If you follow my twitter feed, you'd think I was overdoing it withe Kiyomiya Koutarou blabber by the media. If anything, I think I'm understating it.
The only thing is, in his last 2 games, he's backing it up. Against Toukaidai Koufu he went 3-4 with 2 2B, a HR, and 5 RBIs. And in last game against Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku, he went 2-4 with a 2B and another HR. So if you're going to be watching the broadcast, there will be a lot of Kiyomiya being said. If you want to make it a drinking game, be careful.
That said, there are other batters too. One of which is 2B Tomita. He hit a HR in 2 consecutive ABs in his last game, though went 0-5 against Toukaidai Koufu.
But for Waseda, their 6 runs last game were on just 8 hits. Sure they made the most of them, but what will happen against what in all likelihood be Satou Sena?
Sendai Ikuei's offensive output, when looked at in hits hasn't
declined as they've progressed. There's also no one hitter to single out
as everyone can check in with at least 1. That's good in that you won't
ever feel like you won't be able to drive a run in, but also bad
because you can't call on a hit when you need it.
As
mentioned before, Satou Sena is the ace - but he's not alone. His
partner of sorts Doumeki is certainly serviceable, though perhaps to be
used in short stints as from his Hanamaki Higashi performance.
The crowd today will probably be pro-Waseda. The hype will have encompassed the stadium by now.
Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi)
3B Satou Shouta
CF Aoki Reima
SS Hirasawa Taiga
C Gunji Yuuya
1B Sasaki Ryousuke
LF Kii Kaishuu
RF Sasaki Tooya
2B Yatsu Koudai
P Satou Sena
Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo)
3B Yamada Jyunpei
RF Tamagawa Ryou
1B Kiyomiya Koutarou
C Katou Masaki
SS Kaneko Kinsuke
2B Tomita Naoki
LF Miyazaki Renta (#11)
P Matsumoto Kou
CF Watanabe Daichi
____________________________________________________________
08:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Shouta work the count deep, and gets a high fastball to drive, but it's right to Miyazaki.
Aoki also works the count full, and grounds out to short.
Hirasawa grounds to short, and Matsumoto has to work for it, but gets the clean inning.
Bottom 1st
Sena not necessarily sharp early, going behind 3-1 to Yamada before getting the out, then not geting what looked like a strike to walk Tamagawa.
The media gets the Kiyomiya hype machine on full bore, but then he grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Dunno what it is with the strike zone, but Matsumoto walks Gunji to start the inning. There will be no bunting though, as Ryousuke flies out to Miyazaki in shallow left center.
Kii though singles to left! That puts a runner in scoring position!
But Tooya grounds to Kiyomiya! He goes to 2nd for 1, but no throw back for the double play.
Which ends up not mattering because Yatsu grounds into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Sena doing well to keep the ball down. Gets 2 groundballs before hitting Tomita - undoubtedly trying to pitch him in, before getting a can of corn to end the inning.
Top 3rd
Sena of all people contacts a hanging slider down the left field line for a double.
Shouta with a drive to left! Miyazaki going back, going back... Off the padding! Sena held up in case it was caught, so he only makes it to 3rd.
Aoki hits the high fastball the other way! That's fair and will score both runs! 2-0 Sendai Ikuei!
Now Aoki takes off for 2nd! Throw from Katou, not in time! That allows him to get to 3rd when Hirasawa grounds out to the right side.
Gunji chopper to the left side! Yamada charging gets to it, but goes to 1st! Kiyomiya is spun around as his arm runs into a sprinting Gunji. Looks ok though.
Bottom 3rd
Matsumoto grounder to short, but Hirasawa loses the ball before the transfer, and it's an E6. He's bunted over.
Yamada now draws a walk at least creating a force, but if there's no double play Kiyomiya would be up.
And Tamagawa hits a liner, but right to center for the 2nd out.
So Kiyomiya does step in. He htis a chopper back up the middle! Yatsu gets to it, but no one's covering 2nd! Tries to get Matsumoto overrunning 3rd, but no deal! Manrui for Soujitsu!
AH! Sena spins around and he picks off Yamada at 2nd! Inning over!
Top 4th
After a one-out infield hit to Yatsu and a sac bunt, Izumi-kantoku switches out Matsumoto for #10 Kamijyou!
Grounder to 3rd! But the ball bounces off of Yamada! Kaneko not in position anymore and Yatsu can score! 4-0 Sendai Ikuei!
And now a single by Aoki!
おおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおお！！！！！！！！！！！！！！
Hirasawa with a drive to right center!!! Watanabe and Tamagawa going to the fence! But Tamagawa breaks away!!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3-run HR from Hirasawa opens the floodgates!! It's 7-0 Sendai Ikuei!
Bottom 4th
Does the Waseda offense have an answer?
Not so far. Katou quickly flies to left, and Kaneko can only hit one back to Sena.
Tomita does get an infield single, but Miyazaki strikes out on a change inside to retire the side.
Top 5th
A HBP doesn't hurt Kamijyou as he gets a DP, but he still gives up a double to Tooya, showing the offense isn't going to let up.
Bottom 5th
Sena still giving up the occasional walk, this time to Kamijyou. But he's wiped out with a 6-4-3 double play of their own.
Yamada with a grounder up the middle, but Yatsu makes a great stop and throw for the 3rd out! We're already at the break and Sendai Ikuei is in full control!
Top 6th
#17 Yoshino in the game now for Waseda.
Gives up a walk to Shouta, but he's caught stealing to end the inning.
Bottom 6th
Up by so much, there's no need to attack Kiyomiya so he's given the unintentional intentional walk.
Kaneko makes things interesting with 2 outs as he singles to left, but Tomita swings on the first pitch and flies out to center. Inning over.
Rest of game
The game devolves wherein Waseda is getting it's bench players in and in a little way so is Sendai Ikuei. Even the commentators cut down on the Kiyomiya talk and accidentally refers to Waseda Jitsugyou as Waseda Daigaku.
Satou Sena does finish the game with a shutout as Sendai Ikuei advances to the finals 7-0.
Showing posts with label Waseda Jitsugyou. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Waseda Jitsugyou. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Monday, August 17, 2015
Day 12, Quarterfinal 1 - Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo) v Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku (Fukuoka)
All right no more mister nice guy for me. As I mentioned on my twitter I am sick and tired of the old establishment so my commentary is a bit different.
Waseda Jitsugyou I dislike and thank at the same time. I dislike them because they defeated Tanaka Masahiro back in 2006. I thank them because I think it motivated him to do better and he wouldn't have become the ace he is without it. And much to my amusement Saitou Yuuki became the pitcher he was, so that is a bonus.
Grudge? Yup. Do I care? Hell no.
If the media didn't already make big news of it, Kiyomiya had his breakout game versus Toukaidai Koufu, pretty much accounting for the final margin. The pitching is still shaky though, so the offense will need to continue producing, Kiyomiya or otherwise.
Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku has had games that title runs are made of. After an easy 1st round win, they survived Osaka Kaisei and then put away Sakushin Gakuin behind a good pitching and defensive effort. Ace Tomiyama was not overly dominating, but still got the job done. The question will be what he has left with just 1 day's rest.
Selfishly, I want Kyukoku to win even though they defeated Osaka Kaisei. Might as well say you lost to the champs, right?
Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku (Fukuoka)
SS Yoshii Kouhei
CF Yamaguchi Youhei
C Iwasaki Kaito
3B Yamamoto Musashi
LF Wakisaka Ryuuji
1B Uto Sou
2B Kameya Shouhei
RF Nakayama Tatasuhide
P Nogi Kaito (#11)
Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo)
3B Yamada Jyunpei
RF Tamagawa Ryou
1B Kiyomiya Koutarou
C Katou Masaki
SS Kaneko Kinsuke
2B Tomita Naoki
LF Miyazaki Renta (#11)
P Matsumoto Kou
CF Watanabe Daichi
____________________________________________________________
08:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Yoshii foul tips an outside fastball into Katou's glove for the 1st out. Yamguchi goes down the same way.
Iwasaki grounds to short and it's a good start for ace Matsumoto.
Bottom 1st
Nogi needs some extra work, getting the count full, to retire leadoff batter Yamada.
Tamagawa strikes out swinging, and the announcers continue their talk of Kiyomiya as he steps in.
Kiyomiya tries to check his swing, but instead hits the ball back to Nogi who goes to 1st for the 3rd out.
Top 2nd
Yamamoto with a liner into center for a base hit to leadoff the frame. Wakisaka not bunting, but chases another high fastball for Matsumoto's 3rd K.
Unfortunately afterwards Uto grounds into the 1-6-3 double play with added announcer emphasis on Kiyomiya.
Bottom 2nd
It would appear that the outside strike is there for both sides if they want it. Katou has to defend it and grounds to short.
Kanko swings at a ball in the dirt, but it gets away from Iwasaki so he's able to reach base.
あ。
Tomita takes the first pitch and hits it to left. Wakisaka runs to the pole, looks up!
HAITAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, that was unexpected. First pitch to Tomita just goes around the foul pole for a HR and gives Waseda the 2-0 lead.
Top 3rd
This looks really bad for Kyukoku. Kaneya goes down swinging and about half the lineup has succumbed to the K already.
Yoshii goes down looking, but the C bought that pitch. That was definitely outside.
Yamaguchi does not strike out, but he grounds to 2nd and Matsumoto is dealing so far.
Bottom 3rd
Nogi has settled back down it seems as he gets a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 4th
Kiyomiya adds more fuel to the Kiyomiya firestorm, hitting a HR to right making it 3-0.
After a walk and a bunt, Nogi is replaced by #10 Nakamura.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand..... this game is over.
Tomita hits his 2nd 2-run HR of game making it 5-0 and almost a 100% certainty that Waseda Jitsugyou moving onto the Best 4.
And after a triple, Nakamura is replaced by ace Tomiyama. Might as well have him finish the game. He's earned that much.
Final damage 6-0. And coverage of this game will probably be condensed now that this game has gotten out of hand.
5th Inning
Kyukoku continues to do zip on offense, and Waseda continues to pressure on their end. 6-0 at break.
6th Inning
Kyukoku had a chance with runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, but walked away with a donut instead.
7th Inning
Kyukoku prevents the shutout with a run thanks to a timely hit by Uto. Waseda punished that by having Kiyomiya go off the top of the padded fence as well as scoring 2 runs to put them back in the hole with interest.
Rest of game
The rest of the game goes without much fanfare. Waseda Jitsugyou advances with 8-1 win.
Waseda Jitsugyou I dislike and thank at the same time. I dislike them because they defeated Tanaka Masahiro back in 2006. I thank them because I think it motivated him to do better and he wouldn't have become the ace he is without it. And much to my amusement Saitou Yuuki became the pitcher he was, so that is a bonus.
Grudge? Yup. Do I care? Hell no.
If the media didn't already make big news of it, Kiyomiya had his breakout game versus Toukaidai Koufu, pretty much accounting for the final margin. The pitching is still shaky though, so the offense will need to continue producing, Kiyomiya or otherwise.
Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku has had games that title runs are made of. After an easy 1st round win, they survived Osaka Kaisei and then put away Sakushin Gakuin behind a good pitching and defensive effort. Ace Tomiyama was not overly dominating, but still got the job done. The question will be what he has left with just 1 day's rest.
Selfishly, I want Kyukoku to win even though they defeated Osaka Kaisei. Might as well say you lost to the champs, right?
Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku (Fukuoka)
SS Yoshii Kouhei
CF Yamaguchi Youhei
C Iwasaki Kaito
3B Yamamoto Musashi
LF Wakisaka Ryuuji
1B Uto Sou
2B Kameya Shouhei
RF Nakayama Tatasuhide
P Nogi Kaito (#11)
Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo)
3B Yamada Jyunpei
RF Tamagawa Ryou
1B Kiyomiya Koutarou
C Katou Masaki
SS Kaneko Kinsuke
2B Tomita Naoki
LF Miyazaki Renta (#11)
P Matsumoto Kou
CF Watanabe Daichi
____________________________________________________________
08:00 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Yoshii foul tips an outside fastball into Katou's glove for the 1st out. Yamguchi goes down the same way.
Iwasaki grounds to short and it's a good start for ace Matsumoto.
Bottom 1st
Nogi needs some extra work, getting the count full, to retire leadoff batter Yamada.
Tamagawa strikes out swinging, and the announcers continue their talk of Kiyomiya as he steps in.
Kiyomiya tries to check his swing, but instead hits the ball back to Nogi who goes to 1st for the 3rd out.
Top 2nd
Yamamoto with a liner into center for a base hit to leadoff the frame. Wakisaka not bunting, but chases another high fastball for Matsumoto's 3rd K.
Unfortunately afterwards Uto grounds into the 1-6-3 double play with added announcer emphasis on Kiyomiya.
Bottom 2nd
It would appear that the outside strike is there for both sides if they want it. Katou has to defend it and grounds to short.
Kanko swings at a ball in the dirt, but it gets away from Iwasaki so he's able to reach base.
あ。
Tomita takes the first pitch and hits it to left. Wakisaka runs to the pole, looks up!
HAITAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, that was unexpected. First pitch to Tomita just goes around the foul pole for a HR and gives Waseda the 2-0 lead.
Top 3rd
This looks really bad for Kyukoku. Kaneya goes down swinging and about half the lineup has succumbed to the K already.
Yoshii goes down looking, but the C bought that pitch. That was definitely outside.
Yamaguchi does not strike out, but he grounds to 2nd and Matsumoto is dealing so far.
Bottom 3rd
Nogi has settled back down it seems as he gets a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 4th
Kiyomiya adds more fuel to the Kiyomiya firestorm, hitting a HR to right making it 3-0.
After a walk and a bunt, Nogi is replaced by #10 Nakamura.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand..... this game is over.
Tomita hits his 2nd 2-run HR of game making it 5-0 and almost a 100% certainty that Waseda Jitsugyou moving onto the Best 4.
And after a triple, Nakamura is replaced by ace Tomiyama. Might as well have him finish the game. He's earned that much.
Final damage 6-0. And coverage of this game will probably be condensed now that this game has gotten out of hand.
5th Inning
Kyukoku continues to do zip on offense, and Waseda continues to pressure on their end. 6-0 at break.
6th Inning
Kyukoku had a chance with runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, but walked away with a donut instead.
7th Inning
Kyukoku prevents the shutout with a run thanks to a timely hit by Uto. Waseda punished that by having Kiyomiya go off the top of the padded fence as well as scoring 2 runs to put them back in the hole with interest.
