高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

And so here we are...

It's been a topsy-turvy tournament to say the least, with the tone being set in the very first game setting the one as senbatsu champs Ryuukokudai Heian was shown the door. From there we saw two regions not known for strong baseball - Tohoku and Hokushinetsu, go almost clean through to the 3rd round. We even had a possibility of an all-Hokushinetsu final has the results yesterday been different!

In the end though, we have none of that. Instead, we have a perennial Koushien team trying to play David to one of the - if not the - most dominant powerhouses in recent years, the Goliath that is Osaka Touin.

Osaka Touin was supposed to be here - especially given the dearth of other powerhouses in this year's field. They went and routed Riseisha, they went and routed PL Gakuen.

The road here at Koushien though was anything but smooth. The Kaisei gamei, the Kendai Takasaki game, and last but not least facing a team that was trying to not only emulate, but surpass them. They have certainly been tested.

They've perhaps gotten things together at the right time versus the right opponent. Tsuruga Kehi for the first half of the game traded blows before they just plain ran out of gas.

There are consequences of course. Ace Fukushima threw 160 pitches yesterday. They did rest him for a game earlier against Yazu, where #10 Tanaka would throw a 3-hitter.

Still though, 160 pitches is 160 pitches. What will they have left? And do they feel arrogant enough to start Tanaka throwing down the challenge to Mie?

Because this is Mie's first trip to the finals, their first trip even just to the Best 4. They're in a position that they've never been in before with a chance to win the title.

Mie was tested right off the bat as they had to comeback against Kouryou eventually winning in 11. Then they had to face Oogaki Nichidai, upstart Jyouhoku, before seemingly hitting their stride defeating both Okinawa Shougaku and Nihon Bunri soundly.

They have always felt to me like the ultimate blue-collar team. Never the big-name talent, just players who put their nose to the grindstone and were never cheated in a game, no matter how the opponent.

Ace Imai Shigetarou has been through this before. He was the last line of defense against Anraku and Saibi last year, allowing 1 ER in 2 innings. This year, he has carried the team through all the games and threw around 130 pitches in his effort against Nihon Bunri, though near the end it wasn't as stressful.

I could analyze this game to death, but there's something about this Mie team that just throws all that out the window. They'll be in it for sure, whether or not they can win... well I guess we'll find out.

Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Inaba Ryuuya
3B Yamai Tatsuya (#16)
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou

Osaka Touin (Osaka)
LF Nakamura Makoto
2B Minemoto Takumi
3B Katsuki Kazuya
1B Shouzui Yuuya (#8)
RF Aoyagi Kouki (#13)
C Yokoi Yuuya
CF Mori Shinnosuke (#9)
SS Fukuda Kouki
P Fukushima Kousuke

Home Plate Umpire - Furukawa
1st Base Umpire - Tachibana
2nd Base Umpire - Ootsuki? (大槻)
3rd Base Umpire - Doi

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13:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Nagano liner back at Fukushima! He gets his glove on it, deflects it straight up and makes the catch for the first out! Bad luck there for Nagano, but a nice play from Fukushima.

Sada gets ahead 3-0 before Fukushima puts in 2 strikes. He takes an easy swing and lines a ball to center for a single.  However, Utsunomiya can't do anything and grounds to short. Fukuda tries to go for the double play, but Utsunomiya beats out the throw at 1st.

Nishioka with a liner, but right at Katsuki and he makes the catch to retire the side! Some good defense by Osaka Touin, but Mie is making good contact on Fukushima's pitches early, and that is something to watch out for.

Bottom 1st
But there's a problem for Mie. Imai is maxing out at 130. Which means he's lost significant velocity from yesterday.

Nakamura with a liner to left, but Inaba - making the start today makes the catch.

Minemoto with a ball up the middle, Sada makes the stop, tries the jump throw, but it's offline and late. Nishioka snags it, but can't make the tag. Good try though.

Hit-and-run from Nishitani-kantoku! Katsuki grounds to 2nd, and working to plan Sada's only play is to 1st. 2 down though as Shouzui steps in.

Grounder to 3rd! Yamai with the great pick on the short hop! Throw to 1st low, but Nishioka makes a great pick on his end to secure the out. Scoreless through 1.

Top 2nd
Inaba makes the most of his start! He hits a gapper to right center that splits the defense for a leadoff double!

But Yamai wastes the chance! He pops his bunt, Fukushima secures it and it's like any normal base hit+bunt scenario.

Fukushima though falling behind Seko 3-0, but then firing strikes in once again to fill the count. He ends up walking him, but it also creates the force.

Nakabayashi drive to left! Nakamura going back to the fence! It falls in front of the wall! Inaba scores! Seko being waved around! Throw in... he scores!! #8 batter Nakabayashi helps out his battery mate and gives Mie the 2-0 lead!

Imai tries to help his own cause, but he fouls out to Katsuki near the camera well.

Nagano working the count as a base hit could mean a 3rd run. Count goes full...

And he walks Nagano! Creates a force, but with 2 out I don't think that was the idea this time.

Sada jammed and hits a bouncer up the 3rd base line. Katsuki makes the throw to 1st and the side is retired. Mie though strikes first with a timely double from Nakabayashi! Though 2 runs is still really meaningless at this point.

Bottom 2nd
Aoyagi waiting for his pitch, lines a ball to left. Seko coming in, slides.. makes the catch for the 1st out!

Yokoi clean liner to left for a single, Inaba waits for the bounce into his mitt.

Mori chases a slider way away for the 2nd out. The ball gets away from Nakabayashi and Yokoi can take 2nd.

Imai playing exclusively away from Fukuda, but gets the count full after falling behind 3-0.

But Imai gives him too much of a strike! He lines it to right for a basehit! Relay throw in not nearly enough and it's a 2-1 ballgame!

Fukushima chases the slider as well. Nakabayashi throws to 1st to complete the play, but already Osaka Touin has one of the runs back.

Top 3rd
Both pitchers having to work. Fukushima 36 pitches through 2 innings so far.

Utsunomiya gets the bat around on an inside fastball and puts it past Fukushima's feet into center.

Nakamura-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run, but Nishioka fouls it up the 3rd base line.

Nishioka goes down and drives a ball, but it's more of a golf swing as Mori is there near the wall for the catch.

Inaba meanwhile is on fire at the right time! He bloops a ball to left and Nakamura has no play on it. Runners on 1st and 2nd for Yamai.

Unlike Imai, Fukushima's velocity doesn't seem to have dropped. His fastball is in the upper 130s.

But Yamai is having no luck! He's jammed, chops one to 3rd and Katsuki starts the 5-4-3 double play to end the inning!

Bottom 3rd
Nakamura slicer down the left field line... fair!  Inaba has to run it down, but Nakamura is in with a leadoff double!

AH! Imai throws a wild pitch and the douten runner is 90 feet away! Nakamura-kantoku calls time.

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

Minemoto chases the slider down and away and Imai dodges 1 bullet. But still 2 to go.

And that's it. Katsuki with a fly to deep left center. The throw just goes into the infield and we're douten at 2-2!

Shouzui flies out to right, but as expected, Osaka Touin has tied the game.

Top 4th
Seko ball up the middle, Fukuda makes the pick, takes a couple of steps.. fires from 2nd and is there for the out.

Nakabayashi can't repeat his first AB and skies a ball to Fukuda for the 2nd out.

The bottom of the lineup this time around proves to be easy as Imai goes down looking to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
Aoyagi gets under a high fastball and pops out to short. Yokoi goes after the first pitch and drives it to center. Nagano running back towards right center makes the catch.

And Mori helicopters a swing, but merely grounds out to Nishoka for the 3rd out. Both aces get a 1-2-3 inning this frame.

Top 5th
Nagano on a ball just inches from the ground hits a liner to center! What the??!!

Sada with the bunt, Fukushima goes to 2nd... AHHHHH!!!

He throws it wide and Fukuda can't snag it! It goes into center and Nagano takes 3rd!

Utsunomiya overswinging at his AB when he just needs at minimum a sac fly.

But then he just goes down and makes contact on a pitch and bloops it to center! Mori coming in, but he can't get there! Nagano comes in and Mie retakes the lead! 3-2!

Nakatani-kantoku calls time...

Nishioka tries to lay down the bunt, but he pops it up! Shouzui makes the charging catch and goes to 1st to double off Utsunomiya! Big mistake, and while it's often seen, the cleanup batter bunting backfires for Mie and what was a great scoring opportunity leads to just 1 run.

Bottom 5th
Bottom of Osaka Touin's lineup trying to attack Imai early this inning. But neither Fukuda nor Fukushima can make any headway and there's 2 out.

Nakamura works the count, but chases the changeup for the 3rd out! The game going at a quick pace, and Mie holds a fragile 3-2 lead over Osaka Touin heading into the break!

Both teams certainly having opportunities against the aces on the mound. Mie though has squandered good scoring opportunities with poor bunting fundamentals. Will that hurt them later?

Top 6th
#5 Uchida (who apparently is injured) to hit for struggling Yamai and it pays immediate dividends! He singles to left! Seko successfully bunts him along.

Nakabayashi with a ball off the end of the bat, flies out to right. Uchida makes it to 3rd, but there's 2 out for Imai. He's quickly down 0-2...

He has to swing away, and hits one right to Fukuda. Throw to 1st and Uchida is stranded at 3rd.

Bottom 6th
Uchida, despite the injury will stay in to play 3B...

Minemoto with a clean single through the left side.

Katsuki not bunting, but he hits it right to short! Utsunomiya to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st as Minemoto slides in... DOUBLE PLAY!!!

Sada hanging in there makes the throw to 1st as Katsuki dives short to 1st! 2 out!

(Cue Docomo mushroom sliding into first...)

Shouzui tries to check his swing, but makes contact with the ball and hits it right back to Imai! He goes to 1st and the side is retired!!

Top 7th
Nagano proving his worth as a leadoff batter as he gets his 2nd base hit to center! 4 quality ABs so far today!

Hit-and-run!! Nagano takes off on the 0-1 pitch, Sada swings and misses, but Yokoi airmails the throw!

Sada further helps the throw as he just throws the bat at the ball and hits it to the right side advancing him to 3rd.

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

But it's a pitchout!!!!!

