高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

Well, 3 relatively non-competitve games so far. Sakushin Gakuin has looked really good so far, and is poised to make it's best run for the title since 2011.

Standing in their way is Kisaradzu Sougou, which has had to survive several low scoring games. The question is if they're up to challenge. Oddly, these teams have not met in the last 10 years.

Headache gone, but not 100%. Last game disappointed a bit, let's see if things pick up in the afternoon session.

Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
2B Koike Kouki (小池 航貴)
CF Kido Ryou (木戸 涼)
SS Minemura Takaki (峯村 貴希)
RF Toriumi Ranma (鳥海 嵐万)
1B Yamashita Hikaru (山下 輝)
LF Hosoda Yuuki (細田 悠貴)
3B Inoue Mizuki (井上 瑞樹)
P Hayakawa Takahisa (早川 隆久)
C Oozawa Shou (大沢 翔)

Day 7, where the final teams take the field, and the ones that won begin to return. There are only 2 spots left in Day 11 to draw into, perhaps one of these teams will go there and get one extra day rest? Or do you take Day 10 and get the extra day if you win?

Karatsu Shougyou (Saga)
RF Inoue Jyukiya (井上 樹希也)
3B Yamazaki Haruki (山崎 遥稀)
LF Okamoto Akira (岡本 晃)
1B Hyakutake Taisei (百武 泰成)
C Tooriyama Shouichi (通山 正一)
SS Yokoyama Kaito (横山 魁人)
P Taniguchi Yuusei (谷口 優成)
CF Hirakawa Shouya (平川 将也)
2B Maeda Kaisei (前田 海成)

Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
2B Koike Kouki (小池 航貴)
CF Kido Ryou (木戸 涼)
SS Minemura Takaki (峯村 貴希)
RF Toriumi Ranma (鳥海 嵐万)
1B Yamashita Hikaru (山下 輝)
LF Hosoda Yuuki (細田 悠貴)
3B Inoue Mizuki (井上 瑞樹)
P Hayakawa Takahisa (早川 隆久)
C Oozawa Shou (大沢 翔)

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08:00 - First Pitch!

It is perhaps not surprising that early on, Hayakawa is dictating proceedings. as he carried a 9+ K/9 rate through the Chiba taikai. As for Taniguchi it's a different story as he was basically depending on pitching to contact and a good defense.

It shows up in the bottom of the 2nd where Toriumi leads proceedings for Kisaradzu Sougou with a single to right. After the obligatory bunt, Hosoda singles to right, scoring Toriumi to make it 1-0. Then comes a single from Inoue and Hayakawa scoring one more for 2-0. That's all they score, but it seems like it's going to be one of those days.

On the other hand Hayakawa was breezing through the first couple of innings, recording 5 of the first 6 outs via the K. He does hit #9 batter Maeda in the 3rd, but is reprieved when Oosawa completes a strike em out throw em out double play.

Okamoto gets the first base hit for Karatsu Shougyou in the 4th, but is immediately picked off by Hayakawa. and any thoughts of mounting a rally are squashed.

Meanwhile, Taniguchi appears to be settling down after the 1st. I noticed that his delivery seems rather short. As if he's pitching out of the stretch all the time.

The other thing is what Yoshitomi-kantoku is doing for Karatsu Shougyou. First he subs out his cleanup batter for #13 Utsukoshi. Then in the top of the 5th he pinch hits #10 Kawasaki for Tooriyama. Seems an odd thing to do with the middle of your lineup.

But the moves don't seem to be doing anything on offense, as his side is retired in order in the 5th, 6th and now 7th innings with very little signs of hope as Hayakawa reached double digits in Ks.

Now, Taniguchi is at least doing his part. It's not dominant for sure, but he certainly holding his own -bending in putting runners on base, but not breaking in giving runs. The 6th was a good example when he allowed a 1 out hit to Yamashita and then a 2 out walk to Inoue before getting Hayakawa to fly out.

But no matter what he does at this point, if his team can't get base hits and score runs it's all moot. Now Taniguchi gets Karatsu Shougyou's 2nd hit in the 8th, but it's with 2 out. And with Hirakawa grounding to 3rd, it's wiped off the board.

That's really all she wrote. Hayakawa would end up with 12 strikeouts giving up just 2 hits on the day. It's about as easy as it could get outside of relieving him so that he could get rest.

And they'll need it because they've drawn Shuugakukan creating a rematch of the Haru Koushien where Shuugakukan came back in the bottom of the 9th to win 2-1.

Our last matchup of Day 3 features 2 super-regional champs, but this feels like a one-way affair.

Sapporo Dai-ichi has quality wins in prefecture - Hokushou and Komadai Tomakomai. But the minute they went to Meiji Jingu, the pitching staff suddenly started hitting road bumps as they just couldn't stop the flow of hits and walks. As a whole they actually allowed exactly 2 runners an inning - every inning... That alone is a huge red flag. What's worse, in a prefecture that generally has weaker competition, 0.321/0.411/0.518 is not spectacular, and worse 4 of their batters carry a BA less than 0.250. Now, some of them have spectacular OBP's, but against this team those walks will be few and far between.

Compare that to Kanto ex Tokyo champs Kisaradzu Sougou who beat Senshuudai Matsudo, Toukou Gakuen, Hanasaki Tokuharu, Toukaidai Koufu and Jyousou Gakuin. In fact those last 4 was their super-regional resume - absolutely no breaks whatsoever. Now ace Hayakawa struggled against Osaka Touin, but then again who doesn't in some capacity?

Offensively, to be able to carry a 0.307/0.373/0.473 line including those games lends some credence to the numbers and won't require revision.

Kisaradzu Sougou makes only their 3rd Senbatsu appearance having won the Kanto (ex Tokyo) title. Which is a bit odd because I keep thinking they're a better team than that.

They ran laps around Chiba at least with the exceptions of Tousou Kougyou (?!), and Senshuudai Matsudo. As for the super-regionals though, they had to survive 4 close games, having to come back in 3 of them to claim the title - including a wild final against Jyousou Gakuin.

The ace of the staff is Hayakawa Takahisa (早川 隆久), a lefty that throws in the mid-upper 130s with the standard slider/curve combo. He pitched the first 2 games of the super-regionals before handing the ball off to what seems like a large bullpen (which is odd other than the fact that perhaps they figure they'd already qualified finishing in the top 4. Against Toukou Gakuen he looked like a pitcher managing the game, striking out 5 and giving up 9 hits. Then he turned around and gave up just 3 hits (though 4 walks), striking out 8 against Hanasaki Tokuharu.

Takeda Hiroyoshi (武田 大慶) was the next in line, sent to face Toukaidai Koufu and did his work, pitching a complete game shutout. He struck out 6, but did give up 4 walks in the 2-0 win. He seems to work vertically in the zone leaving high pitches in the middle. Not a great thing, but he doesn't seem to leave many mistakes in the zone that can be severely punished. He also doesn't seem to throw that hard, so control will even be more of an issue.

Finally, the ball was handed off to a triumvirate of pitchers - all righties. Oonuma Hiromu (大熊 啓夢 sorry, that was the best video I could find, there are better stills here) was first, and he supposedly throws 130s. Next up was Wada Soutarou (和田 崇太郎), whose name search turns up someone with the same name in some group called KING&HEAVY. Finally was Mitsuishi Kazuki (三石 和季 - whose only video was when he was in junior high).

The other thing is that those three combined gave up 13 hits in the 13 inning affair, with just 4 Ks and 10 free passes. Mitsuishi was probably the best of the 3, saving the game in the 9th by keeping the deficit at 2, then pitching shutout ball in extra frames. Each of them did well when they came in, but Oonuma and Wada both ended up struggling to the point they had to be relieved.

Offensively, it seems their best hitter is RF Torikai Ranma (鳥海 嵐万) and CF Kido Ryou (木戸 涼). Neither are anything special to write home about, but both at least put up decent numbers.

There's nothing about this team that stands out. They appear to be a solid team who can hang in there, but I'm not sure they're a title contender.

The problem with trying to handicap these games is that most of them ended in blowouts, so it's very hard to make anything out of the games. Shizuoka had no problems with Ritsumeikan Uji, while Kisuradzu Sougou handled Okayama Ridai Fuzoku easily.

Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
RF Suzuki Shouhei
2B Ooshi Tomoki
CF Uchiyama Shun
C Horiuchi Kengo
SS Yasumoto Ryuuji
1B Hirano Hidemaru
LF Hirose Shun
P Muraki Fumiya
3B Sanpei Shinya (#13)

Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
LF Kido Ryou
3B Ishii Ryou
CF Obara Naoki
SS Himura Atsushi
2B Koike Kazuki
1B Isogai Tomoya
RF Sasaki Shun
C Oosawa Shou
P Hawakawa Takahisa (#10)

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09:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Hayakawa gets the first base hit out of the way with a single through the left side.

Kuribayashi-kantoku decides to give the green light and Suzuki takes off for 2nd! Throw from Oosawa is in time to make the catch for the out!

After that, it's a routine grounder to Tomoya, and a pop fly to shallow left for Okayama.

Bottom 1st
Kido uppercuts a ball from Muraki and skies one to Yasumoto.

Ishii takes a ball the other way, but Suzuki is playing near the line and makes the catch for the 2nd out.

Ohara makes good contact and shoots a ball back up the middle for a base hit.


But Himura gets one off the end of the bat and pops it up. Sanpei makes the catch in foul territory to retire the side.

Top 2nd
Horiuchi with a slow roller to the right side, Koike charges in and throws to 1st for the out.

Yasumoto looking for a pitch to hit, fouls off a couple to stay alive. But Hayakawa put a fastball just out of his reach for the 2nd out.

Hirano falls victim to the fastball as well, swinging over one at the knees for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
One down for Kisaradzu and Isogai simply places a ball into center for a base hit.

