Two more to go...
Kagawa
Kagawa may still be in a down cycle. Natsu representative Marugame couldn't get out of the first game, falling to Sakaide 12-3. Interestingly, this is a case where the team defeating the summer representative actually delivers. They edged by both Tonoshou (9-8 in 10), then Jinsei Gakuen (7-6) before getting an "easy win" over Takamatsu Dai-ichi 7-3 to secure their appearance in the super-regionals.
They will play Eimei in the finals for fall bragging rights. Eimei did not concede a run until their quarterfinal game against Marugame Jyousai, then outlasted Kagawa Nishi 7-6 in 12 innings.
As noted, Takamatsu Dai-ichi and Kagawa Nishi will play for the 3rd spot.
Tokushima
Naruto may be back on the rebuilding path as they can only get to the quarterfinals before falling to Ikeda in 12 innings after rallying from down 4-1.
Naruto Uzushio, a possible candidate to replace them, actually had fallen a round earlier to Itano 3-2. And with Tokushima Shougyou failing late to Kaifu 10-7 also in the quarterfinals, it opened things up for the final 4 with no main threat.
Ikeda may be building back up to being a Tokushima powerhouse, but they haven't gotten there yet it seems. They fell behind unknown Seikou Gakuen 3-0 early and couldn't recover falling 3-2 and being sent to the 3rd place game.
The other team looking to break through in recent years is Komatsushima. And it seemed like they would have a great opportunity to win the fall with the other major competitors gone. And after outlasting Kaifu 5-4 they guaranteed themselves at least a spot in the Super-regionals.
With Ikeda going to the consolation game, the prospects looked bleak for Kaifu. Indeed, Ikeda's ace (Myouzai?) pitched a complete game no-hitter sending Ikeda to a spot in the super-regionals.
In the final it was all Komatsushima going out to a 7-0 lead. And it would have been all theirs if the game lasted 7 innings. Because ace Matori completely fell apart in the final 2 innings, giving up 2 in the 8th and then 5 in the 9th sending the game into enchousen.
Apparently there would be no relief for the ace, and that would prove costly because in the 12th Seikou Gakuen would complete the comeback claiming their 2nd fall title!
Ehime
Anraku didn't look right at Natsu Koushien, and after Saibi's loss in the first round of the prefecturals to Saijyou 4-2, something had to be up. Now we know that Anraku probably had an injury that finally was reported (which I'm sure the MLB teams are all up at arms about because after all he'll end up being their property...)
Anyways, that opened the prefecture to the rest of the field who may have thought that there was no hope at all.
Sadly though, even though it opened up it only really did for the other powerhouses. Saijyou and Imabari Nishi were not challenged to the title game. In that final, Saijyou had a 5-1 lead late, allowed Imabari to tie the game with 4 in the 8th before avoiding extras with 3 in the 9th to claim their 15th title.
Touon would battle Teikyou Dai-go for the final spot, but sadly couldn't compete. They would give up runs in just 2 innings, but were mercy ruled 7-0 in 8 innings.
Kochi
Kochi belonged to Meitoku Gijyuku, by a wide margin. Despite losing a majority of their natsu roster, they still had ace Kishi - and that's a big plus. Kishi's closest game was a 5-2 win over Ootemae in the semifinals. That would be before a 17-3 win over Kochi Higashi Kougyou in the finals.
Where was Kochi and Kochi Shougyou? Kochi was actually shutout by Kochi Higashi Kougyou 4-0 in the quarterfinals. Kochi Shougyou actually lost 3-2 to Kochi Higashi in the 2nd round. Kochi Higashi actually made it to the semifinals before losing to Kochi Higashi Kougyou. They could not however reach the super-regionals as Ootemae would defeat them 7-3 to claim the last spot.
Showing posts with label Kochi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kochi. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
7/27 Title Games
And now for those that happened on the 27th:
Higashi Tokyo - Shuutoku (5th title, 1st in 9 years)
I realize I'm cheating in covering Higashi Tokyo, but for a reason.
Almost no one (Teikyou) was able to stop Shuutoku.
No one.
How bad was it for the field? Well, Shuutoku in their 8 games had 2 non-mercy rule games - their 4-2 defeat of Teikyou, and the final (which has no mercy rule).
But Teikyou did have the best shot at Shuutoku. In fact, they had the 2-1 lead through 6 innings. But as is the case - and will always be the case until they prove me otherwise - until they can develop an ace, they will never win Koushien. And so it was that Teikyou would give up 3 runs in the final 3 innings to fall 4-2. That would be the best shot any team would have at stopping them.
Credit should be given though where credit is due. All of the other seeded teams at the edges of the bracket advanced to the semifinals. #2 Nishougakushadai Fuzoku did not dominate at all, save for the semifinal where they defeated #3 Kanto Dai-ichi who save for a narrow win over Adachi Gakuen did dominate the field (Hope you caught all that). And finally, Tokyo Jitsygyou who out of nowhere won their 4 games as the #4 seed location on the bracket to reach the semifinals where they, like many, got mercy ruled.
Chiba - Kisaradzu Sougou (4th title, 2nd consecutive)
Chiba breaks my heart so hard, I really don't want to talk about it. Not that it probably wasn't expected, but that my hopes were brought up really high, only to have them crushed like a spider on the heel of someone's shoe.
Despite 171 teams playing in the Chiba taikai, out of the 16 seeded teams, 10 were able to advance to the Round of 16. Some of the notable casualties? Choushi Shougyou, Shigakukan, and Kashiwa Nittai.
Now, the reason why I cannot be unbiased really regarding Chiba is the fact that I am unapologetic in rooting for Narashino. They're a public school who consistently does well and has been good enough to break through and get to Koushien on several occasions.
However, despite my homerism, I'm still a realist at heart (okay, pessimist). I knew Narashino wasn't as good this year, and was a B (5-8) seed for the summer taikai. But, they did make it into the round of 16 and that was a start. A solid 5-2 win over unseeded Nichidai Narashino wasn't convincing, but they were still alive. Next up was C (9-16) seed Narita. I remember seeing the end part of that game, Narashino trailing 5-3. Somehow, and I still can't believe it, Narashino comes back to score a pair of runs to tie the game. 3 innings later, they win the game and I'm running around at home hooting and hollering. Perhaps it may still be their year after all. And when they soundly defeat a Toukaidai Bouyou squad who was a bit inconsistent but still cut their way through the field, it was just one more game. One more game to win and Narashino will get back to Koushien!
On the other side, things did not as clear. Only Senshuudai Matsudo, Kisaradzu Sougou and Takushokudai Kouryou were left of the seeded teams. The former and latter would meet in the quarterfinals, and A seed Senshuudai would win... 1-0. That would put them in a matchup against Kisaradzu Sougou who had easy games versus unseeded Ryuukeidai Kashiwa and Keiyou.
In that semi Kisaradzu Sougou held the 2-1 lead going to the top of the 9th. But top seed Senshuudai failed to give in scoring the douten run to send it into extras. As the innings ticked off, it became clear that Matsudo's ace Takahashi looked finished. In the 11th inning the sayonara run stood at 2nd, in the 12th he fought off a sanrui, 1 out pinch. Then in the 13th, after yet again facing sanrui, 1 out pinch then intentional walks to load the bases (again), Takahashi almost gets out of the pinch, but with 2 down it's a full count oshidashi sayonara walk to send Kisaradzu Sougou to the finals yet again. For Senshuudai Matsudo, it's their 3rd straight year being eliminated in enchousen.
So the finals were B seeds Narashino and defending champion Kisaradzu Sougou. I wound up missing the game because I forgot about the early start time.
Perhaps it would have been a good thing.
See, Narashino jumped out to a 4-1 lead after a 3-run 2nd. Things looked good, and my earlier concerns about Narashino's pitching (from the Narita game) were waning.
But ace Matsuyama (who came in the 2nd inning) to reliever relief starter Matsumoto, faltered. Kisaradzu would sclore 4 in the 4th to take the lead and then 1 more an inning later for a 6-4 lead. Narashino would be scrambling after that, reclaiming one back in the 7th.
That's as close as they'd get as Chiba would be able to finish the game giving his team their 2nd straight title (and breaking my heart).
Yamanashi - Hikawa (4th title, 1st in 3 years)
Oh how I longed for Nihon Koukuu (aka Japan Aviation Academy) to return to Koushien. But since their appearance in 2008, have kind of fallen off the map, despite being seeded several times.
This year, they were not only unseeded, but buried in the bottom of the bracket.
The early leader in the clubhouse was Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku, who won 2 of the last 4 Natsu titles and posted double digit wins in their first two games. All the other teams at least had one game where they were tested - even the other 1-4 seeds. Toukaidai Koufu had to hold off Koufu Shougyou 7-6, Hikawa despite getting just 8 hits against Tsuru won 2-1, and Fujikawaguchiko flat out lost giving up a 4-2 lead in a 5-4 loss to Koufu Jyousai.
The only other team to have any type of blowout was actually Nihon Koukuu! But they're not the pretty type of blowouts. They're the ones where they just decide to outscore you, pitching be damned. For after an innocent looking 7-3 win over Shirane, they go 13-7 and 13-6 (8 inn) there after. Certainly a valid strategy, but one that generally doesn't work as you move up.
But, when faced with Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku, they were able to get out to a 5-1 lead! With just 3 outs to go, the Nihon Koukuu kantoku elects to move ace Tanaka off the mound for Nakano to get the last 3 outs.
Except he doesn't. He gives up 4 runs tying the game! He would get bailed out big time by cleanup batter Ishida whose 2nd hit of the game is of the sayonara variety. Headed to the semifinals, they'd face the other top seed in their half of the bracket, Toukaidai Koufu who had to rally from down 5-2 to defeat Minobu. Despite that close game, Toukaidai would build a 7-3 lead... only to see Nihon Koukuu score a gyakuten 6 runs in the 7th for a 9-7 win and a chance for the Yamanashi title!
Going back to the other half, upset minded Koufu Jyousai's run lasted just one more game as they fell 5-0 to Sundai Koufu. Meanwhile, Koma was giving Hikawa fits as they led 3-0. Hikawa though would fight back like quality teams would and win 4-3. And in the semifinals it was a rare 9-1 blowout to move to the finals.
And so it was that Nihon Koukuu would play Hikawa for the Yamanashi title. In the end, Nihon Koukuu outrun strategy would fail as their offense struggled against ace Yamada, only putting up more than 1 run in an inning in the 9th, when the game was already out of reach. Hikawa wins 8-5 to claim the title.
Wakayama - Minoshima (8th title, 1st in 29 years)
With Wakayama it was always was going to be a question of how Chiben Wakayama was going to win their nth straight title (9th in this case).
Or was it? During Chiben Wakayama's run at Natsu Koushien, they reached the semifinals once and the Best 8 three times. However, all but one occurred in the first 3 years of that run. In more recent years, Chiben Wakayama has seemed to weaken, even failing to win their first game 2 of the last 3 years. It's really attributed to growing weaknesses both at the plate and on the mound. Last year, 3 of their 5 games to the title were decided by 2 runs or less - hardly the mark of a dynastic team.
So perhaps it was no surprise then when in the 2nd round Kihoku Kougyou, behind the HR from Horita and a solid outing from ace Nakai, would dethrone the 8-time defending champions 2-1 (though perhaps the school performing the feat may have been a surprise).
Now the question was, who would take their place?
It wasn't going to be Kihoku Kougyou. Despite handing the ball off to Nakai with a 3-2 lead through 4, he would give up 4 runs (most importantly 2 in the 9th) to fall 6-5 to Wakayama Higashi in the block final (remember that Wakayama has 4 blocks which then redraw for the semifinals).
Realistically, the team that has risen most to challenge Chiben Wakayama in recent years has been Minoshima. In first started in their first appearance in any Koushien in 19 years, where they went to the quarterfinals of the 2009 senbatsu before losing to eventual champions Seihou.
Of course, that was 4 years ago and they haven't been back since. The team has suffered through fits of inconsistency, but over the past year split a series with them with both games going by the final of 2-1.
Some inconsistency remained as put up a rather average 4-1 win over Kenritsu Wakayama Shougyou in the 2nd round. But they still advanced out of their block.
The other would-be contenders would be seeded Minabe out of Block B, and surprise team Hidaka Nakatsu who after a strong 2 games upset seeded Kinkidai Shinguu then held off Minabe Ryuujin 9-6 to advance out of Block C.
The semifinal draw would not be kind for Wakayama Higashi as they drew Minoshima and proceeded to fall 8-0. For Minabe, a 5-run first helped provide a cushion for starter Matsuda as they would defeat Hidaka Nakatasu 8-5.
And so Minabe would be the final opponent standing between Minoshima and their first appearance in almost 3 decades. Sadly for Minabe, they were not able to put up a fight and lost 10-1. A bit of a sad way to lose in the final, but congrats of course go out to the new champions Minoshima!
Tottori - Tottori Jyouhoku (3rd appearance, 2nd consecutive)
Despite just having 25 teams, it was not good to be a seeded team.
Why?
Because 3 of the 4 seeded teams - Yonago Kita, Iwami, and Kurayoshi Sougou Sangyou, all lost in their first games! Yonago Kita was soundly defeated by defending champs Tottori Jyouhoku (who wasn't seeded!), Iwami was done in by a sole RBI from Yonago Shouin's Tsuchie, and despite more chances for Kurayoshi Sougou Sangyou thanks to walks from Tottori Nishi's ace Mastuoka, Tottori Nishi would get to reliever Sawada as he entered in the 10th for the sayonara victory.
Tottori Jyouhoku's only challenge on their way to the final was in semifinal opponent Kurayoshi Higashi. Ace Uehara struggled in the game, giving up 3 runs after his team had just taken a 2-0 lead. But reliever Fukuiwa would clamp things down for Tottori Jyouhoku as they would eventually get to Higashi ace Tamagawa for 3 more runs, knocking him out of the game. Itou would clamp things down there after, and Kurayoshi Higashi would get a run off of Fukuiwa in the 8th... but Uehara would come back in the 9th and close it out for the 5-4 win and a spot in the finals.
On the other half, the 2 prior champions to Tottori Jyouhoku wound up advancing through the brackets. 2010 champion Yazu had no problems reaching the semis with 2 sound victories. Conversely, 2011 winner Tottori Shougyou needed 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Tottori Ikuei 3-2, and then after blowing a 3-0 lead to aforementioned Tottori Nishi, scored 2 in the bottom of the 8th to win 5-3.
Perhaps playing from the lead was something Tottori Shougyou was unable to do this year, because in the semifinal, they had a 4-1 lead over Yazu heading to the top of the 9th. There Yazu would score 5 runs to take a 6-4 lead, leaving Tottori Shougyou almost no time to rally. Indeed they would fail to come back and Yazu would be in the final.
In the final, Yazu and Tottori Jyouhoku would trade blows several times, leaving the teams tied at 2 after the first 3, then again at 5 after 7. However, reliever Kamatani for Yazu would break down in his 5th inning of work giving up 3 runs in the 8th inning.
That would prove to be too much as Tottori Jyouhoku would claim their 2nd consecutive title.
Tokushima - Naruto (8th title, 2nd consecutive)
In Tokushima there seemed no clear front-runner for the title. Even the top tier teams struggled at some point in the tournament.
Defending champion Naruto even suffered from it as well. Despite the first round bye and 6-2 opening win over Tomioka Nishi, they played a Tokushima Kagaku Gijyutsu squad who blew a 5-run lead to Awa only to win 10-8, then down 3-0 in the bottom of the 9th, came back to tie off Jyounouchi ace Yanagimoto and then win in 10.
In that game Bandou would be stung for 4 runs in the 7th, falling behind 4-2. However, Naruto would recover quickly scoring 3 in their 7th and 2 more for good measure in the 8th to win 7-4.
The next challenge would be Naruto Uzushio, who blew past their first 2 opponents before hitting resurging Ikeda. They slowly were able to overcome a 5-run 3rd, getting to every one of Ikeda's 4 pitchers they would throw out there, winning 6-5.
Both pitching staffs would be rocked early, with Naruto taking a 6-5 lead after 2. From then on though, Bandou would keep Uzushio at bay just enough to make that lead stick winning 8-7 for a spot in the finals.
On the other side, many teams were under the banner of survive and advance. For Seikou Gakuen, after an easy first round, ace Tokuda almost let a 4-1 lead slip away against Anan Tousen, but won 4-3. After that, they trailed Aratano 5-2 before scoring 4 runs in the final 2 innings to tie the game up at 6. Aratano reliever Fukuzumi was anything but, relinquishing the 5-1 lead then giving up 5 more in the 10th for an 11-6 loss.
They would face a Kawashima team who beat Tokushima Kita in the opening round 3-1, upset powerhouse Tokushima Shougyou 3-2 in the next round, and then if that weren't enough, outlasting Komatsushima 4-3 in 13 innings!
Interstingly enough, the semifinal game would be a cakewalk compared to their previous games. Ace Ueda would make a 4-run 4th stick, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits for a 5-3 win.
But for Kawashima, facing Naruto for their first title would be a lot to ask. Indeed, after giving up 5 runs in the first two innings, it was a formality thereafter.
Ehime - Saibi (4th title, 1st in 5 years)
All eyes in Ehime would be on Saibi and ace Anraku. Given his performance at Senbatsu, many were eager to see him at Natsu Koushien.
Jyoukou-kantoku continued to take no chances, throwing Anraku out there in every game save for the last two outs of their win against Matsuyama Chuo. Saibi would outclass their opponents early with Anraku giving up just 1 run on 11 hits while striking out 29 in 20.1 IP.
So the question would be, who could challenge them?
Well, #4 seed Tanbara actually got shutout by Imabari Kita 5-0. Filling the gap would be Kawanoe, who themselves had 3 mercy rule games to meet Yawatahama in the quarterfinals. And despite just 1 run on 5 hits, the tandem of Oonishi and Doi would give up just 3 hits and strike out 16 Yawatahama batters to win 1-0 to meet Saibi.
In that semifinal, a timely hit by Takahara and an error from Saibi gave Kawanoe a 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, Oonishi and Doi were shutting down the Saibi offense and things started to look bleak.
But Kawanoe's kantoku had pulled Oonishi after 2.2 IP, and Doi was trying to finish the game. But Yamashita blasted a HR in the 8th to pull them within 1. And in the 9th, he would relinquish the lead with RBI hits from Kaneko and Hayashi Kanya. Senba would get the last 2 outs of the inning, but the damage had been done. Anraku closed it out for the win.
So, who would be the last barrier between Anraku and Natsu Koushien?
Well, despite Tanbara's loss, both #2 Imabari Nishi and #3 Matsuyama Seiryou both marched towards the semifinals. Both though faced a different challenge in the quarterfinals. Imabari Nishi played Touon and despite getting just 4 hits, won 2-0. As for Matsuyama Seiryou, instead of a pitching affair they were in a brawl with Niihama Higashi using 5 runs in the 6th and 7th to win 13-9.
So #2 and #3 would meet to face Saibi. Ace Kanno for Imabari Nishi would give them a 1-0 lead with his only hit of the ballgame. But it would be all he would need as he pitches a 3-hit shutout to move to the finals.
Imabari Nishi would try to implement a rotation of Kanno and Ishigaki on the mound for the finals, but Kanno was rocked right off the bat for 4 runs in 1+ innings of work. While the rotation would give up just 1 run thereafter, it was too late. Anraku would allow Imabari Nishi to pull within 2, but that would be as close as they would get, meaning that Saibi and Anraku would return to Koushien once again!
Kochi - Meitoku Gijyuku (15th title, 4th consecutive)
It was not business as usual in Kochi, despite the 2 teams who wound up in the final. Not sure what is going on, but it almost signifies a loss of talent among the upper teams.
Why do I say that? Well, Tosa lost right off the bat to Kochi Minami 6-0. Now, one might say, "that's not terrible, Tosa was a decent team sure, but not one who was one of the powerhouses."
Sure, I could go with that, but following that Kochi Shougyou lost in the 2nd round after ace Uemoto collapses in the 8th inning, giving up 3 runs to Kochi Nougyou and losing 3-2.
"Okay, Kochi Nougyou got lucky in one inning. Still not necessarily a big deal."
Well, what about the fact that while Kochi and Meitoku Gijyuku did manage to advance, their victories were not as sweeping as one might think?
