Our brunch-time game pits two teams familiar to Koushien against one another.
Yuugakukan got a pretty clear road to the final, avoiding the dangerous teams up until the final where they somehow made 1 run stick against Kanazawa. Despite the weak competition, the team batted a ghastly 0.255, and 0.236 in their final 3 games. That's terrible even by rural prefectual standards and if you adjust for competition, it is to put it nicely... awful.
That means ace Komago Ryuuji has to should almost all of the load. He's reported as hitting 146, but chances are it's more like around 140. So he's an above average pitcher velocity-wise. He does strike out >1 K/IP, and is supposedly very stingy with the walks. But you would be hard pressed to win 5 games without an offense to speak of.
Kyushu Gakuin also avoided most of the strong teams in prefecture until facing Buntoku in the finals. The team scored 6 or more runs in 5 of their 6 games and batted 0.340 for the tournament, and 0.340 in the final 3 games. They're consistent if nothing else, but the form suggests nothing special on either side of the ball.
Kyushu Gakuin (Kumamoto)
LF Wakahara Shouya
CF Hasegawa Hiromasa
2B Tomoda Akira
1B Murakami Munetaka
SS Yanai Kazuki
3B Motomura Yuugo
RF Matsushita Kazuki
P Ise Hiromu
C Nakahara Rikiya
Yuugakukan (Ishikawa)
CF Iida Koujirou
SS Nakamura Kouta (#4)
2B Tsuchikura Makoto (#5)
C Takamoto Kouhei
1B Hirobashi Keita
RF Uchigata Ryouta
LF Matsuda Kazuki
P Komago Ryuuji
3B Kuriyama Koutarou (#13)
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10:20 - First Pitch!
1st Inning
Well, pretty much what you expected. Komago shuts down Kyushu Gakuin's offense - getting a K, while Ise gives up a 2-out hit, but nothing else.
Top 2nd
For being stingy with walks, Yanai is able to draw one with one out and is bunted over.
Matsushita wih a ball to the gap in right center! Yanai will score easily and Kyushu Gakuin opens the scoring! 1-0!
Ise is jammed but bloops it over Tsuchikura! Matsushita rounds 3rd and he'll score! 2-0!
Bottom 2nd
Hirabashi fly to shallow center, Hasegawa dives, but can't get it! Hirabashi goes for 2, Hasegawa fires to 2nd... OUT! Hirabashi tries for the extra base, but was denied!
And that's a shame because Uchigata singles to right.
However Matsuda grounds into the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
One out walk to last batter Kuriyama, and Iida not bunting.
Instead, he singles to left!
Now Nakamura singles back up the middle! Kurayama comes in and it's 2-1!
Tsuchikura grounder to short and AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The ball takes a high hop over Tsuchikura and into left! Iida will score and we're tied! That's a bad break.
Takamoto grounder to 1st.. Murakami boots it! Toss to first, it's high and wide! Nakamura can trot home and Yuugakukan has the 3-2 lead! Hirabashi grounds to 1st, but thanks to some breaks falling their way have the lead!
Bottom 4th
Yuugakukan showing offensive prowess they didn't during the prefecturals!
Matsuda with a single to right to start the inning. After a bunt, Kuriyama gets a single through the left side!
Now Iida with a base hit to right!! Matsuda comes around and he scores! 4-2!
Nakamura past the drawn in defense and that scores Kuriyama! Yuugakukan up 5-2 as Ise finally gets the last 2 outs.
5th Inning
Things quiet down before the break, but not before Yuugakukan threatened again after Uchigata tripled to right with one down. Ise got 2 groundouts and kept the deficit at 3.
It's surprising that Yuugakukan has this many hits given their prefectural batting average. Regardless it's probably a welcome sight.
Top 6th
Small chance as Yanai gets a 2-out blooper to center, but Motomura strikes out looking to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
Yuugakukan with 3 hits after 2 outs to load the bases and threatens to blow it open. Ise shimmies out of that jam getting Hirabashi to fly to right.
Rest of game
The game pretty much goes quiet until the 9th where Kyushu Gakuin gets a run back, but at the cost of 2 outs.
With no runners on and 2 outs, PF Fujishima grounds to 2nd to end the game. Yuugakukan shocking everyone with their hits wins 5-3!
Showing posts with label Kyushu Gakuin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kyushu Gakuin. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Day 1, Opening Game - Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori) vs. Kyushu Gakuin (Kumamoto)
My computer I use for doing the write ups is acting up on me, so I'll have to skip the intro for now. And apparently the title as well.
Top 1st
As perhaps expected, Ise is not a flame thrower of any sort. At the same time, we knew Kousei might have issues hitting.
And so it was that Kousei's first runner would come on a HBP to Kasumi with one down. Unfortunately for Kousei, Kasumi perhaps can't pick up on the pickoff move and is caught napping for the 2nd out.
Adachi flies out to left and it's an easy inning for Ise to start.
Bottom 1st
Hasegawa playing the good leadoff man, working the count drawing a walk. Yonemitsu immediately bunts him to 2nd.
Tomoda with a ball to the right side, and Nakzaki can't run it down! And it's so slow that Kasumi has no play at home! 1-0 Kyushu Gakuin!
Matsushita hits back to Nakagawa for a 1-4-3 double play to end the inning, but Kyushu opens the scoring early!
Top 2nd
Nakazaki finally gets the first hit for Kousei, getting around on an side pitch and driving it to left for a single. But Kobayashi flies to left, and Baba swings on high cheese to leave him at 1st.
Bottom 2nd
Kyushu Gakuin is attacking the ball early, but it also gives Nakagawa a quick inning. 6 pitches and three groundballs later, the inning is over.
Top 3rd
Sawaya tries to work the count being in the bottom of the order, but despite a 10 pitch AB, he grounds out to short. The next 2 batters are not as patient, but the results are much the same. It's a true 1-2-3 inning for Ise and Kousei's offense looks as anemic as I thought.
Bottom 3rd
Same goes for Kyushu Gakuin. Their 1 hit was a seeing eye single.Ise tries to buy the walk on a 3-2 count, but it finds the top of the zone for a K. Nakahara and Hasegawa both ground out as well, and this looks to be a very low-scoring affair.
Top 4th
Kasumi with a shot past Ise who has to spin out of the way gives them a leadoff runner. Adachi bunts, but Nakahara tries to go to 2nd! His snap this high, taking Matsushita off the bag!
Now runners on 1st and 2nd, Sawada tries to bunt, but falls behind 1-2. He feigns bunt to work the count full, and Ise throws one wide to the backstop to load the bases!
Nakazaki with a great chance for Kousei, flies one to left. Wakahara makes the catch, and Kasumi tags up easily to make it a 1-1 ballgame!
Kobayashi trying to do something productive, hits a ball to the right side. Tomoda just runs it down on the outfield grass, and makes the putout at 1st, 2 down.