Muraki not without tricks of his own, pulls out the forkball on Sasaki to record his first K. Oosawa pops out on the next pitch and the side is retired. Early on, it looks like Kisaradzu has the better of it.

Top 3rd
Shizuoka's bottom of the lineup struggling early on. Hirose swings on the first pitch and flies out to left. After that Muraki chases a very high fast ball for Hayakawa's 3rd K. Sanpei gets a base hit, as his soft liner gets over Koike into right.

Kuribayashi-kantoku decides to send Sanpei, but the pitch home is high and allows Oosawa to make a quick throw, cutting Sanpei down by a wide margin.

Bottom 3rd
Hayakawa does the right thing and takes a pitch away to the opposite field. Kido takes a couple of poor bunts, but when he three bunts, it's good enough.

Ishii with a ball back up the middle! Yasumoto can't track it down! Hayakawa being sent home and the throw is cutoff! Ishii with a timely hit gives Kisaradzu Sougou the 1-0 lead!

After Obara goes down swinging on a curve, Himura drives a ball to deep left center. But he got under it and while Uchiyama has to make a run, he tracks it down for the 3rd out.

Top 4th
Suzuki (Shouhei) the only one who's seeing Hayakawa's pitches.  He hits another ball to left for a base hit. This time Tomoya bunts him over.

Uchiyama hits a fly ball to left, but Kido comes in to make the catch. 2 down for Horiuchi.

Blooper to left field, Kido charging in.. can't get to it in time! Shouhei scores and it's douten at 1-1!

Yasumoto connects on a ball and sends it to deep left center! That falls in at the wall and Horiuchi comes in all the way from 1st to give Shizuoka the 2-1 lead!

Hirano flies out to center, but they put together some base hits to turn the tables on Kisaradzu Sougou!

Bottom 4th
Koike with a single to left, puts the douten runner immediately on base. Isogai bunts him over.

And now Gojima-kantoku puts in #15 Yashiro to hit for Sasaki.

He tries to sneak the bunt down! Muraki on it and his throw to 1st just beats him out. Now only a base hit or an error will bring in the run.

But Oosawa chases the high fastball and the side is retired!

Top 5th
One down and Muraki checks in with his first hit with a single to right. Sanpei tries to lay down the bunt, but fouls his three bunt and goes down for the 2nd out.

Hawakawa close to getting out of the inning, but has a pitch get away from him and hit Shouhei! I wonder if it hit the bat and not the batter because he didn't react, but the umpire has made his call.

Tomoya with a slicer down the left field line.. fair!!!  It just falls in fair and that means Muraki will score! 3-1 in favor of Shizuoka!

Uchiyama almost beats out a slow roller up the right side, but is retired for the 3rd out. They're not making great contact, but the balls are falling in for base hits, and that's all that matters.

Bottom 5th
It seems like that Kisaradzu Sougou now is struggling at the plate. Muraki gets two infield popups, and while he yields another single to Ishii, Obara hits one back to Muraki to end the inning.

And so we hit the break with the Tokai champs in what seems like a comfortable lead.

Top 6th
Horiuchi with a single through the right side and it looks like Hayakawa's day is done. Ace Suzuki Kenya comes in to relieve him.

Yasumoto with a soft liner to 2nd, and Koike lets it drop in front of him! Steps on 2nd for one, and it's an easy double play to 1st.

Hirano chases an outside fastball to end the inning.

Bottom 6th
Himura working the count full, tries to buy the walk, but falls a little as he see the umpire begin his strike call.

Two down for Isogai, and he hits a slow roller to the left side. Yasumoto charges in, but his throw is way high! Into the camera box it goes, and off Isogai goes to 2nd.

Yashitro grounds to 3rd though and Muraki bends, but doesn't break.

Top 7th
Hirose still without a base hit as he goes after the high fastball. After that though Kenya loses Muraki.

Kuribayashi-kantoku is having Sanpei bunt again, despite the sub-par effort last time.

It still looks bad, but he manages to lay it down.

Back to the top of the order and Shouhei, who is 2-2 with a walk.

Shouhei has already shown a propensity to wait for a pitch and runs the count full. 9th pitch of the AB and while he hits his target, the umpire isn't buying it!

And after that , Gojima-kantoku pulls Oosawa for his backup #13 Aga.

It's confirmation bias, but Kenya gets 2 called strikes and then Tomoya chases a fastball outside for the 3rd out.

Bottom 7th
Aga immediately gets an AB, hits the ball hard, but right to Sanpei.

Kenya with a booming drive to left center! Uchiyama sprinting back, stretches... and makes the running catch!

Kido kind of buys the HBP by turning, but not really getting away, from the ball inside. Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.

Ishii, the only bright spot in the lineup, gets his 3rd hit, with a line shot to center. Chance here to perhaps get a run back.

But Obara bites on the forkball! It rolls to Tomoki who gets it to 1st for the 3rd out!

Top 8th
Uchiyama and Horiuchi with routine flyouts to center.

Yasumoto has the ball squared up, but not the timing. In the end Kenya puts a fastball down the middle an Yasumoto immediately takes the walk back.

Bottom 8th
2 runs isn't a lot, but the Kisaradzu Sougou batters can't generate any sustained offense.

Muraki feels that turnabout is fair play and puts one on the outside half to freeze Himura for the 1st out.

Koike keeps the bat in the zone long enough to poke the forkball to right for a base hit.

Isogai connects on the forkball, down the left field line, but foul! He had that lined up, just too early on it.

And now he pops it up! Tomoki with it for the 2nd out.

Hey, Yashiro takes a ball the other way himself into left for another hit!

Uh oh! Now Muraki can't find the zone! He's behind Aga 3-1 before he gets a foul ball to fill up the count.

High fastball gets saved by a swing and a foul ball.

Aga jammed, but hits the ball to the left side where no one is! Yasumoto goes to get it, but has no play! All safe and manrui as Kuribayashi-kantoku calls time!

0-1 pitch for a strike and Horiuchi fires to 2nd where Aga is left stranded! But it's a trap! They look back home as perhaps it was to try and score a run.

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

Kenya is fooled on a curveball inside and the side is retired!

Top 9th
Things bight have finally broken for Kisaradzu Sougou. Kenya walks Hirano on 4 straight. When Hirose bunts, Kenya decides late to go to 2nd, but fails to notice that Hirano is almost there.

Muraki tries the push bunt up the left side, and almost makes it if not for Kenya scrambling off the mound.

Sanpei hits it right to 1st, it's a contact play but Isogai goes home and Aga gets the tag just before Hirano slides in.

Kenya, with 1st base open, is careful with Shouhei and ends up walking him. Gojima-kantoku calls for time.

But Kenya spikes the 1st pitch and it gets away from Aga. Hirose scores and it's 4-1. Tomoya grounds out to end the inning

Bottom 9th
One down for Kisaradzu Sougou and Ishii hits a slow ball up the middle. The defense is playing back, so there's no play.

Obara with a similar ball, but with the double play opportunity the defense is closer. Tomoki tags Ishii for the 2nd out.

Himura with a grounder to the left side, Yasumoto there, but his sliding backhand backfires! It goes off his glove and everyone's safe! Kisaradzu can bring the tying run to the plate in Isogai.

SANSHIN!!!

Muraki finally shuts the door with his forkball and his team advances to the Best 8!

Shizuoka advances, but not without some difficulty. Kisaradzu Sougou gets 14 hits off of ace Muraki, but with the exception of the 3rd inning, he found a way to a) scatter them and b) get out of any jam he was in. It's not a recipe for success by any stretch, but it did the job today.

Despite the 14 hits, it wasn't until the last stages where you felt they might have a chance at breaking Muraki. But there was little margin for error at that point. Hayakawa wasn't bad on the mound, there were wuite a few hits that just fell in instead of solid hits. So there's little you can do but shrug your shoulders and say it wasn't your day. I think they can come back and contend for the summer, but the offense will need to improve to make any type of run.

And now to the final game of the 2nd day. There is a chance that this game too goes the way of all the other before it, but Hayakawa is on the hill and he has not given up a run since the fall. If that form is accurate, this could be another sleeper of a game.

Okayama Ridai Fuzoku (Okayama)
2B Ishihara Yoshiti
SS Morita Masahiro
CF Tachibana Kaito
1B Kangai Yuusuke
3B Tokuda Yukiya
RF Koga Tomoaki
LF Aoki Shunpei
C Fujii Yuugo
P Nishiyama Masaki

Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
LF Kido Ryou
3B Ishii Ryou
CF Obara Naoki
SS Himura Atsushi
2B Koike Kazuki
1B Isogai Tomoya
RF Sasaki Shun
C Oosawa Shou
P Hawakawa Takahisa (#10)

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14:45 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Well, Hayakawa doesn't throw any harder than the other pitchers we've seen, as Ishihara pokes a ball between Ishii and Himura for a base hit. Morita lays down a perfect bunt that Oosawa waits on in case it goes foul (it doesn't) before going to 1st with it.

Ridaifu appears to be on the verge of scoring when Tachibana moves him over to 3rd on a grounder to 1st, but Kangai quickly grounds to short. Himura bobbles it for a second, but still has plenty of time to make the throw for the 3rd out.

Bottom 1st
Nishiyama an average hurler speed wise, gets Kido to roll over a ball to short. Morita short hops the throw, but Kangai makes the dig for the out.

Sasaki exhibiting decent control so far, but is getting some help as Ishii chases a slider out of the zone. Obara gets jammed and he pops out to Morita to retire the side.

Top 2nd
It's hit and miss for the 2nd year ace as ahead of Tokui 0-2, he plunks him in the back. Koga successfully lays down the bunt to move him to 2nd.

Hey, the Ridaifu band is playing the cheer from Komadai Tomakomai I remember from 2006!

Anyways, like the first inning Aoki moves the runner to 3rd with a groundball to 1st.

