After a very exciting Koushien tournament, the championship comes down to 2 teams well deserving of being here. The aces of Seihou and Hanamaki Higashi were almost untouchable throughout the tournament. How dominating were they?
Imamura (Seihou) - 35 IP, 1 ER, 25 H, 42 K, 10 BB, 0.26 ERA
Kikuchi (Hanamaki Higashi) - 31 IP, 2 ER, 18 H, 37 K, 6 BB, 0.58 ERA
And add that both aces did not give up their runs until the semifinal games, and you have to think these were the top of the class.
It's also a battle of styles as well. Kikuchi has already shown to be very emotional, even going so far as to displaying a guts pose after each strikeout as if to show up the batter. Imamura on the other hand has a stoic face, even when in the motion of throwing a pitch. But the face is an intimidating one, giving the impression that you're going to be out no matter what you do.
There's no mistake about this game. We are in for a low-scoring, highly entertaining pitchers' duel....
And I want Seihou to win really badly...
Seihou (Nagasaki)
3B Yahisa
CF Tominaga
C Kawamoto
1B Yamazaki
P Imamura
LF Tsuji
RF Yoshida
2B Shimazaki
SS Hashimoto
Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate)
2B Kashiwaba
CF Satou Ryouhei
SS Kawamura
3B Sarukawa
C Chiba
P Kikuchi
1B Yokokura
RF Satou Ryuujirou
LF Yamada
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12:32 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Yahisa takes the first pitch and chops it up the 3rd base line. It trickles into left, but he doesn't take 2nd!
Tominaga looks to bunt him along while Kikuchi continues to look Yahisa back. But he does put the bunt down. A charging Yokokura overruns the ball! He recovers, and makes the throw to Kashiwaba for the out! But he stays down! Tominaga accidentally steps on Kashiwaba's foot! After they come with the spray, he's back up and ready to play.
Kawamoto with the safety bunt! It goes up the 3rd base line!! Sarukawa charges and makes the play at 1st! Two down for Seihou!
And Kikuchi gets out of the jam by getting Yamazaki to pop out in foul territory!!
Bottom 1st
One down for Imamura when he hits Ryouhei! But then he catches him stealing 2nd! He throws to Hashimoto for the 2nd out!
And then up 1-2 on Kawamura, he walks him! Hanamaki has yet another baserunner here in the 1st!
But Imamura gets Sarukawa to ground to 3rd to end the inning. Both pitchers off to a bit of a shaky start, but perhaps a combination of just feeling things out and the batters being more discerning.
Top 2nd
Tsuji draws a one-out walk to get the offense going.
Yoshida with a liner to right! That's falling, and CAUGHT!! Ryuujirou dives and makes the catch!! Tsuji scurries back to 1st! The throw from Ryuujirou is in time, double play!! A great play preventing a possible big inning!!
Bottom 2nd
Yokokura gets a single with 2 down, but a comebacker by Ryuujirou is fielded by Imamura and the side is retired.
Top 3rd
Shimazaki with a grounder to the left side. Sarukawa up with the ball, but loses it! He gets it back, but it's too late! E5!
Hashimoto bunts him to 2nd as the lineup turns over. And rain starts to come down at Koushien...
Yahisa, batttles with Kikuchi fouling off pitches after he fouls one off his leg! It pays off as he takes the 8th pitch and grounds one through to right! Shimazaki stops at 3rd as Ryuujirou makes a strong throw home! But Seihou has runners at the corners with one down!
Tominaga squares to bunt, but pulls it back! He hits it, but it's right at Kawamura! Toss to 2nd for one, throw to 1st, just in time!! Kikuchi gets out of the jam with some great defense and the score remains tied!
Bottom 3rd
Again, Imamura gives up a two-out hit, this time a single up the middle to Ryouhei. But Kawamura flies out to left and the inning is over.
Top 4th
It's interesting. Seihou has noticed Kikuchi's quick tempo and has asked for time several times this inning. I wondered when a team would start doing that to break the rhythm, and Seihou is the first I can remember doing so.
Yamazaki up, grounder to 2nd, and Kashiwaba fumbles the ball! He reaches safely!
Imamura with a grounder to the left side! Kawamura runs over, dives and stops it! But he has no play! Another great chance for Seihou!
Yoshida-kantoku elects not to bunt in this situation. The count runs full, and sanshin! A fastball hits the outside corner for the 2nd out! And then he strikes out Yoshida to end the inning!
Bottom 4th
Chiba is awarded 1st after being hit (although he really didn't do anything to get out of the way). But he's quickly wiped out after Kikuchi grounds into the inning-ending 4-6-3 double play!
Top 5th
Seihou gets its leadoff runner on for the 3rd time this game! Shimazaki shoots one to left for a single. He's moved into scoring position.
Lineup turns over for Yahisa who is already 2-2! He hits a deep fly to center, but Ryouhei is there to make the catch. Shimazaki advances to 3rd on the play. Tominaga though, grounds to 1st and Seihou cannot get that timely hit!
Bottom 5th
The side is retired, but not before a really strange play. Ryuujirou pops one up high in front of home. Everyone converges on the ball, but no one fields it! It falls in! But Ryuujirou stayed in the box! By the time he started running it was too late and he was called out.
Top 6th
Kikuchi finally has his 1-2-3 inning. Things are starting to speed up here in the middle innings.
Bottom 6th
Ryouhei draws a one-out walk, but after a fielder's choice, Kawamura gets thrown out trying to steal 2nd. Through 6, we are still scoreless!
Top 7th
Things are going quickly for Kikuchi. He gets the first two down, but then walks Shimazaki.
Hashimoto steps in. He can't sacrifice here, so he'll have to swing away. And swing away he does!! He drives a ball to deep center! Ryouhei goes back to field it, but it falls just in front of the wall! Shimazaki is flying around the bases. The throw home is cut off byt Kikuchi and he scores! Seihou has gotten to the opposing pitcher first and they have the 1-0 lead!!
Yahisa flies out to right, but Kikuchi finds himself behind for only the 2nd time this tournament! Can they equalize against Imamura?
Bottom 7th
Kikuchi tries to jump start the offense with a two-out walk. And while Hanamaki's batters are more patient, they still aren't getting good looks at the ball. Yokokura, after a 7 pitch AB grounds to short.
Top 8th
Kikuchi gives up a single with 2 down to Yamazaki, but shuts down Imamura thereafter...
He has been outstanding this game, with the only blemish being a two-out walk that eventually lead to the only run of the game. But there is only so much that he can do. Hanamaki Higashi has only 6 outs left to try and turn the tide offensively.
Bottom 8th
With one down, last batter Yamada shoots one through to left. With outs at a premium, Sasaki-kantoku elects not to bunt. Kashiwaba then chops one hits a high chopper to right! Yamazaki jumps and has it, but there's no one to cover 1st! Imamura hurries over, but it's too late! Kashiwaba is safe and the tying run is at 2nd with only one down!!
Ryouhei up, and he squares to bunt! Pulls it back though for ball 1.
Squares up again, and Yamada goes for 3rd! Buy Ryouhei pulls it back! Kawamoto up with the ball and fires to 3rd! He throws a strike to 3rd and Yahisa makes the tag!! OUT!!! I don't know if it was a case of mixed signs, but Yamada is hung out to dry! What a mistake by Hanamaki Higashi!!
Ryouhei puts down the drag bunt up the right side!! That gets past Imamura!! Shimazaki charges to the ball, but the throw to 1st is late!! Safe!! And the ball gets away from Yamazaki, and Kashiwaba advances to 3rd! 2 down, but Hanamaki has the tying run just 90 feet away!
Yoshida-kantoku calls a conference hoping that he can get the team to relax and get the final out.
And Hanamaki bails him out!! Kawamura swing at the first pitch, and it's a towering pop up! Yahisa in foul territory secures it for the 3rd out and the side is retired! 2 great opportunities for the Hanamaki squad come up empty. And now they are 3 outs away from losing the championship game
Top 9th
Tsuji with a hard grounder to the right side! Kawamura dives and stops the ball, but that's all he can do! Leadoff batter on for Seihou! Yoshida looking to bunt him to 2nd as an insurance run would certainly be helpful. And indeed he is able to lay it down.
Sasaki-kantoku calls for a conference as he knows that if another run scores, it could mean the end.
And one more time, Kikuchi shuts Seihou down.
It's now crunchtime for Hanamaki Higashi. If Kikuchi and his team want a chace at the championship, they must score 1 run.
Bottom 9th
Sarukawa down swinging on an offspeed pitch in the dirt. Takes off for first but Kawamoto throws him out. One down...
Chiba suffers the same fate!! Two down!
And now Kikuchi steps to the plate, representing the last hope! First pitch singles up the middle!! There's still life!
Hashimoto with a high chopper up the middle! Hashimoto charges in, but he can't field the bounce! He recovers quickly, but has no play! All safe! Runners at 1st and 2nd with 2 down!
Yoshida-kantoku calls a conference. Surely the Seihou players know they're just one out away.
And Sasaki-kantoku calls up #14, 2nd year Sasaki to continue the rally...
Two sliders, and he's down to his final strike...
Imamura shakes Kawamoto several times, finally agreeing as he gives a smirk. Fastball, just misses the outside corner! 1-2!
Slider outside, fouled off!!
Fastball outside and high! 2-2!
Slider outside, fouled off again!!!
Slider, and he hits it! But it a fly to left!! Tsuji gets under it... game set!!!
The team runs to the mound as we finally see emotion from Imamura! Arms raised in the air, smiling as he's surrounded! Seihou has won the 81st Spring Koushien!! The cameras turn to Yoshida-kantoku, who laughs as the accomplishment he has just achieved!!
And Kikuchi, who's shown nothing but signs of strength throughout the tournament, is shown crying as the teams line up at home plate. After the bow, Imamura and Kikuchi shake hands - Imamura somewhat back to his normal self, while Kikuchi continues to try and hold back the tears.
________________________________________________________
It has been an amazing tournament. Admittedly, when I first looked at the bracket it seemed the tournament would not be that exciting. But oh, how I was wrong. The first game, a 12 inning match where Kurashiki Kougyou rallied back repeatedly to defeat Konkou Osaka 11-10 was to be an indicator of things to come...
Imabari Nishi with a sayonara hit in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Kousei Gakuin...
Fukuchiyama Seibi scoring 3 runs in the 15th inning to get by Kokushikan...
Kaisei defeating fall champions Keiou Gijuku...
PL Gakuen's Nakano versus Saijyou's Akiyama...
Toyama Shougyou overcoming 19 K's from Kounan's Shimabukuro to win in 12...
Waseda with a sayonara hit to left to defeat fall tournament runner-up Tenri...
Narashino with the 2nd sayonara hit of the day to defeat Hikone Higashi...
Kurashiki rallying once again but falling short to Chuukyoudai Chuukyou...
Seihou's Imamura vs. Fukuchiyama Seibi's Nagaoka...
PL Gakuen's Nakano pitching a no-hitter through 9.1 IP only to lose 2-1 in 10...
Narashino on the other side of the sayonara hit losing to Rifu...
21st century team Rifu makes it to the best 4, defeating of all teams Waseda Jitsugyou...
Seihou and Hanamaki Higashi's aces heading towards a collision at the final...
All leading up to this moment.
This has been one of the better Koshien tournaments from start to finish I've ever seen. Hopefully, you have enjoyed it as well.
Now the teams head to school, to practice and prepare for the summer run to Koushien. If this is an indicator of what is to come, we all will be in for one heck of a show...
Showing posts with label Spring Koshien. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring Koshien. Show all posts
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Day 11 - Semifinal #2 - Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate) vs. Rifu (Miyagi)
The 2nd semifinal feature two more interesting teams. Say what you will about Hanamaki Higashi's ace Kikuchi - showy, cocky, even a bit arrogant. But there one more thing you can say about him - dominant. He backs up his attitude with a 145 kph fastball that just blows by batters.
Meanwhile, there's 21st century team Rifu. Usually, 21st century teams have not fared too well at Koshien. In fact since 2001, only 7 teams out of the 17 prior participants have won their first game. But Rifu was seems to be a bit stronger than most. They had actually made the Best 4 of the Tohoku Fall Tournament. They defeated a generally good Sakata Minami (Yamagata) squad 3-2 in 11 innings, and then lost in 14 to Ichinoseki Gakuin (I'm still a bit puzzled why Ichinoseki Gakuin did not get invited even though they were runner-ups, but I digress). So it's not like they were a pushover.
They proved that on the field. After annihilated Kakegawa Nishi, they squeaked one out against Narashino winning in the bottom of the 9th. Paired against Waseda Jitsugyou, they had their work cut out for them. But a 5-run 5th inning shocked everyone as they held on to win 5-4.
Not sine Ginoza of Okinawa back in 2001 (the first year of the 21st century team) has such a team advanced to the Best 4. And if they want to reach the championship game, they have to beat the now remaining pitcher yet to yield a run.
Discount them all you want, they've proven everyone (including myself) wrong...
Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate)
2B Kashiwaba
CF Satou Ryouhei
SS Kawamura
3B Sarukawa
1B Yokokura
C Chiba
RF Satou Ryuujirou
P Kikuchi
LF Yamada
Rifu (Miyagi)
C Endou
CF Fujiwara
1B Baba
RF Inoue
SS Sakurada
3B Yunomura
LF Katou Shuuta
2B Satou Yuuji
P Tsukamoto
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1:20 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Kashiwaba with a safety bunt! Yunomura comes it, not really charging and his throw to 1st isn't in time! Leadoff man on for Hanamaki! Ryuuhei moves him over to 2nd. Kawamura advances him to 3rd with a grounder to 2nd... but Sarukawa hits a weak grounder to 2nd to end the threat.
Bottom 1st
While Kikuchi does yield a two-out walk to Baba, he strikes out the side. That half-game of rest did him some good.
Top 2nd
Tsukamoto quickly gets 2 outs, but then Ryuujirou hits one to deep left! Shuuta stands there for a second then turns around as he's completely fooled! Ryuujirou rounds 2nd and Shuuta's throw in isn't even close to his cutoff man! Ryuujirou takes 3rd!
But Kikuchi grounds out to short and the inning is over.
Bottom 2nd
Rifu gets contact on the ball, but to no avail. A 1-2-3 inning for Kikuchi.
Top 3rd
Tsukamoto gets his 1-2-3 innings and he's holding up well against Hanamaki Higashi.
Bottom 3rd
Yuuji starts off the inning by working a walk. Tsukamoto moves him to 2nd.
And Endou takes a pitch to right. Ryuujirou runs back, to the wall???
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Endou takes the first pitch the opposite field just over the fence for a 2-run homerun!! And the last pitcher to not give up a run, gives up 2 in spectacular fashion! Rifu leads 2-0!!!
Then during Baba's AB, Fujiwara goes for 2nd and makes it!
And then he walks Fujiwara on 4 straight! This is uncharted territory for Kikuchi and the Hanamaki squad!
But he settles down. He stirkes out Baba looking, and gets Inoue to ground out to 2nd. But Rifu continues to shock the nation as they take a 2-0 lead!!
Top 4th
One down for Hanamaki, and Sarukawa singles past a diving Yuuji into right! But Tsukamoto strikes out Yokokura for the 2nd out!
Chiba looking to keep the inning going. He drives one to deep center! Fujiwara ranges back, and has to leap to make the catch!! A really close call there by the Rifu defense.
Bottom 4th
Yunomura steps in with one out and hits one to deep right center! That's to the wall! Yunomura pushes for 3! But the throw from Kashiwaba is in plenty of time to get him!
After that, it's just a 1-2-3 inning for Kikuchi. Kinda.
Top 5th
Ryuujirou with a soft liner that just goes over a leaping Sakurada! Kikuchi with the bunt, but tries to stall up the first base line. Baba comes over and it's a hard collision for the out. The home plate umpire has a word with Kikuchi before he goes back to the dugout.
One out, runner on 2nd for Yamada. He puts down the bunt. Endou with the ball, but the throw to 1st pulls Baba off the bag!! All safe. E2 and runners at the corners with one out!
Top batter Kashiwaba up. Grounder back up the middle! Yuuji ranges over makes the diving stop! Toss to 2nd, safe! Throw to 1st is in time. But Ryuujirou scores and Hanamaki has cut the deficit in half 2-1!!
Had not Yamada not gone on the play, the inning would have been over!
Ryuuhei steps up and hits a hard grounder right at 3rd. But it goes through Yunomura and into left! Yamada races for home!! Fuse charging in, makes the throw home! Endou with the ball and makes the swipe tag! Yamada's out at the plate! A possibly disasterous error turns into the 3rd out!
Bottom 5th
Kikuchi is starting to look human now!
Tsukamoto starts with a one-out single to right. Endou follows that up with a grounder to left! Obara-kantoku elects to bunt the runners along and Fujiwara executes the bunt.
2 down, runners on 2nd and 3rd for Baba! And after the count runs full, he walks him. Manrui!
But Kikuchi escapes! He gets Inoue to ground out to short to end the inning!
Top 6th
Hanamaki's offense starts again with one down. Sarukawa lines one to 1st, but it glances off Baba's glove! He gets the ball, but Tsukamoto isn't covering! E3!
Yokokura drives one down the right field line, but Inoue is there for the catch. 2 down.
Chiba lines one through the infield and into left! Runners at 1st and 2nd! AHH!!! He hits Ryuujirou! Manrui for Hanamaki Higashi!!
Kikuchi up hoping to help his cause. Count goes 2-2 when he reaches down for one! The ball heads to center and it falls in front of a charging Fujiwara!! Sarukawa scores! The throw home is cut off and Chiba scores!! Kikuchi with the bloop single and the error comes back to haunt Rifu!! Hanamaki Higashi takes the 3-2 lead!!
And Obara-kantoku feels like he's seen enough. He pulls Tsukamoto and #10 Takahashi enters the game. It's a bit curious since it wasn't really bad pitching that led to the 2 runs.
But Takahashi does get the job done, getting Yamada to ground out to first. But Rifu has given up the lead here in the 6th!
Bottom 6th
With the lead and new life, Kikuchi seems to return to his former self, retiring the side in order. Even gives a guts pose when he strikes out Fuse for out #3.
Top 7th
Kashiwaba opens "Lucky 7" with a single back up the middle. Ryouhei though can't lay the bunt and grounds out to 2nd. The Hanamaki batters seem to have an easier time with Takahashi as Kawamura also singles up the middle.
The pitching change could backfire of Rifu...
But Sarukawa grounds to 2nd! Yuuji starts the inning-ending 4-6-3 double play!
However, while Rifu just fell behind, time is already starting to run out on Rifu.
Bottom 7th
Yuuji with a grounder to the left side, Sarukawa charges, but gives up on it! Kawamura, backing up the play fields the ball and makes the throw to 1st just in time to get Yuuji!
Kikuchi retires the next two batter in quick order, and it looks like Rifu's chance to advance may have slipped away!
Top 8th
And their defense isn't helping them out. Yokokura singles down the right field line, but Inoue misplays the ball! Yokokura advances to 2nd! And the first pitch is misplayed by Endou! It gets away from him and Yokokura heads to 3rd! And Chiba walks on 4 straight to put runners at the corners with no down!
Obara-kantoku has a quick conference on the mound.
SQUEEZE!!!
Ryuujirou goes for the bunt, but misses! Yokokura wasn't going though, but Chiba steals 2nd! Now a base hit blows the game open!
But Takahashi strikes out Ryuujirou for out number one!
Kikuchi up yet again to help his cause.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This time Sasaki-kantoku does call for the squeeze!! Takahashi gets to the ball quickly, throws home and AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He throws it wide of Endou and it goes all the way to the backstop!! Yokokura scores! Chiba rounds 3rd and he scores!! Hanamaki Higashi does blow it open thanks to Kikuchi yet again, and it's 5-2!!
Yamada looking to keep the inning going, draws a walk!