Kochi's 2nd round win over Kochi Nishi 7-1 was helped by a 4-run 8th. Meitoku actually trailed Kochi Kougyou before a 5-run 6th distanced themselves enough to win 7-3. Move onto the quarterfinals, and Kochi started reliever Sakai against Sukumo Kougyou. Having just gone up 4-0 through 7, Sakai falters almost giving up the entire lead. Ace Sakamoto has to come in to shut the door advancing 4-3. Meitoku had no such luxury facing Okou, who is probably on the same level as Tosa. Kishi though gives up 2 early runs leaving them to chase. And while a 2-run 5th would be enough, it would be just enough as Okou would keep it close falling by the same 4-3 score.
Now, both teams would actually win their semifinals with relative ease (at least compared to the games above). Nakamura would fall to Kochi 5-1, while Kochi Chuo (who in their 2nd round game against Yusuhara trailing 3-0 going into the final 3 innings would score 10 runs to send the game into enchousen, winning 1 inning later!) would be shutout by Kishi & Ogata 6-0.
Kochi would turn to Sakai again to start the game against Meitoku Gijyuku and ace Kishi. And while he was able to go head-to-head for a little while, he would give up a run in the 5th and another in the 7th. That would be all Kishi would need, though he survived the 9th to win 2-1 and give his team their 4th consecutive Natsu title!
Fukuoka - Jiyuugaoka (1st appearance)
When block play finally ended on the 14th, the likes of Jiyuugaoka, Kurume Shougyou and Teikyou Dai-go all joined the field in the 2nd stage.
In the second stage, the story early on was Moji Gakuen. Facing unknown Fukushou, they fritter away a 3-1 lead in the last 2 innings, head into extras, and down 4-3 in the 10th they score 2 to win. Then against Fukuoka Koudai Jyoutou this happened. Talk about comeback kids.
It perhaps looked like they'd do it again in the semifinals against Nanchiku, tying the game late and going into extras. Nanchiku for their part, had just upset Higashi-Fukuoka. But when Doi gave up a run in the 11th, Moji couldn't find anything left in the tank as they fell 3-2.
On the other half, everyone who advanced had blowouts save for Jiyuugaoka who had to play Kurume Shougyou and escaped with a 5-3 win. After that was a quarterfinal game against Jiyuugaoka. And much like Moji Gakuen had done in the 2nd stage, they staged a comeback in the bottom of the 9th for 2 runs to send Teikyou Dai-go home falling short yet again. Their opponent in the semifinals would be Kyusandai Kyushu who mercy-ruled Tobata and Yuusei to get there. Still, against a upper level team, they would fall short losing 6-1, setting tup the final matchup.
And perhaps as expected Nanchiku would give up quick runs early and was not in contention. Jiyuugaoka would go on to win 9-1. What surprised me the most was that it was their first ever title!
Higashi Tokyo - Shuutoku (5th title, 1st in 9 years)
I realize I'm cheating in covering Higashi Tokyo, but for a reason.
Almost no one (Teikyou) was able to stop Shuutoku.
No one.
How bad was it for the field? Well, Shuutoku in their 8 games had 2 non-mercy rule games - their 4-2 defeat of Teikyou, and the final (which has no mercy rule).
But Teikyou did have the best shot at Shuutoku. In fact, they had the 2-1 lead through 6 innings. But as is the case - and will always be the case until they prove me otherwise - until they can develop an ace, they will never win Koushien. And so it was that Teikyou would give up 3 runs in the final 3 innings to fall 4-2. That would be the best shot any team would have at stopping them.
Credit should be given though where credit is due. All of the other seeded teams at the edges of the bracket advanced to the semifinals. #2 Nishougakushadai Fuzoku did not dominate at all, save for the semifinal where they defeated #3 Kanto Dai-ichi who save for a narrow win over Adachi Gakuen did dominate the field (Hope you caught all that). And finally, Tokyo Jitsygyou who out of nowhere won their 4 games as the #4 seed location on the bracket to reach the semifinals where they, like many, got mercy ruled.
Chiba - Kisaradzu Sougou (4th title, 2nd consecutive)
Chiba breaks my heart so hard, I really don't want to talk about it. Not that it probably wasn't expected, but that my hopes were brought up really high, only to have them crushed like a spider on the heel of someone's shoe.
Despite 171 teams playing in the Chiba taikai, out of the 16 seeded teams, 10 were able to advance to the Round of 16. Some of the notable casualties? Choushi Shougyou, Shigakukan, and Kashiwa Nittai.
Now, the reason why I cannot be unbiased really regarding Chiba is the fact that I am unapologetic in rooting for Narashino. They're a public school who consistently does well and has been good enough to break through and get to Koushien on several occasions.
However, despite my homerism, I'm still a realist at heart (okay, pessimist). I knew Narashino wasn't as good this year, and was a B (5-8) seed for the summer taikai. But, they did make it into the round of 16 and that was a start. A solid 5-2 win over unseeded Nichidai Narashino wasn't convincing, but they were still alive. Next up was C (9-16) seed Narita. I remember seeing the end part of that game, Narashino trailing 5-3. Somehow, and I still can't believe it, Narashino comes back to score a pair of runs to tie the game. 3 innings later, they win the game and I'm running around at home hooting and hollering. Perhaps it may still be their year after all. And when they soundly defeat a Toukaidai Bouyou squad who was a bit inconsistent but still cut their way through the field, it was just one more game. One more game to win and Narashino will get back to Koushien!
On the other side, things did not as clear. Only Senshuudai Matsudo, Kisaradzu Sougou and Takushokudai Kouryou were left of the seeded teams. The former and latter would meet in the quarterfinals, and A seed Senshuudai would win... 1-0. That would put them in a matchup against Kisaradzu Sougou who had easy games versus unseeded Ryuukeidai Kashiwa and Keiyou.
In that semi Kisaradzu Sougou held the 2-1 lead going to the top of the 9th. But top seed Senshuudai failed to give in scoring the douten run to send it into extras. As the innings ticked off, it became clear that Matsudo's ace Takahashi looked finished. In the 11th inning the sayonara run stood at 2nd, in the 12th he fought off a sanrui, 1 out pinch. Then in the 13th, after yet again facing sanrui, 1 out pinch then intentional walks to load the bases (again), Takahashi almost gets out of the pinch, but with 2 down it's a full count oshidashi sayonara walk to send Kisaradzu Sougou to the finals yet again. For Senshuudai Matsudo, it's their 3rd straight year being eliminated in enchousen.
So the finals were B seeds Narashino and defending champion Kisaradzu Sougou. I wound up missing the game because I forgot about the early start time.
Perhaps it would have been a good thing.
See, Narashino jumped out to a 4-1 lead after a 3-run 2nd. Things looked good, and my earlier concerns about Narashino's pitching (from the Narita game) were waning.
But ace Matsuyama (who came in the 2nd inning) to reliever relief starter Matsumoto, faltered. Kisaradzu would sclore 4 in the 4th to take the lead and then 1 more an inning later for a 6-4 lead. Narashino would be scrambling after that, reclaiming one back in the 7th.
That's as close as they'd get as Chiba would be able to finish the game giving his team their 2nd straight title (and breaking my heart).
Yamanashi - Hikawa (4th title, 1st in 3 years)
Oh how I longed for Nihon Koukuu (aka Japan Aviation Academy) to return to Koushien. But since their appearance in 2008, have kind of fallen off the map, despite being seeded several times.
This year, they were not only unseeded, but buried in the bottom of the bracket.
The early leader in the clubhouse was Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku, who won 2 of the last 4 Natsu titles and posted double digit wins in their first two games. All the other teams at least had one game where they were tested - even the other 1-4 seeds. Toukaidai Koufu had to hold off Koufu Shougyou 7-6, Hikawa despite getting just 8 hits against Tsuru won 2-1, and Fujikawaguchiko flat out lost giving up a 4-2 lead in a 5-4 loss to Koufu Jyousai.
The only other team to have any type of blowout was actually Nihon Koukuu! But they're not the pretty type of blowouts. They're the ones where they just decide to outscore you, pitching be damned. For after an innocent looking 7-3 win over Shirane, they go 13-7 and 13-6 (8 inn) there after. Certainly a valid strategy, but one that generally doesn't work as you move up.
But, when faced with Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku, they were able to get out to a 5-1 lead! With just 3 outs to go, the Nihon Koukuu kantoku elects to move ace Tanaka off the mound for Nakano to get the last 3 outs.
Except he doesn't. He gives up 4 runs tying the game! He would get bailed out big time by cleanup batter Ishida whose 2nd hit of the game is of the sayonara variety. Headed to the semifinals, they'd face the other top seed in their half of the bracket, Toukaidai Koufu who had to rally from down 5-2 to defeat Minobu. Despite that close game, Toukaidai would build a 7-3 lead... only to see Nihon Koukuu score a gyakuten 6 runs in the 7th for a 9-7 win and a chance for the Yamanashi title!
Going back to the other half, upset minded Koufu Jyousai's run lasted just one more game as they fell 5-0 to Sundai Koufu. Meanwhile, Koma was giving Hikawa fits as they led 3-0. Hikawa though would fight back like quality teams would and win 4-3. And in the semifinals it was a rare 9-1 blowout to move to the finals.
And so it was that Nihon Koukuu would play Hikawa for the Yamanashi title. In the end, Nihon Koukuu outrun strategy would fail as their offense struggled against ace Yamada, only putting up more than 1 run in an inning in the 9th, when the game was already out of reach. Hikawa wins 8-5 to claim the title.
Wakayama - Minoshima (8th title, 1st in 29 years)
With Wakayama it was always was going to be a question of how Chiben Wakayama was going to win their nth straight title (9th in this case).
Or was it? During Chiben Wakayama's run at Natsu Koushien, they reached the semifinals once and the Best 8 three times. However, all but one occurred in the first 3 years of that run. In more recent years, Chiben Wakayama has seemed to weaken, even failing to win their first game 2 of the last 3 years. It's really attributed to growing weaknesses both at the plate and on the mound. Last year, 3 of their 5 games to the title were decided by 2 runs or less - hardly the mark of a dynastic team.
So perhaps it was no surprise then when in the 2nd round Kihoku Kougyou, behind the HR from Horita and a solid outing from ace Nakai, would dethrone the 8-time defending champions 2-1 (though perhaps the school performing the feat may have been a surprise).
Now the question was, who would take their place?
It wasn't going to be Kihoku Kougyou. Despite handing the ball off to Nakai with a 3-2 lead through 4, he would give up 4 runs (most importantly 2 in the 9th) to fall 6-5 to Wakayama Higashi in the block final (remember that Wakayama has 4 blocks which then redraw for the semifinals).
Realistically, the team that has risen most to challenge Chiben Wakayama in recent years has been Minoshima. In first started in their first appearance in any Koushien in 19 years, where they went to the quarterfinals of the 2009 senbatsu before losing to eventual champions Seihou.
Of course, that was 4 years ago and they haven't been back since. The team has suffered through fits of inconsistency, but over the past year split a series with them with both games going by the final of 2-1.
Some inconsistency remained as put up a rather average 4-1 win over Kenritsu Wakayama Shougyou in the 2nd round. But they still advanced out of their block.
The other would-be contenders would be seeded Minabe out of Block B, and surprise team Hidaka Nakatsu who after a strong 2 games upset seeded Kinkidai Shinguu then held off Minabe Ryuujin 9-6 to advance out of Block C.
The semifinal draw would not be kind for Wakayama Higashi as they drew Minoshima and proceeded to fall 8-0. For Minabe, a 5-run first helped provide a cushion for starter Matsuda as they would defeat Hidaka Nakatasu 8-5.
And so Minabe would be the final opponent standing between Minoshima and their first appearance in almost 3 decades. Sadly for Minabe, they were not able to put up a fight and lost 10-1. A bit of a sad way to lose in the final, but congrats of course go out to the new champions Minoshima!
Tottori - Tottori Jyouhoku (3rd appearance, 2nd consecutive)
Despite just having 25 teams, it was not good to be a seeded team.
Why?
Because 3 of the 4 seeded teams - Yonago Kita, Iwami, and Kurayoshi Sougou Sangyou, all lost in their first games! Yonago Kita was soundly defeated by defending champs Tottori Jyouhoku (who wasn't seeded!), Iwami was done in by a sole RBI from Yonago Shouin's Tsuchie, and despite more chances for Kurayoshi Sougou Sangyou thanks to walks from Tottori Nishi's ace Mastuoka, Tottori Nishi would get to reliever Sawada as he entered in the 10th for the sayonara victory.
Tottori Jyouhoku's only challenge on their way to the final was in semifinal opponent Kurayoshi Higashi. Ace Uehara struggled in the game, giving up 3 runs after his team had just taken a 2-0 lead. But reliever Fukuiwa would clamp things down for Tottori Jyouhoku as they would eventually get to Higashi ace Tamagawa for 3 more runs, knocking him out of the game. Itou would clamp things down there after, and Kurayoshi Higashi would get a run off of Fukuiwa in the 8th... but Uehara would come back in the 9th and close it out for the 5-4 win and a spot in the finals.
On the other half, the 2 prior champions to Tottori Jyouhoku wound up advancing through the brackets. 2010 champion Yazu had no problems reaching the semis with 2 sound victories. Conversely, 2011 winner Tottori Shougyou needed 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Tottori Ikuei 3-2, and then after blowing a 3-0 lead to aforementioned Tottori Nishi, scored 2 in the bottom of the 8th to win 5-3.
Perhaps playing from the lead was something Tottori Shougyou was unable to do this year, because in the semifinal, they had a 4-1 lead over Yazu heading to the top of the 9th. There Yazu would score 5 runs to take a 6-4 lead, leaving Tottori Shougyou almost no time to rally. Indeed they would fail to come back and Yazu would be in the final.
In the final, Yazu and Tottori Jyouhoku would trade blows several times, leaving the teams tied at 2 after the first 3, then again at 5 after 7. However, reliever Kamatani for Yazu would break down in his 5th inning of work giving up 3 runs in the 8th inning.
That would prove to be too much as Tottori Jyouhoku would claim their 2nd consecutive title.
Tokushima - Naruto (8th title, 2nd consecutive)
In Tokushima there seemed no clear front-runner for the title. Even the top tier teams struggled at some point in the tournament.
Defending champion Naruto even suffered from it as well. Despite the first round bye and 6-2 opening win over Tomioka Nishi, they played a Tokushima Kagaku Gijyutsu squad who blew a 5-run lead to Awa only to win 10-8, then down 3-0 in the bottom of the 9th, came back to tie off Jyounouchi ace Yanagimoto and then win in 10.
In that game Bandou would be stung for 4 runs in the 7th, falling behind 4-2. However, Naruto would recover quickly scoring 3 in their 7th and 2 more for good measure in the 8th to win 7-4.
The next challenge would be Naruto Uzushio, who blew past their first 2 opponents before hitting resurging Ikeda. They slowly were able to overcome a 5-run 3rd, getting to every one of Ikeda's 4 pitchers they would throw out there, winning 6-5.
Both pitching staffs would be rocked early, with Naruto taking a 6-5 lead after 2. From then on though, Bandou would keep Uzushio at bay just enough to make that lead stick winning 8-7 for a spot in the finals.
On the other side, many teams were under the banner of survive and advance. For Seikou Gakuen, after an easy first round, ace Tokuda almost let a 4-1 lead slip away against Anan Tousen, but won 4-3. After that, they trailed Aratano 5-2 before scoring 4 runs in the final 2 innings to tie the game up at 6. Aratano reliever Fukuzumi was anything but, relinquishing the 5-1 lead then giving up 5 more in the 10th for an 11-6 loss.
They would face a Kawashima team who beat Tokushima Kita in the opening round 3-1, upset powerhouse Tokushima Shougyou 3-2 in the next round, and then if that weren't enough, outlasting Komatsushima 4-3 in 13 innings!
Interstingly enough, the semifinal game would be a cakewalk compared to their previous games. Ace Ueda would make a 4-run 4th stick, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits for a 5-3 win.
But for Kawashima, facing Naruto for their first title would be a lot to ask. Indeed, after giving up 5 runs in the first two innings, it was a formality thereafter.
Ehime - Saibi (4th title, 1st in 5 years)
All eyes in Ehime would be on Saibi and ace Anraku. Given his performance at Senbatsu, many were eager to see him at Natsu Koushien.
Jyoukou-kantoku continued to take no chances, throwing Anraku out there in every game save for the last two outs of their win against Matsuyama Chuo. Saibi would outclass their opponents early with Anraku giving up just 1 run on 11 hits while striking out 29 in 20.1 IP.
So the question would be, who could challenge them?
Well, #4 seed Tanbara actually got shutout by Imabari Kita 5-0. Filling the gap would be Kawanoe, who themselves had 3 mercy rule games to meet Yawatahama in the quarterfinals. And despite just 1 run on 5 hits, the tandem of Oonishi and Doi would give up just 3 hits and strike out 16 Yawatahama batters to win 1-0 to meet Saibi.
In that semifinal, a timely hit by Takahara and an error from Saibi gave Kawanoe a 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, Oonishi and Doi were shutting down the Saibi offense and things started to look bleak.
But Kawanoe's kantoku had pulled Oonishi after 2.2 IP, and Doi was trying to finish the game. But Yamashita blasted a HR in the 8th to pull them within 1. And in the 9th, he would relinquish the lead with RBI hits from Kaneko and Hayashi Kanya. Senba would get the last 2 outs of the inning, but the damage had been done. Anraku closed it out for the win.
So, who would be the last barrier between Anraku and Natsu Koushien?
Well, despite Tanbara's loss, both #2 Imabari Nishi and #3 Matsuyama Seiryou both marched towards the semifinals. Both though faced a different challenge in the quarterfinals. Imabari Nishi played Touon and despite getting just 4 hits, won 2-0. As for Matsuyama Seiryou, instead of a pitching affair they were in a brawl with Niihama Higashi using 5 runs in the 6th and 7th to win 13-9.
So #2 and #3 would meet to face Saibi. Ace Kanno for Imabari Nishi would give them a 1-0 lead with his only hit of the ballgame. But it would be all he would need as he pitches a 3-hit shutout to move to the finals.
Imabari Nishi would try to implement a rotation of Kanno and Ishigaki on the mound for the finals, but Kanno was rocked right off the bat for 4 runs in 1+ innings of work. While the rotation would give up just 1 run thereafter, it was too late. Anraku would allow Imabari Nishi to pull within 2, but that would be as close as they would get, meaning that Saibi and Anraku would return to Koushien once again!
Kochi - Meitoku Gijyuku (15th title, 4th consecutive)
It was not business as usual in Kochi, despite the 2 teams who wound up in the final. Not sure what is going on, but it almost signifies a loss of talent among the upper teams.
Why do I say that? Well, Tosa lost right off the bat to Kochi Minami 6-0. Now, one might say, "that's not terrible, Tosa was a decent team sure, but not one who was one of the powerhouses."
Sure, I could go with that, but following that Kochi Shougyou lost in the 2nd round after ace Uemoto collapses in the 8th inning, giving up 3 runs to Kochi Nougyou and losing 3-2.
"Okay, Kochi Nougyou got lucky in one inning. Still not necessarily a big deal."
Well, what about the fact that while Kochi and Meitoku Gijyuku did manage to advance, their victories were not as sweeping as one might think?
Kochi's 2nd round win over Kochi Nishi 7-1 was helped by a 4-run 8th. Meitoku actually trailed Kochi Kougyou before a 5-run 6th distanced themselves enough to win 7-3. Move onto the quarterfinals, and Kochi started reliever Sakai against Sukumo Kougyou. Having just gone up 4-0 through 7, Sakai falters almost giving up the entire lead. Ace Sakamoto has to come in to shut the door advancing 4-3. Meitoku had no such luxury facing Okou, who is probably on the same level as Tosa. Kishi though gives up 2 early runs leaving them to chase. And while a 2-run 5th would be enough, it would be just enough as Okou would keep it close falling by the same 4-3 score.
Now, both teams would actually win their semifinals with relative ease (at least compared to the games above). Nakamura would fall to Kochi 5-1, while Kochi Chuo (who in their 2nd round game against Yusuhara trailing 3-0 going into the final 3 innings would score 10 runs to send the game into enchousen, winning 1 inning later!) would be shutout by Kishi & Ogata 6-0.
Kochi would turn to Sakai again to start the game against Meitoku Gijyuku and ace Kishi. And while he was able to go head-to-head for a little while, he would give up a run in the 5th and another in the 7th. That would be all Kishi would need, though he survived the 9th to win 2-1 and give his team their 4th consecutive Natsu title!
Fukuoka - Jiyuugaoka (1st appearance)
When block play finally ended on the 14th, the likes of Jiyuugaoka, Kurume Shougyou and Teikyou Dai-go all joined the field in the 2nd stage.