With first open, and the bottom of the lineup perhaps not as strong, Ise sort of pitches around Baba, eventually issuing a walk to create the force.
But Ise's first pitch to Sawaya is wild! Adachi can trot home and it's 2-1 Kousei! Once again, Ise walks Sawaya to load the bases yet again for last batter Nakagawa.
And Ise is having control issues, missing everything either down, away or both.
Nakagawa bails him out by swinging on a 2-1 pitch and grounding out to end the inning. But Kousei looks to be having the better of it right now and leads thanks to missteps by ace Ise!
Bottom 4th
Cleanup batter Matsushita finally breaks the hitless drought with a 2-out single back up the middle and off the 2nd base bag.
Yanagiuchi pops out to Adachi to end the inning and Kousei holds serve.
Top 5th
Ise's control seems to be lacking still as he goes up and in on Arai, grazing his face. After a check from the home plate umpire, he heads to 1st.
Kasumi and Adachi can do no better than advance him with grounds balls to 3rd, and Sawada goes after the first pich. It's down and in, and he rolls it to Yonemitsu for the 3rd out.
Bottom 5th
Wakahara with a drive down the right field line, but it hangs up just enough for Kasumi to run it down. Ise gets his team's 3rd hit with a 2-out single to left. Nakagawa compounds things by hitting Nakahara to turn the lineup over.
Hasegawa however, can do no better than roll it back to Nakagawa who makes the play to send us to the break. The offenses may be slowing winding up, but there'll be a lot more donuts on the board before the game is over.
Top 6th
Kousei perhaps going for the big ball. Nakazaki booms one to left, but not far enough as Wakahara goes near the foul pole for the catch. After another flyout, Baba bloops one off of Tomoda's glove for a base hit. It's 2 outs though and Sawaya can't do much of anything with it.
Bottom 6th
It's running more of the same for Kyushu's offense. No good contact, and right at fielders. 3 up, 3 down.
Top 7th
Nakagawa making a bid for a base hit, lines one to shallow right. Motomura charges in, and makes a great sliding catch!
That sets the tone for the inning as the lucky 7 for Kousei goes quietly in order.
Bottom 7th
Once again Kyushu gets a base hit, but it's with 2 down. Motomura lines one past Adachi for a single. Ise though grounds to Adachi, who goes the short way to end the inning.
Top 8th
Adachi gets the inning started with a single through the right side. Sawada bunts him over.
Nakazaki with a rope to right, it's too hard though to allow Adachi to score. Ise's pitches are being squared up on.
Kobayashi with a ball to shallow left, Wakahara sells out, dives, but can't get there! It bounces behind him as both runners score to make it a 4-1 ballgame!
Things go from bad to worse as Ise walks Baba, then after he takes 2nd he hits Sawaya. Manrui for Kousei for Nakagawa.
And he delivers a ball to deep left! Wakahara goes back to the wall, but he has to play it off the base! 2 more runs come in and it's a 6-1 lead!
Things go from bad to worse when Arai pops up a ball to the infield. Tomoda and Yanagiuchi converge on the ball, neither calls the other off, and it glances off Yanagiuchi's glove and to the ground. That proves to be costly as Adachi would take the next ball to deep right center and off the base of the wall there for a bases clearing triple to make it a 9-1 game.
The hits keep on piling up as Sawada singles to left, but mercifully Nakazaki grounds out to short to end the inning. But Kousei has blown it wide open here late.
Bottom 8th
Nakahara starts the long trek back with a base hit to left. With one down, Yonemitsu single back up the middle to put runners on 1st and 2nd.
Tomoda delivers with a base hit of his own up the middle which scores Nakahara to make it a 9-2 game.
I lost connectivity at this point, but from the box score it looks like Matsushita flew out to center, Yonemitsu tries to tag up, and was throw out at home.
Top 9th
Ise continues to pitch on the mound despite his issues, which continue to persist. Baba and new 1B Ogasawara get back-to-back hits, and then Ise walks Arai with 2 down to load the bases. He does get out of it without further damage though.
Bottom 9th
True to form, Sakai-kantoku does not use a bench player, and while a walk and error put men on base, it's with 2 outs yet again. Nakahara goes down swinging to end the game, and the Kyushu champions go down hard.
Kousei wasn't that great of a team on paper, but you felt like it was Kyushu Gakuin that was on the edge of falling apart, which they finally did in the 8th. The fact that they were the champions doesn't bode well for the rest of the region in their upcoming games. As for Kousei, for them to be that easy throughout could a worry for those in Sendai Ikuei's way.
Top 1st
As perhaps expected, Ise is not a flame thrower of any sort. At the same time, we knew Kousei might have issues hitting.
And so it was that Kousei's first runner would come on a HBP to Kasumi with one down. Unfortunately for Kousei, Kasumi perhaps can't pick up on the pickoff move and is caught napping for the 2nd out.
Adachi flies out to left and it's an easy inning for Ise to start.
Bottom 1st
Hasegawa playing the good leadoff man, working the count drawing a walk. Yonemitsu immediately bunts him to 2nd.
Tomoda with a ball to the right side, and Nakzaki can't run it down! And it's so slow that Kasumi has no play at home! 1-0 Kyushu Gakuin!
Matsushita hits back to Nakagawa for a 1-4-3 double play to end the inning, but Kyushu opens the scoring early!
Top 2nd
Nakazaki finally gets the first hit for Kousei, getting around on an side pitch and driving it to left for a single. But Kobayashi flies to left, and Baba swings on high cheese to leave him at 1st.
Bottom 2nd
Kyushu Gakuin is attacking the ball early, but it also gives Nakagawa a quick inning. 6 pitches and three groundballs later, the inning is over.
Top 3rd
Sawaya tries to work the count being in the bottom of the order, but despite a 10 pitch AB, he grounds out to short. The next 2 batters are not as patient, but the results are much the same. It's a true 1-2-3 inning for Ise and Kousei's offense looks as anemic as I thought.
Bottom 3rd
Same goes for Kyushu Gakuin. Their 1 hit was a seeing eye single.Ise tries to buy the walk on a 3-2 count, but it finds the top of the zone for a K. Nakahara and Hasegawa both ground out as well, and this looks to be a very low-scoring affair.
Top 4th
Kasumi with a shot past Ise who has to spin out of the way gives them a leadoff runner. Adachi bunts, but Nakahara tries to go to 2nd! His snap this high, taking Matsushita off the bag!
Now runners on 1st and 2nd, Sawada tries to bunt, but falls behind 1-2. He feigns bunt to work the count full, and Ise throws one wide to the backstop to load the bases!
Nakazaki with a great chance for Kousei, flies one to left. Wakahara makes the catch, and Kasumi tags up easily to make it a 1-1 ballgame!
Kobayashi trying to do something productive, hits a ball to the right side. Tomoda just runs it down on the outfield grass, and makes the putout at 1st, 2 down.
With first open, and the bottom of the lineup perhaps not as strong, Ise sort of pitches around Baba, eventually issuing a walk to create the force.
