高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

Jyousou Gakuin will have their work cut out for them. By far.

Jyousou Gakuin (Ibaraki)
2B Arimura Kouta (有村 恒汰)
CF Suyama Yuuki (陶山 勇軌)
1B Miyazawa Toyota (宮里 豊汰)
3B Hanawa Naoki (花輪 直輝)
C Shimizu Kazema (清水 風馬)
SS Nakamura Jin (中村 迅)
LF Ishikawa Dai (石川 大)
P Suzuki Shouta (鈴木 昭汰)
RF Suzuki Kaito (鈴木 海斗)

I'm still mad, not that Kousei lost, but that they had to lose because of incompetence instead of the play on te field.. Here are the lineups.

Yokohama (Kanagawa)
2B Tobori Atsuya (戸堀 敦矢)
3B (6)Endou Kakeru (遠藤 駆)
CF Masuda Tamaki (増田 珠)
LF Murata Yuuta (村田 雄大)
P (10)Ishikawa Tatsuya (石川 達也)
1B (5)Kuge Kyou (公家 響)
RF (1)Fujihira Shouma (藤平 尚真)
C Tokuda Yuudai (徳田 優大)
SS (16)Watanabe Shou (渡辺 翔)

Well, there's always going to be a clunker or two. Sadly, this might qualify as one as well.

Takagawa Gakuen (Yamaguchi)
CF Ooe Shunsuke (大江 駿介)
C Yamazaki Yuudai (山崎 悠大)
RF Aida Masato (相田 聖人)
2B Ishimaru Ryuuya (石丸 隆哉)
1B Mori Daisuke (森 大祐)
P Yamano Taichi (山野 太一)
SS Ichinari Keigo (市成 啓悟)
3B Asada Sou (朝田 走)
LF (14)Yoshimura Masato

Riseisha (Osaka)
CF Fukuda Kandai (福田 観大)
2B Kitano Shuu (北野 秀)
1B Yoshikawa Yuuto (四川 雄翔)
3B Yasuda Hisanori (安田 尚憲)
C Imachi Taisei (井町 大生)
P Terashima Naruki (寺島 成輝)
LF (13)Wakabayashi Shouhei (若林 将平)
RF Yamamoto Yuutaku (山本 侑度)
SS Wakabayashi Kenji (若林 健治)

____________________________________________________________

13:35 - First pitch

Top 1st
As expected perhaps, it's a pretty quiet 1st for Terashima retiring the side in order.

Bottom 1st
Meanwhile Fukuda gets a leadoff base hit playing cricket, hitting a ball near the ground and depositing it into left.

After a sac bunt, Yoshikawa gives the ball a ride, but right to the RF Aida.

Yasuda tries to make a bid for a abse hit, but Ishimaru makes a great diving stop and throws to 1st for the out.

Top 2nd
Terashima's control is pretty good to start, as he's working the edges of the strike zone. This as he's hitting 145 on the gun. Another K and 2 groundouts and he's clean through 2.

Bottom 2nd
Riseisha's timing seems a bit off right now as Imachi is way too early, but keeps the bat in the zone to bloop one to left.

Terashima having no such trouble, takes a ball the other way through the left side for a base hit.

Riseisha actually calling for the bunt, and Shouhei lays it down.

Yamano not afraid, pitching Yamamoto inside, but he leaves one middle-middle and Yamamoto knows what to do with it. Single past a diving Mori and it's 1-0.

2 down for the top of the lineup now, and Yamano makes another mistake letter-high. Fukuda takes it over Yoshimura's head for a bases clearing triple. 3-0.

Kitano makes it 4-0 on a hard hit single to center. The rout may be on even as Yoshikawa pops out to 2nd.

Top 3rd
Terashima is warming up it seems, as he is hitting his C's targets time and again. Ichinari tries to buy a walk, but instead is rung up looking. He racks up one more K in his 3rd clean frame of work.

Bottom 3rd
Riseisha looking for more as Yasuda doubles right on the right field line. Imachi is hit afterwards and things are spiraling away.

Yet, Yamano continues to try and pound inside, and what do you know he jams Terashima grounding into the 3-6 double play. Throw in a strikeout on the inside edge and Yamano gets his 0.

Top 4th
Of course I probably jinxed Terashima's grove a bit as he walks Ooe to lead off the 4th (there goes the perfect game). Ooe then takes the opportunity to steal 2nd as well.

Yamazaki makes great contact with the ball, and it would have gone down the line for extra bases, but Yasuda makes a leaping snag for the first out.

2 down, and Terashima's control issues come up again as he hits Ishimaru. But he comes right back to freeze Mori to end the inning.

Top 5th
After that blip in the 4th, Terashima sets down the side in order in just 9 pitches. He's given up a walk, but not a hit.

Bottom 5th
Meanwhile, I thought Yamano was going to be in trouble after the 2nd, but he's settling down into a groove. Though Imachi gets on after strike 3 gets away from Yamazaki, he otherwise puts up another donut as we head to the break. Riseisha still in control, but perhaps not the blowout we were expecting.

Top 6th
The no-no is gone! Ooe with a chopper up the middle, and Kenji has to make a lunge as the ball spins away, throw to 1st is wide and Ooe takes 2nd! The scorer awards the 1B & E6 and the no-no is gone.

2 down, Ooe still at 2nd, and Aida gets a clean single through the left side for a base hit! Ooe comes home and the throw isn't in time! Terashima loses the shutout as Takagawa Gakuen makes it 4-1!

Bottom 6th
Yamano has really settled down after that 2nd inning. Even though he finally retires the side for the first time here in the 6th, he's only given up one hit since the 2nd.

Top 7th
As for Terashima, perhaps he wasn't happy with losing the shutout? He goes back to back K on Mori and Yamano before getting an assist from Kenji, who makes a great play on a grounder from Ichinari.

Bottom 7th
I jinx players it seems. Yamano gives up a base hit to Fukuda to lead off the 7th. It looked like he was going to post another bagel after a sac bunt and a groundout, but on a pitch that seemingly was supposed to be a waste pitch, he misses back over the plate! Yasuda drives it to center, and Ooe crashes into the wall unable to make the catch. Fukuda scores and it's a 5-1 ballgame.

