高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

Having defeated Riseisha, Jyousou Gakuin has to feel good about themselves, and people have to look at them with a more discerning eye for as a title contender. Shuugakukan has had it easy so far with 2 wins against so-so competition. Jyousou should present a huge step up. Will they be able to handle it?

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)

• def Oumi 11-0
• def Chuukyou 8-3
• def Riseisha 7-4

2B Arimura Kouta (有村 恒汰)
CF Suyama Yuuki (陶山 勇軌)
1B Miyazawa Toyota (宮里 豊汰)
3B Hanawa Naoki (花輪 直輝)
C Shimizu Kazema (清水 風馬)
SS Nakamura Jin (中村 迅)
LF Ishikawa Dai (石川 大)
P Suzuki Shouta (鈴木 昭汰)
RF Suzuki Kaito (鈴木 海斗)

Shuugakukan (Kumamoto)

• def Tokoha Kikugawa 6-1
• def Inabe Sougou Gakuen 6-1

SS Matsuo Taiga (松尾 大河)
CF Harada Takumi (原田 拓実)
1B Kimoto Ryouga (木本 凌雅)
C Kuki Ryuuhei (九鬼 隆平)
LF Amamoto Kousuke (天本 昂佑)
3B Hirobe Shuuhei (廣部 就平)
2B Horie Kouhei (堀江 航平)
RF Kimura Yuuji (木村 勇次)
P (12) Kawabata Kento (川端 健斗)

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08:00 - First pitch

Well, Kawabata gives up a leadoff walk, which could always spell trouble. But he then trades 2 outs for 2 bases meaning Hanawa's groundout to 2nd leaves the runner stranded.

Shouta is also having some of his own issues on the mound for Jyousou Gakuin. Primarily that #3 batter Kimoto hit a line single down the right field line, and then it took a great running catch by Suyama to prevent an extra base hit by Kuki to deep right center.

It actually seems like Kawabata is the better pitcher early. Despite the leadoff walk, he's setting down the Jyousou lineup, even striking out the side in the 2nd with some well located pitches.

And now out of nowhere, Shouta leaves a ball up to Amamoto and he drives one to left! Ishikawa going back to the wall, but it's gone! 1-0 Shuugakukan and this is a bit of a surprise.

Now, Suzuki retires the side thereafter, but it's clear who has the scoring chances right now.

Oh boy...

Shuugakukan doubles their lead in the 3rd when Shouta leaves a fastball middle-milddle and Matsuo drives that to left for a HR! 2-0 Shuugakukan and we may have something on our hands!

I did mention this on twitter that Shuugakukan did beat Seiseikou, Kumamoto Kougyou, Buntoku and Kyushu Gakuin, all above average schools in the prefecture. But what really stands out is that Shuugakukan has possibly 4 viable pitchers they can turn to! Ace Arimura, #10 Nakai, #11 Taura and today's starter #12 Kawabata. That's a huge advantage in late stages, provided they get there.

Which of course Jyousou Gakuin is trying to prevent. And in the 5th they finally get to Kawabata.

First Nakamura gets a 1-out walk. 2 down, with Nakamura on 2nd now from a wild pitch and Shouta despite being relieved, hits a single to left, scoring Nakamura and making it 2-1 before the break,

Shuugakukan uses the break to send in someone from the bullpen, this time it's #10 Nakai, who retires the top of the Jyousou lineup in order.

In the bottom of the 6th it all goes wrong for Jyousou Gakuin. 2 outs, and Hirobe has just hit a dobule to left center. Horie seeming hits a routine grounder to short. but Nakamura has it go 5-hole on him and into the outfield allowing Hirobe to score making it a 3-1 ballgame. And if that weren't bad enough he gets another grounder, tries to go the short way for the out, but throws it in the dirt and it goes into the outfield.

Throw in a wild pitch from Kurata for good measure and Shuugakukan scores 2 runs in the 6th without the benefit of a hit to make it 4-1,

The game seemed in hand, but they gave themselves a scare in the 9th. Nakai would give up back to back ringing singles to start the inning. And even after a 1-out walk to Shimizu, Kajisha-kantoku sticks with Nakai. Only when Nakamura pops out does he send in ace Arimura. Jyousou Gakuin counters with #12 Yoshinari.

In the end though, Yoshinari would not be able to lift the bat off the shoulder as he would go down looking to end the game.

Jyousou Gakuin will have their work cut out for them. By far.

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
2B Arimura Kouta (有村 恒汰)
CF Suyama Yuuki (陶山 勇軌)
1B Miyazawa Toyota (宮里 豊汰)
3B Hanawa Naoki (花輪 直輝)
C Shimizu Kazema (清水 風馬)
SS Nakamura Jin (中村 迅)
LF Ishikawa Dai (石川 大)
P Suzuki Shouta (鈴木 昭汰)
RF Suzuki Kaito (鈴木 海斗)

There aren't that many slots left, and teams are account for in matchups. Both these teams want to avoid Yokohama or Riseisha at all costs, but have to win this game first. While both were blowout wins, Jyousou Gakuin has the clear advantage on the mound.

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
CF Suyama Yuuki (陶山 勇軌)
2B Arimura Kouta (有村 恒汰)
LF Ishikawa Dai (石川 大)
3B Hanawa Naoki (花輪 直輝)
C Shimizu Kazema (清水 風馬)
P Suzuki Shouta (鈴木 昭汰)
1B Miyazawa Toyota (宮里 豊汰)
SS Nakamura Jin (中村 迅)
RF Suzuki Kaito (鈴木 海斗)
Chuukyou (Gifu)
SS Watanabe Takashi (渡辺 豪)
CF Katou Souta (加藤 壮太)
RF Kitagawa Ryuunosuke (北川 竜之介)
1B Imai Jyunnosuke (今井 順之助)
2B Yoshii Shougo (吉位 翔伍)
3B Taira Hidemasa (平 秀匡)
C Nagatani Daiki (水谷 大貴)
LF Nishikawa Souma (西川 颯真)
P (16)Furuta Shouto (古田 星投)

Well, the winner of this game knows they're facing Chuukyou. So, let's see how things play out because you have to win first.

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
CF Suyama Yuuki (陶山 勇軌)
2B Arimura Kouta (有村 恒汰)
1B Miyazawa Toyota (宮里 豊汰)
3B Hanawa Naoki (花輪 直輝)
C Shimizu Kazema (清水 風馬)
P Suzuki Shouta (鈴木 昭汰)
LF Ichikawa Dai (石川 大)
SS Nakamura Jin (中村 迅)
RF Suzuki Kaito (鈴木 海斗)

Oumi (Shiga)
3B Kuramoto Riki (倉本 梨希)
CF Itou Yuusaku (伊東 優作)
LF Takizawa Motohide (瀧沢 元英)
1B (9)Kitamura Keigo (北村 恵吾)
2B Mukai Jidai (向井地 大)
C Isohiki Takuo (磯引 拓生)
RF (18) Kimura Ryuunousuke (木村 龍之介)
SS Karazawa Hayate (唐沢 颯)
P (10)Fukada Tatsuki (深田 樹暉)

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16:20 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Not a great start for the bench starter Fukada. Leadoff hit to Suyama. After a bunt, he walks Miyazawa and then gives up a clean hit to left to Hanawa. 1-0 already.

Throw in a squeeze by Shimizu and it's 2-0.

Bottom 1st
Not a great start for the Jyousou defense as Miyazawa can't field what seems like a routine throw (if not a little wide). It winds up not hurting him because after a failed bunt, Itou and Takisawa are both thrown out trying to steal 2nd..

Top 2nd
After Fukada gives up a double to Ishikawa and an RBI single to Nakamura it's the end of his day. ace Kyouyama comes in, but with his team down 3-0...

But there's no relief in Kyouyama either as he walks both Suyama and Arimura to load the bases.

And his defense isn't helping him out either. Miyazato grounds one to short, but SS Karazawa can't make the transfer cleanly and they only get 1, allowing Nakamura to score. 4-0.

Another run scores with runners at the corners. It isn't a fake steal/steal of home, at least not until the SS can't cut off the throw from Isohiki... 5-0.

Another possible staff ace takes the mound in Suzuki Shouta. He showed off his wares last spring when he held Osaka Touin to just 3 ER in their loss. His control can still be an issue, and Kagoshina Jitsygyou's offense may be able to pounce if he has a bad day. But once again, it'll be up to Kajitsu's offense to relieve the pressure on their ace because they are far from dominating.

Jyousou Gakuin finished as the runner-up in the super-regionals and will certainly be getting an invite. Their resume is a hodgepodge though. Nothing of note in the prefecturals outside of losing to Kasumigaura in the finals. But then they beat Yokohama, Nihon Koukuu and Kiryuu Dai-ichi before losing in that wild game versus Kisaradzu Sougou. The offensive output though was very small - just enough in most cases to win, so it may signal that more emphasis will be placed on their pitching staff.

The ace is Suzuki Shouta (鈴木 昭汰), who was the ace of the team last spring at senbatsu. His range is in the upper 130s touching 140, and may have a wide variety of pitches which might include a two-seamer, cutter, shuuto, curve, changeup and slider. But from the videos that you see - especially last year's senbatsu - the off-speed pitches are never really in the zone and that can be shown in the walks he offered to Yokohama and Nihon Koukuu. Any decent sense of patience at the plate and I think he's sunk.

The other option is Kashimura Yuuta (樫村 雄大), a freshman righty. Thankfully, the videos show his pitch speed on the scoreboard, and it seems to be in the low 130s for the fastball with an offspeed pitch in the upper 110s. In his game against Kiryuu Dai-ichi, he struck out 8 while walking 4. It was a complete game shutout, but the 4 walks are a bit iffy.

Offensively, the best player by far is freshman 1B Miyazato Bunta(?) (宮里 豊汰), who hits and hits for power. He was 7-13 with 6 RBIs during the Kanto super-regionals. Judging from the final game verus Kisaradzu Sougou, where in an extra inning affair he was 1-2 with 4 RBIs, my guess is they finally had enough and walked him a bit. Then there's another freshman, CF Suyama Yuuki (陶山 勇軌 - the video was from his days prior to Jyousou). He's not the hit machine Miyazato is, but he does seem to be able to get the timely hit.

