Boy, so far this Koushien tournament has been both exciting and boring, and yesterday with uncharacteristic play by teams with errors on both offense and defense. Not really sure what to expect going forward, though some things you can still be guaranteed to see.
Kendai Takasaki was responsible for eliminating last year's champs Maebashi Ikuei, unceremoniously unseating them 6-2 in the 3rd round. They'd win the title surviving two 1-run games defeating Kiryuu Dai-ichi and Isesaki Seimei to take the title.
As for Iwakuni, their notable win was in the semifinals where they defeated Ube Koujyou 2-1 before surviving Yokote Minami to make their 5th appearance at Koushien. The odd part is that their lineup seems upside down with their better hitting players at the bottom of the lineup. Not sure why you'd do that. They don't really hit for a high average given the prefecture, this compared to Kendai Takasaki who not only has a high average, but also like their predecessors, steals a lot of bases.
Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi (Gunma)
CF Hirayama Takayuki
2B Hoshino Yuusuke
RF Wakimoto Naoto
1B Nagashima Ryouhei
C Tsuge Sena
LF Yamagami Takashi
3B Nakasuji Tenma
SS Yokomizo Takuto
P Kawai Tomoya (#11)
Iwakuni (Yamaguchi)
2B Kawamoto Takuho
LF Otani Rentarou (#15)
C Mizuno Daichi
1B Tsuchiya Tomohiro
P Yanagawa Kenta
SS Kihara Hayato
RF Kametani Yuuta
3B Kawamura Ryousuke
CF Koutari Kyouhei
____________________________________________________________
08:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Yanagawa looking good early retiring the first two batters without issue.
However, Wakimoto hits a soft single to right, and he actually goes for 2nd! Throw from Kameya not in time and Wakimoto puts himself in scoring position! This from the guy that had 11 steals in prefecturals, Iwakuni should have known better.
And on 1-2 ball in the dirt, Wakimoto takes off for 3rd! Throw is not nearly in time and if you weren't familiar that Kendai Takasaki's calling card is speed, now you know.
But Nagashima goes down on a slider away and despite Wakimoto's best efforts, he's stranded at 3rd.
Bottom 1st
Kawamoto skips steps 1-2! He drives a ball deep into the LCF gap and though he stumbles, has a standing triple!
Otani works the count full on Kawai and bloops one to left! Hirayama charges in, slides... does he make the catch?
No! It takes a hop and Kawamoto comes home and Iwakuni leads 1-0!
Mizuno tries to lay down a bunt, but winds up popping out to Tsuge for the first out. Tsuchiya up, and he winds up going down on 3 straight for the 2nd out. Didn't look too pleased about that last strike call.
Same goes for Yanagawa as he watches a pitch on the outside half to retire the side. Still Kawamoto's leadoff triple is paid off and Iwakuni has the lead!
Top 2nd
Tsuge with a ball right at Kawamoto, but he can't field the ball cleanly! The ball bounces back towards the mound and he'll have no play!
E4, but Yamagami isn't bunting. Instead he winds up flying out to right.
Shibahiki takes a slider the other way... fair down the right field line! Tsuge holds at 3rd, but Kendai threatens to take the lead!
Kendai's batters are getting a heavy diet of sliders, and Yokomizo falls victim to one for the 2nd out.
(It's harder to head the ouen-dan, but I heard Ama-chan, the song of choice last year)
Last batter Kawai proving to be a tougher challenge though as he manages to foul off several balls. But on the 10th pitch, Yanagawa wins the battle as Kawai grounds to 2nd for the 3rd out.
Bottom 2nd
Kihara draws a leadoff walk to start the inning, Kameya immediately with the bunt.
Kawamura perfectly drops one into left center, and the outfield has no throw home! Kihara score to make it a 2-0 ballgame!
Koutari supposedly looking to bunt, eventually lays it down as the lineup turns over to Kawamoto. After falling behind 1-2, he takes a couple to fill up the count.
He does it again! He drives yet another ball to left center! Hirayama cuts it off, but it's another XBH for Kawamoto, this time scoring Kawamura to make it 3-0!
Otani with a single to center, but they're sending Kawamoto??!! That's a bad decision all the way, and he's thrown out by a mile to end the inning. Another baserunning error today, which limits the damage to 2 runs. 3 runs is certainly manageable.
Top 3rd
After leveling the count on Hirayama, Yanagawa hits him on the feet to give Kendai the leadoff runner.
Yanagawa paying a lot of attention to Hirayama, and almost picks him off several times, but when he finally throws home Hirayama takes off and easily steals 2nd!
Hoshino with a single through the left side! Runners at the corners with no out for Kendai Takasaki!
Wakimoto manages get a deep enough fly to left to bring Hirayama home and it's 3-1.
Right after that Hoshino takes off for 2nd, and the throw is late! AH! Wild pitch and Hoshino is at 3rd!
That proves costly when Nagashima hits a chopper to the left side. Kawamura knocks it down and his only play is to 1st. Kendai has cut the deficit to 3-2!
Tsuge grounds to 3rd to end the inning, but Kendai's speed giving their opponents fits yet again!
Bottom 3rd
Change on the hill as ace Takahashi ascends to the mound.
There's a delay as Hirayama has yet to emerge from the dugout. But after a couple of minutes he sprints out.
Takahashi gets two quick outs, partially thanks to a great leaping catch by Hoshino on a liner from Tsuchiya.
It's not a clean inning though as he gives up a full count walk to Yanagawa.
The count goes full to Kihara, but he lines out to Wakimoto to end the inning. Kendai finally puts up a 0 and they're back on the bats.
Top 4th
Yanagawa gives up another leadoff runner when he walks Yamagami.
And it's a wild pitch from Yanagawa! Yamagami goes to 2nd and heads for 3rd! No throw! Kendai's speed at work once again!
Grounder to short, Kihara has time to go home, but they concede the run! He goes to 1st for the out and we're all tied at 3-3!
Kendai's ouen-dan playing a very uptempo version of Ama-chan as Yokomizo grounds to 2nd.
Yanagawa gets 2 groundouts to end the inning, but not before some unforced errors give up the lead.
Bottom 4th
1 down, Kawamura with a bloop to left. Yamagami charging in, dives... but he can't get it and it bounces behind him! Kawamura winds up with a double!
Koutari at least puts the ball in play on the opposite side to advance the runner along.
They're still pitching to Kawamoto, and finally they retire him. He's left at the plate on a slider inside for strike 3.
Top 5th
2 quick outs to start the inning as Otani makes the putout on both balls.
Wakimoto spoils it with a single back up the middle.
Speed again kills and Wakimoto takes 2nd with no throw.
And that pays off! Nagashima with a liner over a leaping Kawamoto and Wakimoto scores to give Kendai the 4-3 lead!
Nagashima takes off for 2nd and beats the throw! Kendai running laps around Iwakuni.
Tsuge puts it almost in the same place, and there's no throw home here either. It's 5-3 Kendai!
The hits keep coming as Yamagami singles to 2nd. That gets a mound visit from Kawaguhci-kantoku.
Shibahiki grounds out to end the inning, but now it's Iwakuni doing the chasing...
Bottom 5th
Otani hits a ball to deep right, but Wakimoto has time to get under it for the catch.
Mizuno and Tsuchiya go quietly and the side is retired. Kendai Takasaki heads into the break with the lead and the momentum.
Top 6th
First pitch from Yanagawa after the break hits Yokomizo. Not a great start as Takahashi bunts the runner along. There's a slight mixup in the fielding, but Kawamoto covers 1st for the out.
After another grounder advances the runner to 3rd, Hoshino steps in looking to play add-on.