That pretty much settles proceedings. Takagawa Gakuen doesn't put up any further resistance as Terashima strikes out 11. Takagawa Gakuen and especially Yamano did well despite losing on the overall played a respectable game.

And so we reach the championship game.  For all the potential favorites that were out there, we are left with an all-Kinki affair, and a rematch at that.

Riseisha has made it here dominating every game, until that completely nuts game against legitimate contender (and first timers!) Toyokawa.  Despite jumping on not relief starter Abe, but actually ace Tanaka Sora (who had been one of the more dominating pitchers), reliever Nagatani looked finally human for once and they found themselves seemingly in a dogfight late.

However for Toyokawa, they gambled - going all out on offense at the expense of pitching, reminding all of us of the famous (or infamous depending on who you rooted for) Teikyou-Chiben Wakayama game of 2006.  And without #11 Ochiai due to illness, they were out of legitimate pitchers.  Imai-kantoku did his best to find an emergency pitcher, but much like Teikyou, it was all in vain.

I did not have Riseisha as a possible contender for the title, mainly because the pitching didn't seem to hold water.  However, they have succeeded by jumping on their opposition early, and forcing their hand relative to pitching and their offense pressing playing from behind.  Mizota isn't really a stud ace, but has been serviceable despite giving up several runs.  Instead, the heft of the weight actually falls upon Nagatani who is generally tasked with holding the line, wherever it is when he enters the game.  But yesterday's efforts may mean that his effectiveness might be cracking just a bit.

Ryuukokudai Heian had the potential to be a contender considering that Harada-kantoku had been supposedly combining multiple pitchers together to complete a game - essentially breaking the game up into smaller parts that each pitcher could handle.

And yet, for the most part at Koushien, he instead has asked these pitchers to go a full 9 - instead alternating his starters.  This isn't new news, other teams such as Narashino have done it before.  So far, it's been #10 Takahashi Keiji and unknown #18 Motouji Reiji (he wasn't even on the fall roster!!).  Ace Nakata has been put in relief, but outside of his 4.1IP performance, has been used in short stints.  Not a surprise since I believe from reports he's actually considered their "closer".  And there's still 2 pitchers that they haven't used - #11 Inudzuka Takaya and #16 Minato Youichi.  Harada-kantoku has made his pitching as close to true pitching staff as we've seen.

The offense is also impressive from a skill standpoint.  There have been points where Heian have shown their power (hey, it's that Motouji guy hitting a HR!).  But as the Kiryuu Dai-ichi game showed us, these guys can run.  Now sure, against Sano Nichidai, they were like the Blues Brothers, just running around and around, but if done properly it looks to be a legitimate threat.  Speed doesn't slump, and Heian appears to have speed for days.

Now as mentioned before, this is a rematch.  These teams played in the Kinki Super-Regional semifinals with Heian winning that game 11-7.  In that game, Keiji started for Heian, struggled, and then handed it over to Inudzuka who gave up apparently just 1 run thereafter.

On the other side, Nagatani actually started that game, and had two bad innings where he was tagged for 4 runs apiece.  He handed it over to the relief staff who failed to record and out, before ace Mizota entered the game, and finished the final 2.2 innings while giving up another 3 runs.

There should be no secrets going into this game.  These teams are familiar with each other well enough (even #18 Motouji now that Riseisha has 2 games of data) and should make for a very competitive, high-tension final.

The ouen-dans are ready, Riseisha's yellow R, and Heian's black H displayed prominently.  For both Harada-kantoku and Okada-kantoku, it's a high point in their long tenures.  Okada's is approaching 30 years, Harada 20...

So without further ado... our championship game!

Riseisha (Osaka)
3B Tsuji Motomasa
2B Inoue Kazuya
SS Yoshida Yuuki
LF Nakayama Shouta
RF Nishimura Takahiro
C Hatta Natsu
CF Kanaoka Youhei (#13)
1B Kinuta Shouta (#14)
P Mizota Yuuto
____________________________________________________________

12:34 - First Pitch!

So Harada-kantoku will go with Keiji once more like the semifinal.  Riseisha goes with Mizota to start instead....

And a cute little elementary school girl throws out the championship game's ceremonial 1st pitch.  Aw....

Top 1st
Tokumoto scorches a slider down the right field line!  He's going for 3!  Riseisha has to throw as he gets in standing triple!

Ootani ball back up middle!  Inoue runs it down, glove tosses to Yoshida, but he has no throw!  Nice try, but Tokumoto scores to make to 1-0 Heian!!

Himeno showing bunt, but can't lay it down running the count to 2 strikes.

Shows bunt!  And he lays it down.

#10 Nagatani already in the bullpen as Mizota falls behind 2-0.

Kawai slicer down left field line... just foul!

Ball 4!  Mizota puts another runner on as Hatta goes to to talk to his ace...

It doesn't help!  Mizota walks Nakaguchi on 4 straight and it's manrui for Heian!  Hatta goes out for another talk as Nagatani warms up...

Ball 1 way high!  Will Tsune hand Mizota the rope?

Doesn't need to!  Mizota hits him in the back!  Oshidashi dead ball and it's 3-0 Heian!

And still no change at P!

Finally, a first pitch strike to Ishikawa.  He swings and fouls off another, behind 1-2.

Checks his swing, just....  Umpire doesn't give go around.

Jammed!  Pops it up to 2nd.  Inoue on the outfield grass, makes the catch,  2 down.

Mizota still struggling with the zone.  Falls behind Yuuya 2-0 before firing 2 to level the count.

Pops it up!  Kinuta near the bullpen, makes the catch to retire the side.

But Heian has decided to take the fight to Riseisha and put them on their heels!  Despite the barrage Mizota stays in.

Bottom 1st
How will Riseisha respond?

Before that, Himeno is apparently getting treatment for something.  For what I'm not sure.  He emerges, and looks ok, but not sure what happened there.

Keiji not looking too sharp, falling behind Tsuji 3-0, and then hits him!  Oy.

The wildness works to Keiji's advantage against Inoue who was trying to bunt.  Winds up behind 0-2.

Lunges to bunt, and pushes it foul!  1 out!  Why bunt on that pitch?

Keiji at least missing in the right places, but still not close and wait a sec.. a pitch that looked over the plate is called ball 4??

Nakayama up now with the douten run on base.