2 players though doesn't a lineup make, and if teams do decide to work around Miyazato, it'll be a bit harder for the team to produce runs.

The pitching is sketchy enough to dismiss their chances for the title, though if they play an undisciplined team they may get a game or two.

Before I go on with the commentary, I'll be making a chance to how I do things, though the timing perhaps isn't as good.

Trying to cover the first 2 rounds inning by inning isn't bad necessarily, however when you hit a blowout status, or even just a 1-sided game, trying to make interesting commentary becomes about as bad as some of the commentators on MBS/NHK.

Also, over the years I have become noticeably more bitter watching games. It's not that I don't like 高校野球 now. It's just that I've becomed more seasoned, and more knowledgeable. And the purity and joy that I loved so much isn't quite there.

What the success of Osaka Touin and Nichidai-san has shown, and the story of Kousei Gakuin (now Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei) has shown is that much like in college basketball, there may be some upsets, but in the end it's generally the national powerhouses that continue to win. Even if you're Tenri or Nihon Bunri, or Mie, or Kanzei, or or or.. more often than not you'll get there, but not go far.

And when it comes to games here at Koushien, this year is an anomaly, but there is a clear dilenation of tiers between teams because there is a clear delineation of regions. It's just that this year it was so severe and coincidentally by strength of region that it's just funny. No Kyushu, no Shikoku, no Chuugoku, no Tohoku, and probably after today, no Hokkaido. It is possible that after today we will have 3 Kanto schools and 1 Kinki school left.

What does that say about the state of 高校野球 now?

So now, my commentary on the games will focus less on the play-to-play action, and more on observations I see during the game. There will still be some play-by-play, but you can get that on the box scores and on the game replays provided by MBS.

So onto our first game. Jyousou Gakuin is up and against it against Osaka Touin. They have had an easy schedule to get to the Best 8 and now face an Osaka Touin squad that yes, struggled offensively against Kousei Gakuin, and did struggle against Tenri in the super-regionals. But Osaka Touin now has gained that "fearsome" status that will give a team wins because they are who they are (remember Seiryou's 9-8 win over Komatsu Ootani in the Ishikawa finals last summer).

You shouldn't look ahead but you can't ignore Tsuruga Kehi on the horizon. Hiranuma may not be 100% , and we'll learn more today, but you have to start prepping for that as well in the back of your head.

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
2B Ugusa Kouki
CF Takeuchi Ryou
RF Wada Shingo
1B Ishii Daiki
LF Arahara Hiroki
SS Minakami Yuuheio
C Takase Shoutarou
P Suzuki Shouta
3B Ara Masahiro (#15)

Osaka Touin (Osaka)
3B Nakayama Yuuto
2B Nagahiro Tomoki
LF Hamada Kouhei (#3)
CF Aoyagi Kouki
RF Fujii Kempei
C Taniguchi Kazuki
SS Fukuda Kouki
1B Yoshizawa Kazuto (#12)
P Tanaka Seiya

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08:30 - First Pitch!

1st Inning
Huh, Ugusa hits the first pitch to center, and Aoyagi runs back, but it's more of a jog.

So when I say that Jyousou Gakuin is probably be up against it Ugusa does that. 1-0 Jyousou Gakuin.

Wada slices one down the left field side for a double. If life would like to prove me wrong about Jyousou Gakuin's chances, I'd be happy to be wrong.

Today there was some rain expected, and the umbrellas are out.

Side retired, but Jyousou Gakuin does appear to be on the ball early.

One out walk to Nagahiro, can't be giving Osaka Touin extra runners.

Suzuki paying A LOT of attention to Nagahiro. And despite all those throws over, he still takes off on a run-and-hit (I say it that way because Hamada swung way late on that pitch). Still wound up like a sac bunt without the risk of bunting poorly (though there's still the risk of a double play).

Ara smothers a ball up the 3rd base line from Aoyagi. The long throw to 1st takes a bounce or two, but gets there in time to end the inning.

2nd Inning
This is about as patient I've seen a team. 5 of the first 7 batters have seen at least 5 pitches including the first 2 this inning. Jyousou is expecting either a low scoring game or want to avoid the double play at the bottom of the lineup as Suzuki bunts Takase over with 1 out.

Nothing doing though to score the run. Ara flies out to center.

Only runners Osaka Touin are getting are because of Suzuki. Hits Fujii to start the inning.

Really, Osaka Touin bunting??

Maybe they should have as Taniguchi wipes out his runner with a 5-4-3 double play.

Strike zone seems wide today. Don't know who that will help.

Suzuki hitting his spots well (outside of the dead ball). Jams Fukuda to retire the side.

3rd Inning
Tanaka with a 1-2-3 inning. Jyousou getting bat on the ball and making decent contact, but they're right to fielers.

Osaka Touin with their first hit as Yoshizawa checks in with a double past a diving Shimizu and down the line.

Another bunt from Nisitani-kantoku? Why?

Oh, that's why. Shimizu short hops the throw and Ishii can't pick it. Time called from Sasaki-kantoku.

Nakayama sac fly to left and that will score the run. 1-1.

Suzuki gets another 5-4-3 double play, this time ending the inning. But you can't keep a good team down forever, and Osaka Touin finally has their reply.

4th Inning
Oh hey, Minakami with a 2-out single. Still hitting the ball square.

And what was that by Nakayama? It's like he didn't want to be in front of the ball, and then just ole'd it.

Suzuki walks and its manrui for Jyousou Gakuin.

Ara base hit right through the infield and into right. That scores 2 and gives Jyousou a 3-1 lead! Nishitani-kantoku calling for time.

Ugusa flies out to end the inning, but I don't remember seeing Jyousou on the ball as they have been today.

Also, it's funny when my two feeds which are not synched do something that is.

Also, Osaka Touin is the one who is lost at the plate. Suzuki is throwing strikes and they're swinging at balls. 2 K's against the heart of the lineup?

5th Inning
Another error from Nakayama as he drops a transfer on what would have been the 3rd out.

ほ？

Arahara connects on one real good. Fujii waits for it at the wall, as they wave Ishii home. Relay throw home is in time and the inning is over! This despite Fujii overthrowing the 1st cutoff man and Fukuda coming over to cover the throw!

Uh oh, the doctors are coming over to the Jyousou Gakuin dugout. Looks like Ishii hurt himself when sliding into home. From the replays his arm got caught on Taniguchi's leg and it looks like he could have hyper extended it or even dislocated it?

After a delay, he comes out to his position. With a piece of something up his nose. So it was a bloody nose instead?

He gets tested immediately, making a good pick on a short throw from Shimizu.

Fukuda with a ball to right center. Fielders spring to the wall, but it just clears it for a homerun! 3-2 now the gap and Suzuki just plain missed with his location there. Was supposed to be away, went down the middle.

Yoshizawa with a liner to left for a base hit and have they solved the puzzle?

Not sure, but Nishitani-kantoku has Tanaka bunting. Takase up quickly and fires to 2nd. Get the lead runner, and SS Minakami well off to leave it at that.

Side retired, but as we hit the break Jyousou Gakuin certainly looks the better team, but I have this niggling feeling that Osaka Touin is figuring things out.

6th Inning
Leadoff walk to Minakami. Tanaka had already thrown 89 pitches through 5.

That was a mess of a bunt by Takase. Easy picking for Taniguchi.

Another walk from Suzuki. Jyousou continues to play the waiting game on him and it's working to get men on base.

No timely hit from Ara, so it's up to Ugusa. Hit the ball to the outfield in each of his ABs, but they just need a liner instead.

Instead, it's a grounder to 2nd. Nagahiro goes the short way to end the self-made pinch.

Suzuki himself is at 71 pitches. Not as bad as Tanaka, but still a fair amount.

Count runs full to the first batter Nagahiro, and #18 Inoue is warming up in the bullpen.

Liner to center, right at Takeuchi. Now a deep ball from Hamada, but the defense is playing back and Arahara is there to run it down.

Takaoka fouls out, but I think they're getting closer. We've seen Sasaki-kantoku go to his bullpen before. But generally they go to them when it's too late. Will the same apply here?

7th Inning
Where was the defense to help out Harada? Takeuchi with the push bunt up the 1st base line, Harada fields it, but with no one at first has to dive at Takeuchi to tag him before he reached the bag.

Also, this inning they're not going deep into counts. Not sure if that's the right thing to do.

Nagahiro almost causes another error when he drops a grounder. Still 3 outs.

Fujii liner to center, but Takeuchi is well placed. And despite a charge in, has no problems with the catch.

Osaka Touin trying to hit the HR to tie the game instead of base hits it would appear. Taniguchi with one to deep left center, but Takeuchi is there.

Fukuda single up the middle, but there's 2 down.

Suzuki misses on a ball inside and it goes over the middle. Yoshizawa all over that and drives it to the gap in right center. That'll go to the wall and Fukuda scores to make it a 3-3 game.

Oh dear.

Fukuda has a grounder go off his glove and into center. Yoshizawa scores and it's 4-3 Osaka Touin.

Nakayama is left without a hit, but that's of little consequence. They've finally broken through and taken the lead on Jyousou Gakuin.

8th Inning
Jyousou Gakuin has abandoned their patient strategy here in the 8th. They're almost sunk at this point as it only takes 9 pitches for Tanaka to retire the side.

Uh oh, Minakami with a bad throw to 1st gives Osaka Touin another runner.

And then Suzuki hits Aoyagi.

2 down, Taniguchi delivers a liner to left scoring Nagahiro to make it 5-3.

9th Inning
One down and Ara singles past Fukuda into center. Then Tanaka walks Ugusa? The douten runner is aboard!

Understandably Nishitani-kantoku calls for time.

What?? Sasaki-kantoku calls for a bunt? It advances the runners, but there's 2 out!

Wada flies out to center and that's the game.

