高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

Interesting that both teams again go to their bench to start the game. Moriokadai Fuzoku gives the ball to it's 3rd different starter in #10 Inoue (though he did pitch to one batter last game). Kawano for Naruto gets a break after 2 straight games, with the ball handed off to #9 Yatake

Naruto (Tokushima)
SS Hino Koutarou (日野 洸太郎)
2B Kamata Kouhei (鎌田 航平)
1B Fuji Yoshimoto (冨士 佳資)
CF Tezuka Kaito (手束 海斗)
C Sahara Yuudai (佐原 雄大)
RF (11)Nakayama Terukazu (中山 晶量)
P (9)Yatake Masaya (矢竹 将弥)
LF Watanabe Yuuya (渡辺 裕哉)
3B Takeishi Ren (武石 蓮)
Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
1B Ishibashi Taisei (石橋 泰成)
2B Sugawara Yuuki (菅原 優輝)
CF Ueda Taku (植田 拓)
RF Shiotani Hiroki (塩谷 洋樹)
C Itou Yuuki (伊藤 勇貴)
3B Obara Taiga (小原 大河)
LF (16)Nishiyama Yuuki (西山 雄基)
SS (14)Higa Kenshin (比嘉 賢伸)
P (10)Inoue Ryouhei (井上 涼平)

Our first winner from round 1 appears in Moriokadai Fuzoku who survived several comebacks from Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku. They've had time to rest, so that game should be behind them.

The question is with the final team to take the field, and that's Soushi Gakuen. They were dead to rights until a botched call (that was made right by the way) changed it all around in their favor.

The question will be, which Takada will show up? The one that produced consistent results throughout the prefecturals, or the one that lost to Takamatsu Shougyou? He can throw hard, that's no doubt, but can Moriokadai be patient enough when he's struggling?

Soushi Gakuen (Okayama)
RF Takai Shou (高井 翔)
2B Yui Asuka (湯井 飛鳥)
SS Kitagawa Daiki (北川 大貴)
LF Nanba Yuuhei (難波 侑平)
1B Fujise Kanei (藤瀬 幹英)
CF Kusaka Minoru (草加 稔)
C (12)Fujiwara Shunya (藤原 駿也)
P Takada Housei (高田 萌生)
3B Honda Ryuuma (本田 竜真)

Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
1B Ishibashi Taisei (石橋 泰成)
2B Sugawara Yuuki (菅原 優輝)
CF Ueda Taku (植田 拓)
RF Shiotani Hiroki (塩谷 洋樹)
C Itou Yuuki (伊藤 勇貴)
3B Ohara Taiga (小原 大河)
LF (17)Akasaka Shouki (赤坂 祥基)
SS (14)Higa Kenshin (比嘉 賢伸)
P (18)Saitou Masaki (斎藤 真輝)
____________________________________________________________

12:45 - First Pitch!

Moriokadai Fuzoku must've been paying attention to that Takamatsu Shougyou game in the spring. There Takada gave up 8 walks. He starts this game walking Ishibashi.

Sugawara isn't bunting, but his swings basically lays down the perfect bunt putting runners on 1st and 2nd.

Ueda is perhaps a little less patient, but is able to fight off several pitches before foul tipping a ball for the . Shiotani is the same, and just checks his swing on a 2-2 count to fill up the count.

But Takada gets Shiotani way ahead of a slider and weakly grounds into the 6-4-3 double play. Still, not a bad start as long as they can continue to play that game.

Unfortunately things do not go as smoothly in the 2nd.

Saitou issues a leadoff walk to Kawase. Kusaka lays down the bunt, but there's confusion between Saitou and Itou on who takes the ball and as a result the throw is late. Then with runners at the corners, Takada hits a ball to 3rd. Ohara wants to go home, but he double clutches and that makes the throw more than late and the run scores. 1-0.

The run and not getting the out hurts because on the very next pitch Soushi goes after the throat and has Honda squeeze. Moriokadai's defense isn't ready and the squeeze goes off without a hitch. 2-0.

Toss in a base hit by Takai scoring Takada and a 3-0 lead is not what Moriokadai needed. Especially when it could be 2-0 or 1-0 instead with good defense.

Add in another run in the 3rd, when another leadoff walk comes home on a 2-out triple to right center by Kusaka. 4-0.

Bottom 4th now, and Ueda gets Moriokadai Fuzoku on the board by blasting a letter high slider over the LCF wall. But it's just a solo HR and the score is 4-1.

Suddenly though, Moriokadai Fuzoku plays the waiting game.

• Shiotani walks
• Itou walks!
• Obara walks!!

These two teams can breath a sigh of relief as neither will have to face Chiben Gakuen, yet.

Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
1B Ishibashi Taisei (石橋 泰成)
2B Sugawara Yuuki (菅原 優輝)
CF Ueda Taku (植田 拓)
RF Shiotani Hiroki (塩谷 洋樹)
C Itou Yuuki (伊藤 勇貴)
3B Ohara Taiga (小原 大河)
LF (16)Nishiyama Yuuki (西山 雄基)
SS (14)Higa Kenshin (比嘉 賢伸)
P Tsubota Shinsuke (坪田 伸祐)

Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku (Fukuoka)
RF Nakayama Tatsuhide (中山 竜秀)
CF Yamawaki Shouta (山脇 彰太)
2B Ishibashi Daichi (石橋 大智)
LF Watanabe Shouta (渡辺 勝太)
1B Yasunaga Motoya (安永 元也)
SS (16)Onaka Rikito ()
P Fujimoto Kaito (藤本 海斗)
C Nagaoka Taishou (永岡 大昇)
3B Torii Ren (鳥井 蓮)

____________________________________________________________

15:55 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Well, Moriokadai Fuzoku out to really exert its influence. One down, Sugawara hits a gapper to right center. Ueda follows that up with one off the wall in center, but Sugawara had to hold up for the catch and he's at 3rd. Fujimoto almost gets out of it, but Itou takes a high fastball and lines it to right, scoring both runners. They're up 2-0 and perhaps they heard I doubted their offensive capabilities (yeah, right).

Bottom 1st
Yamawaki turns around and delivers a one out single to center. He steals 2nd on the strikeout to Ishibashi, but there 2 out.

Before I can think about it though, Watanabe bloops a ball to right that Shiotani can't reach, scoring Yamawaki, and then on the very next pitch Yasunaga hits a ball to center that Shiotani crashes into the wall chasing, and like that it's 3-2 Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku!

Top 2nd
Unlike the first inning, the bottom of Moriokadai's lineup is unable to do much against Fujimoto, going down in order with 2 strikeouts.

Bottom 2nd
This is in comparison to Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku where Torii (there he is again), gets a one-out base hit. Not only that, but he goes on to steal 2nd.

A walk is added on later with 2 down, but Ishibashi can't deliver a timely hit to extend the lead.

Top 3rd
Back to the top of the lineup for Moriokadai, and Ishibashi starts it off with a ball past a diving Onaka into center. They instead elect for the hit-and-run, and it goes off perfectly when Sugawara singles to right!

Or so they thought!

RF Nakayama, playing in, charges the ball and makes a laser throw to 3rd nailing Ishibashi!

After a strikout things seem bleak, but Shiotani on a full count gets a hold of a letter high pitch and drives it to left center! It goes for a double and we're all tied at 3-3!

Things appear to be spiraling a bit after a wild pitch threatens to relinquish the lead, but Itou chases a ball in the dirt to retire the side. Still, it looks like it's going to be one of those games.

Bottom 3rd
Yep. Watanabe leads off with a gapper that splits the fielders in left-center for a double. 2 batters later, Onaka hits a ball past a diving Nishiyama. The throw home is high and Onaka takes another base. 4-3 Kyukoku retakes the lead.