And suddenly, against the righty, he gets ahead 0-2?!  Then gives one back on a waste pitch.

Nakayama ball down the right field line... foul!!!  Just foul!

Fastball inside, just a little too much...

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

Keiji throws out the curve and Nakayama is way out in front for the 2nd out!

Nishimura high chopper in front of the plate!  Keiji waits for it, turns and fires.. 3 out!  Keiji has his own issues on the mound, but unlike his counterpart, gets the donut!

Top 2nd
A better start to the inning for Mizota as Keiji rolls one to short for the first out.

Tokumoto still going after Mizota, but gets under a pitch this time.  Nakayama coming in, makes the sliding catch for the 2nd out.

Ootani up, behind early, he works the count full... only to watch the changeup go right down the middle for the 3rd out.  Well, for at least an inning, Mizota has settled down.

Bottom 2nd
Hatta sharp liner through the left side for a leadoff single.  Kanaoka, getting a start after his efforts last game,bunts the runner along.  Riseisha fine with playing for 1 run early.

Kinuta goes after a high pitch and hits it up the middle!  Inoue looks to be there, but no!  It somehow gets by him and into center!  Hatta being sent home!  Throw from Tokumoto... not in time!  Kinuta gets a run back with a timely single!  2-1!

Mizota up, and he bunts the runner along for the top of the order.

Tsuji ball up middle!  Ishikawa just picks it up off the end of his glove!  Square and throws to 1st... 3 out!!!  Nice play by Ishikawa to keep the lead!

Top 3rd
One down, and I don't think Mizota wants to face Kawai at all.  He winds up walking him for the 2nd time.

And now he's missing the zone on Nakaguchi as well, and walks him again on 4 straight!

Are they trying to work around the 4 & 5 batters?? So they'll walk 2 batters just to get to Tsune?

It might work though!  Tsune grounds to 2nd.  Yoshida to 2nd for 1, throw to first high!  Kinuta tries the tag, but he's safe!  Heian still has a chance!

Ishikawa grounder to the right side!  That's by Kinuta!  That gets by Inoue too!! Base hit!  Kawai scores!  Tsune to 3rd!  Ishikawa going to 2nd... throw from Tsuji... OUT!!!

Ishikawa runs himself out of the inning trying to take an extra base!  The run does score, but Riseisha avoids more.  3-1 Heian!

Bottom 3rd
Inoue gets Riseisha another leadoff runner with a hard single past a diving Ishikawa.  Yoshida not bunting though.

Yoshida takes the slider the other way!  It slices down the left field line fair!  Inoue heads to 3rd and Riseisha with a great opportunity here!

And it looks like it's forced Harada-kantoku's hand here.  #18 Motouji comes in for Keiji to take the hill.

Okada-kantoku elects to bunt!  Nakayama lays it down, and advances Yoshida to 2nd.  Interesting...

Nishmura chopper!  Runners going on contact!   Tsune goes home... and Inoue doesn't even make it there.  2 out.

Motouji though being very careful with Hatta.  Borderline pitches all the way, yet he sneaks one in and gets a swinging strike on a change.  Full count.

Grounder to 2nd!  Himeno gathers it in!  Takes his time, goes to 1st... 3 out!  Motouji gets Heian out of a no out, runners at the corners situation!

Top 4th
Yuuya swings on a high fastball and drives it to right center.  Tateishi and Nishimura headed towards the wall!  It lands just in front of it!  Yuuya already around 2nd, and reaches 3rd without a throw!

Motouji looking for any decent fly ball to get the runner in, has the count run to 2 strikes and fights a pair off.

But Mizota wins the battle, twisting him on a fastball inside.

Now the hard part begins.  Leadoff batter Tokumoto steps in.

However, he is not eager.  Takes his pitches, gets ahead 3-1.  Takes a change for strike 2.

Fastball outside and up!  Tokumoto takes it the other way!  Yoshida has no play and Yuuya makes it 4-1!

And Tokumoto takes off for 2nd!  Throw from Hatta, not nearly in time!  Now a base hit from Ootani could tack on another!

But again, he's patient.  Not chasing, and works his count full.

SANSHIN!

This time though, Mizota breaks out the change and Ootani swings and misses for the 2nd out.

If Riseisha is really unintentionally intentionally walking the 4-5 batters, they probably would like to get Himeno out.

And they do.  Himeno flies to left to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
Kanaoka with a screamer towards 2nd.  Himeno smothers it, goes to 1st for the out.

But Kinuta needs a moment at 1st after Motouji hits home on the first pitch.  Okada-kantoku has Mizota bunting.

You don't suppose in this case, Harada-kantoku had Kinuta put on base so Okada-kantoku would waste an out with a bunt?

Well with the count 1-2, he tries it anyways, lays it down on the line, and Yuuya makes the executive decision to make the play at 1st since they were running out of time for any play whatsoever.

Top of the order and Tsuji.

He's looking for his pitch, but Motouji makes the decision for him with a slider for strike 2.

And he gets him to chase the slider down and away for the 3rd out!

Top 5th
Well, it looks like my working around of the middle batter theory isn't really valid.  Mizota is going after Kawai and strikes him out swinging on the slider.

Goes after Nakaguchi as well.  And on a full count, he climbs the ladder on him and it's back-to-back K's.  That's just weird for the 4-5 batters...

Tsune grounds to short for the 3rd out  and it's just Mizota's 2nd 1-2-3 inning.

Bottom 5th
Inoue with a liner to center, but perhaps off the end of the bat and Tokumoto is there for the catch.

Yoshida ball up middle.  Himeno slides over, but can't field it cleanly!  Desperate throw to 1st, not in time!  E4.

AH!  And a low pitch from Motouji scoots on the grounder under Hatta!  Yoshida advances to 2nd!

Nakayama with a ball up the middle!  Himeno makes a great sliding catch!  Double clutches, goes to 1st, gets the out!  He comes back with a great play after the error!

AH!  Nishimura gets a hold of a pitch!  Tokumoto sprinting to the wall!   Leaps!  Just out of his reach!  Yoshida scores and it's a 4-2 ballgame on Nishimura's double!

Hatta looking to make it a one-run game with a base hit.