Grounder back to Yanagawa! Off his foot! Kawamura to the ball, fires to 1st... in time! 3 out! Great heads up play by Kawamura to make the play and save a run!
Bottom 6th
Yanagawa searches for a pitch to hit, but lets one by that's just too close and is rung up.
Kihara attacks the first pitch, but flies out to center. Kameya meanwhile works the count, but ends up swinging on a poor pitch for the 3rd out. Iwakuni is officially in trouble.
Top 7th
Even the routine plays aren't routine. Wakimoto grounds to 3rd and Kawamura has to get rid of the ball quickly to get the out.
Nagashima with a double past Koutari in center gives Kendai another scoring chance.
But Tsuge and Yamagami are retired without incident and Yanagawa keept the deficit at 2.
Bottom 7th
Iwakuni almost goes in order as Kawamoto manages a 2 out single back up the middle.
But Kawaguchi-kantoku tries to press the issue. Kawamoto takes off for 2nd, but Tsuge's throw is in plenty of time to make the 3rd out.
Top 8th
Iwakuni gives up yet another leadoff runner as Shibahiki walks to lead off. Aoyagi-kantoku this time has Yokomizo bunt the runner along.
Once again though Yanagawa shuts the door on Kendai's chance, but his team is running out of time.
Bottom 8th
And the offense has no traction whatsoever. Two straight grounders to short, and a K looking by the 2-3-4 batters prolly means this game is in hand for Kendai Takasaki.
Top 9th
It takes a little bit of effort, but Yanagawa finally gets Nagashima to fly out to center to complete a clean 1-2-3 inning. Yet, his team still trails by 2 with just 3 outs to go.
Bottom 9th
No luck for Yanagawa, he goes after the slider outside for the first out. Kihara follows that with an easy fly to center, and they're down to their last out. #7 Higashi comes in to hit.
Higashi though pops out to Yokomizo and in a neat 92 pitches Takahashi gives Kendai Takasaki the 5-3 win over Iwakuni!
Iwakuni started well against relief starter Kawai, but once ace Takahashi entered the game their offense completely shut down. That allowed Kendai to use their game plan of speed to level and eventually take the lead. Speed kills, they had a chance several years ago until they inexplicably went away from the strategy. Hopefully this time they'll see it through to the end.
Notable Players
Takahashi Kazuki (Kendai Takasaki) - 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 8 K, BB
Wakimoto Naoto (Kendai Takasaki) - 2-4, 2B, R, RBI, SB
Nagashima Ryouhei (Kendai Takasaki) - 2-5, R, 2 RBI
Kawamoto Takuho (Iwakuni) - 3-4, 2B, 3B, R, RBI
Kawamura Ryousuke (Iwakuni) - 2-3, 2B, R, RBI
Otani Rentrarou (Iwakuni) - 2-4
Showing posts with label Iwakuni. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iwakuni. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
86th Senbatsu - Opening Game - Kamimura Gakuen (Kagoshima) vs. Iwakuni (Yamaguchi)
And we're underway! Seeing both Ojima and Anraku having to turn in their flags reminds us how the competition was just on another level. But for this tournament there will be new names as both are absent. Anraku because he was hurt and Ojima because he was a senior.
The two lucky contestants to draw the opening game hail from the western parts of Japan.
Since I've already gone through a lot of the analysis on the matchup, we know that for Kamimura Gakuen the pitching just has to be good enough (supposedly) as the offense supposedly carries the team. That's the opposite for Iwakuni, whose offense is not very good, but the pitching seems to do just enough to hold up their end of the bargain.
So without further ado, let senbatsu begin!
Kamimura Gakuen (Kagoshima)
CF Nakayama Kouki
LF Honda Kei (#13)
1B Yamamoto Takuya (#9)
3B Kojima Chikara
C Toyoda Shougo (#12)
SS Tokou Masao
P Azuma Michihiro
2B Kawano Ryou
RF Nozaki Taisei (#7)
Iwakuni (Yamaguchi)
2B Kawamoto Takuho
C Mizuno Daichi
LF Higashi Fumiya
1B Tsuchiya Tomohiro
P Yanagawa Takehiro
RF Kametani Yuuta
3B Kawamura Ryousuke
SS Kihara Hayato
CF Koutari Kyouhei
____________________________________________________________
10:47 - First pitch!
Top 1st
First pitch slider way down and away at 122. Goes for it again, same result.
And again, he finally gets a swing from Nakayama.
4 sliders now and he falls behind 3-1... 5 sliders, and it's a leadoff walk. Not a very good start.
Safety bunt popped up, but foul and out of the reach of Kawamura. Honda though lays the bunt down and Kawamura has no play but to 1st.
A little better, but Yanagawa goes almost all offspeed. Yamamoto with a ball back up the middle, great range from Kihara! He picks it and throws to 1st for the 2nd out! Nakayama goes to 3rd.
There's a fastball to Kojima at 140, but it's a ball. Another and he's behind 2-0.
Kojima with a ball to center! Koutari backing up, but not quickly. Settles in front of the wall... 3 out! He gets out of the mess!
Bottom 1st
Azuma off to a slow start falling behind Kawamoto 3-0, but puts in 2 strikes to fill the count. Kawamoto with a grounder to short, Tokou makes a great back handed stop, but his quick throw to 1st has nothing on it and Kawamoto beats it out! Tokou may have had more time than he thought...
Mizuno tries to but him along, but his first attempt rolls foul. His second attempt works though, and Azuma saunters to it and goes to 1st for the out. So both teams with a small chance early.
Slow curve to Higashi at 96. As expected, he goes low 130s with the fastball. But he can't locate anything as all and walks Higashi on 4 straight. Kamimura's pitching perhaps a bit shakier to start the game as Tsuchiya steps in.
Ah, but he's all crossed up on the slow ball and holding up his bat dribbles one to the left side! It advances the runners but there's 2 out.
Yanagawa up to try and help his own cause goes after a 1-0 slow pitch and flies out right to center to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Wow, that was quick. I didn't have time to get the next inning ready, because Kamimura swings away. 2 pitches for 2 quick outs, and then 3 more to Azuma and the inning is over!
Bottom 2nd
Azuma really goes to that slow curve a lot. Kametani is way ahead of one and strikes out swinging.
Kawamura tries to hold up on the pitch and wait for the fastball. He just gets one under a diving Nakayama for a base hit.
No 1-out bunting from Kawaguchi-kantoku as Kihara swings away. However though he fills up the count, he flies out to a ranging Nakayama in left center.
Azuma then jams Koutari as he pops out to Yamamoto in foul territory to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Kamimura is still struggling with the timing as Kawano is ahead of a Yanagawa offering and pops out to Higashi down the left field line.
Nozaki looks to use his speed as he lays down a bunt! Yanagawa rushes over and makes a quick throw, but there's not enough on it and Nozaki beats it out for a base hit.
Meanwhile, Yanagawa continues to work away to the righties with the slider and despite Nakayama's attempts to hold up, chases one for the 2nd out.
And expecting a steal, they pitchout on Honda and Nozaki does indeed take off... and gets throw out to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
Meanwhile, Azuma is changing speeds all over the place to Kawamoto, with a ~90 slow curve, a low 130 fastball, a 120s slider, and then a ~100 change that Kawamoto flies to right for the first out.
Mizuno goes after the fastball, but is jammed and pops up to Tokou who winds up on the 2nd base side of the infield.
Higashi is being more selective in the box, getting ahead 3-0 before Azuma walks him to bring up Tsuchiya,
I can see that Azuma tries to throw the battes off with pitches across the spectrum, but he has no control and walks him on 4 straight prompting a visit from Oda-kantoku.
