Well, it's bound to happen. With so many schools left from the Tohoku/Hokushinetsu/Toukai regions, they're bound to start cannibalizing each other.
Such is the case to start Day 8. Familiar foes Oogaki Nichidai and Mie square off in much better (and cooler conditions). Oddly enough, while they are in the same region, they have not played each other in actual competition over the last 10 years.
Oogaki Nichidai broke down and broke Fujishiro's hearts after coming back from down 8-0 after the top of the 1st scoring 8 unanswered runs to win 12-10. While it is a great comeback, it was against a team that had only needed to defeat Jyousou Gakuin to win the prefecture. So perhaps while their tenacity was tested, their talent as a team is still in question.
Mie had a similar game, though not as pronounced. They trailed Kouryou twice, both by 2 runs, and came back twice - the 2nd time in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs no less. 2 innings later, they walked off on a oshidashi walk no less, though Kouryou ace Yoshikawa could be excused as it was his 169th pitch of the game.
Kouryou while a big name, to be honest didn't have to face schools like Jyousuikan to win the title, but they have brand name which always adds weight to a victory. And it's not like Mie had been held off the basepaths either. They were getting their fair share of hits versus Kouryou.
So it might be a bigger test for both squads today for a spot in the Round of 16.
Oogaki Nichidai (Gifu)
2B Oida Masahiro
SS Yuguchi Ikumi
C Naitou Daiki
P Takino Kaname (#7)
3B Nozaki Bunshi
1B Sakakiyama Shouta (#14)
LF Ookubo Atsushi (#3)
CF Furutani Daishi
RF Kaneda Kai
Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Inaba Ryuuya
3B Uchida Ren
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou
____________________________________________________________
08:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Oida already working ace Imai fouling off several pitches, finally drawing a walk on pitch 10.
Sakaguchi-kantoku sends Taneda! Throw from Nakabayashi... and Utsunomiya gets the tag on the leg as Taneda dives in! One down.
That's too bad beacuse Yuguchi lines to center for a single.
Imai shuts it down getting both Naitou and Takino to hit routine fly balls to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Mie hitting the ball hard against Takino. Nagano with a sharp grounder to 2nd that Oida fields for the 1st out. But Sada hits one hard right at 1st, and this time Sakakiyama can't handle it and it trickles into right for a base hit.
Utsunomiya grounder to 2nd, Oida goes to 2nd... throws it away!! The ball goes into left and the runners advance! Chance for Mie!
Naitou pointing to the right side, but Nishioka hits a ball past a diving Nozaki for a base hit! Sada scores and it's 1-0 Mie!
Inaba next connects on a ball, thinks he has something, but it's not what he thinks. The wind knocks it down and it's a sac fly to right, Utsunomiya comes in to make it 2-0!
Things not easier for Takino. He walks Uchida on 4 straight.
Seko a liner to right for a base hit! Nishioka comes in to score and it's 3-0!
The inning finally ends when Nakabayashi flies out to center, but we've seen this story before. Can Oogaki fight back again?
Top 2nd
Well, Mie is no Fujishiro. In fact I consider Mie to be Hanamaki Higashi before Hanamaki Higashi became a name. In other words, they are the ultimate blue-collar team. They never get cheated out of a game, even though they're not the elite of 高校野球.
Nozaki unable to get the bat on the ball, going down on 3 straight.
After a groundout, Ookubo with a ball through the right side! And it looks like Seko is way out of position and has to chase after it (he may have been shifted?) and Ookubo ends up with a triple!
Now Imai falls behind Furuya 3-0, and despite filling up the count walks him! Things getting a little shaky, but Kaneda hits a comebacker to Imai! Soft toss to 1st and the side is retired without damage.
Bottom 2nd
Imai gets in on the hit parade with a single past a diving Nozaki for a leadoff single.
At 0-1 to Nagano, Sakaguchi-kantoku makes a pitching change. Odd time for one, as ace # Takada comes in for Kaneda to take the hill, Takino moves back to his numbered position and Ookubo goes to RF.
Nagano welcomes him with a drive to the gap in left center! Furuya chases it to the wall, but it lands in front of the wall. Imai will score all the way from 1st and it's 4-0!
Looking for another run Sada lays down the bunt.
But Nakamura-kantoku tries the contact play and Yuguchi fires home to get Nagano for the out. Nagaoka grounds to short and that's the inning, but not before Mie tacks on another run.
Top 3rd
Imai back with his control problems as he walks Oida for the 2nd time to lead off the inning.
Yuguchi tries to give the ball a ride to left, but Inaba is there for the out.
Naitou grounder up the 1st base line... fair! And Seko is out of position again! By the time he gets to it, Oida has come into score and it's 4-1!
Maybe they're depending on the infield defense. Takino testing that again with a grounder up the line, but Nishioka is there this time to make the play and takes it himself for the out.
A bouncing ball gets away from Nakabayashi and Naitou comes in from 3rd to score! Mie giving runs back as Oogaki Nichidai makes it 4-2!
And Nozaki after a prolonged AB singles to center! That gets Nakamura-kantoku's attention and he calls for time.
Sakakiyama goes after shoulder high pitch, but lines out to left to end the inning. However, Oogaki Nichidai starts cutting into the defeicit.
Bottom 3rd
Inaba almost appears to hit a ball from off the ground and lines it to Sakakiyama.
Uchida bloops a ball into left for a base hit. But that is wiped out when he tries to steal 2nd and is thrown out by a good margin.
Seko has to double check as he exits the box to make sure he gets a walk, and the umpire doesn't stop him.
Nakabayashi, like Sakakiyama last half inning chases a high pitch and skies it. Yuguchi makes the catch and the side is retired.
Top 4th
One down and Furuya draws his 2nd walk in as many ABs. That's 4 total, and all to just 2 batters. Takada bunts him along for the other walker Oida.
And guess what Oida does? He walks! That's 3 now for Oida!
Yuguchi though can't take advantage. He grounds out to 2nd and the Imai gets out of another jam.
Bottom 4th
Mie having more trouble now against Takada, not making solid contact on the ball.
Imai flies out to center, Nagano does hit the ball hard, but Sakakiyama stays with the ball as it pops out of his glove and tosses to Takada for the 2nd out.
And Sada goes after the first pitch and gets way under it. Sakakiyama waits for forever, but makes the catch to retire the side.
Top 5th
So Mie is implementing a shift with the LF and CF playing closer together and RF Seko shifted over as well and on the proverbial island.
But for the most part they're hitting it that way. Natou flies out to Nagano in left center. Takino actually goes down swinging on a slider.
Nozaki with a single to right, and Seko looks to be more in line.
AH!! Nozaki caught napping at 1st! Snap throw has him caught! There's a rundown, and eventually he's tagged to end the inning!
Bottom 5th
Utsunomiya finally gets his first basehit at Koushien with a single to center. Nishioka not bunting, but hits a sky high popup at home. Naitou with it for the out.
The sends Utsunomiya, but it's a losing proposition. He's out by a wide margin. 2 down.
And Inaba goes down swinging to end the inning.
We hit the break with Mie unable to gain any traction on ace Takada, while Oogaki hopes that Furuya and Oida's walks eventually turn into something.