Well, it certainly was harder that I thought it would be. But I did think that the Osaka Touin batters were gaining momentum. And where were the other pitchers that Sasaki-kantoku had used before? If the were useful, they should have come in in the 7th inning when they really started hitting him deep. Also, why abandon working the count? You were getting baserunners with that method before.

Jyousou Gakuin proved they certainly are a good team, but unless the pitching depth improves this is probably what you get.

As for Osaka Touin, their offense certainly isn't as powerful from start to finish, but they do appear to get things going later as they get more pitches in. It may mean no full blowouts all the way through, but it also means leads aren't safe late.

The winner of this gets the reward of facing Osaka Touin. Chances are, given the first games for each squad, it'll be Jyousou Gakuin, and Shikoku will be eliminated. That's about the long, or rather short, of it.

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
2B Ugusa Kouki
CF Takeuchi Ryou
RF Wada Shingo
1B Ishii Daiki
LF Arahara Hiroki
P Suzuki Shouta
C Takase Shoutarou
SS Minakami Yuuhei
3B Ara Masahiro (#15)

Imabari Nishi (Ehime)
1B Akigawa Yuushi
SS Nakauchi Atsuya
P Sugiuchi Kouki
CF Fujiwara Yoshiki
LF Yamauchi Atsuya
3B Takao Yousuke
RF Sugino Akihiko
C Andou Yuuto
2B Yoshihara Yuunousuke

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13:46 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Grounder to 2nd by Ugusa take a high hop and Yoshihara can't field it. That's rather ominous.

Takuechi not swinging and he draws a walk. I wonder if the batters are under orders to not swing and take pitches until they either find one they really like, or there's 2 strikes.

Sasaki-kantoku figures it's a good time to bunt the runners over and Wada does so.

Ishii draws a walk, and it's manrui for Jyousou Gakuin and this could get ugly real quick.

IT JUST DID.

Arahara with a drive down the right field line, and Sugino's given up on it. That, my friends, is a manrui home run, and game over before it even started. 4-0 Jyousou Gakuin.

There's another hit batter in the inning, but that's of little consequence. Sugiuchi gives up no more runs, but doesn't need to.

Bottom 1st
Akigawa gets a ball down the middle, but pulls it to Ara for the 1st out. After a strikeout to Nakauchi, Sugicuhi gets hit by Suzuki.

Fujiwara though grounds out to Ishii, who walks it to the bag for the 3rd out.

Top 2nd
One down, and it's Sugiuchi's 4th free pass when he walks Ugusa. He steals 2nd with ease and then moves to 3rd when Takeuchi decides last minute to hit the ball the other way.

Sugiuchi gets out of the inning  by getting Wada to chase a high fastball and pop it up. He secures it, with some difficulty, to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd
Already under pressure, Imabari's batters are like many other teams swinging to get things going.

As a result in 9 pitches, Suzuki has the side retired.

Top 3rd
Sugiuchi retires the 1st two batters, then realizes he hadn't given a free pass yet, so he walks Suzuki and Takase before getting the 3rd out.

Bottom 3rd
Is it really over that Kuroki-kantoku is going to his bench? Yuuto is replaced before his first AB with #10 Yoshimoto.

And the team goes down in order.

Top 4th
Now follow me on this, because there will be 2 huge shifts int he inning.

First to start the inning:

• Yoshimoto stays in to play RF,
• who shifts Sugino to CF,
• who shifts Fujiwara to 1B,
• who shifts Akigawa to 3B,
• who shifts Takao to C.

But after a single, out, another hit batter, a double to the LF wall, a RBI groundout and a wild pitch that scores one more (now 7-0) , Kuroki-kantoku moves everyone around again:

• Yoshimoto comes in to P,
• who shifts Sugiuchi to 3B,
• who shifts Akagawa back to CF,
• who shifts Sugino back to RF.

 After all that, it's a groundout to 2nd to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
It's another 3 up, 3 down inning. But it's not really impressive. A lot of Suzuki's off speed pitches are buried in the dirt and the batters are going after them. A discerning eye might hold off on these, so I wonder what would happen then for Suzuki.

Top 5th
To be honest, when it's a blowout there isn't a point in detailing what they're doing. In fact, if I were Jyousou Gakuin, I'd rest my players for the upcoming match.

That's not how the Japanese work though. So Suzuki and Minakami get doubles and tack on another run to make it 8-0.

Bottom 5th
Also, if I could, I'd be sitting Suzuki. He's only going to get 2 full days of rest.

He would have retired the side in order, but one of those buried balls gets away from Takase and allows Sugino to reach base.

So he does the same to Yoshimoto, but without the wildness.

Top 6th
Takeuchi checks in with a gapper to right center for a base hit. He manages to get to 3rd, but is left stranded after 2 groundouts and a pop up.

Bottom 6th
I had been focused on what Suzuki was doing on the mound, I forgot as Akigawa hits a one out single past a diving Minakami - that that was their first hit!

Well, the rest of the batters don't really do a whole lot afterwards, but hey, no no-no!

Top 7th
I suppose if there is something that I can comment with Jyousou Gakuin's ABs, its that their hits aren't really all that solid. Yes, they boom the ball today, but a well-positioned outfield can turn those into outs.

I say that and Takase sends a ball back up the middle for a 1-out single. But for the most part it's sill routine grounders and fly balls.

Bottom 7th
More of the same, balls in the dirt being swung at for strike 3. Suzuki picks up 2 more Ks.

Top 8th
Ugusa working on a bunt single gets thrown out, but not by much. Otherwise, their contact on the ball is still not very good with balls in the infield.

Bottom 8th
After a groundout, Suzuki is finally pulled. #10 Kashimuira is placed in the game. They finally relieve Suzuki about a couple inning late if you ask me.

I say that and then he walks the first batter on 4 straight. Then with 2 down Akigawa gets a hold of one and sends it into the left center field gap for a double, and the shutout is gone as well. There's some consolation in that though it's 8-1.

Top 9th
#11 Andou Itsuki, who hit for Yoshihara causes another shift:

• Itsuki stays in to play 1B, 
• which moves Akigawa back to 3B,
• which moves Sugiuchi to SS,
• and Nakauchi across the keystone to 2B.

#13 Masayoshi comes in to hit for Kashimura and hits a hard single back up the middle. That's a good base hit. He's replaced with #16 Sanbonmatsu on the basepaths.

Bottom 9th
Sanbonmatsu stays in to play LF, and #11 Sugiwara comes in to for Arahara to take the mound.

He strikes out Sugiura, and then is replaced by #18 Inoue. He comes out with a 140+ fastball, well more like around 140 and finishes the job.

I'd make more of the last couple of innings, but we've had so many of these games, it's unfortunate.

Imabari Nishi had the fortune of facing a 21st century team and got away with a lot of things. All of that was demolished in the very 1st inning this game and there really wasn't much else to say. Imabari Nishi will probably contend in prefecture to head back to Koushien, but their prospects here are dim unless hey get a favorable matchup or improve significantly.

With Imabari Nishi's loss Chuugoku's official representatives are eliminated. All that's left is the 21st century team Matsuyama Higashi.

As for Jyousou Gakuin, they face Osaka Touin, and there are enough gaps that their prospects aren't good. Not as bad as Imabari Nishi's today, but not good either. They knocked out only 8 hits for those 8 runs, and a lot of their hits can be countered. On the pitching side, Suzuki isn't a terrible pitcher, but a lot of his K's were on pitches that took a bounce before reaching Takase. I really don't think that Osaka Touin's batters will bite, but I could be wrong. Also, it could be that Inoue starts the game instead. We'll know in 2 days time.

Well, two games, two blowouts so far. The third game does not necessarily have promise either as Yonago Kita looks up against it versus Jyousou Gakuin. Let's see if the underdog can pull one out before the end of opening day.

15:43 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Ace Takahashi takes the mound for Yonago Kita, this despite only having 8.1 innings of work during the super-regionals.

Takahashi having trouble with his control early, falls behind Ugusa 3-0 before finally throwing a strike. He throws another one and Ugusa shoots it past a lunging Nakagawa into left.

Takahashi's pickoff move is so slow, they try the hit and run 3 times. Takeuchi strikes out, but Ugusa has no trouble reaching 2nd.

Takahashi has no trouble though getting Ishii to fly out to right, and the leadoff runner doesn't hurt the team.

Bottom 1st
Ida with a solid liner to right to give the kids from Tottori a leadoff runner.

Kodera goes for the hit and run! It's right to short, but he airmails the throw to 2nd! All safe!

Now with 2 runners on, Mishima lays down a beauty of a bunt. Almost beats it out, but still does the job and brings up cleanup batter Yasuba.

But perhaps nerves set in because he goes after a ball way outside and is down swinging for the 2nd out.

Nakagawa, on the other hand, is patient on the balls inside, and draw a walk to load the bases.

But as quickly as they went from impatient to patient, they went impatient again. Sakaguchi swings on the first pitch and grounds right to 1st. Ishii flips to Suzuki and he gets himself out of the pinch.

Top 2nd
Whoops.

Takahashi puts one right on a platter and Arahara just takes it straight out to right for a leadoff HR. 1-0 Jyousou Gakuin.

Uh oh. 1 down and Suzuki singles to right.

And now Takahashi with control issues walks Minagami and he risks losing it here in the 2nd.

Shimizu a liner to right. Yasuba runs it down, but Suzuki advances to 3rd.

Ugusa though swings and misses on a changeup to end the inning. Just the HR hurts Yonago Kita here early on.

Bottom 2nd
Meanwhile there isn't much to say about Yonago at bat. Suzuki needs just 7 pitches to retire the bottom of the order.

Top 3rd
Takeuchi with a routine grounder to short, but Nakagawa airmails the throw into the camera well! Takeuchi takes 2nd and Jyousou threatens again.

Wada is issued a walk, perhaps to at least create the force, but that's wiped out when Ishii puts down the three bunt successfully.

With first base open and Arahara up to bat they can walk him if they need to, but Takahashi almost leaves one in the zone again. After that, it's a high and tight one to load the bases for Takase.

Takahashi trying to weave around the edges of the zone to get Takase out, but Takase patiently runs the count full.

