Well, things are certainly not going as expected. What lies in store for the last game of Day 8?
Shuutoku's final score against Oita Shougyou looks like a blowout, but it was only that way in the final innings. Before the 6th inning, they managed a grand total of 2 hits. Naruto's pitching should provide more resistance.
For Naruto they have some modicum of success, and I forgot about ace Bandou. But, much like Shuutoku, it wasn't until late that the team exploded for their runs.
It might be a game much like last where first team to blink, loses.
Shuutoku (Higashi Tokyo)
SS Kozawa Masahiko
3B Morita Kannosuke
CF Iino Shuuta
C Yamashita Ryuuji
RF Kobayashi Hiroshi
2B Sakai Yoshiki
LF Tachi Ryouhei (#11)
1B Nemoto Shougo
P Nishibayashi Kento
Naruto (Tokushima)
2B Nakano Yuuki
CF Koumoto Yuujirou
SS Kawano Yuuto
1B Ise Hayato
RF Inaoka Kenta
C Kusaka Hiroki
3B Matsumoto Takanori
P Bandou Yuugo
LF Narukawa Shuuji
____________________________________________________________
15:50 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Kozawa with a seeing eye single back up the middle. Immediately Abo-kantoku goes for the bunt. Iino winds up moving him to 3rd after hitting a hard grounder right to Ise.
Cleanup batter Yamashita gets jammed inside by Bandou and pops out to Kawano for the 3rd out. Leadoff hit doesn't come back to hurt him early.
Bottom 1st
I barely have time to write anything for the inning because in 6 pitches it's all over! Each of the top 3 batters take a pitch before being retired and I need to get to the 2nd inning!
Top 2nd
Apparently both teams are just going after the first pitches of the aces because neither team is playing the game of attrition! Kobayashi on a 1-2 count pops out to Kusaka. Sakai foul flies to Nakano... and Tachi chases a slider to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Ise swinging away, falls behind 1-2. Drives one to left!! Tachi sprinting back.. still back...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Naruto's agressiveness strikes first with cleanup Ise's HR (27th overall at Koushien!), 1-0!
Inaoka on the fastball from Nishibayashi! That's to left center and past Tachi all the way to the wall! He's in with a double!!
Abo-kantoku calls time.
Kusaka laying down the bunt and now a sac fly can extend the lead.
Matsumoto does that with a drive to deep left center! Iino running back... reaches out..
And it's in and out of his glove! Not sure what happened there but the ball falls down as Inaoka scores to make it a 2-0 game!!
Nishibayashi ends the inning finally getting Bandou to fly out to center, and Narukawa can't check his swing and goes down.
But it looks like Shuutoku blinks first handing the veterans the lead.
Top 3rd
Shuutoku seems to be getting pitches to hit, but are still not getting them flush.
Nemoto and Nishibayashi both fly out on just such pitches, and Kozawa chases after a pitch up and in and grounds to short.
Bottom 3rd
Nakano with the safety bunt and Nishibayashi fields. But Nemoto is out of position! Tries to scramble back to the bag but can't and Nakano's on safely. Koumoto moves him over in to scoring position.
But after Nishibayashi walks Kawano, Abo-kantoku pulls him for #10 Yusa.
Welcome to the game, now meet Ise.
Who just blasts the first pitch to dead center!! Iino back to the fence... off the padding! Nakano scores, Kawano rounding 3rd, he'll score all the way from 1st and it's quickly 4-0 Naruto!
Inaoka with a drive to deep right center! Iino and Kobayashi converge and it's Iino who has it for the 2nd out.
Kusaka spins like a ballerina for the 3rd out, but Ise now responsible for 3 of the teams 4 runs so far.
Top 4th
Morita with a drive of a hanging curve sends it to left center for a leadoff double!
Iino single through the right side! Morita being waved home! Throw comes in late and Shuutoku is on the board at 4-1!
Abo-kantoku has cleanup batter Yamashita bunt the runner along for Kobayashi.
He's jammed by a Bandou offering inside and flies out to center.
Sakai gets ahead of Bandou 3-1, but count goes full.
He jammed too! But it's going to shallow center! Koumoto charging in... falls in!
Koumoto with the quick crow hop and throw home.... late! Iino scores from 2nd and Shuutoku pulls back within 2! 4-2!!
Abo-kantoku sends Sakai! Throw form Kusaka... just in time to nail Sakai for the 3rd out. But Shuutoku won't let Naruto dictate things!
Bottom 4th
Naruto immediately responds! Matsumoto grounder up the first base line.. over the bag at 3rd and to the wall for a double! Bandou moves him over...
Narukawa liner to right for a base hit! Just like that Naruto gets another run and it's 5-2!
Hit and run! Nakano singles to left and Shuutoku could be in a world of hurt soon..
But a break for Yusa! He gets Koumoto to ground into the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Top 5th
One down and Nemoto is hit in the butt by Bandou and heads to 1st.
Bandou wild pitch! Nemoto goes to to 2nd now!
Yuza hot shot to 1st! Ise fields it and goes to the bag. Nemoto heads to 3rd, but there's 2 out.
Kozawa single to right! Nemoto can walk home and once again, Shuutoku pulls back to within 2 at 5-3!
Abo-kantoku tries again and sends Kozawa. But Kusaka makes a throw right on the money and they just get Kozawa for the 3rd out.
Bottom 5th
Yusa struggling to have a clean inning as he winds up walking Kawano to start the 5th.
No bunt from Ise. But he's out in front of a fastball away and grounds one to short! Kawano starts the 6-4-3 double play and there's now 2 down!
Ow.
Inaoka goes down! He fouls a ball off his front knee and is still down! They're trying to get him to stand up, but he can't! They're having to carry him off the field for treatment.
He hit his knee when it was fully extended, that is not good.
But he comes out and appears to be no worse for wear (maybe).
As perhaps expected he goes down swinging after that and we hit the mid-game break with Naruto holding a 5-3 lead. But Shuutoku isn't backing down from the fight and is volleying shots back to Naruto though they still haven't answered the opening salvo which is the difference in the game.
Top 6th
One down Iino collects his 2nd hit of the day on a ball back up the middle.
They're running again on Kusaka! His throw to 2nd... dropped by Kawano and he's safe! Chance here for Shuutoku if they can get a timely.
