Now for our last matchup - the ever present Shizuoka versus Toukaidai Koufu.
Once again, for Shizuoka, who did well in the spring, they did not face anyone of note in the prefecture. Not even one of the Tohoka schools. Compare that to Toukaidai Koufu, who not only defeated Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku and Nihon Koukuu, but actually shut them out and mercy ruled them!
Normally I'd give the nod to Shizuoka, but Toukaidai Koufu has a rather good rate when they do get to Koushien. You can't count them out.
Toukaidai Koufu (Yamanashi)
CF Takabe Eito
2B Fukutake Shuu
LF Kadoyama Ryuu
RF Hirai Ren
3B Matsuoka Shunyuu
SS Igarashi Homare
1B Miyagawa Kazutaka
P Kikuchi Hiroki
C Iidzuka Ryuuya
Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
CF Suzuki Shouhei
2B Ooishi Tomoki
RF Uchiyama Takeshi
C Horiuchi Kengo
3B Yasumoto Ryuuji
1B Hirano Hidemaru
LF Hirose Shun
P Muraki Fumiya
SS Sanpei Shinya
____________________________________________________________
15:33 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Shizuoka does themselves no favors when Muraki offers a 2-out walk, and then throws away a pickoff throw. Hirai punishes them with a ball to the wall in right and it's quickly 1-0 for Toukaidai.
Bottom 1st
Perhaps Toukaidai didn't want the run that way, so they offer to give it back. It's an irregular hop, but still Matsuoka can't field it cleanly. And then on a mixup covering first they still get the out, but the runner alertly takes 3rd.
Horiuchi then rockets a ball down the left side and it takes a high bounce, and then off the wall. Just like that we're back level at 1.
Bottom 2nd
I thought it might just be nerves the first inning and that both pitchers would settle down. But Hirano singles to right, and then after a bunt Muraki hits a liner to right as well. Just like that Shizuoka is threatening again.
SQUEEZE! But Sanpei pushes it foul.
SQUEEZE!!! Sanpei throws himself at the ball and somehow lays it down perfectly! Hirano scores and Shizokua has a 2-1 lead!
Igarashi saves perhaps another run when he makes a running pick on a chopper back up the middle. Completes the play to 1st for the 3rd out.
Top 3rd
The weirder bit is that both aces can touch 145. So we're seeing some power arms, but both sides are finding ways to hit it.
That's because Takabe and Fukutake go back to back clean singles. And Kadoyama ties the game with a sac fly to left. Just like that.
Things getting away from Muraki quickly. He hits Hirai, and then Matsuoka slices a double to left center making it 3-2.
Igarashi then with a liner down the right field line... fair!! Both runners will score and it's now 5-2!
Muraki finally gets out of the inning, but that lead was very short-lived.
Bottom 3rd
But now that Toukaidai Koufu has the lead, Kikuchi can't find the strike zone! He walks Ooishi and Horiuchi, then Hirano singles to left and that plates a run.
Watase with a deep ball to center, Takabe backpedaling, looks like he has it. But leaps! And it's off his glove! Horiuchi hustles around and scores making it 5-4! Fortunately, because iit looked like a fly out, the runners weren't going all out. Otherwise it might be tied.
Also fortunately for Toukaidai, neither Muraki or Sanpei can bet a base hit to drive in the runs. The lead stays with them.
Top 4th
There are opportunities to be had on both sides as their aces struggle to get a clean inning.
Muraki gives both runs right back when Hirai hits a 2-out single with Iidzuka and Fukutake on 2nd and 3rd. It's now 7-4 and this game will take forever.
Top 5th
Muraki's day is done.#10 Muramatsu relieves him, and then gives up a base hit. He gets that out when Toukaidi tries a hit-and-run which turns into a strike em out throw em out double play.
Bottom 5th
Shizuoka with a scoring chance when Horiuchi gets a leadoff single, and despite a fielders choice, still had a chance with RP Muramatsu at the dish. He fights off several balls, but fails to pull the trigger on one at the bottom of the zone, and the 10th pitch retires the side. Over an hour and a half and we've just hit the break.
Bottom 6th
Shizuoka is trying to claw their way back into this game. After a single by Suzuki and a double by Ooishi, they send Suzuki home on a pop fly down the right field line. The 1B was taking the ball instead of the RF, which made it easier to get home. So it's a 7-5 ball game.
Top 7th
But Muramatsu is a bit shaky in the lucky 7. After it looked like he was going to leave a runner stranded at 1st, he gives up a hit and hits a batter to suddenly make it a manrui situation. Kkuchi makes him work for the 3rd out when he dribbles it to the left side. Muramatsu is up to the task and makes the strong throw to 1st for the 3rd out.
Bottom 7th
Troubling times for Toukaidai Koufu. Kikuchi hits Yasumoto to start the inning, and then Hirano singles to center. After a bunt, it's Muramatsu again who can help his own cause.
But perhaps cognizant of the last AB, with 1st open, Muramatsu earns the free pass and now the gyakuten run is on.
Sanpei can't get a non-sac hit it seems. But he does get one run on a flyout to center. It's 7-6!
Suzuki with ball back up the middle. Hirao makes a great diving stop! Hirano going home! Throw from Hirao gets away from Iidzuka and not only does the run score to tie the game, but now they can push ahead by a couple runs!
Muranaka-kantoku has seen enough. #10 Matsuba comes in to take the mound and finally gets the last out. But we have a new ballgame!
Top 8th
Had. Had a new ball game.
Before I can get my thoughts gathered on this inning, it's single, single, single, 8-7 with Fukutake getting the RBI. Once again, Shizuoka must play catchup.
Bottom 9th
Last chance ups. Douten runner put on when Watase gets nicked.
But time runs out. Neither PH #15 Suzuki or #16 Uchimura can get the timely hit. And as a result they are eliminated on Day 2
And now I can close my eyes and sleep...
Showing posts with label Shizuoka. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shizuoka. Show all posts
Friday, August 7, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Day 9, Quarterfinal 2 - Shizuoka (Shizokua) vs. Tsuriga Kehi (Fukui)
And now to our 2nd quarterfinal. one of the main dangers in the field is still alive in Tsuruga Kehi. Hiranuma had supposedly been injured in the fall, and I had questions coming into Koushien, but he allayed them first up. Their last game though brought back some other concens.
Mainly, is his stamina at 100%? He started cracking late against the Meiji Jingu champs, though once you're facing a lineup for the 3rd or 4th time, the batter might start having the advantage in the matchup. So perhaps it's that, but seeing Sendai Ikuei with chances late is concerning, and he's only got 1 full day's rest.
The question for Shizuoka is can Muraki continue to walk the tightrope. He gave up 14 hits to Kisaradzu Sougou, but just 2 runs. I can't see that happening today and getting a win.
Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
RF Suzuki Shouhei
2B Ooshi Tomoki
CF Uchiyama Shun
C Horiuchi Kengo
SS Yasumoto Ryuuji
1B Hirano Hidemaru
LF Hirose Shun
P Muraki Fumiya
3B Sanpei Shinya (#13)
Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui)
3B Shinohara Ryou
2B Nakai Kidzuku
SS Hayashinaka Yuuki
P Hiranuma Shouta
CF Yamamoto Kouta
LF Kinoshita Shougo (#9)
1B Ueda Ryouya
C Kamon Yuusuke
RF Mori Shigeki (#7)
__________________________________________________
11:15 - First Pitch!
1st Inning
Hiranuma with a uncharacteristic walk to start the game. But that gets wiped out by a 5-4-3 double play. A popout later and it's perhaps business as usual.
Shinohara grounder to short and Yasumoto flubs on the ball. E6 to start the game.
As usual, a bunt, but then there's 2 out for Hiranuma.
And there you go.
Hiranuma with a rare drive to right for a 2-run HR and Tsuruga Kehi quickly leads 2-0.
2nd Inning
Well, whatever ailed Hiranuma in the 1st is gone. Tack on 2 Ks in a clean inning,
More errors from Shizuoka. Sanpei makes a great diving stop then throws the ball pretty much into the stands. Sac bunt and then a base hit from Kamon makes it 3-0.
And I have no idea what Muraki was thinking trying to let a ball roll foul when it's been raining. It of course stops in fair territory.
Single loads the bases, but somehow Muraki strikes out Nakai and Muranaka to get out without further damage.
3rd Inning
Hiranuma still having some control issues, but I think this is more due to the rain than fatigue as he's not leaving anything dead center.
That and nothing's leaving the infield. At this point I'll assume he's on cruise control until I see otherwise.
Pitching change already as #10 Muramatsu comes in for Muraki.
Gets a dribbler from Hiranuma (that's a win), and then strikes out Yamamoto. Not a bad start.
But now here the gapper from Kinoshita to right center. The good feeling might be over.
Ueda with a similar ball to left. Hirose running, sliding, and makes the catch. That's a save if they ever needed one.
4th Inning
Suzuki gets the first hit for Shizuoka, but after a sac bunt, nothing doing.
For Tsuruga Keh. switching to the southpaw muramatsu seems to have muted their offense. Kamon gets his 2nd hit, but they too can't do anything after a sac bunt.
5th Inning
Horiuchi with a single through the left side. And now another walk.
Hirano with a buntto the right side and there's miscomunication. Ueda and Hiranuma bump into each other and there's no play. Manrui with no down!
But Hirose's attempt at a sac fly fails as it's too short.
And so Kuribayashi-kantoku goes for a squeeze?! It somehow works and it's 3-1, but there's 2 outs.
Hiranuma strikes out Sanpei to end the inning.
No, wait. There's an appeal and it was a foul instead of just a swing? So they call him back.
And now he hits a ball to center. Yamamoto going back, and it's off his glove and falls in! So somehow a strikeout that wasn't leads to a tie game?! 3-3.
Tsuruga Kehi gets retired in order and suddenly we're back to where we started. Yikes if you're for Tsuruga Kehi.
Break
But now the rain is coming down harder and the teams will have to wait it out as the groundscrew try to put some type of diamond dry on the field. I think we're in a delay.
6th Inning
After about 30 minutes or so, the teams retake the field. After about an inning, my ultaportable laptop decided to not be frozen anymore.
But the inning was uneventful anyways. Any momentum Shizuoka had had disappeared so I think it's just like a 4 inning,(well, now 3) sprint to the finish.
7th Inning
Yasumoto with a ball to left center. Yamamoto tries to make a sliding catch, but can't make it and Shizuoka has a double. The usual sac bunt moved him to 3rd.
And the squeeze bunt fails, and the runner is out. And soon enough the inning is over.
The squeeze bunt still lives in 高校野球. Maybe not as much, but it's still there.
Shinohara with a one out soft single to center. At this point, Tsuruga Kehi will take anything.
Boy, they are really pressing. A failed bunt and then a caught stealing? If you weren't convinced their offense perhaps wasn't as good as you thought, this might cement it.
8th Inning
Leadoff walk for Muramatsu. This was about the time Hiranuma became hittable - though that was Sendai Ikuei.
He gets a break when Sanpei hits it back to him for a 1-6-3 double play. Toss in a K, and Shizuoka's chance is gone.
Hayashinaka with a base hit, and Hiranuma bunts. That basehit might have been the best thing to happen to Shizuoka.
Tomoki saves a run as he climbs the ladder and high points Yamamoto's liner! That would have easily scored 1.
Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
Looks like the message was, if you fall behind, 1st base is open. And indeed there is a walk.
Ueda pops out! He's left hitless as Tomoki makes the catch to end the inning!
9th Inning
Shizuoka is back to being ineffective against Hiranuma. Not that when they were scoring the runs on solid hits anyways.
Uh oh, Muramatsu walks Mori with 1 down. Will they bunt?
Nope! First pitch flyout to right and we're about to head to enchousen!
I think though that Muramatus wants to make it interesting. 3-0 to Nakai becomes 3-2... and now a walk.
Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
Oh, that sucks. Muramatsu misses on one pitch and Hayashinaka drives it to right. The infield is in, and that will fall in for a sayonara hit. Tsuruga Kehi wins at the death 4-3.
Well, I suppose it was going to suck at this point no matter when Shizuoka lost, but just 1 out from enchousen and things just fall apart.
But from the last couple of innings you had the feeling that while both teams were pressing, Tsuruga Kehi was having better success. And so I guess the ending could have been expected.
Muramatsu really did his best after being pressed into service early. I think he perhaps was reaching his limit, especially facing a team like Tsuruga Kehi. They were fortunate in scoring the runs they did because otherwise the offense struggled - as one would expect. I'm not sure if the break did benefit Hiranuma or not because he certainly didn't give in near the end.
But the offensive woes continue. It was a slog after Hiranuma's early HR, and it's like the rest of the team plays like a rural qualifer. That just won't do, and facing Osaka Touin next means that Hiranuma will be pressed hard to keep the score low.
Mainly, is his stamina at 100%? He started cracking late against the Meiji Jingu champs, though once you're facing a lineup for the 3rd or 4th time, the batter might start having the advantage in the matchup. So perhaps it's that, but seeing Sendai Ikuei with chances late is concerning, and he's only got 1 full day's rest.
The question for Shizuoka is can Muraki continue to walk the tightrope. He gave up 14 hits to Kisaradzu Sougou, but just 2 runs. I can't see that happening today and getting a win.
Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
RF Suzuki Shouhei
2B Ooshi Tomoki
CF Uchiyama Shun
C Horiuchi Kengo
SS Yasumoto Ryuuji
1B Hirano Hidemaru
LF Hirose Shun
P Muraki Fumiya
3B Sanpei Shinya (#13)
Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui)
3B Shinohara Ryou
2B Nakai Kidzuku
SS Hayashinaka Yuuki
P Hiranuma Shouta
CF Yamamoto Kouta
LF Kinoshita Shougo (#9)
1B Ueda Ryouya
C Kamon Yuusuke
RF Mori Shigeki (#7)
__________________________________________________
11:15 - First Pitch!
1st Inning
Hiranuma with a uncharacteristic walk to start the game. But that gets wiped out by a 5-4-3 double play. A popout later and it's perhaps business as usual.
Shinohara grounder to short and Yasumoto flubs on the ball. E6 to start the game.
As usual, a bunt, but then there's 2 out for Hiranuma.
And there you go.
Hiranuma with a rare drive to right for a 2-run HR and Tsuruga Kehi quickly leads 2-0.
2nd Inning
Well, whatever ailed Hiranuma in the 1st is gone. Tack on 2 Ks in a clean inning,
More errors from Shizuoka. Sanpei makes a great diving stop then throws the ball pretty much into the stands. Sac bunt and then a base hit from Kamon makes it 3-0.
And I have no idea what Muraki was thinking trying to let a ball roll foul when it's been raining. It of course stops in fair territory.
Single loads the bases, but somehow Muraki strikes out Nakai and Muranaka to get out without further damage.
3rd Inning
Hiranuma still having some control issues, but I think this is more due to the rain than fatigue as he's not leaving anything dead center.
That and nothing's leaving the infield. At this point I'll assume he's on cruise control until I see otherwise.
Pitching change already as #10 Muramatsu comes in for Muraki.
Gets a dribbler from Hiranuma (that's a win), and then strikes out Yamamoto. Not a bad start.
But now here the gapper from Kinoshita to right center. The good feeling might be over.
Ueda with a similar ball to left. Hirose running, sliding, and makes the catch. That's a save if they ever needed one.
4th Inning
Suzuki gets the first hit for Shizuoka, but after a sac bunt, nothing doing.
For Tsuruga Keh. switching to the southpaw muramatsu seems to have muted their offense. Kamon gets his 2nd hit, but they too can't do anything after a sac bunt.
5th Inning
Horiuchi with a single through the left side. And now another walk.
Hirano with a buntto the right side and there's miscomunication. Ueda and Hiranuma bump into each other and there's no play. Manrui with no down!
But Hirose's attempt at a sac fly fails as it's too short.
And so Kuribayashi-kantoku goes for a squeeze?! It somehow works and it's 3-1, but there's 2 outs.
Hiranuma strikes out Sanpei to end the inning.
No, wait. There's an appeal and it was a foul instead of just a swing? So they call him back.
And now he hits a ball to center. Yamamoto going back, and it's off his glove and falls in! So somehow a strikeout that wasn't leads to a tie game?! 3-3.
Tsuruga Kehi gets retired in order and suddenly we're back to where we started. Yikes if you're for Tsuruga Kehi.
Break
But now the rain is coming down harder and the teams will have to wait it out as the groundscrew try to put some type of diamond dry on the field. I think we're in a delay.
6th Inning
After about 30 minutes or so, the teams retake the field. After about an inning, my ultaportable laptop decided to not be frozen anymore.
But the inning was uneventful anyways. Any momentum Shizuoka had had disappeared so I think it's just like a 4 inning,(well, now 3) sprint to the finish.
7th Inning
Yasumoto with a ball to left center. Yamamoto tries to make a sliding catch, but can't make it and Shizuoka has a double. The usual sac bunt moved him to 3rd.
And the squeeze bunt fails, and the runner is out. And soon enough the inning is over.
The squeeze bunt still lives in 高校野球. Maybe not as much, but it's still there.
Shinohara with a one out soft single to center. At this point, Tsuruga Kehi will take anything.
Boy, they are really pressing. A failed bunt and then a caught stealing? If you weren't convinced their offense perhaps wasn't as good as you thought, this might cement it.
8th Inning
Leadoff walk for Muramatsu. This was about the time Hiranuma became hittable - though that was Sendai Ikuei.
He gets a break when Sanpei hits it back to him for a 1-6-3 double play. Toss in a K, and Shizuoka's chance is gone.
Hayashinaka with a base hit, and Hiranuma bunts. That basehit might have been the best thing to happen to Shizuoka.
Tomoki saves a run as he climbs the ladder and high points Yamamoto's liner! That would have easily scored 1.
Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
Looks like the message was, if you fall behind, 1st base is open. And indeed there is a walk.
Ueda pops out! He's left hitless as Tomoki makes the catch to end the inning!
9th Inning
Shizuoka is back to being ineffective against Hiranuma. Not that when they were scoring the runs on solid hits anyways.
Uh oh, Muramatsu walks Mori with 1 down. Will they bunt?
Nope! First pitch flyout to right and we're about to head to enchousen!
I think though that Muramatus wants to make it interesting. 3-0 to Nakai becomes 3-2... and now a walk.
Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
Oh, that sucks. Muramatsu misses on one pitch and Hayashinaka drives it to right. The infield is in, and that will fall in for a sayonara hit. Tsuruga Kehi wins at the death 4-3.
Well, I suppose it was going to suck at this point no matter when Shizuoka lost, but just 1 out from enchousen and things just fall apart.
But from the last couple of innings you had the feeling that while both teams were pressing, Tsuruga Kehi was having better success. And so I guess the ending could have been expected.
Muramatsu really did his best after being pressed into service early. I think he perhaps was reaching his limit, especially facing a team like Tsuruga Kehi. They were fortunate in scoring the runs they did because otherwise the offense struggled - as one would expect. I'm not sure if the break did benefit Hiranuma or not because he certainly didn't give in near the end.
But the offensive woes continue. It was a slog after Hiranuma's early HR, and it's like the rest of the team plays like a rural qualifer. That just won't do, and facing Osaka Touin next means that Hiranuma will be pressed hard to keep the score low.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Day 7, Game 1 - Shizuoka (Shizuoka) vs. Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
The problem with trying to handicap these games is that most of them ended in blowouts, so it's very hard to make anything out of the games. Shizuoka had no problems with Ritsumeikan Uji, while Kisuradzu Sougou handled Okayama Ridai Fuzoku easily.
Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
RF Suzuki Shouhei
2B Ooshi Tomoki
CF Uchiyama Shun
C Horiuchi Kengo
SS Yasumoto Ryuuji
1B Hirano Hidemaru
LF Hirose Shun
P Muraki Fumiya
3B Sanpei Shinya (#13)
Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
LF Kido Ryou
3B Ishii Ryou
CF Obara Naoki
SS Himura Atsushi
2B Koike Kazuki
1B Isogai Tomoya
RF Sasaki Shun
C Oosawa Shou
P Hawakawa Takahisa (#10)
__________________________________________________
09:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Hayakawa gets the first base hit out of the way with a single through the left side.
Kuribayashi-kantoku decides to give the green light and Suzuki takes off for 2nd! Throw from Oosawa is in time to make the catch for the out!
After that, it's a routine grounder to Tomoya, and a pop fly to shallow left for Okayama.
Bottom 1st
Kido uppercuts a ball from Muraki and skies one to Yasumoto.
Ishii takes a ball the other way, but Suzuki is playing near the line and makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Ohara makes good contact and shoots a ball back up the middle for a base hit.
But Himura gets one off the end of the bat and pops it up. Sanpei makes the catch in foul territory to retire the side.
Top 2nd
Horiuchi with a slow roller to the right side, Koike charges in and throws to 1st for the out.
Yasumoto looking for a pitch to hit, fouls off a couple to stay alive. But Hayakawa put a fastball just out of his reach for the 2nd out.
Hirano falls victim to the fastball as well, swinging over one at the knees for the 3rd out.
Bottom 2nd
One down for Kisaradzu and Isogai simply places a ball into center for a base hit.
Muraki not without tricks of his own, pulls out the forkball on Sasaki to record his first K. Oosawa pops out on the next pitch and the side is retired. Early on, it looks like Kisaradzu has the better of it.
Top 3rd
Shizuoka's bottom of the lineup struggling early on. Hirose swings on the first pitch and flies out to left. After that Muraki chases a very high fast ball for Hayakawa's 3rd K. Sanpei gets a base hit, as his soft liner gets over Koike into right.
Kuribayashi-kantoku decides to send Sanpei, but the pitch home is high and allows Oosawa to make a quick throw, cutting Sanpei down by a wide margin.
Bottom 3rd
Hayakawa does the right thing and takes a pitch away to the opposite field. Kido takes a couple of poor bunts, but when he three bunts, it's good enough.
Ishii with a ball back up the middle! Yasumoto can't track it down! Hayakawa being sent home and the throw is cutoff! Ishii with a timely hit gives Kisaradzu Sougou the 1-0 lead!
After Obara goes down swinging on a curve, Himura drives a ball to deep left center. But he got under it and while Uchiyama has to make a run, he tracks it down for the 3rd out.
Top 4th
Suzuki (Shouhei) the only one who's seeing Hayakawa's pitches. He hits another ball to left for a base hit. This time Tomoya bunts him over.
Uchiyama hits a fly ball to left, but Kido comes in to make the catch. 2 down for Horiuchi.
Blooper to left field, Kido charging in.. can't get to it in time! Shouhei scores and it's douten at 1-1!
Yasumoto connects on a ball and sends it to deep left center! That falls in at the wall and Horiuchi comes in all the way from 1st to give Shizuoka the 2-1 lead!
Hirano flies out to center, but they put together some base hits to turn the tables on Kisaradzu Sougou!
Bottom 4th
Koike with a single to left, puts the douten runner immediately on base. Isogai bunts him over.
And now Gojima-kantoku puts in #15 Yashiro to hit for Sasaki.
He tries to sneak the bunt down! Muraki on it and his throw to 1st just beats him out. Now only a base hit or an error will bring in the run.
But Oosawa chases the high fastball and the side is retired!
Top 5th
One down and Muraki checks in with his first hit with a single to right. Sanpei tries to lay down the bunt, but fouls his three bunt and goes down for the 2nd out.
Hawakawa close to getting out of the inning, but has a pitch get away from him and hit Shouhei! I wonder if it hit the bat and not the batter because he didn't react, but the umpire has made his call.
Tomoya with a slicer down the left field line.. fair!!! It just falls in fair and that means Muraki will score! 3-1 in favor of Shizuoka!
Uchiyama almost beats out a slow roller up the right side, but is retired for the 3rd out. They're not making great contact, but the balls are falling in for base hits, and that's all that matters.
Bottom 5th
It seems like that Kisaradzu Sougou now is struggling at the plate. Muraki gets two infield popups, and while he yields another single to Ishii, Obara hits one back to Muraki to end the inning.
And so we hit the break with the Tokai champs in what seems like a comfortable lead.
Top 6th
Horiuchi with a single through the right side and it looks like Hayakawa's day is done. Ace Suzuki Kenya comes in to relieve him.
Yasumoto with a soft liner to 2nd, and Koike lets it drop in front of him! Steps on 2nd for one, and it's an easy double play to 1st.
Hirano chases an outside fastball to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
Himura working the count full, tries to buy the walk, but falls a little as he see the umpire begin his strike call.
Two down for Isogai, and he hits a slow roller to the left side. Yasumoto charges in, but his throw is way high! Into the camera box it goes, and off Isogai goes to 2nd.
Yashitro grounds to 3rd though and Muraki bends, but doesn't break.
Top 7th
Hirose still without a base hit as he goes after the high fastball. After that though Kenya loses Muraki.
Kuribayashi-kantoku is having Sanpei bunt again, despite the sub-par effort last time.
It still looks bad, but he manages to lay it down.
Back to the top of the order and Shouhei, who is 2-2 with a walk.
Shouhei has already shown a propensity to wait for a pitch and runs the count full. 9th pitch of the AB and while he hits his target, the umpire isn't buying it!
And after that , Gojima-kantoku pulls Oosawa for his backup #13 Aga.
It's confirmation bias, but Kenya gets 2 called strikes and then Tomoya chases a fastball outside for the 3rd out.
Bottom 7th
Aga immediately gets an AB, hits the ball hard, but right to Sanpei.
Kenya with a booming drive to left center! Uchiyama sprinting back, stretches... and makes the running catch!
Kido kind of buys the HBP by turning, but not really getting away, from the ball inside. Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
Ishii, the only bright spot in the lineup, gets his 3rd hit, with a line shot to center. Chance here to perhaps get a run back.
But Obara bites on the forkball! It rolls to Tomoki who gets it to 1st for the 3rd out!
Top 8th
Uchiyama and Horiuchi with routine flyouts to center.
Yasumoto has the ball squared up, but not the timing. In the end Kenya puts a fastball down the middle an Yasumoto immediately takes the walk back.
Bottom 8th
2 runs isn't a lot, but the Kisaradzu Sougou batters can't generate any sustained offense.
Muraki feels that turnabout is fair play and puts one on the outside half to freeze Himura for the 1st out.
Koike keeps the bat in the zone long enough to poke the forkball to right for a base hit.
Isogai connects on the forkball, down the left field line, but foul! He had that lined up, just too early on it.
And now he pops it up! Tomoki with it for the 2nd out.
Hey, Yashiro takes a ball the other way himself into left for another hit!
Uh oh! Now Muraki can't find the zone! He's behind Aga 3-1 before he gets a foul ball to fill up the count.
High fastball gets saved by a swing and a foul ball.
Aga jammed, but hits the ball to the left side where no one is! Yasumoto goes to get it, but has no play! All safe and manrui as Kuribayashi-kantoku calls time!
0-1 pitch for a strike and Horiuchi fires to 2nd where Aga is left stranded! But it's a trap! They look back home as perhaps it was to try and score a run.
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kenya is fooled on a curveball inside and the side is retired!
Top 9th
Things bight have finally broken for Kisaradzu Sougou. Kenya walks Hirano on 4 straight. When Hirose bunts, Kenya decides late to go to 2nd, but fails to notice that Hirano is almost there.
Muraki tries the push bunt up the left side, and almost makes it if not for Kenya scrambling off the mound.
Sanpei hits it right to 1st, it's a contact play but Isogai goes home and Aga gets the tag just before Hirano slides in.
Kenya, with 1st base open, is careful with Shouhei and ends up walking him. Gojima-kantoku calls for time.
But Kenya spikes the 1st pitch and it gets away from Aga. Hirose scores and it's 4-1. Tomoya grounds out to end the inning
Bottom 9th
One down for Kisaradzu Sougou and Ishii hits a slow ball up the middle. The defense is playing back, so there's no play.
Obara with a similar ball, but with the double play opportunity the defense is closer. Tomoki tags Ishii for the 2nd out.
Himura with a grounder to the left side, Yasumoto there, but his sliding backhand backfires! It goes off his glove and everyone's safe! Kisaradzu can bring the tying run to the plate in Isogai.
SANSHIN!!!
Muraki finally shuts the door with his forkball and his team advances to the Best 8!
Shizuoka advances, but not without some difficulty. Kisaradzu Sougou gets 14 hits off of ace Muraki, but with the exception of the 3rd inning, he found a way to a) scatter them and b) get out of any jam he was in. It's not a recipe for success by any stretch, but it did the job today.
Despite the 14 hits, it wasn't until the last stages where you felt they might have a chance at breaking Muraki. But there was little margin for error at that point. Hayakawa wasn't bad on the mound, there were wuite a few hits that just fell in instead of solid hits. So there's little you can do but shrug your shoulders and say it wasn't your day. I think they can come back and contend for the summer, but the offense will need to improve to make any type of run.
Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
RF Suzuki Shouhei
2B Ooshi Tomoki
CF Uchiyama Shun
C Horiuchi Kengo
SS Yasumoto Ryuuji
1B Hirano Hidemaru
LF Hirose Shun
P Muraki Fumiya
3B Sanpei Shinya (#13)
Kisaradzu Sougou (Chiba)
LF Kido Ryou
3B Ishii Ryou
CF Obara Naoki
SS Himura Atsushi
2B Koike Kazuki
1B Isogai Tomoya
RF Sasaki Shun
C Oosawa Shou
P Hawakawa Takahisa (#10)
__________________________________________________
09:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Hayakawa gets the first base hit out of the way with a single through the left side.
Kuribayashi-kantoku decides to give the green light and Suzuki takes off for 2nd! Throw from Oosawa is in time to make the catch for the out!
After that, it's a routine grounder to Tomoya, and a pop fly to shallow left for Okayama.
Bottom 1st
Kido uppercuts a ball from Muraki and skies one to Yasumoto.
Ishii takes a ball the other way, but Suzuki is playing near the line and makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Ohara makes good contact and shoots a ball back up the middle for a base hit.
But Himura gets one off the end of the bat and pops it up. Sanpei makes the catch in foul territory to retire the side.
Top 2nd
Horiuchi with a slow roller to the right side, Koike charges in and throws to 1st for the out.
Yasumoto looking for a pitch to hit, fouls off a couple to stay alive. But Hayakawa put a fastball just out of his reach for the 2nd out.
Hirano falls victim to the fastball as well, swinging over one at the knees for the 3rd out.
Bottom 2nd
One down for Kisaradzu and Isogai simply places a ball into center for a base hit.
Muraki not without tricks of his own, pulls out the forkball on Sasaki to record his first K. Oosawa pops out on the next pitch and the side is retired. Early on, it looks like Kisaradzu has the better of it.
Top 3rd
Shizuoka's bottom of the lineup struggling early on. Hirose swings on the first pitch and flies out to left. After that Muraki chases a very high fast ball for Hayakawa's 3rd K. Sanpei gets a base hit, as his soft liner gets over Koike into right.
Kuribayashi-kantoku decides to send Sanpei, but the pitch home is high and allows Oosawa to make a quick throw, cutting Sanpei down by a wide margin.
Bottom 3rd
Hayakawa does the right thing and takes a pitch away to the opposite field. Kido takes a couple of poor bunts, but when he three bunts, it's good enough.
Ishii with a ball back up the middle! Yasumoto can't track it down! Hayakawa being sent home and the throw is cutoff! Ishii with a timely hit gives Kisaradzu Sougou the 1-0 lead!
After Obara goes down swinging on a curve, Himura drives a ball to deep left center. But he got under it and while Uchiyama has to make a run, he tracks it down for the 3rd out.
Top 4th
Suzuki (Shouhei) the only one who's seeing Hayakawa's pitches. He hits another ball to left for a base hit. This time Tomoya bunts him over.
Uchiyama hits a fly ball to left, but Kido comes in to make the catch. 2 down for Horiuchi.
Blooper to left field, Kido charging in.. can't get to it in time! Shouhei scores and it's douten at 1-1!
Yasumoto connects on a ball and sends it to deep left center! That falls in at the wall and Horiuchi comes in all the way from 1st to give Shizuoka the 2-1 lead!
Hirano flies out to center, but they put together some base hits to turn the tables on Kisaradzu Sougou!
Bottom 4th
Koike with a single to left, puts the douten runner immediately on base. Isogai bunts him over.
And now Gojima-kantoku puts in #15 Yashiro to hit for Sasaki.
He tries to sneak the bunt down! Muraki on it and his throw to 1st just beats him out. Now only a base hit or an error will bring in the run.
But Oosawa chases the high fastball and the side is retired!
Top 5th
One down and Muraki checks in with his first hit with a single to right. Sanpei tries to lay down the bunt, but fouls his three bunt and goes down for the 2nd out.
Hawakawa close to getting out of the inning, but has a pitch get away from him and hit Shouhei! I wonder if it hit the bat and not the batter because he didn't react, but the umpire has made his call.
Tomoya with a slicer down the left field line.. fair!!! It just falls in fair and that means Muraki will score! 3-1 in favor of Shizuoka!
Uchiyama almost beats out a slow roller up the right side, but is retired for the 3rd out. They're not making great contact, but the balls are falling in for base hits, and that's all that matters.
Bottom 5th
It seems like that Kisaradzu Sougou now is struggling at the plate. Muraki gets two infield popups, and while he yields another single to Ishii, Obara hits one back to Muraki to end the inning.
And so we hit the break with the Tokai champs in what seems like a comfortable lead.
Top 6th
Horiuchi with a single through the right side and it looks like Hayakawa's day is done. Ace Suzuki Kenya comes in to relieve him.
Yasumoto with a soft liner to 2nd, and Koike lets it drop in front of him! Steps on 2nd for one, and it's an easy double play to 1st.
Hirano chases an outside fastball to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
Himura working the count full, tries to buy the walk, but falls a little as he see the umpire begin his strike call.
Two down for Isogai, and he hits a slow roller to the left side. Yasumoto charges in, but his throw is way high! Into the camera box it goes, and off Isogai goes to 2nd.
Yashitro grounds to 3rd though and Muraki bends, but doesn't break.
Top 7th
Hirose still without a base hit as he goes after the high fastball. After that though Kenya loses Muraki.
Kuribayashi-kantoku is having Sanpei bunt again, despite the sub-par effort last time.
It still looks bad, but he manages to lay it down.
Back to the top of the order and Shouhei, who is 2-2 with a walk.
Shouhei has already shown a propensity to wait for a pitch and runs the count full. 9th pitch of the AB and while he hits his target, the umpire isn't buying it!
And after that , Gojima-kantoku pulls Oosawa for his backup #13 Aga.
It's confirmation bias, but Kenya gets 2 called strikes and then Tomoya chases a fastball outside for the 3rd out.
Bottom 7th
Aga immediately gets an AB, hits the ball hard, but right to Sanpei.
Kenya with a booming drive to left center! Uchiyama sprinting back, stretches... and makes the running catch!
Kido kind of buys the HBP by turning, but not really getting away, from the ball inside. Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
Ishii, the only bright spot in the lineup, gets his 3rd hit, with a line shot to center. Chance here to perhaps get a run back.
But Obara bites on the forkball! It rolls to Tomoki who gets it to 1st for the 3rd out!
Top 8th
Uchiyama and Horiuchi with routine flyouts to center.
Yasumoto has the ball squared up, but not the timing. In the end Kenya puts a fastball down the middle an Yasumoto immediately takes the walk back.
Bottom 8th
2 runs isn't a lot, but the Kisaradzu Sougou batters can't generate any sustained offense.
Muraki feels that turnabout is fair play and puts one on the outside half to freeze Himura for the 1st out.
Koike keeps the bat in the zone long enough to poke the forkball to right for a base hit.
Isogai connects on the forkball, down the left field line, but foul! He had that lined up, just too early on it.
And now he pops it up! Tomoki with it for the 2nd out.
Hey, Yashiro takes a ball the other way himself into left for another hit!
Uh oh! Now Muraki can't find the zone! He's behind Aga 3-1 before he gets a foul ball to fill up the count.
High fastball gets saved by a swing and a foul ball.
Aga jammed, but hits the ball to the left side where no one is! Yasumoto goes to get it, but has no play! All safe and manrui as Kuribayashi-kantoku calls time!
0-1 pitch for a strike and Horiuchi fires to 2nd where Aga is left stranded! But it's a trap! They look back home as perhaps it was to try and score a run.
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kenya is fooled on a curveball inside and the side is retired!
Top 9th
Things bight have finally broken for Kisaradzu Sougou. Kenya walks Hirano on 4 straight. When Hirose bunts, Kenya decides late to go to 2nd, but fails to notice that Hirano is almost there.
Muraki tries the push bunt up the left side, and almost makes it if not for Kenya scrambling off the mound.
Sanpei hits it right to 1st, it's a contact play but Isogai goes home and Aga gets the tag just before Hirano slides in.
Kenya, with 1st base open, is careful with Shouhei and ends up walking him. Gojima-kantoku calls for time.
But Kenya spikes the 1st pitch and it gets away from Aga. Hirose scores and it's 4-1. Tomoya grounds out to end the inning
Bottom 9th
One down for Kisaradzu Sougou and Ishii hits a slow ball up the middle. The defense is playing back, so there's no play.
Obara with a similar ball, but with the double play opportunity the defense is closer. Tomoki tags Ishii for the 2nd out.
Himura with a grounder to the left side, Yasumoto there, but his sliding backhand backfires! It goes off his glove and everyone's safe! Kisaradzu can bring the tying run to the plate in Isogai.
SANSHIN!!!
Muraki finally shuts the door with his forkball and his team advances to the Best 8!
Shizuoka advances, but not without some difficulty. Kisaradzu Sougou gets 14 hits off of ace Muraki, but with the exception of the 3rd inning, he found a way to a) scatter them and b) get out of any jam he was in. It's not a recipe for success by any stretch, but it did the job today.
Despite the 14 hits, it wasn't until the last stages where you felt they might have a chance at breaking Muraki. But there was little margin for error at that point. Hayakawa wasn't bad on the mound, there were wuite a few hits that just fell in instead of solid hits. So there's little you can do but shrug your shoulders and say it wasn't your day. I think they can come back and contend for the summer, but the offense will need to improve to make any type of run.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Day 2, Game 2 - Shizuoka (Shizuoka) vs. Ritsumeikan Uji (Kyoto)
Well, that last game wasn't a blowout by the score, but Touin outside of early on never really put themselves into the game. Let's see if this one will fare any better. Neither team looks dominating on paper, Ritsumeikan Uji's pitcher walks more batters than... aw, I wrote myself into a corner. And Shizuoka hasn't really faced anyone really strong. It might be even, but just as easily it could be another ugly game. But at least on paper it might be close, so hey!
Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
RF Suzuki Shouhei
2B Ooshi Tomoki
CF Uchiyama Shun
C Horiuchi Kengo
SS Yasumoto Ryuuji
1B Hirano Hidemaru
LF Hirose Shun
P Muraki Fumiya
3B Sanpei Shinya (#13)
Ritsumeikan Uji (Kyoto)
SS Morita Kousuke
3B Uenishi Yoshiaki
RF Nara Shouhei
1B Itou Taiga
LF Fujioka Takurou
CF Kitahara Takuma
C Momota Fuutarou
2B Nakahara Yuuma
P Yamashita Taiga
______________________________________________________
12:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Shizuoka not necessarily testing ace Yamashita's control early as Suzuki grounds out to 2nd. Neither is Tomoki and he pops out to Nakahara in shallow right.