Utsunomiya has no chance to foul it off and Nagano is run down! 2 out!

Oh, is Nakamura-kantoku trying to give Osaka Touin a chance? He's playing traditional 高校野球 which is completely failing him! It's when he lets his players play that they do their best.

Utsunomiya does draw the walk. But Nishioka lines out to Nakamura in deep left for the 3rd out.

Bottom 7th
Aoyagi leading off the inning, tries to appeal for a dead ball that clearly wasn't. But head ump Furukawa confers. No dead ball is given, but it seems strange.

He eventually draws a walk. Yokoi bunts him along.

But Imai seems to be affected as he hits Mori...

And now Fukuda singles to center! Manrui for Osaka Touin!

Nakamura-kantoku calls for time...

Fukushima does the best thing he can. He avoids the double play at least by striking out swinging and rotates the lineup.

Nakamura jammed, bloops one to center! Nagano charges in, dives... but can't make the catch! 2 runs score and Touin takes the 4-3 lead.

Minemoto grounds out to Imai, but Touin does take the lead with just 2 innings to go.

Top 8th
Mie though is playing desperate. Inaba, Uchida and Seko all fly out and they'll be down to their final 3 outs.

Bottom 8th
Apparently that is it for Imai on the mound for now. He goes to RF as #12 Mori replaces Seko and takes the hill.

Katsuki starts him off with a single to center. Shouzui bunts him along.

Now #11 Setoue comes in to pitch for Mori, and #18 Matsumura comes in for Inaba to play LF.

And he hits Aoyagi...

Settles down a bit, fires a couple of strikes and gets Yokoi to pop up to center. Nagano charges in... makes the running catch for the 2nd out.

He then fires 2 strikes in to Mori.. and he pops it up! Matsumura with the catch and the side is retired.

Top 9th
But it's Osaka Touin that has the 4-3 lead going into the 9th...

And it's the 8-9-1 batters up for Mie. Nagano may get to bat with 2 outs...

Nakabayashi completely different from last inning's ABs. Tries to take pitches, drives a ball to center and Mori is there for the out.

Imai will stand in to hit, despite his poor BA.

But he fouls off pitches staying alive...

And singles up the middle to set it up for Nagano.

Nagano with a liner to left and that's in for a single. Imai as the douten run is in scoring position.

Nakatani-kantoku calls for time.

Now Nakamura-kantoku goes with a PH? #13 Suzuki stands in to hit for Sada.

SANSHIN!!!!

Suzuki too eager perhaps chases the changeup inside and there's 2 out.

Utsunomiya grounder to short, Fukuda throws to 1st, and a diving Utsunomiya can't stop the inevitable. Osaka Touin claims the title with a 4-3 win over Mie.

I'm sorry, but while my alliances are clearly against Osaka Touin, I wouldn't have minded them winning because well... they're Osaka Touin and they're a powerhouse, and etc. etc.

But I have issue with this win. Yes, Mie did themselves no favors during the game. The failed bunt in the 2nd... the failed squeeze in the 7th. If Mie had just played the game straight up - especially in the 7th, they could certainly be in a better position.

I can't really get over the dead ball request that Aoyagi made in the 7th though. It clearly wasn't a dead ball, he knew it, but he got the umpires to confer and it wound up throwing off Imai's rhythm as Osaka Touin would score the douten and gyakuten runs.

And as I was clearly reminded, the saying goes, "You play to win the game."

Sure, of course you do.

But I would rather it be done the right way. One that doesn't require seemingly underhanded tactics. I'm no optimist, let me tell you - otherwise why would I be thinking this? But when I first started watching 高校野球, it was because I thought the premise was pure and wholesome.

As you've read my thoughts on it in recent years, I have found that that vision is far from reality.

As I see the interviews going on with Fukushima and Nakamura, they are crying because they won. And of course there can only be one winner. But more often than not, like in real life - it's the big cats that generally rule the day.

Life isn't fair, and I know that. It's just sad to think that it applies to the extent that it does here.

And now, the stretch run...

The first game many consider as the warmup game. With the offensive power teams playing in the second semifinal, people look at this final as one where a team can say they at least made the final - though in Nihon Bunri's case they made the final in that instant classic versus Chuukyoudai Chuukyou.

Nihon Bunri has played 4 close games - even their last game against Seikou Gakuin was close until the top of the 9th. Their key victory in this run was perhaps their comeback win against Toyama Shougyou because of the comeback and the fact that Toyama Shougyou had some quality wins of their own.

Iidzuka is the only pitcher for Bunri they're willing to use it seems, so we'll see how he does in the possible last 2 games.

Mie actually played out of character in their last game. They had gone out to a 3-2 lead against Okinawa Shougaku before in character giving up 2 runs. Out of nowhere they scored 5 immediately thereafter and did NOT let Okinawa Shougaku back into the game.

Mie's record looks rather impressive having defeated 3 known participants in Kouryou, Oogaki Nichidai, and their last opponent Okinawa Shougaku.

Mie too depends on their ace Imai Shigetarou. But despite the lopsided win over Okishou, he did give up 12 hits and 3 walks and was immensely helped by the defense.

So both aces already showing some chinks in the armor and could be taken advantage of - and is the reason why I think a lot of people think the 2nd semifinal is really the final.

What's more, ace Hiranuma still looks strong as in their last game he gave up just 4 hits while striking out 10.

Nihon Bunri (Niigata)
RF Hoshi Kenta
SS Kurodai Naito
1B Kodachi Otowa (#8)
3B Ikeda Takamasa
2B Arai Makoto
C Kamakura Wataru
LF Kobayashi Masaya
CF Takeishi Ryou (#16)
P Iidzuka Satoshi

Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Yamamoto Youma (#10)
3B Uchida Ren
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou

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11:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Right off the bat, Hoshi gets Nihon Bunri's offense going with a single up the middle. The speed on the fastball though is at 130 which I think is a touch slower than in previous games.

Kurodai pops his bunt! Nakabayashi makes the catch, fires to 1st, but throws it away! It goes into left and Hoshi gets to 2nd after all!

And then he hits Kodachi! Is Imai already out of gas??

Ikeda grounder to 2nd!! Sada to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st... DOUBLE PLAY!!!

Imai's defense gives him yet another assist! And in what appeared could be a disastrous start ends up with nothing at all!

Bottom 1st
Nagano with a grounder off the end of the bat goes the other way through the infield for a leadoff single. As Sada bunts the runner along, Iidzuka's velocity appears down as well! He's down to the low-mid 130s!!

And Utsunomiya with a clean single through the left side! Nagano being waved home, throw from Kobayashi... is cutoff! Mie quickly leads 1-0!

Yamamoto with a bit of an indignant look as he gets rung up the home plate umpire on a ball that seemed clearly outside (and you wonder why the HS players and Japanese LL team pitches outside the way they do...)

Uchida grounds out to end the inning, but the drop in Iidzuka's velocity is very concerning.

Top 2nd
Opportunities again for Nihon Bunri. Arai draws the leadoff walk and is bunted over.

But Kobayashi pulls his grounder to the left side, preventing Arai from advancing to 3rd.

Takeishi flies out to right, and Nihon Bunri can't seem to get that timely hit.

Bottom 2nd
Okay, perhaps he was just warming up because Iidzuka is back in the high 130s. But he still gives up a leadoff hit as Seko singles to right. Nakabayashi moves him along.

Imai with a hard liner back up the middle, Seko scrambles back to 2nd as Kurodai goes for him, but then goes to 1st to get Imai.

And no timely from Nagano as he goes after the first pitch and grounds out to 2nd.

Top 3rd
Change defensively as #16 Yamai comes in for Uchida.

Imai finally retires his first leadoff batter as Iidzuka flies out to right.

Hoshi though looking to make him pay! Drive down the left field line! Yamamoto going towards the foul pole... FOUL!!!

That was close.

But he's not deterred! He pulls a ball through the right side and he's already 2-2 on the day!

Kurodai trying to lay down the bunt can't, but hits a short chopper that acts like one to move Hoshi to scoring position.

Kurodai goes down and slices a ball to center! That's in for a base hit, but Hoshi has to hold up at 3rd! Nihon Bunri once again seemingly ready to jump on Imai!

But Ikeda hits a grounder to short! Utsunomiya with it, goes to 1st... and Nihon Bunri is denied again!!

Bottom 3rd
Iidzuka, despite the slight velo loss, appears to have settled down. The top of Mie's lineup attacking pitches in the zone, hit into 3 groundouts in just 8 pitches.

Top 4th
Nihon Bunri with another baserunner as Kamakura draws a 1 out walk.

SANSHIN!!!

Kobayashi just turns away in disgust as he sees a fastball get called on the outside edge for strike 3! 2 down.

Takeishi can't do anything either as he grounds to short. Utsunomiya's throw is high and takes Nishioka off the bag, but he gets the tag on despite a minor collision.

Bottom 4th
Yamamoto's struggles at the plate continue as he chases a slider away for the first out.

Yamai with a chopper just outside of Ikeda for a base hit.

Hit-and run!!

Seko singles to left! Uchida heading for 3rd, and Kobayashi's throw is cut off! Mie threatening big time against Iidzuka!!

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

Nakabayashi lays down the squeeze and Iidzuka has no play at home! He has to go to 1st and Mie leads 2-0!!

Imai with a chopper in front of the plate, he thinks it's a foul ball, but Kamakura pick it up and goes to 1st for the 3rd out, but Mie is slowly extending their lead.

Top 5th
Nihon Bunri needs the break to regroup and fast, because they're completely scuffling at the plate.

Iidzuka hits a ball right back to Imai for the first out. Hoshi gets retired for the first time on a slider, and Kurodai quickly chops one to short for an easy play from Utsunomiya...

Bottom 5th
But they can still play defense! Already 1 down, Sada hits a ball to the left side - Kurodai makes a great running pick and throw for the 2nd out!

It's not a complete clean inning though as Iidzuka hits Utsunomiya.

Nishioka with a chopper out in front of home and Kamakura fields and throws for the 3rd out.

We hit the break and both teams have had their opportunities. However, Mie has been the one to capitalize on them so far building a 2-0 lead. Can Nihon Bunri regroup to mount a comeback?

Top 6th
The only concern for Mie is that Imai is already at 84 pitches.