After another single, this through the left side, time is called.

For now Tsubota holds the line, getting Nagaoka to ground into the 4-6-3 double play, but the pendulum swings back to Kyukoku.

Top 4th
That didn't last long. Obara swings and the ping tells you all you need to know. He scoffs at the hamakaze lining a HR to right, tying the game up once again at 4-4!

After a one-out hit by Higa, the day is over for Tsubota as #15 Inoue comes in to hit for him. Morioka's inning stalls thereafter, but once again we're level

Bottom 4th
2 changes for Moriokadai. #7 Nosaka comes in to play LF, and #11 Miura comes in to pitch.

Things appear to be going swimmingly for him with 2 quick outs, but he turns around and then walks the next 2 batters. He wiggles out of his self-made jam with a comebacker from Watanabe.

5th Inning
After a wild first 4 innings, the teams decided to call a truce it seems letting both teams reach the break to prepare for the home stretch.

Top 6th
And off we go again!

One down, Obara draws a walk, then proceeds to steal 2nd. Nosaka then makes his presence felt by getting a base hit over Yamawaki's head. That gives Moriokadai Fuzoku their 1st lead since the 1st at 5-4!

Bottom 6th
This time around Miura holds serve, and for now Moriokadai Fuzoku holds onto the advantage.

7th Inning
My body's hitting a wall staying awake and perhaps so are both teams (hitting a wall that is).

That changes when Miura walks Ishibashi with 1 down. Innocuous enough, and especially after a grounder makes it 2 down.

But Yasunaga comes through yet again, this time a ball up the middle that allows Ishibashi to score, tying the game once again at 5-5.

Top 8th
For every action that Kyukoku has, Moriokadai continues to find a response for. Again, it's a one out single, this time by Obara. And with 2 down it's Higa, who lines a ball down the right field side and all the way to the wall! Nakayama makes a strong throw home, but Obara just beats the tag and Moriokadai retakes the lead at 6-5!

Bottom 8th
Kyukoku firing right back! Fujimoto tries to help his own cause with a single back up the middle. After another sac bunt, Torii does the same! Fujimoto has to hold his ground at 3rd, but the douten runner is just 90 feet away.

And Miura throws it away! Fujimoto comes home and we're tied at 6-6!

And now things are unraveling for Moriokadai! Miura walks Nakayama, and then when Moriwaki hits a high chopper, everyone goes to field the ball, but there's no one to throw to! Everyone's safe and it's manrui 1 out!

Is this the end of the line for Miura?

Not yet! He gets Ishibashi to ground out to 1st, Ishibashi throws home, gets 1, but Itou bounces the throw! It's fielded by a covering Sugawara, who prevents it from leaking out to right. 2 down.

Watanabe first pitch swinging, grounds to 3rd! Obara snags it, goes to the bag, and Kyukoku can only tie the game once again!

Top 9th
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

One down, Sugawara gets around a ball inside and drives it to left! Watanabe going back to the fence...

AND IT'S GONE! Once again Moriokadai Fuzoku takes the lead here in the 9th at 7-6!

2 down and while Torii makes a great stop, his throw is wide, allowing Shiotani to take 2nd. After a wild pitch of their own, Itou maybe puts the nail in the coffin with a base hit to left, making it an 8-6 ballgame.

That's also it for Fujimoto as he's sent to LF. #11 Miura comes in for Watanabe in the cleanup spot to take the hill.He gives up a walk, but gets the final out.

But in a matter of symmetry, Moriokadai Fuzoku has the 2-run lead they had after the end of their first half-inning. Now, can they prevent the 3 runs on the other side?

Bottom 9th
Yasunaga strikes out to start the 9th, but the ball gets away from Itou and his throw to 1st takes Ishibashi off the bag! Can Kyukoku really come back again?

2 outs later and perhaps it was too much.

But no! Nagaoka lines a ball down the right field line and it's runners at 2nd and 3rd! And that brings up Torii who played his way into a position! Can he deliver the timely hit?

NO! It's a grounder to short! Higa throws to 1st and Moriokadai Fuzoku finally puts Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku away 8-6!

I've never seen a team come back that much as Kyukoku did and they still weren't paid off in the end. They did all you could have asked for from a team except win. And to be eliminated on the first day has to hurt.

For Moriokadai Fuzoku, they literally survived and advanced. In this game at least they proved they have the chops to score runs, but the pitching now looks suspect having given up 6 when they barely gave up any in the prefecturals. They have the grit, but they'll need the pitching if they want to continue on.

Moriokadai Fuzoku had a really tough matchup against Toukaidai Sagami and then had to play in less than desirable playing conditions. They held on 4-3, but there's not much you can take given that the conditions could have affected play.

Tsuruga Kehi has had no such trouble in their first two games, seemingly bucking the trend that scoring double digits leads to a letdown the next game as they defeated Sakaide Shougyou 16-0, then Kasukabe Kyouei 10-1.

Hiranuma has been shutting down the offenses inducing bad contact while also still striking out a fair number of batters.  Moriokadai Fuzoku, and more specifically Matsumoto should provide a good challenge for a team that hasn't apparently seemed to have faced one yet.

Winner goes to Best 8, but faces Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei. Go!

Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui)
1B Shinohara Ryou
3B Shimomura Takamasa
SS Asai Kouya
C Okada Kouta
CF Mine Kentarou
RF Oyana Shou
P Hiranuma Shouta
LF Yamamoto Akihiro
2B Yonemitsu Nagisa (#16)

Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
LF Takahashi Ryou
RF Itou Wataru
CF Nabana Hiroki
P Matsumoto Yuuki
2B Endou Makoto
1B Makishima Kento
SS Tachinami Ukyuu
3B Shibuya Yuuya
C Kozaki Fuuga

____________________________________________________________

16:15 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
One down for Tsuruga and Shimomura lines a single to left.

Asai not bunting, hits a deep drive to left. Ryou back against fence makes the catch. 1 down.

Having not advanced, Shimomura takes it upon himself and steals 2nd! That becomes redundant though when Matsumoto walks Okada.

But he avoids damage when Mine chases the 3-2 fastball outside of the zone.

Bottom 1st
Morioka's first couple of batters can't even get the ball past the mound.  Two quick outs for Hiranuma, before he turns around and walks Nabana.

Matsumoto can't do anything with it though as he flies to 2nd to end the inning.

Top 2nd
Oyana with a blooper to shallow left. Ryou charging in makes, but can't make catch. Oyana hustles and is in with a double.

One down now after a foul fly and Yamamoto hits a ball down the 1st base line... fair!  Oyana will score on that and Tsuruga Kehi takes a 1-0 lead!

Yonemitsu lays down the bunt, Matsumoto throws it away! Itou backs up so runners can't advance.

And now Shinohara gets hit by Matsumoto! He's in deep trouble early!

Liner! But Shibuya snares it, tags on 3rd and it's a 5 unassisted double play to end the inning! But Tsuruga Kehi takes the early lead!

Bottom 2nd
Endou drive to deep left! He's pumping his fist!  Yamamoto looks up!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One pitch is all Endou needs to tie the game at 1-1!

2 down now, and Shibuya singles to center looking for the gyakuten run.

But Sekiguchi-kantoku has him try to steal 2nd, but Okada throws him out to retire the side. However, Endou ties the score!

Top 3rd
Asai with a ball to left. Ryou running back to the fence! He looks up!!

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

And with one swing Asai takes the lead back for Tsuruga Kehi! 2-1!

They're not done yet! One down Mine singles back up the middle. He tries to steal 2nd, but on the hit-and-run, Oyana's bat hits Kozaki's glove! Catcher's interference is called and Oyana is awarded 1st!

