Risshoudai Shounan isn't necessarily the boys of 3 years ago, but they still like to keep things close apparently. Against Moriokadai Fuzoku, there were 3 lead changes before they won in 12. So they don't disappoint when it comes to the entertainment factor.
However, they managed 5 runs on just 9 hits, and 3 of them were due to via the HR. Not to say that's a bad thing, but HR's can be a fickle thing at Koushien, depending on which way the wind blows. Also, the majority of their sac bunts were done when the batter was not in the heart of the lineup. This means that they don't think outside of say the 3-4-5-(6) batters, they can generate enough offense on their own to drive in runs.
Also, ace Yamashita had quite a few high-stress innings where there were runners in scoring position and less than 2 outs. It worked against Moriokadai Fuzoku, but what about Sakushin Gakuin?
Well, they had their own troubles against Nagano representative Saku Chousei. First and foremost, ace Tsutsui spotted them 3 runs right off the bat, then one more in the 3rd after a leadoff error (and another later on in the inning). It was only after that the offense showed life with 3 legit runs in the 4th, another pair thanks to a pinch-hit HR, and then 4 more in garbage time (which at 5-4 doesn't sound right until I mention Saku Chousei went to a bullpen that wasn't really trusted later on in their own prefeceturals).
Now, it might be a case where the offense got going once they went once through the lineup. Which is fine if you're able to make adjustments that quickly because you're potentially spending the first third of the game analyzing the opponent, and you're not going to be able to come back from a deficit every time.
An advantage of Sakushin Gakuin over Risshoudai Shounan is the slightly more depth they have in batting where you don't necessarily feel like you're throwing away outs. Also, Kobari-kantoku was able to turn to #18 Mizunuma when Tsutsui was ineffective and Miunuma shut down the Saku Chousei offense. It is still puzzling why they haven't turned to their ace, but whatever the reason is, they're sticking to it.
As for a favorite in the matchup, I still have to go with the dark horse Sakushin Gakuin, but I wouldn't be surprised if Risshoudai Shounan make it close, or even found a way to win because they're generally good for something like that when they play.
Sakushin Gakuin (Tochigi)
SS Ishii
CF Fuse
RF Shinohara
C Takayama
1B Yamashita Yuuto (#13)
LF Yoshida (#16)
3B Takashima
2B Yamanashi
P Tsutsui (#10)
Risshoudai Shounan (Shimane)
SS Ogawa
2B Kawasaki
C Shiromoto
LF Wanda
3B Watanabe
1B Yokoyama
RF Miyata
P Yamashita Masashi
CF Uda
____________________________________________________________
8:00 - First Pitch
Top 1st
It's a good start for Masashi as he works a clean 1st with 2 groundouts and a swinging K. Sakushin Gakuin seems to be taking quite a few pitches early to either get a good look at him or to raise his pitch count.
Bottom 1st
Ogawa with a fly ball to right. Miyata back to get it, and it's a bit scary the way he catches it, but it's an out.
Risshoudai willing to swing at a pitch they like, but Shiromoto does not find one and draws a 2-out walk.
Wanda his an easy ball back up the middle. Yamanashi takes it to the bag to retire the side.
Top 2nd
Takayama takes a Masashi offering the other way for a base hit.
Yuuto up for Sakushin and he's not bunting (like the rest of the team). Falls behind 1-2, but fills up the count. Connects on one, but it's a regular fly to center.
Yoshida, in the lineup thanks to his pinch-hit HR, also takes one the other way to left for another base hit.
But Takashima hits a grounder to 2nd! Kawasaki takes his time, and starts the 4-6-3 double play, beating out a diving Takashima to end the threat!
Bottom 2nd
In looking at the official Koushien program for this year (Thanks Westbay!) Deanna would probably remark the fact that like the team 3 years ago, the Risshoudai Shounan roster is made of people NOT for Shimane.
Back to the game and Tsutsui gets a stubborn Watanabe to ground to short and a swing happy Yokoyama to ground to short.
Tsutsui then gets ahead of Miyata 0-2, but can't get him to bite on 3 straight balls. Finally on the 8th pitch he freezes him on an slider over the plate for the 3rd out.
Top 3rd
Yamanashi falls behind 0-2, works the count full, but swings and misses on an outside fastball at 126 kph.
Tsutsui suffers the same fate for Masashi's 3rd K.
Ishii full count rides a pitch to left center! Uda running to his right, dives, and makes the catch! Great play by the captain for the 3rd out!
Bottom 3rd
Tsutsui pitching well and missing in the right places. Risshoudai's batters also being more aggressive at the plate helping his pitch count. Yamashita and Uda both hit easy grounders while Ogawa gets frozen on a slider.
Top 4th
Fuse swings on a 2-0 pitch, hits a solid grounder, but it's right at Ogawa for the first out.