SANSHIN!

Takahashi perhaps getting some help from Hayashi on the frame, but he strikes out Takase looking!

AHHHH!!!

And right when you thought they might get out with no damage, Takahashi spikes a changeup and Hayashi can't block it! Takeuchi comes home and it's 2-0 Jyousou!

Suzuki looks really silly so far in front of a changeup, but for now it's okay as Yonago Kita has given them another run.

Bottom 3rd
Ida the only one getting hits for Yonago so far, he takes one off the end of the bat into center for base hit.

...and then gets caught flat-footed on a pickoff move. Oy.

Meanwhile, the next two batters look pretty lost at the plate, perhaps just swinging hoping to make contact. Kodera grounds to short, while Mishima just waves at pitch after pitch. 3 up, 3 down.

Top 4th
This is just bizarre, Minakami goes down swinging for Takahashi's 6th K, yet he's given up 3 hits, 3 walks and 2 runs.

2 down in the inning, and Ugusa is fooled on a changeup, but keeps the bat in the zone just long enough to poke it into center for a base hit... and then promptly steals 2nd.

Takeuchi grounder to 2nd, AHHHHHH!!!

It goes 5-hole on Kodera and into right! Ugusa scores and it's 3-0 now in favor of Jyousou Gakuin.

Now Takeuchi steals 2nd, and this time without a throw!

And he takes off for 3rd on the next pitch! Hayashi fires over, but Takeuchi just beats out the throw. They're just running roughshot over Takahashi's delivery.

And after he walks Wada for the 2nd time, time is called as they scramble the bullpen.

Ishii plans to do damage while they can and hits a clean single to left to score Takeuchi and make it a 4-0 game.

And now both runners take off and Hayashi has no throw. They're just giving up free bases like candy, much to their detriment. About the only good thing is that with first open, walking Arahara isn't a bad thing.

Thankfully, Takase is just as lost at the plate as the rest of the Yonago team. He strikes out looking for the 2nd time, and it's his 3rd overall. The bases are left loaded, but the lead is doubled for Jyousou Gakuin.

Bottom 4th
Very little to report. Suzuki racks up 2 more cheap Ks in his 3rd consecutive 1-2-3 inning.

Top 5th
Takahashi perhaps nibbled a bit too much after getting ahead of Suzuki and winds up losing him to a leadoff walk.

Takahashi throws a 54 foot changeup that Hayashi can't block and Suzuki takes 2nd. After a Minakami bunt, Takahashi's K of Shimizu hinted perhaps the inning would go without a run scored, but control issues returned and another wild pitch plates another run to make it 5-0 before he finally got Takeuchi to pop out.

Bottom 5th
Hayashi is finally the first batter not named Ida who has a base hit as he singles to right. With a runner on 1st and now out, They elect to play for 1. Yagura bunts him over to get 2 cracks at scoring a run.

Takahashi can't do anything as he grounds out to short.

But Ida hits a ball to right, and that's in for a single! Hayashi is being waved home, and the relay comes in... and Hayashi is out at home to end the inning.

Top 6th
Oh boy.

Right out of the break and Jyousou greets Takahashi the same way they did to start the game. This time it's Wada who booms a ball to left for a solo HR and a 6-0 lead.

After he yields a triple to Ishii, Takahashi is finally put ouf of his misery. #11 Fukumoto comes in to take the hill.

And perhaps it's just a new pitcher, but Fukumoto records the final 3 outs.

Bottom 6th
Mishima checks in with a 1-out base hit of his own, but like the other innings, the offense cannot string together hits to create a run.Yasuba pops out and Nakagawa stirkes out.

Top 7th
I'm running into technical difficulties again. will have a summary out when I can.

So the top of the 7th went without much fanfare, much to the relief of Yonago's pitching staff.

Bottom 7th
Unfortunately, with the exception of a 2-out single by Yagura, their side was just as quiet.

Top 8th
This is where I got back my connection, and right in the middle when things were getting out of hand. There's really no need to get into the gory details, but after 5 of the first 6 batters reached via base hit and 2 came in to score, Fukumoto was replaced by #11 Uegai.

Which didn't really help because he would give up 2 more base hits and a double steal of home would tack on several more runs. By the time the carnage was over, it was 12-0.

Bottom 8th
With the game well in hand, Jyousou would go to their bullpen and get #11 Sugawara. Also #15 Ara would take over for Shimizu at 3B.

Perhaps it was mercy they were showing them by doing so because Ida would slice a liner down the left field line for a double. After that Kodera would drive a ball to left center, splitting the defense and allowing Ida to score, breaking the shutout at 12-1.

Sadly however, the 3-4-5 batters would remain hitless as they would go down in order.

Top 9th
Jyousou Gakuin would continue to pour on the runs, forcing out Uegai and putting #18 Kogano into service. He'd give up a double which would score the 2 inherited runners and make it a 14-1 game before he shut the door on their scoring.

Bottom 9th
Jyousou almost empties their bench for the final 3 outs, leaving just 2 in reserve.

New P #10 Kashimura after recording the first two outs, went awry walking one and hitting 2 to load the bases.Mishima though would strike out to end the game.

And so the first day ends, much to chalk really, but in rather unfulfilling ways because yes, the teams that lost were not as good, but it still sucks to lose that way. And all 3 teams today had some form of that. While I need to finally get some shut eye, here's to hoping tomorrow's games are better than today's.

And now, the final representative from Kanto - Jyousou Gakuin.

Looking at their schedule, they got about as easy of a schedule as Kisaradzu Sougou, but perhaps not the same results. They struggled to beat Fujishiro and Tsuchiura Kohoku in the prefecturals, and had the same issues against Sano Nichidai and Hiratsuka Gakuen before narrowly falling to Kisaradzu Sougou.

As such, their prospects are immediately pegged to be even weaker than that of the already weak runner-up.

For them to have any chance, the pitching has to hold up. For that, Sasaki-kantoku turns to two underclassman pitchers, ace Suzuki Shouta (鈴木 昭汰) and #10 Kashimura Yuuta (樫村 雄大). Suzuki was actually part of the U15 national team. He has supposedly ticked up his fastball to the upper 130s and has the standard fare of pitches (slider, curve). There's less information on Kashimura, but he too apparently has the standard selection on pitches.

Even though these are the main 2 pitchers, Sasaki-kantoku has brought along 2 other pitchers - #11 Sugawara Kazuhiro (菅原 一泰) and #18 Inoue Masaki (井上 真幸). And apparently he's not afraid to use 1B Ishii Daiki (石井 大貴) on the mound either (2 IP in all). None of the pitchers are dominating in nature though, but still they are tasked with keeping the scoring low in order to keep the offense in the game.

They'll be under constant pressure as the team just batted a shade over 0.300, with just 3 players over said average. Leading the pack is tablesetter/captain Ugusa Kouki (宇草 孔基) who went a cool 14-26 with 6 SBs. LF Arahara Hiroki (荒原 祐貴) hit 0.423, but they were all singles.

This team will struggle to score runs, and the pitching will be stressed to the limit from the words "Play ball". The first 2 rounds they might have a chance in, but after that, witha  game against Kousei or more likely Osaka Touin, and they might as well prepare their return trip home.

Oh, the situation keeps on changing here at Koushien. With Meitoku Gijyuku's loss it opens things even further for everyone else although you can consider Nichidai Yamagata to be a new contender.

Maebashi Ikuei's Takahashi Kouna has come onto the Koushien stage and announced his presence.

He has given up just 1 run so far in 3 games, winning 1-0 twice (Iwakuni Shougyou & Shounan) and then the dominance of Yokohama 7-1!  He pitches similar to Kishi in that he has excellent control and he has a slider that he is not afraid of putting anywhere in the zone - inside, outside, even high if he wants to. For batters who are used to a slider being buried, this is unusual.

Offensively, the team seemed rather lethargic at the plate (though now it have been due to who they were facing). That was until the Yokohama game where they just wrested control of it and never gave it back.

Jyousou Gakuin has been the master of late game adjustments. Ineffective early on, come the 5th inning they turn on a switch and next thing you know, it's over.

Once again, in a blowout in the bottom of the 9th, Sasaki-kantoku did not pull ace Iida even after he was hit with a throw scrambling back to 2nd. It did look like the throw did affect him for the last inning though and with no rest, how will it affect him today?

(But to start it's not Takahashi Kouna starting, but 2nd year #10 Kitagawa Shougo! That's surprising!)

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
CF Takashima Shouta
C Yoshinari Yuusuke (#9)
2B Shindou Suguru
3B Uchida Yasuhito (#2)
1B Ishii Daiki
SS Yoshizawa Gakushi
LF Ikezawa Kouhei
P Iida Harumi
RF Ganryuu Tatsuya (#15)

Maebashi Ikuei (Gunma)
CF Kudou Youhei
LF Tamura Hayato
SS Tsuchiya Keisuke
3B Arai Kento
C Ogawa Toshiki
RF Itagaki Fumiya
P Kitagawa Shougo (#10)
1B Kusunoki Hiroki
2B Takahashi Tomoya

____________________________________________________________

13:35 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Hm.. Jyousou's batters are taking a wait and see approach on Kitagawa.

Takashima goes full before grounding to 2nd.

Yoshinara grounder to the left side, Tsuchiya running it down in the gap, but the throw to 1st can't beat a diving Yoshimura!

Shindou drive to deep center! Kudou running back, running back!!

Leaps and makes the running catch right before the wall!!  Nice play!!


Once again though Kitagawa falls behind 3-0. Fills up the count, but eventually walks him! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Ishii.

Kitagawa has low-mid 130s stuff, with a cut ball in the upper 120s, slider

Ishii flies out to Itagaki, and while a bit shaky, he puts up a 0!

Bottom 1st
Meanwhile, Maebashi Ikuei's batters are attacking early. Kudou hits a fastball outside the other way to short.

Tamura falls behind 1-2 and goes down looking on the fastball inside.

And it's a 6 pitch inning as Tsuchiya flies out to left.

Top 2nd
Yoshizawa ball back up the middle. Tsuchiya runs it down just before the outfield grass, throws to first, not in time!