In the second stage, the story early on was Moji Gakuen. Facing unknown Fukushou, they fritter away a 3-1 lead in the last 2 innings, head into extras, and down 4-3 in the 10th they score 2 to win. Then against Fukuoka Koudai Jyoutou this happened. Talk about comeback kids.
It perhaps looked like they'd do it again in the semifinals against Nanchiku, tying the game late and going into extras. Nanchiku for their part, had just upset Higashi-Fukuoka. But when Doi gave up a run in the 11th, Moji couldn't find anything left in the tank as they fell 3-2.
On the other half, everyone who advanced had blowouts save for Jiyuugaoka who had to play Kurume Shougyou and escaped with a 5-3 win. After that was a quarterfinal game against Jiyuugaoka. And much like Moji Gakuen had done in the 2nd stage, they staged a comeback in the bottom of the 9th for 2 runs to send Teikyou Dai-go home falling short yet again. Their opponent in the semifinals would be Kyusandai Kyushu who mercy-ruled Tobata and Yuusei to get there. Still, against a upper level team, they would fall short losing 6-1, setting tup the final matchup.
And perhaps as expected Nanchiku would give up quick runs early and was not in contention. Jiyuugaoka would go on to win 9-1. What surprised me the most was that it was their first ever title!
Monday, July 15, 2013
7/14 Update - Out of the blocks (Chuugoku & Shikoku)
Most of Chuugoku and Shikoku have started along with most of the other prefectures. Let's see where they're at.
Tottori
Nothing really of note so far in the 6 games played. The closest game was Yonago Higashi rallying from down 5-0 to Tottori Nishi to pull within 2, but lost 6-3. Tottori Jyouhoku has advanced easily past the first round.
Okayama
Much like Tottori, not many close games in Okayama to start either. Okayama Gakugeikan and Okayama Shoudai Fuzoku both advanced on day 1. Kanzei's attempt to return to 甲子園 started off with a 5-0 win over Okayama Housen.
The only really close games was at Acorn Stadium. Tamano holding off Konkou Gakuen 5-4, and Okayama outscoring Wakeshizutani to win 9-6.
Shimane
An exciting opening game in Shimane on the 14th as Mitoya and Matsue Kougyou traded runs every other inning, with Matsue Kougyou leading 5-4. But just 3 outs from advancing, they cannot close it out and Mitoya scores 2 in the bottom of the 9th for the sayorara win!
Hiroshima
Opening day at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium was interesting for several reasons. First Soutoku and Hiroshima Shougyou would fight for 13 innings with Soutoku pulling off the 4-3 sayonara win in 13 innings. The other interesting fact was that the pitcher used for Hiroshima Shougyou was #10 Inosencio Wilson. From what I've been able to discern, his father was Filipino and was actually studying back in the Philippines before coming to high school in Japan.
Anyways, the first couple of days have the seeded teams watching as the rest of the field fights it out in the lower levels. It's a mixed bag, but there are quite a few close games starting out.
In Kure Nikou, Kure Mitsuta led Kumano 7-0 but the tandem of Maeda and Sugimoto barely held Kumano off winning 7-6. At Shimanami, Kure Shouwa also holds on, turning a 3-0 lead into a 3-2 win over Mihara.
Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi doesn't mess around on opening day. 10 games across 4 stadiums. Honestly though, I believe they had their opening ceremonies the day before.
Anyways, in opening action Ube Tousen trades blows with Ube Frontier Kagawa and wins 10-8. Takamori continually chases Kudamatsu, and just falls short 5-4. A 5-run 8th gives Shimonoseki Nishi the 7-4 win over Ootsu Ryokuyou.
Meanwhile, the seeded teams that did not manage to draw a bye played the next day. How a 5-8 seed gets a 1st round bye while a 1-4 seed doesn't is beyond me. No upsets thus far, though Ube Kougyou did not look especially sharp against Houhoku winning 3-1. Yanai Gakuen and Karyou both advance, but will be facing 5-8 seeded teams in their next matchup (Iwakuni and Nanyou Kougyou respectively).
Kagawa
Opening round games have been completed, and seeded teams are queued up. One school has already played and that's Jinsei Gakuen. They had an easy first game and will face a Kanonji Chuo squad who uncharacteristically almost lost in their first round game against Sakaide, recovered to mercy rule Mitoyo Kougyou.
Otherwise, Kasada used late-game heroics to score 2 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Takamatsu Sakurai and will face Iiyama next.
Tokushima
Not much to report in Tokushima, all games were pretty much one-sided. About the only interesting game was Wakimachi scoring 11 unanswered to turn a 6-1 loss into an eventual 12-7 win over Komatsushima Nishi. Otherwise Kawashima, Tomioka Nishi, Tokushima Shougyou and Jyounouchi all advance.
Ehime
Interestingly, very low scoring games dominate early action. Yet only a handful were contested. Iyo Nougyou used a run in the 1st and 9th to defeat Yoshida 2-0. Niihama Higashi outlasted Kita-Uwa 3-2 in 11 innings. And Minami-Uwa used a run in the lucky 7th to get by Matsuyama Kougyou 4-3.
Kochi
Much like Tokushima, mostly lopsided games. Seeded teams do not get later games and as such, Kochi, Kochi Shougyou and Meitoku Gijyuku have all played and advanced.
But Kochi Tousen had their dreams crushed when they could not close a 6-2 lead in the top of the 9th. 6 runs later and Aki Sakuragaoka would advance. And Kochi Ootemae would fight but lose in the bottom of the 13th 2-1 to Nakamura.
Tottori
Nothing really of note so far in the 6 games played. The closest game was Yonago Higashi rallying from down 5-0 to Tottori Nishi to pull within 2, but lost 6-3. Tottori Jyouhoku has advanced easily past the first round.
Okayama
Much like Tottori, not many close games in Okayama to start either. Okayama Gakugeikan and Okayama Shoudai Fuzoku both advanced on day 1. Kanzei's attempt to return to 甲子園 started off with a 5-0 win over Okayama Housen.
The only really close games was at Acorn Stadium. Tamano holding off Konkou Gakuen 5-4, and Okayama outscoring Wakeshizutani to win 9-6.
Shimane
An exciting opening game in Shimane on the 14th as Mitoya and Matsue Kougyou traded runs every other inning, with Matsue Kougyou leading 5-4. But just 3 outs from advancing, they cannot close it out and Mitoya scores 2 in the bottom of the 9th for the sayorara win!
Hiroshima
Opening day at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium was interesting for several reasons. First Soutoku and Hiroshima Shougyou would fight for 13 innings with Soutoku pulling off the 4-3 sayonara win in 13 innings. The other interesting fact was that the pitcher used for Hiroshima Shougyou was #10 Inosencio Wilson. From what I've been able to discern, his father was Filipino and was actually studying back in the Philippines before coming to high school in Japan.
Anyways, the first couple of days have the seeded teams watching as the rest of the field fights it out in the lower levels. It's a mixed bag, but there are quite a few close games starting out.
In Kure Nikou, Kure Mitsuta led Kumano 7-0 but the tandem of Maeda and Sugimoto barely held Kumano off winning 7-6. At Shimanami, Kure Shouwa also holds on, turning a 3-0 lead into a 3-2 win over Mihara.
Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi doesn't mess around on opening day. 10 games across 4 stadiums. Honestly though, I believe they had their opening ceremonies the day before.
Anyways, in opening action Ube Tousen trades blows with Ube Frontier Kagawa and wins 10-8. Takamori continually chases Kudamatsu, and just falls short 5-4. A 5-run 8th gives Shimonoseki Nishi the 7-4 win over Ootsu Ryokuyou.
Meanwhile, the seeded teams that did not manage to draw a bye played the next day. How a 5-8 seed gets a 1st round bye while a 1-4 seed doesn't is beyond me. No upsets thus far, though Ube Kougyou did not look especially sharp against Houhoku winning 3-1. Yanai Gakuen and Karyou both advance, but will be facing 5-8 seeded teams in their next matchup (Iwakuni and Nanyou Kougyou respectively).
Kagawa
Opening round games have been completed, and seeded teams are queued up. One school has already played and that's Jinsei Gakuen. They had an easy first game and will face a Kanonji Chuo squad who uncharacteristically almost lost in their first round game against Sakaide, recovered to mercy rule Mitoyo Kougyou.
Otherwise, Kasada used late-game heroics to score 2 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Takamatsu Sakurai and will face Iiyama next.
Tokushima
Not much to report in Tokushima, all games were pretty much one-sided. About the only interesting game was Wakimachi scoring 11 unanswered to turn a 6-1 loss into an eventual 12-7 win over Komatsushima Nishi. Otherwise Kawashima, Tomioka Nishi, Tokushima Shougyou and Jyounouchi all advance.
Ehime
Interestingly, very low scoring games dominate early action. Yet only a handful were contested. Iyo Nougyou used a run in the 1st and 9th to defeat Yoshida 2-0. Niihama Higashi outlasted Kita-Uwa 3-2 in 11 innings. And Minami-Uwa used a run in the lucky 7th to get by Matsuyama Kougyou 4-3.
Kochi
Much like Tokushima, mostly lopsided games. Seeded teams do not get later games and as such, Kochi, Kochi Shougyou and Meitoku Gijyuku have all played and advanced.
But Kochi Tousen had their dreams crushed when they could not close a 6-2 lead in the top of the 9th. 6 runs later and Aki Sakuragaoka would advance. And Kochi Ootemae would fight but lose in the bottom of the 13th 2-1 to Nakamura.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Day 12, Semifinal #2 - Kochi (Kochi) vs. Saibi (Ehime)
Well, we know one team who's in the finals. Who will step up to face them tomorrow?
One thing we do know, it will be a team from Shikoku - which is not what I would have expected at all.
Oddly enough, Kochi has not faced off against Saibi as they were on opposite sides of the Shikoku taikai. They got here by first shocking Kanzei (ok, perhaps just me only) with a 5-1 upset. After that, the team has played very close, low-scoring games defeating Tokoha Kikugawa then upsetting the Meiji Jingu champs Sendai Ikuei.
For Saibi, it was the only extra inning affair again Kouryou, then handling Seiseikou and battering an already battered Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou battery for 6 runs.
I really don't know what to expect from this game, especially since this isn't a rematch from the fall. It's been a while for Kochi to reach the finals, while Saibi is going for their 2nd finals in their 2nd attempt.
Who wants it more?
(I'll insert more here when the game is over)
Kochi (Kochi) - Shikoku Champions
2B Wada Yoshito
SS Doi Kouyou
1B Ichikawa Gou
3B Wada Ren
LF Matagawa Ryouyuu
CF Ueta Shunya
RF Sugimoto Daiki
C Maeda Ryuusei (#12)
P Sakai Yuuya (#10)
Saibi (Ehime) - Shikoku 3 seed
CF Ueda Kyousuke
RF Yamashita Takuma
SS Usagawa Riku
P Anraku Tomohiro
LF Oota Yuuya (#5)
3B Morita Shouhei (#15)
1B Fujiwara Kouki
C Kaneko Kouhei
2B Machida Takahiro
____________________________________________________________
13:22 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Anraku throwing a lot of off-speed pitches to start. Perhaps he can't locate his fastball?
More like his fastball is not as fast as before, only in the upper 130s. Yoshito grounds to 1st on one such one.
More off-speed pitches to Doi.
OH!
Doi gets a hold of a fastball from Anraku! Oota running back to the fence!! Looks up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doi with a HR in the first just like the previous game gives his team a 1-0 lead!
Anraku continues with his steady diet of non-fastballs. Ichikawa strikes out looking on a slider and Ren flies out to right.
But if Anraku's fastball is wordly today and he's throwing off-speed pitches almost exclusively, this could be a big problem for Saibi.
Bottom 1st
One pitch, one out. Kyousuke flies out to left.
Yamashita tries to work the count, but winds up grounding out to short for the 2nd out.
Usagawa is called going around on a slider down and in and it's a 1-2-3 inning to start for Sakai.
Top 2nd
Shunya with a ball up the middle, Usagawa with a great diving stop, but the ball slips out of the glove on the way to throw to 1st and Shunya is safe!
And now he tries to steal 2nd! Throw from Kaneko is a bit of a loop and Ueta is in safely! And the ball gets away fro Usagawa allowing Ueta to reach 3rd!
Ah, looks like the dirt from the slide got in his eyes.
Luckily for Saibi, it doesn't hurt them as Maeda grounds to 2nd to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
After a groundout by Anraku to start the 2nd, Oota works a walk off of Sakai.
But when Jyoukou-kantoku runs the hit-and-run, Morita grounds right to Ren who goes to 2nd and still gets the lead runner! Yoshito fires to 1st and the twin-tandem gets the double play!
Top 3rd
Bottom of the order and Sakai steps in.
Grounder to short, and the hop unexpectedly eats up Usagawa! He drops it and his throw to 1st is late!
Back to the top of the order and Yoshito, and ooooh... He gets called out on a very questionable fastball in the bottom of the zone.
Anraku continues to throw predominantly off-speed pitches which only help to speed up the bats.
Doi gets around on one, but grounds to Fujiwara. He goes to short for 1, goes back to Fujiwara for the double play!
Bottom 3rd
So far Saibi is going after early pitches, but like last game, it seems like when they're able to go deeper into counts they get better results.
Fujiwara grounds out to short on a 1-1 count. Kaneko hits a soft liner to short on the same 1-1 count.
Machida has to swing away after falling behind 1-2, and grounds out... to short to end the inning.
Top 4th
Anraku is back to hitting the low-mid 140s, but it seems hittable.
Ichikawa on the 2-2 pitch walks back to the dugout only to be called back by the umpire! He wasn't called out!
He is later though as he is frozen on a fastball down the middle.
Ren goes after the first pitch and hits a deep fly to center. Ueda is there near the fence to make the catch.
And it looks like he's using his fastball more now as he buries a fastball and gets Matagawa to chase to end the inning.
Bottom 4th
Hm. I think someone's heard me over on Saibi's bench...
After a quick flyout by Ueda, Yamashita and Usagawa work back-to-back full count walks. That sets the table for Anraku, who should still implement the strategy.
Once again, he is working the count and gets ahead 2-1. Oddly, Jyoukou-kantoku has Oota go out and talk to Anraku.
On the very next pitch, Sakai bounces it in front of Maeda! It bounces high into the air and to the backstop! Runners advance, and now it's Shimada-kantoku calling for time!
Anraku goes after the 3-1 pitch but can't make contact! Full count yet again for Sakai!
Check swing by Anraku makes contact with the next pitch and fouls it off!
Ball low and Sakai has walked the bases loaded!!
Shimada-kantoku as Sakamoto warming up along with another pitcher. He's got to make a decision quick because Sakai is in a real pinch!
Grounder to 3rd by Oota. Off Ren's foot as he shuffles over and it's into foul territory! He chases it down but has no play! Yamashita scores and it's 1-1!!
Now Morita looking to give Saibi the lead, but he deviates from the plan! He swings on the 1-1 pitch and pops it up! Ren in foul territory makes the catch for the 2nd out!
And Fujiwara also chases a pitch early and falls behind. He winds up chasing a fastball away for the 3rd out and Sakai limits the damage to the douten run! (Saibi's 6-7 hitters let him off the hook.)
Top 5th
#7 Goutouji comes in to play CF for Ueda.
Ueta leads off the inning with a grounder past a diving Usagawa! Sugimoto tries to bunt him over, but Anraku instead fires to 2nd! Usagawa makes the out but the slide from Ueta prevents a throw to 1st.
Maeda up and it looks like Sakai's day is over. #18 Takeuchi is in the on deck circle instead of Sakai.
Shimada-kantoku sending Sugimoto! Throw from Kaneko... not in time! Kochi threatens to take the lead once again!
But Maeda bails swing on an ball up and in for the 2nd out.
Takeuchi trying to get the timely pinch-hit runs the count full but is called out looking on a borderline fastball to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
Ace Sakamoto comes in the game for Kochi to hold the tie.
One pitch, one out. Kaneko flies out to center.
Last batter Machida pulls a ball on the outer half and singles to left! Jyoukou-kantoku elects to have Goutouji bunt the runner along for a one-shot.
And it works! Yamashita hits a grounder past a diving Doi! Machida is being waved home! Throw in from Matagawa is up the 1st base line and late! Machida scores and Yamashita takes 2nd on the throw! Yamashita with the gyakuten RBI to give Saibi the 2-1 lead!
Usagawa still without a ball in play as he feebly swings on a sinker to end the inning, but even putting ace Sakamoto in hasn't help Kochi here in recent inning as Saibi ties, then takes the lead as we hit the break!
Top 6th
Defensive change as the outfielders play the shuffle game. Goutouji goes from CF to LF, Oota goes from LF to RF, and Yamashita goes from RF to CF.
The defense doesn't affect this inning though as leadoff batter Yoshito grounds to 2nd, Doi looks at a 146 kph heater down the pipe, and Ichikawa grounds to 1st to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
Things are changing quickly as Anraku singles back up the middle, going 5-hole on Sakamoto.
Oota looking to bunt, but actually gets ahead 3-1 before the count runs full.
The cameras go to the 3rd base coaches' box and it's former CF Ueda with his middle finger bandaged up. That can't be good for them.
Back to the action, and Jyoukou tries the hit-and-run only to have Oota miss and Anraku left out to dry. He's run down for the 2nd out.
And Morita pops out to Yoshito to end the inning.
Top 7th
Ren with a drive to left-center! Yamashita running over, leaps!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anraku tries to put a fastball by Kochi's cleanup hitter, but he drives it out of the ballpark! Kochi with their 2nd HR of the day ties the game at 2-2!!
Anraku retires the next 3 without much issue, but the HR bug has bit him yet again - this time in the Lucky 7!!
Bottom 7th
Fujiwara with a bit of bad luck has his check swing hit the ball in play in front of home. Maeda goes to 1st for the out.
Kaneko with a lazy fly to center is the 2nd out. Machida softly lines out to 3rd and Saibi can't get anything on their Lucky 7.
Top 8th
#17 Okuda in to hit for Maeda as the Kochi oen-dan plays Born This Way. He grounds to 1st.
Sakamoto without a hit still as he pops one to Usagawa behind 2nd.
Back to the top of the order and Yoshito.
Down 1-2, he bloops one into left center for a single.
But he's stranded there when Doi flies out to center to retire the side. Are we headed for another enchousen game?
Bottom 8th
#2 Kawakami Shouta now in at C.
Goutouji gets ahead of Sakamoto 3-1, but can only hit a fly to center.
Yamashita with a ball driven to left! Matagawa chasing it to the wall!!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yamashita trying to give Anraku a break! He drives a HR to give Saibi the lead at 3-2.
Sakamoto trying to hold the line at 1, gets Usagawa to climb the ladder for the 2nd out.
But when Anraku has a grounder take a high bounce past Yoshito into right, Shimada-kantoku has seen enough. Ren comes in from 3B to take the hill and #16 Kawakami Yuuta comes in Sakamoto's place to play 3B.
Oota pops out to Shouta to end the inning, and it's crunch time for Kochi!!
Top 9th
3-4-5 batters up for Kochi.
Ichikawa with a pop fly down the 3rd base line. Machida going out is called off by Oota, but the ball pops out when he dives for it! Ichikawa running all the way reaches 3rd safely! What a quick turn of events!!
But Anraku gest Ren to pop it up! Machida under it and makes the catch for the 1st out!
Matagawa with a hard ball at short! Usagawa there, but he can't field it cleanly! Goes to get the ball but has no play!!! 1st and 3rd with just 1 out!
Ueta with a grounder to 3rd! Morita going home... he's out by a good margin!
They're down to their final out as Sugimoto steps in.
Anraku gets ahead 0-2! Sugimoto with a fly ball to right! Oota under it and this time he will not drop it as he secures it for the 3-2 victory! Saibi will advance to the finals to win their 2nd Haru Koushien title in as many attempts!
You can tell from the players to the kantoku though that Kochi had a chance at this game. Anraku wasn't at his best and by the 2 HR's they hit, he was certainly human. Yet they were never able to take advantage of other opportunities to extend the lead or retake it. Considering it would have been their 1st appearance in a final in 38 years, they know this was the best chance they've had and it slipped away.
But give credit to Anraku for hanging in there despite definitely being not 100%. He did just enough to allow his offense (and by that I mean Yamashita) time to pull the game out for him.
Saibi got as many hits as Kochi. But it was the 4 walks but the timing of those hits that made all the difference. And so Saibi, the Shikoku 3-seed will face off against Kanto Champions Urawa Gakuin for the 85th Haru Koushien title!!