But Ise's first pitch to Sawaya is wild! Adachi can trot home and it's 2-1 Kousei! Once again, Ise walks Sawaya to load the bases yet again for last batter Nakagawa.
And Ise is having control issues, missing everything either down, away or both.
Nakagawa bails him out by swinging on a 2-1 pitch and grounding out to end the inning. But Kousei looks to be having the better of it right now and leads thanks to missteps by ace Ise!
Bottom 4th
Cleanup batter Matsushita finally breaks the hitless drought with a 2-out single back up the middle and off the 2nd base bag.
Yanagiuchi pops out to Adachi to end the inning and Kousei holds serve.
Top 5th
Ise's control seems to be lacking still as he goes up and in on Arai, grazing his face. After a check from the home plate umpire, he heads to 1st.
Kasumi and Adachi can do no better than advance him with grounds balls to 3rd, and Sawada goes after the first pich. It's down and in, and he rolls it to Yonemitsu for the 3rd out.
Bottom 5th
Wakahara with a drive down the right field line, but it hangs up just enough for Kasumi to run it down. Ise gets his team's 3rd hit with a 2-out single to left. Nakagawa compounds things by hitting Nakahara to turn the lineup over.
Hasegawa however, can do no better than roll it back to Nakagawa who makes the play to send us to the break. The offenses may be slowing winding up, but there'll be a lot more donuts on the board before the game is over.
Top 6th
Kousei perhaps going for the big ball. Nakazaki booms one to left, but not far enough as Wakahara goes near the foul pole for the catch. After another flyout, Baba bloops one off of Tomoda's glove for a base hit. It's 2 outs though and Sawaya can't do much of anything with it.
Bottom 6th
It's running more of the same for Kyushu's offense. No good contact, and right at fielders. 3 up, 3 down.
Top 7th
Nakagawa making a bid for a base hit, lines one to shallow right. Motomura charges in, and makes a great sliding catch!
That sets the tone for the inning as the lucky 7 for Kousei goes quietly in order.
Bottom 7th
Once again Kyushu gets a base hit, but it's with 2 down. Motomura lines one past Adachi for a single. Ise though grounds to Adachi, who goes the short way to end the inning.
Top 8th
Adachi gets the inning started with a single through the right side. Sawada bunts him over.
Nakazaki with a rope to right, it's too hard though to allow Adachi to score. Ise's pitches are being squared up on.
Kobayashi with a ball to shallow left, Wakahara sells out, dives, but can't get there! It bounces behind him as both runners score to make it a 4-1 ballgame!
Things go from bad to worse as Ise walks Baba, then after he takes 2nd he hits Sawaya. Manrui for Kousei for Nakagawa.
And he delivers a ball to deep left! Wakahara goes back to the wall, but he has to play it off the base! 2 more runs come in and it's a 6-1 lead!
Things go from bad to worse when Arai pops up a ball to the infield. Tomoda and Yanagiuchi converge on the ball, neither calls the other off, and it glances off Yanagiuchi's glove and to the ground. That proves to be costly as Adachi would take the next ball to deep right center and off the base of the wall there for a bases clearing triple to make it a 9-1 game.
The hits keep on piling up as Sawada singles to left, but mercifully Nakazaki grounds out to short to end the inning. But Kousei has blown it wide open here late.
Bottom 8th
Nakahara starts the long trek back with a base hit to left. With one down, Yonemitsu single back up the middle to put runners on 1st and 2nd.
Tomoda delivers with a base hit of his own up the middle which scores Nakahara to make it a 9-2 game.
I lost connectivity at this point, but from the box score it looks like Matsushita flew out to center, Yonemitsu tries to tag up, and was throw out at home.
Top 9th
Ise continues to pitch on the mound despite his issues, which continue to persist. Baba and new 1B Ogasawara get back-to-back hits, and then Ise walks Arai with 2 down to load the bases. He does get out of it without further damage though.
Bottom 9th
True to form, Sakai-kantoku does not use a bench player, and while a walk and error put men on base, it's with 2 outs yet again. Nakahara goes down swinging to end the game, and the Kyushu champions go down hard.
Kousei wasn't that great of a team on paper, but you felt like it was Kyushu Gakuin that was on the edge of falling apart, which they finally did in the 8th. The fact that they were the champions doesn't bode well for the rest of the region in their upcoming games. As for Kousei, for them to be that easy throughout could a worry for those in Sendai Ikuei's way.
Reviewing the field - Kyushu champions Kyushu Gakuin
Kyushu Gakuin claimed the Kyushu super-regional title, and did it with apparently no help. Sakai-kantoku did not use his bench at all during their run in the fall. They were able to survive it, while at the same time dodging the powerhouse schools. They did face Chinzei and Kumamoto Kougyou in the prefecturals, but onto the super-regionals after a scare from Kaisei (Nagasaki), their only other brand name competition was Itoman in the finals where they won 4-3. The win against Tsuruga Kehi was a hollow one as Hiranuma was not available to pitch, and they came crashing down soon afterwards - being shutout by Sendai Ikuei 8-0.
The only pitcher we know of is ace Ise Hiromu (伊勢 大夢). He doesn't throw hard, has a slider, and shuuto and sinker. As a result his K rate is low at 5.6/9, but despite the balls in play, he carried a WHIP of 1.15. Pitching on back-to-back days didn't seem to bother him (at least until Sendai Ikuei anyways).
On offense, the team hit 0.341 with a 0.175 ISO with damage being done by cleanup hitter SS Matsushita Kazuki (松下 且興) who hit 3 HRs, though his average was a unimpressive 0.255. LF Wakahara Shouya (若原 笙弥) carries the highest BA at 0.415 and had 3 triples, but he bats 6th in the order.
The refusal of Sakai-kantoku to use his depth concerns me. With no apparent backup should things falter, and given the nature of their loss to Sendai Ikuei, their upside is limited. Kousei should be a good matchup first up, but a possible matchup with Osaka Touin does not bode well for the champs.
The only pitcher we know of is ace Ise Hiromu (伊勢 大夢). He doesn't throw hard, has a slider, and shuuto and sinker. As a result his K rate is low at 5.6/9, but despite the balls in play, he carried a WHIP of 1.15. Pitching on back-to-back days didn't seem to bother him (at least until Sendai Ikuei anyways).
On offense, the team hit 0.341 with a 0.175 ISO with damage being done by cleanup hitter SS Matsushita Kazuki (松下 且興) who hit 3 HRs, though his average was a unimpressive 0.255. LF Wakahara Shouya (若原 笙弥) carries the highest BA at 0.415 and had 3 triples, but he bats 6th in the order.
The refusal of Sakai-kantoku to use his depth concerns me. With no apparent backup should things falter, and given the nature of their loss to Sendai Ikuei, their upside is limited. Kousei should be a good matchup first up, but a possible matchup with Osaka Touin does not bode well for the champs.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Day 6 - Game 3 - Osaka Touin (Osaka) vs. Kyushi Gakuin (Kumamoto)
Finally we end what what should be a good matchup.