Yamashita can't deliver. He goes after a curve insider and flies out to Narukawa.
Kobayashi single though short! Iino coming around, throw home... late!!! Timely from Kobayashi pulls Shuutoku within 1 here in the 6th! It's 5-4!!
Sakai chopper back up the middle, but it's too slow and Kawano can take it to 2nd himself to retire the side, but Shuutoku is pulling ever closer!
Bottom 6th
Kusaka launching counterattack! He singles to right and we may be off and running again!
Matsumoto up, and Moriwaki-kantoku letting him hit considering he's 2-2.
Drive to right! But it hangs up in the hamazake and Kobayashi has it for the first out.
They go for the hit and run, but Bandou hits it right to Kozawa who goes to 1st for the 2nd out.
Narukawa flies out to center, and Bandou will have to protect the one point lead.
Top 7th
One down for Shuutoku and Nemoto bloops one to shallow center for a basehit.
AH!!! Wild pitch to the backstop sends Nemoto to 2nd!
AHHHHHHHH!!!!! Another wild pitch on the next pitch sends him to 3rd! Moriwaki-kantoku quickly calling time as Yusa gets ahead 3-0.
Bandou fills up the count, but now Yusa continually fights off his offerings.
After the 4th fouloff, Kusaksa goes out to talk to Bandou.
Chopper to right side! Nakano goes home!! Kusaka with the tag...
SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nemoto just gets in first and we are tied at 5-5!!!! And there's still only one down!
Ah, but Kozawa early on the slider and grounds to short! Kawano starts the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning, but not before Shuutoku finally draws level!!
Bottom 7th
Ah, Yusa allows another leadoff runner as he hits Nakano. Koumoto lays down the bunt and moves him into scoring position for Kawano.
But Yusa puts him into a corner down 0-2 and jams a ball to 3rd! Morita holds the runner and there's 2 down now for Naruto!
Abo-kantoku calls time with Ise coming up.
And it looks like they'll pitch around him and test out Inaoka.
2 pitches and he's quickly down 0-2...
SANSHIN!!!!!
Inaoka goes around on a slider outside and raises the bat above his head in frustration as he leaves 2 runners on the bases!
Top 8th
Iino with his 3rd hit of the game! He singles to right with one down.
Yamashita up, no bunt..
But he's down looking on 3 straight with the finisher on the outside corner.
Kobayashi quickly down on 2 strikes...
SANSHIN!!!!!! He goes down on strikes and Bandou finally has a clean inning.
Bottom 8th
Yusa settling down against the bottom of Naruto's lineup. Both Kusaka and Matsumtoto chase a high fastball and ground out to Kozawa.
Bandou under yet another high offering and pops out to Sakai to end the inning!
Top 9th
Sakai grounder to the right side! Nakano there, but can't pick it! His recovery is too late and Shuutoku has their gyakuten runner on base!
Tachi up and anticipating bun, Matsumoto is charging in from 3rd.
But Tachi turns the tables! He takes the ball the other way into the gap and now there's 2 on with no out! Moriwaki-kantoku quickly calls time...
Nemoto lays down the bunt, but Bandou is on it quickly, spin throws to 3rd... gets the out! One down same situation!!
Yusa showing bunt early, but swings away and is behind 1-2...
SANSHIN!!!!!!
Bandou goes inside and Yusa twists himself for the 2nd out! He can only smile as he heads back to the dugout.
That puts it in Kozaki's hands.
First pitch he gets ahead of a cut ball and grounds to 2nd! Nakano goes to 1st and Naruto gets out of the pinch!!
Bottom 9th
Narukawa a single to right! Sayonara alert as #15 Tanaka replaces Narukawa on the bases.
Nakano successfully bunts the runner along as Abo-kantoku calls for time.
Koumoto drive to right center! Iino and Kobayashi converging, Kobayashi takes over dives... and makes the catch!! 2 out, but Tanaka moves to 3rd!!
Kawano up and Yusa falls behind 2-0.
Grounder to 3rd! Morita with it! Goes to 1st...
We're headed to enchousen!!!
Top 10th
Tanaka stays in the game at LF
Shuutoku perhaps pressing a bit. Morita hacking away, quickly falls behind 0-2, and goes down swinging!
Iino drive to right!! Inaoka running over, near the pole!
Makes the catch right at the fence for the 2nd out! The hamakaze definitely killed that one...
Yamashita grounds to 2nd and Shuutoku will have to play defense!
Bottom 10th
Oh no!
Even I could see that pitch was fat! Ise drives it to left center! It one hops to the wall for a double!
Inaoka bunting. Lays it down.
It's between Yusa and Nemoto and no one can field it for the out! Nemoto goes back to get it, but everyone's safe and now...
...they walk Kusaka for the force at home.
Abo-kantoku with a quick conference as Matsumoto steps in...
Liner! That's in for a base hit, sayonara!!! Naruto wins 6-5!!
But the Shuutoku players collapse on their knees as the Naruto players celebrate at home!
It's hard to celebrate a team win when another school suffers defeat, and from the Shuutoku players you can see that the loss hurts, especially when they clawed their way back.
You could tell that they were pressing at the end, knowing that in any inning Naruto could somehow luck their way into a run, and a run is all they would need. Plus, Yusa had to be called into service early as Nishibayashi was ineffective. Perhaps they also knew that his effectiveness was running out. Though we know Sakurai was available off the bench.
But now is not the time for second guessing. It's time to applaud the efforts of the first timers, who fought one of the stronger teams in the field and almost pulled off a comeback to remember. No one, especially Yusa should be disappointed or apologize for losing the game.
Naruto can celebrate the victory for now, but they'll need to rest up, because Tokoha Kikugawa awaits in 2 days. Bandou certainly wasn't perfect this game, and was repeatedly exploited by the Shuutoku offense.
Notable Players
Ise Hayato (Naruto) - 3-4, 2 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Matsumoto Takanori (Naruto) - 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI (incl GW)
Narukawa Shuuji (Naruto) - 2-4, RBI
Yusa Kazuki (Shuutoku) - 6.2+ IP, 2 ER, 10 H, 3 K, 3 BB, HBP
Iino Shuuta (Shuutoku) - 3-5, 2 R, RBI
Sakai Yoshiki (Shuutoku) - 2-4, RBI
Kozawa Masahiko (Shuutoku) - 2-5
Showing posts with label Shuutoku. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shuutoku. Show all posts
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Friday, August 9, 2013
Day 2 - Game 3 - Oita Shougyou (Oita) vs. Shuutoku (Higashi Tokyo)
Well, our first two games were very close, exciting affairs. I'm afraid though that this one may be a slaughter...
