With less than 2 weeks to Natsu Koushien, we get a flurry of teams qualifying for Koushien. Here's what happened yesterday:
Fukushima - Nichidai Tohoku v. Seikou Gakuin
In this year where it seems like the underdog is finally giving the powerhouse teams their comeuppance, Nichidai Tohoku had a similar opportunity versus the king of the prefecture, Seikou Gakuin.
And it really looked like Nichidai would be able to pull off the upset. Seikou went from pitcher to pitcher to stem the tide, but couldn't as Nichidai Tohoku put run after another on the board to build a 6-2 lead. By the time the game hit the 9th, I was dead certain they would be able to do it.
And they were just one out away from doing it. But with runners on the corners and 2 out, Seikou put 3 hits together, and that 6-2 lead turned into a 6-6 ballgame.
Any time you have the underdog giving up a lead like that, especially in the final, usually the collapse is complete in regulation, or even if they survive into enchousen they can't regain momentum.
2 innings later, Seikou got runners on 1st and 2nd with no out, #3 batter Yananuma delivered the final blow to send Seikou to Koushien for another year.
Chiba - Toukaidai Bouyou v. Senshuudai Matsudo
After the melee in Chiba, 2 Tier 3 schools found themselves in the finals. As one of my twitter follows is wont to mention, Senshuudai Matsudo in prior years kept on losing late in the tournament in enchousen.
But in the round of 16, perhaps they exorcised the demons when they won a 3-2 win in 10 against Shiritsu Funabashi. That seemed to give them momentum as they put away Kisaradzu Sougou early, and then scored 5 early against Kashiwa Nittai to reach the finals.
Toukaidai Bouyou was the forgotten Toukai school in the prefecture - to Toukaidai Urayasu (they had defeated Narashino earlier). But they were always a respectable squad and always made a modest run.
This year was different. This time around they got some breaks. In their 2nd game, they had to walkoff Seibudai Chiba 3-2. Then was a very uncharacteristic 2-0 win over Sodegaura. And instead of facing Chiba Keizaidai Fuzoku, they faced Kokubun instead and shut them out 5-0.
Wouldn't you know it, they would have to face sister school Toukaidai Urayasu in the semifinals. And you had to think that Bouyou's run would end here.
Nope, not even close.
In fact the scoreline would have you believe Bouyou was the dominant Toukai school. 12-2 in 5 innings!!
And holy crap, it's like Toukaidai Bouyou was just saving themselves for the stretch run, because in the final, Senshuudai Matsudo was absolutely no match. 6 runs in the 2nd to demoralize them, and the 6 in the 8th for the finishing blow, and they punch their first ever ticket to Natsu Koushien with authority in a 13-2 win.
Toyama - Toyama Shougyou v. Takaoka Shougyou
Sadly for those of us who loved Toyama Dai-ichi's run last year (the prefecture's deepest in 30 years), they showed some cracks early, and went down in the semifinals to Takaoka Shougyou. And outside of a 2-0 win in their 1st game over Toyama Kougyou, the run looked rather solid.
The same could not be said for Toyama Shougyou. Yes, they had some easy games to start, but then in the quarterfinals against Takaoka, they would go scoreless through regulation before wining in 10. And the semifinals against Fujikoshi Kougyou, they managed to keep them at arms length, but an 8-5 win going into the finals doesn't necessarily portend great things.
And early on, it looked like they would be had. After a couple scoreless, Takaoka Shougyou built a 3-0 lead. But that completely collapsed when Toyama Shougyou scored 6 in the 6th. And just for good measure they added 3 more in the 9th to avoid possible drama, and Toyama Shougyou makes their 1st trip in 10 years with a 9-3 win!
Gifu - Oogaki Nichidai v. Gifu Kougyou
Gifu Kougyou admittedly got some help to reach the finals. No Shiritsu Gifu Shougyou to deal with, and the other main players were on the other half of the bracket.
But they had earned their finals appearance with their performance, soundly defeating those in front of them with the exception of the semifinals where they had to use all 9 innings to defeat Gifu Sougou Gakuen 3-2.
But the prefecture was Oogaki Nichidai's to lose. Despite a narrow 3-0 win over Motoshi Shouyou, they easily manhandled their opponents up until defeating Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou 3-1.
The finals were no match. Oogaki Nichidai claimed their 2nd consecutive title with an 11-2 win.
Kyoto - Kyoto Subaru v. Ryuukokudai Heian
I thought maybe this might be Kyoto Subaru's year. Fukuchiyama Seibi fell, Kyoto Gaidai Nishi too. They almost didn't make the finals after coming back to defeat Katsura 8-7 after falling behind 5-0 after the first inning. A 10-0 win the semifinal over Yamashiro perhaps meant good momentum going into the finals.
But on the other side loomed the senbatsu champs Ryuukokudai Heian...
And let's just say that it wasn't pretty. 2 in the 1st and 3 in the 2nd and the rout was on. When it was all said and done, Heian will have a chance to go haru-natsu with a 10-0 win over Kyoto Subaru. Maybe next year guys...
Wakayama - Chiben Wakayama v. Shiritsu Wakayama
Chiben Wakayama has dominated the prefecture for a long time now. In the last 27 years, they have relinquished the natsu title just 7 times. For all the other schools in the prefecture that's rather frustrating knowing that the road to Koushien goes through them.
So it seemed this year too. Outside of a 4-1 win over Touin, it was double digit runs the rest of the way to the finals.
The team to try and slay the monster this year was Shiritsu Wakayama. They almost didn't even make it out of their first game, giving up a 2-0 lead to Wakayama Tousen before winning in 10. It got easier after that, culminating in a 4-1 over Wakayama Shougyou to reach the finals.
Still, it's not like they were lighting the world on fire, and it was Chiben Wakayama after all.
But in the finals, Shiritsu kept Chiben off the board after giving up a run in the 1st. That kept them in the game until the 7th, where it did indeed prove to be lucky for them. Ooshima would deliver the game-tying RBI and the game would remain tied at 1 into enchousen.
In the 11th, Chiben would take the lead again 2-1, but Shiritsu found a response in PH Abe who hit another clutch single to center.
The unbelievable happened one inning later, when with runners on 1st and 2nd, Setoguchi would drive a ball to left center, scoring the sayonara run giving Shiritsu Wakayama the 3-2 victory!!
Shimane - Taisha v. Kaisei
Taisha has been that model Tier 3 school in Shimane. Always good, never great. This year though was completely different, scoring double digits against all opponents until the semifinals where they trailed Yasugi 4-0 going into the bottom of the 9th. Yasugi's ace Saneshige couldn't close out the gae, and Taisha rallied for 4 in the 9th to tie the game. And in the 10th, Shimizu's base hit would complete the comeback to reach the finals.
Kaisei's road was a bit more rockier, but then again it was a bit more difficult as well. First was a 4-2 win over Risshoudai Shounan. Then down 6-0 to Iwamichisuikan, they scored 11 unanswered runs to advance to the semifinals. And then against unknown Daitou, they were in an old-fashioned brawl where after a scoreless 2 innings there were multiple ties and lead changes and 4 ties, but the decisive blow was a 5-run 6th by Kaisei to take a 10-7 lead. They would hold off a final charge by Taisei in the 9th, but they could only score 2 of the 3 runs needed to extend the game, falling 12-11.
In the final, Taisha would fight their best, but in the end another big inning by Kaisei would do them in. Kaisei wins 9-4 and heads back to Koushien.
Showing posts with label Wakayama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wakayama. Show all posts
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Where we stand (Part 3 - Central)
Gotta keep going, we're going to crown our first qualifier today...
Wakayama - Best 8 (en route)
Regardless of the fact that Minoshima won last year, it's still Chiben Wakayama's prefecture. Despite the slow start in their first game, Kishigawa took the brunt of the damage in a 10-0 win. Ito will be up next for the monarchs of the prefecture.
Minoshima was in some trouble today versus Wakayama Higashi, but 7 runs in the late stages helped push them to a 8-6 win. They may not be the ones to take on Chiben this year. Minabe and Wakayama Shougyou will play for the right to take on Minoshima next.
The rest of the games in the Best 16 are:
Wow, I can't even recognize a lot of the teams that have made the Round of 16.
And then there's the fact that Ryuukokudai Heian continues to play low-scoring games in advancing (though they just put up 5 runs to perhaps put Kyoto Kokusai in their place).
Fukuchiyama Seibi started slow, but did record a mercy rule win last over Horikawa. It will not get any easier as Otokuni defeated Kyoto Seishou, and Kyoto Shouei. Not bad.
The bottom half is filled with unknowns because there were some upsets. Ritsumeikan Uji? Gone yesterday at the hands of Hokuryou 2-1. Kyoto Gaidai Nishi? Gone as well, having trailed Rakutou 3-1 in their opening game before finding a way to tie it in the 9th but eventually lost 4-3 in 11. Might be a change for Kyoto Subaru to finally make some hay.
Tottori - Best 8 (en route)
They just started the Round of 16 play yesterday (they can take their time with just 24 schools).
Tottori Nishi could find the equalizer, but not the go-ahead as they fell to Kurayoshi Higashi 3-2 in 10. Yazu continued to increase their run production each inning in a 19-0 win over Kurayoshi Nougyou.
Today Tottori Jyouhoku never trailed but played the full 9 against Yonago Shouin in a 5-2 win. Yonago Kita meanwhile put crooked numbers up early and won 9-2 over Iwami 9-2 in 7.
Shimane - Round of 16
Shimane with just 39 teams means that for many, just 1 win gets you to the round of 16:
Wakayama - Best 8 (en route)
Regardless of the fact that Minoshima won last year, it's still Chiben Wakayama's prefecture. Despite the slow start in their first game, Kishigawa took the brunt of the damage in a 10-0 win. Ito will be up next for the monarchs of the prefecture.
Minoshima was in some trouble today versus Wakayama Higashi, but 7 runs in the late stages helped push them to a 8-6 win. They may not be the ones to take on Chiben this year. Minabe and Wakayama Shougyou will play for the right to take on Minoshima next.
The rest of the games in the Best 16 are:
- Shiritsu Wakayama v. Tanabe Kougyou
- Kouyasan v. Kouyou
- Kioukan v. Seirin
- Tanabe v. Naga
Wow, I can't even recognize a lot of the teams that have made the Round of 16.
Kita-Sagav. Ayabe - Nishio and Kuroda make a single run stick today for the win- Ryuukokudai Heian v. Kyoto Kokusai
- Higashiyama v. Nishi-Jyouyou
- Otokuni v. Fukuchiyama Seibi
- Seizan v. Yamashiro
- Hokuryou v. Higashi-Uji
- Rakutou v. Kyoto Subaru
- Kumiyama v. Katsura
And then there's the fact that Ryuukokudai Heian continues to play low-scoring games in advancing (though they just put up 5 runs to perhaps put Kyoto Kokusai in their place).
Fukuchiyama Seibi started slow, but did record a mercy rule win last over Horikawa. It will not get any easier as Otokuni defeated Kyoto Seishou, and Kyoto Shouei. Not bad.
The bottom half is filled with unknowns because there were some upsets. Ritsumeikan Uji? Gone yesterday at the hands of Hokuryou 2-1. Kyoto Gaidai Nishi? Gone as well, having trailed Rakutou 3-1 in their opening game before finding a way to tie it in the 9th but eventually lost 4-3 in 11. Might be a change for Kyoto Subaru to finally make some hay.
Tottori - Best 8 (en route)
They just started the Round of 16 play yesterday (they can take their time with just 24 schools).
Tottori Nishi could find the equalizer, but not the go-ahead as they fell to Kurayoshi Higashi 3-2 in 10. Yazu continued to increase their run production each inning in a 19-0 win over Kurayoshi Nougyou.
Today Tottori Jyouhoku never trailed but played the full 9 against Yonago Shouin in a 5-2 win. Yonago Kita meanwhile put crooked numbers up early and won 9-2 over Iwami 9-2 in 7.
Shimane - Round of 16
Shimane with just 39 teams means that for many, just 1 win gets you to the round of 16:
- Taisha v. Matsue Kougyou
- Matsue Nourin v. Matsue Higashi
- Yasu v. Gotsu
- Hamada v. Izumo Nishi
- Kaisei v. Risshoudai Shounan
- Izumo v. Iwamichisuikan
- Shimane Chuo v. Izumo Shougyou
- Meisei v. Daitou
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Aki Taikai Recap-to-date - Kinki
Once again, Kinki is in a big state of flux, and if the rotation holds true, Osaka and Hyogo will be short a representative this time around!