Uchiyama does wait, but falls behind 1-2. He levels the count, but then can't hold off the fastball up and in, and thankfully for Ritsumeikan's Udaki-kantoku, it's an uneventful 1st inning.
Bottom 1st
Muraki is a decently fast worker if nothing else as he gets Morita to wave at a slider outside for his first K.
But just as quickly as he got his first K, Muraki issues his first BB as well. Udaki-kantoku had initially called for the bunt from Nara, and Nara does eventually lay it down. It's a bit hard, but Muraki's only play winds up being at 1st.
Muraki leaves a ball over the plate and Itou takes it to center! Uchiyama has to play it on a hop and that allows Uenishi to score, giving Ritsumeikan Uji the quick 1-0 lead!
Takurou grounds to 2nd to end the inning, but another super-regional champ finds themselves behind.
Top 2nd
Horiuchi taking some pitches to start the 2nd, fights off a couple before earning a 9-pitch walk. Yasumoto the complete opposite, not only not bunting, but swinging away. He does fight off a fair number of pitches, but winds up going after a ball up and in for the K.
Nakano quickly falls behind himself and grounds to 1st. He hustles though, and avoids the double play.
That's good because Hirose lines a ball to right, advancing Nakano to 3rd and giving Shizuoka a chance to level the game.
Muraki though can't help his own cause. He chases a ball outside for Yamashita's 3rd K and just like that their chance is gone.
Bottom 2nd
Kitahara gets the engine started for Ritsumekan with a soft single to center. Momota bunts him along.
Nakahara with a line shot to the right side, but Tomoki makes a leaping jump for the 2nd out.
And now Ritsumeikan runs themselves out of the inning as Kitahara is caught napping by C Horiuchi. The rundown is rather poor, but it works nonetheless and the inning is over.
Top 3rd
Sanpei gets on base, but perhaps not in the manner he was hoping. Yamashita's first pitch plunks him. Nonetheless, a leadoff runner is a leadoff runner.
But Shizuoka isn't a bunting squad and Suzuki flies out to right on the first pitch.
That seems to suit them just fine though as Tomoki shoots one past a diving Uenishi into left for a base hit.
Uchiyama lines a ball to right! Sanpei is waved around, and the throw is late! Shizuoka ties the game up at 1-1!
Runners at the corners for Horiuchi and Yamashita leaves another one too much over the plate! He sends it to right, and it's plenty enough to get Tomoki in from 3rd and Shizuoka has taken the 2-1 lead!
Kuribayashi-kantoku looking to press the action sends Uchiyama to 2nd! Throw from Momota not in time, and now a base hit can score another.
Yasumoto meanwhile takes his first, and Yamashita's 3rd, free pass.
And what's this?? Nakano goes after a pitch shoulder high and lines it down the right field line! Uchiyama scores, Yasumoto being waved around, he scores all the way from 1st and Shizuoka has a 4-1 lead and still threatening for more!
Hirose puts some steam on a ball to the left side, but Morita is able to corral it and throw to 1st to finally end the inning, but not before Yamashita's control issues come back to bite him!
Bottom 3rd
Muraki getting healthy against the bottom of Ritsumeikan's lineup as he retires his 3rd consecutive batter in Yamashita with a flyout to center.
It's carrying into the top of the order as well, getting Morita and Uenishi to hit into routine outs for a clean frame.
Top 4th
Muraki even looks to help his own cause, going low to pound a ball to the right side that somehow escapes a diving Nakahara. It's now that we finally see our first bunt from the Shizuoka squad as Sanpei moves him along.
Suzuki tries to drive him in from his perch at the top of the order, but he's already regretting his swing on a ball outside as he goes down for the 2nd out.
Tomoki with a single to center, but Kitahara gets to it quickly and Muraki can't score from 3rd.
That helps out Yamashota a ton as the runner winds up being stranded at 3rd when Uchiyama flies out to left, ending the threat.'
Bottom 4th
Muraki's really into his groove now after the shaky 1st. He goes on to retire the heart of the Ritsumeikan order without too much trouble.
Top 5th
Horiuchi takes advantage of the free passes Yamashita is giving out and take his base to lead off the 5th. Now playing for a run, Yasumoto bunts him along. Hirano does the right thing thereafter, hitting a ground ball to the right side, which allows Horiuchi to take 3rd.
And Hirose delivers! He hits a grounder past a diving Takahashi into left, scoring Horiuchi to make it a 5-1 game.
Shizuoka continues to try and play add-on as Muraki singles to right! Hirose advances to 3rd on the play.
And while I think Sanpei is happy to be in the lineup, I don't think he particularly likes getting hit twice, but that's exactly what happens.to load the bases. Thankfully, it's the top of the order and Suzuki, who's 0-3 on the day.
Not anymore!! Suzuki goes down to dig a ball and serves it to right! Hirose and Muraki score, extending Shizuoka's lead to 7-1.
Tomoki golfs a ball into the air, and Morita secures it for the 3rd out. More walks lead to more runs, and an even larger deficit.
Bottom 5th
Kitahara looking for any way of getting on base, tries to work the count, but ends up swinging on a 3-2 fastball away for the first out.
Momota goes after the first pitch and he hits a routine grounder to short.
And Nakahara makes it a 1-2-3 inning as he quickly flies out to right. That brings us to the break and perhaps the hope this would be competitive is looking less and less likely. Yamashita's control issues from the aki taikais have carried over, and are producing the expected results. I don't expect that to change in the 2nd half of this game.
Top 6th
It's another free pass by Yamashita, this time to Uchiyama. That makes 6 in the game, and an average of 1 an inning.
There's no bunting this time around, but both Sugiuchi and Yasumoto pop out to the infield. The walk winds up not hurting Yamashita as Nakano flies out to left to end the inning. It's a well-needed donut for
Ritsumeikan.
Bottom 6th
Ritsumeikan finally gets a break when a grounder from Yamashita to start the inning glances off of Yasumoto's glove and behind him for an E6. As a precaution, Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
It also looks like Muraki's form is loosening a bit, but not necessarily enough to make a difference yet.
Morita isn't bunting, and down 6 that's understandable. But all he can do is pop out to Tomoki.
And now Udaki-kantoku calls for the bunt from Uenishi? That seems rather peculiar. Nonetheless he lays it down and moves the runner into scoring position with 2 out.
Nara gives the ball a good poke, but Sanpei makes a great pick and throw to 1st for the 3rd out. The error proves to be inconsequential.
Top 7th
Shizuoka meanwhile appears to be winding things down offensively. Players are still taking their hacks, but they're not looking to run up the score. They go 3 up and 3 down, looking to shorten the game, and get some rest.
Bottom 7th
Itou gets Ritsumeikan's 3rd hit of the game with a ball back up the middle for a leadoff single. Again, no bunting this time, but Takurou succumbs to the forkball for the first out.
Muraki does appear to be laboring a bit more now, as he had gone full on Takurou, and goes full on Kitahara. Muraki jams him, but Kitahara gets enough of it to bloop it into center for a base hit.
Muraki's pace is definitely slowing down, and he falls behind Momota 2-0. He fights back to fill up the count and gets Momota to go after a ball low. He makes contact, but it's a fly ball to right for the 2nd out. That definitely was ball 4.
And Nakahara perhaps didn't get the memo on Muraki as he swings on the first pitch and grounds to short. Yasumoto goes the short way and the side is retired.
Top 8th
It had been a while considering the clean innings post-break, but Yamashita still found a way to issue a free pass as Tomoki gets one with 1 down.
After Uchiyama goes down looking, Tomoki goes off and not only takes 2nd, but 3rd as well on back-to-back pitches.
And as if Yamashita heard me, he decides to go and freeze Horiuchi looking as well to end the inning.. No harm done.
Bottom 8th
Looks like Ritumeikan is also winding things down. Muraki needs just 8 pitches to retire the side.
Top 9th
Last ABs for Shizuoka and they're making the best of them. Yasumoto booms a ball to deep right center, but Kitahara is able to sprint over and run it down near the fence.
After a customary walk by Yamashita, Hirose grounds into a fielders' choice. Muraki collects his 3rd hit of the day with a liner to center.
And as for Sanpei, it appears the only way he gets on base is getting hit because he can't get one of his own. He hits a grounder to 3rd, and Uenishi goes the short way for the 3rd out.
Bottom 9th
Ritsumeikan Uji goes down in order, and the game mercifully ends.
Boy, these games have been brutal so far. But nothing so far surprising either. Ritsumeikan's pitching issues were the biggest elephant in the room, and that pretty much bore out as expected. It's also a wonder how Osaka Touin lost in a region appearing to be as weak as they are, but they also did face Tenri, and we haven't seen them yet. Shizuoka advances, but there's nothing to necessarily be taken from this game - except for the fact that Muraki already seemed to be unable to go a full game without some breakdown in his pitching. That will only get worse as the tournament progresses.
Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
RF Suzuki Shouhei
2B Ooshi Tomoki
CF Uchiyama Shun
C Horiuchi Kengo
SS Yasumoto Ryuuji
1B Hirano Hidemaru
LF Hirose Shun
P Muraki Fumiya
3B Sanpei Shinya (#13)
Ritsumeikan Uji (Kyoto)
SS Morita Kousuke
3B Uenishi Yoshiaki
RF Nara Shouhei
1B Itou Taiga
LF Fujioka Takurou
CF Kitahara Takuma
C Momota Fuutarou
2B Nakahara Yuuma
P Yamashita Taiga
______________________________________________________
12:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Shizuoka not necessarily testing ace Yamashita's control early as Suzuki grounds out to 2nd. Neither is Tomoki and he pops out to Nakahara in shallow right.
Uchiyama does wait, but falls behind 1-2. He levels the count, but then can't hold off the fastball up and in, and thankfully for Ritsumeikan's Udaki-kantoku, it's an uneventful 1st inning.
Bottom 1st
Muraki is a decently fast worker if nothing else as he gets Morita to wave at a slider outside for his first K.
But just as quickly as he got his first K, Muraki issues his first BB as well. Udaki-kantoku had initially called for the bunt from Nara, and Nara does eventually lay it down. It's a bit hard, but Muraki's only play winds up being at 1st.
Muraki leaves a ball over the plate and Itou takes it to center! Uchiyama has to play it on a hop and that allows Uenishi to score, giving Ritsumeikan Uji the quick 1-0 lead!
Takurou grounds to 2nd to end the inning, but another super-regional champ finds themselves behind.
Top 2nd
Horiuchi taking some pitches to start the 2nd, fights off a couple before earning a 9-pitch walk. Yasumoto the complete opposite, not only not bunting, but swinging away. He does fight off a fair number of pitches, but winds up going after a ball up and in for the K.
Nakano quickly falls behind himself and grounds to 1st. He hustles though, and avoids the double play.
That's good because Hirose lines a ball to right, advancing Nakano to 3rd and giving Shizuoka a chance to level the game.
Muraki though can't help his own cause. He chases a ball outside for Yamashita's 3rd K and just like that their chance is gone.
Bottom 2nd
Kitahara gets the engine started for Ritsumekan with a soft single to center. Momota bunts him along.
Nakahara with a line shot to the right side, but Tomoki makes a leaping jump for the 2nd out.
And now Ritsumeikan runs themselves out of the inning as Kitahara is caught napping by C Horiuchi. The rundown is rather poor, but it works nonetheless and the inning is over.
Top 3rd
Sanpei gets on base, but perhaps not in the manner he was hoping. Yamashita's first pitch plunks him. Nonetheless, a leadoff runner is a leadoff runner.
But Shizuoka isn't a bunting squad and Suzuki flies out to right on the first pitch.
That seems to suit them just fine though as Tomoki shoots one past a diving Uenishi into left for a base hit.
Uchiyama lines a ball to right! Sanpei is waved around, and the throw is late! Shizuoka ties the game up at 1-1!
Runners at the corners for Horiuchi and Yamashita leaves another one too much over the plate! He sends it to right, and it's plenty enough to get Tomoki in from 3rd and Shizuoka has taken the 2-1 lead!
Kuribayashi-kantoku looking to press the action sends Uchiyama to 2nd! Throw from Momota not in time, and now a base hit can score another.
Yasumoto meanwhile takes his first, and Yamashita's 3rd, free pass.
And what's this?? Nakano goes after a pitch shoulder high and lines it down the right field line! Uchiyama scores, Yasumoto being waved around, he scores all the way from 1st and Shizuoka has a 4-1 lead and still threatening for more!
Hirose puts some steam on a ball to the left side, but Morita is able to corral it and throw to 1st to finally end the inning, but not before Yamashita's control issues come back to bite him!
Bottom 3rd
Muraki getting healthy against the bottom of Ritsumeikan's lineup as he retires his 3rd consecutive batter in Yamashita with a flyout to center.
It's carrying into the top of the order as well, getting Morita and Uenishi to hit into routine outs for a clean frame.
Top 4th
Muraki even looks to help his own cause, going low to pound a ball to the right side that somehow escapes a diving Nakahara. It's now that we finally see our first bunt from the Shizuoka squad as Sanpei moves him along.
Suzuki tries to drive him in from his perch at the top of the order, but he's already regretting his swing on a ball outside as he goes down for the 2nd out.
Tomoki with a single to center, but Kitahara gets to it quickly and Muraki can't score from 3rd.
That helps out Yamashota a ton as the runner winds up being stranded at 3rd when Uchiyama flies out to left, ending the threat.'
Bottom 4th
Muraki's really into his groove now after the shaky 1st. He goes on to retire the heart of the Ritsumeikan order without too much trouble.
Top 5th
Horiuchi takes advantage of the free passes Yamashita is giving out and take his base to lead off the 5th. Now playing for a run, Yasumoto bunts him along. Hirano does the right thing thereafter, hitting a ground ball to the right side, which allows Horiuchi to take 3rd.
And Hirose delivers! He hits a grounder past a diving Takahashi into left, scoring Horiuchi to make it a 5-1 game.
Shizuoka continues to try and play add-on as Muraki singles to right! Hirose advances to 3rd on the play.
And while I think Sanpei is happy to be in the lineup, I don't think he particularly likes getting hit twice, but that's exactly what happens.to load the bases. Thankfully, it's the top of the order and Suzuki, who's 0-3 on the day.
Not anymore!! Suzuki goes down to dig a ball and serves it to right! Hirose and Muraki score, extending Shizuoka's lead to 7-1.
Tomoki golfs a ball into the air, and Morita secures it for the 3rd out. More walks lead to more runs, and an even larger deficit.
Bottom 5th
Kitahara looking for any way of getting on base, tries to work the count, but ends up swinging on a 3-2 fastball away for the first out.
Momota goes after the first pitch and he hits a routine grounder to short.
And Nakahara makes it a 1-2-3 inning as he quickly flies out to right. That brings us to the break and perhaps the hope this would be competitive is looking less and less likely. Yamashita's control issues from the aki taikais have carried over, and are producing the expected results. I don't expect that to change in the 2nd half of this game.
Top 6th
It's another free pass by Yamashita, this time to Uchiyama. That makes 6 in the game, and an average of 1 an inning.
There's no bunting this time around, but both Sugiuchi and Yasumoto pop out to the infield. The walk winds up not hurting Yamashita as Nakano flies out to left to end the inning. It's a well-needed donut for
Ritsumeikan.
Bottom 6th
Ritsumeikan finally gets a break when a grounder from Yamashita to start the inning glances off of Yasumoto's glove and behind him for an E6. As a precaution, Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
It also looks like Muraki's form is loosening a bit, but not necessarily enough to make a difference yet.
Morita isn't bunting, and down 6 that's understandable. But all he can do is pop out to Tomoki.
And now Udaki-kantoku calls for the bunt from Uenishi? That seems rather peculiar. Nonetheless he lays it down and moves the runner into scoring position with 2 out.
Nara gives the ball a good poke, but Sanpei makes a great pick and throw to 1st for the 3rd out. The error proves to be inconsequential.
Top 7th
Shizuoka meanwhile appears to be winding things down offensively. Players are still taking their hacks, but they're not looking to run up the score. They go 3 up and 3 down, looking to shorten the game, and get some rest.
Bottom 7th
Itou gets Ritsumeikan's 3rd hit of the game with a ball back up the middle for a leadoff single. Again, no bunting this time, but Takurou succumbs to the forkball for the first out.
Muraki does appear to be laboring a bit more now, as he had gone full on Takurou, and goes full on Kitahara. Muraki jams him, but Kitahara gets enough of it to bloop it into center for a base hit.
Muraki's pace is definitely slowing down, and he falls behind Momota 2-0. He fights back to fill up the count and gets Momota to go after a ball low. He makes contact, but it's a fly ball to right for the 2nd out. That definitely was ball 4.
And Nakahara perhaps didn't get the memo on Muraki as he swings on the first pitch and grounds to short. Yasumoto goes the short way and the side is retired.
Top 8th
It had been a while considering the clean innings post-break, but Yamashita still found a way to issue a free pass as Tomoki gets one with 1 down.
After Uchiyama goes down looking, Tomoki goes off and not only takes 2nd, but 3rd as well on back-to-back pitches.
And as if Yamashita heard me, he decides to go and freeze Horiuchi looking as well to end the inning.. No harm done.
Bottom 8th
Looks like Ritumeikan is also winding things down. Muraki needs just 8 pitches to retire the side.
Top 9th
Last ABs for Shizuoka and they're making the best of them. Yasumoto booms a ball to deep right center, but Kitahara is able to sprint over and run it down near the fence.
After a customary walk by Yamashita, Hirose grounds into a fielders' choice. Muraki collects his 3rd hit of the day with a liner to center.
And as for Sanpei, it appears the only way he gets on base is getting hit because he can't get one of his own. He hits a grounder to 3rd, and Uenishi goes the short way for the 3rd out.
Bottom 9th
Ritsumeikan Uji goes down in order, and the game mercifully ends.
Boy, these games have been brutal so far. But nothing so far surprising either. Ritsumeikan's pitching issues were the biggest elephant in the room, and that pretty much bore out as expected. It's also a wonder how Osaka Touin lost in a region appearing to be as weak as they are, but they also did face Tenri, and we haven't seen them yet. Shizuoka advances, but there's nothing to necessarily be taken from this game - except for the fact that Muraki already seemed to be unable to go a full game without some breakdown in his pitching. That will only get worse as the tournament progresses.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Reviewing the field - Tokai champions Shizuoka
It's not a straight shot, but a Limited Express Shinano and a Shinkansen Hikari away brings us to the Tokai region and their champion Shizuoka. Not much of a surprise here given they have surged to the top of the prefecture, passing schools like Tokoha Kikugawa and their sister school Tokoha Tachibana.
Speaking of which, right off the bat they had to play Tokoha Tachibana. They still won via mercy rule, but they gave up 5 runs - which normally that early on is not a good sign. But given their opponent and it was their first game, they get a pass. After that, it was a breeze to the final wherein ace Muraki Fumiya (村木 文哉) probably tired out. They still defeated Hamamatsu Shuugakusha 13-8, but by that time it was his 4th game in the span of 1 week.
The super-regionals went just about as easy mercy-ruling both of their opponents - including Nichidai Mishima (again), setting up a final against Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou. Once again, Muraki was pitching multiple games on short rest, and he was again relieved. Shizuoka would eventually win 7-6 in 12 innings to claim the title.
Despite almost 3 weeks off, Muraki wasn't on his A-game against Toukaidai Sugao at Meiji Jingu and as a result were one-and-done.
Muraki is apparently a standard fare pitcher who can throw in the mid-130s. He only struck out a tick over 7 batters per 9, while his WHIP is a shade under 1.20. #10 Muramatsu Ryuutarou (村松 遼太朗) is the main backup, but his numbers were not better.