Osaka Touin and ace Fujinami easily handled what had to be one of the more weaker Hanamaki Higashi teams we've seen in recent years. Now, they were baffled for a majority of the game, but I think that had to do more with the erratic control of Hanamaki ace Ootani than anything else. Once he started leaving pitches over the plate more often did they rack up the runs.
Kyushu Gakuin too had a big inning against their opponent Memanbetsu in the 1st inning and pretty much cruised from there. They were put in check by ace Nikaidou for the most part thereafter, so that part of it could be concerning against a better ace in Fujinami.
Both teams handled their opponents, but mostly via the big inning. Otherwise their offenses struggled a bit. So due to Fujinami's better pitching, I'd have to side with the representative from the Kinki region to advance.
2B Oonishi Tomoya
RF Mizumoto Gen
1B Koike Yuuya (#5)
3B Kasamatsu Yuuya (#15)
LF Yasui Kouki
SS Mizutani Yukiya (#14)
P Fujinami Shintarou
CF Hakusui Kenta
2B Yamashita Yuuma
CF Hagiwara Hideyuki
3B Oota Kouhei
1B Okayama Shirou
LF Yonei Kenta
C Asakawa Ryou
RF Shimada Kairi
P Ootsuka Takahito
__________________________________________________
12:45 - First pitch!
Top 1st
A quick 1-2-3 inning for Ootsuka to start. Always good to get off to a good start, especially against a team like this.
Bottom 1st
I don't remember Fujinami hitting 145+ and yet here he is hitting 149 (though at times not controlled). Where was this in his first game?
And he blows by Misowaki for his first of what may be a lot of Ks.
A 109 curve followed by a 150 fastball inside? That's kinda not fair.
Still though we know from past history that a fast fastball is no good if you can't control it, and Yamashita draws a walk.
Fujinami continues to have some control issues still as he goes full on Hagiwara before getting him to chase. But the ball is in the dirt and that allows Yamashita to advance!
And now a wild pitch sends the runner along!
Again, he goes full on cleanup batter Oota. But Oota hits a harmless grounder to short and is retired. Not a great start for Fujinami, but he gets away with no damage.
Top 2nd
Kasamatsu gets Touin's first hit with a one-out single back up the middle.
And he takes off for 2nd! Asakawa's throw is a bit off and he's in safely! Yasui though goes down swinging for the 2nd out.
Ootsuka gets behind 3-0 on Mizutani, but gets him to ground out to 3rd.
Bottom 2nd
After an lineout to left, Fujinami's control issues persist. Yonei and Asakawa get deep into counts with Fujinami, and while both are retired they're making him throw a lot of pitches early.
Top 3rdOotsuka easily retire the bottom of the order, but then yields a 2-out slicer to left from Mori.
Oonishi follows that up immediately with a slicer down the right field line! Shimada has to run it down and it's a double! Pinch for Ootsuka here as Mizumoto steps in!
But Ootsuka gets him to ground out to short! Mizowaki makes the throw to 1st and he's out of the inning!
Bottom 3rd
Kyushu's batters are stuggling with Fujinami's fastball and then are off-balance when he throws his slider, change, etc.
Shimada can't catch up to the fastball and strikes out. Ootsuka is ahead of the pitch and bails, flying out to right-center.
Mizowaki is fouling pitches off, but he's just surviving at the plate. Fujinami ends his misery by freezing him on a slider.
Top 4th
Ootsuka not as dominating as Fujinami, but he is still effective. Against the 3-4-5 batters, he gets an infield fly, a soft liner and a routine grounder. We are in for a pitchers' duel for sure.
Bottom 4th
Yamashita with a chopper to 1st. Koike can't play the hop! He gathers the ball and dives toward 1st, but is short! Yamashita on base on the error!
Hagiwara up, but not bunting! The count goes full and he starts fighting at the plate. And he wins! Fujinami throws it low and Kyushu has a big chance here with no down!
Oota up, and he's bunting now. He lays down a beauty to the 3rd base side and Fujinami's only play is to 1st. 2 runners in scoring position for Okayama.
And there's going to be no squeeze here (good for you!)
However, he falls behind 1-2. Expect a lot of outside junk.
And yes! Okayama swings on a fastball down and away for strike 3!
Yonei up to try and extend the inning at the minimum,
Yonei with a blast to center! Hakusui running back, running back, and he's misjudged it! The wind takes it away from him and it falls in! Yamashita scores! Hagiwara scores! Yonei heading for 3rd, and he's in! He breaks the deadlock and Kyushu Gakuin takes a 2-0 lead!
Asakawa strikes out to end the inning, but they'll have to play from behind again!
Top 5th
Ootsuka continues to stifle the Osaka Touin batters. The bottom of the order can not do anything against him and are retired in order. The key will be if he can keep it up the whole game...
Bottom 5th
Developing situation for Osaka Touin! One down Oonishi draws a walk. Then Mizumoto singles down the right field line and Oonishi takes 3rd!
Koike with a grounder to 3rd, and Oota catches Oonishi off 3rd! They run him down and now there's 2 out, runners on 1st and 2nd!
Kasahara up, and Ootsuka gets ahead 2-2. Fastball down the middle, just low!
Next pitch, Kasahara connects! Yonei running back to the wall. Still running, looks up!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kasahara with the gyakuten 3-run homerun! What a turn of events here after the break!
Ootsuka manages to strike out Yasui to end the inning, but Kyushu Gakuin finds themselves behind!
Bottom 6th
The action is fast and furious now!
Yamashita with a seeing-eye single back up the middle! Hagiwara then takes the next pitch and loops that over Mizutani's head! Runners on 1st and 2nd for Kyushu Gakuin!
But Oota's bunt is too hard! Fujinami picks and wheels to 3rd, and they get Yamashita! Now Kyushu Gakuin is backed into a corner!
Okayama almost certainly have to swing away here. But he holds off on a pitch just outside and manages to work the count full!
But he hits one to short! Mizutani goes to 2nd for one, throw to 1st... beats a diving Okayama!
(WHY ARE YOU DIVING, YOU JUST COST YOURSELF ANOTHER AB AAARRRRGGGG #@*&!@)
Top 7th
Ootsuka gets a routine groundout and...
OH MY GOD..... FUJINAMI JUST CRUSHED THAT BALL.
Hagiwara running back towards the fence, but it's no good.
WOW. 4-2, OSAKA TOUIN!
That may just break Kyushu Gakuin's will right there.
Mizunami strikes out looking for the 2nd out.
Mori with a liner to center! Hagiwara charging in, dives and makes the catch!
Ootsuka and co. head back to the dugout, but that HR is deflating.
Bottom 7th
One down and Asakawa earns a walk. Sakai-kantoku elects to go for the one-timer by having Shimada bunt.