And Yanagawa frustrates the hell out of me as he swings on the first pitch, and grounds the slow curve to Toukou for the 3rd out...
Top 4th
Honda gets Kamimura started after the gift from Yanagawa as he lines one past a diving Tsuchiya down the right field line! Honda hustles to 2nd and get in ahead of the throw. Yamamoto doesn't bunt, but hits the ball to Tsuchiya to advance the runner.
Ah. Slider from Yanagawa is short and bounces up and away from Mizuno. Honda scores easily to give Kamimura the 1-0 lead!
And then Kojima lines one over a leaping Kawamura for another double... That gets Kawaguchi-kantoku to call time.
It apparently doesn't help as he walks Toyoda on 4 straight... It at least creates the force.
But Yanagawa is trying to nibble and get the batters to chase. The slider inside at 1-2 is easily held up on as it's in the dirt. Though not believing that Yanagawa would go there again, he just fouls off one.
Yanagawa leaves a slider out over the plate, and Tokou lines it to left, but Higashi is close enough to get it. Any higher and it might have been trouble.
But Yanagawa's fastball is nowhere close at this point. The first 2 are high, though Azuma bails him out on one of them. Yanagawa eventually gets Azuma ahead of one and flies it to right to end the inning, but Kamimura's bats might finally be warming up.
Bottom 4th
Azuma is milking the lack of timing by Iwakuni's batters by going to the change and slow curve.
Yet, he gives Kametani a fastball that he crushes to left. Honda can only play it off the wall as Kametani goes to 2nd on a leadoff double.
Expectedly, Kawamura bunts him to 3rd...
Azuma goes back to the slow stuff to get a grounder, but instead falls behind 3-1. Backed into a bit of a corner he goes to the fastball and Kihara fouls it off.
But you don't really get groundballs on the curve and change.. and Kihara proves that point by flying one to RF far enough to score the run and make it a 1-1 game!
Koutari grounds out to 3rd to end the inning, but Iwakuni quickly strikes back to tie the game!
Top 5th
Kamimura's batters can't seem to lay off the slider enough as Kawano swings at a buried one to be retired 2-3 for the first out.
Nozaki finds himself on base again after he fists one back up the middle past a diving Kawamoto for a base hit. And this time he goes on a non-pitchout and takes 2nd easily. And once again, the batter knows which way to hit the ball as Nakayama grounds to the right side to advance the runner - though there's 2 outs.
And while Yanagawa continues to have some control problems, he catches his fastball at Honda's knees and puts up the donut after giving up the run!
Bottom 5th
Kawamoto goes after a high change from Azuma and lifts it to right center. Nakayama and Nozaki converge, and after a stop-start he makes the catch in front of the wall.
It looks like the message of waiting has passed through the lineup as Mizuno draws a walk.
And then promptly takes too big of a lead and is picked off by Toyoda...
Higashi, with no runner and 2 out gets a little more aggressive, but instead chases a change down in the zone and pops up to Kawano to bring us to the break all level at 1.
Top 6th
Can't say I'm too impressed with the pitching so far, both aces have had control issues. Yanagawa can dial the fastball up a little, but doesn't have the control.
Yamamoto gets a hold of a hanging slider and laces it to center. Koutari running back and slighty to right almost overruns it and makes the catch in front of his face.
Kojima decided to play golf on a slider from Yanagawa and pops out to Tsuchiya in foul territory.
Emboldened a little, he gets ahead of Toyoda 0-2, but then tries to get him to chase the slider all the way to a full count... and a walk. That wasn't necessary and will make Yanagawa throw more pitches.
The control issues continue with Yangawa as his fastball just isn't consistent at all. So he goes back to the slider and gets Tokou to hit a shallow fly. Kihara chases it to the foul line, reaches out, makes the NO!
He catches it, but it pops out when his glove hits the ground! Tokou goes to 2nd and Toyoda to 3rd!
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yanagawa uncorks another wild pitch at the absolute wrong time! It bounces away from Mizuno again and Kamimura retakes the lead at 2-1!!
Azuma dribbles one to Tsuchiya for the 3rd out, but it's Yanagawa who gets in his own way... again.
Bottom 6th
Tsuchiya makes solid contact, but right to Kawano for the 1st out. Yanagawa chases after the change outside for the 2nd out, and then Kametani goes after a fastball way outside and dribbles it back to Azuma for the 3rd out.
This time, Azuma holds serve.
Top 7th
Things might be turning for Iwakuni as Kawano singles back up the middle past a diving Kihara for a leadoff single. Nozaki, despite falling behind 0-2, lays down the bunt.
Nakayama with a hard grounder to the left side. Kihara makes a running pick, but realizing he might not have a play at 1st goes to 3rd... but Kawano beats out the throw. Runners at the corners, 1 out!
But Honda swings and pops it up! Mizuno takes off the mask and makes the catch for the 2nd out!
1-1 to Yamamoto and Kawaguchi-kantoku calls time.
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The timeout might have thrown off Yanagawa as Yamamoto gets around on a hanging slider! Kametani running back, but he gives up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh how unfortunate for Iwakuni and Yanagawa as Yamamoto blows the game open with a 3-run HR to make it 5-1!
Kojima takes the 1st pitch and singles to center and his struggles continue. He finally gets out of the inning when Toyoda grounds to 1st, but it's way too late.
Bottom 7th
I'm going to have a hard time believing that Iwakuni's offense can come back from 4 down...
Kawamura way ahead pretty much throws his bat at a change from Azuma and pops out to Honda in shallow left.
Kihara soon follows with a grounder to Tokou for the 2nd out... And with such a deficit, Iwakuni feels they have to swing away, which given their stats is a bad thing. Koutari grounds to short as well, and it's a 1-2-3 inning.
Top 8th
Tokou with a single to center, Koutari overruns the ball and it gets past him allowing Tokou to advance to 2nd.
Once again, Azuma does the right thing, slaps the ball to the right side to advance the runner.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kawano pops the ball just over Yanagawa! Kihara has to charge in and make the play at 1st. 6-1 Kamimura.
Nozaki with another bottom of the order hit, popping one onto the outfield grass in center. Kawamoto tries for the back-handed diving catch, but can't get it! Nozaki on his wheels ends up at 2nd! Iwakuni certainly looking like they're seeing the endgame as Kamimura is applying pressure.
Nakayama with a grounder to the left side! It's past a diving Kawamura, but Kihara makes the stop in the gap, and makes a strong throw to 1st! It beats Nakayama for the 3rd out! Nice play by the SS.
Bottom 8th
One down and Mizuno blasts a hanging slider to left! Honda has to play it off the padding and Mizuno checks in with a double.
With a 5-run lead, I'd consider sending in the bullpen, but Azuma stays out there. And while he works the count full, Higashi earns the walk prompting a visit from Oda-kantoku.
Tsuchiya steps in, 0-3 on the day. Make that 0-4 as he goes back to Azuma with the comebacker! He goes to 2nd for 1, but Tokou's throw to 1st is short and Tsuchiya is safe.
But Yanagawa soon after grounds to 2nd and Kamimura Gakuen is 3 outs from the 2nd round.
Top 9th
There seems to be a high strike zone this game as Yanagawa gets ahead of Honda 1-2. He winds up hitting a change to center for the 1st out.
Yamamoto's bat still smoking as he pulls another slider to right for a single.
Kojima tries to do a Yamamoto impression, but his full swing goes right to Higashi in left.
And Toyoda grounds to 2nd for the 3rd out.
Bottom 9th
Last ups for Iwakuni and Kawaguchi-kantoku sends up #17 Odani to hit for Kametani. He puts in a decent AB, taking a couple before flying out to center.