Top 6th
Imai meanwhile, keeping the Oogaki offense off the basepaths. With 2 down Furuya gets ahead 3-0, but when the count fills up and he has to swing.... It's a fly ball to shallow center. Nagano charges in, dives... and makes the catch! Furuya certainly tried to get on base via a hit, but is negated by a nice play.
Bottom 6th
After Uchida quickly flies out to center, Mie tries to play the waiting game. Seko work the count as best he can, fouling off pitches, but winds up flying out to center. Nakabayashi works the count full, but takes strike three on the oustide corner.
Top 7th
One down and Oida actaully is swinging the bat. Seko running to the fence in foul territory and makes the catch at the wall for the 2nd out!
Yuguchi flies out to center and it's a quiet Lucky 7 for Oogaki!
Bottom 7th
Imai with his 2nd hit of this game, this time going the other way.
Nagano not bunting, but can't get around on an inside pitch and goes down for the 1st out.
They try the hit-and-run with Sada, but he goes down swinging! Throw to 2nd. and it's wide! Imai in sliding and Mie finally gets a SB! Now a basehit by Utsunomiya can score a key insurance run!
No dice through as he grounds to short to end the inning.
Top 8th
Oogaki Nichidai trying to hit fly balls into the shift, but with no success. Naitou and Takino fly out to center. Nozaki grounds to 3rd and the comeback kids have just 3 outs left.
Bottom 8th
Nishioka with a base hit past Oida into center! Nakamura-kantoku, really looking for that insurance run, bunts the runner over. Uchida does the right thing trying to pull the ball, and manages to at least move him 90 feet with a fly ball.
But Seko with a routine grounder to 3rd, and they'll have to manage with the 2 runs.
Top 9th
Sakakiyama drive to center! Nagano sprinting back. Still running... dives...
MAKES THE CATCH!!!!
Nagano saves what could be instant trouble with a great diving catch! One down!
And that certainly would have been the case because Ookubo singles to center!
Furuya up to hit, and unlike the first 2 ABs he's swinging away. But it's no good as he flies to center and there's 2 down!
Last chance falls to #15 Arai who hits for Takada.
Grounder up middle! But Sada is over there, makes pick and tags 2nd to end the game!
Oogaki Nichidai can't make a second comeback as Imai, though having to throw a lot of pitches, holds on for the 4-2 win! You can be considered the comeback kids, but that means that you're under pressure for the remainder of the game as you have to fight to catch up. Perhaps it was the starting of Takino that gave up those runs that was the difference as you can't really save you arms if you don't have another game to play. But that is the line the kantoku's must toe to give his team the best chance.
Mie is lucky to be honest. If not for the opening runs, who knows where they would be in this game. But they made those 4 runs stick and will move onto the 3rd round.
Showing posts with label Oogaki Nichidai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oogaki Nichidai. Show all posts
Monday, August 18, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Day 2, Game 4 - Oogaki Nichidai (Gifu) v. Fujishiro (Ibaraki)
Well, we're onto our last game of the day. Maybe this one will be a clean one.
Fujishiro didn't face much top competition on the way to the Ibaraki title, but a 5-1 win over Jyousou Gakuin is a statement win (as well as a 12-3 win over Kasumigaura in the final). This despite close games against Shimodate Dai-ichi and Asao.
As for Oogaki Nichidai, they did have to play Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou and did defeat them 3-1, but otherwise weren't really able to work out the kinks versus stiffer competition.
Fujishiro (Ibaraki)
C Furuya Yuuto
SS Fuminari Taiki
CF Iidzuka Koudai
1B Nemoto Fumiya
3B Kobayashi Keita
P Takeuchi Yuu
RF Hamawatari Ryou
LF Kodaira Kenjirou
2B Oda Kouhei
Oogaki Nichidai (Gifu)
2B Taneda Masahiro
SS Yuguchi Ikumi
C Naitou Daiki
LF Takino Kaname
3B Nozaki Bunshi
RF Kaneda Kai
1B Ookubo Atsushi
CF Furutani Daishi
P Takada Kouki
____________________________________________________________
16:03 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
That rust appears to be showing as Furuya loops a ball to left to start the game. After a sac bunt, Iidzuka draws a walk.
Things go from bad to worse when he hits Nemoto to load the bases.
Kobayashi puts another blooper into play and Oida can't catch up to it! Furuya scores to make it 1-0!
I need to catch up, so let's just say things go from bad to worse, to catastrophic.
See, after that blooper, Takada hits Takeuchi driving in a run. Hamawatari grounds to short, and Yuguchi elects to go home, but the throw is offline and everyone's safe, scoring another. That's 3-0 now.
Kodaira singles to right scoring 2, and after an out at home on a contact play, Furuya hits a ball down the left field line. Takino chases after it, but can't get it on the slide and slams into the wall hard. He's stunned and that allows Furuya a running 3-run HR to make it 8-0. Fuminari strikes out to end the inning, but you get my point.
Bottom 1st
At least Oogaki Nichidai is showing some fight. Taneda leads off with a single to left.
After a fielder's choice, Naitou is plunked (lighty as you can get) on the head.
Sakaguchi-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run and Takino bloops in just out of the reach of Oda and Yuguchi score to make it 8-1.
Nozaki grounds into another fielder's choice, but Oda makes a dangerous spin throw to 2nd to get the runner. Naitou scores to make it 8-2.
Sakaguchi putting the runners in motion as Nozaki takes 2nd without a throw. Takeuchi doing himself no favors with a big lead, walks Kaneda.
And the Ookubo hits a shot to left past Kodaira for a 2-run double and it's 8-4!
Ookubo straight steals 3rd? Without a throw?!
This is just straight silly.
It ends when Furutani pops a ball into foul territory. Nemoto tips it to himself for the out to retire the side, but Oogaki Nichidai almost bats around and cuts the deficit in half!
Top 2nd
The top of the 2nd looks like a normal baseball game. Oida makes a great running catch into the padding in foul territory for the first out, and now that Takada is throwing less hittable pitches, Nemoto and Kobyashi both strike out to end the inning.
That was easy.
Bottom 2nd
Takeuchi's inning is almost clean until he walks Taneda with 2 out.
Naitou grounds to short though and things might be settling down now.
Top 3rd
One down and Hagiwatari draws a walk. Kobari-kantoku tries to steal 2nd, but is thrown out by a good margin. And despite Kodaira getting hit, Oda flies out to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
That's a quick inning for Takeuchi, as in just 4 pitches he retires the side, though there was help for the new face.
Top 4th
Oh man I'm getting old for this, it's hard to stay awake as Takada strikes out the side looking. This tends to happen when there is an offensive explosion that the teams just enter a doldrums stage.
Bottom 4th
It's not 3 K's but CF Iiduzka does record all 3 outs of the inning though Furutani gets a single.
Top 5th
Nemoto gets their first hit since the 1st inning with a line double to left. Takada gambles on the bunt by Kobayashi going to 3rd, but while the throw beats the runner, he's called safe perhaps as he avoided the tag.
Nemoto presses his luck a bit too far as he tries to tag on a shallow fly from Takeuchi. Instead he's doubled off and there's 2 outs.