Shinohara also up 2-0, swings and hits one to center. Uda running back to the wall, stops!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shinohara with a ball just to the left of center and it just clears the fence for a HR! Sakushin takes the 1-0 lead!
TAKAYAMA WITH A BLAST TO LEFT! Wanda running to the fence!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Takayama with a homerun to center to go back-to-back with Shinohara! Masashi in a bit of shock as on two swings he's down 2-0!!
Yuuto no doubt trying to go back-to-back-to-back, but goes down swinging instead. Yoshida grounds to 2nd to end the inning, but what a show of power bu the 3-4 batters for Sakushin Gakuin!
Bottom 4th
One down and Shiromoto with a ball past Tsutsui and into center.
Wanda up and the hit-and-run is on! Wanda swings and misses for the K, but Takayama's throw to 2nd is offline and Shiromoto is safe.
Watanabe swings in front of an offering from Tsutsui, and flies out to center to end the inning.
Top 5th
Masashi able to put the last inning behind him as he retires the bottom of Sakushin's lineup in order.
Bottom 5th
Tsutsui battles back from behind 3-1 to get Yokoyama to ground out to short. Very next pitch, Miyata also grounds to short.
And just for a little variety, Masashi hits one back to Tsutsui for the out.
We hit the break with the difference in the game being back-to-back booming HR's by Shiromoto and Takayama.
Top 6th
Ishii with a grounder to short, Ogawa with a short throw and Yokoyama can't get it! Leading runner on.
Fuse with the safety bunt! He takes the defense by surprise as Watanabe charges in, but his throw is too late! Now the first two runners are on for Shinohara!!
Shinohara gives it a good rip to center, but this time the park holds it as Uda makes the catch. Ishii advances to 3rd.
Next up the back half of that HR duo, Takayama.
Hit-and-run! Takayama gets around one and singles to left! Fuse takes 3rd as Ishii scores to make it a 3-0 ballgame!
Yuuto with a fly to left! Wanda with the catch, but it's deep enough to score Fuse as Sakushin extends the lead now to 4-0!
Yoshida takes a low slider for strike 3 to end the inning, but a leading error leads to another pair of runs for the Tochigi representative.
Bottom 6th
Tsutsui cruising along nicely, as he retires the side in order in just 9 pitches. It's not looking good for a comeback...
Top 7th
Takashima starts the inning off with a solid grounder to the left side. And after not laying down bunts, Kobari-kantoku calls for another bunt and Yamanashi puts one down.
Tsutsui with a grounder to short. Ogawa catches Takashima running to 3rd, but he throws it away! Takashima scores to make it a 5-0 game as Tsutsui goes to 2nd.
Ishii with a single that sneaks through Yokoyama and Kawasaki! Tsutsui scores to make it a 6-0 game!
Fuse continuing the barrage with a base hit down the left field line to the fence! Wanda throws it in, but not before Fuse's in with a double.
Oota-kantoku calls for time as #10 Hayashi warms up in the bullpen.
Shinohara with a one handed swing pokes it to right as the throw home it cut off! Both runners score to make it a 8-0 margin and the rout is on.
Takayama with a grounder to 3rd, but it takes a bad hop and goes to left for a base hit.
Yuuto with a blast to left! Wanda running to the wall! He slows up!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#5 batter Yuuto joins in the HR derby with one of his own and it's now 11-0! Oy.
Yoshida with a comebacker that lands right in Masahi's glove as he tosses to 1st for the 2nd out.
Takashima up for the 2nd time this inning and he grounds to short to end the inning. But a 7 on the lucky 7 blows the game wide open.
Bottom 7th
#7 Tsuruta in for Yoshida in LF.
Shiromoto starts off the inning with a base hit to center. Wanda next pitch follows that up with a single to right and there's runner at the corners for Risshoudai with no out.
Watanabe on the next pitch also singles to right! Shiromoto scores and Risshoudai Shounan is on the board at 11-1.
#13 Ikeda to hit for Yokohama and hopefully keep the hit parade going, but he flies out to right.
Miyata though hits a grounder to Yamanashi who flips to Ishii for the 4-6-3 double play.
Top 8th
Ikeda stays in the game to play 1st while #10 Hayashi will get his first game action this summer and enter for Masashi.
Yamanashi is grazed by a Hayashi offering.
#17 Haneishi comes in to hit for Tsutsui meaning his day is done. Hayashi walks him prompting Shiromoto to go out and talk to him.
Ishii with a ball to center. Tha's over Uda's head and to the wall for a double, scoring both runners making it 13-1.
At this point, even though it's the early game, they should consider shutting it down to save energy for the 3rd round game.
Fuse pops out to Kawasaki for the 1st out.
Ishii though goes for 3rd and makes it safely.