But he seems to be getting better. He goes changeup inside on Kodachi for his 3rd K.

Ikeda grounder up 1st base line past a diving Nishoka into right! He's booking it and gets his double!

Arai can't deliver a base hit and can only move him 90 feet with a short chopper up the 3rd base line. 2 down and they need a base hit from Kamakura.

But he hits a grounder to short! Utsunomiya gets rid of it quickly, but it takes what seems like infinite bounces before Nishioka can glove it for the 3rd out!  Bunri again shutout!

Bottom 6th
Nakamura-kantoku has seen enough of Yamamoto and sends in #7 Inaba to hit.

Sadly for him, that spot seems to be a black hole has he strikes out swinging!

Yamai grounder to short, Kurodai runs that one down too! Throw to 1st, AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kodachi for some reason can't secure the ball and the inning continues!

Nakabayashi with a single to left!

And now things really going wrong as Iidzuka walks Imai to load the bases!!! And for Nagano no less!

Nagano, chopper, through the left side!!  Seko scores! Nakabayashi being waved in! Throw home... not in time!! Captain Nagano comes through again and gives Mie a 4-0 lead!!

Sada grounds out to short, but Mie may very well be on their way to the final!!

Top 7th
Nihon Bunri trying to fight as Takeishi fights of a pitch to right for a base hit.

But Iidzuka hits a grounder right to 2nd! Sada starts the 4-6-3 double play and just like that Bunri is down to their final 6 outs!

Bottom 7th
Mie fine to leave things as is, go down in order to speed up the game.

Top 8th
#18 Matsubara now in LF for Inaba.

But Nihon Bunri just can't hit themselves out of the funk. Hoshi and Kurodai are quickly retired before Imai issues his 3rd walk.

After ball one to Ikeda, Nakamura-kantoku calls time.

Ikeda a drive to left! Matsubara going back! Still going!

But he stops in front of the wall and makes the catch for the 3rd out! Ikeda can only look out to left as he turns back to his dugout... Mie is just 3 outs away from the final!!

Bottom 8th
Yamai drive to left!!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As if to say to Ikeda, "That's how it's done!" he blasts one to about the same place, but the difference is that his ball leaves the field! 5-0 Mie!!

Seko grounder to the gap in the left side, but Kurodai runs that one down too!! Throw to 1st, just not in time to get Seko, but man this guy can field his position.

Nakabayashi bunts him along for Imai to try and add on even more.

But Iidzuka strikes out both Imai and Nagano to retire the side. Still, his team is 3 outs away from elimination...

Top 9th
Imai with a drive to center, but Nagano is there for the catch.

Kamakura flies out to right, and they're down to their final out!

Kobayashi grounds out to 3rd! Yamai to 1st, and Mie advances to the final!!

What a performance by Mie! Even through Imai gave Nihon Bunri opportunities the defense was all but perfect as Imai would pitch a shutout! Not only that, but the offense took advantage of the opportunities it was given - and that was clearly the difference as it put Nihon Bunri on the defensive early.

It's really sad for Nihon Bunri. I really like both of these schools in general and it was sad to see that one of them had to lose. And their players can't help but cry at the fact that they fell one game short of the final. I'm sure that they also remember that final when they almost completed the comeback, and how it would be great to head there once more and revenge that final.

But sadly it is not to be. Nihon Bunri has to be one of the stronger teams out of the Hokushinetsu region annually, and I really do hope one day they get that title.

For Mie, their time is now. They are in the finals, and while the odds are certainly stacked against them, they have the chance, and that's all they can ask for.

And then there were 8. The contingent of Tokoku and Hokushinetsu teams are still there, though depleted over the last couple of days.

Mie, though not in those regions, probably shares some of the hopes they do in that they're not a prefecture known for strong baseball. And yet they're here in the Best 8 and got there their own way - by making sure they grinded their way there. Whatever the score, they will wind up playing a close game.

Okinawa Shougaku showed it had some backbone when stood up by Nishougakushadai Fuzoku. There has always been a feeling of not performing to their potential, but this year they've seemed to buck that by defeating not Nishougakushadai Fuzoku and in the first round Sakushin Gakuin.

But there's still something that makes me a non-believer. Whether it was the fact they couldn't keep their lead, or the fact that they've shown promise before. Winning this game might start pushing people towards believers.

Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Yamamoto Youma (#10)
3B Uchida Ren
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou

Okinawa Shougaku (Okinawa)
CF Akamine Ken
2B Nakamura Masaki (#13)
LF Nishihira Daiki
3B Asato Takeru
RF Kubo Shuuto
1B Uehara Kouta
SS Sunagawa Osamu
P Yamashiro Daichi
C Irabu Shouta

____________________________________________________________

08:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Nagano with a base hit past a diving Nakamura into center. Sada bunts him along.

おっと！ Yamashiro hits Utsunomiya (who hasn't done a lot at the plate!) Okishou in some trouble early!

Nishioka single to right! Nagano being waved home! Throw goes to 3rd and Mie leads 1-0!

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

Yamamoto tries the squeeze, but bunts it foul! That puts him at 2 strikes and probably swinging.

Perhaps he should have three-bunted....

He makes a very poor swing on a slider almost in the other batter's box for the 2nd out.

Uchida does the same, and perhaps wishes he didn't make contact as he just rolls a ball to short where Sunagawa just tosses it to 2nd for the 3rd out.

Yamashiro prevents further damage, though even if Mie scored runs, they'd probably give them back in the name of grinding out the game.

Bottom 1st
Akamine hits a ball to right for a base hit, but Seko is a bit lazy in getting the ball in, allowing Akamine to take 2nd!

After a sac bunt, Imai making things really hard on himself as he hits Nishihira.

Asato grounder to 3rd! Akamine going home stops and he's in a rundown! But he's alertly smart about it and gives the runners enough time to advance as far as they can before being tagged out.

So a base hit is still dangerous.

First base is still open, but Imai decides to fight against Kubo. Count runs full..

SANSHIN!

Kubo sprints out of the box but the home plate umpire rings him up for the 3rd out! Imai wiggles out of another one!

Top 2nd
Seko can't help out at the plate right now either as Yamashiro puts one at the knees for the first out.

Nakamura simply hits a ball back to Yamashiro for the 2nd out, and then Mie's batters need to know the proper way to stay alive as he just take a slow swing and hits it right to Sunagawa.

Bottom 2nd
Imai also having an easier time of it after the opening frame. Uehara strikes out on the outside slider, and then he gets 2 groundouts for a 1-2-3 inning.

Top 3rd
2 down and Utsunomiya singles to right. Yamashiro tries to be careful with Nishioka, but winds up walking him.

Small chance for Mie, but Yamamoto can't get the base hit as he grounds to 3rd to end the inning.

Bottom 3rd
Akamine with his 2nd hit of the game, a one-out single to left. But Imai gets himself out of the inning quickly as Kubo grounds into the 6-4-3 double play.

Top 4th
Yamashiro and his control again coming into play as he gives up a one-out walk to Seko. Nakabayashi not bunting with 1 down, bloops one to shallow center. Ken coming in, but he won't get there in time! It falls in and everyone's safe as Seko scrambles into 2nd.

That gets Higa-kantoku to call time.

Iimai grounder to 1st, Uehara goes to 2nd for 1, but Sunagawa sees no play at 1st and snap throws to 3rd just in case Seko went too far (he didn't).

Nagano drive to right! Kubo sprinting back to the wall! It'll fall in near the wall! Seko scores, Imai all the way from 1st scores on the 2R triple! 3-0 Mie!

Sada grounds to 3rd, but Mie's captain giving his team some insurance runs!

Bottom 4th
Which Imai starts giving back!

Asato with a deep drive to left! Yamamoto back towards the left field foul pole...

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mie is never comfortable with a big lead and Asato helps dent that large lead a little. One out solo HR from Okishou's cleanup batter and it's 3-1!

Kubo follows that up with a single to center! And then Uehara with a seeing-eye single sends Uehara to 3rd and Okishou threatens again!

Nakamura-kantoku calls for time.

But Sunagawa hits a drive to left! Yamamoto scrambling back to the wall, turns, and makes the catch right at the wall!

Kubo tags up and it's a 3-2 ballgame!

Imai strikes out his counterpart for the 3rd out, but once again, Mie makes it a tenuous situation for itself.

Top 5th
Utsunomiya having a great game at the plate so far, gets his 2nd hit of the game with a single through the left side.

Then promptly gets himself thrown out by a very wide margin at 2nd. Boy that looked odd.

Nishioka with a drive to left! Nishihira going back to the wall! He gives up!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not to be outdone, Mie's cleanup batter says to Asato, "Hey, I can do that too!" And the ball goes up about 10 rows for a 4-2 lead!

And now Yamamoto finally gets his basehit when there's no runners in scoring position (sic). Single to center and Yamashiro is getting hit hard - not to mention he's already at 94 pitches!!

Uchida with a blooper to left, Nishihira comes in, but has to play it on a hop!

Seko chopper to 3rd, Asato has it goes to AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He loses the ball on the transfer! And by the time he picks it back up everyone's safe!!

But Yamashiro comes right back and blows a ball past Nakabayashi for the 2nd out.

Imai drive to left center! Nishihira won't get this one!  Everyone will come around to score on the bases clearing triple by Imai! 7-2 Mie!!

Nagano single to center! Imai being sent home and Mie takes a 8-2 lead! Nagano takes 2nd on the throw and it certainly looks like they're trying to break that cycle!

Well, we'll see. Sada grounds out to short, so we'll see if this lead can stick, or like all the other ones they start giving it right back.

Bottom 5th
Well... Irabu leadoff single to left...

Imai gets Akamine to regrettably swing on a slider for strike 3.

Nakamura with a short liner to left, but Yamamoto is there for the catch for out number 2.

And at least for an inning Mie seems to have held the large lead... Nishihira swings over the slider for strike 3.

So, we hit the break with Mie all over Okishou ace Yamashiro. But their penchant for close games makes any lead seem unsafe.

Top 6th
Higa-kantoku makes the pitching change. Kubo comes in from right to take the hill while Yamashiro goes to take Kubo's position in RF.

Utsunomiya with a soft liner up the middle, his counterpart Sunagawa stretches out and makes the leaping catch.