Notable Players
Anraku Tomohiro (Saibi) - W, CG, 2 ER, 5 H, 7 K, 0 BB
Anraku Tomohiro (Saibi) - 2-3
Yamashita Takuma (Saibi) - 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Sakai Yuuya (Kochi) - ND, 4 IP, ER, 0 H, 2 K, 4 BB
Sakamoto Yuuta (Kochi) - L, 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 K, 0 BB
Doi Kouyou (Kochi) - 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Wada Ren (Kochi) - 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Ueta Shunya (Kochi) - 2-4
One thing we do know, it will be a team from Shikoku - which is not what I would have expected at all.
Oddly enough, Kochi has not faced off against Saibi as they were on opposite sides of the Shikoku taikai. They got here by first shocking Kanzei (ok, perhaps just me only) with a 5-1 upset. After that, the team has played very close, low-scoring games defeating Tokoha Kikugawa then upsetting the Meiji Jingu champs Sendai Ikuei.
For Saibi, it was the only extra inning affair again Kouryou, then handling Seiseikou and battering an already battered Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou battery for 6 runs.
I really don't know what to expect from this game, especially since this isn't a rematch from the fall. It's been a while for Kochi to reach the finals, while Saibi is going for their 2nd finals in their 2nd attempt.
Who wants it more?
(I'll insert more here when the game is over)
Kochi (Kochi) - Shikoku Champions
2B Wada Yoshito
SS Doi Kouyou
1B Ichikawa Gou
3B Wada Ren
LF Matagawa Ryouyuu
CF Ueta Shunya
RF Sugimoto Daiki
C Maeda Ryuusei (#12)
P Sakai Yuuya (#10)
Saibi (Ehime) - Shikoku 3 seed
CF Ueda Kyousuke
RF Yamashita Takuma
SS Usagawa Riku
P Anraku Tomohiro
LF Oota Yuuya (#5)
3B Morita Shouhei (#15)
1B Fujiwara Kouki
C Kaneko Kouhei
2B Machida Takahiro
____________________________________________________________
13:22 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Anraku throwing a lot of off-speed pitches to start. Perhaps he can't locate his fastball?
More like his fastball is not as fast as before, only in the upper 130s. Yoshito grounds to 1st on one such one.
More off-speed pitches to Doi.
OH!
Doi gets a hold of a fastball from Anraku! Oota running back to the fence!! Looks up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doi with a HR in the first just like the previous game gives his team a 1-0 lead!
Anraku continues with his steady diet of non-fastballs. Ichikawa strikes out looking on a slider and Ren flies out to right.
But if Anraku's fastball is wordly today and he's throwing off-speed pitches almost exclusively, this could be a big problem for Saibi.
Bottom 1st
One pitch, one out. Kyousuke flies out to left.
Yamashita tries to work the count, but winds up grounding out to short for the 2nd out.
Usagawa is called going around on a slider down and in and it's a 1-2-3 inning to start for Sakai.
Top 2nd
Shunya with a ball up the middle, Usagawa with a great diving stop, but the ball slips out of the glove on the way to throw to 1st and Shunya is safe!
And now he tries to steal 2nd! Throw from Kaneko is a bit of a loop and Ueta is in safely! And the ball gets away fro Usagawa allowing Ueta to reach 3rd!
Ah, looks like the dirt from the slide got in his eyes.
Luckily for Saibi, it doesn't hurt them as Maeda grounds to 2nd to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
After a groundout by Anraku to start the 2nd, Oota works a walk off of Sakai.
But when Jyoukou-kantoku runs the hit-and-run, Morita grounds right to Ren who goes to 2nd and still gets the lead runner! Yoshito fires to 1st and the twin-tandem gets the double play!
Top 3rd
Bottom of the order and Sakai steps in.
Grounder to short, and the hop unexpectedly eats up Usagawa! He drops it and his throw to 1st is late!
Back to the top of the order and Yoshito, and ooooh... He gets called out on a very questionable fastball in the bottom of the zone.
Anraku continues to throw predominantly off-speed pitches which only help to speed up the bats.
Doi gets around on one, but grounds to Fujiwara. He goes to short for 1, goes back to Fujiwara for the double play!
Bottom 3rd
So far Saibi is going after early pitches, but like last game, it seems like when they're able to go deeper into counts they get better results.
Fujiwara grounds out to short on a 1-1 count. Kaneko hits a soft liner to short on the same 1-1 count.
Machida has to swing away after falling behind 1-2, and grounds out... to short to end the inning.
Top 4th
Anraku is back to hitting the low-mid 140s, but it seems hittable.
Ichikawa on the 2-2 pitch walks back to the dugout only to be called back by the umpire! He wasn't called out!
He is later though as he is frozen on a fastball down the middle.
Ren goes after the first pitch and hits a deep fly to center. Ueda is there near the fence to make the catch.
And it looks like he's using his fastball more now as he buries a fastball and gets Matagawa to chase to end the inning.
Bottom 4th
Hm. I think someone's heard me over on Saibi's bench...
After a quick flyout by Ueda, Yamashita and Usagawa work back-to-back full count walks. That sets the table for Anraku, who should still implement the strategy.
Once again, he is working the count and gets ahead 2-1. Oddly, Jyoukou-kantoku has Oota go out and talk to Anraku.
On the very next pitch, Sakai bounces it in front of Maeda! It bounces high into the air and to the backstop! Runners advance, and now it's Shimada-kantoku calling for time!
Anraku goes after the 3-1 pitch but can't make contact! Full count yet again for Sakai!
Check swing by Anraku makes contact with the next pitch and fouls it off!
Ball low and Sakai has walked the bases loaded!!
Shimada-kantoku as Sakamoto warming up along with another pitcher. He's got to make a decision quick because Sakai is in a real pinch!
Grounder to 3rd by Oota. Off Ren's foot as he shuffles over and it's into foul territory! He chases it down but has no play! Yamashita scores and it's 1-1!!
Now Morita looking to give Saibi the lead, but he deviates from the plan! He swings on the 1-1 pitch and pops it up! Ren in foul territory makes the catch for the 2nd out!
And Fujiwara also chases a pitch early and falls behind. He winds up chasing a fastball away for the 3rd out and Sakai limits the damage to the douten run! (Saibi's 6-7 hitters let him off the hook.)
Top 5th
#7 Goutouji comes in to play CF for Ueda.
Ueta leads off the inning with a grounder past a diving Usagawa! Sugimoto tries to bunt him over, but Anraku instead fires to 2nd! Usagawa makes the out but the slide from Ueta prevents a throw to 1st.
Maeda up and it looks like Sakai's day is over. #18 Takeuchi is in the on deck circle instead of Sakai.
Shimada-kantoku sending Sugimoto! Throw from Kaneko... not in time! Kochi threatens to take the lead once again!
But Maeda bails swing on an ball up and in for the 2nd out.
Takeuchi trying to get the timely pinch-hit runs the count full but is called out looking on a borderline fastball to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
Ace Sakamoto comes in the game for Kochi to hold the tie.
One pitch, one out. Kaneko flies out to center.
Last batter Machida pulls a ball on the outer half and singles to left! Jyoukou-kantoku elects to have Goutouji bunt the runner along for a one-shot.
And it works! Yamashita hits a grounder past a diving Doi! Machida is being waved home! Throw in from Matagawa is up the 1st base line and late! Machida scores and Yamashita takes 2nd on the throw! Yamashita with the gyakuten RBI to give Saibi the 2-1 lead!
Usagawa still without a ball in play as he feebly swings on a sinker to end the inning, but even putting ace Sakamoto in hasn't help Kochi here in recent inning as Saibi ties, then takes the lead as we hit the break!
Top 6th
Defensive change as the outfielders play the shuffle game. Goutouji goes from CF to LF, Oota goes from LF to RF, and Yamashita goes from RF to CF.
The defense doesn't affect this inning though as leadoff batter Yoshito grounds to 2nd, Doi looks at a 146 kph heater down the pipe, and Ichikawa grounds to 1st to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
Things are changing quickly as Anraku singles back up the middle, going 5-hole on Sakamoto.
Oota looking to bunt, but actually gets ahead 3-1 before the count runs full.
The cameras go to the 3rd base coaches' box and it's former CF Ueda with his middle finger bandaged up. That can't be good for them.
Back to the action, and Jyoukou tries the hit-and-run only to have Oota miss and Anraku left out to dry. He's run down for the 2nd out.
And Morita pops out to Yoshito to end the inning.
Top 7th
Ren with a drive to left-center! Yamashita running over, leaps!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anraku tries to put a fastball by Kochi's cleanup hitter, but he drives it out of the ballpark! Kochi with their 2nd HR of the day ties the game at 2-2!!
Anraku retires the next 3 without much issue, but the HR bug has bit him yet again - this time in the Lucky 7!!
Bottom 7th
Fujiwara with a bit of bad luck has his check swing hit the ball in play in front of home. Maeda goes to 1st for the out.
Kaneko with a lazy fly to center is the 2nd out. Machida softly lines out to 3rd and Saibi can't get anything on their Lucky 7.
Top 8th
#17 Okuda in to hit for Maeda as the Kochi oen-dan plays Born This Way. He grounds to 1st.
Sakamoto without a hit still as he pops one to Usagawa behind 2nd.
Back to the top of the order and Yoshito.
Down 1-2, he bloops one into left center for a single.
But he's stranded there when Doi flies out to center to retire the side. Are we headed for another enchousen game?
Bottom 8th
#2 Kawakami Shouta now in at C.
Goutouji gets ahead of Sakamoto 3-1, but can only hit a fly to center.
Yamashita with a ball driven to left! Matagawa chasing it to the wall!!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yamashita trying to give Anraku a break! He drives a HR to give Saibi the lead at 3-2.
Sakamoto trying to hold the line at 1, gets Usagawa to climb the ladder for the 2nd out.
But when Anraku has a grounder take a high bounce past Yoshito into right, Shimada-kantoku has seen enough. Ren comes in from 3B to take the hill and #16 Kawakami Yuuta comes in Sakamoto's place to play 3B.
Oota pops out to Shouta to end the inning, and it's crunch time for Kochi!!
Top 9th
3-4-5 batters up for Kochi.
Ichikawa with a pop fly down the 3rd base line. Machida going out is called off by Oota, but the ball pops out when he dives for it! Ichikawa running all the way reaches 3rd safely! What a quick turn of events!!
But Anraku gest Ren to pop it up! Machida under it and makes the catch for the 1st out!
Matagawa with a hard ball at short! Usagawa there, but he can't field it cleanly! Goes to get the ball but has no play!!! 1st and 3rd with just 1 out!
Ueta with a grounder to 3rd! Morita going home... he's out by a good margin!
They're down to their final out as Sugimoto steps in.
Anraku gets ahead 0-2! Sugimoto with a fly ball to right! Oota under it and this time he will not drop it as he secures it for the 3-2 victory! Saibi will advance to the finals to win their 2nd Haru Koushien title in as many attempts!
You can tell from the players to the kantoku though that Kochi had a chance at this game. Anraku wasn't at his best and by the 2 HR's they hit, he was certainly human. Yet they were never able to take advantage of other opportunities to extend the lead or retake it. Considering it would have been their 1st appearance in a final in 38 years, they know this was the best chance they've had and it slipped away.
But give credit to Anraku for hanging in there despite definitely being not 100%. He did just enough to allow his offense (and by that I mean Yamashita) time to pull the game out for him.
Saibi got as many hits as Kochi. But it was the 4 walks but the timing of those hits that made all the difference. And so Saibi, the Shikoku 3-seed will face off against Kanto Champions Urawa Gakuin for the 85th Haru Koushien title!!
Notable Players
Anraku Tomohiro (Saibi) - W, CG, 2 ER, 5 H, 7 K, 0 BB
Anraku Tomohiro (Saibi) - 2-3
Yamashita Takuma (Saibi) - 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Sakai Yuuya (Kochi) - ND, 4 IP, ER, 0 H, 2 K, 4 BB
Sakamoto Yuuta (Kochi) - L, 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 K, 0 BB
Doi Kouyou (Kochi) - 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Wada Ren (Kochi) - 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Ueta Shunya (Kochi) - 2-4
Monday, April 1, 2013
Day 11, Quarterfinal #3 - Kochi (Kochi) vs. Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi)
It's crunch time now for these schools as the schedule shrink considerably and teams start playing with less rest. In this battle of champions, Sendai Ikuei is fortunate to get an extra day of rest, while Kochi gets just 1 full day.
Kochi has reached the quarterfinals riding their pitching tandem of Sakai and Sakamoto. The upset over Kanzei was not a fluke striking out 13 of the 27 possible outs against Tokoha Kikugawa while the middle of the order helped lift the team to victory.
The offense isn't going to overpower you though, especially at the bottom of the lineup, and that can become an issue if they need to score runs in a quick manner.
Sendai Ikuei, after an easy win over Souseikan struggled to rally against Waseda Jitsugyou for the victory. Up until the final 2 innings they had just managed 3 hits and a walk against Soujitsu ace Niyama. That is a surprise considering they won the fall tournament, and it puts into question their chances going forward - especially now considering what Kochi has done so far.
I still like Sendai Ikuei in this matchup, but I am certainly not as confident in their prospects as I was before Koushien started.
Kochi (Kochi) - Shikoku Champions
2B Wada Yoshito
SS Doi Kouyou
3B Wada Ren
1B Ichikawa Gou
LF Matagawa Ryouyuu
CF Ueta Shunya
RF Sugimoto Daiki
C Maeda Ryuusei (#12)
P Sakai Yuuya (#10)
Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi) - Tohoku Champions (Meiji Jingu Champions)
SS Kumagai Takahiro
2B Kikuna Yuuka
LF Hasegawa Hiro
CF Uebayashi Seiji
1B Mizuma Toshiki
C Kobayashi Ryou
3B Katou Naoya
RF Satou Seiya
P Suzuki Takato
____________________________________________________________
11:01 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Suzuki looking good to start, locating his pitches in the zone with some fair amount of accuracy. So while he goes full on Yoshito, he puts one in the bottom of the zone for a K.
Doi quickly grounds to 3rd, with a nice pick from Katou.
But before Suzuki can get his 1-2-3 inning, Ren puts one into the gap on the left side. Kumagai makes a great effort to not only run it down, but make a quick throw. Despite it being down the 1st base line and Ren being safe, it was still a nice try.
Shimada-kantoku decides to push the action with Ren, having him take off for 2nd on an 0-2 count to Ichikawa. Kobayashi tries to fire to 2nd, but the throw is a bit wide and Kumagai's attempt to swipe tag back towards 2nd winds up missing.
No matter though as Suzuki gets Ichikawa to chase an offspeed pitch down in the zone to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Whoa, Sakai's control does not look good early. One ball goes inside and almost hits Kumagai, and the next one makes Kumagai duck as the ball flies over his head.
Kumagai though gets the green light at 3-1 and grounds out to Doi.
Kikuna goes after the first pitch and it looks to just get over the infield. Doi scampers back and towards the left field line and indeed it falls just out of his reach for a base hit.
Hasegawa taking a patient approach to Sakai to start, and while he makes good contact, he lines out to right to Sugimoto for the 2nd out.
It looks like despite Sakai's early control issues, Sasaki-kantoku is having their batters go after the first strike, which I wonder about considering that if his control is off Sakai could be walking batters.
And in fact, Uebayashi does indeed draw a walk.
I think they heard me as Mizuma takes 2 straight balls to start his AB. But again swings on the first ball near the zone and fouls it off.
Well, I thought they heard me anyways. Mizuma swings on the next pitch and it's a comebacker to Sakai. But it deflects off his glove and goes towards Doi who was backing up. He throws to 1st and the inning is over.
Top 2nd
Suzuki continues to look good on the mound starting this game. After a routine fly to left by Matagawa, Ueta swings and misses on a change inside, and Sugimoto becomes Suzuki's 3rd K chasing a ball down and away.
Bottom 2nd
Meanwhile, the Ikuei batters continue to swing away at balls near the zone. As a result, Sakai records 2 quick outs as Kobayashi flies out to left, and Katou fouls out to Maeda near the back netting.
This despite Sakai still having some issues - as evidenced by Satou being hit.
Still, last batter ace Suzuki swings away, falls behind 0-2 then gets frozen for the 3rd out. Outside of the HBP, I think Ikuei is making it easy for Sakai to get back on track.
Top 3rd
Kochi's bottom of the lineup, battery mates Maeda and Sakai on the other hand take a couple. Given, both are still retired - Maeda on a comebacker to Suzuki and Sakai on a grounder to 1st, but they still don't let Suzuki make it a total cake walk.
And apparently Suzuki doesn't like them himself as he inexplicably walks leadoff batter Yoshito on 4 straight.
Doi feigns the running safety bunt twice, and all it gets him is a 1-1 count.
But Shimada-kantoku undaunted sends Yoshito to 2nd again on a 2-strike count and Kobayashi's throw gets there, but takes a hop that Kumagai has to field such that Yoshito slides in! So both of the Wada twins now have a SB in the game!
It's all for naught though as Doi chases another ball in the dirt for Suzuki's 4th K.
Bottom 3rd
I do not like the way that Sendai Ikuei is approaching the game. It reminds me of Seiritsu Gakuen last summer where it felt like they wanted to get the game over with as soon as possible so they could make their train ride home. Their batters are swinging at anything close and are not getting any results other than a quick inning for a struggling Sakai.
In fact, it takes him just 7 pitches to retire the top of Sendai Ikuei's order - and with no balls leaving the infield either.
Top 4th
Despite the Ikuei offense being rather non-existent, Suzuki is doing his best to buy his team time to get it together. Starts off the 4th by retiring Ren 6-3.
Ichikawa though takes a ball the other way for a base hit.
Matagawa gets around on a ball inside and flies to right. Satou ranging back, looks to have it...
But he makes a last second jump and the ball actually falls behind him!!
Despite appearing to get there in time Satou misjudges the ball and it falls in! Ichikawa thinking it would be caught had to hold up and only reaches 3rd on the double by Matagawa and Kochi is threatening here in the 4th! That's a pretty bad misplay by Satou.
AH!
Wild pitch from Suzuki gets away from Kobayashi! Ichikawa running in and is safe! It's another error by the Sendai Ikuei defense allowing Kochi to take the 1-0 lead!
Sasaki-kantoku calls for time to try and settle his team down.
Suzuki does that, though in a roundabout way, by falling behind 3-0 then working the count full on Ueta before getting him to whiff on a changeup for the 2nd out.
Against Sugimoto though he falls behind 3-0 again but loses him to a walk. And after Kobayashi can't cleanly field a ball in the dirt, Sugimoto alertly takes 2nd giving the chance for Kochi to break it open with a base hit.
Maeda with a ball up the 3rd base line, fair!! Katou can't field it cleanly! Throws to 1st... SAFE!!
Maeda just dives in just ahead of the throw and is safe! Matagawa scores to make it a 2-0 Kochi lead!!
Shimada-kantoku continuing to press Sendai Ikuei! Maeda is sent to 2nd and takes it without even an acknowledgement by the Ikuei battery!! I know about the delay steal of home that some teams use, but to not even to try and do anything about stealing 2nd is beyond me.
Sakai with a high bounder to 3rd. Katou fields and throws to 1st finally ending the inning, but not before Kochi takes a fairly large 2-0 lead!
Bottom 4th
Sendai Ikuei's Uebayashi is one of the few players in the order who is taking pitches and earns his 2nd walk. Perhaps Kochi's battery is also trying to avoid him?
Mizuma also taking some pitches and getting ahead of Sakai, but goes after a ball inside and pops it up! Maeda running over to the Sendai Ikuei dugout and makes the catch for the first out.
Kobayashi with a ball to the right side, Ichikawa playing in fields it, goes to 2nd for one, relay back by Doi and Sakai is there to cover for the 3-6-1 double play to end the inning!!
Sendai Ikuei a bit more patient, but perhaps not enough yet as a leadoff walk by Uebayashi goes for naught!
Top 5th
Hm, Suzuki seems to be struggling now as he throws at Yoshito's feet and puts him on to start the inning.
And when Doi attempts to bunt, Suzuki throws inside and hits him! Two runners on for Kochi with the always dangerous Ren up!
Suzuki still having control issues, falling behind Ren 3-1 before coming back to get him to swing and miss for the first out.
And then he gets Ichikawa to swing and miss on a change for the 2nd out!
But just when he looks to get out of the jam, he falls behind Matagawa 3-0 and eventually issues his 3rd free base of the inning to load the bases for Ueta!
Ueta hits a ball up the 3rd base line, Katou playing it behind the bag goes the long way to 1st but gets the 3rd out to get Suzuki out of his self-imposed pinch.
Bottom 5th
Katou's day is over at 3B with #13 Watanabe coming in to PH for him.