Obara-kantoku makes another pitching change. #11 Katou Hiroki comes in. Still only 1 down in the 8th.
Hiroki gets Kashiwaba to fly out to left. 2 down.
Ryuuhei though hits a grounder to the left side! Sakurada dives, and it goes off of him into left! Kikuchi rounds 3rd, and Fuse bobbles the ball! But Kikuchi was heading back to 3rd, so he doesn't advance. But it's manrui for Hanamaki Higashi!
Hiroki gets Kawamura to strike out, but Hanamaki extends it's lead. And against Kikuchi, 3 runs is a lot.
Bottom 8th
It's just about over for Rifu now. Kikuchi retires the side in order and the magical run looks over here in the Best 4.
Top 9th
Hiroki walks Sarukawa to start the inning. He's bunted over for Chiba, but he pops it up to 2nd. Ryuujirou grounds to short and the inning is over...
Bottom 9th
3 runs in 3 outs for Rifu. That's what they face here...
But they fight on. Sakurada fouls off pitches at the dish until Kikuchi strikes him out on an outside pitch.
Yunomura though singles to right!! There's some life!
He's replaced by #16 Watanabe as it starts to rain yet again at Koushien.
And Fuse with a grounder up the middle! Kawamura with the ball, steps on 2nd for one, throw to 1st, in time to beat a leaping Fuse!
Rifu looked like it was going to continue it's amazing run. But poor defense won't get you there, and Hanamaki Higashi jumped on that to rally and defeat Rifu in good fashion.
Give Rifu a round of applause, but now we head to the finals. And it's the matchup that I think people were hoping for as the tournament progressed. Two intimidating and strong pitchers face off...
Imamura Takeru (Seihou Koukou - Saza-cho, Nagasaki)
vs.
Kikuchi Yuusei (Hanamaki Higashi Koukou - Hanamaki-shi, Iwate)
________________________________________________________
Meanwhile, there's 21st century team Rifu. Usually, 21st century teams have not fared too well at Koshien. In fact since 2001, only 7 teams out of the 17 prior participants have won their first game. But Rifu was seems to be a bit stronger than most. They had actually made the Best 4 of the Tohoku Fall Tournament. They defeated a generally good Sakata Minami (Yamagata) squad 3-2 in 11 innings, and then lost in 14 to Ichinoseki Gakuin (I'm still a bit puzzled why Ichinoseki Gakuin did not get invited even though they were runner-ups, but I digress). So it's not like they were a pushover.
They proved that on the field. After annihilated Kakegawa Nishi, they squeaked one out against Narashino winning in the bottom of the 9th. Paired against Waseda Jitsugyou, they had their work cut out for them. But a 5-run 5th inning shocked everyone as they held on to win 5-4.
Not sine Ginoza of Okinawa back in 2001 (the first year of the 21st century team) has such a team advanced to the Best 4. And if they want to reach the championship game, they have to beat the now remaining pitcher yet to yield a run.
Discount them all you want, they've proven everyone (including myself) wrong...
Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate)
2B Kashiwaba
CF Satou Ryouhei
SS Kawamura
3B Sarukawa
1B Yokokura
C Chiba
RF Satou Ryuujirou
P Kikuchi
LF Yamada
Rifu (Miyagi)
C Endou
CF Fujiwara
1B Baba
RF Inoue
SS Sakurada
3B Yunomura
LF Katou Shuuta
2B Satou Yuuji
P Tsukamoto
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1:20 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Kashiwaba with a safety bunt! Yunomura comes it, not really charging and his throw to 1st isn't in time! Leadoff man on for Hanamaki! Ryuuhei moves him over to 2nd. Kawamura advances him to 3rd with a grounder to 2nd... but Sarukawa hits a weak grounder to 2nd to end the threat.
Bottom 1st
While Kikuchi does yield a two-out walk to Baba, he strikes out the side. That half-game of rest did him some good.
Top 2nd
Tsukamoto quickly gets 2 outs, but then Ryuujirou hits one to deep left! Shuuta stands there for a second then turns around as he's completely fooled! Ryuujirou rounds 2nd and Shuuta's throw in isn't even close to his cutoff man! Ryuujirou takes 3rd!
But Kikuchi grounds out to short and the inning is over.
Bottom 2nd
Rifu gets contact on the ball, but to no avail. A 1-2-3 inning for Kikuchi.
Top 3rd
Tsukamoto gets his 1-2-3 innings and he's holding up well against Hanamaki Higashi.
Bottom 3rd
Yuuji starts off the inning by working a walk. Tsukamoto moves him to 2nd.
And Endou takes a pitch to right. Ryuujirou runs back, to the wall???
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Endou takes the first pitch the opposite field just over the fence for a 2-run homerun!! And the last pitcher to not give up a run, gives up 2 in spectacular fashion! Rifu leads 2-0!!!
Then during Baba's AB, Fujiwara goes for 2nd and makes it!
And then he walks Fujiwara on 4 straight! This is uncharted territory for Kikuchi and the Hanamaki squad!
But he settles down. He stirkes out Baba looking, and gets Inoue to ground out to 2nd. But Rifu continues to shock the nation as they take a 2-0 lead!!
Top 4th
One down for Hanamaki, and Sarukawa singles past a diving Yuuji into right! But Tsukamoto strikes out Yokokura for the 2nd out!
Chiba looking to keep the inning going. He drives one to deep center! Fujiwara ranges back, and has to leap to make the catch!! A really close call there by the Rifu defense.
Bottom 4th
Yunomura steps in with one out and hits one to deep right center! That's to the wall! Yunomura pushes for 3! But the throw from Kashiwaba is in plenty of time to get him!
After that, it's just a 1-2-3 inning for Kikuchi. Kinda.
Top 5th
Ryuujirou with a soft liner that just goes over a leaping Sakurada! Kikuchi with the bunt, but tries to stall up the first base line. Baba comes over and it's a hard collision for the out. The home plate umpire has a word with Kikuchi before he goes back to the dugout.
One out, runner on 2nd for Yamada. He puts down the bunt. Endou with the ball, but the throw to 1st pulls Baba off the bag!! All safe. E2 and runners at the corners with one out!
Top batter Kashiwaba up. Grounder back up the middle! Yuuji ranges over makes the diving stop! Toss to 2nd, safe! Throw to 1st is in time. But Ryuujirou scores and Hanamaki has cut the deficit in half 2-1!!
Had not Yamada not gone on the play, the inning would have been over!
Ryuuhei steps up and hits a hard grounder right at 3rd. But it goes through Yunomura and into left! Yamada races for home!! Fuse charging in, makes the throw home! Endou with the ball and makes the swipe tag! Yamada's out at the plate! A possibly disasterous error turns into the 3rd out!
Bottom 5th
Kikuchi is starting to look human now!
Tsukamoto starts with a one-out single to right. Endou follows that up with a grounder to left! Obara-kantoku elects to bunt the runners along and Fujiwara executes the bunt.
2 down, runners on 2nd and 3rd for Baba! And after the count runs full, he walks him. Manrui!
But Kikuchi escapes! He gets Inoue to ground out to short to end the inning!
Top 6th
Hanamaki's offense starts again with one down. Sarukawa lines one to 1st, but it glances off Baba's glove! He gets the ball, but Tsukamoto isn't covering! E3!
Yokokura drives one down the right field line, but Inoue is there for the catch. 2 down.
Chiba lines one through the infield and into left! Runners at 1st and 2nd! AHH!!! He hits Ryuujirou! Manrui for Hanamaki Higashi!!
Kikuchi up hoping to help his cause. Count goes 2-2 when he reaches down for one! The ball heads to center and it falls in front of a charging Fujiwara!! Sarukawa scores! The throw home is cut off and Chiba scores!! Kikuchi with the bloop single and the error comes back to haunt Rifu!! Hanamaki Higashi takes the 3-2 lead!!
And Obara-kantoku feels like he's seen enough. He pulls Tsukamoto and #10 Takahashi enters the game. It's a bit curious since it wasn't really bad pitching that led to the 2 runs.
But Takahashi does get the job done, getting Yamada to ground out to first. But Rifu has given up the lead here in the 6th!
Bottom 6th
With the lead and new life, Kikuchi seems to return to his former self, retiring the side in order. Even gives a guts pose when he strikes out Fuse for out #3.
Top 7th
Kashiwaba opens "Lucky 7" with a single back up the middle. Ryouhei though can't lay the bunt and grounds out to 2nd. The Hanamaki batters seem to have an easier time with Takahashi as Kawamura also singles up the middle.
The pitching change could backfire of Rifu...
But Sarukawa grounds to 2nd! Yuuji starts the inning-ending 4-6-3 double play!
However, while Rifu just fell behind, time is already starting to run out on Rifu.
Bottom 7th
Yuuji with a grounder to the left side, Sarukawa charges, but gives up on it! Kawamura, backing up the play fields the ball and makes the throw to 1st just in time to get Yuuji!
Kikuchi retires the next two batter in quick order, and it looks like Rifu's chance to advance may have slipped away!
Top 8th
And their defense isn't helping them out. Yokokura singles down the right field line, but Inoue misplays the ball! Yokokura advances to 2nd! And the first pitch is misplayed by Endou! It gets away from him and Yokokura heads to 3rd! And Chiba walks on 4 straight to put runners at the corners with no down!
Obara-kantoku has a quick conference on the mound.
SQUEEZE!!!
Ryuujirou goes for the bunt, but misses! Yokokura wasn't going though, but Chiba steals 2nd! Now a base hit blows the game open!
But Takahashi strikes out Ryuujirou for out number one!
Kikuchi up yet again to help his cause.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This time Sasaki-kantoku does call for the squeeze!! Takahashi gets to the ball quickly, throws home and AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He throws it wide of Endou and it goes all the way to the backstop!! Yokokura scores! Chiba rounds 3rd and he scores!! Hanamaki Higashi does blow it open thanks to Kikuchi yet again, and it's 5-2!!
Yamada looking to keep the inning going, draws a walk!
Obara-kantoku makes another pitching change. #11 Katou Hiroki comes in. Still only 1 down in the 8th.
Hiroki gets Kashiwaba to fly out to left. 2 down.
Ryuuhei though hits a grounder to the left side! Sakurada dives, and it goes off of him into left! Kikuchi rounds 3rd, and Fuse bobbles the ball! But Kikuchi was heading back to 3rd, so he doesn't advance. But it's manrui for Hanamaki Higashi!
Hiroki gets Kawamura to strike out, but Hanamaki extends it's lead. And against Kikuchi, 3 runs is a lot.
Bottom 8th
It's just about over for Rifu now. Kikuchi retires the side in order and the magical run looks over here in the Best 4.
Top 9th
Hiroki walks Sarukawa to start the inning. He's bunted over for Chiba, but he pops it up to 2nd. Ryuujirou grounds to short and the inning is over...
Bottom 9th
3 runs in 3 outs for Rifu. That's what they face here...
But they fight on. Sakurada fouls off pitches at the dish until Kikuchi strikes him out on an outside pitch.
Yunomura though singles to right!! There's some life!
He's replaced by #16 Watanabe as it starts to rain yet again at Koushien.
And Fuse with a grounder up the middle! Kawamura with the ball, steps on 2nd for one, throw to 1st, in time to beat a leaping Fuse!
Rifu looked like it was going to continue it's amazing run. But poor defense won't get you there, and Hanamaki Higashi jumped on that to rally and defeat Rifu in good fashion.
Give Rifu a round of applause, but now we head to the finals. And it's the matchup that I think people were hoping for as the tournament progressed. Two intimidating and strong pitchers face off...
Imamura Takeru (Seihou Koukou - Saza-cho, Nagasaki)
vs.
Kikuchi Yuusei (Hanamaki Higashi Koukou - Hanamaki-shi, Iwate)
________________________________________________________
Day 11 - Semifinal #1 - Hōtoku Gakuen (Hyogo) vs. Seihō (Nagasaki)
We have reached the semifinals. Some familiar faces, some not so familiar. For Houtoku Gakuen it's been an interesting road. They barely get out of their first game against Takasaki Shougyou, annihilated a surprisingly flat Imabari Nishi, then was trading punches with Chuukyoudai Chuukyou before prevailing in the top of the 9th.
Seihou, on the other hand has relatively breezed through. On the back of ace Imamura, he has pitches 26 shutout innings (he didn't pitch the 9th against Minoshima). Only Fukuchiyama Seibi proved to be a tough match, but that was because of their pitching, not their hitting.
It's partially bias, but I think Seihou finally has the complete package. Their trademark offense combined finally with an amazing ace equals championship game (and hopefully the title). Houtoku's pitching has been a bit suspect to me, and I don't think it'll last against Seihou's offense.
Houtoku Gakuen (Hyogo)
CF Tsuji
2B Nojima
1B Miyamoto
3B Saigou
C Hiramoto
SS Momiyama
LF Fujikura
RF Nara
P Miyatani
Seihou (Nagasaki)
3B Yahisa
CF Tominaga
C Kawamoto
1B Yamazaki
P Imamura
LF Tsuji
SS Hashimoto
2B Shimazaki (#14)
RF Yoshida
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11:02 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Tsuji takes the first pitch and bloops it to left center for a base hit!! Nice way to start the game!! And Nagata-kantoku is using the hit-and-run!! But Nojima pops out to right!
They continue to press!! Tsuji takes off for 2nd on the first pitch to Miyamoto!! But Kawamoto rifles it to 2nd and they gun him down! 2 down!
And Iwamura freezes Miyamoto for the 3rd out!
Bottom 1st
Seihou is hacking away at the plate to start the game! After Yahisa strikes out, Tominaga and Kawamoto fly out on back-to-back pitches to quickly end the inning.
Top 2nd
The aces are just flying through the lineups! Houtoku's batters are just swinging away! Imamura only needs 6 pitches to retire the side!
Bottom 2nd
YAMAZAKI DRIVES A BALL!!! That's deep to left!! Fujikura to the wall!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW!! Yamazaki hits a homerun to left!! Seihou is up 1-0!!
Imamura with a liner to left-center!! That's in for a base hit! Imamura pushes for 2nd!! Throw in, safe!! Imamura with a double and Seihou is threatening again!!
Tsuji bunts him over to 3rd. Now a sac fly can give them a 2-run lead!!
Hashimoto grounds to 2nd, but it's not enough! And Shimazaki grounds to short to end the inning. BUT!! Yamazaki's home run gives Seihou the lead!
Top 3rd
Fujikura with a comebacker! Imamura can't stop it and it goes to center for a base hit!
Nara with a great bunt on a slider down and in and Fujikura moves to scoring position!
Ace Miyatani can help his own cause. Count goes to 2-2 and he starts fouling off pitches. 8th pitch, low! Count runs full!! 9th pitch, Miyatani swings and misses!!
2 down, and back to the top of the order for Tsuji! But he pops it up to Yahisa and the inning is over!!
Bottom 3rd
Yoshida gets the bottom of the 3rd started with a bloop single to center! Back to the top of the order and Yahisa!
Yoshida-kantoku isn't electing to bunt here either! Count runs to 3-1 on Yahisa! Ball 4!! Miyatani is having trouble finding the plate! Runners on 1st and 2nd with no out!
And now Tominaga puts down the bunt. The runners advance to 2nd and 3rd for Kawamoto!!
Kawamoto though hits a comebacker to Miyatani! The runners go back as he makes the play at 1st! 2 down!!
Jock Rock starts playing as Yamazaki steps in!! Nagata-kantoku calls a conference to talk about how to deal with him!!
They're pitching him away. And with the count 2-1, they may be going for the intentional walk!
NO!!!!
They pitch to him and he drives a low pitch back up the middle! Miyatani stabs at it, but it's through and into center!!!! Yoshida scores!! Yahisa comes around, he scores!! Yamazaki with a 2-run single and it's 3-0 Seihou!!
And Miyatani walks Imamura on 4 straight!!
That's enough for Nagata-kantoku. He pulls Miyatani from the game. Miyamoto comes in from 1B to relieve him. #11 Wada replaces Miyatani in the 9-spot and plays 1st.
Miyamoto gets Yoshida to fly out to right to end the inning, but Yamazaki is a one-man wrecking crew!! 2-2 with a homerun and all 3 RBI's for Seihou!!
Top 4th
Miyamoto starts Houtoku's offense with a one-out single through the right side! But Imamura clamps down, striking out Saigou and getting Hiramoto to ground to 3rd! He continues to dominate the Houtoku batters!!
Bottom 4th
Miyamoto struggles with the batters a bit, but he stems the Seihou attack! He retires the side in order for the 1st time since the 1st!
Top 5th
A slight rain comes down as we begin the 5th.
Imamura is about to breeze through the inning when Nara grounds one through the left side. But that's only a small blip as Wada flies out to center to end the inning... No team has really threatened Imamura this tournament!
Bottom 5th
The rain starts to come down a little more and the people move for the comforts under the overhang.
Yahisa stars off the inning with a comebacker up the middle for a leadoff single!!
Tominaga bunts him over as the rain falls down a little harder! It would behoove Seihou to get through 5!! But I bet Seihou would like another run or two...
Miyamoto though has other plans! He strikes out Kawamoto, but now faces Yamazaki!!
AND HE SINGLES TO RIGHT!!!!! Yahisa comes in and it's 4-0!!! YAMAZAKI IS ON FIRE!!
Imamura with a grounder through the right side!! Seihou continues to assault Houtoku's pitching!
Jock Rock!!
Tsuji with a foul ball that goes off SS Hashimoto's ankle!! He tries to shake it off as they get an ice pack for him. Ouch. Miyamoto does get him to ground to 1st, but Yamazaki tacks on another run!
Top 6th
One down for Houtoku when Nojima lines one to center. And with Miyamoto up, he goes for 2nd and takes it! He advances to 3rd on Miyamoto's grounder to 2nd.
And then he walks Saigou on 4 straight! Runners at the carners for Hiramoto!! And Imamura can't seem to find the plate! He falls behind 2-0!!
But Hiramoto bails him out!! He grounds to short and Hashimoto tosses it to Shimazaki to end the inning! Don't know if it was the weather, or their pitching sequence , but Imamura didn't look good there to Saigou and Hiramoto.
Bottom 6th
The rain is really coming down at Hanshin Koushien Kyuujyou. It's even apparent on screen how much it's falling.
Two down when Yoshida puts down a safety bunt! Miyamoto comes in to field it... the throw to 1st... not in time! The ball trickles up the first base line but Yoshida stays at 1st.
And with Yahisa up, Yoshida takes off! But Hiramoto's throw is in time for the out! Another 3 up, 3 down inning - so to speak.
Top 7th
Imamura is back to his normal self. He gets ahead of Momiyama and strikes him out swining. The same goes for Fujikura, but he grounds to short. Hashimoto is there, but he can't get a handle on it!! Error on Hashimoto gives Houtoku a runner!
Nagata-kantoku stays aggressive! Fujikura takes off for 2nd!! But it's a pitchout! Kawamoto easily throws him out! 2 down!!
And he gets Nara to strike out! But the ball gets away from Kawamoto and Nara reaches 1st!
But Imamura shuts them down again!! He gets Wada to ground to short and Imamura still has yet to yield a run!!
Bottom 7th
Miyamoto gets the first two batters out, but isn't getting the border calls on Kawamoto. He walks in on 4 straight and that means...
Yamazaki comes to the plate...
Houtoku and Miyamoto continue to pitch to him though. Count goes to 2-2, and he gets jammed! But he powers the ball into right for yet another base hit! Kawamoto advances to 3rd and it's runners at the corners for Seihou!!
Nagata-kantoku calls for another conference on the mound. Meanwhile, more Jock Rock!!
Miyamoto though can't find the zone! He falls behind Imamura 3-0! But a pitch down the middle and a jammed pitch fill up the count...
AND IT'S WAY HIGH!! Hiramoto has to jump up to snag it before it goes to the backstop!! Manrui for Tsuji! All this with 2 outs!
