高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

Well, I'm not sure how you can beat last game, but we've got one more on the docket, and it's the 1st game of Round 2 between first-timers Kadena and first-time Natsu Champs Maebashi Ikuei.

Kadena (Okinawa)
CF Kouchi Ryousuke (幸地 諒承)
RF Nakaima Kousuke (仲井間 光亮)
1B Ooishi Tetta (大石 哲汰)
C Chibana Takuya (知花 拓哉)
3B Higa Hanamichi (比嘉 花道)
SS Kojya Takuma (古謝 巧真)
P Nakachi Kuore (仲地 玖礼)
LF Ooshiro Kento (大城 堅斗)
2B Aragaki Kazuya (新垣 和哉)

Maebashi Ikuei (Gunma)
LF Ishikawa Ruito (石川 塁翔)
RF Asami Yuudai (浅見 悠大)
3B Iijima Hiromu (飯島 大夢)
SS Ogawa Ryuusei (小川 龍成)
CF Maruyama Kazuya (丸山 和郁)
P Satou Yuuto (佐藤 優人)
C Morita Kento (森田 健斗)
1B Itou Yuuta (伊藤 雄大)
2B Hasegawa Ryouta (長谷川 涼太)

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14:22 - First Pitch!

1st Inning
Satou off to a pretty good start, does give up a bloop hit to Ooishi, but otherwise retires the side, including 2 K's on offpseed pitches away to Nakaima and Chibana.

As for Nakachi, his first batter goes off well as Ishikawa chases a ball in the dirt for his first K.

Now, he does wind up walking Iijima after trying to get him to chase, but Ogawa flies out to center to end the inning.

3rd Inning
The 2nd inning went like a blur as both sides just swung away needing just 16 pitches to finish the entire inning.

The 3rd inning was probably a blur for Satou.

Ooshiro hits a ball down the left field line for a leadoff double. After a bunt, Kouchi lines a single to left. Ooshiro dashes home and scores to make it 1-0.

Things get worse when Morita is called for catcher's interference, and Chibana singles to right.

But Higa can't add to the lead as he grounds back to Satou.

Maebashi Ikuei striking back as Itou singles to left., and somehow the ball gets by Ooshiro! He has to chase it down, all the while Itou heads all the way to 3rd! A huge E7 that will certainly cost them the lead!

And it does when Hasegawa singles to left! 1-1!

Nakachi catches a break then Chibana guns down Hasegawa on a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play that Hasegawa pays for when his head runs into the glove for the tag.

1 run seems to be all, but again out of nowhere Asami lays down a safety bunt and beats out the tag, steals 2nd and then takes 3rd when Chibana's throw is high, and Iijima puts a grounder in just the right place such that Kojya can run it down, but can't make the play at 1st. 2-1.

Bottom 4th
Maruyama starts up the Maebashi engine with a double to right. After a grounder moves him over, any old sac fly would do.

Morita though skies a ball in foul territory. Higa right at the wall to the camera well makes the catch.

Itou gets hit and things get a little worse.

But when Itou steals 2nd, Nakachi snatches the throw to 2nd and catches Maruyama in no-man's land! He's run down for the 3rd out!

Top 5th
Kadena gets a chance to run level at the break. Aragaki hits a soft liner to left. After another sac bunt, Nakaima singles through the right side! But Aragaki gets a late stop sign and has to scramble back!

And that winds up hurting them as they call the contact play with Ooishi up and try as he might, Aragaki can't avoid the tag at home. Chibana grounds out to retire the side and they're left begging once again.

Bottom 5th
Maebashi Ikuei taking advantage of course. Hasegawa single to center to start the inning. 2 down Hasegawa at 2nd, Iijima singles through the left side making it a 3-1 ballgame.

Ogawa follows that up with a ball to left center! That's to the wall and Iijima will come home to score!

Wait! The relay goes to 3rd, and Ogawa is thrown out! Not only that, but he's thrown out before the run scores! So it's still 3-1 as we hit the break!

Now, Maebashi Ikuei seems in control. But if Kadena can ever convert on their RISP, they may regret that out.

Top 7th
The 7th was one whole charlie foxtrot for Maebashi Ikuei.

First Aragaki hits a ball to the left side that Ogawa makes a great stop on, but has to eat the ball.

Then when Kouchi lays down the bunt, Itou instead of tossing to Hasegawa who was covering, tossed to Satou who had pulled up. All safe!

Nakaima then pops up his bunt, but he hit it so hard, it went all the way into the area between the mound, 3rd base and 2nd base! Ogawa chases after it, but winds up booting it instead into foul territory! All safe again!

And when Satou walks Ooishi in 4 straight, that brings in a run without the ball leaving the infield! 3-2!

The final nail in the coffin comes from Chibana. He singles to left scoring 2 and giving Kadena the 4-3 lead!

#10 Yoshizawa came in to try and stop the bleeding. The first batter lined to Ogawa who doubled off Ooishi.

But after that it got worse. A LOT worse.

• Higa single to center,
• Nakachi single through left side
• Ooshiro single through right side, 5-3,
• Aragaki (again), single to right, 6-3,
• Kouchi triple off wall near LF pole, 9-3.

And then there were 2...

And who saw this coming? If you did, you can take over my blog because you know a heck of a lot more than I do apparently (I could also just watch games again to watch games, but I digress.)

First of all Nobeoka Gakuen. 32 year old kantoku Shigemoto Kouji let out one hell of a scream after the final out was recorded. It has been a long road, one that almost didn't happen because St. Ursula battled with them the entire game before Nobeoka finally prevailed in the 10th.

Nobeoka has been the master of the mid-game adjustment. They have scored 15 of their 21 runs after the mid-game break. If you include the 5th inning, it becomes 19 of 21 runs.

I don't know what it is either, whether they spend the first time or so through the lineup assessing the pitcher and then striking, or if they know the mid-game break could affect a pitcher's rhythm and thus are somehow able to take advantage of it when other schools can't, but 9 of their 21 runs scored were scored in the 6th.

It's so prevailing that it may have been the reason why Hanamaki Higashi tried to attack ace Yokose Takahiro early in counts to try and get a lead before the eventual strike. But changing your strategy to something you're not used to just to try and preempt someone else's strategy doesn't generally lead to victory.

The last thing you need is to give ace Yokose an easy time on the mound. Hanamaki Higashi swung themselves to 9 Ks and 2 walks with a grand total of 3 hits. But in the Toyama Dai-ichi game, he was not as effective, giving up 6 hits, 2 walks and 3 runs in just 3 IP before Ide finished it out.

If we are to believe his interview after the Hanamaki Higashi win, Yokose will start the final - and why not? His one time he came out of he pen was his worst performance.

Maebashi Ikuei gets here having dominated Nichidai Yamagata from start to finish. They took my questions regarding their ability to score runs, laughed, and tore up my sheets. It's not that they scored a lot of runs, it's just that they scored them early so as to try and demoralize Nichidai Yamagata - who showed resiliency in the game against Meitoku Gijyuku.

Arai-kantoku made a key move before the game as Takahashi Tomoya went from the bottom of the lineup to 2nd and immediately rewarded him with a 3-3 effort with a 2B, a SB and 2 runs. Driving him in is the manager's son Arai Kaito, who only went 1-3, but has a sac fly and an effective groundout showing that he knows the situation and what he needs to do.

Interestingly the former #2 batter Tamura Hayato, moved down to #8 in the order and went 2-4 with a triple down the right field line.

On the mound, Takahashi Kouna has pitched all but the first 5 innings against Jyousou Gakuin. He's not the dominating ace that you'd associate with a championship team, but he scatters hits and walks and when he does get into a pinch he shuts the door.

However, I wonder if they'll send out their ace to start the game. It is the final, so perhaps he starts and then Kitagawa comes in. But chances are Kitagawa starts like the Jyousou Gakuin game and then Kouna would come in to close it out. The risk you run is much like their game against Jyousou Gakuin, and more prominently the 2006 final replay where Kikuchi Shouta started for Komadai Tomakomai instead of Tanaka Masahiro. Waseda Jitsugyou would score the opening run in the first, knock Kikuchi out and stay ahead for the rest of the game.

We just don't know a whole lot about their bullpen, unlike Nobeoka - who has 2 other pitchers that in the event of an emergency Shigemoto-kantoku can break the glass and go to. That's a comforting thought for a kokoyakyu kantoku.

