高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

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.

It's the last day of Round 2 action, and it is entirely possible that there will be no school west of Osaka Touin, and only one school north of Kanto remaining. Given the schools that qualified it is entirely possible that this will not change come the summer. It's not something to be alarmed about per se, but this would be an extreme form of what we generally see at Koushien.

The first matchup is between teams that are not too far apart from one another. They also performed about the same in their first round games - not well. They played inferior teams, and wound up winning fairly close games. Oumi probably had the worse of it, winning 2-0, but batting a whopping 0.111.

Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou (Gifu)
LF Murai Shouma
RF Hirose Masaru
3B Takegoshi Hiroyuki
LF Yamada Youta
C Katou Jyunya
1B Murahashi Kazuaki
SS Oono Rikuo
P Takahashi Shunpei
2B Sakashita Reon

We're onto our final game of the day, and it may be an even matchup, though perhaps it won't be a palatable game.

Oumi backed their way into senbatsu when compared to the other quartefinalists. The offense sputtered at the end when facing tougher competition. On the mound, their ace throws harder than the average, but his peripherals look worse than average.

For Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu, their loss to Kyushu Gakuin looks really bad given their performance, the offense has voids at the bottom, and the pitching peripherals given said competition make it look even worse.

So it's going to possibly be an ugly game where the team that can overcome more of their deficiencies can advance, if even for just 1 game.

Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu (Fukuoka)
3B Kage Naoki
CF Hamada Ryouta
LF Ozaki Seiya
1B Katakura Eiji
2B Oono Ryuuji
RF Satou Ryuusuke
P Iwata Masaki
SS Kanno Hayato
C Nakahama Hidetoshi

Oumi (Shiga)
SS Oka Katsuki
2B Okuda Riku
LF Sugino Shougo
1B Tamamoto Daichi
CF Sasaji Kenta
RF Fujiwara Koutarou
3B Hibi Ryousuke
C Nakaya Jyunpei
P Ogawa Ryouken

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13:45 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Ogawa not off to a good start as he hits Kage.

Hamada showing bunt.. No! It a bust-and-run! He chops the ball to the left side. Hibi is up with it, fires to 2nd! They get the first out, throw to 1st... double play! Oh, I like the call, but the result is disastrous.

Ozaki grounds out to 1st and just like that the side is retired.

Bottom 1st
Iwata also starts off with a free pass. He walks Oka to start the opening frame. I have a feeling we'll see a bit of those.

Iwata is another sidearmer who has a screwball and a 2-seamer along with the usual selection of pitches.

He's trying to use the sidearm action to get the outside corner, but the home plate umpire isn't giving him extra room. Iwata ends up walking Okuda as well. Sugino lays down a hard bunt, but it still does the job.

Outside of that bunt though, Iwata can't find the zone at all. He walks Yamamoto and it's manrui! Morisaki-kantoku calls time as the bullpen is quickly assembled.

Liner! Oono makes a leaping stop to block the ball! He goes to 2nd for the force, but they only let the one cross. It could have been a double play, but at the same time it could have been much worse. Oumi takes the 1-0 lead.

And Iwata gets out of the jam! Fujiwara hits a fly ball to center that Hamada backs up to, but the side is retired with minimal damage.

Top 2nd
Well, there's another walk as Ogawa walks the leadoff batter.Morisaki-kantoku has Oono bunt the runner along.

But in a rare display, Ogawa goes to his sinker and strikes out Satou.

And again! This time it's Iwata and Ogawa has back-to-back Ks!

Bottom 2nd
Oh man, Neither offense looks particularly good. Batters off balance, flailing at pitches. The bottom of Oumi's order can't get the ball out of the infield as Hibi and Nakaya pop out. Ogawa goes down swinging and it's a clean inning.

Top 3rd
As expected, the bottom of Kyusandai's order is empty. Kanno looks all sorts of wrong swinging at a ball outside for Ogawa's 3rd K. Nakahama grounds out to 1st.

Hey! we have our first hit! Kage hits one back up the middle past a late reacting Ogawa into center!

And another base hit! Hamada with a single past a chasing Okada puts a runner in scoring position.

Ozaki hits a liner, but right to Sasaji for the 3rd out. A tean finally shows some life at the plate. Will they be able to take that into next inning?

Bottom 3rd
Oumi meanwhile, appears to still be having problems with the sidearm action. Iwata retires the side in order, and Oumi is still without a hit.

Top 4th
Kyusandai's batters trying anything to get on base. Katakura goes after the first pitch, but flies out to left. Oono works the count in his favor, but grounds out to 1st.

Satou with a hot shot to 3rd, Hibi smothers it and quick fires to 1st. It takes several hops... SAFE! It is just a hair late, but it was a great try by the Oumi 3B.

The inning ends soon enough when Iwata chops one back to Ogawa.

Bottom 4th
Yamamoto goes for the path of least reaction time and hits it back at Iwata. Unfortunately for him, Iwata is able to stop the ball and make the throw to 1st.

Sasaji with a bounding ball up the right side, Katakura blocks it and runs it himself for the 2nd out.

Fujiwara gets a hold of one and sends it to dead center. Hamada running back, still going, still going... makes the catch near the wall! 3 out!

Well, that's the first solid big hit I've seen in a while.

Top 5th
Kanno does the right thing and works the count on Ogawa, making him throw pitches. And he earns a walk! That lets Morisaki-kantoku have Nakahama bunt him along.

But Kage can't get the timely hit as he grounds to short.Oka looks the runner back.

Ogawa uncorks one! Nakaya can't block it and now the douten run is 90 feet away!

Hamada hot shot to the right side! Okada knocks it down! Throw to 1st... In time and the side is retired!

Bottom 5th
Hibi grounder to 3rd, Kage quick with the throw, and it short hops Katakura! The ball takes a high bounce into foul territory and Hibi takes 2nd!

And what's this? Hibi takes a delayed steal and catches the Kyusandai battery off guard! That's a miss by the battery.

And Nakaya makes them pay! He lines one over a leaping Oono into center for a base hit! Hibi scores and it's 2-0!

Looking for more, Taga-kantoku has Ogawa bunt the runner along.

Oka then hits a comebacker to Iwata, and he turns to find Nakaya in no-mans land! He's run down, but not before Oka replaces him at 2nd.

Okada up, and Iwata continues to try and work the crossfire as it were. He winds up walking him though.

Fortunately Sugino grounds a ball right to Katakura who takes it to the bag for the 3rd out. And so we're at the break with Oumi up 2-0, but the game really isn't clean by any sense.

Top 6th
Post-break and Kyusandai just cannot seem to square up Ogawa's pitches. Their 3-4-5 batters were due up, but none of them could even make the defense sweat a little. Ozaki and Oono both ground out to 2nd while Katakura flied out to center.