Mie's batters seem to be swinging way too early on Kubo's pitches as evidenced by their repeated reaching out to the ball. Yamamoto is able to take a pitch down the right side for a double, but Uchida right afterwards is early too and just pops it up for Sunagawa.

Bottom 6th
Well, Imai walks leadoff batter Asato, thought that's understandable.

Kubo chopper to 2nd, Sada charges turns and backpedal flips to 2nd for one, Utsunomiya to 1st for the double play.

Uehara rolls a ball to 1st and it's another clean inning.

Top 7th
Seko with a blooper to center that falls in for a base hit. Nakabayashi tries to bunt the runner along, but winds up with 2 strikes. Goes for the bust-and-run, singles through the open left side.

Now Imai is able to get a bunt down, but it's not good at all. Kubo goes to 3rd and they almost double off Imai at 1st.

Nagano fares worse as he hits into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

Bottom 7th
Leadoff batter reaches yet again as Sunagawa singles up the middle.

あ。 #10 Kinjyou hits for Yamashiro, officially ending his nightmare day.  Kinjyou though goes down swinging.

Irabu, ahead 3-1 lines a single to left and they're in business here in the Lucky 7.

Akamine with a liner to right, but right at Seko for the 2nd out.

Nakamura liner up middle, off Imai's glove! Utsunomiya there to pick it up, fires to first for the 3rd out!

Top 8th
Kinjyou stays in the game to play RF.

Sada with his first basehit of the game, lines a single to left. Utsunomiya bunts him along.

With first base open, they're careful with Nishioka and wind up walking him.

Yamamoto liner, but right to Nakamura. Sada straying a bit too far is doubled off at 2nd and the side is retired.

Bottom 8th
Again, Okishou gets the leadoff runner on. This time Nishihira's hot shot eats up Uchida and it goes into foul territory.

Asato grounder to 2nd, AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Sada just whiffs on the ball and it goes to right! Nishihira takes 3rd on the error!

Kubo with another grounder to 2nd! Sada has this one, goes to 2nd for one, but Utsunomiya double clutches and the throw to 1st isn't in time! Nishihira scores to make it 8-3.

Uehara grounder to 1st, but Nishioka has it! Tags 1st, throws to 2nd where Utsunomiya tags Kubo for the 3rd out.

Top 9th
Higa-kantoku sends another person to the hill, this time 1B Uehara. Kubo goes back to RF and Kinjyou goes to 1B.

Uchida with a really awkward swing on a ball inside hits it to right. Kubo going back towards he foul pole??!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That ball went out? That didn't even look like a HR swing to me, it felt more like a stay alive swing.

Uehara only yields a 2-out walk to Imai, but gets out harmless otherwise.

Bottom 9th
#18 Matsumura in the game now to play RF.

2 down, Irabu gets a base hit up the middle, and is replaced by #12 Akamine Taku.

Ken grounds to 1st, Nishioka goes to the bag, and Mie is in the Best 4 for the first time in school history with a 9-3 win!!

Mie, long a participant at Koushien, has never been able to make a deep run until now. Starting with their win over Kouryou they have persevered through the field and are now into the Best 4 with this win. This win seemed uncharacteristic in that Mie was actually able to keep a big lead. One would hope that doesn't mean that they've peaked too early. They are after all just 1 game from the finals!

Alas, for Okinawa Shougaku the run falls short yet again. It's odd, they've had the team to challenge for the Koushien title, but whether it be the schedule or the weather, they just not been able to break through. That'll be it for this team of players, the kouhai's will have to step up and sooner rather than later because aki taikais are underway.

Mie is the ultimate blue collar team, and perhaps can't be comfortable with a big lead.  In their most recent game against regional for Oogaki Nichidai, they broke out to a 4-0 lead, immediately gave up 2 runs afterwards and then grinded the rest of the way.  And as mentioned before against Kouryou in the first round they came back from 2-run deficits twice to win 5-4.

Heck, even their pitcher embodies that too.  Imai with only 3 K's last game made his defense work. There was nothing easy about the game on either side of the ball.  And while it put the team under continuous stress, I don't think they'd have it any other way.

Jyouhoku won a miserable, rain-soaked, muddy game against Toukaidai Bouyou. They certainly took advantage of the field conditions when they placed the suicide squeeze to tie the game and then used that momentum to take the lead.  Conditions won't be like that again, so we can't use that game as a complete comparison, despite the fact the offense did manage 10 hits. And we won't know if the conditions affected the pitching either.

But given that this is Mie, this will be a hard-fought game.

Jyouhoku (Kumamoto)
CF Adachi Yuuki
SS Adachi Rei
1B Yamaguma Takumi
3B Narahara Isamu
LF Oyama MasatomoRF Kurumi Rintarou
C Yoza Kouhei
P Yasutake Yuuki (#10)
2B Tsujigami Akimasa

Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Yamamoto Youma (#10)
3B Uchida Ren
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou

______________________________________________________

13:50 - First Pitch!

Top 1st

Well, it's bound to happen.  With so many schools left from the Tohoku/Hokushinetsu/Toukai regions, they're bound to start cannibalizing each other.

Such is the case to start Day 8. Familiar foes Oogaki Nichidai and Mie square off in much better (and cooler conditions).  Oddly enough, while they are in the same region, they have not played each other in actual competition over the last 10 years.

Oogaki Nichidai broke down and broke Fujishiro's hearts after coming back from down 8-0 after the top of the 1st scoring 8 unanswered runs to win 12-10. While it is a great comeback, it was against a team that had only needed to defeat Jyousou Gakuin to win the prefecture. So perhaps while their tenacity was tested, their talent as a team is still in question.

Mie had a similar game, though not as pronounced.  They trailed Kouryou twice, both by 2 runs, and came back twice - the 2nd time in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs no less. 2 innings later, they walked off on a oshidashi walk no less, though Kouryou ace Yoshikawa could be excused as it was his 169th pitch of the game.

Kouryou while a big name, to be honest didn't have to face schools like Jyousuikan to win the title, but they have brand name which always adds weight to a victory.  And it's not like Mie had been held off the basepaths either. They were getting their fair share of hits versus Kouryou.

So it might be a bigger test for both squads today for a spot in the Round of 16.

Oogaki Nichidai (Gifu)
2B Oida Masahiro
SS Yuguchi Ikumi
C Naitou Daiki
P Takino Kaname (#7)
3B Nozaki Bunshi
1B Sakakiyama Shouta (#14)
LF Ookubo Atsushi (#3)
CF Furutani Daishi
RF Kaneda Kai

Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Inaba Ryuuya
3B Uchida Ren
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou

____________________________________________________________

08:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Oida already working ace Imai fouling off several pitches, finally drawing a walk on pitch 10.

Sakaguchi-kantoku sends Taneda!  Throw from Nakabayashi... and Utsunomiya gets the tag on the leg as Taneda dives in! One down.

That's too bad beacuse Yuguchi lines to center for a single.

Imai shuts it down getting both Naitou and Takino to hit routine fly balls to end the inning.

Bottom 1st
Mie hitting the ball hard against Takino.  Nagano with a sharp grounder to 2nd that Oida fields for the 1st out.  But Sada hits one hard right at 1st, and this time Sakakiyama can't handle it and it trickles into right for a base hit.

Utsunomiya grounder to 2nd, Oida goes to 2nd... throws it away!!  The ball goes into left and the runners advance!  Chance for Mie!

Naitou pointing to the right side, but Nishioka hits a ball past a diving Nozaki for a base hit!  Sada scores and it's 1-0 Mie!

Inaba next connects on a ball, thinks he has something, but it's not what he thinks.  The wind knocks it down and it's a sac fly to right,  Utsunomiya comes in to make it 2-0!

Things not easier for Takino.  He walks Uchida on 4 straight.

Seko a liner to right for a base hit!  Nishioka comes in to score and it's 3-0!

The inning finally ends when Nakabayashi flies out to center, but we've seen this story before. Can Oogaki fight back again?

Top 2nd
Well, Mie is no Fujishiro.  In fact I consider Mie to be Hanamaki Higashi before Hanamaki Higashi became a name.  In other words, they are the ultimate blue-collar team.  They never get cheated out of a game, even though they're not the elite of 高校野球.

Nozaki unable to get the bat on the ball, going down on 3 straight.

After a groundout, Ookubo with a ball through the right side!  And it looks like Seko is way out of position and has to chase after it (he may have been shifted?) and Ookubo ends up with a triple!

Now Imai falls behind Furuya 3-0, and despite filling up the count walks him!  Things getting a little shaky, but Kaneda hits a comebacker to Imai!  Soft toss to 1st and the side is retired without damage.

Bottom 2nd
Imai gets in on the hit parade with a single past a diving Nozaki for a leadoff single.

At 0-1 to Nagano, Sakaguchi-kantoku makes a pitching change.  Odd time for one, as ace # Takada comes in for Kaneda to take the hill, Takino moves back to his numbered position and Ookubo goes to RF.

Nagano welcomes him with a drive to the gap in left center!  Furuya chases it to the wall, but it lands in front of the wall.  Imai will score all the way from 1st and it's 4-0!

Looking for another run Sada lays down the bunt.

But Nakamura-kantoku tries the contact play and Yuguchi fires home to get Nagano for the out.  Nagaoka grounds to short and that's the inning, but not before Mie tacks on another run.

Top 3rd
Imai back with his control problems as he walks Oida for the 2nd time to lead off the inning.

Yuguchi tries to give the ball a ride to left, but Inaba is there for the out.

Naitou grounder up the 1st base line... fair!  And Seko is out of position again!  By the time he gets to it, Oida has come into score and it's 4-1!

Maybe they're depending on the infield defense.  Takino testing that again with a grounder up the line, but Nishioka is there this time to make the play and takes it himself for the out.

A bouncing ball gets away from Nakabayashi and Naitou comes in from 3rd to score!  Mie giving runs back as Oogaki Nichidai makes it 4-2!

And Nozaki after a prolonged AB singles to center!  That gets Nakamura-kantoku's attention and he calls for time.

Sakakiyama goes after shoulder high pitch, but lines out to left to end the inning.  However, Oogaki Nichidai starts cutting into the defeicit.