But he can't!  Motouji with the change gets him swinging and keeps the lead at 2!  We hit the break with Riseisha continuing to chase Heian.  But Motouji in relief has for the most part kept Riseisha at bay.  It's possible in the final Harada-kantoku will go back to splitting the game up into parts like he did in the fall taikais.

Top 6th
Ishikawa badly fooled on a fastball outside, goes down on 3 straight.

Yuuya making it look easy, liner to right for a single. Motouji not bunting, not after that HR in the first game  Makes decent contact, but it's a fly right to Kanaoka for the 2nd out.

Tokumoto with his 3rd hit of the day, a single through the opposite way.

Ootani waiting for his pitch, takes a real borderline one for ball 3... but can't get fortunate twice. He gets rung up and the inning is over.

Bottom 6th
Kanaoka with a blooper to right center.  Tokumoto and Himeno converge, but can't get there in time!  Leadoff runner on again for Riseisha!

After Kinuta bunts the runner over, Mizota is called back.  His day is done as #17 Tsujii comes to hit.  He grounds to 2nd, and advances the runner for the top of the order.

Tsuji though, doesn't have a hit so far...

SANSHIN!!!

And still doesn't!  He chases the forkball and the side is retired!

Top 7th
#10 Nagatani as expected, comes to the mound looking to maintain the line for Riseisha.

His job starts against the 3-4-5 hitters for Heian.

Himeno having a better time of it against Nagatani, has an 9 pitch AB capped off with a liner to center for a base hit.  Kawai, despite having 2 strikes, successfully bunts him along.

Nakaguchi in a prolonged AB against Nagatani, fouling off several pitches...

But Riseisha wins again!  Nagatani has him chasing the slider way outside for the 2nd out.

Tsune trying to get his first base hit, but Nagatani pulls out the slider again, and he foul tips it into the glove for the 3rd out!  Nagatani giving up the leadoff hit, but bearing down after that.  Holds the line for now, but they're slowly running out of time.

Bottom 7th
Lucky 7 for Riseisha, can they start a rally?

0-2 for Inoue, grounder to short for the 1st out.

Motouji issues his first walk of the game, walking Yoshida on 4 straight.

But Nakayama swings on the first pitch and grounds to 3rd!  Tsune goes to 2nd for 1... Himeno to 1st... double play!!  They turn the double play to end the inning!

Top 8th
Defensive changes for Riseisha.  #8 Tateishi comes in for Nakayama and goes to CF.  Kanaoka goes to LF.

Ishikawa a quick flyout to left.

Yuuya with his 3rd hit, waiting on the slider hits it to left.

Motouji hitting, but chases the fastball away for the 2nd out.

Oh?  Balk called on Nagatani? Ah, he really didn't step towards first on that pickoff throw.

Tokumoto with a controlled swing, tries to poke one the other way, but it's hit too hard and Kanaoka makes the catch.

Bottom 8th
Nishimura grounder to short, throw to 1st.  LATE!!!  Ishikawa takes too much time getting the ball off and it's a base hit for Riseisha!  Oh, that's a mental error there from Ishikawa.

Riseisha meanwhile not bunting.  With just 6 outs to play, you might not be able to afford giving one up.

They may not have to!  Motouji falls behind Hatta 3-1 and just gets the call on an inside fastball.

Hit and run!  Grounder to short!  Ishikawa bounces it to first.. and Kawai makes the pick for the out!  Oh, that's dangerous.

And #11 Inudzuka is warming up with the count 2-0 to Kanaoka.  Make that 3-0!  Will we see his first appearance in the finals?

Well, Motouji gets two strikes in to fill up the count, but then bounces a ball for ball 4!  Runners on 1st and 2nd for Riseisha as indeed #11 Inudzuka makes his first appearance on the mound!

His first batter will be Kinuta, no easy out at all.

Hard liner down the right field line foul!

Inudzuka has a weird motion that almost looks like he throwing overhand, yet trying to create a sidearm action?

Either way, after that first foul, he falls behind 3-1!  AND WALKS HIM!!!  Manrui for Heian!!

Nagatani up to hit, but he doesn't really.  What will Okada-kantoku do?

Slow curve way high.  Curve way low!

And after that pitch, Harada-kantoku can't afford to wait any longer.  In comes the first right hander, their closer ace Nakata.

But he enters the game with the bases loaded and the count 2-0!  Not much room for error at all!  Did Harada-kantoku mismanage the bullpen?

Pitch high!  3-0!!

Fastball over for a strike.  3-1.  Fastball again... full count!!!

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

Nakata goes for the slider on a full count and gets the K!  Oh, that takes a lot of balls...

Tsuji up and Nakata gets ahead 1-2!  Waste pitch, 2-2 (Can you really afford that?)

Tsuji jammed!  Grounder back to Nakata!  Goes to 1st... 3 OUT!!!!!

Kawai pumps his fist as Nakata gets out of a manrui 1-out pinch!!!

Top 9th
Ootani walks on 4 pitches to start.  Oh, is this the end for Riseisha?  Himeno bunts him along.

OH?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kawai crushes a ball! Is it gone?  Is it gone??  Nishimura looking up!

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

Kawai all but puts the game away with a 2-run HR!  6-2 Heian!!!

Nagatani gets the final 2 outs, but Heian is all but on the precipice of winning the 86th Haru Koushien!

Bottom 9th
Inoue at least will not give up without a fight.  He singles to left center.

Nakata falls behind Yoshida 3-1, but fills up the count, and gets a popup!  Ishikawa secures it for the first out!

#3 Miura to hit for Tateishi, hits a ball down the right field line.. foul!

Count goes to 2-2... now 3-2.

Liner!  But right to Ishikawa!  2 down!! Nishimura the last chance.

Flyball to center!  Tokumoto under it.  Makes the catch!

The team runs out of the dugout as Ryuukokudai Heian wins their first ever senbatsu, 6-2!!

Ryuukokudai Heian had the whole package this Koushien, with a deep pitching staff and an offense that flashed both power and speed.   And outside of the Kiryuu Dai-ichi game, they never trailed in any matchup.  And when they were down, they continued to fight inning after inning putting extreme pressure on a team already tired from 2 consecutive games. Finally, they always seemed to understand the situation at hand.

It was about as complete a performance you could find from a champion.