Shiga
Shiga has the basic single elimination system, and it has gone for the most part surprisingly scratch as they move onto the semifinals and finals this weekend.
Not surprisingly Hikone Higashi is back on the warpath again, and score-wise looks the best of the rest remaining with 2 mercy rule wins. They will face Oumi, who survived a 12-inning game against Hieizan - certainly not a pushover, but could put the team's strength into question.
On the other half could be Hikone Higashi's biggest threat - Oumi Kyoudaisha. Admittedly, they too had a close call against Shiga Gakuen in the quarterfinals (much like Oumi), and they showed promise in the summer too, but they defeated Oumi in the summer and the offense seems stronger.
Interestingly, Oumi Kyoudaisha's opponent will be a rematch of their 1st round game in the summer - Youkaichi. The offense surely looks strong, but the pitching seems the weakest of the lot and they haven't played really tough competition.
Kyoto
Aw... Kyoto Gaidai Nishi can't get up for the Super-regionals again...
Kyoto too is in the semifinals, and there is one outlier who will be trying to fight for a spot in the Super-regionals - Nishi-Jyouyou. They didn't face much competition and has not dominated them either. To secure a spot they will have to defeat Ryuukokudai Heian who most recently annihilated Kyoto Seishou 11-2.
On the other side, Ritsumeikan Uji was challenged by Ritsumeikan proper then had to outslug the aforementioned Kyoto Gaidai Nishi 10-5. They will face the other long school name (see what I mean about scratch?) Fukuchiyama Seibi. An uncharacteristic 11-8 game against Nissei puts up a red flag, but settled down afterwards for 4-0 and 5-1 wins.
Nara
Sakurai not surprisingly couldn't duplicate their success in the summer.
However, this time around (so far anyways), Chiben Gakuen is still alive - though a 2-0 and 11-5 wins against no-name teams do not bode well. They should have no trouble with Nara Tousen... maybe. They will face the winner of Kashiba (who narrowly lost to Sakurai in the summer) and Kansai Chuo.
Yamato Kouryou's been inconsistent, but gets to face a Kashihara Gakuin team who too has failed to live up to expectations. Naradai Fuzoku, who was one game away from reaching Natsu Koushien, will look to get to Haru Koushien with unknown Heijyou immediately standing in the way.
Wakayama
Wakayama has the weird thing of having a tournament just to advance 4 into the quarterfinals, then having the remaining teams later compete in blocks for the other 4. Chiben Wakayama obviously took the time to qualify the first time around, cruising comfortably until they qualified where they might have send out the reserves so as to not tip off the competition. Still, they got to the finals where they lost to Shinguu 6-3, though that result doesn't matter. Also advancing was Kainan and Shiritsu Wakayama.
The rest would have to battle it out again, and the ones that climbed out of the ruckus were:
With only 2 bids up for grabs in the major prefectures, it's all out for all the schools from Osaka and Hyogo - and that generally doesn't bode well for the non-powerhouse schools...
But there was a small victory for them as Riseisha and Osaka Touin would have to play in the round of 32. Surprisingly, Riseisha mercy ruled Osaka Touin 13-1 in 5 innings! Guess they have a bit of rebuilding to do.
Still though, that means that Riseisha has the inside rail at one of the two spots, and with PL Gakuen obliterating teams on the other half, it is a steep climb for the other 14 schools.
Hyogo
I don't know if it is a down cycle in Hyogo, but the powerhouse teams seem to be on the same part of the cycle.
I say this because in the quarterfinals, only one powerhouse managed to survive and they barely got away. Houtoku Gakuen edged out Akashi Shougyou 3-2 and will face an Ichikawa team who beat Suma Gakuen 2-1 in 12.
The other side was supposed to be a Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku vs. Touyoudai Himeji affair, but both teams wound up losing! Sanda Shousei would beat Kobe 3-2 in 10 innings, while Yashiro had the largest margin of victory in the quarters - a 4-2 win over Himeji.
This bodes well for Houtoku as they should advance to the Super-regionals (sorry Ichikawa), while Sanda Shouei and Yashiro will battle it out for a rare spot in the Super-regionals.
Shiga
Shiga has the basic single elimination system, and it has gone for the most part surprisingly scratch as they move onto the semifinals and finals this weekend.
Not surprisingly Hikone Higashi is back on the warpath again, and score-wise looks the best of the rest remaining with 2 mercy rule wins. They will face Oumi, who survived a 12-inning game against Hieizan - certainly not a pushover, but could put the team's strength into question.
On the other half could be Hikone Higashi's biggest threat - Oumi Kyoudaisha. Admittedly, they too had a close call against Shiga Gakuen in the quarterfinals (much like Oumi), and they showed promise in the summer too, but they defeated Oumi in the summer and the offense seems stronger.
Interestingly, Oumi Kyoudaisha's opponent will be a rematch of their 1st round game in the summer - Youkaichi. The offense surely looks strong, but the pitching seems the weakest of the lot and they haven't played really tough competition.
Kyoto
Aw... Kyoto Gaidai Nishi can't get up for the Super-regionals again...
Kyoto too is in the semifinals, and there is one outlier who will be trying to fight for a spot in the Super-regionals - Nishi-Jyouyou. They didn't face much competition and has not dominated them either. To secure a spot they will have to defeat Ryuukokudai Heian who most recently annihilated Kyoto Seishou 11-2.
On the other side, Ritsumeikan Uji was challenged by Ritsumeikan proper then had to outslug the aforementioned Kyoto Gaidai Nishi 10-5. They will face the other long school name (see what I mean about scratch?) Fukuchiyama Seibi. An uncharacteristic 11-8 game against Nissei puts up a red flag, but settled down afterwards for 4-0 and 5-1 wins.
Nara
Sakurai not surprisingly couldn't duplicate their success in the summer.
However, this time around (so far anyways), Chiben Gakuen is still alive - though a 2-0 and 11-5 wins against no-name teams do not bode well. They should have no trouble with Nara Tousen... maybe. They will face the winner of Kashiba (who narrowly lost to Sakurai in the summer) and Kansai Chuo.
Yamato Kouryou's been inconsistent, but gets to face a Kashihara Gakuin team who too has failed to live up to expectations. Naradai Fuzoku, who was one game away from reaching Natsu Koushien, will look to get to Haru Koushien with unknown Heijyou immediately standing in the way.
Wakayama
Wakayama has the weird thing of having a tournament just to advance 4 into the quarterfinals, then having the remaining teams later compete in blocks for the other 4. Chiben Wakayama obviously took the time to qualify the first time around, cruising comfortably until they qualified where they might have send out the reserves so as to not tip off the competition. Still, they got to the finals where they lost to Shinguu 6-3, though that result doesn't matter. Also advancing was Kainan and Shiritsu Wakayama.
The rest would have to battle it out again, and the ones that climbed out of the ruckus were:
- Kinkidai Shinguu, who will have an intercity battle with Shinguu
- Tanabe, who will face Kainan to start
- Arita Chuo, who drew the short straw and will face Chiben Wakayama leaving
- Kouyasan to play Shiritsu Wakayama.
With only 2 bids up for grabs in the major prefectures, it's all out for all the schools from Osaka and Hyogo - and that generally doesn't bode well for the non-powerhouse schools...
But there was a small victory for them as Riseisha and Osaka Touin would have to play in the round of 32. Surprisingly, Riseisha mercy ruled Osaka Touin 13-1 in 5 innings! Guess they have a bit of rebuilding to do.
Still though, that means that Riseisha has the inside rail at one of the two spots, and with PL Gakuen obliterating teams on the other half, it is a steep climb for the other 14 schools.
Hyogo
I don't know if it is a down cycle in Hyogo, but the powerhouse teams seem to be on the same part of the cycle.
I say this because in the quarterfinals, only one powerhouse managed to survive and they barely got away. Houtoku Gakuen edged out Akashi Shougyou 3-2 and will face an Ichikawa team who beat Suma Gakuen 2-1 in 12.
The other side was supposed to be a Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku vs. Touyoudai Himeji affair, but both teams wound up losing! Sanda Shousei would beat Kobe 3-2 in 10 innings, while Yashiro had the largest margin of victory in the quarters - a 4-2 win over Himeji.
This bodes well for Houtoku as they should advance to the Super-regionals (sorry Ichikawa), while Sanda Shouei and Yashiro will battle it out for a rare spot in the Super-regionals.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
7/27 Title Games
And now for those that happened on the 27th:
Higashi Tokyo - Shuutoku (5th title, 1st in 9 years)
I realize I'm cheating in covering Higashi Tokyo, but for a reason.
Almost no one (Teikyou) was able to stop Shuutoku.
No one.
How bad was it for the field? Well, Shuutoku in their 8 games had 2 non-mercy rule games - their 4-2 defeat of Teikyou, and the final (which has no mercy rule).
But Teikyou did have the best shot at Shuutoku. In fact, they had the 2-1 lead through 6 innings. But as is the case - and will always be the case until they prove me otherwise - until they can develop an ace, they will never win Koushien. And so it was that Teikyou would give up 3 runs in the final 3 innings to fall 4-2. That would be the best shot any team would have at stopping them.
Credit should be given though where credit is due. All of the other seeded teams at the edges of the bracket advanced to the semifinals. #2 Nishougakushadai Fuzoku did not dominate at all, save for the semifinal where they defeated #3 Kanto Dai-ichi who save for a narrow win over Adachi Gakuen did dominate the field (Hope you caught all that). And finally, Tokyo Jitsygyou who out of nowhere won their 4 games as the #4 seed location on the bracket to reach the semifinals where they, like many, got mercy ruled.
Chiba - Kisaradzu Sougou (4th title, 2nd consecutive)
Chiba breaks my heart so hard, I really don't want to talk about it. Not that it probably wasn't expected, but that my hopes were brought up really high, only to have them crushed like a spider on the heel of someone's shoe.
Despite 171 teams playing in the Chiba taikai, out of the 16 seeded teams, 10 were able to advance to the Round of 16. Some of the notable casualties? Choushi Shougyou, Shigakukan, and Kashiwa Nittai.
Now, the reason why I cannot be unbiased really regarding Chiba is the fact that I am unapologetic in rooting for Narashino. They're a public school who consistently does well and has been good enough to break through and get to Koushien on several occasions.
However, despite my homerism, I'm still a realist at heart (okay, pessimist). I knew Narashino wasn't as good this year, and was a B (5-8) seed for the summer taikai. But, they did make it into the round of 16 and that was a start. A solid 5-2 win over unseeded Nichidai Narashino wasn't convincing, but they were still alive. Next up was C (9-16) seed Narita. I remember seeing the end part of that game, Narashino trailing 5-3. Somehow, and I still can't believe it, Narashino comes back to score a pair of runs to tie the game. 3 innings later, they win the game and I'm running around at home hooting and hollering. Perhaps it may still be their year after all. And when they soundly defeat a Toukaidai Bouyou squad who was a bit inconsistent but still cut their way through the field, it was just one more game. One more game to win and Narashino will get back to Koushien!
On the other side, things did not as clear. Only Senshuudai Matsudo, Kisaradzu Sougou and Takushokudai Kouryou were left of the seeded teams. The former and latter would meet in the quarterfinals, and A seed Senshuudai would win... 1-0. That would put them in a matchup against Kisaradzu Sougou who had easy games versus unseeded Ryuukeidai Kashiwa and Keiyou.
In that semi Kisaradzu Sougou held the 2-1 lead going to the top of the 9th. But top seed Senshuudai failed to give in scoring the douten run to send it into extras. As the innings ticked off, it became clear that Matsudo's ace Takahashi looked finished. In the 11th inning the sayonara run stood at 2nd, in the 12th he fought off a sanrui, 1 out pinch. Then in the 13th, after yet again facing sanrui, 1 out pinch then intentional walks to load the bases (again), Takahashi almost gets out of the pinch, but with 2 down it's a full count oshidashi sayonara walk to send Kisaradzu Sougou to the finals yet again. For Senshuudai Matsudo, it's their 3rd straight year being eliminated in enchousen.
So the finals were B seeds Narashino and defending champion Kisaradzu Sougou. I wound up missing the game because I forgot about the early start time.
Perhaps it would have been a good thing.
See, Narashino jumped out to a 4-1 lead after a 3-run 2nd. Things looked good, and my earlier concerns about Narashino's pitching (from the Narita game) were waning.
