The last game of round 2 hopefully isn't a blowout, though it might be.
Souseikan faced Tenri in the first round and dug in against the Nara champs eventually walking them off in the 9th. The pitching wasn't anything to write about either, so that plus Kendai's propensity to run will put the defense at risk.
Kendai Takasaki took a while to warm up, but exploded for 8 runs in the 3rd against Sangawa. The speed is there but it appears it is more selective than just running around the bases. The pitching wasn't bad, but like many other teams wasn't great either.
Kendai Takasaki should be favored to win this matchup and then get an easy pairing with Akita Shougyou in 2 days time.
Souseikan (Nagasaki)
1B Torikai Ritsuki
RF Shimada Rkiya
CF Mine Shuuta
LF Washzaki Jyun
C Oota Keisuke
SS Uto Kenyarou(?)
2B Nakajima Takashi
3B Nakajima Kouki
P Fujisaki Mitsugu (#10)
Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi Takasaki (Gunma)
CF Kasuga Yuuma
SS Hayashi Kenya
2B Souma Masato
3B Shibahiki Ryousuke
C Tsuge Sena
RF Miyamoto Takahiro (#17)
1B Kotani Kaisei (#13)
LF Satou Nozomu
P Hashidzume Naoya (#10)
____________________________________________________________
14:20 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Torikai drive to left center! Kasuga and Satou converge, but it goes off the fence and bounces away from both of them! Torikai in with a leadoff triple!
Shimada does his job, flies out to left and brings Torikai in making it 1-0.
Bottom 1st
Kasuga splits the defense on the left side for a single. No bunting, but Hayashi grounds into a tailor-made 5-4-3 double play.
Fujisaki puts a runner back on though as he hits Souma.
Shibahiki tries to give the ball a ride, but Satou has plenty of room to make the catch.
Top 2nd
Hashidzume's delivery causing fits for most of the Souseikan lineup. Unable to make decent contact they are retired in order.
Bottom 2nd
The same can be said for Fujisaki's sidearm delivery. Miyamoto draws a walk, but then he's caught trying to get a jump on Fuijsaki and is picked off 1-3-6.
Kotani tries the safety bunt, but is thrown out to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Hashidzume records 2 K's against the bottom of the lineup before giving up a hit to Torikai. However, he tries to steal 2nd and gets thrown out.
Bottom 3th
Satou leads off with a single back up the middle. Hashidzume bunts him along, but Kasuga flies out to center. Does move the runner over, but there's 2 outs.
Hayashi grounds to short and once again Kendai Takasaki is stymied.
Top 4th
It really does feel like the teams could hit, but the deliveries of the two starters are throwing everyone off.
Hashidzume was about to get a clean inning, but then walk Washizaki.
Oota with a liner down the left field line.. fair!! It'll go all the way to the wall! Washizaki being waved around! Relay from Kouki home... OUT! A great relay 7-5-2 gets the runner and keeps it a 1-0 ballgame!
Bottom 4th
Man, Kendai's batters have no timing on the ball as Fujisaki's slow pitch speed leaves them ahead of the ball.Tsuge gets the best of the 3 groundballs but Uto picks that up the middle and makes the throw for the 3rd out.
Top 5th
Souseikan continues to get baserunners with 2 outs. This time around Kouki singles through the right side. But a fielder's choice ends the inning. It is a steep uphill battle to score a run when your first base hit in the inning is with 2 out.
Bottom 5th
Miyamoto starts the 5th with a single to right.
Kotani with the push bunt! Takashi goes to field it, but there's confusion as to who's covering 1st1 Fujisaki scrambles, but the throw is wide! All safe and Miyamoto goes to 3rd!
Satou with a fly to left and that'll bring the runner home! The throw is cut off and we're tied at 1-1!
#3 Ooshima to hit for Hashidzume, and he singles through the left side! He's replaced by #16 Yanamoto.
Kasuga grounder to the left side... Uto makes a diving stop, tries to get the runner at 3rd, but instead hits Kotani in the back.
Hayashi with the squeeze, but he pops it up! Fujisaki makes the catch and there's 2 out!
But he leaves one over the plate and Souma lines it into center! Kotani scores! Yanamoto scores! It's 3-1 Kendai Takasaki!
That'll be it for Fujisaki as ace Mizunaga comes in.
Shibahiki grounds to 3rd to end the inning, but Kendai Takasaki gets a big inning to take the lead before the break.
Top 6th
With Hashidzume's day done, ace Kawai enters the game.
Torikai still perfect on the day! He lines a ball back up the middle for another single.
But then he's picked off by Kawai! 1 out!
After that Shimada and Mine pop out for a 3 up 3 down inning!
Top 7th
One down and Oota's hard grounder eats up Shibahiki and allows Oota to get on base.
Kawai has him picked off, but he's instead called for a balk! And soon after he hits Uto! Souseikan with the douten runner on base!
Takashi inside outs a ball to right for a base hit and now it's manrui for Souseikan!
Kouki with a swinging bunt! Kawai scrambles to field it.. Throws home...
He hits Oota! The ball bounces away as Oota scores to make it 3-2 and there's still 1 out!
Obviously Mizunaga is there to be the ace and not a hitter as shown when he chases a ball letter high away. 2 out.
But this brings up Torikai and time is called.
He pops it up! Kasuga under it and makes the catch for the 3rd out! Kendai Takasaki keeps the lead!
Bottom 7th
The P change seems to have reset Kendai's batting back to the beginning when they were struggling. 1-2-3 inning meands now 5 straight batters retired.
Top 8th
Shimada with a ball back up the middle! Souma stops it in the gap, but he won't get the throw over in time! Douten runner on and is bunted over,
Washizaki with a drive to left center! Miyamoto and Kasuga converge, but it falls in just in front of the wall! Shimada will easily score and we're tied at 3-3!!
Oota walks bringing up Uto. He hangs in, fouling off several pitches.
In the ends it's a grounder to short! Hayashi goes to 2nd for 1, relay to first... beats a diving Uto! 3 out! Souseikan gets the tie, but not the lead!
Bottom 8th
Souma walks on 4 straight, and that prompts a time-out.
Shibahiki picks a great time to get a base hit! He singles past Uto for a base hit!
Tsuge swinging! He singles back up the middle! Souma holds up at 3rd and it's manrui for Kendai Takasaki! And Miyamoto, 2-2 on the day is up!
Miyamoto reaches out and pops one up! Mine charging in, charging in, dives!!
He can't get it! It bounces away and that means Souma scores for the 4-3 lead! Mine with within inches as the ball bounces in front and off of Mine's face!
And Kotani takes the next pitch to center! Mine misses the pick and the 2nd run scores easily! 6-3 Kendai Takasaki as #7 Washizaki comes in to take the hill while Asou goes to LF.
Sac bunt is the first thing in order, and then Kawai hits one to right center for a 2-run double. 8-3.
Kasuga bunts the runner over probably more for practice.
And Hayashi will be the only one hitless as he grounds out.
Top 9th
Souseikan goes quietly in 9th as Kendai Takasaki advances 8-3 to play Akita Shougyou in round of 16.
It would appear that Kendai Takasaki needs several innings to figure out a pitcher, because in both cases they put up a big inning after seeing the pitcher at least one time through.
As for Souseikan they certainly didn't play poorly, they just played a better team today.
Showing posts with label Souseikan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Souseikan. Show all posts
Friday, August 14, 2015
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Day 4, Game 2 - Tenri (Nara) v Souseikan (Nagasaki)
Well, after that, the games can only get better, right?
We can hope anyways.
So next up is Tenri and Souseikan.Tenri did about all they can do in-prefecture. They defeated Chiben Gakuen and Yamato Kouryou and gave up just 3 runs in all. But a 0.345 may not be good enough despite playing the two other strong teams in prefecture.
On the other hand, Souseikan put up 0.374 and their key wins were against Hasami and Kaisei. The overall level of competition is probably a little weaker than Nara, but their blowout wins should make them competitive.
Tenri (Nara)
CF Funabiki Kai
2B Maekubo Tomoya
SS Sadamitsu Hiroto
1B Sakaguchi Hiroya
P Tomiki Ryouga (#7)
3B Kawasaki Koudai
LF Saitou Yuu (#1)
RF Jinno Taiki
C Tsutsuda Reo
Souseikan (Nagasaki)
1B Torikai Ritsuki
RF Shimada Rkiya
CF Mine Shuuta
LF Washzaki Jyun
C Oota Keisuke
SS Uto Kenyarou(?)
2B Nakajima Takashi
3B Nakajima Kouki
P Fujisaki Mitsugu (#10)
____________________________________________________________
10:30 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Funabiki rings a ball through Fujisaki's 5-hole to open the game. After a bunt though, Fujisaki cleans it up for a scoreless 1st.
Bottom 1st
The reason Saitou is not starting is because of an injury. He cannot pitch, but can still play apparently.
Tomiki hits Shimada with 1 down, and Tsutsuda allows a passed ball, but here too, no damage done.
Top 2nd
Tenri struggling with Fujisaki's wide sidearm crouching delivery. Clean inning again and the game feels like someone told them they were behind schedule.
Bottom 2nd
The fact that Tenri still won despite losing their ace on the mound either shows how good the depth is, or how bad the prefecture is as a whole.
When Tomiki gives up a single to Uto, and then hits Takashi, you may have to wonder if it's the latter. He still gets the final 2 outs to end the inning, but you have to wonder how good the staff really is.
3rd Inning
Things look promising for Tenri when Tsutsuda hits a one-out double down the right field line. But again, that sidearm action is messing with the batters. Funabiki and MAekubo can't make solid contact and are retired to end the inning.