Offensively, the team hit a gaudy 0.419, with double digit hits in 9 of their 11 games. But given the competition, it certainly should be scaled back. 5 players were able to tack a HR to their stats, but the 2 players to look out for are the 4-5 combo of C Horiuchi Kengo (堀内 謙伍) and SS Yasumoto Ryuuji (安本 竜二). There's also LF Hirose Shun (廣瀬 舜), but for the most part everyone else are singles hitters.
Shizuoka gets a bit of an ask in Ritsumeikan Uji to start. It's not out of their reach, and the next game against either Kisaradzu Sougou or Okayama Ridai Fuzoku isn't out of the question either given that Muraki will get 4 full days off between games. After that though may prove to be too much for the Tokai champs.
Speaking of which, right off the bat they had to play Tokoha Tachibana. They still won via mercy rule, but they gave up 5 runs - which normally that early on is not a good sign. But given their opponent and it was their first game, they get a pass. After that, it was a breeze to the final wherein ace Muraki Fumiya (村木 文哉) probably tired out. They still defeated Hamamatsu Shuugakusha 13-8, but by that time it was his 4th game in the span of 1 week.
The super-regionals went just about as easy mercy-ruling both of their opponents - including Nichidai Mishima (again), setting up a final against Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou. Once again, Muraki was pitching multiple games on short rest, and he was again relieved. Shizuoka would eventually win 7-6 in 12 innings to claim the title.
Despite almost 3 weeks off, Muraki wasn't on his A-game against Toukaidai Sugao at Meiji Jingu and as a result were one-and-done.
Muraki is apparently a standard fare pitcher who can throw in the mid-130s. He only struck out a tick over 7 batters per 9, while his WHIP is a shade under 1.20. #10 Muramatsu Ryuutarou (村松 遼太朗) is the main backup, but his numbers were not better.
Offensively, the team hit a gaudy 0.419, with double digit hits in 9 of their 11 games. But given the competition, it certainly should be scaled back. 5 players were able to tack a HR to their stats, but the 2 players to look out for are the 4-5 combo of C Horiuchi Kengo (堀内 謙伍) and SS Yasumoto Ryuuji (安本 竜二). There's also LF Hirose Shun (廣瀬 舜), but for the most part everyone else are singles hitters.
Shizuoka gets a bit of an ask in Ritsumeikan Uji to start. It's not out of their reach, and the next game against either Kisaradzu Sougou or Okayama Ridai Fuzoku isn't out of the question either given that Muraki will get 4 full days off between games. After that though may prove to be too much for the Tokai champs.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Day 2, Game 2 - Shizuoka (Shizuoka) v. Seiryou (Ishikawa)
Well, the 2nd day seems to be more of the same, wonder if it'll keep up in our 2nd game.
Shizuoka did have to face some stronger competition, but it was their first game they almost got tripped up. A 2-2 draw against Suruga Sougou which they won 10-1. Then a 6-3 win over Tokoha Tachibana, and a 3-2 win over Kakogawa Nishi for the title.
Seiryou's only close game was their final where they came back from down 8-0 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Komatsu Ootani 9-8. But outside of that game against that Tier 3 school, there were no other opponents of note.
I have a personal rooting interest in the game, but if you want my unbiased opinion, Shizuoka has at least had some testing done during the summer, which I can't say for Seiryou - and the one game they did have they were outplayed for 8.5 innings.
Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
CF Uchiyama Shun
2B Ooishi Tomoki
1B Kishiyama Tomohiro
C Horiuchi Kengo
SS Yasumoto Ryuuji
RF Suzuku Shouhei
3B Hirano Hidemaru
P Tsujimoto Hiromu
LF Koura Masaki
Seiryou (Ishikawa)
CF Tanigawa Touma
2B Nakamura Hayato
LF Fukushige Tatsumi
1B Murakami Kazuma
3B Yanase Takeshi
RF Satake Kaito
P Iwashita Daiki
SS Toratani Takaya
C Yokoyama Shouta
____________________________________________________________
11:03 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Uchiyama leads off the game with a base hit through the left side. Ooishi tries to bunt him over, but it's right at Iwashita. He goes to 2nd, and Toratani is taken out by Uchiyama. He gets a warning from the umpire, but I don't see anything too wrong with it.
Iwashita's control is wonting as Kishiyama fouls enough pitches to earn a walk, and then he uncorks one to the netting, advancing the runners. Hayashi-kantoku calls for time.
Despite the control issues, he gets cleanup batter Horiuchi to swing and miss on a forkball for the 2nd out.
Another wild pitch! Yokoyama can't get the glove up in time and Ooishi scrambles home to make it 1-0!
Yasumoto a hard ball up the line, goes off Yanase into foul territory! Kishiyama scores to make it a 2-0 game!
Suzuki grounds to short to end the inning, but it looks like Seiryou will be playing from behind again.
Bottom 1st
Tanigawa gives a Tsujimoto offering a ride, but Koura is there in front of the fence for the 1st out.
Nakamura attacks the first pitch and singles to center. Fukushige does the same and it's over Uchiyama's head! Nakamura scores and Seiryou immediately strikes back! RBI double makes it a 2-1 ball game!
Murakami with a liner to left! But Koura is there is there for the catch and Fukue is caught taking off for 3rd! Throw goes to Ooishi and it's an easy DP to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Shizuoka getting back to work on offense, hitting a single through a diving Yanase and Toratani for a base hit. He's moved over.
Koura, after working the count 3-0, has Iwashita find 2 pitches over the plate to fill up the count. He loses the battle after grounding back to Iwashita for the 2nd out.
Iwashita falls behind Uchiyama 2-0 as well, and he's having trouble locating his off-speed pitches. This time he's not as lucky as he walks Uchiyama.
And he's behind Ooishi 2-0, but Ooishi does go after the next pitch.
It's a weak swing, but the ball somehow finds its way through Yanase and Toratani for a base hit! Hirano is waved around, the throw from Fukue.... Not in time! Hirano just gets the hand in there and Shizuoka leads 3-1!
Time is called yet again by Hayashi-kantoku.
Kishiyama meanwhile apparently didn't get the memo that Iwashita is having trouble throwing strikes. He swings on the first pitch and quickly finds himself down 0-2.
I thought it might be a ploy to get him to throw balls, but nope, he chases a 1-2 slider for the 3rd out. Still Shizuoka scraps that run back to lead again by 2.
Bottom 2nd
Tsujimoto almost gets a clean inning, but after 2 routine grounders, Iwashita chops a ball back up the middle for a base hit.
But Tsujimoto gets yet another groundball from Toratani and Yasumoto is right at the bag to record the 3rd out.
Top 3rd
Horiuchi hits a shot right back at Iwashita. He can get part of the glove on it, but it goes to center for a base hit. Yasumoto bunts him along.
Oh?! Horiuchi takes off for 3rd on a blocked ball in the dirt! Throw from Yokoyama not in time!
Ahead 3-1, Suzuki swings away, but grounds to 2nd! Horiuchi can't advance home and there's 2 outs.
Shizuoka's batters not understanding that Iwashita is struggling and are swinging away. Hirano takes two bad swings, and the third is a flyout to left to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
Yokoyama's head sliding makes a great play by Yasumoto closer than it needs to be, but I guess if you want to glide in like an airplane, knock yourself out. He's bunted to 2nd.
Nakamura attacks the first pitch, but pops out to Ooishi for the 2nd out.
Grounder to short... AH!
Yasumoto picks up his glove early and it goes into left! That error is a gift run for Seiryou and it's 3-2!
Cleanup batter Murakami in a prolonged AB with Tsujimoto, goes for the gusto and drive one to left. But hes under it and Koura is there to make the catch for the 3rd out. But a key error narrows the deficit to 1.
Top 4th
Control issues still plague Iwashita as he issues his 3rd walk to Koura with 1 down.
Koura takes off for 2nd, throw from Yokoyama... OUT! It looks close and I'm not sure if he didn't get in before, but my opinion doesn't matter. There 2 down now, and make that 3 as Uchiyama grounds to 2nd fo rhe 3rd out.
Bottom 4th
Boy, I just posted the last half-inning update, and in 6 pitches, the side is retired! Only Iwashita takes more than just 1 pitch in that inning.
Top 5th
Shizuoka still thinking it's better to swing away, gives the defense easy outs with ground balls. Kishiyama was up 3-1, but rolled a ball to short for the 2nd out.
Horiuchi falls behind 1-2, and goes after an inside fastball for strike 3. Iwashita hanging in there despite the continued control issues, retires side in order.
Bottom 5th
Well, this is interesting, #10 Muranaka comes in to hit for Toratani. But that doesn't work out as he grounds to short.
Yokoyama gets a clean hit his 2nd time up with a single through the right side.
No bunt from Tanigawa, and he winds up going down swinging. Nakamura getting his hacks in, fouling several pitches off to stay alive.
Grounder to right side! Ooishi runs it down in the outfield grass... spin throw to 1st... in time!
So we hit the break with what looked like a possible one-sided affair instead a close game with Iwashita for Seiryou hanging on to keep his squad in the game.
Top 6th
Muranaka stays in the game to play 2B, Nakamura goes to SS. Try not messing that up something during the rest of the game.
Yasumoto leads off the inning with a single to shallow left. As expected, he is advanced 90 feet.
Whether intentional or not (prolly not given his control issues), he walks Hirano on 4 straight.
Tsujimoto hits a grounder to short, Nakamura goes to Muranaka for 1, relay to 1st, in time for the double play to end the inning! Chance for Shizuoka goes begging to open the 2nd half of play.
Bottom 6th
Defense seeming to let Tsujimoto down as a routine grounder to 2nd is muffed by Ooishi. It looks to be another problem of anticipating the play. Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
No bunting for Murakami with no outs though. He's getting his money's worth, sharply fouling off some balls, merely staying alive on others.
But on the 9th pitch, he lets a slider by that's just too close, and he's rung up!
Desperate for a run, Yanase lays down the bunt, leaving it to Satake, but he doesn't have a base hit on the day.
SANSHIN!!!!
Satake goes down swinging on the changeup and once again Tsujimoto holds the line!
Top 7th
Shizuoka playing the losing proposition of swinging at Iwashita's pitches, Koura actually tries a bunt, but pops out. Uchiyama is jammed and hits one back to Iwashita.
Ooishi gets ahead 3-1, but chases the high fastball before being bailed out on a ball way up and in. He takes off for 2nd, and Yokoyama's double clutch allows him to get in safely.
Kishiyama grounder to left side, Yanase can't make diving pick! Ooishi comes around to score and Shizuoka takes a 4-2 lead!
Horiuchi grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, but not before Shizuoka picks up a crucial insurance run!
Bottom 7th
Muranaka just pounds a high bounder over the mound. Yasumoto tries to play the ball as quickly as he can, but it just hangs in the air for way too long.
AH!!!! Groudner to 2nd by Yokoyama is flubbed by Ooishi and his 2nd error gives Seiryou life here in the lucky 7th!
Grounder to the right side, everyone's out of position! Kishiyama runs to the ball goes to 2nd??!! That's not in time and the throw goes into left! Muranaka scores and it's 4-3!!
Time is called, but the defense for Shizuoka is getting sketchier and sketchier by the minute.
The collapse is almost complete as Nakamura singles to right! There will be no throw home and Seiryou has tied the game at 4-4!
Tsujimoto decides then to bypass the infield, and gets both Fukushige and Murakami to fly out to end the inning. But the damage has more than been done. Despite the tie, Shizuoka is on the verge of losing the game.
Top 8th
Yasumoto tries to go deep on Iwashita, but Satake makes the leaping catch to keep that from happening.
Suzuki gets ahead in the count, but winds up taking a pitch too close and goes down looking.
And with Hirano going after a 3-1 pitch and grounding to 2nd, momentum is officially with Seiryou.
Bottom 8th
The gallows are being prepared as Yanase takes a slider to center for a base hit.
Satake looks to be laying the bunt, but winds up taking strike 2! He lays down the bunt on the three bunt and manages to advance the runner.
Iwashita with a drive to right center, and that will go to the wall! Yanase easily scores and the hatchet comes down on Shizuoka! Iwashita completes the comeback with a RBI double! 5-4!
Yokoyama goes down swinging, but that doesn't matter, what does is that Seiryou has taken the lead when it matters, Shizuoka is down to their final 3 outs!
Top 9th
Shizuoka pulling all the emergency handles. #17 Mochidzuki in to hit for Tsujimoto.
But he goes down swinging on an inside forkball for the 1st out.
Another PH as #13 Katou comes in to hit for Koura. Seiryou counters with sending #15 Takeya to take over in RF.
Katou on the 2-2 pitch booms a ball to left, but it goes foul.
Instead the high fastball does him in and there's 2 out.
Uchiyama fittingly goes down swinging on a high fastball and the game is over. Seiryou gives Shizuoka the rope to hang themselves and they do so willingly 5-4.
While this was a comeback, this I think was much different than the Komatsu Ootani win. There, the opponent had the pressure of finally slaying the dragon. Here, Shizuoka took the lead they had and told Seiryou they liked it, but didn't want it anymore. 4 errors, all by the infield and 3 by the players up the middle were more than enough to do them in.
Furthermore, whatever Shizuoka's strategy was early versus Seiryou ace Iwashita, they changed it somewhere around the 4th or 5th inning when they decided they could attack his pitches. This despite the fact he was struggling with his control. That allowed him to gain confidence and settle down for the stretch run.
Well, the better team won today and Seiryou is on to the 2nd round.
Notable Players
Iwashita Daiki (Seiryou) - 2-4, 2B, GW RBI
Nakamura Hayato (Seiryou) - 2-4, R, RBI
Tsujimoto Hiromu (Shizuoka) - CG, 5 R, 2 ER, 9 H, 4 K, 0 BB
Yasumoto Ryuuji (Shizuoka) - 2-3, RBI
Ooishi Tomoki (Shizuoka) - 1-2, BB, 2 R, RBI, SB, 2 E
Shizuoka did have to face some stronger competition, but it was their first game they almost got tripped up. A 2-2 draw against Suruga Sougou which they won 10-1. Then a 6-3 win over Tokoha Tachibana, and a 3-2 win over Kakogawa Nishi for the title.
Seiryou's only close game was their final where they came back from down 8-0 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Komatsu Ootani 9-8. But outside of that game against that Tier 3 school, there were no other opponents of note.
I have a personal rooting interest in the game, but if you want my unbiased opinion, Shizuoka has at least had some testing done during the summer, which I can't say for Seiryou - and the one game they did have they were outplayed for 8.5 innings.
Shizuoka (Shizuoka)
CF Uchiyama Shun
2B Ooishi Tomoki
1B Kishiyama Tomohiro
C Horiuchi Kengo
SS Yasumoto Ryuuji
RF Suzuku Shouhei
3B Hirano Hidemaru
P Tsujimoto Hiromu
LF Koura Masaki
Seiryou (Ishikawa)
CF Tanigawa Touma
2B Nakamura Hayato
LF Fukushige Tatsumi
1B Murakami Kazuma
3B Yanase Takeshi
RF Satake Kaito
P Iwashita Daiki
SS Toratani Takaya
C Yokoyama Shouta
11:03 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Uchiyama leads off the game with a base hit through the left side. Ooishi tries to bunt him over, but it's right at Iwashita. He goes to 2nd, and Toratani is taken out by Uchiyama. He gets a warning from the umpire, but I don't see anything too wrong with it.
Iwashita's control is wonting as Kishiyama fouls enough pitches to earn a walk, and then he uncorks one to the netting, advancing the runners. Hayashi-kantoku calls for time.
Despite the control issues, he gets cleanup batter Horiuchi to swing and miss on a forkball for the 2nd out.
Another wild pitch! Yokoyama can't get the glove up in time and Ooishi scrambles home to make it 1-0!
Yasumoto a hard ball up the line, goes off Yanase into foul territory! Kishiyama scores to make it a 2-0 game!
Suzuki grounds to short to end the inning, but it looks like Seiryou will be playing from behind again.
Bottom 1st
Tanigawa gives a Tsujimoto offering a ride, but Koura is there in front of the fence for the 1st out.
Nakamura attacks the first pitch and singles to center. Fukushige does the same and it's over Uchiyama's head! Nakamura scores and Seiryou immediately strikes back! RBI double makes it a 2-1 ball game!
Murakami with a liner to left! But Koura is there is there for the catch and Fukue is caught taking off for 3rd! Throw goes to Ooishi and it's an easy DP to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Shizuoka getting back to work on offense, hitting a single through a diving Yanase and Toratani for a base hit. He's moved over.
Koura, after working the count 3-0, has Iwashita find 2 pitches over the plate to fill up the count. He loses the battle after grounding back to Iwashita for the 2nd out.
Iwashita falls behind Uchiyama 2-0 as well, and he's having trouble locating his off-speed pitches. This time he's not as lucky as he walks Uchiyama.
And he's behind Ooishi 2-0, but Ooishi does go after the next pitch.
It's a weak swing, but the ball somehow finds its way through Yanase and Toratani for a base hit! Hirano is waved around, the throw from Fukue.... Not in time! Hirano just gets the hand in there and Shizuoka leads 3-1!
Time is called yet again by Hayashi-kantoku.
Kishiyama meanwhile apparently didn't get the memo that Iwashita is having trouble throwing strikes. He swings on the first pitch and quickly finds himself down 0-2.
I thought it might be a ploy to get him to throw balls, but nope, he chases a 1-2 slider for the 3rd out. Still Shizuoka scraps that run back to lead again by 2.
Bottom 2nd
Tsujimoto almost gets a clean inning, but after 2 routine grounders, Iwashita chops a ball back up the middle for a base hit.
But Tsujimoto gets yet another groundball from Toratani and Yasumoto is right at the bag to record the 3rd out.
Top 3rd
Horiuchi hits a shot right back at Iwashita. He can get part of the glove on it, but it goes to center for a base hit. Yasumoto bunts him along.
Oh?! Horiuchi takes off for 3rd on a blocked ball in the dirt! Throw from Yokoyama not in time!
Ahead 3-1, Suzuki swings away, but grounds to 2nd! Horiuchi can't advance home and there's 2 outs.
Shizuoka's batters not understanding that Iwashita is struggling and are swinging away. Hirano takes two bad swings, and the third is a flyout to left to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd
Yokoyama's head sliding makes a great play by Yasumoto closer than it needs to be, but I guess if you want to glide in like an airplane, knock yourself out. He's bunted to 2nd.
Nakamura attacks the first pitch, but pops out to Ooishi for the 2nd out.
Grounder to short... AH!
Yasumoto picks up his glove early and it goes into left! That error is a gift run for Seiryou and it's 3-2!
Cleanup batter Murakami in a prolonged AB with Tsujimoto, goes for the gusto and drive one to left. But hes under it and Koura is there to make the catch for the 3rd out. But a key error narrows the deficit to 1.
Top 4th
Control issues still plague Iwashita as he issues his 3rd walk to Koura with 1 down.
Koura takes off for 2nd, throw from Yokoyama... OUT! It looks close and I'm not sure if he didn't get in before, but my opinion doesn't matter. There 2 down now, and make that 3 as Uchiyama grounds to 2nd fo rhe 3rd out.
Bottom 4th
Boy, I just posted the last half-inning update, and in 6 pitches, the side is retired! Only Iwashita takes more than just 1 pitch in that inning.
Top 5th
Shizuoka still thinking it's better to swing away, gives the defense easy outs with ground balls. Kishiyama was up 3-1, but rolled a ball to short for the 2nd out.
Horiuchi falls behind 1-2, and goes after an inside fastball for strike 3. Iwashita hanging in there despite the continued control issues, retires side in order.
Bottom 5th
Well, this is interesting, #10 Muranaka comes in to hit for Toratani. But that doesn't work out as he grounds to short.
Yokoyama gets a clean hit his 2nd time up with a single through the right side.