And there it is! Fujii attacks the first pitch and lines one to left for a base hit! It's 1-0 Okayama Ridai Fuzoku and that's Hayakawa's first run given up in tournament competition since at least the fall!

Hayakawa gets out of the inning by jamming Nishiyama on a changeup inside, but Ridaifu takes the early advantage.

Bottom 2nd
One down for Kisaradzu, and Nishiyama leaves a ball over for Koike who lines it to left for their first hit of the game. Isogai is not bunting, instead Gojima-kantoku elects for the hit-and-run, which Isogai obliges with a ball just under Morita's glove to center! Runners at the corners with one down, and Kisaradzu threatends to tie the game.

Gojima-kantoku calls for another hit-and-run! But this time Sasaki strikes out swinging! Fujii fires to 2nd... and Morita makes the tag for the out! It's a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play to end the inning! Like the aggressiveness, but perhaps not needed there.

Top 3rd
Still haven't figured out what makes Hayakawa so special that he didn't give up a run in the fall. Only thing I can think of is that not only is he not afraid to throw inside, his motion from the left side of the rubber to the right means that he can get inside for a strike.

That proves to be perhaps the case as after a flyout from Ishihara, Morita goes down looking on a pitch inside, and Tachibana goes down swinging on the same.

Bottom 3rd
Nishiyama isn't bad on the mound either. He generally around the strike zone, and mixed in his 2-seam and 4-seam fastballs to mix things up.Oosawa and Hayakawa both are retired quickly.

But Nishiyama leaves one up and Kido hits it to right. Koga comes charging in, dives... but it bounces in front of him and goes behind! Tachibana goes to cover, but not before Kido is in with a triple!

Ah.

Well, that's the second time that's happened as Nishiyama's pitch goes off of Ishii's helmet. Thankfully, it's a glancing blow and he seems fine, but the home plate umpire insists on a injury pinch runner.

Obara hits a ball to center! Tachibana charging in, but can't get to it! The sellout from Koga costs them as Kido scores to tie the game at 1-1!

あ。

Himura connects on a frisbee thrown by Nishiyama and drills it to left! Aoki starts to chase, but he gives up!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was an absolute no-doubter of a HR. Himura drives in 3 with that blast and blows open the game at 4-1!

Things perhaps may be getting out of control for Nishiyama as he walks Koike, but he comes back to paint the outside corner on Isogai to end the inning. But the Kanto runner-up looks a lot more healthier now.

Top 4th
But Hayakawa goes a bit too inside again, and hits Kangai to start the inning. And then with one down, he winds up walking Koga and Gojima-kantoku scrambles the bullpen.

And that might need to come faster as Aoki zooms a ball past a diving Isogai into right! Kangai has to stop at 3rd, but it's manrui for Ridaifu!

Fujii hits a ball to the left side, Kido runs over, and makes a difficult catch in foul territory! That allows Kangai to come in to score making it a 4-2 game.

Nishiyama golfs a ball into the air and Himura secures it for the 3rd out. Ridaifu at least got 1, but had an opportunity for more.

Bottom 4th
Now that I notice it though I wonder if Nishiyama is all decent. He almost threw at Sasaki twice to start the inning, and in both cases he was practicing his throwing motion. He eventually strikes out Sasaki looking on a slider away.

Again he leaves a ball up in the zone, but this time Oosawa hits it to center where Tachibana can run it down.

Hayakawa grounds out to short to end the inning, and Nishiyama records a most needed donut.

Top 5th
Ishihara looking to get things started for Ridafu drops a liner in front of Kido for a base hit. Hayakawa-kantoku elects to have Ishihara steal 2nd instead of a bunt, but Oosawa gets the throw in to 2nd and they gun him down!

And that's a shame because after Morita lines out to deep left, Tachibana singles to center. Might not have scored Ishihara, but they'd at least have a runner on 3rd.

Kangai grounds out to short and that quickly ends things.

Bottom 5th
Meanwhile Nishiyama seems to be back in the swing of things. He sandwiches a strikeout within two groundouts, and it's an 8 pitch inning against the top of the Kisaradzu order. Kisaradzu Sougou holds a 4-2 lead that looks safe for now, but the Ridaifu offense are making good contact on the junior pitcher.

Top 6th
Hayakawa certainly having some trouble with his control at times, as he issues a 1-out walk to Koga.

And now he hangs one to Aoki! He drives it to right center., but Obara makes a sliding catch on his knees!  Now that's a great play.

But once again, the bugaboo of the walk reveals itself again. Hayakawa goes full on Fujii and walks him too. That gets ace Sasaki warming up on the sidelines.

Nishiyama with a ball to the right side, and that's through for a base hit! Koga is going home and the throw is cutoff! Nishiyama helps his own cause and it's a 4-3 ballgame!!

Ishihara with a ripper right to 3rd! Ishii blocks it, scrambles... throws to 2nd.... OUT!!!!

Ishii just gets the throw to 2nd in time for the force and the side is retired! But now we actually have a ballgame!!

Bottom 6th
Just when you think that maybe Ridaifu is back in it, Nishiyama walks Himura on 4 straight. Koike bunts him along to try and tack on an insurance run.

Nishiyama fights back, twisting Isogai around on a fastball inside... and then hits Sasaki on the next pitch.

But just as quickly, the inning ends as Oosawa grounds out to 3rd on the next pitch.

Top 7th
Not sure if some desperation is setting in because the Ridaifu batters are taking their hacks. Morita hits a fly to right, Tachibana goes after the first pitch and grounds to short. And Kangai swings on a pitch in the dirt for the 3rd out. They're going to have to look better than that at the plate to have a chance to tie the game.

Bottom 7th
Hayakawa checks in with his first base hit to the left side. Gojima-kantoku figures it's a good time to pull him and #15 Yashiro enters the game to run for him.

Kido tries to lay down the bunt, and it's not a bad one, but Nishiyama gets on the ball quickly and fires to 2nd getting the force! They can't turn the double play, but they cut down the lead runner.

Gojima-kantoku isn't fazed! He starts the hit-and-run, and Ishii goes down and pokes a ball through the left side! And unfortunately for Ridaifu, the ball hits the lip of the outfield and takes a high bounce! That allows Kido to take 3rd ahead of the throw! Hayakawa-kantoku calls for time.

With Himura on deck, Nishiyama would  like a double play, but Ishii times his jump on the right pitch and takes 2nd without a throw! Worse yet, he loses Koike to a walk and there's nowhere to put Himura!!

After a ball, Oosawa goes out to the mound. Hayakawa-kantoku decides to make a conference out of it.

It's another ball to Himura. Are they considering walking him? Well, they continue to go after the outside corner, and it doesn't work! He walks Himura and it's 5-3 Kisaradzu Sougou!

Hayakawa-kantoku mercifully pulls the plug. #11 Ookuma comes in to relieve Nishiyama who I think got too spooked to face Himura and it cost his team at least a run.

And now it's more. Koike with a clean single to center scores 2 and it's a 7-3 advantage. Isogai chimes in with a single of his own, scoring another to make it 8-3.

Ookuma eventually gets out of the inning thereafter, but the damage has been more than done.

Top 8th
PH Yashiro actually stays in the game at RF, and ace Suzuki comes in for RF Sasaki.

Suzuki is a side-armer who throws about the same as everyone else, it would appear. He climbs the ladder on Tokuda for the 1st out, but then winds up walking Koga (his 3rd time). Then after inducing a popup, he hangs one over for Fujii and he singles through the right side.

That would bring up Ookuma, but instead Hayakawa-kantoku sends in #17 Fukumoto to hit, and he draws a walk, and suddenly it's manrui for Ridaifu! Fortunately all they need is 1 out, but the top of the order is up.

Suzuki falls behind Ishihara 2-0, but quickly gets the count level.

And he jams him! Ishihara dribbles a ball back to the mound and Suzuki records the out at 1st to retire the side! Certainly some hiccups there, but no damage done in the end.

Bottom 8th
So Tokui comes in from 3B to take over on the mound with #16 Munemitsu coming in for PH Fukumoto to take over at 3B.

Yashiro immediately tests the new 3B with a safety bunt, and Munemitsu finds himself too far away. He still makes the attempt to throw at 1B, but it's much too late. Fortunately, while the runner would eventually advance to 3rd, he would be left stranded.

Top 9th
And so once again it seems more like a formality than something competitive. Okayama Ridai Fuzoku feels that too and quickly records their 3 outs to end the game.

And what seemed like a promising game ends up like all the others. But it wasn't like Kisaradzu Sougyou was the better team throughout, Okayama Ridai Fuzoku was able to chip at the lead. But then they allowed a second big inning, and that was that. As for a verdict on Hayakawa, he seems more than serviceable enough. He's not an ace by any stretch of the imagination, but he's not terrible either. His delivery will help quite a bit in being effective, but the walks and HBP are going to be a problem.

Kanto's runner-up, Kisaradzu Sougou, should be credited with getting to the Kanto final. But it should be said that they perhaps got the softest run the entire way though as a team in a metropolitan region could have had.

In fact, the best brand-name team that they faced in the prefecturals might have been Chiba Keiai, and they're a borderline tier 3 school. The minute they started facing an actual Koushien powerhouse, they struggled. They managed to hold out versus Jyousou Gakuin, but then got annihilated by Urawa Gakuin in the final.

It should also be said that Gojima-kantoku basically threw the final against Urawa Gakuin, refusing to throw in the false #1 Suzuki Kenya (鈴木 健矢) and their true ace, 2nd year #10 Hayakawa Takahisa (早川 隆久).

Why do I say that Hayakawa is the ace? Because while he wasn't used as much (36 IP vs. Suzuki's 42), he was not used early on while Suzuki was sent out for their opening game. And despite the soft competition, he did not give up a run.

Not one.