Once again though, Sendai Ikuei is swinging away early and often. Watanabe and Satou both swing on the 2nd pitch and fly out to Matagawa in left center.
Suzuki's day is done as well, and given last inning I don't blame Sasaki-kantoku at all. #16 Onodera comes in to hit.
Onodera actually takes a couple of pitches, and hits a comebacker back to Sakai. It glances off his glove but to Doi who goes to 1st for the 3rd out.
So as we hit the break it's the team from Shikoku who leads the game over a team that just seems to be swinging away on anything hittable.
Top 6thSo #15 Abe comes in for PH Watanabe and takes over at 3B. #10 Baba comes in for Onodera and takes the hill.
Baba is laboring a bit on the mound as well. Sugimoto and Maeda test him out, and run a long AB before being retired.
Sakai feebly waves at a ball down for the 3rd out, and Baba survives his 1st inning of relief.
Bottom 6th
Kumagai once again going early, hits a hard ball to Yoshito and while the throw is a bit wide, Ichikawa stretches for the first out.
Kikuna actually works the count and gets ahead 3-1 before fouling several pitches off. And several more...
And then he gives it a ride to right! Sugimoto going back, still going back, at the wall!
But he makes the catch as he softly collides with the padding for the 2nd out! Kikuna did not miss that ball by much.
Hasegawa up and he quickly hits a slow roller to the right side. Yoshito charges, but his throw to 1st is high and forces Ichikawa off the bag.
Uebayashi this time around hacks away! He give it a good rip, but Ueta is there for the catch to retire the side.
Top 7th
After a quick out by Yoshito, Baba continues Suzuki's control issues by hitting Doi. That's Doi's 2nd HBP this game.
Ren with a ball up the 3rd base line. And now Abe can't field the ball cleanly and his throw to 1st pulls Mizuma off the bag!
Once again Sasaki-kantoku has to call time.
Baba comes back and jams Ichikawa who flies out to center for the 2nd out.
And he finally gets out of the inning by getting Matagawa to chase a ball buried. He's keeping Kochi at bat, but the offense is quickly (and given their disposition at the dish - very quickly) running out.
Bottom 7th
Looks like Sakai's day is done as ace Yuuta comes in for a 3-inning save.
And it's one pitch, one out as Mizuma flies out to right.
Kobayashi gets Sendai Ikuei's 2nd hit of the game as he laces one to center! Perhaps that will get the offense started in their lucky 7!
Abe up for his first AB, swings at a 1-0 fastball and flies out to Sugimoto for the 2nd out.
Yuuta lets one get away in the dirt that Maeda has to chase down. Kobayashi advances into scoring position. Base hit here can pull the fall champs within 1.
And now Yuuta falls behind Satou 3-0! He comes right back throw and fires in 2 strikes to fill up the count.
Now Satou lines one into left for a base hit! Kobayashi is held up at 3rd as Matagawa fires the ball back in.
Shimada-kantoku calls for time as Baba comes up for his first AB. He's 1-2 so far here at Koushien.
But Yuuta ties him up on a ball inside and the side is retired! Sendai Ikuei's best chance is left begging and with only 6 outs to go!
Top 8th
Kochi is fine to play at Sendai Ikuei's pace now this late in the game. They go down 1-2-3 on just 10 pitches and retake the field.
Bottom 8th
Top of the order and Kumagai swings on the first pitch and flies out to center. Kikuna soon follows with one to left.
Hasegawa lets 3 balls go by as none of them are close. But after taking one down the middle, he hits a laser to right - but right to Sugimoto for the 3rd out.
Top 9th
After Baba retires the first 2 batters of the inning, he loses Doi on a 3-2 pitch way inside. That means that he'll have to face Ren one more time.
And now a timely steal of 2nd on a ball bounced to Kobayashi means that Doi is in scoring position hoping he can add yet another insurance run. Meanwhile, Ren keeps his AB alive.
But this time Ren chases that same fastball to Doi up and in to end the inning.
Bottom 9th
Baba's done his part, but can the offense show any sign of life this late?
Well, if any person could start the inning, Uebayashi is probably your best option.
And like most of his AB's he gets ahead 3-1 but gets the green light and whiffs on a ball inside for strike 2.
Uebayashi this time takes it upon himself to get on base and shoots one back up the middle for a leadoff single! Now can the people following him build on this?
YES! Sorta.
Mizuma gets hit on a ball that gets away from Yuuta and while he's smarting a bit from that, there are runners on 1st and 2nd now with no out for Sendai Ikuei!!
We're getting deeper into the lineup though as Kobayashi steps in. If they're going to score, it'll be up to the bottom of the order...
Kobayashi goes after the 1-0 pitch and sends it to right. Sugimoto backing up, still backing up, still backing up... and makes the catch deep in right. Uebayshi advances to 3rd, but the douten run still remains at 1st base.
Interestingly it's only now that Shimada-kantoku calls time. Perhaps it's because now he can remind them that really the person to be worried about is Mizuma at 1st. Uebayashi's run doesn't matter in the sense that it would still leave Kochi with the lead.
But Abe hits a grounder to short! Doi flips to 2nd for one, relay from Yoshito is in time! Double play and Kochi has upset the Meiji Jingu Champions!! They advance to the semifinals for the first time in 38 years!
Kochi wouldn't have been able to do it without the pitching tandem of Sakai and Sakamoto. Sakai spun 6 innings of 2 hit ball before handing it over to the ace who while a bit shaky finished off the game.
But while Kochi should get their share of credit for the game, you cannot overlook the fact that Sendai Ikuei was just as culpable if not more for their loss here today. I couldn't get over the fact that they were just hacking away at the plate and basically in many ways assisting the Kochi pitchers by keeping their pitch counts low as well as perhaps not taking advantage of when the opposition was faltering on the mound.
And so the last representative of the Tohoku region is eliminated while a team from Shikoku moves on.
Notable Players
Sakai Yuuya (Kochi) - W, 6 IP, 2 H, K, 2 BB, HBP
Sakamoto Yuuta (Kochi) - SV, 3 IP, 3 H, K, HBP
Matagawa Ryouyuu (Kochi) - 1-3, 2B, R, BB
Maeda Ryuusei (Kochi) - 1-4, RBI, SB
Doi Kouyou (Kochi) - 0-2, K, BB, 2 HBP
Suzuki Takato (Sendai Ikuei) - L, 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 8 K, 3 BB, 2 HBP
Baba Kousuke (Sendai Ikuei) - 4 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 K, BB, HBP
Uebayashi Seiji (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-2, 2 BB
Kobayashi Ryou (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-4
Kochi has reached the quarterfinals riding their pitching tandem of Sakai and Sakamoto. The upset over Kanzei was not a fluke striking out 13 of the 27 possible outs against Tokoha Kikugawa while the middle of the order helped lift the team to victory.
The offense isn't going to overpower you though, especially at the bottom of the lineup, and that can become an issue if they need to score runs in a quick manner.
Sendai Ikuei, after an easy win over Souseikan struggled to rally against Waseda Jitsugyou for the victory. Up until the final 2 innings they had just managed 3 hits and a walk against Soujitsu ace Niyama. That is a surprise considering they won the fall tournament, and it puts into question their chances going forward - especially now considering what Kochi has done so far.
I still like Sendai Ikuei in this matchup, but I am certainly not as confident in their prospects as I was before Koushien started.
Kochi (Kochi) - Shikoku Champions
2B Wada Yoshito
SS Doi Kouyou
3B Wada Ren
1B Ichikawa Gou
LF Matagawa Ryouyuu
CF Ueta Shunya
RF Sugimoto Daiki
C Maeda Ryuusei (#12)
P Sakai Yuuya (#10)
Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi) - Tohoku Champions (Meiji Jingu Champions)
SS Kumagai Takahiro
2B Kikuna Yuuka
LF Hasegawa Hiro
CF Uebayashi Seiji
1B Mizuma Toshiki
C Kobayashi Ryou
3B Katou Naoya
RF Satou Seiya
P Suzuki Takato
____________________________________________________________
11:01 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Suzuki looking good to start, locating his pitches in the zone with some fair amount of accuracy. So while he goes full on Yoshito, he puts one in the bottom of the zone for a K.
Doi quickly grounds to 3rd, with a nice pick from Katou.
But before Suzuki can get his 1-2-3 inning, Ren puts one into the gap on the left side. Kumagai makes a great effort to not only run it down, but make a quick throw. Despite it being down the 1st base line and Ren being safe, it was still a nice try.
Shimada-kantoku decides to push the action with Ren, having him take off for 2nd on an 0-2 count to Ichikawa. Kobayashi tries to fire to 2nd, but the throw is a bit wide and Kumagai's attempt to swipe tag back towards 2nd winds up missing.
No matter though as Suzuki gets Ichikawa to chase an offspeed pitch down in the zone to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Whoa, Sakai's control does not look good early. One ball goes inside and almost hits Kumagai, and the next one makes Kumagai duck as the ball flies over his head.
Kumagai though gets the green light at 3-1 and grounds out to Doi.
Kikuna goes after the first pitch and it looks to just get over the infield. Doi scampers back and towards the left field line and indeed it falls just out of his reach for a base hit.
Hasegawa taking a patient approach to Sakai to start, and while he makes good contact, he lines out to right to Sugimoto for the 2nd out.
It looks like despite Sakai's early control issues, Sasaki-kantoku is having their batters go after the first strike, which I wonder about considering that if his control is off Sakai could be walking batters.
And in fact, Uebayashi does indeed draw a walk.
I think they heard me as Mizuma takes 2 straight balls to start his AB. But again swings on the first ball near the zone and fouls it off.
Well, I thought they heard me anyways. Mizuma swings on the next pitch and it's a comebacker to Sakai. But it deflects off his glove and goes towards Doi who was backing up. He throws to 1st and the inning is over.
Top 2nd
Suzuki continues to look good on the mound starting this game. After a routine fly to left by Matagawa, Ueta swings and misses on a change inside, and Sugimoto becomes Suzuki's 3rd K chasing a ball down and away.
Bottom 2nd
Meanwhile, the Ikuei batters continue to swing away at balls near the zone. As a result, Sakai records 2 quick outs as Kobayashi flies out to left, and Katou fouls out to Maeda near the back netting.
This despite Sakai still having some issues - as evidenced by Satou being hit.
Still, last batter ace Suzuki swings away, falls behind 0-2 then gets frozen for the 3rd out. Outside of the HBP, I think Ikuei is making it easy for Sakai to get back on track.
Top 3rd
Kochi's bottom of the lineup, battery mates Maeda and Sakai on the other hand take a couple. Given, both are still retired - Maeda on a comebacker to Suzuki and Sakai on a grounder to 1st, but they still don't let Suzuki make it a total cake walk.
And apparently Suzuki doesn't like them himself as he inexplicably walks leadoff batter Yoshito on 4 straight.
Doi feigns the running safety bunt twice, and all it gets him is a 1-1 count.
But Shimada-kantoku undaunted sends Yoshito to 2nd again on a 2-strike count and Kobayashi's throw gets there, but takes a hop that Kumagai has to field such that Yoshito slides in! So both of the Wada twins now have a SB in the game!
It's all for naught though as Doi chases another ball in the dirt for Suzuki's 4th K.
Bottom 3rd
I do not like the way that Sendai Ikuei is approaching the game. It reminds me of Seiritsu Gakuen last summer where it felt like they wanted to get the game over with as soon as possible so they could make their train ride home. Their batters are swinging at anything close and are not getting any results other than a quick inning for a struggling Sakai.
In fact, it takes him just 7 pitches to retire the top of Sendai Ikuei's order - and with no balls leaving the infield either.
Top 4th
Despite the Ikuei offense being rather non-existent, Suzuki is doing his best to buy his team time to get it together. Starts off the 4th by retiring Ren 6-3.
Ichikawa though takes a ball the other way for a base hit.
Matagawa gets around on a ball inside and flies to right. Satou ranging back, looks to have it...
But he makes a last second jump and the ball actually falls behind him!!
Despite appearing to get there in time Satou misjudges the ball and it falls in! Ichikawa thinking it would be caught had to hold up and only reaches 3rd on the double by Matagawa and Kochi is threatening here in the 4th! That's a pretty bad misplay by Satou.
AH!
Wild pitch from Suzuki gets away from Kobayashi! Ichikawa running in and is safe! It's another error by the Sendai Ikuei defense allowing Kochi to take the 1-0 lead!
Sasaki-kantoku calls for time to try and settle his team down.
Suzuki does that, though in a roundabout way, by falling behind 3-0 then working the count full on Ueta before getting him to whiff on a changeup for the 2nd out.
Against Sugimoto though he falls behind 3-0 again but loses him to a walk. And after Kobayashi can't cleanly field a ball in the dirt, Sugimoto alertly takes 2nd giving the chance for Kochi to break it open with a base hit.
Maeda with a ball up the 3rd base line, fair!! Katou can't field it cleanly! Throws to 1st... SAFE!!
Maeda just dives in just ahead of the throw and is safe! Matagawa scores to make it a 2-0 Kochi lead!!
Shimada-kantoku continuing to press Sendai Ikuei! Maeda is sent to 2nd and takes it without even an acknowledgement by the Ikuei battery!! I know about the delay steal of home that some teams use, but to not even to try and do anything about stealing 2nd is beyond me.
Sakai with a high bounder to 3rd. Katou fields and throws to 1st finally ending the inning, but not before Kochi takes a fairly large 2-0 lead!
Bottom 4th
Sendai Ikuei's Uebayashi is one of the few players in the order who is taking pitches and earns his 2nd walk. Perhaps Kochi's battery is also trying to avoid him?
Mizuma also taking some pitches and getting ahead of Sakai, but goes after a ball inside and pops it up! Maeda running over to the Sendai Ikuei dugout and makes the catch for the first out.
Kobayashi with a ball to the right side, Ichikawa playing in fields it, goes to 2nd for one, relay back by Doi and Sakai is there to cover for the 3-6-1 double play to end the inning!!
Sendai Ikuei a bit more patient, but perhaps not enough yet as a leadoff walk by Uebayashi goes for naught!
Top 5th
Hm, Suzuki seems to be struggling now as he throws at Yoshito's feet and puts him on to start the inning.
And when Doi attempts to bunt, Suzuki throws inside and hits him! Two runners on for Kochi with the always dangerous Ren up!
Suzuki still having control issues, falling behind Ren 3-1 before coming back to get him to swing and miss for the first out.
And then he gets Ichikawa to swing and miss on a change for the 2nd out!
But just when he looks to get out of the jam, he falls behind Matagawa 3-0 and eventually issues his 3rd free base of the inning to load the bases for Ueta!
Ueta hits a ball up the 3rd base line, Katou playing it behind the bag goes the long way to 1st but gets the 3rd out to get Suzuki out of his self-imposed pinch.
Bottom 5th
Katou's day is over at 3B with #13 Watanabe coming in to PH for him.
Once again though, Sendai Ikuei is swinging away early and often. Watanabe and Satou both swing on the 2nd pitch and fly out to Matagawa in left center.
Suzuki's day is done as well, and given last inning I don't blame Sasaki-kantoku at all. #16 Onodera comes in to hit.
Onodera actually takes a couple of pitches, and hits a comebacker back to Sakai. It glances off his glove but to Doi who goes to 1st for the 3rd out.
So as we hit the break it's the team from Shikoku who leads the game over a team that just seems to be swinging away on anything hittable.
Top 6thSo #15 Abe comes in for PH Watanabe and takes over at 3B. #10 Baba comes in for Onodera and takes the hill.
Baba is laboring a bit on the mound as well. Sugimoto and Maeda test him out, and run a long AB before being retired.
Sakai feebly waves at a ball down for the 3rd out, and Baba survives his 1st inning of relief.
Bottom 6th
Kumagai once again going early, hits a hard ball to Yoshito and while the throw is a bit wide, Ichikawa stretches for the first out.
Kikuna actually works the count and gets ahead 3-1 before fouling several pitches off. And several more...
And then he gives it a ride to right! Sugimoto going back, still going back, at the wall!
But he makes the catch as he softly collides with the padding for the 2nd out! Kikuna did not miss that ball by much.
Hasegawa up and he quickly hits a slow roller to the right side. Yoshito charges, but his throw to 1st is high and forces Ichikawa off the bag.
Uebayashi this time around hacks away! He give it a good rip, but Ueta is there for the catch to retire the side.
Top 7th
After a quick out by Yoshito, Baba continues Suzuki's control issues by hitting Doi. That's Doi's 2nd HBP this game.
Ren with a ball up the 3rd base line. And now Abe can't field the ball cleanly and his throw to 1st pulls Mizuma off the bag!
Once again Sasaki-kantoku has to call time.
Baba comes back and jams Ichikawa who flies out to center for the 2nd out.
And he finally gets out of the inning by getting Matagawa to chase a ball buried. He's keeping Kochi at bat, but the offense is quickly (and given their disposition at the dish - very quickly) running out.
Bottom 7th
Looks like Sakai's day is done as ace Yuuta comes in for a 3-inning save.
And it's one pitch, one out as Mizuma flies out to right.
Kobayashi gets Sendai Ikuei's 2nd hit of the game as he laces one to center! Perhaps that will get the offense started in their lucky 7!
Abe up for his first AB, swings at a 1-0 fastball and flies out to Sugimoto for the 2nd out.
Yuuta lets one get away in the dirt that Maeda has to chase down. Kobayashi advances into scoring position. Base hit here can pull the fall champs within 1.
And now Yuuta falls behind Satou 3-0! He comes right back throw and fires in 2 strikes to fill up the count.
Now Satou lines one into left for a base hit! Kobayashi is held up at 3rd as Matagawa fires the ball back in.
Shimada-kantoku calls for time as Baba comes up for his first AB. He's 1-2 so far here at Koushien.
But Yuuta ties him up on a ball inside and the side is retired! Sendai Ikuei's best chance is left begging and with only 6 outs to go!
Top 8th
Kochi is fine to play at Sendai Ikuei's pace now this late in the game. They go down 1-2-3 on just 10 pitches and retake the field.
Bottom 8th
Top of the order and Kumagai swings on the first pitch and flies out to center. Kikuna soon follows with one to left.
Hasegawa lets 3 balls go by as none of them are close. But after taking one down the middle, he hits a laser to right - but right to Sugimoto for the 3rd out.
Top 9th
After Baba retires the first 2 batters of the inning, he loses Doi on a 3-2 pitch way inside. That means that he'll have to face Ren one more time.
And now a timely steal of 2nd on a ball bounced to Kobayashi means that Doi is in scoring position hoping he can add yet another insurance run. Meanwhile, Ren keeps his AB alive.
But this time Ren chases that same fastball to Doi up and in to end the inning.
Bottom 9th
Baba's done his part, but can the offense show any sign of life this late?
Well, if any person could start the inning, Uebayashi is probably your best option.
And like most of his AB's he gets ahead 3-1 but gets the green light and whiffs on a ball inside for strike 2.
Uebayashi this time takes it upon himself to get on base and shoots one back up the middle for a leadoff single! Now can the people following him build on this?
YES! Sorta.
Mizuma gets hit on a ball that gets away from Yuuta and while he's smarting a bit from that, there are runners on 1st and 2nd now with no out for Sendai Ikuei!!
We're getting deeper into the lineup though as Kobayashi steps in. If they're going to score, it'll be up to the bottom of the order...
Kobayashi goes after the 1-0 pitch and sends it to right. Sugimoto backing up, still backing up, still backing up... and makes the catch deep in right. Uebayshi advances to 3rd, but the douten run still remains at 1st base.
Interestingly it's only now that Shimada-kantoku calls time. Perhaps it's because now he can remind them that really the person to be worried about is Mizuma at 1st. Uebayashi's run doesn't matter in the sense that it would still leave Kochi with the lead.
But Abe hits a grounder to short! Doi flips to 2nd for one, relay from Yoshito is in time! Double play and Kochi has upset the Meiji Jingu Champions!! They advance to the semifinals for the first time in 38 years!
Kochi wouldn't have been able to do it without the pitching tandem of Sakai and Sakamoto. Sakai spun 6 innings of 2 hit ball before handing it over to the ace who while a bit shaky finished off the game.
But while Kochi should get their share of credit for the game, you cannot overlook the fact that Sendai Ikuei was just as culpable if not more for their loss here today. I couldn't get over the fact that they were just hacking away at the plate and basically in many ways assisting the Kochi pitchers by keeping their pitch counts low as well as perhaps not taking advantage of when the opposition was faltering on the mound.
And so the last representative of the Tohoku region is eliminated while a team from Shikoku moves on.