Ikezawa with the bunt, but Arai charging in takes it and fires to 2nd! Tsuchiya awkwardly throws to first and throws it away! They get the lead runner, but put it back on 2nd thanks to the error!

Iida chases a slider and rolls it to 2nd. Ikezawa takes 3rd on the play.

Ganryuu, patient at the plate, works a walk and flips the lineup back to Takashima.

Hits the high fastball!!

It's a drive to the gap in left center that no one will get! Ikezawa scores! Ganryuu from 1st... he will score! Takashima in at 2nd with a timely double! 2-0 Jyousou Gakuin!

Yoshinari back up the middle. Tsuchiya with it, no! He loses the handle on the ball! All safe!!

Arai-kantoku calling time as the game threatens to get away from them.

Shindou flies out to left, but Jyousou Gakuin takes the early lead!

Bottom 2nd
Arai booms a ball down the left field line foul. Winds up pulling a ball to Yoshizawa in SS.

Ogawa pops up a ball to shallow left center, Yoshizawa, Ikezawa and Takashima all converge, but it's just out of Yoshizawa's dive for a base hit!

No bunting from the Maebashi Ikuei squad.

Itagaki chopper to short, Yoshizawa goes to 2nd! Gets 1, goes to 1st, double play!!  Side retired and Iida's faced the minimum!

Top 3rd
Kitagawa working from behind again, this time to Uchida. But no problem as he grounds to short. Ishii and Ikezawa fly out shortly after and it's Kitagawa's first clean inning

Bottom 3rd
Kitagawa down quickly swinging on 3 sliders.

Kusunoki with a quick comebacker to Iida, he stops it, fumbles a bit, but makes the play at 1st.

And Iida continues to face the minimum as Tomoya is frozen on a slider inside.

Top 4th
Hot grounder up the middle, Tsuchiya with the great sliding grab, spins throws and gets Ikezawa for the 1st out!

After getting ahead of Iida 0-2, Kitagawa plunks him. Sasaki-kantoku has Ganryuu bunt him for Takashima, can he do it again?

No! Kitagawa gets him to hit a grounder to the vacuum that is Tsuchiya! Goes to 1st, 3 out!

Bottom 4th
Iida's only throwing the slider about 50% of the time, the fastball and 2-seamer making up most of the rest.

And the Maebashi batters aren't figuring it out at all. Tamura strikes out in between two bad swings and groundouts to 2nd. It's not looking good offensively for Maebashi at all.

Top 5th
After Yoshinari's groundout to 1st, Takahashi Kouna warms up.

Shindou another ball to the vacuum... and same with Uchida. Those are nothing for Tsuchiya and the side is retired.

Bottom 5th
Arai under the 2 seamer from Iida and pops out to Ishii.

Ogawa with a cut swing bloops one to right. He has both of Maebashi's hits. Itagaki bunts him over, and Takahashi Kouna will come in after the break as #13 Tomita comes in to hit for Kitagawa.

Tomita chopper to Iida, goes to 1st for the out. He looks like he things it was foul, but it was called fair and the side is retired.

Maebashi Ikuei's relief starter Kitagawa's day is done. But he leaves with his team behind 2-0. Will that wind up being the difference in the game, or can they unlock the puzzle that is Iida?

Top 6th
Ace Takahashi Kouna takes over for PH Tomita.

Ishii short chopper to the right side, Tomoya charging, throws back across to 1st for the out.

Yoshizawa introduced the the wonder that is Kouna's slider, goes down swinging.

And Ikezawa swings and misses on the forkball for a 1-2-3 inning. He's certainly going to shut down Jyousou's offense but....

Bottom 6th
...what about their offense?

One down and Tomoya flies the bat around and pokes one to left for a base hit. What will they do?

Kudou hitting, but he goes right into a 4-6-3 double play! They are in serious trouble.

Top 7th
Kouna misses on the 3-2 pitch and walks Iida. He takes off as Ganryuu bunts, but misses! Throw to 1st from Ogawa though short hops Kusunoki and that allows Iida to reach 2nd!

Ganryuu bunting, pops it up! Crashing Kusunoki catches it, spins fires to 2nd and they double off Iida who was going on the bunt! 2 out!

But Takashima remains a thorn in Maebashi's side hitting a single to left.

Now he takes off for 2nd! Throw from Ogawa, and Tsuchiya doesn't secure the ball!

No matter! Kouna just throws the forkball and Yoshinari spins around for the 3rd out!

Bottom 7th
Iida starting the inning at 63 pitches. He should still be fine.

Tamura with finally a hard hit ball lines one over Yoshizawa to center.

Maebashi bunting? Tsuchiya trying to bunt, fouls it off.

Tries the buster, but doesn't work, now down 1-2.

2-seamer away and Tsuchiya chases for the first out.

Arai with a slow chopper to the left side. It perfectly splits both Uchida and Yoshizawa! It's slow enough that Yoshizawa can stop it, but that's all!

Sasaki-kantoku calling time.

AH! Ogawa looks really bad on a bail swing from Iida's slider. 2 down!

Itagaki waiting for a pitch from Iida, but instead gets a 4-pitch walk! It's manrui with Kouna up to bat!!

First pitch, Kouna fouls it off himself and needs a moment or two...

Ah, it looks like he hit it off the side of his knee...

He's back in now. gets ahead 2-1...

Swings on the 2-seamer and it's 2-2!

Fastball inside, fouls it off! And again!

Slider outside, ball 3!

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

Iida gets Kouna on the slider and the side is retired!!

Top 8th
Kouna mowing down batters as Shindou goes down swinging.

Uchida strikes out too, but the pitch goes all the way to the backstop and he takes 1st!

Ishii with a single through the right side! Kouna in a pinch here!

Gets Yoshizawa to fly out to center, 2 down.

But he walks Ikezawa on 4 straight to load the bases! Manrui for Jyousou with Iida at bat!

AH!!! Wild pitch from Kouna! Ogawa with it, quickly, but the runners retreat! Still manrui!

Now #14 Shioya comes in to run for Ishii at 2nd...

Count runs full..

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

Fastball right down the middle and Iida can only walk back to the dugout as Kouna lets out a yell!

Bottom 8th
#13 Wada comes in for PR Shioya and takes over at 1B.

One down and Tomoya gets his 2nd single through the right side.

But it quickly becomes 2 down when Kudou flies out to left.

Tamura goes down on the slider and it looks like they've lost their best chance...

Top 9th
Kouna strikes out the side, but right now it's padding the stats in a losing effort.

Bottom 9th
Can Maebashi Ikuei somehow solve Iida in just 3 outs?

Supposedly, the right batters are coming up. It's 3-4-5 for Maebashi Ikuei.

Iida with leg cramps drinking some sports drink as he has 106 pitches. He's taken back to the dugout as #18 Kaneko warms up just in case...

And at 4 minutes he re-emerges from the dugout and will look to finish the game.

Ah? At 1-1, Iida calls over the umpire and he's asking to be taken out. The trainers come out and he has to be helped off the field! #18 Kaneko does come in to the game.

Very first pitch from Kaneko, Tsuchiya grounds to 2nd.

Arai grounder up the 3rd base line, fair! Uchida with it, goes to 1st for the 2nd out!

Last chance in Itagaki, Up 2-0, Kaneko puts in strike 1... now strike 2...

Liner down the right field line... FAIR!! IT'S FAIR!!!  Ogawa stops at 3rd and the douten runner is in scoring position as once again Kouna steps in!

Liner to right center!  That's going to split the defense! It goes all the way to the wall!!  Ogawa scores! Itagaki scores!!

We're all tied at 2-2!!!!!!!!!

And with Kouna at 3B, the sayonara run stands 90 feet away!

Kaneko rattles, falls behind Kusunoki 2-0! Gets a strike in, but now another ball and it's 3-1!

Grounder to 2nd! Shindou with it goes to 1st and we're headed to enchousen!

Top 10th
Shindou looking to make this a one inning affair singles to center!

But no bunt from Uchida! He swings away at a slider and lifts it to center where Kudou has it for the 2nd out.

Only now does Sasaki-kantoku bunt Shindou along.

But Yoshizawa goes down swinging and we're to the bottom of the 10th.

Bottom 10th
Uh oh, it's a 4-pitch walk to Tomoya to start the inning. Kudou not bunting.

Single back up the middle! Now the sayonara run is in scoring position with no out!

Now Tamura bunts him along, runners 2nd and 3rd.

Surely they will walk him.

No! No!

Tsuchiya attacks the first pitch and he singles to right center! Sayonara!

You can say all you want about being able to close, or to be strong enough mentally to handle any situation, but seeing the image of your ace being carried off the field is hard to take for anyone.

I mean, good for Maebashi Ikuei that they were able to take advantage, but I feel bad for Jyousou Gakuin...

I'll just leave it at that for now...

Well, it's getting crunchtime for these schools and with most of the probable front-runners for the Koushien title on the other half of the bracket, these schools will look to take full advantage of the next 2 rounds.

Jyousou Gakuin has not necessarily wowed you with their efforts, but if nothing else they have been consistent. Dominated Hokushou in their first game, had to battle with Sendai Ikuei for 5 innings before breaking the deadlock.

In fact in both games, the Jyousou offense actually remained silent for almost the first half of the game each time. It's almost like their mid-game adjustments after the break help them win the game.

They also have been very efficient in scoring runs when they do get runners on base, so opposing teams need to clamp down when they do get runners.

Ace Iida effectively mixes in all his pitches - shuuto, slider, change and curve, all to be stingy in allowing baserunners. He wont necessarily give in to batters either when behind, which does lead to walks like the ones he issued against Sendai Ikuei, preferring to go after the next batter.

Fukui Shougyou has been walking the tightrope even since stepping onto the field. Almost losing to Obihiro Ootani in their first game, they were caught up in a standoff with Seikou Gakuin until they finally broke through in the 8th inning and held on for the win.

