiro Shouyou was tied 2-2 until a 6-run 4th) and the 4th (Kakunodate) was a 6-0 shutout.

So it would be Oomagari Kougyou v. Noshiro Shouyou and Yuri Kougyou v. Kakunodate in the semifinals.

Kakunodate's semi (the 2nd of the 2) was no contest sadly for Yuri Kougyou.  Kakunodate scored a pair in the first, then twisted the screws in the middle innings, winning 7-0 in 7 innings.  Things were a little different in the first semifinal however.

You see, Oomagari Kougyou had managed to keep Noshiro Shouyou off the scoreboard until the 5th and even then it was just a run.  That kept them in the game long enough to come through with a 4-run 7th to take the lead.  Of course, closing games seem to be a bit of trouble for schools this year, and this game was no exception.  Noshiro Shouyou scored 3 in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game and send it into enchousen.

Right off the bat, Oomagari managed to manufacture a run, putting Noshiro immediately on its heels.  But the bugaboo of defeating a strong team got to Oomagari.  2 walks and an error led to the tying run.  And with 2 outs and the bases loaded, reliever Tashiro would give up the oshidashi, sayonara walk to give Noshiro Shouyou the victory.

And so Kakunodate will get a second chance to get to Koushien.  This time however, Noshiro Shouyou stands in the way.

Saga
Saga's semifinals were much closer than what we've seen so far.  Perhaps because all 4 schools are in Saga city.

In the first semifinal, Saga Kougyou had managed to keep Saga Gakuen off the board for 7 innings.  Then in the 8th they were able to break the scoreless deadlock with a pair of runs.  Saga Gakuen would make the standard rally, but unlike some other teams, Saga Kougyou did not break.  They would hold on for the 2-1 win and earn a spot in the finals.

Saga Shougyou put up a similar fight against Saga Kita and in fact took a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the 6th.  Saga Kita would immediately tie the game in the bottom half, and the game would wind up in enchousen.  In the 11th, with a runner on 1st and 2 out, top batter Kinoshita would hit a ball to right center for the sayonara RBI triple to give Saga Kita the 3-2 win and a chance to return to Koushien

Miyazaki
Miyazaki will be the battle of the Gakuen's for the title.  Nichinan Gakuen got the tougher test against Miyazaki Nichidai as the teams were knotted up at 1 from the first inning before a pair of runs in the lucky 7 for Nichinan was all they needed to move to the finals.

Meanwhile, Nobeoka Kougyou proved to be no match for Nisshou Gakuen.  Despite lasting the full 9 innings, they would be shutout 6-0.

More prefectures have entered the round of 16 (and some who were already there have gone further):

Kita Hokkaido - Best 8 (en route)
With the taikai wide open as it is, teams remaining know they have a chance to head to Koushien.

Bushuukan, no stranger to the stage (though not in the end successful), did enough at the beginning and end to defeat Fukagawa Nishi 4-1.  They will be a tough test for Teshio, who finds them in unknown territory having used 2 big innings and holding off a 9th inning rally to defeat Rumoi 8-5.

Engaru got no favors drawing Shirakaba Gakuen right off the bat.  7 runs in the 3rd and 4th innings suddenly found themselves clear.  Shirakaba would not go quietly of course, and a 4-run 6th pulled them within 3.  They further culled that deficit to 2 after 2 in the 8th.  But time would run out as Engaru would win 9-7.  While it won't get any easier facing Asahikawadai in the next round, they got a surprising challenge in Kouryou.  They were shutout for most of the game, and it wasn't until a 2-run 7th that they cleared the way to the quarterfinals.

In an unfortunate battle between two Kushine regional schools, Kushiro Kougyou beat Kushiro Hokuyou 7-3. They will face an Iwamisawa Higashi squad that shutout Shibetsu Shouun 2-0.

The final 2 games of the round of 16 will be played today.

Minami Hokkaido - Best 4 (en route)
Unlike Kita Hokkaido, there was no drama at all in the first round of the prefectuals.  Urakawa, Eniwa Minami, Otaru Chouryou, Sapporo Dai-ichi, Sapporo Dai-ichi and Komadai Tomakomai all advanced.  The one surprise was Hakodatedai Yuuto who certainly was facing a tried and tested team in Toukai Dai-yon, was mercy ruled 7-0!

We had 2 of the quarterfinals yesterday, and the bye almost helped Sapporo Sousei.  Leading for most of the game, ace Hirose just needed 3 more outs to send his team past Urakawa to the semifinals.  By the time he recorded those 3 outs though, Urakawa had plated 4 runs and his team found the tables reversed.  They couldn't come back, falling 6-4.

Otaru Chouryou continues to defy the odds.  After defeating Hokushou back in the prefecturals, they managed to keep Shiriuchi at arms length in the latter innings to win 9-4.  The run perhaps looked to be at a close after they gave up 5 in the first 2 innings.  But they rallied back with 5 unanswered in the middle innings, and made it stand up for an 8-6 win.  Urakawa stands between them and a shot at the title.

Today the heavy hitters step in.  Toukai Dai-yon's trip will look familiar now as they must fight through Sapporo Dai-ichi.  Meanwhile, Komadai Tomakomai must go toe-to-toe with Sapporo Nichidai for the right to advance.

Aomori - Best 4 (en route)
The top 4 advanced to the Best 8 with mostly no problems.  Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei mercy-ruled Aomori Kita 9-0 in 7, Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi went just 5 to defeat Hirosaki Jitsugyou.  Those that needed a little more help, Aomori Yamada needed 4 pitchers to defeat Mutsu Kougyou 5-1 and Seiai needed a 4-run 7th to defeat Goshogawara 7-3 to setup the following matchups:

• Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei v. Hirosaki Kougyou
• Hirosaki Chuo v. Seiai
• Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi v. Aomori
• Goshogawara Shougyou v. Aomori Yamada

The first two games were played yesterday, and to no surprise they did not go the full 9.  Kousei won 14-1 and Seiai won 8-0, both in 7 innings.  That will be a must-see semifinal.

Akita - Best 8
The top 4 seeded teams were first up in the round of 16.  Oomagari Kougyou and Akita Minami both advanced with double digit wins.  Nishime had a tough test against Akita Shougyou but held off a 9th inning rally to win 3-2.  Yokote was the first seeded team to fall, falling to unknown Yuri Kougyou 5-1.

Oomagari Kougyou catches a break as Akita's run with close games catches up to them, shutout by Oomagari Nougyou 3-0.  Oomagari couldn't make it 3 schools from the city, but can't be blamed for losing 7-1 to Noshiro Shougyou.  Nishime better have their A-game ready.

Now here's a surprise - Yuzawa, more know for their onsen, sees their baseball team beat a well-known baseball school in the prefecure in Oodate Houmei 6-1!  With a matchup against Yuri Kougyou next, there is a prime opportunity to advance at such a late stage.

Finally, Kakunodate put Noshiro away early in the game ton win 7-3 and will need to get past 2nd seed Akita Minami.

Iwate - Best 8 (en route)
I suppose it would come as no surprise to anyone that Hanamaki Higashi as the top seed has given just 1 run in each of their 3 games so far.  They will play 5-8 seed Kuji Higashi, whose only real scare was a 8-5 win over town rival Kuji.

Oofunato had a great story going as a 5-8 seed.  3 years after the earthquake, they reached the round of 16 after rallying twice against Ibonai and then giving up a 2-run lead, to finally advance in 13.  Despite the long game, they came back and gave Senshuudai Kitami a challenge despite trailing for most of the game.  Sadly they would fall 4-3.  They will play a Mizusawa team defeated another disappointing Ichinoseki Gakuin team 2-1.

The other round of 16 games will be played today with Morioka Dai-san and Moriokadai Fuzoku taking the field.  Both have shown their opposition no mercy so far.

Yamagata - Best 8
Nichidai Yamagata appears to be back on track, recording a 13-0 win over Kaminoyama Meishinkan.  Next up will be Sakata Kouryou who have scored 4 runs in each of their games so far.

Sakata Minami still doesn't seem to be hitting their stride just yet, as it wasn't until a 6-run 8th that they distanced themselves over Kunori Gakuen 11-2.  Yamagata Jyouhoku is up next after they rallied with 3 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Yamagata Shougyou 7-6.

Tsuruoka Minami has played nothing but close games so far, including their 3-2 upset over 2nd seed Yamamoto Gakuen.  A well-respected Yamagata Chuo will be on the other side of the field next.

The other, more well-known Tsuroka team, Tsuruoka Higashi has yet to yield a run, and will play Nagai next.

Miyagi - Best 4
The prefecture is probably Rifu's to lose.  Tohoku trailed twice against the, but when Rifu put the 3rd run up in the 6th, Tohoku could find no answer and lost 3-2.  The feel good story for Kesennuma continues as a 5-run 5th put them clear of Ishinomaki 5-3.  However, it is very hard to see them making it past this round.

