高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

So, this will be short, mostly because I'm still disgusted about what happened yesterday (it looks like perhaps the powerhouses are not letting the cinderella teams get away anymore):

Niigata - Sekine Gakuen v. Nihon Bunri
Ishikawa - Komatsu Ootani v. Seiryou
I'm lumping these together because I don't want to dedicate time to these games.

Sekine Gakuen led Nihon Bunri 2-1 going into the bottom of the 9th.  Single, flyout, walk, 3-run gyakuten sayonara HR, Bunri wins 4-2.

Komatsu Ootani led Seiryou 8-0 going into bottom of 9th. They cannot record 3 outs as Seiryou scores 9 in a slow-motion collapse as they win 9-8.

You can see my twitter feed to see my feelings regarding this.  I may even do a post about this before the finals today.

Gunma - Kendai Takasaki v. Isesaki Seimei
The score itself was close, but the game perhaps wasn't.  Kawai, Takahashi and Matsuno combine on a no-hitter as they defeat Isesaki Seimei 1-0.

The only run was scored in the 3rd when after a double to LCF by then starter Kawai, Hoshino goes for a safety bunt with 2 out and brings the runner home.

Tochigi - Sakushin Gakuin v. Sano Nichidai
Sano Nichidai opened the scoring with a run in the first, but Sakushin Gakuin eventually wore down their opponents, scoring 7 runs in the 6th and 7th innings en route to a 7-1 win and their 4th consecutive trip to Natsu Koushien.

Saitama - Shiritsu Kawagoe v. Kasukabe Kyouei
Shiritsu Kawagoe and Kasukabe Kyouei did not have to play any powerhouse teams for the title, and avoided the pitfalls that are associated with playing in big prefectures such as this one.  Both schools had been to Koushien before, Shiritsu Kawagoe as Kawagoe Shougyou back in 1971, and Kasukabe Kyouei 4 times, the most recent being in 2005.

The game was very close with the teams trading runs in the 4th and 5th ending with Shiritsu Kawagoe leading 2-1.  It stayed that way until the 8th when Kamijyou couldn't hold the lead for Shiritsu.  Kasukabe Kyouei would score 6 in the bottom half of the frame, leaving them with almost no time to respond.  Kasukabe Kyouei would advance for the 5th time with a 7-2 win.

Nagano - Saku Chousei v. Nagano Shougyou
Nagano Shougyou had been a powerhouse back in the day, but has ceded way to the private schools such as Saku Chousei, Matsushou Gakuen and the like.

But they reached the final where they would have to exorcise the demon by defeating Saku Chousei to take the title.  And when I saw them score 6 in the 2nd, I thought perhaps the trend of upsets would continue.

Sadly it would not be.  A 4-run 7th was the key in Saku Chousei's comeback as they would win 10-9 to claim their 6th title.

Hyogo - Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku v. Sanda Shousei
Even though neither school had reached Natsu Koushien before, Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku had at least gone to senbatsu.  So Sanda Shousei could have easily been called the underdog.

But the game was over early.  7 runs in the 3rd for Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku and that pretty much sealed things.  Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku would go on to win 11-1.

Tottori - Yazu v. Tottori Jyouhoku
In recent times Tottori Jyouhoku has dominated the prefecture leaving schools like Yazu who used to go to Koushien behind.  Yesterday was a chance for Yazu to perhaps claim something from past times.

Yazu would take an early lead when with the bases loaded and 2 out, Nishigaki would deliver a base hit to center scoring 2.

Kamatani for Yazu would hold off the Tottori Jyouhoku offense, but in the 5th he would cede a run due to a wild pitch.  Later on, after an intentional walk to load the bases, he would get out of the jam with a fly to center.

Kamatani wouldn't let them get any closer as he gave up just the 1 run on 6 hit to win 2-1.

Okayama - Okayama Ridai Fuzoku v. Kanzei
There would be no Cinderellas in Okayama as 2 familiar foes met up for the title - though neither had really been to Koushien in a couple of years, as Kurashiki Shougyou had stolen the show for most part.

Kaznei would score early and often against Okayama Ridai, putting up all their runs before the break.  It would be more than enough as they would win 9-4.

Hiroshima - Hiroshima Shinjyou v Kouryou
Kouryou and Jyosuikan have given up control of the prefecture to the masses the last 2 years, but Kouryou returned to the finals this year looking to reclaim the throne.

Hiroshima Shinjyou had gone to senbatsu earlier this year and was looking to perhaps make a return trip this summer.

Things looked good in the first, as Nishijima's timely triple gave them the 1-0 lead.

Kouryou would strike right back.  1 out, runners at the corners and cleanup batter Oota delivers a hit to left to tie the game.  Kita would give his team the lead right after with a single to center.

That would be all the scoring in the game as Kouryou would go on to punch their ticket with a 2-1 win.

Kagawa - Sakaide Shougyou v. Ootemae Takamatsu
We really hadn't heard from either of these schools, though both are more than decent teams within Kagawa.  Sakaide Shougyou time was in the 80s and early 90s where they went to Natsu Koushien 4 of their 5 prior times.  Ootemae Takamatsu has been forever a Tier 3 school, but with none of the current powerhouses in the final (and having survived Jinsei Gakuen 8-7 in 13 in the semifinals), they had a chance to make their first trip.

Perhaps the extra inning game though hurt Ootemae Takamatsu, because despite going out to a 3-1 lead through 6, Saji couldn't finish it off.  He would give up 2 in the 7th to tie the game, and then 2 more in the 9th giving Sakaide Shougyou the 5-3 win.

31 down, 16 to go.

Things get a bit more wacky as we start heading south and west...

Ibaraki
Regional play has been completed, and 29 teams moved on to prefectural play.  Jyousou Gakuin got a free pass and is probably expected to go deep into the tournament. Kasumigaura, who was just 6 outs away from winning their first title, is also present - but the question will be has their time passed them by? If they do get their revenge matchup it will be in the finals, but in the haru format does not guarantee them a spot in Koushien.

However, the other seeded teams are Meishuu Hitachi, Suijyou and Fujishiro - the latter 2 being familiar names.

Tochigi
Tochigi has no such regionals, all 61 teams are just thrown into a bracket and they beat each other up. So far, Sakushin Gakuin looks to be the front-runner with mercy-rule wins in their first two games and advancing into the quarterfinals.

Joining them are 5 other "seeded teams" including Sano Nichidai, Hakuoudai Ashikaga and Bunsei Geidai Fuzoku. Only the former has had mercy-rule wins throughout.

Gunma
Sadly, when it comes to the one-time winners, it kind of follows that they are unable to follow it up.

Such was the case with Maebashi Ikuei, who couldn't get past their first game losing to Oota Kougyou 4-3...

As a result, the mainstays have been able to reassert themselves within the prefecture at least - sort of.

Kendai Takasaki has made the semifinals, in Kendai fashion, with not one, not two, but three 1-run ballgames. They will face Kitoku, who is definitely a solid C team, for an automatic bid into the Super-Regional.

On the other side, Kiryuu Dai-ichi is back once again and will face unknown Takasaki Shoudai Fuzoku.

Saitama
The struggles for Urawa Gakuin continue... Ojima cannot get them past their 2nd game of the prefecturals, falling to Honjyou Dai-ichi 3-2.  They will face Yashio Minami for a spot in the semifiinals.

Elsewhere, familiar names Saitama Sakae and Hanasaki Tokuharu after eking out 4-3 sayonara wins will face each other... there's an all-Kawagoe matchup as Kawagoe Higashi and Shiritsu Kawagoe meetup...

...and can Kasukabe Kyouei finally get to Koushien please? Two shutout wins pit them now against Matsuyama for a spot in the semis.

Chiba
Kisaradzu Sougou had the unfortunate draw to face Toukaidai Bouyou right off the bat in the prefecturals... and lost 2-1.  Oddly enough they then lost to unknown Abiko in the very next game 3-1!

There were even more early strong matchups as Chiba Keizaidai Fuzoku defeated Toukaidai Urayasu 3-1.  Senshuudai Matsudo has been given no favors having to face Chiba Keiai and now Narita.

Narashino is still alive, but two close games so far do not instill confidence in the team's strength early despite having an easy road so far.

And don't forget about Kashiwa Nittai, they're always in the mix and may not have a challenge until a possible matchup with Chiba Reimei in the quarterfinals.

Kanagawa
Toukou Gakuen look to make it back to the Super-Regionals having defeated Nichidai Fujisawa and Yokohama Sougakukan.  They should have no trouble against a Nichidai squad despite them giving up their first runs of the taikai in the last round in a 5-4 win over Busou.

The bigger matchup is Toukaidai Sagami (who has just beat the heads in on all opponents - including Touin Gakuen) all without giving up a run, versus a Yokohama squad who once again does not look all that impressive though they did have to face Yokohama Hayato and Keio Gijyuku.

Yamanashi
We could be in line for a rematch of the natsu final as both Hikawa and Nihon Koukuu are on opposite sides of the bracket and are on a collision course. In their way immediately right now are Koufu Kougyou and Koufu Shougyou respectively.  After that, it could be fellow powerhouses Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku and Toukaidai Koufu. So while the rematch may happen, there's still some obstacles left to go.

(My apologies to everyone reading the blog, I will probably not be able to finish these recaps before Natsu Koushien begins on Thursday.  I was unusually busy during the prefectural taikai's and was not able to keep up as in past years.  I will get to these when time allows, but I need to focus on Natsu Koushien itself.)

Gunma - Maebashi Ikuei (1st appearance)
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Tochigi - Sakushin Gakuin (9th appearance, 3rd consecutive)
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Saitama - Urawa Gakuin (12th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
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Kanagawa - Yokohama (15th appearance, 1st in 2 years)
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Aichi - Aikoudai Meiden (11th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
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Shizuoka - Tokoha Kikugawa (4th appearance, 1st in 5 years)
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Osaka - Osaka Touin (7th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
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Hyogo - Nishiwaki Kougyou (1st appearance)
Oh my god.  First of all, can Hyogo figure out a better way to reschedule games than the current system?  Teams were reassigned to different stadiums, some who were playing before other teams originally got rescheduled for after those same teams.  It can't be that hard can it?

Yet despite rain-outs and bonkers rescheduling, 75% of the 16 block seeds actually advanced out of the block.  The 4 that failed was Block 4 Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku (!), Block 9 Himeji Kougyou, Block 10 Houjyou, and Block 15 Kakogawa Kita (!).  Of the seeds that advanced only Shiritsu Amagasaki and Yashiro actually blew through the block field.  Everyone else seemed to struggle:

• Block 2 Houtoku Gakuen? They had an 11 inning affair against Shiritsu Himeji.
• Block 5 Defending Champion Takigawa Dai-ni?  Ooh, not so good.  Two low scoring affairs versus Ikuno and Hyogo Shougyou.
• Block 8 Touyoudai Himeji? 2-1 over Touban Kougyou in their 2nd game.

