高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)

Toyokawa (Aichi)
3B Nakamura Kazuya
CF Sugiura Kenta
C Himi Taisuke
SS Takakuwa Heishirou
1B Itou Tappei
RF Takeichi Keishi
LF Yamada Daichi
P Abe Tatsuya (#10)
2B Shima Kairi

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11:03 - First Pitch!

Top 1st

Interesting!  Toyokawa goes to their bench to start the game!  Abe will see his first action in the Senbatsu semifinals!!

Abe is a left against a left-heavy lineup.

First two pitches are changeups for balls.  Misses again and it's 3-0. Finally gets a fastball over for a strike.

But he throws ball 4!  Leadoff runner on for Riseisha!  Inoue showing bunt, but Abe still having some trouble finding the bottom of the zone.

Inoue tries to lay a low pitch down, but fouls it off and now has 2 strikes.  Still showing bunt, and successfully lays it down.  Yoshida up to try and drive the run in with a base hit.

Hard grounder right to Shima!  He blocks it, and goes to 1st for the out.  Runner advances to 3rd.

Once again, Abe falls behind to Nakayama.

Nakayama to right, but Takeichi doesn't have to move to make the 3rd out.  It's shaky at best for Abe right now.  Can he settle down, or how long can he hold out?

Bottom 1st
On the other side Mizota will start, but how long before he steps aside as well?

He too can't seem to find the zone, falling behind leadoff batter Nakamura 3-0 as well!  Ball 4 and Toyokawa has a runner on!

And already #10 Nagatani is warming up.

Sugiura lays down the bunt, but Mizota up with it!  Goes to 2nd and cuts down the lead runner!

Bad break for Toyokawa, but Himi picks them up with a first pitch single to left!  Toyokawa threatening here in the 1st!

Ah, but Takakuwa gets jammed inside!  He gets the bat around, but hits a sky fly!  Tateishi makes the catch for the 2nd out.

Mizota continues to get himself into trouble.  Against Itou, he's not really close and walks him on 4 straight.  Manrui for Takeichi!

And I don't think they were working around Itou, because he falls behind Takeichi 2-0!

Takeichi pops it up!  Inoue camping under it, makes the catch for the 3rd out and Mizota dodges a bullet!

Top 2nd
Liner back up middle!  It hits Abe in the leg!  He goes to field it, but has no play.  More importantly he is definitly hurting.

Ace Tanaka immediately warms up.

But after some itai spray, and a couple of warmups, he seems good to go.

Hatta tests him with a bunt, which he fields no problem.

Despite Kinuta being the #7 hitter, Abe working exclusively away, and Kinuta still manages to pull the ball to the right side, advancing the runner along.

SQUEEZE?

Tateishi with the running bunt, but fouls it off.

AH!  But Abe hits Tateishi, putting runners at the corners for Mizota!

Mizota not known for being a great hitter though and falls behind 1-2.  Does manage to just foul one off though... and barely another...

I don't know if Abe is trying to get him to chase, but 2 balls put the count full!

SANSHIN!!!!

Abe pulls the curve on Mizota and he goes down swinging! 3 out!

Bottom 2nd
Mizota getting a breather against the bottom of Toyokawa's lineup.  Yamada and Abe groundout on a total of 3 pitches.

Shima though, proves to be tougher.  2-2 count, fouls off a couple.

Grounder up 1st base line... Fair!!  Kinuta just a tad late and it's down the line!  Shima in with a double!

Nakamura up, looking to open the scoring with a base hit.

Nakamura gets around the inside pitch and pulls it to right!  It falls in front of Tateishi!  Shima waved around, throw home, cut off!!  Toyokawa takes the 1-0 lead on the 2-out timely by Nakamura!!

Sugiura grounder to 2nd.  Inoue there, but it takes a high hop!  He can't field it cleanly and his throw to 1st is not in time!  Base hit!

Toyokawa can't add any more though.  Himi grounds to 2nd and Inoue goes the short way for the 3rd out.

Top 3rd
Abe again gives up a lead runner as he walks Tsuji for the 2nd time.  And for the second time Inoue bunts him over.

And for the second time, Yoshida grounds to 2nd, advancing the runner.

Will Nakayama, for the second time, fly out to right?

As a matter of fact.  Yes!

Bottom 3rd
Takakuwa somehow extends out and then pulls the ball to left for a base hit.  That's a bit of strength needed there.  Itou bunts him to 2nd.