Bottom 6th
Oumi gets their 2nd base hit as Fujiwara delivers a 2-out single through to left. But that's all the offense they can muster this inning. Note that despite them leading 2-0, this was their 2nd hit.

Top 7th
I think what's getting the Kyusandai batters is the 2-seamer. Satou swings short of one such pitch and strikes out.

2 down now and Kanno hits a hanging curve to left. Sugino running back... it's over his head! Kanno heading to 2nd and Sugino's relay throw is terrible! That allows Kanno to advance to 3rd.

Nakazawa the chance for Kyusandai, fights off pitch after pitch looking for a way to continue the inning. But Ogawa gets him to hit one in play! It's hit right to Okada, who goes to 1st for the 3rd out! It's a bit of a scare in the lucky 7, but no damage done. to the lead.

Bottom 7th
Hey it's the Sailor Moon theme!

Nakaya doesn't seem to mind it as he lines a ball back up the middle for a leadoff hit! Ogawa fails in his first 2 bunt attempts, but Taga-kantoku calls for another one, and Ogawa can't lay it down! One out.

Oka look like he's hit into a double play, but there's some confusion as to who takes the ball at 2nd. Kanno makes the short toss for the out, but that costs them too much time and they can't turn it. It's ok as Okuda floes out to end the inning.

Top 8th
Ogawa continues to do whatever it is he's doing as Kyusandai continues to scuffles at the plate. Nothing squared up and all of them fairly routine outs.

Bottom 8th
Sugino with a ball to the right side, Oono flubs the grab, throw to 1st, not in time! E4 and Oumi has a runner on.

And now Taga-kantoku sends him! Throw to 2nd, also not in time! Oumi with a runner in scoring position for another insurance run.

Yamamoto with a ball back up the middle. Kanno runs it down! Throw to first.. in time! Nice stop up the middle by Kanno!

Sasaji with another grounder to the left side, Kanno makes another great stop, but he drops it! Gathers it back, fires.. and that's in time for the out. Good recovery there.

And Fujiwara pops out to 2nd to end the inning. No insurance run, but the game seems in hand.

Top 9th
Katakura swings on the first pitch and hits it back to Ogawa, throw to 1st, dropped by Yamamoto! He picks it up, but there's a collision at 1st! Katakura is called outl

But both players are on the ground. In the scramble, Katakura ran into Yamamoto's left leg and both take a pretty good knock. Taga-kantoku checks on his 1B while a bench player is sent to check on Katakura. Both players eventually get back on their feet and both seem to be ok, which his always good.

Oono with a chopper up the 3rd base line, Hibi charges, picks and throws to 1st for the 2nd out.

#16 Yamada sent in to be the last hope, but he hits it back to Ogawa and the game is over.

The game was about as good as I though it would be. Neither pitcher was dominating per se more than the batting wasn't very good. Oumi got very fortunate with their draw for the first game, but facing Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou next up won't be very fun. But that's for another day.

For Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu, kudos should be given for getting here, but they were simply outclassed today. Fortunately, they always stand a chance in Fukuoka so perhaps we'll see them again.

And now the final team to make the field from the Kinki region, Shiga's Oumi.

To be honest, it was pretty much a simple process of elimination to determine that Oumi would be the final team to advance.

They probably played the fewest number of games for any of the qualifying teams, playing 5 in the prefecturals and 2 more in the super-regionals. They weren't tested until the prefectural semifinals where they face Hikone Higashi and Kita-Ootsu, winning those games barely 2-1 and 3-1. That continued with a 3-2 squeaker against PL Gakuen before Ritsumeikan Uji finally put them to bed.

From that, pitching becomes a huge key, and Taga-kantoku generally turns to ace Ogawa Ryouken (小川 良憲). As you can see, he was the ace last summer when Oumi went to Natsu Koushien. He wasn't disgraceful on the mound as he shutout Seikou Gakuin and only gave up 2 earned to Nagato in a loss. Back then, he didn't strike out a lot of batters, and that still applies even now. This despite hitting the low 140s and featuring a splitter to the standard repertoire of pitches. In fact he has a K/9 rate of 3.56, this while still managing a WHIP of 1.15.

He'll be the main starter, but Taga-kantoku brought along the 2 other pitchers he used, #10 Alexander Eiji Salazar (サラサル・アレキサンダー・英二), and #11 Kyouyama Masaya (京山 将弥). Alexander was on the roster at Koushien last year, but only saw action in the game against Ritsumeikan Uji. it went well though as he pitched 3 scoreless, striking out 2 and walking 2.

Offensively, the team hit 0.310 which is average at best given the competition, but they did draw more than their fair share of walks (their OBP is over 80 points higher than their BA). The most bizarre part is that they had more triples (8) than doubles (6)! That's generally more a sign that the defenses played them poorly unless perhaps they have team speed, which they don't. LF Sugino Shougo (杉野 翔梧) had 4 of those 8 triples, but just 1 double. So I don't really know if some of those triples should be doubles, or even singles. 1B Yamamoto Daichi (山本 大地) was the only hitter with more than 1 double (2).

The offense seems suspect, though it does at least look like they're somewhat patient at the plate. Of course, that only works if you're facing a pitcher who's either fatiguing or who has poor control, which at this stage is very hard to find (it does exist though, as we've seen). Kyushu Sangyoudai Kyushu may be a good matchup to start, but despite a power arm it would appear that this team has a very small margin of error only because of their offense.

()

Oumi (Shiga)
LF Horiguchi Yuuka (#9)
CF Oda Kaito
SS Ueda Kai
3B Hibi Ryousuke
2B Nakaya Jyunpei
1B Yamamoto Daichi (#18)
C Minobe Naoki
P Ogawa Ryouken
LF Sasaji Kenta (#17)

Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima)
LF Yaoita Takumaru
2B Fujiwara Issei
3B Yaginuma Kentarou
1B Yasuda Kouki
CF Isagi Shun
RF Iijima Tsubasa
SS Ishigaki Mitsuhiro
C Takano Kouki
P Imaizumi Keita (#18)

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13:20 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Horiguchi with a chopper up the middle, Imaizumi leaps but it goes off his glove! He loses where the ball went to and Horiguchi is on with an infield single!

Taga-kantoku goes for the bust-and-run, but Oda fouls it off. 2 strikes, but he's still showing bunt.

It's another hit-and-run, but Oda goes down swinging. Horiguchi is able to take 2nd.

But he's left stranded there after Ueda hits a comebacker to Imaizumi and Hibi feebly waves at a pitch well outside for Imai's 2nd K.

Bottom 1st
Yaoita with a single back up the middle. Fujiwara with the push bunt and Ogawa takes a bad angle! He falls behind, but Nakaya charging in makes the quick throw... just gets him!

Things get slightly easier after that as Yaginuma chases a low slider, and he snags a quick chopper back up the middle from Yasuda.

Top 2nd
The top of the 2nd has been brought to you by Ishigaki. Because he records/assist on all three outs from the Oumi lineup.