No bunt from Tanigawa, and he winds up going down swinging. Nakamura getting his hacks in, fouling several pitches off to stay alive.
Grounder to right side! Ooishi runs it down in the outfield grass... spin throw to 1st... in time!
So we hit the break with what looked like a possible one-sided affair instead a close game with Iwashita for Seiryou hanging on to keep his squad in the game.
Top 6th
Muranaka stays in the game to play 2B, Nakamura goes to SS. Try not messing that up something during the rest of the game.
Yasumoto leads off the inning with a single to shallow left. As expected, he is advanced 90 feet.
Whether intentional or not (prolly not given his control issues), he walks Hirano on 4 straight.
Tsujimoto hits a grounder to short, Nakamura goes to Muranaka for 1, relay to 1st, in time for the double play to end the inning! Chance for Shizuoka goes begging to open the 2nd half of play.
Bottom 6th
Defense seeming to let Tsujimoto down as a routine grounder to 2nd is muffed by Ooishi. It looks to be another problem of anticipating the play. Kuribayashi-kantoku calls for time.
No bunting for Murakami with no outs though. He's getting his money's worth, sharply fouling off some balls, merely staying alive on others.
But on the 9th pitch, he lets a slider by that's just too close, and he's rung up!
Desperate for a run, Yanase lays down the bunt, leaving it to Satake, but he doesn't have a base hit on the day.
SANSHIN!!!!
Satake goes down swinging on the changeup and once again Tsujimoto holds the line!
Top 7th
Shizuoka playing the losing proposition of swinging at Iwashita's pitches, Koura actually tries a bunt, but pops out. Uchiyama is jammed and hits one back to Iwashita.
Ooishi gets ahead 3-1, but chases the high fastball before being bailed out on a ball way up and in. He takes off for 2nd, and Yokoyama's double clutch allows him to get in safely.
Kishiyama grounder to left side, Yanase can't make diving pick! Ooishi comes around to score and Shizuoka takes a 4-2 lead!
Horiuchi grounds out to 2nd to end the inning, but not before Shizuoka picks up a crucial insurance run!
Bottom 7th
Muranaka just pounds a high bounder over the mound. Yasumoto tries to play the ball as quickly as he can, but it just hangs in the air for way too long.
AH!!!! Groudner to 2nd by Yokoyama is flubbed by Ooishi and his 2nd error gives Seiryou life here in the lucky 7th!
Grounder to the right side, everyone's out of position! Kishiyama runs to the ball goes to 2nd??!! That's not in time and the throw goes into left! Muranaka scores and it's 4-3!!
Time is called, but the defense for Shizuoka is getting sketchier and sketchier by the minute.
The collapse is almost complete as Nakamura singles to right! There will be no throw home and Seiryou has tied the game at 4-4!
Tsujimoto decides then to bypass the infield, and gets both Fukushige and Murakami to fly out to end the inning. But the damage has more than been done. Despite the tie, Shizuoka is on the verge of losing the game.
Top 8th
Yasumoto tries to go deep on Iwashita, but Satake makes the leaping catch to keep that from happening.
Suzuki gets ahead in the count, but winds up taking a pitch too close and goes down looking.
And with Hirano going after a 3-1 pitch and grounding to 2nd, momentum is officially with Seiryou.
Bottom 8th
The gallows are being prepared as Yanase takes a slider to center for a base hit.
Satake looks to be laying the bunt, but winds up taking strike 2! He lays down the bunt on the three bunt and manages to advance the runner.
Iwashita with a drive to right center, and that will go to the wall! Yanase easily scores and the hatchet comes down on Shizuoka! Iwashita completes the comeback with a RBI double! 5-4!
Yokoyama goes down swinging, but that doesn't matter, what does is that Seiryou has taken the lead when it matters, Shizuoka is down to their final 3 outs!
Top 9th
Shizuoka pulling all the emergency handles. #17 Mochidzuki in to hit for Tsujimoto.
But he goes down swinging on an inside forkball for the 1st out.
Another PH as #13 Katou comes in to hit for Koura. Seiryou counters with sending #15 Takeya to take over in RF.
Katou on the 2-2 pitch booms a ball to left, but it goes foul.
Instead the high fastball does him in and there's 2 out.
Uchiyama fittingly goes down swinging on a high fastball and the game is over. Seiryou gives Shizuoka the rope to hang themselves and they do so willingly 5-4.
While this was a comeback, this I think was much different than the Komatsu Ootani win. There, the opponent had the pressure of finally slaying the dragon. Here, Shizuoka took the lead they had and told Seiryou they liked it, but didn't want it anymore. 4 errors, all by the infield and 3 by the players up the middle were more than enough to do them in.
Furthermore, whatever Shizuoka's strategy was early versus Seiryou ace Iwashita, they changed it somewhere around the 4th or 5th inning when they decided they could attack his pitches. This despite the fact he was struggling with his control. That allowed him to gain confidence and settle down for the stretch run.
Well, the better team won today and Seiryou is on to the 2nd round.
Notable Players
Iwashita Daiki (Seiryou) - 2-4, 2B, GW RBI
Nakamura Hayato (Seiryou) - 2-4, R, RBI
Tsujimoto Hiromu (Shizuoka) - CG, 5 R, 2 ER, 9 H, 4 K, 0 BB
Yasumoto Ryuuji (Shizuoka) - 2-3, RBI
Ooishi Tomoki (Shizuoka) - 1-2, BB, 2 R, RBI, SB, 2 E
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Aki Taikai Reacp-to-date - Tokai
Tokai is just about completed, with the urban Aichi to have their final games this weekend. All prefectures qualify 3 teams to the Super-Regional.
Shizuoka
Shizuoka wound up being fairly scratch - at least up until the semifinals.
Tokoha Tachibana had two straight scares in the prefecutrals beating Kakegawa Nishi in 10 innings, then needing 12 to defeat Iwata Higashi. There was the possibility that they'd face their sister school Tokoha Kikugawa in the semfinals, but Gotenba Nishi actually quashed that in their first game.
In the end it wound up not being Gotenba Nishi, but Shizuoka Shougyou who also won 2 close affairs with a 6-5 win over Hamamatsu Shougyou then a 13-inning marathon over the aforementioned Gotenba Nishi. And in that semifinal, Shizuoka Shougyou actually had a relative easier time winning 8-4 to secure a spot in the Super-Regional.
It actually wound up not being easy for any of the powerhouses early as on the other half Seisei and Shizuoka almost stumbled in their first game but made their way to the semifinals. In that matchup Shizuoka would triumph with a 4-2 win, sending Seisei into a winner to Super-Regional game. Sadly for Seisei, they would fall once again to Tokoha Tachibana 3-2 and be eliminated from contention.
And for the title and a bye, Shizuoka would win another extra inning affair with a 3-2 win in 11 innings.
Aichi
I won't even begin to say I understand how Aichi's Aki Taikai works. 52 teams qualified for the prefecturals.
There would be no repeat for Aikoudai Meiden though as they fell hard in the round of 16 to Touhou getting mercy ruled 12-3. In fact, Touhou marched their way all to the final uncontested with their narrowest loss in the first round 5-0 to Komaki Minami!
As for the other half, Chuukyoudai Chuukyou seemed to be back on the rebound as they defeated Shigakukan and Aichi Keisei. However, they were steamrolled in the semifinals by unknown Toyokawa 10-0 in just 6 innings!! So they're sent to the 3rd place game to face Homare for the last bid. Should be no trouble, but you never know...
Gifu
Oh man, I thought Aichi's qualification process was convoluted... Gifu's makes even less sense! Some regions have a semi-round robin where you don't face everyone, instead of separating groups into their own - appearing to make it even less equitable.
Despite all that, Oogaki Nichidai gained momentum in the prefecturals, culminating in a 4-0 win over unknown Gifu Seitoku Gakuen to claim their 6th title.
Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou didn't even make it to the prefecturals, and Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou narrowly lost to Seki Shoukou, who went on the 3rd place game defeating Gifu Kougyou 6-0.
Mie
Mie was totally controlled by Mie, with the only challenge in a win over Inabe Sougou Gakuen in the semifinals (they made a first inning run stick for the entire game). Joining them in an automatic bid is Ise, who had some solid wins against Matsuzaka and Ise Kougyou, but like many couldn't keep up with Mie.
Not surprisingly, Inabe Sougou Gakuen took the 3rd place game easily against Tsuda Gakuen 9-1.
Shizuoka
Shizuoka wound up being fairly scratch - at least up until the semifinals.
Tokoha Tachibana had two straight scares in the prefecutrals beating Kakegawa Nishi in 10 innings, then needing 12 to defeat Iwata Higashi. There was the possibility that they'd face their sister school Tokoha Kikugawa in the semfinals, but Gotenba Nishi actually quashed that in their first game.
In the end it wound up not being Gotenba Nishi, but Shizuoka Shougyou who also won 2 close affairs with a 6-5 win over Hamamatsu Shougyou then a 13-inning marathon over the aforementioned Gotenba Nishi. And in that semifinal, Shizuoka Shougyou actually had a relative easier time winning 8-4 to secure a spot in the Super-Regional.
It actually wound up not being easy for any of the powerhouses early as on the other half Seisei and Shizuoka almost stumbled in their first game but made their way to the semifinals. In that matchup Shizuoka would triumph with a 4-2 win, sending Seisei into a winner to Super-Regional game. Sadly for Seisei, they would fall once again to Tokoha Tachibana 3-2 and be eliminated from contention.
And for the title and a bye, Shizuoka would win another extra inning affair with a 3-2 win in 11 innings.
Aichi
I won't even begin to say I understand how Aichi's Aki Taikai works. 52 teams qualified for the prefecturals.
There would be no repeat for Aikoudai Meiden though as they fell hard in the round of 16 to Touhou getting mercy ruled 12-3. In fact, Touhou marched their way all to the final uncontested with their narrowest loss in the first round 5-0 to Komaki Minami!
As for the other half, Chuukyoudai Chuukyou seemed to be back on the rebound as they defeated Shigakukan and Aichi Keisei. However, they were steamrolled in the semifinals by unknown Toyokawa 10-0 in just 6 innings!! So they're sent to the 3rd place game to face Homare for the last bid. Should be no trouble, but you never know...
Gifu
Oh man, I thought Aichi's qualification process was convoluted... Gifu's makes even less sense! Some regions have a semi-round robin where you don't face everyone, instead of separating groups into their own - appearing to make it even less equitable.
Despite all that, Oogaki Nichidai gained momentum in the prefecturals, culminating in a 4-0 win over unknown Gifu Seitoku Gakuen to claim their 6th title.
Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou didn't even make it to the prefecturals, and Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou narrowly lost to Seki Shoukou, who went on the 3rd place game defeating Gifu Kougyou 6-0.
Mie
Mie was totally controlled by Mie, with the only challenge in a win over Inabe Sougou Gakuen in the semifinals (they made a first inning run stick for the entire game). Joining them in an automatic bid is Ise, who had some solid wins against Matsuzaka and Ise Kougyou, but like many couldn't keep up with Mie.
Not surprisingly, Inabe Sougou Gakuen took the 3rd place game easily against Tsuda Gakuen 9-1.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Remaining prefectural titles recap (Part 3)
(My apologies to everyone reading the blog, I will probably not be able to finish these recaps before Natsu Koushien begins on Thursday. I was unusually busy during the prefectural taikai's and was not able to keep up as in past years. I will get to these when time allows, but I need to focus on Natsu Koushien itself.)
Gunma - Maebashi Ikuei (1st appearance)
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Tochigi - Sakushin Gakuin (9th appearance, 3rd consecutive)
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Saitama - Urawa Gakuin (12th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
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Kanagawa - Yokohama (15th appearance, 1st in 2 years)
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Aichi - Aikoudai Meiden (11th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
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Shizuoka - Tokoha Kikugawa (4th appearance, 1st in 5 years)
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Osaka - Osaka Touin (7th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
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Hyogo - Nishiwaki Kougyou (1st appearance)
Oh my god. First of all, can Hyogo figure out a better way to reschedule games than the current system? Teams were reassigned to different stadiums, some who were playing before other teams originally got rescheduled for after those same teams. It can't be that hard can it?
Yet despite rain-outs and bonkers rescheduling, 75% of the 16 block seeds actually advanced out of the block. The 4 that failed was Block 4 Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku (!), Block 9 Himeji Kougyou, Block 10 Houjyou, and Block 15 Kakogawa Kita (!). Of the seeds that advanced only Shiritsu Amagasaki and Yashiro actually blew through the block field. Everyone else seemed to struggle:
However, our first major casualty from the Round of 16 was Takigawa Dai-ni. They never led against Shiritsu Amagasaki, and despite a 2-run 8th fell 4-3. Houtoku Gakuen tossed a 4-hit shutout over Suma Shoufuu, and Touyoudai Himeji despite just 3 hits defeated Sanda Shousei 2-1 (How??!).
The other surprising things was that 3 of the 4 no-seeds to advance to the Round of 16 advanced to the Best 8. Though admittedly Block 4 Rokko Island has been an above average team.
The redraw for the Best 8 again had the powerhouse teams avoiding each other.
Mukonosou Sougou had the unfortunate draw of Houtoku Gakuen, and promptly were shutout - but not mercy ruled, which is good. Shiritsu Amagasaki's run ended at the hands of Touyoudai Himeji.
Rokko Island met fellow no-seed Ikuei... and were mercy ruled.
And then there was the curious case of Nishiwaki Kougyou. Never heard of them, never been to Koushien before.
In block play they started strong with a mercy-rule win over Aboshi. After that though, things got really hairy for them. Starting off with a 14 inning 4-3 win over Awaji Mihara, they broke a scoreless draw in the 7th over Ichikawa with 4 runs to advance out of the block. Then against Kakogawa Nishi, the fell behind 5-0, immediately clawed back to within 1, took the the lead late only to blow it in the bottom of the 9th - then won with 2 in the 10th.
If that wasn't enough, against Akashi Shougyou in the Best 8, they trailed 2-0 before rallying to win in the bottom of the 9th 3-2.
The cardiac kids decided comebacks were a bit too much, and while they gave up 2 runs in the first, quickly recovered and used a 5-run 7th to hold on for a 10-7 win. Quite nuts.
Meanwhile, Touyoudai Himeji and Houtoku Gakuen actually had a more normal game, but Houtoku Gakuen couldn't recover from a 2-run deficit falling 4-3.
So realistically, it looked like Touyoudai Himeji would ascend to the throne, because surely Nishiwaki Kougyou couldn't pull off the upset...
Right?
Not so fast there. In the 5th, Takami and Murakami would actually give Nishiwaki Kougyou a 2-0 lead. Ace Outa (翁田) would give up back-to-back timely hits to tie the game.
But bottom 9, LF Murakami starts off with a base hit to left center. He books it to 2nd and just beats the throw. After a sac bunt, Nishiwaki Kougyou has the sayonara run 90 feet away. They have no choice but to intentionally walk Nishizawa and Hieda to load the bases. That would bring up last batter Ishii. Nishiwaki would try the squeeze bunt, but Ishii popped it up and C Uraoka scampered back and made a great diving catch for two outs.
That left it up to leadoff batter Imai who was just 1-4 on the day. Two foul balls meant he was behind quickly. But on the very next pitch he'd hit a blooper to the right side. 2B Nishida would scramble back, dive.. but it would just be out of his reach! It falls in for the sayonara RBI as Nishiwaki Kougyou heads to their first Koushien tournament!
Gunma - Maebashi Ikuei (1st appearance)
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Tochigi - Sakushin Gakuin (9th appearance, 3rd consecutive)
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Saitama - Urawa Gakuin (12th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
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Kanagawa - Yokohama (15th appearance, 1st in 2 years)
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Aichi - Aikoudai Meiden (11th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
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Shizuoka - Tokoha Kikugawa (4th appearance, 1st in 5 years)
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Osaka - Osaka Touin (7th appearance, 2nd consecutive)
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Hyogo - Nishiwaki Kougyou (1st appearance)
Oh my god. First of all, can Hyogo figure out a better way to reschedule games than the current system? Teams were reassigned to different stadiums, some who were playing before other teams originally got rescheduled for after those same teams. It can't be that hard can it?
Yet despite rain-outs and bonkers rescheduling, 75% of the 16 block seeds actually advanced out of the block. The 4 that failed was Block 4 Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku (!), Block 9 Himeji Kougyou, Block 10 Houjyou, and Block 15 Kakogawa Kita (!). Of the seeds that advanced only Shiritsu Amagasaki and Yashiro actually blew through the block field. Everyone else seemed to struggle:
- Block 2 Houtoku Gakuen? They had an 11 inning affair against Shiritsu Himeji.
- Block 5 Defending Champion Takigawa Dai-ni? Ooh, not so good. Two low scoring affairs versus Ikuno and Hyogo Shougyou.
- Block 8 Touyoudai Himeji? 2-1 over Touban Kougyou in their 2nd game.
However, our first major casualty from the Round of 16 was Takigawa Dai-ni. They never led against Shiritsu Amagasaki, and despite a 2-run 8th fell 4-3. Houtoku Gakuen tossed a 4-hit shutout over Suma Shoufuu, and Touyoudai Himeji despite just 3 hits defeated Sanda Shousei 2-1 (How??!).
The other surprising things was that 3 of the 4 no-seeds to advance to the Round of 16 advanced to the Best 8. Though admittedly Block 4 Rokko Island has been an above average team.
The redraw for the Best 8 again had the powerhouse teams avoiding each other.
Mukonosou Sougou had the unfortunate draw of Houtoku Gakuen, and promptly were shutout - but not mercy ruled, which is good. Shiritsu Amagasaki's run ended at the hands of Touyoudai Himeji.
Rokko Island met fellow no-seed Ikuei... and were mercy ruled.
And then there was the curious case of Nishiwaki Kougyou. Never heard of them, never been to Koushien before.
In block play they started strong with a mercy-rule win over Aboshi. After that though, things got really hairy for them. Starting off with a 14 inning 4-3 win over Awaji Mihara, they broke a scoreless draw in the 7th over Ichikawa with 4 runs to advance out of the block. Then against Kakogawa Nishi, the fell behind 5-0, immediately clawed back to within 1, took the the lead late only to blow it in the bottom of the 9th - then won with 2 in the 10th.
If that wasn't enough, against Akashi Shougyou in the Best 8, they trailed 2-0 before rallying to win in the bottom of the 9th 3-2.
The cardiac kids decided comebacks were a bit too much, and while they gave up 2 runs in the first, quickly recovered and used a 5-run 7th to hold on for a 10-7 win. Quite nuts.
Meanwhile, Touyoudai Himeji and Houtoku Gakuen actually had a more normal game, but Houtoku Gakuen couldn't recover from a 2-run deficit falling 4-3.
So realistically, it looked like Touyoudai Himeji would ascend to the throne, because surely Nishiwaki Kougyou couldn't pull off the upset...
Right?
Not so fast there. In the 5th, Takami and Murakami would actually give Nishiwaki Kougyou a 2-0 lead. Ace Outa (翁田) would give up back-to-back timely hits to tie the game.
But bottom 9, LF Murakami starts off with a base hit to left center. He books it to 2nd and just beats the throw. After a sac bunt, Nishiwaki Kougyou has the sayonara run 90 feet away. They have no choice but to intentionally walk Nishizawa and Hieda to load the bases. That would bring up last batter Ishii. Nishiwaki would try the squeeze bunt, but Ishii popped it up and C Uraoka scampered back and made a great diving catch for two outs.
That left it up to leadoff batter Imai who was just 1-4 on the day. Two foul balls meant he was behind quickly. But on the very next pitch he'd hit a blooper to the right side. 2B Nishida would scramble back, dive.. but it would just be out of his reach! It falls in for the sayonara RBI as Nishiwaki Kougyou heads to their first Koushien tournament!