Shinohara singles to center and scores Ishii to make it 14-1.
Takayama takes a fastball on the inside corner for the 2nd out.
Yuuto swings on the first pitch and singles to right center. Shinohara advances to 3rd.
Tsuruta up to bat and he hits one to left center. Uda sprinting over can't make the diving catch this time as Shinohara scores to make it 15-1.
Takashima flies out to right to end the inning, but it's another 4-spot for Sakushin.
Bottom 8th
#11 Hasuda comes in to relieve Tsutsu in mop-up duty.
#18 Kimura in to hit for Hayashi as his relief stint is done. He hits a hard ball that deflects off of Takashima for a base hit. #15 Nozaki runs for him. He takes off for 2nd and slides in safely. Uda meanwhile goes down swinging for the first out.
Ogawa with a comebacker off of Hasuda's glove and right to Ishii who makes the retirement at 1st.
Kawasaki hits a soft fly to Takashima to end the inning.
Top 9th
#11 Shimozono in to finish it out for Risshoudai Shounan.
#14 Asano to hit for Yamanashi and he singles to center. Hasuda in for his first AB swings and misses on an outside fastball for the 1st out.
Back to the top of the order and Ishii draws a 9-pitch walk. Fuse walks in 4 straight and it's manrui for Shinohara. Oy.
He drives the first pitch to right as Miyata plays it off the base of the wall. 2 come in and it's 17-1. Takayama with a first pitch single to right, 2 more score to make it 19-1.
Yuuto flies out to center for the 2nd out. Tsuruta grounds out to 1st on the first pitch and the inning is finally over.
Bottom 9th
Three outs to go for both sides. Asano stays in to play 2nd.
Shiromoto hits a liner, but it flies into Fuse's glove for the first out.
Hasuda having a little trouble with his release point and he walks Wanda. Continues to have trouble flying it open and throws 2 more balls. One in the dirt and he can't seem to find the zone.
Finally he puts one in there for a strike, and then is bailed by Watanabe with a swing on an inside pitch. But once again Hasuda flies it wide for ball 4.
Hasuda's mechanics are all off as he hits Ikeda to load the bases.
He finally throws a first pitch strike to Miyata who fouls it off. And while his 2nd pitch is still wide, it's still close enough to get the call for strike 2. He then takes an offering to left and everyone moves up a base making it 19-2.
Shimozono with a grounder to 1st. Yuuto takes it to the bag giving up the run to make it 19-3.
And mercifully for all, Uda swings on the first pitch and flies out to left to end the game.
Risshoudai Shounan was competitive for the first part of the game, but when it all fell apart for Masashi, it basically fell apart for the rest of the team.
Sakushin Gakuin advances easily, but the jinx of scoring big at Koushien looms large on their 19 runs as Sendai Ikuei awaits for a spot in the Best 8.
Notable Players
Shinohara Yuuta (Sakushin Gakuin) - 4-6, 2B, HR, 4 R, 6 RBI
Takayama Ryousuke (Sakushin Gakuin) - 5-6, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI
Yamashita Kouta (Sakushin Gakuin) - 2-4, HR, R, 4 RBI, K
Shiromoto Koutarou (Risshoudai Shounan) - 2-3, R, BB
Showing posts with label Risshoudai Shounan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Risshoudai Shounan. Show all posts
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Day 2, Game 2 - Risshoudai Shounan (Shimane) vs. Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
Our brunch-time game features a school who had one of the more sadder, yet inspirational story and a school that denied many the ability to see arguably one of the better pitchers in action.
It seemed like it would be a given that Hanamaki Higashi would qualify out of Iwate and get back to Koushien, perhaps setting up a rematch of the two tall aces in Ootani and Fujinami. However, that was not to be as Moriokadai Fuzoku jumped all over Ootani in the final and held on for the 5-3 win.
The numbers look great - a 0.413 batting average and a pitching staff that allowed just 5 runs, but again it was predominantly against the weaker teams of the prefecture. Neverthelesss, look for Mochizuki and Satou to set the table for the offense, while ace Deguchi will probably be tasked with holding the opposition down for as long as he can.
The last time (and the only other time) Risshoudai Shounan was here, their kantoku had passed away in an accident and they had played that year for him. To compound things, several players got sick right before Koushien, forcing them to play with reserves and a shorter bench. Despite all that, they won two games and was a step away from the semifinals before running out of gas against Nihon Bunri.
This year, their run was no cheapie as they defeated Taisha, Kaisei and Iwamichisuikan in order for their 2nd Shimane title. Offensively, they batted a mere 0.306 with the bottom of the order producing more for the team, while ace Yamashita fatigued late - which doesn't bode well considering he doesn't strike out many batters to begin with (6 K/9) and Oota-kantoku did not go to anyone else for help.