Kawamura makes the most of his probable last AB, bookending a single with a walk.
Down 5, Jock Rock plays in the Iwakuni ouen-dan...
Meanwhile, Azuma struggles here with his control, falling behind Kihara 2-0.
There's the high strike again. And because of it, Kihara goes after the next one, and grounds into the 5-4-3 double play to end the game.
Yanagawa was hanging in there early, but the peripherals caught up to his pitching - not to mention horrible timing. A 3-run HR by Yamamoto helps Kamimura Gakuen pull away leaving Iwakuni little chance to catch up. Kamimura's offense doesn't look good enough to hold up the pitching though and they'll struggle to move on going forward.
For Iwakuni, their run was indeed built on a house of cards and when pressed by the opposition here in Koushien, it all collapsed. Still, they can say that they won the Chuugoku Super-Regional if nothing else.
Notable Players
Yamamoto Takuya (Kamimura Gakuen) - 2-5, HR, R, 3 RBI
Nozaki Taisei (Kamimura Gakuen) - 3-3, SB
Tokou Masao (Kamimura Gakuen) - 2-4, 2B, R
Azuma Michihiro (Kamimura Gakuen) - CG, ER, 4 H, 2 K, 6 BB(!)
Kametani Yuuta (Iwakuni) - 1-3, 2B, R
Mizuno Daichi (Iwakuni) - 1-2, 2B, BB
Higashi Fumiya (Iwakuni) 0-1, 3 BB
Yanagawa Takehiro (Iwakuni) - CG, 5 ER, 11 H, 2 K, 3 BB
The two lucky contestants to draw the opening game hail from the western parts of Japan.
Since I've already gone through a lot of the analysis on the matchup, we know that for Kamimura Gakuen the pitching just has to be good enough (supposedly) as the offense supposedly carries the team. That's the opposite for Iwakuni, whose offense is not very good, but the pitching seems to do just enough to hold up their end of the bargain.
So without further ado, let senbatsu begin!
Kamimura Gakuen (Kagoshima)
CF Nakayama Kouki
LF Honda Kei (#13)
1B Yamamoto Takuya (#9)
3B Kojima Chikara
C Toyoda Shougo (#12)
SS Tokou Masao
P Azuma Michihiro
2B Kawano Ryou
RF Nozaki Taisei (#7)
Iwakuni (Yamaguchi)
2B Kawamoto Takuho
C Mizuno Daichi
LF Higashi Fumiya
1B Tsuchiya Tomohiro
P Yanagawa Takehiro
RF Kametani Yuuta
3B Kawamura Ryousuke
SS Kihara Hayato
CF Koutari Kyouhei
____________________________________________________________
10:47 - First pitch!
Top 1st
First pitch slider way down and away at 122. Goes for it again, same result.
And again, he finally gets a swing from Nakayama.
4 sliders now and he falls behind 3-1... 5 sliders, and it's a leadoff walk. Not a very good start.
Safety bunt popped up, but foul and out of the reach of Kawamura. Honda though lays the bunt down and Kawamura has no play but to 1st.
A little better, but Yanagawa goes almost all offspeed. Yamamoto with a ball back up the middle, great range from Kihara! He picks it and throws to 1st for the 2nd out! Nakayama goes to 3rd.
There's a fastball to Kojima at 140, but it's a ball. Another and he's behind 2-0.
Kojima with a ball to center! Koutari backing up, but not quickly. Settles in front of the wall... 3 out! He gets out of the mess!
Bottom 1st
Azuma off to a slow start falling behind Kawamoto 3-0, but puts in 2 strikes to fill the count. Kawamoto with a grounder to short, Tokou makes a great back handed stop, but his quick throw to 1st has nothing on it and Kawamoto beats it out! Tokou may have had more time than he thought...
Mizuno tries to but him along, but his first attempt rolls foul. His second attempt works though, and Azuma saunters to it and goes to 1st for the out. So both teams with a small chance early.
Slow curve to Higashi at 96. As expected, he goes low 130s with the fastball. But he can't locate anything as all and walks Higashi on 4 straight. Kamimura's pitching perhaps a bit shakier to start the game as Tsuchiya steps in.
Ah, but he's all crossed up on the slow ball and holding up his bat dribbles one to the left side! It advances the runners but there's 2 out.
Yanagawa up to try and help his own cause goes after a 1-0 slow pitch and flies out right to center to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Wow, that was quick. I didn't have time to get the next inning ready, because Kamimura swings away. 2 pitches for 2 quick outs, and then 3 more to Azuma and the inning is over!
Bottom 2nd
Azuma really goes to that slow curve a lot. Kametani is way ahead of one and strikes out swinging.
Kawamura tries to hold up on the pitch and wait for the fastball. He just gets one under a diving Nakayama for a base hit.
No 1-out bunting from Kawaguchi-kantoku as Kihara swings away. However though he fills up the count, he flies out to a ranging Nakayama in left center.
Azuma then jams Koutari as he pops out to Yamamoto in foul territory to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Kamimura is still struggling with the timing as Kawano is ahead of a Yanagawa offering and pops out to Higashi down the left field line.
Nozaki looks to use his speed as he lays down a bunt! Yanagawa rushes over and makes a quick throw, but there's not enough on it and Nozaki beats it out for a base hit.
Meanwhile, Yanagawa continues to work away to the righties with the slider and despite Nakayama's attempts to hold up, chases one for the 2nd out.
And expecting a steal, they pitchout on Honda and Nozaki does indeed take off... and gets throw out to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
Meanwhile, Azuma is changing speeds all over the place to Kawamoto, with a ~90 slow curve, a low 130 fastball, a 120s slider, and then a ~100 change that Kawamoto flies to right for the first out.
Mizuno goes after the fastball, but is jammed and pops up to Tokou who winds up on the 2nd base side of the infield.
Higashi is being more selective in the box, getting ahead 3-0 before Azuma walks him to bring up Tsuchiya,
I can see that Azuma tries to throw the battes off with pitches across the spectrum, but he has no control and walks him on 4 straight prompting a visit from Oda-kantoku.
And Yanagawa frustrates the hell out of me as he swings on the first pitch, and grounds the slow curve to Toukou for the 3rd out...
Top 4th
Honda gets Kamimura started after the gift from Yanagawa as he lines one past a diving Tsuchiya down the right field line! Honda hustles to 2nd and get in ahead of the throw. Yamamoto doesn't bunt, but hits the ball to Tsuchiya to advance the runner.
Ah. Slider from Yanagawa is short and bounces up and away from Mizuno. Honda scores easily to give Kamimura the 1-0 lead!
And then Kojima lines one over a leaping Kawamura for another double... That gets Kawaguchi-kantoku to call time.
It apparently doesn't help as he walks Toyoda on 4 straight... It at least creates the force.
But Yanagawa is trying to nibble and get the batters to chase. The slider inside at 1-2 is easily held up on as it's in the dirt. Though not believing that Yanagawa would go there again, he just fouls off one.
Yanagawa leaves a slider out over the plate, and Tokou lines it to left, but Higashi is close enough to get it. Any higher and it might have been trouble.
But Yanagawa's fastball is nowhere close at this point. The first 2 are high, though Azuma bails him out on one of them. Yanagawa eventually gets Azuma ahead of one and flies it to right to end the inning, but Kamimura's bats might finally be warming up.
Bottom 4th
Azuma is milking the lack of timing by Iwakuni's batters by going to the change and slow curve.
Yet, he gives Kametani a fastball that he crushes to left. Honda can only play it off the wall as Kametani goes to 2nd on a leadoff double.
Expectedly, Kawamura bunts him to 3rd...