Tokyo (both Nishi and Higashi) were bloodbaths. Shuutoku just cut everyone down on their way to the title, and the only question is if that will transfer over to Koushien.
Oita Shougyou will be the team to challenge. They too cut through the field with the exception of a 7-6 win over Oita in the semifinal.
The talent pool is rather bigger in Tokyo though, so Shuutoku's sweep gets more credit.
Oita Shougyou (Oita)
RF Arita Yousuke
C Mizuguchi Keita
1B Miyazaki Ren
CF Fukuchi Hayato
LF Gotou Ryousuke
2B Otozu Souichirou
P Kasaya Shinsuke
3B Sugahara Itsuki
SS Emoto Shinsuke
Shuutoku (Higashi Tokyo)
SS Kozawa Masahiko
3B Morita Kannosuke
CF Iino Shuuta
C Yamashita Ryuuji
RF Kobayashi Hiroshi
2B Sakai Yoshiki
1B Nemoto Shougo
LF Hoshina Takeshi
P Nishibayashi Kento
____________________________________________________________
13:21 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Nishibayashi again another average ace velo wise. Fastball in the low-mid 130s... which Arita watches for strike 3 after running the count full.
Mizuguchi up, and Nishibayashi is throwing fastballs like there's no tomorrow... Ah, there's a slider (mid 110s) fouled off.
And Misuguchi with one past a diving Sakai into center for a base hit!
And it looks like Miyazaki will swing away... with a hit-and-run! But he grounds to 2nd for the 2nd out.
Fukuchi then chases the first pitch and also grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Kasaya is a lefty who throws normal overhand with about the same velo as Nishibayashi (mid 130s) and a slider so far in the mid 110s and change in the low 110s.
Control looks not bad to start either.
Kozawa opens the offense with a grounder to short. Morita chases a change and grounds out to 2nd, with Iino swinging at the very next pitch and popping out to Otozu for the 3rd out.
Top 2nd
One down for Daishou and captain Otozu hits a ball to deep right center! Kobayashi gives chase but it's over his head! Otozu is in with a double!
No bunting for Daishou as Kasaya swings away. But he's patient and gets ahead in the count 3-1. And while Nishibayashi wins the battle, getting Kasaya to chop to short, Otozu advances to 3rd.
But he's stranded there when Sugahara grounds to short as well to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
While the velocity isn't there, I do like how the pitchers have good control - at least to start. Yamashita gets one at the end of the bat and flies out to left.
Kobayashi gets Shuutoku's first hit as he helicopters one down the left field line for a base hit.
Abo-kantoku not calling for a bunt, and I'm not sure will call for one - ever. At least according to the announcers. Sakai hits one back to Kasaya who takes his time waiting for the defense and gets the out at 2nd.
And in a a baserunning mistake, Kasaya catches Sakai off 1st and he's run down to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Arita trying something different with one down going for the safety bunt, but Nemoto makes a good flip to a running Nishibayashi who doesn't need to break stride.
First bit of wildness from Nishibayashi as he actually throws behind Mizugichi but his jump gets him hit. Can't call that intentional.
Oh! Hit-and-run from Watanabe-kantoku! Miyazaki with a ball down the left field line! Mizuguchi ends up at 3rd and Miyazaki slides into 2nd! Chance for Daishou as Abo-kantoku calls for time with cleanup batter Fukuchi coming to bat.
Liner... over Sakai into center! Mizuguchi scores! Miyazaki being waved in! Throw home... cut off! Fired back to 2nd... out!
Fukuchi is out at 2nd, but not before 2 runs score on his timely hit! Oita Shougyou leads Shuutoku 2-0!
Bottom 3rd
ほ～～～
Nemoto is frozen on a slider on the outside corner for strike 3. Kasaya's control is on still!
Hoshina and Nishibayashi both try to attack early, but both grounds out to Otozu to end the inning. About the only weakness I see is when there are baserunners. But it's a small sample size so it's hard to say.
Top 4th
Nishibayashi having better luck against the bottom of Daishou's order as Gotou goes down swinging while Otozu flies out to left.
Kasaya though hits a ball to the left side. Kozawa runs it down, but his throw is late he's in with an infield hit!
What's this? It's a hit-and-run! Sugahara makes contact, but it's right at Kozawa who goes to 1st for the out.
Apparently according to the announcers, Watanabe-kantoku is not giving signs! That means the kids are making their own decisions! Ooh... I think I like this.
Bottom 4th
Kasaya issues his first walk to Kozawa, and is bunted along by Morita.
EH?
First pitch to Iino, Kozawa takes off for 3rd! No throw! He's in there way ahead of any throw! That's balls.
Iino grounder to the right side. Otozu crashing in fields and fires home! It's high and Kozawa slides in safe! 2-1 but Otozu with a better throw could have had him!
Kasaya gets the next two batters to fly out, but the surprise aggressiveness and the no-signs? This will be a good game if the teams don't fall apart fundamentally.
Top 5th
One down, and grounder to 3rd takes a high hop and almost take the head off Emoto but he dodges and it goes into left for a base hit. Watanabe-kantoku has Mizuguchi bunt the runner along...
And what's this? Abo-kantoku pulls Nishibayashi for #18 Sakurai! They're going with the 2 pitcher strategy!
Sakurai is a 2nd year lefty with a fastball in the high 120s it seems and a slider in the high 110s.
Miyazaki can't hold up on a slider and goes down to end the inning!
Bottom 5th
Sakai with a solid base hit to right center puts the douten runner on base, and now in scoring position after a bunt from Nemoto.
Oho! Kasaya with the quick turn picks off Sakai off 2nd! It's not really a lapse on Sakai's part, just a great move from Kasaya!
And Hoshina grounds back to Kasaya to end the inning!
We hit the break with Daishou in a surprise not only hanging in there, but leading Shuutoku! Not only that, but Abo-kantoku is implementing a 2 pitcher strategy? Can Kasaya hold on? How good is Sakurai? And will the interesting tactics continue?