Soft run or not, giving up no runs in what amounts to 4 full games is still impressive. His K/IP clip is under 1 though, so the case for it being a truly soft 0.00 ERA is perhaps strengthened. What cements it is that he throws in the low 130s with a slider in the 100s and a slow curve in the 90s. Doesn't mean that he isn't a great pitcher, just that he's probably above the average guy.

Now off to the offense, and that's where things really start to fall apart. The team hit a paltry 0.282, which given their opposition is not good. Even worse, their ISO falls in at 0.080, and their SLG is just 0.020 higher than their OBP.

Apparently Gojima has gone for a lineup by matchup basis as only 3 players played all 12 games. Not surprising that those 3 - leadoff hitter LF Kido Ryou (木戸 涼), cleanup hitter SS Himura Atsushi (檜村 篤史), and 2B Koike Kazuki (小池 航貴) - had the highest averages. Behind them, there is no member of the numbered starters who hit over 0.250, and the two that played 11 games, perhaps are in more for defensive purposes.

This is a soft runner-up school that perhaps gets a chance to get right early, but Okayama Ridai Fuzoku isn't a no-name squad either with their constant headbutting against Kanzei in-prefecture.

Well, that was unexpected. Maebashi Ikuei certainly looking like a strong team, but everyone realizing now that this half of the bracket could be had! And this winner doesn't have to face Maebashi Ikuei (yet).

Toyama Dai-ichi had a rather easy 5-0 win over Akita Shougyou, relentlessly bunching hits together to score their runs. Meanwhile ace Miyamoto scattering 7 hits while striking out 10 in a shutout effort. But Akita Shougyou easily looked like the weakest of the Tohoku teams this year and for most of the game you had the feeling that they were never quite in it.

For Kisaradzu Sougou they are now without ace Chiba having suffered an injury in the prefecturals, and could only pitch to one batter versus Nishiwaki Kougyou.

Fortunately for Gojima-kantoku, he has 4 pitchers left at his disposal. #10 Oikawa who relieved Chiba, #11 Aoki Kenta, #12 Nasu Yuuta and #13 Taguchi Kouichirou. He may need to call on all of them before time is up.

Another concern is the offense, 7 runs in one inning against Ueda Nishi, and then 3 runs early against Nishiwaki Kougyou and a decent ace in Outa.

Hopefully this will be a close game unlike the other ones so far.

Toyama Dai-ichi (Toyama)
CF Hirata Masazumi
RF Nishida Yuuki
3B Kuroda Masataka
LF Kouyama Kazuhiro
SS Nakamura Jyunka
1B Fujii Shintarou
2B Terasaki Hikaru
C Takamori Hiroyuki
P Miyamoto Kouji

Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
CF Azuma Tatsuya
3B Okada Yuuhei
LF Saruta Mizuki
RF Tanida Ryou
SS Himura Atsushi
C Akiba Kouta
2B Sakasai Shou
1B Sagae Kaito
P Oikawa Shouta (#10)

____________________________________________________________

15:45 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
So I didn't notice this but Oikawa throws predominantly sliders! Almost 70%!!

Hirata late on a fastball after being fed diet of said sliders and grounds to 3rd.

Nishida waiting for Oikawa to put pitches in the strike zone, draws a full count walk.

Kuroda trying to pull an outside slider, has it get caught up in the hamakaze, Tanida has to charge in but makes sliding catch.

Kouyama also is patient at the plate, works the count full too. But he goes full extension to reach a slider outside and weakly flies out to right. It'll be interesting to see how throwing a lot of sliders will go on 1 day's rest.

Bottom 1st
Azuma slicer down the left field line, fair! Goes to the wall for a leadoff double. Chance for Kisaradzu early!

Ball gets away from Takamori a little, fires to 2nd??!

Azuma is caught off the bag looking at the play and is thrown out diving back to the bag! Oh, that's a brain fart in the opening frame...

Miyamoto taking full advantage getting Okada to chase a slider.

Saruta grounds to short on the first pitch and the side is retired!

Top 2nd
Tamura drawing already Oikawa's 2nd walk as Oikawa missing high with his sliders

Fujii showing bunt, but takes two more high sliders. Will he try to work a walk with Oikawa missing early?

Takes a slider down and in, bit of a delayed strike call. And another slider Oikawa puts in for a strike.

But he still winds up walking Fujii! 2 on, no down!

Takamori lays down the bunt this time and moves the runners along for Terazaki.

And now to Terazaki, Oikawa throws fastballs.

SQUEEZE!!!!

But Terazaki lines it right to a charging Sagae! He goes to 2nd and the inning is over!

Bottom 2nd
Miyamoto getting assists from the opposition. Tanida swings on first pitch, grounds to 1st.

Himura watches 3 pitches, gets behind 1-2, then swings at slider out of zone for K.

Akiba with a 2-out hit back up the middle, but Sakasai after also watching himself go down 0-2, chases fastball out of zone for the 3rd out.

Top 3rd
Looks like Oikawa is mixing in more fastballs to keep the opposition honest.

However, Miyamoto finds the gap through the right side and the lineup turns over to Hirata.

Hirata lays down the bunt, but a charging Okada elects to go to 2nd and he gets Miyamoto for the out!

Mixing the fastballs in for strikes in is helping as Nishida now chases the slider having 2 strikes on him.

Kuroda-kantoku pressing action, sends Hirata. But Akiba with strong arm guns him down and the inning is over. I think Toyama Dai-ichi perhaps missed their best chance to get to Kisaradzu Sougou until perhaps Oikawa tires.

Bottom 3rd
Sagae with a slow grounder up the 3rd base side, Kuroda charging, fires to 1st, but it's offline! Fujii has to go off the bag to secure it and has no tag on Sagae! E5.

Oikawa with the bunt, but Miyamoto fires to 2nd and gets lead runner Sagae!

Miyamoto flying open a little, walks Okada! Chance building for Kisaradzu!

But Saruta hits a grounder to 3rd, AH!!!!

For the 2nd time this inning, Kuroda makes an error! He can't field the hop and his throw to 1st is late! Manrui for Kisaradzu with only 1 out!

Miyamoto bearing down, gets ahead of Saruta on 2 sliders, but Saruta hanging in there..

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

Saruta chases another slider and there 2 out!

Now facing cleanup hitter Tanida, Miyamoto turning up the heat, hitting 145 on the gun! Gets ahead 1-2...

147! Tanida grounds to 3rd! Kuroda with it, goes to 1st....

3 out! Kuroda does not make a 3rd error and he recovers to get his ace out of the jam!

Top 4th
Yes, Oikawa settling down nicely after the shaky start.  Kuroda can only pull a high fastball in to 2nd for the first out.

Kouyama becomes another victim of the slider becomes Oikawa's 2nd K.

And Nakamura tries to drive a high slider, but gets under it and flies to left.

Bottom 4th
Himura chopper back up the middle, off Miyamoto's glove! Deflects to short, but Nakamura makes the adjustment and gets the out.

Gojima-kantoku seeing a low-scoring game (and perhaps a slightly skittish 3B) lays down the bunt in his direction. Kuroda makes the play and there's 2 down.

Sagae goes after a fastball outside, and it goes off the end of the bat to 2nd for the 3rd out.

Top 5th
Fujii with a sickly sounding hit, but it goes back up the middle past Oikawa and into center for a base hit. Takamori moves him over to 2nd.

After a lot of posturing by Oikawa, he gets Terazaki to foul out to Sagae.

And Miyamoto attacks the next pitch, but grounds out to Sakasai, 3 out!

Bottom 5th
Oikawa draws a 4-pitch walk from Miyamoto.

But no bunt, he takes for 2nd! Takamori fires to 2nd, it's on the 3B side of the bag, but Nakamura goes down and makes the tag for the out!.

Azuma soon thereafter swings on a fastball high and away for 2 outs.

Okada winds up getting hit by Miyamoto, but Miyamoto gets ahead of Saruta 0-2.

Delayed steal from Okada! Takamori throws, but this time they don't get him!

Now a base hit can score 1, and Saruta works count full.

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

Saruta chases the down and in slider and the side is retired!

After 3 blowout games, we finally hit the break in a true pitcher's duel with no team really getting any traction against the opposing ace!

Top 6th
Hirata flares one the other way into left and Toyama has a leadoff runner for the 2nd straight inning.

Nishida with a grounder to short, takes a high bounce and gets by Himura!

Hirata going for 3??!!

Throw cutoff at short and he's in! Oh, that is some aggressive baserunning on a shallow hit.

Kuroda up, and so far no squeeze as count goes to 1-1.

He awfully patient at the plate with their first real scoring opportunity. He gets ahead 3-1, but the home plate umpire gives an awfully high strike to fill up the count.

Kuroda has to emergency swing on a fastball to stay alive!

Slider.. Check swing, the home plate umpire makes a late swing call! 1 down. Boy, that last AB does not inspire confidence in the home plate umpire...

Kouyama with a drive to left! Saruta going back, going back...

Makes the catch at the wall! Hirata can walk home and Toyama Dai-ichi leads 1-0!

Hit-and-run! Nakamura shoots through the right side and Nishida takes 3rd!

Wild pitch from Oikawa and Nakamura takes 2nd!

Fujii doesn't chase a slider and the count goes full.

Just makes contact, rolls it to the right side... just out of the reach of Sakasai! Nishida scores and it's 2-0 Toyama Dai-ichi!

That'll be it for Oikawa as #12 Nasu comes in.

Takamori with a hard single through to right! Nakamura scores! Fujii going to 3rd, throw from Tanida, not in time and now Takamori takes 2nd!

Is this going to be it for Kisaradzu?

Maybe not yet, Terazaki with a popup to shallow left center, Himura makes the sliding catch as Azuma charges past him for the 3rd out. It's 3-0, but not impossible.

Bottom 6th
One down for Kisaradzu and Himura gets Miyamoto's 5th walk.

Akiba with a hard hit to Kuroda, he makes the stop! Throws to 2nd... just gets Himura for the out!!