The redraw for the round of 16 went rather smoothly.  None of the strong team wound up drawing each other.

However, our first major casualty from the Round of 16 was Takigawa Dai-ni.  They never led against Shiritsu Amagasaki, and despite a 2-run 8th fell 4-3.  Houtoku Gakuen tossed a 4-hit shutout over Suma Shoufuu, and Touyoudai Himeji despite just 3 hits defeated Sanda Shousei 2-1 (How??!).

The other surprising things was that 3 of the 4 no-seeds to advance to the Round of 16 advanced to the Best 8.  Though admittedly Block 4 Rokko Island has been an above average team.

The redraw for the Best 8 again had the powerhouse teams avoiding each other.

Mukonosou Sougou had the unfortunate draw of Houtoku Gakuen, and promptly were shutout - but not mercy ruled, which is good.  Shiritsu Amagasaki's run ended at the hands of Touyoudai Himeji.

Rokko Island met fellow no-seed Ikuei... and were mercy ruled.

And then there was the curious case of Nishiwaki Kougyou. Never heard of them, never been to Koushien before.

In block play they started strong with a mercy-rule win over Aboshi.  After that though, things got really hairy for them.  Starting off with a 14 inning 4-3 win over Awaji Mihara, they broke a scoreless draw in the 7th over Ichikawa with 4 runs to advance out of the block.  Then against Kakogawa Nishi, the fell behind 5-0, immediately clawed back to within 1, took the the lead late only to blow it in the bottom of the 9th - then won with 2 in the 10th.

If that wasn't enough, against Akashi Shougyou in the Best 8, they trailed 2-0 before rallying to win in the bottom of the 9th 3-2.

The cardiac kids decided comebacks were a bit too much, and while they gave up 2 runs in the first, quickly recovered and used a 5-run 7th to hold on for a 10-7 win.  Quite nuts.

Meanwhile, Touyoudai Himeji and Houtoku Gakuen actually had a more normal game, but Houtoku Gakuen couldn't recover from a 2-run deficit falling 4-3.

So realistically, it looked like Touyoudai Himeji would ascend to the throne, because surely Nishiwaki Kougyou couldn't pull off the upset...

Right?

Not so fast there.  In the 5th, Takami and Murakami would actually give Nishiwaki Kougyou a 2-0 lead.  Ace Outa (翁田) would give up back-to-back timely hits to tie the game.

But bottom 9, LF Murakami starts off with a base hit to left center.  He books it to 2nd and just beats the throw.  After a sac bunt, Nishiwaki Kougyou has the sayonara run 90 feet away.  They have no choice but to intentionally walk Nishizawa and Hieda to load the bases.  That would bring up last batter Ishii.  Nishiwaki would try the squeeze bunt, but Ishii popped it up and C Uraoka scampered back and made a great diving catch for two outs.

That left it up to leadoff batter Imai who was just 1-4 on the day.  Two foul balls meant he was behind quickly.  But on the very next pitch he'd hit a blooper to the right side.  2B Nishida would scramble back, dive.. but it would just be out of his reach!  It falls in for the sayonara RBI as Nishiwaki Kougyou heads to their first Koushien tournament!

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.

During the week most prefectures are off on qualifying except for the Kyushu region.  Some though with the sheer amount of schools have no choice but to continue playing through the week.

Gunma
8 games in play yesterday, and there was quite a few heart-stoppers.

At Shikishima, Tone Shougyou scores a run in the 7th and 8th innings and holds of Tatebayashi for the 3-2 win.  Moving to Takasaki, Nishioura fights hard against Tone Jitsugyou in the late innings and a 3-spot in the bottom of the 8th is just enough to win 6-5.

And best of all in Kiryuu, Shiritsu Maebashi scores 4 runs in their last 6 outs to tie at 5 against Tokiwa, then had to score a run in the bottom of the 10th to keep the game going... where it ended in a 6-6 draw!  Fortunately, the draw is in an early round that whomever wins gets 4 days off before their next game.

Ibaraki
There was more of the same here in Ibaraki:

• At Mito Municipal, Sakai trailed Mito Dai-ichi for 6 innings before scoring a pair of runs in the 7th and 8th to win 4-2.
• In Ibaraki Prefectural, Asou had to play catchup in the late innings against Iwai, tying the game twice, and the only lead they had was when they won the game in the bottom of the 10th.
• Over at Tsuchirura Tsuchiura Dai-ni sent out 5 pitchers to stave off Edogawa Gakuen 6-5.
• Moving on to Hitachi Naka Municipal Kamisu's Tanabe barely made a 6-run 4th stick against Kaiyou to win 6-5.

Higashi Tokyo
Only 5 games in Higashi Tokyo, all at either Meiji Jingu or Jingu #2.

Showa Tetsudo, who has a really cool building, outlasted Nakano Kougyou 14-8 in the opening game at the main stadium.  Shukutoku Sugamo staved off a mercy rule loss to Arakawa Kougyou in the 5th, but couldn't complete a comeback losing 10-7.

Fukuoka
The scares continue in Fukuoka.  Minami F-Block seed Fukuokadai Oohori made a single run in the 1st stick to get past Shuuyuukan 1-0. But for the most part, seeded teams like Toukai Dai-go and Ikutokukan got by with ease.

Saga
Midori no Mori still 1 day behind in games thanks to an opening day rainout.  Karatsu Nishi holds off Karatsu Seishou 5-4.

Blue Stadium opened on time, and there we had Kishima Shougyou using a 4-run 6th to tie the game against Kanzaki, winning it in the bottom of the 9th.

Nagasaki
6 games in Nagasaki today, and of note Isahaya Nougyou scrambles in the 7th and 8th innings for 4 runs to defeat Nagasaki Kakuyou 7-6.  Also one of my favorite teams, the seeded Seihou, started off slow defeated Chinzei Gakuin 3-0.

Kumamoto
Things relatively quiet in Kumamoto.  Mostly blowouts, and 5-Seed Toukaidai Seishou had no issues with Yatsushiro.

Oita
Same in Oita.  Tsurusaki Kougyou, Yufu and Touin all advance with no issues.

Miyazaki
Seeded teams kicked off yesterday.  Nichinan Gakuen, Nisshou Gakuen, and Nobeoka Gakuen all advanced, though Nisshou Gakuen only got by Nichinan 3-0.

Kagoshima
(This update covers all games from opening to yesterday)

So opening day in Kagoshima gave those that stayed after the ceremony a good show.  Kagoshima Jyousei trailed Tanegashima 2-0 before scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th and held on for the win.

First full day of action was rather uneventful with mostly blowouts.  Tokunoshima did break a scoreless draw with 2 in the 7th to defeat Izumi Chuo, and Sensatsu Seishuukan used a 4-run 8th to break a 3-3 tie over Hayato Kougyou and win 7-5.

On the 8th, there was 2 close games - Kagoshima Gyokuryuu scored a run in the 8th and 9th to defeat Kagoshima Suisan 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th while Koniya used a 4-run 8th to pass Kanoya Nougyou 6-3.

Same with yesterday - mostly non-competive games.  But Kagoshima Tousen held off a 9th inning rally from Tsurumaru to win 2-1, while Satsuma Chuo won their 2nd game over Takeokadai 2-0.

Interestingly though, in the final game at Kamoike, the combined team of Ariake・Kushira Shougyou・Minami-Oosumi did actually win their first game, and in convincing fashion over Sueyoshi 8-1 in 7 innings.

19 of 47 tournaments are now underway, and 2 of them are in the round of 16(ish).

Kita Hokkaido
Not too many upsets to speak of in regional play, and we're down to our final 16.  Asahikawa Kougyou is still alive for a 2nd straight appearance, but struggled against Asahikawa Shougyou in the regional block final.  In fact none of the teams that advanced look like they could run away with it all, and the teams that had blowouts in their final are from areas not known for strong teams.

This could open it for teams like Engaru, Kitami Hokuto, and Asahikawa Ryuukoku this year.  But as far as I'm concerned it's all up in the air.

Minami Hokkaido
We had some theatrics before reaching the final 15.  While it may not matter in the long-run, for Otaru Ouyou to rally from down 10-3 with just 9 outs left to win 13-12 over Otaru Kougyou in their 1st game is rather amazing.  Unfortunately, while they tried to pull it off again against Otaru Suisan and went from 4-0 to tied at 4, ace Tanabe couldn't keep it tied as they lost 5-4.

In the Sapporo regionals, Sapporo Dai-ichi led Shoushi Gakuen 3-0 going into the top of the 9th, but as they say, the final 3 outs are the hardest to get.  And despite Sapporo Dai-ichi being the more experienced team, they fell victim to the saying and 5 runs later, were eliminated.

For Sapporo Ryuukoku, who earlier pulled off a huge upset in Hokkai, they couldn't parlay that into a 2nd stage appearance, giving up 4 runs in the first to Sapporo Okadama losing 5-3.

The draw is out here for the 2nd stage as well, and Hakodate Chuubu gets the benefit of a 1st round bye.  It won't be much benefit though as they will have to play either Hakodatedai Yuuto or the aforementioned Sapporo Okadama.  Komadai Tomakomai gets a rather easy draw as they are on the opposite side of both Hokushou and Sapporo Nichidai (who could face each other in the quarterfinals).

I do like Hakodatedai Yuuto in this scenario.

Gunma
3 days in and quite a few seeded teams are underway.  Maebashi Ikuei and Kendai Takasaki both cruised as well as 5-8 seed Maebashi Kougyou.  Kiryuu Shiritsu Shougyou survived in walk-off fashion against Takasaki Shoudai Fuzoku and looks to be in a lot of trouble.

So does 3-4 seed Numata as today they needed a 4-run 7th to defeat Isesaki Kougyou 6-4.

Ibaraki
Ibaraki with mostly blowouts, though we had a couple of walk-offs on the first full day of action.  Tokiwadai couldn't hold a 1-run lead in the 9th, but won the very next inning over Toride Shouyou.  Tsuchiura Dai-san did the same to Iwase Nichidai in the 10th inning as well.

Highlights of today's action had Nakaminato Dai-ichi scoring 5 unanswered runs in the late innings to defeat Ryuugasaki Minami 6-5, at Hitachi Ibaraki Christian scoring 2 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Hitachi Shougyou 5-4,and at Kasama Shimodate Kougyou outlasting Tskuba Kouka 2-1 in 11.