Tohoku Gakuin's run didn't last long after the upset win over Sendai Ikuei.  They couldn't plate a run against Sanuma and will have to wait until next year.  Meanwhile, Shiogama's magical run continues.  After tying the game at 2 in the 6th versus Izumi Shougyou, it isn't until 7 innings later that they are able to put up 3 runs to win and advance 5-2.

More prefectures are now into the round of 16 or later, here's where they stand:

Aomori - Round of 16
Well, the top 4 seeds - Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei, Seiai, Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi and Aomori Yamada have all won their first two games to reach the round of 16 with perhaps the weakest link being Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi.  Especially when in their first game they narrowly beat Goshogawara Nourin 4-2.

Perhaps showing the lack of depth in the prefecture, only 2 of the 4 B seeds have advanced - Hirosaki Kougyou and Goshogawara Minami.

Good luck to the rest of the field.  Kousei will generally be strong, Seiai at least seems to be riding the momentum from their appearance.  Aomori Yamada hasn't been to Koushien in a while but has been surging in recent years.  And Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi isn't a slouch either though they seem to be the weaker of the bunch.

Akita - Round of 16
Akita has not been known as a strong prefecture, and this year quite a few of the regulars aren't even seeded.  In fact, none of the top 4 - Oomagari Kougyou, Akita Minami, Yokote and Nishime have really been considered consistent contenders.

Despite that all 8 of the seeded teams have at least won their first game to reach this point.  One of those teams is Kakunodate, and I will be rooting hard for them to make it this year after their heartbreaking loss last year.  Noshiro Shouyou (fka Noshiro Shougyou) easily won their first game and in what seems like a really weak tournament this year should be a strong contender.

Akita and Akita Shougyou are still around, though Akita almost lost to Meiou in their first round (3-2 win in 10 innings).

Yamagata - Round of 16
Nichidai Yamagata, who would like to prove that they're not a 1-year wonder like back in 2006 is still in the running, but an opening 3-1 victory over Kahoku doesn't instill much confidence.

If there is any consolation, it's that the other strong schools in the prefecture are struggling as well...

#4 seed Sakata Minami also struggled in their opening game, defeating Yonezawa Shougyou 2-0.  #6 seed Haguro survived a 9 round fight against Yamagata Kougyou 8-7.

This could open the door for other schools to break through such as Yonezawa Chuo and Kunori Gakuen and make the trip to Koushien.

Miyagi - Best 8
Miyagi has been a bit muted in recent years obviously the 東日本大震災 hasn't helped them at all.

Top seed Sendai Ikuei, looking to return back to Koushien had 2 strong outings, but against Tohoku Gakuin actually trailed 3-0 for most of the game before putting up a 3-spot in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game.  However that's all they would score as Tohoku Gakuin would score in the 13th to send them home 4-3.

I've said it many times before, but Tohoku really hasn't done much in recent times.  They do hold the #2 seed and despite a shaky 3-2 win over Sendai Higashi have looked solid otherwise.

Rifu is surprisingly unseeded, and not surprisingly dominating their competition.  Even after having drawn one of the 10 extra games, they have won 3 of their 4 games in 7 innings, and the other was an opening 6-0 shutout over Oogawara Shougyou.  They'll get their biggest test in Tohoku next.

Outside of those schools, it's generally been a free-for-all.  #3 seed Furukawa Gakuen is the only seeded team to fall, losing in their opening game 5-1 to Kesennuma.  It's kind of sad though that they will have to play Ishinomaki to advance to the semifinals.  Things still aren't right in those areas and it would have been nice to see both teams advance in some manner.  Ishinomaki for their part has looked really good so far with 2 mercy-rule wins.

#4 seed Shiogama has managed to advance, but 2 of their 3 games so far have been decided by 2 runs including their last against Sendai Shougyou.

Onto the Tohoku Super-Regionals...

Aomori
Draw is set in Aomori, teams qualified are as follows:

Aomori Regionals

• Block winners - Aomori Kita & Aomori Yamada
• Repechage winners - Aomori Shougyou & Aomori Kita

 Goshogawara Regionals

• Block winners - Kidzukuri & Goshogawara
• Repechage winner - Goshogawara Shougyou

 Hirosaki Regionals

• Block winners - Hirosaki Higashi & Touou Gijyuku
• Repechage winner - Hirosaki Chuo

 Towada Regionals

• Block winners - Misawa Shougyou & Misawa
• Repechage winner - Sanbongi

 Hachinohe Regionals

• Block winners - Hachinohe Kita & (Hachinohe) Kousei Gakuin
• Block runner-ups - Hachinohe Nishi & Hachinohe
• Repechage winner - Takko

 Mutsu Regionals

• Block winner - Oominato
• Repechage winner - Mutsu Kougyou

Seiai joins the rest of the field in where the draw spreads out the major teams. Aomori Yamada and Kousei Gakuin are all in different quadrants. Should be interesting!

Akita
Akita regionals are completed and they are in the quarterfinals of the prefecturals. Missing from the list is Natsu representative Akita Shougyou who did not even make the prefecturals losing in the 2nd round of the Chubu regionals 8-4 to Nishime.

And the power vacuum was filled in by teams who were more resourceful than the other powerhouse teams. Oomagari Kougyou rallied from down 5-1 to defeat Oodate Houmei 6-5. Akita Chuo mercy ruled Noshiro Shougyou 9-0! Oomagari won a 13-12 bloodbath versus Akita Minami, and Akita was walked off by Kakunodate 7-6.

For Kakunodate's sake I hope they get to the super-regionals and more. They were so close in the summer.

Iwate
Iwate's regionals are done and the teams to advance are as follows:

Kuji Regionals

• Winner - Kuji Kougyou
• Repechage winner - Kuji

Ninohe Regionals

• Winner & Runner-up - Fukuoka & Ibonai
• Repechage winner - Kuzumaki

Morioka Regionals

• Winner & Runner-up - Moriokadai Fuzoku & Morioka Chuo
• Semifinalists - Morioka Dai-yon & Iwate
• Repechage winners - Morioka Dai-san & Morioka Shiritsu

Hanamaki Regionals

• Extra winner - Hanamaki Higashi (they played the block winner and won 12-0)
• Block winner & Runner-up - Touno & Hanamaki Kita
• Repechage winner - Hanamaki Nougyou & Hanakita Seiuun

Hokuou Regionals

• Winner & Runner-up - Senshuudai Kitakami & Mizusawa
• Repechage winners - Kurosawajiri Kougyou & Mizusawa Dai-ichi
• 2nd Repechage winner - Mizusawa Kougyou

Ichinoseki Regionals

• Winner & Runner-up - Ichinoseki Gakuin (Again...) & Daitou
• Repechage winner & runner-up - Ichinoseki Dai-ni & Ichinoseki Dai-ichi

Engan Minami Regionals

• Winner - Oofunato
• Repechage winner & Runner-up - Takada & Kamaishi

Engan Kita Regionals

• Winner & Runner-up - Yamada & Miyako Kougyou
• Repechage winner - Miyako Shougyou

Yamagata
Nichidai Yamagata plus several others got a free pass to the prefecturals, and has reached the finals only having to face Tsuruoka Higashi. Their finals opponent is Yamamoto Gakuen who rallied to defeat Sakata Minami 3-2.

In the 3rd place game the aforementioned Sakata Minami will probably have an easy time against Sakata Kouryou.

Miyagi
Sendai Ikuei will head to the Super-Regionals as the Miyagi champion... just. They escaped with a 3-2 10 inning win over Matsushima in the quarterfinals, then edging Touryou 2-1 in the finals.

Surprisingly, Rifu did not win the 3rd place game. Instead they lost 6-5 to Shibata.

Fukushima
There was a bombshell in Fukushima, well, sort of.

I say sort of because Seikou Gakuin still advanced out of the prefecture. However, they had to get in through the backdoor after losing 5-1 to Nichidai Tohoku in the semifinals. Nichidai Tohoku would win the prefecture with a convincing 6-2 win over Sukagawa.

As mentioned, 4 teams crowned their champs, and several went at least to the last out.

Oita - Oita Shougyou (16th appearance, 1st in 15 years)
Oita Uenogaoka was certainly the underdog here against Oita Shougyou despite the gap in Koushien appearances.  And in the first half of the game they built a 4-0 lead.  Uenogaoka would pull within 2 with a run in the 6th and 8th, but perhaps going into the 9th needing 2 runs they were demoralized...

...because Oita Shougyou would score 13 runs in the 9th...

That's pretty much all you need to say...

Akita - Seiai (First appearance)
We were guaranteed a first timer out of Akita.  It was just a matter of who would win the title.

And nerves early on certainly played a part as the teams jumped on the starters.  Ace Hirakawa was tagged for 3 quick runs in the first 2 innings, while starter Ichido would not get a batter out in the 3rd before being taken out for ace Ono.  He too would be charged with 3 runs.

After the 3rd though, the teams settled down and the pressure was put on the offenses to respond.

In the 7th, the tie would be broken.  #6 batter Moriyama would deliver a timely hit giving Seiai the 4-3 lead.  Ono was spectacular out of the bullpen, giving up no runs and scattering 4 hits across the final 7 frames to give Seiai the championship!