But ace Matsuyama (who came in the 2nd inning) to reliever relief starter Matsumoto, faltered. Kisaradzu would sclore 4 in the 4th to take the lead and then 1 more an inning later for a 6-4 lead. Narashino would be scrambling after that, reclaiming one back in the 7th.
That's as close as they'd get as Chiba would be able to finish the game giving his team their 2nd straight title (and breaking my heart).
Yamanashi - Hikawa (4th title, 1st in 3 years)
Oh how I longed for Nihon Koukuu (aka Japan Aviation Academy) to return to Koushien. But since their appearance in 2008, have kind of fallen off the map, despite being seeded several times.
This year, they were not only unseeded, but buried in the bottom of the bracket.
The early leader in the clubhouse was Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku, who won 2 of the last 4 Natsu titles and posted double digit wins in their first two games. All the other teams at least had one game where they were tested - even the other 1-4 seeds. Toukaidai Koufu had to hold off Koufu Shougyou 7-6, Hikawa despite getting just 8 hits against Tsuru won 2-1, and Fujikawaguchiko flat out lost giving up a 4-2 lead in a 5-4 loss to Koufu Jyousai.
The only other team to have any type of blowout was actually Nihon Koukuu! But they're not the pretty type of blowouts. They're the ones where they just decide to outscore you, pitching be damned. For after an innocent looking 7-3 win over Shirane, they go 13-7 and 13-6 (8 inn) there after. Certainly a valid strategy, but one that generally doesn't work as you move up.
But, when faced with Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku, they were able to get out to a 5-1 lead! With just 3 outs to go, the Nihon Koukuu kantoku elects to move ace Tanaka off the mound for Nakano to get the last 3 outs.
Except he doesn't. He gives up 4 runs tying the game! He would get bailed out big time by cleanup batter Ishida whose 2nd hit of the game is of the sayonara variety. Headed to the semifinals, they'd face the other top seed in their half of the bracket, Toukaidai Koufu who had to rally from down 5-2 to defeat Minobu. Despite that close game, Toukaidai would build a 7-3 lead... only to see Nihon Koukuu score a gyakuten 6 runs in the 7th for a 9-7 win and a chance for the Yamanashi title!
Going back to the other half, upset minded Koufu Jyousai's run lasted just one more game as they fell 5-0 to Sundai Koufu. Meanwhile, Koma was giving Hikawa fits as they led 3-0. Hikawa though would fight back like quality teams would and win 4-3. And in the semifinals it was a rare 9-1 blowout to move to the finals.
And so it was that Nihon Koukuu would play Hikawa for the Yamanashi title. In the end, Nihon Koukuu outrun strategy would fail as their offense struggled against ace Yamada, only putting up more than 1 run in an inning in the 9th, when the game was already out of reach. Hikawa wins 8-5 to claim the title.
Wakayama - Minoshima (8th title, 1st in 29 years)
With Wakayama it was always was going to be a question of how Chiben Wakayama was going to win their nth straight title (9th in this case).
Or was it? During Chiben Wakayama's run at Natsu Koushien, they reached the semifinals once and the Best 8 three times. However, all but one occurred in the first 3 years of that run. In more recent years, Chiben Wakayama has seemed to weaken, even failing to win their first game 2 of the last 3 years. It's really attributed to growing weaknesses both at the plate and on the mound. Last year, 3 of their 5 games to the title were decided by 2 runs or less - hardly the mark of a dynastic team.
So perhaps it was no surprise then when in the 2nd round Kihoku Kougyou, behind the HR from Horita and a solid outing from ace Nakai, would dethrone the 8-time defending champions 2-1 (though perhaps the school performing the feat may have been a surprise).
Now the question was, who would take their place?
It wasn't going to be Kihoku Kougyou. Despite handing the ball off to Nakai with a 3-2 lead through 4, he would give up 4 runs (most importantly 2 in the 9th) to fall 6-5 to Wakayama Higashi in the block final (remember that Wakayama has 4 blocks which then redraw for the semifinals).
Realistically, the team that has risen most to challenge Chiben Wakayama in recent years has been Minoshima. In first started in their first appearance in any Koushien in 19 years, where they went to the quarterfinals of the 2009 senbatsu before losing to eventual champions Seihou.
Of course, that was 4 years ago and they haven't been back since. The team has suffered through fits of inconsistency, but over the past year split a series with them with both games going by the final of 2-1.
Some inconsistency remained as put up a rather average 4-1 win over Kenritsu Wakayama Shougyou in the 2nd round. But they still advanced out of their block.
The other would-be contenders would be seeded Minabe out of Block B, and surprise team Hidaka Nakatsu who after a strong 2 games upset seeded Kinkidai Shinguu then held off Minabe Ryuujin 9-6 to advance out of Block C.
The semifinal draw would not be kind for Wakayama Higashi as they drew Minoshima and proceeded to fall 8-0. For Minabe, a 5-run first helped provide a cushion for starter Matsuda as they would defeat Hidaka Nakatasu 8-5.
And so Minabe would be the final opponent standing between Minoshima and their first appearance in almost 3 decades. Sadly for Minabe, they were not able to put up a fight and lost 10-1. A bit of a sad way to lose in the final, but congrats of course go out to the new champions Minoshima!
Tottori - Tottori Jyouhoku (3rd appearance, 2nd consecutive)
Despite just having 25 teams, it was not good to be a seeded team.
Why?
Because 3 of the 4 seeded teams - Yonago Kita, Iwami, and Kurayoshi Sougou Sangyou, all lost in their first games! Yonago Kita was soundly defeated by defending champs Tottori Jyouhoku (who wasn't seeded!), Iwami was done in by a sole RBI from Yonago Shouin's Tsuchie, and despite more chances for Kurayoshi Sougou Sangyou thanks to walks from Tottori Nishi's ace Mastuoka, Tottori Nishi would get to reliever Sawada as he entered in the 10th for the sayonara victory.
Tottori Jyouhoku's only challenge on their way to the final was in semifinal opponent Kurayoshi Higashi. Ace Uehara struggled in the game, giving up 3 runs after his team had just taken a 2-0 lead. But reliever Fukuiwa would clamp things down for Tottori Jyouhoku as they would eventually get to Higashi ace Tamagawa for 3 more runs, knocking him out of the game. Itou would clamp things down there after, and Kurayoshi Higashi would get a run off of Fukuiwa in the 8th... but Uehara would come back in the 9th and close it out for the 5-4 win and a spot in the finals.
On the other half, the 2 prior champions to Tottori Jyouhoku wound up advancing through the brackets. 2010 champion Yazu had no problems reaching the semis with 2 sound victories. Conversely, 2011 winner Tottori Shougyou needed 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Tottori Ikuei 3-2, and then after blowing a 3-0 lead to aforementioned Tottori Nishi, scored 2 in the bottom of the 8th to win 5-3.
Perhaps playing from the lead was something Tottori Shougyou was unable to do this year, because in the semifinal, they had a 4-1 lead over Yazu heading to the top of the 9th. There Yazu would score 5 runs to take a 6-4 lead, leaving Tottori Shougyou almost no time to rally. Indeed they would fail to come back and Yazu would be in the final.
In the final, Yazu and Tottori Jyouhoku would trade blows several times, leaving the teams tied at 2 after the first 3, then again at 5 after 7. However, reliever Kamatani for Yazu would break down in his 5th inning of work giving up 3 runs in the 8th inning.
That would prove to be too much as Tottori Jyouhoku would claim their 2nd consecutive title.
Tokushima - Naruto (8th title, 2nd consecutive)
In Tokushima there seemed no clear front-runner for the title. Even the top tier teams struggled at some point in the tournament.
Defending champion Naruto even suffered from it as well. Despite the first round bye and 6-2 opening win over Tomioka Nishi, they played a Tokushima Kagaku Gijyutsu squad who blew a 5-run lead to Awa only to win 10-8, then down 3-0 in the bottom of the 9th, came back to tie off Jyounouchi ace Yanagimoto and then win in 10.
In that game Bandou would be stung for 4 runs in the 7th, falling behind 4-2. However, Naruto would recover quickly scoring 3 in their 7th and 2 more for good measure in the 8th to win 7-4.
The next challenge would be Naruto Uzushio, who blew past their first 2 opponents before hitting resurging Ikeda. They slowly were able to overcome a 5-run 3rd, getting to every one of Ikeda's 4 pitchers they would throw out there, winning 6-5.
Both pitching staffs would be rocked early, with Naruto taking a 6-5 lead after 2. From then on though, Bandou would keep Uzushio at bay just enough to make that lead stick winning 8-7 for a spot in the finals.
On the other side, many teams were under the banner of survive and advance. For Seikou Gakuen, after an easy first round, ace Tokuda almost let a 4-1 lead slip away against Anan Tousen, but won 4-3. After that, they trailed Aratano 5-2 before scoring 4 runs in the final 2 innings to tie the game up at 6. Aratano reliever Fukuzumi was anything but, relinquishing the 5-1 lead then giving up 5 more in the 10th for an 11-6 loss.
They would face a Kawashima team who beat Tokushima Kita in the opening round 3-1, upset powerhouse Tokushima Shougyou 3-2 in the next round, and then if that weren't enough, outlasting Komatsushima 4-3 in 13 innings!
Interstingly enough, the semifinal game would be a cakewalk compared to their previous games. Ace Ueda would make a 4-run 4th stick, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits for a 5-3 win.
But for Kawashima, facing Naruto for their first title would be a lot to ask. Indeed, after giving up 5 runs in the first two innings, it was a formality thereafter.
Ehime - Saibi (4th title, 1st in 5 years)
All eyes in Ehime would be on Saibi and ace Anraku. Given his performance at Senbatsu, many were eager to see him at Natsu Koushien.
Jyoukou-kantoku continued to take no chances, throwing Anraku out there in every game save for the last two outs of their win against Matsuyama Chuo. Saibi would outclass their opponents early with Anraku giving up just 1 run on 11 hits while striking out 29 in 20.1 IP.
So the question would be, who could challenge them?
Well, #4 seed Tanbara actually got shutout by Imabari Kita 5-0. Filling the gap would be Kawanoe, who themselves had 3 mercy rule games to meet Yawatahama in the quarterfinals. And despite just 1 run on 5 hits, the tandem of Oonishi and Doi would give up just 3 hits and strike out 16 Yawatahama batters to win 1-0 to meet Saibi.
In that semifinal, a timely hit by Takahara and an error from Saibi gave Kawanoe a 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, Oonishi and Doi were shutting down the Saibi offense and things started to look bleak.
But Kawanoe's kantoku had pulled Oonishi after 2.2 IP, and Doi was trying to finish the game. But Yamashita blasted a HR in the 8th to pull them within 1. And in the 9th, he would relinquish the lead with RBI hits from Kaneko and Hayashi Kanya. Senba would get the last 2 outs of the inning, but the damage had been done. Anraku closed it out for the win.
So, who would be the last barrier between Anraku and Natsu Koushien?
Well, despite Tanbara's loss, both #2 Imabari Nishi and #3 Matsuyama Seiryou both marched towards the semifinals. Both though faced a different challenge in the quarterfinals. Imabari Nishi played Touon and despite getting just 4 hits, won 2-0. As for Matsuyama Seiryou, instead of a pitching affair they were in a brawl with Niihama Higashi using 5 runs in the 6th and 7th to win 13-9.
So #2 and #3 would meet to face Saibi. Ace Kanno for Imabari Nishi would give them a 1-0 lead with his only hit of the ballgame. But it would be all he would need as he pitches a 3-hit shutout to move to the finals.
Imabari Nishi would try to implement a rotation of Kanno and Ishigaki on the mound for the finals, but Kanno was rocked right off the bat for 4 runs in 1+ innings of work. While the rotation would give up just 1 run thereafter, it was too late. Anraku would allow Imabari Nishi to pull within 2, but that would be as close as they would get, meaning that Saibi and Anraku would return to Koushien once again!
Kochi - Meitoku Gijyuku (15th title, 4th consecutive)
It was not business as usual in Kochi, despite the 2 teams who wound up in the final. Not sure what is going on, but it almost signifies a loss of talent among the upper teams.
Why do I say that? Well, Tosa lost right off the bat to Kochi Minami 6-0. Now, one might say, "that's not terrible, Tosa was a decent team sure, but not one who was one of the powerhouses."