#14 Motoyoshi to hit for Sakasai

But he chases a fastball away and goes down swinging!

Top 7th
Miyamoto with a single to the left side. Himura makes a great stop in the gap, but forces the throw to 1st and it gets by everyone into foul territory! Miyamoto takes 2nd!

Hirata showing bunt, but gets ahead 3-0. After a strike, he tries the bunt anyways and now the count is full.

Winds up bailing on the slider and flying out to center.

Nishida flies out to right, and Kuroda goes down swinging on a fastball for the 3rd out.

Bottom 7th
Sagae leads off the lucky 7 with a single to right. Gojima-kantoku sends in #18 Hirasawa to hit for Nasu (his day's done).

However, Hirasawa succumbs to the slider and there's 1 down.

Azuma with the safety bunt to 3rd. Kuroda fields, throws it to 1st, Fujji makes the pick on the hop for the 2nd out.

Okada chopper up the 3rd base line, Kuroda with a great stop, throw to 1st, another pick by Fujii and the side is retired!

Top 8th
#11 Aoki takes the hill for Kisaradzu now.

Aoki gets 2 quick groundouts before a walk spoils a good inning. Followed by Takamori compounding it with a single past Okada.

But Aoki gets the donut as Terazaki hits it right to Okada who tags Fujii for the 3rd out.

Bottom 8th
It's a clean frame for Miyamoto as he retires the side in order thanks in part to an assist by Hirata on a dying ball by Himura.

Top 9th
One down, Hirata collects 2nd hit with grounder to left.

Hit-and-run and Nishida follows that up with his own single back up the middle! Runner at the corners for Toyama.

Kuroda liner back up the middle and Hirata coming home makes it 4-0!

Kouyama lines to left, easily over Saruta and one bounces to the wall. Kuroda holds at 3rd and it's 5-0.

That knocks Aoki out of the game as #13 Taguchi comes in.

Nakamura with a swinging bunt, Taguchi takes it ahead of Akiba, throws to 1st...

...but throws it away. Both Kuroda and Kouyama score to make it 7-0.

Fujii goes down swinging on a hit-and-run, but no throw to 3rd from Chiba.

Takamori hard grounder to Okada, deflects off of him for a base hit. Nakamura scores to make it 8-0. He then takes off for and steals 2nd for good measure.

Terazaki Ks to end the inning, and we finally head to the 9th

Bottom 9th
Kisaradzu Sougou goes quietly in 9th and we have our 2nd first-timers to reach the best 8!

Well, looks like we have 4 final blowouts, though at least in this one it only ran amok in the 9th.

The offensive woes did plague  Kisaradzu Sougou after all against ace Miyamoto, and while the pitching held up for a while, the loss of Chiba wound up being fatal for the team. Yeah, they lost, but in the end you probably can just shrug your shoulders and say "しょうがないな。。。"

Toyama Dai-ichi had more scoring opportunities than just the 6th and 9th, but it could have accelerated things had they gotten to Oikawa early on.

We will see tomorrow how (a) Miyamoto goes on no rest, and (b) how the offense will perhaps tighten up their scoring chances.


Notable Players
Miyamoto Kouji (Toyama Dai-ichi) - CG, SHO, 3 H, 10 K, 3 BB, 2 HBP
Takamori Hiroyuki (Toyama Dai-ichi) - 3-3, 2 RBI, SB
Fujii Shintarou (Toyama Dai-ichi) - 2-3, RBI, 2 BB
Azuma Tatsuya (Kisaradzu Sougou) - 1-2, 2B, BB
Akiba Kouta (Kisaradzu Sougou) - 1-3, HBP

Our middle game features yet another 1st timer school.

The cardiac kids of Nishiwaki Kougyou didn't need the defibrillator as a very partisan crowd saw them win just about wire-to-wire over Iwami Chisuikan.

Ace Outa scattered 7 hits while striking out 8, with the lone run being scored in the 1st - the only inning Iwami Chisuikan had more than 1 hit. Their offense scored all 4 runs in just 2 innings, thanks in part to some sketchy defense behind Iwami ace Itou. Murakami had some booming hits, including the 2-run double in the 1st. But otherwise production is rather sketchy.

But speaking of sketchy, there's Kisaradzu Sougou. Against another first time team Ueda Nishi, they collected 5 of their 7 hits and all 7 of their runs. Outside of that inning their offense was brutal.

Ueda Nishi managed a late comeback to make it close, but really they had chances all game with a runner in scoring position with less than 2 out in 5 of their 9 innings with ace Chiba for Kisaradzu Sougou gave up 8 hits and walked 5.

Sketchy run production from both sides could mean a close game as long as the aces don't fall flat. Of the two it would seem that Nishiwaki has the advantage.

Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
CF Azuma Tatsuya
3B Okada Yuuhei
LF Saruta Mizuki
RF Tanida Ryou
1B Sagae Kaito
2B Sakasai Shou
SS Himura Atsushi
C Akiba Kouta
P Chiba Takao

Nishiwaki Kougyou (Hyogo)
CF Imai Tetsuya
RF Takami Naoki
2B Yamanaka Shunpei
P Outa Masaki
LF Murakami Kouhei
1B Morishita Ikuya
C Nishizawa Jyun
SS Hieda Taisei
3B Ishii Tomoki (#15)

____________________________________________________________

11:55 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Crowds are out in force to support the hometown team. Azuma heads of a pitch, grounds to Ishii.

Okada has a couple of fastballs blow by him, but gets enough of one to bloop it into center for a base hit.

Saruta on a fork for Outa to 3rd, under the glove! Ishii can't field or block it and it's to left! Murakami throws to 3rd and that allows Saruta to advance to 2nd! Nishiwaki in trouble early!

And Tanida flies a ball to left! Murakami under it and Okata comes home! Throw cut off and he scores! 1-0 Kisaradzu Sougou!

Sagae grounds to 2nd, but the 2nd year veterans get the first strike!

Bottom 1st
Chiba going with 2 slow curves to start the game.

And another?! 2-1, but this seems odd....

4 straight? What's going on? #10 Oikawa is warming up as he tosses what looks like another slow curve.

Eh? It seems to work. Ishii goes down swinging on another slow curve. But something is definitelty wrong...

And Gojima-kantoku pulls him for #10 Oikawa! Yeah, something definitely happened.

Takami with a grounder to the right side... Sakasai sprinting out to the outfield, makes the pick and throw to 1st for the 2nd out!

Yamanaka with a booming hit down the left field line... FOUL!!!

It just goes foul!

But Yamanaka goes down looking! Oikawa gets the inside strike to retire the side!

A bit of a weird half-inning there, but Kisaradzu none the worse for wear.

Top 2nd
Himura with a one out hit back past a diving Yamanaka into center.

Uh oh! Akiba gets the high fastball and singles in front of Takami.

Oikawa grounder in front of Ishii and the runners advance on the out at 1st, a base hit could open things up...

Azume base hit to left! Himura scores, Akiba coming home! Throw goes to 2nd and it's 3-0 Kisadarzu Sougou!

 Okita flies out to center, but Nishiwaki Kougyou in even more trouble now.

Bottom 2nd
Nishiwaki Kougyou looking to swing out of the deficit, instead swings to 3 outs in just 4 pitches.

Top 3rd
Outa trying to stop the bleeding in the 3rd jams Soeda into a grounder at 2nd. Tanida chases a forkball down for Outa for his first K...

Sagae though prevents the 1-2-3 inning with a single to center.

But that's all he can do as Outa goes up and in on Sakasai who is all tied up in his swing to end the inning. More importantly, a donut on the board finally.

Bottom 3rd
Nishizawa with a ball down the right field line, down for Nishiwaki's 1st base hit! Hieda showing bunt, stabs his first attempt.  Down 2-2, lays down the bunt, but it's too hard and Oikawa goes to 2nd to cut down the lead runner!

And now Ishii is bunting with 1 down? How bad is the bottom of the lineup?

Ishii swings and singles through the left side! See?

Lineup turns over back to Imai.

SANSHIN!!!  Imai chases a buried slider and there's 2 down for Takami.

Liner to left! That falls in for a hit!

Hieda coming home, Saruta's throw over everyone! Oikawa backing up play makes the catch, fires to 3rd as the runners take off, but both are safe! It's 3-1 and both runners are in scoring position!

Yamanaka grounder to short! Himura loses the ball! Gets it, throws to first... in time!

Oikawa gets out of the inning with some minor damage.

Top 4th
Now its Outa who is settling down it seems. Himura and Akiba both chase high pitches from Outa and are retired.

Oikawa staying at the plate a little longer, gets the count full, but is ahead of a forkball and grounds to 2nd for Outa's first 1-2-3 inning.

Bottom 4th
Outa with a liner, but right to Sakasai for the first out.

Oikawa making effort to pitch Murakami outside, rings him up on fastball that catches the edge.

Morishita with a dive to center, Azuma going back! Ah, bu it looks like he got under it and Azuma makes he catch for the 3rd out.

Top 5th
Azuma with a base hit back up the middle.

Eh? Outa called for a balk and now he's in scoring position!

Okada laying down the bunt. Outa on it quickly, fires to 3rd... they get Azuma for the out! 1 down!

Saruta with a ball to 1st. Morishita with it goes to 2nd, AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

He throws it wide and it leaks away from Hieda! Okada takes 3rd!

Tanida up looking for a timely hit...

SANSHIN!!! He chases a forkball for the 2nd out!

And Outa does it again! Sagae goes after the slider and the side is retired!

Bottom 5th
Oikawa mowing down batters..

Nishizawa gets tied up on a slider inside...

Hieda getting that same slider chases it on the outside for another K.

Ishii fares better though, getting ball 4 and cycling the lineup.

Ishii singles past Sakasai for a base hit! Ishii takes 3rd!

Ah, but Takami swings on the first pitch and grounds to Sakasai. He tags Imai and we head to the break.