Hiranuma single back up the middle! Mine being waved around! He'll score and it's 3-1!!  Still only one out for Matsumoto!

Yamamoto another single up the middle! Nabana already playing up, gets it in quickly.  Manrui for Tsuruga Kehi.

AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Matsumoto hits Yonemitsu! That'll drive in a run and it's 4-1!

Shinohara sharp grounder up 1st base line! Makishima makes stop, twirls, fires home... AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

He throws it too high! 2 runs will score on that error and it's 6-1!

Shimomura flyball to left, Ryou stumbles, but makes catch! Yonemitsu tags up and scores and its 7-1!

Asai up again, and he blasts one to right center! That's all the way to the wall for a triple and it's 8-1!

The last straw is  Okada's blooper just fair down the right field line. 9-1 and he is relieved. He goes to RF while #11 Sakurakouji comes in for Itou and takes the hill.

Mine liner to right, Matsumoto makes the leaping catch to finally retire the side. But Tsuruga Kehi once again puts the hurt on their opponents!

Bottom 3rd
Kozaki tries to help get Moriokadai back in the game with a single to center. But soon enough there's down after Ryou strikes out and Sakurakouji grounds into a fielder's choice.

Nabana gives the team a shot when he doubles to right center.

But nothing is going right for Matsumoto as he flies out to center to end the inning.

Top 4th
The woes continue for Moriokadai. Oyana's grounder to 2nd is flubbed allowing him to reach base.  After a sac bunt, Sakurakouji hits Yamamoto and then walks Yonemitsu, making it manrui.

Shinohara with another ball to 1st, but this time Makishima is ready and he goes home for the force.

Sakurakouji though hits Shimomura and that will force in a run. 10-1.

Moriokadai finally get 3 ours after Asai grounds to 2nd, but the long game is getting longer.

Bottom 4th
I'm having a hard time staying awake for some reason.

Back-to-back singles by Makishima and Tachinami provide some hope. But Hiranuma retires the next 2 batter and they're back to where they started.

(At this point my body basically said you're not staying up any longer, which was fine considering that by the time I opened my eyes it was 12-1, and then before I had put everything away and hit the sack it was 14-1. Needless to say Tsuruga Kehi is wearing about the blackest hat I've seen at Koushien having defeated scored double digits in 3 straight games and not letting up - even when sending in their bench players. Yikes.)

With conditions still sketchy, and the groundskeepers trying to dry the field as best they can, Moriokadai Fuzoku and Toukaidai Sagami take the field.  Assuming we get under way...

Moriokadai Fuzoku didn't have to face anyone of note until the final when their rivals Hanamaki Higashi awaited.  That game was the Matsumoto Yuuki show as he drove in 4 of the 5 runs and shut down the Hanamaki Higashi offense in a 5-4 win.

Surely he'll be the focus for the team, but the rest of the offense needs to step up if they want to make a deep run.

For Toukaidai Sagami, despite being in Kanagawa, their final happened in the semifinals where they defeated Yokohama 5-3 (for me ironically enough on the same day Nisshougakushadai Fuzoku won the Higashi Tokyo title).

With almost no competition to speak of, their numbers are severely inflated, something I would not think I would say for a metropolitan prefecture such as Kanagawa.

Does it mean that Moriokadai Fuzoku has a chance? Certainly, especially given the field conditions.

Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
LF Takahashi Ryou
RF Itou Wataru
CF Nabana Hiroki
P Matsumoto Yuuki
2B Endou Makoto
1B Makishima Kento
SS Tachinami Ukyuu
3B Shibuya Yuuya
C Kozaki Fuuga

Toukaidai Sagami (Kanagawa)
LF Kusunoki Kenjirou
SS Sugisaki Shigeki
RF Toyoda Hiroshi
3B Hirayama Kai
1B Nanya Yuuki
C Nagakura Ren
2B Osakai Keiji (#13)
P Aoshima Ryouya
CF Miyaji Kyouhei

______________________________________________________

13:30 - Rain Delay

14:05 - Tarps come off

14:15 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Nanya opens the frame with a single to center.  But he tries to take off to center, and Kozaki fires to 2nd and guns him down.

After that the inning stalls as Nakakura strikes out swinging and Osakai grounds to short for a 1-2-3 inning.

Top 5th
Moriokadai still struggling with Aoshima.  Tachinami and Shibuya are out on 1 pitch each, with Shibuya hitting a hard liner to Nanya.  Kozaki goes down swinging for yet another K for Aoshima.

Bottom 5th
Matsumoto yields his first walk to his counterpart to start the 5th.  Miyaji doesn't bunt, but lines out to left.

And once again the inning stall.  Kusunoki hits a ball back to Matsumoto who begins the inning-ending 1-6-3 double play!

So the game is moving fairly quickly, with teams picking off a run or two early on, but now the pitchers have taken the stage, and it'll be up to the batters to change that.

Top 6th
Aoshima too issues his first walk to Nabana with 2 down, which brings up Matsumoto.

He takes a ball the other way past a diving Hirayama down the line! Nabana heads to 3rd on the long single for Matsumoto and the douten run is 90 feet away!

Endou with a liner to left!  Kusunoki has to leap to knock it down and Nabana scores to tie up the game at 2-2!

And now Aoshima hits Makishima to load the bases!  Manrui for Tachinami!

Liner to right... over a leaping Makishima!  Matsumoto will score!  Endou right behind him!  Tachinami with the gyakuten timely and Moriokadai leads 4-2!

And that'll be it for Aoshima.  #10 Ogasawara comes in to relieve him on the hill, perhaps a couple of batters too late.

Ogasawara gives himself no room for error as he walks Shibuya to load the bases.

But thankfully for him he faces Kozaki, who winds up striking out for the 3rd time to end the inning.  Damage done, could have been worse, but now Sagami will need to hit the sticks.

Bottom 6th
One down, Toyoda's hits a grounder to 3rd.  Shibuya fires to 1st, but one hops Makishima and he can't make the pick! E5.

Monma-kantoku puts on the hit-and-run as Hirayama singles to left! Toyoda advances to 3rd and the douten runner is on base!  Sekiguchi-kantoku calls for time.

Nanya grounder up midde! Tachinami takes it, runs to 2nd for 1, throws to first... double play! Just what the doctor ordered for Matsumoto and the side is retired!

That play was made even harder because  Hirayama was just about in Tachinami's face as he was making the throw.  Nice play!

Top 7th
Ogasawara trying to stabilize the situation retires the first two batters before a dribbler up the 1st base line by Nabana goes for a base hit as he beats the coverage.  However, he comes right back to strike out Matsumoto to end the inning.

Bottom 7th
After 2 quick outs, Monma-kantoku decides to go with his next pitcher as #4 Chino comes in to hit for Ogasawara.

But Chino goes down on a slider and the side is retired.

Top 8th
#11 Yoshida will pick up the flag for Sagami on the mound.  Throws just as hard as the others, but control has something to be desired.

Makishima's day is done at 1B as #15 Sasaki Akito hits for him, but goes down swinging in a clean frame from the 3rd reliever.

Bottom 8th
#13 Sasaki Yuuya come in the game for Akito to play 1B.

Sagami running out of time.  Miyaji tries to work the count, but when backed into a corner pops up the curveball as Shibuya makes the catch.

Kusunoki tries to give a ball a ride, but instead flies out to center.

And Sugisaki having to swing the bat, instead watches the 3-2 fastball hit the inside edge for strike 3.

Top 9th
Shibuya lifts a ball to deep left.  Kusunoki makes his way to the wall before making the catch.

Yoshida strikes out the next 2 batters to close out Moriokadai's ledger.