I don't think there is a clear favorite, but if it does come down to the pitching - just from what we've seen in terms of depth, Nobeoka Gakuen has the advantage.

It's time for the final! This Natsu Koushien has been very enjoyable from start to finish, and I don't expect anything less from this game either! Play ball!


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

Nobeoka Gakuen (Miyazaki)
2B Kajiwara Shouto
SS Matsumoto Masaya
CF Sakamoto Ryougo
RF Iwashige Akihito
LF Hamada Shintarou
1B Tanaka Yuuki
3B Usuda Ryou (#14)
C Yanase Naoya
P Yokose Takahiro

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12:01 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
First pitch Kudou swings at and grounds right to Kajiwara for the first out.

Ah, and it looks like Kajiwara was injured in the last game, and he can't go.  #5 Watarai comes in to take 3rd and Usuda goes to 2nd.

Tomoya looking for a pitch from Yokose, but Yokose looks to be careful around him. He walks him!

Yokose working outside to Tsuchiya, but he takes one back up the middle past Usuda into center!

Arai also working the count on Yokose, gets it full.

Single through to right! Tomoya being held at 3rd as Iwashige's throw goes right home on the fly! But still manrui for Maebashi with 1 out!

Oh no! Ogawa's swing is basically a bunt in front of home! Yanase picks it up, stands on home, goes to 1st, double play!!

Big chance for Maebashi Ikuei lost by an unlucky swing!

Bottom 1st
Watarai up, probably expecting to come in for Kajiwara, quickly grounds out to short.

Kouna falls behind Matsumoto 3-0, but comes back to fill up the count. Comes with another fastball and Matsumoto rolls one to Kusunoki for the 3rd out.

Sakamoto flies out to right and it's a 0 for both aces to start.

Top 2nd
Maebashi having to start from scratch against Yokose now here in the 2nd. Itasaka gets a hold of a fastball, but it's off the end of his bat and he flies out to center.

Kouna ahead in the count early, sees Yokose even it up and then goes after an inside fastball and roll it to short for the 2nd out.

And Tamura too can't get level on a low fastball and grounds to short. No problem for Matsumoto and the side is retired. That first inning though has to hurt.

Bottom 2nd
Kouna gets ahead quickly on Iwashige 0-2, then cant get him to chase on any of the next 3 balls. Has to put him away with a slider over the plate looking.

Hamada takes a close pitch outside for ball 3, gets jammed inside and hits a slow liner to short.

Tanaka with a grounder to the gap in short, Tsuchiya cuts it off in the gap, throws a 3 or 4 bouncer to 1st and Kusunoki makes the pick for the 3rd out!

Top 3rd
Kusunoki slow chopper up middle over Yokose's head! Usuda ranging over, but misses handle and won't have a play at 1st! Idfield hit for Maebashi!

No bunting from Kusunoki.

Kusunoki picked off! No! He's called for a balk! Kusunoki advances to scoring position!

But Kudou can't even advance him! He goes after the slow curve but pops out to Iwashige in shallow right.

EH? 1-1 to Tomoya and he tries the safety bunt, but fouls it off! Yokose tries the outside pitch to get him to chase, but NG. Then a slow curve and he just makes a late swing to foul it off.

And so with that, Yokose goes up and in and Tomoya has no chance.

Tsuchiya with a base hit past Tanaka, but Kusunoki can't go home because it's hit to Iwashige and he fires one back home for the 3rd out.

Arai comebacker up middle! It hits Yokose and stays near the mound! He recovers, throws to 1st and that's 3 outs! Another unfortunate event for Maebashi!

Bottom 3rd
あ。 Kouna hits Usuda to start the inning. Yanase lays down the bunt, but Kouna is right there on it, fires to 2nd, just gets Usuda, throw to 1st late.

Yokose bunting too. But falls behind 0-2. Does it anyways! Arai charges in throws to 2nd again, and they just get Yanase! Again late at 1st.

Watarai grounder to 1st  and that's the inning. Wonder if part of the bunting strategy is to try and put stress on the defense for later?

Top 4th
Ogawa can't check his swing on a fastball high and is called out.

Itagaki gets around on a fastball inside and singles to left. As expected no bunting.

But there's a hit-and-run on 2-2! Ball way inside and Kouna still manages to foul it off! Yokose goes fastball down and away and Kouna can't reach out to it.

Tamura down quickly 0-2 on a curve and slider in the zone. And Arai-kantoku decides instead to send Itagaki! Throw from Yanase, not even close! Itagaki is out by a mile and the inning is over.

Bottom 4th
Matsumoto being a thorn in Kouna's side. Behind 0-2, he spoils several of Kouna's pitches and works the count full.

Ball back up middle. Tsuchiya with the great pick, turn and throw to 1st... nice play!

Matsumoto liner to 3rd, Arai puts a glove on it, but can't secure the catch! Prevents a possible double though.

And that's key! Iwashige fists one to right and it gets over Tomoya for a base hit! Nobeoka Gakuen threatening!

He gets one of the 2 outs! Hamada hits a pop to Arai, infield fly called for the 2nd out.

Kouna though can't find the strike zone on Tanaka! He walks him and it's manrui for Nobeoka!

Arai-kantoku calls time.

Usuda chopper to 3rd! Arai has to wait for it... throws to AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His throw right off the hand is high and goes over everything!! Sakamoto already in, Iwashige comes in and it's 2-0 Nobeoka Gakuen!

Kona can't find the outer half on Yanase and he walks him to load the bases again for counterpart Yokose.

Single to right! Tanaka scores! Usuda coming home, throw from Itagaki... in time!

But Nobeoka extends the lead to 3-0! That's usually death for the opponent, but how will Maebashi respond?

Top 5th
Tamura with a ball to left! Hamada running back to the wall! Still running... Looking up!!

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

That's how they respond. #8 batter Tamura with a leadoff HR and it's 3-1!

Kusunoki with the safety bunt. Bobbled by Yokose! He has no play!

Kudou with a base hit to the right side! Kusunoki taking 3rd and the douten runner is in scoring position!

That's going to be it for Yokose! Shigemoto-kantoku sends in #11 Ide in relief.

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

Tomoya lays down the perfect squeeze and the defense is caught off guard! Ide can only go to 1st and it's now 3-2!! And the douten runner is at 2nd!!

Oh? What's this! Ide walks Tsuchiya on 4 pitches! Pinch for Nobeoka!

And now he's 3-0 to Arai!

Arai with one off the bat, but it's looks like he got it caught at the end of the bat and flies out to center! Kudou was halfway and did not tag up! 2 down!

Ogawa ahead in the AB, works the count full...

Single through to right! Kudou rounding 3rd... he scores with no throw!

WE'RE DOUTEN AT 3-3!!!

And that's it for Ide! Shigemoto-kantoku scrambling as #10 Nasu comes in.

No help! He walks Itagaki on 4 straight and it's manrui for Maebashi Ikuei! Shigemoto-kantoku calling time, anything to stop the bleeding.

And it works! Kouna hits a grounder to 3rd. Watarai goes to 1st and the inning is finally over, but not before Maebashi counters to tie the game!!

Bottom 5th
Two quick outs from the top of the Nobeoka order. Watarai pulls one right to Kusunoki for the first out, then Matsumoto tries the drag bunt to the right side with no success.

Sakamoto with a line shot that tips off Kouna's glove and up the middle to center for a base hit!

But Kouna shuts the door with a slider up and in and we're at the break!

In a surprising development Nobeoka strikes earlier than expected, only to give it right back with interest as they're on their 3rd pitcher! The pitching advantage has disappeared for Nobeoka! How will it play out!

Top 6th
Tamura, with a ball off the end of the bat, back to Nasu for the 1st out.

Nasu with a rare K as Kusunoki goes after a fastball down and in. 2 down!

Kudou with ball off end of bat, drives it the other way all the way down the line and hits off the top of the padding in front of the foul pole! He's in with a double!

Tomoya grounder to short, Masumoto can't field it cleanly! Goes to 3rd...

OUT!!!!

Kudou caught rounding 3rd too far and Matsumoto alertly goes there for the out! Side retired!!!

Bottom 6th
Once again Kouna falls behind a batter 3-0, this time Hamada, gets back to full and hits comebaker to Kouna for the first out.

He gets ahead of Tanaka and gets a flyout to left.

And it's a 1-2-3 inning for Kouna post-break! Usuda weak grounder to 2nd and the side is retired!