Oh boy. Hamawatari with a drive to left, Takino goes all the way to the all, and runs into it as it lands about 10 rows up.
10-4 and Sakaguchi-kantoku makes a change. Takino goes to the mound, and #10 Tanaka comes in for Takada and goes to left.
Takino gets a grounder to end the inning, but Fujishiro extends their lead and are at double digits.
Bottom 5th
Yuguchi gets Oogaki's offense going with a triple to center. But it isn't until Takino that he gets driven in via a sac fly to make it 10-5.
It's at this point I dozed off (I'm getting too old for long nights like this).
Nozaki gets a single back up the middle, but winds up being picked off in some manner to end the inning. So we hit the break with Fujishiro still in front by a good margin, but it's not quite safe.
Top 6th
Post break Takino seems to have things under control (remember, he was the one that slammed into the wall in the 1st). He actually retires the side in order and gives his team a chance.
Bottom 6th
So I'm able to scramble back to the computer after an infield single by Kaneda, a groundout and a walk.
#14 Sakakiyama comes in to hit for Tanaka. Kobari-kantoku counters with #11 Yamazaki coming in for Kodaira and taking the hill while Takeuchi going to left.
But the first pitch misses everything and the runners advance. What's worse, his ball 4 to Sakakiyama goes wild and Ookubo scores from 3rd! It's 10-6!
And I've seen this story before. Kobari-kantoku puts back Takeuchi on the mound and sends out #10 Takahashi to go back to left. That is a mark that the team is in a lot of trouble.
(Looking at the program, the only other pitcher available is Nemoto, but he wasn't effective at all - 2 IP, 3 R. And if Kobari-kantoku's hook was that quick, they could be in a lot of trouble)
It looks like though that the brief break helped as Takeuchi gets two popups to retire the side. The lead is still at 4, but it looks even more tenuous.
Top 7th
Sakakiyama stays in the game at 1B, while Ookubo goes to left.
Well, Fujishiro gets a break as Iidzuka's grounder goes under Oida's glove and into right.
Nemoto liner to short! And Iidzuka is caught off 1st and is doubled off ! That's unfortunate for Fujishiro and with Kobayashi grounding to short, it's another quick inning with Oogaki Nichidai back on the bats!
Bottom 7th
Uh oh. Naitou leads off the inning with a single to center. Still no bunting from the Oogaki squad and instead Takino takes the next pitch into right! Naitou hustles to 3rd and Fujishiro's in trouble again!
Sakaguchi-kantoku continues to put the pressure on, as Takino goes for 2nd on the strikeout by Nozaki, and there's no throw! Now a base hit can make it a 2-run ballgame!
Takeuchi trying to bring the game home throws slider after slider to Kaneda and he goes down swinging on just 3 pitches! 2 outs for Fujishiro!
Oh no!
Taneda with a deep drive to left center! No one's going to get that as it goes all the way to the wall! Ookube winds up at 2nd as 2 runs score and it's a 10-8 ball game!
And now Furutani singles to left! Ookubo being waved home and the throw is cut off! It's 10-9!!!!
Sakakiyama flies out to left, but Fujishiro is in a lot of trouble. If they can't score the next half-inning, they may be done for.
Top 8th
And is the case when a team is at Defcom 1, they try to swing their way out of the mess and any plans they had are thrown out the window.
And as a result, Takeuchi, Hamawatari and Takahashi go down in order...
Bottom 8th
Taneda opens with a drive to left center! That goes to the wall and he's in with a leadoff triple! The douten runner is in scoring position!
And now he loses Yuguchi to a walk! The gyakuten runner is on base!
Naitou with a grounder to 2nd! Oda goes to 2nd for one, throw to 1st, not in time! So Taneda scores adn the game is tied at 10-10 with the gyakuten runner still on base!
Takino next pitch grounds to 1st, Nemoto goes to the bag which allows Naitou to advance to scoring position.
あ。。。
Well, that pretty much does it. Nozaki blasts a no-doubter to right field giving Oogaki Nichidai the 12-10 lead.
And while Takeuchi finally gets the 3rd out after a Kaneda base hit, much like the other teams it's hard to see Fujishiro coming back from this.
Top 9th
Fujishiro gets some life with one down when Furuya's grounder to 2nd is thrown away by Oida. Iiduzka gets a 2-out single to put the douten runner on base.
But Nemoto grounds out to Nozaki to end the game.
Fujishiro's players are as you would expect inconsolable after letting an 8-0 lead slip away. People celebrate the comeback, and glamorize the losers in their emotions. Oogaki Nichidai gets the win, but sometimes I wonder if there are any winners in a sense...
Fujishiro didn't face much top competition on the way to the Ibaraki title, but a 5-1 win over Jyousou Gakuin is a statement win (as well as a 12-3 win over Kasumigaura in the final). This despite close games against Shimodate Dai-ichi and Asao.
As for Oogaki Nichidai, they did have to play Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou and did defeat them 3-1, but otherwise weren't really able to work out the kinks versus stiffer competition.
Fujishiro (Ibaraki)
C Furuya Yuuto
SS Fuminari Taiki
CF Iidzuka Koudai
1B Nemoto Fumiya
3B Kobayashi Keita
P Takeuchi Yuu
RF Hamawatari Ryou
LF Kodaira Kenjirou
2B Oda Kouhei
Oogaki Nichidai (Gifu)
2B Taneda Masahiro
SS Yuguchi Ikumi
C Naitou Daiki
LF Takino Kaname
3B Nozaki Bunshi
RF Kaneda Kai
1B Ookubo Atsushi
CF Furutani Daishi
P Takada Kouki
____________________________________________________________
16:03 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
That rust appears to be showing as Furuya loops a ball to left to start the game. After a sac bunt, Iidzuka draws a walk.
Things go from bad to worse when he hits Nemoto to load the bases.
Kobayashi puts another blooper into play and Oida can't catch up to it! Furuya scores to make it 1-0!
I need to catch up, so let's just say things go from bad to worse, to catastrophic.
See, after that blooper, Takada hits Takeuchi driving in a run. Hamawatari grounds to short, and Yuguchi elects to go home, but the throw is offline and everyone's safe, scoring another. That's 3-0 now.
Kodaira singles to right scoring 2, and after an out at home on a contact play, Furuya hits a ball down the left field line. Takino chases after it, but can't get it on the slide and slams into the wall hard. He's stunned and that allows Furuya a running 3-run HR to make it 8-0. Fuminari strikes out to end the inning, but you get my point.
Bottom 1st
At least Oogaki Nichidai is showing some fight. Taneda leads off with a single to left.
After a fielder's choice, Naitou is plunked (lighty as you can get) on the head.
Sakaguchi-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run and Takino bloops in just out of the reach of Oda and Yuguchi score to make it 8-1.
Nozaki grounds into another fielder's choice, but Oda makes a dangerous spin throw to 2nd to get the runner. Naitou scores to make it 8-2.
Sakaguchi putting the runners in motion as Nozaki takes 2nd without a throw. Takeuchi doing himself no favors with a big lead, walks Kaneda.
And the Ookubo hits a shot to left past Kodaira for a 2-run double and it's 8-4!
Ookubo straight steals 3rd? Without a throw?!
This is just straight silly.