The matchup appears to be a push as Risshoudai Shounan did defeat the tougher teams of their prefecture, while Moriokadai Fuzoku upset the heavy favorite in their prefecture for the title. Prefectural strength is also a push. So going to press, I have no favorite in this game.
Risshoudai Shounan (Shimane)
SS Ogawa
2B Kawasaki
C Shiromoto
LF Wanda
3B Watanabe
1B Yokoyama
RF Miyata
P Yamashita
CF Uda
Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
2B Chida
SS Mochizuki
CF Satou
3B Nihashi
RF Yagi
LF Fujita
1B Kobune
C Chiba
P Deguchi Shinkai
____________________________________________________________
10:29 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
After a lengthy AB, Ogawa draws the leadoff walk and is bunted along to 2nd for Shiromoto, and he further advances the runner with a grounder to 2nd leaving it to Wanda to drive him in.
But Deguchi jams him and he pops out to 2nd.
Bottom 1st
One down and Mochizuki singles to center. After a
Top 2nd
After two ground outs Miyata singles to left. However, he tries to steal 2nd during Yamashita's AB and is thrown out to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Fujita with a grounder to short see the throw get away from Ogawa! But Shiromoto is backing up the play and fires to 2nd where they get Fujita! Kobune is able to single to right, but despite stealing 2nd, Chiba flies to center to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Deguchi is settling down here in the 3rd, racking up 2 K's in a quick 1-2-3 inning
Bottom 3rd
Nothing doing here for Morioka as Mochizuki gets his 2nd hit, a 2-out single through the left side. That's all they'd get this inning.
Top 4th
Kawasaki starts off the inning with a leadoff walk, but jumps for 2nd too early and is run down.
2 down now for Risshoudai Shounan and Wanda drives a ball over Yagi's head! It one-hops to the padded wall and he's in with a double!
Watanabe with a drive to left! Fujita running back towards the foul pole...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The balls are leaving the park in droves here as Watanabe hits a gyakuten 2-run HR! Risshoudai Shounan leads 2-1!!
Yokoyama lines out to center to end the inning, but Watanabe HR put his team ahead!
Bottom 4th
One down for Moriokadai Fuzoku and Yagi reaches after a wild pitch on a strikeout. The control issues for Yamashita continue as he walks Fujita.
Kobune makes him pay! He slices one down the left field line scoring Yagi and tying the game at 2-2!!
Yamashita is able to retire the next two batters, but the control problems cost Risshoudai Shounan the lead!
Top 5th
Miyata with a routine grounder to 3rd, but Nihashi whiffs with the glove and the leadoff runner is on!
Yamashita with the bunt and Miyata tries to gun down the lead runner, but is late! All safe! Miyata makes 2 critical errors and the go-ahead run is in scoring position with no down!
Miyata returns the favor! He is caught leaping away from 2nd and Deguchi picks him off! One down!
Uda flies out to center and now there's 2 out for Risshoudai Shounan.
Ogawa grounds out to short. Mochizuki takes it to the bag at 2nd and they get out of the self-imposed jam.
Bottom 5th
Top of the order and Chida collects his first hit, a single through the right side. Mochizuki, despite being 2-2, lays down the sac bunt.
Satou advances the runner to 3rd, but at the expense of grounding out to 2nd. Nihashi will have to get the one-timer to give his team the lead.
He doesn't need to! Yamashita throws a wild pitch allowing Chida to score from 3rd! Another control problem costs Yamashita once again! It's 3-2 Morioka!
Nihashi pops out to Yokoyama in foul territory for the 3rd out, but self-inflicted mistakes are costing Risshoudai Shounan here in the 1st half of the game.
Top 6th
Now that I'm caught up after my computer inconveniently updated itself during the game, Deguchi features a slider, curve and forkball to go along with his mid-130's fastball.
Kawasaki starts the post-break action with a single to left. Deguchi is paying Kawasaki a lot of attention, and deservedly so as with Wanda up, he successfully takes 2nd.
But Wanda chases a high fastball and pops out to 2nd. That brings up Watanabe who hit the HR his last AB.
And now Deguchi throws the ball away on a pickoff throw to 2nd! The douten run is now 90 feet away!
But Deguchi gets Watanabe to chase a fastball away! He goes down swinging and leaves the tying run on base!
Bottom 6th
As for Yamashita, he has the same arsenal as Deguchi, just about 5-10 kph slower.
One down for Morioka and Ogawa lets a Fujita grounder go right through the wickets for an error.
Yamashita gets Kobune to ground to 2nd. And despite a double clutch from Ogawa, he completes the double play to end the inning.
Top 7th
The deficit is only 1, can Risshoudai Shounan find the douten run here in their half of the Lucky 7?