So far, Yonemaru-kantoku has depended on #10 Hasegawa Ryouta more than their ace. In that game against Seikou Gakuin, he pitched a complete game using a good fastball along with his slider to keep the batters off balance. Only struck out 1, so his defense was rather busy the entire game. It will be interesting to see if they turn to him once more, or go to their ace number who has not been as successful in his only outing.

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
CF Takashima Shouta
RF Yoshinari Yuusuke
2B Shindou Suguru
C Uchida Yasuhito
LF Ikezawa Kouhei
SS Yoshizawa Gakushi
1B Ishii Daiki
P Iida Harumi3B Ganryuu Tatsuya (#15)

Fukui Shougyou (Fukui)
CF Yamamoto Takuma
C Nakamura Tatsuya
3B Seki Ryouma
LF Ooishi Itsuki
RF Yasuda Atsuki
1B Hayashi Katsumi
P Hasegawa Ryouta (#10)
2B Nakaya Masato
SS Miyazaki Masaya

____________________________________________________________

08:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Wow, Jyousou going after early pitches, With Takashima going after a 1-0 pitch and flying to left, and Yoshinari grounding out to Nakaya on the first pitch.

Shindou gets a hold of a slider and lines it to left for a base hit, but he's retired for the 3rd out as Uchida his a hard grounder to 3rd.

Bottom 1st
Yamamoto goes almost kneeling on a slider and lines it deep down the right field line! Ganryuu plays it off the wall as Yamamoto goes for 3rd... and in in with a leadoff triple!

Fukui Shougyou not missing around, they're going for the early run!

Ah... but after fouling off a couple of pitches, he chases the slider for the 1st out.

Seki showing bunt! But it looks like a safety squeeze as Yamamoto isn't immediately taking off, but he falls behind 2-2...

SANSHIN!!!!!

Seki chases the 2-seamer for the 3rd strike and there's 2 down!

Cleanup batter Ishii up to try and get the run in, he falls behind 0-2.

But he doesn't bite on any of Iida's offerings and fills up the count..

That is until Iida pulls the slider and gets him swinging! Runner on 3rd, no out and Iida strikes out the side!! What a start!

Top 2nd
Ikezawa leads off the 2nd with a base hit through the right side! Jyousou perhaps this time around going to get scoring opportunities early.

Hit-and-run! Sasaki-kantoku calls for it and Yoshizawa puts an ugly swing but grounds slowly to short to advance the runner.

But Ishii gets under a ball and pops it way high! Hayashi coming in, secures it for the 2nd out.

Hasegawa playing the role of cool ace as he induces Iida to ground to 3rd for the final out.

Bottom 2nd
With Iida throwing strikes and getting ahead, Fukushou perhaps feeling pressure to make contact before 2 strikes. Yasuda on 0-1 pitch grounds to 2nd.

Hayashi ahead 2-1 attacks the next pitch but fouls it off.

He grounds to 2nd as well for out #2.

And for the trifecta, Hasegawa rolls one to Shindou for the 3rd out.

Top 3rd
Ganryuu with a quick grounder to Seki for the first out.

Hasegawa painting the inside corner on Takashima punches him out for his first K!

After getting ahead of Yoshinari with two well placed pitches, he tries to get him to chase pitch after pitch until at a full count he just misses down and in to issue the walk bringing up Shindou who had a hit in the 1st.

Once again Hasegawa gets ahead 1-2.

Shindou pulls a ball to 3rd! Seki once again with it, goes to 1st, side retired!

Bottom 3rd
The bottom of Jyousou Gakuin's still struggling with a strategy against Iida. Nakaya goes after 2-1 pitch, but it's a routine grounder to short.  Miyazaki goes after the first pitch and grounds to 2nd.

And Iida puts a shuuto just out of the reach of Yamamoto for the 3rd out.

Top 4th
Uchida blooper to right, Nakaya sprinting back, leaps... Over his head! Another base runner for Jyousou!

Hit-and-run from Sasaki-kantoku again! But Ikezawa grounds it to 2nd! Nakaya goes to 2nd, but Uchida breaks up the relay to 1st.

Yoshizawa with a ball to deep center, but it hangs up and Yamamoto has it for the 2nd out.

Ishii single through the right side! Ikezawa takes 3rd on the base knock and Yonemaru-kantoku calls time..

Iida with a chance to help his own efforts with a base hit here. #1 Nakamura warms up.

Change over the plate for a first strike.

Iida with a ball to center again! Yamamoto going back once again... catches it in front of the wall for the 3rd out!

Bottom 4th
Nakamura unable to get the hands around on a ball inside from Iida, flies out to center.

Seki goes after a slider outside and pulls it to 2nd.

Ooishi having the best AB for Fukushou in a while, works the count full, but is frozen on a slider for the 3rd out.

Outside of that first triple, Fukushou's bats have been absolutely silent.

Top 5th
Ganryuu gets a hold of one, goes to deep left. Ooishi going back, still going back, tries to leap on to the wall!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#9 batter Ganryuu opens the scoring with a home run! 1-0 Jyousou!

Takahashi grounder to the right side, Nakaya dives, picks it on the hop! Throw to first... in time!

Hasegawa trying to get back on track freezes Yoshinari on a fastball right down the middle.

But Shindou returns a ball back to sender into center for a base hit.

Uchida also goes down on a slider to end the inning, but Jyousou again has come through in the middle innings.

Bottom 5th
Fastball down and away gets generous call - not like Iida needs it right now for 13 straight retired by Iida.

Hayashi finally ends it for Iida, getting those hands around the fastball and lining it back up the middle for a base hit - their first since the opening batter!

Ah, but Hasegawa hits a comebacker right to Iida! He goes 1-6-3 and we're at the break.

Iida in full control of this game so far, and with Ganryuu's HR and the certain post-break adjustments, is Fukui Shougyou done for?

Top 6th
One down for Jyousou Gakuin, and Yoshizawa with a ball to center! Yamamoto running back, backpedals, leaps.. over his head! Yoshizawa in with a double!

Ishii times a fastball inside, fights it to center! Yamamoto coming in... won't get there! Yoshizawa coming home, throw from Yamamoto... late! Here's comes Jyousou Gakuin, it's 2-0!

Iida goes and bunts the runner along to see if Ganryuu can add to the lead.

Hasegawa gets him to twirl on the slider to retire the side, but Fukushou has one more run to overcome!

Bottom 6th
Iida pounds outside to Nakaya, freezes him with a fastball inside for strike 3.

Miyazaki jammed inside yet again on a fastball, but squeezes it past Yoshizawa for a base hit.

Yamamoto pressing just looks bad on two swings on two 2-seamers and goes down for the 2nd out.

Nakamura flies out to right and the inning is over.

Top 7th
Takashima with a ball past the feet of Hasegawa for his 1st hit of the day. Yoshinari bunts him along for Shindou who is 2-3 on the day.

Shindou takes a slider outside the other way for a base hit, Yasuda doesn't go home and Jyousou Gakuin takes the 3-0 lead!

Hasegawa retires the next 2 batters, but Fukui Shougyou in a much deeper hole now.

Bottom 7th
Seki up, draws the walk. Down 3 with 3 innings to go, Yonemaru is having Ooishi-bunt.

OH!

Ball up and in as he goes for the bunt and it hits him on the side of the helmet! He's slow to get up as Yonemaru-kantoku goes out to look to him. He's brought back in the dugout as Nakamura goes to run for him.

Yasuda successfully lays down the bunt and now Iida in his first real pinch since the 1st!

Hayashi rightfully patient as Iida knows he has 1st base open, on the 3-1 pitch gambles and fouls off pitch down and in.

Chopper to 1st! Ishii goes home, but Seki slides in safely! Uchida up the 1st base line has to reach back for the tag and it costs him! 3-1 Jyousou Gakuin, still one out and the douten runner on base!

AH! Hasegawa hits a grounder to 2nd! Shindou to 2nd for one, throw to 1st, double play! Hasegawa can't help but express his frustration about killing the opportunity.

Top 8th
Hasegawa gets himself back on track before taking the hill, retires the side in order

Bottom 8th
#11 Okai to hit for Nakaya, but he grounds out to 3rd. Fukui Shougyou now obviously pressing as Miyazaki goes on the first pitch and grounder to 2nd.

Yamamoto in last ditch effort tries the safety bunt but Arahara's throw just beats him for the 3rd out. 5 pitches, 3 outs.

Top 9th
#18 Mizuma comes in for PH Okai and takes over at 2B.

One down and Takashima singles through the right side.

Going for insurance runs, Sasaki-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run. Yoshinari follows that up with a liner to left center. Takashima takes 3rd, and Yoshinari takes 2nd when the throw goes to 3rd.

Shindou up 3-4 on the day, 1st base open, don't give him anything to..

...hit.

Hasegawa leaves one over the plate, Shindou drives it to left. Ooishi scrambling back, but it won't do him any good. It goes one bound into the wall. 2 runs score and it's 5-1.

Oh my...

The game completely falls apart for Fukui Shougyou as Hasegawa leaves one more over the plate. This time Uchida will not let anyone get to that one, except for someone about 20 rows up in left center. 7-1 and Hasegawa is pulled for #15 Nakamichi

After a promising K, he walks Yoshizawa, then on a base hit by PH Wada RF Yasuda whiffs on the ball allowing Yoshizawa to score to make it 8-1.

Iida doubles to right center to make it 9-1.

#14 Shioya comes in to hit for Ganryuu.

Shioya hot shot to 3rd, Seki makes a great stop. Sees no play at 1st, goes to try and get Iida at 2nd, throw his his elbow. He gets some itai spray as the inning continues.

Fortunately for them Takashima grounds to 3rd to end the inning.

Bottom 9th
Wada stays in to play 1B, Shioya stays in at 3B.

Fukui Shougyou emptying bench.

#13 Houshou grounder to 1st, #12 Nakanishi grounder to short.

#14 Oyanagi gets a single through the right side before #16 Nakamura sings on first pitch and grounds to Ishii who flips to Iida for the final out.

That game pretty much as I expected. Fukui Shougyou struggling for offense, Jyousou Gakuin waiting until post-break to unleash on opposition.