Bottom 2nd
2 down and Ishigaki hits a single to the left side that Ueda runs down, but can't finish the throw to 1st. But Ishigaki tries to steal 2nd and a nice swipe tag from Ueda.

Top 3rd
Sasaji gets on the board with a 1-out single to left, and Taga-kantoku elects to go for the one-timer as Horiguchi moves him along.

SANSHIN!!!!

After a prolonged AB, Ogawa freezes Oda on a changeup!

Bottom 3rd
One down and Imaizumi hits one back at Ogawa! He deflects it with the glove towards short, but Ueda can't do anything with it!

Yaoita with a drive to right center Sasaji running back, loses his hat and it falls in! He barehand the ball, fires it back in! Imaizumi being waved home! Nakaya to Yamamoto to Minobe... OUT!!!

It's a perfect relay for Oumi as they get Sasaji at the plate! 2 out!

Fujiwara grounds to 1st and they successfully defend the 0!

Top 4th
Ueda hard shot at 3rd, Yaginuma can't keep it in front of him and it bounces into left for a basehit!

Hibi swinging, right at Imaizumi! He makes the reflex catch! Boy, not much time to react there!

Nakaya blooper to center, Fujiawara, Ishigaki and Isagi converge, but it falls in! Oumi with a great chance with one out!

AH!!!! Yamamoto hits a grounder to short! Ishigaki starts the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning and Oumi comes away with nothing (except for a very dirty jersey for Yamamoto now).

Bottom 4th
Isagi gets another 2-out single for Seikou, but once again the next batter is retired and nothing comes out of it.

Top 5th
Imaizumi seems to be back on track after the last couple of innings. Also helps facing the bottom of the lineup as well. He retires the side in order and has righted the ship.

Bottom 5th
Ogawa with a wide pitch hits a ducking Ishigaki in the helmet. Not serious thankfully.

The temporary baserunner gets 2nd on a sac bunt and 3rd on a groundout.

But Yaoita can't plate him as he grounds out to Nakaya.

It's scoreless at the break, but Seikou has had a better time of it getting baserunners.

Top 6th
Horiguchi with his 2nd single, a lined shot to left center. Isagi is shaded that way and fires it in, leaving Horguchi with a long single.

AH! Imaizumi is called for a balk! On a pickoff throw he's called for the balk and Oumi has a runner in scoring position!

Saitou-kantoku calls for time, but can't stop the bunt from Oda.

Ueda with a drive to deep left!!  Yaoita running back to the fence, still running! Leaps!

Makes the catch as he runs into the fence! Horiguchi will score, but Yaoita prevents more damage! 1-0 Oumi!

Hibi with a clean hit to center and Seikou could be in trouble.

Saitou-kantoku senses it too and sends in ace Funabasama to hold the line.

And he does striking out a frustrated Nakaya on a slider to end the inning. But Oumi has the lead as we emerge from the break!

Bottom 6th
Ogawa just needs 5 pitches to retire the side as the Seikou batters are swinging early and often.

Top 7th
Yamamoto earns a leadoff walk but Minobe pops up his bunt and Yasuda makes the running catch! Taga-kantoku has Ogawa lay one down as well - that goes down successfully.

Sasaji with a liner to left, but it's too hard as Yamamoto has to hold at 3rd. 2 down but Oumi challenging again!

Funabasama jams Horiguchi! He skies one to rigt and Iijima secures it for the out!

Bottom 7th
Ishigaki with 2 outs again for Seikou hts a deep ball to left! That bounces in front of the fence and he has a double!

Takano with a grounder to left side, Ueda charges, throws to 1st... and they get the out!

Top 8th

Oda with a lingle to left to start the inning, but Taga-kantoku tries the bunt and run!  Ueda misses the ball and Takano throws to 2nd and they have Ishigaki easily!

Ueda and Hibi can't do anything after that and the side is retired.

Bottom 8th
Ogawa walks Imaizui and now the gyakuten runner steps into the box.

No bunt, but Yaoita hits it back to Ogawa! He goes to 2nd, Ueda doubletaps the bag and throws to 1st to complete the double play!

Ogawa walks another batter and that gets Taga-kantoku's attetion. Saitou-kantoku sends in #16 Minemura to run at 1B.

And they try to do it again! Minemura tries to steal 2nd, but Minobe cuts him down with an excellent throw once again!

Top 9th
#14 Fujita in for PR Minemura to play 2B.

Funabasama going on a quick pace retires Oumi in order, and allows his team one last chance to equalize.

Bottom 9th
Yaginuma gets his first hit of the game, a clean single through the right side and the douten runner is on base! Will Yasuda bunt?

He does! It's a safety bunt! Hibi charges, fires to 1st, but not nearly in time! Sayonara run in scoring position!!

Taga-kantoku calls for time.

Isagi bunts the runners along and it's #13 Ebinuma to hit for Iijima. With the runner on 2nd being the only runner that counts, I would walk the batter.

But they fight! Ebinuma grounds to 2nd, Nakaya fires home, but the throw delays Minobe's tag and everyone's safe! 1-1!

SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ishigaki lays down the squeeze, Yamamoto fields it, but it's too late! Yasuda scores and Seikou Gakuin wins 2-1!

Oh, how a great game goes awry so quickly. Oumi perhaps failed to grasp the situation and play it differently.  With Ebinuma in as the PH and runners and 2nd/3rd, walking him would have created a force play at any base. It would also have opened the possibility of a double play which would have ended the game.

Seikou Gakuin played that final inning to perfection and as a result are moving on.

We're now into our first full day of 2nd round action as Nisshougakushadai Fuzoku has already punched their ticket into the 3rd round.

First up, the powder blue unis of Oumi versus the school that people here in the US would equate to an anime - Naruto.

Oumi almost sleepwalked through the Shiga prefecturals.  This despite playing Hikone Higashi (W 11-1) and then Kita-Ootsu (W 4-0).  It was so lopsided, the team averaged 0.491 and gave up 4 runs in 6 games

Obviously they won't be that good, and in fact when adjusted for competition, should be more realistic.  The problem will be we don't know how much it will be adjusted.

Naruto managed to win the Tokushima prefecturals, but it was far from pretty.  Despite 3 blowout games, they gave up at least 3 runs in each game, barely beating out Naruto Uzushio for the title.  The team hit 0.449, but again you have to be cognizant of the talent level.