Azuma goes back to the slow stuff to get a grounder, but instead falls behind 3-1. Backed into a bit of a corner he goes to the fastball and Kihara fouls it off.
But you don't really get groundballs on the curve and change.. and Kihara proves that point by flying one to RF far enough to score the run and make it a 1-1 game!
Koutari grounds out to 3rd to end the inning, but Iwakuni quickly strikes back to tie the game!
Top 5th
Kamimura's batters can't seem to lay off the slider enough as Kawano swings at a buried one to be retired 2-3 for the first out.
Nozaki finds himself on base again after he fists one back up the middle past a diving Kawamoto for a base hit. And this time he goes on a non-pitchout and takes 2nd easily. And once again, the batter knows which way to hit the ball as Nakayama grounds to the right side to advance the runner - though there's 2 outs.
And while Yanagawa continues to have some control problems, he catches his fastball at Honda's knees and puts up the donut after giving up the run!
Bottom 5th
Kawamoto goes after a high change from Azuma and lifts it to right center. Nakayama and Nozaki converge, and after a stop-start he makes the catch in front of the wall.
It looks like the message of waiting has passed through the lineup as Mizuno draws a walk.
And then promptly takes too big of a lead and is picked off by Toyoda...
Higashi, with no runner and 2 out gets a little more aggressive, but instead chases a change down in the zone and pops up to Kawano to bring us to the break all level at 1.
Top 6th
Can't say I'm too impressed with the pitching so far, both aces have had control issues. Yanagawa can dial the fastball up a little, but doesn't have the control.
Yamamoto gets a hold of a hanging slider and laces it to center. Koutari running back and slighty to right almost overruns it and makes the catch in front of his face.
Kojima decided to play golf on a slider from Yanagawa and pops out to Tsuchiya in foul territory.
Emboldened a little, he gets ahead of Toyoda 0-2, but then tries to get him to chase the slider all the way to a full count... and a walk. That wasn't necessary and will make Yanagawa throw more pitches.
The control issues continue with Yangawa as his fastball just isn't consistent at all. So he goes back to the slider and gets Tokou to hit a shallow fly. Kihara chases it to the foul line, reaches out, makes the NO!
He catches it, but it pops out when his glove hits the ground! Tokou goes to 2nd and Toyoda to 3rd!
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yanagawa uncorks another wild pitch at the absolute wrong time! It bounces away from Mizuno again and Kamimura retakes the lead at 2-1!!
Azuma dribbles one to Tsuchiya for the 3rd out, but it's Yanagawa who gets in his own way... again.
Bottom 6th
Tsuchiya makes solid contact, but right to Kawano for the 1st out. Yanagawa chases after the change outside for the 2nd out, and then Kametani goes after a fastball way outside and dribbles it back to Azuma for the 3rd out.
This time, Azuma holds serve.
Top 7th
Things might be turning for Iwakuni as Kawano singles back up the middle past a diving Kihara for a leadoff single. Nozaki, despite falling behind 0-2, lays down the bunt.
Nakayama with a hard grounder to the left side. Kihara makes a running pick, but realizing he might not have a play at 1st goes to 3rd... but Kawano beats out the throw. Runners at the corners, 1 out!
But Honda swings and pops it up! Mizuno takes off the mask and makes the catch for the 2nd out!
1-1 to Yamamoto and Kawaguchi-kantoku calls time.
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The timeout might have thrown off Yanagawa as Yamamoto gets around on a hanging slider! Kametani running back, but he gives up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh how unfortunate for Iwakuni and Yanagawa as Yamamoto blows the game open with a 3-run HR to make it 5-1!
Kojima takes the 1st pitch and singles to center and his struggles continue. He finally gets out of the inning when Toyoda grounds to 1st, but it's way too late.
Bottom 7th
I'm going to have a hard time believing that Iwakuni's offense can come back from 4 down...
Kawamura way ahead pretty much throws his bat at a change from Azuma and pops out to Honda in shallow left.
Kihara soon follows with a grounder to Tokou for the 2nd out... And with such a deficit, Iwakuni feels they have to swing away, which given their stats is a bad thing. Koutari grounds to short as well, and it's a 1-2-3 inning.
Top 8th
Tokou with a single to center, Koutari overruns the ball and it gets past him allowing Tokou to advance to 2nd.
Once again, Azuma does the right thing, slaps the ball to the right side to advance the runner.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kawano pops the ball just over Yanagawa! Kihara has to charge in and make the play at 1st. 6-1 Kamimura.
Nozaki with another bottom of the order hit, popping one onto the outfield grass in center. Kawamoto tries for the back-handed diving catch, but can't get it! Nozaki on his wheels ends up at 2nd! Iwakuni certainly looking like they're seeing the endgame as Kamimura is applying pressure.
Nakayama with a grounder to the left side! It's past a diving Kawamura, but Kihara makes the stop in the gap, and makes a strong throw to 1st! It beats Nakayama for the 3rd out! Nice play by the SS.
Bottom 8th
One down and Mizuno blasts a hanging slider to left! Honda has to play it off the padding and Mizuno checks in with a double.
With a 5-run lead, I'd consider sending in the bullpen, but Azuma stays out there. And while he works the count full, Higashi earns the walk prompting a visit from Oda-kantoku.
Tsuchiya steps in, 0-3 on the day. Make that 0-4 as he goes back to Azuma with the comebacker! He goes to 2nd for 1, but Tokou's throw to 1st is short and Tsuchiya is safe.
But Yanagawa soon after grounds to 2nd and Kamimura Gakuen is 3 outs from the 2nd round.
Top 9th
There seems to be a high strike zone this game as Yanagawa gets ahead of Honda 1-2. He winds up hitting a change to center for the 1st out.
Yamamoto's bat still smoking as he pulls another slider to right for a single.
Kojima tries to do a Yamamoto impression, but his full swing goes right to Higashi in left.
And Toyoda grounds to 2nd for the 3rd out.
Bottom 9th
Last ups for Iwakuni and Kawaguchi-kantoku sends up #17 Odani to hit for Kametani. He puts in a decent AB, taking a couple before flying out to center.
Kawamura makes the most of his probable last AB, bookending a single with a walk.
Down 5, Jock Rock plays in the Iwakuni ouen-dan...
Meanwhile, Azuma struggles here with his control, falling behind Kihara 2-0.
There's the high strike again. And because of it, Kihara goes after the next one, and grounds into the 5-4-3 double play to end the game.
Yanagawa was hanging in there early, but the peripherals caught up to his pitching - not to mention horrible timing. A 3-run HR by Yamamoto helps Kamimura Gakuen pull away leaving Iwakuni little chance to catch up. Kamimura's offense doesn't look good enough to hold up the pitching though and they'll struggle to move on going forward.
For Iwakuni, their run was indeed built on a house of cards and when pressed by the opposition here in Koushien, it all collapsed. Still, they can say that they won the Chuugoku Super-Regional if nothing else.
Notable Players
Yamamoto Takuya (Kamimura Gakuen) - 2-5, HR, R, 3 RBI
Nozaki Taisei (Kamimura Gakuen) - 3-3, SB
Tokou Masao (Kamimura Gakuen) - 2-4, 2B, R
Azuma Michihiro (Kamimura Gakuen) - CG, ER, 4 H, 2 K, 6 BB(!)