We won't see the seeded teams until the 12th.

Nishi Tokyo/Higashi Tokyo
Nishi Tokyo is rather quiet on their first day with little of note to speak of.  In Higashi Tokyo it was mostly the same, with a couple of exceptions.  Meguro Gakuin rallied from down 3-0 to tie it in the bottom of the 9th against Shinjuku and would eventually win in 12.  And over at Oota Stadium, Risshoudai Risshou scored 4 in the 9th to defeat Katsushika Shougyou 9-6.

Kanagawa
Kanagawa had their opening game at Baystars Stadium and Keiou Fujisawa had no problem with Kaiyou Kagaku 8-0 in a 7 inning game.

Gifu
It was a slow start to the Gifu tournament as games at Nagarakawa were called off due to rain.  This after they tried to get Chuukyou-Gifu in but was rained out with Chuukyou leading 2-0 after their part of the 3rd inning.

The only game of the opening day was played over in Oogaki as Oogaki Shougyou scored 7 unanswered runs to defeat Nourin 11-6.

Those rained out games were played the next day, pushing the scheduled games back a week.  Chuukyou still managed to win their game while Gizan blew out Kani Kougyou.

Aichi
Those who stayed at Mizuho Kouen for the opening game were treated to a low-scoring affair as Tougou eked by with a 1-0 win over the prefecture's namesake.

Aichi's first full day went without hitch with again mostly blowouts.  Inuyama Minami scored 4 runs in the final 3 innings to wipe out a 4-1 deficit to defeat Asahino 5-4.

At Kariya Stadium, Toyoda Kougyou pulled out to a 5-2 lead with 6 outs to go before Komaki Kougyou scrambled to level it at 5 in the bottom of the 9th.  However, they couldn't capitalize and would wind up losing in 13.  And in the game after that Iwadzu scored 2 in the 8th to tie it at 2 all over Kasugai Kougyou, but ace Shibata couldn't hold it, giving up the winning run in the bottom of the inning.

And over in Toyohashi, some home cooking was needed as Toyohashi Minami scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Kozakai.

We're now in the final stages of the 84th Haru Koushien.  Today are the semifinals, or jyunkesshou (準決勝).

First up is an old-timer to the dance, and what may be an up-and-coming team.

Osaka Touin is no newcomer to this parade.  Though founded in 1983, they have been to 10 haru & natsu Koushien tournaments, won 2 natsu Koushiens and have made it to the quarterfinals in 3 senbatsu tournaments.  This is however, the furthest they've gone at senbatsu.

This is in part thanks to ace Fujinami.  One of the two towers of Koushien this year, he eliminated his counterpart in the first round, then proceeded to beat the Kyushu runner-ups, Kyushu Gakuin.  He was given a half-game break as reliever Sawada took the hill, and they still managed to defeat the Kanto champions Urawa Gauin 3-1.

Osaka Touin has largely done this on the back of late inning offense.  All of their 17 runs have been scored in after the 5th inning break.  To me, that is unheard of.  It either speaks to the Osaka Touin offense to adjust, of the opposing pitching tiring, or a combination of both.  How long they can continue this is anybody's guess as they survived Urawa Gakuin 3-2.

Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi was officially named so in 2001 and became a co-ed school (it was an all-girls school).  In that short time, they have build a team that has become a surprise in the kokoyakyu world.  This team has advanced as a result of their baserunning.  For good or for bad, they have been as aggressive on the bases as any team I've seen.  It started in their first game against Tenri and hasn't stopped since for 16 total stolen bases.  The only difference was in the last game against Naruto in the quarterfinals.  There they may have taken advantage of poor defensive placement to rack up multiple extra base hits.

They've used this strategy to defeat Kinki runner-up Tenri, Kyushu champion Kamimura Gakuen and Shikoku winner Naruto.

The biggest question for Kendai will be whether they can get on base to implement their baserunning strategy.  Power needs no prerequisite other than putting the bat on the ball.  This could be a close game, or one rather lopsided.  Should be interesting!


CF  Takeuchi Tsukasa
2B  Nakayama Keita
C  Nagasaka Kenya
3B  Uchida Ryouta
1B  Oosawa Yoshiyuki
RF  Kanbe Kazuki
LF  Kobayashi Ryuutarou
SS  Akiyama Kousuke
P  Miki Keita

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

__________________________________________________

11:02 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Oddly, the top batters for Kendai aren't waiting for pitches.  They're going after Fujinami!

Takeuchi grounds out to 2nd on a 1-0 pitch, Nakayama swings and misses on a 150 fastball on a 1-2 count for two quick outs.

Nagasaka continues the aggressive play, taking the first pitch to left for a single.

And Uchida does the same, but grounds out to 2nd.  An interesting strategy.

Bottom 1st
And it's the opposite for Osaka Touin.  They're taking pitches against Miki and Oonishi leads off with a walk!

No bunt from Mizumoto, but hit ball back up the middle is taken by Nakayama , who touches 2nd for one and throws to 1st for the double play!  Mori pops out to Uchida to end the inning.

Top 2nd
Kendai continues to swing away.  One down, Kanbe single to right center.

And Aoyagi sends Kanbe!  But Mori's throw is in time for the out!  From the replays, Kanbe may not have gotten a great jump on the pitch.

The bottom of the order seems to be more patient as Kobayashi draws a walk.  But on what may have been a hit-and-run, Akiyama pops out to 3rd.

Bottom 2nd
Koike with a grounder past a diving Uchida for a leadoff single!  Kasamatsu trying the bunt, but fouls off the first attempt.  He successfully lays it down the second time.

Yasui with a grounder to short, Akiyama holds for a second, and his throw is late!  All safe!

Hakusui swinging on the first pitch, hits a ball to the right side, and that's through!  Kanbe up with the ball, and his throw home is late!  Yasui takes the extra base to 3rd as Hakusui plates Osaka Touin's first run in the first 5 innings of any game!  1-0 Osaka Touin!

Fujinami up, and Nishitani-kantoku has him bunting!  He fouls one off, and then fouls off another!  So the squeeze isn't an option anymore, is it?

Nope.  He swings and misses for the 2nd out.

Mizutani flies out to right and the inning is over.  But if Osaka Touin is able to score their first run here this early in a game, I'm afraid to think what it might mean for Kendai going forward.

Top 3rd
Miki gives a good AB against Fujitani, fouling off a couple of pitches before softly grounding out to 1st.

Back to the top of the order and the strategy hasn't changed.  They're still going after Fujinami.  Takeuchi gets under one for Kobayashi in left.

Nakayama does gets a base hit lining one to right.  He should be going if they're going for it.  But he doesn't and Nagasaka grounds out to a fielder's choice at 3rd to end the inning.

Bottom 3rd
For ace Miki, this may be the important test of the game.  The 2nd time through the order.

And Oonishi starts it off with a single through the right side on a letter high fastball.  Mizumoto appears at least to be bunting, and indeed he lays it down up the 1st base line to advance Oonishi.

But Miki gets out of the inning getting both Mori and Koike to hit harmless flies to left.  Seems like he's doing ok, but we'll have to see in the later innings.

Top 4th
Uchida makes some good contact on foul balls, but succumbs to the forkball.  Oosawa goes up 3-1 but gets under one and flies out to left.

Kanbe arches his back as he just misses getting plunked by a fastball.  Then after working the count full, he sticks the bat out and the contact is good enough to get over Oonishi for a single!  Go figure.

Kobayashi then attacks the first pitch and singles through to right!  Now they need a one-timer from Akiyama.  But while he swings at the first pitch too, he flies out to center for the out to retire the side.

Bottom 4th
Kasamatsu becomes just Miki's 2nd K as he misses on a slider.  Yasui can't check his swing on one too, and the 3rd base ump rings him up.

Hakusui avoids being the 3rd straight K victim, but he flies out to left.

Top 5th
Miki goes down swinging for the first out.  Takeuchi after falling behind 1-2, works the count full, then thinks he has ball 4, but the plate umpire rings him up!  That fastball looked rather low there, and Takeuchi thought so too, but not to the one person that really matters.

And Nakayama chases a fastball away for Fujinami's 6th K as he strikes out the side!

Bottom 5th
Fujinami gets caught looking on a slider at the corner for the first out.  But Mizutani singles through to left putting a man on.

Oonishi with a ball to the gap in right center!  Takeuchi running it down, picks turns and throws back in!  Mizutani is being waved around 3rd!  Nakayama throws home and...

Nagasaka makes the catch and swipe...  OUT!  Takeuchi makes a great quick throw in, and Nakayama with a great relay home to prevent Osaka Touin from extending the lead!

And Mizumoto hits a fly to right!  Kanbe there for the catch and Kendai is out of the inning!  Some great defense keeps the deficit at 1 as we head into the break!

Top 6th
Perhaps a reason why Kendai has been aggressive is that because they figured Fujinami wouldn't be issuing walks so they'd have to hit to get on base.  But I'm not sure that doesn't mean you can still be patient.

One down for Kendai and Uchida earns a walk.  But that is erased when Oosawa swings on a 2-0 pitch and grounds into the 4-6-3 double play.

Bottom 6th
Mori with a ball to the left side.  Akiyama makes the diving stop, but can't make a clean grab!  Mori is in with a leadoff single!

Cleanup hitter Koike up and he's showing bunt.

They try for the bust-and-run!  But Koike pops it up!  Oosawa with the catch for the first out.

Kasamatsu up 3-1, but he hits a comebacker to Miki!  He goes to 2nd for one, but Nakayama can't get the ball out of his glove to throw to 1st.  2 down.

And so the inning continues as Yasui singles to right!  Will this be the beginning of the end for Kendai?

Sanshin!  Hakusui chases a slider out of the zone and they survive one inning.

Top 7th
Kanbe gets on base safely for the 3rd time with a leadoff walk!  Will Aoyagi-kantoku have Kobayashi bunt?

No!  He swings away on the 0-1 pitch and lines one to left!  Yasui charging in, dives... and makes the catch!  Kanbe has to scurry back to 1st on the great play!

Now Aoyagi-kantoku is having Akiyama bunt?!  He lays it down, but it'll be up to Miki to get the run home.

I suppose if you look at it from the standpoint that a base hit = a run, and an out - top of the order, you can't complain.  But you're also running out of... outs.

Miki gets ahead though 3-1.  I can't imagine him swinging on this one.

But he does and fouls it off.  Again perhaps thinking he's going to throw a strike, might as well see if I can get a hit.

Fujitani puts an end to that, getting Miki to swing on a ball outside for the 3rd out.