Friday, July 19, 2013
7/15 Update - Getting the small things done first...
And by that I mean I'm avoiding the bigger super-regions. There's just so many games to update.
Niigata
Niigata has fallen slightly behind due to a full rainout on the 13th and a partial one on the 14th. All but 3 9-16 seeded teams though have played. Only seeded upsets so far have occurred on the 9-16 seeds which can be expected. Matsudai, who in their first game scored 3 in the bottom of the 9th for the win after Arai scored 3 in the top of the inning, continued their ぎりぎり run defeating Tookamachi Sougou 2-1 while Mitsuke understandably fell to Teikyou Nagaoka 9-0.
Of the top 4 teams, only #2 Shibata Chuo really breezed through their first game. #1 Murakami Sakuragaoka and #3 Nihon Bunri both won, but not necessarily convincingly.. And #4 Niigata Kenou Kougyou actually trailed Nagaoka Nougyou 2-0 before coming back to win 4-3.
Over in Matsumoto the past couple of days we had one of the more uglier scores - Iwamurada annihilating Sonan 35-1 in 5 innings, followed by a nail-biting 3-2 sayonara victory by Suzaka over Matsumoto Misuzugaoka.
In Ueda, Toukai Dai-san overcame a 4-run 3rd from Komoro with a run in 5 of the first 6 innings for the win while Matushiro will look to make a miracle run with a 6-3 win over Koumi.
Meanwhile, over at Suwa-ko, in the battle of agricultural schools, Shimo-Ina Nougyou scores late defeating Minami-Adzumi Nougyou 7-4 while Okaya Minami walks off Shiojiri Shigakukan 2-1 in 11 and Chino's Kishima makes a lone run in the 2nd stick over Nozawa Minami.
And finally, in Olympic Stadium, both Nagano Nishi and Sakaki started the last two days with back and forth games before pulling away late to win 7-4. Shimo-Suwa Kouyou used a run in the top of the 9th to beat Iiyama 3-2.
The first full day of games were mostly close affairs highlighted by Toyama Hokubu who tied the game against Toyama Izumi at 4 in the 9th then broke out with 4 in the 11th for the win. On the other hand, poor Chuo Nougyou was blown out by Uodzu 37-0.
In comparison, the15th was the complete opposite with mostly lopsided games, one of the few exceptions being Fujikoshi Kougyou edging out Kouhou 2-1. Not surprisingly, if I told you that the seeded teams played on the 15th and all advanced, that would probably explain it. Only 5-8 seed Toyama Kokusaidai Fuzoku did not achieve a mercy rule win, though they did play Takaoka Kougyou.
What's more surprising than seeing a non-seeded Fukui Koudai Fukui? How about an unseeded Fukui Shougyou? That was the case as Maruoka stepped in the opposing dugout. They lasted 7 innings in an 8-0 loss. Fukushou will face Wakasa who was almost level with Fujishima for the entire game, and though let a 1-run lead slip in the 12th made sure to advance with 6 runs in the 13th inning.
Should Fukui Koudai Fukui upset Tsuruga Kehi, and Fukui Shougyou defeat Wakasa, there will be a semifinal matchup that in most years might be a semifinal matchup or better.
5 games on the full docket, and most were yawners except for Kanazawa Nishigaoka getting by Iida 3-1, and Kanazawa Shougyou outlasting Daishouji 3-2 in 11.
The 15th again was mostly the same with the exception of those at Benkei Stadium. There, Kenritsu Kougyou won the battle of industrial schools, defeating Komatsu Kougyou 1-0. Ootori Gakuen followed that up by using a run in the 6th and 7th innings to beat Kanazawa Kouyou 3-1.
The next day Higashi-Ootsu would win 2-1, though again, the rains would cancel all remaining games at Oujiyama though Moriyama Kita and Kousei would play 1 scoreless inning before the umpires thought better of it. Same over at Hikone with Kousen defeating Ootsu Shougyou 4-1 before games were cancelled.
The 15th was the first full day of games that were actually played, and over at Oujiyama Torahime rallies in the last 2 innings to beat Echiko 3-2, and Minakuchi uses a 2-run 8th for a gyakuten 4-3 win over Nagahama Kita.
In fact, all seeded teams that have played so far advanced without issue. They include Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku, Toukaidai Koufu and Fuji Gakuen.
In other action, Nirasaki Kougyou finds something in the well with their backs against the wall, scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Hokuto 2-1.
The games were much more tighter on the 14th in the C & D Blocks. So much so that C Block seed Mashita Seifu lost 1-0 to Gujyou in their first game! It wasn't the only close one in Takayama as Hida-Takayama tied it at 3 with Gifu Jyouhoku in the bottom of the 9th winning 3 innings later 4-3. Over in Seki Municipal, Mugi won a 14-inning marathon over Kamo 5-4. And in other action, a HR by Taniguchi was insufficient for Takayama Kougyou as they fell to Fuwa 2-1, and a 4-run flurry for Kani just fell short as they lost to seeded Nagara 5-4.
Back to Blocks A & B on the 15th and it was status quo for the seeded teams. Kanou gets another mention after surviving another 1-run game, this time 1-0 over Oogaki Kougyou, while Seki Shoukou uses a pair of runs in each of the final 2 innings to beat Ginan Kougyou.
And with so many games, there are bound to be many interesting games.
Such was the case with Kouyou on the 13th. After scoring 6 runs in the 6th to take a commanding 10-3 lead, Nanzan facing elimination replies with 7 runs in the next two innings to tie the game. Kouyou would win it in the bottom of the 9th 11-10. Sadly, Tokoname would dismiss them 2 days later 12-2 in 6 innings. Toukai Shougyou would just about replicate the feat in the very next game at Atsuta Jingu - but the biggest difference being that they score 6 runs in the final 2 innings, take the lead 8-7 giving Nishin Nishi no chance to reply.
Over in Toyoda, Okazaki Jyousei let an early 5-0 lead slip away versus Gamagoori, but scored 2 in the top of the 9th to save the win. However, their next opponent would be Shigakukan (who isn't a bad team in Aichi) and while they gave them a decent run, they would lose 4-0.
To the 14th and Nagakute bookended a 12 inning affair with Kira with 3 runs for a 6-3 victory. Rather fortunate considering they allowed Kira to tie the game in the 8th. Next up will be Seto Kita Sougou. Ichinomiya Kougyou held off a 9th inning rally by Toyota Ootani just enough to win 3-2. Chigusa is next on the docket. And the alma mater of one of my new friends unfortunately lost as well with Nagoya Minami falling 3-2 to Shinjyou.
No seeded teams have played yet, thanks to Aichi's unique double-bye for those teams.
Shizuoka
Shizuoka is much the same, with games from the 13th to 15th representing 1st round play - so no seeded teams as of yet.
Opening day was not kind to Shimada as they were routed by Toukaidai Shouyou 12-2 in 6 innings.
Onto other 1st round action, and Hamamatsu Jyouhoku Kougyou rallied late against Kakagu Gijyutsu then thought to have the game won in the 10th before finally putting it away 8-4 in 12 innings. 5-8 seed Gotenba Nishi is next. Seiryou will move on to face Hamamatsu Gakuin after scoring the only run in the bottom of the 9th versus Fuji Higashi. The same can be said for Kakegawa Nishi and Nichidai Mishima - the only difference being that Nichidai Mishima scored a run in the top of the 9th before Kakegawa Nishi scored 2 to end the game. Itou trailed Shizuoka Shiritsu 5-0 after 2 innings, fought back to tie it in the 8th and would win 8-6 in 11. Ina Sougou down 3 in the 9th would score 4 for the 8-7 win over Fuji.
But perhaps in one of the most heartbreaking games of all qualifying would be Kiga. After tying it up in the 7th with Arai the game would go into extras. In the 14th they would score 2 to take the lead, only to have Arai tie it in the bottom of the 14th. And in the final inning, when all Kiga could play for is a draw, Arai scores one to win the game.
Niigata
Niigata has fallen slightly behind due to a full rainout on the 13th and a partial one on the 14th. All but 3 9-16 seeded teams though have played. Only seeded upsets so far have occurred on the 9-16 seeds which can be expected. Matsudai, who in their first game scored 3 in the bottom of the 9th for the win after Arai scored 3 in the top of the inning, continued their ぎりぎり run defeating Tookamachi Sougou 2-1 while Mitsuke understandably fell to Teikyou Nagaoka 9-0.
Of the top 4 teams, only #2 Shibata Chuo really breezed through their first game. #1 Murakami Sakuragaoka and #3 Nihon Bunri both won, but not necessarily convincingly.. And #4 Niigata Kenou Kougyou actually trailed Nagaoka Nougyou 2-0 before coming back to win 4-3.
Nagano
Nagano began play on the 13th with Achi mercy-ruling Toyoshina 10-3 in 7 innings.Over in Matsumoto the past couple of days we had one of the more uglier scores - Iwamurada annihilating Sonan 35-1 in 5 innings, followed by a nail-biting 3-2 sayonara victory by Suzaka over Matsumoto Misuzugaoka.
In Ueda, Toukai Dai-san overcame a 4-run 3rd from Komoro with a run in 5 of the first 6 innings for the win while Matushiro will look to make a miracle run with a 6-3 win over Koumi.
Meanwhile, over at Suwa-ko, in the battle of agricultural schools, Shimo-Ina Nougyou scores late defeating Minami-Adzumi Nougyou 7-4 while Okaya Minami walks off Shiojiri Shigakukan 2-1 in 11 and Chino's Kishima makes a lone run in the 2nd stick over Nozawa Minami.
And finally, in Olympic Stadium, both Nagano Nishi and Sakaki started the last two days with back and forth games before pulling away late to win 7-4. Shimo-Suwa Kouyou used a run in the top of the 9th to beat Iiyama 3-2.
Toyama
Toyama off to a rainy start as games were rained out at Toyama Prefectural and Kurobe Miyano. Of the games that played, all were blowouts except for Kosugi who defeated Yatsuo 3-0.The first full day of games were mostly close affairs highlighted by Toyama Hokubu who tied the game against Toyama Izumi at 4 in the 9th then broke out with 4 in the 11th for the win. On the other hand, poor Chuo Nougyou was blown out by Uodzu 37-0.
In comparison, the15th was the complete opposite with mostly lopsided games, one of the few exceptions being Fujikoshi Kougyou edging out Kouhou 2-1. Not surprisingly, if I told you that the seeded teams played on the 15th and all advanced, that would probably explain it. Only 5-8 seed Toyama Kokusaidai Fuzoku did not achieve a mercy rule win, though they did play Takaoka Kougyou.
Fukui
Rain plagued Fukui on opening day. For Asuwa, it sadly delayed the inevitable. For facing Fukui Koudai Fukui who was not a seeded team was rather bad luck. 7 innings later, and they were sent home, losing 8-1. Keishin took all that Kagaku Gijyutsu could give and passed 5-4. There was almost an upset on day 1 of games as Usui fell behind Mikuni by as much as 4 runs, fought back to take the lead, then held off a late charge for the 9-8 win.What's more surprising than seeing a non-seeded Fukui Koudai Fukui? How about an unseeded Fukui Shougyou? That was the case as Maruoka stepped in the opposing dugout. They lasted 7 innings in an 8-0 loss. Fukushou will face Wakasa who was almost level with Fujishima for the entire game, and though let a 1-run lead slip in the 12th made sure to advance with 6 runs in the 13th inning.
Should Fukui Koudai Fukui upset Tsuruga Kehi, and Fukui Shougyou defeat Wakasa, there will be a semifinal matchup that in most years might be a semifinal matchup or better.
Ishikawa
Ishikawa started on the 13th and had Nonoichi Meirin rout Kanazawa Nisui 11-3 in 8 innings.5 games on the full docket, and most were yawners except for Kanazawa Nishigaoka getting by Iida 3-1, and Kanazawa Shougyou outlasting Daishouji 3-2 in 11.
The 15th again was mostly the same with the exception of those at Benkei Stadium. There, Kenritsu Kougyou won the battle of industrial schools, defeating Komatsu Kougyou 1-0. Ootori Gakuen followed that up by using a run in the 6th and 7th innings to beat Kanazawa Kouyou 3-1.
Shiga
Shiga's opening day was cut short. After Rittou blew an early lead and had to scramble to defeat Katata 8-6, the rains postponed Higashi-Ootsu and Youkaichi Minami.The next day Higashi-Ootsu would win 2-1, though again, the rains would cancel all remaining games at Oujiyama though Moriyama Kita and Kousei would play 1 scoreless inning before the umpires thought better of it. Same over at Hikone with Kousen defeating Ootsu Shougyou 4-1 before games were cancelled.
The 15th was the first full day of games that were actually played, and over at Oujiyama Torahime rallies in the last 2 innings to beat Echiko 3-2, and Minakuchi uses a 2-run 8th for a gyakuten 4-3 win over Nagahama Kita.
Yamanashi
Yamanashi has had no problems with the rain, and my team from this prefecture, Nihon Koukuu (i.e. Japan Aviation Academy) used a 6-run 4th to beat Shirane 7-3, then 2 days later traded huge blows with Ootsuki Tankidai Fuzoku before scoring 6 unanswered runs in the middle innings for a 13-7 win. They will face 5-8 seed Nichidai Meisei next after they beat Koufu Dai-ichi 8-4.In fact, all seeded teams that have played so far advanced without issue. They include Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku, Toukaidai Koufu and Fuji Gakuen.
In other action, Nirasaki Kougyou finds something in the well with their backs against the wall, scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Hokuto 2-1.
Gifu
With games pushed back one scheduled game day, Blocks A and B got started on the 13th. All 4 seeded teams within those blocks (Oogaki Nichidai, Teikyoudai Kani, Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou and Minokamo) advanced via mercy rule. In fact of the 16 games played, only 3 were close. Kanou got by Ikeda late 4-3, Gifu Dai-ichi using a 5-run 7th to break the game open late against Nakatsu Shougyou, and Kakamigahara Nishi also with 2 runs late for a gyakuten win over Gujyou Kita.The games were much more tighter on the 14th in the C & D Blocks. So much so that C Block seed Mashita Seifu lost 1-0 to Gujyou in their first game! It wasn't the only close one in Takayama as Hida-Takayama tied it at 3 with Gifu Jyouhoku in the bottom of the 9th winning 3 innings later 4-3. Over in Seki Municipal, Mugi won a 14-inning marathon over Kamo 5-4. And in other action, a HR by Taniguchi was insufficient for Takayama Kougyou as they fell to Fuwa 2-1, and a 4-run flurry for Kani just fell short as they lost to seeded Nagara 5-4.
Back to Blocks A & B on the 15th and it was status quo for the seeded teams. Kanou gets another mention after surviving another 1-run game, this time 1-0 over Oogaki Kougyou, while Seki Shoukou uses a pair of runs in each of the final 2 innings to beat Ginan Kougyou.
Aichi
For Aichi, rounds go at a frenetic pace as each game day means over 20 games across the prefecture.And with so many games, there are bound to be many interesting games.
Such was the case with Kouyou on the 13th. After scoring 6 runs in the 6th to take a commanding 10-3 lead, Nanzan facing elimination replies with 7 runs in the next two innings to tie the game. Kouyou would win it in the bottom of the 9th 11-10. Sadly, Tokoname would dismiss them 2 days later 12-2 in 6 innings. Toukai Shougyou would just about replicate the feat in the very next game at Atsuta Jingu - but the biggest difference being that they score 6 runs in the final 2 innings, take the lead 8-7 giving Nishin Nishi no chance to reply.
Over in Toyoda, Okazaki Jyousei let an early 5-0 lead slip away versus Gamagoori, but scored 2 in the top of the 9th to save the win. However, their next opponent would be Shigakukan (who isn't a bad team in Aichi) and while they gave them a decent run, they would lose 4-0.
To the 14th and Nagakute bookended a 12 inning affair with Kira with 3 runs for a 6-3 victory. Rather fortunate considering they allowed Kira to tie the game in the 8th. Next up will be Seto Kita Sougou. Ichinomiya Kougyou held off a 9th inning rally by Toyota Ootani just enough to win 3-2. Chigusa is next on the docket. And the alma mater of one of my new friends unfortunately lost as well with Nagoya Minami falling 3-2 to Shinjyou.
No seeded teams have played yet, thanks to Aichi's unique double-bye for those teams.
Shizuoka
Shizuoka is much the same, with games from the 13th to 15th representing 1st round play - so no seeded teams as of yet.
Opening day was not kind to Shimada as they were routed by Toukaidai Shouyou 12-2 in 6 innings.
Onto other 1st round action, and Hamamatsu Jyouhoku Kougyou rallied late against Kakagu Gijyutsu then thought to have the game won in the 10th before finally putting it away 8-4 in 12 innings. 5-8 seed Gotenba Nishi is next. Seiryou will move on to face Hamamatsu Gakuin after scoring the only run in the bottom of the 9th versus Fuji Higashi. The same can be said for Kakegawa Nishi and Nichidai Mishima - the only difference being that Nichidai Mishima scored a run in the top of the 9th before Kakegawa Nishi scored 2 to end the game. Itou trailed Shizuoka Shiritsu 5-0 after 2 innings, fought back to tie it in the 8th and would win 8-6 in 11. Ina Sougou down 3 in the 9th would score 4 for the 8-7 win over Fuji.
But perhaps in one of the most heartbreaking games of all qualifying would be Kiga. After tying it up in the 7th with Arai the game would go into extras. In the 14th they would score 2 to take the lead, only to have Arai tie it in the bottom of the 14th. And in the final inning, when all Kiga could play for is a draw, Arai scores one to win the game.
Friday, July 29, 2011
93rd Koushien Qualifying - Hokushinetsu/Chuubu Update
Niigata
With games spaced out, Niigata wasn't affected as much by the rain. Round of 16 action at Sanjyou Kikai wound up being a surprise as both seeded teams, #3 Nagaoka Oote and 5-8 Sado both lost! Nagaoka Oote gave up 4 in the 1st and never recovered against Niigata Kenou Kougyou while Niigata Meikun scored all 3 of their runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Sado 3-2!
Nihon Bunri led 4-0 over Teikyou Nagaoka before Teikyou scored 6 to take the lead! But Nihon Bunri had time to recover, tied the game in the 6th and won 10-6.
#2 Hokuetsu too would fall at Shibata Ijimino as Shirone scores 3 in the bottom of the 8th for the gyakuten 6-5 win.
Onto the quarterfinals and Nihon Bunri got involved in one heck of a battle with Murakami Sakuragaoka! After falling behind 3-0 in the top of the 1st, they score 5, then give 4 right back! Things got worse in the 6th after Murakami scored 2 more. That meant they were trailing 9-5! But Nihon Bunri would finally respond. 3 in the 6th and one more in the 7th finally brought them level. And in the bottom of the 9th, they score the winning run, but a rather unusual game from them here in the quarterfinals.
Shirone on the other side surprised yet another team as Katou shut out Gosen 2-0!
To the semis, and Nihon Bunri struggled again, this time against Chuuetsu. Managing just 1 run early, Chuuetsu took the 2-1 lead in the 6th. It would be 1 inning later where they'd take a 3-2 lead, but even though they reach the finals, I don't know if they can get away with it against Niigata Meikun. They mercilessly end Shirone's run with a 9-1 mercy game.
Nagano
In what could be considered a big upset, unknown Komoro Shougyou and ace Niimi(?) shutout Saku Chousei 3-0! That still leaves some big name teams, but it sure opens the door!
Joining Komoro Shougyou would be Tokyo Shidai Shiojiri, who scored 4 in the 4th but that was all they needed to beat Toukai Dai-san 4-3.
Meanwhile, emerging power Nagano Nichidai goes down in a shocker to to Matsumoto Dai-ichi 6-4!