Rest of game
The rest of the game goes without much fanfare. Waseda Jitsugyou advances with 8-1 win.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Day 10, Game 1 - Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo) v Toukaidai Koufu (Yamanashi)
Opening Round 3 should be an interesting matchup.
Both Waseda Jitsugyou and Toukaidai Koufu are playing on 1 full days rest and following up on divergent games.
Waseda Jitsugyou was almost out managed in their last game versus Hiroshima Shinjyou. Sakoda-kantoku substituted his players and pitchers such that he put them in a position to win the game. They only tied it though and went on to lose 7-6. That game reinforced the idea that the Soujitsu pitching staff is not strong at all and leaves the team vulnerable.
The good news is that the offense at least seems to hold up. They got 16 hits in the game with every position other than the P registering a hit.
For Toukaidai Koufu, Shimonoseki Shougyou couldn't hold a candle as they managed just 5 hits while Toukaidai wore down starter Morimoto and then feasted on the relief staff. They scored crooked numbers in multiple innings suggesting that they can maintain pressure rather than finding a big inning.
Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo)
3B Yamada Jyunpei
RF Tamagawa Ryou
1B Kiyomiya Koutarou
C Katou Masaki
SS Kaneko Kinsuke
2B Tomita Naoki
LF Miyazaki Renta (#11)
P Matsumoto Kou
CF Watanabe Daichi
Toukaidai Koufu (Yamanashi)
CF Takabe Eito
2B Fukutake Shuu
LF Kakuyama Hayate
RF Hirai Ren
3B Matsuoka Shunyuu
SS Igarashi Homare
1B Miyagawa Kazutaka
P Kikuchi Hiroki
C Iidzuka Ryuuya
____________________________________________________________
08:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Yamada with a slow chopper up the middle. Igarashi runs it down, but his throw is much too late. He's bunted over.
Kikuchi figures he doesn't want to face Kiyomiya and hits him in the rear end. I joke, but they're pitching him in, prolly just got away from him.
Katou pops out to 2nd, and Kikuchi might get out of the pinch.
But Kaneko won't let him! His grounder sneaks by Matsuoka and into left! Kakuyama's flub trying to pick up the ball means there won't be a throw home and it's 1-0 Soujitsu as Miyazaki flies out to left to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
One down, Matsumoto leaves one over for Fukutake and he drills it over Tamagawa and books it all the way to 3rd! Big douten chance for Tokaidai Koufu!
Kakuyama grounder to 2nd and Soujitsu will yield the run! Quickly we're back level at 1-1!
Hirai tries to continue the inning with a single past Kiyomiya, but Matsuoka grounds out to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Matsumoto gets a leadoff walk, but while a double clutch From Fukutake prevents an immediate double play, Yamada pops out on the next pitch anyways.
Bottom 2nd
Igarashi had a chance I think to walk on a 3-2 pitch, but swung and fouled it off. He eventually grounded to 2nd.
Meanwhile Matsumoto for Waseda not hitting any of his spots at all. Miyagawa more than happy to take the 4-pitch walk.
Kikuchi bunts the runner around, guaranteeing the top of the lineup next inning pending some timely hits her. Though with Matsumoto struggling as he is, I might have waited for the first strike instead.
Iidzuka hits it back to Matsumoto and he goes to 1st to close the inning.
Top 3rd
Tamagawa sinlges to left to start the inning.
あ。
Kiyomiya with a drive to right.. Hirai going after it... Pulls up at the wall!
HAITAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kiyomiya announces his presence finally. 3-1 WasedaAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Katou with a drive to right!!! Hirai isn't even going to bother!!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's back-to-back for Waseda Jitsygyou and now a 4-1 lead!
Kikuchi finally gets his 3 outs, but 2 big blasts put his team in a deep hole.
Bottom 3rd
Takabe gets on with a clean single through the right side, but Fukutake has to hustle to avoid a double play, and Kakuama does ground into the double play. Matsumoto throwing a lot of balls, but Toukaidai Koufu has been unable to punish him for it.
Top 4th
Soujitsu adding to their lead.
Watanabe with a one-out single to right. Very first pitch he steals 2nd with Iidzuka's high throw.
Yamada singles to right, and that makes it 5-1.
Bottom 4th
Hirai with a leadoff single, that is wiped out on the very next pitch as Matsuoka grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.
Igarashi gets a base hit, but is stranded there.
Top 5th
This feels like Waseda's game now. Katou draws a 1-out walk, and then on a comebacker the ball goes off of Kikuchi's glove. That slows down the ball enough that Igarashi's throw is later to 1st.
Toukaidai gets a break when Tomita lines out to center and Katou doesn't realize he caught it and is doubled off.
Bottom 5th
#18 Ogawa hits for Kikuchi, so his day is done.
Iidzuka gets a 1-out single, but Takabe hits right to Tomita. He makes a great pick, and almost turns yet another double play.
Fukutake doubles softly to left center generating a chance to possibly cut the deficit in half.
Kakuyama bouncer to 2nd, Tomita with the WHAAAAAAAAAA???????????
The ball inexplicably gets by Tomita and into right! 2 runs will score on the error and it's 5-3!
Hirai can't pick up his 3rd hit of the game, and as we head to the break there's a flicker of life for Toukaidai Koufu as they only trail by 2.
Top 6th
#10 Matsuba now given the task of keeping Toukaidai Koufu in the game.
Matsumoto with a ball back up the middle. Igarashi runs it down, but his sping throw from the grass is not nearly in time.
Watanabe lays down the bunt, Matsuba gets to it, but he takes too long getting rid of it and Watanabe reaches 1st!
Yamada grounder to the left side, Miyagawa dives at it, and the ball deflects away from Igarashi who was backing him up! All safe and I think Miyagawa had the better play.
Tamagawa flies out to shallow right for the 2nd out, and that brings out Kiyomiya.
He drives a ball deep down the right field line and fair. All 3 runners score and it's 8-3.
Bottom 6th
Toukaidai Koufu has a long way to go, but they look like they're frantically trying to fix it.
Matsuoka singles to right, then Igarashi singles back up the middle. Miyagawa singles through the right side, and after a misplay by Tamagawa, Matsuoka scores to make it 8-4.
Matsuba strikes out, Iidzuka with some sort of safety bunt that doesn't work and there's quickly 2 down.
Takabe hits a slow grounder back up the middle which allows Kaneko to make the play. So after 3 base hits, a run due to an error is all they get.
And that's why my friends it's hard to come from behind.
Top 7th
Waseda continues to threaten more as a walk to PH Taguchi and a catcher's interference puts 2 runners on with 2 outs. Matsuba though gets Yamada to fly out.
Bottom 7th
#10 Kamijyou in for Matsumoto, not surprising given the last inning. He hits a batter, but I think Toukaidai Koufu has come to terms with the loss.
Top 8th
Not that they aren't playing defense though. Kaneko for instance makes a great diving catch on a hard liner by Kaneko to end the inning.
Rest of game
About the only thing worth noting is that Soujitsu was 2 batters away from Kiyomiya and a chance at the cycle.
And so the Kiyomiya hype engine continues for two more days as Waseda Jitsugyou is officially in the Best 8.
Both Waseda Jitsugyou and Toukaidai Koufu are playing on 1 full days rest and following up on divergent games.
Waseda Jitsugyou was almost out managed in their last game versus Hiroshima Shinjyou. Sakoda-kantoku substituted his players and pitchers such that he put them in a position to win the game. They only tied it though and went on to lose 7-6. That game reinforced the idea that the Soujitsu pitching staff is not strong at all and leaves the team vulnerable.
The good news is that the offense at least seems to hold up. They got 16 hits in the game with every position other than the P registering a hit.
For Toukaidai Koufu, Shimonoseki Shougyou couldn't hold a candle as they managed just 5 hits while Toukaidai wore down starter Morimoto and then feasted on the relief staff. They scored crooked numbers in multiple innings suggesting that they can maintain pressure rather than finding a big inning.
Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo)
3B Yamada Jyunpei
RF Tamagawa Ryou
1B Kiyomiya Koutarou
C Katou Masaki
SS Kaneko Kinsuke
2B Tomita Naoki
LF Miyazaki Renta (#11)
P Matsumoto Kou
CF Watanabe Daichi
Toukaidai Koufu (Yamanashi)
CF Takabe Eito
2B Fukutake Shuu
LF Kakuyama Hayate
RF Hirai Ren
3B Matsuoka Shunyuu
SS Igarashi Homare
1B Miyagawa Kazutaka
P Kikuchi Hiroki
C Iidzuka Ryuuya
____________________________________________________________
08:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Yamada with a slow chopper up the middle. Igarashi runs it down, but his throw is much too late. He's bunted over.
Kikuchi figures he doesn't want to face Kiyomiya and hits him in the rear end. I joke, but they're pitching him in, prolly just got away from him.
Katou pops out to 2nd, and Kikuchi might get out of the pinch.
But Kaneko won't let him! His grounder sneaks by Matsuoka and into left! Kakuyama's flub trying to pick up the ball means there won't be a throw home and it's 1-0 Soujitsu as Miyazaki flies out to left to end the inning.
Bottom 1st
One down, Matsumoto leaves one over for Fukutake and he drills it over Tamagawa and books it all the way to 3rd! Big douten chance for Tokaidai Koufu!
Kakuyama grounder to 2nd and Soujitsu will yield the run! Quickly we're back level at 1-1!
Hirai tries to continue the inning with a single past Kiyomiya, but Matsuoka grounds out to end the inning.
Top 2nd
Matsumoto gets a leadoff walk, but while a double clutch From Fukutake prevents an immediate double play, Yamada pops out on the next pitch anyways.
Bottom 2nd
Igarashi had a chance I think to walk on a 3-2 pitch, but swung and fouled it off. He eventually grounded to 2nd.
Meanwhile Matsumoto for Waseda not hitting any of his spots at all. Miyagawa more than happy to take the 4-pitch walk.
Kikuchi bunts the runner around, guaranteeing the top of the lineup next inning pending some timely hits her. Though with Matsumoto struggling as he is, I might have waited for the first strike instead.
Iidzuka hits it back to Matsumoto and he goes to 1st to close the inning.
Top 3rd
Tamagawa sinlges to left to start the inning.
あ。
Kiyomiya with a drive to right.. Hirai going after it... Pulls up at the wall!
HAITAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kiyomiya announces his presence finally. 3-1 WasedaAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Katou with a drive to right!!! Hirai isn't even going to bother!!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's back-to-back for Waseda Jitsygyou and now a 4-1 lead!
Kikuchi finally gets his 3 outs, but 2 big blasts put his team in a deep hole.
Bottom 3rd
Takabe gets on with a clean single through the right side, but Fukutake has to hustle to avoid a double play, and Kakuama does ground into the double play. Matsumoto throwing a lot of balls, but Toukaidai Koufu has been unable to punish him for it.
Top 4th
Soujitsu adding to their lead.
Watanabe with a one-out single to right. Very first pitch he steals 2nd with Iidzuka's high throw.
Yamada singles to right, and that makes it 5-1.
Bottom 4th
Hirai with a leadoff single, that is wiped out on the very next pitch as Matsuoka grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.
Igarashi gets a base hit, but is stranded there.
Top 5th
This feels like Waseda's game now. Katou draws a 1-out walk, and then on a comebacker the ball goes off of Kikuchi's glove. That slows down the ball enough that Igarashi's throw is later to 1st.
Toukaidai gets a break when Tomita lines out to center and Katou doesn't realize he caught it and is doubled off.
Bottom 5th
#18 Ogawa hits for Kikuchi, so his day is done.
Iidzuka gets a 1-out single, but Takabe hits right to Tomita. He makes a great pick, and almost turns yet another double play.
Fukutake doubles softly to left center generating a chance to possibly cut the deficit in half.
Kakuyama bouncer to 2nd, Tomita with the WHAAAAAAAAAA???????????
The ball inexplicably gets by Tomita and into right! 2 runs will score on the error and it's 5-3!
Hirai can't pick up his 3rd hit of the game, and as we head to the break there's a flicker of life for Toukaidai Koufu as they only trail by 2.
Top 6th
#10 Matsuba now given the task of keeping Toukaidai Koufu in the game.
Matsumoto with a ball back up the middle. Igarashi runs it down, but his sping throw from the grass is not nearly in time.
Watanabe lays down the bunt, Matsuba gets to it, but he takes too long getting rid of it and Watanabe reaches 1st!
Yamada grounder to the left side, Miyagawa dives at it, and the ball deflects away from Igarashi who was backing him up! All safe and I think Miyagawa had the better play.
Tamagawa flies out to shallow right for the 2nd out, and that brings out Kiyomiya.
He drives a ball deep down the right field line and fair. All 3 runners score and it's 8-3.
Bottom 6th
Toukaidai Koufu has a long way to go, but they look like they're frantically trying to fix it.
Matsuoka singles to right, then Igarashi singles back up the middle. Miyagawa singles through the right side, and after a misplay by Tamagawa, Matsuoka scores to make it 8-4.
Matsuba strikes out, Iidzuka with some sort of safety bunt that doesn't work and there's quickly 2 down.
Takabe hits a slow grounder back up the middle which allows Kaneko to make the play. So after 3 base hits, a run due to an error is all they get.
And that's why my friends it's hard to come from behind.
Top 7th
Waseda continues to threaten more as a walk to PH Taguchi and a catcher's interference puts 2 runners on with 2 outs. Matsuba though gets Yamada to fly out.
Bottom 7th
#10 Kamijyou in for Matsumoto, not surprising given the last inning. He hits a batter, but I think Toukaidai Koufu has come to terms with the loss.
Top 8th
Not that they aren't playing defense though. Kaneko for instance makes a great diving catch on a hard liner by Kaneko to end the inning.
Rest of game
About the only thing worth noting is that Soujitsu was 2 batters away from Kiyomiya and a chance at the cycle.
And so the Kiyomiya hype engine continues for two more days as Waseda Jitsugyou is officially in the Best 8.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Day 8, Game 1 - Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo) v Hiroshima Shinjyou (Hiroshima)
So before we start. YAY Iwakumi Hiashi! おめでとうございました!!!!!
Today is an interesting set of games and the weather, rainy though it was, means that it'll be extra humid and certainly will affect play - especially later on in the day when we have our headliner game of the day.
Our leader though will be Waseda Jitsugyou facing Hiroshima Shinjyou.