Notable Players
Sakai Yuuya (Kochi) - W, 6 IP, 2 H, K, 2 BB, HBP
Sakamoto Yuuta (Kochi) - SV, 3 IP, 3 H, K, HBP
Matagawa Ryouyuu (Kochi) - 1-3, 2B, R, BB
Maeda Ryuusei (Kochi) - 1-4, RBI, SB
Doi Kouyou (Kochi) - 0-2, K, BB, 2 HBP
Suzuki Takato (Sendai Ikuei) - L, 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 8 K, 3 BB, 2 HBP
Baba Kousuke (Sendai Ikuei) - 4 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 K, BB, HBP
Uebayashi Seiji (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-2, 2 BB
Kobayashi Ryou (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-4
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Day 9, Game 1 - Tokoha Kikugawa (Shizuoka) vs. Kochi (Kochi)
Starting our last day of 3rd round action is Tokoha Kikugawa, who's finally back after a long hiatus, versus Kochi who is riding high after an upset of the Chuugoku champions.
Tokoha Kikugawa has not done all that poorly, outslugging Harue Kougyou in their opening game, then took advantage of a fading Inui to come from behind to defeat hometown team Houtoku Gakuen.
With the key for Tokoha Kikugawa being their offense (as their pitching is weaker than most depending solely on weak contact), the last game against Houtoku Gakuen isn't all that encouraging. 4 runs, but only on 4 hits.
Now, they will be facing Kochi, whose starter - 2nd year Sakai, has had command issues as seen in their game against Kanzei. But he time and again was able to get out of the jams he was put in. Tokoha Kikugawa is probably not the offensive power that Kanzei was, so Sakai may have a better outing this time around if Tokoha can't get their offense started once again.
As for Kochi's offense, it warmed up as the game progressed against Kanzei, eventually culminating in 5 runs. They were helped by walks and dead balls though, so it may not translate at all this time around since Tokoha's pitchers are so around the plate.
This has all the makings of a low-scoring game given the offensive strength and relative pitching style of both teams.
Tokoha Kikugawa (Shizuoka) - Tokai 3 seed
CF Toji Keisuke
LF Maekawa Naoya
SS Endou Kouhei
C Matsuki Daisuke
3B Oonishi Yuuki
RF Kikuchi Shuntarou (#16)
1B Kuwahara Tatsuki
P Watanabe Naoki (#10)
2B Imasaka Ryousuke
Kochi (Kochi) - Shikoku Champions
2B Wada Yoshito
SS Doi Kouyou
3B Wada Ren
1B Ichikawa Gou
LF Matagawa Ryouyuu
CF Ueta Shunya
RF Sugimoto Daiki
C Maeda Ryuusei (#12)
P Sakai Yuuya (#10)
____________________________________________________________
09:01 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Toji with a ball off the end of the bat. Yoshito and Ueta converge on it in center, but it falls in for a base hit!
Morishita-kantoku not bunting as usual with Maekawa.
Instead Morishita-kantoku sends Toji to 2nd! Throw from Maeda not in time!
Count runs full on Maekawa. Grounder to 3rd, Ren with it! Looks Toji back and makes the play at 1st.
Endou swings on a shoulder high pitch and sends it to right. Sugimoto coming in, has it go off his glove trying to make a shoestring catch! Everyone's safe as Toji moves to 3rd!
Sakai not looking particularly sharp in the early goings, going deep and behind in counts.
Now Morishita-kantoku sends Endou to 2nd! Throw again not in time! Base hit could score 2 now!
Matsuki though settles for a sac fly as he hits one to left center. Ueta with the catch, but Toji tags up and comes in to score to make it 1-0 Tokoha Kikugawa!
What's this? Endou tries to sneak into 3rd after the throw home, but Kochi has none of it! They go to 3rd and get him for the 3rd out!
Sneaky, but thoughtful. Still, Tokoha Kikugawa has the early lead!
Bottom 1st
Yoshito working the count full flies out to right.
Doi pops it back in foul territory, Matsuki tries to chase it down, but slips and can't make the catch. Another foul ball and this time Kawahara goes near the camera well, but again can't make the catch. He almost bloops one into left, but Maekawa runs it down.
Ren is hit on the head with a curveball. It's a glancing blow, but the home plate umpire calls for an injury runner. Doi comes out to run for him.
Ichikawa with a grounder past a diving Oonishi for a base hit! Kochi threatening with 2 outs!
Matagawa with a ball to left! Maekawa sprinting back and to his left, makes the running catch to save 2 runs!
Top 2nd
Oonishi with a liner, but right at Yoshito for the out.
Kikuchi with a swinging bunt up the 3rd base line. Maeda fields it as it turns toward foul territory, and then falls down when he tries to spin around to make the throw! Infield hit for Kikuchi!
After two more balls to Kuwahara, Maeda goes out to talk to him.
Kikuchi takes off for 2nd! Throw this time is closer, and he's called out!
Oooo~ I don't know about that call. And on replay, it looks like he gets in before Doi applies the tag. Bad break for Tokoha.
And Kuwahara goes down looking on a fastball on the outside corner. Sakai has his 1-2-3 inning, kinda...
Bottom 2nd
Ueta starts off the inning with a fly to left.
Sugimoto with a ball to the right side, Imasaka over to field it, but it's off his glove and into right. E$ and Kochi has the douten runner on.
Maeda with a ball to the right side as well. Imasaka does field it cleanly this time, spins for 2nd, thinks twice and goes to 1st for the out.
And Sakai hits a routine grounder to 3rd. Oonishi goes to 1st and the side is retired.
Top 3rd
Sakai's pitch location looks a better to start the 3rd as he gets a fastball by Watanabe for the 1st out.
He's still missing high, but Tokoha's batter are chasing after it.
Imasaka skies one towards 3rd, Ren makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Toji also gets under one, but hits it deep to center. Ueta though has plenty of time to get under it near the fence for the catch.
Bottom 3rd
Yoshito puts up another fight at the plate, and this time earns a walk on the full count.
Watanabe doesn't look that bad on the mound. He's not accurate either, but not really missing badly either so far.
Doi with the push bunt up the 1st base line is retired 3-4, but advances Yoshito into scoring position. But Ren grounds to 3rd! Oonishi with the ball, looks Yoshito back and throws to 1st. It's up the line, but Kuwahara makes the tag for the 2nd out.
Ichikawa pops it up on his 1st pitch and Imasaka makes the catch for the 3rd out.
Top 4th
Maekawa with a high swing somehow manages to line one into right for a leadoff hit. Endou not bunting flies out to right.
And he takes off for 2nd! Pitch from Sakai is in the dirt and Maeda has no chance!
Matsuki moves the runner along 90 feet with a groundout to 1st.
Sakai still having trouble with his control. On a waste pitch high, he actually misses down and away, and Maeda has to quickly reach down and stab at it to prevent a wild pitch. And then on a pitch that is supposed to be a little away, he misses by a wide margin.
No matter though as he gets Oonishi to swing and miss on a fastball to end the inning!
Bottom 4th
Matagawa working the count full, gets around on a ball inside and lines it into center for a leadoff hit! Ueta showing bunt, but winds up swinging away, grounds to 3rd! Oonishi goes to 2nd, but Matagawa is called safe as the throw takes Endou off the bag!
Sugimoto with the bunt to the left side. Watanabe quickly fields, spins, fires to 3rd for the out! Oonishi then fires to 1st... where they get Sugimoto for the 1-5-3 double play!!
Maeda grounds to 2nd for the 3rd out and a situation for Tokoha Kikugawa is deftly avoided!
Top 5th
Kikuchi with a blooper to right, Yoshito backing up, leaps and makes the catch for the first out!
Tokoha Kikugawa likes the high pitches as Kuwahara chases ball high for another K for Sakai.
#9 Sakakibara comes in to hit for Watanabe - his day is done. That means Hotta is coming in next half inning. Not sure I like the prospect of that...
Sakakibara does keep the inning going with a walk, Imasaka with a grounder up the 1st base line and it gets by Ichikawa!! Sakakibara winds up at 3rd on the base hit and it's another chance for Tokoha as Shimada-kantoku calls time.
But Toji chases after the first pitch and flies out to left! The opportunity is lost as soon as they get it!
Bottom 5th
Ace Hotta does come in for PH Sakakibara and takes the hill. He'll be tasked to go the distance now.
#17 Okuda comes in to hit for Sakai which means Sakai's day is done and Sakamoto will be coming in after the break. Okuda meanwhile pops out to 3rd.
Yoshito collects his first hit of the day with a lazy single to right.
Uh oh. Hotta misses inside on a full count pitch to Doi and Kochi is threatening with one out! And not only that, it brings up Ren!
Hotta and Matsuki are trying to be careful with Ren without walking the bases loaded. And gets what looks like a curve in to make it 2-2.
Fastball inside, goes behind Ren to fill up the count!
And Hotta can't get the call on a curve down in the zone and it's manrui for Kochi with cleanup batter Ichikawa up!
Ichikawa can't hold up on a buried ball and falls behind 0-1. To which Shimada-kantoku calls time and sends a message to Ichikawa.
Ichikawa with a blast to left center!! Toji running back to the fence, makes the catch! Yoshito easily tags up and we're tied at 1-1 with Kochi still threatening now with runners at the corners!
And Shimada-kantoku sends Ren to 2nd! The Tokoha battery isn't ready and there's no throw!
Now Hotta goes full on Matagawa! And Hotta walks him! It's manrui again for Kochi with Ueta stepping in!
Hotta having control issues all over the place as Matsuki has to leap to catch a pitch. He's high again on a curve, and another curve and he's behind 3-1!
#11 Hodzumi is warming up, but this initial pitching change seems to be rather blunderous!
Ueta swings away, liner right to Endou for the 3rd out!
Hotta and Tokoha Kikugawa get out of the jam, but as we head into the break, the pitching situation for Tokoha is as feared. It's only 1 IP, but already he has an ER, H, and 3 BB's. It's not lost for them, but I think they've made it that much harder on themselves.
Top 6th
Kochi also has a pitching change with Okuda PH for Sakai. Okuda stays in the game at LF, Matagawa moves to RF, and ace Sakamoto Yuuta comes in at Sugimoto's spot in the lineup and takes over on the hill.
After retiring Maekawa 4-3, Sakamoto has some trouble locating his pitches and walks Endou.
He's still having some problems, but gets Matsuki to chase a sinker down and in for the 2nd out.
Endou takes off on the first pitch, and it's a curve in the dirt that Maeda has no chance to throw him out on!
Sakamoto looking just as bad on the mound, falling behind Oonishi 3-0. Gets a fastball in the bottom of the zone for strike 1. Pumps in another on the outer half to fill up the count. Oonishi just fouls off the next pitch.
And Sakamoto now walks Oonishi! That brings up Kikuchi. Sakamoto this time gets ahead 0-2, and gets him to chase a forkball for the 3rd out!
The pressure is mounting on the two aces now in the game. Both have come out to very shaky starts and need to settle down quickly or it could be game set soon enough.
Bottom 6th
New P Sakamoto up, and he flies out to left. Already there seems to be a difference on the mound as Hotta is firing strikes to the batters. He's ahead 0-2 to Maeda and he takes a defensive foul.
Maeda puts a charge into one! Maekawa, playing in, running back in left... makes the running catch for the 2nd out!
Okuda in for his 2nd AB, does no better grounding out to short to end the inning.
Hotta on the other hand, looks miles better in his 2nd inning of work. I'm still skeptical given the numbers, but we'll see.
Top 7th
Kuwahara leads off Tokoha's lucky 7 with a single to right! Not a bad location by Sakamoto, Kuwahara just took it the other way like he was supposed to on an outside pitch.
As expected, Hotta squares up to bunt, but fouls off his first attempt. He fouls off his 2nd attempt and Morishita-kantoku is backed into a corner.
And Hotta tries the three bunt, but can't pull it back in time and is called out!
One down for Tokoha as Imasaka steps in. Sakamoto can't find the zone again and falls behind 3-1. Just gets one in the inside corner to fill up the count.
Hit-and-run! But Imasaka fouls it off. Looks like Morishita-kantoku is being aggressive here.
And another one! Again, Imasaka fouls it off.
And one more time! Imasaka misses this time, but Maeda's throw to 2nd is late.
Lineup flips up back to Toji with a runner in scoring position.
Sakamoto gets Toji on 3 straight finishing him off on a slider away!
Bottom 7th
Yoshito with a pop up behind home plate. Matsuki up against the fence leans to his right and makes the catch for the first out.
Doi goes after the first pitch and flies out to center, and Ren on the very next pitch grounds to short! A quick Lucky 7 for Kochi.
Top 8th
Both pitchers seem to have settled down for the most part, but it's a tenuous 1-1 game.
Sakamoto ahead of Maekawa 1-2, but can't get him to case on two consecutive balls, but gets him looking on a pitch on the inside corner as Maekawa takes off for 1st!
Endou swings on the first pitch and it's a routine grounder to Ren.
Matsuki with a big wave on a forkball down in the zone and he K's for the 2nd time against Sakamoto.
That's 7 K's (!) for Sakamoto in just 3 innings of work!
Bottom 8th
Ichikawa with a liner back up the middle past Hotta for a base hit!
And a ball gets under Matsuki advancing Ichikawa to 2nd! Tokoha in trouble as Morishita-kantoku calls for time.
Hotta gets ahead of Matagawa 1-2 with some well placed balls. Tries to get him to chase away, no dice.
Hotta tries to climb the ladder, but Matagawa connects with it and hits a slow roller to the right side! Imasaka's only play is to 1st and the gyakuten run is 90 feet away!
Ueta steps in, 0-3 on the day. After a foul off, Shimada-kantoku sends him some advice.
Ueta turns on one! 3rd base umpire looking it down the left field line... FAIR!! Maekawa retrieves it at the wall, but Ichikawa scores to make it a 2-1 game! Ueta in at 2nd and Kochi threatens to extend the lead now!
Sakamoto goes down swinging for the 2nd out.
Maeda with a check swing ball to 1st... WHAT??!
Kuwahara just plain misses the ball and it goes into right??! Ueta running home, throw from Maekawa, not in time! Matsuki fires to 2nd and gets Maeda trying to take 2nd on the throw and the inning is over!
But a costly error by Matsuki gives Kochi a crucial insurance run! They now lead 3-1 with just 3 outs to go!!
Top 9th
Desperate times for Tokoha now as they need 2 runs instead of 1.
Oonishi trying to get one of those runs back with one of his swings. Gets ahead 2-1 but watches a fastball right down the middle for strike 2.
He lines a ball to left! Okuda charging in dives, misses it as he awkwardly tumbles over! Oonishi with a leadoff double and Tokoha is in business!
Kikuchi up next, 1-3 with a single back in the 2nd. But he aggressively goes after the first pitch and pops it up! Doi in shallow left secures the ball for the 1st out!
Kuwahara stepping in, perhaps trying to make up for the error he made last half inning.
Chases a sinker for strike 2...
He tries to poke down the left field line, but pulls it foul.
SANSHIN!!!
Kuwahara chases a sinker for the 2nd out! That's 8 K's for Sakamoto!
Down to their last out #17 Kaneko comes in to hit for Hotta. And he's quickly behind 1-2.
SANSHIN!! Sakamoto with his 9th K as Kaneko chases a slider down and away! Kochi advances to the Best 8 at Koushien since their Natsu Koushien appearance in 1979!!
Kochi hangs in there against Tokoha Kikugawa and comes through late for the victory! It certainly looked like that Tokoha had the upper hand early, but the pitching changes for both team seemed to turn the tide. For Kochi, going to ace Sakamoto helped shut down the opposition after a shaky first inning.
Alas, for Tokoha Kikugawa, going to Hotta early perhaps cost them the game. First it cost them the lead when he was shaky in his first inning, then it cost him late as Ichikawa and Hotta put some timely hits together to put Kochi ahead for good.
So Shikoku continues to make a strong showing here at Senbatsu while Tokoha will perhaps go back to the drawing board for the summer.
Notable Players
Sakamoto Yuuta (Kochi) - W, 4 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 9 K, 0 BB
Ichikawa Gou (Kochi) - 2-3, R, RBI
Ueta Shunya (Kochi) - 1-4, 2B, R, RBI
Watanabe Naoki (Tokoha Kikugawa) - ND, 4 IP, 2 H, BB, HBP
Endou Kouhei (Tokoha Kikugawa) - 1-3, BB, SB
Toji Keisuke (Tokoha Kikugawa) - 1-4, R, K
Oonishi Yuuki (Tokoha Kikugawa) - 1-3, 2B, BB, K
Tokoha Kikugawa has not done all that poorly, outslugging Harue Kougyou in their opening game, then took advantage of a fading Inui to come from behind to defeat hometown team Houtoku Gakuen.
With the key for Tokoha Kikugawa being their offense (as their pitching is weaker than most depending solely on weak contact), the last game against Houtoku Gakuen isn't all that encouraging. 4 runs, but only on 4 hits.
Now, they will be facing Kochi, whose starter - 2nd year Sakai, has had command issues as seen in their game against Kanzei. But he time and again was able to get out of the jams he was put in. Tokoha Kikugawa is probably not the offensive power that Kanzei was, so Sakai may have a better outing this time around if Tokoha can't get their offense started once again.
As for Kochi's offense, it warmed up as the game progressed against Kanzei, eventually culminating in 5 runs. They were helped by walks and dead balls though, so it may not translate at all this time around since Tokoha's pitchers are so around the plate.
This has all the makings of a low-scoring game given the offensive strength and relative pitching style of both teams.
Tokoha Kikugawa (Shizuoka) - Tokai 3 seed
CF Toji Keisuke
LF Maekawa Naoya
SS Endou Kouhei
C Matsuki Daisuke
3B Oonishi Yuuki
RF Kikuchi Shuntarou (#16)
1B Kuwahara Tatsuki
P Watanabe Naoki (#10)
2B Imasaka Ryousuke
Kochi (Kochi) - Shikoku Champions
2B Wada Yoshito
SS Doi Kouyou
3B Wada Ren
1B Ichikawa Gou
LF Matagawa Ryouyuu
CF Ueta Shunya
RF Sugimoto Daiki
C Maeda Ryuusei (#12)
P Sakai Yuuya (#10)
____________________________________________________________
09:01 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Toji with a ball off the end of the bat. Yoshito and Ueta converge on it in center, but it falls in for a base hit!
Morishita-kantoku not bunting as usual with Maekawa.
Instead Morishita-kantoku sends Toji to 2nd! Throw from Maeda not in time!
Count runs full on Maekawa. Grounder to 3rd, Ren with it! Looks Toji back and makes the play at 1st.
Endou swings on a shoulder high pitch and sends it to right. Sugimoto coming in, has it go off his glove trying to make a shoestring catch! Everyone's safe as Toji moves to 3rd!
Sakai not looking particularly sharp in the early goings, going deep and behind in counts.
Now Morishita-kantoku sends Endou to 2nd! Throw again not in time! Base hit could score 2 now!
Matsuki though settles for a sac fly as he hits one to left center. Ueta with the catch, but Toji tags up and comes in to score to make it 1-0 Tokoha Kikugawa!
What's this? Endou tries to sneak into 3rd after the throw home, but Kochi has none of it! They go to 3rd and get him for the 3rd out!
Sneaky, but thoughtful. Still, Tokoha Kikugawa has the early lead!
Bottom 1st
Yoshito working the count full flies out to right.
Doi pops it back in foul territory, Matsuki tries to chase it down, but slips and can't make the catch. Another foul ball and this time Kawahara goes near the camera well, but again can't make the catch. He almost bloops one into left, but Maekawa runs it down.
Ren is hit on the head with a curveball. It's a glancing blow, but the home plate umpire calls for an injury runner. Doi comes out to run for him.
Ichikawa with a grounder past a diving Oonishi for a base hit! Kochi threatening with 2 outs!
Matagawa with a ball to left! Maekawa sprinting back and to his left, makes the running catch to save 2 runs!
Top 2nd
Oonishi with a liner, but right at Yoshito for the out.
Kikuchi with a swinging bunt up the 3rd base line. Maeda fields it as it turns toward foul territory, and then falls down when he tries to spin around to make the throw! Infield hit for Kikuchi!
After two more balls to Kuwahara, Maeda goes out to talk to him.
Kikuchi takes off for 2nd! Throw this time is closer, and he's called out!
Oooo~ I don't know about that call. And on replay, it looks like he gets in before Doi applies the tag. Bad break for Tokoha.
And Kuwahara goes down looking on a fastball on the outside corner. Sakai has his 1-2-3 inning, kinda...
Bottom 2nd
Ueta starts off the inning with a fly to left.
Sugimoto with a ball to the right side, Imasaka over to field it, but it's off his glove and into right. E$ and Kochi has the douten runner on.