Bottom 7th
Fujinami getting one good rip in, but just scorching one foul down the left field line.  Instead, he strikes out for the 3rd time this game.

Interesting call by Nakatani-kantoku sending in #13 Takai to hit for Mizutani.  He though harmlessly grounds out to 2nd.

Oonishi gets on base safely again with a single past a diving Akiyama.  He's 3-3 now with a walk.

Mizumoto though flies out to right again to end the inning.  Both lucky 7's go quietly.

Top 8th
#6 Mega comes in defensively at SS.

Takeuchi hits one to left.  Yasui running back, running back????????!!!!!!!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The umpire signals the home run as I, the announcers, and even his own teammates are in disbelief!  That ball didn't seem well struck, had no carry from the wind (it's currently dead to a slight breeze out to center), and yet it carried out by a large margin!

We're douten at 1-1!!!!!

Fujinami at least not still in shock as he retires the next 2 batters.  But Uchida gets his first hit on a base hit to center.

Oosawa grounds out to Mega to end the inning.  But!  A solo HR by top batter Takeuchi ties the game here in the 8th!

Bottom 8th
Mori with a blast to left center!  Kobayashi and Takeuchi running to the wall!!

NO WAY!  NO FREAKING WAY!!!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Osaka Touin wastes no time in responding to Kendai's home run with one of their own!  Mori gives Osaka Touin back the lead at 2-1!!!

Miki retires Koike for the 1st out.  NOW KASAMATSU WITH A BLAST!!!  Kobayashi desperately scrambling back!!!  He stops!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miki's face looks like one of resignation as Kasamatsu hits the 2nd HR this inning, giving Osaka Touin the 3-1 lead!

Aoyagi-kantoku callse time, but it doesn't help.  Miki hits Yasui to put a runner on.  After a foulout by Hakusui, Fujinami scorches one past a diving Uchida down the left field line for a double.

Runners on 2nd and 3rd now for Osaka Touin and it looks bad for Miki.

But Mega pops out to Uchida to end the inning.  However, Osaka Touin's power finally shows themselves with 2 big HR's in the 8th!

Top 9th
Last ups for Kendai as the 6-7-8 batters are due up (Kanbe, Kobayashi, Akiayama).

Kanbe has reaches base all 3 times so far, can he get on one more time?

He falls behind 2-2 and starts fighting off pitches.  2, then 3, then 4 pitches fouled off.  But Fujinami gets him to chase a slider for the 1st out!

Nishitani-kantoku calls for time as Kobayashi steps in.  He's 1-2 on the day with a walk.

Fujinami gets ahead 1-2.  Wastes a pitch away.  Checks his swing, 3rd base ump calls him safe.  And now he's fouling off a pitch. Ball low and he's on base!

The douten run now comes to the plate in Akiyama.  But I doubt he can hit a HR, so he just needs to continue the inning.  Meanwhile, #13 Saitou comes in to run for Kobayashi.

Akiyama quickly falls behind 0-2, wastes a pitch, but then hits a grounder to 2nd!  Oonishi's only play is to 1st and there's 2 down!

Last chance as #13 Takasugi comes in to hit for Miki.  But he hits a grounder to short.  Mega with the ball, makes the throw to 1st and that's the game!

Osaka Touin advances to the championship game with a 3-1 win over Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi!  They find a way again to respond swiftly again after Kendai stuns the crowd with a HR.

But the real key was that despite getting 9 baserunners, they did not have a stolen base this game!  After perhaps Kanbe got thrown out, they were hesitant to send runners and pressure the defense.  Whether Kanbe's caught stealing was the cause or Aoyagi-kantoku's belief that they couldn't steal a base against the Touin battery, the removal of their running game I believe cost them.

Yes, they got the HR, but that's not their game.  And in the end Miki's two mistakes late was the difference.

So Osaka Touin got 12 hits in the game, but managed just 3 runs.  But, the offense probably put a lot of stressful pitches on Miki as they had runners in scoring position in 5 of the 9 innings which led to the difference later on.

And now they advance to the finals.  Fujinami with 142 pitches today, though most of them were not stressful at all.  Will he start the game tomorrow or will Sawada take the hill?  Nakatani-kantoku really only has that question to worry about as the offense will be fine.

Kendai Takasaki is eliminated, but their performance in the last year will have given everyone notice.  Yes, they're still learning to play on the big stage, but they're close.  They're darned close.

Our 2nd quarterfinal features 2 surprise teams.  Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi has used the running game to wreak havoc on opposing teams.  They take a radical tack in that they take walks and aggressively take bases.  Combined with Miki's performance on the mound and you have a potential contender.  This despite establishing their baseball program at the turn of the millennium.

Naruto has looked anything but a contender for the title.  Struggling against 21st century team Sumoto.  They win in 10 and move on despite getting just 4 hits.  Then against Sakushin Gakuin, they blow a 2-run lead, then give up a HR in the 10th.  Yet they come back to win that one and find themselves here in the Best 8. About the only thing that Naruto has going for them is that they've found a way to win when it seems like they shouldn't have.

So if Naruto can somehow carry that trait throughout they have a chance.

But I just can't see a team be able to do that for 5 straight games, much less 3.  Chances are the last public team to remain will fall today.

CF  Takeuchi Tsukasa
2B  Nakayama Keita
C  Nagasaka Kenya
3B  Uchida Ryouta
1B  Oosawa Yoshiyuki
RF  Kanbe Kazuki
LF  Kobayashi Ryuutarou
SS  Akiyama Kousuke
P  Namai Shintarou (#10)

SS  Kawano Yuuto
CF  Shimada Jyukito
LF  Inaoka Kenta
2B  Sugimoto Keita (#3)
RF  Yamato Taira
3B  Matsumoto Takanori
C  Kusaka Hiroki (#12)
P  Kobayashi Naoto (#10)
1B  Ise Hayato (#16)

__________________________________________________

13:36 - First pitch!

Once again, we see the relievers coming in to start for both teams.  How will it play out this time around?

Top 1st
Like I was saying in an earlier game, people have gotten on base via dead ball for less.  Takeuchi gets hit on a one bounder and he's awarded 1st despite not moving out of the way.

And of course with Takeuchi on, he takes off for 2nd.  Throw from Kusaka not in time.  The wheels start turning for Kendai.

Nakayama with the sac bunt, but Ise fields it and throws to 3rd??!

Takeuchi is there in plenty of time and that's just a bad decision by the Naruto 1B.

Nagasaka just pulls a ball foul down the 3rd base line.  But he takes the next pitch and singles to right!  Takeuchi scores.  But as the throw comes to 3rd, Matsumoto catches Nagasaka off 1st base!  He runs him down for the first out!  The wheels there just moving a tad too fast, but Kendai takes a 1-0 lead!

Uchida with a blast to center!!! Shimada sprinting back to the wall, but it falls in in front of dead center!  Nakayama scores on the double and Kendai now leads 2-0!!

Moriwaki-kantoku calling for time.  Naoto getting hit early and often here in the 1st...

Oosawa with a comeback to Naoto and he catches Uchida off 2nd!  He's run down for the 2nd out. Oosawa then tries to steal 2nd, but Kusaka throws him out to end the inning.  A lot of running, a lot of getting caught off base, and 2 runs for Kendai to start the game.

Bottom 1st
Kawano with a ball to the right side.  Nakayama ranging to his left, dives and snags the ball!  Throw to 1st is in time for the out!  Nice play!

Shimada first pitch grounds to 3rd for the 2nd out, but Inaoka after falling behind in the count works a walk.

But Namai gets Sugimoto to swing in front of a slider for the 3rd out.

Top 2nd
Kanbe steps back on a full count pitch, the reaches down and hits one off the bat just over the infield into center for a leadoff single.  Ryuutarou hits a hard grounder to 1st which bounces off Sugimoto, and his only play is to 1st.

Akiyama with a single back up the middle!  Kanbe is being waved around 3rd!  Shimada comes up throwing and it's right to Kusaka!  He makes the tag Kanbe's out at home!  2 down!

But Akiyama takes the base back as he steals 2nd on the 2-2 pitch!

Naoto though, gets fellow starter Namai to swing on an outside fastball for the 3rd out!

Bottom 2nd
It's a quick inning for Namai as he uses 7 pitches to retire the side in order.

Top 3rd
It's a small victory for Naruto as Naoto retires leadoff batter Takeuchi.

Naoto then uses slow curves and a change to freeze Nakayama for the 2nd out.

Naoto appers to have a fastball in the high 120s-low 130s, with a change in the 110s and a slow curve in the 90s.

Nagasaka ruins Naoto's clean inning by drawing a walk.

Uchida with a shot at Matsumoto!  He's able to get a glove on it to keep it in front of him, and he goes to 2nd for the 3rd out.

Bottom 3rd
Kawano with a drive to right!  Kanbe chases it to the wall, but Kawano's in with a 2-out triple!

But Shimada goes down swinging for the 3rd out.

Top 4th
Two down for Kendai, and they again work a walk.  This time it's Ryuutarou.

Kobayashi goes for 2nd on the 3-1 pitch, and while the ball gets there before him, Kawano can't make the grab and tag.  And on the next pitch, Akiyama walks bringing up last batter Namai.

But he swings on the first pitch and hits a routine fly to center for the 3rd out.

Bottom 4th
Inaoka chases a change in the dirt for Namai's 4th K. Sugimoto follows that with a hard hit ball to short.  It pops out of his glove temporarily, but he quickly grabs it and fires to 1st for the out.

Namai has a fastball in the low 130s, a slider in the 120s, curve in the 110s and apparently a palmball in the 90s.

Yamato with a hard ball to the right side.  Nakayama makes a great sliding stop, but he hurries his throw to 1st and it gets by Oosawa.  Yamato continues on to 2nd on the error.

Matsumoto with a grounder to the left side.  Akiyama ranging over, but it's just out of his reach!  Yamato rounding 3rd, being waved home!  Ryuutarou firing home, and it's right there to Nagasaka who applies the tag for the out!

Top 5th
Takeuchi with a drive to right center!  Yamato playing in tries to cut it off, but has to chase it back!  Takuechi showing some gap power with a leadoff triple!

Nakayama reaching out and poking a ball to right!  Takeuchi scores to make it 3-0 Kendai!

#1 Goutouda now warming up in the bullpen.

Nakayama taking off for 2nd!  Throw from Kusaka, and Nakayama slides in just before the tag!  (I think)

AH!  Now the pickoff throw from Naoto is low and goes into center!  Nakayama takes 3rd!

Nagasaka drives the next pitch to left!  That's easily over Inaoka's head to the wall!  Nakayama scores on Nagasaka's triple to make it 4-0.