Neither team looked all that impressive in their opening round games. Yes, Soujitsu defeated Imabari Nishi 6-0, but Matsumoto and Hattori combined for just 2 Ks on the day. That is a huge red flag and would put a lot of pressure on the defense with so many balls in play.
Offensively, they look like an average team. The bottom third of the order - generally a good indicator about a team's offense was 1-12. In fact, the only player with more than 1 hit was leadoff batter Yamada. The top of the order might be able to produce, but you're either killing a rally or an entire inning once you hit the bottom of the lineup.
Hiroshima Shinjyou was much of the same as ace Hori struck out 3 while yielding 10 hits. Offensively, it was their 3-4-5 hitters that struggled also going 1-12. That is a big red flag if your best hitters are struggling.
Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo)
3B Yamada Jyunpei
RF Tamagawa Ryou
1B Kiyomiya Koutarou
C Katou Masaki
SS Kaneko Ginyu(?)
2B Tomita Naoki
LF Miyazaki Renta (#11)
P Matsumoto Kou
CF Watanabe Daichi
Hiroshima Shinjyou (Hiroshima)
2B Sugimura Hiroyoshi
LF Ogasawara Shin (#14)
RF Katou Masaya
CF Fujimoto Tatsuki
1B Sadanaga Masaaki
SS Iwamoto Takuya
3B Koizumi Tokio
C Toumetsuka Takashi
P Hori Mizuki
____________________________________________________________
08:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Hori off to work on the team from Tokyo. Gives up an infield hit to Tamagawa which was really close, and walks Katou, but a routine grounder to short from Kaneko ends the inning.
Bottom 1st
Hiroshima Shinjyou rightly working he count versus Matsumoto, gets a walk, but not much else other than increasing the pitch count.
Top 2nd
Tomita liner to left, but Koizumi makes a leaping catch for the out!
As expected, a lot of contact as Miyazaki foul out and Matsumoto grounds out to Iwamoto to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Iwamoto gets Hiroshima Shinjyou's first hit, a liner to right.
And he straight steals 2nd without a throw!
He moves to 3rd after a groundout, so they'll need a base hit from Toumetsuka. But instead it's a lazy fly to center.
Top 3rd
Watanabe, the only Waseda hitter in the bottom 3rd to get a hit, gets one here to lead the 3rd. Yamada bunts him over.
Tamagawa single to left! Watanabe puts on the brakes at 3rd as Kiyomiya comes up next.
And he comes though, guides a liner over Sugimura and Soujitsu has the first run! 1-0!
But he blunders on the basepath! Liner from Katou goes to short and Iwamoto goes to 1st to double him off to end the inning!
Bottom 3rd
New LF Harada gets a 2-out weak grounder base hit and steals 2nd, but is left stranded.
Top 4th
Soujitsu gets a big break when after a base hit from Kaneko and one down a wild pitch allows him to not only take 2nd, but 3rd!
Miyazaki makes it an easy walk home as he crushes a ball left over the plate to right and over Katou's head! That goes for a triple and Waseda now leads 2-0!
After a walk, Watababe does his duty again and hits a sac fly to left, making it 3-0.
Oddly, after giving up another base hit and then a 1st pitch strike to Tamagawa, #10 Sekitou comes in for RF Katou and takes the hill. Hori goes to 1B and Sadanaga to LF.
Very first pitch from Sekitou gets them out of the inning, but Waseda expands their lead.
Bottom 4th
Horishima Shinjyou playing the waiting game on Matsumoto.
With one down, both Sadanaga and Iwamoto play the waiting game and draw walks. Then #12 Matsui is sent in to hit for Koizumi, and he singles to left! Manrui for Hiroshima!
Izumi-kantoku calls time.
No help! Toumetsuka back up the middle under Matsumoto! Sadanaga and Iwamoto come home! It's 3-2!
Another PH from Sakoda-kantoku! #17 Kitadani for Hori as his day is officially done.
Ball to center! Watanabe going back, going back, GOING BACK!
It's over his head!! Matsui scores! Toumetsuka scores! Hiroshima Shinjyou has the lead at 4-3!!
That's it for Matsumoto as #10 Kamijyou comes in.
After a flyout, Harada grounds to 2nd but Tomita can't find the grip! E4 and the inning continues!
Ogasawara goes to steal 2nd! Katou goes to throw, but Kitadani is coming home! Katou tries to stop his throw, but spikes the ball instead! The run scores on a gutsy call and it's 5-3!
Sekitou grounds out to end the inning, but out of nowhere Hiroshima Shinjyou has taken the lead!
Top 5th
Waseda firing right back! Kiyomiya starts it off with a single to left. Katou follows that up with a single past Iwamoto into center! Kaneko bunts them along and now a base hit can tie the game right back up!
Tomita grounder and through to right! Kiyomiya scores! Katou waved around, gets no throw! Just like that we're tied at 5-5!
Tomita continues the pressure stealing 2nd to put the gyakuten runner in scoring position.
Miyazaki draws a walk and once again Izumi-kantoku uses the bunt to move the runners into scoring position.
But Watanabe can't get the base hit. He ground to 2nd and a tie is all Soujitsu can get for now.
Bottom 5th
One down and Sadanaga gets his 1st base hit of the game with a ball to left. And then he steals 2nd!
Iwamoto single to right, but Sadanaga has to hold at 3rd.
Contact play! But it's right to Kamijyou! He runs down Sadanaga for the 2nd out!
Izumi-kantoku frantically pointing his fingers as #17 Yoshida comes in to replace Kamijyou.
Toumetsuka first pitch swings and its a soft chopper up the middle! Kaneko has it and throws to 1st for the 3rd out!
And after all that we're tied at 5-5! I don't know who has the advantage though Waseda has been getting runners on base at a more even clip so there will probably be more opportunities now that they've gone to their bullpens.
Top 6th
Soujitsu's at it again. Tamagawa gets a fortunate high bounce that eats up Matsui. Then Sekitou hits Kiyomiya.
After that #11 Oofuka comes in.
But Katou with a chopper back up the middle, gets through! Tamagawa rounding 3rd, throw in cut off! Soujitsu retakes the lead at 6-5!
Kaneko grounds into a DP to end the inning, but Hiroshima Shinjyou will need to come back again.
Bottom 6th
Kitadani collects his 2nd hit of the game with a single back up the middle. However Kiyomiya alerly lets a popped bunt drop and throws to 1st. They get Sugimura first on the force and then have Kitadani in a pickle. He's run down and there's 2 out.
Harada continues his hot hitting with a single to right center.
What's this Oofuka with a drive to center!Watanabe back, Watanabe still back!! STILL BACK AGAIN!!
Collides with the wall! But he makes the catch!!! 3 out! That's a great catch by Watanabe!
Bottom 7th
With Yoshida being hit for, #18 Hattori comes in as the 4th P for Waseda.
Sadanaga with yet another hit, this one back up the middle.
He tries to steal 2nd, but is thrown out with a strike from Katou. 2 down and Iwamoto strikes out as perhaps Hiroshima Shinjyou is running on empty.
Top 8th
After giving up a 2-out walk, Sakoda-kantoku pulls his reliever card. He sends in #13 Sasaki for CF Fujimoto to take the hill. Oofuka goes to 1B and Sadanaga goes to CF.
LINER! Sasaki snags it from the air!! 3 out!!!
Bottom 8th
Everything Sakoda-kantoku has done I think has been done to setup the endgame. Putting in Matsui and Kitadani at the bottom of the order (they're 3-4) to moving around his fielders with the P changes. Leaving Oofuka who almost hit the HR to play 1B instead.
It's all for now!!!
Matsui starts with a walk. After a sac bunt, Kitadani gets his 3rd base hit! It's a single to the right side, but once again Matsui has to hold at 3rd.
NOT ANYMORE!!
Sugimura singles to left and he can trot home! 6-6!!!! And you have Harada coming up next!
But he goes after the first pitch and flies to center! It's not nearly deep enough to do anything with.
And Oofuka goes after the first pitch! But it's a slow chopper back up the middle Tomita has it, throws to 1st... 3 out!
ああああああ~~~~
It was all lined for Sakoda-kantoku, but sadly the pieces didn't quite fall into place.
Top 9th
Katou once again with pressure leading off with a single to left. But Kaneko pops up his bunt and there's 1 down!
Oofuka doesn't help his own cause now as he walks Tomita, moving the gyakuten runner to 2nd.
And with that Sakoda makes more changes. Oofuka and Sasaki switch positions (1B & P), and #16 Oohara comes in to play 3B.
Miyazaki reaches out and pops one up! Sugimura and Kitadani converge, converge...
They don't get there!! It falls in and that means Tomita scores! Miyazaki is being waved around! Throw home... OUT!!! They get the second runner, but the all important gyakuten run is home!
Bottom 9th
Does Sakoda-kantoku have one last trick up his sleeve?
Sasaki grounds out to short...
Sadanaga can't take the bat off his shoulder and goes down looking.
The last card is #15 Okuda.
Ah... but he strikes out swinging to end the game. Waseda moves on with a 7-6 win.
But I want to talk about what Hiroshima Shinjyou did. Right from the get-go Sakoda-kantoku went about inserting players into the lineup, starting with Harada in for Ogasawara. Then it was placing Matsuii and Kitadani in the 4th when they needed base hits. Then it was managing the pitching replacing the middle of the lineup with pitchers who could actually hit.
And it setup perfectly for the end of the game when they were searching for a run. And it almost worked.
Never have I seen a team implement their bench to the manner that Sakoda-kantoku did. Much like the game that never ended with Iwamichisuikan and switching pitchers back and forth, it was another fantasy idea of mine that if I were to manage a team, I would want to use the entire lineup like what he did.
I am so impressed with his job, I wish he could have won - forget the fact I hate Soujitsu.
2 managers who did 2 things I always wanted to do, and ALMOST won their games. They were innovative, thought out of the box, and goddammit they should have been rewarded.
Today is an interesting set of games and the weather, rainy though it was, means that it'll be extra humid and certainly will affect play - especially later on in the day when we have our headliner game of the day.
Our leader though will be Waseda Jitsugyou facing Hiroshima Shinjyou.
Neither team looked all that impressive in their opening round games. Yes, Soujitsu defeated Imabari Nishi 6-0, but Matsumoto and Hattori combined for just 2 Ks on the day. That is a huge red flag and would put a lot of pressure on the defense with so many balls in play.
Offensively, they look like an average team. The bottom third of the order - generally a good indicator about a team's offense was 1-12. In fact, the only player with more than 1 hit was leadoff batter Yamada. The top of the order might be able to produce, but you're either killing a rally or an entire inning once you hit the bottom of the lineup.
Hiroshima Shinjyou was much of the same as ace Hori struck out 3 while yielding 10 hits. Offensively, it was their 3-4-5 hitters that struggled also going 1-12. That is a big red flag if your best hitters are struggling.
Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo)
3B Yamada Jyunpei
RF Tamagawa Ryou
1B Kiyomiya Koutarou
C Katou Masaki
SS Kaneko Ginyu(?)
2B Tomita Naoki
LF Miyazaki Renta (#11)
P Matsumoto Kou
CF Watanabe Daichi
Hiroshima Shinjyou (Hiroshima)
2B Sugimura Hiroyoshi
LF Ogasawara Shin (#14)
RF Katou Masaya
CF Fujimoto Tatsuki
1B Sadanaga Masaaki
SS Iwamoto Takuya
3B Koizumi Tokio
C Toumetsuka Takashi
P Hori Mizuki
____________________________________________________________
08:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Hori off to work on the team from Tokyo. Gives up an infield hit to Tamagawa which was really close, and walks Katou, but a routine grounder to short from Kaneko ends the inning.
Bottom 1st
Hiroshima Shinjyou rightly working he count versus Matsumoto, gets a walk, but not much else other than increasing the pitch count.
Top 2nd
Tomita liner to left, but Koizumi makes a leaping catch for the out!
As expected, a lot of contact as Miyazaki foul out and Matsumoto grounds out to Iwamoto to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd
Iwamoto gets Hiroshima Shinjyou's first hit, a liner to right.
And he straight steals 2nd without a throw!
He moves to 3rd after a groundout, so they'll need a base hit from Toumetsuka. But instead it's a lazy fly to center.
Top 3rd
Watanabe, the only Waseda hitter in the bottom 3rd to get a hit, gets one here to lead the 3rd. Yamada bunts him over.
Tamagawa single to left! Watanabe puts on the brakes at 3rd as Kiyomiya comes up next.
And he comes though, guides a liner over Sugimura and Soujitsu has the first run! 1-0!
But he blunders on the basepath! Liner from Katou goes to short and Iwamoto goes to 1st to double him off to end the inning!
Bottom 3rd
New LF Harada gets a 2-out weak grounder base hit and steals 2nd, but is left stranded.
Top 4th
Soujitsu gets a big break when after a base hit from Kaneko and one down a wild pitch allows him to not only take 2nd, but 3rd!
Miyazaki makes it an easy walk home as he crushes a ball left over the plate to right and over Katou's head! That goes for a triple and Waseda now leads 2-0!
After a walk, Watababe does his duty again and hits a sac fly to left, making it 3-0.
Oddly, after giving up another base hit and then a 1st pitch strike to Tamagawa, #10 Sekitou comes in for RF Katou and takes the hill. Hori goes to 1B and Sadanaga to LF.
Very first pitch from Sekitou gets them out of the inning, but Waseda expands their lead.
Bottom 4th
Horishima Shinjyou playing the waiting game on Matsumoto.
With one down, both Sadanaga and Iwamoto play the waiting game and draw walks. Then #12 Matsui is sent in to hit for Koizumi, and he singles to left! Manrui for Hiroshima!
Izumi-kantoku calls time.
No help! Toumetsuka back up the middle under Matsumoto! Sadanaga and Iwamoto come home! It's 3-2!
Another PH from Sakoda-kantoku! #17 Kitadani for Hori as his day is officially done.
Ball to center! Watanabe going back, going back, GOING BACK!
It's over his head!! Matsui scores! Toumetsuka scores! Hiroshima Shinjyou has the lead at 4-3!!
That's it for Matsumoto as #10 Kamijyou comes in.
After a flyout, Harada grounds to 2nd but Tomita can't find the grip! E4 and the inning continues!
Ogasawara goes to steal 2nd! Katou goes to throw, but Kitadani is coming home! Katou tries to stop his throw, but spikes the ball instead! The run scores on a gutsy call and it's 5-3!
Sekitou grounds out to end the inning, but out of nowhere Hiroshima Shinjyou has taken the lead!