Sure, I could go with that, but following that Kochi Shougyou lost in the 2nd round after ace Uemoto collapses in the 8th inning, giving up 3 runs to Kochi Nougyou and losing 3-2.
"Okay, Kochi Nougyou got lucky in one inning. Still not necessarily a big deal."
Well, what about the fact that while Kochi and Meitoku Gijyuku did manage to advance, their victories were not as sweeping as one might think?
Kochi's 2nd round win over Kochi Nishi 7-1 was helped by a 4-run 8th. Meitoku actually trailed Kochi Kougyou before a 5-run 6th distanced themselves enough to win 7-3. Move onto the quarterfinals, and Kochi started reliever Sakai against Sukumo Kougyou. Having just gone up 4-0 through 7, Sakai falters almost giving up the entire lead. Ace Sakamoto has to come in to shut the door advancing 4-3. Meitoku had no such luxury facing Okou, who is probably on the same level as Tosa. Kishi though gives up 2 early runs leaving them to chase. And while a 2-run 5th would be enough, it would be just enough as Okou would keep it close falling by the same 4-3 score.
Now, both teams would actually win their semifinals with relative ease (at least compared to the games above). Nakamura would fall to Kochi 5-1, while Kochi Chuo (who in their 2nd round game against Yusuhara trailing 3-0 going into the final 3 innings would score 10 runs to send the game into enchousen, winning 1 inning later!) would be shutout by Kishi & Ogata 6-0.
Kochi would turn to Sakai again to start the game against Meitoku Gijyuku and ace Kishi. And while he was able to go head-to-head for a little while, he would give up a run in the 5th and another in the 7th. That would be all Kishi would need, though he survived the 9th to win 2-1 and give his team their 4th consecutive Natsu title!
Fukuoka - Jiyuugaoka (1st appearance)
When block play finally ended on the 14th, the likes of Jiyuugaoka, Kurume Shougyou and Teikyou Dai-go all joined the field in the 2nd stage.
In the second stage, the story early on was Moji Gakuen. Facing unknown Fukushou, they fritter away a 3-1 lead in the last 2 innings, head into extras, and down 4-3 in the 10th they score 2 to win. Then against Fukuoka Koudai Jyoutou this happened. Talk about comeback kids.
It perhaps looked like they'd do it again in the semifinals against Nanchiku, tying the game late and going into extras. Nanchiku for their part, had just upset Higashi-Fukuoka. But when Doi gave up a run in the 11th, Moji couldn't find anything left in the tank as they fell 3-2.
On the other half, everyone who advanced had blowouts save for Jiyuugaoka who had to play Kurume Shougyou and escaped with a 5-3 win. After that was a quarterfinal game against Jiyuugaoka. And much like Moji Gakuen had done in the 2nd stage, they staged a comeback in the bottom of the 9th for 2 runs to send Teikyou Dai-go home falling short yet again. Their opponent in the semifinals would be Kyusandai Kyushu who mercy-ruled Tobata and Yuusei to get there. Still, against a upper level team, they would fall short losing 6-1, setting tup the final matchup.
And perhaps as expected Nanchiku would give up quick runs early and was not in contention. Jiyuugaoka would go on to win 9-1. What surprised me the most was that it was their first ever title!
Higashi Tokyo - Shuutoku (5th title, 1st in 9 years)
I realize I'm cheating in covering Higashi Tokyo, but for a reason.
Almost no one (Teikyou) was able to stop Shuutoku.
No one.
How bad was it for the field? Well, Shuutoku in their 8 games had 2 non-mercy rule games - their 4-2 defeat of Teikyou, and the final (which has no mercy rule).
But Teikyou did have the best shot at Shuutoku. In fact, they had the 2-1 lead through 6 innings. But as is the case - and will always be the case until they prove me otherwise - until they can develop an ace, they will never win Koushien. And so it was that Teikyou would give up 3 runs in the final 3 innings to fall 4-2. That would be the best shot any team would have at stopping them.
Credit should be given though where credit is due. All of the other seeded teams at the edges of the bracket advanced to the semifinals. #2 Nishougakushadai Fuzoku did not dominate at all, save for the semifinal where they defeated #3 Kanto Dai-ichi who save for a narrow win over Adachi Gakuen did dominate the field (Hope you caught all that). And finally, Tokyo Jitsygyou who out of nowhere won their 4 games as the #4 seed location on the bracket to reach the semifinals where they, like many, got mercy ruled.
Chiba - Kisaradzu Sougou (4th title, 2nd consecutive)
Chiba breaks my heart so hard, I really don't want to talk about it. Not that it probably wasn't expected, but that my hopes were brought up really high, only to have them crushed like a spider on the heel of someone's shoe.
Despite 171 teams playing in the Chiba taikai, out of the 16 seeded teams, 10 were able to advance to the Round of 16. Some of the notable casualties? Choushi Shougyou, Shigakukan, and Kashiwa Nittai.
Now, the reason why I cannot be unbiased really regarding Chiba is the fact that I am unapologetic in rooting for Narashino. They're a public school who consistently does well and has been good enough to break through and get to Koushien on several occasions.
However, despite my homerism, I'm still a realist at heart (okay, pessimist). I knew Narashino wasn't as good this year, and was a B (5-8) seed for the summer taikai. But, they did make it into the round of 16 and that was a start. A solid 5-2 win over unseeded Nichidai Narashino wasn't convincing, but they were still alive. Next up was C (9-16) seed Narita. I remember seeing the end part of that game, Narashino trailing 5-3. Somehow, and I still can't believe it, Narashino comes back to score a pair of runs to tie the game. 3 innings later, they win the game and I'm running around at home hooting and hollering. Perhaps it may still be their year after all. And when they soundly defeat a Toukaidai Bouyou squad who was a bit inconsistent but still cut their way through the field, it was just one more game. One more game to win and Narashino will get back to Koushien!
On the other side, things did not as clear. Only Senshuudai Matsudo, Kisaradzu Sougou and Takushokudai Kouryou were left of the seeded teams. The former and latter would meet in the quarterfinals, and A seed Senshuudai would win... 1-0. That would put them in a matchup against Kisaradzu Sougou who had easy games versus unseeded Ryuukeidai Kashiwa and Keiyou.
In that semi Kisaradzu Sougou held the 2-1 lead going to the top of the 9th. But top seed Senshuudai failed to give in scoring the douten run to send it into extras. As the innings ticked off, it became clear that Matsudo's ace Takahashi looked finished. In the 11th inning the sayonara run stood at 2nd, in the 12th he fought off a sanrui, 1 out pinch. Then in the 13th, after yet again facing sanrui, 1 out pinch then intentional walks to load the bases (again), Takahashi almost gets out of the pinch, but with 2 down it's a full count oshidashi sayonara walk to send Kisaradzu Sougou to the finals yet again. For Senshuudai Matsudo, it's their 3rd straight year being eliminated in enchousen.
So the finals were B seeds Narashino and defending champion Kisaradzu Sougou. I wound up missing the game because I forgot about the early start time.
Perhaps it would have been a good thing.
See, Narashino jumped out to a 4-1 lead after a 3-run 2nd. Things looked good, and my earlier concerns about Narashino's pitching (from the Narita game) were waning.
But ace Matsuyama (who came in the 2nd inning) to reliever relief starter Matsumoto, faltered. Kisaradzu would sclore 4 in the 4th to take the lead and then 1 more an inning later for a 6-4 lead. Narashino would be scrambling after that, reclaiming one back in the 7th.
That's as close as they'd get as Chiba would be able to finish the game giving his team their 2nd straight title (and breaking my heart).
Yamanashi - Hikawa (4th title, 1st in 3 years)
Oh how I longed for Nihon Koukuu (aka Japan Aviation Academy) to return to Koushien. But since their appearance in 2008, have kind of fallen off the map, despite being seeded several times.
This year, they were not only unseeded, but buried in the bottom of the bracket.
The early leader in the clubhouse was Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku, who won 2 of the last 4 Natsu titles and posted double digit wins in their first two games. All the other teams at least had one game where they were tested - even the other 1-4 seeds. Toukaidai Koufu had to hold off Koufu Shougyou 7-6, Hikawa despite getting just 8 hits against Tsuru won 2-1, and Fujikawaguchiko flat out lost giving up a 4-2 lead in a 5-4 loss to Koufu Jyousai.
The only other team to have any type of blowout was actually Nihon Koukuu! But they're not the pretty type of blowouts. They're the ones where they just decide to outscore you, pitching be damned. For after an innocent looking 7-3 win over Shirane, they go 13-7 and 13-6 (8 inn) there after. Certainly a valid strategy, but one that generally doesn't work as you move up.
But, when faced with Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku, they were able to get out to a 5-1 lead! With just 3 outs to go, the Nihon Koukuu kantoku elects to move ace Tanaka off the mound for Nakano to get the last 3 outs.
Except he doesn't. He gives up 4 runs tying the game! He would get bailed out big time by cleanup batter Ishida whose 2nd hit of the game is of the sayonara variety. Headed to the semifinals, they'd face the other top seed in their half of the bracket, Toukaidai Koufu who had to rally from down 5-2 to defeat Minobu. Despite that close game, Toukaidai would build a 7-3 lead... only to see Nihon Koukuu score a gyakuten 6 runs in the 7th for a 9-7 win and a chance for the Yamanashi title!
Going back to the other half, upset minded Koufu Jyousai's run lasted just one more game as they fell 5-0 to Sundai Koufu. Meanwhile, Koma was giving Hikawa fits as they led 3-0. Hikawa though would fight back like quality teams would and win 4-3. And in the semifinals it was a rare 9-1 blowout to move to the finals.
And so it was that Nihon Koukuu would play Hikawa for the Yamanashi title. In the end, Nihon Koukuu outrun strategy would fail as their offense struggled against ace Yamada, only putting up more than 1 run in an inning in the 9th, when the game was already out of reach. Hikawa wins 8-5 to claim the title.
Wakayama - Minoshima (8th title, 1st in 29 years)
With Wakayama it was always was going to be a question of how Chiben Wakayama was going to win their nth straight title (9th in this case).
Or was it? During Chiben Wakayama's run at Natsu Koushien, they reached the semifinals once and the Best 8 three times. However, all but one occurred in the first 3 years of that run. In more recent years, Chiben Wakayama has seemed to weaken, even failing to win their first game 2 of the last 3 years. It's really attributed to growing weaknesses both at the plate and on the mound. Last year, 3 of their 5 games to the title were decided by 2 runs or less - hardly the mark of a dynastic team.
So perhaps it was no surprise then when in the 2nd round Kihoku Kougyou, behind the HR from Horita and a solid outing from ace Nakai, would dethrone the 8-time defending champions 2-1 (though perhaps the school performing the feat may have been a surprise).
Now the question was, who would take their place?
It wasn't going to be Kihoku Kougyou. Despite handing the ball off to Nakai with a 3-2 lead through 4, he would give up 4 runs (most importantly 2 in the 9th) to fall 6-5 to Wakayama Higashi in the block final (remember that Wakayama has 4 blocks which then redraw for the semifinals).
Realistically, the team that has risen most to challenge Chiben Wakayama in recent years has been Minoshima. In first started in their first appearance in any Koushien in 19 years, where they went to the quarterfinals of the 2009 senbatsu before losing to eventual champions Seihou.
Of course, that was 4 years ago and they haven't been back since. The team has suffered through fits of inconsistency, but over the past year split a series with them with both games going by the final of 2-1.
Some inconsistency remained as put up a rather average 4-1 win over Kenritsu Wakayama Shougyou in the 2nd round. But they still advanced out of their block.
The other would-be contenders would be seeded Minabe out of Block B, and surprise team Hidaka Nakatsu who after a strong 2 games upset seeded Kinkidai Shinguu then held off Minabe Ryuujin 9-6 to advance out of Block C.
The semifinal draw would not be kind for Wakayama Higashi as they drew Minoshima and proceeded to fall 8-0. For Minabe, a 5-run first helped provide a cushion for starter Matsuda as they would defeat Hidaka Nakatasu 8-5.
And so Minabe would be the final opponent standing between Minoshima and their first appearance in almost 3 decades. Sadly for Minabe, they were not able to put up a fight and lost 10-1. A bit of a sad way to lose in the final, but congrats of course go out to the new champions Minoshima!
Tottori - Tottori Jyouhoku (3rd appearance, 2nd consecutive)
Despite just having 25 teams, it was not good to be a seeded team.
Why?