Kagoshima - Shounan (18th appearance, 1st in 4 years)
The opposite of Akita happened in Kagoshima.  2 powerhouses in Shounan and Kagoshima Jitsugyou battled for the title.

Kajitsu would get out to an early 2-1 lead, and while reliever Yokota started the game, he only gave up that one run before ace Fukunaga entered the game.  However, Fukunaga would give up a pair of runs in the bottom of the 6th before his team leveled the score in the 7th.  It would remain at 3-3 until the bottom of the 9th when he would crack for the last time.

With runners at 2nd and 3rd, his counterpart Yamashita would hit a grounder to the left side.  3B Nagakura would make the diving stop, but couldn't get the final out as Shounan would win in sayonara fashion 4-3.

Akita - Akita Shougyou (17th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
I wondered if Kakunodate would be a challenge for Akita Shougyou.  A pair of runs in the 2nd after Akitashou scored 1 in the bottom of the 1st answered that question.  Ace Souma was up to the task, limiting the damage Akitashou would deal.  However, he did give up the douten run in the 4th inning then in the 8th after taking the lead gave it back in the bottom of the 8th.

The game would go into enchousen tied at 3 (Boy 3-3 games seem popular yesterday).  Souma would go pitch for pitch with counterpart Sasaki as the game ticked off innings.

But when Kakunodate would fail to score in the 15th, Souma would have to play for a draw.  And I don't know what it is, but knowing that you best case scenario is a replay the following day and you're the underdog, there is a lot of pressure on you because you cannot win the game, just lose it.

And sadly for Kakunodate, that's what happened.  1 out, bases loaded, C Miura would hit a fly to right.  The throw in would not be in time, and Akita Shougyou would break the hearts of the possible first timers 4-3 in 15 innings.

And now for titles to be decided today...

Niigata - Murakami Sakuragaoka vs. Nihon Bunri
Niigata was very scratch up until the Best 8.  The only casualty was #4 seed Niigata Kenou Kougyou as they surprisingly 2-hit by no-seed Shibata in the round of 16.  Now, the 5-8 did struggle a bit, with the exception of Niigata Meikun who I found surprising to be in such a position.

What was more surprising was that even though Murakami Sakuragaoka was a #1 seed and had done well in recent times, ace Shiina 2-hit Niigata Meikun!  That opened my eyes a bit and made me start really considering them a #1 seed.

The next top seeded team to fall would be #2 Shibata Chuo in a very flat 5-2 loss to 5-8 seed Maki where they were never really in it.  #3 Nihon Bunri almost blew it squandering a 4-run lead over Chuuetsu, but recovered to win 6-5.

The finals would be set when Murakami Sakuragaoka made short work for Niigata Kougyou, while Maki made it close for a while before a 5-spot in the 8th put them out of commission.

It goes without saying that Nihon Bunri has been to Koushien many times in recent years, while Murakami Sakuragaoka will be playing for their 1st ever.  They've done well so far., but there's one more game to go.

Kumamoto - Kumamoto Kougyou vs. Buntoku

Despite losing half of the seeded teams early, the remaining half would survive to the best 8 - the top 3 in Kumamoto Kougyou, Seiseikou and Buntoku, and #8 seed Kumamoto Kita.

Seiseikou though would have to endure a frenetical 9th where Senshuudai Tamana would score a run to make it 1-0, then rallied for 2 in the bottom of the 9th for the win.   Also Buntoku would combine for just 9 hits with Kumamoto Kita, but did just enough to win 2-1.

In the quarterfinals, Kumamoto Kougyou would continue to chug along, shutting out Kumamoto Kita 4-0.  Despite giving up just one run though, they only had one mercy rule game and that was their very first one.  Tamana Kougyou would recover from a 2-0 deficit early and defeat Uto 3-2.  On the other half, Seiseikou recovered nicely to defeat Shuugakukan in 7 innings, while Buntoku had to deal with an always scary Luther Gakuin.  Once again though, Luther Gakuin falls just short despite a 2-run bottom of the 9th losing 3-2 in 11.

Kumamoto Kougyou would advance to the finals with their 2nd mercy rule game, while Buntoku would use a 5-run 4th on Seiseikou ace Ootake to hold on for the 5-4 win.

Needless to say with just 1 run given up by Kumamoto Kougyou in their very first game, it looks like an uphill battle for Buntoku.

With 6 teams down, 4 more are in their final stages.

Aomori - Yet another first timer!

Sadly for Aomori Yamada this will not be their year.  Despite giving up just 6 hits to Seiai, they fell behind 3-0.  Reliever Ichido would close it out taking Seiai to the finals, winning 4-2.

In the second semifinal, Hachinohe Nishi did well early against Hirosaki but for starter Satou he would falter in the 5th inning giving up 4 runs.  Hirosaki wouldn't look back though, though ace Hirakawa did give up 7 runs in a 12-7 win.

Both Seiai and Hirosaki will be fighting for their first Natsu Koushien apperance (Hirosaki did appear in Haru Koushien back in 1971).

Akita - A real David vs. Goliath

In the first semifinal between underdog Kanashi Nougyou and favored Akita Shougyou, despite Kiba striking out 9 batters over 7 innings, he would give up the go-ahead run in the 7th.  So Akita Shougyou will move on to the finals as a "no-seed".

For Oomagari and Kakunodate, aces Shibata and Souma would be involved in a pitcher's affair.  But in the 8th inning with 2 down and a runner on 2nd for Kakunodate a fielding error allowed the runner to score.  That lone run proved to be the difference as Kakunodate would advance to the finals where they will have to slay the powerhouse to reach Koushien for their first time.

Oita - The same old story?
So, Oita had many of the same old teams emerging from the brackets towards the finals regardless of seeding.  When 1-2 seed Jyouhou Kagaku fell in their first game, Oita Shougyou was happy to oblige sweeping through their quadrant.  Same in Kitsuki's quadrant.  Oita, after a narrow victory over Mori, defeated both Hita Rinkou and Beppu Aoyama rather handily.

On the other half, Meihou and Yanagigaura both got through their games to face each other (though Yanagigaura narrowly held on over Oita Nishi 6-5).  In the quarterfinal, Yanagigaura held a 4-1 lead, but when the kantoku pulled starter Baba for Shimoike, the reliever was unable to hold the lead, giving up 4 runs (the final 2 in the top of the 9th) to give Meihou the 5-4 win.

In the other quarterfinal were Saiki Kakujyou and Oita Uenogaoka, both of whom upset the seeeded teams in their quadrant.  Certainly while having appearaed in senbatsu recently as a 21st century team it's not much more experience, they certainly haven't been a bad team in the prefecture and were probably the favorites.

But right off the bat, Saiki scored a run.  That run would stick until the 6th when Anami(?) hit a game-tying HR making it an new ball game.  Forward to the 9th and Tajiri would deliver the sayonara hit sending them to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, Oita Shougyou wound up blowing a 5-1 lead in the later innings to Oita before #9 batter Emoto would deliver the game winning hit to put their team in the finals.  They will face Oita Uenogaoka who used a 6-run 5th to defeat Meihou 8-6.

Kagoshima - The real folk blues...

(Sorry this is abbreviated for now, will update later)

If you not one of the seeded teams for the most part.

In fact all but 2 seeded teams advanced into the Best 8. First was Shoushikan. In their very first game against Kagoshima Chuo, ace Nakano couldn't hold a 2-0 lead, giving up a pair in the 7th. After being replaced by Yoshikuni in the 8th, he couldn't hold the tie. #3 batter Nishi gets the timely hit to put Kagoshima Chuo up 3-2 as Horikiri closes it out in the 9th for the upset.

Two days later was Kajiki Kougyou. They had a 3rd round matchup with Kawauchi Shoukou. Despite ace Fukukura's average outing, the Kajiki kantoku decided to pull him for Tamoto after 5 innings. That would be costly as Kawauchi would score 2 runs immediately after the reliever entered the game. Kajiki Kougyou immediately went into panic mode as they used the lucky 7 to tie the game at 4 then add on one more to take the lead. But Tamoto just couldn't make it to the 9th. He gives up the douten run in the 8th, then the sayonara run in the 9th with 2 outs.

In the end Shounan would best Kagoshima Jyouhou 5-1, while in the other semifinal, Kanoya Kougyou almost pulled off the upset against Kagoshima Jitsugyou, but ace Hashiguchi couldn't close it out. He would be charged with all 3 runs in the 7th as Kajitsu would pull away 9-4.

So here's where we stand for prefectures either having their finals or semifinal matchups:

Finals
Minami Hokkaido - What's old is new again...
Sadly, it was not a good day if you were from Hakodate.  For Hakodatedai Yuuto, Murata and Kudou would combine to give up just 5 hits and 2 runs to Komadai Tomakomai (both charged to Murata).  However, they would only get 4 hits of their own... and were shutout by their counterpart Ishii.

For Hakodatedai Hakuryou, they had an opportunity (or perhaps a slap in the face) when Hokushou did not start Oogushi.  And indeed a pair of runs in the 5th gave them a 2-1 lead.  Oogushi would come in though in the 6th to clamp things down.  And Kaneda would wilt under the late game pressure as 4 unanswered runs in the final 3 innings would give Hokushou the 5-2 win.