It ends when Furutani pops a ball into foul territory. Nemoto tips it to himself for the out to retire the side, but Oogaki Nichidai almost bats around and cuts the deficit in half!
Top 2nd
The top of the 2nd looks like a normal baseball game. Oida makes a great running catch into the padding in foul territory for the first out, and now that Takada is throwing less hittable pitches, Nemoto and Kobyashi both strike out to end the inning.
That was easy.
Bottom 2nd
Takeuchi's inning is almost clean until he walks Taneda with 2 out.
Naitou grounds to short though and things might be settling down now.
Top 3rd
One down and Hagiwatari draws a walk. Kobari-kantoku tries to steal 2nd, but is thrown out by a good margin. And despite Kodaira getting hit, Oda flies out to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
That's a quick inning for Takeuchi, as in just 4 pitches he retires the side, though there was help for the new face.
Top 4th
Oh man I'm getting old for this, it's hard to stay awake as Takada strikes out the side looking. This tends to happen when there is an offensive explosion that the teams just enter a doldrums stage.
Bottom 4th
It's not 3 K's but CF Iiduzka does record all 3 outs of the inning though Furutani gets a single.
Top 5th
Nemoto gets their first hit since the 1st inning with a line double to left. Takada gambles on the bunt by Kobayashi going to 3rd, but while the throw beats the runner, he's called safe perhaps as he avoided the tag.
Nemoto presses his luck a bit too far as he tries to tag on a shallow fly from Takeuchi. Instead he's doubled off and there's 2 outs.
Oh boy. Hamawatari with a drive to left, Takino goes all the way to the all, and runs into it as it lands about 10 rows up.
10-4 and Sakaguchi-kantoku makes a change. Takino goes to the mound, and #10 Tanaka comes in for Takada and goes to left.
Takino gets a grounder to end the inning, but Fujishiro extends their lead and are at double digits.
Bottom 5th
Yuguchi gets Oogaki's offense going with a triple to center. But it isn't until Takino that he gets driven in via a sac fly to make it 10-5.
It's at this point I dozed off (I'm getting too old for long nights like this).
Nozaki gets a single back up the middle, but winds up being picked off in some manner to end the inning. So we hit the break with Fujishiro still in front by a good margin, but it's not quite safe.
Top 6th
Post break Takino seems to have things under control (remember, he was the one that slammed into the wall in the 1st). He actually retires the side in order and gives his team a chance.
Bottom 6th
So I'm able to scramble back to the computer after an infield single by Kaneda, a groundout and a walk.
#14 Sakakiyama comes in to hit for Tanaka. Kobari-kantoku counters with #11 Yamazaki coming in for Kodaira and taking the hill while Takeuchi going to left.
But the first pitch misses everything and the runners advance. What's worse, his ball 4 to Sakakiyama goes wild and Ookubo scores from 3rd! It's 10-6!
And I've seen this story before. Kobari-kantoku puts back Takeuchi on the mound and sends out #10 Takahashi to go back to left. That is a mark that the team is in a lot of trouble.
(Looking at the program, the only other pitcher available is Nemoto, but he wasn't effective at all - 2 IP, 3 R. And if Kobari-kantoku's hook was that quick, they could be in a lot of trouble)
It looks like though that the brief break helped as Takeuchi gets two popups to retire the side. The lead is still at 4, but it looks even more tenuous.
Top 7th
Sakakiyama stays in the game at 1B, while Ookubo goes to left.
Well, Fujishiro gets a break as Iidzuka's grounder goes under Oida's glove and into right.
Nemoto liner to short! And Iidzuka is caught off 1st and is doubled off ! That's unfortunate for Fujishiro and with Kobayashi grounding to short, it's another quick inning with Oogaki Nichidai back on the bats!
Bottom 7th
Uh oh. Naitou leads off the inning with a single to center. Still no bunting from the Oogaki squad and instead Takino takes the next pitch into right! Naitou hustles to 3rd and Fujishiro's in trouble again!
Sakaguchi-kantoku continues to put the pressure on, as Takino goes for 2nd on the strikeout by Nozaki, and there's no throw! Now a base hit can make it a 2-run ballgame!
Takeuchi trying to bring the game home throws slider after slider to Kaneda and he goes down swinging on just 3 pitches! 2 outs for Fujishiro!
Oh no!
Taneda with a deep drive to left center! No one's going to get that as it goes all the way to the wall! Ookube winds up at 2nd as 2 runs score and it's a 10-8 ball game!
And now Furutani singles to left! Ookubo being waved home and the throw is cut off! It's 10-9!!!!
Sakakiyama flies out to left, but Fujishiro is in a lot of trouble. If they can't score the next half-inning, they may be done for.
Top 8th
And is the case when a team is at Defcom 1, they try to swing their way out of the mess and any plans they had are thrown out the window.
And as a result, Takeuchi, Hamawatari and Takahashi go down in order...
Bottom 8th
Taneda opens with a drive to left center! That goes to the wall and he's in with a leadoff triple! The douten runner is in scoring position!
And now he loses Yuguchi to a walk! The gyakuten runner is on base!
Naitou with a grounder to 2nd! Oda goes to 2nd for one, throw to 1st, not in time! So Taneda scores adn the game is tied at 10-10 with the gyakuten runner still on base!
Takino next pitch grounds to 1st, Nemoto goes to the bag which allows Naitou to advance to scoring position.
あ。。。
Well, that pretty much does it. Nozaki blasts a no-doubter to right field giving Oogaki Nichidai the 12-10 lead.
And while Takeuchi finally gets the 3rd out after a Kaneda base hit, much like the other teams it's hard to see Fujishiro coming back from this.
Top 9th
Fujishiro gets some life with one down when Furuya's grounder to 2nd is thrown away by Oida. Iiduzka gets a 2-out single to put the douten runner on base.
But Nemoto grounds out to Nozaki to end the game.
Fujishiro's players are as you would expect inconsolable after letting an 8-0 lead slip away. People celebrate the comeback, and glamorize the losers in their emotions. Oogaki Nichidai gets the win, but sometimes I wonder if there are any winners in a sense...
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Day 1 - Game 1 - Arita Kougyou (Saga) vs. Oogaki Nichidai (Gifu)
And with the grand opening ceremonies out of the way, Arita Kougyou and Oogaki Nichidai turn right back around and head to the dugouts under the sold out crowd!
Oogaki Nichidai prevailed in a prefecture that wound up having a quarterfinalist. Plus, they beat both Kenritsu and Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou. Ace Takada Kouki gave up no more than 1 run in any outing until the final where he may have been fatigued, he seems to top out around 140 kph and I don't really have any other info otherwise.
Offensively, look for #2 batter Ookubo Takashi and #3 Naitou Hiroki to deliver the punch for the offense.
Arita Kougyou reached Koushien without having to face many of the mainstays in Saga. Kanzaki Seimei is definitely an above average team, and with Waseda Saga starting to assert themselves it may in hindsight prove to be a strong matchup after all.
Considering the low scoring affairs they went through, the key to the team's success lies in their ace Furukawa Yuri. He struck out just over 9 per CG in the last 3 games and is reported to hit 146 on the gun (90 mph) featuring a slider and changeup.