Because 3 of the 4 seeded teams - Yonago Kita, Iwami, and Kurayoshi Sougou Sangyou, all lost in their first games! Yonago Kita was soundly defeated by defending champs Tottori Jyouhoku (who wasn't seeded!), Iwami was done in by a sole RBI from Yonago Shouin's Tsuchie, and despite more chances for Kurayoshi Sougou Sangyou thanks to walks from Tottori Nishi's ace Mastuoka, Tottori Nishi would get to reliever Sawada as he entered in the 10th for the sayonara victory.
Tottori Jyouhoku's only challenge on their way to the final was in semifinal opponent Kurayoshi Higashi. Ace Uehara struggled in the game, giving up 3 runs after his team had just taken a 2-0 lead. But reliever Fukuiwa would clamp things down for Tottori Jyouhoku as they would eventually get to Higashi ace Tamagawa for 3 more runs, knocking him out of the game. Itou would clamp things down there after, and Kurayoshi Higashi would get a run off of Fukuiwa in the 8th... but Uehara would come back in the 9th and close it out for the 5-4 win and a spot in the finals.
On the other half, the 2 prior champions to Tottori Jyouhoku wound up advancing through the brackets. 2010 champion Yazu had no problems reaching the semis with 2 sound victories. Conversely, 2011 winner Tottori Shougyou needed 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Tottori Ikuei 3-2, and then after blowing a 3-0 lead to aforementioned Tottori Nishi, scored 2 in the bottom of the 8th to win 5-3.
Perhaps playing from the lead was something Tottori Shougyou was unable to do this year, because in the semifinal, they had a 4-1 lead over Yazu heading to the top of the 9th. There Yazu would score 5 runs to take a 6-4 lead, leaving Tottori Shougyou almost no time to rally. Indeed they would fail to come back and Yazu would be in the final.
In the final, Yazu and Tottori Jyouhoku would trade blows several times, leaving the teams tied at 2 after the first 3, then again at 5 after 7. However, reliever Kamatani for Yazu would break down in his 5th inning of work giving up 3 runs in the 8th inning.
That would prove to be too much as Tottori Jyouhoku would claim their 2nd consecutive title.
Tokushima - Naruto (8th title, 2nd consecutive)
In Tokushima there seemed no clear front-runner for the title. Even the top tier teams struggled at some point in the tournament.
Defending champion Naruto even suffered from it as well. Despite the first round bye and 6-2 opening win over Tomioka Nishi, they played a Tokushima Kagaku Gijyutsu squad who blew a 5-run lead to Awa only to win 10-8, then down 3-0 in the bottom of the 9th, came back to tie off Jyounouchi ace Yanagimoto and then win in 10.
In that game Bandou would be stung for 4 runs in the 7th, falling behind 4-2. However, Naruto would recover quickly scoring 3 in their 7th and 2 more for good measure in the 8th to win 7-4.
The next challenge would be Naruto Uzushio, who blew past their first 2 opponents before hitting resurging Ikeda. They slowly were able to overcome a 5-run 3rd, getting to every one of Ikeda's 4 pitchers they would throw out there, winning 6-5.
Both pitching staffs would be rocked early, with Naruto taking a 6-5 lead after 2. From then on though, Bandou would keep Uzushio at bay just enough to make that lead stick winning 8-7 for a spot in the finals.
On the other side, many teams were under the banner of survive and advance. For Seikou Gakuen, after an easy first round, ace Tokuda almost let a 4-1 lead slip away against Anan Tousen, but won 4-3. After that, they trailed Aratano 5-2 before scoring 4 runs in the final 2 innings to tie the game up at 6. Aratano reliever Fukuzumi was anything but, relinquishing the 5-1 lead then giving up 5 more in the 10th for an 11-6 loss.
They would face a Kawashima team who beat Tokushima Kita in the opening round 3-1, upset powerhouse Tokushima Shougyou 3-2 in the next round, and then if that weren't enough, outlasting Komatsushima 4-3 in 13 innings!
Interstingly enough, the semifinal game would be a cakewalk compared to their previous games. Ace Ueda would make a 4-run 4th stick, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits for a 5-3 win.
But for Kawashima, facing Naruto for their first title would be a lot to ask. Indeed, after giving up 5 runs in the first two innings, it was a formality thereafter.
Ehime - Saibi (4th title, 1st in 5 years)
All eyes in Ehime would be on Saibi and ace Anraku. Given his performance at Senbatsu, many were eager to see him at Natsu Koushien.
Jyoukou-kantoku continued to take no chances, throwing Anraku out there in every game save for the last two outs of their win against Matsuyama Chuo. Saibi would outclass their opponents early with Anraku giving up just 1 run on 11 hits while striking out 29 in 20.1 IP.
So the question would be, who could challenge them?
Well, #4 seed Tanbara actually got shutout by Imabari Kita 5-0. Filling the gap would be Kawanoe, who themselves had 3 mercy rule games to meet Yawatahama in the quarterfinals. And despite just 1 run on 5 hits, the tandem of Oonishi and Doi would give up just 3 hits and strike out 16 Yawatahama batters to win 1-0 to meet Saibi.
In that semifinal, a timely hit by Takahara and an error from Saibi gave Kawanoe a 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, Oonishi and Doi were shutting down the Saibi offense and things started to look bleak.
But Kawanoe's kantoku had pulled Oonishi after 2.2 IP, and Doi was trying to finish the game. But Yamashita blasted a HR in the 8th to pull them within 1. And in the 9th, he would relinquish the lead with RBI hits from Kaneko and Hayashi Kanya. Senba would get the last 2 outs of the inning, but the damage had been done. Anraku closed it out for the win.
So, who would be the last barrier between Anraku and Natsu Koushien?
Well, despite Tanbara's loss, both #2 Imabari Nishi and #3 Matsuyama Seiryou both marched towards the semifinals. Both though faced a different challenge in the quarterfinals. Imabari Nishi played Touon and despite getting just 4 hits, won 2-0. As for Matsuyama Seiryou, instead of a pitching affair they were in a brawl with Niihama Higashi using 5 runs in the 6th and 7th to win 13-9.
So #2 and #3 would meet to face Saibi. Ace Kanno for Imabari Nishi would give them a 1-0 lead with his only hit of the ballgame. But it would be all he would need as he pitches a 3-hit shutout to move to the finals.
Imabari Nishi would try to implement a rotation of Kanno and Ishigaki on the mound for the finals, but Kanno was rocked right off the bat for 4 runs in 1+ innings of work. While the rotation would give up just 1 run thereafter, it was too late. Anraku would allow Imabari Nishi to pull within 2, but that would be as close as they would get, meaning that Saibi and Anraku would return to Koushien once again!
Kochi - Meitoku Gijyuku (15th title, 4th consecutive)
It was not business as usual in Kochi, despite the 2 teams who wound up in the final. Not sure what is going on, but it almost signifies a loss of talent among the upper teams.
Why do I say that? Well, Tosa lost right off the bat to Kochi Minami 6-0. Now, one might say, "that's not terrible, Tosa was a decent team sure, but not one who was one of the powerhouses."
Sure, I could go with that, but following that Kochi Shougyou lost in the 2nd round after ace Uemoto collapses in the 8th inning, giving up 3 runs to Kochi Nougyou and losing 3-2.
"Okay, Kochi Nougyou got lucky in one inning. Still not necessarily a big deal."
Well, what about the fact that while Kochi and Meitoku Gijyuku did manage to advance, their victories were not as sweeping as one might think?
Kochi's 2nd round win over Kochi Nishi 7-1 was helped by a 4-run 8th. Meitoku actually trailed Kochi Kougyou before a 5-run 6th distanced themselves enough to win 7-3. Move onto the quarterfinals, and Kochi started reliever Sakai against Sukumo Kougyou. Having just gone up 4-0 through 7, Sakai falters almost giving up the entire lead. Ace Sakamoto has to come in to shut the door advancing 4-3. Meitoku had no such luxury facing Okou, who is probably on the same level as Tosa. Kishi though gives up 2 early runs leaving them to chase. And while a 2-run 5th would be enough, it would be just enough as Okou would keep it close falling by the same 4-3 score.
Now, both teams would actually win their semifinals with relative ease (at least compared to the games above). Nakamura would fall to Kochi 5-1, while Kochi Chuo (who in their 2nd round game against Yusuhara trailing 3-0 going into the final 3 innings would score 10 runs to send the game into enchousen, winning 1 inning later!) would be shutout by Kishi & Ogata 6-0.
Kochi would turn to Sakai again to start the game against Meitoku Gijyuku and ace Kishi. And while he was able to go head-to-head for a little while, he would give up a run in the 5th and another in the 7th. That would be all Kishi would need, though he survived the 9th to win 2-1 and give his team their 4th consecutive Natsu title!
Fukuoka - Jiyuugaoka (1st appearance)
When block play finally ended on the 14th, the likes of Jiyuugaoka, Kurume Shougyou and Teikyou Dai-go all joined the field in the 2nd stage.
In the second stage, the story early on was Moji Gakuen. Facing unknown Fukushou, they fritter away a 3-1 lead in the last 2 innings, head into extras, and down 4-3 in the 10th they score 2 to win. Then against Fukuoka Koudai Jyoutou this happened. Talk about comeback kids.
It perhaps looked like they'd do it again in the semifinals against Nanchiku, tying the game late and going into extras. Nanchiku for their part, had just upset Higashi-Fukuoka. But when Doi gave up a run in the 11th, Moji couldn't find anything left in the tank as they fell 3-2.
On the other half, everyone who advanced had blowouts save for Jiyuugaoka who had to play Kurume Shougyou and escaped with a 5-3 win. After that was a quarterfinal game against Jiyuugaoka. And much like Moji Gakuen had done in the 2nd stage, they staged a comeback in the bottom of the 9th for 2 runs to send Teikyou Dai-go home falling short yet again. Their opponent in the semifinals would be Kyusandai Kyushu who mercy-ruled Tobata and Yuusei to get there. Still, against a upper level team, they would fall short losing 6-1, setting tup the final matchup.
And perhaps as expected Nanchiku would give up quick runs early and was not in contention. Jiyuugaoka would go on to win 9-1. What surprised me the most was that it was their first ever title!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
93rd Koushien Qualifying - July 13th-23rd (Kinki Region)
A lot to go over here, but it will have to be summarized more than usual.
Mie
Games began at Yokkaichi on the 15th with Tsu Nishi mercy ruling Subaru Gakuen 8-1 in 8. Since then we have reached the round of 16.
After the opening game all teams started play. Hisai Nourin scores 3 runs late to beat Matsusaka Shougyou 4-3. Akatsuki Gakuen scores 6 in the 5th, but needs every run as Yokkaichi Yogou scores 5 in the last 4 innings to barely get beaten 7-6. Tsu Shougyou fights back to tie the game at 5, after being down 3, in the 8th then goes on to beat Hisai in the bottom of the 12th. Yokkaichi scores the sayonara run over Yokkaichi Chuo Kougyou 2-1.
Rain started to impede play on the 18th. Games at Ise and Tsu were cancelled. After Ouka's 7-3 win over Toba, Yokkaichi Minami and Kinan can only get through 4½ before the game is called. Yokkaichi was the only place to play a full slate. And that wound up being fortunate for Kawagoe, not so much for Nabari Kiyougaoka. Nabari held a 7-1 lead through 7 innings. Kawagoe scores 4 in the 8th and 3 in the 9th for the 8-7 sayonara victory. The rained out games would be played on the 21st. Owase scores 3 in the 9th for a 6-4 win over Asake.
Onto the 2nd round, Tsu outlasts Nissei Gakuen Dai-ichi 2-1 in 12. And Tsu Higashi plates the only run in the top of the 9th to beat Kogakkan. Kaisei and Ouka tango for 13 innings, with Kaisei prevailing 3-2. Kawagoe continues its narrow escapes, scoring their runs late to win 2-1 over Minami-Ise.
Kyoto
When we last left Kyoto, they were in the middle of round 2.
Kyoto Kyouei scores late to beat Tanabe 4-3. Kumiyama down 5-1 in the bottom of the 9th scores 5 for the win! Yes, it's heartbreaking for Nantan, but at the same time it's what kokoyakyu is all about.
3rd round and Kyoto Gaidai Nishi defeats Kyoto Gakuen 7-2. Suzaku outlasts Rakutou 5-4 in 12. Yamashiro scores 3 in the 10th to defeat Ayabe. Ryuukokudai Heian scores 1 run in the 1st against Kyoto Kyouei, and surprisingly that's the only run scored!