Top 6th
Well, Sakurai is making himself at home on the mound. Fukuchi grounds one right to Nemoto at the bag for the 1st out. Gotou quickly goes down on 3 straight, and while he plunks Otozu and then throws a wild pitch, the Daishou batters are a bit lost trying to hit the southpaw as Kasaya also hits a roller to Nemoto for the 3rd out.
Bottom 6th
Sakurai opens his first AB with a hit to right center for a base hit. Looks like we're back to normal kokoyakyu tactics though as Kozawa is bunting.
Kozawa can't lay it down though and the count goes to 2-2. He three-bunts though and successfully lays it down. Douten runner in scoring position for Morita.
あ。
Morita gets a hold of one and drives it to left! Gotou back to the fence...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think perhaps the runner gets to Kasaya and he hangs one that ends up in the netting in left for a gyakuten 2-run HR! Shuutoku takes the 3-2 lead right after the break!
Kasaya retires the next two batters, but baserunners may be Kasaya's kryptonite!
Top 7th
Watanabe-kantoku and Daishou hoping that this is a Lucky 7 as they find themselves behind.
No luck...
Sugahara chases a pitch outside for Sakurai's 3rd K. Emoto lines out quickly to right... and Arita grounds out to short. 8 pitches for 3 outs and running out of time.
Bottom 7th
And perhaps Kasaya is out of rope too. Kobayashi blasts one to left center and that falls in for a leadoff double!
Shuutoku decides to go for the bunt to score an insurance run and Sakai lays it down.
Nemoto looking for a sac fly, but gets way under one and pops out to Emoto for the 2nd out. Can they hold off Shuutoku to get back on the bats?
And Hoshina with a base hit through to left makes it a 4-2 game! Kasaya's control is not as good now and he's leaving pitches too fat in the zone.
Just as I say that... wild pitch.
And just as I write that, Kasaya picks off Hoshina off at 2nd. But now the deficit for Daishou is at 2 with just 2 innings to go!
Top 8th
The problem for Daishou appears to be that the predominantly LHB lineup can't hit southpaw Sakurai.
Mizuguchi weakly grounds to 2nd, Miyazaki trying to get a walk instead of swinging away does earn it after Sakurai works it full.
Fukuchi too is struggling. He gets one off the end of the bat and just beats the relay throw from Sakai to stop the double play.
And despite his run not being the douten run, Fukuchi takes off for 2nd! Yamashita with the quick trigger, but Fukuchi is faster!
What's this? Now Sakurai is having control issues? Gotou walks on 4 straight, prompting a conference from Abo-kantoku. Captain Otozu up to try and get the timely hit!
Double steal!!! Fukuchi goes to 3rd, Yamashita fakes throw, but in the delay as he pops out Gotou takes 2nd!! That's even more balls!!
Otozu with a chopper to the right side! But Sakai playing back makes the play for the 3rd out. The efforts are fruitless, but I know they're not giving up.
Bottom 8th
Sakurai with his 2nd hit, a poke that falls gently into left.
Kozawa with the bunt, but Kasaya field it quickly and fires to 2nd to cut down Sakurai! Nice play!
But Shuutoku is going for the KO as Morita singles through the right side. One down, runners at 1st & 2nd.
Kasaya perhaps tiring out on the mound or paying too much attention to Kozawa at 2nd, walks Iino on 4 straight to load the bases for Yamashita. That prompts Watanabe-kantoku to call time.
No good.
Kasaya leaves one up and Yamashita singles past a drawn in Sugahara. Though Gotou fumbles the ball a bit, 2 runs were probably going to score anyways. It's 6-2 now in Shuutoku's favor as Watanabe-kantoku puts in #10 Nakano for Miyazaki and takes the hill, with Kasaya going to 1B.
But it's all falling apart for Dashou in the 8th. After a popup, Sakai blasts one to the wall in right center for a bases clearing triple to make it 8-2 now for Shuutoku.
Nemoto grounds out to short to end the inning, but the game is well in hand.
Top 9th
Despite being up 6, Sakurai hits counterpart Kasaya right on the ass.
Perhaps in a spot of respect, Sakurai is pulled for #10 Yusa. Even if not intentional, Kasaya doesn't deserve injury to insult.
Yusa though gets Sugahara to ground into a really nifty 6-4-3 double play and now Daishou is down to their last out.
Emoto with a skipper to the left side, but Morita is there to smother it! Throws to first and that's the ballgame!
Shuutoku wins 8-2, but that belies a great effort by the Oita champions. Oita Shougyou certainly is sad about the loss but there is absolutely nothing to be disappointed about. They actually were leading Shuutoku and Kasaya was strong on the mound.
But perhaps as things are to do in the kokoyakyu world, he just couldn't keep it up for a full 9 innings, and Shuutoku was able to take full advantage. I liked their style, Kasaya's great pickoff move (3!), the aggressiveness on the basepaths, and the apparent freedom that Watanabe-kantoku occasionally gave his players. I do hope they stay strong in Oita.
Shuutoku did exactly what they needed to do, with Nishibayashi and more importantly Sakurai keeping the game close as they wore out Kasaya. The offense being a bit lethargic early is concerning though. But they advance to the next round nonetheless.
Notable Players
Nishibayashi Kento (Shuutoku) - 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K, HBP
Sakurai Masatoshi (Shuutoku) - 3.1+IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 K, 2 BB, 2 HBP
Morita Kannosuke (Shuutoku) - 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Sakai Yoshiki (Shuutoku) - 2-3, 3B, 2 RBI
Kasaya Shunsuke (Oita Shougyou) - 7.1 IP, 8 ER, 9 H, 2 K, 2 BB
Miyazaki Ren (Oita Shougyou) - 1-3, 2B, R
Fukuchi Hayato (Oita Shougyou) - 1-4, 2 RBI, BB
Tokyo (both Nishi and Higashi) were bloodbaths. Shuutoku just cut everyone down on their way to the title, and the only question is if that will transfer over to Koushien.
Oita Shougyou will be the team to challenge. They too cut through the field with the exception of a 7-6 win over Oita in the semifinal.
The talent pool is rather bigger in Tokyo though, so Shuutoku's sweep gets more credit.