Bottom 3rd
Inaba almost appears to hit a ball from off the ground and lines it to Sakakiyama.

Uchida bloops a ball into left for a base hit.  But that is wiped out when he tries to steal 2nd and is thrown out by a good margin.

Seko has to double check as he exits the box to make sure he gets a walk, and the umpire doesn't stop him.

Nakabayashi, like Sakakiyama last half inning chases a high pitch and skies it.  Yuguchi makes the catch and the side is retired.

Top 4th
One down and Furuya draws his 2nd walk in as many ABs.  That's 4 total, and all to just 2 batters.  Takada bunts him along for the other walker Oida.

And guess what Oida does?  He walks!  That's 3 now for Oida!

Yuguchi though can't take advantage.  He grounds out to 2nd and the Imai gets out of another jam.

Bottom 4th
Mie having more trouble now against Takada, not making solid contact on the ball.

Imai flies out to center, Nagano does hit the ball hard, but Sakakiyama stays with the ball as it pops out of his glove and tosses to Takada for the 2nd out.

And Sada goes after the first pitch and gets way under it.  Sakakiyama waits for forever, but makes the catch to retire the side.

Top 5th
So Mie is implementing a shift with the LF and CF playing closer together and RF Seko shifted over as well and on the proverbial island.

But for the most part they're hitting it that way.  Natou flies out to Nagano in left center.  Takino actually goes down swinging on a slider.

Nozaki with a single to right, and Seko looks to be more in line.

AH!!  Nozaki caught napping at 1st!  Snap throw has him caught!  There's a rundown, and eventually he's tagged to end the inning!

Bottom 5th
Utsunomiya finally gets his first basehit at Koushien with a single to center.  Nishioka not bunting, but hits a sky high popup at home.  Naitou with it for the out.

The sends Utsunomiya, but it's a losing proposition. He's out by a wide margin.  2 down.

And Inaba goes down swinging to end the inning.

We hit the break with Mie unable to gain any traction on ace Takada, while Oogaki hopes that Furuya and Oida's walks eventually turn into something.

Top 6th
Imai meanwhile, keeping the Oogaki offense off the basepaths.  With 2 down Furuya gets ahead 3-0, but when the count fills up and he has to swing.... It's a fly ball to shallow center.  Nagano charges in, dives... and makes the catch!  Furuya certainly tried to get on base via a hit, but is negated by a nice play.

Bottom 6th
After Uchida quickly flies out to center, Mie tries to play the waiting game.  Seko work the count as best he can, fouling off pitches, but winds up flying out to center.  Nakabayashi works the count full, but takes strike three on the oustide corner.

Top 7th
One down and Oida actaully is swinging the bat.  Seko running to the fence in foul territory and makes the catch at the wall for the 2nd out!

Yuguchi flies out to center and it's a quiet Lucky 7 for Oogaki!

Bottom 7th
Imai with his 2nd hit of this game, this time going the other way.

Nagano not bunting, but can't get around on an inside pitch and goes down for the 1st out.

They try the hit-and-run with Sada, but he goes down swinging!  Throw to 2nd. and it's wide!  Imai in sliding and Mie finally gets a SB! Now a basehit by Utsunomiya can score a key insurance run!

No dice through as he grounds to short to end the inning.

Top 8th
Oogaki Nichidai trying to hit fly balls into the shift, but with no success.  Naitou and Takino fly out to center.  Nozaki grounds to 3rd and the comeback kids have just 3 outs left.

Bottom 8th
Nishioka with a base hit past Oida into center!  Nakamura-kantoku, really looking for that insurance run, bunts the runner over.  Uchida does the right thing trying to pull the ball, and manages to at least move him 90 feet with a fly ball.

But Seko with a routine grounder to 3rd, and they'll have to manage with the 2 runs.

Top 9th
Sakakiyama drive to center!  Nagano sprinting back.  Still running... dives...

MAKES THE CATCH!!!!

Nagano saves what could be instant trouble with a great diving catch!  One down!

And that certainly would have been the case because Ookubo singles to center!

Furuya up to hit, and unlike the first 2 ABs he's swinging away.  But it's no good as he flies to center and there's 2 down!

Last chance falls to #15 Arai who hits for Takada.

Grounder up middle!  But Sada is over there, makes pick and tags 2nd to end the game!

Oogaki Nichidai can't make a second comeback as Imai, though having to throw a lot of pitches, holds on for the 4-2 win!  You can be considered the comeback kids, but that means that you're under pressure for the remainder of the game as you have to fight to catch up.  Perhaps it was the starting of Takino that gave up those runs that was the difference as you can't really save you arms if you don't have another game to play. But that is the line the kantoku's must toe to give his team the best chance.

Mie is lucky to be honest.  If not for the opening runs, who knows where they would be in this game.  But they made those 4 runs stick and will move onto the 3rd round.

(Writeup to follow later)

Kouryou (Hiroshima)
SS Akagawa Taichi
RF Matsubara Ryouyuu
3B Sano Yuuta
C Oota Hikaru
1B Kita Shingo
LF Hirokane Asato
CF Hayashi Takuma
P Yoshikawa Kazuki
2B Fujishiro Rei

Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Inaba Ryuuya
3B Uchida Ren
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou

____________________________________________________________

16:09 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Before the siren finishes, Akagawa swings and flies out to Inaba for out #1.  Matsubara flies out as well, and it might look like a short inning. Sano though spoils it with a single to left.

Doesn't last for long though as Oota grounds to 3rd and the side is retired.

Bottom 1st
Nagano makes a routine groundout to 1st very close as he runs through the bag. Just thrown out by a step.

Sada and Utsunomiya hit comebackers to Yoshikawa and just like that the side is retired.

Top 2nd
If Kita was hit, he must have been barely grazed.

Hirokane with a ball down the left field side all the way to the wall! That dead ball as it was comes around to score on the double and Kouryou leads 1-0!  Hayashi bunts the runner to 3rd.

Yoshikawa hits a fly to fairly deep right, allowing Hirokane to score making it 2-0.

Fujishiro grounds to 2nd to end the inning, and Kouryou has the early lead.

Bottom 2nd
Nishioka leads off with a single to right.

Yoshikawa though uncorks a wild pitch and Nishioka advances to 2nd. Inaba wasn't bunting, and wound up striking out.  Nishioka makes it as far as 3rd, but is stranded when Seko grounds to short.

Top 3rd
Matsubara gets a one out base hit, but he's replaced by Sano after they can't turn the normal way,

Oota flies out to right and the side is retired.

Bottom 3rd
Mie can manage only a 2-out single by Nagano, bunt they can't get anwhere as Sada grounds out to end the inning.

Top 4th
Situation brewing for Kouryou as Hirokane singles up the middle, and then Yoshikawa follows that up with a base hit to left center. Fujishiro can't drive him in as he grounds out to end the inning,

Bottom 4th
After a hard liner by Utsunomiya, Nishioka is able to draw a walk.  They elect to not bunt, but Inaba almost hits into a double play after hitting a grounder to 1st. Instead Kouryou only gets the lead runner and the inning continues.

Uchida checks in with a base hit as he singles through the right side.

Seko with a liner into center for a base hit!  Nishoka rounds 3rd and will score on the play! Mie cuts the margin to 2-1!! Now Nakabayashi with a chance to tie the game!

Nakabayashi reaches down and hits a slider! Akagawa going back to try and field it, but it's over his head! Uchida scores and we're all tied at 2-2!

Imai grounds out to end the inning, but not before Mie make it a whole new ballgame!

(Once again, due to lack of sleep ~2 hrs and me getting older, I dozed off sometime after the bottom of the 4th. I managed to catch certain bits throughout and will include them here.)

So with momentum on Mie's side, they threatened one again in the 5th.  After a base hit by Nagano and a sac bunt, Utsunomiya would get hit by a pitch and Mie had a legitimate rally going.  Yoshikawa stuck to the game plan though and pitched outside exclusively to Nishioka, which earned him a K when he painted the fastball on the outside corner. Inaba would turn over a ball to 2nd and that ended the threat.

The mid-game break would prove to be a good reset point for Kouryou after conceding the lead.  After a quick 6th inning, Yoshikawa would come to bat to start the 7th and he would punish a misplaced fastball just inside the foul pole giving Kouryou back the lead at 3-2.

That would rattle Imai as he would later load the bases, and then hit Kita to drive in another run, reestablishing the 2-run margin Kouryou had earlier.

Mie would scuffle in the 7th and 8th innings, and soon found themselves in the bottom of the 9th still trailing by 2.  With one down, Seko and Nakabayashi would string together back-to-back hits putting the douten runner at 1B.  With nothing to lose, the PH for Imai, but #10 Yamamoto would fly out.

Now down to their last out, Nagano did whatever he could to keep the game alive and with Yoshikawa temporarily unable to find the zone, reached on a walk to load the bases.  But that brought up Sada, who hadn't gotten a hit all game.

That all changed when Yoshikawa left a fastball up in the zone and Sada sent it back up the middle.  Both Seko and Aoki (running for Nakabayashi) would score, tying the game and keeping Mie alive.  Utsunomiya would be unable to win it in regulation, so off to enchousen we went.

Neither team however seized control of the game in the 10th, which meant the momentum Mie built by tying the game had disappeared.  Not to mention the fact that because Mie went all in during the 9th they had to get a little creative with their defense.  #12 Mori would come in to pitch, #14 Kan would take over at 1B, and Nishioka would go from 1B to C!

In the top of the 11th, it looked like Mie had run out of time.  After a 1-out single by Akagawa, a ground ball to Utsunomiya would be thrown away and instead of getting an out, Kouryou suddenly had runners at 2nd and 3rd.  But Mori and his funky delivery would find a way to strike out Sano, and get Oota to fly out to center, ending the threat!

Of course with that, momentum was squarely back with Mie.  Seko took full advantage hitting a gapper for a leadoff double.  Kan laid down the sac bunt, but Yoshikawa gambled, throwing to 3rd instead.  But his throw was offline and everyone wound up being safe!  Mori had a chance to end the game right then and there, but wound up hitting a comebacker to Yoshikawa for the 1st out.

With an extra base and Nagano having 3 hits on the day, they elected to walk him with the open base available.

It seemed to pay off when Sada hit right to 2nd and Fujishiro went home for the 2nd out.