Wild pitch from Fujinami! Asakawa now 90 feet away!
Ootsuka up, and he's jammed! But it's going to fall in! Ootsuka gets one of those runs back! It's 4-3! Kyushu Gakuin is not going to give up!
Top 8th
Ootsuka delivers on his end of the bargain to his team. He goes after the Touin batters and retires them 1-2-3. Now it's his offense's turn to deliver!
Bottom 8th
Yamashita takes one too many pitches. He holds off on one just outside, but falls victim to one on the outside corner.
Man, Fujinami never showed the 149 fastball until today, and he's still throwing it here in the 8th!
The Kyushu batters are patient if nothing else. Hagiwara holds off on another outside pitch to get ahead 3-1, but swings away and flies out to left.
Oota gets a single to center, but there's 2 down. They're going to have to string together some hits if that runner is going to score.
But Okayama swings at the first pitch and grounds to short. They'll be down to their last 3 outs so long as Ootsuka can hold them here.
Top 9th
Kasamatsu with a blooper down the left field line! It's Mizowaki that is running it down! He reaches out and makes the catch in fair territory!
But Touin is looking for the insurance run! Yasui singles through the right side and advances on the hit-and-run groundout to 3rd.
Fujinami stands in. What will Ootsuka do?
He's going after him!
After falling behind 2-0, he throws two fastballs inside!
But he tries one too many times! Fujinami fists it to shallow left-center! Mizowaki running out, as Yonei and Hagiwara come in, but Mizowaki tries to reach up for it, bu can't make it! It falls in and Yasui scores! 5-3 and that might do it this time!
Why neither Yonei or Hagiwara (Probably Yonei, he was closer) didn't call him off as they had an easier play for it, I have no idea...
And a wild pitch from Ootsuka sends Fujinami to 3rd!
Hakusui with a liner, but Oota snags it for the out! Three outs, but Kyushu will have to score 2 now!
Bottom 9th
Yonei down 1-2, grounder to the right side just past a diving Oonishi! He's on!
Asakawa representing the tying run, but no need for the homer. #17 Masuda comes in to run for Oonishi.
He's up 3-1.
DON'T SWING!
He swings! Liner to 1st! Koike has it! Yonei dead meat! Double play! I told you not to swing!
#14 Sonoda comes in as the last chance for Kyushu Gakuin!
He's ahead 3-1.
I'd say don't swing, but he already did, and popped it up. Fujinami makes the catch and the game is over!
Osaka Touin comes back in spectacular fashion with 2 HR's and takes out the Kyushu runner-ups! What an exciting game! Ootsuka had Osaka Touin stifled early, but it's not how you start against them - it's how you finish. That's because they generally are one of the offensive powerhouses in the country (much like Teikyou). You have to be able to go 9 innings against them or suffer the fate that Hanamaki Higashi and now Kyushu Gakuin fell under.
Interestingly, Osaka Touin have scored all 14 runs in the tournament after the break. Is it slow starting, or is it an adjustment they're able to make at the break, or is it the breakdown of the opposing pitchers, or a mix of all of them? Wonder if it's something that Urawa Gakuin can key in on.
But as it stands Osaka Touin looks as a legitimate challenger for the title this year.
Osaka Touin and ace Fujinami easily handled what had to be one of the more weaker Hanamaki Higashi teams we've seen in recent years. Now, they were baffled for a majority of the game, but I think that had to do more with the erratic control of Hanamaki ace Ootani than anything else. Once he started leaving pitches over the plate more often did they rack up the runs.
Kyushu Gakuin too had a big inning against their opponent Memanbetsu in the 1st inning and pretty much cruised from there. They were put in check by ace Nikaidou for the most part thereafter, so that part of it could be concerning against a better ace in Fujinami.
Both teams handled their opponents, but mostly via the big inning. Otherwise their offenses struggled a bit. So due to Fujinami's better pitching, I'd have to side with the representative from the Kinki region to advance.
Osaka Touin (Osaka)
C Mori Tomoya2B Oonishi Tomoya
RF Mizumoto Gen
1B Koike Yuuya (#5)
3B Kasamatsu Yuuya (#15)
LF Yasui Kouki
SS Mizutani Yukiya (#14)
P Fujinami Shintarou
CF Hakusui Kenta
Kyushu Gakuin (Kumamoto)
SS Mizowaki Hayato2B Yamashita Yuuma
CF Hagiwara Hideyuki
3B Oota Kouhei
1B Okayama Shirou
LF Yonei Kenta
C Asakawa Ryou
RF Shimada Kairi
P Ootsuka Takahito
__________________________________________________
12:45 - First pitch!
Top 1st
A quick 1-2-3 inning for Ootsuka to start. Always good to get off to a good start, especially against a team like this.
Bottom 1st
I don't remember Fujinami hitting 145+ and yet here he is hitting 149 (though at times not controlled). Where was this in his first game?
And he blows by Misowaki for his first of what may be a lot of Ks.
A 109 curve followed by a 150 fastball inside? That's kinda not fair.
Still though we know from past history that a fast fastball is no good if you can't control it, and Yamashita draws a walk.
Fujinami continues to have some control issues still as he goes full on Hagiwara before getting him to chase. But the ball is in the dirt and that allows Yamashita to advance!
And now a wild pitch sends the runner along!
Again, he goes full on cleanup batter Oota. But Oota hits a harmless grounder to short and is retired. Not a great start for Fujinami, but he gets away with no damage.
Top 2nd
Kasamatsu gets Touin's first hit with a one-out single back up the middle.
And he takes off for 2nd! Asakawa's throw is a bit off and he's in safely! Yasui though goes down swinging for the 2nd out.
Ootsuka gets behind 3-0 on Mizutani, but gets him to ground out to 3rd.
Bottom 2nd
After an lineout to left, Fujinami's control issues persist. Yonei and Asakawa get deep into counts with Fujinami, and while both are retired they're making him throw a lot of pitches early.
Top 3rdOotsuka easily retire the bottom of the order, but then yields a 2-out slicer to left from Mori.
Oonishi follows that up immediately with a slicer down the right field line! Shimada has to run it down and it's a double! Pinch for Ootsuka here as Mizumoto steps in!
But Ootsuka gets him to ground out to short! Mizowaki makes the throw to 1st and he's out of the inning!
Bottom 3rd
Kyushu's batters are stuggling with Fujinami's fastball and then are off-balance when he throws his slider, change, etc.
Shimada can't catch up to the fastball and strikes out. Ootsuka is ahead of the pitch and bails, flying out to right-center.
Mizowaki is fouling pitches off, but he's just surviving at the plate. Fujinami ends his misery by freezing him on a slider.
Top 4th
Ootsuka not as dominating as Fujinami, but he is still effective. Against the 3-4-5 batters, he gets an infield fly, a soft liner and a routine grounder. We are in for a pitchers' duel for sure.