Oita Shougyou (Oita)
RF Arita Yousuke
C Mizuguchi Keita
1B Miyazaki Ren
CF Fukuchi Hayato
LF Gotou Ryousuke
2B Otozu Souichirou
P Kasaya Shinsuke
3B Sugahara Itsuki
SS Emoto Shinsuke
Shuutoku (Higashi Tokyo)
SS Kozawa Masahiko
3B Morita Kannosuke
CF Iino Shuuta
C Yamashita Ryuuji
RF Kobayashi Hiroshi
2B Sakai Yoshiki
1B Nemoto Shougo
LF Hoshina Takeshi
P Nishibayashi Kento
____________________________________________________________
13:21 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Nishibayashi again another average ace velo wise. Fastball in the low-mid 130s... which Arita watches for strike 3 after running the count full.
Mizuguchi up, and Nishibayashi is throwing fastballs like there's no tomorrow... Ah, there's a slider (mid 110s) fouled off.
And Misuguchi with one past a diving Sakai into center for a base hit!
And it looks like Miyazaki will swing away... with a hit-and-run! But he grounds to 2nd for the 2nd out.
Fukuchi then chases the first pitch and also grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
Kasaya is a lefty who throws normal overhand with about the same velo as Nishibayashi (mid 130s) and a slider so far in the mid 110s and change in the low 110s.
Control looks not bad to start either.
Kozawa opens the offense with a grounder to short. Morita chases a change and grounds out to 2nd, with Iino swinging at the very next pitch and popping out to Otozu for the 3rd out.
Top 2nd
One down for Daishou and captain Otozu hits a ball to deep right center! Kobayashi gives chase but it's over his head! Otozu is in with a double!
No bunting for Daishou as Kasaya swings away. But he's patient and gets ahead in the count 3-1. And while Nishibayashi wins the battle, getting Kasaya to chop to short, Otozu advances to 3rd.
But he's stranded there when Sugahara grounds to short as well to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
While the velocity isn't there, I do like how the pitchers have good control - at least to start. Yamashita gets one at the end of the bat and flies out to left.
Kobayashi gets Shuutoku's first hit as he helicopters one down the left field line for a base hit.
Abo-kantoku not calling for a bunt, and I'm not sure will call for one - ever. At least according to the announcers. Sakai hits one back to Kasaya who takes his time waiting for the defense and gets the out at 2nd.
And in a a baserunning mistake, Kasaya catches Sakai off 1st and he's run down to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Arita trying something different with one down going for the safety bunt, but Nemoto makes a good flip to a running Nishibayashi who doesn't need to break stride.
First bit of wildness from Nishibayashi as he actually throws behind Mizugichi but his jump gets him hit. Can't call that intentional.
Oh! Hit-and-run from Watanabe-kantoku! Miyazaki with a ball down the left field line! Mizuguchi ends up at 3rd and Miyazaki slides into 2nd! Chance for Daishou as Abo-kantoku calls for time with cleanup batter Fukuchi coming to bat.
Liner... over Sakai into center! Mizuguchi scores! Miyazaki being waved in! Throw home... cut off! Fired back to 2nd... out!
Fukuchi is out at 2nd, but not before 2 runs score on his timely hit! Oita Shougyou leads Shuutoku 2-0!
Bottom 3rd
ほ～～～
Nemoto is frozen on a slider on the outside corner for strike 3. Kasaya's control is on still!
Hoshina and Nishibayashi both try to attack early, but both grounds out to Otozu to end the inning. About the only weakness I see is when there are baserunners. But it's a small sample size so it's hard to say.
Top 4th
Nishibayashi having better luck against the bottom of Daishou's order as Gotou goes down swinging while Otozu flies out to left.
Kasaya though hits a ball to the left side. Kozawa runs it down, but his throw is late he's in with an infield hit!
What's this? It's a hit-and-run! Sugahara makes contact, but it's right at Kozawa who goes to 1st for the out.
Apparently according to the announcers, Watanabe-kantoku is not giving signs! That means the kids are making their own decisions! Ooh... I think I like this.
Bottom 4th
Kasaya issues his first walk to Kozawa, and is bunted along by Morita.
EH?
First pitch to Iino, Kozawa takes off for 3rd! No throw! He's in there way ahead of any throw! That's balls.
Iino grounder to the right side. Otozu crashing in fields and fires home! It's high and Kozawa slides in safe! 2-1 but Otozu with a better throw could have had him!
Kasaya gets the next two batters to fly out, but the surprise aggressiveness and the no-signs? This will be a good game if the teams don't fall apart fundamentally.
Top 5th
One down, and grounder to 3rd takes a high hop and almost take the head off Emoto but he dodges and it goes into left for a base hit. Watanabe-kantoku has Mizuguchi bunt the runner along...
And what's this? Abo-kantoku pulls Nishibayashi for #18 Sakurai! They're going with the 2 pitcher strategy!
Sakurai is a 2nd year lefty with a fastball in the high 120s it seems and a slider in the high 110s.
Miyazaki can't hold up on a slider and goes down to end the inning!
Bottom 5th
Sakai with a solid base hit to right center puts the douten runner on base, and now in scoring position after a bunt from Nemoto.
Oho! Kasaya with the quick turn picks off Sakai off 2nd! It's not really a lapse on Sakai's part, just a great move from Kasaya!
And Hoshina grounds back to Kasaya to end the inning!
We hit the break with Daishou in a surprise not only hanging in there, but leading Shuutoku! Not only that, but Abo-kantoku is implementing a 2 pitcher strategy? Can Kasaya hold on? How good is Sakurai? And will the interesting tactics continue?
Top 6th
Well, Sakurai is making himself at home on the mound. Fukuchi grounds one right to Nemoto at the bag for the 1st out. Gotou quickly goes down on 3 straight, and while he plunks Otozu and then throws a wild pitch, the Daishou batters are a bit lost trying to hit the southpaw as Kasaya also hits a roller to Nemoto for the 3rd out.
Bottom 6th
Sakurai opens his first AB with a hit to right center for a base hit. Looks like we're back to normal kokoyakyu tactics though as Kozawa is bunting.
Kozawa can't lay it down though and the count goes to 2-2. He three-bunts though and successfully lays it down. Douten runner in scoring position for Morita.
あ。
Morita gets a hold of one and drives it to left! Gotou back to the fence...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think perhaps the runner gets to Kasaya and he hangs one that ends up in the netting in left for a gyakuten 2-run HR! Shuutoku takes the 3-2 lead right after the break!