Taking that into account, the one aspect that could prove to be their downfall is Naruto's pitching.  If they give up runs at the pace they did in-prefecture, here at Koushien will be much worse

Naruto (Tokushima)
2B Hori Kiyotaka
SS Takashima Keita
CF Narugawa Takashi
3B Kitao Hayato
RF Hashikawa Ryousuke
C Mukai Kouki
1B Mori Yuuta
P Kawano Tatsuo (#10)
LF Matsushita Kouichi

Oumi (Shiga)
LF Horiguchi Yuuka (#9)
CF Oda Kaito
SS Ueda Kai
3B Hibi Ryousuke
2B Nakaya Jyunpei
1B Yamamoto Daichi (#18)
C Minobe Naoki
P Ogawa Ryouken
LF Sasaji Kenta (#17)

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08:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
After what seemed like a good start, the middle of Naruto's lineup gets to work,

Narukawa begins with a blooper to center.  Kitao follows that up with a liner to left.  And then Ogawa finishes it up himself by hitting Hashikawa.  From 2 out, no on he loads the bases!

Mukai with a ball to right, but Sasaji is there to make the catch.  Ogawa gets himself out of his own pinch in the 1st

Bottom 1st
Naruto flashing the leather early as Kaito bloops a ball into shallow left.  Matsushita charges in, dives, rolls... and makes a spectacular catch!

And despite hitting Ueda with the slow curve, Kawano gets Hibi to pop out to Mukai to end the inning.

Top 2nd
Hibi with a great leaping catch on a liner by Mori to start the inning!

It looks like Ogawa might get a clean inning, but then Matsushita ruins it with a line single to right.  But a bad break for Naruto as Hori's hot shot to the right side hits Matsushita in the foot and he's called out for interference.

Bottom 2nd
Nakaya with Oumi's first hit, a solid single through the left side.

Yamamoto showing bunt, doesn't offer on the first couple.

Bust-and run!  Yamamoto hacks at it and singles through the right side!  Nakaya has to hold at 2nd, but Oumi is threatening!

Now finally does Taga-kantoku have Minobe bunt the runners along.

Ogawa after falling behind 0-2, is disciplined enough to take 3 balls before Kawano yanks the chain on the ball and gets him swinging for the 2nd out.

But once again Ogawa hits a batter with the ball (Sasaji) and it's manrui yet again!  Lineup turns over to Horiguchi.

First pitch opposite way! It's past Takashima into left! Nakaya scores! Yamamoto comes home, no throw! Horiguchi comes through in big way to give Oumi a 2-0 lead!

Kaito first pitch drives the slow curve to right!  Hashikawa running back... running back... over his head!  Sasaji's going to score, Horiguchi being waved around, no throw! Back to back pitches and it's 4-0 on Kaito's triple!

Ueda with a shot past Takashima! Kaito can walk home and now it's 5-0 Oumi!  Moriwaki-kantoku has to call time.

Taga-kantoku putting the screws on as he sends Ueda! Mukai's throw is way short and he has the base easily.

Hibi strikes out swinging to end the inning, but Oumi pounds the rookie pitcher for 5 big runs early.

Top 3rd
Naruto already looking in bad shape as Ogawa needs just 8 pitches (and a great charging play on a slow roller by Nakaya) to retire the side.

Bottom 3rd
Kawano going exclusively to the slow curve to start and that allows Yamamoto to line it up for a one out single to left.

Minobe follows that up hitting a hanging fastball to right for a base hit, Yamamoto was running on the play and easily takes 3rd.

Ogawa not having much luck.  He goes down swinging for the 2nd time and there's 2 down.

Kawano gets out of the inning after rallying from down 3-0 to Sasaji, getting him to sky a ball to center to retire the side.

Top 4th
Mori finally breaks up the streak of out with a 2-out single through the right side. But Kawano flies out to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
Kawano perhaps putting himself in trouble again, gives up a leadoff walk to Horiguchi.  He's bailed out when he gets Kaito to hit a double play.

Ueda meanwhile tries to make havoc on the base paths as he hits his 2nd single, and then steals 2nd!!  Hibi pops out to 2nd and the inning is over.

Top 5th
Naruto continuing to struggle, and is giving Ogawa an easy time of things.  He retires the side in just 3 pitches with none of the balls leaving the infield!

Bottom 5th
After that 2nd inning, Kawano hasn't had an easy time of things, but has at least kept Oumi off the board.

The same thing happens here in the 5th, though it's self-inflicted.  2 outs, he hits Minobe, and then walks Ogawa.

But with two outs, Sasaji goes after the first pitch and fouls out to Mori to end the inning.  Oumi's only been able to score in one inning, but it was a big inning as they try to put the game out of reach.

Top 6th
Narukawa gets his 2nd hit of the game with a clean single to right.

And now Ogawa hits Kitao and he's put his team in a jam!

Which he gets out of! Hashikawa grounds into the 6-4-3 double play!  Naruto still can string anything together as Ogawa gets Mukai to fly out to center to end the inning.

Bottom 6th
Oumi just running circles around Mukai.  After Kaito draws a 1-out walk, he takes 2nd with little difficulty.

Ueda then lines a ball the other way!  Hashikawa runs it down, but not before Kaito scores to make it 6-0.

Hibi grounder to left side, but Kitao can't make the pick! It goes to left for a base hit and we could be seeing a repeat of the 2nd if Moriwaki-kantoku isn't careful.

Nakaya with an excuse me swing, puts the bat on the ball and the momentum takes it to left for a base hit! Ueda scores to make it 7-0.

Yamamoto with a ball to shallow right...  Hashikawa charging in, slides... he's got it, no!  It leakes out of his glove and Hibi scores to make it 8-0!  Moriwaki-kantoku calls time, but doesn't pull Kawano?

And Yamamoto steals 2nd with nothing Mukai can do about it.

Minobe shot right at 1st, Mori charges in and makes the tag for the 2nd out.

Ogawa grounds to 3rd to end the inning, but the game seems all but over though I don't know why Kawano is still in the game...

Top 7th
The decision makes even less sense when with one out #17 Tezuka comes and hits for Kawano.

Tezuka manages to work the count full, but bites on the slider for the K.

Matsushita with a base hit through the left side, and that's their 5th hit with 2 outs so far.  In fact only one has has not been with 2 outs.

And that helps mitigate any damage.

Hori drive to left!  Sasaji running back, makes the backpedaling catch for the 3rd out.

Bottom 7th
#11 Nakayama comes in the game and takes the hill.

After wondering why they didn't put him in sooner (he gets Sasaji and Horiguchi to sky balls into the stratosphere), he then walks Kaito by pounding the ground about 55 feet from the mound.

As he throws 2 more low, you can at least say he doesn't miss high.

Oh and Kaito steals 2nd, but you'd probably figured that would have happened.

And another ball about 55 feet and Kaito takes 3rd.

Nakayama manages to leave Kaito on 3rd as Ueda grounds to Kitao to end the inning.

Top 8th
Naruto waving the white flag it seems.  They're really just letting the bats fly.  Kitao has the best of it, driving it to the fence, but Ogawa needs just 5 pitches to retire the side.

Bottom 8th
#15 Kamata comes in for Hori to take over at 2B.

#3 Yamashita comes in to hit for Hibi, and goes down in just 3 pitches.