Round of 16 play and my team - Kyoto Gaidai Nishi gets blitzed by a 5-run 5th from Kyoto Ryouyou 10-5... My more irrational team in Kyoto, Kyoto Subaru, scores in each of the last 5 innings, but can't make up for its pitching. They fall 11-8 to Toba.
In one of the most bizarre games, Ritsumeikan Uji had just scored 3 in the top of the 7th to lead 6-1 when Kumiyama out of nowhere scores 8! Not only that, but Uji comes back with 3 the very next inning to tie the game! The game would only go one more inning as Uji would win 12-9.
The next game that day would also go into extras where Yamashiro scored 3 in the 8th to tie it up. And even though they scored 2 in the 10th, they almost blew that lead.
What those first 2 extra inning games meant though was that Ryuukokudai Heian's game against Higashiyama, which they were winning 7-2 after 5½ was called a no-game expending extra effort. Fortunately for them they had 2 days off due to the rain. When play resumed Ryuukokudai Heian won 8-1 in 7.
The last games finished up with Fukuchiyama Seibi shutting out Doushisha Kokusai, and Nishi-Jyouou mercy ruling Rakuhoku.
Onto quarterfinal action, and Kyoto Ryouyou continues their surprising run with a 5-2 win over Toba. But they'd face their toughest test against Ritsumeikan Uji who handled Fukuchiyama 8-1 in 7. Meanwhile, Ryuukokudai Heian was in trouble versus Yamashiro, but scored 6 in the 8th for a gyakuten win! There'll be a blockbuster game next as they face Fukuchiyama Seibi who themselves had to hold off Nishi-Jyouyou 4-3.
Nara
Until I see someone challenge Chiben Gakuen, it's almost pointless covering this prefecture.
But to note some close games:
Wakayama
While there are some competitors now to Chiben Wakayama, which include Minoshima and Kouyou, it's still Chiben Wakayama's prefecture.
We advance to coverage of the 3rd round which sees one contender in Minoshima faltering late, giving up the tying and sayonara runs to Shiritsu Wakayama 2-1, and Touin taken to 14 by Hatsushiba Hashimoto but winning 4-2.
Osaka
Looking at block play we had the following notable games:
Block play was going on in Hyogo. Notable games include:
Mie
Games began at Yokkaichi on the 15th with Tsu Nishi mercy ruling Subaru Gakuen 8-1 in 8. Since then we have reached the round of 16.
After the opening game all teams started play. Hisai Nourin scores 3 runs late to beat Matsusaka Shougyou 4-3. Akatsuki Gakuen scores 6 in the 5th, but needs every run as Yokkaichi Yogou scores 5 in the last 4 innings to barely get beaten 7-6. Tsu Shougyou fights back to tie the game at 5, after being down 3, in the 8th then goes on to beat Hisai in the bottom of the 12th. Yokkaichi scores the sayonara run over Yokkaichi Chuo Kougyou 2-1.
Rain started to impede play on the 18th. Games at Ise and Tsu were cancelled. After Ouka's 7-3 win over Toba, Yokkaichi Minami and Kinan can only get through 4½ before the game is called. Yokkaichi was the only place to play a full slate. And that wound up being fortunate for Kawagoe, not so much for Nabari Kiyougaoka. Nabari held a 7-1 lead through 7 innings. Kawagoe scores 4 in the 8th and 3 in the 9th for the 8-7 sayonara victory. The rained out games would be played on the 21st. Owase scores 3 in the 9th for a 6-4 win over Asake.
Onto the 2nd round, Tsu outlasts Nissei Gakuen Dai-ichi 2-1 in 12. And Tsu Higashi plates the only run in the top of the 9th to beat Kogakkan. Kaisei and Ouka tango for 13 innings, with Kaisei prevailing 3-2. Kawagoe continues its narrow escapes, scoring their runs late to win 2-1 over Minami-Ise.
Kyoto
When we last left Kyoto, they were in the middle of round 2.
Kyoto Kyouei scores late to beat Tanabe 4-3. Kumiyama down 5-1 in the bottom of the 9th scores 5 for the win! Yes, it's heartbreaking for Nantan, but at the same time it's what kokoyakyu is all about.
3rd round and Kyoto Gaidai Nishi defeats Kyoto Gakuen 7-2. Suzaku outlasts Rakutou 5-4 in 12. Yamashiro scores 3 in the 10th to defeat Ayabe. Ryuukokudai Heian scores 1 run in the 1st against Kyoto Kyouei, and surprisingly that's the only run scored!
Round of 16 play and my team - Kyoto Gaidai Nishi gets blitzed by a 5-run 5th from Kyoto Ryouyou 10-5... My more irrational team in Kyoto, Kyoto Subaru, scores in each of the last 5 innings, but can't make up for its pitching. They fall 11-8 to Toba.
In one of the most bizarre games, Ritsumeikan Uji had just scored 3 in the top of the 7th to lead 6-1 when Kumiyama out of nowhere scores 8! Not only that, but Uji comes back with 3 the very next inning to tie the game! The game would only go one more inning as Uji would win 12-9.
The next game that day would also go into extras where Yamashiro scored 3 in the 8th to tie it up. And even though they scored 2 in the 10th, they almost blew that lead.
What those first 2 extra inning games meant though was that Ryuukokudai Heian's game against Higashiyama, which they were winning 7-2 after 5½ was called a no-game expending extra effort. Fortunately for them they had 2 days off due to the rain. When play resumed Ryuukokudai Heian won 8-1 in 7.
The last games finished up with Fukuchiyama Seibi shutting out Doushisha Kokusai, and Nishi-Jyouou mercy ruling Rakuhoku.
Onto quarterfinal action, and Kyoto Ryouyou continues their surprising run with a 5-2 win over Toba. But they'd face their toughest test against Ritsumeikan Uji who handled Fukuchiyama 8-1 in 7. Meanwhile, Ryuukokudai Heian was in trouble versus Yamashiro, but scored 6 in the 8th for a gyakuten win! There'll be a blockbuster game next as they face Fukuchiyama Seibi who themselves had to hold off Nishi-Jyouyou 4-3.
Nara
Until I see someone challenge Chiben Gakuen, it's almost pointless covering this prefecture.
But to note some close games:
- Round 2 - Sakurai scores 4 in the 9th to beat Heijyou 7-5.
- The coverage in Nara could be made even more pointless as the only other team to break the Tenri-Chiben Gakuen barrier, Kooriyama, loses in their first game to Unebi 3-1.
- Gose Jitsugyou gets the lead against Yamato Kouryou with 3 in the 8th for a 1 run lead, loses it with 2 in the top of the 9th, then wins it 7-6 with 2 in the bottom of the 9th!
- Ichijyou wins 6-5 in 10 over Kashihara Gakuin.
- Round 3 - Nara Jyouhou Shougyou pulls off the sayonara win after allowing Takatori Kokusai to score 2 in the 9th to tie it up.
- Nara scores 4 in the 8th and achieves the gyakuten win over Ichijyou!
Wakayama
While there are some competitors now to Chiben Wakayama, which include Minoshima and Kouyou, it's still Chiben Wakayama's prefecture.
We advance to coverage of the 3rd round which sees one contender in Minoshima faltering late, giving up the tying and sayonara runs to Shiritsu Wakayama 2-1, and Touin taken to 14 by Hatsushiba Hashimoto but winning 4-2.
Osaka
Looking at block play we had the following notable games:
- Kantodai Dai-ichi ties the game in the bottom of the 9th against Sakuranomiya, but loses 9-7 in 11.
- Osaka Shougyoudai scores 2 in the bottom of the 9th for the gyakuten sayonara win over Momoyama Gakuin.
- Nougei and Izumi-Ootsu start scoring runs like there's no tomorrow. Nougei leads 5-0, then Izumi-Ootsu leads 6-5, then Nougei leads 8-6. Izumi-Ootsu would try to come back, but Nougei just had one more run, winning 11-10.
- Tondabayashi, just 6 outs away from elimination, rallies to tie the game then wins 5-4 in 10 against Yuuhigaoka.
- Takatsuki Kita scores 3 in the bottom of the 9th to force enchousen, but ultimately falls 6-4 in 12 to Minoo Gakuen.
- Fukui tries repeatedly to put away Settsu even in the 12th inning, but Settsu rallies time and again, eventually winning 5-4 in 13.
- Kishiwada Sangyou scores 3 in the bottom of the 8th for a 8-7 win over Ootsuka.
Block play was going on in Hyogo. Notable games include:
- Block 11 Seed Touban Kougyou looks to be in dire straits against Himeji, but they score 5 in the 8th for a 7-6 gyakuten win.
- Kobe Kita rallies late to send it to extras, then wins in 14 over Koudera.
- Akashi Tousen barely beats out the transition team of Amagasaki Higashi/Amagasaki Sousei 1-0.
- Kenritsu Itami and Amagasaki Kita finally get their game in, and sure enough it goes into extras. Amagasaki Kita forces enchousen, but loses in 10.
- Right before the aforementioned game,Block 4 seed Mukonosou Sougyou looked to have the game in hand scoring 2 in the 9th to go up 3. But Ikawadani rallies for 3 to tie it, then also won in 10.
- Block 12 seed Sanda Shousei with 3 runs in the 7th and 8th innings tie the game at 7 with Himeji Kougyou. They would win in 12.
- In another 8-7 game, Aboshi scores 6 unanswered after Nishinomiya Kabutoyama scored 6 in the 3rd. And in 12, Aboshi would finish the job.
- Block 14 seed Touyoudai Himeji is yet another seeded team that has trouble in their first game. Against Takaradzuka Kita, they were 1-1 going to extras. Not until they scored 5 in the 11th did they finally win the game.
- Kawanishi Midoridai pushes Akashi into enchousen where they win 9-6 in 12.
- In Block 16, seeded Awaji Mihara loses a 3-run lead to Seiryou, giving up 2 in the bottom of the 9th in the process. Seiryou completes the comeback with a run in the 10th.
- Block 7 seed Kobe Murano Kougyou becomes the next seeded team to fall, as Himeji Nishi upsets them 2-0.
- Block 2 seed Kansei Gakuin behind late to Amagasaki Sangyou 7-5 scores 6 in the 8th to win 11-7.
- Mikage scores the sayonara run to beat Higashi-Nada 4-3.
- Kounan and Iwa play the first 9 innings without either scoring a run. It isn't until the 11th before Kounan scores the only run.
- Himeji Higashi tries to rally against Kenritsudai Fuzoku, but falls one run short 8-7.
- And anime-related, Nishinomiya Kita wins a game! They beat Hokuetsu Sanda 8-0 in 7 innings!
- Block semis started on the 17th. Takigawa Dai-ni, seeded team from Block 5, becomes the next to fall, losing 3-2 to Wadayama. Shinkou Gakuen, Block 6 seed, has similar troubled though they defeat Kakogawa Nishi 4-3.
- Sumoto scores 5 runs in the last 3 innings to defeat Kita-Suma 6-4.
- Part of the games on the 18th were rained out, but it wasn't a total loss of games. Sanda Shousei got another score from Aioi Sangyou, but won 4-3. Hyogo Shougyou outlasts Akashi Kita 2-1 in 11. Seiryou continues their run with a 4-3 win over Nagata.
- Ikawadani's run end in the 3rd round as Suma Higashi scores the winning run in the 11th.
- Oh my gosh! Nishinomiya Kita wins a 2nd game! They hold on to beat Kenritsu Itami 4-3 after Itami scores 3 in the 9th!
- Shiritsu Shinkou scores the only run in their game against Sayou. Suma Gakuen wins 1-0 over Kobe Tousen as well.
- Kansei Gakuin's run ends in their 2nd game. They rally, but fall to Himeji Shikisai 4-3.
- Mikage goes 13 against Takaradzuka Higashi winning 2-0.
- Despite there being just 1 day turnaround, Suma Gakuen rises to the occasion to defeat Wadayama 4-3 to win block 5!
- Houtoku Gakuen finishes out strong with a 8-1 win in 8 over Sumoto in Block 1.
- Touban Kougyou survives to win Block 11 with a 1-0 win over Himeji Minami.
- Kakogawa Higashi after defeating seeded Izushi moves on from Block 15 with a 4-3 sayonara win over Akashi Nishi. This inlcuded having to score a run in the 10th to keep the game alive!