Matsushou Gakuen does advance to the semis, but with a less than convincing 4-2 win over Iiyama.
In the semis, Matsushou Gakuen advanced to the finals with little resistance from Komoro Shougyou. It would seem like no matter the opponent, they should have no problem. After all, neither of them had been to Koushien before.
Their opponent would be Tokyo Shidai Shiojiri who won 2-0...
In the beginning though, it was Shidai who took the lead first. 3 runs in the 2nd and Matsushou was on their heels. It wouldn't be until the 6th inning when Matsushou would finally get on the board against ace Aibara. And the very next inning they knocked him out and scored 3 runs to boot to take the lead.
Things looked well for Matsuhou after that. All Kumatani had to do was close it out. But in the 9th he faltered. Shidai would score 3 runs in the 9th to take a 1 run lead. Matsushou once again was on the verge of being knocked out. Once again, they manufactured a run against reliever Kaneko to send it into extras.
That would be it for starter Kumatani as Miwa would relieve him, but 2 hits and only 1 out later, he would be relieved by their 3rd pitcher Hara. He gets them out of the mess, but he may be the end of the line for Matsushou.
As the game progressed, neither team was able to manufacture a run.
That was until the 13th when Shidai was able to push in a run, once again putting Matsushou on their heels.
This time though, there would be no comeback. The middle of the lineup couldn't deliver for Matsushou and Tokyo Shidai Shiojiri earns their 1st ever Koushien appearance!
Toyama
Toyama had the benefit of going slowly given the number of teams. They've actually been able to go through just 2 games a day each at 2 sites.
One of those games was in the 2nd round when Sakurai and Shin-Minato go extras, with Sakurai taking a 2-1 lead in the 12th only to have Fukushima falter in the end giving up 2 for the loss.
Shin-Minato's next game against Fushiki was even crazier. Down 4-0 before getting their first AB, they quickly got 3 back. After trading some runs in the next couple of innings, Shin-Minato scores 6 in the 6th to take a 11-6 lead! That lasted all of... almost nothing. Fushiki scores 5 in the lucky 7 and we were tied! Shin-Minato finally puts it away with 3 in the 8th for a 14-11 win!
Even by the Best 8, things had going pretty much as normal. The top 2 seeds advanced, but certainly not convincing. Toyama Kokusaidai Fuzoku managed just 6 hits against Namerikawa but scored the only run. Takaoka Shougyou limited Fujikoshi Kougyou to just 2 hits, but won 4-1.
Shin-Minato's quarterfinal game had to be pushed back due to rain, but when it finally got underway, it was another nail-biter. Takaoka Nishi kept the game close until the 8th when Shin-Minato scored 3 for the eventual 5-3 win.
In the semifinals, Toyama Kokusaidai Fuzoku uses a 4-run 5th to distance themselves from Tonami Kougyou for a 6-3 win. Shin-Minato will be their opponent as they win 15-6 over Takaoka Shougyou. Interestingly, it's Shin-Minato who's been to Koushien before, and seeded Takaoka Kokusaidai Fuzoku who hasn't!
Fukui
Not surprisingly, 3 of the 4 semifinalists were Fukui Koudai Fukui, Fukui Shougyou and Tsuruga Kehi. The 4th seeded team, Nyuu, who seems to at least be above average, lost to Takefu Shougyou in the round prior.
So in the semis, Koudai Fukui had no trouble with the outlier of the bunch as they won 6-0. The Fukushou-Tsuruga Kehi game on the other hand was close as expected. Neither team was able to scratch out a lead bigger than 2 until the bottom of the 8th as Fukushou got to Tsuruga Kehi's ace Yamamoto for 2 to get a 3-run lead. It was left to Fukushou's Yamamoto to shut things down. Except he wasn't able to cleanly. 1 run was in for Kehi, then 2... But Yamamoto managed to record the 3rd out and it setup a familiar final between two powerhouse schools.
Sadly though the finals were all Fukui Shougyou. Despite keeping the deficit at 1 early, they couldn't stop Fukushou from scoring in the middle innings. When all was said and done, Fukushou had earned their 2nd consecutive appearance and 21st overall.
Ishikawa
As the tournament moved into the round of 16 we could start noting some of the favored teams such as Kanazawa and Yuugakukan though you could be assured they'd advance far.
Looking at the other teams, there were some interesting battles. Komatsu defeats Hakui 3-2 in 12, Kanazawa Sakuragaoka rallies from down 6-0 to defeat Kanazawa Izumigaoka 9-6.
But in the end it would be Kanazawa and Yuugakukan who would meet in the final. Kanazawa would build a 4-0 lead early and not relinquish it, winning 8-5 for their 13th appearance and first since 2008.
Shiga
Much like other rural prefectures, certain teams dominate the area. Here in Shiga, it's primarily Kita-Ootsu and Oumi.
Yet this year they didn't seem as dominating. While Oumi won their first games 4-1 and 5-0, Kita-Ootsu won 3-1, then won 1-0 in 12 over Hikone Higashi (who really isn't that bad of a team).
That meant the door was possibly opened for other teams. Takashima, down 5-1 to Youkaichi in the bottom of the 9th score 5 to win the game and earn a crack at Kita-Ootsu.
Surpringly, it was not Kita-Ootsu, but Oumi who would fall first. Seta Kougyou scores 4 in the 8th and 9th innings to win 9-6! Kita-Ootsu survived yet again with a 3-1 win over Takashima.
Perhaps the only team that showed some domination was a different seeded team - Hachiman Shougyou who had won their first games combined 15-2 before defeating Kawase 4-1.
In the semis, Hachiman Shougyou flexed its muscle again, mercy-ruling Seta Kougyou 7-0 in 7. Kita-Ootsu makes it to the final with another close game against Oumi Kyoudaisha 4-2.
To the finals, and Kita-Ootsu seemed to be destined to be one of those teams who liked playing low scoring affairs. They build a 3-0 lead early, and looked to be in control. But in the 5th, Hachiman Shougyou out of nowhere goes on a run and scores 6 runs! Kita-Ootsu, who has played a low scoring strategy suddenly needs to keep up. But trying for runs at this point is difficult and as a result they lose 6-4 and Hachiman wins their 7th title and heads to Koshien for the first time in 5 years!
Yamanashi
So in the semifinals, Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku had no trouble with Koufu Shougyou after pulling off the upset on A seed Toukaidai Koufu. Meanwhile Nihon Koukuu had their own upset to pull off against Koufu Kougyou and succeeded 6-4. Interestingly, all 4 semifinals were a Natsu Koushien representative in each of the last 5 years except last year (Hikawa).
In the finals, Gakuindai opened the scoring in the 4th with a run but JAA responded with 3 in their half. But Gakuindai started chipping away in the 6th, tying it in the 7th then blowing it open with 7 runs in the last 2 innings for the 10-3 win. This is their 5th title, and 1st in 2 years.
Gifu
Well, for almost all seeded teams remaining in the block semifinals, they all advanced. Though for teams like Seki Shoukou, they went from tied at 1-1 into the 9th, to down 4-1, to a sayonara 5-4 win!
The only seeded team remaining not to advance was Tounou Jitsugyou. They fell 9-5 to Gujyou.
To the block finals, and the shocker of them all came in the first game. Block A saw Seki Shoukou take a 4-1 lead over Oogaki Nichidai with 4 in the 5th! After extending it to 4 with a run in the 7th, ace Naijyou(?) gave it all right back, and was knocked out. And so, Oogaki Nichidai with new life, seemed to be back in control of the game. But Oogaki's 3rd pitcher of the game, Ueki, couldn't record an out. 2 hits later, and Kassai was tasked to save the inning.
Yet, he would be unable to do so. Seki Shoukou plates a run and takes the lead once again. Reliever Yasue shuts the Nichidai offense down, and they pull off the 6-5 upset!
Joiing Seki Shoukou would be Oogaki Shougyou, Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou, and Gujyou.
In the redraw for the semis, the expected blockbuster matchup game not in the finals, but the semis. Yes, Oogaki Shougyou and Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou drew each other. The game started off competitive as Oogaki Shougyou nudged out to a 2-1 lead. But in the 7th, Oogaki Shougyou scored 6 runs putting Kengishou on mercy watch. And sure enough, they were unable to score and Oogaki Shougyou advanced to the finals.
And though Seki Shoukou advanced to meet them, it was all but a certainty that Oogaki Shougyou would go to Koushien.
Whoops.
No one told Seki Shoukou that...
In the 2nd and 3rd innings, Seki Shoukou scores 2 runs apiece to take a shocking 4-0 lead on the favorites! Meanwhile, Naijyou scatters 7 hits across the board as he gives his team their 1st ever Koushien appearance!
Aichi
Almost 2 full weeks after the first games started in Aichi, the seeded teams finally start their games in their blocks. This is because the format chosen means these teams get not 1, but 2 bye rounds before they even play a game.
All the seeded teams did advance, though some not without some difficulty. Block A, Shigakukan scored 4 in the 9th to beat Douhou 10-7. In Block D, Kikuka needed all 15 innings before scoring the sayonara run to beat Niwa 3-2. And in Block F, Oobu gave up a 1-run lead to Bihoku before winning in 10.
In other block games, Kira scored in each of the last 3 innings to defeat Kariya Kita 3-2. Meijyoudai Fuzoku and Shouwa played to a 2-2 draw. The following day, it would be Meijyoudai who jumped out to an early lead and win 8-5.
There'd be more trouble for the seeded teams in the block semis. Shigakukan got into trouble yet again, but not in the way you'd think. Down 3-0 To Aichi Sangyoudai Kougyou they score 7 in the 7th and the game seems to be under control. Yet the very next half-inning Sangyoukou scores 6 to retake a 2-run lead! Well, with just 2 innings to go, and getting punched in the mouth like that it seemed like this time it would be the end. Yet they score 3 in the bottom of the 9th and advance 10-9!
Oobu too was in trouble. Down 3 to Tojyaku in the bottom of the 9th, they find a way to tie the game up and win 5-4 in 10.
Aichi was not so lucky in Block B. They fall 3-2 to Toyokawa and become the first casualty. Next, and perhaps most surprising of all was 2009 Natsu Koushien winner Chuukyoudai Chuukyou who lost to Jishuukan 3-2!
We also had our 2nd draw as Chiryuu and Aichi Shougyou played to a 5-5 draw. Chiryuu would win the replay 6-2.
Of the 8 seeded teams, the 6 remaining after the upsets did advance.
Perhaps the weakest of the bunch may have be Oobu who though seeded played 3 consecutive enchousen games, including their block final against Chiryuu. That went the full 15 before they scored 2, and yet almost blew it again (Chiryuu scored 1).
The Final 8 was redrawn, and it was very lopsided. The 2 favorites, Aikoudai Meiden and Touhou were on one side of the draw, along with Aichi Keisei who while never has to Koushien, has fared really well in the prefecture. On the other side the only team to have advanced to Koushien was Oobu.
Aikoudai Meiden and Touhou did win their games, though by margins of 5-2 and 3-1. Oobu's run did indeed run out against Toyokawa 6-3, and Shigakukan went 14 innings against Kikuka before winning 2-1.
In the semis, Aikoudai Meiden was able to edge out Touhou 6-5 through a 5-run 5th. Shigakukan would be their opponent as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 1 and used the cushion to win 10-7.
The finals were held the very next day amidst not to friendly clouds. The conditions seemed to favor Shigakukan as they overcame a 2-0 deficit in the first to lead 4-2 when the game went into rain delay at the end of 5. When the game resumed, Aikoudai Meiden would immediately pull within 1 against 3rd pitcher Iwata.
But Iwata would be able to shut down Ichiro's alma mater and Shigakukan earns their 1st ever Koushien appearance with a 4-3 win!
Shizuoka
As Shizuoka moved on in their tournament, the teams to watch out for would be Tokoha Kikugawa, Shizuoka and Seisei.
In the meantime, the other teams needed to keep advancing to even have a shot, no matter how small. Iwata Kita almost blew that chance twice. First, they lose a 2-run lead to Seikei in the top of the 9th, then Seikei scored a run in the 11th. Iwata Kita was able to score 2 to advance 6-5. Fuji Shiritsu had to go 15 innings against Hamakita Nishi to win 3-1.
Seeded Hamamatsu Nishi was not so fortunate, having to rally against Touyou from down 3-0 early, but lost 4-3 in the bottom of the 9th. Shizuoka Shougyou was next in the round of 16, falling 9-1 in 7 innings to Iwata Higashi!
So on one side of the best 8, all 4 seeded teams advanced. On the other side, only Nirayama remained.
The quarterfinals saw Nirayama and Iwata Higashi advancing on one side with 5-0 victories, Shizuoka defeating the weak link Hiryuu, and Tokoha Kikugawa and Seisei battling the full 9 innings before Tokoha Kikugawa made the sayonara victory 3-2.
In the semis, the last seeded team on the left side of the bracket finally fell as Nirayama lost to Iwata Higashi 6-3. But to win their first ever natsu title, they'd have to go through Shizuoka who dominated Tokoha Kikugawa 12-4.
But Iwata Higashi put up a great fight. Ace Abe kept Shizuoka to 1 run early, and allowed them to tie it up in the 4th with a HR from 1B Moriguchi. Except he'd give the 1-run lead right back to them. An insurance run in the bottom of the 8th spelled doom for the potential first-timers as Harazaki gives Shizuoka their 22nd title and first in 8 years!
With games spaced out, Niigata wasn't affected as much by the rain. Round of 16 action at Sanjyou Kikai wound up being a surprise as both seeded teams, #3 Nagaoka Oote and 5-8 Sado both lost! Nagaoka Oote gave up 4 in the 1st and never recovered against Niigata Kenou Kougyou while Niigata Meikun scored all 3 of their runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Sado 3-2!
Nihon Bunri led 4-0 over Teikyou Nagaoka before Teikyou scored 6 to take the lead! But Nihon Bunri had time to recover, tied the game in the 6th and won 10-6.
#2 Hokuetsu too would fall at Shibata Ijimino as Shirone scores 3 in the bottom of the 8th for the gyakuten 6-5 win.
Onto the quarterfinals and Nihon Bunri got involved in one heck of a battle with Murakami Sakuragaoka! After falling behind 3-0 in the top of the 1st, they score 5, then give 4 right back! Things got worse in the 6th after Murakami scored 2 more. That meant they were trailing 9-5! But Nihon Bunri would finally respond. 3 in the 6th and one more in the 7th finally brought them level. And in the bottom of the 9th, they score the winning run, but a rather unusual game from them here in the quarterfinals.
Shirone on the other side surprised yet another team as Katou shut out Gosen 2-0!
To the semis, and Nihon Bunri struggled again, this time against Chuuetsu. Managing just 1 run early, Chuuetsu took the 2-1 lead in the 6th. It would be 1 inning later where they'd take a 3-2 lead, but even though they reach the finals, I don't know if they can get away with it against Niigata Meikun. They mercilessly end Shirone's run with a 9-1 mercy game.
Nagano
In what could be considered a big upset, unknown Komoro Shougyou and ace Niimi(?) shutout Saku Chousei 3-0! That still leaves some big name teams, but it sure opens the door!
Joining Komoro Shougyou would be Tokyo Shidai Shiojiri, who scored 4 in the 4th but that was all they needed to beat Toukai Dai-san 4-3.
Meanwhile, emerging power Nagano Nichidai goes down in a shocker to to Matsumoto Dai-ichi 6-4!
Matsushou Gakuen does advance to the semis, but with a less than convincing 4-2 win over Iiyama.
In the semis, Matsushou Gakuen advanced to the finals with little resistance from Komoro Shougyou. It would seem like no matter the opponent, they should have no problem. After all, neither of them had been to Koushien before.
Their opponent would be Tokyo Shidai Shiojiri who won 2-0...
In the beginning though, it was Shidai who took the lead first. 3 runs in the 2nd and Matsushou was on their heels. It wouldn't be until the 6th inning when Matsushou would finally get on the board against ace Aibara. And the very next inning they knocked him out and scored 3 runs to boot to take the lead.
Things looked well for Matsuhou after that. All Kumatani had to do was close it out. But in the 9th he faltered. Shidai would score 3 runs in the 9th to take a 1 run lead. Matsushou once again was on the verge of being knocked out. Once again, they manufactured a run against reliever Kaneko to send it into extras.
That would be it for starter Kumatani as Miwa would relieve him, but 2 hits and only 1 out later, he would be relieved by their 3rd pitcher Hara. He gets them out of the mess, but he may be the end of the line for Matsushou.
As the game progressed, neither team was able to manufacture a run.
That was until the 13th when Shidai was able to push in a run, once again putting Matsushou on their heels.
This time though, there would be no comeback. The middle of the lineup couldn't deliver for Matsushou and Tokyo Shidai Shiojiri earns their 1st ever Koushien appearance!
Toyama
Toyama had the benefit of going slowly given the number of teams. They've actually been able to go through just 2 games a day each at 2 sites.
One of those games was in the 2nd round when Sakurai and Shin-Minato go extras, with Sakurai taking a 2-1 lead in the 12th only to have Fukushima falter in the end giving up 2 for the loss.
Shin-Minato's next game against Fushiki was even crazier. Down 4-0 before getting their first AB, they quickly got 3 back. After trading some runs in the next couple of innings, Shin-Minato scores 6 in the 6th to take a 11-6 lead! That lasted all of... almost nothing. Fushiki scores 5 in the lucky 7 and we were tied! Shin-Minato finally puts it away with 3 in the 8th for a 14-11 win!
Even by the Best 8, things had going pretty much as normal. The top 2 seeds advanced, but certainly not convincing. Toyama Kokusaidai Fuzoku managed just 6 hits against Namerikawa but scored the only run. Takaoka Shougyou limited Fujikoshi Kougyou to just 2 hits, but won 4-1.
Shin-Minato's quarterfinal game had to be pushed back due to rain, but when it finally got underway, it was another nail-biter. Takaoka Nishi kept the game close until the 8th when Shin-Minato scored 3 for the eventual 5-3 win.
In the semifinals, Toyama Kokusaidai Fuzoku uses a 4-run 5th to distance themselves from Tonami Kougyou for a 6-3 win. Shin-Minato will be their opponent as they win 15-6 over Takaoka Shougyou. Interestingly, it's Shin-Minato who's been to Koushien before, and seeded Takaoka Kokusaidai Fuzoku who hasn't!
Fukui
Not surprisingly, 3 of the 4 semifinalists were Fukui Koudai Fukui, Fukui Shougyou and Tsuruga Kehi. The 4th seeded team, Nyuu, who seems to at least be above average, lost to Takefu Shougyou in the round prior.
So in the semis, Koudai Fukui had no trouble with the outlier of the bunch as they won 6-0. The Fukushou-Tsuruga Kehi game on the other hand was close as expected. Neither team was able to scratch out a lead bigger than 2 until the bottom of the 8th as Fukushou got to Tsuruga Kehi's ace Yamamoto for 2 to get a 3-run lead. It was left to Fukushou's Yamamoto to shut things down. Except he wasn't able to cleanly. 1 run was in for Kehi, then 2... But Yamamoto managed to record the 3rd out and it setup a familiar final between two powerhouse schools.
Sadly though the finals were all Fukui Shougyou. Despite keeping the deficit at 1 early, they couldn't stop Fukushou from scoring in the middle innings. When all was said and done, Fukushou had earned their 2nd consecutive appearance and 21st overall.
Ishikawa
As the tournament moved into the round of 16 we could start noting some of the favored teams such as Kanazawa and Yuugakukan though you could be assured they'd advance far.
Looking at the other teams, there were some interesting battles. Komatsu defeats Hakui 3-2 in 12, Kanazawa Sakuragaoka rallies from down 6-0 to defeat Kanazawa Izumigaoka 9-6.