Top 5th
Waseda firing right back! Kiyomiya starts it off with a single to left. Katou follows that up with a single past Iwamoto into center! Kaneko bunts them along and now a base hit can tie the game right back up!
Tomita grounder and through to right! Kiyomiya scores! Katou waved around, gets no throw! Just like that we're tied at 5-5!
Tomita continues the pressure stealing 2nd to put the gyakuten runner in scoring position.
Miyazaki draws a walk and once again Izumi-kantoku uses the bunt to move the runners into scoring position.
But Watanabe can't get the base hit. He ground to 2nd and a tie is all Soujitsu can get for now.
Bottom 5th
One down and Sadanaga gets his 1st base hit of the game with a ball to left. And then he steals 2nd!
Iwamoto single to right, but Sadanaga has to hold at 3rd.
Contact play! But it's right to Kamijyou! He runs down Sadanaga for the 2nd out!
Izumi-kantoku frantically pointing his fingers as #17 Yoshida comes in to replace Kamijyou.
Toumetsuka first pitch swings and its a soft chopper up the middle! Kaneko has it and throws to 1st for the 3rd out!
And after all that we're tied at 5-5! I don't know who has the advantage though Waseda has been getting runners on base at a more even clip so there will probably be more opportunities now that they've gone to their bullpens.
Top 6th
Soujitsu's at it again. Tamagawa gets a fortunate high bounce that eats up Matsui. Then Sekitou hits Kiyomiya.
After that #11 Oofuka comes in.
But Katou with a chopper back up the middle, gets through! Tamagawa rounding 3rd, throw in cut off! Soujitsu retakes the lead at 6-5!
Kaneko grounds into a DP to end the inning, but Hiroshima Shinjyou will need to come back again.
Bottom 6th
Kitadani collects his 2nd hit of the game with a single back up the middle. However Kiyomiya alerly lets a popped bunt drop and throws to 1st. They get Sugimura first on the force and then have Kitadani in a pickle. He's run down and there's 2 out.
Harada continues his hot hitting with a single to right center.
What's this Oofuka with a drive to center!Watanabe back, Watanabe still back!! STILL BACK AGAIN!!
Collides with the wall! But he makes the catch!!! 3 out! That's a great catch by Watanabe!
Bottom 7th
With Yoshida being hit for, #18 Hattori comes in as the 4th P for Waseda.
Sadanaga with yet another hit, this one back up the middle.
He tries to steal 2nd, but is thrown out with a strike from Katou. 2 down and Iwamoto strikes out as perhaps Hiroshima Shinjyou is running on empty.
Top 8th
After giving up a 2-out walk, Sakoda-kantoku pulls his reliever card. He sends in #13 Sasaki for CF Fujimoto to take the hill. Oofuka goes to 1B and Sadanaga goes to CF.
LINER! Sasaki snags it from the air!! 3 out!!!
Bottom 8th
Everything Sakoda-kantoku has done I think has been done to setup the endgame. Putting in Matsui and Kitadani at the bottom of the order (they're 3-4) to moving around his fielders with the P changes. Leaving Oofuka who almost hit the HR to play 1B instead.
It's all for now!!!
Matsui starts with a walk. After a sac bunt, Kitadani gets his 3rd base hit! It's a single to the right side, but once again Matsui has to hold at 3rd.
NOT ANYMORE!!
Sugimura singles to left and he can trot home! 6-6!!!! And you have Harada coming up next!
But he goes after the first pitch and flies to center! It's not nearly deep enough to do anything with.
And Oofuka goes after the first pitch! But it's a slow chopper back up the middle Tomita has it, throws to 1st... 3 out!
ああああああ~~~~
It was all lined for Sakoda-kantoku, but sadly the pieces didn't quite fall into place.
Top 9th
Katou once again with pressure leading off with a single to left. But Kaneko pops up his bunt and there's 1 down!
Oofuka doesn't help his own cause now as he walks Tomita, moving the gyakuten runner to 2nd.
And with that Sakoda makes more changes. Oofuka and Sasaki switch positions (1B & P), and #16 Oohara comes in to play 3B.
Miyazaki reaches out and pops one up! Sugimura and Kitadani converge, converge...
They don't get there!! It falls in and that means Tomita scores! Miyazaki is being waved around! Throw home... OUT!!! They get the second runner, but the all important gyakuten run is home!
Bottom 9th
Does Sakoda-kantoku have one last trick up his sleeve?
Sasaki grounds out to short...
Sadanaga can't take the bat off his shoulder and goes down looking.
The last card is #15 Okuda.
Ah... but he strikes out swinging to end the game. Waseda moves on with a 7-6 win.
But I want to talk about what Hiroshima Shinjyou did. Right from the get-go Sakoda-kantoku went about inserting players into the lineup, starting with Harada in for Ogasawara. Then it was placing Matsuii and Kitadani in the 4th when they needed base hits. Then it was managing the pitching replacing the middle of the lineup with pitchers who could actually hit.
And it setup perfectly for the end of the game when they were searching for a run. And it almost worked.
Never have I seen a team implement their bench to the manner that Sakoda-kantoku did. Much like the game that never ended with Iwamichisuikan and switching pitchers back and forth, it was another fantasy idea of mine that if I were to manage a team, I would want to use the entire lineup like what he did.
I am so impressed with his job, I wish he could have won - forget the fact I hate Soujitsu.
2 managers who did 2 things I always wanted to do, and ALMOST won their games. They were innovative, thought out of the box, and goddammit they should have been rewarded.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Day 3, Game 1 - Imabari Nishi (Ehime) v Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo)
As is the case generally when it comes to the Koushien tournament, rarely if ever does the entire tournament feel compelling from start to finish. I was fortunate to be part of one back in 2006 which included another late-inning loss by Kanzei (to Bunsei Geidai Fuzoku), the elation and debacle that was the Teikyou-Chiben Wakayama game, and the 1st ever draw in a final and the subsequent replay between Waseda Jitsygyou (Saitou Yuuki) and Komadai Tomakomai (Tanaka Masahiro). The last game of the day, while long in duration, was compelling even if my body was about to just force quit into sleep mode.
Anyways, we move onto Day 3 where quite a few powerhouse teams will take the stage. First up is the aforementioned Waseda Jitsugyou (aka Soujitsu) who hasn't really been the same since that title run.
However, they appear to have rounded into form. As part of their 6 wins to the title, they had to get through Toritsu Hino (which they almost didn't), Nichidai-san, and Toukaidai Sugao. Compare that to Imabari Nishi, whose only key win might be in the final against Komatsu where they eked out a 4-3 win.
While Imabari Nishi has been a regular competitor at Koushien, it's advantage Tokyo in this matchup.
Oh, and do you notice the name playing at 1B for Waseda Jitsugyou? He said he wanted to play for them when his team won the LLWS. Yep, it's Kiyomiya Koutarou.
Imabari Nishi (Ehime)
SS Sugiuchi Kouki
2B Nakauchi Riki
C Takao Yousuke
P Fujiwara Yoshiki
CF Yamauchi Jyunya
1B Akigawa Atsushi
LF Kikugawa Tomoki
RF Sugino Akihiko
3B Yoshiwara Yuunosuke
Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo)
3B Yamada Jyunpei
RF Tamagawa Ryou
1B Kiyomiya Koutarou
C Katou Masaki
SS Kaneko Ginyu(?)
2B Tomita Naoki
LF Taguchi Kinomasa
P Matsumoto Kou
CF Watanabe Daichi
Anyways, we move onto Day 3 where quite a few powerhouse teams will take the stage. First up is the aforementioned Waseda Jitsugyou (aka Soujitsu) who hasn't really been the same since that title run.
However, they appear to have rounded into form. As part of their 6 wins to the title, they had to get through Toritsu Hino (which they almost didn't), Nichidai-san, and Toukaidai Sugao. Compare that to Imabari Nishi, whose only key win might be in the final against Komatsu where they eked out a 4-3 win.
While Imabari Nishi has been a regular competitor at Koushien, it's advantage Tokyo in this matchup.
Oh, and do you notice the name playing at 1B for Waseda Jitsugyou? He said he wanted to play for them when his team won the LLWS. Yep, it's Kiyomiya Koutarou.
Imabari Nishi (Ehime)
SS Sugiuchi Kouki
2B Nakauchi Riki
C Takao Yousuke
P Fujiwara Yoshiki
CF Yamauchi Jyunya
1B Akigawa Atsushi
LF Kikugawa Tomoki
RF Sugino Akihiko
3B Yoshiwara Yuunosuke
Waseda Jitsugyou (Nishi Tokyo)
3B Yamada Jyunpei
RF Tamagawa Ryou
1B Kiyomiya Koutarou
C Katou Masaki
SS Kaneko Ginyu(?)
2B Tomita Naoki
LF Taguchi Kinomasa
P Matsumoto Kou
CF Watanabe Daichi
____________________________________________________________
08:02 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Sugiuchi drives a ball to right, Tamagawa goes back, then has to leap up and makes the catch. Almost got fooled there.
Matsumoto gets a 1-2-3 inning, but early on Imabari Nishi's batters are taking their pitches.
Bottom 1st
Yamaguchi base hit up the middle. Bunt over and Kiyomiya already has a scoring opporunity.
Fujiwara goes after him, pitching inside and getting a popout to 1st.
There's always a danger of going inside, and Fujiwara hits Katou. Oono-kantoku calls for time.
Fujiwara leaves one right over the plate and Kaneko drives it to right center. That'll bounce all the way to the wall for a 2-run triple. Soujitsu already up 2-0.
Uh oh. Grouner to 1st was to end the ining, but Fujiwara whiffs receiving the ball and the error scores another run. 3-0. Imabari Nishi quickly with their back to the wall.
2nd Inning
Imabari Nishi is able to get their first hit when Akigawa doubles off the wall in left center. It's with 2 down though and he's left stranded.
It winds up being a quick inning all around as Fujiwara retires the 8-9-1 of the Waseda lineup in order.
3rd Inning
Imabari Nishi gets 2 base hits, but they're again with 2 outs. Takao hits a grounder to 2nd, and that's that for the chance.
Fujiwara was given a mandate to pitch inside, but he hits Kiyomiya. And then Katou.
And the Oono-kantoku plays musical chairs. Fujiwara to 1B, Akigawa to 3B, Yoshiwara to 2B, Nakauchi to SS, and Sugiuchi to P.
After a 4 pitch walk, more changes.
#12 Katou comes in for Kikugawa and takes over at C, Takao goes to 1B, Fujiwara to CF, and Yamauchi to LF.
After a K, Sugiuchi falls behind 3-0 to Tagouchi, but finds a way to fill up the count.
Sugiuchi jams him and gets a flyout to left! They get out of the jam with no damage!
Bottom 4th
Situation developing for Waseda as Watanabe and Yamaguchi get back-to-back singles to right. Oono-kantoku has to call time again when the count goes to 3-0 on Tamagawa... and Kiyomiya on deck.
They fight, and get fortunate when Tamagawa check swings a popup to 1st. And then Kiyomiya goes after the 1st pitch and flies out to center! Imabari Nishi out of another jam, but still trailing.
5th Inning
It's another 2 out hit for Imabari Nishi as Sugiuchi goes to the wall in center. Nakuchi draws a walk, but they still need a base hit.
And they can't get it. Takao pops up to Kiyomiya, and that's 2 more stranded.
It's 1-2-3 for Waseda and we're at the break. Imabari Nishi has prevented it from becoming a blowout, but the offense needs those base hits they're getting earlier in the inning instead of with 2 outs.
Top 6th
Seems like they listened?
Yamauchi singles to center, Akigawa singles to left.
But Katou right to Yamaguchi, steps on bag and throw to 1st for the double play.
Bottom 7th
Tamagawa with a 1-out double to left center, Kiyomiya finally pays it off with a solid through ball on the right side, plating the runner and making it 4-0.
Katou follows that up with another base hit, and it finally feels like Imabari Nishi has finally cracked. 2 batters later, Tomita doubles down the right field line and it's 6-0.
Rest of game
Imabari Nishi rolls over after that, retired in order in the 8th and 9th to close out the game. They had chances, but they weren't of the optimal variety and could never deliver the timely hit.
Waseda Jitsugyou advances, but doesn't look all that impressive doing so. They'll need to especially get the pitching straightened out unles they're of the bend, but not break variety.
Matsumoto gets a 1-2-3 inning, but early on Imabari Nishi's batters are taking their pitches.
Bottom 1st
Yamaguchi base hit up the middle. Bunt over and Kiyomiya already has a scoring opporunity.
Fujiwara goes after him, pitching inside and getting a popout to 1st.
There's always a danger of going inside, and Fujiwara hits Katou. Oono-kantoku calls for time.
Fujiwara leaves one right over the plate and Kaneko drives it to right center. That'll bounce all the way to the wall for a 2-run triple. Soujitsu already up 2-0.
Uh oh. Grouner to 1st was to end the ining, but Fujiwara whiffs receiving the ball and the error scores another run. 3-0. Imabari Nishi quickly with their back to the wall.
2nd Inning
Imabari Nishi is able to get their first hit when Akigawa doubles off the wall in left center. It's with 2 down though and he's left stranded.
It winds up being a quick inning all around as Fujiwara retires the 8-9-1 of the Waseda lineup in order.
3rd Inning
Imabari Nishi gets 2 base hits, but they're again with 2 outs. Takao hits a grounder to 2nd, and that's that for the chance.
Fujiwara was given a mandate to pitch inside, but he hits Kiyomiya. And then Katou.
And the Oono-kantoku plays musical chairs. Fujiwara to 1B, Akigawa to 3B, Yoshiwara to 2B, Nakauchi to SS, and Sugiuchi to P.
After a 4 pitch walk, more changes.
#12 Katou comes in for Kikugawa and takes over at C, Takao goes to 1B, Fujiwara to CF, and Yamauchi to LF.
After a K, Sugiuchi falls behind 3-0 to Tagouchi, but finds a way to fill up the count.
Sugiuchi jams him and gets a flyout to left! They get out of the jam with no damage!
Bottom 4th
Situation developing for Waseda as Watanabe and Yamaguchi get back-to-back singles to right. Oono-kantoku has to call time again when the count goes to 3-0 on Tamagawa... and Kiyomiya on deck.
They fight, and get fortunate when Tamagawa check swings a popup to 1st. And then Kiyomiya goes after the 1st pitch and flies out to center! Imabari Nishi out of another jam, but still trailing.