Bottom 4th
Yamashita with a chopper to 1st. Koike can't play the hop! He gathers the ball and dives toward 1st, but is short! Yamashita on base on the error!
Hagiwara up, but not bunting! The count goes full and he starts fighting at the plate. And he wins! Fujinami throws it low and Kyushu has a big chance here with no down!
Oota up, and he's bunting now. He lays down a beauty to the 3rd base side and Fujinami's only play is to 1st. 2 runners in scoring position for Okayama.
And there's going to be no squeeze here (good for you!)
However, he falls behind 1-2. Expect a lot of outside junk.
And yes! Okayama swings on a fastball down and away for strike 3!
Yonei up to try and extend the inning at the minimum,
Yonei with a blast to center! Hakusui running back, running back, and he's misjudged it! The wind takes it away from him and it falls in! Yamashita scores! Hagiwara scores! Yonei heading for 3rd, and he's in! He breaks the deadlock and Kyushu Gakuin takes a 2-0 lead!
Asakawa strikes out to end the inning, but they'll have to play from behind again!
Top 5th
Ootsuka continues to stifle the Osaka Touin batters. The bottom of the order can not do anything against him and are retired in order. The key will be if he can keep it up the whole game...
Bottom 5th
Developing situation for Osaka Touin! One down Oonishi draws a walk. Then Mizumoto singles down the right field line and Oonishi takes 3rd!
Koike with a grounder to 3rd, and Oota catches Oonishi off 3rd! They run him down and now there's 2 out, runners on 1st and 2nd!
Kasahara up, and Ootsuka gets ahead 2-2. Fastball down the middle, just low!
Next pitch, Kasahara connects! Yonei running back to the wall. Still running, looks up!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kasahara with the gyakuten 3-run homerun! What a turn of events here after the break!
Ootsuka manages to strike out Yasui to end the inning, but Kyushu Gakuin finds themselves behind!
Bottom 6th
The action is fast and furious now!
Yamashita with a seeing-eye single back up the middle! Hagiwara then takes the next pitch and loops that over Mizutani's head! Runners on 1st and 2nd for Kyushu Gakuin!
But Oota's bunt is too hard! Fujinami picks and wheels to 3rd, and they get Yamashita! Now Kyushu Gakuin is backed into a corner!
Okayama almost certainly have to swing away here. But he holds off on a pitch just outside and manages to work the count full!
But he hits one to short! Mizutani goes to 2nd for one, throw to 1st... beats a diving Okayama!
(WHY ARE YOU DIVING, YOU JUST COST YOURSELF ANOTHER AB AAARRRRGGGG #@*&!@)
Top 7th
Ootsuka gets a routine groundout and...
OH MY GOD..... FUJINAMI JUST CRUSHED THAT BALL.
Hagiwara running back towards the fence, but it's no good.
WOW. 4-2, OSAKA TOUIN!
That may just break Kyushu Gakuin's will right there.
Mizunami strikes out looking for the 2nd out.
Mori with a liner to center! Hagiwara charging in, dives and makes the catch!
Ootsuka and co. head back to the dugout, but that HR is deflating.
Bottom 7th
One down and Asakawa earns a walk. Sakai-kantoku elects to go for the one-timer by having Shimada bunt.
Wild pitch from Fujinami! Asakawa now 90 feet away!
Ootsuka up, and he's jammed! But it's going to fall in! Ootsuka gets one of those runs back! It's 4-3! Kyushu Gakuin is not going to give up!
Top 8th
Ootsuka delivers on his end of the bargain to his team. He goes after the Touin batters and retires them 1-2-3. Now it's his offense's turn to deliver!
Bottom 8th
Yamashita takes one too many pitches. He holds off on one just outside, but falls victim to one on the outside corner.
Man, Fujinami never showed the 149 fastball until today, and he's still throwing it here in the 8th!
The Kyushu batters are patient if nothing else. Hagiwara holds off on another outside pitch to get ahead 3-1, but swings away and flies out to left.
Oota gets a single to center, but there's 2 down. They're going to have to string together some hits if that runner is going to score.
But Okayama swings at the first pitch and grounds to short. They'll be down to their last 3 outs so long as Ootsuka can hold them here.
Top 9th
Kasamatsu with a blooper down the left field line! It's Mizowaki that is running it down! He reaches out and makes the catch in fair territory!
But Touin is looking for the insurance run! Yasui singles through the right side and advances on the hit-and-run groundout to 3rd.
Fujinami stands in. What will Ootsuka do?
He's going after him!
After falling behind 2-0, he throws two fastballs inside!
But he tries one too many times! Fujinami fists it to shallow left-center! Mizowaki running out, as Yonei and Hagiwara come in, but Mizowaki tries to reach up for it, bu can't make it! It falls in and Yasui scores! 5-3 and that might do it this time!
Why neither Yonei or Hagiwara (Probably Yonei, he was closer) didn't call him off as they had an easier play for it, I have no idea...
And a wild pitch from Ootsuka sends Fujinami to 3rd!
Hakusui with a liner, but Oota snags it for the out! Three outs, but Kyushu will have to score 2 now!
Bottom 9th
Yonei down 1-2, grounder to the right side just past a diving Oonishi! He's on!
Asakawa representing the tying run, but no need for the homer. #17 Masuda comes in to run for Oonishi.
He's up 3-1.
DON'T SWING!
He swings! Liner to 1st! Koike has it! Yonei dead meat! Double play! I told you not to swing!
#14 Sonoda comes in as the last chance for Kyushu Gakuin!
He's ahead 3-1.
I'd say don't swing, but he already did, and popped it up. Fujinami makes the catch and the game is over!
Osaka Touin comes back in spectacular fashion with 2 HR's and takes out the Kyushu runner-ups! What an exciting game! Ootsuka had Osaka Touin stifled early, but it's not how you start against them - it's how you finish. That's because they generally are one of the offensive powerhouses in the country (much like Teikyou). You have to be able to go 9 innings against them or suffer the fate that Hanamaki Higashi and now Kyushu Gakuin fell under.
Interestingly, Osaka Touin have scored all 14 runs in the tournament after the break. Is it slow starting, or is it an adjustment they're able to make at the break, or is it the breakdown of the opposing pitchers, or a mix of all of them? Wonder if it's something that Urawa Gakuin can key in on.
But as it stands Osaka Touin looks as a legitimate challenger for the title this year.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Day 2 - Game 1 - Memanbetsu (Hokkaido) vs. Kyushu Gakuin (Kumamoto)
All right, we're off and running with the 84th Haru Koushien, and while the games have been a bit underwhelming as a whole, things (hopefully) will get more interesting today.
At least that's what 21st century invitee Memanbetsu hopes for anyways as Kyushu Super-Regional runner-up Kyushu Gakuin sets them in their sights.