Bottom 9th
But now the offense needs 2 runs to keep their run alive.

Toyoda rolls a grounder to 3rd.  Shibuya throws to 1st for the 1st out.

Hirayama swings at the first good pitch he sees, but lines it right to Takahashi for the 2nd out.

Last chance in Nanya....

He singles to center which at least brings up the douten run in Nagakura.

Matsumoto working in/out on Nagakura, but should be careful.

But not that careful!  He's behind 3-1!

Gets strike 2 on outside corner....

BALL 4!  Matsumoto nibbles too much and now the douten runner is on base, and the sayonara runner steps in in Osakai!  #15 Kawamoto comes in to run for Nagakura.

Osakai liner to right!  Nanya will score!  Kawamoto held up at 3rd as the throw comes in!  Matsumoto too predictable and now the douten runner in 90 feet away!

Monma-kantoku sends out #12 Nagai to hit for Yoshida.  Can they complete the comeback?

Grounder to 2nd!  Endou has it! Throw to 1st, out!  Yuuya raises his arms in the air and Matsumoto gives a guts pose as another Toukaidai school falls!  Tohoku power prevails as Moriokadai Fuzoku holds on for the 4-3 win!

It's strange to see Sagami using a battery of pitchers for their staff, but their problem is like the golf saying "drive for show, putt for dough"...

The combined staff struck out 15 batters on the day.  Yet a lack of control led to the 3-run 6th and evenually a loss.

Throwing fast is fine, but you have to be able to control it or you're lost.

Matsumoto for most of the game was like that.  But in the 9th, he started nibbling, trying to get the batters to get themselves out.  If he wants to take that next step, he just needs to play his own game.  Otherwise today's result could have been much different.

Our final game of the day has a team looking for their 2nd win at Koushien versus one who already has 2 this Koushien and looking for more.

Moriokadai Fuzoku finally got their first win in their 10th appearance at Koushien (spring & summer) with a 4-3 win over first timers Yasuda Gakuen.  They were helped by some inexperience fielding at Koushien by Yasuda Gakuen (if you've ever been there during the day, the crosswinds can be hell for a defense not ready for it).

Even still they collected 11 hits, including a much needed HR by Mochidzuki.  The hits were spread out amongst the lineup though Miura had the most success going 3-3 with a walk.

Tsuruga Kehi's on the other hand has had to play 2 games and is currently on 1 days' rest.  First on their docket was an Okinawa Shougaku squad that didn't seem ready to play, then after trading punches with Kyoto Shouei, it was a manrui walk of all things that proved to be the difference.

The 2-3-4 battery of Yonemitsu, Yamada and Kita for Tsuruga Kehi were a combined 7-11 with a double, a triple and a homerun in that game - that after being 3-13 in their first game, so again, small sample size.


Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui) - Hokushinetsu Runner-up
CF Mine Kentarou
3B Yonemitsu Issei
1B Yamada Seiya
C Kita Ryouta
SS Asai Hiroya
LF Kobayashi Yuudai
RF Iwata Shinya
2B Yamane Takaki
P Kishimoto Jyunki

Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate) - Tohoku 3 seed
CF Nabana Hiroki (#15)
LF Yoshida Arashi (#14)
SS Mochidzuki Naoya
RF Matsumoto Yuuki (#8)
2B Miura Chisato
3B Sariishi Haruki
1B Fukuoka Kippei
C Nabekawa Kazuki
P Oikawa Gou

____________________________________________________________

14:23 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Oikawa is a very quick worker on the mound and Mine grounds to 3rd.

He turns around though and hits Issei to give Tsuruga a runner.

Just as quickly though he gets Yamadato ground into the 1-6-3 double play to end the inning!

Bottom 1st
Nabana with a bloop single down the right field line!

Yoshida tries to bunt him along, but pops it up!  Yamada charges in and makes the catch for the first out!

Mochidzuki up and he quickly pops up to 2nd.  And Matsumoto chases a letter high fastball away for the 3rd out

Top 2nd
The action going fast as Kita quikly grounds to 3rd, Asai watches a slider hit the outside corner, and Kobayashi grounds to short.  Both pitchers seem to be on their game early, and there's really nothing to write!

Bottom 2nd
Miura lines a base hit down the left field line, but Kobyashi cuts it down quickly to limit him to a single.

Sariishi trying to bunt, but fails!  After taking a couple, Sekiguchi-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run!  But he pops it up!  Iwata with the catch for the first out.

And then on back to back pitches Fukuoka and Nabekawa just golf the ball into the air for two popups and Miura's can't advance from 1st!

Top 3rd
So according to the announcers, he has a cut ball, a fork and one more that I can't remember.

One down, and Yamane is able to work a walk against Oikawa.  Kishimoto looking to lay down the bunt down, and it takes a great stretch by Fukuoka to prevent the ball from going into right.

Single to right by Mine!  Matsumoto has to play it on an awkward hop as Yamane rounds for home!

Matsumoto fires a bullet home on the fly to Nabekawa... OUT!!!

Nabekawa makes a great catch and block and they get Yamane out at the plate!  Very nicely done!

Bottom 3rd
For Kishimoto they mention a splitter and I believe a forkball.

Oikawa with a ball to right, Iwata has to play it on a hop!  Moriokadai has their 3rd leadoff batter on base!

Nabana with a hard bunt up the 1st base side that Yamada quickly fields, tries to go to 2nd, but loses the ball and kicks it up the line!  He retrieves it and makes the play at 1st instead.

And now Yoshida holds off on a ball low for a walk!

Mochidzuki with a bomb to left!  Boy that sure sounded good, but Kobayashi in front of the warning track to make the catch.  Oikawa does advance to 3rd.

Matsumoto up to try and break the deadlock.

But Kishimoto gets him to swing on a curve for the 3rd out!

Top 4th
Issei with a base hit to center right!  Nabana overruns it, but Issei ends up at 2nd anyways!  Chance for Tsuruga!

Azuma-kantoku having Yamada swing away, and he grounds to 3rd!  Sariishi looks Issei back and makes the play at 1st.  One down.

Kita with a grounder into the gap in left.  Mochidzuki runs it down, turns, jumps and fires to 1st... OUT!

Fukuoka with another great stretch, but it's the great play by Mochidzuki that gets Moriokadai their 2nd out!

Asai with a hit to left!  Yoshida fires home, but he doesn't have Matsumoto's arm!  Issei slides in safely and Tsuruga Kehi has the 1-0 lead on Asai's timely hit!

Wasn't that bad of a pitch either, it was outside, he just turned on it and singled to left.

Kobayashi pops out to Nabekawa to end the inning, but Asai drives in the first run!

Bottom 4th
Miura with his 2nd base hit, a single through the left side.  That's 4 leadoff runners for Moriokadai.  Sariishi moves him over hoping someone gets a base hit.

Fukuoka advances him to 3rd with a grounder to 1st, but now there's 2 outs.

Hm... Kishimoto with a 4 pitch walk to Nabekawa and Kita goes out to talk to him.

Two more balls to Oikawa...  Another one inside and it's 3-0!  Fastball over for a strike.  Another one, and Oikawa fouls it off.  Full count and Nabekawa will be off to the races.

Fouled off again.

Oikawa is jammed!  Slow roller up the left side is gobbled by Issei who goes to 1st for the 3rd out!  Once again Morioka is unable to score after getting the leadoff runner on!  It's not as bad as Kanzei, but it starting to get there.

Top 5th
Now it's Tsuruga's turn to get consecutive leadoff batters on!  Oikawa walks Iwata to start the inning and is immediately bunted over by Yamane.