Nishiwaki Kougyou has had some chances, but are struggling against Kisaradzu Sougou and find themselves behind by a pair of runs.

Top 6th
Outa locating his pitches better now, and getting outs.

Sakasai waves at a fork for Outa's 5th K. Hieda chases the high fastball and flies out.

The clean frame is spoiled when Akiba singles to left, but that's the only blemish as Oikawa grounds to 2nd.

Bottom 6th
Oikawa feeding Yamanaka a diet of nothing but sliders and gets him twisted into a weak grounder to Okada.

Outa fares no better going after a slider in the dirt for the 2nd out.

It's a clean inning for Oikawa as Murakami flies to center. Himura and Saruta converge, but it's Azuma who makes the catch for the 3rd out.

Top 7th
Azuma almost gets pegged by Azuma's liner back up the middle. Okada bunts him along to 2nd.

Saruta a liner to center! Imai charging in... makes the shoestring catch! Goes to 2nd and Azuma can't do anything as he's doubled off to end the inning!

Bottom 7th
Morishita with a foul back , Okada running over to get it, goes full bore into camera well!! Looks like he wants to hang with the cameramen and get a drink before coming back onto the field.

After the delay, Morishita goes down swinging on what else, a slider.

Nishizawa and Hieda quickly go down thereafter and it looks like they may be done for.

Top 8th
#17 Adachi comes in for Morishita and takes over at 1B.

Tanida liner to left, Murakami charging in. Dives...

Makes the sprawling catch for the 1st out!

And much like Oikawa, Outa retires Sagae and Sakasai in quick order and they're back on the bats again!

Bottom 8th
#13 Asao to hit for Ishii, hits dribbler up 3rd base side. Okada charging, makes throw to 1st.

Imai first pitch swinging, another ball right to Okada, throw to 1st, 2 down.

Takami flies out harmlessly to right, and we're quickly to the 9th.

Top 9th
Outa's done what he can given the runs he gave up early. He racks up 2 more K's as he retires the side in order...

Bottom 9th
But they're down to their final 3 outs.

Yamanaka inside outs a slider to right field for a base hit. It's a start, as the douten run can step in in Outa.

But he goes right after the first pitch. He's way to far out in front of it and flies out to right. Murakami up...

He goes down swinging on a slider way away, and there's 2 down.

Last chance belongs to Adachi.

He's surprisingly patient at the plate, takes ball 2.. ball 3....

Ball 4! He walks and the douten runner is on base.

Now is Nishizawa going to exhibit that patience?

Doesn't look like it. 1-1 pitch, chases a short slider...

WILD PITCH!!!!!

Ball gets away from Akiba and the runners advance!  Douten runner in scoring position! Now you can get excited as Gojima-kantoku calls time.

Another wild pitch! But Akiba is quick to recover and the runners hold.  Full count!

Ball 4!!  The ball gets away again, and Chiba is quick to it as Nishizawa takes his base.

Hieda up now...

Spins away from a ball, and he goes to a knee knowing he could have been hit.

Check swing, but he's called going around...

Slider low, 2-1...

Swings! But grounder to 1st!

Sagae with it, goes to 1st and the game is over!

Oh, just when you thought they were done, the cardiac kids come back to life for a half inning. It winds up being not enough as Oikawa in emergency relief brings his team to victory.

It really did look like Nishiwaki Kougyou was dead to right. With nary a hit since he 5th inning, you thought they finally had it.

And yet, they do what most teams don't do when trailing with their final outs - get on base any way possible. They took 2 walks and perhaps could have had a 3rd if Hieda had turned the right way (and by right I mean into it).

But their ending gives a lot of respect to the first timers from Nishiwaki. They may have lost, but darned if they didn't play their baseball until the end.

The injury to Chiba may hurt them in the long-run. Looks like he initially hurt himself during the prefectural taikai.  But Kisaradzu Sougou probably carries the most pitchers on the staff. We may see a lot of them in the near future...

Also their runs came quickly early on, and while they had some hits the rest of the game, their scoring chances were few and far between...


Notable Players
Oikawa Shouta (Kisaradzu Sougou) - 8.2 IP, 5 H, 8 K, 3 BB
Azuma Tatsuya (Kisaradzu Sougou) - 3-4, 2 RBI
Akiba Kouta (Kisaradzu Sougou) - 2-4, R
Outa Masaki (Nishiwaki Kougyou) - CG, 3 ER, 9 H, 7 K, 0 BB
Takami Naoki (Nishiwaki Kougyou) - 1-4, RBI
Ishii Tomoki (Nishiwaki Kougyou) - 1-2, BB

Well, this has been an interesting Natsu Koushien so far.  Quite a few really closely contested (and not boring) ball games, some blowouts (it was bound to happen, really), finishing it off with an unexpected gem of a game in Obihiro Ootani - Fukui Shougyou, and a completely indescribable one in Sendai Ikuei - Urawa Gakuin.

So, what do we have in store today?

First up is a school who I will unapologetically root for versus one that made me very sad a couple weeks back.

I started noticing Ueda Nishi (and their neighboring school Ueda Chikuma) only after I (a) visited my friend in Togura/Kamiyamada (which is a stones throw away from Ueda) who runs an ryokan there, and (b) when I noticed the stratification of schools in each prefecture and wanted to root for schools that continuously hit the ceiling of the prefectural powerhouses.

Both Ueda Nishi and Ueda Chikuma fit the bill - though now I guess with a little more stratification, Ueda Nishi is a private school and Ueda Chikuma is not.

Anyways, Ueda Nishi had been reaching as high as the semifinals, but couldn't push past that point.  Around the time of 2009, they began fading back into the distance, only to reemerge in 2011.  Now, there were still some fits and starts - as such a 3rd tier school is apt to do, but in the fall of 2012 they got their groove on, losing just 3 games starting from the fall taikai.  Once to Saku Chousei in the fall prefectural final, and then twice interestingly to Tsuruga Kehi by margins of 1-2 and 2-3 respectively.

While their offense is certainly nothing to write home about - especially given the strength of the prefecture, their pitching was the real key to getting them their first Koushien appearance.

But it wasn't one pitcher.  5 different pitchers took the hill for Ueda Nishi in their 6 games.  The top 3 in IP are on the roster for Koushien.  Looking on the records the two pitchers that Hara-kantoku goes to are ace # Urano Takashi and #10 Yanagizawa Kazuki.  #11 Hanazato Yuusuke is on the roster as well, and was called upon to finish the semifinal game against Chikyuu Kankyou.

Yanagizawa is a righty who can reportedly hit the low 140s, but probably sits more in the high 130 range.  Urano is a southpaw who probably sits in the mid 130s with a good slider.

The duo will probably have their work cut out for them because they're paired up with the Chiba champions Kisaradzu Sougou.

That team broke my heart when they defeated Narashino in the final.  Judging from the games I did see, it was apparent they were still rebuilding.  Yet they reached the finals, and had a chance against defending champs Kisaradzu Sougou.

Kisaradzu Sougou also sent Senshuudai Matsudo home in the semifinals.  That enchousen loss became their 3rd straight enchousen loss in the Natsu taikai, with each loss a further step up the ladder.

So I fully expect them to continue their streak of breaking the hearts of my fellow kokoyakyu fans when they defeat Ueda Nishi (sic).

Seriously though, the school this year has not been really been consistent in any one aspect of the game.  Sometimes the pitching rules the day as it was against Senshuudai Matsudo, sometimes it would be the offense (Narashino).

Ace Chiba Takao doesn't throw particularly hard (low 130s) and reportedly has a slider, cutter and slow curve.  #10 Oikawa Shouta and #12 Nasu Yuuta have been used, but in key games it is all Chiba.

Ueda Nishi (Nagano)
LF Takeda Tatsuki
2B Arai Keisuke
3B Toya Taketo
1B Satou Tatsunori
RF Kozaki Shuuzou (#15)
SS Kanao Kouya
P Urano Takashi
C Ootsuka Masaya
CF Miyazawa Yoshinari

Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
CF Azuma Tatsuya
3B Okada Yuuhei
LF Saruta Mizuki
RF Tanida Ryou
1B Sagae Kaito
2B Sakasai Shou
SS Himura Atsushi
C Akiba Kouta
P Chiba Takao
____________________________________________________________

08:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
It's a relatively easy first for Chiba to start.  In between 2 groundsouts from Takeda and Toya, he gets Arai to chase a slider away for a his first K.

Bottom 1st
It looks like there will be a lot of contact here as Urano gets three hard groundouts to start the game.

Top 2nd
Satou with a deep drive to right, but perhaps the hamakaze is preventing balls from leaving early as Tanida parks under it in front of the fence for the first out.

"Bench starter", #15 Kozaki gets Ueda Nishi's first single with a ball to left center!

But he's wiped out immediately as Kanai grounds into a textbook 6-4-3 double play.

Bottom 2nd
So much for the contact theme.  Tanida and Sagae both chase a slider away for Urano's first 2 Ks, and Sakasai pops up to Kanai behind 2nd.

Top 3rd
Chiba definitely a contact pitcher.

Urano decides to go for a slow curve, and grounds to Okada. Ootsuka has 2 strikes and also grounds out to 3rd.

And apparently #9 batter Miyazawa's father is Ghanan if I heard the announcers right.

Anuyways, Chiba paints the corner according to the home plate umpire and the side is retired.

Bottom 3rd
No surprise, another groundout, this time by Himura.

Akiba with a grounder to short, Kanai with it for the... throws it away!  No one is backing up (that's rare), and Akiba takes 2nd!

Chiba up and Kojima-kantoku not bunting.  Hits a slow grounder to short, Kanai charging, throws, and a good stretch by Satou for the out.

Back to the top of the order and Azuma.  He hits a comebacker to Urano!  Runs and tosses to 1st and side is retired!