Torikai gets a single to start Souseikan's half, and is bunted over. Tomiki hits yet another batter, but then gets Oota to swing way in front and fly out to left.
4th Inning
Sadamitsu starts with a chopper over Kouki for the 1st out. Tenri's batters, given that they can't seem to figure out Fujisaki are being pore patient and looking for a pitch they can hit. Sakaguchi takes a walk.
Tomiki can't lay down the bunt and actually strikes out. Kawasaki comes through though with a single to left and the deadlock is finally broken. Tenri leads 1-0.
After yet another walk, they go for the contact play when Jinno hits a slow chopper. Kouki has not play at home and throws to 1st. 2-0 Tenri.
Tsutsuda grounds out to end the inning, but Tenri has finally opened the scoring here in the 4th
Souseikan striking back! Uto gets his 2nd single of the day. Takashi drives a ball deep to center! Funabiki looking, it's off the top of the fence! Uto has to hold up because he thought it might be caught and winds up at 3rd.
Kouki then hits a ball to 2nd, and it's slow enough that the runner can score, making it 2-1.
And with 2 down, Torikai hits a ball down the right field line fair! Takashi scores and we're all square at 2-2!!
__________________________________________________
The game goes through the 5th without anything to note, so we enter the break back where we started. Neither team has shown a lot per se, but given the hits they've had Souseikan may have the advantage going forward.
__________________________________________________
Post-break, the game has hit a lull period where neither team is really able to do much of anything at the plate. They'll get the occasional baserunner, but not much else. Souseikan though is making much the better contact when they do swing.
Bottom 7th
Souseikan has something going when after a HBP Oota singles though the left side.
Uto with almost the same base hit! They're sending Mine home! Throw from Saitou is in plenty of time and the runner is out and the inning is over! Boy, that's costly. The ball was in shallow LF and you were hitting the ball.
Top 8th
Tenri with a hit batter, and after a bunt Wasada-kantoku sends in ace Mizunaga. Which is puzzling given what we've seen.
He does get the final 2 outs, but the contact already seems better.
Bottom 9th
Given what little has happened, it feels like another enchousen game. Torikai though hits a ball to the left side. Kawasaki with the great diving stop! Throw to 1st... Torikai just beats it out! That was about as close as you can get.
Mine drive to deep left center! It's caught, but the runner advances to 3rd!
Up to Washizaki.
SAYONARA!!!!!
Washizaki clean hit to right and that'll do it! Souseikan does indeed go on to defeat Tenri 3-2!
You could see this coming of sorts. Tenri was having all kinds of problems with Souseikan's pitching and was only successful when they waited on counts. Souseikan were hitting the ball hard even if it was at Tenri's fielders. So it would be a matter of time before those fell in and they did.
We can hope anyways.
So next up is Tenri and Souseikan.Tenri did about all they can do in-prefecture. They defeated Chiben Gakuen and Yamato Kouryou and gave up just 3 runs in all. But a 0.345 may not be good enough despite playing the two other strong teams in prefecture.
On the other hand, Souseikan put up 0.374 and their key wins were against Hasami and Kaisei. The overall level of competition is probably a little weaker than Nara, but their blowout wins should make them competitive.
Tenri (Nara)
CF Funabiki Kai
2B Maekubo Tomoya
SS Sadamitsu Hiroto
1B Sakaguchi Hiroya
P Tomiki Ryouga (#7)
3B Kawasaki Koudai
LF Saitou Yuu (#1)
RF Jinno Taiki
C Tsutsuda Reo
Souseikan (Nagasaki)
1B Torikai Ritsuki
RF Shimada Rkiya
CF Mine Shuuta
LF Washzaki Jyun
C Oota Keisuke
SS Uto Kenyarou(?)
2B Nakajima Takashi
3B Nakajima Kouki
P Fujisaki Mitsugu (#10)
____________________________________________________________
10:30 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Funabiki rings a ball through Fujisaki's 5-hole to open the game. After a bunt though, Fujisaki cleans it up for a scoreless 1st.
Bottom 1st
The reason Saitou is not starting is because of an injury. He cannot pitch, but can still play apparently.
Tomiki hits Shimada with 1 down, and Tsutsuda allows a passed ball, but here too, no damage done.
Top 2nd
Tenri struggling with Fujisaki's wide sidearm crouching delivery. Clean inning again and the game feels like someone told them they were behind schedule.
Bottom 2nd
The fact that Tenri still won despite losing their ace on the mound either shows how good the depth is, or how bad the prefecture is as a whole.
When Tomiki gives up a single to Uto, and then hits Takashi, you may have to wonder if it's the latter. He still gets the final 2 outs to end the inning, but you have to wonder how good the staff really is.
3rd Inning
Things look promising for Tenri when Tsutsuda hits a one-out double down the right field line. But again, that sidearm action is messing with the batters. Funabiki and MAekubo can't make solid contact and are retired to end the inning.
Torikai gets a single to start Souseikan's half, and is bunted over. Tomiki hits yet another batter, but then gets Oota to swing way in front and fly out to left.
4th Inning
Sadamitsu starts with a chopper over Kouki for the 1st out. Tenri's batters, given that they can't seem to figure out Fujisaki are being pore patient and looking for a pitch they can hit. Sakaguchi takes a walk.
Tomiki can't lay down the bunt and actually strikes out. Kawasaki comes through though with a single to left and the deadlock is finally broken. Tenri leads 1-0.
After yet another walk, they go for the contact play when Jinno hits a slow chopper. Kouki has not play at home and throws to 1st. 2-0 Tenri.
Tsutsuda grounds out to end the inning, but Tenri has finally opened the scoring here in the 4th
Souseikan striking back! Uto gets his 2nd single of the day. Takashi drives a ball deep to center! Funabiki looking, it's off the top of the fence! Uto has to hold up because he thought it might be caught and winds up at 3rd.
Kouki then hits a ball to 2nd, and it's slow enough that the runner can score, making it 2-1.
And with 2 down, Torikai hits a ball down the right field line fair! Takashi scores and we're all square at 2-2!!
__________________________________________________
The game goes through the 5th without anything to note, so we enter the break back where we started. Neither team has shown a lot per se, but given the hits they've had Souseikan may have the advantage going forward.
__________________________________________________
Post-break, the game has hit a lull period where neither team is really able to do much of anything at the plate. They'll get the occasional baserunner, but not much else. Souseikan though is making much the better contact when they do swing.
Bottom 7th
Souseikan has something going when after a HBP Oota singles though the left side.
Uto with almost the same base hit! They're sending Mine home! Throw from Saitou is in plenty of time and the runner is out and the inning is over! Boy, that's costly. The ball was in shallow LF and you were hitting the ball.
Top 8th
Tenri with a hit batter, and after a bunt Wasada-kantoku sends in ace Mizunaga. Which is puzzling given what we've seen.
He does get the final 2 outs, but the contact already seems better.
Bottom 9th
Given what little has happened, it feels like another enchousen game. Torikai though hits a ball to the left side. Kawasaki with the great diving stop! Throw to 1st... Torikai just beats it out! That was about as close as you can get.
Mine drive to deep left center! It's caught, but the runner advances to 3rd!
Up to Washizaki.
SAYONARA!!!!!
Washizaki clean hit to right and that'll do it! Souseikan does indeed go on to defeat Tenri 3-2!
You could see this coming of sorts. Tenri was having all kinds of problems with Souseikan's pitching and was only successful when they waited on counts. Souseikan were hitting the ball hard even if it was at Tenri's fielders. So it would be a matter of time before those fell in and they did.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
86th Senbatsu - Day 2 - Game 1 - Souseikan (Nagasaki) vs. Komadai Tomakomai (Hokkaido)
We're underway as the schedule goes back to the 9 AM start time (thankfully for me), and we start off with a matchup between teams on opposite sides of the map.
Komadai Tomakomai returns to Koushien thanks in part to a down year in Hokkaido. Their numbers aren't as impressive compared to other years considering the competition, and given the already weak state of the region relative to the other super-regions, it could be an issue.
Soueseikan gets here thanks to Okinawa Shougaku. Their pitching appears to be very good, but has to be a bit muted considering the competition. They scored a bunch of runs, but it wasn't based on the usual inflated BA. How much of it is actual ability is hard to say as of right now, which makes handicapping this game all that much harder though Kamimura Gakuen's performance yesterday gives some backing for Souseikan.
Souseikan (Nagasaki)
LF Wakamatsu Daichi
RF Kamaya Taiki
Komadai Tomakomai returns to Koushien thanks in part to a down year in Hokkaido. Their numbers aren't as impressive compared to other years considering the competition, and given the already weak state of the region relative to the other super-regions, it could be an issue.
Soueseikan gets here thanks to Okinawa Shougaku. Their pitching appears to be very good, but has to be a bit muted considering the competition. They scored a bunch of runs, but it wasn't based on the usual inflated BA. How much of it is actual ability is hard to say as of right now, which makes handicapping this game all that much harder though Kamimura Gakuen's performance yesterday gives some backing for Souseikan.
Souseikan (Nagasaki)
CF Haraguchi Fumiya
1B Noguchi Haruku
SS Makino Shinya
3B Onoda Yahiro
LF Washizaki Jyun
2B Euchidani Koudai (#14)
RF Mine Shouta (#11)
RF Mine Shouta (#11)
C Oota Keisuke
P Hirowatari Yuuki
Komadai Tomakomai (Hokkaido)
CF Itou Yuuki
1B Sakai Ryuusuke
2B Yasuda DaisukeLF Wakamatsu Daichi
3B Suzuki Shouya
C Niiyama Keita
C Niiyama Keita
SS Tamaru Yuusuke
P Itou Hiromi (#15)
P Itou Hiromi (#15)
____________________________________________________________
09:01 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Well, Hiromi is chosen to start today, and is rudely interrupted as Haraguchi lines a slider down the left field line for a leadoff double. Noguchi isn't bunting and tries to get a HBP, but didn't move so the ump doesn't buy it Instead, he can't check on a changeup and goes down for the 1st out.