Utsunomiya was up and he was hitless on the day as well.  But Yoshikawa's pitch count was already at 160+ and before he knew it, he was behind 3-0.  He managed to put a fastball in for a strike, but on the 169th pitch of the game, he threw it high and inside for the oshidashi, sayonara win for Mie.

So, before I actually did my research on all the schools, I had thought that Mie was a public school.  Color me surprised then when I found out that Miekou was a private school! And it carries the prefecture's namesake!

Despite that, they are an entertaining team to watch in my opinion. They're certainly not the best team, but for some reason I like watching them play.  Dunno if it's becuase of kantoku Okita Nobuo's (沖田 展男) coaching philosophy or what, but I do like seeing them (doesn't change the fact I'd like to see lesser known schools make it (like Ise).

Road to Senbatsu
Matsusaka/ Muro Regionals

• def. Matsusaka 10-0 (5/6 inn)

Mie Prefecturals

• def. Uji-Yamada Shougyou 8-0 (8 inn) [1 hitter!]
• def. Tsu Nishi 8-0 (7 inn)
• def. Inabe Sougou Gakuen 1-0
• def. Ise 5-1

Tokai Super-Regionals

• def. Chuukyoudai Chuukyou 9-2 (7 inn)
• def. Shizuoka Shougyou 10x-0 (6 inn)
• def. Toyokawa 4-3

Meiji Jingu Tournament

• lost Ryuukokudai Heian 5-4

Mie probably had one of the shorter roads to senbatsu. Helps though if you were the summer champion.  That allowed Mie to skip straight to the regional final.

Not to say thought that they didn't deserve it. After wiping out Matsusaka, they basically advanced to ISG where ace Imai Jyuutarou (今井 重太郎) had to put up his best performance.  Pitching opposite ace Ishigaki Koudai, who may have a future in the NPB (he touches 145 but sadly had his defense failed him in the super-regionals) and struck out 12 Mie batters on the night, Imai gave up just 6 hits and shutout ISG 1-0.

With that out of the way, it became a victory lap in the prefecturals as Ise never had a chance.

And so they went to the super-regional where Chuukyoudai Chuukyou awaited. Known more recently for that Koushien final against Nihon Bunri, they haven't quite returned to that form.  Even though they held on for a while, a 6-run 5th pretty much did them in.  Then, against a Shizuoka Shougyou squad who took advantage of ISG errors to advance, Mie put up numbers every inning as they just pulled away for the win.

But the good times came to a halt against Toyokawa in the final.  Imai would give up a point in the first 2 innings and then tacked on 1 more in the 8th for a 3-0 lead.  But Mie didn't give up.  An error  led to the first run for Mie, and then they managed to load the bases with 2 outs.  2B Sada Hiroki (佐田 泰輝) hit a grounder to the left side, Toyokawa SS Takakuｗa Hirashirou (高桑 平士郎) fielded it and made a running throw to 1st.  However, it short-hopped him and it got away. 2 more runners would score giving Mie the 4-3 lead.  Imai would close out the game and secure just their 4th super-regional title and first in 19 years.

But up against Ryuukokudai Heian, Imai struggled yet again as his team fell behind 5-0.  Mie did a good job rallying late, but it wouldn't be enough.

For Imai, I ound just 2 videos.  One from the fall, and the other video I found was this back in Natsu Koushien when he faced of all people Anraku (who he ended up walking) and Saibi.  I don't imagine his speed has improved (high 120s), though given their success I would imagine his control has.

Offensively, Mie's consistent hitters not surprisingly reside at the top of the lineup.  Leadoff batter and captain Nagano Hayato (長野 勇斗), and cleanup batters Seko Ren (世古 錬), and Nishioka Musashi (西岡 武蔵) provide most of the oomph in the offense.

I think Mie can give any team a good challenge - I liken them similar to Hanamaki Higashi in terms of their grittiness, rarely ever losing a game by a blowout loss.  Even against Saibi, they rallied late to make a 9-2 game a 9-7 game - and that was against Anraku no less.  They may not win a game, but they will make it entertaining nonetheless.

Well, we're off in the Meiji Jingu tournament to decide the last bid to go to a region and there have been some surprises.

Day 1
Ryuukokudai Heian (Kinki) did what I though they would against Mie (Tokai).  Starting in the 3rd, Imai and Nakaguchi with back to back hits would drive in a run each to make it a 2-0 game.  That would be followed up by the Takahashi battery (C Yuuhashi & P Keiji) in the 4th for another 2 runs.  And a Mie error in the 5th would give them a 5-0 lead.

But as Mie is wont to do, they scrap their way back after the break.  Nishioka would get them on the board in the 6th with a groundout.  2 innings later, Seko would get a timely RBI, and Nishioka would follow that up with a 2-run double to make it a 1-run ballgame.

However, that would be the closest they would get.  Ootsuka would come in as Heian's 3rd pitcher and shut down Mie to secure the 5-4 win.

Kanto Dai-ichi (Tokyo) did not start Abe Takeshi in their game against Okinawa Shougaku (Kyushu).  But then again, he's actually wearing #10 apparently!  The ace number belongs to Haketa Akihiro, who did start the game.

And he held the Okishou offense in check as his team jumped on ace Yamashiro. Yamaguchi started things off with a timely single with runners at the corners, and then Ikeda followed that up with a double and it was 2-0 Kanto in the 1st.  Ikeda would deliver again in the 3rd, with another base hit to make it a 3-0 ballgame.  That would be it for Yamashiro as Kubo would come in from right to swap places.

The game stayed at 3-0 until post-break where Okishou finally got to Haketa. With runners at the corners, Akamine Ken delivered a base hit to score 1, and then Kubo himself would hit a double to make it a 1-run ballgame.

Haketa would give way in the 8th still holding onto the lead.  I would have expected them to go Abe, but again I would have been wrong. Instead they went to unknown Tanabe Ren. That didn't go well when Anzato would get a hit to left, tying the game.

It then went all wrong in the 9th as Tanabe would only record one out while giving up 5 runs, ensuring Okishou's advance to the next round.

Day 2
The first game of the 2nd round was a no-contest affair sadly. My supposed favorite, Hachinohe Gakuen Kousei (Tohoku) was never in the game against Imabari Nishi (Shikoku) as their #3 batter Ochi Itsuki would drive in 3 of their 5 runs en route to a 5-1 victory. Of course, it didn't help also that the team committed 4 errors in the game as well...

The second game almost seemed like the first. Hakuoudai Ashikaga (Kanto) quickly took the lead over Iwakuni (Chuugoku) with a sac fly from Ooshita in the first and a timely from Higa in the 2nd.  Kawamoto's double in the 3rd would bring Iwakuni within 1, but a pair in the 5th seemed to make the game a copy of the first.

But much like Kanto Dai-ichi, things went horribly wrong in the 8th inning for Hakuoudai.  Tsuchiya would start it off with a timely hit to center to make it a 4-2 ballgame.  With the bases loaded, Kameya would hit a grounder to short. Kamon would go home, only to throw it away... 2 runs would score and the game was tied at 4. Ace Higa would be relieved as Ooshita would come in from left to pitch. Sadly, a wild pitch would allow the gyakuten run to score.

Iwakuni would tack on one more as Yanagawa would shut the door in the 9th ensuring that Kanto would not get another bid (Nisshougakushadai Fuzoku should get the floating bid now).

The schools with some hope left may be:

• Hokkaido - Sapporo Ootani
• Hokushinetsu - Chikyuu Kankyou
• Kinki - Sanda Shousei
• Chuugoku/Shikoku - Takigawa Gakuen
• Kyushu - Souseikan

Our 5th Super-Regional champ has been determined, and it was almost an upset.

Toyokawa had a dream run in the super-regionals, defeating teams such as Tokoha Tachibana, Oogaki Nichidai and Shizuoka. Standing in front of them was Mie, yet another Koushien team that is known for their grittiness.

Toyokawa jumped right on Mie early as leadoff batter Nakamura would open the game with a triple to right center. 4 batters later, he would finally be driven in by Itou. Nakamura would return the favor in the 2nd with a timely hit of his own and suddenly they led 2-0.

Mie's Imai would settle down after that, while Toyokawa's Tanaka continued to keep the Mie offense off the board, despite giving up a fair share of hits.

In the 8th, Nakamura would come up clutch again, delivering another timely hit extending the lead to 3-0, and the game perhaps seemed in hand.

But Mie's captain Nagano seemed to have the answer for Tanaka's slider and with that information got to work. One run already in and now bases loaded with 2 out, a hard grounder by Yamamoto to 2B Shima caught him in-between and it would go off his glove allowing one run to score.

That error opened the gates as the next batter Sada would hit a slow roller to short. SS Takakuwa would charge and make an errant throw to 1st allowing 2 runs to score giving Mie the lead. Imai closed the door in the 9th and they claim just their 4th title and 1st in 19 years!

Given Toyokawa's performance, I do expect them along with Mie to make it to Haru Koushien.

It's been almost one whole week, and we finally get to see the ace that everyone's talked about for months, and has even been the subject of talk in the states - Saibi's Anraku Tomohiro. His run through Senbatsu was one that was documented and questioned thoroughly especially after his eventual breakdown not just in the finals, but in the semifinals as well.

Surprisingly, it almost didn't happen. Against Kawanoe in the semifinals they actually trailed 2-0 entering the 8th inning. But, they would rally for the victory and have no problems with Imabari Nishi for the title.

Anraku is still as advertised. Throwing even harder now - expect low-mid 150s with a cut ball, slider and curve. I don't know if he's going to try and hit 160 considering last spring, but he will throw hard.

The ony question for him now, can he last through the blazing (and I mean approaching 40C) heat to finish what he couldn't in the spring?

Sadly for me Mie wound up drawing the short straw. Interestingly, they actually had to defeat more than their share of strong teams to win the tournament. Starting in round 2 they barely beat out Inabe Sougou Gakuen 2-1. Then their final 3 games were against defending champ Matsusaka, Uji-Yamada Shougyou and then Komono. Oddly, they got through those games easier than against Inabe Sougou.

I don't have anything on ace Wakabayashi Hiroto, and offensively probably you can focus on Utsunomiya Azuma and Nishimura Koudai.