The throw to 2nd that hit Iida may be a concern considering he'll be going on back-to-back days. Would have like for him to ice that arm/elbow down with the game firmly in hand in the 9th.


Notable Players
Iida Harumi (Jyousou Gakuin) - CG, ER, 4 H, 8 K, BB, HBP
Shindou Suguru (Jyousou Gakuin) - 4-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Uchida Yasuhito (Jyousou Gakuin) - 2-5, HR, R, 2 RBI
Ishii Daiki (Jyousou Gakuin) - 2-4
Hayashi Katsumi (Fukui Shougyou) - 1-3, RBI
Yamamoto Takuma (Fukui Shougyou) - 1-4, 3B

One of these teams in the next game hopes that this one will go on with less drama than their first one.

Jyousou Gakuin had no drama. A slow start perhaps, but no drama.  After a few 3 up, 3 down innings, they exploded for 6 runs, knocked starter Oogushi out, and cruised to victory.  Ace Iida never saw a runner get past 2nd base, and gave up just 4 hits on the day.

Now, this did appear to be a down year for Hokushou (or they just didn't show up), and the fact that the offense for Jyousou only broke out in the middle innings could be concerning.

Sendai Ikuei? They'd like a nice easy game after the yahoo of a first rounder. I still don't know what to make of it.

First against senbatsu ace Ojima, they basically walk their way to a 5 run lead, only to give it back and then some. Then a whole lot of nothing, and then hits and errors and next thing you know they have the lead back for good.

So as a result, I don't know what to make of this team because that game wasn't your normal game against a normal team.

So to summarize, I have no idea who has the advantage in this game, if one even exists at all. I just know one team would like to have a normal game.

Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi)
SS Kumagai Takahiro
2B Kikuna Yuuki
LF Hasegawa Hiro
CF Uebayashi Seiji
1B Mizuma Toshiki (#9)
C Kobayashi Ryou
RF Shutou Daichi (#17)
3B Katou Naoya
P Suzuki Takato

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
CF Takashima Shouta
RF Yoshinari Yuusuke
2B Shindou Suguru
C Uchida Yasuhito
1B Ishii Daiki
SS Yoshizawa Gakushi
LF Ikezawa Kouhei
P Iida Harumi
3B Arahara Hiroki

____________________________________________________________

13:15 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Sendai Ikuei attacking early against Iida, wind up with 2 quick outs.

Hasegawa refuses to give the opposing ace such an easy inning, takes it to 2-2 before flying out to center.

Bottom 1st
Takashima gets to a 3-1 count, but swings at high fastball and flies out to left.

Yoshinari sees slider, misses slider for 2 out.

And a grounder to 3rd from Shindou gives Suzuki a very relaxing inning

Top 2nd
Uebayashi still hitless at Koushien as he quickly grounds out to 2nd. Mizuma, wanting to mimic his cleanup hitter, does the same.

Ryou with a grounder to 1st, gets past Ishii and down the foul side of 1st! Ryou, thinking it was foul finally scrambles to 1st.

Doesn't matter though. Shutou flies out to left to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd
Uchida with a hard liner to center, Uebayashi running to his left makes the catch.

Ishii trying to swing level on a high fastball, hits one back to Suzuki for the 2nd out.

And apparently they like the high pitches because Yoshizawa goes on one and grounds to 3rd.

Top 3rd
Katou, jammed on a shuuto grounds to 3rd.  Suzuki way ahead of the slider, goes down for the 2nd out.

And Kumagai winds up watching a fastball inside for the 3rd out.

Bottom 3rd
Every Jyousou Gakuin player seems to be looking specifically for the middle-high pitch.

But all they're getting are groundouts.  The bottom of the order pulls the ball to either the 2B or SS in a 1-2-3 inning.

Top 4th
Meanwhike Kikuna finds such a ball and drives it to deep left center!  Yoshinari back to the wall, turns to play the bounce! Kikuna in easily with a triple!

Iida should try to get Hasegawa out as Uebayashi is on deck..

But he's missing his pitches on the outside half and walks him.  Sasaki-kantoku calls for time...

Uebayashi fly ball to left! Yoshinari there to make the catch, fires home!  It's there on the fly!  Collision!!!!!

OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uchida holds onto the ball as he's hit and they have the double play!!  What a great throw by Uchida and a great presence to block the line and hold onto to the ball as you're being hit!

Mizuma goes down swinging, and what seemed like a no-win situation turns into a big win for Jyousou in this half-inning!

Bottom 4th
Suzuki misses with his location outside, but the fastball finds the bottom of the zone to K Takashima.

More high swings, more groundouts. Yoshinari and Shindou become the 7th and 8th groundouts this game for Suzuki.

Top 5th
Meanwhile it's Sendai Ikuei who is having the chances on the bases as Ryou singles to center.

Shutou tries the bunt, but pops it up! Arahara charging in makes the catch for the 1st out.

Katou, after fouling off a couple of inside pitches goes after a slider outside and hits one back to Iida. He goes to 1st for the 2nd out.

Last batter Suzuki is patient at the plate, takes a couple of borderline pitches, but earns a walk.

Kumagai up and Iida continues to try and paint the edges. Kumagai fouls one way inside. But once again a slider way away fills up the count.

Fastball misses low and it's manrui for Kikuna...  Sasaki-kantoku calls time...

Kikuna swings on the first pitch!  Hits a grounder to 2nd! Ishii goes to 1st and Iida is out of the pinch!

Bottom 5th
So now they're going for the low stuff. Uchida grounds to short reaching out for one, and then both Ishii and Yoshizawa both fly out to center.

We hit the break with Sendai Ikuei having the better of it, both on the bases, and on the mound as Suzuki has a well... no-hitter so far. Jyousou Gakuin has been rather fortunate not having given up a run so far despite Iida having given up just 2 hits.

Top 6th
One down for Sendai Ikuei and Uebayashi finally gets his first hit of Natsu Koushien hitting one back up the middle.

Oh shoot, I was just thinking "wouldn't it be funny if Jyousou met Hanamaki Higashi and there were two Sasaki kantoku's?" and then I noticed that Sendai Ikuei's kantoku is also a Sasaki.

So, Jyunichirou-kantoku calls for a bunt with one down which Mizuma executes.

But once again Iida not finding the one, perhaps intentionally to create more force plays?

#3 Onodera comes in to hit for Shutou, gets behind 2-2 as Iida comes inside on him.

Grounder to 3rd! Arahara with it and goes to 1st to end the inning! Once again he gets out of the pinch!

Bottom 6th
I did jinx Suzuki after all. Ikezawa hits grounder back up the middle for a base hit! And with their first baserunner this game, you know what they're going to do.

Chikara-kantoku has Iida bunt the runner over, hoping that Arahara or Takashima can somehow find that 2nd base hit.

And on the 1-2 pitch, Arahara claims he hit the catcher's mitt.  And the homeplate umpire grants him first base!

That gets Jyunichirou-kantoku moving the gears. #10 Baba come in for new 1B Onodera to take the hill, Suzuki goes to right, and Mizuma goes to 1st.

Takashima with a blast to right center! That splits the defense!!  Suzuki to running to retrieve the ball, but by the time he gets it in it's a 2-run triple and the shutout is gone! Jyousou Gakuin leads 2-0!!

Yoshinari goes for the safety squeeze, gets self out for the 2nd out.

#15 Ganryuu comes in to hit for Shindou. Hits a popup in foul territory. Mizuma to the camera well... jumps into the camera well!!

MAKES THE CATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's ok it looks like, but man that's going all out.

Top 7th
Defensive changes for Jyousou as Ganryuu takes over in RF. Yoshinari goes to C, and Uchida goes to 3B.

Sendai Ikuei pressing now as Katou pops up to Shindou behind 2nd.

PH #15 Abe, in for Suzuki, flies out to right.. and Kumagai jammed grounds to 3rd and the side is quickly retired.

Bottom 7th
#16 Kawashima comes in for PH Abe and goes to RF.

Jyousou Gakuin, having scored a pair of runs, resume futility.  Uchida watches a fastball hit the outside half, Ishii swings an one even further than that.

And Yoshizawa flies out to right.

Top 8th
うおおおおおおおおおおおおお～～～～～～～～～～～！！！！

Kikuna with a bomb to right! Ganryuu gives token chase but that ball is out of here!! It's 2-1 now Jyousou Gakuin!

Hasegawa liner, caught by a leaping Shindou! Oh... things are getting scary if you're Jyousou Gakuin.

Uebayshi up now and that's really scary.  Iida up 1-2, tries to get him to chase a fastball away with no dice.

Liner! Iida with a defend my face pose catches the ball for 2 out!

But these liners suggest Iida's effectiveness is wearing thin.

SANSHIN!!!  Mizuma can only watch as he's punched out on an outside slider to end the inning! Bu there's still one more inning to go...

Bottom 8th
Ikezawa gets the call on 3-2 and earns a walk. Iida bunts him along looking for the insurance run back, and Jyunichirou-kantoku calls time.

Ganryuu up for his first AB watches the count all the way to 3-2.

Ganryuu lines a ball to center! Uebayashi fires home, gets there on one bounce!  Runner at the corners as Jyunichirou-kantoku calls time once more...

It's back to the top of the order and Takashima.

Skies one to center! Uebayashi in shallow center to make the catch and Ikezawa wasn't even contemplating going.

Ganryuu takes off for 2nd, and gets no throw! Now a base hit can score 2!

Yoshinari soft liner to left! It falls in!!

Ikezawa scores! Ganryuu coming home, throw cutoff!!

They go to 2nd and cut down Yoshinari, but not before 2 runs score and it's 4-1!!

Top 9th
Ryou with a blast, but foul deep into the 1st base ouen-dan, trying to survive at the plate.

Draws the walk. #12 Fukuda comes in to run for him as Chikara-kantoku calls time.

Baba, looking up as he falls behind 1-2. Reaches out and hits one, but right to Ganryuu.

Katou fighting as well, count full.   Pops one up!  Ishii ducking a bit, makes the catch in foul territory for the 2nd out!

Last chance as #14 Sasaki comes in to hit for Kawashima.