Saga - "Chase the chance!" (extra props to anyone who knows the reference)
The Saga semifinals had teams that had some experience at Koushien, and thus perhaps were favored in their matchups.

First up a matchup with 2 seeded teams in Saga Kougyou and Arita Kougyou.  Ace Furukawa had done well to shut down the former the 1987 representative, but still found themselves down 2-1.  However in the 6th Kusano would tie the game with a base knock and the game would eventually head to enchousen.

Just one inning in, and Arita Kougyou had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs.  #3 batter Kishigawa would get his only hit of the game, but it would be a hit that would send his team to the finals for a chance at their first ever title in their 113 year history!

In the 2nd semifinal, it would get off to a terrible start for favored Imari Nourin.  An error in the first inning would lead to 2 runs for Waseda Saga.  They would have to play catchup for the rest of the game, but Waseda ace Kuroiwa would not give them any chance.  Imari would get one last chance with runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs in the 9th, but Kuroiwa would shut the door on a 5-hit shutout sending Waseda Saga to the finals for a chance at their first title... in their 3 year history.

Nagasaki - The same old story... though just.
With 4 seeded teams and all recent Koushien participants, it would be much of the same.

First up, scrappy Senbatsu participant Souseikan and Nagasaki Nichidai.  While Nichidai took the lead 1-0 in the 1st inning, Souseikan would depend on that sticktuitiveness to exchange blows in the middle innings emerging with the 5-4 lead.

But the 9th inning proved to be too tough for ace Oono.  2 outs bases loaded and Nichidai sends up pinch hitter Miyahara.  He delivers a base hit to left, scoring they douten and gyakuten run.  They would not leave anything to chance as Fukuda would come in relief, strike out 2 in a scoreless 9th for the save and a chance for their 6th title since 2000.

In the other game, Sasebo Jitsugyou and Kaisei would be trapped in a defensive standoff with both teams getting opportunities, but unable to convert them into runs.

The decisive blow would come in the 8th inning when with a runner on for Kajitsu, #3 batter Yamaguchi would blast a 2-run HR to give them a 4-2 lead.  Kinoshita would end the game setting up a matchup between Nagasaki Nichidai and Sasebo Jitsugyou.

Okinawa - David vs. Goliath(?)
With most of the well-known teams gone, it seems that the Fall Kyushu champions Okinawa Shougaku would be a breeze to go once again here in the summer.

But before that we had the first semifinal between unseeded Misato Kougyou and seeded Yaeyama, both looking for their first title.

And Yaeyama certainly had the upper hand early building a 3-0 lead after 3 innings.  And while Ikemura wan't exactly in tip top shape, after a double play in the 8th things seemed well...

But a pinch hit single by Naima followed by another from Kanda put two runners on quickly.  Then Nishikuratou's (西蔵當) fly ball to left was botched by Higa allowing both runners to score!  That would be followed by a wild pitch allowing the douten runner to reach 3rd, and then a hit batter putting Shimabukuro on at 1st for the gyakuten run.  2 pitches later, cleanup batter Miyagi Ryouta (宮城 諒太) would single through the left side tying the game up at 3.

No amount of going to the mound would help Ikemura as Matsudou would bloop one into left.  Higa's throw home take a couple of bounces but is on line.  However, Shimabukuro slides around Takara giving Misato Kougyou the 4-3 lead.

And in one final indignity Takaesu (高江洲) blasts one to center, just past the reach of a sprinting Higashinagata (東長田) who stumbles and falls.  As Takaesu rounds the bases, Higashinagata fumbles with the ball allowing Takaesu to round 3rd for a running 3-run HR to make it 7-3.  Iha would come in for Misato Kougyou to close out the game sending them to the finals.

In the other semifinal Mawashi proved to be a formidable opponent for Okinawa Shougaku tying the game at 2 in the top of the 9th inning.  But in the 10th, cleanup batter Shibahiki would deliver the sayonara run to send Okinawa Shougaku to the finals.

So it'll be underdog Misato Kougyou facing the defending fall champs Okinawa Shougaku for the right to head to Koushien.


Semifinals
Aomori
I have no clue how the Aomori HS Baseball Federation decided on rescheduling games because they weren't in chronological order.  Thus seeded teams like Touou Gijyuku wound up playing on back-to-back days in their first two games!  (Though it didn't seem to affect them at the time)

The first major casualty was seeded Hachinohe Kougyou.  A 4-run 8th for Noheji busted their chances at a title as they fell 6-4.

Despite the wacky rescheduling, they were back on schedule by the 16th.

Now, you may not have known this but Kousei Gakuin changed their name to Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei.  This happened back in April.   Was it because of the bad luck they've experienced being the bridesmaid 3 straight Koushien tournaments?  Who knows.  It didn't seem to affect them, getting past 1-4 seed Touou Gijyuku and reaching the best 8.

Next up was Seiai - a team that hasn't gone to Koushien, but can be a real pain in the ass for teams trying to get there.  Still, Kousei led 1-0 heading into the 8th.  But perhaps Nakai-kantoku left ace Satou in there an inning too late as Narita and Sasaki drive in a run each and gave Seiai the 2-1 lead.  Ace Ono would finish it out and end Kousei's chance at the title.

Their opponent would wind up being Aomori Yamada.   After many years of scuffling, it might look like they're on their way back - as denoted by their 1-4 seed.  But perhaps not fully.  After 2 easy wins, they would have to rally from a 6-2 deficit to defeat Hirosaki Minami 7-6.  It might have served as a wakeup call as in their next game against 5-8 seed Goshogawara Shougyou, they would win handily 8-2.

In the other semifinal, we have two upset-minded teams.  First up, Hachinohe Nishi.  After an easy first round, Aomori would plunk 9 runs on them in the 2nd inning.  Yet Hachinohe Nishi would claw their way back to 12-11 with 3 innings to go.  And in the 8th, they would complete the comeback with 2 runs to win 13-12.  Then later in the quarterfinals against 1-4 seed Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi, they would fall behind yet again.  And once again they would fight back to tie it in the 8th, then win it with 2 in the 9th for the 6-5 victory.

They will play Hirosaki for the other spot in the finals.  And early on you could have called them the cardiac kids.  Already having survived a 10 inning affair in their first game, they faced off against inter-city rival Hirosaki Kougyou.  They came back to tie the game in the later innings at 3, and would go 14 innings before taking the lead and having Hirakawa hold on for dear life for the win.  If that weren't enough, Noheji in their next game would not let let Hirosaki have an easy game, having an answer for every punch thrown at them.  But when Hirosaki put one more on the board in the 9th, Hirakawa made sure yet again that their opponent would not have a response.

Oddly enough, against their first seeded team in Hachinohe Kita... they mercy ruled them!  Go figure.

Akita
Akita turned out to be a bonafide scramble.  Many of the seeded teams looked rather beatable, and #5 Akita Kougyou was the first to fall thanks to a 4-run 8th by Oomagari.  Next up were top seed Noshiro Shouyou, #2 seed Honjyou and #5 seed Yokote.

And all 4 remaining seeded teams would fall in the quarterfinals!

But within these 4 no-seeds is a fox among the hens.  Yes, Akita Shougyou was a no-seed.  And though perhaps it seemed justified with 2-0, 3-0 and 2-1 wins (including the latter against #1 Noshiro Shouyou) a mercy rule win over #8 Akita Nishi showed everyone that they're still a powerhouse, seed or not.

Kanaashi Nougyou will be tasked next to remove the hidden final seed in the field.  After surviving 10 innings against Araya, they would shutout both #5 Yokote and #4 Akita Chuo by scores of 2-0 and 1-0.

The other semifinal guarantees a team a chance at their first summer title.  The aforementioned Oomagari would go on to narrowly defeat Akita Minami 3-2 then have ace Shibata scatter 5 hits to defeat #3 seed Ootdate Houmei 3-1.

Their opponent will be Kakunodate.  After 2 easy mercy rule games they started off facing #2 Honjyou.  And no offense to Honjyou, but they're probably one of the easier (most hard-luck) high seeded teams to face.  Sure enough ace Souma would give up just 4 hits while striking out 11 in a 2-1 win.  After that would be the other seeded team you'd want to face in Akita - #7 seed Meiou.  This time, Souma would throw a 3-hit shutout striking out 9 to reach the semifinals.

...at least for the Tohoku region.

Kita Hokkaido
So, Kita Hokkaido restarts on the 13th.  And perhaps surprisingly, mostly blowouts.  Obihiro Ootani and Asahikawa Ryuukoku both advanced via mercy rule, Takikawa Nishi passed by Kitami Hokuto by the score of 3-1.

Aomori
The rain had prevented games from being held at Haruka Yume Stadium for 2 days.  And on the 11th, the final games at Aomori Municipal and Hachinohe Nagane were rained out.

All stadiums were able to hold games on the 13th, and for Hirosaki who had to wait 2 days they needed one more inning at Maple to defeat Touou Gakuen 3-2.