Top 7th
Tsuchiya with a rip down the right field line... FAIR!!  Takes a hop to the wall, and Iwashige fumbles with the ball at the wall! Tsuchiya in with a 3B and Maebashi Ikuei has a great scoring chance!

Arai scorcher up the 3rd base line... FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tsuchiya comes home and Maebashi Ikuei has the 4-3 lead!!!

Ah, but Arai-kantoku tries to steal a base, and Arai's attempt is about as bad as Itagaki's earlier. 1 out...

And now Ogawa goes down swinging on the slider for the 2nd out.

Working to Itagaki, he can't seem to find either the outer or upper parts of the zone and he walks Itagaki!

AHHH!!! Wild pitch from Nasu gets under Yanase and Itagaki advances to 2nd!

And now behind 1-2, Kouna works the count full and works another walk from Nasu! That brings up Tamura...

Ball back up middle, Usuda caught leaning the wrong way, dives... makes the stop! Takes it to 2nd for the out, but Maebashi has the lead!

Bottom 7th
Nobeoka looks to be in trouble. Yanase with a regular grounder to 2nd. Nasu goes down on high away fastball...

And Watarai swings and misses on the forkball! They must be in red alert mode now!!

Top 8th
It's a 1-2-3 inning for Nasu as he settles down getting Kusunoki to fly to right, Kudou a routine grounder to 2nd, and another fly to right by Tomoya. He's trying to give his team a chance to get back in the game.

Bottom 8th
Matsumoto with a pop fly to Tsuchiya for the first out.

Ah, but Sakamoto works a walk! Douten runner on base!

Iwashige ball back up middle! Tsuchiya with an awkward toss to 2nd for 1, Tomoya's throw to 1st...

OUT!!!

Kusunoki stumbles after contorting to make the catch and the 6-4-3 double play ends the inning!

Top 9th
Nasu starting the inning off with a 4 pitch walk to Tsuchiya.

And now he's behind Arai 3-0! Shigemoto-kantoku gives a couple of words to Nasu from the bench...

Strike 1... and a fly ball! Hamada camps under it for the 1st out.

Tsuchiya takes off for 2nd! Throw from Yanase... hits Tsuchiya and bounds into left! Tsuchiya takes 3rd with a key insurance run!

Ogawa up to try and get the run in.

Nasu laboring out there as he goes from ahead 1-2 to a full count.

Ogawa dribbler back up the middle! Nasu blocks it with his arm, and keeps the runner at 3rd! Goes to 1st and there's 2 down!

Itagaki works count full after taking a just low strike at 2-2...

Gets the walk!Runners at the corners now for Kouna!

Grounder to short! Matsumoto goes to 2nd for the force and we're headed to the bottom of the 9th!

Bottom 9th
Kouna after getting ahead 0-2 to Hamada throws 3 straight balls... and then hits him! Douten runner on and Arai-kantoku calls time!

Tanaka liner down the left field line... FOUL! Shigemoto-kantoku gives him a smile and a clap for good effort.

Tanaka ball back up middle for a base hit! Runners on 1st and 2nd no out for Nobeoka Gakuen!

#13 Nozaki to hit for Usuda...

Pops it up! Tamura under it in shallow left center for the 1st out!

Yanase up now looking for timely.

Hit-and-run!  But Yanase pulls it just foul!

Pops it up! Ogawa scrambling to the Nobeoka dugout, slides... makes catch!!! 2 out!

And now it's P vs. P as Nasu steps in!!

1-1, Kouna goes 141 to get strike 2 on Nasu!!

Fork outside, emergency fouled off by Nasu!

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

Kouna with his arms in the air as he strikes out Nasu to win the game! Maebashi Ikuei in their first ever Koushien appearance wins the 95th Natsu Koushien tournament!

And in the hardest part of Natsu Koushien, the losing team is crying at the loss given their opportunity. Even Shigemoto-kantoku is crying... that's hard to take, but I loved the emotion he showed. It made it feel like he cared as much about it as the players. And I bet it makes the players play hard for him as well.

It's hard. It's the hardest part about Koushien, the fact that these kids may have their only shot at Koushien just to fall short. Whether it's in the first round, in the Best 8, or in the finals, to lose and have to deal with your emotions and the reporters and the loss. It's something the media can easily capitalize on. But remember, these are just high school kids that fight with their teammates throughout the year, throughout 3 years, working for this goal. Only 49 get the chance to come here, and only 1 can be the champion.

おめでとうございます前橋育英！
おつかれさまでした延岡学園！
みなさん、本当にありがとうございました!!

Final Lines
Maebashi Ikuei
Kudou Youhei - 2-5, 2B, R
Takahashi Tomoya - 0-3, RBI, BB, K
Tsuchiya Keisuke - 3-3, 3B, R, 2 BB, SB
Arai Kaito - 2-5, RBI
Ogawa Toshiki - 1-5, RBI, 2 K
Itagaki Fumiya - 1-2, 3 BB
Takahashi Kouna - 0-4, K, BB
Tamura Hayato - 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Kusunoki Hiroki - 2-4, R, RBI, K

Takahashi Kouna - CG, 3 ER, 7 H, 5 K , 3 BB, 2 HBP

Nobeoka Gakuen
Kajiwara Shouto - 0-0 (Removed after 1st batter due to injury)
Watarai Akihiro - 0-4, K
Matsumoto Masaya - 1-4
Sakamoto Ryougo - 2-3, R, BB
Iwashige Akihito - 1-4, R, 2K
Hamada Shintarou - 0-3, HBP
Tanaka Yuuki - 1-3, R, BB
Usuda Ryou - 1-2, RBI, HBP
Nozaki Kouji - 0-1
Yanase Naoya - 0-3, BB
Yokose Takahiro - 1-2, RBI
Ide Ichirou, - 0-0
Nasu Ryouto - 0-2, 2K

Yokose Naoya - 5+ IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 3 K, BB
Ide Ichirou - 0.2+ IP, 0 R, H, BB
Nasu Ryouto - 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 K, 5 BB

There is no preface needed given my reviews of the teams. It will come down to which ace, or perhaps which relief staff can hold the team up.

Nichidai Yamagata (Yamagata)
CF Aoki Tatsuya
2B Nakano Takumu
LF Mineta Jyunnosuke
SS Okumura Hiromu
1B Yoshioka ?
C Asanuma Takanori
RF Takeda Shouhei
P Shouji Misaki
3B Itasaka Hiroki

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

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11:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Kouna going outside to Aoki to start, he rolls over a 2-seamer to 2nd for the out.

Nakano with a ball back up the middle gets by Tsuchiya dives for it, but it gets past for a single.

Mineta with a base hit to center! Uh oh, these hits are back up the middle so far and Nichidai Yamagata is threatening.

Kouna despite the pinch, not giving in to Okumura, he tries to nibble the bottom of the zone, but to no avail! He's behind 3-0!

And he winds up walking him! Manrui for Nichdai Yamagata as Araki-kantoku calls time...

Shot to the right side! Tomoya with the pick! Throws to 2nd for 1, back to 1st...

DOUBLE PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kouna gets an assist from his 2B as he makes a spectacular play to get his ace out of the inning!

Bottom 1st
Kudou with a single just past a ranging Nakano for a leadoff single. Tomoya to bunt the runner..

NO!! It's a bust-and-run!

And Tomoya executes it perfectly! It goes right though the hole in the left side of the infield and now there's runners on 1st and 2nd with no out! This time Tsuchiya bunts the runners along looking for a timely.

Arai delivers! He hits a fly to right and Kudou tags up! Throw in not nearly in time and Maebashi Ikuei has the 1-0 lead!

Ogawa grounds out to short, but the first strike goes to the first timers!

Top 2nd
Kouna working away to Asanuma, he winds up early and pulling a slider right to Arai for the first out.

Takeda gets a high fastball, but get the bat behind it and flies out to Kudou for the 2nd out.

And it's a 9 pitch inning for Kouna as Shouji liked what he saw from the Kouna's curveball, but he too is under it and flies out to right to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd
Itagaki with a hard grounder to the right side, but Tomoya's counterpart Nakano makes a great stop of his own for the 1st out.

Kouna, after seeing two pitches out of the zone, goes after the first good one, but it's a fastball down and in and he can't quite get the bat level on it. Skies into the air and Okumura takes it on the mound for the 2nd out.

あ。

Tamura with a powerful level swing sends one down the right field line. Takeda running over, slides... but can't get to it! He scrambles to get it in, but not before Tamura is in with a triple!