Offensively, it appears the team across the board are solid enough, but SS Fujikawa Shuu and 3B Kuwahara Kousei may be the most consistent of them all.
Considering the fact that Oogaki Nichidai has the prior experience, they are probably favored. It's hard to gauge how Arita Kougyou will do considering their competition in the prefecturals, but if ace Furukawa isn't a total "fraud" on the mound (i.e. stats are inflated), they may make things interesting since K's means no baserunners and no stress on the defense.
Anyways the teams head to home plate and away we go!!
Arita Kougyou (Saga)
2B Hyakutake Shoutarou
LF Kishigawa Yui
SS Fujikawa Shuu
P Furukawa Yuri
RF Senba Kouya
3B Kuwahara Kousei
1B Kawamoto Sora
C Kusano Yoshihiko
CF Fukuda Kousuke
Oogaki Nichidai (Gifu)
CF Shibata Yuushi
2B Ookubo Takashi
1B Naitou Hiroki
3B Takino Yoshi
RF Kaneda Kai
LF Tanaka Ken
SS Tatsuno Rikiya
C Yokoe Taisei
P Takada Kouki
____________________________________________________________
10:30 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Ok, so some of the crowd has left, but it's still rather full.
Hyakutake giving Takada an easy first batter, chasing a ball out of the zone for an opening K.
Looks like Takada hits 130 at best so far with a fastball? That's not so good. But Kishigawa swings on a 2-0 ball and grounds easily to 2nd.
And Fuijikawa makes contact on the first pitch, but it's a lazy fly to end the inning. 7 pitches, 3 outs. Not a bad way to start.
Bottom 1st
First pitch 141 and over Shibata's head. Oy.
Grounder to short on the next pitch, Fujikawa ranges over, makes a strong throw that just beats Shibata for the first out.
As expected, he sits in the upper 130's, oh - and there's a slow curve in the 100s that Ookubo pops foul down the left field side. Kuwahara makes the catch near the fence for the 2nd out.
And a change perhaps to Naitou who grounds to 3rd. Kuwahara with a good throw to 1st for the 3rd out and so far so good, if not a little nerves.
Top 2nd
Yeah, sliders in low 120s Takada doesn't throw hard at all.
Furukawa with grounder to short, 5-hole! It goes right under Tatsuno for an E6! Arita Kougyou taking advantage immediately with a sac bunt from Senba.
That brings up Kuwahara who had some nice plays to start the game. Oogaki's strategy apparently is to pitch predominantly on the outside and let the batters get themselves out.
Of course as I say that, they go inside and Kuwahara pops it up. Yokoe and Takino collide but Yokoe makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Kawamoto pops out to 2nd and another stressless inning for Takada. A bit concerned though about his velocity though and if Arita will eventually line things up.
Bottom 2nd
Takino grounder to left side, nice range by Kawamoto who flips to a covering Furukawa just beating Takino for the 1st out.
Furukawa's control seems to be still a little off as his waste pitch on 0-2 goes 145 and high, then 146 and higher.
Then throws a great change at 120 for the karaburi sanshin.
The high pitches aren't good for Oogaki I guess as Tanaka flies out to left to end the inning.
So Oogaki's ace doesn't throw hard at all, and Arita's ace has early control issues. This should be interesting.
Top 3rd
Kusano gets ahead 2-0 before chasing a pitch outside. Next ball is a flyout right at Kaneda for out #1.
Fukuda makes decent contact, but it too is right at an outfielder. Tanaka secures it for the 2nd out.
And Hyakutake quickly ends the side, hitting a pop fly to Ookubo who is a bit busy to start. If nothing else, when Takada is in the zone he's low and Arita's batters are golfing it for easy outs.
Bottom 3rd
Hyakutake ranging over to his right on a grounder by Tatsuno, and hastily throws to 1st with the ball up the line a bit. Kawamoto makes a great stretch to record the out.
Furukawa not afraid to go inside jamming Yokoe into a pop fly he catches for the 2nd out.
And apparently Furukawa wants to go higher on the radar, hitting 147 to counterpart Takada before he gets way in front of a change and grounds weakly to Fujikawa to end the inning.
With temperatures at 37C, he may want to tone that down a bit.
Top 4th
Arita Kougyou's offense still yet to figure out Takada as Kishigawa hits a harmless comebacker to Takada to start the inning.
Perhaps Uematsu-kantoku is telling his players to hit ground balls because Fujikawa follows suit with a groundout to 2nd.
And while Furukawa hit a scorcher foul up the 3rd base line, he wound up just swinging at air on a slider in the left handed batter's box for the 3rd out.
Bottom 4th
Spoke too soon on the high pitches, Shibata blasts one to right center that is out of the reach of Senba and goes to the wall! Shibata running all the way, reaches 3rd easily! 1st hit for either team and Oogaki has a great chance to open the scoring!
But Ookubo hits a fly too shallow to center! Fukuda with it and Shibata has to hold.
Infield in to Naitou, but Furukawa not in the zone at all.
WHOA! Sakaguchi-kantoku calls for the squeeze, Furukawa's pitch is almost at Naitou's hip and he still lays it down beautifully! Only play is to 1st and Shibata scores to make it 1-0 Oogaki!
Uh oh. Takino lines a ball back up the middle for a base hit. That's not good if they're hitting balls back up the middle.
But Kaneda grounds out to short. Fujikawa with another good throw to 1st for the 3rd out (Arita's strength is definitely on the defensive side). But a leadoff triple leads to trouble for Arita Kougyou and Oogaki takes the 1-0 lead!
Top 5th
Arita still unable to crack Takada. Senba tries to attack early, but lazily flies out to center. Kuwahara tries to work the count, but swings on 3-1 and flies out to left. Kawamoto swings on an inside pitch and fouls out to Yokoe near Arita's on-deck circle for the 3rd out.
I think Arita's best shot is to work the count. Oogaki is trying to hit the edges of the zone, and keeping him honest - if possible, might be best.
Bottom 5th
Looks like Fujikawa is in for treatment, and after a while, it looks like the nifty SS has to leave the game! #14 Yamaguchi Yuuji takes his place and goes to 3B, Kuwahara goes to SS. That might hurt them a lot defensively, we'll have to see.
Tanaka though decides to go back up the middle and it gets past Furukawa into center for a leadoff single. Furukawa trying to give Tatsuno nothing to bunt, but goes down 3-0 instead before firing a strike. And then on 3-1 he goes change away for strike 2.
Sakaguchi-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run, but all Tatsuno can do is foul off the high pitch.
Tatsuno with the ball back up the middle! New SS Kuwahara makes a great pick, but in trying to set his feet for the DP, gives Tanaka time to slide in safely! Kuwahara though alertly finishes the play at first for at least one out.
End result is a sac bunt with Yokoe up to bat. Once again though, Furukawa having trouble hitting the strike zone as he falls behind 3-0 before getting the high strike call.
Yokoe with a grounder to 3rd, and it's off Yamaguchi and into left! Kishigawa comes in to field it, and he misplays it! Tanaka coming home and the throw is late giving Oogaki a 2-0 lead.