But Tsuji flies out to Tsuji in center, and Miyamoto gets out of the pinch!! That's great, but as they look at the scoreboard, they find themselves down 4 with only 6 outs to go.
Top 8th
It looks like the rain has finally subsided...
Imamura is just not nice. After a battle with leadoff batter Tsuji, he just freezes him on a fastball inside!
But then he walks Nojima. Miyamoto battles with Imamura trying to get on base. Nojima takes off for 2nd! No throw by Kawamoto! That's his 2nd stolen base!
And Miyamoto goes down swinging! 2 down for cleanup batter Saigou.
And he lines one to left! That's in for a single! Tsuji charging for home!! Fujikura takes a bit of a lackadaisical attitude to the ball, and the throw home isn't in time! Houtoku gets on the board, 4-1!! Imamura's streak of scoreless innings ends at 33.2 IP!!
Hiramoto then puts good bat on the all, but Tsuji is there to make the catch.
Bottom 8th
Miyamoto retires the bottom of the order, but as we head to the 9th inning they have 3 outs to score 3 runs.
Top 9th
Momiyama with a short grounder to the left side. Yahisa charges, snags the tough ball and makes the play at 1st!
Fujikura steps to the plate. He's frozen on an offspeed pitch and their down to their final out!!
Andn Nara flies out to left! Tsuji secures the ball, and Seihou wins 4-1!!
In their 2nd appearance at the spring Koushien, they again reach the finals! This time, they look to avenge their 21-0 loss at the hands of Yokohama and claim the title!
Imamura finally has given up a run, and looked a little shaky at times near the end of the game. Can he carry Seihou through one more game?
Seihou, on the other hand has relatively breezed through. On the back of ace Imamura, he has pitches 26 shutout innings (he didn't pitch the 9th against Minoshima). Only Fukuchiyama Seibi proved to be a tough match, but that was because of their pitching, not their hitting.
It's partially bias, but I think Seihou finally has the complete package. Their trademark offense combined finally with an amazing ace equals championship game (and hopefully the title). Houtoku's pitching has been a bit suspect to me, and I don't think it'll last against Seihou's offense.
Houtoku Gakuen (Hyogo)
CF Tsuji
2B Nojima
1B Miyamoto
3B Saigou
C Hiramoto
SS Momiyama
LF Fujikura
RF Nara
P Miyatani
Seihou (Nagasaki)
3B Yahisa
CF Tominaga
C Kawamoto
1B Yamazaki
P Imamura
LF Tsuji
SS Hashimoto
2B Shimazaki (#14)
RF Yoshida
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11:02 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Tsuji takes the first pitch and bloops it to left center for a base hit!! Nice way to start the game!! And Nagata-kantoku is using the hit-and-run!! But Nojima pops out to right!
They continue to press!! Tsuji takes off for 2nd on the first pitch to Miyamoto!! But Kawamoto rifles it to 2nd and they gun him down! 2 down!
And Iwamura freezes Miyamoto for the 3rd out!
Bottom 1st
Seihou is hacking away at the plate to start the game! After Yahisa strikes out, Tominaga and Kawamoto fly out on back-to-back pitches to quickly end the inning.
Top 2nd
The aces are just flying through the lineups! Houtoku's batters are just swinging away! Imamura only needs 6 pitches to retire the side!
Bottom 2nd
YAMAZAKI DRIVES A BALL!!! That's deep to left!! Fujikura to the wall!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW!! Yamazaki hits a homerun to left!! Seihou is up 1-0!!
Imamura with a liner to left-center!! That's in for a base hit! Imamura pushes for 2nd!! Throw in, safe!! Imamura with a double and Seihou is threatening again!!
Tsuji bunts him over to 3rd. Now a sac fly can give them a 2-run lead!!
Hashimoto grounds to 2nd, but it's not enough! And Shimazaki grounds to short to end the inning. BUT!! Yamazaki's home run gives Seihou the lead!
Top 3rd
Fujikura with a comebacker! Imamura can't stop it and it goes to center for a base hit!
Nara with a great bunt on a slider down and in and Fujikura moves to scoring position!
Ace Miyatani can help his own cause. Count goes to 2-2 and he starts fouling off pitches. 8th pitch, low! Count runs full!! 9th pitch, Miyatani swings and misses!!
2 down, and back to the top of the order for Tsuji! But he pops it up to Yahisa and the inning is over!!
Bottom 3rd
Yoshida gets the bottom of the 3rd started with a bloop single to center! Back to the top of the order and Yahisa!
Yoshida-kantoku isn't electing to bunt here either! Count runs to 3-1 on Yahisa! Ball 4!! Miyatani is having trouble finding the plate! Runners on 1st and 2nd with no out!
And now Tominaga puts down the bunt. The runners advance to 2nd and 3rd for Kawamoto!!
Kawamoto though hits a comebacker to Miyatani! The runners go back as he makes the play at 1st! 2 down!!
Jock Rock starts playing as Yamazaki steps in!! Nagata-kantoku calls a conference to talk about how to deal with him!!
They're pitching him away. And with the count 2-1, they may be going for the intentional walk!
NO!!!!
They pitch to him and he drives a low pitch back up the middle! Miyatani stabs at it, but it's through and into center!!!! Yoshida scores!! Yahisa comes around, he scores!! Yamazaki with a 2-run single and it's 3-0 Seihou!!
And Miyatani walks Imamura on 4 straight!!
That's enough for Nagata-kantoku. He pulls Miyatani from the game. Miyamoto comes in from 1B to relieve him. #11 Wada replaces Miyatani in the 9-spot and plays 1st.
Miyamoto gets Yoshida to fly out to right to end the inning, but Yamazaki is a one-man wrecking crew!! 2-2 with a homerun and all 3 RBI's for Seihou!!
Top 4th
Miyamoto starts Houtoku's offense with a one-out single through the right side! But Imamura clamps down, striking out Saigou and getting Hiramoto to ground to 3rd! He continues to dominate the Houtoku batters!!
Bottom 4th
Miyamoto struggles with the batters a bit, but he stems the Seihou attack! He retires the side in order for the 1st time since the 1st!
Top 5th
A slight rain comes down as we begin the 5th.
Imamura is about to breeze through the inning when Nara grounds one through the left side. But that's only a small blip as Wada flies out to center to end the inning... No team has really threatened Imamura this tournament!
Bottom 5th
The rain starts to come down a little more and the people move for the comforts under the overhang.
Yahisa stars off the inning with a comebacker up the middle for a leadoff single!!
Tominaga bunts him over as the rain falls down a little harder! It would behoove Seihou to get through 5!! But I bet Seihou would like another run or two...
Miyamoto though has other plans! He strikes out Kawamoto, but now faces Yamazaki!!
AND HE SINGLES TO RIGHT!!!!! Yahisa comes in and it's 4-0!!! YAMAZAKI IS ON FIRE!!
Imamura with a grounder through the right side!! Seihou continues to assault Houtoku's pitching!
Jock Rock!!
Tsuji with a foul ball that goes off SS Hashimoto's ankle!! He tries to shake it off as they get an ice pack for him. Ouch. Miyamoto does get him to ground to 1st, but Yamazaki tacks on another run!
Top 6th
One down for Houtoku when Nojima lines one to center. And with Miyamoto up, he goes for 2nd and takes it! He advances to 3rd on Miyamoto's grounder to 2nd.
And then he walks Saigou on 4 straight! Runners at the carners for Hiramoto!! And Imamura can't seem to find the plate! He falls behind 2-0!!
But Hiramoto bails him out!! He grounds to short and Hashimoto tosses it to Shimazaki to end the inning! Don't know if it was the weather, or their pitching sequence , but Imamura didn't look good there to Saigou and Hiramoto.
Bottom 6th
The rain is really coming down at Hanshin Koushien Kyuujyou. It's even apparent on screen how much it's falling.
Two down when Yoshida puts down a safety bunt! Miyamoto comes in to field it... the throw to 1st... not in time! The ball trickles up the first base line but Yoshida stays at 1st.
And with Yahisa up, Yoshida takes off! But Hiramoto's throw is in time for the out! Another 3 up, 3 down inning - so to speak.
Top 7th
Imamura is back to his normal self. He gets ahead of Momiyama and strikes him out swining. The same goes for Fujikura, but he grounds to short. Hashimoto is there, but he can't get a handle on it!! Error on Hashimoto gives Houtoku a runner!
Nagata-kantoku stays aggressive! Fujikura takes off for 2nd!! But it's a pitchout! Kawamoto easily throws him out! 2 down!!
And he gets Nara to strike out! But the ball gets away from Kawamoto and Nara reaches 1st!
But Imamura shuts them down again!! He gets Wada to ground to short and Imamura still has yet to yield a run!!
Bottom 7th
Miyamoto gets the first two batters out, but isn't getting the border calls on Kawamoto. He walks in on 4 straight and that means...
Yamazaki comes to the plate...
Houtoku and Miyamoto continue to pitch to him though. Count goes to 2-2, and he gets jammed! But he powers the ball into right for yet another base hit! Kawamoto advances to 3rd and it's runners at the corners for Seihou!!
Nagata-kantoku calls for another conference on the mound. Meanwhile, more Jock Rock!!
Miyamoto though can't find the zone! He falls behind Imamura 3-0! But a pitch down the middle and a jammed pitch fill up the count...
AND IT'S WAY HIGH!! Hiramoto has to jump up to snag it before it goes to the backstop!! Manrui for Tsuji! All this with 2 outs!
But Tsuji flies out to Tsuji in center, and Miyamoto gets out of the pinch!! That's great, but as they look at the scoreboard, they find themselves down 4 with only 6 outs to go.
Top 8th
It looks like the rain has finally subsided...
Imamura is just not nice. After a battle with leadoff batter Tsuji, he just freezes him on a fastball inside!
But then he walks Nojima. Miyamoto battles with Imamura trying to get on base. Nojima takes off for 2nd! No throw by Kawamoto! That's his 2nd stolen base!
And Miyamoto goes down swinging! 2 down for cleanup batter Saigou.
And he lines one to left! That's in for a single! Tsuji charging for home!! Fujikura takes a bit of a lackadaisical attitude to the ball, and the throw home isn't in time! Houtoku gets on the board, 4-1!! Imamura's streak of scoreless innings ends at 33.2 IP!!
Hiramoto then puts good bat on the all, but Tsuji is there to make the catch.
Bottom 8th
Miyamoto retires the bottom of the order, but as we head to the 9th inning they have 3 outs to score 3 runs.
Top 9th
Momiyama with a short grounder to the left side. Yahisa charges, snags the tough ball and makes the play at 1st!
Fujikura steps to the plate. He's frozen on an offspeed pitch and their down to their final out!!
Andn Nara flies out to left! Tsuji secures the ball, and Seihou wins 4-1!!
In their 2nd appearance at the spring Koushien, they again reach the finals! This time, they look to avenge their 21-0 loss at the hands of Yokohama and claim the title!
Imamura finally has given up a run, and looked a little shaky at times near the end of the game. Can he carry Seihou through one more game?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Day 10 - Quarterfinal #4 - Rifu (Miyagi) vs. Waseda Jitsugyō (Tokyo)
The final quarterfinal match is a match of complete opposites.
Waseda Jitsugyou in the early years of Koushien dominated the scene, but tailed of in recent decades. But with the emergence of Saitou Yuuki (aka The Hankerchief Prince), they seem to be having a resurgance.
For Rifu, it's completely new - this is their first Koushien appearance, spring or summer. In addition, they were selected as a 21st century team. Now, they did make the Best 4 of the Tohoku fall tournament so perhaps they're stronger than most. Certainly so far in this tournament they have surprised, routing Tokai runner-up Kakegawa Nishi and outdueling Kanto runner-up Narashino.
While Rifu has been a good story so far this tournament, you'd have to be hard-pressed not to see Waseda advance as the last team into the Best 4.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1:31 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Onoda seem to be having a little trouble locating his pitches. He works the count full on two batters and gives up a single to Baba with 2 down past a diving Isoami, but a grounder to 2nd by Inoue ends that.
Bottom 1st
Tsukamoto has a hassle-free first inning retiring the Waseda batters in order. As a pitch-to-contact ace, it's nice to see early the batters hitting ground balls in the infield.
Top 2nd
There's one down in the inning when Sakurada lines one down the right field line for a base hit. But Kakinuma bobbles the transfer and Sakurada breaks for 2nd! The throw in is not in time and Rifu has a runner in scoring position!
Shuuta hits a short chopper back to Onoda. Sakurada is taking off for 3rd! Onoda throws to 3rd and Rukazawa makes the easy tag.
With the lead runner gone, Onoda gets out of the jam.
Bottom 2nd
And as is custom with the 2nd inning, Waseda's oen-dan starts playing Konpeki no Sora...
And Mori (frame true to his name, and I mean tall not wide), sneaks one through the left site for a leadoff single. Nakano tries to bunt him along, but it's right to Tsukamoto who goes to 2nd to cut down Mori (no pun intended, seriously).
(And I'm getting a bit annoyed because this is the 2nd game they're continuously talking about the game against Tenri...)
Meanwhile, Onoda lines the 0-1 pitch over a leaping Yuuji and into right! Nakano advances to 3rd while Onoda is about to stretch out a double! Runners at 2nd and 3rd and Waseda is challenging early!
Tsukamoto gets ahead of Kakinuma 0-2, but then allows him to run it full! Fortunately, he gets him swinging. 2 down!
But Isoami bloops one to center! That's in for a base hit! Nakano scores, Onoda coming home and the throw is cut off by Tsukamoto! Waseda pulls ahead with a 2-0 lead!
Rukazawa with a single to right! Waseda threatens once again!
#10 Takahashi warms up for Rifu. They can ill afford to fall behind too far.
Tsukamoto though gets Oono to strike out and the inning is over. Waseda, as expected, has pulled ahead.
Top 3rd
Yuuji leads off with a slow grounder past a reaching Onoda. Isoami is there to field it, but his footing comes out from under him and his throw is short! Yuuji beats out the throw for an infield hit!
Obara-kantoku elects not to bunt, but instead to hit-and-run. But Endou flies out to center.
Then with Fujiwara at bat, Onoda throws away the pickoff throw and Yuuji advances to 2nd! Rifu with a chance to cut the lead in half!
And Fujiwara draws a walk! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Rifu!
Just as I type that, Baba lines on up the middle! But Isoami dives and makes the catch! He tosses to 2nd for the easy double play and Rifu is quickly denied!
Bottom 3rd
The issues continue for Tsukamoto as he walks leadoff batter Ooya.
Tsuchiya tries to lay down the bunt, but falls behind 0-2. But he still puts it down! The defenders charge in and it looks like it's going foul, but Endou picks it up! He waited too long though and he has no play!! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Waseda with no outs!!!
Izumi-kantoku looks to have Mori lay down the bunt, but his first attempt is far from promising. The second though gets the job done. Now 2 runners in scoring position for Nakano!
He hits a grounder to the left side and Sakurada has it. But he looks to 3rd, and catches Ooya off base! The throw to 3rd is in time to tag a scampering Ooya! 2 down and now the lead runner is at 2nd!
Onoda pops up to left and Tsukamoto is out of the jam!
Top 4th
Inoue lines one throught to left to leadoff the inning! Yunomura tries to bunt him along, but it's too hard! Onoda goes to 2nd for one, throw to first is wide! Mori gets it, but they may have had a double play if the throw was on line!
Sakurada grounds to Rukazawa though and they do turn the 5-4-3 double play!
Rifu is certainly getting base hits off of Onoda, but can't convert anything into a run.
Bottom 4th
Yunomura does a great job smothering a grounder by Kakinuma for the first out!
Rukazawa does get a grounder through the left side for a 2-out single.
And he dashes for 2nd! Endou's throw hits Oono's bat and goes into the outfield! Rukazawa heads to 3rd on the error!
Luckily for Rifu, Oono grounds to short for the 3rd out.
Top 5th
Shuuta gets plunked by Onoda to start the inning, and is replaced by #7 Fuse. Tsukamoto looks to bunt, but he pulls it back and swings away! It's a short chopper to 3rd! Rukazawa changes course, fields it, but then loses the ball! It trickles away and everyone's safe! It's a great opportunity to score a run!
Yuuji bunts the runners over into scoring position for the top of the order.
Endou with a scorcher down the 3rd base line! Rukazwa dives, goes through, umpire calls fair!!! Fuse scores! Tsukamoto rounds 3rd, he scores! Endou with the timely double! 同点!! 2-2!!!
Fujiwara puts down the safety bunt! Rukazawa charges in, makes the throw, but Fujiwara is flying and beats the throw! Runners at the corners with one down!!
Izumi-kantoku calls for a conference on the mound, and #9 Suzuki is warming up in the bullpen...
Chance for Rifu, but Onoda gets ahead of Baba 0-2. Baba evens it up though when he doesn't chase Onoda's pitches. And Fujiwara goes for 2nd! Pitch is inside and there's no throw! Now another base hit could give Rifu a 2-run lead! And he walks Baba and it's manrui for cleanup hitter Inoue!!
Hm. Now that I'm paying attention to the Rifu oen-dan, they're singing along to one of the songs (not a pop song like Sakuranbo, I don't think). I don't know which one it is off the top of my head, but I don't think I've actually heard an oen-dan singing the lyrics. For a first-time participant, the oen-dan is pretty good.
AH!!! Inoue lines one back up at Onoda! It glances off of him and into center!! Endou scores! Fujiwara gets waved home! The throw from Nakano bounces on the ground is not in time! Rifu scores 2 runs and takes the lead!!! 4-2!!! 逆転!!
And quickly Izumi-kantoku pulls Onoda. He moves to right, while Suzuki replaces Kakinuma's position in the order and takes the hill. Interestingly enough, Suzuki's older brother was a starting member of Keiou Gijuku. How brothers go to "rival" schools is beyond me.
Suzuki hits Yunomura!! Manrui for Rifu again!! The long inning for Waseda continues...
Now he's down 3-1 to Sakurada! There's nowhere to put him!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obara-kantoku calls for the squeeze! Suzuki charges in, tries the glove toss, but he doesn't have control when he flicks it! It goes into foul territory and Baba scores!! The squeeze works to perfection and Rifu is now up 5-2!!!!
Now Fuse, who pinch ran earlier is the 10th man to come to the plate!! He chops one to Suzuki who goes home for the force, 2 down but still bases loaded.
And finally the inning ends when Tsukamoto grounds to 2nd. Isoami charges and makes a great throw to record the out. But it's been a disaster of an inning for Waseda. A 20 minute half-inning yields 5 runs. The first-timers Rifu have shocked Waseda.
Bottom 5th
Fuse remains in the game and plays LF.
Tsukamoto is doing his team no favors though. He walks Ooya to start the inning and Izumi-kantoku has him moved to 2nd.
Obara-kantoku calls for a conference. The last thing his team needs is to start giving back runs.
Mori hits one right at Yunomura. While his throw is offline, Baba has time to make the tag. 2 down for Waseda.
But Nakano shoots one through the right side! The throw is cutoff and Ooya scores!! Waseda comes right back and scores a run of their own, 5-3!!
Izumi-kantoku continues to push! Nakano takes off for 2nd and the throw gets between the infielders into center! Fujiwara comes in quikly to field it and Nakano holds.
Onoda though grounds to 2nd and the side is retired. Rifu may have gained the lead, but they still have to hold it for another couple of innings!
Top 6th
Endou gets the green light on a 3-0 count and blasts one to center! Nakano back to the wall, but it one hops to the wall! He's in with a double!
Fujiwara with the safety bunt again! But Suzuki charges the ball and the throw beats out a diving Fujiwara!
Baba with a liner! But it goes foul down the left field line! However, he does earn his 2nd walk of the day. Runners at the corners with 2 down.
Suzuki gets Inoue to ground to short to end the threat. But it definitely looks like Rifu still has the foot down trying to get more distance between them and Waseda.