Hiromi has a low 130s fastball, with a slider, change and curve. Control isn't that bad as he gets ahead of Makino 0-2 before he swings at a change and grounds to 2nd. Haraguchi goes to 3rd with 2 down.
Hiromi works away on cleanup batter Onoda, and although he goes full, a 139 fastball up and away gets Onoda to chase ending the inning!
Bottom 1st
Hirowatari earns the ace number and takes the hill, although it is said that Washizaki may have been injured leaving Hirowatari to take the reins.
His delivery might make the ball explode from his hand as it just appears from behind him.
Yuuki seems late on the ball and hits it right to Makino for the first out. But control might be a slight issue though as Sakai draws the full count walk, though it's negated when Yasuda hits into the textbook 4-6-3 DP to end the inning (Yasuda dives into 1st...).
Top 2nd
Hiromi isn't throwing particularly hard, but Souseikan's batters aren't really able to hold up on the balls outside. Washizaki gets called going around on such a ball inside and Hiromi has his 3rd K.
What's this? Niiyama appears to have been injured and has to go in the back for treatment. Wonder what happened with his hand...
About 5 minutes later he pops out looking ok and the game resumes.
And it looks like this will be a game where Hiromi will be going deep into counts and high on the pitch count... Euchidani stays in until the count goes full where he then grounds right to Yasuda for the 2nd out.
Mine too takes several pitches, and while Hiromi's fastball can go awry at times, his slider works just fine and Mine whiffs on it to retire the side.
Bottom 2nd
There's a new song from Komadai that I haven't heard before as Wakamatsu steps in.
Hirowatari has a forkball to go with his standard slider and curve. Wakamatsu is a bit late on a fastball and while Noguchi races to the fence on the 1st base side the wind moves it around and away from him.
Wakamatsu gets jammed and hits a grounder back to Hirowatari for the first out. Kamaya tries the first pitch instead and hits a HR (if we played in a silo) where Noguchi catches it for the 2nd out.
Suzuki stepping in goes back to the waiting game drawing another walk from Hirowatari. But he's left stranded there when on a hit-and-run Niiyama punches it right to Mine for the 3rd out.
Top 3rd
Oota with a quick groundout to Yasuda for the first out. I like what I'm seeing from Harumi. He has decent enough control and misses in the right places (so far).
And it's a sped-up version of Erin's song from Touhou for Hirowatari! (I like that) More importantly though he manages to get a walk on the full count.
But on the first pitch he's caught off 1st! Niiyama goes to 1st, but Sakai is off balance! His throw to 2nd is offline and slow and Hirowatari is safe! Oy, that was a mess.
Once again, Harumi goes on the fastball away and Haraguchi's bat just can't reach it and there's 2 down!
Harumi gets out of the jam! He goes inside on Noguchi and jams him! Yuuki makes the catch in center to end the inning!
Bottom 3rd
I'm having a hard time determining if it's Hirowatari being good or the Komadai offense being bad, but so far, just 2 walks and no hits so far. If nothing else they're taking pitches on Hirowatari.
When they do swing, though not much happens. Tamaru grounds to 1st.
Of course I say that and I'm proven wrong immediately! Harumi brings the stick as well, driving a ball way over the drawn in outfield! Haraguchi has to run back as Harumi gets a triple!
Yuuki with a grounder to the left side! The drawn in infield can't get it and Harumi scores to make it 1-0 Komadai!
Yuuki puts on the pressure even further as he takes off and steals 2nd! Chance for Sakai to extend the lead with a base hit, but he's jammed by Hirowatari and pops out to Niguchi for the 2nd out.
What???!! Yuuki breaks for 3rd! It's a pitchout!! Oota goes to 3rd, but Yuuki is safe! WOW.
Yasuda trying to get him in, gets the green light 3-0, but fouls off two pitches. They go for the slider inside, but it's too far in and Yasuda doesn't bite! That brings up #4 batter Wakamatsu!
It looks like we're going to get more going around swings and less of the high strike this game as Hirowatari's 1-0 pitch is just called a ball.
Sasaki-kantoku goes aggressive as Yasuda breaks for 2nd, but there's no throw knowing that Yuuki can come home.
Even with 1st base open now, Hirowatari goes after Wakamatsu - first with the fastball inside which he fouls off and then the curve which he too fouls off. Another curve, another foul.
And his 7th pitch is just high and it's manrui for Komadai!! Wasada-kantoku quickly calls time.
Kamaya now swinging the bat so far, and Hirowatari digs himself into a deep hole as his 2-1 fastball is way high!!
Oshidashi!! Kamaya doesn't go for the curveball and it's low! Yuuki finally scores from 3rd and it's 2-0 Komadai!!
Hirowatari finally gets out of the inning when Suzuki learned nothing from the last 2 ABs, swings at the first pitch and grounds to 2nd for the 3rd out. Still, a booming triple and Yuuki's havoc on the base paths gives Hirowatari the jitters leading to a 2-0 deficit for Souseikan!
Top 4th
Makino makes what sounds like good contact, but Yuuki doesn't have to move to catch the ball.
Onoda gets some head music when a fastball meant to be up and in goes a little too close for comfort and hits off the grip of the bat. It still serves its purpose as the slider down and away catches the corner for Hiromi's 6th K.
Washizaki grounds to 1st. Sakai flips to Hiromi and it's Yuuki's 2nd 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 4th
Hirowatari looking to get back on track, puts the curve right on the outside corner to get Niiyama. But a fastball left up to Tamaru goes back up the middle for a single, bringing up Hiromi.
Hiromi actually shows bunt and gets hit, but isn't given the dead ball. He does lay down the bunt on the next pitch with some good bat control to move Tamaru along for Yuuki.
Hirowatari plays Yuuki carefully, not messing around in the zone for the most part. And he wins the battle as Yuuki is way ahead of the curve and grounds to Onoda for the 3rd out.
Top 5th
Euchidani gives Souseikan their first hit! He turns on a fastball right at Suzuki who can't go to his right quickly enough as it deflects into foul territory.
But Mine can't bunt him along and instead pops up to Niiyama instead!
Wasada-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run and Oota tries to pull the ball but it's right at Suzuki who this time secures it and goes to 1st.
Sanshin! Hiromi's slider gets another one as Hirowatari can't make contact and becomes the 7th K!
Bottom 5th
Hirowatari with just his 2nd K as Sakai gets all twisted on a forkball inside.
Yasuda likes the first offering and hits it back up the middle, but Hirowatari makes a nice pick off the ground and gets his 2nd out.
He almost gets a clean inning, but Onoda sees Wakamatsu's grounder into, and out of, his glove. He chases it down towards 2nd, but has no play.
That has immediate effects as Kamaya singles sharply through the right side for a base hit, prompting a mound visit from Wasada-kantoku.
Which then leads to a wild pitch from Hirowatari moving both runners into scoring position...
Even still, he gets ahead of Suzuki 1-2 and almost makes him miss on the forkball.
But instead of a slider outside, he leaves it over the plate and Suzuki takes it past a diving Onoda for a base hit! Onoda's error comes back to haunt him as Komadai takes a 3-0 lead!
Sasaki-kantoku, looking to play add on, goes for the hit-and-run, but Niiyama grounds right to Onoda. This time he finishes the play to retire the side.
But it's apparent that Komadai is having the upper hand and Souseikan's offense really is that bad...
Top 6th
3 runs in 4 innings doesn't seem too bad one would think. But Souseikan's managed just 2 hits...
Hiromi racking up the pitches as Haraguchi and Nogichi go 3-1 before grounding out.
Oddly, after 2 clean outs, Sasaki-kantoku calls time? Wonder what for other than Makino is coming up...
Perhaps it was to tell him to go after him with the 3 run lead. Seems to work as he gets Makino to get ahead of a slider and fly out to Wakamatsu in left center for the 3rd out!
Bottom 6th
One down, and apparently Yuuki's first AB is a fluke as he goes golfing on a curve inside and flies out to Mine. Same goes for Yuuki as outside of the 3rd inning he's been silent. He flies out to center for a clean inning.
Top 7th
Onoda avoids the K, but gets fooled when Hiromi goes top shelf back-to-back and grounds back to Hiromi for the out.
Washizaki makes contact, but not off the sweet spot and it's a lazy fly to right.
Yuuki misses his fastball over the place, but Euchidani can't take advanage, popping up to Suzuki to retire the side.
Bottom 7th
#9 Kawajiri comes in for Mine and takes over in RF.
Hirowatari using the slow curve more here in the late innings, sets up Sakai on the slider outside for the K.
Yasuda flies out to left, and after a bit of a stubborn AB by Wakamatsu he gets the comebacker for the 3rd out. 2nd straight 1-2-3 inning, but the the offense needs to step up.
Top 8th
Mine can't break the futility at the plate, as he goes on a high fastball and grounds it to Yasuda.
Two down and Hirowatari's day is done. #4 Nakashima comes in to bat for him. He hits a hard grounder to short, but Suzuki secures it and makes the play for the 3rd out.
Bottom 8th
#10 Tachibe comes into the game for PH Nakashima and takes the hill.
Tachibe throws in the high 130s, but control is a bit of an issue. Still, he hits a grounder to 2nd, but Euchidani with all the time in the world throws it away! Wasada-kantoku calls for time. Suzuki lays down the bunt to move him along.