Yokoyama with a ball to 3rd, and Nihashi is caught between hops and is all turned around! The ball deflects off his glove as Yokoyama reaches on the error. On the sac bunt by Miyata, Deguchi things about 2nd, but goes for the sure out at 1st.
But he puts another runner on immediately on a dead ball to Yamashita.
Uda with a single to left! Yokoyama goes for home and Fujita's throw is up the 1st base line! We're tied at 3-3!! Runners are at the corners with just one down.
Ogawa goes for the squeeze, but he pops it up! Chiba easily fields it and the runners hold their positions. Safetly squeeze is that it appeared to be.
Kawasaki goes down swinging, but the ball gets by Chiba! He fumbles with the ball, but his throw to 1st is just in time to retire the side! But the Lucky 7 is indeed lucky for Risshoudai Shounan as they tie the game up!
Bottom 7th
But there's the home half of the 7th to deal with...
Chiba manages to work the count full, but has to defend the plate and grounds out to 2nd.
Deguchi is jammed, but manages to fist one over Ogawa for a base hit. Back to the top of the order and Chida. Yamashita leaves one a bit over the plate and Chida pulls it through the infield to right.
2 on now for Mochizuki - he won't be bunting here...
They getting a reliever warmed up, but Yamashita pumps 2 strikes to get ahead of Mochizuki. Yamashita finally retires him on a chopper to 1st. But now there's 2 runners in scoring position.
Good news is that Satou is up, and he's been 0-fer so far today.
And Satou hits a chopper to 3rd. Watanabe picks it up on the hop and makes the throw to 1st for the 3rd out! Yamashita keeps the game level with just 2 innings to go!
Top 8th
Oh boy.
Deguchi leaves a ball over the plate and Wanda just crushed it. I mean Yagi tried at the wall, but really he had no chance. It goes several rows deep into the seats despite a strong headwind! Rishhoudai Shounan takes a 4-3 lead late here in the 8th inning!
Deguchi manages to get the next couple of batters out, but his team will have to fight from behind yet again.
Bottom 8th
Nihashi gets things started with a single through the left side.
But Sekiguchi-kantoku elects not to bunt, and Yagi grounds into the 6-4-3 double play! Fujita flies out to right to end the inning and they'll be down to their final 3 outs to score 1 run.
Top 9th
If Deguchi can hold things here in the top half of the 9th.
Yamashita gets on base as his ball sneaks by Mochizuki's glove and into center. Uda grounds to 1st, advancing the insurance run to 2nd. If Ogawa can get a timely hit here, it might put the game out of reach.
Instead he lines out to right, and it's hold on time for Yamashita and the boys from Shimane.
Bottom 9th
It'll be up to the bottom third of the order to try and deliver for Moriokadai Fuzoku.
Fortunately, Kobune is 2-3 on the day, and as I write that, singles back up the middle. Chiba stands in, will they bunt?
Well, first of all, #18 Ishida comes in to run for Kobune. Chiba then lays down the bunt to advance Ishida to 2nd.
Deguchi grounds out to 2nd, but it's slow enought to bring the douten runner to 3rd.
It's all up to Chida, who has collected his 2 hits in his last 2 AB's.
HE DOES IT!!!
Chida takes a hanger from Yamashita and laces it to right, scoring Ishida and tying the game at 4-4!
Now Moriokadai Fuzoku can go for the sayonara run!
But Mochizuki can't deliver as he flies out to right and we have our first enchousen game of the tournament!
Top 10th
#15 Takahashi comes in for PR Ishida and takes over at 1st.
Kawasaki with a chopper to the left side, takes a high hop over Nihashi. Mochizuki snags it from the air and while the throw is high, Takahashi's height allows him to stretch up for the out!
After a quick out by Shiromoto, Wanda steps in.
And almost gives Risshoudai Shounan back the lead! Deguchi hangs another one, but this time Wanda pulls it just foul!
But Deguchi comes back to freeze Wanda for the 3rd out, and Morioka dodges a big scare.
Bottom 10th
3-4-5 batters for Moriokadai Fuzoku, but combined they've collected just 2 hits, and they both belong to Nihashi.
Satou remains without a hit as he grounds out to 3rd.
Nihashi is working it at the plate, fouling off several pitches before taking a close one to fill up the count. However, Yamashita gets him to ground out to short.
Yagi gets a hold of one, but Uda is able to run it down for the 3rd out. To the 11th we go.
Top 11th
Two quick outs for Deguchi, but Miyata is stubborn at the plate and after 9 pitches takes a borderline pitch for a ball and a walk.
However, Yamashita hits a swinging bunt right in front of the plate and Chiba throws him out to end the inning.
Bottom 11th
Deguchi seems to have found his second wind. What about Yamashita?
Well, the Morioka batters are making it easy as they are swinging early. Fujita first pitch grounds to 2nd. #13 Takada comes in to hit for Takahashi, but flies out to center.