Maeda with a ball to the right side as well. Imasaka does field it cleanly this time, spins for 2nd, thinks twice and goes to 1st for the out.
And Sakai hits a routine grounder to 3rd. Oonishi goes to 1st and the side is retired.
Top 3rd
Sakai's pitch location looks a better to start the 3rd as he gets a fastball by Watanabe for the 1st out.
He's still missing high, but Tokoha's batter are chasing after it.
Imasaka skies one towards 3rd, Ren makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Toji also gets under one, but hits it deep to center. Ueta though has plenty of time to get under it near the fence for the catch.
Bottom 3rd
Yoshito puts up another fight at the plate, and this time earns a walk on the full count.
Watanabe doesn't look that bad on the mound. He's not accurate either, but not really missing badly either so far.
Doi with the push bunt up the 1st base line is retired 3-4, but advances Yoshito into scoring position. But Ren grounds to 3rd! Oonishi with the ball, looks Yoshito back and throws to 1st. It's up the line, but Kuwahara makes the tag for the 2nd out.
Ichikawa pops it up on his 1st pitch and Imasaka makes the catch for the 3rd out.
Top 4th
Maekawa with a high swing somehow manages to line one into right for a leadoff hit. Endou not bunting flies out to right.
And he takes off for 2nd! Pitch from Sakai is in the dirt and Maeda has no chance!
Matsuki moves the runner along 90 feet with a groundout to 1st.
Sakai still having trouble with his control. On a waste pitch high, he actually misses down and away, and Maeda has to quickly reach down and stab at it to prevent a wild pitch. And then on a pitch that is supposed to be a little away, he misses by a wide margin.
No matter though as he gets Oonishi to swing and miss on a fastball to end the inning!
Bottom 4th
Matagawa working the count full, gets around on a ball inside and lines it into center for a leadoff hit! Ueta showing bunt, but winds up swinging away, grounds to 3rd! Oonishi goes to 2nd, but Matagawa is called safe as the throw takes Endou off the bag!
Sugimoto with the bunt to the left side. Watanabe quickly fields, spins, fires to 3rd for the out! Oonishi then fires to 1st... where they get Sugimoto for the 1-5-3 double play!!
Maeda grounds to 2nd for the 3rd out and a situation for Tokoha Kikugawa is deftly avoided!
Top 5th
Kikuchi with a blooper to right, Yoshito backing up, leaps and makes the catch for the first out!
Tokoha Kikugawa likes the high pitches as Kuwahara chases ball high for another K for Sakai.
#9 Sakakibara comes in to hit for Watanabe - his day is done. That means Hotta is coming in next half inning. Not sure I like the prospect of that...
Sakakibara does keep the inning going with a walk, Imasaka with a grounder up the 1st base line and it gets by Ichikawa!! Sakakibara winds up at 3rd on the base hit and it's another chance for Tokoha as Shimada-kantoku calls time.
But Toji chases after the first pitch and flies out to left! The opportunity is lost as soon as they get it!
Bottom 5th
Ace Hotta does come in for PH Sakakibara and takes the hill. He'll be tasked to go the distance now.
#17 Okuda comes in to hit for Sakai which means Sakai's day is done and Sakamoto will be coming in after the break. Okuda meanwhile pops out to 3rd.
Yoshito collects his first hit of the day with a lazy single to right.
Uh oh. Hotta misses inside on a full count pitch to Doi and Kochi is threatening with one out! And not only that, it brings up Ren!
Hotta and Matsuki are trying to be careful with Ren without walking the bases loaded. And gets what looks like a curve in to make it 2-2.
Fastball inside, goes behind Ren to fill up the count!
And Hotta can't get the call on a curve down in the zone and it's manrui for Kochi with cleanup batter Ichikawa up!
Ichikawa can't hold up on a buried ball and falls behind 0-1. To which Shimada-kantoku calls time and sends a message to Ichikawa.
Ichikawa with a blast to left center!! Toji running back to the fence, makes the catch! Yoshito easily tags up and we're tied at 1-1 with Kochi still threatening now with runners at the corners!
And Shimada-kantoku sends Ren to 2nd! The Tokoha battery isn't ready and there's no throw!
Now Hotta goes full on Matagawa! And Hotta walks him! It's manrui again for Kochi with Ueta stepping in!
Hotta having control issues all over the place as Matsuki has to leap to catch a pitch. He's high again on a curve, and another curve and he's behind 3-1!
#11 Hodzumi is warming up, but this initial pitching change seems to be rather blunderous!
Ueta swings away, liner right to Endou for the 3rd out!
Hotta and Tokoha Kikugawa get out of the jam, but as we head into the break, the pitching situation for Tokoha is as feared. It's only 1 IP, but already he has an ER, H, and 3 BB's. It's not lost for them, but I think they've made it that much harder on themselves.
Top 6th
Kochi also has a pitching change with Okuda PH for Sakai. Okuda stays in the game at LF, Matagawa moves to RF, and ace Sakamoto Yuuta comes in at Sugimoto's spot in the lineup and takes over on the hill.
After retiring Maekawa 4-3, Sakamoto has some trouble locating his pitches and walks Endou.
He's still having some problems, but gets Matsuki to chase a sinker down and in for the 2nd out.
Endou takes off on the first pitch, and it's a curve in the dirt that Maeda has no chance to throw him out on!
Sakamoto looking just as bad on the mound, falling behind Oonishi 3-0. Gets a fastball in the bottom of the zone for strike 1. Pumps in another on the outer half to fill up the count. Oonishi just fouls off the next pitch.
And Sakamoto now walks Oonishi! That brings up Kikuchi. Sakamoto this time gets ahead 0-2, and gets him to chase a forkball for the 3rd out!
The pressure is mounting on the two aces now in the game. Both have come out to very shaky starts and need to settle down quickly or it could be game set soon enough.
Bottom 6th
New P Sakamoto up, and he flies out to left. Already there seems to be a difference on the mound as Hotta is firing strikes to the batters. He's ahead 0-2 to Maeda and he takes a defensive foul.
Maeda puts a charge into one! Maekawa, playing in, running back in left... makes the running catch for the 2nd out!
Okuda in for his 2nd AB, does no better grounding out to short to end the inning.
Hotta on the other hand, looks miles better in his 2nd inning of work. I'm still skeptical given the numbers, but we'll see.
Top 7th
Kuwahara leads off Tokoha's lucky 7 with a single to right! Not a bad location by Sakamoto, Kuwahara just took it the other way like he was supposed to on an outside pitch.
As expected, Hotta squares up to bunt, but fouls off his first attempt. He fouls off his 2nd attempt and Morishita-kantoku is backed into a corner.
And Hotta tries the three bunt, but can't pull it back in time and is called out!
One down for Tokoha as Imasaka steps in. Sakamoto can't find the zone again and falls behind 3-1. Just gets one in the inside corner to fill up the count.
Hit-and-run! But Imasaka fouls it off. Looks like Morishita-kantoku is being aggressive here.
And another one! Again, Imasaka fouls it off.
And one more time! Imasaka misses this time, but Maeda's throw to 2nd is late.
Lineup flips up back to Toji with a runner in scoring position.
Sakamoto gets Toji on 3 straight finishing him off on a slider away!
Bottom 7th
Yoshito with a pop up behind home plate. Matsuki up against the fence leans to his right and makes the catch for the first out.
Doi goes after the first pitch and flies out to center, and Ren on the very next pitch grounds to short! A quick Lucky 7 for Kochi.
Top 8th
Both pitchers seem to have settled down for the most part, but it's a tenuous 1-1 game.
Sakamoto ahead of Maekawa 1-2, but can't get him to case on two consecutive balls, but gets him looking on a pitch on the inside corner as Maekawa takes off for 1st!
Endou swings on the first pitch and it's a routine grounder to Ren.
Matsuki with a big wave on a forkball down in the zone and he K's for the 2nd time against Sakamoto.
That's 7 K's (!) for Sakamoto in just 3 innings of work!
Bottom 8th
Ichikawa with a liner back up the middle past Hotta for a base hit!
And a ball gets under Matsuki advancing Ichikawa to 2nd! Tokoha in trouble as Morishita-kantoku calls for time.
Hotta gets ahead of Matagawa 1-2 with some well placed balls. Tries to get him to chase away, no dice.
Hotta tries to climb the ladder, but Matagawa connects with it and hits a slow roller to the right side! Imasaka's only play is to 1st and the gyakuten run is 90 feet away!
Ueta steps in, 0-3 on the day. After a foul off, Shimada-kantoku sends him some advice.
Ueta turns on one! 3rd base umpire looking it down the left field line... FAIR!! Maekawa retrieves it at the wall, but Ichikawa scores to make it a 2-1 game! Ueta in at 2nd and Kochi threatens to extend the lead now!
Sakamoto goes down swinging for the 2nd out.
Maeda with a check swing ball to 1st... WHAT??!
Kuwahara just plain misses the ball and it goes into right??! Ueta running home, throw from Maekawa, not in time! Matsuki fires to 2nd and gets Maeda trying to take 2nd on the throw and the inning is over!
But a costly error by Matsuki gives Kochi a crucial insurance run! They now lead 3-1 with just 3 outs to go!!
Top 9th
Desperate times for Tokoha now as they need 2 runs instead of 1.
Oonishi trying to get one of those runs back with one of his swings. Gets ahead 2-1 but watches a fastball right down the middle for strike 2.
He lines a ball to left! Okuda charging in dives, misses it as he awkwardly tumbles over! Oonishi with a leadoff double and Tokoha is in business!
Kikuchi up next, 1-3 with a single back in the 2nd. But he aggressively goes after the first pitch and pops it up! Doi in shallow left secures the ball for the 1st out!
Kuwahara stepping in, perhaps trying to make up for the error he made last half inning.
Chases a sinker for strike 2...
He tries to poke down the left field line, but pulls it foul.
SANSHIN!!!
Kuwahara chases a sinker for the 2nd out! That's 8 K's for Sakamoto!
Down to their last out #17 Kaneko comes in to hit for Hotta. And he's quickly behind 1-2.
SANSHIN!! Sakamoto with his 9th K as Kaneko chases a slider down and away! Kochi advances to the Best 8 at Koushien since their Natsu Koushien appearance in 1979!!
Kochi hangs in there against Tokoha Kikugawa and comes through late for the victory! It certainly looked like that Tokoha had the upper hand early, but the pitching changes for both team seemed to turn the tide. For Kochi, going to ace Sakamoto helped shut down the opposition after a shaky first inning.
Alas, for Tokoha Kikugawa, going to Hotta early perhaps cost them the game. First it cost them the lead when he was shaky in his first inning, then it cost him late as Ichikawa and Hotta put some timely hits together to put Kochi ahead for good.
So Shikoku continues to make a strong showing here at Senbatsu while Tokoha will perhaps go back to the drawing board for the summer.
Notable Players
Sakamoto Yuuta (Kochi) - W, 4 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 9 K, 0 BB
Ichikawa Gou (Kochi) - 2-3, R, RBI
Ueta Shunya (Kochi) - 1-4, 2B, R, RBI
Watanabe Naoki (Tokoha Kikugawa) - ND, 4 IP, 2 H, BB, HBP
Endou Kouhei (Tokoha Kikugawa) - 1-3, BB, SB
Toji Keisuke (Tokoha Kikugawa) - 1-4, R, K
Oonishi Yuuki (Tokoha Kikugawa) - 1-3, 2B, BB, K
Monday, March 25, 2013
Day 4, Game 3 - Kochi (Kochi) vs. Kanzei (Okayama)
Our final game of the day features one of my favorite teams squaring off against one of the mainstays of the Shikoku region.
As many of you know, Kanzei has become my favorite team ever since seeing Dass Romash blow 2 leads in the final innings, and the infamous inside the park homerun against Waseda Jtsugyou.
Since then, they've not had much success until I went back in 2011 when they got all the way to the semifinals, only to lose to eventual champs Nichidai-san (*shakes fist*).
Anyways, it's been about a year since then and Kanzei has reloaded. After blowing through the prefecturals, they annihilated teams such a s Jyosuikan, Kurashiki Shougyou (for a second time) and Kouryou to win the Chuugoku super-regional. After that, they beat Yasuda Gakuen and Harue Kougyou before losing in the finals to Sendai Ikuei.
Make no mistake about it though, Kanzei will try to beat you through offense. While they averaged 3 runs given up per game (and that includes 12 in the final against Sendai Ikuei), ace Koyama Yuuto does not have the gaudy numbers one might associate with that. One again, he only hits the low-mid 130s with a two-seamer, slider and screwball. He carries a 6.59 K/9, 1.30 WHIP, and a 2.77 K/BB rate.
So the offense, which batted 0.378(!) will be tasked to deliver for the team. Only one player, 3B Katada Takumi, had an average under 0.300. It'll be up to table setters Aizawa Ryousuke and Ogou Yuuya to get on base ahead of the heart of the order. Doesn't seem too hard, they both batted over 0.400 and both almost had an OBP of 0.500!
Because we have a track record of how most pitchers fare in Koyama, it'll be the offense we'll key on to see if they're the real deal.
And they'll get an early challenge in Shikoku champions Kochi.
Now, admittedly, Shikoku 高校野球 is not as strong as in years past. Kochi though is one of the stronger teams in the region. Sadly, in 9 haru-natsu appearances, they have gone past the first game just twice.
At least the competition during the fall had quite a few "brand names" as it were. Tosa, Kochi Shougyou, Marugame, Tokushima Shougyou, Naruto, before narrowly losing to Urawa Gakuin at the Meiji Jingu taikai.
But seeing how Tosa played, as well as Naruto and Uragaku's performance earlier, the underlying evidence cancels out the numbers posted last fall. Ace Sakamoto Yuuta's line of 6.64 K/9, and a WHIP slightly above 1.50 become even more troubling in that light. Again in the low 130s, he has a changeup in addition to the standard repertoire (herein known as a slider and curve). There may be more hope in 2nd year Sakai Yuuya who throws in the upper 130s with a curve and forkball. Shimada-kantoku may be better off giving the ball to him instead if they want a chance in this game.
Offensively, the team batted 0.389, but again it might have to be taken with a grain of salt. They did average 2.5 doubles per game, and had 3.5 SB per game, so perhaps they have speed. And speed travels no matter what - so long as you can get on base. And with 25 walks in their final 3 games (Tokushima Shougyou, Naruto, Urawa Gakuin), it's certain they know this too. Expect the Wada duo of leadoff batter Yoshito and cleanup batter Ren to supply a lot of the SB.
So expect Kochi to challenge early, and if successful often, against the Kanzei battery.
Kanzei should have the advantage, but if Kochi can run they can make a game out of it.
Kochi (Kochi) - Shikoku Champions
SS Doi Kouyou
2B Wada Yoshito
3B Wada Ren
1B Ichikawa Gou
LF Matagawa Ryouyuu
CF Ueda Shunya
RF Sugimoto Daiki
C Maeda Ryuusei (#12)
P Sakai Yuuya (#10)
Kanzei (Okayama) - Chuugoku Champions
CF Aizawa Ryousuke
2B Ogou Yuuya
P Koyama Yuuto
1B Doi Shinji
C Uno Yuusuke
RF Tobe Daiji
SS Tanaka Kanata (OT: I just noticed the romaji is palindromic!)
3B Irumi Kei (#10)
LF Uraki Naohiro
____________________________________________________________
14:15 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Well, that's 2 games now my research turns out to be wrong. Koyama actually can hit the upper 130s, which compared to other aces, it's actually good.
And he uses the slightly faster fastball to blow by Doi for the opening out.
Yoshito turns out to be a tougher cookie as he fouls off several pitches before grounding out to short.
And Ren swings on the first pitch and drives it to deep center. But Aizawa is there to camp under it for the 3rd out. But duly noted, he does have power.
Bottom 1st
Well, while I know Shimada-kantoku doesn't follow me, he does start Sakai in the game.
But... well, this is wrong too. Sakai doesn't throw any harder than the average ace. What gives?
Plus, he has control issues! He walks Ogou with one down, and after a groundout he uncorks a wild pitch that allows him to advance 90 more feet to 3rd!
Then he walks Doi, who then steals 2nd, and then walks Uno! Manrui for Kanzei all via the walk!
Oh, and I guess Sakai does hit the upper 130s after all reaching 137 on the gun against Uno.
But Tobe inexplicably swings on a eye-high fastball for strike 3! Didn't he get a peek that Maeda was standing up?
Well, anyways, Sakai's wildness in the first does not come back to bite him, and the score remains level at 0.
Top 2nd
Well, Koyama's control seems to be not quite all there despite the extra speed.
He falls behind Ichikawa 2-1 before getting a groundout to 3rd. Matagawa runs the count full, but goes down swinging.
As for Ueda with a foul ball down the right field line, Tobe on a dead run dives and makes the catch fot he 3rd out!
Bottom 2nd
Sakai gets himself into trouble in the 2nd.
Kanata lines a single over Yoshito into right. Then he walks Irumi and there's runner on 1st and 2nd with no out!
But Uraki on a bunt attempt pops it up! A charging Ichikawa catches it for the first out!
Aizaawa behind 1-2, lets a fastball on the outside corner go by and turns around to head to the dugout before he's called out.
And Ogou is jammed and flies out to Matagawa to end the inning! Sakai performes yet another disappearing trick!
Top 3rd
After some confusing regarding the count, Koyama gets Sugimoto to swing on a full count fastball away for the first out.
And while he went away on Sugimoto, he pounds Maeda inside who goes down swinging on a slider.
Oddly enough, it's Sakai who gets Kochi's first hit! He pulls a fastball away, and it lands at the base of the fence in left center for a double!
Really, Doi has Poker Face as his oen-dan song?
As punishment he takes a sinker over the plate for strike 3 to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
One down for Doi, and he drives a ball into the left-center field gap and just out of the reach of Ueda for a double.
Uno quickly grounds out to 1st and there's 2 outs.
That brings up Tobe, who had an awful end to his last AB.
Behind 2-0, Sakai blasts a letter high 139 fastball inside, then a 138 outside, both swung and missed. That prompts Eura-kantoku to call him over for a quick talk. Not with him of course since managers don't exit the dugout unless really needed.
Well, at least he made contact. But he lifts a can of corn to center that Ueda secures for the 3rd out.
Top 4th
Yoshito quickly records the first out on a routine grounder to 2nd.
The MBS announcers are making a big deal of Ren's 0.676 fall BA, but Koyama apparently didn't get the memo because he goes after him inside and induces a popup to Dai in foul territory.
Ichikawa grounds out to 2nd, and it's another uneventful inning.
Bottom 4th
Kanata ahead 2-0 gets around on an inside fastball and drives it down the left field line for a leadoff double. This is another inning where Kanzei has a runner in scoring position with less than 2 outs.
And again, failure to execute is an option! Irumi pops up his bunt, Maeda sprints behind him and makes a great diving catch for the first out!
Uraki up, and Eura-kantoku perhaps has given up on bunting.
The Kochi battery tries to sell strike 3 on the 1-2 pitch but it goes begging. Eventually he works a walk and now there's runners on 1st and 2nd.
Back to the top of the order and Aizawa, Sakai gets two quick strikes. They plead for the third on a curveball, but again the home plate umpire doesn't buy it. Instead he grounds out to short, but advances the runners.
2 down and is Sakai able to pull the rabbit out of the hat for the 4th time?
YES!
Ogou pops it up behind home plate! Maeds secures it and Kanzei is held off the board again!
You know what they say about letting you opposition hang around. These missed opportunites will cost Kanzei if they keep this up.
Top 5th
After two quick infield outs, Sugimoto takes a nice easy swing and slices it down the left field line for a single.
And with Maeda up, Shimada-kantoku sends Sugimoto! Throw from Uno not in time!
Things are starting to get a bit hairy for Koyama as he runs the count on Maeda full.
But he jams him into a foul fly down the right field line. Doi is there for the catch and the side is retired. It does look like Kochi is making inroads against Koyama though.
Bottom 5th
One down, Doi bloops one over his namesake on Kochi for a base hit. Eura-kantoku decides to play for the run and has Uno bunt the runner over.
But once again Kanzei trips on itself (even though this wasn't a big chance). Tobe doesn't strike out like the 1st, but all he can do is groundout to Ichikawa at 1st to end the inning.
The game offensively has been dominated by Kanzei, but the inability of the team to get the timely hit means that we are actually scoreless through 5! We're in a 4-inning game now, and momentum may be turning to Kochi!
Top 6th
Sakai has done his job. Shimada-kantoku probably doesn't want more years taken off his lifespan and pinch-hits #18 Takeuchi in his spot.