- Touyoudai Himeji shuts out Hyogo Shougyou 4-0 to advance out of Block 14.
- Akou upsets Sanda Shousei 2-1 to win Block 12!
- Suma Higashi defeats Shiritsu Shinkou 3-2 to win Block 4.
- Shinkou Gakuen mercy rules Kobe Kouryou Gakuen to win Block 6.
- Himeji Shikisai rallies in the last 2 innings, but falls short against Nigawa Gakuin 4-3 in the Block 3 final. Kawanishi Midoridai survives in Block 2 over Kotogaoka by the same score.
- Oh well, it was good while it lasted. Yashiro advances out of Block 9 with a 7-0 win over Nishinomiya Kita. At least they weren't mercy ruled.
- Block 10, Kakogawa Kita has no problem with Kobe Takatsuka.
- Block 13, Ichikawa was the seeded team, Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku was the favorite. They win 8-2.
- Migake suffers whiplash in the Block 7 final. Ono mercy rules them 10-0 in 5.
- Akashi Shougyou calmly advances out of Block 8, defeating Shikama 4-1
- And rounding out things, in Block 16 Seiryou edges out Suma Shoufuu 2-1.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
7.29 Prefectural Finals
26 bids have been awarded so far. 21 remain and 10 of those will be awarded today. So, let's review the upcoming matchups today!
(my internet connection died where I was at yesterday, so I was unable to update after reporting that Seibou had succeeded in securing Saitama's bid. I will update the rest of the games later today).
Ibaraki
Tsuchiura Nichidai could only manage 3 hits against Jyousou Gakuin's Ogumo. And thanks to errors by Jyousou's defense and the strength of their own staff, they were only down 2-1... until the 8th. Jyousou scored 3 runs and pulled away 5-2.
In the other semi, Mito Sakuranomaki's staff also threw a 3-hitter against Mito Kiryou as they cruised 6-1. They'll look to get their first championship against the defending champions.
Both teams have used a fair number of different pitchers to get here, although Jyousou has relied more heavily on their ace Ogumo. Both teams have done a good job in limiting their opposition's runs. Both teams have been able to score runs regardless of opponents. In that sense, it could be a good game. But looking at the history, it automatically favors Jyousou Gakuin.
Saitama
Neither offense could really put their offense together in the Seibou Gakuen-Kasukabe Higashi game. But Kasukabe's defense behind Igarashi failed him, committing 4 errors. Seeing that statistic reminded me of the errors committed by Urawa Gakuin in their game against Seibou. So under ace Satou, they reach the finals with a 3-1 win.
As for Kawaguchi Seiryou, they tried to continue their magical run against Saitama Sakae. But sadly, like most cinderella teams, they were rudely awakened. Shimano and Serizawa yield only 3 hits and 2 walks en route to a 2-0 win.
So Seibou will look for their 3rd summer appearance while Saitama Sakae will look for their 2nd.
On the surface, looking at the box scores (and Deanna's accounts), Seibou has been the benefactor of some poor plays by the defense (Holy Hopes indeed!). Saitama Sakae has had strong pitching by their tandem of pitchers, which has kept them in games - especially early on where they had close games. Given that Deanna wasn't overly impressed by Seibou (although she was rooting for Urawa ;p), I imagaine this being a pitching matchup and a low scoring affair.
That is of course, unless the (baseball) gods shine upon Seibou and Saitama Sakae starts throwing errors left and right.
Higashi Tokyo
Meiji Jingu will be home to an interesting matchup. Teikyou, whom I will remember for the absolutely crazy and unbelievable 9th inning in the quarterfinals of the 2006 Koshien against Chiben Wakayama, will look for their 4th bid this decade. Their opponent will be Yukigaya, who made their only appearance ever back in 2003.
If there's one thing I noticed, and perhaps its just because of their compeition, it's that Teikyou has thrown out on the mound a lot of different pitchers. Is it a by-product of 2006? You've got me. In fact, of the 5 runs given up by the pitching staff, 4 was given up by Takeuchi in the last inning of their opening game. He hasn't been seen since.
Yukigaya on the other hand has depended on ace Sakamoto for the entire tournament. He's managed to throw the team past Kokushikan, but is there one more game left in him?
Kanagawa
Do you believe in Yohohama Hayato? Because I do!
After Imaoka gives up a run in the top of the 1st to top seed Toukou Gakuen, he shuts the door on their offense. Meanwhile, Hayato's offense scored 3 in the bottom of the 2nd to take the lead and added 2 more in the 8th for a 5-1 win and a spot in the finals!
They'll look for their first apperance against Touin Gakuen, who was involved in a slugfest against top seed Yokohama Sougakukan. After trading a pair of runs in the first inning, Sougakukan scores 4 unanswered to take a 6-2 lead. Touin pulls within 2 in the 5th, and then down 3 in the 6th they score 4 against ace Nakajima! An insurance run in the 8th gives them a 9-7 win. The teams combined for 22 hits and 5 homeruns, 2 by leadoff batter 2B Tabata!!
Hayato will look for their 1st ever apperance, while Sougakukan will looking for their 7th summer appearance.
Gifu
Championship was rained out yesterday.
Shiga
Oumi easily clears Hieizan 7-0 in the semifinals and is poised to become a 3-time defending champion.
In the 2nd game, Shiga Gakuen got the jump on Kita Ootsu scoring 2 in the top of the 1st. But Kita Ootsu climbed back and by the 7th, they had a 3-2 lead. They looked poised to reach the finals, that is until the 9th. Shiga bookends the game with 2 runs in the 9th, and relief pitcher Miyagi closes out the the 4-3 win!
So Shiga Gakuen will join the list of schools looking for thei 1st ever prefectural championship, but like all the others will have one heck of a test ahead of them in the finals...
Mie
Championship was rained out yesterday.
Wakayama
Chiben Wakayama had one of those weird games against Kihoku Kougyou. They moved on to the finals 4-0, but their ace Okada gave up more hits than Kihoku's ace Tsujimoto (4 to 3)! The difference? Okada gave up no walks. Tsujimoto? 10.
Minabe, in the 2nd semifinal against Wakayama Shougyou score 2 in the 3rd and after Uemura gives way to Iguchi after Wakayama scores a run, they make the lead stick, winning 2-1.
So Chiben Wakayama will look for the 8th title this decade against Minabe looking for their 1st title since 1982.
It's no wonder the makers of Kokoyakyu wanted to film Chiben. Since their 1st title in 1987, they have won 16 more since then. That 16 out of a possible 23!
Okayama
Kurashiki Shougyou will have the chance to defend their title after beating Sakuyou 5-1 thanks to a 4-run 1st inning.
It looked early on that it might be an all-Kurashiki final as Kurashiki Kougyou led Tamashima Shougyou 2-0. but Tamashou scored 1 in the 3rd and 1 in the 7th to tie it up. But in the 8th, Tamashou blows Kurashiki out of the water with 6 runs and that was that.
Tamashima hopes to use the dual arms of Sasaki and Tsuda to get their first bid since 1974. Kurashiki will look to their ace Oka to push them to victory.
Yamaguchi
Sadly for Ube and Houfu Shougyou, their runs ended in the semifinals with a thud. Karyou shutout Ube 6-0, while Iwakuni Shougyou beats Houfu Shougyou 5-1.
Karyou looks for their 1st summer appearnce (they do have one spring appearance last year), while Iwakuni Shougyou hasn't been there since 1986.
Can't tell if it's the competition, but Karyou has yet to yield a run so far this tournament. Both teams have shown a good amount of offense, so it may come down to which pitcher can shut the opposition down.
Kagawa
Samukawa delivers on their top seed, scoring 3 in the 1st inning against Jinsei Gakuin en route to a 5-3 semifinal win.
Takamatsu Kougei had held a fragile 1-0 lead, but Takamatsu Shougyou tied it in the 8th. 3 innings later, they'd push through the winning run a a spot in the finals.
Interestingly enough Samukawa, with their top seed, is playing for their 1st trip to Koshien. Takamatsu Shougyou was a dominating force until the early 1980's. But they haven't been to Koshien since 1996. Samukawa has trailed for all of 2 innings in this tournament, while Takashou has had to rally from behind on multiple occasions.
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1:25 PM - In Ibaraki, Mito Sakuranomaki and Jyousou Gakuin remain scoreless after 2 innings. It's Yoshikubo vs Oguma on the mound.
Seibou Gakuin scores 3 in the 2nd inning versus Saitama Sakae. Shimano has left and Serizawa has taken the mound. The game is in the bottom of the 6th with Seibou at bat.
Teikyou has dominated the game over Yukigaya. 6 runs in the first equals no chance. Even the ace Hirahara has hit a homerun. The game is in the top of the 6th with Teikyou looking for blood.
At Baystars Stadium, teams are scoring left and right. Touin Gakuen and Yokohama Hayato traded a run in the first and Touin has scored 3 in the top of the 2nd. It's 4-1 Touin for Hayato at the bottom of the 2nd. Are they out of gas?
Yamada homers for Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou in the bottom of the 3rd and they have the 1-0 lead over Kakamigahara in the bottom of the 5th.
Shiga Gakuen jumped early on Oumi with a run in the bottom of the 1st and 3rd, and then exploded for 5 in the 4th. It's 7-0 in the top of the 5th.
In Mie, Mie has scored a run in the 1st and 2nd and they're holding the 2-0 lead as Kaisei bats in the top of the 6th.
Wakayama is already in the 9th inning. Minabe trails 3-0 to Chiben Wakayama with 3 outs to go.
Kurashiki Shougyou just scored 5 in the top of the 3rd and they lead by that score with Tamashima Shougyou batting in the bottom of the 3rd.
And in Kagawa, Samukawa scored 5 in the bottom of the 1st, but Takamatsu Shougyou has scored 3 in the 3rd to pull within 2.
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2:04 PM - Mito Sakuranomaki and Jyousou Gakuin remain tied in the middle of the 5th.
Saitama Sakae has scored a run in the 7th and 8th to make it 3-2, but they're now at their final 3 outs.
Have mercy on Yukigaya... It's the top of the 8th and it's 20-0 Teikyou...
Yokohama Hayato scores 3 in the bottom of the 3rd and ties it up against Touin Gakuen! They're up at bat in the bottom of the 4th now.
Gifu Shougyou extends the lead to 2 with a run the bottom of the 5th. They're at bat in the 6th.
The score remains 7-0 Shiga Gakuen over Oumi in the bottom of the 6th.
Kaisei has clawed back a run in the top of the 6th. Mie clings to the one-run lead in the bottom half of the inning.
It's over in Wakayama! Chiben Wakayama has indeed received their 8th bid this decade! Minabe falls 3-0!
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2:19 PM - Seibou Gakuen holds up again! Saitama Sakae's run falls short as Seibou wins 3-2!!
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So with the internet connection down, I'll just run through the remaining prefectures.
Ibaraki
The post I would have done right after had Jyousou Gakuin scoring 2 in the bottom of the 6th to break the stalemate with Mito Sakuranomaki. They added an insurance run in the 8th, and boy did they need it! Sakuranomaki finally gets to Oguma and they draw within one! But the rally would end there and Jyousou earns their 4th consecutive title and 7th this decade!
Higashi Tokyo
都立雪谷かわいそうな... (Poor Toritsu Yukigaya). It must have been great to get to get to the finals, but to lose 24-1 isn't fun no matter how you look at it. Teikyou scored in every inning except the 3rd.
Kanagawa
My post that I wasn't able to post b/c of the internet issue had Touin Gakuin pulling ahead with a run in the 5th. Things looked bleak for my Yokohama Hayato squad...
But then in the bottom of the 8th, Hayato ties the game! Neither team could score in the 9th and the game went into extras! And in the 11th, Yokohama Hayato is able to score the winning run and they indeed earn their 1st ever bid! おめでとう!!!!!
(And in looking at the pictures, I find it interesting that Touin's uniforms matched Osaka Touin, while Yokohama Hayato's uniforms and hats basically mirror the Hanshin Tigers!)
Gifu
It was the all-Yamada show in the Gifu final. He opens the scoring in the 3rd with a homerun, and throws a 5-hit shutout for Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou! They'll once again represent Gifu in less than 2 weeks!
Shiga
Oumi scores a meaningless run in the 9th as Shiga Gakuen in a dominating performance wins 7-1 for their 1st ever apperance!