And when Chiba grounds out to short on the 1st pitch, it's a 4 pitch inning for Yamashita - a great help here in extras.
Top 12th
Takada stays in the game in right, pushing Yagi to 1st.
Uda represents the go-ahead run as he takes one back up the middle. Ogawa immediately bunts him along into scoring position.
It's a race against time now with Wanda just 2 batters away.
But Kawasaki refuses to wait that long! He drives a ball down the right field line all the way to the wall! Takada runs it down, but not before Kawasaki has a triple! More importantly, Risshoudai Shounan has the lead here in the 12th!
Shiromoto with a hot shot to the left side! Nihashi catches the ball and beats Kawasaki to the bag for the double play!
BUT! Risshoudai Shounan is just 3 outs away from advancing!
Bottom 12th
Does Moriokadai Fuzoku have another rally left in them?
Deguchi first pitch grounds out to 2nd.
Chida gets his 4th hit with a grounder through to right. And Chida presses for 2! Throw in from Miyata... not in time! He just dives in there before the ball and now Morioka is threatening once again!
Can Mochizuki find the stroke from the beginning of the game?
NO!
Mochizuki lines out to 2nd and Chida is doubled off to end the game!
Moriokadai Fuzoku comes back twice, but can't muster a third rally in the 12th. Risshoudai Shounan survives the ordeal and advances to face Sakushin Gakuin!
The game was about as level as you could expect. The momentum constantly swung back and forth, and while it wasn't a clean game, it was an entertaining one nonetheless. Moriokadai Fuzoku has nothing to be ashamed about in their performance, while Risshoudai Shounan will have to rest up a bit before their next game as their spirit 3 years ago surfaces yet again in another hard fought contest.
It seemed like it would be a given that Hanamaki Higashi would qualify out of Iwate and get back to Koushien, perhaps setting up a rematch of the two tall aces in Ootani and Fujinami. However, that was not to be as Moriokadai Fuzoku jumped all over Ootani in the final and held on for the 5-3 win.
The numbers look great - a 0.413 batting average and a pitching staff that allowed just 5 runs, but again it was predominantly against the weaker teams of the prefecture. Neverthelesss, look for Mochizuki and Satou to set the table for the offense, while ace Deguchi will probably be tasked with holding the opposition down for as long as he can.
The last time (and the only other time) Risshoudai Shounan was here, their kantoku had passed away in an accident and they had played that year for him. To compound things, several players got sick right before Koushien, forcing them to play with reserves and a shorter bench. Despite all that, they won two games and was a step away from the semifinals before running out of gas against Nihon Bunri.
This year, their run was no cheapie as they defeated Taisha, Kaisei and Iwamichisuikan in order for their 2nd Shimane title. Offensively, they batted a mere 0.306 with the bottom of the order producing more for the team, while ace Yamashita fatigued late - which doesn't bode well considering he doesn't strike out many batters to begin with (6 K/9) and Oota-kantoku did not go to anyone else for help.
The matchup appears to be a push as Risshoudai Shounan did defeat the tougher teams of their prefecture, while Moriokadai Fuzoku upset the heavy favorite in their prefecture for the title. Prefectural strength is also a push. So going to press, I have no favorite in this game.
Risshoudai Shounan (Shimane)
SS Ogawa
2B Kawasaki
C Shiromoto
LF Wanda
3B Watanabe
1B Yokoyama
RF Miyata
P Yamashita
CF Uda
Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
2B Chida
SS Mochizuki
CF Satou
3B Nihashi
RF Yagi
LF Fujita
1B Kobune
C Chiba
P Deguchi Shinkai
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10:29 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
After a lengthy AB, Ogawa draws the leadoff walk and is bunted along to 2nd for Shiromoto, and he further advances the runner with a grounder to 2nd leaving it to Wanda to drive him in.
But Deguchi jams him and he pops out to 2nd.
Bottom 1st
One down and Mochizuki singles to center. After a
Top 2nd
After two ground outs Miyata singles to left. However, he tries to steal 2nd during Yamashita's AB and is thrown out to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Fujita with a grounder to short see the throw get away from Ogawa! But Shiromoto is backing up the play and fires to 2nd where they get Fujita! Kobune is able to single to right, but despite stealing 2nd, Chiba flies to center to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Deguchi is settling down here in the 3rd, racking up 2 K's in a quick 1-2-3 inning
Bottom 3rd
Nothing doing here for Morioka as Mochizuki gets his 2nd hit, a 2-out single through the left side. That's all they'd get this inning.
Top 4th
Kawasaki starts off the inning with a leadoff walk, but jumps for 2nd too early and is run down.
2 down now for Risshoudai Shounan and Wanda drives a ball over Yagi's head! It one-hops to the padded wall and he's in with a double!