And Kishimoto gets a hold of one!  Yoshida immediately running back, but he was playing in and he has no chance!  It falls at the base of the wall and Iwata scores to make it 2-0!

Tsuruga's showing Moriokadai how it's done!  Mine with his 2nd hit to left and there's runner on 1st and 2nd.

Issei blasts a grounder that makes Oikawa hit the deck!  Kishimoto scores to make it 3-0, and that looks like that's going to be it for Oikawa.  Matsumoto comes in from RF to pitch while #13 Toyota replaces Oikawa and goes to RF.

Matsumoto gets Yamada to flyout to center, stopping the streak of consecutive hits.

Kita with a popup in foul territory.  Sariishi chasing it to the camera well, reaches up.  Falls in!

Umpire calls out!  Saiishi caught it!  Nice play to retire the side!

Bottom 5th
Nabana works hard to get the count full, only to swing at a shoulder-high fastball and go down.

Yoshida is frozen on a fastball that runs back over the plate for strike 3.

Mochiduzki gets ahead 3-0, but winds up with the count full, and chases a ball outside.  He makes contact, but pops it up to Yamada for the 3rd out.

So while Moriokadai Fuzoku has had more opportunities to score, it's been Tsuruga Kehi who has actually taken advantage of them.

Top 6th
Matsumoto doing well in relief, inducing 3 easy flyouts from the 5-6-7 batters and Moriokadai is back on the bats.

Bottom 6th
Matsumoto turns around and gets his first base hit, turning on a fastball and hitting a single to right. Miura with 2 base hits bunts him over instead of swinging away.

And when Sariishi flies out to center, there's 2 outs.  Will they leave yet another leadoff runner on base?

Sadly yes.  Fukuoka gets under yet another pitch and pops it up.  Yamane makes the catch and Moriokadai is still not on the board,

Top 7th
Matsumoto continues to hold the line.  Where he had three flyouts last inning, he gets 3 groundouts this inning all with very little stress.

Bottom 7th
But Moriokadai's had plenty of opportunities and have been unable to score.  Now time is running short on their Koushien run,

On a fastball that Kita stands up for, Nabekawa give it a flat swing and levels it into cener.

Toyota tries to lay down the bunt, but it's right at Kishimoto who goes to 2nd for the out.  #18 Tomori runs for Toyota.

Back to the top of the lineup and Nabana flies out to center.  Yoshida flies out to left, and yet another runner is left stranded.

Top 8th
Tomori stays in to play CF as Nabana moves to RF.

Matsumoto is making it look easy out there.  He goes 1-2-3 again to retire all 11 batters he has faced!

Bottom 8th
But Moriokadai can do no better.  In fact all Kishimoto needs is 6 pitches and the side is retired.

Top 9th
Guess I jinxed Matsumoto.  I mention he's retired all the batters he's faced and he gives up a hit to Asai.

Two outs later Azuma-kantoku sends Asai who bends out of the way of the tag and is safe.

No matter though as Yamane grounds to 1st for the out.   Great work by Matsumoto to only give up one hit, but his team still trails with just 3 outs to go..

Bottom 9th
Sariishi can't get the rally started, swinging on a slider in the left-handed batters' box.

Fukuoka bloops one in to shallow left center for his first hit of Koushien.  He'll get some pats on the back as #17 Akama comes in to run for him.

Meanwhile #9 Ooshiro comes in to hit for Nabekawa.

But Kishimoto swings and misses on a slider for the 2nd out.

Last chance as #7 Saitou comes in to hit for Tomori.  He's not just hacking though, he's trying to extend the game and runs the count full.

SANSHIN!!!!!!!

Kishimoto puts a slider right on the inside corner and that ends the ballgame!!

Kishimoto puts through a wonderful performance and shuts out Moriokadai Fuzoku to advance into the Best 8!  Despite giving up the lead runner in 6 of the first 7 innings, he does not let a runner advance past 2nd base!

Moriokadai Fuzoku probably has a lot of regrets in this game.  Leaving so many men on base and not scoring a run has to burn a little in that dugout.  But at the same time, the team did break their winless streak at Koushien, and that counts for something.  Now that the first win is out of the way, perhaps more will come from this team.

For Tsuruga Kehi a 3-0, rather stressless win is probably just what they needed as they'll get 2 day's rest before they face yet another strong team in Seikou Gakuin who has now gone the farthest they've ever gone - and no doubt will be looking for more.


Notable Players
Kishimoto Jyunki (Tsuruga Kehi) - W, CG, SHO, 7 H, 7 K, 2 BB
Yonemitsu Issei (Tsuruga Kehi) - 2-3, 2B, R, RBI, HBP
Asai Hiroya (Tsuruga Kehi) - 2-4, RBI
Matsumoto Yuuki (Moriokadai Fuzoku) - 4.2 IP, 0 ER, H, K
Miura Chisato (Moriokadai Fuzoku) - 2-3
Oikawa Gou (Moriokadai Fuzoku) - 1-2

Our final game of the long day sees the Tokyo Champion and first-time participant at Koushien facing a team who has been to Koushien, but has yet to win a game in 9 appearance (spring + summer).

Moriokadai Fuzoku did just enough to advance in each step of the way up until their loss in the semifinal against Seikou Gakuin.  And again, it's not ace Oikawa Gou who Sekiguchi-kantoku relied on, it was CF Matsumoto Yuuki.  He throws in the high 130s-low 140s, with a slider, slow curve and forkball.  His numbers are more towards an average ace pitcher, with a ~1 K/IP and a WHIP under 1.  Southpaw Oikawa Gou isn't that bad either, posting slightly worse peripherals, but still effective.  It's clear though that Matsumoto is the go-to guy.

Matsumoto though isn't just good on the mound, but he's the cleanup batter and the center of the Moriokadai offense.  He, along with Sariishi Haruki hold down the majority of the power for the team.

The team consistently puts up runs, it's just a matter of how the pitching holds up.  The 5-4 loss to Seikou Gakuin though is not necessarily a good indicator.

Yasuda Gakuen won the highly competitive Tokyo super-regionals, and looking at their numbers it's a wonder how they did it.  Their final 4 games in the super-regional were Kokushikan, Kousei Gakuen, Nittai Ebara and Waseda Jitsugyou.

And they did it with an ace that averaged just over 4 K/9.  Oogane Shintarou doesn't throw particularly hard (high 120s-low 130s), has the normal slider/curve/change, and appears to have average control (3.47 BB/9).

However, he did hold Kanzei to just 3 runs in their narrow loss in the Meiji Jingu fall taikai.  And that's nothing to sneeze at.

The only question is whether the offense can help Oogane out.  Against both Waseda Jitsugyou and Kanzei, they managed to score just 2 runs apiece.  Furthermore, only leadoff batter Shibuya and last batter Oogane have averages over 0.300.  Cleanup batter Fukami drives in the runs, but hit a pedestrian 0.282 in the fall.  The rest of the team will need to step up if they want to make a deep run this year.

One of these teams will get their first win at Koushien.  Will it finally be Moriokadai's time, or will the newcomers find another way to advance?

Yasuda Gakuen (Tokyo) - Tokyo Champion
2B Shibuya Daisuke
LF Momose Fumiya
CF Terasawa Jyun
1B Fukami Shunsuke
C Koyama Shinjirou
SS Koyama Takuya
RF Motomiya Keita
3B Miyahara Kazuki
P Oogane Shintarou

Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate) - Tohoku 3 seed
CF Nabana Hiroki (#15)
LF Yoshida Arashi (#14)
SS Mochidzuki Naoya
1B Fukuoka Kippei
2B Miura Chisato
P Matsumoto Yuuki (#8)
3B Sariishi Haruki
RF Toyota Yoshiyuki (#13)
C Nabekawa Kazuki

____________________________________________________________

15:45 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Ace Matsumoto wastes no time here in the 1st.  As I get settled in, Shibuya grounds to 1st, Momose tries a safety bunt up the first base line that fails, and Terasawa goes down swinging!