Other than that, I got no other info on these guys. (Which doesn't portend good things for them against Anraku... and I wanted Mie to win a game too...)

Saibi (Ehime)
RF Yamashita Takuma
SS Hayashi Kanya (#13)
2B Usagawa Riku
P Anraku Tomohiro
3B Oota Yuuya
LF Goutouji Shin (#8)
1B Fujiwara Kouki
CF Machida Takahiro (#6)
C Kaneko Kouhei

Mie (Mie)
LF Hamamura Eisaku
SS Nishimura Koudai
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Utsunomiya Azuma
1B Shimada Takumi
RF Ogawa Ryuusei
3B Seko Ren
C Kitade Kazuma
P Wakabayashi Hiroto

____________________________________________________________

10:31 - First Pitch

Top 1st
Yamashita starts off the game on a great note with a single back up the middle. Kanya moves him along to 2nd.

Usagawa liner to short! Nishimura catches it, throws to 2nd

OW...

Utsunomiya misses the ball and it hits Yamashita in the face. The ball deflects back a good amount back to 3rd and he's pulled out for an injury runner.

And Wakabayashi gets Anraku to one-hand a swing and pop it up!  Utsunomiya behind 2nd, makes the catch for the out.

Bottom 1st
After about a 10 minute delay, Yamashita has to be pulled. #15 Morita comes in to replace him

How will the delay affect Anraku?

Hamamura takes a 151 fastball the other way through short for a base hit!

Nishimura falls behind 0-2 trying to bun, goes for the three-bunt... but fails. One down.

Nagano gets a hold of a slider!  Morita running back... it's over his head! Hamamura coming round 3rd, being waved home! Throw goes to 3rd and it's 1-0 Mie!

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wild pitch all the way to the backstop and Nagano scores to make it 2-0!

Anraku finally settles down as he gets Utsunomiya to chase a 151 fastball away for strike 2 and then Shimada makes contact on a 155 fastball but grounds out to 2nd.

But surprising start for Mieko here in the 1st as they jump on Anraku after the delay!

Top 2nd
Ah, Wakabayashi hits Oota to start off the inning.  Goutouji bunts him along to 2nd.

But Wakabayashi then hits Fujiwara!  He's not making things easy on himself after being given a lead.

Then he turns around and gets Machida on a fastball outside for the 2nd out! He's almost out of it.

And then he walks Kaneko on 4 straight - it's manrui now!!  What is going on?

EH????

He still can't throw a strike!  Falls behind 2-0... 3-0!

OSHIDASHI!!!

He walks in a run, literally! Saibi gets a run back at 2-1!

Okita-kantoku calls time as Nishimura steps in. He'd better be waiting because Wakabayashi can't hit the broadside of a barn.

Nope, goes after the first pitch because I guess they think he'll have to just pump in a strike instead temporarily instead of whatever strategy they had.

But he flies out to deep right and the inning is over. Wakabayashi fortunate to have gotten away with just 1 run.

Bottom 2nd
Ogawa lines a single to left off Anraku to lead off the 2nd! Seko bunts him into scoring position.

But Anraku has the upper hand against the bottom of Mie's order.  Kitade is jammed and grounds to first.  Wakabayashi goes after an outside fastball and grounds to 2nd.

Top 3rd
Usagawa with a ball to left center!  Hamamura sprinting to his left, dives... misses it!!

It goes all the way to the wall as Nagano backing up runs it down!  Usagawa pushes for 3rd... slides in safely!  Already douten chance for Saibi!

But Wakabayashi gets Anraku for the 2nd time! Popup to short, 1 down!

Back to control issues though as he falls behind Oota... and walks him.  Runners at the corners for Goutouji.

Jammed! Blooper to right center! Nagano sprinting in...  dives... can't get it!

It falls in and Usagawa scores.  同点!  2-2!

Machida with a base hit to center! Oota being waved home!! Throw from Nagano, up the 1st base line!  Machida with the 逆転 timely and Saibi leads 3-2!

That'll be it for Wakabayashi. #11 Masaki comes in to replace him.

But there's no relief so far. Full count to Kaneko, gets hit for another manrui situation.

Morita comebacker, snagged by Masaki!! Goes to 1st, but the damage has been done. Wakabayashi's wildness costs his team the early 2-run lead!

Bottom 3rd
Once again, baserunner for Mie! Hamamura takes a slider inside and singles back up the middle!  Nishimura will bunt the douten run over.

Nagano gets jammed! Kanya behind the mound makes the catch for the 2nd out!

Utsunomiya up, and he's swinging away. 149 up, missed. 153 outside.. missed.

Anraku goes 154 and Utsunomiya goes down on 3 straight!

Top 4th
Masaki perhaps settling down as Kanya flies out to center.

Oh! He goes 143 to punch out Usagawa!

And then 145 to get Anraku?   Wakabayashi was the main ace during the Mie taikai, so I'm confused now.

Bottom 4th
Anraku was never touted to be unhittable. That went to Matsui over at Toukou Gakuen.

Mie certainly getting their hacks in.  Ogawa checks in with a single past a sprinting Usagawa for a one-out single.

Okita-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run! Seko though hits it right back to Anraku who goes to 1st for the 2nd out.

Kitade trying to get the douten runner home, takes an outside fastball the other way, but right to Usagawa for the 3rd out.

Top 5th
So Masaki throws low 140s with a slider in the low 130s.

Oota flies out to center to start the inning before Masaki hits Goutouji.

Fujiwara battling Masaki fouling of several pitches.  Hits liner to right side, caught by Utsunomiya! Goes to 1st and doubles out Goutouji to end the inning!

Bottom 5th
Masaki with a ball to left center, but Goutouji over makes the catch.

Hamamura has Anraku's number this game as he singles back up the middle yet again!

If only Nishimura could have similar luck.  Hig goun as he grounds to 2nd. Usagawa goes to 1st for the 2nd out.

And Anraku, decided to go with only fastballs, strikes out Nagano on 3 straight to end the inning.

Mie heads to the break having frittered away an early 2-0 lead. But they have been getting their knocks in against Anraku, so there still seems like a chance to get back in the gane.

Top 6th
Machida starts the inning taking a very close 3-2 pitch outside and drawing the walk.

Pitch gets away from Masaki and Machida takes 2nd!

Kaneko with a weak grounder to short allowing Machida to move 90 feet.

Morita gets the job done.  Fly to right caught by Ogawa, but no chance at home. Machida scores to make it a 4-2 ballgame.

Kanya follows that up on the next pitch with a base hit to left.

Uh oh. Thinks may be falling apart for Masaki as Usagawa singles past Nishimura.

But once again the pitchers for Mie retire Anraku!  He hits a liner to short and the damage is limited just 1 run.

Bottom 6th
Oof. Cleanup batter Utsunomiya chases a 150 fastball near the LH batters box for the 1st out.

Shimada elects to go after the slider but pops out to Fujiwara.

And Ogawa tries to get around on an Anraku fastball, but not quite, grounding to Usagawa for the 3rd out.

Top 7th
If there's something that Masaki is doing well, its going around the zone pitching outside, but also inside to the batters.

Oota chases a high slider for the 1st out, and then because I wrote that about him, he leaves one in the middle that Gotouji takes to right.

Fujiwara with a grounder to 3rd, Seko goes to 2nd... AH!!

Seko throws it low and it gets by Utsunomiya! Everyone's safe!  Trouble for Mieko as Kaneko steps in...

Oh...

Kaneko deep drive right! Ogawa, playing in, runs back but it's over his head!! Both runners score as Kaneko slides in with a 2-RBI triple to make to 6-2.

Morita with a blooper to left. Hamamura coming in dives, and can only trap it! Morita's RBI single makes it a 7-2 game.

Kanya flies out to center, but Saibi looks to be in control.

Bottom 7th
Okita emptying bench.#16 Watsuji hitting for Seko, flies out to left.

Kitade gets caught looking at a fastball on the outer half of the plate, and #17 Nakano hitting for Masaki grounds to short for a 1-2-3 inning.

Top 8th
Watsuji stays in the game to play 3B while #18 Imai comes in for PH Nakano and takes the hill.

He's a lefty who throws in the upper 120s, so nothing really special there.

He winds up walking Ankraku with 1 down, and Jyoukou-kantoku will try and play for a run as Oota bunts him over.

And the get it when Imai leaves one over that Goutouji drives over Hamamura's head for a double.  8-2 in favor of Saibi.

Fujiwara grounder to 2nd and the inning is over.

Bottom 8th
Hamamura gets a bad break as Kaneko sells the outside corner for the 1st out.

Nishimura comebacker to Anraku, and I think I've figured out what's been nagging me about Anraku right now. I'll explain after the game.

Nagano swings at a fastball high and in and pops out to Kanya for the 3rd out.

Top 9th
Imai almost gets a 1-2-3 inning after two quick retirements, but much like the entire game for Mie, he walks Morita.

Morita goes for 2nd, throw from Kitade skips by Nishimura and into center.  Morita takes 3rd.

Kanya lines a single over Nishimura and it's a 9-2 ballgame.

Usagawa lines out to left and the inning is over.

Bottom 9th
Last chance for Mie.

Utsunomiya starts off the inning with a base hit to right.

Down 7, no bunting and Shimada with one to the left side past Kanya for a base hit.  Runners on 1st and 2nd.

Ogawa up, and he hits a ball to center. Machida charging in, dives.. but misses it!  Runners scramble to advance.  Throw from Morita to 3rd... OVER EVERYONE!!!  It goes into the camera well and the runners get 90 more feet. Utsunomiya scores to make it 9-3.

Eh? Now Anraku hits Watsuji and it's manrui!

#13 Yamaguchi to hit for Imai.

Liner to right! That falls in! Runners move a station and it's 9-4.

Hamamura liner to left!  Goutouji running back, leaps!

IT'S OVER HIS HEAD!!

Goutouji flops on the grass as the ball goes to the wall!  Machida backing up gets the ball in, but it's a 2-run double and it's 9-6!! With only one down!

Douten runner in Nishimura up.  Drive to center!

But Machida is there for the catch.  Yamaguchi comes home and it's a 9-7 game.

Douten runner still comes up in Nagano, but now there's 2 out.

Nagano last chance..