Moriwaki-kantoku calls time.

Uchida with a grounder to 3rd.  Matsumoto up with it, notices Nagasaka off the bag and runs him down for the first out.

Oosawa hits into the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning, but Kendai doubles their lead over Naruto.

Bottom 5th
One down and #11 Mizushi comes to PH for Naoto.  His day is done.  And Mizushi first pitch singles to right!

Ise though chases a ball low and lifts it to right for the 2nd out.

Kawano goes down and pulls a ball down the left field side!  Kobayashi has to chase it to the wall and Mizushi scores from 1st!  Naruto is on the board at 4-1!

Shimada flies out to center for the 3rd out, but Naruto gets a run back before the break!  Is another comeback in the works?

Top 6th
As expected, ace Goutouda comes out to start the 6th.

Kanbe again steps back, perhaps anticipating taking one the other way, but instead he takes strike 3!

Kobayashi too watches a change down the middle for strike 3.

Akiyama makes contact, but pops out to 3rd to end the inning.  Goutouda gets Naruto their 1st 1-2-3 inning this game!

Bottom 6th
2 down and Yamato lines one down the left field line for a double!  But Matsumoto can't get around on a fastball inside and goes down to end the inning.

Top 7th
#16 Takasugi hitting for Namai, meaning that his day is done.  And Takasugi singles back up the middle!  He's replaced by #15 Moriyama.

Takeuchi reaches down and hits one into the gap in left center!  Again the outfield is in and has to chase it back!  Moriyama scores easiliy on Takeuchi's second triple of the game!  5-1 Kendai!

Nakayama with a bunt, but Goutouda with it goes home with it!  But he doesn't close the gap to Takeuchi and that allows him to get back to 3rd safely!

Nakayama going for 2nd again!  Nagasaka tries the bunt, but misses, as the ball is wide.  However, Kusaka has no throw to 2nd.

And Nagasaka hits a drive to left!  Inaoka back to the wall??!

HAITAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That certainly didn't look like he got all of that one, but that somehow carries out to left!  Nagasaka with a 3-run HR to make it 8-1!

Uchida keeps the hit parade going with a single through the right side.  After a sac bunt, Kanbe singles through to left.

And while he doesn't get a hit, he hits a sac fly to left.  Both runners advance and Kendai leads 9-1.

Akiyama singles through to right, and that brings up PR Moriyama.  Except he's not.  Aoyagi-kantoku calls for his 2nd PH this inning as #12 Momoi comes in to hit.  First pitch though he grounds out to 3rd to end the inning.

Bottom 7th
#11 Kuramoto comes in to pitch with the game seemingly in hand. Kusaka welcomes him with a leadoff double down the right field line. Goutouda flies out to right and Kusaka advances to 3rd.

Ise with a hard grounder to 3rd and Uchida makes a great pick!  Kusaka has to hold as Uchida throws to 1st for the out.

Up 1-2 to Kawano, Kuramoto hits him in the calf.  Runners now at the corners.

But Shimada gets under one.  Oosawa with the catch and Naruto's lucky 7 comes and goes with no runs.

Top 8th
#4 Nakano comes in for Ise and takes over at 2B.  Sugimoto moves to his position of 1B.

Nakayama gets his 2nd hit a light single to left.  That brings up Nagasaka who needs a double for the cycle.

Nakayama meanwhile tries for his 3rd stolen base, but is thrown out by Kusaka.

Nagasaka follows that by hitting a fly to shallow center!  Shimada charges in, dives.. and makes the catch!  Shimada prevents the cycle with a great catch!

Bottom 8th
#14 Kouno comes in for Kuramoto and takes over in RF.  Kanbe moves from right to the mound.

Inaoka strikes out for his third time here in the 8th.  Sugimoto quickly flies out to right.

Kanbe though can't get a clean inning as he walks Yamato. But he does strike out Matsumoto to end the inning.

Top 9th
Uchida with a ball to 3rd.  Matsumoto leaps, but can't close the glove on the ball.  He gets it, but his throw to 1st is just a step behind a diving Uchida.

Goutouda retires the next three batters, and they'll be up for their last at bats.

Bottom 9th
#17 Tsukagoshi comes in for Nakayama and takes over at 2B.  #18 Shimoda comes in for Kobayashi and heads to the mound.  Kanbe returns to RF and Kouno goes to LF.

#2 Marumiya comes in to hit for Kusaka and singles to the left side.  He's replaced by #17 Hayashi.

Goutouda turns on a ball and singles also though the left side.

#18 Kishi comes in to hit for Nakano, and goes down swinging.

Kawano with a hard hit ball to 3rd.  But Uchida's been a vacuum all day and starts the game-ending 5-4-3 double play.

Hey, Naruto fought hard their first 2 games to advance to the Best 8, but their luck runs out at the hands of the upstart Kendai squad.  Interestingly enough, of the 13 times they've been to Koushien (Haru + Natsu), only 5 times have they lost in the first game, and once did not advance past the 2nd round.  So the fact they made the Best 8 is testament to their abilities once they do reach Koushien.

(And Naruto's players, knowing that they may not be here again, grab their memento of Koushien dirt.)

This time around, it wasn't speed, but power that Kendai showed, with 5 extra base hits (though that may have been a byproduct of a drawn in outfield).  Still though, they showcased their speed, running circles around their opponents yet again.

The question will be whether they can get on base against Fujinami to be able to put pressure on Osaka Touin.  For now, they'll rest up tomorrow for their impending clash.

We're quickly going through the 2nd round games on our way to the best 8.  First up today will be two teams who had little trouble moving on.  For the most part.

Kamimura Gakuen had the fortunate draw of playing 21st century team Ishinomaki Kougyou.  Well, that ws the thinking anyways.  But when mental lapses and unseen forces (it seems) suddenly gave Ishinomaki Kougyou the lead, Kamimura Gakuen found a way to answer immediately.

Sure, an Ishinomaki win could lift the town's spirits and inspire people, but Kamimura Gakuen is competing for a title like everyone else.

Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi would seem to be in a bit of a close game against Tenri, but the actual game was anything but.  Despite Tenri taking the lead shortly in the 5th, Kendai dominated the game from start to finish, creating more opportunities and holding Tenri's offense at bay.  Their batters tend to work counts, and steal as many bases as the opponents will let them.

Should make for one interesting game!


CF  Takeuchi Tsukasa
2B  Nakayama Keita
C  Nagasaka Kenya
3B  Uchida Ryouta
1B  Oosawa Yoshiyuki
RF  Kanbe Kazuki
LF  Kobayashi Ryuutarou
SS  Akiyama Kousuke
P  Miki Keita

CF  Niiro Shinya
2B  Tanaka Koudai
P  Hirayabu Jyunichirou
RF  Koga Iori
1B  Ootsubo Naoki
LF  Seguchi Takuya (#11)
3B  Nakazono Fumitaka
C  Nakano Daisuke
SS  Nikou Takuma

__________________________________________________

09:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Some clouds overhead, but a small percentage chance of rain.  Shouldn't be a problem today *crosses fingers*


Takeuchi draws a leadof walk.  I'm expecting him to try and steal 2nd.

Instead it's a hit-and-run!  Nakayama hits it right where Nikou vacated on the hit-and-run!  Takeuchi takes 3rd and it's an early pinch for the Kyushu champs!

Nagasaka makes it 3 straight runners on safely!  He lines a ball to left and Kendai is quickly up 1-0!

It's actually cleanup batter Uchida who puts down a bunt to advance the runners!

And Oosawa with an unintentional swinging bunt gets Nakayama home!  It's 2-0 Kendai!

Kanbe flies out to Koga to end the inning, but Kendai is sprinting out of the gates!

Bottom 1st
Hirayabu denies Miki a 1-2-3 inning as he singles through the right side.  But Koga is ahead of the change and grounds out to 1st to end the inning.

Top 2nd
Better start to the 2nd as Kobayashi hits a routine grounder to 1st.  Hirayabu then gets Akiyama to chase a ball outside and ground to 2nd.

Miki chases another slider outside and Hirayabu retires the bottom of the order

Bottom 2nd
Again, Miki does not get his 1-2-3 inning, this time because he walks Nakazono on 4 straight with 2 down.

Nakano flies out to center though, and it's another stressless inning for Miki

Top 3rd
Cruel Angel's Thesis starts playing as Takeuchi steps in.  Gets ahead 3-1, and eventually works his 2nd walk on a ball just outside!

And there goes Takeuchi!  The throw from Nakano isn't in time!

Nakayama grounds to short, but Nikou as a play at 3rd!  Takeuchi is run down, but Nakayama takes 2nd, so no loss in the end.

Another hit-and-run from Aoyagi-kantoku!  Nagasaka grounds out to short, but Nakayama advances.  Uchida though lines out to shot and the inning is over.

Bottom 3rd
Miki continues to take care of business on the mound.  Despite giving up a 2-out single to Tanaka, Nagasaka guns him down trying to steal 2nd and that's that.

Top 4th
One down and Kendai gets another man on!  Kanbe singles down the right field line!  Nakano can't block a pitch effectively and Kanbe takes 2nd!

And it's another hit-and-run!  Kobayashi bails his swing and pops it up!  Nakazono makes the catch right next to the camera well and there's 2 down.

But on the next pitch, he hits Akiyama.  That brings up Miki, and regardless of the result, we're back to the top of the order again.

Hirayabu gets Miki looking on a full count fastball outside for the 3rd out.

Bottom 4th
Uchida with a great diving snag on a Hirayabu grounder for the first out!

Takeuchi works his 3rd walk of the game!  And he takes off for 2nd again!  But this time, Nakano pops up and guns him down!

But Nakayama gets a runner back on with another walk.  Nakayama takes off for 2nd, and he's in safely!

And now taking off for 3rd?!!!  Nagasaka fouls it off.  Wow, they are trying to run laps around Kamimura!

Wild pitch from Hirayabu and you know Nakayama is taking 3rd.

Hirayabu strikes out Nagasaka, but it's in the dirt!  Throw to 1st, and Nakayama is going home!  Ootsubo goes home, and they get Nakayama!  But Nagasaka wasn't retired at 1st and he's on base.

Yamamoto-kantoku makes a change, bringing in #7 Kakizawa for Seguchi and taking the hill.  Hirayabu goes to left.

And now Nagasaka goes for 2nd and is in safely!

Kakizawa finally ends the insanity by getting Uchida to pop out to 2nd.  It was close though as Uchida and Koga bumped into each other there.

But man do the Kendai runners put pressure on the bases.