5th Inning
It's another 2 out hit for Imabari Nishi as Sugiuchi goes to the wall in center. Nakuchi draws a walk, but they still need a base hit.
And they can't get it. Takao pops up to Kiyomiya, and that's 2 more stranded.
It's 1-2-3 for Waseda and we're at the break. Imabari Nishi has prevented it from becoming a blowout, but the offense needs those base hits they're getting earlier in the inning instead of with 2 outs.
Top 6th
Seems like they listened?
Yamauchi singles to center, Akigawa singles to left.
But Katou right to Yamaguchi, steps on bag and throw to 1st for the double play.
Bottom 7th
Tamagawa with a 1-out double to left center, Kiyomiya finally pays it off with a solid through ball on the right side, plating the runner and making it 4-0.
Katou follows that up with another base hit, and it finally feels like Imabari Nishi has finally cracked. 2 batters later, Tomita doubles down the right field line and it's 6-0.
Rest of game
Imabari Nishi rolls over after that, retired in order in the 8th and 9th to close out the game. They had chances, but they weren't of the optimal variety and could never deliver the timely hit.
Waseda Jitsugyou advances, but doesn't look all that impressive doing so. They'll need to especially get the pitching straightened out unles they're of the bend, but not break variety.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Day 8, Game 3 - Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi) vs. Waseda Jitsugyou (Tokyo)
All right, we're on to the final game of the day. This is a game in which I think I know who should win the game, but for some reason, there is something about facing a name-brand school that can completely freeze up a school.
That school is Waseda Jitsugyou. More recently the school that Saitou Yuuki took to the title in 2006, but always known as the school that produced the beloved Oh Sadaharu.
This year, they received the Tokyo/Kanto Floating bid I think because they have brand name attractiveness. And it's not like they're a terrible team - they did beat Ryuukokudai Heian in their opening game.
But it was 4 runs on just 4 hits. And two of them were doubles hit by Orihara Aoi. That's good in that we know he can hit the ball, but bad in the sense that... well... can anyone else hit? Because I doubt that ace Niyama and company can completely stifle Sendai Ikuei.
The Meiji Jingu champs had no trouble with Souseikan, jumping ahead 5-0 after 2 innings winning 7-2. But while most of the lineup contributed, the offense went eerily silent during the middle innings. While their opponent is apparently offensively challenged as a whole, it would probably behoove them perhaps to continuously put pressure throughout the game. Otherwise, they could wind up being the odd man out.
Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi) - Tohoku Champions (Meiji Jingu Champions)
SS Kumagai Takahiro
2B Kikuna Yuuka
LF Hasegawa Hiro
CF Uebayashi Seiji
1B Mizuma Toshiki
C Kobayashi Ryou
3B Katou Naoya
RF Satou Seiya
P Baba Kousuke (#10)
Waseda Jitsugyou (Tokyo) - Tokyo/Kanto Floating Bid
2B Yamaoka Hitomi
SS Nishioka Hisayoshi
RF Kaneshiro Kento (#17)
1B Kumata Mitsumi
3B Orihara Aoi
LF Suzuki Kai
CF Yoshimi Kentarou
C Toshimitsu Kensaka
P Niyama Youhei
____________________________________________________________
13:45 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Suzuki freezes Kumagai on a fastball inside for the first out!
After a flyout to left by Kikuna, Hasegawa hits a grounder that just sneaks by Yamaoka into right!
But Suzuki is on his game early, getting cleanup batter Uebayashi to climb the ladder and strike out to end the inning!
Bottom 1st
Yamaoka gets ahead in the count 3-1, hits a ball back at Baba, who can't stab it with the glove and it's into center for a base hit! Nishioka bunts him over to 2nd.
Kaneshiro can't advance him, hitting a fly to left.
Up to their cleanup batter Kumata. Ooh... after getting ahead 2-0, Baba gets 2 strikes, the 2nd being a bit generous. The Sendai Ikuei battery tests the outside corner, too far. Full count.
Tries slider inside, but Kumata just fouls it off.
Kumata goes down and gets one inside, but it's a liner to left! Hasegawa has it for the 3rd out!
Top 2nd
Suzuki really giving it to Sendai Ikuei. He's throwing strikes wherever he wants. Mizuma with a weak grounder to 1st, Kobayashi with a popup to Nishioka in shallow left, and Katou is frozen on a slider outside and can't believe it. 3 down and Soujitsu is back on the bats!
Bottom 2nd
I wonder about Sendai Ikuei continuing to ask the umpires if the batters went around. For the most part it doesn't seem like they are and it's almost like they're trying to squeeze every out possible. Which shouldn't be the mindset of a champion team.
And it's not like Baba is pitching badly. He gets routine grounders from Orihara and Suzuki. Though he might be catching more of the plate than he should.
Case in point is Yoshimi who gets under one such pitch and flies out to center. We'll see how that progresses though.
Top 3rd
So far, the Ikuei batters have not been able to make solid contact. Even Hasegawa's hit was a slow roller that escaped Yamaoka.
Of course I say that and with one down Baba drives one past Yoshimi in right-center for a double.
And then Niyama falls behind Kumagai 3-0. He attacks the next pitch, but it's inside and he can only foul it off.
Inside again, and he pulls it foul. So Niyama manages to level the count perhaps taking advantage of some aggressiveness.
Niyama wins the battle as Kumagai takes it the other way to 2nd. They get the out, and Baba advances to 3rd leaving it up to Kikuna.
Once again, Niyama falls behind, but comes back to be even with Kikuna at 2-2.
Holds up on a buried slider and the count runs full...
Pitch inside, Kikuna can only pull it right to Kumata who makes the play to end the inning!
Bottom 3rd
Toshimitsu hits a hanging slider the other way to left center and falls in just out of a sprinting Hasegawa! He's in with a double!
Niyama bunts him over to 3rd for the top of the lineup.
Baba hangs one again! This time Yamaoka drives one to deep center! Uebayashi can't get there in time and it lands in front of the wall! They get it in, but not before Yamaoka is in with a triple! The oen-dan plays Konpeki no Sora as Soujitsu takes the 1-0 lead!
Sasaki-kantoku calls time as Suzuki goes out to warm up. It's like as if it was Waseda who won the fall tournament and Sendai Ikuei who is the underdog the way the game is playing out!
Does playing Soujitsu just freeze opponents or something?
Fortunately for Baba, Nishioka can't do anything as he grounds back to him for the 2nd out. And he gets Kaneshiro to chase a slider for the 3rd out, but back to back mistakes cost Sendai Ikuei a run!
Top 4th
Hasegawa goes down swinging for Niyama's 4th K. Uebayashi can only manager another routine grounder to 1st. And Mizuma golfs one in the air where Mizuma comes in a couple of steps to make the catch.
Bottom 4th
After getting ahead of Kumata, they try to nibble and the count runs full! But Baba gets him to chase a pitch up and pops it up! Katou comes in and calls for it, but makes a last minute adjustment and it pops out of his glove and falls in play! E5 and Soujitsu has a good opportunity here too!
Orihara though tries to bunt the runner over, but three bunts and misses for the out!
Suzuki with a check swing grounder to 2nd gets the runner over. But there's 2 outs.
Yoshimi with a liner, but Kumagai makes a great diving catch for the 3rd out!
But man it looks like Sendai Ikuei is playing scared out there.
Top 5th
Niyama is completely shutting down Sendai Ikuei's offense! Kobayashi with a routine grounder to 2nd. Katou walks the count full, but hits a foul fly that Kumata catches before slow-motion tumbling into the camera well.
And Satou flies out to left! I'm rather shocked by this really.
Bottom 5th
Baba issues his first walk to Toshimitsu and that lets Soujitsu have another chance for a run!
But Toshimitsu is straying away from 1st! Kobayashi fires to 2nd after the 1-0 pitch and they have him picked off! One out!
Niyama swinging away now, and flies out to center. Yamaoka grounds to 1st and that's the inning.
We head to the break with the only scoring coming from 2 extra base hits from Soujitsu. Meanwhile I'd say Sendai Ikuei has only had 1 good solid hit, safe or out - and that was from Baba's double. Otherwise the contact has been poor and the defense has not been worked that hard. I find it hard to believe looking at this game that this Sendai Ikuei team is the one that went all the way.
Top 6th
Baba chases a changeup in the dirt for the first out. That flips the lineup back to Kumagai.
But while he makes contact on a down and away fastball, he grounds out to 2nd.
And Sasaki-kantoku seems to be playing desperate too. He sends in #17 Sasaki to hit for Kikuna and first pitch hits a ball back to Niyama for the 3rd out!
Bottom 6th
Sasaki stays in the game to play 2B.
Nishioka can't hold off on a slider in the dirt and he goes down for the 1st out.
Baba turns around though and walks Kaneshiro bringing up Kumata.
And Izumi-kantoku sends him! Kobayashi can't field the ball cleanly and his toss to 2nd is nowhere near in time!
AH! A wild pitch from Baba on ball 4 allows Kaneshiro to advance to 3rd! Big pinch for Soujitsu as Sasaki-kantoku calls for time. Playing scared like this will only lead to bad things and we may just see it now.
Orihara with a fly to center! Uebayashi charging in, still charging, making the catch and the runners can't advance!
Now it's Izumi-kantoku pulling all the stops? #15 Matsumoto comes in to hit for Suzuki.
And I wonder if Matsumoto wasn't just up to try and get on base, because he hasn't swung and is ahead 3-1.
But he does swing and grounds to 1st! Mizuma has it and makes the play at 1st for the out! Sendai Ikuei holds onto the 1-run deficit!
Top 7th
Man, looking at the times these games today, including this one, have gone at a breakneck speed.
#9 Oka comes in for PH Matsumoto and plays LF.
Sendai Ikuei hoping to change things up plays Jock Rock.
But Hasegawa chases a high ball and grounds to 2nd.
And the Soujitsu batter is getting Uebayashi to chase a high pitch as well! Why (are they swinging)?
With the count 2-2, they go high again and he fouls it off. How are you going to get a solid hit if you're having to stand up to hit it? You can't generate any power!
They try away again, but get no swing and no call. Count runs full.
They go outside again, but Niyama misses and Uebayashi gets on base! But what can the rest of the lineup do?
Niyama with perhaps his first real mistake, leaves one over and Mizuma lines it into center for a base hit! Runners on 1st and 2nd for Kobayashi! He's the man you want up.
Kobayashi though can't get solid contact on a change inside and slices a grounder to Yamaoka. He can only go to 1st, but there's 2 outs now.
Katou up as Izumi-kantoku calls time.
And Niyama gets out of the inning! Katou hits a grounder to 2nd and Sendai Ikuei loses a great chance!
Bottom 7th
Baba trying what he can to keep the game at 0-1. Yoshimi quickly grounds to 1st.
Toshimitsu goes down swinging on a forkball.
Niyama does what he can, slowly works the count full and earns a walk. That flips the lineup back to Yamaoka.
Who promptly takes a ball the other way for a base hit.
Baba trying to get out the inning gets ahead of Nishioka 0-2. Gets him to swing at a slider outside and the side is retired!
Top 8th
But Sendai Ikuei is down to their final 6 outs!
And with Baba playing soft toss in the foreground, the camera has Suzuki in the background pitching in the bullpen. #16 Onodera is in the on-deck circle, so his day is probably over.
Satou fights but goes down on a fastball outside as he looks up in frustration.
Onodera in fact does come in to bat.
First pitch singles to left!
Kumagai with a grounder to the left side. Nishoka over to get it, slides but bounces off his glove and over him! Everyone's safe!
Izumi-kantoku calls time and is this the time Sendai Ikuei finally gets it all together?
Sasaki coming in to bat.
Niyama goes too far inside and hits Sasaki! Manrui for Sendai Ikuei! What's happening to Niyama??!
Hasegawa steps in...
WILD PITCH!!!
Niyama uncorks a wild pitch that bounces off the chest protector and goes up the 3rd base line! Kawashima with his arms in the air scores and it's Niyama's unforced error that gives up the douten run!!! It's 1-1!!!!
Hasegawa changes a slider in the dirt for the 2nd out.
That brings up Uebayashi, and with 1st base open he should get nothing to hit.
He isn't, but he's swinging anyways and goes behind 0-2 (don't you know they don't HAVE to pitch to you? Think of the situation man!)
It's too late now, he has to swing at anything close.
Uebayashi back up the middle!! Niyama frantically stabs at the ball in the air, but it goes by! Kumagai scores! Sasaki rounding 3rd, throw off line! He scores!!
Niyama has the worst time to break down and leave one over! Sendai Ikuei leads 3-1!!
Mizuma grounds back to Niyama, but man even with the base hits, it still required some help for Waseda. They won't complain though.
Bottom 8th
Ace Suzuki comes in for PR Kawashima to close out the game instead of trying to hold the line.
Kaneshiro with a grounder to 2nd for the first out. Kumata gets ahead 2-1, but hits a high chopper that Kumagai catches and throws to 1st for the 2nd out.
And Orihara chops one back to Suzuki! He goes to 1st and Waseda is retired that quickly!
Top 9th
Kobayashi with a hard grounder past Yamaoka into right!
#15 Abe hitting for Katou, he singles past Nishoka into left! Has Niyama just ran out of gas?
Satou standing in now, 0-3 on the day but Sasaki-kantoku not having him bunt.
1-2 on Satou and the cameras turn to #14 Tachikawa warming up in the bullpen.
Satou goes down and lines one through the infield to right! Kaneshiro boots it in front of him! Kobayashi comes in to score and it's 4-1 Sendai Ikuei!
Suzuki bunting, misses, and Toshimitsu throws to 2nd where Abe is caught off the bag! He's run down for the 1st out! He does eventually lay down the bunt, but there's 2 down.
And with that, Izumi-kantoku calls in the bullpen. #14 Tachikawa comes in to pitch.
He gets Kumagai to ground to 2nd for the 3rd out, but it's that much farther now for Soujitsu to come back from.
Bottom 9th
Abe stays in the game to play 3B.
The oen-dan perhaps playing Konpeki no Sora for the final time to start the 9th.
Oka-Yoshimi-Toshimitsu due up.
Oka gets jammed and grounds to 1st.
Yoshimi chases a fork away for the 2nd out!
Toshimitsu the last chance for Soujitsu.
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suzuki runs one back over the inside corner and Toshimitsu goes down for the final out! Sendai Ikuei rallies and survives, defeating Waseda Jitsugyou 4-1!!