Saying that Memanbetsu is a bit of an underdog is quite the understatement. Hokkaido has not generally been known for good baseball teams, and throw in the fact that Memanbetsu only made the 2nd round of the super-regional, and it really suggests a weak team. Add in that they're batting statistics mirror that of Hanamaki Higashi, and it's not really good at all. Ace Nikaidou Seiji is the only pitcher they have, so he'll have to keep them in the game.
Kyushu Gakuin were the Kyushu runner-ups, but looking at their road, there isn't any waypoint we could use other than the 8-1 loss to Kamimura Gakuen to determine their real strength. And even then all 9 runs in that game were scored in the first inning!
So it's really hard to gauge how good Kyushu Gakuin really is. Offensively, their numbers look better than Memanbetsu's and against what probably would be a higher level of competition (even if slightly), means that Kyushu Gakuin should be favored to advance in this matchup.
2B Yamashita Yuuma
CF Hagiwara Hideyuki
3B Oota Kouhei
1B Okayama Shirou
LF Yonei Kenta
C Asakawa Ryou
RF Shimada Kairi
P Ootsuka Takahito
2B Andou Satoshi
1B Kondou Rui
CF Toshino Jyunya
RF Sugawara Kento
SS Maeda Kento
3B Sakiyama Michiya
P Nikaidou Seiji
LF Yasumura Shouto
__________________________________________________
9:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Not a good start for Nikaidou as he walks leadoff batter Mizowaki. But Yamashita can't lay the bunt down and bunts foul for the strikeout!
Hagiwara though continues the attack with a single through the left side!
I'm surprised though. Nikaidou is still going after batters and gets strikes out Oota for the 2nd out! He's almost out of the jam!
Okayama is a stubborn batter though and he works a 7-pitch walk to load the bases.
And before the atmosphere could get tense, Yonei lines a single to right! Mizowaki scores! Hagiwara is being sent home! The throw is late and it's 2-0 Kyushu Gakuin!
Asakawa continues the barrage! He hits a ball just fair down the right field line! Sugawara runs it down, but not before both runners score making it 4-0! Just like that Memanbetsu risks letting the game slip away here in the 1st!
Nikaidou stops the bleeding for now though as he strikes out Shimada to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Nikaidou continues to have inconsistent results as Mizowaki hits a one-out double down the left field line. After yet another K to Yamashita, Hagiwara takes the first pitch to right for a single, scoring Mizowaki and making it 5-0. Oota strikes out yet again to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Sugawara goes way down on a pitch and shoots it past Oota for a base hit! However, Maeda's bunt attempt is too hard and it goes back to Ootsuka. His throw to 2nd is just in time to get the lead runner.
Sakiyama strikes out on 3 straight, and it'll be up to Nikaidou to keep the inning running. But he flies out to right to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Nikaidou looks to finally have a clean 1-2-3 inning, but Asakawa ruins that with a soft liner to left. Two pitches later, though and Shimada grounds into a fielder's choice at short and Nikaidou finally puts up a 0!
Bottom 3rd
However, the Memanbetsu offense continues to put up 0's of their own. Yasumura, Hirata and Andou go down in order and Nikaidou has to hurry back onto the mound.
Top 4th
Ootsuka with a slow roller up the 1st base side, Kondou charges in, but his toss is behind Nikaidou!
But after a sac bunt, the next two batters are retired quickly and we're quickly into the bottom of the 4th!
Bottom 4th
Toshino records Memanbetsu's 3rd hit with a solid one-out single past a diving Okayama!
But Sugawara goes down swinging, and while Maeda makes good contact, it's a liner right to Shimada for the 3rd out.
Top 5th
It looks like the nerves that perhaps plagued Nikaidou are gone, as he retires the side in order really quickly, but they're still facing a 5 run deficit.
Bottom 5th
I was about to write another 1-2-3 inning before the break, but Yasumura swings at a high fastball for strike 3, but reaches when it gets by Asakawa. Then Hirata hits a liner to short center, and when Hagiwara's throw deflects off of Mizowaki, Hirata takes 2nd!
So runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2 down and perhaps Memanbetsu can get something back before the break!
But Ootsuka gets Andou to hit a grounder to 3rd. Oota makes the throw to 1st and they're denied.
Top 6th
Asakawa hits a hard ball back up the middle. Maeda makes the stop, but the throw is late. After a sac bunt, Ootsuka steps in and hits a ball softly to left! Yasumura comes up throwing, but the ball is cut off and the run scores! 6-0 now for Kyushu Gakuin.
Oy. A errant throw to 1st advances the runner and the 6th might end up like the 1st.
But Nikaidou gets Mizowaki strikes out and Ootsuka is caught off 2nd to end the inning,
Bottom 6th
The news break encompasses the entire bottom of the 6th.
Toshino gets a one out single up the middle, but Sugawara grounds into the 6-4-3 inning ending double play.
Top 7th
Finally I can get around to the pitchers, Nikaidou is indeed what he is, throws a fastball that can get to the low 140's. He has a shuuto and slider in the 120's and a forkball in the 110's, but...
Oops. Yamashita hits a soft single down the right field line. Then steals 2nd on a not so good throw.
Hagiwara walks and Nikaidou is in another pinch.
Oota with a single to right! Yamashita holds at 3rd and it's manrui!
Okayama though grounds to 1st. Kondou goes home for the force for one.
Nikaidou then gets Yonei to strike out, and he's one out away from getting out of the jam!
And he does! Asakawa hits a popup to 2nd! Andou settles under it and Kyushu doesn't score!
Bottom 7th
Now, can Memanbetsu score in their lucky 7?
Maeda give the ball a good run, but Hagiwara settles under it for the first out. Sakiyama also gets a good charge on the ball, but Yonei is there for the out.
Nikaidou strikes out and the inning is over.
Top 8th
Nikaidou settles down again, recording 2 K's in a 1-2-3 inning. He has recorded a fair amount of K's despite the score.
Bottom 8th
Kazama comes in for Yasumura but strikes out. Another 1-2-3 inning and Kyushu Gakuin is one inning away from wrapping it up/
Top 9th
#13 Nomiya comes in to play LF.
Nikaidou was about to record a 1-2-3 inning, but Sugawara misjudged the ball. #16 Tsutsumiuchi comes in to run for Sugawara.
No matter though. Okayama flies out to center to end the inning
Bottom 9th
#17 Masuda comes in for Tsutsumiuchi and plays LF. #13 Tanaka goes to 1B.
Kondou starts off the inning with a single back up the middle!
But when Toshino lines out to right, Kondou is caught running ahead and is doubled off.
Sugawara strikes out looking, and the game is over.
The game went pretty much as expected with Memanbetsu unable to do anything against Kyushu Gakuin. They did get a couple of good hits in, and Nikaidou wasn't bad on the mound, just probably a case of nerves and good competition did them in.
At least that's what 21st century invitee Memanbetsu hopes for anyways as Kyushu Super-Regional runner-up Kyushu Gakuin sets them in their sights.