Mie
Kaisei drew within 1 in the 6th inning right after I had made my last post and I thought they were going to make a game of it! Mie tried to shut the door with 2 of their own in the 6th, but once again Kaisei pulls within 1 yet again in the top of the 7th!
Mie finally pulls away thanks to a 5-run 8th inning and they get their 1st appeance since I saw them live in 2006!
Okayama
Tamashima Shougyou was just no match for Kurashiki Shougyou. Kurashiki cruises to a 10-1 win to successfully defend their title!
Yamaguchi
Karyou and Iwakuni Shougyou were washed out. No, not literally (although the weather there has been god awful).
Kagawa
Samukawa finally delivers! They pull away from Takamatsu Shougyou for an 8-4 win and they earn their 1st Koshien appearance!!
(my internet connection died where I was at yesterday, so I was unable to update after reporting that Seibou had succeeded in securing Saitama's bid. I will update the rest of the games later today).
Ibaraki
Tsuchiura Nichidai could only manage 3 hits against Jyousou Gakuin's Ogumo. And thanks to errors by Jyousou's defense and the strength of their own staff, they were only down 2-1... until the 8th. Jyousou scored 3 runs and pulled away 5-2.
In the other semi, Mito Sakuranomaki's staff also threw a 3-hitter against Mito Kiryou as they cruised 6-1. They'll look to get their first championship against the defending champions.
Both teams have used a fair number of different pitchers to get here, although Jyousou has relied more heavily on their ace Ogumo. Both teams have done a good job in limiting their opposition's runs. Both teams have been able to score runs regardless of opponents. In that sense, it could be a good game. But looking at the history, it automatically favors Jyousou Gakuin.
Saitama
Neither offense could really put their offense together in the Seibou Gakuen-Kasukabe Higashi game. But Kasukabe's defense behind Igarashi failed him, committing 4 errors. Seeing that statistic reminded me of the errors committed by Urawa Gakuin in their game against Seibou. So under ace Satou, they reach the finals with a 3-1 win.
As for Kawaguchi Seiryou, they tried to continue their magical run against Saitama Sakae. But sadly, like most cinderella teams, they were rudely awakened. Shimano and Serizawa yield only 3 hits and 2 walks en route to a 2-0 win.
So Seibou will look for their 3rd summer appearance while Saitama Sakae will look for their 2nd.
On the surface, looking at the box scores (and Deanna's accounts), Seibou has been the benefactor of some poor plays by the defense (Holy Hopes indeed!). Saitama Sakae has had strong pitching by their tandem of pitchers, which has kept them in games - especially early on where they had close games. Given that Deanna wasn't overly impressed by Seibou (although she was rooting for Urawa ;p), I imagaine this being a pitching matchup and a low scoring affair.
That is of course, unless the (baseball) gods shine upon Seibou and Saitama Sakae starts throwing errors left and right.
Higashi Tokyo
Meiji Jingu will be home to an interesting matchup. Teikyou, whom I will remember for the absolutely crazy and unbelievable 9th inning in the quarterfinals of the 2006 Koshien against Chiben Wakayama, will look for their 4th bid this decade. Their opponent will be Yukigaya, who made their only appearance ever back in 2003.
If there's one thing I noticed, and perhaps its just because of their compeition, it's that Teikyou has thrown out on the mound a lot of different pitchers. Is it a by-product of 2006? You've got me. In fact, of the 5 runs given up by the pitching staff, 4 was given up by Takeuchi in the last inning of their opening game. He hasn't been seen since.
Yukigaya on the other hand has depended on ace Sakamoto for the entire tournament. He's managed to throw the team past Kokushikan, but is there one more game left in him?
Kanagawa
Do you believe in Yohohama Hayato? Because I do!
After Imaoka gives up a run in the top of the 1st to top seed Toukou Gakuen, he shuts the door on their offense. Meanwhile, Hayato's offense scored 3 in the bottom of the 2nd to take the lead and added 2 more in the 8th for a 5-1 win and a spot in the finals!
They'll look for their first apperance against Touin Gakuen, who was involved in a slugfest against top seed Yokohama Sougakukan. After trading a pair of runs in the first inning, Sougakukan scores 4 unanswered to take a 6-2 lead. Touin pulls within 2 in the 5th, and then down 3 in the 6th they score 4 against ace Nakajima! An insurance run in the 8th gives them a 9-7 win. The teams combined for 22 hits and 5 homeruns, 2 by leadoff batter 2B Tabata!!
Hayato will look for their 1st ever apperance, while Sougakukan will looking for their 7th summer appearance.
Gifu
Championship was rained out yesterday.
Shiga
Oumi easily clears Hieizan 7-0 in the semifinals and is poised to become a 3-time defending champion.
In the 2nd game, Shiga Gakuen got the jump on Kita Ootsu scoring 2 in the top of the 1st. But Kita Ootsu climbed back and by the 7th, they had a 3-2 lead. They looked poised to reach the finals, that is until the 9th. Shiga bookends the game with 2 runs in the 9th, and relief pitcher Miyagi closes out the the 4-3 win!
So Shiga Gakuen will join the list of schools looking for thei 1st ever prefectural championship, but like all the others will have one heck of a test ahead of them in the finals...
Mie
Championship was rained out yesterday.
Wakayama
Chiben Wakayama had one of those weird games against Kihoku Kougyou. They moved on to the finals 4-0, but their ace Okada gave up more hits than Kihoku's ace Tsujimoto (4 to 3)! The difference? Okada gave up no walks. Tsujimoto? 10.
Minabe, in the 2nd semifinal against Wakayama Shougyou score 2 in the 3rd and after Uemura gives way to Iguchi after Wakayama scores a run, they make the lead stick, winning 2-1.
So Chiben Wakayama will look for the 8th title this decade against Minabe looking for their 1st title since 1982.
It's no wonder the makers of Kokoyakyu wanted to film Chiben. Since their 1st title in 1987, they have won 16 more since then. That 16 out of a possible 23!
Okayama
Kurashiki Shougyou will have the chance to defend their title after beating Sakuyou 5-1 thanks to a 4-run 1st inning.
It looked early on that it might be an all-Kurashiki final as Kurashiki Kougyou led Tamashima Shougyou 2-0. but Tamashou scored 1 in the 3rd and 1 in the 7th to tie it up. But in the 8th, Tamashou blows Kurashiki out of the water with 6 runs and that was that.
Tamashima hopes to use the dual arms of Sasaki and Tsuda to get their first bid since 1974. Kurashiki will look to their ace Oka to push them to victory.
Yamaguchi
Sadly for Ube and Houfu Shougyou, their runs ended in the semifinals with a thud. Karyou shutout Ube 6-0, while Iwakuni Shougyou beats Houfu Shougyou 5-1.
Karyou looks for their 1st summer appearnce (they do have one spring appearance last year), while Iwakuni Shougyou hasn't been there since 1986.
Can't tell if it's the competition, but Karyou has yet to yield a run so far this tournament. Both teams have shown a good amount of offense, so it may come down to which pitcher can shut the opposition down.
Kagawa
Samukawa delivers on their top seed, scoring 3 in the 1st inning against Jinsei Gakuin en route to a 5-3 semifinal win.
Takamatsu Kougei had held a fragile 1-0 lead, but Takamatsu Shougyou tied it in the 8th. 3 innings later, they'd push through the winning run a a spot in the finals.
Interestingly enough Samukawa, with their top seed, is playing for their 1st trip to Koshien. Takamatsu Shougyou was a dominating force until the early 1980's. But they haven't been to Koshien since 1996. Samukawa has trailed for all of 2 innings in this tournament, while Takashou has had to rally from behind on multiple occasions.
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1:25 PM - In Ibaraki, Mito Sakuranomaki and Jyousou Gakuin remain scoreless after 2 innings. It's Yoshikubo vs Oguma on the mound.
Seibou Gakuin scores 3 in the 2nd inning versus Saitama Sakae. Shimano has left and Serizawa has taken the mound. The game is in the bottom of the 6th with Seibou at bat.
Teikyou has dominated the game over Yukigaya. 6 runs in the first equals no chance. Even the ace Hirahara has hit a homerun. The game is in the top of the 6th with Teikyou looking for blood.
At Baystars Stadium, teams are scoring left and right. Touin Gakuen and Yokohama Hayato traded a run in the first and Touin has scored 3 in the top of the 2nd. It's 4-1 Touin for Hayato at the bottom of the 2nd. Are they out of gas?
Yamada homers for Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou in the bottom of the 3rd and they have the 1-0 lead over Kakamigahara in the bottom of the 5th.
Shiga Gakuen jumped early on Oumi with a run in the bottom of the 1st and 3rd, and then exploded for 5 in the 4th. It's 7-0 in the top of the 5th.
In Mie, Mie has scored a run in the 1st and 2nd and they're holding the 2-0 lead as Kaisei bats in the top of the 6th.
Wakayama is already in the 9th inning. Minabe trails 3-0 to Chiben Wakayama with 3 outs to go.
Kurashiki Shougyou just scored 5 in the top of the 3rd and they lead by that score with Tamashima Shougyou batting in the bottom of the 3rd.
And in Kagawa, Samukawa scored 5 in the bottom of the 1st, but Takamatsu Shougyou has scored 3 in the 3rd to pull within 2.
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2:04 PM - Mito Sakuranomaki and Jyousou Gakuin remain tied in the middle of the 5th.
Saitama Sakae has scored a run in the 7th and 8th to make it 3-2, but they're now at their final 3 outs.
Have mercy on Yukigaya... It's the top of the 8th and it's 20-0 Teikyou...
Yokohama Hayato scores 3 in the bottom of the 3rd and ties it up against Touin Gakuen! They're up at bat in the bottom of the 4th now.
Gifu Shougyou extends the lead to 2 with a run the bottom of the 5th. They're at bat in the 6th.
The score remains 7-0 Shiga Gakuen over Oumi in the bottom of the 6th.
Kaisei has clawed back a run in the top of the 6th. Mie clings to the one-run lead in the bottom half of the inning.
It's over in Wakayama! Chiben Wakayama has indeed received their 8th bid this decade! Minabe falls 3-0!
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2:19 PM - Seibou Gakuen holds up again! Saitama Sakae's run falls short as Seibou wins 3-2!!
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So with the internet connection down, I'll just run through the remaining prefectures.
Ibaraki
The post I would have done right after had Jyousou Gakuin scoring 2 in the bottom of the 6th to break the stalemate with Mito Sakuranomaki. They added an insurance run in the 8th, and boy did they need it! Sakuranomaki finally gets to Oguma and they draw within one! But the rally would end there and Jyousou earns their 4th consecutive title and 7th this decade!
Higashi Tokyo
都立雪谷かわいそうな... (Poor Toritsu Yukigaya). It must have been great to get to get to the finals, but to lose 24-1 isn't fun no matter how you look at it. Teikyou scored in every inning except the 3rd.
Kanagawa
My post that I wasn't able to post b/c of the internet issue had Touin Gakuin pulling ahead with a run in the 5th. Things looked bleak for my Yokohama Hayato squad...
But then in the bottom of the 8th, Hayato ties the game! Neither team could score in the 9th and the game went into extras! And in the 11th, Yokohama Hayato is able to score the winning run and they indeed earn their 1st ever bid! おめでとう!!!!!
(And in looking at the pictures, I find it interesting that Touin's uniforms matched Osaka Touin, while Yokohama Hayato's uniforms and hats basically mirror the Hanshin Tigers!)
Gifu
It was the all-Yamada show in the Gifu final. He opens the scoring in the 3rd with a homerun, and throws a 5-hit shutout for Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou! They'll once again represent Gifu in less than 2 weeks!
Shiga
Oumi scores a meaningless run in the 9th as Shiga Gakuen in a dominating performance wins 7-1 for their 1st ever apperance!
Mie
Kaisei drew within 1 in the 6th inning right after I had made my last post and I thought they were going to make a game of it! Mie tried to shut the door with 2 of their own in the 6th, but once again Kaisei pulls within 1 yet again in the top of the 7th!
Mie finally pulls away thanks to a 5-run 8th inning and they get their 1st appeance since I saw them live in 2006!
Okayama
Tamashima Shougyou was just no match for Kurashiki Shougyou. Kurashiki cruises to a 10-1 win to successfully defend their title!
Yamaguchi
Karyou and Iwakuni Shougyou were washed out. No, not literally (although the weather there has been god awful).
Kagawa
Samukawa finally delivers! They pull away from Takamatsu Shougyou for an 8-4 win and they earn their 1st Koshien appearance!!
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