Realistically, having given up no runs given the circumstances is probably the best thing for Kochi.
Takeuchi meanwhile in his only AB today goes down swinging.
Doi meanwhile pops out Uno for the 2nd out, and Yoshito pops out to Kanata. It's another scoreless inning, and perhaps Koyama has reclaimed some of the momemtum.
Bottom 6th
However, ace Sakamoto Yuuta is taking the mound to finish the game. Kanzei will probably not have the same opportunities afforded before.
And indeed Kanata rolls a grounder to short, but Doi can't field the ball cleanly and Kanata gets on base!
Eura-kanoku asks Irumi to bunt again, but he can't lay it down and he goes to 2 strikes. Camera goes to Eura-kantoku who must be really exasperated by now.
But the baseball gods must be giving Kanzei free passes because a pickoff throw to 1st gets by Ichikawa and allows Kanata to go to 2nd!
Yet Kanzei continues to execute poorly. Irumi pushes the bat and totally misses and strikes out!
Uraki up to the plate and it's the same story. Grounds to 1st, advances the runner. 2 down, back to Aizawa at the top of the order.
And Sakamoto jams Aizawa! He flies out to left and once again Kochi slips out of the jam!
Top 7th
One down in Kochi's Lucky 7, and Ichikawa hits a ground ball past a diving Irumi into left!
And apparently Kochi's oen-dan likes US songs becacuse they're playing Born This Way.
Back to the action and Matagawa flies out to left.
Shimada-kantoku pushes the action and has Ichikawa run! He steals 2nd safely!
And now Ueda with a ball to center! That falls in! Aizawa double clutches on his throw and it's late! Ichikawa scores and Kochi has the lead! The ball goes off Ichikawa's back and Ueda takes 2nd! It's 1-0 Kochi!
Sugimoto grounds out to 2nd, but the inevitable has happened. Kochi has taken advantage of their luck and taken the lead!
Bottom 7th
Meanwhile Kanzei's missed opportunites are much more magnified now that (a) Kochi has taken the lead and (b) they're face Kochi's ace.
Sakamoto jumps on the fact that Kanzei is probably pressing due to this and takes full advantage.
Ogou and Koyama quickly are retired and Doi goes down swinging on a fastball away.
Top 8th
Maeda leads off the inning with a liner to left for a base hit! Sakamoto lays the bunt down, but Doi gambles and throws to 2nd instead! Kanata is there with the catch and they get the lead runner!
But on the very next pitch Koyama throws it in the dirt and that allows Yuuta to reach 2nd anyways!
And Doi's deep fly to right allows Yuuta to tag up and reach 3rd! One run seems impossible enough for Kanzei right now, 2 would be almost a dead loss.
Things are going from bad to worse ad Koyama hits Yoshito. Eura-kantoku calls time.
No good!
Ren singles through the left side! Yuuta scores and Kochi indeed gets their 2nd run! It's 2-0 and you can probably put a stake in Kanzei now!
With a 4-pitch walk to Ichikawa, Koyama may be gassed from trying to keep the line while his offense does nothing.
And that is true! Matagawa singles to right center! 2 runs score, and that's the dagger in Kanzei's coffin! 4-0!
Eura-kantoku finally gives in. Aizawa comes in from CF to pitch, Koyama goes to 1B, Doi goes to 3B, Irumi goes to LF, and Uraki goes to CF.
And the wheels have completely fallen off. Aizawa uncorks a wild pitch allowing Ichikawa to score making it 5-0.
The inning mercifully ends when Ueda flies out to left, but the game is effectively over.
Bottom 8th
Kanzei's batters are completely pressing as evidenced by Uno's first pitch swing on a ball head-high. All Sakamoto needs to do is get it close to the plate and I think Kanzei will chase.
Sakamoto beats around the bush a bit with Uno, but when the count runs full, he throws the slider in the outside half and Uno dutifully chases for the first out.
Tobe does the same after falling behind 1-2.
And Kanata gets jammed and grounds out to 2nd. This game is over.
Top 9th
Sugimoto walks to leadoff the inning. Maeda bunts him along to see if they pad the lead. But Yuuta can't make contact and whiffs on a slider in the dirt for the 2nd out.
Doi ground out to short to end the inning, but it's incosequential at this point.
Bottom 9th
Eura-kantoku decides to send in #16 Morikawa to hit for Irumi.
Proceeds to hit solo HR to make it not a shutout. 5-1.
After 2 expected groundouts, Ogou hits ameaningless ball off the top of the fence in right for a triple.
And in a fitting end, a wild pitch gets away from Maeda, Ogou thinks it's far enough, it isn't in the slightest, and Ogou is thrown out trying to get back to 3rd. Game set.
As a fan of Kanzei, this was as Jim Mora Sr. put it "a disgraceful performance". Kanzei had the following situations:
Kanzei pretty much deserved to lose that game. Period. Kochi was strong enough to get out of those situations time and time again, and finally pulled through in the 7th when Kanzei, and more importantly Koyama, was running out of gas from trying so hard on the mound to make up for his inept offense.
I'm taking my proverbial ball and going home for the night. Ugh.
Notable Players
Sakai Yuuya (Kochi) - ND, 5 IP, 0 ER(!), 4 H, 2 K, 5 BB
Matagawa Ryouyuu (Kochi) - 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, K
Wada Ren (Kochi) - 1-4, R, RBI
Ichikawa Gou (Kochi) 1-3, 2 R, BB, SB
Koyama Yuuto (Kanzei) - L, 7.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 6 K, BB, HBP
Morikawa Seiya (Kanzei) - 1-1, HR, R, RBI
Doi Shinji (Kanzei) - 2-3, 2B, BB, K
Tanaka Kanata (Kanzei) - 2-4, 2B
As many of you know, Kanzei has become my favorite team ever since seeing Dass Romash blow 2 leads in the final innings, and the infamous inside the park homerun against Waseda Jtsugyou.
Since then, they've not had much success until I went back in 2011 when they got all the way to the semifinals, only to lose to eventual champs Nichidai-san (*shakes fist*).
Anyways, it's been about a year since then and Kanzei has reloaded. After blowing through the prefecturals, they annihilated teams such a s Jyosuikan, Kurashiki Shougyou (for a second time) and Kouryou to win the Chuugoku super-regional. After that, they beat Yasuda Gakuen and Harue Kougyou before losing in the finals to Sendai Ikuei.
Make no mistake about it though, Kanzei will try to beat you through offense. While they averaged 3 runs given up per game (and that includes 12 in the final against Sendai Ikuei), ace Koyama Yuuto does not have the gaudy numbers one might associate with that. One again, he only hits the low-mid 130s with a two-seamer, slider and screwball. He carries a 6.59 K/9, 1.30 WHIP, and a 2.77 K/BB rate.
So the offense, which batted 0.378(!) will be tasked to deliver for the team. Only one player, 3B Katada Takumi, had an average under 0.300. It'll be up to table setters Aizawa Ryousuke and Ogou Yuuya to get on base ahead of the heart of the order. Doesn't seem too hard, they both batted over 0.400 and both almost had an OBP of 0.500!
Because we have a track record of how most pitchers fare in Koyama, it'll be the offense we'll key on to see if they're the real deal.
And they'll get an early challenge in Shikoku champions Kochi.
Now, admittedly, Shikoku 高校野球 is not as strong as in years past. Kochi though is one of the stronger teams in the region. Sadly, in 9 haru-natsu appearances, they have gone past the first game just twice.
At least the competition during the fall had quite a few "brand names" as it were. Tosa, Kochi Shougyou, Marugame, Tokushima Shougyou, Naruto, before narrowly losing to Urawa Gakuin at the Meiji Jingu taikai.
But seeing how Tosa played, as well as Naruto and Uragaku's performance earlier, the underlying evidence cancels out the numbers posted last fall. Ace Sakamoto Yuuta's line of 6.64 K/9, and a WHIP slightly above 1.50 become even more troubling in that light. Again in the low 130s, he has a changeup in addition to the standard repertoire (herein known as a slider and curve). There may be more hope in 2nd year Sakai Yuuya who throws in the upper 130s with a curve and forkball. Shimada-kantoku may be better off giving the ball to him instead if they want a chance in this game.
Offensively, the team batted 0.389, but again it might have to be taken with a grain of salt. They did average 2.5 doubles per game, and had 3.5 SB per game, so perhaps they have speed. And speed travels no matter what - so long as you can get on base. And with 25 walks in their final 3 games (Tokushima Shougyou, Naruto, Urawa Gakuin), it's certain they know this too. Expect the Wada duo of leadoff batter Yoshito and cleanup batter Ren to supply a lot of the SB.
So expect Kochi to challenge early, and if successful often, against the Kanzei battery.
Kanzei should have the advantage, but if Kochi can run they can make a game out of it.
Kochi (Kochi) - Shikoku Champions
SS Doi Kouyou
2B Wada Yoshito
3B Wada Ren
1B Ichikawa Gou
LF Matagawa Ryouyuu
CF Ueda Shunya
RF Sugimoto Daiki
C Maeda Ryuusei (#12)
P Sakai Yuuya (#10)
Kanzei (Okayama) - Chuugoku Champions
CF Aizawa Ryousuke
2B Ogou Yuuya
P Koyama Yuuto
1B Doi Shinji
C Uno Yuusuke
RF Tobe Daiji
SS Tanaka Kanata (OT: I just noticed the romaji is palindromic!)
3B Irumi Kei (#10)
LF Uraki Naohiro
____________________________________________________________
14:15 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Well, that's 2 games now my research turns out to be wrong. Koyama actually can hit the upper 130s, which compared to other aces, it's actually good.
And he uses the slightly faster fastball to blow by Doi for the opening out.
Yoshito turns out to be a tougher cookie as he fouls off several pitches before grounding out to short.
And Ren swings on the first pitch and drives it to deep center. But Aizawa is there to camp under it for the 3rd out. But duly noted, he does have power.
Bottom 1st
Well, while I know Shimada-kantoku doesn't follow me, he does start Sakai in the game.
But... well, this is wrong too. Sakai doesn't throw any harder than the average ace. What gives?
Plus, he has control issues! He walks Ogou with one down, and after a groundout he uncorks a wild pitch that allows him to advance 90 more feet to 3rd!
Then he walks Doi, who then steals 2nd, and then walks Uno! Manrui for Kanzei all via the walk!
Oh, and I guess Sakai does hit the upper 130s after all reaching 137 on the gun against Uno.
But Tobe inexplicably swings on a eye-high fastball for strike 3! Didn't he get a peek that Maeda was standing up?
Well, anyways, Sakai's wildness in the first does not come back to bite him, and the score remains level at 0.
Top 2nd
Well, Koyama's control seems to be not quite all there despite the extra speed.
He falls behind Ichikawa 2-1 before getting a groundout to 3rd. Matagawa runs the count full, but goes down swinging.
As for Ueda with a foul ball down the right field line, Tobe on a dead run dives and makes the catch fot he 3rd out!
Bottom 2nd
Sakai gets himself into trouble in the 2nd.
Kanata lines a single over Yoshito into right. Then he walks Irumi and there's runner on 1st and 2nd with no out!
But Uraki on a bunt attempt pops it up! A charging Ichikawa catches it for the first out!
Aizaawa behind 1-2, lets a fastball on the outside corner go by and turns around to head to the dugout before he's called out.
And Ogou is jammed and flies out to Matagawa to end the inning! Sakai performes yet another disappearing trick!
Top 3rd
After some confusing regarding the count, Koyama gets Sugimoto to swing on a full count fastball away for the first out.
And while he went away on Sugimoto, he pounds Maeda inside who goes down swinging on a slider.
Oddly enough, it's Sakai who gets Kochi's first hit! He pulls a fastball away, and it lands at the base of the fence in left center for a double!
Really, Doi has Poker Face as his oen-dan song?
As punishment he takes a sinker over the plate for strike 3 to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
One down for Doi, and he drives a ball into the left-center field gap and just out of the reach of Ueda for a double.
Uno quickly grounds out to 1st and there's 2 outs.
That brings up Tobe, who had an awful end to his last AB.
Behind 2-0, Sakai blasts a letter high 139 fastball inside, then a 138 outside, both swung and missed. That prompts Eura-kantoku to call him over for a quick talk. Not with him of course since managers don't exit the dugout unless really needed.
Well, at least he made contact. But he lifts a can of corn to center that Ueda secures for the 3rd out.
Top 4th
Yoshito quickly records the first out on a routine grounder to 2nd.
The MBS announcers are making a big deal of Ren's 0.676 fall BA, but Koyama apparently didn't get the memo because he goes after him inside and induces a popup to Dai in foul territory.
Ichikawa grounds out to 2nd, and it's another uneventful inning.
Bottom 4th
Kanata ahead 2-0 gets around on an inside fastball and drives it down the left field line for a leadoff double. This is another inning where Kanzei has a runner in scoring position with less than 2 outs.
And again, failure to execute is an option! Irumi pops up his bunt, Maeda sprints behind him and makes a great diving catch for the first out!
Uraki up, and Eura-kantoku perhaps has given up on bunting.
The Kochi battery tries to sell strike 3 on the 1-2 pitch but it goes begging. Eventually he works a walk and now there's runners on 1st and 2nd.
Back to the top of the order and Aizawa, Sakai gets two quick strikes. They plead for the third on a curveball, but again the home plate umpire doesn't buy it. Instead he grounds out to short, but advances the runners.
2 down and is Sakai able to pull the rabbit out of the hat for the 4th time?
YES!
Ogou pops it up behind home plate! Maeds secures it and Kanzei is held off the board again!
You know what they say about letting you opposition hang around. These missed opportunites will cost Kanzei if they keep this up.
Top 5th
After two quick infield outs, Sugimoto takes a nice easy swing and slices it down the left field line for a single.
And with Maeda up, Shimada-kantoku sends Sugimoto! Throw from Uno not in time!
Things are starting to get a bit hairy for Koyama as he runs the count on Maeda full.
But he jams him into a foul fly down the right field line. Doi is there for the catch and the side is retired. It does look like Kochi is making inroads against Koyama though.
Bottom 5th
One down, Doi bloops one over his namesake on Kochi for a base hit. Eura-kantoku decides to play for the run and has Uno bunt the runner over.
But once again Kanzei trips on itself (even though this wasn't a big chance). Tobe doesn't strike out like the 1st, but all he can do is groundout to Ichikawa at 1st to end the inning.
The game offensively has been dominated by Kanzei, but the inability of the team to get the timely hit means that we are actually scoreless through 5! We're in a 4-inning game now, and momentum may be turning to Kochi!
Top 6th
Sakai has done his job. Shimada-kantoku probably doesn't want more years taken off his lifespan and pinch-hits #18 Takeuchi in his spot.
Realistically, having given up no runs given the circumstances is probably the best thing for Kochi.
Takeuchi meanwhile in his only AB today goes down swinging.
Doi meanwhile pops out Uno for the 2nd out, and Yoshito pops out to Kanata. It's another scoreless inning, and perhaps Koyama has reclaimed some of the momemtum.
Bottom 6th
However, ace Sakamoto Yuuta is taking the mound to finish the game. Kanzei will probably not have the same opportunities afforded before.
And indeed Kanata rolls a grounder to short, but Doi can't field the ball cleanly and Kanata gets on base!
Eura-kanoku asks Irumi to bunt again, but he can't lay it down and he goes to 2 strikes. Camera goes to Eura-kantoku who must be really exasperated by now.
But the baseball gods must be giving Kanzei free passes because a pickoff throw to 1st gets by Ichikawa and allows Kanata to go to 2nd!
Yet Kanzei continues to execute poorly. Irumi pushes the bat and totally misses and strikes out!
Uraki up to the plate and it's the same story. Grounds to 1st, advances the runner. 2 down, back to Aizawa at the top of the order.
And Sakamoto jams Aizawa! He flies out to left and once again Kochi slips out of the jam!
Top 7th
One down in Kochi's Lucky 7, and Ichikawa hits a ground ball past a diving Irumi into left!
And apparently Kochi's oen-dan likes US songs becacuse they're playing Born This Way.
Back to the action and Matagawa flies out to left.
Shimada-kantoku pushes the action and has Ichikawa run! He steals 2nd safely!
And now Ueda with a ball to center! That falls in! Aizawa double clutches on his throw and it's late! Ichikawa scores and Kochi has the lead! The ball goes off Ichikawa's back and Ueda takes 2nd! It's 1-0 Kochi!
Sugimoto grounds out to 2nd, but the inevitable has happened. Kochi has taken advantage of their luck and taken the lead!
Bottom 7th
Meanwhile Kanzei's missed opportunites are much more magnified now that (a) Kochi has taken the lead and (b) they're face Kochi's ace.
Sakamoto jumps on the fact that Kanzei is probably pressing due to this and takes full advantage.
Ogou and Koyama quickly are retired and Doi goes down swinging on a fastball away.
Top 8th
Maeda leads off the inning with a liner to left for a base hit! Sakamoto lays the bunt down, but Doi gambles and throws to 2nd instead! Kanata is there with the catch and they get the lead runner!
But on the very next pitch Koyama throws it in the dirt and that allows Yuuta to reach 2nd anyways!
And Doi's deep fly to right allows Yuuta to tag up and reach 3rd! One run seems impossible enough for Kanzei right now, 2 would be almost a dead loss.
Things are going from bad to worse ad Koyama hits Yoshito. Eura-kantoku calls time.
No good!
Ren singles through the left side! Yuuta scores and Kochi indeed gets their 2nd run! It's 2-0 and you can probably put a stake in Kanzei now!
With a 4-pitch walk to Ichikawa, Koyama may be gassed from trying to keep the line while his offense does nothing.
And that is true! Matagawa singles to right center! 2 runs score, and that's the dagger in Kanzei's coffin! 4-0!
Eura-kantoku finally gives in. Aizawa comes in from CF to pitch, Koyama goes to 1B, Doi goes to 3B, Irumi goes to LF, and Uraki goes to CF.
And the wheels have completely fallen off. Aizawa uncorks a wild pitch allowing Ichikawa to score making it 5-0.
The inning mercifully ends when Ueda flies out to left, but the game is effectively over.
Bottom 8th
Kanzei's batters are completely pressing as evidenced by Uno's first pitch swing on a ball head-high. All Sakamoto needs to do is get it close to the plate and I think Kanzei will chase.
Sakamoto beats around the bush a bit with Uno, but when the count runs full, he throws the slider in the outside half and Uno dutifully chases for the first out.
Tobe does the same after falling behind 1-2.
And Kanata gets jammed and grounds out to 2nd. This game is over.
Top 9th
Sugimoto walks to leadoff the inning. Maeda bunts him along to see if they pad the lead. But Yuuta can't make contact and whiffs on a slider in the dirt for the 2nd out.
Doi ground out to short to end the inning, but it's incosequential at this point.
Bottom 9th
Eura-kantoku decides to send in #16 Morikawa to hit for Irumi.
Proceeds to hit solo HR to make it not a shutout. 5-1.
After 2 expected groundouts, Ogou hits ameaningless ball off the top of the fence in right for a triple.
And in a fitting end, a wild pitch gets away from Maeda, Ogou thinks it's far enough, it isn't in the slightest, and Ogou is thrown out trying to get back to 3rd. Game set.
As a fan of Kanzei, this was as Jim Mora Sr. put it "a disgraceful performance". Kanzei had the following situations:
- 1st Inning - Bases loaded, 2 out.
- 2nd Inning - Runners on 1st and 2nd, no out
- 3rd Inning - Runner on 2nd, 1 out
- 4th Inning - Runners on 2nd, no out then runners at the corners 1 out
- 5th Inning - Runner on 2nd, 1 out
- 6th Inning - Runner on 2nd, no out
Kanzei pretty much deserved to lose that game. Period. Kochi was strong enough to get out of those situations time and time again, and finally pulled through in the 7th when Kanzei, and more importantly Koyama, was running out of gas from trying so hard on the mound to make up for his inept offense.
I'm taking my proverbial ball and going home for the night. Ugh.
Notable Players
Sakai Yuuya (Kochi) - ND, 5 IP, 0 ER(!), 4 H, 2 K, 5 BB
Matagawa Ryouyuu (Kochi) - 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, K
Wada Ren (Kochi) - 1-4, R, RBI
Ichikawa Gou (Kochi) 1-3, 2 R, BB, SB
Koyama Yuuto (Kanzei) - L, 7.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 6 K, BB, HBP
Morikawa Seiya (Kanzei) - 1-1, HR, R, RBI
Doi Shinji (Kanzei) - 2-3, 2B, BB, K
Tanaka Kanata (Kanzei) - 2-4, 2B
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