A lot of seeded teams also kicked off on the 13th.  1-4 seed Hachinohe Kougyou needed extras to defeat Towada Nishi, while 5-8 seed Oominato became the first casualty, losing to Aomori 9-4.

Aomori managed just 1 game on the 12th, with is too bad for Hirosaki Jitsugyou as they led Tsuruta 16-0 after Tsuruta's half of the 4th when the game was called due to rain.  In the battle of Hachinohe Koudai schools, it was seeded Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ichi, who defeated their younger counterpart Hachinohe Koudai Dai-ni 16-4... though with games called off elsewhere, I'm betting that the 10-run 5th that put the game on mercy status was partially due to the weather.  Which may have been a shame for the underdog.  Even Maple Stadium succumbed on the 12th, with only the first game finishing as Noheji managed to make a 4-1 lead stick, defeating Goshogawara 4-3.

Only 2 close games back on the 11th and both were at Maple Stadium - Towada Nishi just down 1-0 to Momoishi in the bottom of the 9th ties the game and then wins it 2 innings later.  Takko trailed Misawa Shougyou 3-0 after the 1st inning, but came back to win 4-3.

Akita
Akita was rained out on the last two days, but finally got games in on the 13th.

Mostly blowouts, but 2 games excitingly went into extras.  Akita Hokuryou managed to tie the game at 2 in the bottom of the 9th, however things all went awry in the 12th when Yokote Seiryou scored 5 and put the game out of reach.

In the other game Yashima, trailing Oomagari Nougyou Oota 5-3, mounts 2 rallies in the 7th and 8th after their opponents try to extend the lead, tying it at 8-8!  But they couldn't immediately capitalize and Oomagari would win with a run in the 12th.


Iwate
Iwate meanwhile, has been totally rained out so far.  Who knows when they'll be finally able to get started.

Yamagata
Yamagata opened play on the 12th, and with a 10-run 1st Yamagata Jyouhoku easily got by Oguni.  The 13th saw more blowouts, but games were rained out at Tsuruoka Dream Stadium.

Miyagi
Miyagi opened yesterday at Ishinomaki Municipal with Shiogama defeating Tsukidate 9-2 in 8 innings.

Fukushima
Fukushima opened on the 11th, and while I don't necessarily get to see pictures of opening ceremonies across the prefectures, Fukushima is the first I've seen to have teams march in with their school flags (photo credit Asahi).

And the opening game was a heartbreaker for Iwase Nougyou.  Leading 4-3 with just 3 outs to go, Kiyota for Haramachi hits a running gyakuten 2-run home-run and they win 5-4.

First full day of games followed on the 12, and there are quite a few close 1st rounders.  Fukushima Nishi pulls out the 2-1 win a run in the bottom of the 8th over Nakoso Kougyou.  Aoi breaks a 3-3 deadlock with Sukagawa Touyou with 2 in the 10th.

The theme continued on the 13th with Souma Higashi rallying in the bottom of the 9th with a pair of runs to tie the game at 5.  And when Asaka Reimei scored 3 in the 10th, Souma Higashi almost pulled it off again, but fell short losing 8-7.

It was a relatively good day for the combined teams as well.  Sousou Fukushima (Futaba, Haramachi, Souma Nougyou) held off Adachi Higashi for the 6-4 win.  Aidzu Nishi Rengou (Nishi-Aidzu, Kitakata Higashi, Bange) made a 4-0 lead barely stick with a 4-3 win over Shuumei.  It was not a clean sweep though as the combined team of Nakoso-Toono-Onahama were mercy ruled by Kooriyama Kita Kougyou.

One game was rained out, and that was Aidzu Kougyou vs. Shoushi at Aidzu Stadium - this despite Aidzu Kougyou holding a 3-2 lead after 6 innings.

So the 10th saw Aomori, Iwate, Saitama and Niigata begin their qualifying , though without "much" incident.

Aomori/Iwate
Aomori with just one game on opening day, Sanbongi Nougyou managing just 5 innings in an 11-1 loss to Mutsu Kougyou.

Iwate with a pair of games, Ichinoseki Tousen with no problems against Oohasama with a 5-2 win.  In the 2nd game, Takata and Morioka Chuo went back and forth all game, with several lead changes and tie ball games.  But Takata secures their spot in the 2nd round with a 4-run 9th to win 11-7.

Gunma
Just one game over in Kiryuu, the replay between Tokiwa and Shiritsu Maebashi.  And the game went in 3 parts.  Tokiwa takes a 3-0 early lead, only to see Maebashi score 6 in the 5th.  But Maebashi cannot hold the lead, giving up 2 runs in the 7th and 8th innings.  There would be no enchousen this time around as Tokiwa advances.

Saitama
Just one game on opening day.  Oomiya Nishi scores the only run of the game in the 2nd inning to defeat Shuumei Eiko.

Higashi Tokyo
More games at Meiji Jingu while the Swallows are on the road.  Ooyama and Kita-Toshima Kougyou was just a normal 3-2 game in favor of Toshima at the break, but then the teams score 19 runs in the next 3 in a 15-9 win for Ooyama.  Shuutoku had no problems in their 2nd game over Touyou, and in much like the first game, Higashi and Adachi Shinden score 18 runs in the 5th and 6th innings with Adachi moving forward with a 12-8 win.

Over in the #2 stadium, we had 2 blowouts.

Niigata
Niigata with 2 games at Hard-Off Eco to open the tournament.  Shoutokukan no match for Nagaoka Nougyou losing 19-0 in 5 while Keiwa Gakuen lasts just 7 in a 9-2 loss to Muramatsu.

Fukuoka
Starting in the south regionals Nishi-Nippon Tankidai Fuzoku, having to come from the depths of the block, almost got tripped up by Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyusan, but a 3-run 8th gave them the 4-2 win.

Ogoori hosted both seeded teams today.  Block G seed Yuusei had no trouble with Hakata Kougyou, while Itoshima's stint as the Block H seed ends after just one game, unable to rally down 2, losing 2-1 to Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu.

In the northern regionals, at Matobaike Block H seed Noogata got past Seihou,  Kita-Kyushu and Kanda Kougyou traded leads 4 times early but eventually Kita-Kyushu kept the lead and held on for a 10-9 win, and Koga Kyouseikan continues their strong run defeating Kouryou in 7 innings and will face Keisei in the block final.

At Nakama Muncipal, Block A seed Moji Gakuen does continue to advance, though with a 4-1 win over Kokura Shougyou.  They will face Munakata in the block final.

Saga
2 seeded teams start play today, with Saga Kougyou easily dispatching Karatsu Higashi, while Tosu Kougyou needed a 2-run 8th to defeat Shiota Kougyou 2-1.

For some reason, Tosu Kougyou's game was pushed back a day, so all games at Blue Stadium have been pushed back one slot.

Only other game of note was Kanzaki Seimei scoring 5 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat a devastated Tosu squad 5-4.

Nagasaki
Not much action in Nagasaki, though each venue did have one good game.  Seiryou breaks a 6-6 tie with Sasebo Kita with 4 in the lucky 7 to win 11-6.  And at Sasebo, Oomura score 1 in the 9th to defeat Sasebo Toushou 4-3.

Kumamoto
6 games on the slate yesterday, but all rather one-sided.  Jyouhoku and Seiseikou both advance, though not via the mercy rule.  Senshuudai Tamana is also one of the ones who advance.

Oita
3 games today, and the closest one was the 2-1 win by Oita Minami over their intra-city rival Oita Higashi.

Miyazaki
It was no surprise that facing St. Ursula would be no easy task for seeded Miyzaki Nichidai.  And yet, St. Ursula jumped out to a 4-1 lead.  Miyazaki Nichidai would scramble the rest of the game, but fail to find the 同点 run, bowing out 4-3.

Miyakonojyou Higashi would be another seeded team to fall, and unfortunately it was after blowing a 3-0 lead with just 3 outs to go.  Instead it would be Miyazaki Nishi who would advance.

Only Houshou would be the seeded team to advance, with a convincing mercy rule win over Tsuno.

Kagoshima
Kamimura Gakuen, one of the better teams in Kagoshima, were put to the test by Kagoshima Shougyou, but managed to win 3-2. Shounan, who narrowly lost to Kagoshima Jitsugyou in the spring, easily won their first game in 8 innings over Iwagawa.  Fortunately, they won't have to Kajitsu until the final.

And in other games, Tokunoshima becomes the 2nd team to advance from the 1st round to the 3rd round with a mercy-rule win over Yoron.

Sorry for not posting that the game had been cancelled due to rain, but the tournament has pushed into month-end at work and I had my bowling league at the same time, so once it was cancelled, I ended up just falling asleep.

But we’re finally here, 15 days and a couple of extra hours thanks to the spring rains.  The championship game.

And once again, we have a David vs. Goliath matchup.  Though perhaps this time, David stands more of a chance.

That team is Kousei Gakuin out of Aomori.  Perhaps written off during last year’s Natsu Koushien they made the finals, but were easily handled by the outright champions, Nichidai-san.