Furukawa gets a little reprieve with a K looking on counterpart Takada, but that is short-lived! Shibata comes through again with a ball that whizzes by Furukawa's head into center! Yokoe sent home, throw in from Fukuda...Safe! Yokoe just beats the swipe tag and it's a 3-0 lead for Oogaki Nichidai!
Ookubo with a blast to center. Fukuda backing up makes the catch for the 3rd out. As we head to break though Oogaki has taken advantage of Furukawa's control issues to take a 3-0 lead.
Top 6th
Arita Kougyou still cannot make solid contact on any of Takada's offerings as Kusano and Fukuda both fly out to the outfield - thout Fukuda at least makes Tanaka sprint into shallow left-center for the 2nd out.
Hyakutake gets Arikou's 2nd baserunner as he's hit by a pitch - still no hits yet though.
Check that! Kishigawa on the hit-and-run grounds a ball past a diving Naitou into right! Hyakutake easily takes 3rd and Arikou has their first hit and a chance for a run!
Aw, but Yamaguchi up for his first AB in place of Fujikawa flies out to right to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
Furukawa still with some control issues does jam Naitou. Kuwahara makes the shoestring catch for the first out. Still, Takino makes great contact on a 0-0 pitch and singles past Hyakutake into center.
I lost connection there for a sec, but it appears that Kaneda was jammed and fouled out to Yamaguchi, and though there was a WP, Tanaka grounds out to 1st to end the inning.
Top 7th
Furukawa starts off the lucky 7 with a grounder past Takino into left for a base hit! That brings out a conference from Sakaguchi-kantoku.
After a bunt from Senba, Kuwahara postures the bust-and-run, and hits one down the left field line... past Tanaka and to the wall! Furukawa coming home and it's Arita Kougyou is on the board at 3-1!
OOHH!! Kawamoto with a ball through the left side! Kuwahara is aggressively being sent home and the throw from Tanaka is offline! Back-to-back RBI doubles make it a 3-2 ballgame!!
After a flyout to left by Kusano, Sakaguchi-kantoku pulls his starter. #10 Hashimoto comes in relief to try and get out of the pinch.
Meanwhile Uematsu-kantoku makes his own moves. #16 Sakamoto comes in to run for Kawamoto while #15 Nagamatsu hits for Fukuda.
But Oogaki's Hashimoto rules the day as he gets Nagamatsu swings and misses for the 3rd out. But is indeed the lucky 7 for Arita Kougyou as they pull within 1!
Bottom 7th
#13 Urazato comes in for PR Sakamoto takes over at 1B. Nagamatsu stays in to play CF.
With new life, Furukawa looks better on the mound.
Tatsuno hits a hard liner, but right at Yamaguchi who snags it for the 1st out. Furukawa paints the outside corner to get Yokoe on 3 straight, and Hashimoto in his 1st AB in relief, just waves at a pitch outside for the 3rd out.
That definitely looks promising if you're Arita Kougyou.
Top 8th
Uh oh. Hashimoto walks leadoff batter Hyakutake on 4 straight, Uematsu-kantoku calls for the immediate bunt which Kishigawa executes.
Hashimoto finally fires a strike to Yamaguchi, but his velocity is about as low as Takada's with less control! His fastball is low 130s at best.
After getting Yamaguchi to swing at a couple to level the count at 2-2, he misses high to fill up the count. Yamaguchi semi bails him out chopping a high pitch to 1B Naitou who applies the tag for the 2nd out. Hyakutake advances to 3rd, but there's 2 out for Furukawa.
And they're intentionally walking him! They're taking the bat away from their best hitter! This is rather rare in a situation where you're not doing it for the force out!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Senba drive to left center!! Shibata chasing it to the wall... over his head! Hyakutake scores... Furukawa rounding 3rd.... he scores all the way from 1st! Senba, gyakuten 2-run double makes it 4-3 Arita Kougyou!!!
Kuwahara with a grounder through the right side! Senba is being sent home! Throw in.. not in time! It's 5-3 Arita Kougyou!!
That's it for Hashimoto as #11 Wakuda comes in to try and stop the bleeding.
Kuwahara actually bails out Arita Kougyou as he tries to steal 2nd, but is thrown out easily. But it all goes wrong for reliever Hashimoto as the 1st timers take the lead late!
Bottom 8th
Shibata the right man up for Oogaki Nichidai... and he gaps one into left center for a leadoff double! Oogaki looking to strike back immediately!
Ookubo not bunting, hits it right to Kuwahara! He goes to 3rd, but Yamaguchi can't hang onto the ball! All safe!
Oh, why not get the guaranteed out there up 2...
Ookubo taking off for 2nd, throw from Kusano, goes into center! Shibata walks home and it's now 5-4 Arita Kougyou!
Sakaguchi-kantoku has Naitou bunt the runner along to 3rd and it looks like Arikou will surrender the lead!
But on Takino's bunt attempt on what looked like a safety squeeze, Ookubo is caught off 3rd! He's run down 2-5-2 and the douten runner is wiped out! Takino grounds out to 3rd and the inning is over with the lead in tact! What a disaster for Oogaki Nichidai!
Top 9th
One down for Arita Kougyou and Kusuno hits a weak grounder back up the middle. Ookubo takes it in front of Tatsuno and his throw across his body isn't in time! One down, runner at 1st. Uematsu-kantoku plays for the one run as Nagahama bunts the runner along.
Hyakutake takes a 4 pitch walk to brings up Kishigawa who is 1-3 on the day.
Make that 1-4 as he fouls out to Takino for the 3rd out. It's hang on time for Arita Kougyou!
Bottom 9th
Kaneda first pitch swings and grounds to 2nd for the first out!
Tanaka falling behind quickly 0-2, fights off a pitch, but chases a head-high pitch and pops up to Kusuno for the 2nd out!
It's up to Tatsuno to keep the game alive...
Fouls off a couple of pitches... and another... and yet another.... He's not making it easy for Furukawa.
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tatsuno can only lean back as he is called out on a fastball on the outside corner! Arita Kougyou pulls of the gyakuten win 5-4 over Oogaki Nichidai!
I am shocked! Arita Kougyou instead of getting to ace Takada, gets to the relief staff and comeback for the victory! And Hashimoto can be seen crying - certainly he feels bad for giving up the lead that Takada had maintained.
But the low velocity meant that Oogaki had to be exact, and they weren't - and they paid for it. It's a disappointing loss for sure for a school such as theirs.
But for the timers from Saga, they do indeed continue! They gritted out a win against an above average school and will move on! Where they play next I'm not sure yet, but they did hold the drawing.
Notable Players
Senba Kouya (Arita Kougyou) - 1-2, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Kuwahara Kousei (Arita Kougyou) - 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Shibata Yuushi (Oogaki Nichidai) - 3-4, 2B, 3B, 2R, RBI
Takino Yoshi (Oogaki Nichidai) - 2-4, SB
Oogaki Nichidai prevailed in a prefecture that wound up having a quarterfinalist. Plus, they beat both Kenritsu and Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou. Ace Takada Kouki gave up no more than 1 run in any outing until the final where he may have been fatigued, he seems to top out around 140 kph and I don't really have any other info otherwise.
Offensively, look for #2 batter Ookubo Takashi and #3 Naitou Hiroki to deliver the punch for the offense.