Souseikan almost commits another error when Niiyama's grounder up the middle is bobbled by Makino, but Niiyama gives him an assist by diving into 1st.
Tachibe's long inning ends when Tamaru weakly grounds to Noguchi for the out.
Top 9th
Last ups for Souseikan who have a grand total of 2 hits on the day...
Noguchi makes it 3 hits when he turns a 3-2 fastball to right center for a 1-out single.
But Makino hits it right to Suzuki! He snocones it, but holds on and starts the game ending 5-4-3 double play!
Well, I knew that Souseikan's offense was probably not great, but I wasn't expecting just 3 hits. Limited to that it didn't really matter what Hirowatari did, never mind that he too struggled on the mound. But, give credit to Itou Harumi, he did a fine job on the mound stifling what little offense Souseikan had not to mention throwing in a triple to boot.
But Komadai Tomakomai will have their work cut out for them in Riseisha next.
Notable Players
Itou Harumi (Komadai Tomakomai) - CG, SHO, 3 H, 7 K, BB
Itou Harumi (Komadai Tomakomai) - 1-2, 3B, R
Itou Yuuki (Komadai Tomakomai) - 1-4, R, 2 SB
Hirowatari Yuuki (Souseikan) - 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 K, 5 BB
Haraguchi Fumiya (Souseikan) - 1-4, 2B, K
Euchidani Koudai (Souseikan) -1-3
Hiromi has a low 130s fastball, with a slider, change and curve. Control isn't that bad as he gets ahead of Makino 0-2 before he swings at a change and grounds to 2nd. Haraguchi goes to 3rd with 2 down.
Hiromi works away on cleanup batter Onoda, and although he goes full, a 139 fastball up and away gets Onoda to chase ending the inning!
Bottom 1st
Hirowatari earns the ace number and takes the hill, although it is said that Washizaki may have been injured leaving Hirowatari to take the reins.
His delivery might make the ball explode from his hand as it just appears from behind him.
Yuuki seems late on the ball and hits it right to Makino for the first out. But control might be a slight issue though as Sakai draws the full count walk, though it's negated when Yasuda hits into the textbook 4-6-3 DP to end the inning (Yasuda dives into 1st...).
Top 2nd
Hiromi isn't throwing particularly hard, but Souseikan's batters aren't really able to hold up on the balls outside. Washizaki gets called going around on such a ball inside and Hiromi has his 3rd K.
What's this? Niiyama appears to have been injured and has to go in the back for treatment. Wonder what happened with his hand...
About 5 minutes later he pops out looking ok and the game resumes.
And it looks like this will be a game where Hiromi will be going deep into counts and high on the pitch count... Euchidani stays in until the count goes full where he then grounds right to Yasuda for the 2nd out.
Mine too takes several pitches, and while Hiromi's fastball can go awry at times, his slider works just fine and Mine whiffs on it to retire the side.
Bottom 2nd
There's a new song from Komadai that I haven't heard before as Wakamatsu steps in.
Hirowatari has a forkball to go with his standard slider and curve. Wakamatsu is a bit late on a fastball and while Noguchi races to the fence on the 1st base side the wind moves it around and away from him.
Wakamatsu gets jammed and hits a grounder back to Hirowatari for the first out. Kamaya tries the first pitch instead and hits a HR (if we played in a silo) where Noguchi catches it for the 2nd out.
Suzuki stepping in goes back to the waiting game drawing another walk from Hirowatari. But he's left stranded there when on a hit-and-run Niiyama punches it right to Mine for the 3rd out.
Top 3rd
Oota with a quick groundout to Yasuda for the first out. I like what I'm seeing from Harumi. He has decent enough control and misses in the right places (so far).
And it's a sped-up version of Erin's song from Touhou for Hirowatari! (I like that) More importantly though he manages to get a walk on the full count.
But on the first pitch he's caught off 1st! Niiyama goes to 1st, but Sakai is off balance! His throw to 2nd is offline and slow and Hirowatari is safe! Oy, that was a mess.
Once again, Harumi goes on the fastball away and Haraguchi's bat just can't reach it and there's 2 down!
Harumi gets out of the jam! He goes inside on Noguchi and jams him! Yuuki makes the catch in center to end the inning!
Bottom 3rd
I'm having a hard time determining if it's Hirowatari being good or the Komadai offense being bad, but so far, just 2 walks and no hits so far. If nothing else they're taking pitches on Hirowatari.
When they do swing, though not much happens. Tamaru grounds to 1st.
Of course I say that and I'm proven wrong immediately! Harumi brings the stick as well, driving a ball way over the drawn in outfield! Haraguchi has to run back as Harumi gets a triple!
Yuuki with a grounder to the left side! The drawn in infield can't get it and Harumi scores to make it 1-0 Komadai!
Yuuki puts on the pressure even further as he takes off and steals 2nd! Chance for Sakai to extend the lead with a base hit, but he's jammed by Hirowatari and pops out to Niguchi for the 2nd out.
What???!! Yuuki breaks for 3rd! It's a pitchout!! Oota goes to 3rd, but Yuuki is safe! WOW.
Yasuda trying to get him in, gets the green light 3-0, but fouls off two pitches. They go for the slider inside, but it's too far in and Yasuda doesn't bite! That brings up #4 batter Wakamatsu!
It looks like we're going to get more going around swings and less of the high strike this game as Hirowatari's 1-0 pitch is just called a ball.
Sasaki-kantoku goes aggressive as Yasuda breaks for 2nd, but there's no throw knowing that Yuuki can come home.
Even with 1st base open now, Hirowatari goes after Wakamatsu - first with the fastball inside which he fouls off and then the curve which he too fouls off. Another curve, another foul.
And his 7th pitch is just high and it's manrui for Komadai!! Wasada-kantoku quickly calls time.
Kamaya now swinging the bat so far, and Hirowatari digs himself into a deep hole as his 2-1 fastball is way high!!
Oshidashi!! Kamaya doesn't go for the curveball and it's low! Yuuki finally scores from 3rd and it's 2-0 Komadai!!
Hirowatari finally gets out of the inning when Suzuki learned nothing from the last 2 ABs, swings at the first pitch and grounds to 2nd for the 3rd out. Still, a booming triple and Yuuki's havoc on the base paths gives Hirowatari the jitters leading to a 2-0 deficit for Souseikan!
Top 4th
Makino makes what sounds like good contact, but Yuuki doesn't have to move to catch the ball.
Onoda gets some head music when a fastball meant to be up and in goes a little too close for comfort and hits off the grip of the bat. It still serves its purpose as the slider down and away catches the corner for Hiromi's 6th K.
Washizaki grounds to 1st. Sakai flips to Hiromi and it's Yuuki's 2nd 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 4th
Hirowatari looking to get back on track, puts the curve right on the outside corner to get Niiyama. But a fastball left up to Tamaru goes back up the middle for a single, bringing up Hiromi.
Hiromi actually shows bunt and gets hit, but isn't given the dead ball. He does lay down the bunt on the next pitch with some good bat control to move Tamaru along for Yuuki.
Hirowatari plays Yuuki carefully, not messing around in the zone for the most part. And he wins the battle as Yuuki is way ahead of the curve and grounds to Onoda for the 3rd out.
Top 5th
Euchidani gives Souseikan their first hit! He turns on a fastball right at Suzuki who can't go to his right quickly enough as it deflects into foul territory.
But Mine can't bunt him along and instead pops up to Niiyama instead!
Wasada-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run and Oota tries to pull the ball but it's right at Suzuki who this time secures it and goes to 1st.
Sanshin! Hiromi's slider gets another one as Hirowatari can't make contact and becomes the 7th K!
Bottom 5th
Hirowatari with just his 2nd K as Sakai gets all twisted on a forkball inside.
Yasuda likes the first offering and hits it back up the middle, but Hirowatari makes a nice pick off the ground and gets his 2nd out.
He almost gets a clean inning, but Onoda sees Wakamatsu's grounder into, and out of, his glove. He chases it down towards 2nd, but has no play.
That has immediate effects as Kamaya singles sharply through the right side for a base hit, prompting a mound visit from Wasada-kantoku.
Which then leads to a wild pitch from Hirowatari moving both runners into scoring position...
Even still, he gets ahead of Suzuki 1-2 and almost makes him miss on the forkball.
But instead of a slider outside, he leaves it over the plate and Suzuki takes it past a diving Onoda for a base hit! Onoda's error comes back to haunt him as Komadai takes a 3-0 lead!
Sasaki-kantoku, looking to play add on, goes for the hit-and-run, but Niiyama grounds right to Onoda. This time he finishes the play to retire the side.
But it's apparent that Komadai is having the upper hand and Souseikan's offense really is that bad...
Top 6th
3 runs in 4 innings doesn't seem too bad one would think. But Souseikan's managed just 2 hits...
Hiromi racking up the pitches as Haraguchi and Nogichi go 3-1 before grounding out.
Oddly, after 2 clean outs, Sasaki-kantoku calls time? Wonder what for other than Makino is coming up...
Perhaps it was to tell him to go after him with the 3 run lead. Seems to work as he gets Makino to get ahead of a slider and fly out to Wakamatsu in left center for the 3rd out!
Bottom 6th
One down, and apparently Yuuki's first AB is a fluke as he goes golfing on a curve inside and flies out to Mine. Same goes for Yuuki as outside of the 3rd inning he's been silent. He flies out to center for a clean inning.
Top 7th
Onoda avoids the K, but gets fooled when Hiromi goes top shelf back-to-back and grounds back to Hiromi for the out.
Washizaki makes contact, but not off the sweet spot and it's a lazy fly to right.
Yuuki misses his fastball over the place, but Euchidani can't take advanage, popping up to Suzuki to retire the side.