But even with the loss of most of their starting 9, they reloaded and not only won the Aomori prefecturals, the Meiji Jingu Taikai, but have won 4 more to get to the championship once again.

This time around, they have the help of not one, but two aces.  First, there’s ace number Kanazawa Yuuki.  He’s pitched in 2 games so far - against Oumi, and in relief to finish off Aikoudai Meiden.  His line so far:

12.1 IP, 0 ER, 10 H, 6 K, 4 BB

But as impressive has been 2B, and spot starter Jyouma Ryuuhei.  He’s started 3 games and finished 2, including two against super-regional champions.  His stats are just as impressive:

27.1 IP, 2 ER, 22 H, 11 K, 3 BB

And so these two make up the tandem that as help the team in their undefeated run.

Offensively, it’s all about their 3-4 hitters, Tamura Tatsuhiro and Houjyou Fumiya.  They have accounted for most of the Kousei offense:

Tamura – 6-14, 2 2B, HR, 7 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB = 0.429/0.500/0.786
Houjyou – 7-16, 2 2B, 2 3B, 6 R, 9 RBI, 3 K, HBP = 0.438/0.471/0.813

But you can’t score without some help, so while Tamura and Houjyou need to have good games, the rest of the lineup must perform as well.

Opposing them is the goliath, Osaka Touin.  Now, they may be playing for their first title, but the thought of facing them can intimidate most opponents.

Osaka Touin’s calling card is offense.  Always has been.  And despite losing starting 1B Tabata due to an injury after being hit in the first game, they turned to Koike in the cleanup spot.  And while he hasn’t embarrassed, it seems like they’ve tried to keep people out of the “cleanup” spot by sticking Koike in there.  Meanwhile, Nishitani-kantoku has moved people around trying to find people’s best spots.

One person who hasn’t needed to find their stride is 2nd year Kasamatsu Yuuya.  In the 4 games, he’s 7-14, with a double and 2 HR’s for 7 RBIs.

Joining him is C Mori Tomoya, who was moved to the #3 spot and rightly so.  He’s 8-15 with a double and a HR.

vs. Hanamaki Higashi - 7 H, 12 K, 2 BB
vs. Kyushu Gakuin - 6 H, 8 K, 3 BB
vs. Urawa Gakuin - 7 H, 6 K, 0 BB
 vs. Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi - 7 H, 9 K, 4 BB

The one thing that has changed has been the walks.  Is it the fatigue?  Have the batters been patient?
More importantly, will he start?  Or will they go to Sawada like against Urawa Gakuin?
This should be a great game!  Let’s go!

RF  Ameku Shouto
LF  Murase Daijyu
C  Tamura Tatsuhiro
SS  Houjyou Fumiya
1B  Takeda Toshiki
3B  Oosugi Akinobu
P  Jyouma Ryuuhei
CF  Kimura Takumi
2B  Kishigawa Kenta (#14)

C  Mori Tomoya
2B  Oonishi Tomoya
RF  Mizumoto Gen
1B  Koike Yuuya (#5)
LF  Yasui Kouki
3B  Kasamatsu Yuuya (#15)
CF  Hakusui Kenta
SS  Mizutani Yukiya (#14)
P  Fujinami Shintarou

__________________________________________________

12:30 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Fujinami falling behind Ameku early, and Ameku hits a fly to shallow center!  Hakusui coming in calls off Oonishi, but can't get there!  It's in for a base hit!

Murase going for the bunt, but Fujinami goes to 2nd!  Ameku slides in, safe!  All safe!

And now Fujinami is in an early pinch.

His control seems to be lacking a bit as he falls behind Tamura as well.  But Tamura hits a ball to short!  Mizutani starts the 6-4-3 double play and there's 2 down!

And perhaps in a hat tip to Houjyou, Fujinami unintentionally intentionally walks him to get to Takeda.  It works as he grounds to 3rd to end the inning.

Bottom 1st
Jyouma will start the game.  He's fared well so far, but what about now?

One down, and Oonishi hits a hard ball back to Jyouma.  He stops it with the glove, and calmly throws the ball to 1st.

But then Mizumoto ruins the good inning with a hard single to right.

Jyouma being careful with Koike and falls behind 3-1.


Oh dear...


Koike hits a ball to left!  Murase running back to the wall!  Still running!!


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

Koike, whose bat has been fairly quiet this senbatsu, comes out in a big way as he hits a HR in the championship game!  Osaka Touin leads 2-0!

Yasui quickly hits one back to Jyouma to end the inning, but Osaka Touin's offense starts off in a big way against Jyouma and Kousei!

Top 2nd
Oosugi looks to get the Kousei reply going with a single back up the middle.  But Jyouma, not bunting, strikes out.

Kimura goes down on the forkball for the 2nd K.

But Kishigawa, with a roller up the middle, finds its way between Oonishi and Mizutani for a base hit!

Grounder to 1st by Murase, OFF Koike!!!  Oonishi has to go back to get it, but by that time it's too late!  Manrui Kousei and they have a chance to answer back quickly!

Murase though, falls behind 1-2, and when you're behind Fujinami, he can throw junk at you.

And indeed he does as he swings on a slider outside to end the inning!

Bottom 2nd
One down and Hakusui hits a drive to center left that goes over the head of Kimura for a double!

And now Houjyou returns the favor as he boots a grounder by Mizutani! Now runners at the corners with just one down for Fujinami!  Will they be as lucky as Touin was last half inning?

Jyouma gets one of those outs as he can't check his swing.

But that brings up Mori...

And Jyouma hits Mori!!  Manrui with 2 down for Oonishi!!

Jyouma risks falling behind 3-1, but Oonishi can't check his swing so it goes to 2-2!  And a change on the corner doesn't get the call!  Full count and nowhere to go!

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

Jyouma gets Oonishi to bite on a fastball on the ouside for the 3rd out!

Top 3rd
Tamura starts the inning off with a ball to center!  Hakusui running it down at the wall, but not before Tamura's in with a double!

Houjyou with a ball down the left field side!  Yasui runs that back to the wall and Tamura scores to cut the deficit in half!  It's 2-1!

Takeda trying to bunt, but can't and goes down 1-2.  Instead he hits a blooper to center!  Hakusui's not going to get there!  He throws it back to the infield, conceding the run!  Douten Kousei!!  It's 2-2!!

Now Oosugi lays down the sac bunt and now the gyakuten run is 90 feet away.

But Jyouma hits a grounder to 3rd.  Kasamatsu pick up, NO HE DOESN'T!

He bobbles the ball!  He has no play and everyone's safe!  2nd error by the Touin defense already!

Nishitani-kantoku figures it's a good time to call time.

And it is as Kimura hits a weak grounder to 2nd!  Oonishi starts the inning ending 4-6-3 double play!

But 3 straight hits from the middle of Kousei's order ties the game right back up!

Bottom 3rd
One down and Koike has Jyouma number, hitting a sharp single to right.

No bunt from Yasui.  Instead, it's a hit-and-run!  Yasui with a ball deep to right-center!  Ameku has to chase it back all the way to the wall!  Koike getting the green light around 3rd and Yasui with the RBI triple gives Touin back the lead at 3-2!!

And now Jyouma brushes Kasamatsu's jersey!  Runners at the corners for Touin!  Nakai-kantoku can't let Jyouma can't stay much longer on the mound if this keeps up.

It's another hit-and-run!  And Hakusui singles through the right side!  Yasui scores easily giving Touin back the 2-run lead at 4-2!!

And that's it for Jyouma.  Kanazawa comes in for Kishigawa as Jyouma shifts back to 2nd.

But there's still work to do.  Runners at the corners with just one down.

Mizutani does his job.  He hits a deep fly to center.  And while Kimura's throw reaches home on the fly, it's late and Touin gets the lead back with interest at 5-2.

Fujinami pops out to left to end the inning, but Kousei's going to have to play a shootout with Osaka Touin, and that's not the game they wanted to play.

Top 4th
Kanazawa first pitch grounds out to 1st.  Ameku, expecting a fastball, is way ahead of a change and strikes out.  Murase harmlessly flies out to center to end the inning.  This game went from difficult, to possible, to very difficult, very quickly for them.

Bottom 4th
Kanazawa too gets his 1-2-3 inning, retiring the top of the Touin order and keeping his team in it.

Top 5th
Tamura starts the inning off with a chopper up the middle that just sneaks by Mizutani to center.

Houjyou with a blast to left center!  Yasui and Hakusui running back to the wall, still running back!!!

It's off the top of the padding!  Tamura rounding the bases is sent home!  Houjyou's 2nd double nets another RBI and it's 5-3!

Takeda with the drag bunt up the 1st base side!  Koike goes to field, but when he tosses to 1st, Oonishi is backing up instead of at the bag!!  All safe!!  What happened there??

Oosugi up looking to add on another run.  He hits a hard drive to right!  But Mizumoto is there for the catch!  Houjyou halfway can't tag up!  Why wasn't he getting ready to tag up??!

Jyouma up.  Just need a sac fly here.