Watanabe with a drive to left! Fujita running back towards the foul pole...
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The balls are leaving the park in droves here as Watanabe hits a gyakuten 2-run HR! Risshoudai Shounan leads 2-1!!
Yokoyama lines out to center to end the inning, but Watanabe HR put his team ahead!
Bottom 4th
One down for Moriokadai Fuzoku and Yagi reaches after a wild pitch on a strikeout. The control issues for Yamashita continue as he walks Fujita.
Kobune makes him pay! He slices one down the left field line scoring Yagi and tying the game at 2-2!!
Yamashita is able to retire the next two batters, but the control problems cost Risshoudai Shounan the lead!
Top 5th
Miyata with a routine grounder to 3rd, but Nihashi whiffs with the glove and the leadoff runner is on!
Yamashita with the bunt and Miyata tries to gun down the lead runner, but is late! All safe! Miyata makes 2 critical errors and the go-ahead run is in scoring position with no down!
Miyata returns the favor! He is caught leaping away from 2nd and Deguchi picks him off! One down!
Uda flies out to center and now there's 2 out for Risshoudai Shounan.
Ogawa grounds out to short. Mochizuki takes it to the bag at 2nd and they get out of the self-imposed jam.
Bottom 5th
Top of the order and Chida collects his first hit, a single through the right side. Mochizuki, despite being 2-2, lays down the sac bunt.
Satou advances the runner to 3rd, but at the expense of grounding out to 2nd. Nihashi will have to get the one-timer to give his team the lead.
He doesn't need to! Yamashita throws a wild pitch allowing Chida to score from 3rd! Another control problem costs Yamashita once again! It's 3-2 Morioka!
Nihashi pops out to Yokoyama in foul territory for the 3rd out, but self-inflicted mistakes are costing Risshoudai Shounan here in the 1st half of the game.
Top 6th
Now that I'm caught up after my computer inconveniently updated itself during the game, Deguchi features a slider, curve and forkball to go along with his mid-130's fastball.
Kawasaki starts the post-break action with a single to left. Deguchi is paying Kawasaki a lot of attention, and deservedly so as with Wanda up, he successfully takes 2nd.
But Wanda chases a high fastball and pops out to 2nd. That brings up Watanabe who hit the HR his last AB.
And now Deguchi throws the ball away on a pickoff throw to 2nd! The douten run is now 90 feet away!
But Deguchi gets Watanabe to chase a fastball away! He goes down swinging and leaves the tying run on base!
Bottom 6th
As for Yamashita, he has the same arsenal as Deguchi, just about 5-10 kph slower.
One down for Morioka and Ogawa lets a Fujita grounder go right through the wickets for an error.
Yamashita gets Kobune to ground to 2nd. And despite a double clutch from Ogawa, he completes the double play to end the inning.
Top 7th
The deficit is only 1, can Risshoudai Shounan find the douten run here in their half of the Lucky 7?
Yokoyama with a ball to 3rd, and Nihashi is caught between hops and is all turned around! The ball deflects off his glove as Yokoyama reaches on the error. On the sac bunt by Miyata, Deguchi things about 2nd, but goes for the sure out at 1st.
But he puts another runner on immediately on a dead ball to Yamashita.
Uda with a single to left! Yokoyama goes for home and Fujita's throw is up the 1st base line! We're tied at 3-3!! Runners are at the corners with just one down.
Ogawa goes for the squeeze, but he pops it up! Chiba easily fields it and the runners hold their positions. Safetly squeeze is that it appeared to be.
Kawasaki goes down swinging, but the ball gets by Chiba! He fumbles with the ball, but his throw to 1st is just in time to retire the side! But the Lucky 7 is indeed lucky for Risshoudai Shounan as they tie the game up!
Bottom 7th
But there's the home half of the 7th to deal with...
Chiba manages to work the count full, but has to defend the plate and grounds out to 2nd.
Deguchi is jammed, but manages to fist one over Ogawa for a base hit. Back to the top of the order and Chida. Yamashita leaves one a bit over the plate and Chida pulls it through the infield to right.
2 on now for Mochizuki - he won't be bunting here...
They getting a reliever warmed up, but Yamashita pumps 2 strikes to get ahead of Mochizuki. Yamashita finally retires him on a chopper to 1st. But now there's 2 runners in scoring position.
Good news is that Satou is up, and he's been 0-fer so far today.
And Satou hits a chopper to 3rd. Watanabe picks it up on the hop and makes the throw to 1st for the 3rd out! Yamashita keeps the game level with just 2 innings to go!
Top 8th
Oh boy.
Deguchi leaves a ball over the plate and Wanda just crushed it. I mean Yagi tried at the wall, but really he had no chance. It goes several rows deep into the seats despite a strong headwind! Rishhoudai Shounan takes a 4-3 lead late here in the 8th inning!