Fastball, grounder to 2nd! Usagawa with it, goes to 1st... game set!!

Anraku and Mieko makes it interesting in the 9th, but 7 runs just too much to overcome, Saibi advances 9-7!

Man, the one thing that endears me to Mie is the fact that it seems more than any other team, they wear their emotions on their sleeve. Doesn't even matter which year, you see a lot of them now crying and that's ok.

Oh, so the thing that was nagging me about Anraku. In the spirit of trying to preserve him is he just not throwing as hard as he could? Becaseu we saw him hit higher speeds on the gun.

But if you're conserving and then going for it whenever you like, doesn't that mess with your mechanics? And it's not like you can turn the speed on and off like a switch and still be effective. I mean there is the case of Verlander who gets stronger as the game goes along, but I could liken that to a slow warmup.  That isn't this.

And the struggle in the 9th is concerning as well. It may very well be worth watching in their next game... Against Hanamaki Higashi in Day 10!

Notable Players
Anraku Tomohiro (Saibi) - CG, 7 ER, 11 H, 7 K, 0 BB/HBP
Goutouji Shin (Saibi) - 3-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB, HBP
Morita Shouhei (Saibi) - 1-2, R, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Hamamura Eisaku (Mie) - 4-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Ogawa Ryuusei (Mie) - 3-4, R

We're now into our 2nd round games, and first up is Kanto champs Urawa Gakuin versus Tokai runner-ups Mie.

Mie barely held on to defeat Tottori Jyouhoku in the opening game of the tournament.  But based upon the results of the Chuugoku region, this is not really a good sign for Mie.

On the other hand Urawa Gakuin took care of its business by dispatching Tsuruga Kehi 10-2.  And seeing that the other Hokushinetsu representative lost to Kinki 5/6 team Riseisha (though they put up a decent fight), they did exactly what they were supposed to do.

So with that being said, Mie will probably have an uphill climb if they want to advance to the Best 8.

SS  Takemura Haruki
C  Rinzaki Tatsuya
P  Satou Takuya
RF  Sasagawa Ryouhei
LF  Yamane Yuuta
1B  Akashi Hyuuma
3B  Kigure Naito
CF  Ishibashi Tsukasa
2B  Midorikawa Koutarou

RF  Ogawa Tomoya
3B  Kitade Kazuma
CF  Ishizaki Shouki
1B  Okamoto Takurou
SS  Maekawa Naoki
P  Miura Koutarou
C  Kobayashi Daiki
2B  Oda Hayao
LF  Maekawa Jinya

__________________________________________________

11:19 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Not an auspicious start when the Mie C can't field what seems like a routine fly on the first batter. Miura has to throw several more pitches to retire Takemura on an infield fly.

Miura is actually having to throw a lot of pitches here to the first two batters.  He strikes out Rinzaki, but his pitches aren't quite hitting the mitt where Kobayashi wants them.

Satou pops up to 2nd on the first pitch and it's a 1-2-3 inning.

Bottom 1st
Satou's control looks a bit better to start, as gets a fairly easy 1-2-3 inning in part thanks to a nice charging catch by Ishibashi.  Well, it wasn't nice in the fact that he kinda tumbled forwards when catching it, but he still made the catch.

Top 2nd
Miura's fastball hitting 143, as this inning is much better.  He records a strikeout between two first pitch fly balls and he's keeping the Urawa Gakuin batters off-balance here to start.

Bottom 2nd
It's more of the same for Satou.  Mie's 4-5-6 batters make weak contact on the ball and the side is retired in order.  Satou's doing his job, but what about the offense?

Top 3rd
Miura doing a great job in the mound.  Three routine grounders and Mie is holding their own against Urawa Gakuin.  If this keeps up they have a chance for the upset!

Bottom 3rd
Kobayashi with a grounder to the gap in left.  Takemura slides over to get it, but can't get enough on the throw and it short hops Akashi!  Base hit, and leadoff runner, on base!

Oda lays down a great bunt and they have a runner in scoring position!

Jinya doing a good job as the #9 hitter taking pitches, but takes one too many when he freezes on a fastball down the middle on a full count pitch.

Up to the top of the order and Ogawa.

But Satou strikes him out on a ball in the dirt!  Rinzaki throws to first for the out, and Mie's chance falls by the wayside!

Top 4th
The top of the order tries to attack the first pitch but grounds to 2nd.

Satou trying to exercise some patience runs the count full, and Miura overthrows a fastball inside (145) and earns a walk.

Now Miura falls behind Sasagawa 3-0 before getting a fastball in there.

Satou tries to steal 2nd, but Kobayashi's throw is there in plenty of time!  No perfect game for Miura, but he's still faced the minimum.

Bottom 4th
Satou having a little bit of control issues, running the count full on Kitade before retiring him.  At the same time both teams are starved for runners, so Ishizaki tries a safety bunt to no avail.

And Okamoto bails out Satou by swinging on a 2-0 pitch and flying out to right.

Top 5th
It's another inning of weak ground balls but the Urawa Gakuin offense.  They're getting the bats ahead and over the pitches from Miura and he has for the most part breezed through the first 5 innings!

Bottom 5th
Naoki turns on a ball inside and sends it past a diving Akasahi for a base hit!

Miura bunt goes foul, no.. fair!  Miura scrambles to head to first, but Rinzaki starts the 2-6-3 double play!

Urawa avoids a jam as Kobayashi flies to right.  Through 5 we've faced just 1 over the minimum and Mie has had the better of it, if just.

Top 6th
Kigure makes more solid contact, but it's a grounder right at Kitade for the out.

Miura records just his 3rd K in Ishibashi when his slider catches the outside corner.  But then he falls behind Midorikawa 3-0 before filling up the count.  And his slider trying for the outside corner goes begging.

And a wild pitch by Miura sends Midorikawa to 2nd!  Okita-kantoku calls time.

Miura's control has been a bit erratic this inning.  He falls behind Takemura 3-0, gets one strike in, but then walks him too!  This is not a good sign.  It's too early to be tiring and losing your mechanics.

But Rinzaki swings on a slider inside and Miura's out of the inning!

Bottom 6th

The urgency may be on for Mie to score to help out Miura as the two walks in the last inning may suggest they're running out of time.

Defensive change for Urawa as #17 Nishioka in for Ishibashi at CF.

Oda falls for a slow curve away and one down for Satou.  Jinya is jammed and flies out to Takemura in foul territory.

Ogawa grounds to short and Mie can't do anything against Satou.  Despite his early troubles, he seems to have found his control and is hitting his spots.

Top 7th
Satou takes a ball to left, and that goes over Jinya's head!  He's in with a leadoff double and Urawa's first hit!

And whether or not they were being careful with Sasagawa, Miura walks him, and he in a big pinch as Okita-kantoku calls for time.

Yamane showing bunt, but the first two pitches go for balls before he lays it down.

Infield in for a play at the plate.  Yamane swinging away on the first pitch, but Miura trying to keep the ball down falls behind 3-1!  It's a walk to Akashi as it's now manui with just one down!

#7 batter Kigure up, 2 groundouts to 3rd so far today.

Grounder to short!  Naoki has it and goes home for one!  Kobayashi's throw to 1st is high, but Okamoto snags it (not in time).  2 down!

New CF Nishioka in, falls behind 1-2.

SANSHIN!  Miura gives a fist pump as he gets Nishioka on a high fastball!  He's out of the jam!

Bottom 7th
Mie needs to use that momentum from the last half inning to get themselves a run.

But Satou seems to have gotten stronger on the mound!  He gets a groundout from Kitade and a foul fly from Ishizaki before striking out Okamoto on three straight!  Mie's lucky 7 ends just like that!

Top 8th
Miura's control issues persist as he walks #9 batter Midorikawa.

Takemura tries to bunt the runner along, but can't and goes down 0-2.  He free bunts and fouls out!

Rinzaki bunts Midorikawa along and they're looking for the one-shot.

But instead we see a rare event.  Miura intentionally walks Satou!  They're going to pitch to Sasagawa!

However Miura falls behind 2-1, but gets him to swing on a change!  One strike away from getting out of the jam!

Sasagawa fights one off.  And Miura hits him!  Miura hits him in the butt and now it's manrui for Urawa Gakuin!

Miura will have to get out of another bases loaded mess!  Yamane up, swings at the first pitch, jammed, but gets it over the infield!  Ogawa's throw is late and 2 runs score!  From one pitch away to getting out of the inning to being behind 2-0, Yamane's bloop base hit breaks the deadlock!

Akashi flies out to center to end the inning, but they've done what they needed to!

Bottom 8th
Mie will now have to come back against a confident pitcher who's only thrown 75 pitches so far!

Naoki chases a shuuto outside and goes down for the first out.  Miura chases a fastball outside and too goes down swining.  Mie certainly feeling the pressure now.

Kobayashi trying to get on base any way possible, fights at the plate and fists one in to left after an 8 pitch AB!

Now Okita-kantoku sends in #15 Shigeyama to hit for Oda.

Satou with a ball that bouncer about 55 feet it seems and Kobayashi takes 2nd!  Mori-kantoku calls time.

And Shigeyama goes ahead 3-1!

DON'T SWING!

But he does and what would have been ball 4 and fouls it off!

SANSHIN!  Satou gets Shigeyama on what might have been a shuuto inside and he's out of the inning!

Top 9th
#16 Nishimura comes in for PH Shigeyama and takes over at 2B.

Miura gets two quick popouts before finally retiring stubborn batter Midorikawa.  It's a 1-2-3 inning, but Mie only has one last chance to keep their hopes alive.

Jinya grounds out to 2nd for the first out.  Back to the top of the order.

Ogawa chases a slider for the 2nd out!  Last chance in Kitade!

Grounder to third!  Kigure with it!  Throws to first, and that's the game!

Mie with a great effort against the Kanto champions, but Miura stamina issues in the 2nd half of the game cost him!  They certainly had their chances against Satou and Urawa Gakuin, and they should be happy about their efforts, but they'll have to wait for the summer to try and get back to Koushien.

As for Urawa Gakuin, they survive a 2nd round game that was probably harder than expected to advance to the best 8.  Satou wound up giving a good performance overall, but the offense will need to support him more, especially since the next opponent is either Kyushu Gakuin or Osaka Touin.