Kametani Yuuta (Iwakuni) - 1-3, 2B, R
Mizuno Daichi (Iwakuni) - 1-2, 2B, BB
Higashi Fumiya (Iwakuni) 0-1, 3 BB
Yanagawa Takehiro (Iwakuni) - CG, 5 ER, 11 H, 2 K, 3 BB
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
32 teams in 32 days - Iwakuni (Yamaguchi)
It has been a little while, but Iwakuni makes their first trip back to Koushien since their appearance in Natsu Koushien back in 2007, and it's been 14 years since their last appearance here in Senbatsu. Yamaguchi prefecture really hasn't had stable representation, perhaps lending itself to the fact that the rest of the field perhaps is catching up to them. But they're back for now.
Road to Senbatsu
Yamaguchi Prefecturals
After that they had more expected games until the final where Kawaguchi Masao (河口 雅雄) sent in Azuma Fumiya (東 史弥) instead. Despite doing so, and facing Takagawa Gakuen ace Sakai, they still managed to win 8-6 (Takagawa scored all 6 runs in the final 3 innings).
Iwakuni opened super-regional play with a solid win over Tottori Shougyou. However, versus Hiroshima runner-up Soutoku, it took having Soutoku's ace Okamoto tiring before they could put up all 4 runs in the 7th. And then after another simple win over Kurashiki Shougyou they once again were taken to the limit by another Hiroshima squad. Yanagawa, playing with a 3-run lead let it slip away in the 8th before a wild pitch by ace Yamaoka gave Iwakuni back the lead for good.
And as mentioned in Hakuoudai's post, an error led to Iwakuni's 5-run 8th inning and subsequent victory. But that extension was short lived as Okinawa Shougaku would mercy-rule them in 5 innings, all while getting just 5 hits.
Ace Yanagawa throws in the mid 130s, with a reported slider/fork combination. He is not a strikeout pitcher though, so the defense will need to back him up. Unfortunately though, as noted in Yanagawa's final 3 games (Chuugoku final and Meiji Jingu games), he gave up more than his fair share of hits, putting a ton of pressure on the defense. I have little information on their other pitcher Azuma other than that he might have a two-seamer and slider.
Probably the best offensive piece on the team is leadoff batter 2B Kawamoto Takuho (川本 拓歩). He had 2 base hits against Okishou, and had a double against Hakuoudai. Otherwise it would be cleanup batter 1B Tsuchiya Tomohiro (二十八 智大), who had 2 hits in the Hakuoudai game and a HR and triple in the Kurashiki Shougyou game.
The problem I find is that their ace Yanagawa was just completely overmatched in his game versus Okinawa Shougaku. If Kawaguchi-kantoku had wanted to hide his ace, Azuma would have been sent out. But since Yanagawa pitched, they were trying to win and were whitewashed. Plus, if not for the error, they would have lost to Hakuoudai as well. With pitching at an apparent minus for the team, despite being the Chuugoku champions it will be hard from them to win games at senbatsu.
We'll see how the Chuugoku region is a whole when we review first-timers Hiroshima Shinjyou next.
Road to Senbatsu
Yamaguchi Prefecturals
- def. Iwakuni Kougyou 8-1 (8 inn)
- def. Hikari 1-0
- def. Shimonoseki Shougyou 9-2 (8 inn)
- def. Yamaguchi Sakuragaoka 9-0 (7 inn)
- def. Takagawa Gakuen 8-6
- def. Tottori Shougyou 7-1
- def. Soutoku 4-0
- def. Kurashiki Shougyou 7-0
- def. Hiroshima Shinjyou 4-3
- def. Hakuoudai Ashikaga 6-4
- lost Okinawa Shougaku 11-1 (5 inn)
After that they had more expected games until the final where Kawaguchi Masao (河口 雅雄) sent in Azuma Fumiya (東 史弥) instead. Despite doing so, and facing Takagawa Gakuen ace Sakai, they still managed to win 8-6 (Takagawa scored all 6 runs in the final 3 innings).
Iwakuni opened super-regional play with a solid win over Tottori Shougyou. However, versus Hiroshima runner-up Soutoku, it took having Soutoku's ace Okamoto tiring before they could put up all 4 runs in the 7th. And then after another simple win over Kurashiki Shougyou they once again were taken to the limit by another Hiroshima squad. Yanagawa, playing with a 3-run lead let it slip away in the 8th before a wild pitch by ace Yamaoka gave Iwakuni back the lead for good.
And as mentioned in Hakuoudai's post, an error led to Iwakuni's 5-run 8th inning and subsequent victory. But that extension was short lived as Okinawa Shougaku would mercy-rule them in 5 innings, all while getting just 5 hits.
Ace Yanagawa throws in the mid 130s, with a reported slider/fork combination. He is not a strikeout pitcher though, so the defense will need to back him up. Unfortunately though, as noted in Yanagawa's final 3 games (Chuugoku final and Meiji Jingu games), he gave up more than his fair share of hits, putting a ton of pressure on the defense. I have little information on their other pitcher Azuma other than that he might have a two-seamer and slider.
Probably the best offensive piece on the team is leadoff batter 2B Kawamoto Takuho (川本 拓歩). He had 2 base hits against Okishou, and had a double against Hakuoudai. Otherwise it would be cleanup batter 1B Tsuchiya Tomohiro (二十八 智大), who had 2 hits in the Hakuoudai game and a HR and triple in the Kurashiki Shougyou game.
The problem I find is that their ace Yanagawa was just completely overmatched in his game versus Okinawa Shougaku. If Kawaguchi-kantoku had wanted to hide his ace, Azuma would have been sent out. But since Yanagawa pitched, they were trying to win and were whitewashed. Plus, if not for the error, they would have lost to Hakuoudai as well. With pitching at an apparent minus for the team, despite being the Chuugoku champions it will be hard from them to win games at senbatsu.
We'll see how the Chuugoku region is a whole when we review first-timers Hiroshima Shinjyou next.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
44th Meiji Jingu Tournament - We have a champion!
So we have a champion, and perhaps in doing so endorses one of my theories about the urban super-regionals not perhaps trying as hard...
Day 3
Ryuuokudai Heian's ace Inudzuka couldn't get past the 2nd inning as he failed to record an out giving up 5 runs in the 3rd to Nihon Bunri which included a solo HR by opposing pitcher Iidzuka. That erased an 2-0 early lead and forced Heian to chase.
That they did though as a sac fly in the 4th, followed by timely doubles from Ootani and Kawai in the 5th tied the game at 5-5!
But already on their 3rd pitcher, Tanaka was asked to go in long relief. However, in the 7th Kodachi delivered a double to push ahead what would be the eventual winning run to end Kinki's hopes of having a 2nd bid!
The second game between Komadai Tomakomai and Okinawa Shougaku was marred by errors. So much so that in a game that wound up 5-3, only 1 run was earned!!
In the 1st, a throwing error by 3B Tamaru with 2 outs continued the inning, and it was punished by Okishou with hits from Irabu and Fuchigami for a 3-0 lead. Fuchigami would feel bad about scoring on the error, so he had one of his own in the top of the 2nd allowing Komadai to take 1 back.
That run would be given back to Okishou as in the 3rd SS Ogasawara would make an error of his own to make it 4-1. Akamine Ken would get the only RBI of the game as he would get a hit to center extending the lead to 5-1.
More errors would get Komadai within 2 in the 8th, but that would be the closest they would get in the mistake-filled game.
Day 4
Day 4 was anti-climactic for semifinal matches. Imabari Nishi and Nihon Bunri trade a run in each of the first 2 innings, but then after a run in the 3rd, Nihon Bunri blows up for 4 runs in the 4th. Errors did not help Imabari's cause either has eventually would be mercy-ruled 10-3 in 7 innings.
It was worse for Iwakuni. Errors put them behind 2-0 early, as Okinawa Shougaku put up runs in every inning culminating in back-to-back-to-back doubles in a 7-run 4th. The game would only last 4.5 innings as Okishou mercy-ruled Iwakuni 11-1.