Kusunoki up.

Liner to 1st, off Yoshioka's glove!!! It goes into right and Tamura scores to make it 2-0 Maebashi!!

That's Kusunoki's first hit this Koushien and it's an unfortunate one for Yoshioka and Nichidai Yamagata!!

Kudou grounds to short, but once again, Maebashi Ikuei puts a runner on the board.

Top 3rd
Itasaka ball back up middle, off Kouna! Ah, but it deflects right to Tomoya who goes to 1st for the out! What bad luck!

And Aoki follows that up with a basehit past a racing Tomoya.

Kouna though looking to settle down, freezes Nakano on a forkball for the 2nd out.

But I think the Nichidai batters have Kouna's timing down though as Mineta hits yet another ball back through the middle for a base hit.

Of course timing is one thing, hitting the ball is another! Okumura goes down swinging on Kouna's slider and the inning is over!

Bottom 3rd
#16 Ajiki in for Takeda at RF.

Tomoya moving from #9 to #2 in the order immediately paying dividends for Maebashi! He hits a ball to the opposite way,  Ajiki charging in... but he can't get there! Tomoya in with a double! He's moved over to 3rd by Tsuchiya. Arai up with another RBI opportunity.

And he delivers! This time he pulls one through short and Tomoya scores to make it a 3-0 ballgame!

Ogawa and Itagaki both fly out to end the inning, but this game is accelerating out of hand!

Top 4th
Yoshioka chopper back up middle, guess who's there? Tomoya at 2nd fields and fires to 1st for the first out!

After that though Kouna walks Asaunma on 4 straight.

But it's like he's toying with them because Ajiki goes down swinging on an inside forkball, and Shouji guesses wrong on the slider for the 3rd out.

Bottom 4th
Shouji trying to get back on track, feeds Kouna steady diet of fastballs, then puts him away with the slider.

Tamura ball the other way, Nakano makes a great sliding stop and Yoshioka with the pick at 1st for the 2nd,

And it's finally a 1-2-3 inning for Shouji! Kusunoki flies out to left to retire the side!

Top 5th
Itasaka way ahead of a Kouna offering flies out to center.

Aoki also seeing Kouna well, singles to right. Nakano with the bunt up the 3rd base line, but Arai is there and fires to 2nd!!  They get the lead runner!

Mineta up liner to right, Tamura going back, leaps!

Just makes the catch! I think he was fooled a little there, but he still makes the catch for the 3rd out!

Bottom 5th
Kudou ball back up middle, Okumura trying to get to it, but it just gets past him. Tomoya, despite the 2 hits, bunts him over.

And Araki-kantoku pulls the plug! #11 Satou Kazumasa comes in to replace Shouji on the mound!

Kazumasa though not finding the zone on Tsuchiya walks him.

It feels like he's overthrowing as all the pitches are outside or up, and he's behind 3-0 to Arai!

Liner to 3rd, Itasaka makes the catch! 2 out!

Ogawa flies out to left, and we hit the break with Maebashi Ikuei getting to ace Shouji early and often. Does Nichidai Yamagata have an answer this time against Takahashi Kouna?

Top 6th
Okumura drives the first pitch to center right! Kudou scrambling to get there, but it'll fall in and one hop to the wall! Okumura headed to 2nd, AH!

Kudou's throw misses the cutoff man and Okumura takes 3rd on the error! Chance to get one back!

And they do! Yoshioka with a deep ball to left, Tamura makes the catch, but Okumura easily scores to make it 3-1!

What's this? Kouna being careful with Asanuma? He walks him again! Araki-kantoku has Ajiki bunt him along for a one-timer from Kazumasa.

Ah, but he twirls like a ballerina on a slider from Kouna and the inning is over. Still, they get one run ack!

Bottom 6th
Kazumasa still struggling a bit there with control, but goes up and in on Itagaki and he has no chance at it for the 1st out.

Oh?! He goes a really nice slider away that Kouna just waves the bat at for the 2nd out.

Tamura will not give Kazumasa the clean inning though, he singles just under the glove of Kazumasa into center.

Tamura takes the right opportunity to slide as the pitch as wide outside.

Kusunoki, looking for his 2nd hit skies one to shallow right, Ajiki comes in, slides and makes the catch for the 3rd out.

Top 7th
Itasaka can't replicate that first knock as Kouna whips out the slider and Itasaki has no chance.

Aoki chases a slider inside and pops out to Tsuhchiya.

And Nakano swings on a high slider and pops it to foul territory, Arai heading to the edge of the camera well near the bullpen, and makes the catch to retire the side!

Bottom 7th
#10 Satou Ryouta comes in now for Kazumasa and takes the hill.

Kudou immediately with a ball to the gap in short. Okumura stops it in the gap, fires to first... SAFE!!  Kudou just beats that one out.

Bust and run! But Tomoya misses! Throw to 2nd, SAFE!!

Kudou straight steals the base!

Tomoya with the bunt, Saitou goes to 3rd!

SAFE!!!!

The throw is a bit low and Arai doesn't have it when he goes to tag Kudou! Araki-kantoku calls time, but this situation will be hard to get away with without damage now...

Tsuchiya showing bunt, but doesn't offer. Ah! But Tomoya takes off for 2nd! Throw not in time!

Ahead 1-2 though, Saitou goes full.

Tsuchiya shot to right side! Nakano is in front of it! But he has no play at home and begrudgingly can only go to 1st... Maebashi reestablishes 4-1 lead!

Saitou gets a key 2nd out! Arai pops out to Yoshioka up the 1st base line and he's can limit the damage to 1.

Ah... but it's not that easy as he plunks Ogawa...

And now Ogawa takes off for 2nd! Throw from Asanuma has him, so he scrambles back! Okumura chasing him sees Tsuchiya breaking for home! He runs down Ogawa as Tomoya scores! Which came first?!

It's the out! The umpires rule the tag out came first and the run doesn't count!

Top 8th
But Nichidai Yamagata is surely pressing now. The side is retired in just 7 pitches and it really looks bad for them.

Bottom 8th
Well, Maebashi doesn't mind being retired in 8 pitches. Nichidai gets their first 1-2-3 inning, but it may well be too late.

Top 9th
Kouna at a neat 95 pitches entering the 9th.

Asanuma hits a curve back into center for a leadoff single.

#13 Mito hits for Ajiki, but succumbs to the slider, 1 down.

Saitou grounder to 2nd! Tomoya with it! Goes to 2nd for one, goes to 1st... double play!! Game set!

Takahashi Kouna and Maebashi Ikuei sends his team to the championship game with a 4-1 win over Nichidai Yamagata!!

It's really too bad for Nichidai Yamagata, having reached the semifinals for the first time in school and prefectural history, they were almost taken out of the game right off the bat. It looked like there still might be some fight left in them after scoring the run in the 6th, but Kouna would shut them down thereafter.

But it was a great run for the boys from Yamagata. I know they're crying because they lost and perhaps lost without a chance, but considering their run, they should still be proud of their achievements. Hopefully it won't be another 7 years before we see another team make a run.

For Takahashi Kouna, this has to be one of the best scenarios for him. Just a shade over 100 pitches in a winning effort and while he may not still be able to go the full 9, he will be able to go longer than perhaps they were expecting.

Just one more game before making history for his school.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____________________________________________________________

13:35 - First Pitch!

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

Takashima goes full before grounding to 2nd.

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hits the high fastball!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

No bunting from the Maebashi Ikuei squad.

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

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

Bottom 3rd
Kitagawa down quickly swinging on 3 sliders.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bottom 6th
...what about their offense?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sasaki-kantoku calling time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fastball inside, fouls it off! And again!

Slider outside, ball 3!

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

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

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

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

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

Gets Yoshizawa to fly out to center, 2 down.

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

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

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

Count runs full..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Only now does Sasaki-kantoku bunt Shindou along.

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

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

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

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

Surely they will walk him.

No! No!

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

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

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

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

Yokohama has to be happy about the situation they're in, solid first round game, and away from the bloodbath on the first half of Day 12.

Asama is definitely as advertized. Officially 5-5 (I had him at 4-5 w/an E), it may be that pitchers would be better going around him. Except that Takahama follows him up. And while he was 1-5, that 1 was a 3-run HR that certainly broke the game open.

Outside of those two production is a bit more spotty, though 2nd year starter Nemoto is a quiet surprise for them so far.