Instead it's grounder to 3rd!  Kasamatsu with the ball, goes home!  Houjyou knowing he's out, tries to deke Mori!  Mori reaching behind his back, does he have him??

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

Mori's tag just gets Houjyou leg right before he tags home!  Bad break for Kousei!

Kimura trying to keep the inning going...  falls behind to Fujinami, but then works the count full!  And he draws the walk!  Manrui for Kousei as Kanazawa steps in!  Can he get the runs home?

No!  Kanazawa leaves the bases loaded as he grounds back to Fujinami!  He goes to 1st for the out!  From all that they just get the one run!

Bottom 5th
Still though, Kanazawa is doing a great job in relief.  Koike, Yasui and Kasamatsu can't get a ball past the infield as they all are retired in order.

So we head to the break with Osaka Touin taking advantage of spot starter Jyouma with all 5 runs off of him.  However, they have had no luck against ace Kanazawa.  Meanwhile, Kousei has had multiple scoring chances, some of which have been aided by Osaka Touin.  Yet they have only managed just the 3 runs.  Whether their inability to take full advantage of those opportunities will come back to bite them is yet to be seen.

Top 6th
Post-break, it almost seems like a hindrance that the top of the order is up.  Ameku and Murase are retired putting 2 outs before Tamura steps in.

And he grounds out to 3rd to end the inning.

Bottom 6th
One down and Mizutani gets Touin's first hit off of Kanazawa, with an opposite field double.

Fujinami though flies out to center.  And despite a timeout conference from Nishitani-kantoku to talk to Mori, he flies out to right.

Top 7th
Houjyou leading off the inning, and Fujinami certainly not giving him anything to hit, especially with no one in front of him.

And on a full count he swings and grounds out to short.

Takeda goes down looking on a slider over the plate.

But Oosugi finally bumps the lineup a spot with a base hit up the middle.  One more next inning and that puts Tamura and Houjyou at the top of the order starting the 9th.

Bottom 7th
Of course, for that to matter, Kanazawa has to hold Osaka Touin at love.

Oonishi with a scorcher to Oosugi, and a high hop eats him up!  Leadoff man on for Touin!

And now he takes off for 2nd!  Tamura's throw is a bit high and he's in safely!

Kanazawa with a wild pitch and Oonishi heads to 3rd.  Now a sac fly can score a run.  Mizumoto does just that with a ball to deep right center!  Ameku catches it and Oonishi tags up to make it a 6-3 ball game!

Koike with another ball to the same place!  This one is all the way to the wall for a double!  Could this be when things finally break down?

Yasui with a hard ball to short.  Houjyou is able to field the tricky hop and makes the play at 1st.

Kasamtaust with a ball to the left side!  Houjyou with the running grab, throws on the run... and makes it to 1st for the out!  Great play by Houjyou to get out of the inning!

But Osaka Touin makes the deficit 3 runs once again with just 2 innings left to go...

Top 8th
Kimura with a ball back up the middle.  Oonishi makes a grab and running throw himself, but it's wide!  Kimura with the leadoff hit!

Kanazawa up and he's not bunting.  Down 3 you need all the outs you need.

But he swings 2-0!  It's a comebacker to Fujinami and he starts the 1-6-3 double play!  Why are you swinging there??

And Ameku hits a grounder to 1st and that's the inning.  Time looks to have run out on Kousei in their 2nd finals.

Bottom 8th
Hakusui with a hard ball to the left side.  Houjyou with another great stop, but his throw is off line!  Wow, what an effort by Houjyou!

Mizutani with the bunt, but Mori out of nowhere with a BB to 2nd!  He guns down the lead runner and almost get the 2-6-3 double play!

But Mori's arm gets the best of him!  He tries to snap throw to 1st, but it's high and off Takeda's glove into right!  Hakusui advances to 2nd.

Fujinami with a soft liner!  Jyouma leaps, but it's just out of his reach!  Hakusui advances and now there's runners at the corners with just 1 down!

And Mori hits a fly to left!  Murase trying to get a good jump on the ball, winds up in front of it a little.  His throw is hampered allowing Mizutani to score, making it 7-3.

Oonishi with a comebacker!  Kanazawa can't get his glove on it and it's through for a base hit!  Runners on 1st and 2nd as Nakai-kantoku calls time.

Mizumoto with a ball through the right side!  Fujinami has to hold up at 3rd as Ameku fires it in.

But now it's manrui for Koike of all people, who's a triple from the cycle.  Nishitani-kantoku calls time so they can talk to Koike.

It's Kanazawa who puts himself into a pinch falling behind 3-0 before getting a generous call.  Koike hits a pop fly to Ameku in foul territory to end the inning, but one more run almost guarantees Osaka Touin their first senbatsu title.

Top 9th
Murase with a high chopper up the middle, but not high enough as Fujinami reaches up and makes the grab and throw for the 1st out.

With a 4 run lead now, Fujinami do whatever he wants with Tamura and Houjyou as they can't tie the game by themselves.

Tamura does get the bat on the ball, and singles to center.

Houjyou though can't check his swing, and there's 2 outs.  Nakatani-kantoku call time one more time, perhaps to settle down the team for the last out.

A wild pitch to Takeda sends Tamura to 2nd, but that run doesn't matter.

And Takeda pops it up!  Yasui coming in... makes the catch!

And Osaka Touin wins their first senbatsu as they defeat Kousei Gakuin 7-3!

Once again, it's the offense that comes through for Osaka Touin as they jumped on starter Jyouma right offg the bat with a 2-run HR by Koike.  And meanwhile Fujinami was not on top of his game, yet he and the defense did just enough to hold Kousei Gakuin off despite the errors and the multiple pinch situations.  It wasn't perfect today, but it was enough.

For Kousei Gakuin, while I'm sure they're happy to have made the finals again, losing twice probably leaves a bad taste in their mouths.  While they will be tabbed to advanced out of Aomori back to Koushien, it'll probably be a grueling next couple of months as they work to try and return to the finals for the 3rd straight time and this time perhaps, win it all.

So Osaka Touin is in the finals.  Who will they face?

Kousei Gakuin has been the favorite to win since the fall when they won the Meiji Jingu tournament.  They hadn't lost a step after losing their seniors who led the run to the championship game last summer.  After a bit of a slow start against Hokkaido champion Hokushou, they handled Oumi with ease, and then put no question who was the better team in the rematch against Aikoudai Meiden, winning 5-2 in much the same way as the fall.  They are poised to win it all.

Standing in their way is a Kanto Dai-ichi squad that has clawed their way through all 3 stages.  First, against a game Beppu Aoyama squad they eked out a 1-0 win.  Then they held off Kinki champions Chiben Gakuen despite what seemed like a tired Nakamura.

And yet they threw him out there again against a strong Yokohama squad, and with the help of a crucial call in the 5th that took back a run, looked strong in a 4-2 win!

But the burden is squarely on Nakamura to stand and deliver the next two days.  If he can't Kanto doesn't have a chance.

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  Daigo Shunpei (#10)

RF  Ameku Shouto
LF  Murase Daijyu
C  Tamura Tatsuhiro
SS  Houjyou Fumiya
1B  Takeda Toshiki
3B  Oosugi Akinobu
P  Jyouma Ryuuhei
CF  Kimura Takumi
2B  Kishigawa Kenta

__________________________________________________

13:20 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Isobe gets Kanto's offense going with a base hit in front of Ameku.  Afer a sac bunt, Kiuchi gets ahead 3-0 but Jyouma manages to fill up the count.  But he loses him a ball low!  Runners on 1st and 2nd now as Kanazawa warms up in the bullpen!

But cleanup batter Akiyama swings on the first pitch and hits one to 2nd!  Kishigawa starts the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning!

Bottom 1st
Well, as you can see, Yonezawa-kantoku is rolling with reliever Daigo to start the game.  Can he give his team effective innings, or will it backfire?

So far so good.  Ameku hits one to Anzai for the 1st out, Murase grounds one back to Daigo.

And Tamura grounds out to short for the 3rd out!  Daigo gets the first inning under his belt with no hiccups!

Top 2nd
Hm.  As Kanto takes their AB's, #11 Uehara is warming up in the bullpen.  Looks like Nakamura may be a last chance option for Kanto.

After a quick groundout by Itou, Yoshie and Anzai go deep in counts against Jyouma, but he retires them both for a 1-2-3 inning.  Despite perhaps not being a natural starter, he's been doing a great job on the mound.

Bottom 2nd
Oh?  Daigo records his first K in Houjyou.  I say that because Daigo's fastball touches 130.  He has possible 3 change pitches, one sitting each in the 110s, 100s and 90s.

Takeda with a dying liner to left, but Itou makes a shoestring catch!

And Oosugi with a weak grounder to 2nd means he has another 1-2-3 inning!

Top 3rd
One down and Daigo hits a low liner past Houjyou!  Isobe follows that up with a ball past Oosugi into left as well!  Chance for Kanto!

Kishi after falling behind 0-2, takes some really close pitches and fills up the count!

Slicer to left!  Murase charging in, but it falls in!  Manrui for Kanto for #3 batter Kiuchi!