For the longest time it looked like Niyama and Soujitsu would easily shut down the Meiji Jingu champions. He was inducing poor contact with the exception of Baba's first hit and 6 innings went by without as much as a whimper from the Sendai Ikuei offense. Even in the 7th after walking Uebayashi and allowing a hit to Mizuma, he quickly spun out of that one too.
So it would lead one to believe that leaving him in would be the right thing to do, especially since he hadn't even hit 100 pitches yet! (Not like that matters as much in 高校野球). But in the 8th it all just collapsed on him. How is that possible?
Well, looking at the fall records, Niyama only played in 3 of their 8 games. Of those 3, he pitched 11 innings total. And since Niiyama was always coming in relief, chances are he never pitched as many innings as he did today.
So there could be some criticism about leaving him in for as long as he did. But remember - first he was still effective through 7 innings. Sure he had given up his first walk, and had 2 baserunners on, but he got out of it. Also, there really wasn't time to give Izumi-kantoku time to warm somebody up. The sequence in the 8th went - K-Single-Single-HBP-K before Uebayashi hit the 2-RBI double. Also, one of the hits could have been an out had Nishiyama fielded the ball cleanly. It's certainly a tough play, and why it was still recorded a hit. But that might be an extra out no matter how you look at it.
I suppose you could argue that after the wild pitch which allowed the douten run that Niyama could be pulled. But was Tachikawa warmed up? I don't really know.
But for 7 innings, Soujitsu played a great game. They just couldn't finish.
As for Sendai Ikuei, that was pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Baba was doing his best, but had given up the only run in the game for a while. And as mentioned the offense looked God awful. When push came to shove though, they got the job done and they're on to the Best 8.
Notable Players
Baba Kousuke (Sendai Ikuei) - W, 7 IP, ER, 4 H, 5 K, 3 BB
Suzuki Takato (Sendai Ikuei) - SV, 2 IP, 0 ER, 2 K
Uebayashi Seiji (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-3, 2 RBI, BB, K
Onodera Shinnosuke (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-1, R
Niyama Youhei (Waseda Jitsugyou) - L, 8.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 7 K, BB, HBP
Yamaoka Hitomi (Waseda Jitsugyou) - 3-4, 3B, RBI
Toshimitsu Kensaku (Waseda Jitsugyou) - 1-3, 2B, R, 2 BB, K
That school is Waseda Jitsugyou. More recently the school that Saitou Yuuki took to the title in 2006, but always known as the school that produced the beloved Oh Sadaharu.
This year, they received the Tokyo/Kanto Floating bid I think because they have brand name attractiveness. And it's not like they're a terrible team - they did beat Ryuukokudai Heian in their opening game.
But it was 4 runs on just 4 hits. And two of them were doubles hit by Orihara Aoi. That's good in that we know he can hit the ball, but bad in the sense that... well... can anyone else hit? Because I doubt that ace Niyama and company can completely stifle Sendai Ikuei.
The Meiji Jingu champs had no trouble with Souseikan, jumping ahead 5-0 after 2 innings winning 7-2. But while most of the lineup contributed, the offense went eerily silent during the middle innings. While their opponent is apparently offensively challenged as a whole, it would probably behoove them perhaps to continuously put pressure throughout the game. Otherwise, they could wind up being the odd man out.
Sendai Ikuei (Miyagi) - Tohoku Champions (Meiji Jingu Champions)
SS Kumagai Takahiro
2B Kikuna Yuuka
LF Hasegawa Hiro
CF Uebayashi Seiji
1B Mizuma Toshiki
C Kobayashi Ryou
3B Katou Naoya
RF Satou Seiya
P Baba Kousuke (#10)
Waseda Jitsugyou (Tokyo) - Tokyo/Kanto Floating Bid
2B Yamaoka Hitomi
SS Nishioka Hisayoshi
RF Kaneshiro Kento (#17)
1B Kumata Mitsumi
3B Orihara Aoi
LF Suzuki Kai
CF Yoshimi Kentarou
C Toshimitsu Kensaka
P Niyama Youhei
____________________________________________________________
13:45 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Suzuki freezes Kumagai on a fastball inside for the first out!
After a flyout to left by Kikuna, Hasegawa hits a grounder that just sneaks by Yamaoka into right!
But Suzuki is on his game early, getting cleanup batter Uebayashi to climb the ladder and strike out to end the inning!
Bottom 1st
Yamaoka gets ahead in the count 3-1, hits a ball back at Baba, who can't stab it with the glove and it's into center for a base hit! Nishioka bunts him over to 2nd.
Kaneshiro can't advance him, hitting a fly to left.
Up to their cleanup batter Kumata. Ooh... after getting ahead 2-0, Baba gets 2 strikes, the 2nd being a bit generous. The Sendai Ikuei battery tests the outside corner, too far. Full count.
Tries slider inside, but Kumata just fouls it off.
Kumata goes down and gets one inside, but it's a liner to left! Hasegawa has it for the 3rd out!
Top 2nd
Suzuki really giving it to Sendai Ikuei. He's throwing strikes wherever he wants. Mizuma with a weak grounder to 1st, Kobayashi with a popup to Nishioka in shallow left, and Katou is frozen on a slider outside and can't believe it. 3 down and Soujitsu is back on the bats!
Bottom 2nd
I wonder about Sendai Ikuei continuing to ask the umpires if the batters went around. For the most part it doesn't seem like they are and it's almost like they're trying to squeeze every out possible. Which shouldn't be the mindset of a champion team.
And it's not like Baba is pitching badly. He gets routine grounders from Orihara and Suzuki. Though he might be catching more of the plate than he should.
Case in point is Yoshimi who gets under one such pitch and flies out to center. We'll see how that progresses though.
Top 3rd
So far, the Ikuei batters have not been able to make solid contact. Even Hasegawa's hit was a slow roller that escaped Yamaoka.
Of course I say that and with one down Baba drives one past Yoshimi in right-center for a double.
And then Niyama falls behind Kumagai 3-0. He attacks the next pitch, but it's inside and he can only foul it off.
Inside again, and he pulls it foul. So Niyama manages to level the count perhaps taking advantage of some aggressiveness.
Niyama wins the battle as Kumagai takes it the other way to 2nd. They get the out, and Baba advances to 3rd leaving it up to Kikuna.
Once again, Niyama falls behind, but comes back to be even with Kikuna at 2-2.
Holds up on a buried slider and the count runs full...
Pitch inside, Kikuna can only pull it right to Kumata who makes the play to end the inning!
Bottom 3rd
Toshimitsu hits a hanging slider the other way to left center and falls in just out of a sprinting Hasegawa! He's in with a double!
Niyama bunts him over to 3rd for the top of the lineup.
Baba hangs one again! This time Yamaoka drives one to deep center! Uebayashi can't get there in time and it lands in front of the wall! They get it in, but not before Yamaoka is in with a triple! The oen-dan plays Konpeki no Sora as Soujitsu takes the 1-0 lead!
Sasaki-kantoku calls time as Suzuki goes out to warm up. It's like as if it was Waseda who won the fall tournament and Sendai Ikuei who is the underdog the way the game is playing out!
Does playing Soujitsu just freeze opponents or something?
Fortunately for Baba, Nishioka can't do anything as he grounds back to him for the 2nd out. And he gets Kaneshiro to chase a slider for the 3rd out, but back to back mistakes cost Sendai Ikuei a run!
Top 4th
Hasegawa goes down swinging for Niyama's 4th K. Uebayashi can only manager another routine grounder to 1st. And Mizuma golfs one in the air where Mizuma comes in a couple of steps to make the catch.
Bottom 4th
After getting ahead of Kumata, they try to nibble and the count runs full! But Baba gets him to chase a pitch up and pops it up! Katou comes in and calls for it, but makes a last minute adjustment and it pops out of his glove and falls in play! E5 and Soujitsu has a good opportunity here too!
Orihara though tries to bunt the runner over, but three bunts and misses for the out!
Suzuki with a check swing grounder to 2nd gets the runner over. But there's 2 outs.
Yoshimi with a liner, but Kumagai makes a great diving catch for the 3rd out!
But man it looks like Sendai Ikuei is playing scared out there.
Top 5th
Niyama is completely shutting down Sendai Ikuei's offense! Kobayashi with a routine grounder to 2nd. Katou walks the count full, but hits a foul fly that Kumata catches before slow-motion tumbling into the camera well.
And Satou flies out to left! I'm rather shocked by this really.
Bottom 5th
Baba issues his first walk to Toshimitsu and that lets Soujitsu have another chance for a run!
But Toshimitsu is straying away from 1st! Kobayashi fires to 2nd after the 1-0 pitch and they have him picked off! One out!
Niyama swinging away now, and flies out to center. Yamaoka grounds to 1st and that's the inning.
We head to the break with the only scoring coming from 2 extra base hits from Soujitsu. Meanwhile I'd say Sendai Ikuei has only had 1 good solid hit, safe or out - and that was from Baba's double. Otherwise the contact has been poor and the defense has not been worked that hard. I find it hard to believe looking at this game that this Sendai Ikuei team is the one that went all the way.
Top 6th
Baba chases a changeup in the dirt for the first out. That flips the lineup back to Kumagai.
But while he makes contact on a down and away fastball, he grounds out to 2nd.
And Sasaki-kantoku seems to be playing desperate too. He sends in #17 Sasaki to hit for Kikuna and first pitch hits a ball back to Niyama for the 3rd out!
Bottom 6th
Sasaki stays in the game to play 2B.
Nishioka can't hold off on a slider in the dirt and he goes down for the 1st out.
Baba turns around though and walks Kaneshiro bringing up Kumata.
And Izumi-kantoku sends him! Kobayashi can't field the ball cleanly and his toss to 2nd is nowhere near in time!
AH! A wild pitch from Baba on ball 4 allows Kaneshiro to advance to 3rd! Big pinch for Soujitsu as Sasaki-kantoku calls for time. Playing scared like this will only lead to bad things and we may just see it now.
Orihara with a fly to center! Uebayashi charging in, still charging, making the catch and the runners can't advance!
Now it's Izumi-kantoku pulling all the stops? #15 Matsumoto comes in to hit for Suzuki.
And I wonder if Matsumoto wasn't just up to try and get on base, because he hasn't swung and is ahead 3-1.
But he does swing and grounds to 1st! Mizuma has it and makes the play at 1st for the out! Sendai Ikuei holds onto the 1-run deficit!
Top 7th
Man, looking at the times these games today, including this one, have gone at a breakneck speed.
#9 Oka comes in for PH Matsumoto and plays LF.
Sendai Ikuei hoping to change things up plays Jock Rock.
But Hasegawa chases a high ball and grounds to 2nd.
And the Soujitsu batter is getting Uebayashi to chase a high pitch as well! Why (are they swinging)?
With the count 2-2, they go high again and he fouls it off. How are you going to get a solid hit if you're having to stand up to hit it? You can't generate any power!
They try away again, but get no swing and no call. Count runs full.
They go outside again, but Niyama misses and Uebayashi gets on base! But what can the rest of the lineup do?
Niyama with perhaps his first real mistake, leaves one over and Mizuma lines it into center for a base hit! Runners on 1st and 2nd for Kobayashi! He's the man you want up.
Kobayashi though can't get solid contact on a change inside and slices a grounder to Yamaoka. He can only go to 1st, but there's 2 outs now.
Katou up as Izumi-kantoku calls time.
And Niyama gets out of the inning! Katou hits a grounder to 2nd and Sendai Ikuei loses a great chance!
Bottom 7th
Baba trying what he can to keep the game at 0-1. Yoshimi quickly grounds to 1st.
Toshimitsu goes down swinging on a forkball.
Niyama does what he can, slowly works the count full and earns a walk. That flips the lineup back to Yamaoka.
Who promptly takes a ball the other way for a base hit.
Baba trying to get out the inning gets ahead of Nishioka 0-2. Gets him to swing at a slider outside and the side is retired!
Top 8th
But Sendai Ikuei is down to their final 6 outs!
And with Baba playing soft toss in the foreground, the camera has Suzuki in the background pitching in the bullpen. #16 Onodera is in the on-deck circle, so his day is probably over.
Satou fights but goes down on a fastball outside as he looks up in frustration.
Onodera in fact does come in to bat.
First pitch singles to left!
Kumagai with a grounder to the left side. Nishoka over to get it, slides but bounces off his glove and over him! Everyone's safe!
Izumi-kantoku calls time and is this the time Sendai Ikuei finally gets it all together?
Sasaki coming in to bat.
Niyama goes too far inside and hits Sasaki! Manrui for Sendai Ikuei! What's happening to Niyama??!
Hasegawa steps in...
WILD PITCH!!!
Niyama uncorks a wild pitch that bounces off the chest protector and goes up the 3rd base line! Kawashima with his arms in the air scores and it's Niyama's unforced error that gives up the douten run!!! It's 1-1!!!!
Hasegawa changes a slider in the dirt for the 2nd out.
That brings up Uebayashi, and with 1st base open he should get nothing to hit.
He isn't, but he's swinging anyways and goes behind 0-2 (don't you know they don't HAVE to pitch to you? Think of the situation man!)
It's too late now, he has to swing at anything close.
Uebayashi back up the middle!! Niyama frantically stabs at the ball in the air, but it goes by! Kumagai scores! Sasaki rounding 3rd, throw off line! He scores!!
Niyama has the worst time to break down and leave one over! Sendai Ikuei leads 3-1!!
Mizuma grounds back to Niyama, but man even with the base hits, it still required some help for Waseda. They won't complain though.
Bottom 8th
Ace Suzuki comes in for PR Kawashima to close out the game instead of trying to hold the line.
Kaneshiro with a grounder to 2nd for the first out. Kumata gets ahead 2-1, but hits a high chopper that Kumagai catches and throws to 1st for the 2nd out.
And Orihara chops one back to Suzuki! He goes to 1st and Waseda is retired that quickly!
Top 9th
Kobayashi with a hard grounder past Yamaoka into right!
#15 Abe hitting for Katou, he singles past Nishoka into left! Has Niyama just ran out of gas?
Satou standing in now, 0-3 on the day but Sasaki-kantoku not having him bunt.
1-2 on Satou and the cameras turn to #14 Tachikawa warming up in the bullpen.
Satou goes down and lines one through the infield to right! Kaneshiro boots it in front of him! Kobayashi comes in to score and it's 4-1 Sendai Ikuei!