Oumi quickly goes down in order as they'd like to wrap up the game.

Top 9th
#14 Kihara comes in for PH Yamashita and goes to 2B, Nakaya goes to 3B.

Hashikawa and Mori get base hits to hopefully try to prevent the shutout, but PH #13 Yamamoto lines into the game-ending 6-3 double play to end the game

Oumi behind 2 big innings dispatch Naruto 8-0.

This game gave me the feeling that Naruto was rebuilding.  Almost all the bench players were kouhai's and He refused to pull Kawano both times he could have.  It could be that despite rebuilding they still managed to win the tournament and return to Koushien.  That's scary for the rest of the teams in Tokushima for the upcoming year.

But this is now and Oumi is the beneficiaries of the game as Ogawa shuts down the Naruto offense, scattering the majority of hits with 2 outs.  The offense was about as expected, with them able to string together hits in 2 innings to score their runs.

Our final game of the day brings up to the other side of the bracket and Kousei Gakuin versus Oumi.

Oumi had a bit of a false start against Takasaki on day 3 when it rained and cancelled the game.  In the replay, Oumi would pull away from the cinderella team and win 7-2.

Kousei Gakuin had a bit of trouble against the neighbors to the north in Hokushou.  Jyouma was on the mound for Kousei Gakuin and shutout Hokushou, yet the offense just managed 3 runs in the win.  The lack of offense is concerning, especially from the Meiji Jingu champions.

The rain has come down again, perhaps it's Oumi's doing because they've had rain on the days they should be playing.  And it may play a factor before the game is over.  No predictions here.


RF  Ameku Shouto
LF  Murase Daijyu
C  Tamura Tatsuhiro
SS  Houjyou Fumiya
1B  Takeda Toshiki
3B  Oosugi Akinobu
2B  Jyouma Ryuuhei
CF  Kimura Takumi
P  Kanazawa Yuuki

RF  Kume Masashi (#8)
2B  Fukui Shingo
LF  Hashimoto Daiki
3B  Fujiwara Ryuuji
CF  Yamaguchi Kenta (#9)
1B  Namazue Jyunki
SS  Hayashida Yuusuke (#15)
C  Tsusaka Jyun
P  Murata Teito

__________________________________________________

13:48 - Rain Delay.  The rain is falling down again at a hard enough rate that they're covering the mound and batters box.  We're officially in a rain delay.

13:55 - This was the starting time of the game, and as quickly as the rain started pouring down, it has stopped, but the tarps have not been taken off just yet.

13:57 - They have announced that the game will begin at 14:10.

14:10 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
For it raining not too long ago, it looks too sunny.  Almost like Seattle weather that is.

Ameku turns on a ball and shoots past Namazue into right!  Leadoff batter on, and now moved to 2nd by Murase.

Tamura though takes 3 straight balls.  And then one more inside and runners on 1st and 2nd for Houjyou.

Houjyou swings at the first pitch fastball and lifts it to left!  Hashiimoto running back, running back... and makes the catch in front of the wall!  Both runners tag up and advance!

Takeda looking for a one-timer.  But he falls behind 1-2 and has to play defensive!  And Murata induces a grounder to 2nd!  Fukui makes the play at 1st and Oumi is out of the inning!

Bottom 1st
Kume goes down on a check swing for the first out.

Seeing Kanazawa live for the first time, (well, live in the sense of watching him live, not necessarily being there), I can see how Kanazawa was effective.  His windup is close to the body and well hidden.  He has a fastball so far that is in the high 130s touching 140 and has a slider, curve and shuuto.

Fukui and Hashimoto are retired with little trouble, and we're onto the 2nd inning.

Top 2nd
Oosugi falls for a low curveball for Murata's first K.  Jyouma first pitch grounds to short.  And Kimura blows a fastball inside Kimura for the 3rd out.  An easy inning for Murata.

Bottom 2nd
Kanazawa looking really good on the mound, hitting the spots Tamura's putting out there.

Also getting help from his defense as Oosaugi makes a nice backhanded stop and throw to 1st in another 1-2-3 inning for the Kousei ace.

Top 3rd
One down, and Ameku collects his 2nd single, taking a high fastball past a diving Fukui to right.

Murase follows that up with a ball off the end of his bat, sending it to right-center!  Men on for Tamura!

And Tamura is patient, getting ahead 3-1 in the count.  He's green-lighted, but is a bit fast and pulls it foul.  Full count now...  fouls it off himself.  Ow.  And it's inside!  Manrui for cleanup batter Houjyou!

Tsusaka comes up to talk to him quickly.

Two high curves that force Houjyou to duck, and a high fastball mean that Houjyou is up 3-1!

Murata gives in and Houjyou makes him pay!  He drives a ball to deep left!  Hashimoto running back sees it land at the base of the wall!  Ameku scores with Murase right behind him!  Tamura is being waved home and he scores!  Throw to 3rd isn't in time and it's a bases clearing triple for Houjyou!  3-0 Kousei Gakuin!!

Taga-kantoku calls for time after Murata loses Takeda as well to put runners at the corners.

Squeeze!  Nakai-kantoku calls for the squeeze, but Oosugi whiffs!  Houjyou is left out to dry and is run down, though lasting long enough to allow Takeda to advance to 3rd.

And after an 9 pitch battle, Oosugi strikes out swinging to end the inning, but a mistake by Murata costs Oumi 3 runs!

Bottom 3rd
Tsusaka gives Oumi their first hit on a ball the opposite way.  Murata showing bunt, takes 3 pitches and goes ahead 2-1... now 3-1.  He tries to bunt 3-1, but misses!  Full count and he lines back to Kanazawa!  Tsusaka has no chance to return back to base and the inning is over!

Top 4th
Murata issues his 4th walk of the game in Jyouma to lead off the 4th.  And on a ball in the dirt, he takes off for 2nd and reaches safely!

Meanwhile, the cameras show #10 Hirose warming up in the Oumi bullpen.

Kimura once again is caught looking, this time on a curve inside.  Kanazawa advances the runner with a grounder to 2nd.

And Murata finally retires leadoff batter Ameku with a flyout to left!

Bottom 4th
The reporters from the Oumi stands say that it's not just Oumi band playing, it several chuugaku schools playing as well.  No wonder it sounds very loud.  That, and they have more than half the oen-dan filled with supporters in Oumi blue with thundersticks.  HUGE THUNDERSTICKS.

Sadly, it's not helping the team any.  Kanazawa rings up his 2nd and 3rd Ks while retiring the top of the order.

Top 5th
Tamura gets on base for the 3rd time today as he laces a ball to center for a one-out single.

Houjyou with a ball back up the middle just past a diving Hayashida puts runners on 1st and 2nd for Takeda.

I think I hear the trombones in Kousei's oen-dan...

Takeda reaches down and truly bloops one over Hayashida just onto the outfield grass!  Manrui for Kousei!