Bottom 1st
Not a good start.  What should have been a routine grounder to 1st, Fukami throws it away tossing it to Oogane and Moriokadai has a leadoff runnner.

Yoshida can't lay down the bunt however, and ends up flying out to center unable to advance the runner.

Nabana does get to move to 2nd though as Shinjirou let a ball get behind him.

Mochidzuki advances the runner too, but only by swinging at a 57 foot pitch that gets away from Shinjirou.  It'll be up to Fukuoka now.

Instead, Oogane gets him to chase a ball down in the zone and foul out to Fukami to end the inning.  A bit of a rocky start, but no harm done.

Top 2nd
Shinjirou with a grounder that gets by a sliding Fukuoka down the 1st base line for a double!

Takuya lays down the bunt, but Shinjirou alertly notices Matsumoto retrieving the ball quickly and doubles back to 2nd!  Takuya is retired, but the runner stays in scoring position.

Motomiya shows bunt despite there being 2 outs and works the count to his favor.  However, Matsumoto gets him to fly out to center, and the inning is over.

Bottom 2nd
Miura gets Moriokadai's offense going again with a single to left.

But there seems to be a failure this game to lay down bunts.  Matsumoto can't lay it down normally and has to three bunt.  He does manage to lay it down though.

Sariishi can't improve the position though as he pulls the ball to 3rd.  Miura has to hold.

Tomita hits a high foul ball, Miyahara is there, but again for the new teams the wind wreaks havoc and Miyahara can't get it!

Toyota with a base hit to right!  Motomiya quickly to the ball and fires a one bounder home forcing Miura to hold at 3rd!

Nabeoka shows bunt, but with 2 down, that's not possible.  If it was to be a decoy, it doesn't work as Oogane gets ahead 0-2.

Sekiguchi-kantoku sends Toyota and the throw is cut off in case Miura breaks for home (he doesn't).

Oogane gets Nabekawa to ground to short.  Takuya's throw is picked by Fukami for the 3rd out!

Top 3rd
Miyahara tries for a bunt base hit, but it's up the first base line and Fukuoka makes the tag as he passes by.

Oogane quickly goes down on 3 pitches, sheepishly swinging at a slider away.

Shibuya becomes Matsumoto's 3rd K victim on a slider over the plate.

Bottom 3rd
It's back to the top of the order and Nabana.  He rolls over one right to Fukami again and this time he takes it himelf to 1st for the out.

Yoshida hits a sharp liner, but right at Motomiya for the 2nd out.

Mochidzuki hits a ball off the end of his bat, and that also goes to Motomiya for the 3rd out.

Top 4th
Momose with a comebacker that goes through the 5-hole of Matsumoto for a leadoff single.

Moriizumi-kantoku asks Terasawa to bunt, but he can't lay it down.  On his three bunt, he bunts it foul and once again execution becomes an issue.

Fukami whips around a ball from Matsumoto!  Yoshida runs towards the foul pole!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boy I was not expecting that!  Fukami's hit screams around the foul pole and just like that Yasuda Gakuen leads 2-0!

Matsumoto settles down afterwards, getting the Koyama brothers to strike out, but a HR by cleanup batter Fukami gives the Tokyo champs the early lead!

Bottom 4th
One down and Miura gets his 2nd hit, a grounder past a diving Miyahara.

Matsumoto follows that up with a ball the other way hard into the left-center field gap!  Miura advances to 3rd and Moriokadai is close to tying up the game!

But Sariishi can't bring them home!  He swings on a ball that actually hits him and he goes down for the 2nd out!

That leaves it up to Toyota.  1-1 count, Toyota cheats on an outside pitch, but only manages to foul it off.  Toyota hits a foul fly, but Fukami also loses the ball!

And it costs him!

Toyota lines a letter high pitch into center!  Miura and Matsumoto both score and Toyota has his douten 2-run single!  It's 2-2!

Nabekawa grounds out to short, but fielding issues at Koushien cost Yasuda gakuen their newly obtained lead!

Top 5th
Odd, Motomiya showed bunt during his AB, and the same with Miyahara.  Is the bottom of the lineup tha weak?

Perhaps so as both hit routine grounders to short.

And last batter Oogane grounds to 2nd.  Miura flips to Matsumoto for the 3rd out.

Bottom 5th
One down for Moriokadai and Yoshida hits a comebacker through to center for a base hit.  There's no bunt this time, but Mochidzuki goes down swinging for the 2nd out.

Fukuoka smashes a ball down the right field line, but it goes foul.  Fortunate for Oogane as he gest him to ground out to short to end the inning.

As we hit the break, the HR by Fukami gets negated by the inexperience of fielding at Koushien.  Neither pitcher has been that bad, but there's also nothing too spectacular about them either.

Top 6th
Post-break, the top of the lineup continues to struggle.  After Shibuya flies out to center, Momose tries a bunt hit, but that fails.

Terasawa finally makes contact with the ball and singles to center.  But he makes a baserunning error and is caught off the bag by Matsumoto to end the inning!

Bottom 6th
Miura doesn't collect his 3rd hit, but he does get on base via a walk.

Sekiguchi-kantoku asks Matsumoto to bunt the runner along, and he obliges.  Sariishi this time does move the runner over with a fly to right.

Moriizumi-kantoku calls time as the other batter to have 2 hits steps in.

But Toyota swings on the first pitch and flies out to left!  Oogane gets out of the jam!

Top 7th
Fukami steps in again, but with the bases empty.  Matsumoto gets him to chase a ball and roll it over to 2nd.

But then he turns around and walks Shinjirou.  Takuya shows bunt, falls behind 0-2, then gets caught looking at a fastball on the outside corner for strike 3!

And anothe base running mistake!  Shinjirou is caught off 1st by Nabekawa and the inning is over!

Bottom 7th
Moriokadai Fuzoku's lucky 7 comes and goes without much fanfare.  Nabekawa is still left hitless, Nabana hits a can of corn to Miyahara and Yoshida lines out to center.

Top 8th
The offenses continue to scuffle.  The bottom of Yasuda's lineup remain hitless as Motomiya strikes out, and Miyahara and Oogane can't hit the ball out of the infield...

Bottom 8th
Crunch time for both clubs.  This was where Naruto scored the decisive run.  Will we see something here?

YES!!!

Mochidzuki hammers a ball to deep left center!  Momose chases it to the wall, but...

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Indeed we do have another decisive strike here in the bottom of the 8th!  Mochidzuki hits a ball 10 rows up in left center giving Moriokadai Fuzoku the 3-2 lead!!

And with one down Miura collects his 3rd hit and has reached safely in all his plate appearances!  He's given thanks for his hard work as #18 Tomori comes in to run for him.

Matsumoto with a swinging bunt moves Tomori to 2nd, leaving it up to Sariishi once again.

But Sariishi goes 0-4 in with runners in scoring position as he flies out to right.

However, Mochidzuki breaks the deadlock here with just 3 outs to go!

Top 9th
Tomori stays in the game and goes to center.  Nabana goes to right.  #7 Saitou comes in for Toyota and takes over at 2B.

Last chance for Yasuda Gakuen, and it's back to the top of the order.

Shibuya gets his first hit and at a timely point!  He singles past Fukuoka into right!  Sekiguchi-kantoku calls for time.

Momose successfully bunts Shibuya along.  So they'll have 2 chances to tie the game.