Bottom 7th
#9 Kawajiri comes in for Mine and takes over in RF.
Hirowatari using the slow curve more here in the late innings, sets up Sakai on the slider outside for the K.
Yasuda flies out to left, and after a bit of a stubborn AB by Wakamatsu he gets the comebacker for the 3rd out. 2nd straight 1-2-3 inning, but the the offense needs to step up.
Top 8th
Mine can't break the futility at the plate, as he goes on a high fastball and grounds it to Yasuda.
Two down and Hirowatari's day is done. #4 Nakashima comes in to bat for him. He hits a hard grounder to short, but Suzuki secures it and makes the play for the 3rd out.
Bottom 8th
#10 Tachibe comes into the game for PH Nakashima and takes the hill.
Tachibe throws in the high 130s, but control is a bit of an issue. Still, he hits a grounder to 2nd, but Euchidani with all the time in the world throws it away! Wasada-kantoku calls for time. Suzuki lays down the bunt to move him along.
Souseikan almost commits another error when Niiyama's grounder up the middle is bobbled by Makino, but Niiyama gives him an assist by diving into 1st.
Tachibe's long inning ends when Tamaru weakly grounds to Noguchi for the out.
Top 9th
Last ups for Souseikan who have a grand total of 2 hits on the day...
Noguchi makes it 3 hits when he turns a 3-2 fastball to right center for a 1-out single.
But Makino hits it right to Suzuki! He snocones it, but holds on and starts the game ending 5-4-3 double play!
Well, I knew that Souseikan's offense was probably not great, but I wasn't expecting just 3 hits. Limited to that it didn't really matter what Hirowatari did, never mind that he too struggled on the mound. But, give credit to Itou Harumi, he did a fine job on the mound stifling what little offense Souseikan had not to mention throwing in a triple to boot.
But Komadai Tomakomai will have their work cut out for them in Riseisha next.
Notable Players
Itou Harumi (Komadai Tomakomai) - CG, SHO, 3 H, 7 K, BB
Itou Harumi (Komadai Tomakomai) - 1-2, 3B, R
Itou Yuuki (Komadai Tomakomai) - 1-4, R, 2 SB
Hirowatari Yuuki (Souseikan) - 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 K, 5 BB
Haraguchi Fumiya (Souseikan) - 1-4, 2B, K
Euchidani Koudai (Souseikan) -1-3
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
32 teams in 32 days - Souseikan (Nagasaki)
Souseikan makes it's second consecutive (and 2nd total) appearance at senbatsu. Though this time they needed help from Okinawa Shougaku in winning the Meiji Jingu Tournament because until that moment they were on the outside looking in.
Road to Senbatsu
Nagasaki Prefecturals
Now, ignoring the name of the opponents, it is amazing that they did not let an opponent score more than 1 run - not even their loss in the super-regionals. Put the names back in though and it dullens the achievement somewhat.
Wasada interestingly did not hold back from using his promoted ace Hirowatari Yuuki (廣渡 勇樹) though he did go to Washizaki Jyun (鷲崎 淳) and then Tachibe Takahisa (立部 峻長) only in the final against Hasami.
Hirowatari's numbers are not bad at all. If we were to just look at the 2 super-regional games, he averaged 4.5 H/9, 8 K/9 and 2 BB/9 - all good stats.
I do have to wonder about the offense though. In the game versus Misato Kougyou each team managed just 4 hits. Two of the holdovers from last year, Onoda Yahiro (小野田 弥啓) and Makino Shinya (牧野 慎也) may be the ones to lead the offense. They just haven't really been tested yet and it's hard to say if their rebuild is good enough to get past the first game.
Down the stretch we come and we will visit the three 21st century teams... first up... the Eastern Tokyo representative - Toritsu Koyamadai.
Road to Senbatsu
Nagasaki Prefecturals
- def. Iki 10-0 (5 inn)
- def. Shimabara 8-1 (8 inn)
- def. Obama 6-0
- def. Sasebo Kougyou 7-1
- def. Hasami 7-1
- def. Kashima 4-1
- lost Misato Kougyou 1-0
Now, ignoring the name of the opponents, it is amazing that they did not let an opponent score more than 1 run - not even their loss in the super-regionals. Put the names back in though and it dullens the achievement somewhat.
Wasada interestingly did not hold back from using his promoted ace Hirowatari Yuuki (廣渡 勇樹) though he did go to Washizaki Jyun (鷲崎 淳) and then Tachibe Takahisa (立部 峻長) only in the final against Hasami.
Hirowatari's numbers are not bad at all. If we were to just look at the 2 super-regional games, he averaged 4.5 H/9, 8 K/9 and 2 BB/9 - all good stats.
I do have to wonder about the offense though. In the game versus Misato Kougyou each team managed just 4 hits. Two of the holdovers from last year, Onoda Yahiro (小野田 弥啓) and Makino Shinya (牧野 慎也) may be the ones to lead the offense. They just haven't really been tested yet and it's hard to say if their rebuild is good enough to get past the first game.
Down the stretch we come and we will visit the three 21st century teams... first up... the Eastern Tokyo representative - Toritsu Koyamadai.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Day 4, Game 1 - Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi) vs. Souseikan (Nagasaki)
Day 4 begins, and we're about halfway done with the 2nd round games.
Starting our morning off are the Meiji Jingu champions playing against yet another first-timer who finally has reached Koushien after several attempts.
It's actually been 6 years since Sendai Ikuei has been to Haru Koushien. During that time, they've been to Natsu Koushien 4 times, and finished just short of the Best 8 the last 3.
This fall, they went an incredible 15-0 including wins over Tohoku, Aomori Yamada, Sakata Minami, Seikou Gakuin, Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou, Hokushou and finally Kanzei.
It's rather impressive really. The offense did not take a significant hit as the rounds progressed. In fact, they got double digit hits in 10 of their 15 games, and 5 times against the aforementioned opponents. A 0.340/0.398/0.469 slash line is nothing to shake a finger at.
Hasegawa Hiro has to be the centerpiece of the offense, batting 0.467 with a 0.733 SLG and 22 RBIs. If he doesn't get the runners in, there's always Uebayashi Seiji, who hit 0.375 with 3 HRs.
Even the bench participated. Sasaki Tomoki played in 13 games and hit 0.571 with a HR.
The pitching was just as stellar. In that 15 game stretch they gave up 4 or more runs just twice. Twice! And the main tandem of Suzuki Takato and Baba Kouske dominated the opposition. Suzuki with a 1.14 ERA, 7.97 K/9, and an almost 5:1 K/BB ratio. Baba was slightly worse at 1.19 ERA, 7.91 K/9 and a 1.83 K/BB ratio.
The odd thing is that neither pitcher is overpowering, and neither are really on the draft charts. Suzuki maxes in the mid 130's with a slider, curve and fork. Baba is even slower in the 120s with a slider and slow curve.
I will be interested to see how this pitching tandem fares.
So it really sounds like it'll be a tough task for Souseikan who got to the Kyushu super-regional semifinals. They did face Seihou during the Nagasaki prefecturals, but had a relatively easy road after losing to Isahaya in the prefectural final. In fact, they didn't face a recognized opponent until perhaps Kurume Shougyou in the super-regional quarterfinals, and then a mercy-rule loss to Okinawa Shougaku.
From the scores, it looks like there will be a lot of pressure placed on the pitching staff for Souseikan. The offense generally struggled to score runs, posting more than 3 runs in just 3 of their 9 games. The team as a whole batted just 0.241 with only cleanup batter Sakai Riku hitting over 0.300.
And so the task will fall on Oono Takuma to try and keep the fall champions offense at bay. He can hit 140 on the gun and throws a fork in addition to the usual slider and curve.
Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi) - Tohoku Champions (Meiji Jingu Champions)
SS Kumagai Takahiro
2B Kikuna Yuuka
LF Hasegawa Hiro
CF Uebayashi Seiji
1B Mizuma Toshiki
C Kobayashi Ryou
3B Katou Naoya
RF Satou Seiya
P Suzuki Takato
Souseikan (Nagasaki) - Kyushu 3/4 seed
SS Kinoshita Atsunori
RF Hayashi Kento
CF Maeda Masatoshi
C Sakai Riku
1B Eguchi Yuuya
3B Kojima Masanao
2B Inokuchi Taiga
LF Noguchi Shouma
P Oono Takuma
____________________________________________________________
09:02 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Oono hitting his spots early, but gets no help early from his defense. Grounder to 1st is plain missed by Eguchi and trickles into right. Runner on early for Sendai Ikuei.
Sasaki-kantoku asks Kikuna to bunt, but after a couple of pitches, takes it off. Swings and misses on a low fastball to fall behind, but works the count full after fouling off a couple.
Sasaki-kantoku switches to a hit-and-run, but once again Kikuna fouls it off. Tries it again, and this time Kikuna lines it to right for a hit. Runners now at the corners for Hasegawa.
He grounds to 2nd, and Inokuchi takes the longer spin and throw to 2nd. That costs him as Hasegawa beats the throw. Double play averted, Kumagai scores and it's 1-0 Sendai Ikuei.
Kinoshita makes a great catch by the camera well on a foul fly from cleanup batter Uebayashi for the 2nd out.
But Sendai Ikuei wants to make Eguchi pay for the error! Mizuma drills the first ball deep to center! Maeda playing in has no chance at it! It takes a hop to the wall, and it's an easy RBI double to make it 2-0!
Kobayashi now with a liner to left! Noguchi charges in, tries to make the sliding catch, but can't get there! The ball trickles behind him and Mizuma scores to make it 3-0!
Oono finally gets out of the inning as Katou can't check his swing on a full count slider out of the zone. But the offense is already up and running and before Souseikan can pick up a bat, they've spotted the fall champs 3 runs in part due to an unforced error.