Oosugi with a grounder to 2nd!  Should be, NO!

The ball bounces off Fukui and goes into center!  Tamura scores!  Houjyou scores!  It's 5-0 as Oosugi slides into 2nd!

Taga-kantoku calling time.

Jyouma first pitch drives it to  to left!  Hashimoto running back!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jyouma's ball his the left field foul pole and it's a 3-run HR!  Kousei leads now 8-0!

Kimura and Kanazawa are both retired to end the inning, but the damage has been done as 5 runs come in to score.

Bottom 5th
One down for Oumi and Kanazawa gives up first walk to Yamaguchi.  The offense shows a bit of life as Namazue turns on an inside pitch and lines it to right for a single.  That brings up Hayashida.

But he hits a grounder to 3rd!  Oosugi steps on 3rd for one, throw to 1st for the double play to end the inning.  We hit the break with Kousei holding a commanding 8-0 lead.

Top 6th
Changes for Oumi.  #10 Hirose comes in for Namazue and takes the hill.  #13 Miyai comes in for Murata and takes over at 1B.

Hirose almost gets a 1-2-3 inning, but Tamura would like to get on base everytime he's up as he singles to center.

Houjyou with a blast to left center!  Did he really?  Hashimoto running back, watches it hit the top of the padded fence and bounce back into the field!  Yamaguchi runs it down and throws it in, but not before Houjyou's in with a triple!  9-0 now for Kousei.

Make that 10-0.  Takeda singles to center.

Oosugi has not joined in on the hit parade as he pops out to Tsusaka to end the inning.

Bottom 6th
Kume finally breaks out of his K funk with a single pas a diving Oosugi.  Fukui follows that one up with a single back up the middle and Kume takes 3rd. Maybe they can avoid the shutout at least?  That'd be a start.

Hashimoto grounds to 2nd though and they're turned away again.

Top 7th
Kimura gets in on the hit parade as he drives a ball to right!  Kume turns to his left, then his right, and is all turned around as the ball falls in front of the wall!  Kume is in with a triple!

Kanazawa is living up to the true hitting potential of a pitcher by striking out to go 0-4 on the day.

Hirose retires Ameku on a grounder to 1st and they're back on the bats to at least prevent a shutout.

Bottom 7th
Two down and #17 Miyakita hits for Hirose.  He hits a sharp grounder to 3rd and it bounces off a diving Oosugi and takes a 90 turn into foul territory.  He goes for two and slides in safely!

#16 Tsuji Kouhei comes to run for him, but he doesn't go far.  Hayashida fouls out to Tamura to end the inning.

Top 8th
#11 Yamada comes in for Kouhei and takes the hill.

The subs are coming out now as #18 Furutera hits for Murase, and strikes out on 3 straight.

And it's Yamada who finally puts an end to Tamura's on base adventures!  Yamada grounds out to short!

Houjyou with a high fly to left center.  Hashimoto and Yamaguchi converge, Hashimoto goes for the ball... and misses!  It falls in front of him and Houjyou's on with a 2 base error.

Takeda with a single to center and there's runners at the corners with 2 down.

Takeda tries his hand at a stolen base and just slides in safely.

Sadly for Yamada, he has to suffer like the pitchers before him.  Oosugi finally gets his first hit, driving a ball to the left center wall for a triple.  12-0 Kousei.

That leaves only ace Kanazawa without a hit.  He still has one AB left.

Jyouma grounds out to short and that's the inning.

Bottom 8th
#17 Sekiguchi comes in for PH Furutera and goes to left.  #14 Kishigawa comes in for Oosugi and plays 3B.

Miyai gets a one out single to center.  Kume follows suit to put runners on 1st and 2nd.

Fukui puts a good charge into one.  Kimura running back, leaps and just catches the ball in the webbing!

Unfortunately Hashimoto kills the rally again by grounding out to 2nd.

Top 9th
Kimura goes down, and that brings up Kanazawa.  Can he get a hit?

Oh.  Instead he gets hit.  And either on the hands or on the head or both.  That's the only thing with leaving your ace in the game in a blowout.

And after Ameku is retired, Taga-kantoku sends in #6 Taga to take the hill to get the last out.

First pitch Kimura (running for Kanazawa) takes off for and steals 2nd.

Sekiguchi with a single to center.  Kimura sprinting around 3rd and scores to make it 13-0.

Sekiguchi gets caught off 2nd and is run down to end the inning.

Bottom 9th
#16 Matsuura in for Kishigawa at 3B.  #13 Nozaki in for Takeda at 1B.


Fujiwara with a blast to center!  Kimura back to the wall!  He looks up!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fujiwara is not cheated on this one!  He hits a home run to dead center!  Oumi avoids the shutout, it's 13-1!

After a flyout by Yamaguchi, #18 Murase comes in to PH for Taga and grounds out.

And now with one out remaining, Nakai-kantoku pulls Kanazawa for #10 Itou.

#12 Umetani comes in to hit for Hayashida.  Only #14 Tsuji Kento remains on the bench.

And unfortunately he will stay there as Umetani fouls out to Nozaki to end the game.

Unfortunately for Oumi, things just went awry in the 5th inning and they could never recover.  They did however manage to avoid the shutout, and almost get everyone some playing time.  It will remain to be seen if leaving Kanazawa in has any repercussions going forward.

Well, here we are again.  And everything still applies.  Though my theory on Takasaki will be put to the test here in the replay.




No changes in either lineup.  So let's take the field and get it on!


LF  Matsui Akinori (#11)
CF  Shimizu Sadamitsu
SS  Nakazawa Shinya
1B  Kaneko Yuuki
RF  Tsukagoshi Riku
2B  Kuragane Kousuke
3B  Nakazato Shingo
C  Uchihori Yuuto
P  Shimada Satoshi

RF  Kume Masashi (#8)
2B  Fukui Shingo
LF  Hashimoto Daiki
3B  Fujiwara Ryuuji
CF  Yamaguchi Kenta (#9)
1B  Namazue Jyunki
SS  Hayashida Yuusuke (#15)
C  Tsusaka Jyun
P  Murata Teito

__________________________________________________

15:53 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Matsui is jammed and lines out to short.  Murata apparently like a fast pace too, but is approaching the batters differently it seems.  He doesn't get the call on a full count fastball low and walks Shimizu.

Nakazawa with a grounder to 3rd.  Fujiwara seem to pick and throw at the same time, get the runner at 2nd, but the relay is just late at 1st.

Kaneko with a scorcher down the 3rd base line... fair!  3B umpire Mino calls it fair as Fujiwara dives but can't get it!  Hashimoto runs it down at the wall, but Nakazawa is rounding 3rd and the throw home is cut off!  Takasaki with a timely hit leads 1-0!

And now Murata hits Tsukagoshi!  Murata's in a bit of a pinch now!