Credit should be given to Riseisha as well.  Perhaps not considered a title contender to start the tournament, they slowly made their case game after game, putting teams away with their offense and the combination of Mizota and Nagatani on the mound.  And after laying ace Tanaka Sora and Tokoyawa to rest in the semifinal, you had to wonder if this would be their year, especially with the opportunity to avenge the loss they suffered in the Kinki Super-Regional semifinal.

It was not to be though, as it was Heian who played their own game to perfection.  They will have to wait for another time, perhaps a possible draw at Natsu Koushien for another shot.

But congratulations are in order for both teams and for the first time champs Ryuukokudai Heian!

Notable Players
Takahashi Keiji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 2+ IP, ER, 4 H, 2 K, BB, HBP
Motouji Reiji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - W, 5.1+ IP, ER, 3 H, 3 K, 2 BB, HBP
Nakata Ryuuji (Ryuukokudai Heian) - SV, 1.2 IP, 0 ER, H, K, 0 BB
Tokumoto Kentarou (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 3-5, 3B, R, SB
Kawai Taisei (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 1-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Takahashi Yuuya (Ryuukokudai Heian) -3-4, 3B, R
Mizota Yuuto (Riseisha) - L, 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 7 K, 4 BB, HBP
Nagatani Takahiro (Riseisha) -  3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 K, BB
Nishimura Takahiro (Riseisha) - 2-5, 2B, RBI
Inoue Kazuya (Riseisha) - 2-5

Semifinal action means the 2nd consecutive game for all 4 teams.  Winning it all means winning 3 games in 3 days - something that is a lot to ask for a lot of teams, even the best of them.

Riseisha and Toyokawa both won their game in handy fashion 6-2.  Riseisha's offense continues to impress, this time around putting early pressure on Fukuchiyama Seibi and not letting go.  Mizota was his usual successful, but shaky self and had to concede the mound again to Nagatani, who does have more than just the fastball, though I think he likes to see if batters can hit it.  He's become more than a serviceable reliever, and has steadied the ship when things appear to go awry.

Toyokawa has impressed in every step of the way, defeating the likes of Nihon Bunri and yesterday Okinawa Shougaku.  The offense isn't as strong as Riseisha, but seems to have good prep for the opposing starter.

But really, their strength is ace Tanaka Sora.  He has been dominant in every game so far, thanks to his various pitches and strong control.  Now, there were some hiccups in their most recent game against Okinawa Shougaku, and stamina will of course be an issue now.

However, if Tanaka can continue on like this, it's possible we will have 2 title holders that were first time participants (Maebashi Ikuei currently holds the Natsu Koushien title).

Riseisha (Osaka)
3B Tsuji Motomasa
2B Inoue Kazuya
SS Yoshida Yuuki
LF Nakayama Shouta
RF Nishimura Takahiro
C Hatta Natsu
1B Kinuta Shouta (#14)
CF Tateishi Satoshi
P Mizota Yuuto

Our opening match on quarterfinal day is a regional affair.  And yet, Fukuchiyama Seibi and Riseisha did not play each other in the super-regionals.

Fukuchiyama Seibi has not been challenged at all so far just putting pressure on their opponents right off the bat and cruising from then to victory.  I would be interested so see what would happen should they be involved in a tighter game as these easy wins can get someone complacent. Ishihara hasn't been dominant per se, but he has been useful enough to allow his team a chance to win - and that can be good enough.

Riseisha won with brute force in their last game.  Down 6-2, they relieved Mizota and sent in #10 Nagatani.  He did almost nothing but present a mid 140 fastball to the Komadai hitters and dared them to hit it.

They didn't.

And that allowed Riseisha to claw their way back in against spot starter long reliever Itou Harumi who had starter their first game.  And having gone through 2 pitchers already, I'm not sure they had anyone left - although they did have relievers in name on the bench.

I don't think brute force will work, so the pitching needs to figure itself out soon, because it will be a matter of when it all comes crashing down on themselves...

Fukuchiyama Seibi (Kyoto)
SS Nishida Tomonori
RF Kimura Noritsugu
C Sano Yuusuke
3B Maeda Ryouta
1B Nishimoto Masaki
LF Fujita Taisei
2B Oomura Ryou (#12)
CF Kimura Soutarou
P Ishihara Takeji

Riseisha (Osaka)
2B Inoue Kazuya
3B Tsuji Motomasa
SS Yoshida Yuuki
LF Nakayama Shouta
RF Nishimura Takahiro
C Hatta Natsu
1B Kinuta Shouta (#14)
CF Tateishi Satoshi
P Mizota Yuuto

First pitch, Nishida pops it right up.  Yoshida behind 2nd makes the catch.

Hm... Mizota falling behind Noritsugu 3-1.  Has his location struggles continued to today?

Well, Noritsugu attacking after that, fouling a couple off before flinching on the fastball down the middle for the 2nd out.

He does seem to be having issues, but has been throwing mainly fastballs though we finally see a slider to Sano.  Still, he gets a hold of another fastball but flies out to right.

Bottom 1st
Ishihara having his own issues early, falling behind Inoue 3-0 before finally walking him 2 pitches later.  Now, Ishihara appears to be barely missing low, which is really fine because there's other places you could miss that could be much worse.

Tsuji bunts him over to 2nd for Yoshida.

Yoshida blasts one to center!  Soutarou drifting back, now running!!  He leaps at the wall, but the ball bounces off of the top of the padding! It's bounces off of Soutarou before he can pick it up, but Yoshida's in with a stand up RBI triple!  Riseisha leads 1-0!

Nakayama up to try and add to the lead with any type of deep ball or base hit.

But Ishihara pulls out the changeup and gets Nakayama swinging for the 2nd out.

Ishihara throwing more offspeed stuff to Nishimura, but he's having trouble locating them, eventually walking him.  Control seems to be a slight issue on both fronts.

Hatta though goes after the first pitch and softly pops to to Oomura for the 3rd out, but Riseisha has the first strike!

Top 2nd
Grounder to 2nd for Inoue, he has a bit of a time securing it, but throws to 1st, AH!

He throws it high and wide!  Kinuta tries to make the swipe tag, but Maeda is already by!  E4 puts douten runner on.  Nishimoto lays down the bunt, and Mizota almost throws it away himself, but Kinuta saves it with the stretch.