Bottom 6th
Two down for Waseda when Rukazawa blasts one to right! Inoue backs up, reaches out and can't get the ball! Rukazawa flies around the bases and reaches 3rd! Inoue's misplay could cost Rifu another run!
But Oono flies out to left. Fuse, playing back is there to make the catch.
Top 7th
Suzuki retires the side in order. Waseda has killed Rifu's momentum, but they need to get their offense started now.
Bottom 7th
One down for Waseda and Tsuchiya lines one to center. Fujiwara makes a sliding try, but it's called a trap. Mori now steps up as the tying run.
But he grounds into the 4-6-3 double play! Waseda only has 2 more tries to come back against the upstarts!!!
Top 8th
Suzuki continues to shut down the Rifu lineup. They seem fine to the idea of trying to manage the 2-run lead with only 6 outs left. It's a dangerous proposition.
Bottom 8th
One down again, Onoda hits a sharp liner to left, but Fuse makes a sliding catch!
That was the best shot from Waseda in the inning as they go 3 up, 3 down. The Waseda bench is eerily quiet...
Top 9th
Suzuki again retires the side. He's done his job...
Bottom 9th
...and now it's crunch time for Waseda Jitsugyou. They've been down before certainly, but to a complete newcomer? And yet, here they sit 3 outs from being eliminated.
Waseda's oen-dan presses on with Konpeki no sora trying to rally the troops...
Isoami chops one back to Tsukamoto, quickly one down...
Rukazawa grounds to 2nd! Two down!! Leadoff batter Oono is their last chance!
He lines one to left! Fuse charges at the dying fly, and slides! But the ball is off his glove! Oono slides in with a double!
Ooya now charged with the task of keeping it alive.
And it's a towering chopper! Tsukamoto backs up, and gets turned around! The ball is off his glove! He trips on Sakurada and everyone's safe!!
#18 Matsui comes in to pinch run for Ooya.
Tsuchiya can get one run back with a hit.
AHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He lines one to left center!! Fujiwara charges over, and misplays the ball! It bounces off of him! Oono scores! The ball bounces to Fuse!! Matsui advances to 3rd!!!
5-4 Rifu!!!! Runners at 1st and 3rd with 2 down!!!!!!!!!
Obara-kantoku calls a conference on the mound. Waseda is one hit away from tying this game, and perhaps one extra-base hit from winning the game!!
And they have cleanup batter Mori up!!
He grounds one back up the middle! But Sakurada is there and steps on 2nd!! Game set!! Rifu wins! Rifu wins!!
The players are jumping up and down in celebration!! Almost as if they had won the entire thing! Waseda isn't as much sad as unhappy they lost. What an upset!!!
And so it's Rifu, the first-timers, who advance to the Best 4 and a date with Hanamaki Higashi!!
Waseda Jitsugyou in the early years of Koushien dominated the scene, but tailed of in recent decades. But with the emergence of Saitou Yuuki (aka The Hankerchief Prince), they seem to be having a resurgance.
For Rifu, it's completely new - this is their first Koushien appearance, spring or summer. In addition, they were selected as a 21st century team. Now, they did make the Best 4 of the Tohoku fall tournament so perhaps they're stronger than most. Certainly so far in this tournament they have surprised, routing Tokai runner-up Kakegawa Nishi and outdueling Kanto runner-up Narashino.
While Rifu has been a good story so far this tournament, you'd have to be hard-pressed not to see Waseda advance as the last team into the Best 4.
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1:31 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Onoda seem to be having a little trouble locating his pitches. He works the count full on two batters and gives up a single to Baba with 2 down past a diving Isoami, but a grounder to 2nd by Inoue ends that.
Bottom 1st
Tsukamoto has a hassle-free first inning retiring the Waseda batters in order. As a pitch-to-contact ace, it's nice to see early the batters hitting ground balls in the infield.
Top 2nd
There's one down in the inning when Sakurada lines one down the right field line for a base hit. But Kakinuma bobbles the transfer and Sakurada breaks for 2nd! The throw in is not in time and Rifu has a runner in scoring position!
Shuuta hits a short chopper back to Onoda. Sakurada is taking off for 3rd! Onoda throws to 3rd and Rukazawa makes the easy tag.
With the lead runner gone, Onoda gets out of the jam.
Bottom 2nd
And as is custom with the 2nd inning, Waseda's oen-dan starts playing Konpeki no Sora...
And Mori (frame true to his name, and I mean tall not wide), sneaks one through the left site for a leadoff single. Nakano tries to bunt him along, but it's right to Tsukamoto who goes to 2nd to cut down Mori (no pun intended, seriously).
(And I'm getting a bit annoyed because this is the 2nd game they're continuously talking about the game against Tenri...)
Meanwhile, Onoda lines the 0-1 pitch over a leaping Yuuji and into right! Nakano advances to 3rd while Onoda is about to stretch out a double! Runners at 2nd and 3rd and Waseda is challenging early!
Tsukamoto gets ahead of Kakinuma 0-2, but then allows him to run it full! Fortunately, he gets him swinging. 2 down!
But Isoami bloops one to center! That's in for a base hit! Nakano scores, Onoda coming home and the throw is cut off by Tsukamoto! Waseda pulls ahead with a 2-0 lead!
Rukazawa with a single to right! Waseda threatens once again!
#10 Takahashi warms up for Rifu. They can ill afford to fall behind too far.
Tsukamoto though gets Oono to strike out and the inning is over. Waseda, as expected, has pulled ahead.
Top 3rd
Yuuji leads off with a slow grounder past a reaching Onoda. Isoami is there to field it, but his footing comes out from under him and his throw is short! Yuuji beats out the throw for an infield hit!
Obara-kantoku elects not to bunt, but instead to hit-and-run. But Endou flies out to center.
Then with Fujiwara at bat, Onoda throws away the pickoff throw and Yuuji advances to 2nd! Rifu with a chance to cut the lead in half!
And Fujiwara draws a walk! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Rifu!
Just as I type that, Baba lines on up the middle! But Isoami dives and makes the catch! He tosses to 2nd for the easy double play and Rifu is quickly denied!
Bottom 3rd
The issues continue for Tsukamoto as he walks leadoff batter Ooya.
Tsuchiya tries to lay down the bunt, but falls behind 0-2. But he still puts it down! The defenders charge in and it looks like it's going foul, but Endou picks it up! He waited too long though and he has no play!! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Waseda with no outs!!!
Izumi-kantoku looks to have Mori lay down the bunt, but his first attempt is far from promising. The second though gets the job done. Now 2 runners in scoring position for Nakano!
He hits a grounder to the left side and Sakurada has it. But he looks to 3rd, and catches Ooya off base! The throw to 3rd is in time to tag a scampering Ooya! 2 down and now the lead runner is at 2nd!
Onoda pops up to left and Tsukamoto is out of the jam!
Top 4th
Inoue lines one throught to left to leadoff the inning! Yunomura tries to bunt him along, but it's too hard! Onoda goes to 2nd for one, throw to first is wide! Mori gets it, but they may have had a double play if the throw was on line!
Sakurada grounds to Rukazawa though and they do turn the 5-4-3 double play!
Rifu is certainly getting base hits off of Onoda, but can't convert anything into a run.
Bottom 4th
Yunomura does a great job smothering a grounder by Kakinuma for the first out!
Rukazawa does get a grounder through the left side for a 2-out single.
And he dashes for 2nd! Endou's throw hits Oono's bat and goes into the outfield! Rukazawa heads to 3rd on the error!
Luckily for Rifu, Oono grounds to short for the 3rd out.
Top 5th
Shuuta gets plunked by Onoda to start the inning, and is replaced by #7 Fuse. Tsukamoto looks to bunt, but he pulls it back and swings away! It's a short chopper to 3rd! Rukazawa changes course, fields it, but then loses the ball! It trickles away and everyone's safe! It's a great opportunity to score a run!
Yuuji bunts the runners over into scoring position for the top of the order.
Endou with a scorcher down the 3rd base line! Rukazwa dives, goes through, umpire calls fair!!! Fuse scores! Tsukamoto rounds 3rd, he scores! Endou with the timely double! 同点!! 2-2!!!
Fujiwara puts down the safety bunt! Rukazawa charges in, makes the throw, but Fujiwara is flying and beats the throw! Runners at the corners with one down!!
Izumi-kantoku calls for a conference on the mound, and #9 Suzuki is warming up in the bullpen...
Chance for Rifu, but Onoda gets ahead of Baba 0-2. Baba evens it up though when he doesn't chase Onoda's pitches. And Fujiwara goes for 2nd! Pitch is inside and there's no throw! Now another base hit could give Rifu a 2-run lead! And he walks Baba and it's manrui for cleanup hitter Inoue!!
Hm. Now that I'm paying attention to the Rifu oen-dan, they're singing along to one of the songs (not a pop song like Sakuranbo, I don't think). I don't know which one it is off the top of my head, but I don't think I've actually heard an oen-dan singing the lyrics. For a first-time participant, the oen-dan is pretty good.
AH!!! Inoue lines one back up at Onoda! It glances off of him and into center!! Endou scores! Fujiwara gets waved home! The throw from Nakano bounces on the ground is not in time! Rifu scores 2 runs and takes the lead!!! 4-2!!! 逆転!!
And quickly Izumi-kantoku pulls Onoda. He moves to right, while Suzuki replaces Kakinuma's position in the order and takes the hill. Interestingly enough, Suzuki's older brother was a starting member of Keiou Gijuku. How brothers go to "rival" schools is beyond me.
Suzuki hits Yunomura!! Manrui for Rifu again!! The long inning for Waseda continues...
Now he's down 3-1 to Sakurada! There's nowhere to put him!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obara-kantoku calls for the squeeze! Suzuki charges in, tries the glove toss, but he doesn't have control when he flicks it! It goes into foul territory and Baba scores!! The squeeze works to perfection and Rifu is now up 5-2!!!!
Now Fuse, who pinch ran earlier is the 10th man to come to the plate!! He chops one to Suzuki who goes home for the force, 2 down but still bases loaded.
And finally the inning ends when Tsukamoto grounds to 2nd. Isoami charges and makes a great throw to record the out. But it's been a disaster of an inning for Waseda. A 20 minute half-inning yields 5 runs. The first-timers Rifu have shocked Waseda.
Bottom 5th
Fuse remains in the game and plays LF.
Tsukamoto is doing his team no favors though. He walks Ooya to start the inning and Izumi-kantoku has him moved to 2nd.
Obara-kantoku calls for a conference. The last thing his team needs is to start giving back runs.
Mori hits one right at Yunomura. While his throw is offline, Baba has time to make the tag. 2 down for Waseda.
But Nakano shoots one through the right side! The throw is cutoff and Ooya scores!! Waseda comes right back and scores a run of their own, 5-3!!
Izumi-kantoku continues to push! Nakano takes off for 2nd and the throw gets between the infielders into center! Fujiwara comes in quikly to field it and Nakano holds.
Onoda though grounds to 2nd and the side is retired. Rifu may have gained the lead, but they still have to hold it for another couple of innings!
Top 6th
Endou gets the green light on a 3-0 count and blasts one to center! Nakano back to the wall, but it one hops to the wall! He's in with a double!
Fujiwara with the safety bunt again! But Suzuki charges the ball and the throw beats out a diving Fujiwara!
Baba with a liner! But it goes foul down the left field line! However, he does earn his 2nd walk of the day. Runners at the corners with 2 down.
Suzuki gets Inoue to ground to short to end the threat. But it definitely looks like Rifu still has the foot down trying to get more distance between them and Waseda.
Bottom 6th
Two down for Waseda when Rukazawa blasts one to right! Inoue backs up, reaches out and can't get the ball! Rukazawa flies around the bases and reaches 3rd! Inoue's misplay could cost Rifu another run!
But Oono flies out to left. Fuse, playing back is there to make the catch.
Top 7th
Suzuki retires the side in order. Waseda has killed Rifu's momentum, but they need to get their offense started now.
Bottom 7th
One down for Waseda and Tsuchiya lines one to center. Fujiwara makes a sliding try, but it's called a trap. Mori now steps up as the tying run.
But he grounds into the 4-6-3 double play! Waseda only has 2 more tries to come back against the upstarts!!!
Top 8th
Suzuki continues to shut down the Rifu lineup. They seem fine to the idea of trying to manage the 2-run lead with only 6 outs left. It's a dangerous proposition.
Bottom 8th
One down again, Onoda hits a sharp liner to left, but Fuse makes a sliding catch!
That was the best shot from Waseda in the inning as they go 3 up, 3 down. The Waseda bench is eerily quiet...
Top 9th
Suzuki again retires the side. He's done his job...
Bottom 9th
...and now it's crunch time for Waseda Jitsugyou. They've been down before certainly, but to a complete newcomer? And yet, here they sit 3 outs from being eliminated.
Waseda's oen-dan presses on with Konpeki no sora trying to rally the troops...
Isoami chops one back to Tsukamoto, quickly one down...
Rukazawa grounds to 2nd! Two down!! Leadoff batter Oono is their last chance!
He lines one to left! Fuse charges at the dying fly, and slides! But the ball is off his glove! Oono slides in with a double!
Ooya now charged with the task of keeping it alive.
And it's a towering chopper! Tsukamoto backs up, and gets turned around! The ball is off his glove! He trips on Sakurada and everyone's safe!!
#18 Matsui comes in to pinch run for Ooya.
Tsuchiya can get one run back with a hit.
AHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He lines one to left center!! Fujiwara charges over, and misplays the ball! It bounces off of him! Oono scores! The ball bounces to Fuse!! Matsui advances to 3rd!!!
5-4 Rifu!!!! Runners at 1st and 3rd with 2 down!!!!!!!!!
Obara-kantoku calls a conference on the mound. Waseda is one hit away from tying this game, and perhaps one extra-base hit from winning the game!!
And they have cleanup batter Mori up!!
He grounds one back up the middle! But Sakurada is there and steps on 2nd!! Game set!! Rifu wins! Rifu wins!!
The players are jumping up and down in celebration!! Almost as if they had won the entire thing! Waseda isn't as much sad as unhappy they lost. What an upset!!!
And so it's Rifu, the first-timers, who advance to the Best 4 and a date with Hanamaki Higashi!!
Day 10 - Quarterfinal #3 - Nanyō Kōgyō (Yamaguchi) vs. Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate)
Day 10 begins much like how Day 9 ends. Nanyou Kougyou, who shocked everyone by defeating PL Gakuen faces off against a surprising Hanamaki Higashi squad and ace Kikuchi. Kikuchi, unlike most other aces, has an air of confidence that borders on cockyness. His numbers though, show that his actions are justified. Like Imamura, Kikuchi also has yet to give up a run so far this Koushien.
If Nanyou wants to advance, they'll have to pull yet another rabbit out of the hat because Hanamaki Higashi certainly won't hurt themselves.
Interestingly enough, it's not ace Kikuchi on the mound, instead it's #5 Sarukawa who's starts on the hill for Hanamaki Higashi.
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11:01 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
While not as overpowering as Kikuchi, Sarukawa is definitely servicable. He retires the top of the Nanyou order to start the game.
Bottom 1st
Ryouhei slices one to left for a one-out single. Then Iwamoto walks Kawamura! Runners on 1st and 2nd for Sarukawa!
Then with the count 2-2, Iwamoto hits Sarukawa! Manrui for Hanamki Higashi early!
Yamasaki-kantoku calls a conference on the mound. They certainly would not like to fall behind at this early stage in the game!
And Iwamoto gets Yokokura on a pitch to the outside corner, 2 down! Chiba flies one to left, and the side is retired! Iwamoto gets out of the pinch, but he can't afford to do this each inning!
Top 2nd
Mizui gets Nanyou their first hit with a bloop to center! But Yamazaki ends the inning as he attempts a safety bunt that goes right to the Yokokura for the out.
Bottom 2nd
One down, Ryuujirou chops one to the right side. Kawamura up with the ball, but his short throw to 1st is wide!! It goes into the dugout, and Ryuujiryou is awarded 2nd.
Yamada with the safety bunt! Mokudai charges, is up with the ball and the throw just beats out a fast Yamada! 2 down!
But top batter Kashiwaba takes one the other way for a single and Ryuujirou scores! Hanamaki Higashi takes the 1-0 lead!
And Iwamoto with a quick pickoff throw gets Kashiwaba! But Nanyou Kougyou finds themselves down early!
Top 3rd
Kawamura with a grounder to 3rd, but Sasaki boots the ball! It scoots away from Sasaki and Kawamura reaches base! Yamasaki-kantoku has him moved along. Nanyou with a chance to pull back even right away!!
Sarukawa meanwhile has troubles at the plate. He falls behind 3-0 to Mokudai and walks him! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Nanyou and ace Kikuchi heads to the bullpen to warm up.
Takeshige with a liner to center! Ryouhei charges in, dives and misses it! Big mistake by Ryouhei!! The ball goes all the way to the wall!! Kawamura scores, Mokudai rounding 3rd, he scores!! A misplay by the Hanamaki Higashi defense leads to a 2-run triple! 逆転!! Nanyou takes the lead, 2-1!!
Nakagawa now with a chance to extend the lead with a sac fly! And he hits a deep fly to center! Takeshige scores and it's 3-1 Nanyou!!
Kunihiro grounds to 3rd, but a critical misplay costs Hanamaki Higashi. Nanyou has taken the lead!
Bottom 3rd
Hanamaki Higashi though looks to go on the counterattack. With one down, Kawamura grounds one past a diving Mokudai and into left! Sasaki-kantoku doesn't elect to bunt and has Sarukawa swinging away!
Then with the count 2-2, he has Kawamura steal 2nd! The throw in from Yamazaki is not in time! Runner now in scoring position!
But Sarukawa pops up to short, and there's 2 down for Chiba.
Iwamoto though, continues to have trouble with the strike zone, as he hits Yokokura on the first pitch! Then he falls behind Chiba 3-1. But he manages to get him to ground to 1st to end the inning. Nanyou maintains the lead, albeit a bit of a tenuous one.
Top 4th
Yamazaki gets a two-out liner for Nanyou, but with the count 0-2, he takes off! The pitch is high for a ball, and Chiba's throw to 2nd guns Yamazaki down!
Bottom 4th
The troubles continue... he walks Sasaki after a long AB. Ryuujirou looks to bunt, but misses one attempt and looks at a 2nd strike. He pulls it back and swings away, but it's a chopper to 2nd! Kawamura tosses to 2nd for one, and the relay throw is not in time! One down and a runner on 1st.
Yamada then hits a grounder to short! Yamazaki with the ball, but loses it. He gets it back, only has one play! Throws to 1st and just gets Yamada! 2 down.
But Iwamoto plunks Kashiwaba! Now runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 down! A base hit can cut the lead to one! And it's Ryouhei! Can he make up for his earlier gaffe?
No! He hits a grounder to Mokudai who goes to 2nd for the out. Nanyou still with the lead.
Top 5th
A very quick inning for Sarukawa. He retires Nanyou in just 3 pitches! But they still have not been able to get to Iwamoto, despite his struggles on the mound!
Bottom 5th
After two routine grounders to Kawamura, a third by Yokokura goes right past him! But Chiba hits a fly to left and Hanamaki is retire once again.
Top 6th
While Sarukawa has settled down, Sasaki-kantoku isn't taking any more chances. Ace Kikuchi takes the hill in reflief to permantently shut down the Nanyou offense and give his team a chance to rally back.
As expected from Kikuchi, he retires the side in order. The Nanyou batters however are making good contact on the ball, even though he quickly collects 2 K's
Bottom 6th
With one down, Iwamoto gives up his 6th walk of the game. Yamada squares to bunt, but doens't get the bat off the shoulder! Iwamoto freezes him on a ball to the outside corner!
And a grounder to 1st by Kashiwaba ends the inning! Nanyou still up 3-1 and perhaps we can start thinking about the upset?!