Kasaya retires the next two batters, but baserunners may be Kasaya's kryptonite!
Top 7th
Watanabe-kantoku and Daishou hoping that this is a Lucky 7 as they find themselves behind.
No luck...
Sugahara chases a pitch outside for Sakurai's 3rd K. Emoto lines out quickly to right... and Arita grounds out to short. 8 pitches for 3 outs and running out of time.
Bottom 7th
And perhaps Kasaya is out of rope too. Kobayashi blasts one to left center and that falls in for a leadoff double!
Shuutoku decides to go for the bunt to score an insurance run and Sakai lays it down.
Nemoto looking for a sac fly, but gets way under one and pops out to Emoto for the 2nd out. Can they hold off Shuutoku to get back on the bats?
And Hoshina with a base hit through to left makes it a 4-2 game! Kasaya's control is not as good now and he's leaving pitches too fat in the zone.
Just as I say that... wild pitch.
And just as I write that, Kasaya picks off Hoshina off at 2nd. But now the deficit for Daishou is at 2 with just 2 innings to go!
Top 8th
The problem for Daishou appears to be that the predominantly LHB lineup can't hit southpaw Sakurai.
Mizuguchi weakly grounds to 2nd, Miyazaki trying to get a walk instead of swinging away does earn it after Sakurai works it full.
Fukuchi too is struggling. He gets one off the end of the bat and just beats the relay throw from Sakai to stop the double play.
And despite his run not being the douten run, Fukuchi takes off for 2nd! Yamashita with the quick trigger, but Fukuchi is faster!
What's this? Now Sakurai is having control issues? Gotou walks on 4 straight, prompting a conference from Abo-kantoku. Captain Otozu up to try and get the timely hit!
Double steal!!! Fukuchi goes to 3rd, Yamashita fakes throw, but in the delay as he pops out Gotou takes 2nd!! That's even more balls!!
Otozu with a chopper to the right side! But Sakai playing back makes the play for the 3rd out. The efforts are fruitless, but I know they're not giving up.
Bottom 8th
Sakurai with his 2nd hit, a poke that falls gently into left.
Kozawa with the bunt, but Kasaya field it quickly and fires to 2nd to cut down Sakurai! Nice play!
But Shuutoku is going for the KO as Morita singles through the right side. One down, runners at 1st & 2nd.
Kasaya perhaps tiring out on the mound or paying too much attention to Kozawa at 2nd, walks Iino on 4 straight to load the bases for Yamashita. That prompts Watanabe-kantoku to call time.
No good.
Kasaya leaves one up and Yamashita singles past a drawn in Sugahara. Though Gotou fumbles the ball a bit, 2 runs were probably going to score anyways. It's 6-2 now in Shuutoku's favor as Watanabe-kantoku puts in #10 Nakano for Miyazaki and takes the hill, with Kasaya going to 1B.
But it's all falling apart for Dashou in the 8th. After a popup, Sakai blasts one to the wall in right center for a bases clearing triple to make it 8-2 now for Shuutoku.
Nemoto grounds out to short to end the inning, but the game is well in hand.
Top 9th
Despite being up 6, Sakurai hits counterpart Kasaya right on the ass.
Perhaps in a spot of respect, Sakurai is pulled for #10 Yusa. Even if not intentional, Kasaya doesn't deserve injury to insult.
Yusa though gets Sugahara to ground into a really nifty 6-4-3 double play and now Daishou is down to their last out.
Emoto with a skipper to the left side, but Morita is there to smother it! Throws to first and that's the ballgame!
Shuutoku wins 8-2, but that belies a great effort by the Oita champions. Oita Shougyou certainly is sad about the loss but there is absolutely nothing to be disappointed about. They actually were leading Shuutoku and Kasaya was strong on the mound.
But perhaps as things are to do in the kokoyakyu world, he just couldn't keep it up for a full 9 innings, and Shuutoku was able to take full advantage. I liked their style, Kasaya's great pickoff move (3!), the aggressiveness on the basepaths, and the apparent freedom that Watanabe-kantoku occasionally gave his players. I do hope they stay strong in Oita.
Shuutoku did exactly what they needed to do, with Nishibayashi and more importantly Sakurai keeping the game close as they wore out Kasaya. The offense being a bit lethargic early is concerning though. But they advance to the next round nonetheless.
Notable Players
Nishibayashi Kento (Shuutoku) - 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K, HBP
Sakurai Masatoshi (Shuutoku) - 3.1+IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 K, 2 BB, 2 HBP
Morita Kannosuke (Shuutoku) - 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Sakai Yoshiki (Shuutoku) - 2-3, 3B, 2 RBI
Kasaya Shunsuke (Oita Shougyou) - 7.1 IP, 8 ER, 9 H, 2 K, 2 BB
Miyazaki Ren (Oita Shougyou) - 1-3, 2B, R
Fukuchi Hayato (Oita Shougyou) - 1-4, 2 RBI, BB
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
95th Natsu Koushien Title Contenders
Well, at least as best as I can anyways:
Title Contenders
Urawa Gakuin (Saitama) - 2nd straight time a school goes haru-natsu?
Ok, I panned Uragaku for the longest time back in Senbatsu (Haru Koushien). But Ojima Kazuya (小島 和哉) proved me wrong time and time again - and laughed all the way to the title.
As much as I still may have my doubts regarding him as an ace, you have to be special if you can throw a perfect game. Yes, that's right, Ojima in the quarterfinals against Saitama Heisei went 27 up, 27 down. That's saying something.
It looks like his stuff hasn't changed. Still has a change and a screwball to go with the normal slider and curve. Reports have him in the low 140s but I don't necessarily buy it especially since smaller stadiums seem to have faster radars.
And the team is on a roll - the last tournament game they lost was in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Meiji Jingu Tournament against Harue Kougyou. The most runs Ojima's given up in a game during that timespan? 2 - against Toukaidai Bouyou in the Kanto Spring Super-Regional Tournament.
If he continues to pitch like this, despite not being a "fireballer", watch out. We may have back-to-back Haru-Natsu Renzoku Yuushou (spring-summer champions).
Speaking of which...
Osaka Touin (Osaka) - 6th ever back-to-back Natsu champion?