The pitching gremlins come out again versus Fujita and Mizota walks him on 4 straight.

Oomura with the liner up the middle, but Yoshida catches it behind 2nd and beats Maeda back to the bag for the double play!  Almost nothing you can do about that, but it's bad luck for Seibi.

Bottom 2nd
Kinuta gives Riseisha another leadoff runner with a single back up the middle.  Tateishi bunts him over.

There's quickly 2 outs when Mizota flies out to center.

But then Ishihara can't find the zone again and walks Inoue for the 2nd time!

That's compounded when Tsuji singles to right, leaving it manrui for Yoshida.

あ。

Yoshida blasts yet another ball to center!  Soutarou having to sprint back again, leaps, but can't make the catch!  That'll clear the bases as he is in with another triple!  It's 4-0 Riseisha and Yoshida has all 4 RBIs!!

Nakayama wants to get in on the act and singles to right, scoring Yoshida to make it 5-0.

That's 4 hits in a row now after Nishimura singles to center!  #10 Adachi is scrambled to the bullpen, but it's way too late now.

Hatta sharp liner, but right to Maeda for the 3rd out.  Ishihara clearly in trouble as Rieseisha takes a commanding lead!

Top 3rd
Soutarou grounder to the left side, Yoshida slides over and makes the stop!  But his momentum affects his throw and Soutarou beats it out!

What's this?  Mizota wants to make it hard on himself?  He walks last batter Ishihara to put two runners on with no outs?

Nishida liner to right side, caught by Inoue!  Ishihara was running on contact and is doubled off!  It wasn't a hit and run, but Ishihara should have known better than to run immediately on a liner.

Noritsugu flies out to center and that's the inning.  Looks like it's going to be one of those games.

Bottom 3rd
Ishihara is not on at all as he walks Kinuta on 4 straight.  I'd ask if there were other options beside Ishihara, but I'm not sure any of them are actually viable.

Tateishi tries to bunt him along, but bunts himself into a K.

The misplays continue as Sano's throw to 1st is wide can't be handled by Nishimoto and it goes into right, advancing Kinuta.

2 down, and Inoue finally puts a ball in play, hitting a deep fly to right that Noritsugu has plenty of time to get to to make the catch.

Top 4th
Maeda gets a 1-out single to right.  After Nishimoto goes down on 3 straight, Fujita gives Seibi a small chance when his grounder up the middle takes an irregular hop over a diving Yoshida.

Mizota gives himself some trouble falling behind Oomura 3-1, but he comes back to full up the count and Kimura gets under a pitch and flies out to right for the 3rd out.

Bottom 4th
Ishihara finally retires Yoshida.  He only hits a flyball to deep right center that Noritsugu has time to get under.

But because of that Ishihara hashist 1st clean 1-2-3 inning of the game.

Top 5th
Seibi's batter are either missing Mizota's pitches just under or they have huge uppercut swings.  I say this because outside of Ishihara's grounder (and he's probably a pitcher's batter), Soutarou and Nishida hit very high pop flies.

Bottom 5th
Nishimura gives Riseisha their 4th leadoff runner with a hit to center.  He's bunted over to 2nd, and then a great foul catch from Noritsugu allows him to advance to 3rd.

Ishihara gets out of the mini pinch with a flyout to right, but as we hit the break, it seems to be all Riseisha today.

Top 6th
Nortsugu goes down looking for the 2nd time today, this time on a changeup inside.

Sano with a ball up the middle, Inoue successfully reaches the ball, but can't field it cleanly.  Base hit for Sano.

That's wiped out. Maeda grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to retire the side.

Bottom 6th
Ishihara gets 2 quick outs, but ruins it when he walks Tsuji.  It proceeds to get worse as Yoshida singles to right.

...and then Nakayama singles to center, scoring a run to make it 6-0.  Nishimura grounds to 2nd to end the inning.

Top 7th
Despite the lead, Riseisha not playing a clean game.  After Nishimura makes a great diving catch on a dying ball from Fujita into right center, Yoshida shorthops the throw to 1st on a Oomura grounder.

Tsuji makes up for it a bit when he makes a good stop on a ball up the 3rd base line from Soutarou and the strong throw to 1st retires the side.

Bottom 7th
After this half inning, I think many would wonder where was this pitching the entire game.  He strikes out 2, and then gets a groundout from Tateishi to end the inning.

Top 8th
Ishihara's day is done as #14 Tadokoro comes in to hit for him.

And delivers a gapper to right center!  He's in with a double!  #17 Horie comes in to run for him.

Nishida pops out up to left.  Nakayama coming in, but the ball drops in!  Horie advances to 3rd, but Seibi can prevent the shutout.

Now #18 Nakajima comes in to hit for Noritsugu.  Anything to get the offense going now.

Ball deep to right!  Nishimura goes to the foul pole.... FOUL!!!  Oh, that was close.

Single back up the middle!  Horie scores and Seibi is on the board at 6-1!

That's going to be it for Mizota.  #10 Nagatani comes into the game with that heater mentality.

Sano challenges it immediately, but grounds to 3rd.  Tsuji chooses to go to 2nd for the out.

Maeda works the count full, taking some borderline pitches, but he pops it up!  Tsuji in foul territory makes the catch for the 2nd out.

And Nishimoto hits a grounder to 2nd, AHHHH!!

Inoue whiffs on the ball and it goes to the outfield!  Nishida scores on the error and it's 6-2!  Still a bit of a ways to go though.

Nagatani continues to challenge with the fastball, and Fujita falls behind 1-2...

SANSHIN!  Nagatani climbs the ladder on Fujita and ends the inning.  Seibi gets a pair of runs, but it's not nearly enough at this point.

Bottom 8th
Nakajima stays in to play LF, Fujita goes to RF.  and #10 Adachi comes in to pitch in the #9 spot.

And Adachi pitches a clean 1-2-3 inning in relief with no hiccups.

Top 9th
#13 Kanaoka comes in for Nakayama to take over in LF.

Last ups for Seibi, and they're taking their hacks.  Oomura chases the outside fastball.  Soutarou for some reason can't pull the trigger on the fastball and goes down for the 2nd out.

#13 Umeno the last chance for Seibi as he hits for Adachi.