Arita Kougyou reached Koushien without having to face many of the mainstays in Saga. Kanzaki Seimei is definitely an above average team, and with Waseda Saga starting to assert themselves it may in hindsight prove to be a strong matchup after all.
Considering the low scoring affairs they went through, the key to the team's success lies in their ace Furukawa Yuri. He struck out just over 9 per CG in the last 3 games and is reported to hit 146 on the gun (90 mph) featuring a slider and changeup.
Offensively, it appears the team across the board are solid enough, but SS Fujikawa Shuu and 3B Kuwahara Kousei may be the most consistent of them all.
Considering the fact that Oogaki Nichidai has the prior experience, they are probably favored. It's hard to gauge how Arita Kougyou will do considering their competition in the prefecturals, but if ace Furukawa isn't a total "fraud" on the mound (i.e. stats are inflated), they may make things interesting since K's means no baserunners and no stress on the defense.
Anyways the teams head to home plate and away we go!!
Arita Kougyou (Saga)
2B Hyakutake Shoutarou
LF Kishigawa Yui
SS Fujikawa Shuu
P Furukawa Yuri
RF Senba Kouya
3B Kuwahara Kousei
1B Kawamoto Sora
C Kusano Yoshihiko
CF Fukuda Kousuke
Oogaki Nichidai (Gifu)
CF Shibata Yuushi
2B Ookubo Takashi
1B Naitou Hiroki
3B Takino Yoshi
RF Kaneda Kai
LF Tanaka Ken
SS Tatsuno Rikiya
C Yokoe Taisei
P Takada Kouki
____________________________________________________________
10:30 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Ok, so some of the crowd has left, but it's still rather full.
Hyakutake giving Takada an easy first batter, chasing a ball out of the zone for an opening K.
Looks like Takada hits 130 at best so far with a fastball? That's not so good. But Kishigawa swings on a 2-0 ball and grounds easily to 2nd.
And Fuijikawa makes contact on the first pitch, but it's a lazy fly to end the inning. 7 pitches, 3 outs. Not a bad way to start.
Bottom 1st
First pitch 141 and over Shibata's head. Oy.
Grounder to short on the next pitch, Fujikawa ranges over, makes a strong throw that just beats Shibata for the first out.
As expected, he sits in the upper 130's, oh - and there's a slow curve in the 100s that Ookubo pops foul down the left field side. Kuwahara makes the catch near the fence for the 2nd out.
And a change perhaps to Naitou who grounds to 3rd. Kuwahara with a good throw to 1st for the 3rd out and so far so good, if not a little nerves.
Top 2nd
Yeah, sliders in low 120s Takada doesn't throw hard at all.
Furukawa with grounder to short, 5-hole! It goes right under Tatsuno for an E6! Arita Kougyou taking advantage immediately with a sac bunt from Senba.
That brings up Kuwahara who had some nice plays to start the game. Oogaki's strategy apparently is to pitch predominantly on the outside and let the batters get themselves out.
Of course as I say that, they go inside and Kuwahara pops it up. Yokoe and Takino collide but Yokoe makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Kawamoto pops out to 2nd and another stressless inning for Takada. A bit concerned though about his velocity though and if Arita will eventually line things up.
Bottom 2nd
Takino grounder to left side, nice range by Kawamoto who flips to a covering Furukawa just beating Takino for the 1st out.
Furukawa's control seems to be still a little off as his waste pitch on 0-2 goes 145 and high, then 146 and higher.
Then throws a great change at 120 for the karaburi sanshin.
The high pitches aren't good for Oogaki I guess as Tanaka flies out to left to end the inning.
So Oogaki's ace doesn't throw hard at all, and Arita's ace has early control issues. This should be interesting.
Top 3rd
Kusano gets ahead 2-0 before chasing a pitch outside. Next ball is a flyout right at Kaneda for out #1.
Fukuda makes decent contact, but it too is right at an outfielder. Tanaka secures it for the 2nd out.
And Hyakutake quickly ends the side, hitting a pop fly to Ookubo who is a bit busy to start. If nothing else, when Takada is in the zone he's low and Arita's batters are golfing it for easy outs.
Bottom 3rd
Hyakutake ranging over to his right on a grounder by Tatsuno, and hastily throws to 1st with the ball up the line a bit. Kawamoto makes a great stretch to record the out.
Furukawa not afraid to go inside jamming Yokoe into a pop fly he catches for the 2nd out.
And apparently Furukawa wants to go higher on the radar, hitting 147 to counterpart Takada before he gets way in front of a change and grounds weakly to Fujikawa to end the inning.
With temperatures at 37C, he may want to tone that down a bit.
Top 4th
Arita Kougyou's offense still yet to figure out Takada as Kishigawa hits a harmless comebacker to Takada to start the inning.
Perhaps Uematsu-kantoku is telling his players to hit ground balls because Fujikawa follows suit with a groundout to 2nd.
And while Furukawa hit a scorcher foul up the 3rd base line, he wound up just swinging at air on a slider in the left handed batter's box for the 3rd out.
Bottom 4th
Spoke too soon on the high pitches, Shibata blasts one to right center that is out of the reach of Senba and goes to the wall! Shibata running all the way, reaches 3rd easily! 1st hit for either team and Oogaki has a great chance to open the scoring!
But Ookubo hits a fly too shallow to center! Fukuda with it and Shibata has to hold.
Infield in to Naitou, but Furukawa not in the zone at all.
WHOA! Sakaguchi-kantoku calls for the squeeze, Furukawa's pitch is almost at Naitou's hip and he still lays it down beautifully! Only play is to 1st and Shibata scores to make it 1-0 Oogaki!
Uh oh. Takino lines a ball back up the middle for a base hit. That's not good if they're hitting balls back up the middle.
But Kaneda grounds out to short. Fujikawa with another good throw to 1st for the 3rd out (Arita's strength is definitely on the defensive side). But a leadoff triple leads to trouble for Arita Kougyou and Oogaki takes the 1-0 lead!
Top 5th
Arita still unable to crack Takada. Senba tries to attack early, but lazily flies out to center. Kuwahara tries to work the count, but swings on 3-1 and flies out to left. Kawamoto swings on an inside pitch and fouls out to Yokoe near Arita's on-deck circle for the 3rd out.
I think Arita's best shot is to work the count. Oogaki is trying to hit the edges of the zone, and keeping him honest - if possible, might be best.
Bottom 5th
Looks like Fujikawa is in for treatment, and after a while, it looks like the nifty SS has to leave the game! #14 Yamaguchi Yuuji takes his place and goes to 3B, Kuwahara goes to SS. That might hurt them a lot defensively, we'll have to see.
Tanaka though decides to go back up the middle and it gets past Furukawa into center for a leadoff single. Furukawa trying to give Tatsuno nothing to bunt, but goes down 3-0 instead before firing a strike. And then on 3-1 he goes change away for strike 2.
Sakaguchi-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run, but all Tatsuno can do is foul off the high pitch.
Tatsuno with the ball back up the middle! New SS Kuwahara makes a great pick, but in trying to set his feet for the DP, gives Tanaka time to slide in safely! Kuwahara though alertly finishes the play at first for at least one out.