But in the end it would be Kanazawa and Yuugakukan who would meet in the final. Kanazawa would build a 4-0 lead early and not relinquish it, winning 8-5 for their 13th appearance and first since 2008.
Shiga
Much like other rural prefectures, certain teams dominate the area. Here in Shiga, it's primarily Kita-Ootsu and Oumi.
Yet this year they didn't seem as dominating. While Oumi won their first games 4-1 and 5-0, Kita-Ootsu won 3-1, then won 1-0 in 12 over Hikone Higashi (who really isn't that bad of a team).
That meant the door was possibly opened for other teams. Takashima, down 5-1 to Youkaichi in the bottom of the 9th score 5 to win the game and earn a crack at Kita-Ootsu.
Surpringly, it was not Kita-Ootsu, but Oumi who would fall first. Seta Kougyou scores 4 in the 8th and 9th innings to win 9-6! Kita-Ootsu survived yet again with a 3-1 win over Takashima.
Perhaps the only team that showed some domination was a different seeded team - Hachiman Shougyou who had won their first games combined 15-2 before defeating Kawase 4-1.
In the semis, Hachiman Shougyou flexed its muscle again, mercy-ruling Seta Kougyou 7-0 in 7. Kita-Ootsu makes it to the final with another close game against Oumi Kyoudaisha 4-2.
To the finals, and Kita-Ootsu seemed to be destined to be one of those teams who liked playing low scoring affairs. They build a 3-0 lead early, and looked to be in control. But in the 5th, Hachiman Shougyou out of nowhere goes on a run and scores 6 runs! Kita-Ootsu, who has played a low scoring strategy suddenly needs to keep up. But trying for runs at this point is difficult and as a result they lose 6-4 and Hachiman wins their 7th title and heads to Koshien for the first time in 5 years!
Yamanashi
So in the semifinals, Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku had no trouble with Koufu Shougyou after pulling off the upset on A seed Toukaidai Koufu. Meanwhile Nihon Koukuu had their own upset to pull off against Koufu Kougyou and succeeded 6-4. Interestingly, all 4 semifinals were a Natsu Koushien representative in each of the last 5 years except last year (Hikawa).
In the finals, Gakuindai opened the scoring in the 4th with a run but JAA responded with 3 in their half. But Gakuindai started chipping away in the 6th, tying it in the 7th then blowing it open with 7 runs in the last 2 innings for the 10-3 win. This is their 5th title, and 1st in 2 years.
Gifu
Well, for almost all seeded teams remaining in the block semifinals, they all advanced. Though for teams like Seki Shoukou, they went from tied at 1-1 into the 9th, to down 4-1, to a sayonara 5-4 win!
The only seeded team remaining not to advance was Tounou Jitsugyou. They fell 9-5 to Gujyou.
To the block finals, and the shocker of them all came in the first game. Block A saw Seki Shoukou take a 4-1 lead over Oogaki Nichidai with 4 in the 5th! After extending it to 4 with a run in the 7th, ace Naijyou(?) gave it all right back, and was knocked out. And so, Oogaki Nichidai with new life, seemed to be back in control of the game. But Oogaki's 3rd pitcher of the game, Ueki, couldn't record an out. 2 hits later, and Kassai was tasked to save the inning.
Yet, he would be unable to do so. Seki Shoukou plates a run and takes the lead once again. Reliever Yasue shuts the Nichidai offense down, and they pull off the 6-5 upset!
Joiing Seki Shoukou would be Oogaki Shougyou, Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou, and Gujyou.
In the redraw for the semis, the expected blockbuster matchup game not in the finals, but the semis. Yes, Oogaki Shougyou and Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou drew each other. The game started off competitive as Oogaki Shougyou nudged out to a 2-1 lead. But in the 7th, Oogaki Shougyou scored 6 runs putting Kengishou on mercy watch. And sure enough, they were unable to score and Oogaki Shougyou advanced to the finals.
And though Seki Shoukou advanced to meet them, it was all but a certainty that Oogaki Shougyou would go to Koushien.
Whoops.
No one told Seki Shoukou that...
In the 2nd and 3rd innings, Seki Shoukou scores 2 runs apiece to take a shocking 4-0 lead on the favorites! Meanwhile, Naijyou scatters 7 hits across the board as he gives his team their 1st ever Koushien appearance!
Aichi
Almost 2 full weeks after the first games started in Aichi, the seeded teams finally start their games in their blocks. This is because the format chosen means these teams get not 1, but 2 bye rounds before they even play a game.
All the seeded teams did advance, though some not without some difficulty. Block A, Shigakukan scored 4 in the 9th to beat Douhou 10-7. In Block D, Kikuka needed all 15 innings before scoring the sayonara run to beat Niwa 3-2. And in Block F, Oobu gave up a 1-run lead to Bihoku before winning in 10.
In other block games, Kira scored in each of the last 3 innings to defeat Kariya Kita 3-2. Meijyoudai Fuzoku and Shouwa played to a 2-2 draw. The following day, it would be Meijyoudai who jumped out to an early lead and win 8-5.
There'd be more trouble for the seeded teams in the block semis. Shigakukan got into trouble yet again, but not in the way you'd think. Down 3-0 To Aichi Sangyoudai Kougyou they score 7 in the 7th and the game seems to be under control. Yet the very next half-inning Sangyoukou scores 6 to retake a 2-run lead! Well, with just 2 innings to go, and getting punched in the mouth like that it seemed like this time it would be the end. Yet they score 3 in the bottom of the 9th and advance 10-9!
Oobu too was in trouble. Down 3 to Tojyaku in the bottom of the 9th, they find a way to tie the game up and win 5-4 in 10.
Aichi was not so lucky in Block B. They fall 3-2 to Toyokawa and become the first casualty. Next, and perhaps most surprising of all was 2009 Natsu Koushien winner Chuukyoudai Chuukyou who lost to Jishuukan 3-2!
We also had our 2nd draw as Chiryuu and Aichi Shougyou played to a 5-5 draw. Chiryuu would win the replay 6-2.
Of the 8 seeded teams, the 6 remaining after the upsets did advance.
Perhaps the weakest of the bunch may have be Oobu who though seeded played 3 consecutive enchousen games, including their block final against Chiryuu. That went the full 15 before they scored 2, and yet almost blew it again (Chiryuu scored 1).
The Final 8 was redrawn, and it was very lopsided. The 2 favorites, Aikoudai Meiden and Touhou were on one side of the draw, along with Aichi Keisei who while never has to Koushien, has fared really well in the prefecture. On the other side the only team to have advanced to Koushien was Oobu.
Aikoudai Meiden and Touhou did win their games, though by margins of 5-2 and 3-1. Oobu's run did indeed run out against Toyokawa 6-3, and Shigakukan went 14 innings against Kikuka before winning 2-1.
In the semis, Aikoudai Meiden was able to edge out Touhou 6-5 through a 5-run 5th. Shigakukan would be their opponent as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 1 and used the cushion to win 10-7.
The finals were held the very next day amidst not to friendly clouds. The conditions seemed to favor Shigakukan as they overcame a 2-0 deficit in the first to lead 4-2 when the game went into rain delay at the end of 5. When the game resumed, Aikoudai Meiden would immediately pull within 1 against 3rd pitcher Iwata.
But Iwata would be able to shut down Ichiro's alma mater and Shigakukan earns their 1st ever Koushien appearance with a 4-3 win!
Shizuoka
As Shizuoka moved on in their tournament, the teams to watch out for would be Tokoha Kikugawa, Shizuoka and Seisei.
In the meantime, the other teams needed to keep advancing to even have a shot, no matter how small. Iwata Kita almost blew that chance twice. First, they lose a 2-run lead to Seikei in the top of the 9th, then Seikei scored a run in the 11th. Iwata Kita was able to score 2 to advance 6-5. Fuji Shiritsu had to go 15 innings against Hamakita Nishi to win 3-1.
Seeded Hamamatsu Nishi was not so fortunate, having to rally against Touyou from down 3-0 early, but lost 4-3 in the bottom of the 9th. Shizuoka Shougyou was next in the round of 16, falling 9-1 in 7 innings to Iwata Higashi!
So on one side of the best 8, all 4 seeded teams advanced. On the other side, only Nirayama remained.
The quarterfinals saw Nirayama and Iwata Higashi advancing on one side with 5-0 victories, Shizuoka defeating the weak link Hiryuu, and Tokoha Kikugawa and Seisei battling the full 9 innings before Tokoha Kikugawa made the sayonara victory 3-2.
In the semis, the last seeded team on the left side of the bracket finally fell as Nirayama lost to Iwata Higashi 6-3. But to win their first ever natsu title, they'd have to go through Shizuoka who dominated Tokoha Kikugawa 12-4.
But Iwata Higashi put up a great fight. Ace Abe kept Shizuoka to 1 run early, and allowed them to tie it up in the 4th with a HR from 1B Moriguchi. Except he'd give the 1-run lead right back to them. An insurance run in the bottom of the 8th spelled doom for the potential first-timers as Harazaki gives Shizuoka their 22nd title and first in 8 years!
Friday, July 22, 2011
93rd Koushien Qualifying - July 13th-21st (Chuubu Prefectures)
Yamanashi
Yamanashi has advanced to the semifinal stages. Let's see how they got there:
Completion of Round 1 saw A seed Koufu Kougyou barely beat out Koma 3-1. My favorite team, A seed Nihon Koukuu (aka Japan Aviation Academy), got a scare from Koufu Shougyou as they rallied with 2 in the top of the 9th to tie the game. But in the end they scored the sayonara run in the 10th. And both Minobu and Nichidai Meisei both won meaning all A & B seeds advanced. In other games, Nirasaki Kougyou blows open a 5-5 tie with Yamanashi Nourin doubling their run total.
Round 3
I always wondered about Gifu's qualifying in that they separate the first full round of play into 2 weekends. That means while some teams get about a week off, others get just 2 days. You can justify perhaps 2 days versus 3, but 2 versus 6??
Anyways, to the recap:
Round 1
With so many games to cover at this point, I'm going to have to condense my coverage a bit to try and catch up...
Round 1
Round 1
Yamanashi has advanced to the semifinal stages. Let's see how they got there:
Completion of Round 1 saw A seed Koufu Kougyou barely beat out Koma 3-1. My favorite team, A seed Nihon Koukuu (aka Japan Aviation Academy), got a scare from Koufu Shougyou as they rallied with 2 in the top of the 9th to tie the game. But in the end they scored the sayonara run in the 10th. And both Minobu and Nichidai Meisei both won meaning all A & B seeds advanced. In other games, Nirasaki Kougyou blows open a 5-5 tie with Yamanashi Nourin doubling their run total.
Round 3
- Toukaidai Koufu takes their slight 3-1 win and takes it out on their next opponent Hokuto. 13 runs and 5 innings later they're in the semis.
- Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku looks to make a return appearance to Koshien and passes Fujikawaguchiko 9-6.
- Teikyou Dai-san's run ends against A seed Koufu Jyousai but not without a fight. They were tied 2-2 after 8 before Jyousai scored 4.
- B seed Yoshida becomes the first seeded team to fall as Koufu Minami scores 5 in the 5th in a 7-4 upset.
- Koufu Kougyou one again wins by the skin of their teeth scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 8th against Koufu Dai-ichi to win 2-1.
- Nihon Koukuu apparently wants me to sweat out the prefecture as much as possible. Nirasaki Kougyou stays step for step with them then even takes a 4-3 lead. Thankfully (for me anyways), Nihon Koukuu ties it immediately there after then takes the lead for good in the 8th to win 5-4.
- Over at Prefectural Fujihoku, Minobu has no trouble with Hikawa, but Nichidai Meisei has problems with Tsuru. They take a 4-0 lead, then fall behind 5-4. Then they get ahead 9-5 then immediately fall behind again 10-9. They immediately tie the game, but then fall behind by one in the 9th. Then... they lose 11-10.
- Toukaidai Koufu found themselves behind Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku 4-0. Things started to look bleak until the 8th where they scored 4 to tie the game! Shocking of all though was that Yamanashi scored the sayonara run in the 9th to send them home!
- Koufu Minami kept the upset theme up after ace Tamagawa 3-hits A seed Koufu Jyousai!
- Minobu looked to make it 3 in a row. When they gave up 2 to Koufu Kougyou in the top of the 1st, they scored 2 of their own. Then they scored a run in the 5th to take the lead! However, Koufukou would fire right back with 2 of their own to take the lead, tack on another in the 7th and one more in the 9th for good measure. Not to mention that in doing so they hit 4 HR's!!
- And as if to taunt me, Nihon Koukuu had trouble with their 3rd straight opponent in Tsuru. After leading 1-0 early, Tsuru scores 3 unanswered to take the lead. It would stay that way until the bottom of the 9th when they score 2 to push it into enchousen! Then in the 11th Tsuru scores the go-ahead run. Nihon Koukuu though doesn't give up, score two of their own for the sayonara win which is... yeah, you guessed it 5-4. Stop giving me heart attacks!!
I always wondered about Gifu's qualifying in that they separate the first full round of play into 2 weekends. That means while some teams get about a week off, others get just 2 days. You can justify perhaps 2 days versus 3, but 2 versus 6??
Anyways, to the recap:
Round 1
- D Block's 2 seed Tounou Jitsugyou starts with a 9-2 win over Hashima.
- Oogaki Kougyou scores 6 unanswered late to beat Nakatsugawa Kougyou 6-2.
- Gujyou down 4-1 to Ginan Kougyou in the bottom of the 9th makes a comeback marked by Shimizu's 3-run HR!
- C Block's 2 seed Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou(!) mercy ruled Reitaku Mizunami 12-3 in 8.
- C Blocks top seed Gifu Dai-ichi actually trailed Oogaki Higashi 2-0, then 3-1 before scoring 4 in the bottom of the 8th for the win.
- D Block's top seed Ginan scores 2 in the 1st which would be the final margin of victroy as they beat Gifu Kakamino 3-1.
- Ena Minami lets a 3-run lead slip away to Gifu Kita, and while they eventually win 5-4 in 12, the extra innings with just 1 full day off may cost them.
- A Block's 2 seed Seki Shougyou barely gets by Kaidzu Meisei with a run in the 9th, while top seed Oogaki Nichidai mercy rules their 2nd opponent Mizunami in 5 innings.
- B Block's top seed Oogaki Shougyou gets a 4-1 victory over Oogaki Minami and Gifu Sougou falls to 2 seed Chuukyou. And Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou who has been to Koshien recently but unseeded defeated Kanou 4-2.
- C Block started the next day. Oogaki Kougyou needed 10 innings, but made no doubt about the winner scoring 4 in the extra frame to win 5-1 over Nakatsu Shougyou. Top seed Gifu Dai-ichi couldn't shake off Gifu Jyouhoku. Everytime they'd score runs, Jyouhoku would score the same one inning later. Then in the 8th Jyouhoku sprung out and scored a run to take the lead! Now it was Dai-ichi who needed to play catch-up! And they did in the top of the 9th tying the game and playing for extras. Except that Jyouhoku wouldn't let them. They score the sayonara run to send the top seed home! Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou wins 10-1 in 7.
- D Block's top seed Gizan also got the short end of the stick. Having to play from behind, they tie the game at 2 in the 8th. In extras, they get a run in the 12th only to have Minokamo square it up again. And in perhaps the most heartbreaking manner, Minokamo wins the game in the bottom of the 15th inning, the last possible moment. Tounou Jitsugyou had more trouble in their 2nd game unable to pull away until 3 in the 9th over Hashima Kita.
With so many games to cover at this point, I'm going to have to condense my coverage a bit to try and catch up...
Round 1
- Agui and Kouyou were scoreless in 11 before Agui scores 1 and then Kouyou scores 2 for the win.
- Ichinomiya Minami scores 3 in the 9th for a gyakuten victory over Nisshin.
- Okazaki Higashi scores a run in the 1st and makes it stick against Anjyou Gakuen.
- Chiryuu Higashi scores the winning run in the bottom of the 8th to beat Toyota 7-6.
- Shouwa blows a 4-0 lead, then has to (and does) scores 2 to tie the game at 6 versus Kouzouji. Then they win 9-6 with 3 in the 12th.
- Anjyou holds off a late surge by Anjyou Higashi for a 6-5 win.
- In the battle of Aichi Sangyoudai schools, Kougyou defeats Mikawa 9-2 in 8.
- Kounan scores 3 in the 8th to reverse the deficit against Seto Kita Sougou for a 6-5 win.
- Toyota Kita scores 6 in the 8th to beat Kagaku Gijyutsu Toyota 10-8.
- Bihoku winds 2-1 in 11 over Toyohashi Kougyou.
- Tsushima Kita scores 4 runs late to defeat Anjyou Minami 5-4.
- Kariya Kita gets a lead against Kasugai, loses it ties it up then wins in 11.
Round 1
- Gotenba Nishi and Shizuoka Kita go 14 innings before Gotenba wins 5-2.
- Fujieda Meisei scores 2 to tie it up at 2 versus Itou Shougyou, but Itou prevails in 12 3-2.
- Hamamatsu Oohiradai took a 3-0 lead against Yoshiwara, saw it evaporate into a 1-run deficit, then tied and eventually won 5-4 in 10.
- Hamamatsu Kotou scores in each of the last 5 innings, including 2 in the 10th for a 6-4 win over Kagaku Gijyutsu.
- Itou's Maeshima throws a 1-hitter against Hamamatsu Kaiseikan as they advance 3-0.
- Hamakita Nishi scores a run in the top of the 9th to defeat Hamamatsu Jyouhoku Kougyou 3-2.
- Well, there goes one of my teams. Tokoha Tachibana loses in their 2nd round game to Nirayama 3-2, though it did take them scoring the 3 runs late for the win.
- Seikei scores 5 runs in the last 2 innings, including 3 in the bottom of the 9th for the 7-6 sayonara win over Izu Sougou.
- Fukuroi bids sayonara to one of the Nichidai teams in Nichidai Mishima 3-2.
- Hamamatsu Tousen pulls it out against Shizuoka Taisei 3-2.
- Seeded Shizuoka Shougyou has no trouble in their first game, dispatching Gotenba Minami 7-0. Mikkabi, Shizuoka and Hamamatsu Nishi follow suit.
- Hiryuu on the other hand had issues with Shiritsu Numadzu. Tied 1-1 going into extras, it took 2 tries to put them away. They would finally win 3-2 in 12.
- My other team, Tokoha Kikugawa started off their summer with a 4-0 win over Shimada.
- Seisei, who was at senbatsu, won their first game 12-5 over Haibara.
- St. Christopher (aka Seirei) scores all 7 of their runs in the last 3 innings, then hang on for dear life as Gotenba Nishi rallied to within one in the bottom of the 9th.
- Shizuoka Minami scores 1 to tie against Shizuoka Higashi, then fires off 2 runs after Minami gets one in the 10th.
- Hamamatsu Minami with 5 in the bottom of the 8th to beat Fujinomiya Nishi 5-3.
- Yoshiwara Kougyou and Kakegawa Higashi finish out our coverage of round 2. Down 2, bottom 9, Yoshiwara finds a way to tie the game and send it into extras. Kakegawa Higashi was already on their 2nd pitcher, Yoshiwara would send in their reliever in the 10th. The innings would go by, another reliever would be brought in on both sides, yet the game would end in a 4-4 draw! The replay wouldn't be for another 3 days, giving both sides time to rest. Once again it would be a back and forth affair as Kakegawa jumps out to a 2-0 lead then Yoshiwara firing back with 3 in the middle innings. After a 3 spot by Kakegawa and 2 from Yoshiwara in the 8th inning, they were tied once again. Kakegawa would try to end it in regulation by scoring a run in the 9th, except that it was Yoshiwara who would end it scoring 2 for the 7-6 win!
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