Terasawa shows bunt?  Takes strike 1, then swings on a fastball away for strike 2...

SANSHIN!  Terasawa chases a ball outside and Yasuda Gakuen is down to their last batter, and it's Fukami no less!!

With so much at stake, Sekiguchi-kantoku calls time once more.

Fukami with a scorcher down the 1st base line!  It's by Fukuoka!  Shibuya comes around 3rd, he scores!  Fukami delivers again with the douten RBI!  It's 3-3!!

Now Fukami stands at 2nd representing the gyakuten run as Shinjirou steps in!

And now Matsumoto walks Shinjirou!  Are the nerves getting to the team?

Sekiguchi-kantoku won't wait.  Oikawa comes in for Tomori and takes the hill.  Matsumoto goes to his numbered position.

And on one pitch, Oikawa solves it all!  Takuta grounds out to 3rd and the inning is over!  But not before Yasuda Gakuen ties the game at 3!

Bottom 9th
Saitou with a base hit to right to start the 9th!  Moriokadai will try and end it in regulation!

Nabekawa successfully lays down the bunt this time and the sayonara run is in scoring position!

The action is going fast as Nabana hits a seeing-eye single past a diving Shibuya into center!  Tersawa comes up firing home and Saitou has to hold!

Runners at the corners and Moriizumi-kantoku calls time.

Can Yoshida bring the run home?

Will Oogane let him?  The count runs to 3-1.

Grounder to the left side!  Miyahara can't field it, Takuya backing up the play gets to it, but can't get a grip on the ball!  Saitou sprints home, and he scores!!

サヨナラ！！

Moriokadai Fuzoku gets their first ever Koushien win!  But sadly it comes at a heartbreaking loss for Yasuda Gakuen.  It shows too as Oogane as well as others on the team show emotion in the loss.  They certainly had their opportunities, and continued to fight even when they had just 3 outs remaining.  But in the end it wasn't enough.

Still, despite how much it hurts to go home after one game, the team can be proud of how they performed.  It's not the ending they wanted, but it was a great game for all those who got to watch it.  It'll be hard to come back in the fall, but maybe they can put one more run together.


Notable Players
Matsumoto Yuuki (Moriokadai Fukozu) - ND, 8.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 9 K, 2 BB
Miura Chisato (Moriokadai Fukozu) - 3-3, R, BB
Toyota Yoshiyuki (Moriokadai Fukozu) - 2-3, 2 RBI
Oogane Shiintarou (Yasuda Gakuen) - CG, L, 4 ER, 10 H, 3 K, BB
Fukami Shunsuke (Yasuda Gakuen) - 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI

Our brunch-time game features a school who had one of the more sadder, yet inspirational story and a school that denied many the ability to see arguably one of the better pitchers in action.

It seemed like it would be a given that Hanamaki Higashi would qualify out of Iwate and get back to Koushien, perhaps setting up a rematch of the two tall aces in Ootani and Fujinami.  However, that was not to be as Moriokadai Fuzoku jumped all over Ootani in the final and held on for the 5-3 win.

The numbers look great - a 0.413 batting average and a pitching staff that allowed just 5 runs, but again it was predominantly against the weaker teams of the prefecture.  Neverthelesss, look for Mochizuki and Satou to set the table for the offense, while ace Deguchi will probably be tasked with holding the opposition down for as long as he can.

The last time (and the only other time) Risshoudai Shounan was here, their kantoku had passed away in an accident and they had played that year for him.  To compound things, several players got sick right before Koushien, forcing them to play with reserves and a shorter bench.  Despite all that, they won two games and was a step away from the semifinals before running out of gas against Nihon Bunri.

This year, their run was no cheapie as they defeated Taisha, Kaisei and Iwamichisuikan in order for their 2nd Shimane title.  Offensively, they batted a mere 0.306 with the bottom of the order producing more for the team, while ace Yamashita fatigued late - which doesn't bode well considering he doesn't strike out many batters to begin with (6 K/9) and Oota-kantoku did not go to anyone else for help.

The matchup appears to be a push as Risshoudai Shounan did defeat the tougher teams of their prefecture, while Moriokadai Fuzoku upset the heavy favorite in their prefecture for the title.  Prefectural strength is also a push.  So going to press, I have no favorite in this game.

Risshoudai Shounan (Shimane)
SS Ogawa
2B Kawasaki
C Shiromoto
LF Wanda
3B Watanabe
1B Yokoyama
RF Miyata
P Yamashita
CF Uda

Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
2B Chida
SS Mochizuki
CF Satou
3B Nihashi
RF Yagi
LF Fujita
1B Kobune
C Chiba
P Deguchi Shinkai

____________________________________________________________

10:29 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
After a lengthy AB, Ogawa draws the leadoff walk and is bunted along to 2nd for Shiromoto, and he further advances the runner with a grounder to 2nd leaving it to Wanda to drive him in.

But Deguchi jams him and he pops out to 2nd.

Bottom 1st
One down and Mochizuki singles to center.  After a

Top 2nd
After two ground outs Miyata singles to left.  However, he tries to steal 2nd during Yamashita's AB and is thrown out to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd
Fujita with a grounder to short see the throw get away from Ogawa!  But Shiromoto is backing up the play and fires to 2nd where they get Fujita!  Kobune is able to single to right, but despite stealing 2nd, Chiba flies to center to end the inning.

Top 3rd
Deguchi is settling down here in the 3rd, racking up 2 K's in a quick 1-2-3 inning

Bottom 3rd
Nothing doing here for Morioka as Mochizuki gets his 2nd hit, a 2-out single through the left side.  That's all they'd get this inning.

Top 4th
Kawasaki starts off the inning with a leadoff walk, but jumps for 2nd too early and is run down.

2 down now for Risshoudai Shounan and Wanda drives a ball over Yagi's head!  It one-hops to the padded wall and he's in with a double!

Watanabe with a drive to left!  Fujita running back towards the foul pole...

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The balls are leaving the park in droves here as Watanabe hits a gyakuten 2-run HR!  Risshoudai Shounan leads 2-1!!

Yokoyama lines out to center to end the inning, but Watanabe HR put his team ahead!

Bottom 4th
One down for Moriokadai Fuzoku and Yagi reaches after a wild pitch on a strikeout.  The control issues for Yamashita continue as he walks Fujita.

Kobune makes him pay!  He slices one down the left field line scoring Yagi and tying the game at 2-2!!

Yamashita is able to retire the next two batters, but the control problems cost Risshoudai Shounan the lead!

Top 5th
Miyata with a routine grounder to 3rd, but Nihashi whiffs with the glove and the leadoff runner is on!

Yamashita with the bunt and Miyata tries to gun down the lead runner, but is late!  All safe!  Miyata makes 2 critical errors and the go-ahead run is in scoring position with no down!

Miyata returns the favor!  He is caught leaping away from 2nd and Deguchi picks him off!  One down!

Uda flies out to center and now there's 2 out for Risshoudai Shounan.

Ogawa grounds out to short.  Mochizuki takes it to the bag at 2nd and they get out of the self-imposed jam.

Bottom 5th
Top of the order and Chida collects his first hit, a single through the right side.  Mochizuki, despite being 2-2, lays down the sac bunt.

Satou advances the runner to 3rd, but at the expense of grounding out to 2nd.  Nihashi will have to get the one-timer to give his team the lead.

He doesn't need to!  Yamashita throws a wild pitch allowing Chida to score from 3rd!  Another control problem costs Yamashita once again!  It's 3-2 Morioka!

Nihashi pops out to Yokoyama in foul territory for the 3rd out, but self-inflicted mistakes are costing Risshoudai Shounan here in the 1st half of the game.