Osaka Touin had a chance in the spring to be the first ever 3-time calendar consecutive Koushien champion. But injuries to key players - Mori Tomoya (森 友哉) and Kinden Takuya (近田 拓矢) crippled their offense as they fell to Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou.
Now, both of the lynchpins are back, and the offense is chugging along as good as new. Their weakness is probably back to where it was before Fujinami - their pitching. Ace Kuzukawa Tomoya (葛川 知哉) and reliever Amimoto Kousuke (網本 光祐) are definitely above average, but nothing about either stands out.
But if one or both of them can be good enough, Osaka Touin may just defend their title. This is a short blurb, on a title contender, but when you talk Osaka Touin, the story is generally the same - 打て、打て、打て!
Saibi (Ehime) - Can Anraku carry the team all the way?
The story of Anraku Tomohiro (安楽 智大) has been well heard of, 232 pitches in his first game, velocity dropped immensely by the final due to flat out fatigue.
Now it would be just a matter of if Saibi could give Anraku another chance at Koushien this summer this year. And with the exception of a scare against Kawanoe which required a late-game comeback, Anraku pitched all but 2 outs in his team's run to the title.
Saibi has the opposite problem of Osaka Touin. Great pitching, average offense. We saw it at Senbatsu, the offense on average scoring 3-4 runs a game. That's not bad, but it's not dominating either. They will need to avoid the "bad day" as Anraku can't carry the team if the team can't score.
Which brings us back to Anraku himself. Certainly he won't suffer the same workload early as he did at Senbatsu, but it's possible he could play 4 of the last 5 calendar days of the tournament. He's throwing faster than ever, reportedly hitting 157 on the gun - but as perhaps he may have learned, hitting the high numbers on the gun doesn't mean a whole lot if you can't deliver when it really matters. If Anraku's stamina can hold up under the summer humid heat, Saibi may just challenge for the title yet again - and this time win.
Potential Contenders
Nichidai-san (Nishi Tokyo)
For those that know me and my coverage, I really don't like Nichidai-san. My fellow colleagues would say, "Why don't you like them? I like X player, and Y player - they're really good". Well, to be honest they ruined my 2011 Natsu Koushien trip by defeating both Kanzei and Narashino.
But before all that went down, Nichidai-san and Osaka Touin to me epitomizes the one thing about kokoyakyu I really don't like. Strong teams with pedigrees will continue to accumulate talent at the expense of weaker schools. There is no parity in kokoyakyu - quite the opposite in fact.
But regardless of my feelings toward them, Sanko I have to begrudgingly admit can be a title contender. The only reason why I don't have them in the upper tier is two-fold.
First, the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the fall taikai to Souka (though they did avenge that with a 7-0 victory in the summer) and second, outside of Hino - and no offense to them it's a bit of a stretch - they did not face a quality opponent towards the title. So the gaudy 75-9 score they accumulated is a bit inflated.
However, they did get a chance to play Urawa Gakuin in the Kanto Spring Super-Regionals, and though they lost 2-0, ace Ooba Ryoutarou (大場 遼太郎) limited Uragaku to just 4 hits while racking up 10 on Ojima. The top half of the lineup is especially dangerous for teams that are not careful.
Shuutoku (Higashi Tokyo)
Tokyo for as big as the field is was barely contested this year. Shuutoku almost as easily blew through the field. Their only close game was their 5th round game when they had to play Teikyou. But as Teikyou is wont to do, their pitching failed them later allowing Shuutoku to tie and eventually win the game. And while the score in the final versus Nishougakushadai Fuzoku looked rather ugly (13-6), the game was never really in doubt.
Looking at the pitching staff, there is ace Nishibayashi Kenshin (西林 賢人) and reliever Yusa Kazuki (遊佐 和輝). Interestingly in that game against Teikyou, CF Iino Shouta (飯野 周太) started the game (not well mind you) with Yusa coming in relief for 7 innings. That is an interesting call for a team to make knowing you're playing in a key game. Does that mean that Shuutoku has two pitchers they can call on? Not sure, but if they do it may help their chances.
Yokohama (Kanagawa)
I have to admit, Yokohama is kind of like the teams I described when talking about Nichidai-san. They have represented Kanagawa 7 times (including this year) since 2000. In their prior 6 Natsu appearances, they have reached the quarterfinals and semifinals 2 times each though recently they haven't been as successful.
Yokohama's road to Koushien at least by name was probably one of the hardest. Starting from the Round of 16, they played in order:
From my fellow kokoyakyu sources #3 and #4 batters Asama and Takahama were ironically labeled "Matsui-killers" and did in fact cause his downfall. Who knows if the articles and discussion got to both sides' heads.
The only problem with Yokohama is that their offense looks a bit below average, despite the HRs in the Toukou Gakuen matchup.
On the mound is ace Itou Masashi (伊藤 将司), who apparently has a twitter account if you want to send him your best wishes. A lefty, he apparently throws in the mid-130's which would put him in the Ojima range.
What seems to perhaps benefit Yokohama is that at least 7 of their starting 9 are 2nd years! For a school such as Yokohama that has such a big pool of players to draw from, to predominantly use 2nd years means a lot. And since they theoretically have one more year of chances at Koushien, they may be able to play with nothing to lose - because they don't. That's scary - and something you cannot measure.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
To be honest, outside of these 6 teams I don't know who else could really be a challenger for the title. Sure, there will be other teams who will go deep, but if they run into any of these teams they will certainly be an underdog.
Title Contenders
Urawa Gakuin (Saitama) - 2nd straight time a school goes haru-natsu?
Ok, I panned Uragaku for the longest time back in Senbatsu (Haru Koushien). But Ojima Kazuya (小島 和哉) proved me wrong time and time again - and laughed all the way to the title.
As much as I still may have my doubts regarding him as an ace, you have to be special if you can throw a perfect game. Yes, that's right, Ojima in the quarterfinals against Saitama Heisei went 27 up, 27 down. That's saying something.
It looks like his stuff hasn't changed. Still has a change and a screwball to go with the normal slider and curve. Reports have him in the low 140s but I don't necessarily buy it especially since smaller stadiums seem to have faster radars.
And the team is on a roll - the last tournament game they lost was in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Meiji Jingu Tournament against Harue Kougyou. The most runs Ojima's given up in a game during that timespan? 2 - against Toukaidai Bouyou in the Kanto Spring Super-Regional Tournament.