Top 7th
One down and Mizui gets on base with a slow chopper up the 3rd base line!
Yamasaki-kantoku looks to be aggressive with baserunners against Kikuchi as runners could be few and far between. He has Mizui try and steal 2nd, but Chiba once again guns him down.
With 2 down, the threat evaporates. Yamazaki grounds to 3rd and the inning is over.
Bottom 7th
With time running down, Hanamaki needs to get its offense started soon.
Ryouhei starts with a bunt down the 3rd base line! Mokudai charges in, but slips! The ball gets past him! They then try to see if it goes foul, but it stops in fair territory! Kawamura bunts him over into scoring position. Yamasaki-kantoku calls a conference as Sarukawa steps to the plate.
Sarukawa hits a high pitch to deep center!! Takeshige runs back, looks up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarukawa with a blast that lands on the first level in dead center!! Hanamaki Higashi has equalized!! 3-3!!!!
And then Yokokura singles to center! Now they're looking for the lead!
Chiba with a hit to right! But it's caught by Nakagawa. 2 down.
Kikuchi with a hit to left! Kunihiro running back, but that's over his head!! Yokokura was running on the pitch and is rounding the bases!! He comes in to score and Kikuchi has put his team ahead with a timely 2-out double!!! 4-3 Hanamaki Higashi!!!!!
Iwamoto finally gets his third out, but it's too late. They've lost the lead, and with the ace Kikuchi on the mound, equalizing could just prove to be impossible.
Top 8th
With one down in the 8th, Yamasaki-kantoku puts in #9 Sanai to PH for Iwamoto. His day is done and he will not get a chance to redeem himself here.
Kikuchi is giving his all, even hitting 148 kph en route to a K!!
Mokudai falls to Kikuchi too and this late in the game, there may not be enough time for Nanyou to regroup...
Bottom 8th
Sanai stays in the game to play right as ace Nakagawa comes in in relief.
One down, Kashiwaba gets hit by Nakagawa. He's in a bit of pain coming down first, but after some spray is applied and he works it out, he's ok.
Meanwhile, Yamasaki-kantoku makes a defensive change. #12 Tanaka comes in Takagi's spot in the order to catch, while Mizui goes from cather to 1B. Perhaps this change is to take advantage of a stronger arm in Tanaka.
But on a pitch outside, Kashiwaba tries to steal 2nd and the throw one hops the base! Now Ryouhei squares and lays the bunt down, advancing him to 3rd, but with 2 down.
AHHHHH!!!!!! The first pitch from Nakagawa is in the dirt and it gets away from Tanaka! He loses sight of it and Kashiwaba comes in to score! It's now a 5-3 lead for Hanamaki Higashi!!
Nakagawa's troubles continue! He walks Kawamura, then gives up a base hit to left! Hanamaki could open the game wide open here with 2 down!
But he gets Yokokura to fly out to center and the inning is over.
But an insurance run means that Nanyou will have to come back from a 2-run deficit.
Top 9th
Takeshige lines the first pitch to center to start the inning!
Then he walks Nakagawa on 4 straight! Runners on 1st and 2nd for Nanyou and Sasaki-kantoku calls an immediate conference!
Kunihiro with a comebacker! It gets past Kikuchi!! Kashiwaba though fields the ball and tosses to 2nd for the out. 1 down!
#17 Nakamura comes in to PR for Kunihiro.
Tanaka goes down swinging, and Nanyou's down to their final out!
Mizui represents their last chance, and Kikuchi hits him!!! Manrui for Nanyou here in the 9th!!
Another conference from Sasaki-kantoku... Yamazaki at the plate, can he keep the rally alive?
Kikuchi gets ahead 1-2, and now they're down to their final strike!
Kikuchi steps off once... twice... and the pitch is outside, 2-2...
The next pitch... sanshin!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kikuchi strikes out Yamazaki looking!! Hanamaki Higashi comes from behind thanks to a game-tying 2-run homerun by Sarukawa to defeat Nanyou Kougyou and advance to the Best 4!!
But Nanyou certainly gave Hanamaki Higashi a good run, taking the lead early. But Iwamoto's pitching troubles eventually came back to haunt them. Nonetheless, Nanyou should be looked at as a contender for the summer Koushien after this game and their upset of PL Gakuen.
If Nanyou wants to advance, they'll have to pull yet another rabbit out of the hat because Hanamaki Higashi certainly won't hurt themselves.
Interestingly enough, it's not ace Kikuchi on the mound, instead it's #5 Sarukawa who's starts on the hill for Hanamaki Higashi.
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11:01 AM - First Pitch
Top 1st
While not as overpowering as Kikuchi, Sarukawa is definitely servicable. He retires the top of the Nanyou order to start the game.
Bottom 1st
Ryouhei slices one to left for a one-out single. Then Iwamoto walks Kawamura! Runners on 1st and 2nd for Sarukawa!
Then with the count 2-2, Iwamoto hits Sarukawa! Manrui for Hanamki Higashi early!
Yamasaki-kantoku calls a conference on the mound. They certainly would not like to fall behind at this early stage in the game!
And Iwamoto gets Yokokura on a pitch to the outside corner, 2 down! Chiba flies one to left, and the side is retired! Iwamoto gets out of the pinch, but he can't afford to do this each inning!
Top 2nd
Mizui gets Nanyou their first hit with a bloop to center! But Yamazaki ends the inning as he attempts a safety bunt that goes right to the Yokokura for the out.
Bottom 2nd
One down, Ryuujirou chops one to the right side. Kawamura up with the ball, but his short throw to 1st is wide!! It goes into the dugout, and Ryuujiryou is awarded 2nd.
Yamada with the safety bunt! Mokudai charges, is up with the ball and the throw just beats out a fast Yamada! 2 down!
But top batter Kashiwaba takes one the other way for a single and Ryuujirou scores! Hanamaki Higashi takes the 1-0 lead!
And Iwamoto with a quick pickoff throw gets Kashiwaba! But Nanyou Kougyou finds themselves down early!
Top 3rd
Kawamura with a grounder to 3rd, but Sasaki boots the ball! It scoots away from Sasaki and Kawamura reaches base! Yamasaki-kantoku has him moved along. Nanyou with a chance to pull back even right away!!
Sarukawa meanwhile has troubles at the plate. He falls behind 3-0 to Mokudai and walks him! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Nanyou and ace Kikuchi heads to the bullpen to warm up.
Takeshige with a liner to center! Ryouhei charges in, dives and misses it! Big mistake by Ryouhei!! The ball goes all the way to the wall!! Kawamura scores, Mokudai rounding 3rd, he scores!! A misplay by the Hanamaki Higashi defense leads to a 2-run triple! 逆転!! Nanyou takes the lead, 2-1!!
Nakagawa now with a chance to extend the lead with a sac fly! And he hits a deep fly to center! Takeshige scores and it's 3-1 Nanyou!!
Kunihiro grounds to 3rd, but a critical misplay costs Hanamaki Higashi. Nanyou has taken the lead!
Bottom 3rd
Hanamaki Higashi though looks to go on the counterattack. With one down, Kawamura grounds one past a diving Mokudai and into left! Sasaki-kantoku doesn't elect to bunt and has Sarukawa swinging away!
Then with the count 2-2, he has Kawamura steal 2nd! The throw in from Yamazaki is not in time! Runner now in scoring position!
But Sarukawa pops up to short, and there's 2 down for Chiba.
Iwamoto though, continues to have trouble with the strike zone, as he hits Yokokura on the first pitch! Then he falls behind Chiba 3-1. But he manages to get him to ground to 1st to end the inning. Nanyou maintains the lead, albeit a bit of a tenuous one.
Top 4th
Yamazaki gets a two-out liner for Nanyou, but with the count 0-2, he takes off! The pitch is high for a ball, and Chiba's throw to 2nd guns Yamazaki down!
Bottom 4th
The troubles continue... he walks Sasaki after a long AB. Ryuujirou looks to bunt, but misses one attempt and looks at a 2nd strike. He pulls it back and swings away, but it's a chopper to 2nd! Kawamura tosses to 2nd for one, and the relay throw is not in time! One down and a runner on 1st.
Yamada then hits a grounder to short! Yamazaki with the ball, but loses it. He gets it back, only has one play! Throws to 1st and just gets Yamada! 2 down.
But Iwamoto plunks Kashiwaba! Now runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 down! A base hit can cut the lead to one! And it's Ryouhei! Can he make up for his earlier gaffe?
No! He hits a grounder to Mokudai who goes to 2nd for the out. Nanyou still with the lead.
Top 5th
A very quick inning for Sarukawa. He retires Nanyou in just 3 pitches! But they still have not been able to get to Iwamoto, despite his struggles on the mound!
Bottom 5th
After two routine grounders to Kawamura, a third by Yokokura goes right past him! But Chiba hits a fly to left and Hanamaki is retire once again.
Top 6th
While Sarukawa has settled down, Sasaki-kantoku isn't taking any more chances. Ace Kikuchi takes the hill in reflief to permantently shut down the Nanyou offense and give his team a chance to rally back.
As expected from Kikuchi, he retires the side in order. The Nanyou batters however are making good contact on the ball, even though he quickly collects 2 K's
Bottom 6th
With one down, Iwamoto gives up his 6th walk of the game. Yamada squares to bunt, but doens't get the bat off the shoulder! Iwamoto freezes him on a ball to the outside corner!
And a grounder to 1st by Kashiwaba ends the inning! Nanyou still up 3-1 and perhaps we can start thinking about the upset?!
Top 7th
One down and Mizui gets on base with a slow chopper up the 3rd base line!
Yamasaki-kantoku looks to be aggressive with baserunners against Kikuchi as runners could be few and far between. He has Mizui try and steal 2nd, but Chiba once again guns him down.
With 2 down, the threat evaporates. Yamazaki grounds to 3rd and the inning is over.
Bottom 7th
With time running down, Hanamaki needs to get its offense started soon.
Ryouhei starts with a bunt down the 3rd base line! Mokudai charges in, but slips! The ball gets past him! They then try to see if it goes foul, but it stops in fair territory! Kawamura bunts him over into scoring position. Yamasaki-kantoku calls a conference as Sarukawa steps to the plate.
Sarukawa hits a high pitch to deep center!! Takeshige runs back, looks up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarukawa with a blast that lands on the first level in dead center!! Hanamaki Higashi has equalized!! 3-3!!!!
And then Yokokura singles to center! Now they're looking for the lead!
Chiba with a hit to right! But it's caught by Nakagawa. 2 down.
Kikuchi with a hit to left! Kunihiro running back, but that's over his head!! Yokokura was running on the pitch and is rounding the bases!! He comes in to score and Kikuchi has put his team ahead with a timely 2-out double!!! 4-3 Hanamaki Higashi!!!!!
Iwamoto finally gets his third out, but it's too late. They've lost the lead, and with the ace Kikuchi on the mound, equalizing could just prove to be impossible.
Top 8th
With one down in the 8th, Yamasaki-kantoku puts in #9 Sanai to PH for Iwamoto. His day is done and he will not get a chance to redeem himself here.
Kikuchi is giving his all, even hitting 148 kph en route to a K!!
Mokudai falls to Kikuchi too and this late in the game, there may not be enough time for Nanyou to regroup...
Bottom 8th
Sanai stays in the game to play right as ace Nakagawa comes in in relief.
One down, Kashiwaba gets hit by Nakagawa. He's in a bit of pain coming down first, but after some spray is applied and he works it out, he's ok.
Meanwhile, Yamasaki-kantoku makes a defensive change. #12 Tanaka comes in Takagi's spot in the order to catch, while Mizui goes from cather to 1B. Perhaps this change is to take advantage of a stronger arm in Tanaka.
But on a pitch outside, Kashiwaba tries to steal 2nd and the throw one hops the base! Now Ryouhei squares and lays the bunt down, advancing him to 3rd, but with 2 down.
AHHHHH!!!!!! The first pitch from Nakagawa is in the dirt and it gets away from Tanaka! He loses sight of it and Kashiwaba comes in to score! It's now a 5-3 lead for Hanamaki Higashi!!
Nakagawa's troubles continue! He walks Kawamura, then gives up a base hit to left! Hanamaki could open the game wide open here with 2 down!
But he gets Yokokura to fly out to center and the inning is over.
But an insurance run means that Nanyou will have to come back from a 2-run deficit.
Top 9th
Takeshige lines the first pitch to center to start the inning!
Then he walks Nakagawa on 4 straight! Runners on 1st and 2nd for Nanyou and Sasaki-kantoku calls an immediate conference!
Kunihiro with a comebacker! It gets past Kikuchi!! Kashiwaba though fields the ball and tosses to 2nd for the out. 1 down!
#17 Nakamura comes in to PR for Kunihiro.
Tanaka goes down swinging, and Nanyou's down to their final out!
Mizui represents their last chance, and Kikuchi hits him!!! Manrui for Nanyou here in the 9th!!
Another conference from Sasaki-kantoku... Yamazaki at the plate, can he keep the rally alive?
Kikuchi gets ahead 1-2, and now they're down to their final strike!
Kikuchi steps off once... twice... and the pitch is outside, 2-2...
The next pitch... sanshin!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kikuchi strikes out Yamazaki looking!! Hanamaki Higashi comes from behind thanks to a game-tying 2-run homerun by Sarukawa to defeat Nanyou Kougyou and advance to the Best 4!!
But Nanyou certainly gave Hanamaki Higashi a good run, taking the lead early. But Iwamoto's pitching troubles eventually came back to haunt them. Nonetheless, Nanyou should be looked at as a contender for the summer Koushien after this game and their upset of PL Gakuen.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Day 9 - Quarterfinal #2 - Minoshima (Wakayama) vs. Seihō (Nagasaki)
The 2nd quarterfinal pits one of my favorite teams, Seihou versus a Minoshima squad looking to relive it's days at Koushien during the 70's. However, Minoshima has their work cut out for them. After an easy win against Oita Uenogaoka, they needed 11 to beat upset-minded Kaisei. Now they face a Seihou squad that finally has a true ace pitcher in Imamura. Tournament-to-date he has yet to give up a run. This is on top of a well-regarded offense that can pick apart average pitching.
So, can Minoshima continue its run, or will Seihou mark yet another casualty on their way to the Best 4?
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1:50 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Imamura starts off striking off Miyamoto. But he walks Shintarou on 4 straight - a bit strange for Imamura. But the defense bails him out as Mantani grounds into the 3-6-3 double play.
Bottom 1st
Yahisa stars Seihou off with a grounder to left! He's bunted along to 2nd. Then Morimoto walks Kawamoto on 4 straight! Runners at 1st and 2nd with one down for Yamazaki! He makes contact, but it's a grounder to short. Nishihata starts the 6-4-3- double play and it's scoreless after 1.
Top 2nd
Nishihata with a liner to center, but Tominaga makes the shoestring catch for the out!
Imamura next strikes out Keisuke, but the ball gets away from Kawamoto! Keisuke breaks for 1st, and Kawamoto's throw is high! Keisuke reaches base!
But then he tries to take 2nd on the first pitch! Kawamoto makes a great throw and Keisuke is out by a mile.
Imamura finishes the inning by striking out Oota.
Bottom 2nd
Tsuji gets the offense started with a grounder past a diving Numa into right. But he too tries to steal 2nd, only to have the catcher Yamamoto throw him out.
Nakayama gives the ball a good ride, but Mantani backs up and reaches out for the catch.
Top 3rd
Minoshima gets its 3rd one-out runner as Yamamoto lines one back up the middle for a base hit. He's moved to second, but is stranded as Miyamoto pops up to 2nd.
Bottom 3rd
Shimazaki starts it off with a single to left. Hashimoto bunts him over for the top of the order.
Yahisa drives a slow curve to left! Oota chases it, but it one bounces the wall! Shimazaki easily scores on the double by Yahisa! 1-0 Seihou!!
Top 4th
Shintarou starts the 4th with a single past a diving Shimazaki! Mantani moves him to 2nd and Minoshima has the tying run in scoring position!
And Imamura walks Nishihata! Runners on 1st and 2nd now for Keisuke! But he flies the first pitch to left and quickly 2 down!
Sanshin!! Imamura strikes out Oota to retire the side! Minoshima threatening here in the 4th, but Imamura shuts the door!
Bottom 4th
Yamazaki with a fly to right! That falls in front of Miyamoto for a base hit!
Imamura is swinging away and battles with Morimoto! And it pays off! He lines one into right for a base hit! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Seihou with no out!
Yoshida-kantoku has Tsuji bunt the runners along. Now a base hit can score 2!
But Nakayama chops one back to Morimoto! He looks back Yamazaki at 3rd and makes the play at 1st!! 2 down!
Shimazaki with a grounder to short. But it goes through Nishihata's legs and into left!! Yamazaki scores! Imamura rounding 3rd, he's heading home!! The throw from Oota is in line and Yamamoto makes the tag!! Imamura is out at the plate, but Seihou plates another run!! 2-0!!
Top 5th
Imamura oddly enough finally retires all three batters at the plate. He has had 1-2-3 innings, but it involved a runner getting on base and then being retired. But however you look at it, Imamura continues to pitch well.
Bottom 6th
Hashimoto with a fly to deep left! Oota running back, but it falls in front of the wall! Hashimoto reaches 2nd, goes for 3rd!! But the relay throw from Nishihata is in plenty of time to get him out!
But Yahisa takes the next pitch to deep center! Mantani back, and that falls in front of the wall! Yahisa in with a double, AH!!!!!
The throw in from Nishihata overshoots everyone and goes into the dugout!! Yahisa is awarded home, and Seihou takes the 3-0 lead on the error!
Tominaga continues the hit parade with a lazy grounder up the middle!
Morimoto though, gets Kawamoto to fly to left. 2 down.
And with Yamazaki up, he catches Kawamoto off base! They run him down for the 3rd out! Seihou however continues to extend its lead!
Top 5th
One down, Shintarou for the 3rd time reaches base with another walk.
Mantani reaches down and slices one into center! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Minoshima!
Matsushita-kantoku has Mantani swinging away! Sanshin! Imamura gets him looking on an outside fastball! And another scoring opportunity goes wanting!
Bottom 5th
Seihou continues to assault Morimoto and the Minoshima squad! Hashimoto drives one to left. Oota runs back, but the ball lands in front of the wall! Hashimoto reaches 2nd and pushes for 3rd!! The relay from Nishihata reaches Keisuke and he's out by a mile!
They're not deterred though! Yahisa with a drive to left center! Mantani runs back, and that's a one-hopper to the wall! Yahisa stops at 2nd, but AH!!!
This time Nishihata's relay to 3rd sails over everyone and goes into the dugout!! The umpires award Yahisa home and Seihou is up 3-0!!
Tominaga then shoots one through to center! Seihou seem to be having their way with Morimoto!
But with Kawamoto up, Morimoto catches Tominaga off the bag! They run him down for the 2nd out!
And with a fly to left by Kawamoto ends the inning. But the deficit continues to grow...
Top 6th
Minoshima mounts a rally in the 6th. Shintarou draws a one out walk. Mantani follows that up with a single to center and they have runners at 1st and 2nd!
Imamura though clamps down. He strikes out Nishihata and gets Keisuke to pop up to short!
Bottom 6th
For the first time today, Morimoto retires the side in quick order.
Top 7th
Oota leads off the inning battling against Imamura and drawing a 9 pitch walk. And then Imamura hits Numa! Just like that, runners on 1st and 2nd with no out!
EH??!
After the first pitch to Yamamoto, Kawamoto fires the ball to 2nd! Oota is caught taking a big lead... and he's out! What was he thinking???!!!
Imamura then proceeds to strikeout Yamamoto and Morimoto to end the inning! A critical baserunning error kills Minoshima's momentum!
Bottom 7th
Yoshida-kantoku elects here to pinch hit for Nakayama to start the inning. #4 Sakamoto comes into the game to bat.