Ace Itou has contradicting and probably more alarming numbers. He struck out 14 Marugame batters, but also allowed 8 hits, walked 3 and hit 2. It's not on the same level as a Hifumi Shinta fomerly of rival school Toukaidai Sagami, but wildly effective is the best way to describe his opening game.

Maebashi Ikuei will be hard pressed to repeat their first two games. Against Iwakuni Shougyou and then against Shounan, ace Takahashi Kouna pitched back-to-back 5-hit shutouts in 1-0 victories. His opening line of 13Ks perhaps raised expectations on him, as he would only strike out 6 in his next outing. He's very stingy with the walks - 3 total in his 2 games total, and gets batters for bad contact with a nasty slider and forkball.

With the offense not scoring runs, Kouna will be pressed to pitch like this for the rest of Koushien. Can he survive under shorter rest and under the relentless summer heat?

Maebashi Ikuei (Gunma)
CF Kudou Youhei
LF Tamura Hayato
SS Tsuchiya Keisuke
3B Arai Kento
C Ogawa Toshiki
P Takahashi Kouna
RF Itagaki Fumiya
1B Uchida Shouji (#14)
2B Takahashi Tomoya

Yokohama (Kanagawa)
3B Kawaguchi Ryou
2B Matsuzaki Kenzou
CF Asama Daiki
SS Takahama Yuuto
1B Watanabe Yoshiaki
C Takai Daichi
P Itou ShoujiLF Hasegawa Hiroyuki
RF Nemoto Kouta (#15)

____________________________________________________________

13:17 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Well, Kudou started the waiting game, but he goes after the 3-1 slider in the dirt.

Drive to left center! Asama back to the wall, leaps!

It's off the top of the padding! Asama gets it in, but not before Kudou's in with a double!

Ah....  Tamura goes for the bunt, but a crashing Watanabe goes to 3rd and Kudou is out by a good margin.

Oho! Tsuchiya's ball to the right side finds he grass! Tamura takes 3rd!

Chance here for Maebashi Ikuei early as cleanup batter Arai steps in.

He's playing the patience game too, gets ahead 3-1...

Base hit!!  He takes one the opposite way through the right side! Tamura walks in and Tsuchiya takes 3rd! It's 1-0 Maebashi Ikuei!

Ogawa drive down the right side... fair! Tsuchiya scores as Ogawa slides in with a double! 2-0 Maebashi and Watanabe-kantoku calls time.

But perhaps thinking Itou is on the ropes, Kouna goes attacking Itou, falls behind, takes a close pitch... then wastes the effort chasing a pitch at the eyes.

Itagaki doesn't even wait that long, takes just 1 pitch before grounding to 3rd to end the inning.

Maebashi scores 2, but it could have been much more!

Bottom 1st
Kawaguchi looking to mount Yokohama's counter-attack singles to center.

Matsuzaki lays down the bunt, but it's right in front of home! Ogawa pops out, fires a strike to 2nd, Tsuchiya goes to 1st... double play! That runner for Yokohama is erased!

And Asama grounds to short! A base hit, but that's it for Kouna!

Top 2nd
Uchida goes after the first pitch, grounds to 3rd.

Tomoya back to being patient, works the count full... draws the walk!

And now he hits Kudou! 2 on 1 out for Maebashi! Itou doesn't look sharp at all.

Tamura tries to play the waiting game, but he goes 2-2 after chasing a high fastball. He flies out to right.

Tsuchiya trying for it all! Fly to deep right! Nemoto going back, going back!

But the hamakaze knocks the ball down (as always), and he makes the catch!

Once again, Maebashi has the right idea but doesn't understand the situation (hamakaze). Itou still only tagged for the 2 runs!

Bottom 2nd
One down, and a ball to 1st from Watanabe doesn't take a hop and skips under him for a base hit!

Takai follows that up with a proper base hit through the right side! Developing situation for Maebashi!

AH!

Kouna throws it away to 2nd! Watanabe goes to 3rd!

And Itou comes through! Once again, singles through to right and it's 2-1 Maebashi!

But Hasegawa grounds to 3rd! Arai goes 2nd for 1, throw to 1st...

Just beats Hasegawa for the double play! Inning over, but Yokohama back on the warpath!

Top 3rd
Arai quick groundout to short, looks like they're abandoning the waiting game.

Ogawa with a weird swing, bloops one to right! All I can describe it as is like hopping back while doing a golf swing.

Kouna on the first pitch a grounder past a diving Matsuzaki into center! Maebashi threatening again!

But it's quickly wiped out! He hits it right to Kawaguchi who tags 3rd and goes to 1st for the double play! Side retired!

Bottom 3rd
Nemoto ball up the middle! Tsuchiya dives, makes the stop!

Ah! but he loses it getting up and Nemoto is safe! Still, nice play there to get to the ball.  Kawaguchi will move the douten runner to scoring position.

Kouna jams Matsuzaki, chops one to 1st. Uchida takes it himself for the 2nd out.

But Asama is up at the wrong time for Kouna.

Apparently Kouna thinks so too and walks Asama on 4 straight. Only problem is that it brings up Takahama...

Kouna goes for the slow curve! Takahama bites and pops it up! Tsuchiya out on the grass makes the catch for the 3rd out!

Top 4th
Itou seemingly can locate the fastball well enough, he punches out Uchida with one over the plate. The offspeed stuff not as much.

Tomoya gets ahead of Itou 3-0, but Itou puts 2 in there to fill up the count.

Tomoya gets jammed inside and hits a simple comebacker to Itou for the 2nd out.

AH!

Kudou booms a ball to right! Nemoto back... to the wall!!

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

Well, so much for not trying to fight the wind, Kudou does it! 3-1 Maebashi Ikuei!

えええええええええええええ??!!

Tamura with another big swing! No way!!!

Hasegawa going back to the wall!

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

Back-to-back by the top of Maebashi's order, WHAT?! It's 4-2 Maebashi Ikuei!!

Tsuchiya goes down swinging to end the inning, but this is a shock!!

Bottom 4th
Watanabe goes after the slow curve from Kouna, grounds right to Uchida.

Takai gets ahead of Kouna 3-0, but Kouna fights back to make it full.

And he pulls out the slider and Takai goes down for the 2nd out!

Itou making Kouna work, gets the count full.. found a pitch he liked and single to right.

Kouna falling behind batters and having to work his way back.  2-0 to Hasegawa, levels it at 2-2, then puts him away with the slider!

Top 5th
Arai and Ogawa quickly fly out for 2 outs.

Kouna falls behind, rolls over a ball to short and the side is finally retired in order for the first time

Bottom 5th
Nemoto up... and down on 3 straight... Kouna hits outside corner for the first out.

Kawaguchi liner down the line, Arai with a great leaping snag for the 2nd out!

Asama up, and swings at the 1-1 pitch but it gets away from Ogawa! Matsuzaki takes 2nd!

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

Asama swings over the forkball and the side is retired! We're at the break and Maebashi Ikuei has made a statement in the early innings against the Koushien mainstays!!

Top 6th
Itagaki singles back up the middle for a base hit! Uchida bunts him over.

Ball in the dirt bounces off of Takai and he loses sight of it as it falls behind him! Itagaki takes 3rd!

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

Tomoya lays down the squeeze, and Itou can't go home in time! Gets out at 1st, but it's now 5-1!

Kudou grounds out to end the inning, but Yokohama looks in real bad shape.

Bottom 6th
Yokohama seemingly folding before our eyes. Takahama quickly flies out to left, Watnabe grounder to short.

Takai bloops one to right, Itagaki almost makes sliding catch, but it pops out. He's in with a double.

But on the next pitch, Itou flies out to left. Side retired.

Top 7th
They must be folding tents because Watanabe-kantoku is starting to empty the bench it seems.

#18 Oda comes in for Watanabe and takes over on the hill while Itou goes to 1B. #14 Endou comes in for Matsuzaki.

Oda not bad here as he gets Tamura to chase the slider and Tsuchiya just watches a fastball hit the outside corner.

Arai grounder to short, should be, oy...

Takahama fumbles ball, inning continues.

あ。 And now Ogawa draws a walk.

Kouna blooper down the 3rd base side... Nemoto charging in towards the right field line, dives!!

It falls in! Blooper scores both Arai and Ogawa and it's 7-1!

Oda finally retires Itagaki but the rout is on.