Bottom 1st
Souseikan already starting with their version of the Keio fight song.
Hayashi up and trying a safety bunt, but fouls it off.
Suzuki doesn't look all that impressing to start. As mentioned, he doesn't throw hard, his off-speed pitches are mostly out of the zone, but I will give him credit for one thing - he will pitch inside.
Hayashi is definitely a chopper at the plate, showing bunt, then pulling back and hacking. It's the only way I could hit in the cages.
But the AB continues as Suzuki pitches inside, and Hayashi fouls them off.
And Hayashi wins! A 12 pitch AB results in a single to left!
Souseikan is patient, that's for sure. Kinoshita went 2-2, Hayashi went 12 pitches, and now Maeda has the count run to 2-2 as well as Suzuki gets the call on an inside fastball.
Maeda does the bust-and-run swing, but can't catch up to the high fastball and goes down. That brings up Sakai.
He gets ahead of the count to 2-0 before swinging away and grounding out to short. Kumagai can't field it cleanly, but has enough time to regroup and make the play to retire the side.
Still though, that's 25 pitches in the first inning. Only problem is that of all the teams they could have drawn to pull a strategy of attrition, Sendai Ikuei may have been the absolute worst to draw.
Top 2nd
Things are going well for Sendai Ikuei early. Satou hits a dribbler to the left side that ends up in no man's land. The throw isn't in time and he's on safely!
Suzuki bunts him along and that flips the lineup back to the top and Kumagai. Hard grounder to short is picked by Kojima and he makes a solid throw for the 2nd out.
Oono isn't as accurate with his pitches either, and on a pitch inside hits Kikuna. At least he's pitching inside.
Oono gets too much of the plate and Hasegawa lines it to right for a basehit! Satou holds at 3rd and it's manrui for Uebayashi!
Uebayashi is dangerous, but Oono gets ahead 0-2.
But Uebayashi goes down, hits a ball that bounces off the dirt and pops into center for a base hit! That's images of Ichiro and when he did that in the NPB!
That hit though tells me that Uebayashi is thinking out there. Yes, he did get fooled, but he wasn't trying for the HR (though a swing earlier seemed like it). He knew that a base hit could get a couple, and that's what he did with a 2-RBI double. 5-0 Sendai Ikuei.
Mizuma lines out to right to end the inning, but it looks rather bad early.
Bottom 2nd
Eguchi uncharacteristically (for the team anyways) swings early and grounds out to 1st. Kojima swings on a letter high fastball on a full count and pops out to Kumagai.
And Inokuchi's music is the Atlanta Braves chop song???!! That's a first.
Unfortunately, he goes down swinging to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Kobayashi with a grounder to the right side, Inokuchi goes over and just misses out on the ball! But it didn't look like he was moving very fast and could have gotten better position IMO.
After a lineout to right, there is an execution error by the Souseikan defense. Grounder to 1st by Satou was fieled by Eguchi. Tagging 1st was fine, but he quickly throws to 2nd, thus allowing Kobayashi to double back. He should have started the run down.
Is it just me or do both teams have a lot of songs that come from the US this game?
No harm done for Souseikan.. Suzuki flies out to left, and Souseikan finally has a clean inning.
Bottom 3rd
Noguchi with the buster swing goes low and loops a ball into shallow left-center for a leadoff hit!
AHHHHHHHAAA!!!!!
Oono's oen-dan music the Erin song from Touhou!! I am very, very happy!!
Oono bunts the runner along, so I don't get to hear it for long.
Kinoshita with a buster swing bloops one to right center! Noguchi is being sent home! Throw from Uebayashi...
SAFE!!!
Somehow Noguchi beats the tag and Souseikan is on the board! It's 5-1! And Kinoshita advances to 2nd on the throw!
Hayashi tries the safety bunt! Katou fires to 1st, but while Mizuma loses the handle, the 1st base umpire determines that he made the initial catch and the loss of the ball was on the transfer. 2 down.
Maeda with a hard grounder to 1st! Mizuma can't field it cleanly and it trickles to his right! He scrambles to get it, and Suzuki is nowhere to be found! He dashes to 1st, but the toss from Mizuma forces him to jump! Maeda slides and in beats the throw! Kinoshita comes in to score and it's 5-2! There's some scrappy and gutsy play from the Souseikan squad!
Suzuki finally gets out of the inning as he freezes Sakai on a outside fastball, but they've got a bit more fight than I thought!
Top 4th
Man, when Oono can hit his spots, it's right there.
Kumagai, already on his 3rd AB hits a hard liner, but right to Kojima. Kikuna and Hasegawa both hit routine flies and Oono has his first 1-2-3 inning!
Bottom 4th
Souseikan is attacking pitches earlier knowing that perhaps Sendai Ikuei realizes that they might be able to get ahead in the count.
But this inning it doesn't quite work. Eguchi was swinging early anyways, and once again grounds to 1st. Kojima gets ahead 3-1, but flies out to center.
And Inokuchi slaps one into left-center, but Uebayashi makes a great sliding catch to retire the side.
Top 5th
I don't think I've enjoyed a game like this for a while. From music to defense, it definitely has it all.
Uebayashi can't mimic the great hit from the 2nd, and chops one back to Oono who snipes it for the first out.
Mizuma with a grounder up the 3rd base line, Kinoshita charges in, makes the leaping throw and Eguchi stretches and picks the one bounder for the out! That's a doubly great play!
And Kobyashi flies out to left! It's a 6 pitch inning for Oono!
Bottom 5th
Noguchi gets jammed, but still manages to bloop one down the right field line!
You know what? Souseikan knows they aren't a power hitting squad, so they do the bust-and-run strategy knowing they will try to pepper you to death.
Oono up and I get to hear the oen-dan section more! I just wish I got to SEE it.
Oono however, cannot lay down the bunt and just plain whiffs for the out.
Kinoshita with a bunt-and-run, chops it to Suzuki and his only play is to 1st.
Hayashi with the safety bunt, but the Sendai Ikuei battery rightly waits for it as it rolls foul. He then sits and works the count, and earns a walk! Kobayashi goes out to talk with Suzuki.
The walk brings up Maeda.
And after falling behind 0-2, he gets totally fooled on a forkball in the dirt for the 3rd out.
Sendai Ikuei probably still has control of the game, but Souseikan makes it interesting with their style of play, and their oen-dan. I don't think this game is over yet (unlike Florida Gulf Coast apparently.)
Top 6th
Something that hasn't been mentioned in the last couple of innings is the fact that Oono has done a superb job of stifling the Sendai Ikuei offense. He is not afraid to pitch inside, even if he's not as accurate.
Katou chases a slider in the zone, Satou chases a slider down and at his feet, and while Suzuki hits a fastball on the outside part of the plate, he flies out to deep (and I warning track deep) center.
Bottom 6th
Sakai gets ahead 3-0 on Suzuki but Suzuki rifles in a couple to fill up the count. #10 Baba is sent by Sasaki-kantoku to the bullpen.
Sakai with a liner to left. Hasegawa charges in late and the dying liner goes off his glove! Sakai sprints for and reaches 2nd!
Sasaki-kantoku calls for time as Eguchi steps in.
And his early hacking pays off this time! Suzuki gets too much of the plate on a pitch outside and it's a no doubt liner to center for a base hit! It's too hard for Sakai to score though, so there's runner at the corners!
Kojima can't quite deliver the timely hit as he hits a grounder up the 3rd base line. But he at least advances Eguchi into scoring position!
Inokuchi with a grounder to short. Kumagai looks for Eguchi, but goes to 1st for the 2nd out.
And Suzuki gets out of the jam! Noguchi grounds to short. Kumagai with the throw and a great scoring opportunity unfortunately goes begging!
Top 7th
Kumagai's oen-dan music is great too, I know I've heard it somehwere, but man, so many unique songs. He by the way grounds out to short.
Kikuna quickly grounds to 2nd and there's down.
Hasegawa finally breaks the streak of 14 straight retired batters with a blast to right center. That lands at the base of the wall for a double, and more importantly bringing up Uebayashi.
Uebayashi's song is familiar too, but again I don't know where, but I like it.
Oono rightly is pitching carefully to Uebayashi with a base open. Though I guess even a ball in the dirt isn't safe.
And as they intentionally unintentionally walk him, Wasada-kantoku calls time.
Mizuma has unique music too!
Oono goes after Mizuma, and up 0-2, he grounds to 2nd! Inokuchi with the snag, goes the short way for the out and Oono puts up another 0!
Bottom 7th
They're even doing the sectional cheers for Oono just like for Takumi Koube! Souseikan jumps to #2 in my list of favorite oen-dans (next to Narashino, of course).
But sadly for Souseikan, it's a quick 1-2-3 inning, capped off by a check swing on a one bounder that goes back to Suzuki. Not as useful as Uebayashi's I'm afraid.
Top 8th
OH.
Well, the momentum that Souseikan had is apparently gone. Kobayashi just sent one up down the right field line almost to the upper walkway. WOW.
6-2 Sendai Ikuei.
#15 Abe hits for Katou, and can't check up on a ball outside. One down.
And now Oono hits Satou. Sakai goes out to settle Oono down, but I think perhaps the reality is setting in (I hope not, I'd like to see one more rally).
Suzuki with a pop up on a bunt, Sakai chases it in foul territoy, but it just goes off the end of the glove!
No harm done though as Suzuku flies out to right.
Kumagai first pitch blasts one to right center! That lands at the base of the wall for a RBI triple and perhaps at 7-2, that's the proverbial nail in the coffin.