And on a full count, he singles back up the middle! Now #9 Yoshida comes in to pinch run for Sakamoto. On the frist pitch, he takes off for 2nd! Yamamoto double clutches the ball, and he's in there safely! Now Shimazaki's bunt moves him over to 3rd! Seihou is threatening once again!!
Matsushita-kantoku calls a conference on the mound, hoping that the defense can prevent another run.
AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! Yamamoto lets a ball in the dirt go between his legs and to the backstop!! Yoshida comes in easily to score, and it's 4-0 Seihou!
Then with 2 down, Yahisa collects his 4th hit of the day, another grounder through to left!
Fortunately, Tominaga strikes out and the inning is over. But with yet another gaffe on the field, it's apparent that Minoshima is overmatched here against Seihou...
Top 8th
Imamura continues to go through Minoshima's lineup with relative ease. He gets 2 quick outs before yielding a single to left by Mantani.
Nishihata give a bit of a scare driving one deep down the left field line foul. But he ends up succumbing to Imamura's slider and the beat goes on...
Bottom 8th
Kawamoto continues Seihou's offense with a blooper to center. After a sac bunt, Matsushita-kantoku calls a conference.
In the meantime, the scoreboard indicates a balk. Apprarently, Morimoto was called for a balk before the sac bunt! So Yamazaki returns to the plate and Kawamoto moves to 2nd!
Once again Yamazaki lays the bunt down, but this time Kawamoto heads to 3rd!
AHH!!!!!!!!!!!! Another pitch in the dirt, and Yamamoto can't move over to field it! It bounces away and Kawamoto scores! 5-0!
And a pitch from Morimoto nails a leaping Imamura! He's down on his knees! But he gets up quickly and moves to 1st. They apply the spray as usual, and he's ready to go.
Tsuji drives the first pitch deep to right, but foul! That must've been a scare to Minoshima! But then he lines the next pitch to right for a base hit!
Now Yoshida is being pulled for a PH, this time #13 Miyahara steps in. He hits one to center, and that's in there for a base hit!! Imamura rounds 3rd, and he's heading home! Mantani up with a strike to home! Yamamoto with the ball, comes around to tag Imamura, but he's just ahead of it and slides home safe!!! 6-0!!
#18 Iwata comes in to pinch run for Miyahara.
And Shimazaki gets a hold of a slow curve! That's into the left center field gap and to the wall! Tsuji comes in to score, throw is cutoff by Nishihata and Iwata scores! Seihou has blown this wide open at 8-0!
Nishihata makes a good stop in the gap to get Hashimoto for the 2nd out.
Yahisa with a liner to center! That's falling in, but Mantani sprints to make the catch! But the game is all but over for Minoshima...
Top 9th
#10 Nakano replaces Iwata and takes the hill. Imamura moves to right. Any time you can give your ace rest is welcome, especially at this stage in the tournament.
Keisuke with a grounder to the right side! Hashimoto ranges over to make the stop, but he can't put enough on the throw to get him out! Base hit for Keisuke!
He's replaced at 1st by #13 Katada.
Oota though pops out on the first pitch to 1st. One down.
Numa with a grounder to short, but a bad hop eats up Hashimoto! The ball bounces away and he reaches safely! The scorer shows E6, but I don't know about that...
#10 Ishii comes in to pinch hit for Yamamoto.
While Nakano hasn't had as much help from his defense as he would have liked, his pitching is nothing like Imamura's (no offense).
Ishii walks on 4 straight and it's manrui for Morimoto! But Matsushita-kantoku pinch hits for him too and it's #15 Kakinoki.
AHHHH!!!! It's a wild pitch! That heads to the backstop and Katada comes in to score! Minoshima gets on the board here in the 9th! It's 8-1!
AHHHH!!!! Kakinoki strikes out, but Kawamoto doesn't catch the ball! It bounces over to the right side! Everyone starts running and it's all safe! Nakano records the K, but Kakinoki reaches 1st on the passed ball. Even more important, Numa comes in to score and it's 8-2!
Seihou showing errors we're not used to seeing here in the 9th!
Miyamoto though grounds to 3rd! Yahisa goes to 2nd for one, relay to 1st beats a diving Miyamoto and the game is over!
Apart from a small hiccup here in the 9th, Seihou easily cruises along to the Best 4 with an 8-2 victory over Minoshima! Minoshima though, made a good showing this tournament, giving their supporters several good game and a reminder of how things were back in their last appearances. Perhaps we may see them yet again... provided Chiben Wakayama doesn't stand in the way...
So, can Minoshima continue its run, or will Seihou mark yet another casualty on their way to the Best 4?
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1:50 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Imamura starts off striking off Miyamoto. But he walks Shintarou on 4 straight - a bit strange for Imamura. But the defense bails him out as Mantani grounds into the 3-6-3 double play.
Bottom 1st
Yahisa stars Seihou off with a grounder to left! He's bunted along to 2nd. Then Morimoto walks Kawamoto on 4 straight! Runners at 1st and 2nd with one down for Yamazaki! He makes contact, but it's a grounder to short. Nishihata starts the 6-4-3- double play and it's scoreless after 1.
Top 2nd
Nishihata with a liner to center, but Tominaga makes the shoestring catch for the out!
Imamura next strikes out Keisuke, but the ball gets away from Kawamoto! Keisuke breaks for 1st, and Kawamoto's throw is high! Keisuke reaches base!
But then he tries to take 2nd on the first pitch! Kawamoto makes a great throw and Keisuke is out by a mile.
Imamura finishes the inning by striking out Oota.
Bottom 2nd
Tsuji gets the offense started with a grounder past a diving Numa into right. But he too tries to steal 2nd, only to have the catcher Yamamoto throw him out.
Nakayama gives the ball a good ride, but Mantani backs up and reaches out for the catch.
Top 3rd
Minoshima gets its 3rd one-out runner as Yamamoto lines one back up the middle for a base hit. He's moved to second, but is stranded as Miyamoto pops up to 2nd.
Bottom 3rd
Shimazaki starts it off with a single to left. Hashimoto bunts him over for the top of the order.
Yahisa drives a slow curve to left! Oota chases it, but it one bounces the wall! Shimazaki easily scores on the double by Yahisa! 1-0 Seihou!!
Top 4th
Shintarou starts the 4th with a single past a diving Shimazaki! Mantani moves him to 2nd and Minoshima has the tying run in scoring position!
And Imamura walks Nishihata! Runners on 1st and 2nd now for Keisuke! But he flies the first pitch to left and quickly 2 down!
Sanshin!! Imamura strikes out Oota to retire the side! Minoshima threatening here in the 4th, but Imamura shuts the door!
Bottom 4th
Yamazaki with a fly to right! That falls in front of Miyamoto for a base hit!
Imamura is swinging away and battles with Morimoto! And it pays off! He lines one into right for a base hit! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Seihou with no out!
Yoshida-kantoku has Tsuji bunt the runners along. Now a base hit can score 2!
But Nakayama chops one back to Morimoto! He looks back Yamazaki at 3rd and makes the play at 1st!! 2 down!
Shimazaki with a grounder to short. But it goes through Nishihata's legs and into left!! Yamazaki scores! Imamura rounding 3rd, he's heading home!! The throw from Oota is in line and Yamamoto makes the tag!! Imamura is out at the plate, but Seihou plates another run!! 2-0!!
Top 5th
Imamura oddly enough finally retires all three batters at the plate. He has had 1-2-3 innings, but it involved a runner getting on base and then being retired. But however you look at it, Imamura continues to pitch well.
Bottom 6th
Hashimoto with a fly to deep left! Oota running back, but it falls in front of the wall! Hashimoto reaches 2nd, goes for 3rd!! But the relay throw from Nishihata is in plenty of time to get him out!
But Yahisa takes the next pitch to deep center! Mantani back, and that falls in front of the wall! Yahisa in with a double, AH!!!!!
The throw in from Nishihata overshoots everyone and goes into the dugout!! Yahisa is awarded home, and Seihou takes the 3-0 lead on the error!
Tominaga continues the hit parade with a lazy grounder up the middle!
Morimoto though, gets Kawamoto to fly to left. 2 down.
And with Yamazaki up, he catches Kawamoto off base! They run him down for the 3rd out! Seihou however continues to extend its lead!
Top 5th
One down, Shintarou for the 3rd time reaches base with another walk.
Mantani reaches down and slices one into center! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Minoshima!
Matsushita-kantoku has Mantani swinging away! Sanshin! Imamura gets him looking on an outside fastball! And another scoring opportunity goes wanting!
Bottom 5th
Seihou continues to assault Morimoto and the Minoshima squad! Hashimoto drives one to left. Oota runs back, but the ball lands in front of the wall! Hashimoto reaches 2nd and pushes for 3rd!! The relay from Nishihata reaches Keisuke and he's out by a mile!
They're not deterred though! Yahisa with a drive to left center! Mantani runs back, and that's a one-hopper to the wall! Yahisa stops at 2nd, but AH!!!
This time Nishihata's relay to 3rd sails over everyone and goes into the dugout!! The umpires award Yahisa home and Seihou is up 3-0!!
Tominaga then shoots one through to center! Seihou seem to be having their way with Morimoto!
But with Kawamoto up, Morimoto catches Tominaga off the bag! They run him down for the 2nd out!
And with a fly to left by Kawamoto ends the inning. But the deficit continues to grow...
Top 6th
Minoshima mounts a rally in the 6th. Shintarou draws a one out walk. Mantani follows that up with a single to center and they have runners at 1st and 2nd!
Imamura though clamps down. He strikes out Nishihata and gets Keisuke to pop up to short!
Bottom 6th
For the first time today, Morimoto retires the side in quick order.
Top 7th
Oota leads off the inning battling against Imamura and drawing a 9 pitch walk. And then Imamura hits Numa! Just like that, runners on 1st and 2nd with no out!
EH??!
After the first pitch to Yamamoto, Kawamoto fires the ball to 2nd! Oota is caught taking a big lead... and he's out! What was he thinking???!!!
Imamura then proceeds to strikeout Yamamoto and Morimoto to end the inning! A critical baserunning error kills Minoshima's momentum!
Bottom 7th
Yoshida-kantoku elects here to pinch hit for Nakayama to start the inning. #4 Sakamoto comes into the game to bat.
And on a full count, he singles back up the middle! Now #9 Yoshida comes in to pinch run for Sakamoto. On the frist pitch, he takes off for 2nd! Yamamoto double clutches the ball, and he's in there safely! Now Shimazaki's bunt moves him over to 3rd! Seihou is threatening once again!!
Matsushita-kantoku calls a conference on the mound, hoping that the defense can prevent another run.
AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! Yamamoto lets a ball in the dirt go between his legs and to the backstop!! Yoshida comes in easily to score, and it's 4-0 Seihou!
Then with 2 down, Yahisa collects his 4th hit of the day, another grounder through to left!
Fortunately, Tominaga strikes out and the inning is over. But with yet another gaffe on the field, it's apparent that Minoshima is overmatched here against Seihou...
Top 8th
Imamura continues to go through Minoshima's lineup with relative ease. He gets 2 quick outs before yielding a single to left by Mantani.
Nishihata give a bit of a scare driving one deep down the left field line foul. But he ends up succumbing to Imamura's slider and the beat goes on...
Bottom 8th
Kawamoto continues Seihou's offense with a blooper to center. After a sac bunt, Matsushita-kantoku calls a conference.
In the meantime, the scoreboard indicates a balk. Apprarently, Morimoto was called for a balk before the sac bunt! So Yamazaki returns to the plate and Kawamoto moves to 2nd!
Once again Yamazaki lays the bunt down, but this time Kawamoto heads to 3rd!
AHH!!!!!!!!!!!! Another pitch in the dirt, and Yamamoto can't move over to field it! It bounces away and Kawamoto scores! 5-0!
And a pitch from Morimoto nails a leaping Imamura! He's down on his knees! But he gets up quickly and moves to 1st. They apply the spray as usual, and he's ready to go.
Tsuji drives the first pitch deep to right, but foul! That must've been a scare to Minoshima! But then he lines the next pitch to right for a base hit!
Now Yoshida is being pulled for a PH, this time #13 Miyahara steps in. He hits one to center, and that's in there for a base hit!! Imamura rounds 3rd, and he's heading home! Mantani up with a strike to home! Yamamoto with the ball, comes around to tag Imamura, but he's just ahead of it and slides home safe!!! 6-0!!
#18 Iwata comes in to pinch run for Miyahara.
And Shimazaki gets a hold of a slow curve! That's into the left center field gap and to the wall! Tsuji comes in to score, throw is cutoff by Nishihata and Iwata scores! Seihou has blown this wide open at 8-0!
Nishihata makes a good stop in the gap to get Hashimoto for the 2nd out.
Yahisa with a liner to center! That's falling in, but Mantani sprints to make the catch! But the game is all but over for Minoshima...
Top 9th
#10 Nakano replaces Iwata and takes the hill. Imamura moves to right. Any time you can give your ace rest is welcome, especially at this stage in the tournament.
Keisuke with a grounder to the right side! Hashimoto ranges over to make the stop, but he can't put enough on the throw to get him out! Base hit for Keisuke!
He's replaced at 1st by #13 Katada.
Oota though pops out on the first pitch to 1st. One down.
Numa with a grounder to short, but a bad hop eats up Hashimoto! The ball bounces away and he reaches safely! The scorer shows E6, but I don't know about that...
#10 Ishii comes in to pinch hit for Yamamoto.
While Nakano hasn't had as much help from his defense as he would have liked, his pitching is nothing like Imamura's (no offense).
Ishii walks on 4 straight and it's manrui for Morimoto! But Matsushita-kantoku pinch hits for him too and it's #15 Kakinoki.
AHHHH!!!! It's a wild pitch! That heads to the backstop and Katada comes in to score! Minoshima gets on the board here in the 9th! It's 8-1!
AHHHH!!!! Kakinoki strikes out, but Kawamoto doesn't catch the ball! It bounces over to the right side! Everyone starts running and it's all safe! Nakano records the K, but Kakinoki reaches 1st on the passed ball. Even more important, Numa comes in to score and it's 8-2!
Seihou showing errors we're not used to seeing here in the 9th!
Miyamoto though grounds to 3rd! Yahisa goes to 2nd for one, relay to 1st beats a diving Miyamoto and the game is over!
Apart from a small hiccup here in the 9th, Seihou easily cruises along to the Best 4 with an 8-2 victory over Minoshima! Minoshima though, made a good showing this tournament, giving their supporters several good game and a reminder of how things were back in their last appearances. Perhaps we may see them yet again... provided Chiben Wakayama doesn't stand in the way...
Day 9 - Quarterfinal #1 - Hōtoku Gakuen (Hyogo) vs. Chūkyōdai Chūkyō (Aichi)
We are now at the point of the tournament where things really accelerate. Teams will start playing almost everyday from here on out. It becomes more a battle of attrition as well as skill that will determine the champion.
If you're read my post of the Best 8 matchups, you know my take on these upcoming games.
That being said, I bring you Quarterfinal #1...
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1:31 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Doubayashi takes care of business here in the first, retiring the side in quick order.
Bottom 1st
Miyatani gives up a leadoff walk to start the game. Kunitomo immediately bunts him to 2nd. Early chance here for Chuukyou!
Kawai though grounds out to short. 2 down. And Doubayashi is caught looking! Miyatani snuffs out the threat! However, his control doesn't seem to be there today. He's throwing strikes, but he's not hitting the target. This could be an issue for Houtoku.
Top 2nd
Houtoku gets their first baserunner as Miyamoto singles through to left. Hiramoto doesn't look to be bunting.
Doesn't need to! A wild pitch by Doubayashi advances Miyamoto to 2nd!
And Hiramoto hits a comebacker! That's through to center! Miyamoto comes around and Houtoku grabs the 1-0 lead!
And another pitch in the dirt! Hiramoto advances to 2nd!
Fujikura though flies out to left, 2 down. Oofuji-kantoku calls for a conference. Settle Doubayashi down and get out of the inning.
Nara with a grounder to short, but Yamanaka can't corral it! It runs up his glove! He tries to snag it, but bobbles it! All safe! E6 and the inning continues!!
But Doubayashi gets Miyatani to strike out. Houtoku though takes the early 1-0 lead! And Doubayashi seems to be having the same control issues as Miyatani. This could get interesting/nasty later.
Bottom 2nd
One down, Shibata hits a grounder to 3rd, but Saigou can't field that cleanly! His throw airmails 1st!
And Morimoto lines one over Miyamoto's head! That goes down the right field line all the way to the wall! Shibata is flying around the bases! He's headed home! The relay is not in time! Shibata scores all the way from 1st to tie the game! 動転!! 1-1!!
That ball was left over the plate by Miyatani... It appeared the catcher was looking for an outside pitch.
Kaneyama advances Morimoto with a grounder to 2nd, but is stranded as Iwatsuki flies to right. But Chuukyou has equalized!
Top 3rd
Tsuji with a bid for a base hit, but Yamanaka makes a great stop in the gap and makes a strong throw to 1st for the out!
Doubayashi retires the next two batters to end the inning. He looked a little better there, especially to Momiyama.
Bottom 3rd
Chuukyou gets a baserunner in the 3rd as Kunotimi is hit on the elbow by Miyatani. To add some insult to injury, the ball bounces on the ground straight up and hits his helmet.
No bunting here with one down. Kawai is swinging away. Count runs full and a ball low means runners at 1st and 2nd and a good opportunity for Chuukyou.
Nagata-kantoku calls for a conference on the mound...
But Miyatani falls behind 2-0. AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doubayashi drive a ball deep to right!! Nara runs back to the wall, leaps, but it's over his head! The runners take off! Kunitomo scores on Doubayashi's double and Chuukyou takes the 2-1 lead!
Control issue continue to plague Miyatani. Hiramoto asked for the ball inside, he left it over the plate.
He gets help though from Isomura who starts waving at anything and strikes out. And while he again misses his target, Shibata flies out to right to end the inning. But Chuukyoudai Chuukyou pulls ahead!
Top 4th
Doubayashi just clips Saigou on the foot as he was leaping away and is awarded 1st. Miyamoto looks to bunt, but gets 2 called strikes! He swings away, but grounds to short! Yamanaka tosses it to Kunitomo for 1, but he can't complete the double play.
AH!!!!!! Doubayashi hangs a pitch!! Hiramoto sends it to deep to dead center!! Iwatsuki runs back to the wall! That falls in front of the wall!! Miyamoto sprints around and heads home! He scores easily! What a blast by Hiramoto!! 動転!! 2-2!!
Fujikura grounds one through to left! Runners at the corners for Houtoku! Oofuji-kantoku calls a conference as Houtoku threatens to take the lead once again!
Nara works Doubayashi and the count runs full! Another offspeed pitch in the dirt and it's manrui for Miyatani!! And it's a slow chopper to short! Yamanaka charges, but his only play is at 1st! Hiramoto scores, and Houtoku does indeed take the lead! 逆転!! 3-2!!
Tsuji hits a comebacker, and Doubayashi retires him. But some timely hitting and a little help from Doubayashi and Houtoku retakes the lead! This is some heck of a see-saw battle!
Bottom 4th
Miyatani finally has his first hassle-free inning, retiring the side in order. He's still not controlling his offspeed stuff well yet, but at least for now he's managing to get through.
Top 5th
Nojima starts off the 5th with a base hit to right, and is moved to 2nd. And then Saigou hits a base hit to right! Nojima rounds 3rd and scores! 4-2!! That was almost the quickest run I've seen scored NOT via the homerun!!
Miyamoto grounds to 2nd, and Hiramoto strikes out. But Houtoku extends their lead to 2!
Bottom 5th
2 down and Kawai smashes a pitch left in the zone! Tsuji runs back and has to play it off the padding! But he fumbles trying to get it! Kawai is in with a triple!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doubayashi takes another hanging pitch to center too!! Tsuji once again runs back and it's off the top of the padding! Kawai scores on Doubayashi's double!!! Just like that it's 4-3!!!