Deguchi manages to get the next couple of batters out, but his team will have to fight from behind yet again.
Bottom 8th
Nihashi gets things started with a single through the left side.
But Sekiguchi-kantoku elects not to bunt, and Yagi grounds into the 6-4-3 double play! Fujita flies out to right to end the inning and they'll be down to their final 3 outs to score 1 run.
Top 9th
If Deguchi can hold things here in the top half of the 9th.
Yamashita gets on base as his ball sneaks by Mochizuki's glove and into center. Uda grounds to 1st, advancing the insurance run to 2nd. If Ogawa can get a timely hit here, it might put the game out of reach.
Instead he lines out to right, and it's hold on time for Yamashita and the boys from Shimane.
Bottom 9th
It'll be up to the bottom third of the order to try and deliver for Moriokadai Fuzoku.
Fortunately, Kobune is 2-3 on the day, and as I write that, singles back up the middle. Chiba stands in, will they bunt?
Well, first of all, #18 Ishida comes in to run for Kobune. Chiba then lays down the bunt to advance Ishida to 2nd.
Deguchi grounds out to 2nd, but it's slow enought to bring the douten runner to 3rd.
It's all up to Chida, who has collected his 2 hits in his last 2 AB's.
HE DOES IT!!!
Chida takes a hanger from Yamashita and laces it to right, scoring Ishida and tying the game at 4-4!
Now Moriokadai Fuzoku can go for the sayonara run!
But Mochizuki can't deliver as he flies out to right and we have our first enchousen game of the tournament!
Top 10th
#15 Takahashi comes in for PR Ishida and takes over at 1st.
Kawasaki with a chopper to the left side, takes a high hop over Nihashi. Mochizuki snags it from the air and while the throw is high, Takahashi's height allows him to stretch up for the out!
After a quick out by Shiromoto, Wanda steps in.
And almost gives Risshoudai Shounan back the lead! Deguchi hangs another one, but this time Wanda pulls it just foul!
But Deguchi comes back to freeze Wanda for the 3rd out, and Morioka dodges a big scare.
Bottom 10th
3-4-5 batters for Moriokadai Fuzoku, but combined they've collected just 2 hits, and they both belong to Nihashi.
Satou remains without a hit as he grounds out to 3rd.
Nihashi is working it at the plate, fouling off several pitches before taking a close one to fill up the count. However, Yamashita gets him to ground out to short.
Yagi gets a hold of one, but Uda is able to run it down for the 3rd out. To the 11th we go.
Top 11th
Two quick outs for Deguchi, but Miyata is stubborn at the plate and after 9 pitches takes a borderline pitch for a ball and a walk.
However, Yamashita hits a swinging bunt right in front of the plate and Chiba throws him out to end the inning.
Bottom 11th
Deguchi seems to have found his second wind. What about Yamashita?
Well, the Morioka batters are making it easy as they are swinging early. Fujita first pitch grounds to 2nd. #13 Takada comes in to hit for Takahashi, but flies out to center.
And when Chiba grounds out to short on the 1st pitch, it's a 4 pitch inning for Yamashita - a great help here in extras.
Top 12th
Takada stays in the game in right, pushing Yagi to 1st.
Uda represents the go-ahead run as he takes one back up the middle. Ogawa immediately bunts him along into scoring position.
It's a race against time now with Wanda just 2 batters away.
But Kawasaki refuses to wait that long! He drives a ball down the right field line all the way to the wall! Takada runs it down, but not before Kawasaki has a triple! More importantly, Risshoudai Shounan has the lead here in the 12th!
Shiromoto with a hot shot to the left side! Nihashi catches the ball and beats Kawasaki to the bag for the double play!
BUT! Risshoudai Shounan is just 3 outs away from advancing!
Bottom 12th
Does Moriokadai Fuzoku have another rally left in them?
Deguchi first pitch grounds out to 2nd.
Chida gets his 4th hit with a grounder through to right. And Chida presses for 2! Throw in from Miyata... not in time! He just dives in there before the ball and now Morioka is threatening once again!
Can Mochizuki find the stroke from the beginning of the game?
NO!
Mochizuki lines out to 2nd and Chida is doubled off to end the game!
Moriokadai Fuzoku comes back twice, but can't muster a third rally in the 12th. Risshoudai Shounan survives the ordeal and advances to face Sakushin Gakuin!
The game was about as level as you could expect. The momentum constantly swung back and forth, and while it wasn't a clean game, it was an entertaining one nonetheless. Moriokadai Fuzoku has nothing to be ashamed about in their performance, while Risshoudai Shounan will have to rest up a bit before their next game as their spirit 3 years ago surfaces yet again in another hard fought contest.
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