Top 4th
Takeda with a shot down the right field line... fair!!  That rolls all the way to the fence and Takeda is in with a leadoff double! Arai with the textbook bunt moves him to 3rd base for Toya!

Chiba and Akiba consistently pitching away to Toya to try and prevent squeeze, induce weaker contact.

Toya still pulls one, but right to short!  Himura with it, AHHHH!!

Himura whiffs and the ball goes behind him into left!  Takeda, who was heading back to 3rd, comes home and Ueda Nishi leads 1-0!

Satou up to try and continue the momentum, but he grounds into the 2nd inning-ending double play to retire the side. But an error by the Kisaradzu defense costs them the run!

Bottom 4th
Urano racking up Ks faster than I was expecting.  Okada chases a slider on the outside corner for his 3rd K.

Huh, another buried slider, another swing and miss.  Ootsuka throws to 1st to complete the out, but that's 4 Ks now...

Cleanup batter Tanida makes contact, but it's a grounder right to Arai for the 3rd out.

Top 5th
Chiba just refusing to pitch inside it seems.

And Kozaki can focus on the outside part and flies that one-handed swing to poke one into center for a leadoff single.  Kanai just completely deadens a bunt to move him along.

Oh hey, 2-0 to Urano, he pitches inside... for a ball.  And then walks him on 4 straight.  At least it sets up the force I guess.

Ootsuka stepping in.  He's showing bunt?

Grounder to the left side... where is the SS?  He's way over towards 2nd and can't scramble back!

It's through to left and Kozaki is being sent home!!  Throw from Saruta... not in time!  Some aggressive running there gives Ueda Nishi the 2-0 lead!

AH!  But that aggressive running gets them into trouble!  Miyazawa shows bunt, but doesn't offer and Urano is caught off the bag!  Akiba throws to 2nd and he's run down for the 2nd out!

Miyazawa flies out to center and the inning is over.  But this is a bit of a surprise through 4½ innings!

Bottom 5th
Oof.  Urano's sweeping slider is wreaking havoc amongst the Kisaradzu ranks.  Sagae chases a slider down and away for Urano's 5th K.

Sakasai behind 1-2, doesn't bite on the slider, takes a 3-2 ball up and in for a walk.  2nd baserunner for Kisaradzu today.

Sakasai setting the blueprint for the rest of the team.  Himura not biting on anything low and he too draws a walk.  Hara-kantoku calls time.  Gotta throw strikes to get them to bite on the slider.

But don't give them a meatball!  Akiba jumps on the first pitch and lines it to left center and past the defense.  Miyazawa runs it to the wall, but both runners will easily score and we're douten at 2-2 on Kisaradzu's first hit.

Chiba with a chopper up the first base line, past Satou!  Akiba comes around and just like that Kisaradzu Sougou takes a 3-2 lead!

Things are getting worse as Azuma singles to left!  Runners on 1st and 2nd and still just 1 out!  Okada then with a slow grounder to 3rd.  Toya's throw pulls Satou off the bag and everyone's safe!

Manrui for Saruta and he hits a singles through the right side!  Chiba and Azuma score to make it a 5-2 ballgame.  Saruta is caught in between 1st and 2nd, but Okada does a good job of drawing attention at 3rd, plus no one covered 2nd on the rundown.

Tanida hits a chopper over Satou's head and that goes into right.  2 more score and it's 7-2 Kisaradzu.

That's the end of the day for Urano as Yanagisawa comes in.  He retires the next two batters, but it's way too late.  11 batters and 7 runs later, we head into the break with Kisaradzu Sougou in full control.

Top 6th
Takeda tries to start the long road back with a blast to deep center.  Azuma has to play the ball off the wall as Takeda comes in with a double.

Arai goes for the bust and hit (no run), but flies out to right.  Though Takeda could take 3rd, but he doesn't go.

Even with the lead, Chiba isn't going aggressive in the zone.  He throws outside 4 times, and walks Toya.  Gojima-kantoku calls time, perhaps to tell Chiba to be just a little more aggressive in the zone.  Not fat, aggressive.

Chiba still not pitching in the zone, though Satou chases one for what reason I don't know.  He's having the same problem that Urano had earlier, and maybe Ueda Nishi is being patient...

OR NOT.  Satou chases one more to make the count 2-2.  And still goes after one but lines it foul.

He instead fights with the bat, lines a ball that Sagae picks and goes to 2nd for the force.  2 outs.

Kozaki also tries to swing his way through, though in his case he was 2-2.  But he reaches out and hits one just a bit too hard and flies out to right to end the inning.

Judging by the way Ueda Nishi attacked the 1st & 2nd, 1 out situation, they won't change strategy or adjust out of norm to rally back.

Bottom 6th
Well, looks like Kisaradzu Sougou will try and quickly cruise to the win to rest their players.  Bottom 3rd of the order swinging away, and are retired in just 5 pitches.

Top 7th
Kanai isn't too big to accept the walk and he does so to start the Lucky 7.

Yanagisawa though looking to hit, bust-and-runs a grounder to 1st for 1 out.

And when Ootsuka waits for a pitch? Chiba walks him. But the Ueda Nishi batters aren't committing to wait and wait like Kisaradzu did.

Miyazawa especially.  He swings at two pitches and is behind 0-2 when at least one of them wasn't a strike.

And having put himself behind early, he swings and flies out to right for the 2nd out.

Takeda does try to swing the team back and chases change down and in, chops to 1st for the 3rd out.

Yep, Ueda Nishi at this rate will flail to the end.

Bottom 7th
Yanagaisawa records his first 2 Ks in Azuma and Okada before Saruta singles to center.  Inning though end on very next pitch as Tanida grounds to 2nd.

Top 8th
Ueda Nishi showing guts by swinging away - retired in order in 5 pitches.

Bottom 8th
#9 Kobayashi comes in for Kozaki to play RF.

Himura collects his 1st hit on a soft liner past a diving Kanai, but other than that the inning goes along harmlessly.

Top 9th
#16 Watanabe comes in for Saruta in LF.

Kobayashi able to get a hack in and beats out an infield grounder to Himura.  And for some reason down 5 goes for and steals 2nd to much applause.

Kanai's at least has learned the game of taking a walk and draws his 2nd.

#12 Kondou comes in to hit for Yanagisawa, bet he'll be swinging away.

Yep, and grounds to 2nd.  Sakasai goes to 2nd for one.

Ootsuka too is swinging away and singles through to left.  7-3, and Gojima-kantoku calls for time.

Miyazawa up, after swinging on first pitch, winds up behing 0-2 and having to protect.  Reaches down for a ball and pops up to Sagae for the 2nd out.

Takeda last chance for Ueda Nishi.

He gets under one and drives it to left center.  ?!  Watanabe is sprinting back?

It's over his head!  Both Kondou and Ootsuka score to make it a 7-5 game!

Arai to continue the game, but he falls behind 1-2

Chases a high fastball and that's the game!

Kisaradzu Sougou behind the 7-run 5th defeat Ueda Nishi 7-5.

And really game boiled down to 2 points.  When Kisaradzu Sougou finally stopped swinging at Urano's low offerings and Hara-kantoku told him he need to throw some strikes, Urano just left them over the plate for Kisaradzu to slap all over the place.

And second, Chiba had been pitching predominantly outside for most of the game.  It was very much in the same vein as Urano.  But Ueda Nishi couldn't commit to that strategy consistently as evidenced by the 7th:

• Walk, groundout, walk, flyout, groundout.

If they even put pressure on Chiba to throw better balls, who knows what might have happened?

As it stand the boys from Nagano are crying and scooping their dirt, and Kisaragzu Sougou moves on.  But Kisaradzu despite the 7 runs do not look like a strong team and are at risk in the next round.


Notable Players
Akiba Kouta (Kisaradzu Sougou) - 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Saruta Mizuki (Kisaradzu Sougou) - 2-4, R, 2 RBI
Takeda Tatsuki (Ueda Nishi) -3-5, 3 2B, R, 2 RBI
Ootsuka Masaya (Ueda Nishi) - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, BB
Kozaki Shuuzou (Ueda Nishi) - 2-3, R

This is the long awaited game for all teams - ace Fujinami and Senbatsu champions Osaka Touin, and the unfortunate team that just so happened to draw #42 - Kisaradzu Sougou.

This summer we had the possibility of either seeing our 7th back-to-back Natsu Koushien champions in Nichidai-san, or our 7th haru-natsu renzoku yuushou (Spring-summer champions) in Osaka Touin.  Sanko has been eliminated, so the eyes at Koushien turn to Fujinami and his quest.

In the Osaka prefecturals, Osaka Touin was not challenged save for 2 instances.  First in the 4th round against Minoo Higashi, where the tandem of Murata and Sugita gave up just 3 hits and 2 walks to the vaunted Osaka Touin offense.  Unfortunately for them, they were 2-hit themselves and fell 2-0.

Then there was the final against Riseisha.  Up 10-1 going into the 8th, Fujinami flat out ran out of gas.  Sawada had to come in and even then was not able to immediately stop the bleeding.  by the time Riseisha's 8th inning was over, the score was 10-8.  Fortunately Sawada shut the door in the 9th, securing Osaka Touin's ticket, but it highlights the one and only weakness - pitching depth.

Might be hard to fathom given Fujinami and all, but Nishitani-kantoku already had it in mind during the summer:

• 22nd - 3rd Round vs. Kadoma Nishi: #10 Sawada - 9 IP
• 23rd - 4th Round vs. Minoo Higashi: Fujinami - 9 IP
• 25th - 5th Round vs. Ikuno Kougyou: #11 Hirao - 5 IP (called game)
• 26th - Quarterfinals vs. Higashi-Osakadai Kashiwara: Fujinami - 9 IP
• 28th - Semifinals vs. Kinkidai Fuzoku: #10 Sawada - 7 IP (called game)
• 29th - Finals vs. Riseisha: Fujinami - 7.1 IP, Sawada - 1.2 IP

Fujinami pretty much pitched every 3rd day.  And still he fatigued in the finals.  Remember that in the spring, he became less and less effective.  Now, under the summer heat, in which field temperatures easily approach 40C (~104F), it can take an even bigger toll.  Sawada must be relied upon if they want to be haru-natsu champions.