Nagata-kantoku calls a conference to slow the pace (and Miyatani) down.
But Isomura lines a high pitch to left! That's down for a base hit!! Doubayashi rounds 3rd, he scores!! 3 consecutive hits have tied this ballgame up! 動転!!! 4-4!!!!!
Shibata flies out to right, but once again the see-saw starts swinging the other way!!
Top 6th
Doubayashi and Chuukyou get a breather as Houtoku goes down in order.
Bottom 6th
Morimoto with hit in the left center field gap! That bounces all the way to the wall! He's in with a stand up double and Chuukyou is in business!
Kaneyama though can't put the bunt down! Has to swing away!
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And does he ever!!!! He htis a hanging breaking ball down the right field line! Nara chases it into the right field corner as it runs along the wall! Morimoto scores! Kaneyama heading for 3rd! But Nojima makes a strong relay throw to Saigou, and they gun him down!! But the advantage once again swings to Chuukyou!! 逆転!! 5-4!!
Miyatani continues to struggle with his control. He works the count full before striking out Iwatsuki, and then walks Yamanaka on 5 pitches. But he's bailed out by Kunitomo who grounds to 2nd.
That see-saw continues to move back and forth. With the back-to-back doubles, it swings now for Chuukyou!!
(Newton's Cradle could work here too, right?)
Top 7th
Doubayashi now is sitting down the Houtoku batters. Now that time is running out the teams, mainly Houtoku, is pressing. The top of the order is quickly retired.
Bottom 7th
Doubayashi continues to help his own cause. He gets his 3rd hit of the day, a single the opposite way in right.
Isomura again follows that up with a base hit of his own! Runners at 1st and 2nd with one out!
Nagata-kantoku has seen enough. Unable to afford giving up another run, he pulls Miyatani. 1B Miyamoto comes in relief, while #11 Wada enters in Miyatani's spot in the lineup and plays 1B.
He strikes out Shibata for 2 outs, but then walks Morimoto. Manrui for Chuukyou!
Nagata-kantoku calls one more conference. Just get him relaxed, hopefully.
And it works! Kanemura take the first pitch and flies out to center! Miyamoto comes in and get out of the pinch!! Houtoku stays in the game!
Top 8th
Miyamoto keeps them in the game, now it's the offense's turn to try and deliver.
Doubayashi retires the first two batters before yielding a single to Hiramoto. It's a baserunner, but with 2 down, it's a very slim opportunity. And indeed it is as Fujikura strikes out swinging.
Time is running out, and their offense has all but stalled.
Bottom 8th
Miyamoto looks to hold Chuukyou down and give his team a chance. But he falls behind Iwatsuki 3-0. He manages to work the count full, but loses him.
Yamanaka bunts him along, hoping to push in an insurance run. Kunitomo chops one to 2nd, advancing Iwatsuki another 90 feet.
Kawai must get a hit here to plate Iwatsuki. But instead he skies the first pitch to 2nd, and the side is retired! Miyamoto's done his job.
Top 9th
Final ups for Houtoku. There's nothing left now.
#13 Sakamoto comes in to PH for Nara. First pitch single to right!!
Now #11 Wada (son of Hanshin Tigers coach Wada Yutaka - who is in the crowd) now steps to the plate. But he pops up his bunt! Shibata gets under it and makes the catch! One down!
Back to the top of the order for Tsuji. The infield has a conference on the mound.
Doubayashi can't throw a strike! The count runs to 3-0! And it's ball 4!! The tying run is in scoring position, and the go-ahead run is on base!!
#10 Yamada warms up in the bullpen...
And Nagata-kantoku has #12 Nakajima PH for Nojima. Ball 1! Doubayashi has only thrown one strike and that was Sakamoto's base hit!
Nakajima fouls one off... then it's a short chopper down the 1st base side! Doubayashi fields it and makes the play at 1st! The runners advance, but they're down to their final out!
Momiyama steps to the plate, hitless on the day.
Inside, ball 1... Inside and it hits him! But he doesn't get out of the way, and it's called a ball. Offspeed pitch comes over for a strike. 2-1. Slider fouled off!! 2-2! Down to their last strike! He hits him again! This time, he's awarded 1st!! Momiyama didn't get out of the way of that ball either, but perhaps after being hit twice the umpire thought he had to give it to him. It did seem like though he bended his knee a little towards the pitch!
Nonetheless, it's manrui now for Houtoku! Cleanup batter Saigou steps in. He's only 1-3 on the day. There's nowhere to put Saigou now.
Shibata motions the outfield to come in. Outside, ball 1. Next pitch, Saigou hits it! It's a liner to left! Isomura comes in, but it falls in!!! Sakamoto scores, Tsuji rounds third!! The throw home is cut off by Doubayashi and Tsuji scores!!! 逆転!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Saigou delivers with a base hit and they have taken the lead!!! IT'S 6-4 HOUTOKU GAKUEN!!!!!
Miyamoto steps up, he hits a chopper to 2nd. Kunitomo fields it, but no one's covering 1st! Doubayashi scurries over, Kunitomo tosses it to him, and they get the out!! But a bases loased single by Saigou with 2 outs has brought Houtoku back!!
Bottom 9th
Now it is Chuukyoudai Chuukyou who must get themselves together. They suddenly find themselves 3 outs from being eliminated after being one strike from advancing!
For Houtoku, Nakajima stays in and plays 3rd. #17 Kinoshita replaces Sakamoto and plays RF. And Wada moves from 1B to 2B.
And it's Doubayashi who must really compose himself as he steps to the plate...
Miyamoto can't throw a strike. But then he throws one over and Doubayashi hits a screamer to left! But Fujikura is playing back and makes the catch! One down!
Isomura now at the plate. He hits a shot to 3rd, it's off Saigou!! It's right to Momiyama, but there's no play! Chuukyou has the tying run on base!
Shibata with a liner to left, but again, Fujikura is playing back and makes the catch! Their no-doubles defense is holding!
2 down and Morimoto represents their last chance...
Fouled off, 0-1. Next pitch, it's a slow grounder to 2nd! Wada runs in, makes the throw... and they get a sliding Morimoto!! Game set!!! Houtoku Gakuen has come back to defeat Chuukyoudai Chuukyou, 6-5!!!
And as happy as the Houtoku players are, the Chuukyou players are equally as devastated... Both teams went through the whole gamet of emotions, and no one feels as crushed as Doubayashi. Having held off the Houtoku offense, it all came apart for him in the 9th. Whether it be Nomura of Kouryou in 2007 or Dass Romash of Kanzei in 2006, in all games like these there is someone who bears the brunt of disappointment or anguish. Hopefully, he'll be able to get over this loss and lead his team to the Summer Koushien.
If you're read my post of the Best 8 matchups, you know my take on these upcoming games.
That being said, I bring you Quarterfinal #1...
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1:31 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Doubayashi takes care of business here in the first, retiring the side in quick order.
Bottom 1st
Miyatani gives up a leadoff walk to start the game. Kunitomo immediately bunts him to 2nd. Early chance here for Chuukyou!
Kawai though grounds out to short. 2 down. And Doubayashi is caught looking! Miyatani snuffs out the threat! However, his control doesn't seem to be there today. He's throwing strikes, but he's not hitting the target. This could be an issue for Houtoku.
Top 2nd
Houtoku gets their first baserunner as Miyamoto singles through to left. Hiramoto doesn't look to be bunting.
Doesn't need to! A wild pitch by Doubayashi advances Miyamoto to 2nd!
And Hiramoto hits a comebacker! That's through to center! Miyamoto comes around and Houtoku grabs the 1-0 lead!
And another pitch in the dirt! Hiramoto advances to 2nd!
Fujikura though flies out to left, 2 down. Oofuji-kantoku calls for a conference. Settle Doubayashi down and get out of the inning.
Nara with a grounder to short, but Yamanaka can't corral it! It runs up his glove! He tries to snag it, but bobbles it! All safe! E6 and the inning continues!!
But Doubayashi gets Miyatani to strike out. Houtoku though takes the early 1-0 lead! And Doubayashi seems to be having the same control issues as Miyatani. This could get interesting/nasty later.
Bottom 2nd
One down, Shibata hits a grounder to 3rd, but Saigou can't field that cleanly! His throw airmails 1st!
And Morimoto lines one over Miyamoto's head! That goes down the right field line all the way to the wall! Shibata is flying around the bases! He's headed home! The relay is not in time! Shibata scores all the way from 1st to tie the game! 動転!! 1-1!!
That ball was left over the plate by Miyatani... It appeared the catcher was looking for an outside pitch.
Kaneyama advances Morimoto with a grounder to 2nd, but is stranded as Iwatsuki flies to right. But Chuukyou has equalized!
Top 3rd
Tsuji with a bid for a base hit, but Yamanaka makes a great stop in the gap and makes a strong throw to 1st for the out!
Doubayashi retires the next two batters to end the inning. He looked a little better there, especially to Momiyama.
Bottom 3rd
Chuukyou gets a baserunner in the 3rd as Kunotimi is hit on the elbow by Miyatani. To add some insult to injury, the ball bounces on the ground straight up and hits his helmet.
No bunting here with one down. Kawai is swinging away. Count runs full and a ball low means runners at 1st and 2nd and a good opportunity for Chuukyou.
Nagata-kantoku calls for a conference on the mound...
But Miyatani falls behind 2-0. AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doubayashi drive a ball deep to right!! Nara runs back to the wall, leaps, but it's over his head! The runners take off! Kunitomo scores on Doubayashi's double and Chuukyou takes the 2-1 lead!
Control issue continue to plague Miyatani. Hiramoto asked for the ball inside, he left it over the plate.
He gets help though from Isomura who starts waving at anything and strikes out. And while he again misses his target, Shibata flies out to right to end the inning. But Chuukyoudai Chuukyou pulls ahead!
Top 4th
Doubayashi just clips Saigou on the foot as he was leaping away and is awarded 1st. Miyamoto looks to bunt, but gets 2 called strikes! He swings away, but grounds to short! Yamanaka tosses it to Kunitomo for 1, but he can't complete the double play.
AH!!!!!! Doubayashi hangs a pitch!! Hiramoto sends it to deep to dead center!! Iwatsuki runs back to the wall! That falls in front of the wall!! Miyamoto sprints around and heads home! He scores easily! What a blast by Hiramoto!! 動転!! 2-2!!
Fujikura grounds one through to left! Runners at the corners for Houtoku! Oofuji-kantoku calls a conference as Houtoku threatens to take the lead once again!
Nara works Doubayashi and the count runs full! Another offspeed pitch in the dirt and it's manrui for Miyatani!! And it's a slow chopper to short! Yamanaka charges, but his only play is at 1st! Hiramoto scores, and Houtoku does indeed take the lead! 逆転!! 3-2!!
Tsuji hits a comebacker, and Doubayashi retires him. But some timely hitting and a little help from Doubayashi and Houtoku retakes the lead! This is some heck of a see-saw battle!
Bottom 4th
Miyatani finally has his first hassle-free inning, retiring the side in order. He's still not controlling his offspeed stuff well yet, but at least for now he's managing to get through.
Top 5th
Nojima starts off the 5th with a base hit to right, and is moved to 2nd. And then Saigou hits a base hit to right! Nojima rounds 3rd and scores! 4-2!! That was almost the quickest run I've seen scored NOT via the homerun!!
Miyamoto grounds to 2nd, and Hiramoto strikes out. But Houtoku extends their lead to 2!
Bottom 5th
2 down and Kawai smashes a pitch left in the zone! Tsuji runs back and has to play it off the padding! But he fumbles trying to get it! Kawai is in with a triple!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doubayashi takes another hanging pitch to center too!! Tsuji once again runs back and it's off the top of the padding! Kawai scores on Doubayashi's double!!! Just like that it's 4-3!!!
Nagata-kantoku calls a conference to slow the pace (and Miyatani) down.
But Isomura lines a high pitch to left! That's down for a base hit!! Doubayashi rounds 3rd, he scores!! 3 consecutive hits have tied this ballgame up! 動転!!! 4-4!!!!!
Shibata flies out to right, but once again the see-saw starts swinging the other way!!
Top 6th
Doubayashi and Chuukyou get a breather as Houtoku goes down in order.
Bottom 6th
Morimoto with hit in the left center field gap! That bounces all the way to the wall! He's in with a stand up double and Chuukyou is in business!
Kaneyama though can't put the bunt down! Has to swing away!
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And does he ever!!!! He htis a hanging breaking ball down the right field line! Nara chases it into the right field corner as it runs along the wall! Morimoto scores! Kaneyama heading for 3rd! But Nojima makes a strong relay throw to Saigou, and they gun him down!! But the advantage once again swings to Chuukyou!! 逆転!! 5-4!!
Miyatani continues to struggle with his control. He works the count full before striking out Iwatsuki, and then walks Yamanaka on 5 pitches. But he's bailed out by Kunitomo who grounds to 2nd.
That see-saw continues to move back and forth. With the back-to-back doubles, it swings now for Chuukyou!!
(Newton's Cradle could work here too, right?)
Top 7th
Doubayashi now is sitting down the Houtoku batters. Now that time is running out the teams, mainly Houtoku, is pressing. The top of the order is quickly retired.
Bottom 7th
Doubayashi continues to help his own cause. He gets his 3rd hit of the day, a single the opposite way in right.
Isomura again follows that up with a base hit of his own! Runners at 1st and 2nd with one out!
Nagata-kantoku has seen enough. Unable to afford giving up another run, he pulls Miyatani. 1B Miyamoto comes in relief, while #11 Wada enters in Miyatani's spot in the lineup and plays 1B.
He strikes out Shibata for 2 outs, but then walks Morimoto. Manrui for Chuukyou!
Nagata-kantoku calls one more conference. Just get him relaxed, hopefully.
And it works! Kanemura take the first pitch and flies out to center! Miyamoto comes in and get out of the pinch!! Houtoku stays in the game!
Top 8th
Miyamoto keeps them in the game, now it's the offense's turn to try and deliver.
Doubayashi retires the first two batters before yielding a single to Hiramoto. It's a baserunner, but with 2 down, it's a very slim opportunity. And indeed it is as Fujikura strikes out swinging.
Time is running out, and their offense has all but stalled.
Bottom 8th
Miyamoto looks to hold Chuukyou down and give his team a chance. But he falls behind Iwatsuki 3-0. He manages to work the count full, but loses him.
Yamanaka bunts him along, hoping to push in an insurance run. Kunitomo chops one to 2nd, advancing Iwatsuki another 90 feet.
Kawai must get a hit here to plate Iwatsuki. But instead he skies the first pitch to 2nd, and the side is retired! Miyamoto's done his job.
Top 9th
Final ups for Houtoku. There's nothing left now.
#13 Sakamoto comes in to PH for Nara. First pitch single to right!!
Now #11 Wada (son of Hanshin Tigers coach Wada Yutaka - who is in the crowd) now steps to the plate. But he pops up his bunt! Shibata gets under it and makes the catch! One down!
Back to the top of the order for Tsuji. The infield has a conference on the mound.
Doubayashi can't throw a strike! The count runs to 3-0! And it's ball 4!! The tying run is in scoring position, and the go-ahead run is on base!!
#10 Yamada warms up in the bullpen...
And Nagata-kantoku has #12 Nakajima PH for Nojima. Ball 1! Doubayashi has only thrown one strike and that was Sakamoto's base hit!
Nakajima fouls one off... then it's a short chopper down the 1st base side! Doubayashi fields it and makes the play at 1st! The runners advance, but they're down to their final out!
Momiyama steps to the plate, hitless on the day.
Inside, ball 1... Inside and it hits him! But he doesn't get out of the way, and it's called a ball. Offspeed pitch comes over for a strike. 2-1. Slider fouled off!! 2-2! Down to their last strike! He hits him again! This time, he's awarded 1st!! Momiyama didn't get out of the way of that ball either, but perhaps after being hit twice the umpire thought he had to give it to him. It did seem like though he bended his knee a little towards the pitch!
Nonetheless, it's manrui now for Houtoku! Cleanup batter Saigou steps in. He's only 1-3 on the day. There's nowhere to put Saigou now.
Shibata motions the outfield to come in. Outside, ball 1. Next pitch, Saigou hits it! It's a liner to left! Isomura comes in, but it falls in!!! Sakamoto scores, Tsuji rounds third!! The throw home is cut off by Doubayashi and Tsuji scores!!! 逆転!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Saigou delivers with a base hit and they have taken the lead!!! IT'S 6-4 HOUTOKU GAKUEN!!!!!
Miyamoto steps up, he hits a chopper to 2nd. Kunitomo fields it, but no one's covering 1st! Doubayashi scurries over, Kunitomo tosses it to him, and they get the out!! But a bases loased single by Saigou with 2 outs has brought Houtoku back!!
Bottom 9th
Now it is Chuukyoudai Chuukyou who must get themselves together. They suddenly find themselves 3 outs from being eliminated after being one strike from advancing!
For Houtoku, Nakajima stays in and plays 3rd. #17 Kinoshita replaces Sakamoto and plays RF. And Wada moves from 1B to 2B.
And it's Doubayashi who must really compose himself as he steps to the plate...
Miyamoto can't throw a strike. But then he throws one over and Doubayashi hits a screamer to left! But Fujikura is playing back and makes the catch! One down!
Isomura now at the plate. He hits a shot to 3rd, it's off Saigou!! It's right to Momiyama, but there's no play! Chuukyou has the tying run on base!
Shibata with a liner to left, but again, Fujikura is playing back and makes the catch! Their no-doubles defense is holding!
2 down and Morimoto represents their last chance...
Fouled off, 0-1. Next pitch, it's a slow grounder to 2nd! Wada runs in, makes the throw... and they get a sliding Morimoto!! Game set!!! Houtoku Gakuen has come back to defeat Chuukyoudai Chuukyou, 6-5!!!
And as happy as the Houtoku players are, the Chuukyou players are equally as devastated... Both teams went through the whole gamet of emotions, and no one feels as crushed as Doubayashi. Having held off the Houtoku offense, it all came apart for him in the 9th. Whether it be Nomura of Kouryou in 2007 or Dass Romash of Kanzei in 2006, in all games like these there is someone who bears the brunt of disappointment or anguish. Hopefully, he'll be able to get over this loss and lead his team to the Summer Koushien.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Best 8 Matchups
With the conclusion of Day 8, we have our best 8 Matchups:
Day 9
Chuukyoudai Chuukyou (Aichi) vs. Houtoku Gakuen (Hyogo)
Both teams have looked solid so far in the first two rounds. Chuukyoudai Chuukyou with the exception of the 6th inning against Kurashiki Kougyou have dominated their competition. Doubayashi has good control, but can tend to nibble around at times. Houtoku Gakuen has shown that they can hit average pitching - as seen in the game against Imabari Nishi. However, Chuukyou isn't average pitching. Miyatani can hold his own on the mound though, and he recieved some extra rest after being relieved in the 7th.
Verdict - Slight edge to Houtoku Gakuen
Seihou (Nagasaki) vs. Minoshima (Wakayama)
This is a different Seihou squad this year. And it boils down to one person - ace Imamura. Next to Hanamaki Higashi's ace Kikuchi, Imamura carries that aura of intimidation. While Kikuchi displays it in his poses, for Imamura it's his facial expressions that to me give the sense of intimidation. The look of, "I can't believe you're up here, I really shouldn't have to sit you down, but since you're here..."
Meanwhile, I have very little to go on for Minoshima. They defeated Oita Uenogaoka handily, and edged out a Kaisei squad that defeated Keiou Gijuku (haven't seen that game yet).
Verdict - Slight edge to Seihou (due to Imamura and my personal wish to see them advance)
Nanyou Kougyou (Yamaguchi) vs. Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate)
Nanyou certainly deserves to be here. After edging out Maebashi Shougyou, they faced the vaunted PL Gakuen. And while they were no-hit through regulation, they broke through in the 10th inning for 2 runs. Equally amazing was Iwamoto holding off the PL offense.