Jyouma once again gets ahead 0-2 on Kiuchi.  Kiuchi fouls one off.  Waste pitch, 1-2.  Slider up and in, 2-2.  Ball inside, fought off by Kiuchi.  High slider, popped up!  Kishigawa and Takeda converging in foul territory, both dive.. neither has it!  Will that cost them?

NO!  Kiuchi is caught looking for strike 3!  2 down!

Akiyama swings on the first pitch again!  And he bails out Jyouma by flying to left!  Big chance for Kanto goes begging!

Bottom 3rd
Jyouma goes full on Daigo before delivering Kousei's first hit, a liner to left.

Kimura lays down the bunt, but Daigo quickly picks it up!  Yoshie saves the high throw and they get the lead runner.  Nakai-kantoku has Kishigawa bunt as well, and this time they advance the runner for top batter Ameku.

But Ameku grounds out to 2nd and the inning is over.  I'm surprised a bit that Daigo is doing this good of a job against the tournament favorites.

Top 4th
Itou grounds out to short for his 2nd time today.

Yoshie with a drive to center!  Kimura running back, turning right, then back left!  He's turned around as the ball falls in front of the wall!  Yoshie in with a double!

Jyouma gets ahead of Anzai 0-2, and doesn't get a call on a ball at the knees.  Anzai hits a chopper to short.  Houjyou makes a great pick and throw for the out, but Yoshie advances to 3rd.

But #8 batter Matsutani is up, and he's had struggles at the plate.  They continue as he flies out to right toend the inning.

Bottom 4th
Daigo falls behind Murase 3-0, gets one back, and almost gets the out when Murase hits a foul fly.  Anzai doesn't sell out at the fence and it falls in.

Instead he hits a liner right at Isobe, who puts the glove in front of his face and makes the catch.

He falls behind Tamura 3-1 and..

Oh my....

He blasts one to left!  Itou running back!  Looking up!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That ball is easily 10 rows up in left as Kousei finally gets to Daigo!  They open the scoring at 1-0!

And no Houjyou with a first pitch liner to left center for a base hit!  And after Takeda hits a hard foul ball, Nakamura heads to the bullpen.

And Houjyou with a big lead takes off when the ball goes in the dirt!  Matsutani can't get anything on the throw and he's in safely!  Takeda walks on the next pitch prompting Yonezawa-kantoku to call time, perhaps to buy Nakamura time to warm up.

Daigo meanwhile gets ahead of Oosugi 0-2.  Oosugi though takes on the other way!  Itou up with it, but his throw home is cut off!  Houjyou scores to make it 2-0!

Daigo still on the mound as Jyouma steps in.  Can he perhaps deliver a crippling blow early?  Not sure Daigo's going to let him as he falls behind 3-1.  But Jyouma takes one over the plate to fill up the count.

He pops him up!  Kimura in center makes the catch for the 2nd out!

And now Nakamura is being recalled to the dugout!  But the crisis isn't over just yet as Kimura steps in.

But he hits a grounder to 1st.  Anzai makes the out to retire the side, but Kousei gets to the relief starter!

Top 5th
Daigo with a swinging bunt!  Oosugi charging in, but can't field the ball!  Daigo gets his 2nd hit of the day!

Isobe 2-2 on the day, bunting??!  He hits it too hard and Jyouma goes to 2nd for the force!  Why was Isobe not swinging away there??

And now they send Isobe, but Tamura with a great throw to 2nd and they have Isobe for the 2nd out!

Kishi battles with Jyouma, but on the 10th pitch of the AB he's frozen for the K!

Bottom 5th
Kishigawa showing some power with a ball down the left field line!  That goes all the way to the wall for a double!  Ameku trying for a safety bunt still moves him to 3rd.

Murase with a ball to left!  Itou camping under it, makes the catch, throws for home, but the relay is no good!  Kishigawa scores to make it 3-0!

Cameras go to Yonezawa-kantoku who is telling Itou to move back for Tamura.

Tamura blasts one to left!  Really?  Is he really??  Itou running back and to his right, turns himself around going left, and makes the sliding catch at the wall for the 3rd out!  Whoa that was a close one! Looks like the kantoku was right after all!

But Kousei adds on a run and as we hit the break Kanto finds themselves down 3-0!

Top 6th
Kiuchi leads off the inning with a single down the right field line.  Cleanup batter Akiyama tries to bunt, but falls behind 1-2.  Akiyama with a ball up the middle.  Houjyou in front of it, but can't field it cleanly!  He barely gets the toss to Kishigawa for the out.

Itou lines out to right for the 2nd out.

Akiyama takes off for 2nd!  Throw from Matsutani is wide and goes into center and Akiyama eases into 3rd!  Chance to narrow the margin for Kanto!

But Yoshie hits a grounder to 2nd!  Kishigawa's throw beats out a diving Yoshie for the 3rd out!

Bottom 6th
Nakamura takes the hill now for Kanto.  But is it too late?

Well, at least he holds down the Kousei offense.  The 4-5-6 batters come and go as Kanto takes the sticks again.

Top 7th
Bottom third of the order up for Kanto.  Anzai quickly grounds out to 2nd. Matsutani hits a foul fly to Houjyou.

Nakamura with a grounder to short, but it's off Houjyou's glove and goes to left!  Still some life in the Lucky  7 for Kanto!

Isobe though, grounds to short.  Houjyou goes to 2nd for the 3rd out.

Bottom 7th
On 0 days rest and in relief, Nakamura looks good!  Jyouma with a grounder to short.  He freezes Kimura on a fastball inside, and gets Kishigawa to swing on a fastball on the outside corner for the 3rd out!

Top 8th
Time quickly running out on Kanto.  Kishi with a high chopper up the 3rd base line.  Oosugi with it, but the throw is high!  Leadoff man on from the error!

Kiuchi rightly hitting as they need 3 runs.  But Jyouma pops him up!  Houjyou in shallow left makes the catch!

Akiyama with a grounder up the middle.  Houjyou there, but doesn't have it!  It goes through!  Kishi booking it for 3rd!  Throw from Kimura, not in time!  Akiyama going for 2nd, throw from Oosugi, not in time!!

Runners on 2nd and 3rd now with just one down!

Chance for Kanto as Itou steps in!

He hits a fly to right!  Ameku ready for the throw home!  He throws it as Kishi charges for home!  It's a liner right to Tamura...

And they get him a the plate!  Kishi is gunned down at home for the 3rd out!  Great defensive play by Ameku denies Kanto a run!

Bottom 8th
Ameku with a blast to center!  Akiyama running back to the wall, slides, but it bounces off the base of the wall!  He's in with a double!

Murase trying to bunt him over instead free bunts and fouls off to Matsutani.

Tamura with a base hit through the left side puts runners at the corners for cleanup batter Houjyou!

WHOA!

Houjyou launches one to left!  Itou climbing on the fence!   FOUL!!!! Nakamura breathes a sight of relief.

But not for long!  Houjyou shoots one up the middle, and its through to center!  Ameku scores, Tamura being waved around!  Akiyama throwing home...  Cut off!  Nakamura cuts the ball off and tries to get Houjyou at 2nd!  Safe!!  Houjyou's timely hit gives Kousei a commanding 5-0 lead!

Takeda goes down on a failed check swing for the 2nd out.

BAM!

Oosugi with a booming hit to right center!  Akiyama running to the wall, and it's off the base!  RBI triple for Oosugi makes it 6-0.

Jyouma grounds to short to end the inning, but Kousei appears to be on cruise control finally to a matchup against Osaka Touin.

Top 9th
#17 Sekiguchi takes over for Murase in LF.

Yoshie not giving up, ripping one into the right-center field gap for a standup triple!

Anzai follows that up lining one through the infield past Kishigawa into center!  Yoshie scores to make it 6-1!

#6 Kishida comes to run for Anzai and #13 Hino hits for Matsutani.

Matsutani with a single to left!  Runners on 1st and 2nd, no out!

What will Yonezawa-kantoku do?  Will he leave Nakamura in to hit?  He will!  He won't gamble!

Nakamura falls behind 1-2, and holds off a borderline pitch.  But he eventually goes down swinging for the first out.

Isobe to try and continue the momentum...

But he hits a grounds to 2nd!  Kishigawa goes to 2nd for one, Houjyou's throw to 1st, in time!  Kousei Gakuin wins!

Jyouma in a complete game effort gives up just the one run in the 9th as they advance to their 2nd finals!

And as I continue writing, the Kanto players are collecting the dirt from the grounds.

Kousei Gakuin has looked strong in all their games so far and ace Kanazawa will be rested for the championship game thanks to Jyouma.  The offense continues to look strong as well, and it should make for a great game.

For Kanto Dai-ichi, Yonezawa-kantoku perhaps realized that they couldn't start Nakamura on 0 days rest.  But Daigo couldn't prevent Kousei from getting on the board and playing from behind is not the place where they wanted to be.

But they played very well throughout the tournament, perhaps surprising some despite being the Tokyo champions.  It'll be a hard road to navigate in the summer though.  But they'll have time to work on the pitching before then.