Bottom 5th
Kakizawa in now and he's hit on his right hand (his throwing hand).  He's taken out for an injury runner (Ootsubo) so his hand can be looked at.

It's not pretty, but Nakazono lays down the bunt to advance Ootsubo to 2nd.

Oosawa makes a fine diving stop at 1st on a hard Nakano grounder and flips to Miki for the 2nd out.  Ootsubo advances to 3rd.

Nikou goes down and loops one to left!  Akiyama leaps, but can't get it!  Ootsubo scores and it's a 2-1 ballgame!  And now a wild pitch from Miki sends him to 2nd!

The problems continue has he falls behind, then walks Niiro on 4 straight.

Tanaka with a chopper up the middle, Nakayama charges in makes a great pick and throw to retire the side.  But right before the break Kamimura Gakuen gets a run back!

Top 6th
Looks like the break was a good time for Kakizawa and his hand because he looks fine on the mound.  Before I can get settled down pos-break, he's retired the side in order!

Bottom 6th
Miki still retiring batters, but I can't tell if his control is off or they're trying to trick the batters, because Nagasaka starts in one place then shifts to another before the pitch is thrown.

Either way, he retires the heart of the Kamimura order in order.

Top 7th
Nikou with a great snag of a ball up the middle and running throw to retire Akiyama. Miki flies out to center, and Kakizawa finally does what Hirayabu was unable to do - retire top batter Takeuchi.

Bottom 7th
Kakizawa becomes Miki's 5th K on a slider away in the dirt.  And Nakazona and Nakano both ground out to 3rd and as quickly as Kendai's lucky 7 came and gone, so did Kamimura's.

Top 8th
Kakizawa had continued to cruise along with 2 outs in the 8th, but Uchida lines a ball to left and that's the first hit off the reliever.

Oosawa gets under the first pitch from Kakizawa and Koga takes it for the out.

Bottom 8th
But Kamimura still find themselves down by 1 with just 2 innings left to go.

Nikou just gets enough on a ball to hit it to left center.  Leadoff batter on as Aoyagi-kantoku calls for time!

#18 Shimoda quickly being sent out to the bullpen to warm up. Top of the order and Niiro up for Kamimura.

And Nagasaka picks off Nikou!    He takes a big lead, but can't get back on the pitch-out snap throw from Nagasaka!  What a time for a baserunning mistake!

Niiro goes down swinging, and Tanaka immediately flies out to center!  From a douten opportunity to a 1-2-3 inning, Kamimura will be down to their final 3 outs!

Top 9th
Kanbe with a chopper to the left side.  Nakazono picks it but his throw is high and goes into the camera well!  Kanbe takes 2nd on the error.  #13 Saitou goes to take the place of Kanbe.

Time is called by Yamamoto-kantoku.

Bunt by Kobayashi, and Nakano goes for 3rd!  But he has no chance there and now everyone's safe!

Yamamoto-kantoku calls for time again.  And they're going to intentionally walks Akiyama to get to Miki.  This creates a play at home, but there's no out and nowhere to put Miki!

And now Kakizawa falls behind 2-0!

Miki gets the green light, but grounds to 2nd!  Tanaka goes home and they get the force!

Takeuchi up, and he's swings and fouls off the first pitch!  Someone should be telling him that a walk = a run, but he swings and falls behind 1-2.

He swings and hits a fly to left!  Hirayabu is under it, makes the catch, but Kobayashi doesn't go!  The throw is short and rolls on the ground, but it's surprising that they didn't send the runner!  2 down, and Nakayama steps in.

He too swings away on the first and second pitches to fall behind 0-2.

Kakizawa thinks he has strike 3, but the plate umpire says no dice!  Ball outside and it's 2-2.  Kakizawa thinks he has it again on the outside corner, but the plate umpire shakes him off again!  Full count and the runners will take off!

Fouled away!

And he hits him!  Kakizawa hits him and Kobayashi scores to make it 3-1!  I'm sure they're thinking about those two pitches they didn't get calls on, but they appeared to be borderline at best.

Nagasaka flies out to right again to end the inning, but Kendai has plated that all-important insurance run!

Bottom 9th
And so Kamimura Gakuen will have to score 2 runs to extend the game, 3 to win.

#14 Kouno comes in for PH Saitou and goes to RF.

It's the heart of the order for Kamimura Gakuen.  If they can't get this done, they'll never have done it.

Miki gets ahead 2-2 and Hirayabu battles, fouling off 2 pitches before Miki freezes him on a change right down the middle.

Koga hits a foul fly!  Oosawa flanking the camera well makes the catch for the 2nd out!  Ootsubo the last chance!

And it's a comebacker to Miki!  He throws to 1st and Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi wins!

Interestingly, for some reason while this is still Koushien (just Haru instead of Natsu), most times teams aren't heartbroken at the end.  This time though Kakizawa is seen being a bit choked up.  He still has a chance at the summer though, so all home isn't lost.

Kendai's continued pressure on the bases finally got to Kamimura Gakuen early and often and rarely ever let the battery rest.  Meanwhile Miki's ability to challenge hitters kept Kamimura off guard for the majority of the game.  If they can continue to get baserunners and put pressure on teams, they may be a one to consider now for the title!

Well, here we are again.  And everything still applies.  Though my theory on Takasaki will be put to the test here in the replay.




No changes in either lineup.  So let's take the field and get it on!


LF  Matsui Akinori (#11)
CF  Shimizu Sadamitsu
SS  Nakazawa Shinya
1B  Kaneko Yuuki
RF  Tsukagoshi Riku
2B  Kuragane Kousuke
3B  Nakazato Shingo
C  Uchihori Yuuto
P  Shimada Satoshi

RF  Kume Masashi (#8)
2B  Fukui Shingo
LF  Hashimoto Daiki
3B  Fujiwara Ryuuji
CF  Yamaguchi Kenta (#9)
1B  Namazue Jyunki
SS  Hayashida Yuusuke (#15)
C  Tsusaka Jyun
P  Murata Teito

__________________________________________________

15:53 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Matsui is jammed and lines out to short.  Murata apparently like a fast pace too, but is approaching the batters differently it seems.  He doesn't get the call on a full count fastball low and walks Shimizu.

Nakazawa with a grounder to 3rd.  Fujiwara seem to pick and throw at the same time, get the runner at 2nd, but the relay is just late at 1st.

Kaneko with a scorcher down the 3rd base line... fair!  3B umpire Mino calls it fair as Fujiwara dives but can't get it!  Hashimoto runs it down at the wall, but Nakazawa is rounding 3rd and the throw home is cut off!  Takasaki with a timely hit leads 1-0!

And now Murata hits Tsukagoshi!  Murata's in a bit of a pinch now!

Kurogane with a single through the left side!  Takasaki's 3B coach wisely holds the runners.  Manrui!

But Nakazato grouns into a fielder's choice at 3rd and the inning is over.  But Takasaki puts some hits together and scores a run right off the bat!

Bottom 1st
Fukui with a grounder into the gap in left, and Nakazawa makes a great diving stop.  His throw is late, but it's a great play nonetheless!

Fujiwara with a drive to left center!  That falls in just before the wall!  Matsui runs it down, but not beofre Fujiwara's in with an RBI triple!  We're tied at 1-1!

Yamaguchi with a foul popup, but Nakazato's dive just misses!  However Shimada strikes him out swinging.  Though not before Oumi ties it up!

Top 2nd
A quick 1-2-3 inning for Murata and Oumi is back on the bats again.  I'm a bit tired, so there wasn't really much of mention here.

Bottom 2nd
One down and Hayashida gets lucky with a blooper that falls in just fair down the right field line.

Taga-kantoku calls for the bust-and-run, but Tsusaka grounds out to 2nd though does advance the runner.

But Shimada gets Murata on a slider and the runner is stranded on 2nd.

Top 3rd
The pace of the game today seems normal, so perhaps it was a rain thing.

Yet another quick inning.  Murata retires the side in 4 pitches.

Bottom 3th
Kume with a hard grounder at 3B, but Nakazato makes a great diving stop and throw for the out!

Fukui tests Nakazato again, but this time it's between his legs!  Hashimoto not bunting but does move the runner over with a grounder to short.

Fujiwara up, and he takes the ball the opposite way!  Tsukagoshi charges towards the line, but it falls in!  Another extra base RBI hit and Oumi now leads 2-1!

Yamaguchi pops out to sort, but Takasaki will have to turn to their offense.

Top 4th
Tsukagoshi with a single though the right side!  Leadoff man on for Takasaki!

And now Kurogane reaches down and drives one to left!  Hashimoto runs back... and it's over his head!  The ball goes all he way to the wall as Tsukagoshi rounds 3rd!  The throw is cutoff and Takasaki gets the douten run immediately!  2-2!!

Uchihori tries to foul one away, but it stays in play and Namazue make a great catch near the camera well.

Shimada tries the safety bunt, but Fujiwara has none of it and throws him out.  But Takasaki has offense somehow and ties the game!

Bottom 4th
Namazue with a base hit through the right side!  He's bunted along by Hayashida, and now Tsusaka with a grounder up the middle, and that's through!  Shimizu comes up throwing, but Namazue scores to give Oumi the lead right back at 3-2!

Murata fouls one behind home, Uchihori near the back screen has it, but drops it!  That proves costly as Murata singles to right!

Sakaihara-kantoku calls time as they can't let Oumi score more runs.

Kume with a grounder to the right side.  Kuragane goes to 2nd for one, but Kume beats out the throw to 1st!

And that hustle is rewarded as Fukui singles to right!  Tsusaka scores to make it 4-2!

The hit parade continues as Hashimoto singles through the right side plating another to make it 5-2.

Fujiwara with an instant replay to make it a 6-2 game.

And Yamaguchi becomes the 9th batter to step in this inning.  He flies out to right to end the inning, but Takasaki now has a big gap to come back from.

Top 5th
Two quick outs for Takasaki before Nakazawa singles back up the middle.

But Kaneko can't hold up his swing and strikes out to end the inning

Bottom 5th
Namazue loops one over Nakazawa for another base hit.  Hayashida bunts him over.

While that was the same, Shimada retires the next 2 batters.

So we head into the break with a 4-run deficit for Takasaki.  Given their offensive numbers, that's a lot to get back.

Top 6th
Kurogane gets his 3rd hit with a bunt single the stays fair down the 3rd base line!

Nakazato advances him on a chopper back to Murata.  But Uchihori grounds back to 2nd and that's the inning.

Bottom 6th
Kume's hard grounder to 3B eats up Nakazato and he's on with a single.  Kume takes off for 2nd, and is safe?  It seemed like they got the tag on him, but I'm also tired.