Suzuki bunting, misses, and Toshimitsu throws to 2nd where Abe is caught off the bag! He's run down for the 1st out! He does eventually lay down the bunt, but there's 2 down.
And with that, Izumi-kantoku calls in the bullpen. #14 Tachikawa comes in to pitch.
He gets Kumagai to ground to 2nd for the 3rd out, but it's that much farther now for Soujitsu to come back from.
Bottom 9th
Abe stays in the game to play 3B.
The oen-dan perhaps playing Konpeki no Sora for the final time to start the 9th.
Oka-Yoshimi-Toshimitsu due up.
Oka gets jammed and grounds to 1st.
Yoshimi chases a fork away for the 2nd out!
Toshimitsu the last chance for Soujitsu.
SANSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suzuki runs one back over the inside corner and Toshimitsu goes down for the final out! Sendai Ikuei rallies and survives, defeating Waseda Jitsugyou 4-1!!
For the longest time it looked like Niyama and Soujitsu would easily shut down the Meiji Jingu champions. He was inducing poor contact with the exception of Baba's first hit and 6 innings went by without as much as a whimper from the Sendai Ikuei offense. Even in the 7th after walking Uebayashi and allowing a hit to Mizuma, he quickly spun out of that one too.
So it would lead one to believe that leaving him in would be the right thing to do, especially since he hadn't even hit 100 pitches yet! (Not like that matters as much in 高校野球). But in the 8th it all just collapsed on him. How is that possible?
Well, looking at the fall records, Niyama only played in 3 of their 8 games. Of those 3, he pitched 11 innings total. And since Niiyama was always coming in relief, chances are he never pitched as many innings as he did today.
So there could be some criticism about leaving him in for as long as he did. But remember - first he was still effective through 7 innings. Sure he had given up his first walk, and had 2 baserunners on, but he got out of it. Also, there really wasn't time to give Izumi-kantoku time to warm somebody up. The sequence in the 8th went - K-Single-Single-HBP-K before Uebayashi hit the 2-RBI double. Also, one of the hits could have been an out had Nishiyama fielded the ball cleanly. It's certainly a tough play, and why it was still recorded a hit. But that might be an extra out no matter how you look at it.
I suppose you could argue that after the wild pitch which allowed the douten run that Niyama could be pulled. But was Tachikawa warmed up? I don't really know.
But for 7 innings, Soujitsu played a great game. They just couldn't finish.
As for Sendai Ikuei, that was pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Baba was doing his best, but had given up the only run in the game for a while. And as mentioned the offense looked God awful. When push came to shove though, they got the job done and they're on to the Best 8.
Notable Players
Baba Kousuke (Sendai Ikuei) - W, 7 IP, ER, 4 H, 5 K, 3 BB
Suzuki Takato (Sendai Ikuei) - SV, 2 IP, 0 ER, 2 K
Uebayashi Seiji (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-3, 2 RBI, BB, K
Onodera Shinnosuke (Sendai Ikuei) - 1-1, R
Niyama Youhei (Waseda Jitsugyou) - L, 8.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 7 K, BB, HBP
Yamaoka Hitomi (Waseda Jitsugyou) - 3-4, 3B, RBI
Toshimitsu Kensaku (Waseda Jitsugyou) - 1-3, 2B, R, 2 BB, K
Monday, March 25, 2013
Day 4, Game 2 - Ryuukokudai Heian (Kyoto) vs. Waseda Jitsugyou (Tokyo)
Our middle game features two Koushien mainstays, one who has been recently but had little success, and the other who hasn't been in a couple of years trying to spark the shades of a former ace.
Ryuukokudai Heian had made it to Koushien primarily on their ability to play the low-scoring game. This year was no exception as they had a stretch of 3 key games that got them what amounted to an automatic bid. First was a 2-1 victory over Kyoto Subaru in the prefectural 3rd place game to make it to the super-regionals, then another 2-1 win over Chiben Wakayama and a 2-0 win over Yamato Kouryou to make it to the semifinals.
Heian has to generally play a defensive game because the offense just doesn't have the power to. With just an ISO of 0.067, you are going to have to dink and dunk your way into runs - hence the low scoring.
Opposing them is Waseda Jitsugyou, who hasn't been to Koushien since 2010. The thing is, when they do get here, they generally stay there for a while having advanced through 2 rounds in each of their last 4 calendar appearances.
But the team is an enigma. They'll struggle against Hachiouji and Toritsu Sougu Kouka, but then rout Souka in the semifinal, then lose to Yasuda Gakuen in the final.
The main pitcher of the staff is not ace Niyama Youhei, but 2nd year Nishiyama Ryou - despite worse peripherals:
It's that type on inconsistency that will probably deny them a chance for the title. But they seem to get a benefit for being Waseda. Yet another unknown to consider as these teams square off.
Ryuukokudai Heian (Kyoto) - Kinki 3/4 seed
CF Yoshida Dai (#17)
RF Makino Yuuto
1B Kawai Taisei
LF Arita Hiroyuki
SS Ishikawa Takuya
3B Shimada Yuuto
2B Fujii Atsuki (#14)
C Yokoyama Hiroya
P Fukuoka Takuya
Waseda Jitsugyou (Tokyo) - Tokyo/Kanto Floating Bid
2B Yamaoka Hitomi
SS Nishioka Hisayoshi
RF Kaneshiro Kento (#17)
1B Kumata Mitsumi
LF Suzuki Kai
CF Yoshimi Kentarou
3B Orihara Aoi
C Toshimitsu Kensaka
P Niyama Youhei
____________________________________________________________
11:40 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
After a quick out by Yoshida on the opening siren, Makino hits a line drive to left! Suzuki sprinting back leaps, and it's off his glove! Makino is on at 2nd!
Kawai quicly follows that with a grounder past Orihara into left! Makino is being sent home!! Throw from Suzuki is cutoff! Heian has a 1-0 lead!
And Harada-kantoku sends Kawai on the 2-2 pitch! Throw from Toshimitsu is not in time! Heian is putting a lot of early pressure on Soujitsu!
Arita earns a walk! Runners on 1st and 2nd now for Ishikawa and Niyama is in a big pinch!
He gets one the two outs he needs as Ishikawa pops it up! Toshimitsu by the 1st base dugout makes the catch!
Shimada steps in now to try and get the timely hit.
Full count, and Shimada gives it a ride to center! But a backpedaling Yoshimi makes the catch to end the inning! A lot of trouble, but just 1 run is the total damage done.
Bottom 1st
Ah, the familiar Konpeki no Sora...
But it's a rather uneventful inning for Soujitsu to start. Two quick groundouts and a flyball to left give Fukuoka a 1-2-3 inning to ease himself into the game.
Top 2nd
Well, that was a quick inning. I finished taking a phone call and Niyama records 3 outs from the bottom of the order. All groundouts, all not hard, and two back to Niyama.
Bottom 2nd
Well, since I was unable to find data on these pitchers, I'll give what breakdown I can from watching them.
Fukuoka, southpaw, throws as hard as most other pitchers we've seen. If you don't know what that is, low 130s, slider in the high 110-low 120s, curve in the 110s.
Fukuoka allows his first runner as he walks Orihara. Control not necessarily accurate, but misses in the right places (down, away).
He comes right back though and puts Suzuki away on a slider inside that he just can't catch up to.
And for one more, he puts a fastball down and away that Yoshimi whiffs on. Not a bad start from Fukuoka.
Top 3rd
Back to the top of the lineup and Yoshino. He's retired via popup to Yamaoka.
As for Niyama - southpaw, low 130s, curve in high 100s, and I think something like a cutter in the low-mid 120s. That's something slightly different.
But his control isn't quite all there. He falls behind Makino on 2 curveballs and winds up walking him.
Kawai up and Harada-kantoku calls for a hit-and-run on a 2-2 count but he fouls it off. Just holds off on a fastball outside to fill it up.
And Kawai win the battle! He singles to right and Niyama is in trouble again!
1-1 to Arita, and a curveball goes over the plate for a ball? I know Toshimitsu was setup outside, but it sure looked like he got the plate. Niyama does manage to fill up the count.
Arita with a comebacker to Niyama! Throw to 2nd for one, and Kawai correctly takes out Nishioka to prevent the double play.
2 down for Ishikawa, but Niyama gets him to ground to short! Nishoka goes the short way and the side is retired!
Bottom 3rd
Fukuoka's control continues to be on/off, and it was off against the bottom of the lineup. He goes 2-2 against Toshimitsu, and gets a flyout to right. He goes full to Niyama, but gets a groundout to short that included a nice charge and throw by Ishikawa. And Yamaoka swings early and hits a comebacker that Fukuoka stops with his glove and makes the play to 1st.
Top 4th
Shimaada with a foul fly down the left side. Suzuki runs to the fence, leaps up, and makes the catch at the fence for the first out!
But Niyama has problems with Fujii falling behind 3-0. Painted into a corner a 3-1 fastball is taken by Fujii and sent back into shallow center for a base hit.
Yokoyama with a grounder back to Niyama! Throw to 2nd is high, but the umpire says he stayed on the bag for the out!
And against Fukuoka he falls behind 3-0 again, then comes back with two fastballs on the outside corner. This time around Niyama gets the best of his opponent as Fukuoka grounds to 3rd to end the inning.
Bottom 4th
Guessed I missed one pitch for Fukuoka, he has a changeup too.
Yoshioka chases a curve and grounds to 3rd.
Newly promoted member Kaneshiro makes a battle of his AB running the count full, but on the 9th pitch goes down on a fastball down and away.
And against Kumata, a slider gets the outside corner call and once again Waseda is retired in order!
Top 5th
0-1, Yoshida rips a ball down the left field line just foul.
Swinging bunt in front of the plate! Toshimitsu takes the lead on the ball, but he misses the ball! Leadoff man on on the error! Makino bunts him along for Kawai.
And Kawai delivers again! Niyama leaves a ball mean to be outside in the zone and Kawai takes it the other way over Suzuki's head! That's a stand-up double and he has his 2nd RBI today! 2-0 Heian!
But as good as Kawai is with the bat, not so good on the basepaths. On a grounder to short by Arita, he takes off for 3rd, and is promptly thrown out. Ishikawa does the same and the inning is over. Kawai though delivers his 2nd timely hit of the game,
Bottom 5th
My connection goes on the fritz, but nothing of note really happens. After two quick groundouts, Fukuoka does allow his 2nd runner as he walks Yoshimi.
But then on a ball back up the middle by Toshimitsu, Ishikawa makes a great pick off the ground and a toss across his body for the out.
Heading into the break, Niyama's control issues have gotten the best of him. Also perhaps he should stay away from Kawai.
Top 6th
The game seems to be settling into the normal doldrums where more often than not batters are retired in order.
That is the case here in the 6th as Niyama gets groundouts from Shimada and Fujii, and a strikeout swinging from Yokoyama.
Bottom 6th
Niyama's day is done as #16 Miki comes in to hit for him.
And well, he goes down swinging on 3 straight, the finisher a fastball away.
Fukuoka is throwing most pitches for strikes, and perhaps getting the benefit of a wide strike zone as Yamaoka is called out looking on a ball that Yokoyama catches at the edge of the right-handed batters box.
And the wider strike zone means the Soujitsu batters have to chase. Yoshioka does just that on a fastball outside and Fukuoka strikes out the side!
Top 7th
Deensive replacement for Soujitsu, #9 Oka comes in to replace Suzuki in LF.
#14 Tachikawa comes in and takes over in relief. A southpaw as well, he throws more of a 3/4 delivery but doesn't throw any harder.
Fukuoka chops one that is just deflects off of Tachikawa's glove, but he comes back to field it and throws Fukuoka out.
Yoshida quickly grounds out to 2nd, and Makino almost gets a base hit, but a sprint in from Yoshimi gets him there for a shoestring catch.
Bottom 7th
Fukuoka hasn't allowed a hit so far, but has walked his 3rd batter as Kaneshiro head to 1st on 4 straight.
The control issues persist into the next AB as he runs the count full on Kumata.
And Kumata gets Soujitsu's first hit! He turns on a fastbal and shoots it by Kawai into left! Kaneshiro reaches 3rd on the play and now Fukuoka is in his first pinch! Harada-kantoku calls for time.
Orihara with a scorcher down the 3rd base line, gets by Shimada down the left field line! Kaneshiro scores on the double by Orihara and it's a 2-1 ballgame here in Soujitsu's Lucky 7!
Oka in for his first AB, but he grounds to 3rd. The runners have to hold as Shimada heads to 1st for the 1st out.
Yoshimi with a ball to 3rd! Kumata was going on contact and is hung out to dry! He's run down at 3rd, and Heian almost gets a double play as Shimada perceptly notes Orihara sliding into 3rd! Runners now at the corners with 2 down.
It'll be up to Toshimitsu to get the run in. But Fukuoka gets ahead 1-2.
AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fukuoka gets the strikeout, but the pitch is wide and gets away from Yokoyama! He has to chase it down at the fence on the 3rd base side! Orihara scores and we're tied at 2-2 on the wild pitch!
Now it's Tachikawa, no - check that, #15 Matsumoto to try and get the run in.
But he's not just swinging away, no, he's taking pitches and takes a 4-pitch walk! Things are falling apart quickly for Fukuoka and Ryuukokudai Heian!
Worse yet, it's back to the top of the order and Yamaoka.
He hits a slow grounder to the right side. Yoshioka sprints to his left, dives, but it's a seeing-eye single to right! Makino throws the ball in, but way too late as 2 more runners score and what was a 2-run deficit has become a 2-run lead for Soujitsu! It's 4-2!!
Nishioka can't continue the inning as he grounds to Shimada to end the inning. But what seemed like an outing for the ages for Heian comes crashing down hard and now they'll have just 6 outs to mount a rally!
Top 8th
#11 Toya is the 3rd pitcher used by Soujitsu. Yet another southpaw. And pretty much looks the same as his predecessors.
Kawai with a slicing liner to the left side and Nishoka makes a great leaping catch for the first out.
Arita works another hard AB against Toya, but is called out on a failed check swing (man, it sure doesn't look like he went though).
And Ishikawa hits a slow grounder to the right side. Toya sprints over to pick it, then just takes it himself to the bag for the 3rd out! Heian is down to their final 3 outs!
Bottom 8th
Whatever happened in the 7th seems to be gone as Fukuoka retires both Kaneshiro and Kumata with grounders to 1st.
Orihara breaks that up though with a liner the other way into right center for a double.
Oka grounds out to short and that ends the inning.
Top 9th
But Heian is running out of time.