Kurogane with a single through the left side!  Takasaki's 3B coach wisely holds the runners.  Manrui!

But Nakazato grouns into a fielder's choice at 3rd and the inning is over.  But Takasaki puts some hits together and scores a run right off the bat!

Bottom 1st
Fukui with a grounder into the gap in left, and Nakazawa makes a great diving stop.  His throw is late, but it's a great play nonetheless!

Fujiwara with a drive to left center!  That falls in just before the wall!  Matsui runs it down, but not beofre Fujiwara's in with an RBI triple!  We're tied at 1-1!

Yamaguchi with a foul popup, but Nakazato's dive just misses!  However Shimada strikes him out swinging.  Though not before Oumi ties it up!

Top 2nd
A quick 1-2-3 inning for Murata and Oumi is back on the bats again.  I'm a bit tired, so there wasn't really much of mention here.

Bottom 2nd
One down and Hayashida gets lucky with a blooper that falls in just fair down the right field line.

Taga-kantoku calls for the bust-and-run, but Tsusaka grounds out to 2nd though does advance the runner.

But Shimada gets Murata on a slider and the runner is stranded on 2nd.

Top 3rd
The pace of the game today seems normal, so perhaps it was a rain thing.

Yet another quick inning.  Murata retires the side in 4 pitches.

Bottom 3th
Kume with a hard grounder at 3B, but Nakazato makes a great diving stop and throw for the out!

Fukui tests Nakazato again, but this time it's between his legs!  Hashimoto not bunting but does move the runner over with a grounder to short.

Fujiwara up, and he takes the ball the opposite way!  Tsukagoshi charges towards the line, but it falls in!  Another extra base RBI hit and Oumi now leads 2-1!

Yamaguchi pops out to sort, but Takasaki will have to turn to their offense.

Top 4th
Tsukagoshi with a single though the right side!  Leadoff man on for Takasaki!

And now Kurogane reaches down and drives one to left!  Hashimoto runs back... and it's over his head!  The ball goes all he way to the wall as Tsukagoshi rounds 3rd!  The throw is cutoff and Takasaki gets the douten run immediately!  2-2!!

Uchihori tries to foul one away, but it stays in play and Namazue make a great catch near the camera well.

Shimada tries the safety bunt, but Fujiwara has none of it and throws him out.  But Takasaki has offense somehow and ties the game!

Bottom 4th
Namazue with a base hit through the right side!  He's bunted along by Hayashida, and now Tsusaka with a grounder up the middle, and that's through!  Shimizu comes up throwing, but Namazue scores to give Oumi the lead right back at 3-2!

Murata fouls one behind home, Uchihori near the back screen has it, but drops it!  That proves costly as Murata singles to right!

Sakaihara-kantoku calls time as they can't let Oumi score more runs.

Kume with a grounder to the right side.  Kuragane goes to 2nd for one, but Kume beats out the throw to 1st!

And that hustle is rewarded as Fukui singles to right!  Tsusaka scores to make it 4-2!

The hit parade continues as Hashimoto singles through the right side plating another to make it 5-2.

Fujiwara with an instant replay to make it a 6-2 game.

And Yamaguchi becomes the 9th batter to step in this inning.  He flies out to right to end the inning, but Takasaki now has a big gap to come back from.

Top 5th
Two quick outs for Takasaki before Nakazawa singles back up the middle.

But Kaneko can't hold up his swing and strikes out to end the inning

Bottom 5th
Namazue loops one over Nakazawa for another base hit.  Hayashida bunts him over.

While that was the same, Shimada retires the next 2 batters.

So we head into the break with a 4-run deficit for Takasaki.  Given their offensive numbers, that's a lot to get back.

Top 6th
Kurogane gets his 3rd hit with a bunt single the stays fair down the 3rd base line!

Nakazato advances him on a chopper back to Murata.  But Uchihori grounds back to 2nd and that's the inning.

Bottom 6th
Kume's hard grounder to 3B eats up Nakazato and he's on with a single.  Kume takes off for 2nd, and is safe?  It seemed like they got the tag on him, but I'm also tired.

Fukui turns the tables back on Takasaki with a bunt single of his own!  He's 4-4 today!

Runners at the corners as Sakaihara-kantoku calls time.

Hashimoto grounds out to 1B.  Runners have to hold.

Fujiwara a HR away from the cycle, but he's unintentionally intentionally walked.

#17 Miyakita comes in for Yamaguchi and hits sac fly to center.  7-2 Oumi.

Namazue with a foul ball to the left side.  Nakazato gives chase and trips in to the camera well.  He's fine though.

Nakazue strikes out to end the inning, but the lead continues to widen.

Top 7th
#16 Tsuji comes in the game at CF for PH Miyakita

Matsui with a liner to center... Tsuji dives, and almost makes the play.  Runner on with 1 down here in the lucky 7.

Shimizu tries to line one over the infield, but Fukui makes the leaping grab. Nakazawa grounds into a fielder's choice for the 3rd out.

Bottom 7th
Hayashida with another grounder that eats up Nakazato.  But the next 2 batters are retired and Takasaki takes to the bats again.

Top 8th
Kurogane collects his 4th hit, a 2-out single back up the middle.  But PH #16 Asanuma grounds into a fielder's choice to 2nd and that's that.

Bottom 8th
Asanuma stays in the game in RF.  Tsukagoshi moves to 1B and Kaneko goes to 3B.

Shimada gets his first 1-2-3 inning of the game.  Last ups for his team here.

Top 9th
PH #7 Igarashi strikes out, but reaches base on a passed ball.  PH #13 Okamura grounds out to 1st.

Matsui also strikes out, but the ball gets away again and he reaches base!  Never seen two of those in 1 inning.  Taga-kantoku calls for time (and probably some order too).

Shimizu K's and this time can't advance.  2 down.

Nakazawa pops up to 1st and that's the game.  Takasaki was able to stay with Oumi in the early innings, but eventually Oumi pulled away.  Good job getting to Koushien, and I'm sure the many supporters, including the first team to make it are proud of you.  As for Oumi, a date with Kousei Gakuin awaits.

Our final game of the day features 2 teams who were one of the "last" teams to receive a bid, Oumi of Shiga-ken, and Takasaki of Gunma-ken.

Yes, Oumi and their powder blue uniforms are once again back at Koushien, though just.  They could have suffered a same fate as Souseikan in Kyushu after their 11-1 loss to Tenri (and after seeing Tenri's game yesterday, that's a pretty bad loss), if not for the fact that (a) the Kinki Region gets 6 bids instead of 4, and (b) Mizuguchi lost 15-3 to Riseisha and they lost to Oumi in the prefectural final, and while Naradai Fuzoku narrowly lost to Oumi, giving a bid to them instead would have meant that they would award 3 teams from Nara a bid - and Nara just isn't that good.