Fukui turns the tables back on Takasaki with a bunt single of his own!  He's 4-4 today!

Runners at the corners as Sakaihara-kantoku calls time.

Hashimoto grounds out to 1B.  Runners have to hold.

Fujiwara a HR away from the cycle, but he's unintentionally intentionally walked.

#17 Miyakita comes in for Yamaguchi and hits sac fly to center.  7-2 Oumi.

Namazue with a foul ball to the left side.  Nakazato gives chase and trips in to the camera well.  He's fine though.

Nakazue strikes out to end the inning, but the lead continues to widen.

Top 7th
#16 Tsuji comes in the game at CF for PH Miyakita

Matsui with a liner to center... Tsuji dives, and almost makes the play.  Runner on with 1 down here in the lucky 7.

Shimizu tries to line one over the infield, but Fukui makes the leaping grab. Nakazawa grounds into a fielder's choice for the 3rd out.

Bottom 7th
Hayashida with another grounder that eats up Nakazato.  But the next 2 batters are retired and Takasaki takes to the bats again.

Top 8th
Kurogane collects his 4th hit, a 2-out single back up the middle.  But PH #16 Asanuma grounds into a fielder's choice to 2nd and that's that.

Bottom 8th
Asanuma stays in the game in RF.  Tsukagoshi moves to 1B and Kaneko goes to 3B.

Shimada gets his first 1-2-3 inning of the game.  Last ups for his team here.

Top 9th
PH #7 Igarashi strikes out, but reaches base on a passed ball.  PH #13 Okamura grounds out to 1st.

Matsui also strikes out, but the ball gets away again and he reaches base!  Never seen two of those in 1 inning.  Taga-kantoku calls for time (and probably some order too).

Shimizu K's and this time can't advance.  2 down.

Nakazawa pops up to 1st and that's the game.  Takasaki was able to stay with Oumi in the early innings, but eventually Oumi pulled away.  Good job getting to Koushien, and I'm sure the many supporters, including the first team to make it are proud of you.  As for Oumi, a date with Kousei Gakuin awaits.

Our final game of the day features 2 teams who were one of the "last" teams to receive a bid, Oumi of Shiga-ken, and Takasaki of Gunma-ken.

Yes, Oumi and their powder blue uniforms are once again back at Koushien, though just.  They could have suffered a same fate as Souseikan in Kyushu after their 11-1 loss to Tenri (and after seeing Tenri's game yesterday, that's a pretty bad loss), if not for the fact that (a) the Kinki Region gets 6 bids instead of 4, and (b) Mizuguchi lost 15-3 to Riseisha and they lost to Oumi in the prefectural final, and while Naradai Fuzoku narrowly lost to Oumi, giving a bid to them instead would have meant that they would award 3 teams from Nara a bid - and Nara just isn't that good.

Remember what I said about a lot of teams before?  They apply here too.  Decent average, little power, and in their case - they don't steal many bases.  Pitching-wise, their main ace strikes out a batter every 2 innings and carries a respectable WHIP (~1.25).  He doesn't start all the games - in fact, #11 Yamada takes the hill to start when that happens, though he K's and BB's more batters.

Takasaki made it to the best 4 by defeating a pair of non-notable Toukaidai teams (Bouyou and Koufu) before losing to Sakushin Gakuin 6-3.  In the prefecturals, they had a quality win against Maebashi Ikuei.

Honestly, there's only two possible reasons why Takasaki is even in the tournament.  One is their ace Shimada who doesn't allow baserunners (0.89 WHIP), and the second, which I can't substantiate is their defense.

Because there is NO way their offense has anything to do with it.  None.

I can say this with almost 100% certainty because you should not be able to reach the semifinals of the Kanto Super-Regional with a team batting average of 0.237.

That's right 0.237.

Not only that, they don't take many walks and don't steal bases.  And yet, they scored 32 runs in 9 games.  That's better than the Mariners.  And they won 8 straight.  Go figure.

Needless to say, I'm highly interested to see Takasaki in this game.  Not to mention their uniforms which look like they've been taken from a train company.

LF  Matsui Akinori (#11)
CF  Shimizu Sadamitsu
SS  Nakazawa Shinya
1B  Kaneko Yuuki
RF  Tsukagoshi Riku
2B  Kuragane Kousuke
3B  Nakazato Shingo
C  Uchihori Yuuto
P  Shimada Satoshi

RF  Kume Masashi (#8)
2B  Fukui Shingo
LF  Hashimoto Daiki
3B  Fujiwara Ryuuji
CF  Yamaguchi Kenta (#9)
1B  Namazue Jyunki
SS  Hayashida Yuusuke (#15)
C  Tsusaka Jyun
P  Murata Teito

__________________________________________________

The rain continues to fall, and the ground is sloppy at best.  But they're going to get the 3rd game in no matter what it seems.  So those powder blue unis will be dark soon enough.

14:50 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Well, I guess if you have a bad BA, might as well try to get your hacks in on the first pitch strike.  Matsui is retired on a grounder to 3rd, and Shimizu on a fly to left.  Nakazawa takes a couple of pitches, but too flies out to left to end the inning.

Bottom 1st
Kume with a liner to center.  Shimizu slips!  But the ball comes right to him for the out!  How lucky!

Fukui can't check his swing on a 3-2 fastball running inside!  2 down.

Shimada doesn't get the call on a 2-2 fastball, and winds up walking Hashimoto.

Fujiwara with a ball to right center, Shimizu ranging to his left, dives, but the ball glances off his glove!  They have to chase it down, but Hashimoto stops at 3rd!

And that's lucky for Takasaki as Yamaguchi grounds to 3rd!  Nakazato makes the throw to first and the side is retired!

Top 2nd
Takasaki continuing their free-swinging style.  Kaneko with a hard hit ball back up the middle, but unlucky for him Murata deflects it right to Fukui to make the play.  Tsukagoshi almost gets lucky too when SS Hayashida almost drops the popup.  And Kurogane hits a solid liner, but it's to a drawn in Kume for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
Hm.  Namazue is caught looking on a change inside for the first out.

Hayashida, inserted into the lineup this game, bloops a ball just fair down the right field line.

But when Tsusaka grounds to 2nd, Kuragane starts the 4-6-3 double play and the inning is over!  Some good defense so far as expected from Takasaki.

Top 3rd
So about the pitchers.  Murata is pretty much no different than others we've seen.  Fastball in the low 130's, curve in the 110s.

And Takasaki continues to hack.  Nakazato grounds out to 3rd.  Uchihori first pitch swings and flies to left, and Shimada actually takes pitches!  He works the count full but flies out to right.

Murata thinks he has strike 3 on a 2-2 fastball to Shimada, but he doesn't get the call.  However he does get Shimada to fly out to right to end the inning.  When I get a chance I think I know what's going on.

Bottom 3rd
Oh jeez, the rain is back again and it's coming down hard.

Murata grounds to 2nd, and just about that time the rain comes down so hard you can hear it on the microphones!

And the umpires continue play?  The ground is barely playable!

Finally, when Shimada throws a wild pitch over everyone to fall behind Kume 3-0, the umpires call everyone in.

15:17 - Rain Delay (Radar suggests it's a passing cell, so it probably won't be cancelled)

Ok, so since I have a minute now, I'll explain what might be Takasaki's strategy.

It seems apparent that Takasaki's offense isn't good, but by the numbers we've seen that to be the case.

So.  That means you have to play good defense and have good pitching right?  Makes sense.

But what about the hacking at the plate?  Why would you swing away and shorten the game, especially if you can't hit?

Well, putting the ball in play (as long as it's not weak hits), means the defense has to play hard.  Continuing to hit the ball in play means that the defense is continually on the move, even if you're just backing up.

But usually you have time to take a break since batters aren't swinging on the first pitch.

(15:25 - The rain seems to have slowed down now from a downpour, but it's still raining and the field was already pretty saturated to begin with.)

In Takasaki's case they are.  So you're moving around constantly, and in the case of a 1-2-3 inning, going back and forth to and from the dugout.

So what if you're playing a game of endurance in a game of speed baseball?  If you're not in the best of condition, could it be that you get just a little sloppy later?

If all that is the case, (1) the ground conditions are not good for Takasaki because it can cause havoc with their defense, (2) the ground conditions aren't good for putting grounders in play due to their strategy because with the sloppy conditions it will slow the ball down, and (3) this break isn't good because it's allowing the Oumi players to rest.  They'd be better off having the game cancelled and starting over hoping to have better playing conditions and a better possibility of tiring the Oumi players out.

(15:29 - The head umpire comes out to talk about the field conditions with the stadium field staff.  And it looks like the field staff are removing the tarps from the mound and batters area.  And now a wheelbarrow of diamond dry is coming out.  Dude, that's NOT going to be enough. AND it's raining a bit stronger now, WTF are you guys doing??)

(15:32 - The tarp comes out again on the mound and batters box.  Good job guys...  Seriously, combine the rain yesterday with the rain today and while the field has better drainage, I don't think it's that good.)

(15:40 - The cameras zoom in on the tarp at home and the um... mud around it.  That can't be playable, can it?)

15:45 - The umpire comes out, walks to 1st... walks to 2nd... comes back home...


 And that's that.  It's still raining, the field is soaked, and the umpire calls it off.

This means there will be 4 games tomorrow.  Games will begin at 8:30 with Oumi-Takasaki playing the last game at 16:00, and probably the teams will switch home/away.

The game being called will benefit Takasaki as long as the field conditions are better.  (Which they should be.)

The teams go out to bow to their fans, and they gather up their stuff and head home to think about things for one more day.

Okay, now comes the test game for me.

Over the last couple of years, I made it no secret that Tenri was one of my favorite teams, if nothing else because I stayed there during my first and third trips there and they seemed like a powerhouse.  Yet, under closer inspection combined with recent results suggest that Tenri (and subsequently Nara as a whole) was a weaker prefecture that was dominated by 2 teams (Tenri and Chiben Gakuen).  Furthermore, Chiben Gakuen has supplanted Tenri at the top of the prefecture.

So Tenri has a lot to prove to everyone that they're still relevant (including myself).

Defensively, Tenri has always been solid.  Pitching has always been at least average, but offensively they seem to have issues.  Compounding the issue is that this team, despite being the Kinki Super-Regional runner-up, is more power starved than usual.  That'll definitely be a problem.

And they're facing Kanto quarterfinalists Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi.

Kendai broke through with their first summer appearance last year, and now have turned around and qualified for senbatsu.  Their watermark game was against Urawa Gakuin where they put up 7 runs.  However, they lost 11-7 and we don't quite know how good Urawa is just yet.