#16 Onodera comes in to hit for Kikuna and goes down on 3 pitches to end the inning. But Sendai Ikuei has turned on the jets late to put Souseikan away.
Bottom 8th
Abe stays in to play 3B, while #14 Sakaki comes in for PH Onodera to play 2B.
Sakai with a hit the opposite way collects his 2nd hit of the day.
Eguchi swings away on the first pitch, and dives just in time to avoid the double play.
#16 Euchidani comes in to run for Eguchi.
But he's not on long as Kojima grounds to 3rd to end the inning.
Top 9th
Mass changes defensively for Souseikan. #14 Makishima comes in for Inokuchi. #15 Onoda comes in for PH Euchidani and takes over at 1B, and #18 Yanai replaces Maeda in CF.
Hasegawa gets a leadoff single, but a couple of fielder's choices mean they don't advance any further. Not that they need to up 7.
Bottom 9th
#10 Baba comes in to close out the game for Sendai Ikuei. He takes over in Abe's spot in the lineup as Suzuki moves to RF.
Wasada-kantoku admitting defeat empties the bench. #13 Hoashi comes in for Makishima and strikes out swinging.
#11 Hashiguchi hits for Noguchi and gets hit with the first pitch.
#17 Shiroshita comes in to hit for Oono, and they're still using the Erin music for him. It works.
He hits a scorcher that goes off Baba's heel and deflects up! Abe alertly charges over, picks the ball from the air and makes the throw to 1st for the out! That's bad luck for Souseikan.
#12 Okuda comes in to hit for Kinoshita, and it looks like #10 Hirowatari wil be the only man not to play as Okuda strikes out to end the game.
Well, Souseikan expectedly fell to Sendai Ikuei 7-2. But Souseikan played their game to the end. A lot of slashing and clawing and not losing sight of what type of team they were. Much like Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi a while back - but more entertaining. If not for a shaky first 2 inning where I think nerves came into play, I think they would have had a chance. I hope they make it back - though I know that means it puts them at odds with my Seihou...
For Sendai Ikuei, I think a lot of the offense is real. It's certainly not as good as the fall numbers speak of. But there were flashes that would make teams scared to face them. The pitching seems pretty average, but if they can split up the work, it might help for later rounds. For now, they can sit back and watch the next game to see who their next opponents will be.
Notable Players
Suzuki Takato (Sendai Ikuei) - W, 8 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 5 K, BB
Kobayashi Ryou (Sendai Ikuei) - 3-5, HR, R, 2 RBI
Hasegawa Hiro (Sendai Ikuei) - 3-5, 2B, R, RBI
Sakai Riku (Souseikan) - 2-4, 2B, K
Noguchi Shouma (Souseikan) - 2-3, R
Starting our morning off are the Meiji Jingu champions playing against yet another first-timer who finally has reached Koushien after several attempts.
It's actually been 6 years since Sendai Ikuei has been to Haru Koushien. During that time, they've been to Natsu Koushien 4 times, and finished just short of the Best 8 the last 3.
This fall, they went an incredible 15-0 including wins over Tohoku, Aomori Yamada, Sakata Minami, Seikou Gakuin, Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou, Hokushou and finally Kanzei.
It's rather impressive really. The offense did not take a significant hit as the rounds progressed. In fact, they got double digit hits in 10 of their 15 games, and 5 times against the aforementioned opponents. A 0.340/0.398/0.469 slash line is nothing to shake a finger at.
Hasegawa Hiro has to be the centerpiece of the offense, batting 0.467 with a 0.733 SLG and 22 RBIs. If he doesn't get the runners in, there's always Uebayashi Seiji, who hit 0.375 with 3 HRs.
Even the bench participated. Sasaki Tomoki played in 13 games and hit 0.571 with a HR.
The pitching was just as stellar. In that 15 game stretch they gave up 4 or more runs just twice. Twice! And the main tandem of Suzuki Takato and Baba Kouske dominated the opposition. Suzuki with a 1.14 ERA, 7.97 K/9, and an almost 5:1 K/BB ratio. Baba was slightly worse at 1.19 ERA, 7.91 K/9 and a 1.83 K/BB ratio.
The odd thing is that neither pitcher is overpowering, and neither are really on the draft charts. Suzuki maxes in the mid 130's with a slider, curve and fork. Baba is even slower in the 120s with a slider and slow curve.
I will be interested to see how this pitching tandem fares.
So it really sounds like it'll be a tough task for Souseikan who got to the Kyushu super-regional semifinals. They did face Seihou during the Nagasaki prefecturals, but had a relatively easy road after losing to Isahaya in the prefectural final. In fact, they didn't face a recognized opponent until perhaps Kurume Shougyou in the super-regional quarterfinals, and then a mercy-rule loss to Okinawa Shougaku.
From the scores, it looks like there will be a lot of pressure placed on the pitching staff for Souseikan. The offense generally struggled to score runs, posting more than 3 runs in just 3 of their 9 games. The team as a whole batted just 0.241 with only cleanup batter Sakai Riku hitting over 0.300.
And so the task will fall on Oono Takuma to try and keep the fall champions offense at bay. He can hit 140 on the gun and throws a fork in addition to the usual slider and curve.
Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi) - Tohoku Champions (Meiji Jingu Champions)
SS Kumagai Takahiro
2B Kikuna Yuuka
LF Hasegawa Hiro
CF Uebayashi Seiji
1B Mizuma Toshiki
C Kobayashi Ryou
3B Katou Naoya
RF Satou Seiya
P Suzuki Takato
Souseikan (Nagasaki) - Kyushu 3/4 seed
SS Kinoshita Atsunori
RF Hayashi Kento
CF Maeda Masatoshi
C Sakai Riku
1B Eguchi Yuuya
3B Kojima Masanao
2B Inokuchi Taiga
LF Noguchi Shouma
P Oono Takuma
____________________________________________________________
09:02 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Oono hitting his spots early, but gets no help early from his defense. Grounder to 1st is plain missed by Eguchi and trickles into right. Runner on early for Sendai Ikuei.
Sasaki-kantoku asks Kikuna to bunt, but after a couple of pitches, takes it off. Swings and misses on a low fastball to fall behind, but works the count full after fouling off a couple.
Sasaki-kantoku switches to a hit-and-run, but once again Kikuna fouls it off. Tries it again, and this time Kikuna lines it to right for a hit. Runners now at the corners for Hasegawa.
He grounds to 2nd, and Inokuchi takes the longer spin and throw to 2nd. That costs him as Hasegawa beats the throw. Double play averted, Kumagai scores and it's 1-0 Sendai Ikuei.
Kinoshita makes a great catch by the camera well on a foul fly from cleanup batter Uebayashi for the 2nd out.
But Sendai Ikuei wants to make Eguchi pay for the error! Mizuma drills the first ball deep to center! Maeda playing in has no chance at it! It takes a hop to the wall, and it's an easy RBI double to make it 2-0!
Kobayashi now with a liner to left! Noguchi charges in, tries to make the sliding catch, but can't get there! The ball trickles behind him and Mizuma scores to make it 3-0!
Oono finally gets out of the inning as Katou can't check his swing on a full count slider out of the zone. But the offense is already up and running and before Souseikan can pick up a bat, they've spotted the fall champs 3 runs in part due to an unforced error.
Bottom 1st
Souseikan already starting with their version of the Keio fight song.
Hayashi up and trying a safety bunt, but fouls it off.
Suzuki doesn't look all that impressing to start. As mentioned, he doesn't throw hard, his off-speed pitches are mostly out of the zone, but I will give him credit for one thing - he will pitch inside.
Hayashi is definitely a chopper at the plate, showing bunt, then pulling back and hacking. It's the only way I could hit in the cages.
But the AB continues as Suzuki pitches inside, and Hayashi fouls them off.
And Hayashi wins! A 12 pitch AB results in a single to left!
Souseikan is patient, that's for sure. Kinoshita went 2-2, Hayashi went 12 pitches, and now Maeda has the count run to 2-2 as well as Suzuki gets the call on an inside fastball.
Maeda does the bust-and-run swing, but can't catch up to the high fastball and goes down. That brings up Sakai.
He gets ahead of the count to 2-0 before swinging away and grounding out to short. Kumagai can't field it cleanly, but has enough time to regroup and make the play to retire the side.
Still though, that's 25 pitches in the first inning. Only problem is that of all the teams they could have drawn to pull a strategy of attrition, Sendai Ikuei may have been the absolute worst to draw.
Top 2nd
Things are going well for Sendai Ikuei early. Satou hits a dribbler to the left side that ends up in no man's land. The throw isn't in time and he's on safely!
Suzuki bunts him along and that flips the lineup back to the top and Kumagai. Hard grounder to short is picked by Kojima and he makes a solid throw for the 2nd out.
Oono isn't as accurate with his pitches either, and on a pitch inside hits Kikuna. At least he's pitching inside.
Oono gets too much of the plate and Hasegawa lines it to right for a basehit! Satou holds at 3rd and it's manrui for Uebayashi!
Uebayashi is dangerous, but Oono gets ahead 0-2.
But Uebayashi goes down, hits a ball that bounces off the dirt and pops into center for a base hit! That's images of Ichiro and when he did that in the NPB!
That hit though tells me that Uebayashi is thinking out there. Yes, he did get fooled, but he wasn't trying for the HR (though a swing earlier seemed like it). He knew that a base hit could get a couple, and that's what he did with a 2-RBI double. 5-0 Sendai Ikuei.
Mizuma lines out to right to end the inning, but it looks rather bad early.
Bottom 2nd
Eguchi uncharacteristically (for the team anyways) swings early and grounds out to 1st. Kojima swings on a letter high fastball on a full count and pops out to Kumagai.
And Inokuchi's music is the Atlanta Braves chop song???!! That's a first.