Chiba's Kisaradzu Sougou has a real tough task ahead of them.  But I'm sure they'll give it their best.  They weren't necessarily challenged late, but instead were challenged early.  First off they met Narita and won 4-3.  Then in their very next game, they faced Funabashi Shibayama and won by the score of 1-0.  Finally in the quarterfinals, they gave up 6 runs in the final 3 innings to Seibudai Chiba to send the game into enchousen.  They would win one inning later.

Narita in fact was Kisaradzu Sougou's only known competition this year.  So saying they batted 0.341 (and 0.348 in their final 3 games), doesn't really say a whole lot.  On the mound Kimoto got the bulk of the work in the big games, with Chiba working in relief in some of the middle rounds. They don't really strike out a lot of batters, so unfortunately against Osaka Touin it's not a good sign.

So I don't think I'm saying anything new in that Osaka Touin should win this matchup handily.


Osaka Touin (Osaka)
C Mori
2B Oonishi
RF Mizumoto
1B Tabata
LF Yasui
CF Hakusui
3B Kasamatsu
SS Mega
P Fujinami

Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
C Kunihiro
RF Sugisaki
CF Mikuni
LF Takano
2B Takahashi
1B Akiba
SS Sakasai
P Kimoto
3B Okada

____________________________________________________________

13:05 - First Pitch

Top 1st
Kimoto's 1st pitch, 145. His second pitch, 40 feet.  Heh.

Mori with a hit down the right field line, fair!  He's running through to 2nd!  Throw from Sugisaki not in time!

Bunt from Oonishi,  Kimoto's throw to 1st, cut off by Akiba who tries the swipe tag??!!  Umpire calls safe and what the heck was that?!  Did Akiba not think Takahashi was covering? Did he accidentally get in the way of the throw and had to improvise?

And now Mizumoto takes the full count pitch for ball 4!  Manrui for Osaka Touin with Tabata up!  Oh boy...

Kimoto falls behind 2-0, blows 145 kph fastball by him for strike 1.  143 fastball for strike 2!  147 is fouled off!  And then he pulls the string on a 129 slider for strike 3.

Kimoto not backing down, throwing the heater at the batters.  He goes to 2-1 to Yasui.

But he hits Yasui with a slider!  Oshidashi!  Osaka Touin takes the 1-0 lead with Hakusui up to bat.

And it's all fastballs all the time as Hausui swings on a high 145 fastball for strike 3!

Kasamatsu still getting the fastballs, but takes one the other way!  It's past Takahashi into right!  One run scores!  Mizumoto rounding 3rd, the throw is cut off!  2-run single from Kasamatsu makes it a 3-0 game!

Mega flies out to center, but Osaka Touin puts the foot down in the first inning with 3 runs.  Though it was not without some help from Kisaradzu Sougou.

Bottom 1st
Kunihiro goes down swinging as Fujinami hits 149 on the radar gun.

Sugisaki scoffs at that and hits a ball to the left side.  Kasamatsu tries to field the ball, but it goes past his glove for a base hit!

But Mikuni gets frozen for a K, and Mori throws out Sugisaki who was trying to steal 2nd to end the inning.

Top 2nd
One down and Mori this time goes the opposite way with the ball and goes down the left field line for a double!

But this time around Kimoto shuts the door, getting Oonishi to fly out to left and Mizumoto to popout.

Bottom 2nd
Takano with a hit to center.  Hakusui running back, running back.  At the wall??!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Takano with a homerun to straight away center puts Kisaradzu Sougou on the board!  It's 3-1!

Proabably miffed about the prospect of doing such a thing he strikes out the next two batters on fastballs before gettin Sakusai to fly out to left.

Top 3rd
It would have been a 1-2-3 inning for Kimoto with all infield groundouts, but the grounder to 1st from Hakusui was booted and so the inning continues.

Kasamatsu with a blooper to center.  Mikuni charging in, but it falls in!  Hakusui going for 3rd and Mikui comes up firing!  Throw is in time and...  Hakusui's slide knocks out the ball!  He's safe!  Kasamatsu advances to 2nd on the throw.  So 2 runners in scoring position for Mega.  Kimoto falls behind 3-0, but fills out the count.

Sanshin!  Mega tries to sell the walk, but he's easily rung up for the out to retire the side!  Akiba's error doesn't cost them (for now).

Bottom 3rd
Outside of the HR, Kisaradzu's batters have done very little.  They go down 1-2-3 though Kunihiro makes solid contact but lines out to Mega.

Top 4th
Fujinami leading off goes down and singles to left. Mori follows that up with a first pitch single to left center!  Oonishi bunts them over for Mizumoto.

Comebacker to Kimoto!  It goes off of him and deflects towards left!  Sakasai has to chase it down as Fujinami and Mori both score making it 5-1!

Tabata up, but he chases after a high fastball for the 2nd out.

Yasui hits a laser right at Takahashi for the 3rd out.

Bottom 4th
Sugisaki gets hit to start off the inning.  Down 4, Kojima-kantoku is electing not to bunt.  He goes down swinging on the slider.

Takano trying to put the team on his back, hits a grounder that bounds by Mega into center for a base hit!  Sugusaki advances to 3rd on the play.

Takano goes for 2nd on a straight steal, but Fuijinami hand't pitched the ball yet!  Fujinami turns to throw, but throws it away!  Sugisaki scores and it's 5-2!  Base hit here can make it a managable deficit!

But Takahashi goes down swinging for the 2nd out!  Akiba behind 1-2, and grounds out to Mega to end the inning.  Kisaradzu Sougou gets a run back, but they're falling behind.

Top 5th
Hoo boy...

One down Kasamatsu hits a no doubt about it HR down the left field line.  It's 6-2 now for Osaka Touin.

Mega draws a walk and Fujinami bunts him over.  Top of the order, and Kimoto hits Mori in the butt.

Kimoto limits the damage striking out Oonishi, but the deficit grows back to 4 runs.

Bottom 5th
Sakasai makes good contact, but lines out to Mega.  Two down, Fujinami issues his first walk to Okada.

Odd, Kojima-kantoku sends a player to talk to Kunihiro to talk with the plate umpire about something.

Well, on with the game and Okada takes off for 2nd and Mori's throw is high!

Doesn't matter though as Kunihiro goes down swinging for the 3rd out.  We hit the break with Osaka Touin holding a commanding 6-2 lead over Kisaradzu Sougyou.

Top 6th
Mizumoto makes a bid for a HR to lef tcenter, but Mikuni is there to run it down.  Tabata then tries for one down the left field line, and wouldn't you know it, he does it.  So 2 HR's for the senbatsu champions as the margin widens to 5 at 7-2.

Maybe they're all going for it?  Yasui hits a fairly deep ball to center, though Mikuni is there again to catch it.

Hakusui with a hard hit ball to 1st and it squibbles by Akiba for an E3.

The error doesn't hurt as Kasamatsu goes down swinging to end the inning.

Bottom 6th
Yet another 1-2-3 inning for Fujinami as no one can hit a ball out of the infield.

Top 7th
Huh.  Lucky 7 for Osaka Touin is probably lucky for Kimoto as he gets his first 1-2-3 inning.

Bottom 7th
One down and #17 Fujimaki comes in to hit for Kisaradzu Sougou.  He hits a ball the deflects off of Fujinami's glove into center for a base hit!

Sakusai hits a grounder to 2nd and Oonishi elects to go for the lead out and gets it.

#16 Oozawa come in to PH for Kimoto and that means his day is done.

Oozawa with a drive to left.  Yasui running back towards the left field foul pole.  Still running!  Still running!!

Catches it at the fence for the 3rd out!  He just missed a homerun by feet!

Top 8th
Fujimaki stays in to play 1st.  #10 Chiba takes over on the mound.

Oonishi checks his swing, but the ball hits the bat and goes into Kunihiro's glove for the out.

Tabata grounds into the 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Bottom 8th
About a formality now.  Kisaradzu goes down in order swinging.

Top 9th
#14 Higa replaces Okada at 3rd.

Yasui singles to center then steals 2nd.  Hakusui swings on a slow curve and misses for the 1st out.

Kasamatsu works a walk and Nishitani-kantoku sends out #13 Kinden to bat for Mega, and he singles to center scoring Yasui making it 8-2.  Kasamatsu tries to stretch to 3rd, but is thrown out.  #15 Takai comes in to run for Kinden.

Fujinami strikes out to end the inning and Fujinami's 3 outs away from advancing.

Bottom 9th
#14 Mizutani comes in for Takai and takes over at SS.

Mikuni goes down looking on 3 straight.

Takano with agrounder to the left side, Mizutani makes the stop in the gap, but his throw is late.  Takahashi follows that up with a single to left.

But Fujimaki goes down swinging and Sakasai pops out to Mizutani (#16 Nishi had come in for Kasamatsu right before then).

And so it goes.  Sorry for being so boring, but the game was never in doubt really.   They'll advance to face Seiseiko.

For Kisaradzu Sougou, it was a lot to ask for to upset Osaka Touin, but at least they can say they go to Koushien.


Notable Players
Fujinami Shintarou (Osaka Touin) - CG, 2 ER, 4 H, 14 K, 2 BB
Kasamatsu Yuuya (Osaka Touin) - 3-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, K, BB
Mori Tomoya (Osaka Touin) - 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, HBP
Tabata Yoshiki (Osaka Touin) - 1-5, HR, R, RBI, 2 K
Takano Yuuto (Kisaradzu Sougou) - 3-4, HR, R, RBI