Bottom 7th
Not much to say from the Yokohama side. Batters are swinging away, and getting retired quickly.  Kouna just needs 9 pitches.

Top 8th
#9 Ono takes over for PH Asai (who hit for Hasegawa) and goes to LF.

Maebashi Ikuei also looking to wrap things up quickly. Only a liner down the line by Kudou for a double breaks the clean inning.

Bottom 8th
#13 Kawada come in to hit for Endou, the first pitch from Kouna goes over his head, he ducks, the ball somehow hits the bat, and it goes fair in front of the plate. Ogawa throws him out...

Asama draws a walk, then proceeds to steal 2nd and 3rd. But Takahama and #12 PH Inoue go down and leave Asama stranded at 3rd.

Top 9th
#10 Nakajima comes in for PH Kawada and takes the hill. Nemoto goes to the vacated 2B, Ono moves from LF to RF, and Inoue stays in at LF.

Once again only a single from Okawa breaks up the clean inning. But Maebashi is finally at the bottom of the 9th

Bottom 9th
Perhaps to save some face, Takai singles to center. Perhaps they can make it somewhat respectable.

But Itou pops out to Tsuchiya, and Ono grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to end the game!

Wow, I was not expecting that. Perhaps the inexperience of the 2nd years made a difference, but fortunately for them they can learn from it and be stronger for next year. It is surprising though to see 2nd years litter a roster such as Yokohama.

The growing tale of Maebashi Ikuei and ace Takahashi Kouna is growing by the day. He already is the surprise of the tournament.

What was really surprising was the offensive output. Yes, they faced difficult pitching, but to explode for 7 runs against Yokohama with 2 HRs? Unbelievable.

Seeing this game, could the sky be the limit for this team?


Notable Players
Takahashi Kouna (Maebashi Ikuei) - CG, ER, 9 H, 5 K, 2 BB
Takahashi Kouna (Maebashi Ikuei) -2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Kudou Youhei (Maebashi Ikuei) -3-4, 2 2B, HR, R, RBI, HBP
Ogawa Toshiki (Maebashi Ikuei) - 3-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB
Takai Daichi (Yokohama) -  3-4, 2B
Itou Shouji (Yokohama) - 2-4, RBI

Our last game of the 2nd round features two teams who had identical scores, but not so identical games.

Both Maebashi Ikuei and Shounan both won of their games by a score of 1-0. Shounan got theirs from a suicide squeeze after a leadoff double. Maebashi's on a timely triple with a runner on base. Of the 7 hits Shounan got, they had just one extra base hit (Ootani's double). Half of Maebashi Ikuei's 8 hits were of the extra base variety.

Shounan's ace Yamashita had to get himself out of quite a few jams in the game, giving up 5 hits and 6 walks in his complete game effort. Takahashi for Maebashi Ikuei game up 5 hits as well, but walked just 2 and struck out 13 to Yamashita's 5. However, despite the power display Maebashi was more prone to the K, striking out 9 times to Shounan's 5.

Is it possible that the edge in this game actually goes to the first timers?!

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

Shounan (Kagoshima)
CF Ikeda Taishi
LF Kumasako Mitsuhiro
SS Konda Tenshi
C Ogata Sousuke
3B Fujino Yuuta
P Yamashita Atsuhiro
1B Hongou Kentarou
RF Ootani Shinpei
2B Shimada Kiyohita

____________________________________________________________

14:20 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
After a quick pop out by Kudou, Kusunoku snaps at his bat after swinging and missing on a fastball inside.

Tsuchiya tries to take advantage of a 3-1 count, but can only ground to short for the 3rd out.

Bottom 1st
No fireworks from Kouna just yet.

Ikeda skies one to Tsuchiya behind 2nd, and Kumasako grounds to 2nd.

Imada though hits a liner to right that Itagaki has to slide to make the catch on.

Top 2nd
Arai, grounder to short, Konda bobbles the ball on the transfer! Throw to 1st... Safe!

The 1B umpire calls Hongou off the bag and Maebashi has a lead runner! Ogawa moves him to 2nd.

Itagaki liner to Fujino, home plate umpire calls no catch! Now... that looks a little funny there.

Umpires get together, set home plate umpire straight, 2 outs.

Kouna lines out to right shortly afterwards, and the game goes on.

Bottom 2nd
One down for Shounan and Fujino draws a four pitch walk.

Yamashita showing bunt, lays it down. Arai overrides Ogawa, quickly throws to 2nd and cuts down Fujino.

Hongou tests Arai again with a bounder.  He smothers it on the short hop and makes the play at 1st.

Top 3rd
As expected Yamashita is getting his contact plays in. Tamura rolls over one to 3rd.

Tomoya with a foul fly, Ogata running over to the Maebashi Ikuei dugout on the 1st base side..

Tumbles in hard!!

Umpire goes over... calls foul, but more importantly goes down to check on him. He's okay and runs back to his position behind the plate.

Tomoya with a liner, but to Hongou for the out..

And Kudou too rolls over one to 2nd.

Bottom 3rd
It's possible Kouna is playing the contact game too to get quicker outs, as Ootani swings on the first pitch and grounds to second.

That's debunked as Shimada pulls one through the gap at short for his team's first hit.

Ikeda showing bunt, but takes all the way to 3-1. Goes for the hit-and-run, but Ikeda pulls it foul.

But Ikeda actually goes for it on 3-2, and he successfully lays it down!

Kumasako pulls one to the right side! Kusunoki ranging over, slides, but it's off his glove! It defects towards 2nd and Tomoya is out of position! Everone's safe!

Konda drive to left! Tamura going back, back, back pedaling...

Makes the catch! Man those backpedaling plays worry me. But side retired!

Top 4th
Kusunoku strikes out for the 2nd time against the pitcher who doesn't really record them. Not good.

That aside, Yamashita's plan of contact outs is working well so far. Tsuchiya doesn't make all that good contact in his ball to 2nd, and Arai does boom one to center, but it's easily playable.

Bottom 4th
Defensive change. #14 Uchida comes in for Kusunoku and takes over at 1B.

It takes until the 4th inning for Kouna to record his first K, and it's after falling behind Fujino 3-0 to boot for the 2nd out of the inning. Hit 144 on that pitch.

But I also think that he doesn't mind the quick outs on the field as well. Yamashita makes a bit for a hit with a ball to the gap in short, but Tsuchiya with the backhanded glove pick and cross body throw gets him to end the inning.

Top 5th
Ogawa checks in with Maebashi's first hit, rebounding the ball back up the middle for a leadoff single. Itagaki moves him over 90 feet.

Kouna at 2-2 hits a foul fly that is playable. Hongou, Shimada and Ootani all converge, Hongou goes for it, but it falls in foul.

Yamashita goes slow curve on Kouna, and he tries to slow down his bat to make contact, but it just prolonged the silliness of it.

Tamura up to try and break the deadlock.

And it gets a little easier as a ball gets by Ogata! Ogawa heads to 3rd.

He too can't check his swing and the count runs full.

Rocket to 2nd... AH!!!!

The ball 5-holes Shimada and goes to right center! Ogawa scores and Tamura takes 2nd! Maebashi Ikuei takes the 1-0 lead!!

Tomoya grounds out to end the inning, but we have a breakthrough!

Bottom 5th
Hongou with another had ball to Arai who hands that one like all the others.

Ootani liner down first base line, fair!!  He's on his horse and reaches 2nd ahead of the throw!

Shimada lays down the bunt! Arai having to charge in again throws to 1st.... SAFE!!

The 1st base umpire calls him safe, and I don't know about that. The ball was sno-coned, but it looked like he had control.  So Maebashi Ikuei in a big pinch.

SQUEEZE!!!  Ikeda lays it down! Kouna undertosses home....

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

Ogawa blocking the plate gets Ootani high on the body as he slides in for the out! 2 down!

Kumasako goes down swinging and the side is retired!

So yeas, once again we are at the break and we have... a 1-0 game... But not necessarily in the way we thought.

Top 6th
Kudou with a hard shot to Hongou, block it, quickly regathers it and beats Kudou down the line for the out.

Uchida up for his first AB... Singles to right!

Perhaps a chance to play a little add-on right after the break.

Hit-and-run! Tsuchiya liner, caught by Fujino! Picks off Uchida easily at 1st and the inning is over.

Bottom 6th
Kouna still pitching to contact, Konda and Ogata both ground out, while Fujino goes down swinging on a slider to retire the side.