End result is a sac bunt with Yokoe up to bat. Once again though, Furukawa having trouble hitting the strike zone as he falls behind 3-0 before getting the high strike call.
Yokoe with a grounder to 3rd, and it's off Yamaguchi and into left! Kishigawa comes in to field it, and he misplays it! Tanaka coming home and the throw is late giving Oogaki a 2-0 lead.
Furukawa gets a little reprieve with a K looking on counterpart Takada, but that is short-lived! Shibata comes through again with a ball that whizzes by Furukawa's head into center! Yokoe sent home, throw in from Fukuda...Safe! Yokoe just beats the swipe tag and it's a 3-0 lead for Oogaki Nichidai!
Ookubo with a blast to center. Fukuda backing up makes the catch for the 3rd out. As we head to break though Oogaki has taken advantage of Furukawa's control issues to take a 3-0 lead.
Top 6th
Arita Kougyou still cannot make solid contact on any of Takada's offerings as Kusano and Fukuda both fly out to the outfield - thout Fukuda at least makes Tanaka sprint into shallow left-center for the 2nd out.
Hyakutake gets Arikou's 2nd baserunner as he's hit by a pitch - still no hits yet though.
Check that! Kishigawa on the hit-and-run grounds a ball past a diving Naitou into right! Hyakutake easily takes 3rd and Arikou has their first hit and a chance for a run!
Aw, but Yamaguchi up for his first AB in place of Fujikawa flies out to right to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
Furukawa still with some control issues does jam Naitou. Kuwahara makes the shoestring catch for the first out. Still, Takino makes great contact on a 0-0 pitch and singles past Hyakutake into center.
I lost connection there for a sec, but it appears that Kaneda was jammed and fouled out to Yamaguchi, and though there was a WP, Tanaka grounds out to 1st to end the inning.
Top 7th
Furukawa starts off the lucky 7 with a grounder past Takino into left for a base hit! That brings out a conference from Sakaguchi-kantoku.
After a bunt from Senba, Kuwahara postures the bust-and-run, and hits one down the left field line... past Tanaka and to the wall! Furukawa coming home and it's Arita Kougyou is on the board at 3-1!
OOHH!! Kawamoto with a ball through the left side! Kuwahara is aggressively being sent home and the throw from Tanaka is offline! Back-to-back RBI doubles make it a 3-2 ballgame!!
After a flyout to left by Kusano, Sakaguchi-kantoku pulls his starter. #10 Hashimoto comes in relief to try and get out of the pinch.
Meanwhile Uematsu-kantoku makes his own moves. #16 Sakamoto comes in to run for Kawamoto while #15 Nagamatsu hits for Fukuda.
But Oogaki's Hashimoto rules the day as he gets Nagamatsu swings and misses for the 3rd out. But is indeed the lucky 7 for Arita Kougyou as they pull within 1!
Bottom 7th
#13 Urazato comes in for PR Sakamoto takes over at 1B. Nagamatsu stays in to play CF.
With new life, Furukawa looks better on the mound.
Tatsuno hits a hard liner, but right at Yamaguchi who snags it for the 1st out. Furukawa paints the outside corner to get Yokoe on 3 straight, and Hashimoto in his 1st AB in relief, just waves at a pitch outside for the 3rd out.
That definitely looks promising if you're Arita Kougyou.
Top 8th
Uh oh. Hashimoto walks leadoff batter Hyakutake on 4 straight, Uematsu-kantoku calls for the immediate bunt which Kishigawa executes.
Hashimoto finally fires a strike to Yamaguchi, but his velocity is about as low as Takada's with less control! His fastball is low 130s at best.
After getting Yamaguchi to swing at a couple to level the count at 2-2, he misses high to fill up the count. Yamaguchi semi bails him out chopping a high pitch to 1B Naitou who applies the tag for the 2nd out. Hyakutake advances to 3rd, but there's 2 out for Furukawa.
And they're intentionally walking him! They're taking the bat away from their best hitter! This is rather rare in a situation where you're not doing it for the force out!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Senba drive to left center!! Shibata chasing it to the wall... over his head! Hyakutake scores... Furukawa rounding 3rd.... he scores all the way from 1st! Senba, gyakuten 2-run double makes it 4-3 Arita Kougyou!!!
Kuwahara with a grounder through the right side! Senba is being sent home! Throw in.. not in time! It's 5-3 Arita Kougyou!!
That's it for Hashimoto as #11 Wakuda comes in to try and stop the bleeding.
Kuwahara actually bails out Arita Kougyou as he tries to steal 2nd, but is thrown out easily. But it all goes wrong for reliever Hashimoto as the 1st timers take the lead late!
Bottom 8th
Shibata the right man up for Oogaki Nichidai... and he gaps one into left center for a leadoff double! Oogaki looking to strike back immediately!
Ookubo not bunting, hits it right to Kuwahara! He goes to 3rd, but Yamaguchi can't hang onto the ball! All safe!
Oh, why not get the guaranteed out there up 2...
Ookubo taking off for 2nd, throw from Kusano, goes into center! Shibata walks home and it's now 5-4 Arita Kougyou!
Sakaguchi-kantoku has Naitou bunt the runner along to 3rd and it looks like Arikou will surrender the lead!
But on Takino's bunt attempt on what looked like a safety squeeze, Ookubo is caught off 3rd! He's run down 2-5-2 and the douten runner is wiped out! Takino grounds out to 3rd and the inning is over with the lead in tact! What a disaster for Oogaki Nichidai!
Top 9th
One down for Arita Kougyou and Kusuno hits a weak grounder back up the middle. Ookubo takes it in front of Tatsuno and his throw across his body isn't in time! One down, runner at 1st. Uematsu-kantoku plays for the one run as Nagahama bunts the runner along.
Hyakutake takes a 4 pitch walk to brings up Kishigawa who is 1-3 on the day.
Make that 1-4 as he fouls out to Takino for the 3rd out. It's hang on time for Arita Kougyou!
Bottom 9th
Kaneda first pitch swings and grounds to 2nd for the first out!
Tanaka falling behind quickly 0-2, fights off a pitch, but chases a head-high pitch and pops up to Kusuno for the 2nd out!
It's up to Tatsuno to keep the game alive...
Fouls off a couple of pitches... and another... and yet another.... He's not making it easy for Furukawa.
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tatsuno can only lean back as he is called out on a fastball on the outside corner! Arita Kougyou pulls of the gyakuten win 5-4 over Oogaki Nichidai!
I am shocked! Arita Kougyou instead of getting to ace Takada, gets to the relief staff and comeback for the victory! And Hashimoto can be seen crying - certainly he feels bad for giving up the lead that Takada had maintained.
But the low velocity meant that Oogaki had to be exact, and they weren't - and they paid for it. It's a disappointing loss for sure for a school such as theirs.
But for the timers from Saga, they do indeed continue! They gritted out a win against an above average school and will move on! Where they play next I'm not sure yet, but they did hold the drawing.
Notable Players
Senba Kouya (Arita Kougyou) - 1-2, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Kuwahara Kousei (Arita Kougyou) - 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Shibata Yuushi (Oogaki Nichidai) - 3-4, 2B, 3B, 2R, RBI
Takino Yoshi (Oogaki Nichidai) - 2-4, SB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)