Day 5 - Championship
Nihon Bunri had the opportunity to be the first Hokushinetsu representative to win the Meiji Jingu tournament since Seiryou in 1991. More importantly, it would mean a bid in all likelihood for Chikyuu Kankyou.
Okinawa Shougaku was looking to give Kyushu their 4th title and 1st since Yanagigaura back in 2004. Chinzei would be able to breathe a sigh of relief as their main competitor for the final bid in Souseikan would be given the Meiji Jingu bid.
And it was one of those game you just couldn't believe, even if we told you...
Hoshi starts the game off for Nihon Bunri with a leadoff HR to right. In the 3rd, Kamakura would hit a 2-out solo HR to left, making it 2-0! Ace Iidzuka would blast his 2nd of the tournament to right in the 4th, extending it to 3-0!
Higa-kantoku tried to stop the bleeding as he sent in Kubo from RF to switch places with ace Yamashiro Daichi, but the power output didn't stop there. In the 5th, back-to-back doubles by Kobayashi and Kamakura were paid off by Yamaguchi's 2-run double of his own. Even a failed send home of Yamaguchi didn't stop the inning as Iidzuka would his 2nd HR of the game to center making it a 7-0 game!!!
And cleanup batter Ikeda had had enough of everyone else going yard, and blasted one to left in the 6th giving Nihon Bunri a commanding 8-0 lead!!
Facing elimination in the bottom of the 7th, Okinawa Shougaku went to work - and made this already crazy game into a comeback for the ages.
With one down, Iidzuka would plunk Irabu. Kaneshiro would hit for Fuchigami and hit a double to right.
And that's when ace Yamashiro Daichi (yes, he returned to the mound in the 7th) would keep his team alive with a 3-run HR to left center! While the next 2 batters would be retired, Okishou was still in the game at 8-3...
Now the 8th inning. Kubo starts it off with a triple to right. Nishihira plates him with a single to center... 8-4.
Anzato booms a 2-run HR to left-center... It's now 8-6. And still Ooi-kantoku doesn't send in someone like Kodachi, or last game's starter Fujita, instead sticking with ace Iidzuka...
Uehara flies out to right for the first out, but Irabu singles to left. Now with 2 out, Yamashiro Daichi singles to left.
The inning looks to be over after Sunagawa hits one back to Iidzuka, but something goes horribly wrong and he throws it away allowing Irabu to score making it 8-7...
With Ooi-kantoku leaving Iidzuka on the mound even still, it sealed Nihon Bunri's fate. He would walk Akamine Ken, sending up Kubo for his 2nd AB of the inning.
And he wouldn't miss. Kubo would hit one to right, scoring both Daichi and Ken to complete the comeback. 9-8. In a minor way, Okinawa Shougaku did what Nihon Bunri couldn't do in 2009. (Sorry Nihon Bunri, but while I like you, until you can win a big game final, it will always come back to that game...)
So, with Okinawa Shougaku's victory Chinzei can rest easy. With the Meiji Jingu bid, Souseikan will be invited and Chinzei can hold onto their last Kyushu bid (or technically vice versa). Sadly for Chikyuu Kankyou, Nihon Bunri's collapse means that they will be on the sidelines watching senbatsu from home...
Day 3
Ryuuokudai Heian's ace Inudzuka couldn't get past the 2nd inning as he failed to record an out giving up 5 runs in the 3rd to Nihon Bunri which included a solo HR by opposing pitcher Iidzuka. That erased an 2-0 early lead and forced Heian to chase.
That they did though as a sac fly in the 4th, followed by timely doubles from Ootani and Kawai in the 5th tied the game at 5-5!
But already on their 3rd pitcher, Tanaka was asked to go in long relief. However, in the 7th Kodachi delivered a double to push ahead what would be the eventual winning run to end Kinki's hopes of having a 2nd bid!
The second game between Komadai Tomakomai and Okinawa Shougaku was marred by errors. So much so that in a game that wound up 5-3, only 1 run was earned!!
In the 1st, a throwing error by 3B Tamaru with 2 outs continued the inning, and it was punished by Okishou with hits from Irabu and Fuchigami for a 3-0 lead. Fuchigami would feel bad about scoring on the error, so he had one of his own in the top of the 2nd allowing Komadai to take 1 back.
That run would be given back to Okishou as in the 3rd SS Ogasawara would make an error of his own to make it 4-1. Akamine Ken would get the only RBI of the game as he would get a hit to center extending the lead to 5-1.
More errors would get Komadai within 2 in the 8th, but that would be the closest they would get in the mistake-filled game.
Day 4
Day 4 was anti-climactic for semifinal matches. Imabari Nishi and Nihon Bunri trade a run in each of the first 2 innings, but then after a run in the 3rd, Nihon Bunri blows up for 4 runs in the 4th. Errors did not help Imabari's cause either has eventually would be mercy-ruled 10-3 in 7 innings.
It was worse for Iwakuni. Errors put them behind 2-0 early, as Okinawa Shougaku put up runs in every inning culminating in back-to-back-to-back doubles in a 7-run 4th. The game would only last 4.5 innings as Okishou mercy-ruled Iwakuni 11-1.
Day 5 - Championship
Nihon Bunri had the opportunity to be the first Hokushinetsu representative to win the Meiji Jingu tournament since Seiryou in 1991. More importantly, it would mean a bid in all likelihood for Chikyuu Kankyou.
Okinawa Shougaku was looking to give Kyushu their 4th title and 1st since Yanagigaura back in 2004. Chinzei would be able to breathe a sigh of relief as their main competitor for the final bid in Souseikan would be given the Meiji Jingu bid.
And it was one of those game you just couldn't believe, even if we told you...
Hoshi starts the game off for Nihon Bunri with a leadoff HR to right. In the 3rd, Kamakura would hit a 2-out solo HR to left, making it 2-0! Ace Iidzuka would blast his 2nd of the tournament to right in the 4th, extending it to 3-0!
Higa-kantoku tried to stop the bleeding as he sent in Kubo from RF to switch places with ace Yamashiro Daichi, but the power output didn't stop there. In the 5th, back-to-back doubles by Kobayashi and Kamakura were paid off by Yamaguchi's 2-run double of his own. Even a failed send home of Yamaguchi didn't stop the inning as Iidzuka would his 2nd HR of the game to center making it a 7-0 game!!!
And cleanup batter Ikeda had had enough of everyone else going yard, and blasted one to left in the 6th giving Nihon Bunri a commanding 8-0 lead!!
Facing elimination in the bottom of the 7th, Okinawa Shougaku went to work - and made this already crazy game into a comeback for the ages.
With one down, Iidzuka would plunk Irabu. Kaneshiro would hit for Fuchigami and hit a double to right.
And that's when ace Yamashiro Daichi (yes, he returned to the mound in the 7th) would keep his team alive with a 3-run HR to left center! While the next 2 batters would be retired, Okishou was still in the game at 8-3...
Now the 8th inning. Kubo starts it off with a triple to right. Nishihira plates him with a single to center... 8-4.
Anzato booms a 2-run HR to left-center... It's now 8-6. And still Ooi-kantoku doesn't send in someone like Kodachi, or last game's starter Fujita, instead sticking with ace Iidzuka...
Uehara flies out to right for the first out, but Irabu singles to left. Now with 2 out, Yamashiro Daichi singles to left.
The inning looks to be over after Sunagawa hits one back to Iidzuka, but something goes horribly wrong and he throws it away allowing Irabu to score making it 8-7...