Top 7th
Maebashi Ikuei apparently fine playing the contact game. Arai and Ogawa are retired on the first pitch each on routine grounders.

Itagaki swings after a sinker to retire the side.

Bottom 7th
Shounan doing the same really, but the difference is, they're behind a run!

Yamashita chases the high fastball and hits one back to Kouna. 3 pitches later the side is retired...

Top 8th
Yamashita tries to get the slow curve past Kouna, but he makes an easy swing and singles to left center.

Tamura showing bunt, and on the 2-1 pitch the corners crash in.  But he takes that for a ball, as well as the next one as now Maebashi Ikuei has 2 on no out. Yamanoguchi-kantoku calls time as #10 Kawabata warms up.

Now Tomoya up to bunt and he lays it down.

Contact play! Kouna takes off on the hit by Kudou! But Shimada goes home and Kouna is out by a good margin!

Uchida hit up the middle, Konda knocks it down! Flips to Shimada and there's 3 out!

Bottom 8th
The contact pitching is working as Kouna is just at 87 pitches.

Shimada wants to change that a bit, goes 7 pitches, but can only hit a comebacker to Kouna.

After a popup by Ikeda, #18 Setouchi hits for Kumasako.

Grounder to the right of the mound, Tomoya charging, throws across his body and gets the last out! Nice play!

Top 9th
#17 Fukuyama comes on for PH Setouchi and takes over in LF. Also, #15 Jyouso comes in for Shimada to take over at 2B.

Tsuchiya fly to left. Fukuyama going to his right, still going, still going...

Caches it at the fence just in foul territory! One down.

Oh? Yamanoguchi-kantoku sends in #10 Kawabata to pitch for Yamashita?

All he does is throw fastballs and get K's it seems. Arai goes down looking and Ogawa goes down swinging to end the inning.

Bottom 9th
And just like that, we're at the bottom of the 9th inning already!

Konda catches a slider and puts it behind Kouna into center for a base hit!

Ogata up, will Yamanoguchi-kantoku have him bunt?

No! Konda takes off! Throw from Ogawa.... offline!  It goes into center, but Konda can't advance.

Meanwhile Ogata behind 0-2....

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

Ogata chases the slider for the first out!

Now #13 Houman comes in to hit for Fujino...

Drive to left!  Tamura running to the left field line... FOUL!  Oh, but not by a whole lot.

...Goes full swing on a fastball outside and it's 2-2.

...Slider in the dirt and the count runs full.

SANSHIN!!  Houman chases the slider! Ogawa goes to 1st to complete the out, but Konda breaks for 3rd! Throw from Uchida, not in time!! Douten run 90 feet away!!

#16 Maemura to hit for Kawabata.

He's swinging away, falls behind 1-2...

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

Maemura chases the slider and the game is over!

Kouna saves the strikeouts for last as after giving up the opening hit in the 9th, he strikes out the side to secure the 1-0 win!

As expected the teams aces kept the opposition off the board for most of the game. What was surprising was the Kouna wasn't striking out batters at the clip he was in the first game.

But this could have been the plan all along. For striking out a lot of batters is good, but adds to a pitch count. By pitching to contact (as long as you have the control for it), you can cut down your pitches. I don't have an exact count right now, (oh, NHK just showed 118 pitches, thanks!) which in kokoyakyu figures is really good.

And considering that in just 2 days time, they'll be playing Yokohama? They need a fresh Kouna as they can get.  You can win the game striking out batters, but you may not win the war.

For Shounan, Yamashita did everything he could to win the game. His line today was actually a lot better than his first game, and yet the one run that scored was due to an unfortunate error.

And twice they had a runner at third come home and both times, Maebashi Ikuei cut the runner down at home. They had their chances, and you can understand the team's reaction to the loss. But, they can hold their heads high that they played 2 great games at Koushien and did their school and their friends, family, classmates, etc. proud.

Notable Players
Takahashi Kouna (Maebashi Ikuei) - CG, SHO, 5 H, 6 K, BB
Ogawa Toshiki (Maebashi Ikuei) - 1-4, R
Yamashita Atsuhiro (Shounan) - 8.1 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 4 K, BB
Ootani Shinpei (Shounan) - 1-3, 2B
Konda Tenshi (Shounan) - 1-4, SB

Well, we're onto Day 5 and the end of the first round/beginning of the 2nd round.  Very exciting games so far, though sometimes a bit sloppy.  Still, these are high school kids, so those things are bound to happen.

With the draws on Day 4, the teams in this game know that they will play the winners of the next game.  It might be a challenge, but they have to win this game first before worrying about that.

Iwakuni Shougyou defends their spring appearance in Senbatsu by winning the Yamaguchi taikai.  Despite only giving up 3 runs in the entire tournament, they were at risk to losing to Ube Koujyou before scoring 4 in the 8th, then after a complete blowout of former senbatsu participant Hayatomo edged out unknown Takagawa Gakuen for their first title in 27 years!

Given the performance in the later parts of the taikai, Ganshou will be relying on ace Takahashi Yuuya.  A southpaw, he only tosses in the low 130s with a slider and a slow curve.  Supposedly, he's able to pitch to both sides of the plate with control, which will be a necessity considering his velocity.

The offense in their close games appears to be average, with no person really standing out. They will swing away as evidenced by their lack of walks, and we will probably see a lot of bunting to try and score the single run.  Their performance at senbatsu is mixed, defeating what should have been a decent Riseisha squad, but being outmatched against Yamagata Chuo who was a 3rd tier team in Yamagata.

Gansho's opponent will be first timers Maebashi Ikuei.  It must have been a down year in Gunma because many of the strong teams just didn't show up.  Kiryuu Dai-ichi was nowhere to be found, Mebashi Shougyou and Takasaki Kenkou Fukushidai both lost in consecutive games to Maebashi Kougyou.  The only school left was Tokyo Noudai Dai-ni who got to the finals to face Maebashi Ikuei.

Now, Maebashi Ikuei is no slouch.  They could be considered on of the 3rd tier teams in Gunma and has had more success in the last couple of years.  In fact, since losing to Kiryuu Shiritsu Shougyou last summer, they have lost just twice - both times to senbatsu champions Urawa Gakuin.  Which, despite their poor performance here at Natsu Koushien, is very impressive.

They are not an offensive minded squad, which is fine because they have ace Takahashi Kouna.  He is our first ace who might be able to light up the gun.  He reportedly throws in the mid 140s and has a slider, curve and forkball.  In the Gunma taikai, he almost struck out a batter an inning, but does issue his fair share of walks (~3-4 per 9 IP), so perhaps Gansho can exhibit some patience.

Despite not having much offensive production, the top of the lineup will be an issue - specifically #2 and #3 batters Kusunoki Hiroki and Tsuchiya Keisuke, so Gansho ace Takahashi will have to be on his game for 9 innings.  At least they're the early game so perhaps it will be a little cooler... (But not by much...)

Iwakuni Shougyou (Yamaguchi)
RF Yokota Hiroki
SS Shigeishi Yuuji
P Takahashi Yuuya
1B Shigeoka Fumiya
C Kurisu Tooru
CF Nakamura Souichirou
LF Fujioka Masaki (#14)
3B Kamidera Yuu
2B Nakagawa Yuuki

Maebashi Ikuei (Gunma)
CF Kudou Youhei
1B Kusunoku Hiroki
SS Tsuchiya Keisuke
3B Arai Kento
C Ogawa Toshiki
RF Itagaki Fumiya
P Takahashi Kouna
LF Tamura Hayato
2B Takhashi Tomoya

____________________________________________________________

09:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Maebashi Ikuei trying to flash the glove early, slow grounder from Yokota, Takahashi flips to Tsuchiya who tries to make the throw to 1st. It's late, but inventive.

Shigeishi trying to bunt falls behind 1-2. Three-bunts, but it's up and in and he fouls it off for the 1st out!

Now Chuunai-kantoku is sending Yokota, but Ogawa fires to 2nd and he's out! Runner erased and Takahashi swings and misses on an outside slider for the 3rd out.

Bottom 1st
Kudou with a drive down the left field line, Shimizu running to the pole, dives... falls in fair!  Kudou sliding in with a leadoff triple!

Chance early for Maebashi Ikuei with Kusunoku up.

Ah, but they try the squeeze and it's way outside!  Kudou is run down and the runner is erased!

With the chance gone, Kusunoku goes down swinging on a slider away (natch).