If he continues to pitch like this, despite not being a "fireballer", watch out. We may have back-to-back Haru-Natsu Renzoku Yuushou (spring-summer champions).
Speaking of which...
Osaka Touin (Osaka) - 6th ever back-to-back Natsu champion?
Osaka Touin had a chance in the spring to be the first ever 3-time calendar consecutive Koushien champion. But injuries to key players - Mori Tomoya (森 友哉) and Kinden Takuya (近田 拓矢) crippled their offense as they fell to Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou.
Now, both of the lynchpins are back, and the offense is chugging along as good as new. Their weakness is probably back to where it was before Fujinami - their pitching. Ace Kuzukawa Tomoya (葛川 知哉) and reliever Amimoto Kousuke (網本 光祐) are definitely above average, but nothing about either stands out.
But if one or both of them can be good enough, Osaka Touin may just defend their title. This is a short blurb, on a title contender, but when you talk Osaka Touin, the story is generally the same - 打て、打て、打て!
Saibi (Ehime) - Can Anraku carry the team all the way?
The story of Anraku Tomohiro (安楽 智大) has been well heard of, 232 pitches in his first game, velocity dropped immensely by the final due to flat out fatigue.
Now it would be just a matter of if Saibi could give Anraku another chance at Koushien this summer this year. And with the exception of a scare against Kawanoe which required a late-game comeback, Anraku pitched all but 2 outs in his team's run to the title.
Saibi has the opposite problem of Osaka Touin. Great pitching, average offense. We saw it at Senbatsu, the offense on average scoring 3-4 runs a game. That's not bad, but it's not dominating either. They will need to avoid the "bad day" as Anraku can't carry the team if the team can't score.
Which brings us back to Anraku himself. Certainly he won't suffer the same workload early as he did at Senbatsu, but it's possible he could play 4 of the last 5 calendar days of the tournament. He's throwing faster than ever, reportedly hitting 157 on the gun - but as perhaps he may have learned, hitting the high numbers on the gun doesn't mean a whole lot if you can't deliver when it really matters. If Anraku's stamina can hold up under the summer humid heat, Saibi may just challenge for the title yet again - and this time win.
Potential Contenders
Nichidai-san (Nishi Tokyo)
For those that know me and my coverage, I really don't like Nichidai-san. My fellow colleagues would say, "Why don't you like them? I like X player, and Y player - they're really good". Well, to be honest they ruined my 2011 Natsu Koushien trip by defeating both Kanzei and Narashino.
But before all that went down, Nichidai-san and Osaka Touin to me epitomizes the one thing about kokoyakyu I really don't like. Strong teams with pedigrees will continue to accumulate talent at the expense of weaker schools. There is no parity in kokoyakyu - quite the opposite in fact.
But regardless of my feelings toward them, Sanko I have to begrudgingly admit can be a title contender. The only reason why I don't have them in the upper tier is two-fold.
First, the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the fall taikai to Souka (though they did avenge that with a 7-0 victory in the summer) and second, outside of Hino - and no offense to them it's a bit of a stretch - they did not face a quality opponent towards the title. So the gaudy 75-9 score they accumulated is a bit inflated.
However, they did get a chance to play Urawa Gakuin in the Kanto Spring Super-Regionals, and though they lost 2-0, ace Ooba Ryoutarou (大場 遼太郎) limited Uragaku to just 4 hits while racking up 10 on Ojima. The top half of the lineup is especially dangerous for teams that are not careful.
Shuutoku (Higashi Tokyo)
Tokyo for as big as the field is was barely contested this year. Shuutoku almost as easily blew through the field. Their only close game was their 5th round game when they had to play Teikyou. But as Teikyou is wont to do, their pitching failed them later allowing Shuutoku to tie and eventually win the game. And while the score in the final versus Nishougakushadai Fuzoku looked rather ugly (13-6), the game was never really in doubt.
Looking at the pitching staff, there is ace Nishibayashi Kenshin (西林 賢人) and reliever Yusa Kazuki (遊佐 和輝). Interestingly in that game against Teikyou, CF Iino Shouta (飯野 周太) started the game (not well mind you) with Yusa coming in relief for 7 innings. That is an interesting call for a team to make knowing you're playing in a key game. Does that mean that Shuutoku has two pitchers they can call on? Not sure, but if they do it may help their chances.
Yokohama (Kanagawa)
I have to admit, Yokohama is kind of like the teams I described when talking about Nichidai-san. They have represented Kanagawa 7 times (including this year) since 2000. In their prior 6 Natsu appearances, they have reached the quarterfinals and semifinals 2 times each though recently they haven't been as successful.
Yokohama's road to Koushien at least by name was probably one of the hardest. Starting from the Round of 16, they played in order:
- Yokohama Hayato - 2-run 6th gave them the final 3-2 margin
- Toukou Gakuen - Lack of offense plus pair of HR's from Takahama Yuuji (高浜 祐仁) and Asama Daiki (浅間 大基) spell doom for heralded ace Matsui.
- Toukaidai Sagami - Sagami's pitching has not been the same, and yielded all 7 runs in the 6-8 innings for the mercy-rule loss.
- Hiratsuka Gakuen - While not a powerhouse, Hiratsuka is actually one of the best "3rd tier"* teams out of Kanagawa and did only lose to Yokohama 3-0.
From my fellow kokoyakyu sources #3 and #4 batters Asama and Takahama were ironically labeled "Matsui-killers" and did in fact cause his downfall. Who knows if the articles and discussion got to both sides' heads.
The only problem with Yokohama is that their offense looks a bit below average, despite the HRs in the Toukou Gakuen matchup.
On the mound is ace Itou Masashi (伊藤 将司), who apparently has a twitter account if you want to send him your best wishes. A lefty, he apparently throws in the mid-130's which would put him in the Ojima range.
What seems to perhaps benefit Yokohama is that at least 7 of their starting 9 are 2nd years! For a school such as Yokohama that has such a big pool of players to draw from, to predominantly use 2nd years means a lot. And since they theoretically have one more year of chances at Koushien, they may be able to play with nothing to lose - because they don't. That's scary - and something you cannot measure.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
To be honest, outside of these 6 teams I don't know who else could really be a challenger for the title. Sure, there will be other teams who will go deep, but if they run into any of these teams they will certainly be an underdog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)