Remember what I said about a lot of teams before?  They apply here too.  Decent average, little power, and in their case - they don't steal many bases.  Pitching-wise, their main ace strikes out a batter every 2 innings and carries a respectable WHIP (~1.25).  He doesn't start all the games - in fact, #11 Yamada takes the hill to start when that happens, though he K's and BB's more batters.

Takasaki made it to the best 4 by defeating a pair of non-notable Toukaidai teams (Bouyou and Koufu) before losing to Sakushin Gakuin 6-3.  In the prefecturals, they had a quality win against Maebashi Ikuei.

Honestly, there's only two possible reasons why Takasaki is even in the tournament.  One is their ace Shimada who doesn't allow baserunners (0.89 WHIP), and the second, which I can't substantiate is their defense.

Because there is NO way their offense has anything to do with it.  None.

I can say this with almost 100% certainty because you should not be able to reach the semifinals of the Kanto Super-Regional with a team batting average of 0.237.

That's right 0.237.

Not only that, they don't take many walks and don't steal bases.  And yet, they scored 32 runs in 9 games.  That's better than the Mariners.  And they won 8 straight.  Go figure.

Needless to say, I'm highly interested to see Takasaki in this game.  Not to mention their uniforms which look like they've been taken from a train company.

LF  Matsui Akinori (#11)
CF  Shimizu Sadamitsu
SS  Nakazawa Shinya
1B  Kaneko Yuuki
RF  Tsukagoshi Riku
2B  Kuragane Kousuke
3B  Nakazato Shingo
C  Uchihori Yuuto
P  Shimada Satoshi

RF  Kume Masashi (#8)
2B  Fukui Shingo
LF  Hashimoto Daiki
3B  Fujiwara Ryuuji
CF  Yamaguchi Kenta (#9)
1B  Namazue Jyunki
SS  Hayashida Yuusuke (#15)
C  Tsusaka Jyun
P  Murata Teito

__________________________________________________

The rain continues to fall, and the ground is sloppy at best.  But they're going to get the 3rd game in no matter what it seems.  So those powder blue unis will be dark soon enough.

14:50 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Well, I guess if you have a bad BA, might as well try to get your hacks in on the first pitch strike.  Matsui is retired on a grounder to 3rd, and Shimizu on a fly to left.  Nakazawa takes a couple of pitches, but too flies out to left to end the inning.

Bottom 1st
Kume with a liner to center.  Shimizu slips!  But the ball comes right to him for the out!  How lucky!

Fukui can't check his swing on a 3-2 fastball running inside!  2 down.

Shimada doesn't get the call on a 2-2 fastball, and winds up walking Hashimoto.

Fujiwara with a ball to right center, Shimizu ranging to his left, dives, but the ball glances off his glove!  They have to chase it down, but Hashimoto stops at 3rd!

And that's lucky for Takasaki as Yamaguchi grounds to 3rd!  Nakazato makes the throw to first and the side is retired!

Top 2nd
Takasaki continuing their free-swinging style.  Kaneko with a hard hit ball back up the middle, but unlucky for him Murata deflects it right to Fukui to make the play.  Tsukagoshi almost gets lucky too when SS Hayashida almost drops the popup.  And Kurogane hits a solid liner, but it's to a drawn in Kume for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
Hm.  Namazue is caught looking on a change inside for the first out.

Hayashida, inserted into the lineup this game, bloops a ball just fair down the right field line.

But when Tsusaka grounds to 2nd, Kuragane starts the 4-6-3 double play and the inning is over!  Some good defense so far as expected from Takasaki.

Top 3rd
So about the pitchers.  Murata is pretty much no different than others we've seen.  Fastball in the low 130's, curve in the 110s.

And Takasaki continues to hack.  Nakazato grounds out to 3rd.  Uchihori first pitch swings and flies to left, and Shimada actually takes pitches!  He works the count full but flies out to right.

Murata thinks he has strike 3 on a 2-2 fastball to Shimada, but he doesn't get the call.  However he does get Shimada to fly out to right to end the inning.  When I get a chance I think I know what's going on.

Bottom 3rd
Oh jeez, the rain is back again and it's coming down hard.

Murata grounds to 2nd, and just about that time the rain comes down so hard you can hear it on the microphones!

And the umpires continue play?  The ground is barely playable!

Finally, when Shimada throws a wild pitch over everyone to fall behind Kume 3-0, the umpires call everyone in.

15:17 - Rain Delay (Radar suggests it's a passing cell, so it probably won't be cancelled)

Ok, so since I have a minute now, I'll explain what might be Takasaki's strategy.

It seems apparent that Takasaki's offense isn't good, but by the numbers we've seen that to be the case.

So.  That means you have to play good defense and have good pitching right?  Makes sense.

But what about the hacking at the plate?  Why would you swing away and shorten the game, especially if you can't hit?

Well, putting the ball in play (as long as it's not weak hits), means the defense has to play hard.  Continuing to hit the ball in play means that the defense is continually on the move, even if you're just backing up.

But usually you have time to take a break since batters aren't swinging on the first pitch.

(15:25 - The rain seems to have slowed down now from a downpour, but it's still raining and the field was already pretty saturated to begin with.)

In Takasaki's case they are.  So you're moving around constantly, and in the case of a 1-2-3 inning, going back and forth to and from the dugout.

So what if you're playing a game of endurance in a game of speed baseball?  If you're not in the best of condition, could it be that you get just a little sloppy later?

If all that is the case, (1) the ground conditions are not good for Takasaki because it can cause havoc with their defense, (2) the ground conditions aren't good for putting grounders in play due to their strategy because with the sloppy conditions it will slow the ball down, and (3) this break isn't good because it's allowing the Oumi players to rest.  They'd be better off having the game cancelled and starting over hoping to have better playing conditions and a better possibility of tiring the Oumi players out.

(15:29 - The head umpire comes out to talk about the field conditions with the stadium field staff.  And it looks like the field staff are removing the tarps from the mound and batters area.  And now a wheelbarrow of diamond dry is coming out.  Dude, that's NOT going to be enough. AND it's raining a bit stronger now, WTF are you guys doing??)

(15:32 - The tarp comes out again on the mound and batters box.  Good job guys...  Seriously, combine the rain yesterday with the rain today and while the field has better drainage, I don't think it's that good.)

(15:40 - The cameras zoom in on the tarp at home and the um... mud around it.  That can't be playable, can it?)

15:45 - The umpire comes out, walks to 1st... walks to 2nd... comes back home...


 And that's that.  It's still raining, the field is soaked, and the umpire calls it off.

This means there will be 4 games tomorrow.  Games will begin at 8:30 with Oumi-Takasaki playing the last game at 16:00, and probably the teams will switch home/away.

The game being called will benefit Takasaki as long as the field conditions are better.  (Which they should be.)

The teams go out to bow to their fans, and they gather up their stuff and head home to think about things for one more day.