As mentioned earlier, Hanamaki Higashi can be summarized in one person - ace Kikuchi. He throws gas and isn't afraid to let you know about it. He is the only pitcher in this tournament to have pitched 2 complete game shutouts. He did look a little slow in starting during his 2nd game, but it seemed to go away as the game progressed.
Verdict - Edge to Hanamaki Higashi (I love to see the underdog win, but Kikuchi is just too darned strong)
Waseda Jitsugyou (Tokyo) vs. Rifu (Miyagi)
Waseda is making their run at Koushien yet again. Their draw was very front-heavy, as in the fall tournament runner-up Tenri Koukou. They edged them out in regulation and then had no trouble with Toyama Shougyou.
On the other side, we have Rifu the 21st century team that could. Or at least that what it seems like. Easily handling Kakegawa Nishi, they then needed all 9 innings to defeats Narashino (grrrrr...). The offense wasn't there though against Narashino's ace Yamada.
Verdict - Waseda Jitsugyou running away (I'm not sure what it is, but I feel like rooting against Waseda. However, they've shown they can punish poor pitching and I just can't see Tsukamoto's style fooling thier batters)
Day 9
- Chuukyoudai Chuukyou (Aichi) vs. Houtoku Gakuen (Hyogo)
- Seihou (Nagasaki) vs. Minoshima (Wakayama)
- Nanyou Kougyou (Yamaguchi) vs. Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate)
- Waseda Jitsugyou (Tokyo) vs. Rifu (Miyagi)
Chuukyoudai Chuukyou (Aichi) vs. Houtoku Gakuen (Hyogo)
Both teams have looked solid so far in the first two rounds. Chuukyoudai Chuukyou with the exception of the 6th inning against Kurashiki Kougyou have dominated their competition. Doubayashi has good control, but can tend to nibble around at times. Houtoku Gakuen has shown that they can hit average pitching - as seen in the game against Imabari Nishi. However, Chuukyou isn't average pitching. Miyatani can hold his own on the mound though, and he recieved some extra rest after being relieved in the 7th.
Verdict - Slight edge to Houtoku Gakuen
Seihou (Nagasaki) vs. Minoshima (Wakayama)
This is a different Seihou squad this year. And it boils down to one person - ace Imamura. Next to Hanamaki Higashi's ace Kikuchi, Imamura carries that aura of intimidation. While Kikuchi displays it in his poses, for Imamura it's his facial expressions that to me give the sense of intimidation. The look of, "I can't believe you're up here, I really shouldn't have to sit you down, but since you're here..."
Meanwhile, I have very little to go on for Minoshima. They defeated Oita Uenogaoka handily, and edged out a Kaisei squad that defeated Keiou Gijuku (haven't seen that game yet).
Verdict - Slight edge to Seihou (due to Imamura and my personal wish to see them advance)
Nanyou Kougyou (Yamaguchi) vs. Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate)
Nanyou certainly deserves to be here. After edging out Maebashi Shougyou, they faced the vaunted PL Gakuen. And while they were no-hit through regulation, they broke through in the 10th inning for 2 runs. Equally amazing was Iwamoto holding off the PL offense.
As mentioned earlier, Hanamaki Higashi can be summarized in one person - ace Kikuchi. He throws gas and isn't afraid to let you know about it. He is the only pitcher in this tournament to have pitched 2 complete game shutouts. He did look a little slow in starting during his 2nd game, but it seemed to go away as the game progressed.
Verdict - Edge to Hanamaki Higashi (I love to see the underdog win, but Kikuchi is just too darned strong)
Waseda Jitsugyou (Tokyo) vs. Rifu (Miyagi)
Waseda is making their run at Koushien yet again. Their draw was very front-heavy, as in the fall tournament runner-up Tenri Koukou. They edged them out in regulation and then had no trouble with Toyama Shougyou.
On the other side, we have Rifu the 21st century team that could. Or at least that what it seems like. Easily handling Kakegawa Nishi, they then needed all 9 innings to defeats Narashino (grrrrr...). The offense wasn't there though against Narashino's ace Yamada.
Verdict - Waseda Jitsugyou running away (I'm not sure what it is, but I feel like rooting against Waseda. However, they've shown they can punish poor pitching and I just can't see Tsukamoto's style fooling thier batters)
Day 8 - Game 3 - Narashino (Chiba) vs. Rifu (Miyagi)
The final game of the 2nd round features Narashino (yay for their band!) versus the only remaining 21st century team Rifu.
Narashino had their hands full with another 21st century team in Hikone Higashi. It may have been that the loss of their ace Kaneko in the middle of the game helped them to victory. Meanwhile, Rifu had their way with Kakegawa Nishi, scoring in the first 5 innings en route to a 10-4 victory. Both pitchers faded late, so it could end up becoming a battle of the bullpens.
So with Waseda Jitsugyou waiting in the Best 8, who will take that next step?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1:31 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Tsukamoto off to a good start freezing Motoyama on a slow curve. Then on a comebacker by Satou, he backhands the ball and makes the play! And then freezes Miyauchi on the same curve!
Bottom 1st
Yamada yields a two-out single to Baba, but then strikes out Inoue to retire the side.
Top 2nd
Yamashita starts Narashino's offense with a one-out single to right by Yamashita.
Yay! Lets go Narashino!!
And then Takahashi Keishirou hits a grounder past a diving Satou into right! Yamashita pushes for 3rd! Inoue up with a strong throw!! Yamashita slides and collides with the 3B Yunomura! And he's out! Inoue with one heck of a throw to get the lead runner out!
Toyoda grounds out to 2nd for the fielder's choice and what seemed like a great opportunity in the making never materializes.
Bottom 2nd
Another two-out runner as Yunomura is plunked on the leg by Yamada. But Yamada quickly ends the inning with a chopper in front of the plate. Both pitchers' control looks good early and we are in for a good pitching duel. Not between overpowering pitchers, but control pitchers.
Top 3rd
Yamada to the tune of Surfin' USA, slices one to left for a one-out single.
Motoyama then goes for the bunt. Tsukamoto goes to 2nd but air mails the throw! Yamada advances to 3rd and Narashino has a great opportunity here in the 3rd!
And more Lets go Narashino!!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But it's fouled off!
Now the Rifu battery is pitching out looking for it. Two pitchouts. And another pitchout. Strike??! That didn't even look close to hitting the plate. And then he swings at an outside pitch for strike 3! Satou breaks for 2nd, but doesn't draw a throw. 2 down for Miyauchi.
And he grounds to 2nd to end the inning...
Bottom 3rd
Rifu with its first non-two out base runner. Endou singles through to left. Obara-kantoku looks for Fujiwara to bunt. He does lay it down and Yamashita's throw just beats out Fujiwara at 1st.
So runner in scoring position with 2 down. However, Baba grounds to 2nd and Rifu is turned away again.
Top 4th
Yamashita with a grounder to 1st, but Baba can't field it cleanly! It bounces toward 2nd, and Yamashita reaches safely!
And with some urgency the Narashino band plays Lets go Narashino!!
But Takahashi grounds to short. And while Yamashita advances to 2nd, he's stranded as Toyoda lines out to 2nd.
Bottom 4th
Inoue leads off the inning with a single that takes a bounce off Miyauchi.
Sakurada tries to bunt, but can't put it down. With 2 strikes he curiously offers yet again at a pitch way outside for the K. It's curious because he offered anyway and Inoue wasn't taking off.
Tsukamoto does lay the bunt down, moving Inoue into scoring position for Yunomura. He can't get the timely hit as Yamada freezes him on an inside pitch.
Top 5th
Yamada gets his 2nd hit of the day as a grounder gets through both a diving Baba and Satou! Both kantokus are looking for a run any way possible as the offenses struggle against the aces. But Motoyama strikes out trying to lay the bunt down, and it looks like another scoreless inning for Narashino.
Satou's walk pushes Yamada into scoring position, and Obara-kantoku sends his player out to have a quick conversation with Tsukamoto.
Miyauchi lines the first pitch, but it's right at Yunomura who makes the catch!
Bottom 5th
Yet another 2-out runner for Rifu as Yamada hits Endou. And trying to make something happen, he takes off for 2nd and reaches safely! But once again he's stranded as Fujiwara grounds out to 2nd.
Top 6th
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fukuda hits a drive to left That's to the wall! He's flying around the bases and gets in with a leadoff triple!
Yamashita follows that up with a fly to deep center! That's more than enough to get Fukuda in and Narashino takes the 1-0 lead!
Bottom 6th
Baba looks to respond as Baba grounds one back up the middle for a leadoff single. Inoue tries to put the bunt down, but the count runs to 0-2. He swings away and it's a grounder off Someya and up the line in foul territory! Runners now at 1st and 2nd with no outs!
Sakurada is also called to bunt. But he pops it up! A charging Takahashi dives but can't reach it! Yamada picks it up and makes the play at first. Now a base hit can give Rifu the lead!
And Tsukamoto looks to help his own cause.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obara-kantoku waited for the count to run to 3-1 before calling it! And it works to perfection! Baba is almost already to home plate Yamashita's only play is to first! Rifu responds to Narashino's run with one of their own! 1-1!!
Top 7th
Yamada collects his 3rd hit of the day, another 1-out single - this time a bloop to center. And for the 2nd straight AB, Motoyama cannot put the bunt down and strikes out swinging.
But Satou singles on a slow curve to right! Miyauchi steps into the box with another opportunity to put Narashino ahead.
And it seems like however many times the band plays Lets go Narashino it doesn't help today. While the count runs full and the runners take off, Miyauchi remains hitless this tournament as he grounds out to 1st.
Bottom 7th
Yamada retires the side, yielding only a two-out walk to Endou. It is starting to appear that we may be heading towards another enchousen game.
Top 8th
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With 2 down, Takahashi hits a towering fly ball to right. Inoue steps under it, and had to run back! The ball lands behind him! The wind carried the ball farther than he expected and now Takahashi is flying around the bases! He slides into third! Now a base hit can give Narashino the lead once again!
But Toyoda hits a chopper back to Tsukamoto! He makes the stop and throws to 1st retiring the side! A fielding mistake by Inoue does not end in disaster for Rifu.
Bottom 8th
Yamada plunks Sakurada with 2 down, but that's the only hiccup he has in the inning. We head to the 9th still knotted at 1-1.
Top 9th
#12 Yoshida comes in to pinch hit for Someya. And once again, the band plays Lets go Narashino hopefully to will the team to victory.
Yoshida contines to fight at the plate fouling off pitch after pitch. He hits one to deep center, but Fujiwara is there to make the catch.
Yamada come in next looking for his 4th hit, but he pops it up to 3rd.
Now finally swinging away, Motoyama hits a grounder past a diving Yonemura and Sakurada! But Satou can't keep the inning alive. He hits a grounder to 2nd! Yuuji goes to field it and collides with Satou! Satou is called out and that ends the inning.
Now all that Narashino can do is hold on for extras.
Bottom 9th
#16 Kurihara comes in to play 3B for PH Yoshida.
After a groundout by Yunomura, #14 Asano comes in to PH for Satou Yuuji. He hits a high chopper over Yamada! Miyauchi charges and snags it, but loses it while making the transfer! Asano is safe at 1st!
He's replaced by #16 Watanabe and you have to expect Obara-kantoku to call for the bunt. Sure enough, Fuse lays the bunt down. Runner at 2nd with two down. Kobayashi-kantoku calls a conference on the mound.
And they decide to walk top batter Endou to face Fujiwara. Aside from creating a force at an extra base (2nd and 3rd), they also face a batter who's 0-3 on the day. However, you are walking a righty to face a lefty.
Another conference on the mound is held as Fujiwara steps to the plate.
And Fujiwara slices a hanging pitch to left center! Fukuda runs over, but it's out of his reach! He looks up in anquish knowing that that's the game as Watanabe slides in to score! Fujiwara comes through with the sayonara hit, and it is Narashino who is on the wrong end this time around.
Rifu advances to the Best 8 with a 2-1 victory and earns the right to face Waseda Jitsugyou.
And I lose one of my favorite bands. うあ～～ん。。。
Narashino had their hands full with another 21st century team in Hikone Higashi. It may have been that the loss of their ace Kaneko in the middle of the game helped them to victory. Meanwhile, Rifu had their way with Kakegawa Nishi, scoring in the first 5 innings en route to a 10-4 victory. Both pitchers faded late, so it could end up becoming a battle of the bullpens.
So with Waseda Jitsugyou waiting in the Best 8, who will take that next step?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1:31 PM - First Pitch
Top 1st
Tsukamoto off to a good start freezing Motoyama on a slow curve. Then on a comebacker by Satou, he backhands the ball and makes the play! And then freezes Miyauchi on the same curve!
Bottom 1st
Yamada yields a two-out single to Baba, but then strikes out Inoue to retire the side.
Top 2nd
Yamashita starts Narashino's offense with a one-out single to right by Yamashita.
Yay! Lets go Narashino!!
And then Takahashi Keishirou hits a grounder past a diving Satou into right! Yamashita pushes for 3rd! Inoue up with a strong throw!! Yamashita slides and collides with the 3B Yunomura! And he's out! Inoue with one heck of a throw to get the lead runner out!
Toyoda grounds out to 2nd for the fielder's choice and what seemed like a great opportunity in the making never materializes.
Bottom 2nd
Another two-out runner as Yunomura is plunked on the leg by Yamada. But Yamada quickly ends the inning with a chopper in front of the plate. Both pitchers' control looks good early and we are in for a good pitching duel. Not between overpowering pitchers, but control pitchers.
Top 3rd
Yamada to the tune of Surfin' USA, slices one to left for a one-out single.
Motoyama then goes for the bunt. Tsukamoto goes to 2nd but air mails the throw! Yamada advances to 3rd and Narashino has a great opportunity here in the 3rd!
And more Lets go Narashino!!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But it's fouled off!
Now the Rifu battery is pitching out looking for it. Two pitchouts. And another pitchout. Strike??! That didn't even look close to hitting the plate. And then he swings at an outside pitch for strike 3! Satou breaks for 2nd, but doesn't draw a throw. 2 down for Miyauchi.
And he grounds to 2nd to end the inning...
Bottom 3rd
Rifu with its first non-two out base runner. Endou singles through to left. Obara-kantoku looks for Fujiwara to bunt. He does lay it down and Yamashita's throw just beats out Fujiwara at 1st.
So runner in scoring position with 2 down. However, Baba grounds to 2nd and Rifu is turned away again.
Top 4th
Yamashita with a grounder to 1st, but Baba can't field it cleanly! It bounces toward 2nd, and Yamashita reaches safely!
And with some urgency the Narashino band plays Lets go Narashino!!
But Takahashi grounds to short. And while Yamashita advances to 2nd, he's stranded as Toyoda lines out to 2nd.
Bottom 4th
Inoue leads off the inning with a single that takes a bounce off Miyauchi.
Sakurada tries to bunt, but can't put it down. With 2 strikes he curiously offers yet again at a pitch way outside for the K. It's curious because he offered anyway and Inoue wasn't taking off.
Tsukamoto does lay the bunt down, moving Inoue into scoring position for Yunomura. He can't get the timely hit as Yamada freezes him on an inside pitch.
Top 5th
Yamada gets his 2nd hit of the day as a grounder gets through both a diving Baba and Satou! Both kantokus are looking for a run any way possible as the offenses struggle against the aces. But Motoyama strikes out trying to lay the bunt down, and it looks like another scoreless inning for Narashino.
Satou's walk pushes Yamada into scoring position, and Obara-kantoku sends his player out to have a quick conversation with Tsukamoto.
Miyauchi lines the first pitch, but it's right at Yunomura who makes the catch!
Bottom 5th
Yet another 2-out runner for Rifu as Yamada hits Endou. And trying to make something happen, he takes off for 2nd and reaches safely! But once again he's stranded as Fujiwara grounds out to 2nd.
Top 6th
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fukuda hits a drive to left That's to the wall! He's flying around the bases and gets in with a leadoff triple!
Yamashita follows that up with a fly to deep center! That's more than enough to get Fukuda in and Narashino takes the 1-0 lead!
Bottom 6th
Baba looks to respond as Baba grounds one back up the middle for a leadoff single. Inoue tries to put the bunt down, but the count runs to 0-2. He swings away and it's a grounder off Someya and up the line in foul territory! Runners now at 1st and 2nd with no outs!
Sakurada is also called to bunt. But he pops it up! A charging Takahashi dives but can't reach it! Yamada picks it up and makes the play at first. Now a base hit can give Rifu the lead!
And Tsukamoto looks to help his own cause.
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obara-kantoku waited for the count to run to 3-1 before calling it! And it works to perfection! Baba is almost already to home plate Yamashita's only play is to first! Rifu responds to Narashino's run with one of their own! 1-1!!
Top 7th
Yamada collects his 3rd hit of the day, another 1-out single - this time a bloop to center. And for the 2nd straight AB, Motoyama cannot put the bunt down and strikes out swinging.
But Satou singles on a slow curve to right! Miyauchi steps into the box with another opportunity to put Narashino ahead.
And it seems like however many times the band plays Lets go Narashino it doesn't help today. While the count runs full and the runners take off, Miyauchi remains hitless this tournament as he grounds out to 1st.
Bottom 7th
Yamada retires the side, yielding only a two-out walk to Endou. It is starting to appear that we may be heading towards another enchousen game.
Top 8th
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With 2 down, Takahashi hits a towering fly ball to right. Inoue steps under it, and had to run back! The ball lands behind him! The wind carried the ball farther than he expected and now Takahashi is flying around the bases! He slides into third! Now a base hit can give Narashino the lead once again!
But Toyoda hits a chopper back to Tsukamoto! He makes the stop and throws to 1st retiring the side! A fielding mistake by Inoue does not end in disaster for Rifu.
Bottom 8th
Yamada plunks Sakurada with 2 down, but that's the only hiccup he has in the inning. We head to the 9th still knotted at 1-1.
Top 9th
#12 Yoshida comes in to pinch hit for Someya. And once again, the band plays Lets go Narashino hopefully to will the team to victory.
Yoshida contines to fight at the plate fouling off pitch after pitch. He hits one to deep center, but Fujiwara is there to make the catch.
Yamada come in next looking for his 4th hit, but he pops it up to 3rd.
Now finally swinging away, Motoyama hits a grounder past a diving Yonemura and Sakurada! But Satou can't keep the inning alive. He hits a grounder to 2nd! Yuuji goes to field it and collides with Satou! Satou is called out and that ends the inning.
Now all that Narashino can do is hold on for extras.
Bottom 9th
#16 Kurihara comes in to play 3B for PH Yoshida.
After a groundout by Yunomura, #14 Asano comes in to PH for Satou Yuuji. He hits a high chopper over Yamada! Miyauchi charges and snags it, but loses it while making the transfer! Asano is safe at 1st!
He's replaced by #16 Watanabe and you have to expect Obara-kantoku to call for the bunt. Sure enough, Fuse lays the bunt down. Runner at 2nd with two down. Kobayashi-kantoku calls a conference on the mound.
And they decide to walk top batter Endou to face Fujiwara. Aside from creating a force at an extra base (2nd and 3rd), they also face a batter who's 0-3 on the day. However, you are walking a righty to face a lefty.
Another conference on the mound is held as Fujiwara steps to the plate.
And Fujiwara slices a hanging pitch to left center! Fukuda runs over, but it's out of his reach! He looks up in anquish knowing that that's the game as Watanabe slides in to score! Fujiwara comes through with the sayonara hit, and it is Narashino who is on the wrong end this time around.
Rifu advances to the Best 8 with a 2-1 victory and earns the right to face Waseda Jitsugyou.
And I lose one of my favorite bands. うあ～～ん。。。
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