But he goes down on 3 straight and that's the game.

Fukuchiyama Seibi just didn't feel competitive the entire game.  Yes, they were unlucky as well, but some things might have been preventable as well.   There will be plenty of things to shore up for the summer campaign.

As for Riseisha, their hitting continues to... well, continue.  It was muted a bit later on, but they still gave themselves opportunities.    In addition, the errors didn't hurt them today, but that won't necessarily be the case going forward.

The bigger question will be ace Mizota.  He seems to be getting less and less consistent on the mound, and I'm not sure how much they can ride reliever Nagatani. That will remain to be seen in the upcoming days.

Notable Players
Mizota Yuuto (Riseisha) - 7+ IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 3 K, 2 BB
Nagatani Nobuaki (Riseisha) - 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 4 K, 0 BB
Yoshida Yuuki (Riseisha) - 3-4, 2 3B, 4 RBI
Nakayama Shouta (Riseisha) - 2-4, 2 RBI
Ishihara Takeji (Fukuchiyama Seibi) - 7 IP, 6 ER, 9 H, 5 K, 5 BB
Tokoro Koutarou (Fukuchiyama Seibi) - 1-1, 2B
Nakajima Ryousuke (Fukuchiyama Seibi) - 1-1, RBI

The final game today will determine who will face Fukuchiyama in the Best 8.

Riseisha's game against Koyamadai can be pretty much thrown out.  When at Koushien, you are 2 outs away from a no-hitter, combined with the fact that their offense jumping on Itou early (though a lot of that was his own doing) - it's really hard to actually parse anything from this game.  And ace Mizota wasn't really tested on his control as Koyamadai just swung away.

The problem is, when a team is supposed to win, or wins in dominant fashion it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't proposition.  Riseisha was supposed to beat Koyamadai, so you just shrug your shoulders and say "well, they were supposed to do that".

For Komadai Tomakomai's game I had picked Souseikan because I thought Hokkaido as a whole was weaker than normal.  The caveat was that for Souseikan, their runs were scored on stats that were not inflated like they should have been.  So when Souseikan was 3-hit, in some ways it wasn't surprising given the prior results.  But Komadai's offense was for the most part muted with walks and errors aiding their run production, and thus could be a problem in this upcoming game.

Komadai Tomakomai (Hokkaido)
RF Kamaya Taiki

Our first day of Senbatsu ends with the eastern 21st century team Koyamadai facing off against formidable Riseisha.  There isn't really much else to say regarding this matchup other than wishing Koyamadai the best of luck against the Osaka opponents.

Toritsu Koyamadai (Tokyo)
3B Kawai Kanta
LF Kazama Wataru (#16)
2B Oomichi Kouhei
1B Koumura Hiromi
P Itou Yuusuke
SS Nishiwaki Kouichi
C Yoshida Ryuuhei
RF Yamazaki Morio
CF Suwa Kenta

Riseisha (Osaka)
2B Inoue Kazuya
3B Tsuji Motomasa
SS Yoshida Yuuki
LF Nakayama Shouta
RF Nishimura Takahiro
C Hatta Natsu
1B Kinuta Shouta (#14)
CF Tateishi Satoshi
P Mizota Yuuto

____________________________________________________________

15:49 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Mizota tries to catch the outside corner on Kawai, but doesn't get the call.  Kawai though stays tough fouling off Mizota's offerings before he finally puts an outside slider into play - a dribbler up the 1st base line for the 1st out..

Kazama with a chopper to the right side as well, but this time Kinuta can't field the short hop and it bounces away from him for a base hit.

(Hey it's Ama-chan!)

Kazama takes off on the slow pitch, but it's high and Hatta is in position to throw to 2nd, nailing Kazama for the 2nd out.  Oomichi meanwhile after getting up 3-0, finds himself full at 3-2.

Oomichi with a big hit to right!  Nishimura going back, and makes the catch in front of the wall for the 3rd out. Not a bad swing though from Oomichi, just a little under is all.

Bottom 1st
One down, and Tsuji gaps one to right center for a double.

A short curve by Itou allows Tsuji to take 3rd and already Riseisha is threatening...  But Itou buckles down and gets Yoshida swinging on a slider for the 2nd out!

And when I thought Itou wanted nothing to do with cleanup batter Nakayama falling behind 3-0, he goes right in the zone to fill up the count, then puts the fastball down and away for the K! Not bad!

Top 2nd
Koyamadai's ouen-dan is all yellow with a green narrow "K" for their school.  Nice to see different colors out there, and a lot of support.

Koumura showing patience fo the #4 hitter, but while he makes contact, it's to Tateishi in deep center.

Mizota doesn't look anything more than the average pitcher with average velocity and the general repertoire.  Location can be hit and miss.

Itou gets jammed by Mizota, Tsuji cuts off Yuuki and fires to 1st barely beating out a sprinting Itou.

Nishiwaki goes for the swinging away strategy, but grounds right to Miura for the out.

Bottom 2nd
Riseisha has a small section of deep blue with a yellow "R".

Nishimura leads off the inning with a ball under Nishiwaki for a base hit.  Hatta has some trouble laying down the bunt, but does so with 2 strikes.

And there's another wild pitch from Itou putting a Riseisha runner again on 3rd.

Once again, Itou falls behind 3-0, and Kinuta gives it a rip, but it sharply slices foul to fill up the count.  And Itou just misses down and in with his fastball, walking Kinuta.

Tateishi trying to lay down the safety bunt, pushes it foul.  Itou is a few clicks faster than his counterpart, with apparently more control.  This as Tateishi is swinging away.  Kinuta picks a good time to steal 2nd as Itou buries the ball leaving Ryuuhei with no throw.

And while Itou attacked the middle of the order, he nibbles versus the lower part leaving the bases loaded for Mizota.

Mizota, recognizing his place, works the count as best he can, eventually running it full...

AH!  Oshidashi!  Itou's fastball is outside and he walks in a run! Riseisha leads 1-0!

And then after 3 walks, Itou comes back and gets Inoue to climb the ladder for the 2nd out.

Oh dear...

Tsuji with a ball to deep right, Yamazaki is giving up on it!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a manrui HR for Tsuji as Itou's issues against the bottom of Riseisha's lineup come back to haunt him in a big way.  It's now 5-0 Riseisha.