Saying that Memanbetsu is a bit of an underdog is quite the understatement. Hokkaido has not generally been known for good baseball teams, and throw in the fact that Memanbetsu only made the 2nd round of the super-regional, and it really suggests a weak team. Add in that they're batting statistics mirror that of Hanamaki Higashi, and it's not really good at all. Ace Nikaidou Seiji is the only pitcher they have, so he'll have to keep them in the game.
Kyushu Gakuin were the Kyushu runner-ups, but looking at their road, there isn't any waypoint we could use other than the 8-1 loss to Kamimura Gakuen to determine their real strength. And even then all 9 runs in that game were scored in the first inning!
So it's really hard to gauge how good Kyushu Gakuin really is. Offensively, their numbers look better than Memanbetsu's and against what probably would be a higher level of competition (even if slightly), means that Kyushu Gakuin should be favored to advance in this matchup.
Kyushu Gakuin (Kumamoto)
SS Mizowaki Hayato2B Yamashita Yuuma
CF Hagiwara Hideyuki
3B Oota Kouhei
1B Okayama Shirou
LF Yonei Kenta
C Asakawa Ryou
RF Shimada Kairi
P Ootsuka Takahito
Memanbetsu (Hokkaido)
C Hirata Yuuto2B Andou Satoshi
1B Kondou Rui
CF Toshino Jyunya
RF Sugawara Kento
SS Maeda Kento
3B Sakiyama Michiya
P Nikaidou Seiji
LF Yasumura Shouto
__________________________________________________
9:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Not a good start for Nikaidou as he walks leadoff batter Mizowaki. But Yamashita can't lay the bunt down and bunts foul for the strikeout!
Hagiwara though continues the attack with a single through the left side!
I'm surprised though. Nikaidou is still going after batters and gets strikes out Oota for the 2nd out! He's almost out of the jam!
Okayama is a stubborn batter though and he works a 7-pitch walk to load the bases.
And before the atmosphere could get tense, Yonei lines a single to right! Mizowaki scores! Hagiwara is being sent home! The throw is late and it's 2-0 Kyushu Gakuin!
Asakawa continues the barrage! He hits a ball just fair down the right field line! Sugawara runs it down, but not before both runners score making it 4-0! Just like that Memanbetsu risks letting the game slip away here in the 1st!
Nikaidou stops the bleeding for now though as he strikes out Shimada to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Nikaidou continues to have inconsistent results as Mizowaki hits a one-out double down the left field line. After yet another K to Yamashita, Hagiwara takes the first pitch to right for a single, scoring Mizowaki and making it 5-0. Oota strikes out yet again to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Sugawara goes way down on a pitch and shoots it past Oota for a base hit! However, Maeda's bunt attempt is too hard and it goes back to Ootsuka. His throw to 2nd is just in time to get the lead runner.
Sakiyama strikes out on 3 straight, and it'll be up to Nikaidou to keep the inning running. But he flies out to right to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Nikaidou looks to finally have a clean 1-2-3 inning, but Asakawa ruins that with a soft liner to left. Two pitches later, though and Shimada grounds into a fielder's choice at short and Nikaidou finally puts up a 0!
Bottom 3rd
However, the Memanbetsu offense continues to put up 0's of their own. Yasumura, Hirata and Andou go down in order and Nikaidou has to hurry back onto the mound.
Top 4th
Ootsuka with a slow roller up the 1st base side, Kondou charges in, but his toss is behind Nikaidou!
But after a sac bunt, the next two batters are retired quickly and we're quickly into the bottom of the 4th!
Bottom 4th
Toshino records Memanbetsu's 3rd hit with a solid one-out single past a diving Okayama!
But Sugawara goes down swinging, and while Maeda makes good contact, it's a liner right to Shimada for the 3rd out.
Top 5th
It looks like the nerves that perhaps plagued Nikaidou are gone, as he retires the side in order really quickly, but they're still facing a 5 run deficit.
Bottom 5th
I was about to write another 1-2-3 inning before the break, but Yasumura swings at a high fastball for strike 3, but reaches when it gets by Asakawa. Then Hirata hits a liner to short center, and when Hagiwara's throw deflects off of Mizowaki, Hirata takes 2nd!
So runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2 down and perhaps Memanbetsu can get something back before the break!
But Ootsuka gets Andou to hit a grounder to 3rd. Oota makes the throw to 1st and they're denied.
Top 6th
Asakawa hits a hard ball back up the middle. Maeda makes the stop, but the throw is late. After a sac bunt, Ootsuka steps in and hits a ball softly to left! Yasumura comes up throwing, but the ball is cut off and the run scores! 6-0 now for Kyushu Gakuin.
Oy. A errant throw to 1st advances the runner and the 6th might end up like the 1st.
But Nikaidou gets Mizowaki strikes out and Ootsuka is caught off 2nd to end the inning,
Bottom 6th
The news break encompasses the entire bottom of the 6th.
Toshino gets a one out single up the middle, but Sugawara grounds into the 6-4-3 inning ending double play.
Top 7th
Finally I can get around to the pitchers, Nikaidou is indeed what he is, throws a fastball that can get to the low 140's. He has a shuuto and slider in the 120's and a forkball in the 110's, but...
Oops. Yamashita hits a soft single down the right field line. Then steals 2nd on a not so good throw.
Hagiwara walks and Nikaidou is in another pinch.
Oota with a single to right! Yamashita holds at 3rd and it's manrui!
Okayama though grounds to 1st. Kondou goes home for the force for one.
Nikaidou then gets Yonei to strike out, and he's one out away from getting out of the jam!
And he does! Asakawa hits a popup to 2nd! Andou settles under it and Kyushu doesn't score!
Bottom 7th
Now, can Memanbetsu score in their lucky 7?
Maeda give the ball a good run, but Hagiwara settles under it for the first out. Sakiyama also gets a good charge on the ball, but Yonei is there for the out.
Nikaidou strikes out and the inning is over.
Top 8th
Nikaidou settles down again, recording 2 K's in a 1-2-3 inning. He has recorded a fair amount of K's despite the score.
Bottom 8th
Kazama comes in for Yasumura but strikes out. Another 1-2-3 inning and Kyushu Gakuin is one inning away from wrapping it up/
Top 9th
#13 Nomiya comes in to play LF.
Nikaidou was about to record a 1-2-3 inning, but Sugawara misjudged the ball. #16 Tsutsumiuchi comes in to run for Sugawara.
No matter though. Okayama flies out to center to end the inning
Bottom 9th
#17 Masuda comes in for Tsutsumiuchi and plays LF. #13 Tanaka goes to 1B.
Kondou starts off the inning with a single back up the middle!
But when Toshino lines out to right, Kondou is caught running ahead and is doubled off.
Sugawara strikes out looking, and the game is over.
The game went pretty much as expected with Memanbetsu unable to do anything against Kyushu Gakuin. They did get a couple of good hits in, and Nikaidou wasn't bad on the mound, just probably a case of nerves and good competition did them in.
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