Kendai's offense numbers are better than that of Tenri, and even if strength of super-regionals are a push, that still gives an edge to Kendai.  On the mound, the teams appear to be a push with neither carrying a dominating ace.  Both Nakatani (Tenri) and Miki (Kendai) pitch to contact.

I expect this to be a close game, but the edge has to go to Kendai.

CF  Takeuchi Tsukasa
2B  Nakayama Keita
C  Nagasaka Kenya
3B  Uchida Ryouta
1B  Oosawa Yoshiyuki
RF  Kanbe Kazuki
LF  Kobayashi Ryuutarou
SS  Akiyama Kousuke
P  Miki Keita

CF  Higashihara Masahi
2B  Watase Yuuya
RF  Kimura Hide
SS  Yoshimura Kousuke
LF  Kuroda Kouta
3B Kumamoto Shuu (#14)
1B  Furuta Rui (#5)
P  Nakatani Keita
C  Yamagishi Masaki (#17)

__________________________________________________
11:15 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Takeuchi is a stubborm leadoff batter and takes 8 pitches before hitting a ball pas a diving SS.  He then proceeds to steal 2nd with little effort.  Tenri and Nakatani in a pinch early.

Nakayama tries to put the bunt down, but he free bunts foul and there's one out!

And now Takeuchi makes a mistake.  He's caught off 2nd when a ball goes in the dirt and is thrown out!  2 down!

Nakatani gets Nagasaka to strike out looking and the inning is over!

Bottom 1st
Higashihara with a walk to start the 1st!  Watase bunts him along and Tenri has a chance!

That gets compounded when Kimura's grounder to 2nd is booted and everyone's safe!

But now it's Tenri's turn to make a mistake as Kimura tries to steal 2nd and is thrown out easily!

Yoshimura strikes out looking to end the inning and it's missed opportunities on both sides!

Top 2nd
Nakatani goes back into the fire immediately as Uchida singles through the left side!  He steals 2nd easily, and now a single to right by Oosawa puts runners at the corners with no down!

Hashimoto-kantoku calls for time.

Tenri's pitching looks rather pedestrian right now.  Nakantani is hitting only the high 120s-low 130s along with what seems like a circle change in the high 90s-low 100s.

Kanbe gets the job done, and while he grounds into the 6-4-3 DP, Uchida scores and it's 1-0.

Oh?  Hashimoto-kantoku pulls Nakatani for #11 Yamamoto Tatsuya.  In looking at the conference plus the fast pull it looks like the team isn't quite sure of the game plan.  About the only thing that makes sense is that they're going with the righty.

But it seems to be of no use as Kobayashi drives a ball over Kimura's head and to the wall!  He quickly rounds the bases for a triple!

The announcers mention that he has a slow curve, and possibly a slider.  If his main secondary is a slow curve, I worry about Tenri's prospects.

Akiyama flies out to center to end the inning, but not before Kendai takes the lead!

Bottom 2nd
Miki continues to pitch well, recording two quick outs.  But Furuta puts an end to that as he takes one into the opposite field gap for a double!

From what I see, Miki has a fastball in the high 120s-low 130s, a slider in the low 120s and a change of some sort in the100s.

That's as much as they can get though as Tatsuya grounds to 3rd to end the inning.

Top 3rd
Quick inning for Yamamoto in relief.  Miki grounds to short, though he almost beats the throw while Takeuchi fouls out to 3B and Nakayama goes down on 3 straight.

Bottom 3rd
Last batter Yamagishi up, makes good control, but lines out to center.

Higashihara gets ahead 3-0, but allows Miki to pump in 2 strikes to fill the count.  Still, he manages to work a walk.  Wakase , unable to bunt hits the first ball back at Miki.  It deflects off his leg, but stays in front of him.  He throws out the runner at 1st and seems fine.

And Kimura, instead of testing to see Miki's delivery, swings at the first pitch and pops out to 2nd to end the inning.

Top 4th
Well, Tatsuya has settled down nicely.  He records his 2nd 1-2-3 inning against the heart of the Kendai order.  Location of pitches look good and the batters aren't making good contact.

Bottom 4th
Miki records his 2nd K of the game as cleanup batter Yoshimura swings on a letter-high pitch away.

Kurota lifts a ball up on the first pitch and Nagasaka barely moves to catch it.

And while Kumamoto hits a hard grounder that bounces off Uchida, his throw beats a diving Kumamoto (dang it, stop doing that!)

By the way, does anyone notice that Miki's pace seems faster than when the game started?

Top 5th
Tatsuya loses control of a pitch and hits Kanbe to start off the 5th.  But Aoyagi-kantoku doesn't have Kobayashi bunt.  Instead, he grounds to 1st, and Furuta goes to 2nd for the lead runner.

Instead, Akiyama bunts, but it's right at Tatsuya who goes to 2nd for the force again.

And this time, to eliminate the force, Akiyama immediately steals 2nd.  Meanwhile, Miki is patient at the plate and manages to earn a walk after the count ran full.  That means that we're back to the top of the order and Takeuchi.

But he grounds to 1st.  Furuta tosses to Tatsuya and the inning is over.

Bottom 5th
Furuta takes the first pitch through the left side and Tenri as their 2nd leadoff runner on.

And now Tatsuya is hit by a pitch!

Yamagishi lays down a bunt, Miki goes to cover it, but rolls over Oosawa and falls down!  His throw to 1st is late and everyone's safe with no down!

Higashihara lays down the squeeze!  The Kendai defense is off guard and Miki's only throw is to 1st.  Tenri gets their douten run out of the way!  1-1!

Wakase with a single to right!  Tatsuya comes home!  Yamagishi is WHY ARE YOU SENDING HIM HOME?????

The throw from Kanbe is in plenty of time to get Yamagishi... *sighs*

And Kimura flies out to left to end the inning.

Tenri does get their gyakuten run to lead 2-1, but with bases loaded with no out it seems like it should have been more.

Top 6th
Coming out of the break, Tatsuya walks Nakayama putting the douten run on immediately.

Nagasaka up now and, hey!  That's the Evangelion theme song again!  Whee!

Oh, Nagasaka strikes out swinging, but Nakayama makes it equivalent to a sac bunt by stealing 2nd.

Uchida with a single back up through the middle!  Higashihara with it but the throw home is cut off.  Kendai comes right back to tie the game at 2-2!

Oosawa with a drive to left center!  Higashihara back to the wall and makes the catch!  Could they be finally adjusting to Tatsuya?

Kanbe up and Uchida takes off for 2nd!  He's in safely!

But Tatsuya induces a groundout to 3rd from Kanbe to end the inning, but not before he gives up the lead they just got!

Bottom 6th
Yoshimura leads off the inning with a single back up the middle!  But Kurota isn't bunting and swings away!

However, he flies out to center.

And now Kumamoto grounds into the 5-4-3 double play to quickly kill the inning!

And does anyone notice that Miki is going slower now?

Top 7th
Kobayashi grounds one through the right side for a leadoff single.

Akiyama with a ball into the left center field gap!  Kurota over to field it and he bobbles it!  Kobayashi is heading to 3rd and now being sent home!  The throw home is late and he scores!  Kurota's bobble costs them as Kobayashi scores all the way from 1st!  3-2 Kendai!

Miki proceeds to bunt Akiyama along to try and secure an insurance run.

Tatsuya throws it away!  He throws it inside when Yamagishi was looking for something away and now Kendai leads 4-2!

Nakayama hits a grounder to 2nd, but Watase boots it!  He can't recover and the inning continues!

Meanwhile, Tatsuya appears to be laboring.  His balls are falling short, and now Nakayama steals 2nd!

Grounder to short and now Yoshimura misplays it!  Nakamura scores to make it 5-2!

Uchida with a solid shot through the left side and I think they've gotten to Tatsuya now.

The inning finally ends when Uchida grounds out to short.  But Kendai retakes the lead in their lucky 7 and now Tenri's offense must find a way to get those runs back.

Bottom 7th
Fortunate start for Tenri in their lucky 7 as a grounder to short by Furuta is mishandled. But Tatsuya swings away on the first pitch and fouls out to Oosawa.

And what seemed like a fortunate start goes kaput quickly as Yamagishi grounds to Miki who then initiates the 1-6-3 double play.

Top 8th
Tatsuya was about to have a quick 1-2-3 inning, but Akiyama got stubborn fouling off pitch after pitch before finally grounding to short to end the inning.  Still though, they hold the lead.

Bottom 8th
Tenri gets a baserunner as Watase hits a high chopper over the mound.  Akiyama goes to field it, but loses the ball on the transfer and Watase is safe on the infield hit.

However, Kimura grounds to 3rd.  Uchida throws to 2nd, Nakayama makes the turn and throw just as he's taken out and they get the double play!

Top 9th
One down and top batter Takeuchi tests the defense by laying down a bunt.  The throw from Kumamoto is late and he's on safely.

And now Takeuchi takes off for 2nd and just slides in safely!

Aoyagi-kantoku then starts the hit-and-run and Nakayama lines one to right!  Takeuchi easily scores to make it 6-2.

Hashimoto-kantoku pulls the hook on Tatsuya and puts in #12 Urushihara.

His first batter Nagasaka tries to lay the bunt down, but pops it up!  Urushihara runs to the first base line... and drops it!  It's fair, his throw is late, and everyone's safe!!

Uchida follows that with a single to right!  That scores Nakayama and it's now 7-2.

Oosawa with the squeeze!  Urushihara's only play is to 1st and now its 8-2!  The game has completely gotten away from Hashimoto-kantoku.

And with one strike on Kanbe, Aoyagi-kantoku sends in #16 Takasugi.  And he hits one through the left side!  Uchida scores and they're now ahead 9-2.

#15 Morinaga comes in for Takasugi, and steals 2nd!

But the inning mercifully comes to an end as Kobayashi flies to center.

Bottom 9th
#14 Kouno comes in for Morinaga and takes over in RF.

Yoshimura with a liner to center, Takeuchi dives and misses the ball!  It rolls out to the wall as Yoshimura comes into 3rd!

#10 Sekiya comes to PH for Kurota and drives one to left!  Kobayashi goes back to the wall and the field holds it in.  Yoshimura scores to make it 9-3.

#3 Inabetsu comes in for Kumamoto, but pops out to 2nd.  2 down.

And Furuta grounds out to short.  The throw from Akiyama is wide, but Oosawa makes the tag to end the game.

Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi wins in a runaway 9-3 over Tenri.  They dominated in just about every stage of the game, but most importantly, they dominated on the mound.  Tenri didn't have a solid ace on the mound, couldn't hit and even had troubles on the field.  That combined led to the eventual rout.