Itou gets Nakayama to strike out to end the inning, but the damage is comprehensive.

Top 3rd
Koyamadai seems to at least to see the ball well, but it's not really equating to much here early.  As I think that though Ryuuhei chimbs the ladder himself and goes down for the 1st out.

And then Yamazaki goes through a fastball inside for Mizota's 2nd K.  Suwa swings early and hits an easy comebacker to Mizota for the 3rd out. 9 up, 9 sorta down.

Bottom 3rd
The on-again, off-again control of Itou continues as he hits Nishimura on a 58 foot pitch.

Hatta tries to bunt the runner along, but three-bunts and fouls out.

Itou goes after Kinuta and gets a chopper back to him for the 2nd out, and Tateishi to fly to left for the 3rd.  It's a shame Itou did what he did in the 2nd...

Top 4th
Kawai unfortunately becomes Mizota's 3rd K as the umpires continue to call the high strike, calling him back on the 3-1 pitch.  Kazama too goes full on Mizota, but waves on a change for the 2nd out.

Oomichi breaks up the Ks, but only with a weak groundout to 1st.

Bottom 4th
Itou seems to have lost the zone against #9 batter Mizota no less.  But when Inoue pops hi bunt, Itou races towards the line, makes the pick right off the ground and fires to 1st to double off Mizota.

Itou continues to go after Tsuji and finally retires him, as he slices one to Nishiwaki who goes to first to retire the side.

Top 5th
With such a large lead, Mizota goes fastball on Koumura, catching the outside corner for the K.  The rest of the inning look a lot like the last as Itou swings and misses on the change and Nishiwaki grounds right to Kinuta.

Bottom 5th
Itou back on his game again, gets ahead of Yoshida and just puts one down and out of his reach for his 6th K of the game.  And then behind 2-0 to Nakayama, he once again fights his way to level before tying him up on an inside fastball to strike him out for the 3rd time.

Itou's switch gets turn off momentarily as he walks Nishimura, but then comes right back to put the fastball on the outside corner to strike out Hatta - striking out the side and putting him with 8 Ks.

*sighs*

Top 6th
Back to Mizota, he does look like more than a serviceable pitcher, as he can throw strikes with his variety of pitches.  It will just be hard to to judge against the Koyamadai offense.

The bottom of the lineup goes down in order, with Yamazaki's K sandwiched between two weak grounders.

Bottom 6th
Kinuta with a grounder to short, Nishiwaki short hops Koumura and it bounds up and away into the camera well.  Tateishi gets his bunting work in moving him to 3rd.

In addition, Mizota gets practice with the squeeze bunt as well with the game somewhat in hand.  However, instead he takes a high fastball deep to left center for a RBI double, 6-0 Riseisha.

Inoue then gets out in front of a slider, but moves the runner along to 3rd with his grounder to Koumura.

With Tsuji up, Itou falls behind 3-0, then comes back to make it full.  His change though is wide and Tsuji takes his base.

Yoshida bloops one to left center, Kazama charges in... but it drops in just in front of his diving attempt.  Mizota scores to make it 7-0.

Nakayama finally gets the upper hand on Itou as he tags a slider left too much over the plate to center advancing all runners to the next position making it 8-0.

Nishimura pops out to Kawai to end the inning, but if reality hasn't been setting in for Koyamadai, I'm guessing it will be soon...

Top 7th
6 pitches for Mizota as the top of Koyamadai's order goes down on 3 groundouts.

While my records say this isn't the case, the official scoreboard has something I'm not going to mention.

Bottom 7th
Hatta finally gets the better of Itou as he draws a walk.  After Kinuta sac bunt, Tateishi checks in with a hit past Nishiwaki.

Mizota does finally get his bunting practice in with a successful squeeze to make it 9-0.  Inoue grounds to 2nd to end the inning.

Top 8th
4-5-6 batters for Koyamadai trying to prevent insult to injury.  Koumura though pops out to Hatta near home plate.

Itou and Nishiwaki then proceed to ground out, and to the official scorers Mizota is 3 outs away from a no-hitter (I had that error in the 1st as a hit).

Bottom 8th
#12 Iseki comes in to catch for Yoshida.

After Tsuji is retired for just the 2nd time, Yoshida hits a comebacker that Itou stabs at, but deflects to the left side behind the mound for a base hit.

Nishiyama meanwhile, turns the tides on Itou again though he gets on base by getting hit.  He's replaced at first by #16 Furutani.

Nishimura singles through the right side to make it 10-0, and a sac fly from Hatta makes it 11-0.

Kinuta grounds to 1st to end the inning...

Top 9th
And it's Koyamadai's last chance to avoid the no-hitter (according to the official score).

New C Iseki winds up watching strike 3 go by for the 1st out.... 2 to go.

#17 Takeshita in to hit for Yamazaki.

He gets jammed!  The ball falls in behind Mizota!  Tsuji charging in fires to 1st...

SAFE!!!!!

Takeshita beats out the throw from Tsuji and definitively breaks up the no-hitter!!

Having avoided being part of the wrong side of history, Suwa and Kawai ground into fielder's choices to end the game.

Well, Riseisha had that game from start to finish, but things may have been more competitive for a while had Itou avoided that early big inning.  But he didn't and Riseisha cruised.  Or should I say Mizota cruised for 8.1 innings before Takeshita broke up the no-hitter.  Riseisha should be careful though and not let the easy win put them into complacency for the next run.

As for Koyamadai, they certainly should be happy to have gotten the chance to play at Koushien, but it probably stings to be routed in such a fashion.  Hopefully they'll make another run in the summer.

Notable Players
Mizota Yuuto (Riseisha) - CG, SHO, 1 (I have 2) H, 8 K, 0 BB
Tsuji Motomasa (Riseisha) - 2-4, 2B, GS HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB
Nishimura Takahiro (Riseisha) - 2-3, R, BB, HBP
Mizota Yuuto (Riseisha) - 1-1, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Itou Yuusuke (Koyamadai) - CG, 8 ER, 10 H, 8 K, 8 BB, 2 HBP
Takeshita Naoki (Koyamadai) - 1-1
Kazama Wataru (Koyamadai) - 0-3 (I had him at 1-3 on that 1st inning play)