Top 6th
Now that I'm caught up after my computer inconveniently updated itself during the game, Deguchi features a slider, curve and forkball to go along with his mid-130's fastball.

Kawasaki starts the post-break action with a single to left.  Deguchi is paying Kawasaki a lot of attention, and deservedly so as with Wanda up, he successfully takes 2nd.

But Wanda chases a high fastball and pops out to 2nd.  That brings up Watanabe who hit the HR his last AB.

And now Deguchi throws the ball away on a pickoff throw to 2nd!  The douten run is now 90 feet away!

But Deguchi gets Watanabe to chase a fastball away!  He goes down swinging and leaves the tying run on base!

Bottom 6th
As for Yamashita, he has the same arsenal as Deguchi, just about 5-10 kph slower.

One down for Morioka and Ogawa lets a Fujita grounder go right through the wickets for an error.

Yamashita gets Kobune to ground to 2nd.  And despite a double clutch from Ogawa, he completes the double play to end the inning.

Top 7th
The deficit is only 1, can Risshoudai Shounan find the douten run here in their half of the Lucky 7?

Yokoyama with a ball to 3rd, and Nihashi is caught between hops and is all turned around!  The ball deflects off his glove as Yokoyama reaches on the error.  On the sac bunt by Miyata, Deguchi things about 2nd, but goes for the sure out at 1st.

But he puts another runner on immediately on a dead ball to Yamashita.

Uda with a single to left!  Yokoyama goes for home and Fujita's throw is up the 1st base line!  We're tied at 3-3!!  Runners are at the corners with just one down.

Ogawa goes for the squeeze, but he pops it up!  Chiba easily fields it and the runners hold their positions.  Safetly squeeze is that it appeared to be.

Kawasaki goes down swinging, but the ball gets by Chiba!  He fumbles with the ball, but his throw to 1st is just in time to retire the side!  But the Lucky 7 is indeed lucky for Risshoudai Shounan as they tie the game up!

Bottom 7th
But there's the home half of the 7th to deal with...

Chiba manages to work the count full, but has to defend the plate and grounds out to 2nd.

Deguchi is jammed, but manages to fist one over Ogawa for a base hit.  Back to the top of the order and Chida.  Yamashita leaves one a bit over the plate and Chida pulls it through the infield to right.

2 on now for Mochizuki - he won't be bunting here...

They getting a reliever warmed up, but Yamashita pumps 2 strikes to get ahead of Mochizuki.   Yamashita finally retires him on a chopper to 1st.  But now there's 2 runners in scoring position.

Good news is that Satou is up, and he's been 0-fer so far today.

And Satou hits a chopper to 3rd.  Watanabe picks it up on the hop and makes the throw to 1st for the 3rd out!  Yamashita keeps the game level with just 2 innings to go!

Top 8th
Oh boy.

Deguchi leaves a ball over the plate and Wanda just crushed it.  I mean Yagi tried at the wall, but really he had no chance.  It goes several rows deep into the seats despite a strong headwind!  Rishhoudai Shounan takes a 4-3 lead late here in the 8th inning!

Deguchi manages to get the next couple of batters out, but his team will have to fight from behind yet again.

Bottom 8th
Nihashi gets things started with a single through the left side.

But Sekiguchi-kantoku elects not to bunt, and Yagi grounds into the 6-4-3 double play!  Fujita flies out to right to end the inning and they'll be down to their final 3 outs to score 1 run.

Top 9th
If Deguchi can hold things here in the top half of the 9th.

Yamashita gets on base as his ball sneaks by Mochizuki's glove and into center.  Uda grounds to 1st, advancing the insurance run to 2nd.  If Ogawa can get a timely hit here, it might put the game out of reach.

Instead he lines out to right, and it's hold on time for Yamashita and the boys from Shimane.

Bottom 9th
It'll be up to the bottom third of the order to try and deliver for Moriokadai Fuzoku.

Fortunately, Kobune is 2-3 on the day, and as I write that, singles back up the middle.  Chiba stands in, will they bunt?

Well, first of all, #18 Ishida comes in to run for Kobune.  Chiba then lays down the bunt to advance Ishida to 2nd.

Deguchi grounds out to 2nd, but it's slow enought to bring the douten runner to 3rd.

It's all up to Chida, who has collected his 2 hits in his last 2 AB's.

HE DOES IT!!!

Chida takes a hanger from Yamashita and laces it to right, scoring Ishida and tying the game at 4-4!

Now Moriokadai Fuzoku can go for the sayonara run!

But Mochizuki can't deliver as he flies out to right and we have our first enchousen game of the tournament!

Top 10th
#15 Takahashi comes in for PR Ishida and takes over at 1st.

Kawasaki with a chopper to the left side, takes a high hop over Nihashi.  Mochizuki snags it from the air and while the throw is high, Takahashi's height allows him to stretch up for the out!

After a quick out by Shiromoto, Wanda steps in.

And almost gives Risshoudai Shounan back the lead!  Deguchi hangs another one, but this time Wanda pulls it just foul!

But Deguchi comes back to freeze Wanda for the 3rd out, and Morioka dodges a big scare.

Bottom 10th
3-4-5 batters for Moriokadai Fuzoku, but combined they've collected just 2 hits, and they both belong to Nihashi.

Satou remains without a hit as he grounds out to 3rd.

Nihashi is working it at the plate, fouling off several pitches before taking a close one to fill up the count.  However, Yamashita gets him to ground out to short.

Yagi gets a hold of one, but Uda is able to run it down for the 3rd out.  To the 11th we go.

Top 11th
Two quick outs for Deguchi, but Miyata is stubborn at the plate and after 9 pitches takes a borderline pitch for a ball and a walk.

However, Yamashita hits a swinging bunt right in front of the plate and Chiba throws him out to end the inning.

Bottom 11th
Deguchi seems to have found his second wind.  What about Yamashita?

Well, the Morioka batters are making it easy as they are swinging early.  Fujita first pitch grounds to 2nd.  #13 Takada comes in to hit for Takahashi, but flies out to center.

And when Chiba grounds out to short on the 1st pitch, it's a 4 pitch inning for Yamashita - a great help here in extras.

Top 12th
Takada stays in the game in right, pushing Yagi to 1st.

Uda represents the go-ahead run as he takes one back up the middle.  Ogawa immediately bunts him along into scoring position.

It's a race against time now with Wanda just 2 batters away.

But Kawasaki refuses to wait that long!  He drives a ball down the right field line all the way to the wall!  Takada runs it down, but not before Kawasaki has a triple!  More importantly, Risshoudai Shounan has the lead here in the 12th!

Shiromoto with a hot shot to the left side!  Nihashi catches the ball and beats Kawasaki to the bag for the double play!

BUT!  Risshoudai Shounan is just 3 outs away from advancing!

Bottom 12th
Does Moriokadai Fuzoku have another rally left in them?

Deguchi first pitch grounds out to 2nd.

Chida gets his 4th hit with a grounder through to right.  And Chida presses for 2!  Throw in from Miyata... not in time!  He just dives in there before the ball and now Morioka is threatening once again!

Can Mochizuki find the stroke from the beginning of the game?

NO!

Mochizuki lines out to 2nd and Chida is doubled off to end the game!

Moriokadai Fuzoku comes back twice, but can't muster a third rally in the 12th.  Risshoudai Shounan survives the ordeal and advances to face Sakushin Gakuin!

The game was about as level as you could expect.  The momentum constantly swung back and forth, and while it wasn't a clean game, it was an entertaining one nonetheless.  Moriokadai Fuzoku has nothing to be ashamed about in their performance, while Risshoudai Shounan will have to rest up a bit before their next game as their spirit 3 years ago surfaces yet again in another hard fought contest.