Tsuchiya with a deep drive to right, Yokota sprinting back to the wall... makes the catch just before he catches the wall for the 3rd out.

Top 2nd
Much less eventful for Kouna as he catches Shigeoka on an outside slider, and both Kurisu and Nakamura ground out to Tomoya for the 3rd out.  (Too many Takahashi's this game!!)

Bottom 2nd
Fellow Takahashi ace Yuuya also pitching with a fast tempo.  Arai whiffs on three fastballs for the first out.

Ogawa chases the first pitch and with one arm flies out to left.

Itagaki works the count full, but grounds out to short.

Top 3rd
In fact, both pitchers working very fast. But now that I'm really caught up, turns out that Kouna doesn't throw as fast as the reports said.  In fact, he's pretty average in the high 130s with the very occasional low 140.

And he walks his first batter in Fujioka to start the 3rd.  Chuunai-kantoku has Kamidera bunt him along for last batter Nakagawa.

Also, Kouna is flying open with his delivery, leaving everything outside to a LHB.

But he does catch one in the inside corner to punch out Nakagawa for the 2nd out.

Yokota gets ahead 3-0, but doesn't like taking the walk, swings and misses on a full count fastball away to end the inning.

Bottom 3rd
Kouna first pitch lines a single to left.  Arai-kantoku has him bunted to 2nd by Tamura.

Tomoya unable to get the timely, chasing a low slider for the 2nd out.

Kudou goes for the slow curve and lines one to right!  Kouna being waved home!  Relay from Shigeoka...

OUT!!!

Kurisu beautifully blocks the plate and tags Kouna for the 3rd out!  Great play from the Gansho defense!

Top 4th
Shigeishi can't catch a break so far as he's called out on a failed check swing.

Yuuya becomes the 7th K victim caught looking at a fastball right down the middle.

And Kouna isn't fast, but his control is very good, striking out Shigeoka on a slider.  8 K's already and he just struck out the side!

Bottom 4th
Yuuya trying to catch up on the Ks gets Kusunoku chasing a high fastball.

Tsuchiya with a ball back up the middle, Yuuya actually kick saves it up in the air!  But it goes way up and by the time Nakagawa can get it, Tsuchiya is safe at 1st.

Now Tsuchiya takes off for 2nd!  Arai swings and misses on a low slider for the out, but Kurisu shows the ball first for the K then throws to 2nd allowing Tsuchiya to slide in safely!

But there's 2 down and Yuuya just needs one out.

Ogawa though with a drive to right center!  Nakamura running back, dives... but it's just out of his reach!  Ogawa rounding 2nd, slides into 3rd with a timely RBI triple! Maebashi Ikuei leads 1-0!

Itagaki grounds to 2nd, and Nakagawa makes it a little interesting when he can't field it cleanly.

Top 5th
Gansho's batters continue to struggle against Kouna.

Kurisu swings and misses on a slider for the first out...

Nakamura works the count full, but a forkball inside freezes him...

And can you believe this, he strikes out the side again when he hits 145 on the outside corner to get Fujioka!

11 Ks!!

Bottom 5th
Yuuya still doing well outside of that triple.  Kouna goes down swinging for the first out.

Tamura with a drive to right center.  Nakamura and Yokota converge, Nakamura calls him off....

AND HE MISSES IT!!

Nakamura leans back and it's behind him!!  Tamura going all the way onto 3rd on the complete misjudge!

Tomoya up to try and get the run in...


SQUEEZE!!!  Tomoya just bunts it away, but \I've never seen someone leap that far to bunt a pitchout away...

SQUEEZE AGAIN!!!!!

But this time Tomoya misses and strikes out!  Tamura is hung up and run down 2-5 to retire the side!  That's 2 failed squeezes now and Gansho maintains the one run deficit as we head into the break.

But against Maebashi Ikuei ace Takahashi Kouna... one run might just feel like 10.

Top 6th
The K parade continues!  Kouna and Ogawa play the old rope-a-dope as Ogawa feigns outside and Kouna puts a 142 fastball right over the plate for his 9th straight K.

Perhaps to break up the K's Chuunai-kantoku has Nakagawa do a safety bunt.  He's out easily 1-3, but it stops the demoralization (maybe).

Yokota the only one able to hit Kouna with another ball back up the middle that just eludes Tomoya.

And in a desperate attempt to get the runner in scoring position, Yokota is sent to 2nd, but Ogawa's snap throw gets him by a good margin for the 3rd out.

Bottom 6th
Yuuya doing what he can to keep his team in it.

But Tschiya drives an outside pitch to right center that Yokota has to play off the wall for a double.

Yuuya gets Arai for the 3rd time as he pops up to Shigeoka for the 3rd out.

Top 7th
Shigeishi actually putting up a fight against Kouna, fouling off several pitches.

Hits a high chopper!  Tsuchiya charging in... waits... makes throw to 1st to get Shigeishi for the 1st out.

Yuuya now checking in with a ball past Kouna for a base hit!

Hm... I wonder if Kouna's control is going away as he falls behind Shigeoka 3-1.  Does fire one in to fill up the count though.

Chuunai-kantoku calls for the hit-and-run! But Shigeoka fouls it off.

And he doesn't bite on the slider and there's runners on 1st and 2nd for Ganshou!  Arai-kantoku calls for time.

Ganshou's batter exhibiting patience as Kurisu also gets ahead 3-1.

Grounder to 2nd!  Tomoya to 2nd for one, Tsuchiya sees no play at 1st, but fires to 3rd as Yuuya is of the bag!  But the ball gets away from Arai!  Yuuya heads home!  Throw home.... OUT!!!

Yuuya not able to come home on the errant throw and Kouna gets out of the inning!!!  A bad break turned good, then bad all in a matter of seconds...

Bottom 7th
Well, at least the blown play hasn't affected Yuuya.

After an infield popup by Ogawa, Itagaki gets his first hit with a single through short.  But when Kouna hits a ball to 3rd, Kamidera goes to 2nd and Nakagawa goes to 1st to complete the double play to end the inning.

Top 8th
Kouna getting back on track with a 143 fastball inside that just twists Nakamura for the K.

Fujioka playing the waiting game, sends the 2-0 pitch into center for a base hit!

But bad luck for Ganshou again as on a hit-and-run Kamidera hits one back up the middle!  Tsuchiya right at the bag taps it and throws to 1st for the double play to end the inning.

Bottom 8th
Yuuya doing everything he can to keep his team in it.  After a popout from Tamura, he gets Tomoya and Kudou to chase for a 1-2-3 inning...

Top 9th
Now he has to turn it over to his offense, which in this case might include himself.

Last batter Nakagawa up first and he is swinging away.

He hits a chopper over Kouna!  Tsuchiya ranging to 2nd, fires to 1st and gets a diving Nakagawa!  Not sure if running it out would have helped anyways.

Yokota swings and falls over, but hits a ball to center!  Kudou coming in, but it falls in for a base hit!

Eh??! Shigeishi buntinga and fouls it off!  Really??!

Yes, really!  He does it again, but fouls it off and he's behind 1-2!  It seems to be off now though as he takes a ball way outside.

Fastball inside, Shigeishi jammed, but fouls it off...

And fouls off another fastball...

Grounder to 3rd!  Arai to 2nd for one, Tomoya to first... double play!!!  Game set!!

Yuuya can only look on as the double play strands him on the on-deck circle and his team falls to Maebashi Ikuei 1-0...

Maebashi Ikuei's ace Takahashi Kouna spins the first dominating performance of Natsu Koushien, pitching a complete game shutout striking out 13.  His control was excellent.A timely hit by Tsuchiya being the difference in the ball game.

Gansho certainly had their opportunities late as they got hits off of Kouna, but just couldn't get the timely when they needed it.  And so their Koushien ends perhaps a little early.


Notable Players
Takahashi Kouna (Maebashi Ikuei) - CG, SHO, 5 H, 13 K, 2 BB
Ogawa Toshiki (Maebashi Ikuei) - 1-3, 3B, RBI
Tsuchiya Keisuke (Maebashi Ikuei) - 2-3, 2B, R
Kudou Youhei (Maebashi Ikuei) - 2-4, 3B
Takahashi Yuuya (Iwakuni Shougyou) - CG, ER, 8 H, 9 K
Yokota Hiroki (Iwakuni Shougyou) - 3-4
Fujioka Masaki (Iwakuni Shougyou) - 1-2, BB