Unfortunately, he goes down swinging to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Kobayashi with a grounder to the right side, Inokuchi goes over and just misses out on the ball! But it didn't look like he was moving very fast and could have gotten better position IMO.
After a lineout to right, there is an execution error by the Souseikan defense. Grounder to 1st by Satou was fieled by Eguchi. Tagging 1st was fine, but he quickly throws to 2nd, thus allowing Kobayashi to double back. He should have started the run down.
Is it just me or do both teams have a lot of songs that come from the US this game?
No harm done for Souseikan.. Suzuki flies out to left, and Souseikan finally has a clean inning.
Bottom 3rd
Noguchi with the buster swing goes low and loops a ball into shallow left-center for a leadoff hit!
AHHHHHHHAAA!!!!!
Oono's oen-dan music the Erin song from Touhou!! I am very, very happy!!
Oono bunts the runner along, so I don't get to hear it for long.
Kinoshita with a buster swing bloops one to right center! Noguchi is being sent home! Throw from Uebayashi...
SAFE!!!
Somehow Noguchi beats the tag and Souseikan is on the board! It's 5-1! And Kinoshita advances to 2nd on the throw!
Hayashi tries the safety bunt! Katou fires to 1st, but while Mizuma loses the handle, the 1st base umpire determines that he made the initial catch and the loss of the ball was on the transfer. 2 down.
Maeda with a hard grounder to 1st! Mizuma can't field it cleanly and it trickles to his right! He scrambles to get it, and Suzuki is nowhere to be found! He dashes to 1st, but the toss from Mizuma forces him to jump! Maeda slides and in beats the throw! Kinoshita comes in to score and it's 5-2! There's some scrappy and gutsy play from the Souseikan squad!
Suzuki finally gets out of the inning as he freezes Sakai on a outside fastball, but they've got a bit more fight than I thought!
Top 4th
Man, when Oono can hit his spots, it's right there.
Kumagai, already on his 3rd AB hits a hard liner, but right to Kojima. Kikuna and Hasegawa both hit routine flies and Oono has his first 1-2-3 inning!
Bottom 4th
Souseikan is attacking pitches earlier knowing that perhaps Sendai Ikuei realizes that they might be able to get ahead in the count.
But this inning it doesn't quite work. Eguchi was swinging early anyways, and once again grounds to 1st. Kojima gets ahead 3-1, but flies out to center.
And Inokuchi slaps one into left-center, but Uebayashi makes a great sliding catch to retire the side.
Top 5th
I don't think I've enjoyed a game like this for a while. From music to defense, it definitely has it all.
Uebayashi can't mimic the great hit from the 2nd, and chops one back to Oono who snipes it for the first out.
Mizuma with a grounder up the 3rd base line, Kinoshita charges in, makes the leaping throw and Eguchi stretches and picks the one bounder for the out! That's a doubly great play!
And Kobyashi flies out to left! It's a 6 pitch inning for Oono!
Bottom 5th
Noguchi gets jammed, but still manages to bloop one down the right field line!
You know what? Souseikan knows they aren't a power hitting squad, so they do the bust-and-run strategy knowing they will try to pepper you to death.
Oono up and I get to hear the oen-dan section more! I just wish I got to SEE it.
Oono however, cannot lay down the bunt and just plain whiffs for the out.
Kinoshita with a bunt-and-run, chops it to Suzuki and his only play is to 1st.
Hayashi with the safety bunt, but the Sendai Ikuei battery rightly waits for it as it rolls foul. He then sits and works the count, and earns a walk! Kobayashi goes out to talk with Suzuki.
The walk brings up Maeda.
And after falling behind 0-2, he gets totally fooled on a forkball in the dirt for the 3rd out.
Sendai Ikuei probably still has control of the game, but Souseikan makes it interesting with their style of play, and their oen-dan. I don't think this game is over yet (unlike Florida Gulf Coast apparently.)
Top 6th
Something that hasn't been mentioned in the last couple of innings is the fact that Oono has done a superb job of stifling the Sendai Ikuei offense. He is not afraid to pitch inside, even if he's not as accurate.
Katou chases a slider in the zone, Satou chases a slider down and at his feet, and while Suzuki hits a fastball on the outside part of the plate, he flies out to deep (and I warning track deep) center.
Bottom 6th
Sakai gets ahead 3-0 on Suzuki but Suzuki rifles in a couple to fill up the count. #10 Baba is sent by Sasaki-kantoku to the bullpen.
Sakai with a liner to left. Hasegawa charges in late and the dying liner goes off his glove! Sakai sprints for and reaches 2nd!
Sasaki-kantoku calls for time as Eguchi steps in.
And his early hacking pays off this time! Suzuki gets too much of the plate on a pitch outside and it's a no doubt liner to center for a base hit! It's too hard for Sakai to score though, so there's runner at the corners!
Kojima can't quite deliver the timely hit as he hits a grounder up the 3rd base line. But he at least advances Eguchi into scoring position!
Inokuchi with a grounder to short. Kumagai looks for Eguchi, but goes to 1st for the 2nd out.
And Suzuki gets out of the jam! Noguchi grounds to short. Kumagai with the throw and a great scoring opportunity unfortunately goes begging!
Top 7th
Kumagai's oen-dan music is great too, I know I've heard it somehwere, but man, so many unique songs. He by the way grounds out to short.
Kikuna quickly grounds to 2nd and there's down.
Hasegawa finally breaks the streak of 14 straight retired batters with a blast to right center. That lands at the base of the wall for a double, and more importantly bringing up Uebayashi.
Uebayashi's song is familiar too, but again I don't know where, but I like it.
Oono rightly is pitching carefully to Uebayashi with a base open. Though I guess even a ball in the dirt isn't safe.
And as they intentionally unintentionally walk him, Wasada-kantoku calls time.
Mizuma has unique music too!
Oono goes after Mizuma, and up 0-2, he grounds to 2nd! Inokuchi with the snag, goes the short way for the out and Oono puts up another 0!
Bottom 7th
They're even doing the sectional cheers for Oono just like for Takumi Koube! Souseikan jumps to #2 in my list of favorite oen-dans (next to Narashino, of course).
But sadly for Souseikan, it's a quick 1-2-3 inning, capped off by a check swing on a one bounder that goes back to Suzuki. Not as useful as Uebayashi's I'm afraid.
Top 8th
OH.
Well, the momentum that Souseikan had is apparently gone. Kobayashi just sent one up down the right field line almost to the upper walkway. WOW.
6-2 Sendai Ikuei.
#15 Abe hits for Katou, and can't check up on a ball outside. One down.
And now Oono hits Satou. Sakai goes out to settle Oono down, but I think perhaps the reality is setting in (I hope not, I'd like to see one more rally).
Suzuki with a pop up on a bunt, Sakai chases it in foul territoy, but it just goes off the end of the glove!
No harm done though as Suzuku flies out to right.
Kumagai first pitch blasts one to right center! That lands at the base of the wall for a RBI triple and perhaps at 7-2, that's the proverbial nail in the coffin.
#16 Onodera comes in to hit for Kikuna and goes down on 3 pitches to end the inning. But Sendai Ikuei has turned on the jets late to put Souseikan away.
Bottom 8th
Abe stays in to play 3B, while #14 Sakaki comes in for PH Onodera to play 2B.
Sakai with a hit the opposite way collects his 2nd hit of the day.
Eguchi swings away on the first pitch, and dives just in time to avoid the double play.
#16 Euchidani comes in to run for Eguchi.
But he's not on long as Kojima grounds to 3rd to end the inning.
Top 9th
Mass changes defensively for Souseikan. #14 Makishima comes in for Inokuchi. #15 Onoda comes in for PH Euchidani and takes over at 1B, and #18 Yanai replaces Maeda in CF.
Hasegawa gets a leadoff single, but a couple of fielder's choices mean they don't advance any further. Not that they need to up 7.
Bottom 9th
#10 Baba comes in to close out the game for Sendai Ikuei. He takes over in Abe's spot in the lineup as Suzuki moves to RF.
Wasada-kantoku admitting defeat empties the bench. #13 Hoashi comes in for Makishima and strikes out swinging.
#11 Hashiguchi hits for Noguchi and gets hit with the first pitch.
#17 Shiroshita comes in to hit for Oono, and they're still using the Erin music for him. It works.
He hits a scorcher that goes off Baba's heel and deflects up! Abe alertly charges over, picks the ball from the air and makes the throw to 1st for the out! That's bad luck for Souseikan.
#12 Okuda comes in to hit for Kinoshita, and it looks like #10 Hirowatari wil be the only man not to play as Okuda strikes out to end the game.
Well, Souseikan expectedly fell to Sendai Ikuei 7-2. But Souseikan played their game to the end. A lot of slashing and clawing and not losing sight of what type of team they were. Much like Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi a while back - but more entertaining. If not for a shaky first 2 inning where I think nerves came into play, I think they would have had a chance. I hope they make it back - though I know that means it puts them at odds with my Seihou...
For Sendai Ikuei, I think a lot of the offense is real. It's certainly not as good as the fall numbers speak of. But there were flashes that would make teams scared to face them. The pitching seems pretty average, but if they can split up the work, it might help for later rounds. For now, they can sit back and watch the next game to see who their next opponents will be.
Notable Players
Suzuki Takato (Sendai Ikuei) - W, 8 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 5 K, BB
Kobayashi Ryou (Sendai Ikuei) - 3-5, HR, R, 2 RBI
Hasegawa Hiro (Sendai Ikuei) - 3-5, 2B, R, RBI
Sakai Riku (Souseikan) - 2-4, 2B, K
Noguchi Shouma (Souseikan) - 2-3, R
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)