He quickly falls behind 0-2 as Iida goes away, once, twice... 2-2 now...

Just gets a piece of one.

Grounder to 2nd!  Shindou charging... throw to first... beats a running Sasaki for the final out!  The senbatsu killers in Sendai Ikuei are felled by Jyousou Gakuin 4-1!

It really did look like Jyousou Gakuin was holding on for dear life. Sendai Ikuei had chances in the 4th, 5th and even a small one in the 6th.

Furthermore, Suzuki was lights out for the first half of the game. But when the seal was opened with Jyousou's first hit, it went all downhill for Sendai Ikuei (I claim a little responsibility for jinxing it by tweeting the perfect game after 5). But they got their hits when they needed them and that's what's most important.

Jyousou Gakuin's Iida was good enough to win this game, but the late game performance may be a bit concerning for them going forward. Stamina will be wanting later in the tournament, and it will only get worse.


Notable Players
Iida Harumi (Jyousou Gakuin) - CG, ER, 4 H, 3 K, 5 BB
Takashima Shouta (Jyousou Gakuin) - 1-3, 3B, 2 RBI
Yoshinari Yuusuke (Jyousou Gakuin) - 1-4, 2 RBI
Ikezawa Kouhei (Jyousou Gakuin) - 1-2, 2 R, BB
Suzuki Takato (Sendai Ikuei) - 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 1 H, 2K
Kikuna Yuuki (Sendai Ikuei) - 2-4, 3B, HR, R, RBI
Kobayashi Ryou (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-2, 2 BB

It's actually been a great day of games, even with the late blowout by Shuutoku.  We now finish the day with two schools accustomed to Koushien - Hokushou and Jyousou Gakuin.

Hokushou may have blown out Komadai Tomakomai in the finals, but on the way there there were several close calls that almost sent Oogushi and the team from Otaru home.  Oogushi doesn't throw hard at all, and as a result will be on eggshells the entire game.

Jyousou Gakuin had a strong Ibaraki taikai until the final where they trailed Kasumigaura with just 2 innings to go before cracking their defenses and advancing to Natsu Koushien.

Considering how average Oogushi is velo wise (though with plus control), Jyousou Gakuin has the advantage unless shown otherwise.  I'd like to see the boys from Otaru do well, but it's hard to see them getting far.

Hokushou (Minami Hokkaido)
SS Tomita Kaito
2B Igarashi Ryuutarou
CF Yoshida Yuuto
C Obata Hiroki
LF Sawada Takumi
1B Domon Kanata
RF Murakami Kaito (#18)
P Oogushi Kazuya
3B Kaneko Yuuki

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
CF Takashima Shouta
C Yoshinari Yuusuke (#9)
1B Ishii Daiki
3B Uchida Yasuhito (#2)
2B Shindou Suguru
SS Yoshizawa GakushiLF Ikezawa Kouhei
P Iida Harumi
RF Ganryuu Tatsuya (#15)

____________________________________________________________

15:45 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
First pitch is a flyout to right by Tomita.

Iida again a "regular" ace - fasball in themid 130's, slider and change in the 110s.

Igarashi work the count full before grounding out to 3rd. Yoshida also gets to 3 balls, but fouls out to Uchida for the 3rd out.

Bottom 1st
Oogushi begins his campaign by getting Takashima to ground to short.  Yoshinari grounds out to the opposite side.

And in a bit of trickery, Obata starts outside and the pitch goes over the plate.  Ishii makes good hard contact, but right to Igarashi for the 3rd out.

Top 2nd
Hokushou continuing to work the count.  Obata goes 2-2 before being able to get around on a change inside for strike 3.  Sawada works the count full but is way ahead of a changeup for Iida's 2nd K.

Domon also gets ahead of Iida 2-0, but goes after a pitch out of the zone and grounds to Uchida for the 3rd out.  Looks like while Iida falls behind in counts, he doesn't give in with an easy strike.

Bottom 2nd
Uchida gets the first hit for both sides with a single back up the middle.

Shindou with the bunt, but Oogushi quickly is on it and fires a strike to 2nd to get the leadoff runner!

Yoshizawa up as the Jyousou ouen-dan plays a Waseda cheer song.

Oogushi paying a lot of attention to Shindou at 1st, the count runs full.  But while Sasaki-kantoku goes for the hit and run, Yoshizawa hits it back up the middle where both Tomita and Igarashi are converging.  Tomita flips to Igarashi and his throw to 1st, completes the double play!

Top 3rd
For a student body of 235, Hokushou has a good ouen-dan.

Murakami with a hard liner, but right to Uchida.

Oogushi hits a grounder to 2nd, but Shindou misplays the high hop and it trickles behind him. Kaneko with the sac bunt, but while it's off to his left, Iida falls off to the left and quickly gets to it, fires to Yoshizawa who goes back to Ishii for the double play!

Bottom 3rd
Ikezawa with a solid single though the left side, and Iida bunts him along to 2nd for last batter Ganryuu.  Oogushi gets him to ground back up the middle.  Tomita goes to 1st for the 2nd out, but now the opening run stands 90 feet away as the order flips back to the top and Takashima.

...who promptly screws himself into the ground on a slider down and away for the 3rd out.

Top 4th
Hokushou still looking for a base hit, and Tomita fouls a pitch off his knee... ouch.

Hokushou ouen-dan playing "Train-Train", as he is jammed inside twice and fouls it back twice.  And again...

He's straightening it out though as he hits one about 20 feet foul past the pole...  And a hard liner that is about 15 feet foul down the 3rd base side.  Iida tries a slider, but he just gets a piece of that one.

So Iida goes even further out... and Tomita flails for strike 3.

After a 1 pitch flyout by Igarashi, Yoshida follows that up with a solid single to left center!

And then takes off way too early and is run down by Yoshizawa for the 3rd out.  But at least they have their first hit.

Bottom 4th
Yoshinari trying to get the offense started with a safety bunt, but fouls it off.  Instead, he gets Oogushi's 1st walk and a small opening shows up

Bunt down the 3rd base line, Kaneko to Domon, AH!

I wonder if the shadows had something to do with it, because it's like he didn't see it at all and the shadows are halfways between the first base line and the line from 2nd to 3rd.

あ。。。。

Oogushi tries to go inside to Uchida, but he turns it right around to center!  Yoshida running back... He stops!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder if Koushien is using the juiced balls, because there has been a f&@#ton of HRs early.  Uchida adds to that total as he gives Jyousou Gakuin the 3-0 lead.

And after 2 quick outs thereafter, Oogushi gets himself into trouble again.  He walks his 2nd batter this inning in Ikezawa, then Iida singles past Tomita.

Fortunately, Oogushi gets Ganryuu to ground into a fielder's choice to end the inning, but down 3 will be a lot to ask for from Hokushou.

Top 5th
Cleanup batter Obata chases another ball outside and goes down for the 2nd straight AB. Not wanting to suffer the same fate, Sawada singles back up the middle.

Only to be a tick late getting back to 1st on a pickoff throw.  2 outs and Domon grounds to 3rd for the 3rd out.

Bottom 5th
Takashima with a gapper to left center for a leadoff double.  Sasaki-kantoku playing add-on has Yoshinari bunt the runner along...

And a pitch from Ooguchi goes 5-hole on Obata allowing Takashima to score making it 4-0 Jyousou.

Oogushi retires Ishii on a infield fly, and Uchida goes down swinging on a slider to end the inning.  But Jyousou looks to be in control of this game as we head to the break,

Top 6th
Murakami gives Hokushou their 3rd base hit with a single back into center.  Kawakami-kantoku will play for the single run as Oogushi lays down the bunt.

After a quick flyout from Kaneko, Murakami is picked off 2nd to end the inning.  That's 3 pickoffs so far and we're only in the 6th!

Bottom 6th
#17 Gotou in the game now for Murakami and in RF.

Shindou with a single to right, and Sasaki-kantoku continuing to put pressure as Yoshizawa bunts him along.

Ikezawa with a blast to right over new RF Gotou and he's easily into 3rd with an RBI triple to make it 5-0.


Iida following with a well-executed squeeze and it's 6-0. Ganryuu flies out to end the inning, but Jyousou well on their way to the 2nd round.

Top 7th
Hokushou pretty much folding their tents now.  Yoshida does connect for a 2-out double off the fence, but otherwise they go with a whimper.

Bottom 7th
And Oogushi's day is done.  #11 Saitou Kouki comes in relief for the embattled ace.

Jyousou Gakuin looking to get out of the afternoon heat, goes down quickly in order well in control with a 6 run lead.

Top 8th
Yep, tents folded.  Not much fight left from the boys up north as they go quickly in order.

Bottom 8th
#15 Nishiya comes in for Domon at 1B.  He immediately has to try and pick a throw from Kaneko but can't.  After a flyout to center from Shindou, he gets picked off.  Saitou issues his first walk to Yoshizawa, but it's inconsequential as Saitou gets Ikezawa to end the inning.

Top 9th
Kawakami-kanoku empties the bench in the bottom of the order.  #9 Takayama comes in for Saitou, and hits a liner back to Iida for the first out.  #13 Kawabata comes in for Kaneko, but strikes out swinging.

Tomita's last AB as a HS player goes down on a check swing as Jyousou Gakuin advances with a 6-0 win.

There's not really a lot to say about this one.  Oogushi looked okay early, but after the 3-run HR it didn't feel like they thought they were in it.  A rather disappointing effort from Hokushou - I really thought they might have had more fight, but I guess not.

For Jyousou Gakuin, Iida faces one more than the minimum despite giving up 4 hits.  (There were a lot of pickoffs).  Might want to get some more practice in all things considered.


Notable Players
Iida Harumi (Jyosou Gakuin) - CG, SHO, 4 H, 7 K, 0 BB
Uchida Yasuhito (Jyosou Gakuin) - 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI
Ikezawa Kouhei (Jyosou Gakuin) - 2-3, 3B, R, RBI, BB
Yoshida Yuuto (Hokushou) - 2-3, 2B
Sawada Takumi (Hokushou) - 1-3
Murakami Kaito (Hokushou) - 1-3