With Ooi-kantoku leaving Iidzuka on the mound even still, it sealed Nihon Bunri's fate. He would walk Akamine Ken, sending up Kubo for his 2nd AB of the inning.
And he wouldn't miss. Kubo would hit one to right, scoring both Daichi and Ken to complete the comeback. 9-8. In a minor way, Okinawa Shougaku did what Nihon Bunri couldn't do in 2009. (Sorry Nihon Bunri, but while I like you, until you can win a big game final, it will always come back to that game...)
So, with Okinawa Shougaku's victory Chinzei can rest easy. With the Meiji Jingu bid, Souseikan will be invited and Chinzei can hold onto their last Kyushu bid (or technically vice versa). Sadly for Chikyuu Kankyou, Nihon Bunri's collapse means that they will be on the sidelines watching senbatsu from home...
Sunday, November 17, 2013
44th Meiji Jingu Tournament - Days 1 & 2
Well, we're off in the Meiji Jingu tournament to decide the last bid to go to a region and there have been some surprises.
Day 1
Ryuukokudai Heian (Kinki) did what I though they would against Mie (Tokai). Starting in the 3rd, Imai and Nakaguchi with back to back hits would drive in a run each to make it a 2-0 game. That would be followed up by the Takahashi battery (C Yuuhashi & P Keiji) in the 4th for another 2 runs. And a Mie error in the 5th would give them a 5-0 lead.
But as Mie is wont to do, they scrap their way back after the break. Nishioka would get them on the board in the 6th with a groundout. 2 innings later, Seko would get a timely RBI, and Nishioka would follow that up with a 2-run double to make it a 1-run ballgame.
However, that would be the closest they would get. Ootsuka would come in as Heian's 3rd pitcher and shut down Mie to secure the 5-4 win.
Kanto Dai-ichi (Tokyo) did not start Abe Takeshi in their game against Okinawa Shougaku (Kyushu). But then again, he's actually wearing #10 apparently! The ace number belongs to Haketa Akihiro, who did start the game.
And he held the Okishou offense in check as his team jumped on ace Yamashiro. Yamaguchi started things off with a timely single with runners at the corners, and then Ikeda followed that up with a double and it was 2-0 Kanto in the 1st. Ikeda would deliver again in the 3rd, with another base hit to make it a 3-0 ballgame. That would be it for Yamashiro as Kubo would come in from right to swap places.
The game stayed at 3-0 until post-break where Okishou finally got to Haketa. With runners at the corners, Akamine Ken delivered a base hit to score 1, and then Kubo himself would hit a double to make it a 1-run ballgame.
Haketa would give way in the 8th still holding onto the lead. I would have expected them to go Abe, but again I would have been wrong. Instead they went to unknown Tanabe Ren. That didn't go well when Anzato would get a hit to left, tying the game.
It then went all wrong in the 9th as Tanabe would only record one out while giving up 5 runs, ensuring Okishou's advance to the next round.
Day 2
The first game of the 2nd round was a no-contest affair sadly. My supposed favorite, Hachinohe Gakuen Kousei (Tohoku) was never in the game against Imabari Nishi (Shikoku) as their #3 batter Ochi Itsuki would drive in 3 of their 5 runs en route to a 5-1 victory. Of course, it didn't help also that the team committed 4 errors in the game as well...
The second game almost seemed like the first. Hakuoudai Ashikaga (Kanto) quickly took the lead over Iwakuni (Chuugoku) with a sac fly from Ooshita in the first and a timely from Higa in the 2nd. Kawamoto's double in the 3rd would bring Iwakuni within 1, but a pair in the 5th seemed to make the game a copy of the first.
But much like Kanto Dai-ichi, things went horribly wrong in the 8th inning for Hakuoudai. Tsuchiya would start it off with a timely hit to center to make it a 4-2 ballgame. With the bases loaded, Kameya would hit a grounder to short. Kamon would go home, only to throw it away... 2 runs would score and the game was tied at 4. Ace Higa would be relieved as Ooshita would come in from left to pitch. Sadly, a wild pitch would allow the gyakuten run to score.
Iwakuni would tack on one more as Yanagawa would shut the door in the 9th ensuring that Kanto would not get another bid (Nisshougakushadai Fuzoku should get the floating bid now).
The schools with some hope left may be:
Day 1
Ryuukokudai Heian (Kinki) did what I though they would against Mie (Tokai). Starting in the 3rd, Imai and Nakaguchi with back to back hits would drive in a run each to make it a 2-0 game. That would be followed up by the Takahashi battery (C Yuuhashi & P Keiji) in the 4th for another 2 runs. And a Mie error in the 5th would give them a 5-0 lead.
But as Mie is wont to do, they scrap their way back after the break. Nishioka would get them on the board in the 6th with a groundout. 2 innings later, Seko would get a timely RBI, and Nishioka would follow that up with a 2-run double to make it a 1-run ballgame.
However, that would be the closest they would get. Ootsuka would come in as Heian's 3rd pitcher and shut down Mie to secure the 5-4 win.
Kanto Dai-ichi (Tokyo) did not start Abe Takeshi in their game against Okinawa Shougaku (Kyushu). But then again, he's actually wearing #10 apparently! The ace number belongs to Haketa Akihiro, who did start the game.
And he held the Okishou offense in check as his team jumped on ace Yamashiro. Yamaguchi started things off with a timely single with runners at the corners, and then Ikeda followed that up with a double and it was 2-0 Kanto in the 1st. Ikeda would deliver again in the 3rd, with another base hit to make it a 3-0 ballgame. That would be it for Yamashiro as Kubo would come in from right to swap places.
The game stayed at 3-0 until post-break where Okishou finally got to Haketa. With runners at the corners, Akamine Ken delivered a base hit to score 1, and then Kubo himself would hit a double to make it a 1-run ballgame.
Haketa would give way in the 8th still holding onto the lead. I would have expected them to go Abe, but again I would have been wrong. Instead they went to unknown Tanabe Ren. That didn't go well when Anzato would get a hit to left, tying the game.
It then went all wrong in the 9th as Tanabe would only record one out while giving up 5 runs, ensuring Okishou's advance to the next round.
Day 2
The first game of the 2nd round was a no-contest affair sadly. My supposed favorite, Hachinohe Gakuen Kousei (Tohoku) was never in the game against Imabari Nishi (Shikoku) as their #3 batter Ochi Itsuki would drive in 3 of their 5 runs en route to a 5-1 victory. Of course, it didn't help also that the team committed 4 errors in the game as well...
The second game almost seemed like the first. Hakuoudai Ashikaga (Kanto) quickly took the lead over Iwakuni (Chuugoku) with a sac fly from Ooshita in the first and a timely from Higa in the 2nd. Kawamoto's double in the 3rd would bring Iwakuni within 1, but a pair in the 5th seemed to make the game a copy of the first.
But much like Kanto Dai-ichi, things went horribly wrong in the 8th inning for Hakuoudai. Tsuchiya would start it off with a timely hit to center to make it a 4-2 ballgame. With the bases loaded, Kameya would hit a grounder to short. Kamon would go home, only to throw it away... 2 runs would score and the game was tied at 4. Ace Higa would be relieved as Ooshita would come in from left to pitch. Sadly, a wild pitch would allow the gyakuten run to score.
Iwakuni would tack on one more as Yanagawa would shut the door in the 9th ensuring that Kanto would not get another bid (Nisshougakushadai Fuzoku should get the floating bid now).
The schools with some hope left may be:
- Hokkaido - Sapporo Ootani
- Hokushinetsu - Chikyuu Kankyou
- Kinki - Sanda Shousei
- Chuugoku/Shikoku - Takigawa Gakuen
- Kyushu - Souseikan
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