Shimada tries his best to get on base, fouling off several pitches, but grounds out to 3rd.
Fujii goes down swinging on an outside fastball.
It's all up to PH #15 Tsune to extend the game.
He gets ahead 3-0, but is backed into a corner at 3-2 and grounds to 3rd to end the game. Soujitsu with a comeback in their Lucky 7 wins the game 4-2!
What seemed like an all but sure win, and possible no-hitter by Fukuoka and Ryuukokudai Heian completely reversed itself in the span of 10 minutes. Perhaps it was the pressure of the no-hitter. Or perhaps defeating Soujitsu. Or maybe it was the inexperience of being mostly 2nd years. Whatever it was it cost them today a spot in the 3rd round. It'll be a hard loss to take, and a learning lesson for sure.
For Soujitsu, we see perhaps Izumi-kantoku's strategy. Basically if he has 3-4 arms that are about the same, he can switch and replace if one is not effective (since they're all average). Plus if none of them can hit, he basically plays an NL strategy.
But the offense outside of the 7th inning was non-existant. Unless their bats can pick themselves up going forward, that's certainly a problem in being a contender.
Notable Players
Niyama Youhei (Waseda Jitsugyou) - ND, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, K, 2 BB
Orihara Aoi (Waseda Jitsugyou) - 2-3, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB
Yamaoka Hitomi (Waseda Jitsugyou) - 1-4, 2 RBI, K
Fukuoka Takuya (Ryuukokudai Heian) - L, CG, 4 ER, 4 H, 7 K, 4 BB
Kawai Taisei (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 3-4, 2B, RBI
Makino Yuuto (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 1-3, 2B, R, BB
Ryuukokudai Heian had made it to Koushien primarily on their ability to play the low-scoring game. This year was no exception as they had a stretch of 3 key games that got them what amounted to an automatic bid. First was a 2-1 victory over Kyoto Subaru in the prefectural 3rd place game to make it to the super-regionals, then another 2-1 win over Chiben Wakayama and a 2-0 win over Yamato Kouryou to make it to the semifinals.
Heian has to generally play a defensive game because the offense just doesn't have the power to. With just an ISO of 0.067, you are going to have to dink and dunk your way into runs - hence the low scoring.
Opposing them is Waseda Jitsugyou, who hasn't been to Koushien since 2010. The thing is, when they do get here, they generally stay there for a while having advanced through 2 rounds in each of their last 4 calendar appearances.
But the team is an enigma. They'll struggle against Hachiouji and Toritsu Sougu Kouka, but then rout Souka in the semifinal, then lose to Yasuda Gakuen in the final.
The main pitcher of the staff is not ace Niyama Youhei, but 2nd year Nishiyama Ryou - despite worse peripherals:
- Niyama - 0.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 6.55 K/9, 8:3 K/BB Ratio
- Nishiyama - 2.29 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 4.58 K/9, 20:23 K/BB Ratio
It's that type on inconsistency that will probably deny them a chance for the title. But they seem to get a benefit for being Waseda. Yet another unknown to consider as these teams square off.
Ryuukokudai Heian (Kyoto) - Kinki 3/4 seed
CF Yoshida Dai (#17)
RF Makino Yuuto
1B Kawai Taisei
LF Arita Hiroyuki
SS Ishikawa Takuya
3B Shimada Yuuto
2B Fujii Atsuki (#14)
C Yokoyama Hiroya
P Fukuoka Takuya
Waseda Jitsugyou (Tokyo) - Tokyo/Kanto Floating Bid
2B Yamaoka Hitomi
SS Nishioka Hisayoshi
RF Kaneshiro Kento (#17)
1B Kumata Mitsumi
LF Suzuki Kai
CF Yoshimi Kentarou
3B Orihara Aoi
C Toshimitsu Kensaka
P Niyama Youhei
____________________________________________________________
11:40 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
After a quick out by Yoshida on the opening siren, Makino hits a line drive to left! Suzuki sprinting back leaps, and it's off his glove! Makino is on at 2nd!
Kawai quicly follows that with a grounder past Orihara into left! Makino is being sent home!! Throw from Suzuki is cutoff! Heian has a 1-0 lead!
And Harada-kantoku sends Kawai on the 2-2 pitch! Throw from Toshimitsu is not in time! Heian is putting a lot of early pressure on Soujitsu!
Arita earns a walk! Runners on 1st and 2nd now for Ishikawa and Niyama is in a big pinch!
He gets one the two outs he needs as Ishikawa pops it up! Toshimitsu by the 1st base dugout makes the catch!
Shimada steps in now to try and get the timely hit.
Full count, and Shimada gives it a ride to center! But a backpedaling Yoshimi makes the catch to end the inning! A lot of trouble, but just 1 run is the total damage done.
Bottom 1st
Ah, the familiar Konpeki no Sora...
But it's a rather uneventful inning for Soujitsu to start. Two quick groundouts and a flyball to left give Fukuoka a 1-2-3 inning to ease himself into the game.
Top 2nd
Well, that was a quick inning. I finished taking a phone call and Niyama records 3 outs from the bottom of the order. All groundouts, all not hard, and two back to Niyama.
Bottom 2nd
Well, since I was unable to find data on these pitchers, I'll give what breakdown I can from watching them.
Fukuoka, southpaw, throws as hard as most other pitchers we've seen. If you don't know what that is, low 130s, slider in the high 110-low 120s, curve in the 110s.
Fukuoka allows his first runner as he walks Orihara. Control not necessarily accurate, but misses in the right places (down, away).
He comes right back though and puts Suzuki away on a slider inside that he just can't catch up to.
And for one more, he puts a fastball down and away that Yoshimi whiffs on. Not a bad start from Fukuoka.
Top 3rd
Back to the top of the lineup and Yoshino. He's retired via popup to Yamaoka.
As for Niyama - southpaw, low 130s, curve in high 100s, and I think something like a cutter in the low-mid 120s. That's something slightly different.
But his control isn't quite all there. He falls behind Makino on 2 curveballs and winds up walking him.
Kawai up and Harada-kantoku calls for a hit-and-run on a 2-2 count but he fouls it off. Just holds off on a fastball outside to fill it up.
And Kawai win the battle! He singles to right and Niyama is in trouble again!
1-1 to Arita, and a curveball goes over the plate for a ball? I know Toshimitsu was setup outside, but it sure looked like he got the plate. Niyama does manage to fill up the count.
Arita with a comebacker to Niyama! Throw to 2nd for one, and Kawai correctly takes out Nishioka to prevent the double play.
2 down for Ishikawa, but Niyama gets him to ground to short! Nishoka goes the short way and the side is retired!
Bottom 3rd
Fukuoka's control continues to be on/off, and it was off against the bottom of the lineup. He goes 2-2 against Toshimitsu, and gets a flyout to right. He goes full to Niyama, but gets a groundout to short that included a nice charge and throw by Ishikawa. And Yamaoka swings early and hits a comebacker that Fukuoka stops with his glove and makes the play to 1st.
Top 4th
Shimaada with a foul fly down the left side. Suzuki runs to the fence, leaps up, and makes the catch at the fence for the first out!
But Niyama has problems with Fujii falling behind 3-0. Painted into a corner a 3-1 fastball is taken by Fujii and sent back into shallow center for a base hit.
Yokoyama with a grounder back to Niyama! Throw to 2nd is high, but the umpire says he stayed on the bag for the out!
And against Fukuoka he falls behind 3-0 again, then comes back with two fastballs on the outside corner. This time around Niyama gets the best of his opponent as Fukuoka grounds to 3rd to end the inning.
Bottom 4th
Guessed I missed one pitch for Fukuoka, he has a changeup too.
Yoshioka chases a curve and grounds to 3rd.
Newly promoted member Kaneshiro makes a battle of his AB running the count full, but on the 9th pitch goes down on a fastball down and away.
And against Kumata, a slider gets the outside corner call and once again Waseda is retired in order!
Top 5th
0-1, Yoshida rips a ball down the left field line just foul.
Swinging bunt in front of the plate! Toshimitsu takes the lead on the ball, but he misses the ball! Leadoff man on on the error! Makino bunts him along for Kawai.
And Kawai delivers again! Niyama leaves a ball mean to be outside in the zone and Kawai takes it the other way over Suzuki's head! That's a stand-up double and he has his 2nd RBI today! 2-0 Heian!
But as good as Kawai is with the bat, not so good on the basepaths. On a grounder to short by Arita, he takes off for 3rd, and is promptly thrown out. Ishikawa does the same and the inning is over. Kawai though delivers his 2nd timely hit of the game,
Bottom 5th
My connection goes on the fritz, but nothing of note really happens. After two quick groundouts, Fukuoka does allow his 2nd runner as he walks Yoshimi.
But then on a ball back up the middle by Toshimitsu, Ishikawa makes a great pick off the ground and a toss across his body for the out.
Heading into the break, Niyama's control issues have gotten the best of him. Also perhaps he should stay away from Kawai.
Top 6th
The game seems to be settling into the normal doldrums where more often than not batters are retired in order.
That is the case here in the 6th as Niyama gets groundouts from Shimada and Fujii, and a strikeout swinging from Yokoyama.
Bottom 6th
Niyama's day is done as #16 Miki comes in to hit for him.
And well, he goes down swinging on 3 straight, the finisher a fastball away.
Fukuoka is throwing most pitches for strikes, and perhaps getting the benefit of a wide strike zone as Yamaoka is called out looking on a ball that Yokoyama catches at the edge of the right-handed batters box.
And the wider strike zone means the Soujitsu batters have to chase. Yoshioka does just that on a fastball outside and Fukuoka strikes out the side!
Top 7th
Deensive replacement for Soujitsu, #9 Oka comes in to replace Suzuki in LF.
#14 Tachikawa comes in and takes over in relief. A southpaw as well, he throws more of a 3/4 delivery but doesn't throw any harder.
Fukuoka chops one that is just deflects off of Tachikawa's glove, but he comes back to field it and throws Fukuoka out.
Yoshida quickly grounds out to 2nd, and Makino almost gets a base hit, but a sprint in from Yoshimi gets him there for a shoestring catch.
Bottom 7th
Fukuoka hasn't allowed a hit so far, but has walked his 3rd batter as Kaneshiro head to 1st on 4 straight.
The control issues persist into the next AB as he runs the count full on Kumata.
And Kumata gets Soujitsu's first hit! He turns on a fastbal and shoots it by Kawai into left! Kaneshiro reaches 3rd on the play and now Fukuoka is in his first pinch! Harada-kantoku calls for time.
Orihara with a scorcher down the 3rd base line, gets by Shimada down the left field line! Kaneshiro scores on the double by Orihara and it's a 2-1 ballgame here in Soujitsu's Lucky 7!
Oka in for his first AB, but he grounds to 3rd. The runners have to hold as Shimada heads to 1st for the 1st out.
Yoshimi with a ball to 3rd! Kumata was going on contact and is hung out to dry! He's run down at 3rd, and Heian almost gets a double play as Shimada perceptly notes Orihara sliding into 3rd! Runners now at the corners with 2 down.
It'll be up to Toshimitsu to get the run in. But Fukuoka gets ahead 1-2.
AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fukuoka gets the strikeout, but the pitch is wide and gets away from Yokoyama! He has to chase it down at the fence on the 3rd base side! Orihara scores and we're tied at 2-2 on the wild pitch!
Now it's Tachikawa, no - check that, #15 Matsumoto to try and get the run in.
But he's not just swinging away, no, he's taking pitches and takes a 4-pitch walk! Things are falling apart quickly for Fukuoka and Ryuukokudai Heian!
Worse yet, it's back to the top of the order and Yamaoka.
He hits a slow grounder to the right side. Yoshioka sprints to his left, dives, but it's a seeing-eye single to right! Makino throws the ball in, but way too late as 2 more runners score and what was a 2-run deficit has become a 2-run lead for Soujitsu! It's 4-2!!
Nishioka can't continue the inning as he grounds to Shimada to end the inning. But what seemed like an outing for the ages for Heian comes crashing down hard and now they'll have just 6 outs to mount a rally!
Top 8th
#11 Toya is the 3rd pitcher used by Soujitsu. Yet another southpaw. And pretty much looks the same as his predecessors.
Kawai with a slicing liner to the left side and Nishoka makes a great leaping catch for the first out.
Arita works another hard AB against Toya, but is called out on a failed check swing (man, it sure doesn't look like he went though).
And Ishikawa hits a slow grounder to the right side. Toya sprints over to pick it, then just takes it himself to the bag for the 3rd out! Heian is down to their final 3 outs!
Bottom 8th
Whatever happened in the 7th seems to be gone as Fukuoka retires both Kaneshiro and Kumata with grounders to 1st.
Orihara breaks that up though with a liner the other way into right center for a double.
Oka grounds out to short and that ends the inning.
Top 9th
But Heian is running out of time.
Shimada tries his best to get on base, fouling off several pitches, but grounds out to 3rd.
Fujii goes down swinging on an outside fastball.
It's all up to PH #15 Tsune to extend the game.
He gets ahead 3-0, but is backed into a corner at 3-2 and grounds to 3rd to end the game. Soujitsu with a comeback in their Lucky 7 wins the game 4-2!
What seemed like an all but sure win, and possible no-hitter by Fukuoka and Ryuukokudai Heian completely reversed itself in the span of 10 minutes. Perhaps it was the pressure of the no-hitter. Or perhaps defeating Soujitsu. Or maybe it was the inexperience of being mostly 2nd years. Whatever it was it cost them today a spot in the 3rd round. It'll be a hard loss to take, and a learning lesson for sure.
For Soujitsu, we see perhaps Izumi-kantoku's strategy. Basically if he has 3-4 arms that are about the same, he can switch and replace if one is not effective (since they're all average). Plus if none of them can hit, he basically plays an NL strategy.
But the offense outside of the 7th inning was non-existant. Unless their bats can pick themselves up going forward, that's certainly a problem in being a contender.
Notable Players
Niyama Youhei (Waseda Jitsugyou) - ND, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, K, 2 BB
Orihara Aoi (Waseda Jitsugyou) - 2-3, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB
Yamaoka Hitomi (Waseda Jitsugyou) - 1-4, 2 RBI, K
Fukuoka Takuya (Ryuukokudai Heian) - L, CG, 4 ER, 4 H, 7 K, 4 BB
Kawai Taisei (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 3-4, 2B, RBI
Makino Yuuto (Ryuukokudai Heian) - 1-3, 2B, R, BB
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