Actually, Mizota isn't doing all that badly considering that he's not wild, but missing location.  Of course, that has presented themselves it's own issues.

Takeichi though still can't get level on the ball and pops out to Inoue again.

Yamada a hard grounder, but right to Yoshida.  Goes to 1st and the side is retired.

Top 4th
It's also the battle of the ouen-dan's.  Toyokawa with the red background and the TK logo, while Riseisha with the blue-purple background and yellow block R.

Nishimura with their 4th leadoff runner in as many innings with a slicing single to left!

Hatta not showing bunt here, is Okada-kantoku changing things up?

Nope, Hatta lays it down on the 1-1 pitch instead.

Abe working outside to Kinuta, gets ahead 0-2...  gets him ahead of the change and pops it up!  Shima out in the grass makes the catch for the 2nd out.

Abe has really settled down too.  Despite the leadoff batter reaching every inning, he has held them in check.

And then Abe throws a wild pitch... Nishimura heads to 3rd...  Count though 2-2.

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

Tateishi can only watch as the slider goes over for strike 3!

Bottom 4th
Abe helping his cause!  Grounder to 3rd, gets an assist from a higher hop, and it goes over Tsuji's glove to right!

Shima tries to bunt, but winds up with 2 strikes.  Will he bunt?

Buster!  But hits it foul.

Nakamura blooper to center, Tateishi coming in, but can't get to it! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

The ball cues off to the right and gets by Tateishi!  Nakayama running to cover and Abe is sent home!  And now Nakayama can't field it!  Tateishi scores and Nakayama ends up and 2nd on the error!  2-0 Toyokawa!

And despite that not being a hard hit, and an error on the outfield #10 Nagatani comes in the game...

Nagatani not off to a great start, plunks Sugiura on the numbers.  He's tended to at 1st as Himi steps in.

No panic though.  Nagatani gets a fly ball from Himi for the 2nd out.

Takakuwa completely fooled on the 0-2 slider, has to make contact, and grounds to 2rd for the 3rd out.

Top 5th
Abe finally gets the leadoff batter out.  Nagatani grounds to short.

After another quick grounder, he almost gets a clean inning, but Inoue's grounder to 2nd is bobbled by Shima!  Throw to 1st is too late!

Yoshida grounder to 1st. Now Itou can't field the ball!  Abe hurries to cover but Yoshida gets there first!  2 errors and Riseisha has a small threat brewing!  Imai-kantoku calls for time.

Nakayama grounder to 2nd!  Shima looks to have it, goes to 1st..  3 out!

I'm sure they held their collective breath on that ball, but they get out of the inning with yet again, no damage.

Bottom 5th
Meanwhile Nagatani is doing Nagatani things.  Like striking out Itou on 3 straight.  And then following that up with a fastball on the corner to get Takeichi.

Yamada breaks it up with a first pitch sharp single through the left side.

And what's this?  Abe follows suit!  Toyokawa with their own mini threat with 2 down!

#9 Shima called to try and extend the lead...

Ball back up middle!  But it's just a shade too slow as Yoshida fields it and flips to Inoue for the 3rd out.

But Abe is doing a great job in relief holding Riseisha scoreless!  Toyokawa meanwhile has knocked ace Mizota out with the 2-0 lead and now has to deal with Nagatani!

Top 6th
Imai-kantoku figures that's enough for Abe and ace Tanaka enters the game to close it out!

But now it's Tanaka playing with fire!  He walks Nishimura to lead off the post-break action.

And now Abe walks Hatta??  Abe putting himself in a big pinch!

Kinuta lays down the bunt and Riseisha has the douten runner in scoring position!

Okuda-kantoku pulling out all stops, sending in #3 Miura to hit for Tateishi.

And he punishes one to deep left center!  Sugiura chasing it, but it falls in front of the wall!  Both will score and we have a new ballgame!  It's 2-2!!

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Tanaka's pitch goes off of Himi's glove and to the backstop!  Miura takes 3rd!

Tanaka bearing down, gets Nagatani on nothing but sliders for the 2nd out.

Tsuji liner!  But right to Itou for the 3rd out.  But Riseisha has tied the game!!

Bottom 6th
#12 Kanaoka takes over in CF.

Nakamura with a ball to shallow left.  Nakayama coming in, slides, but the ball goes off his glove!  Nakamura reaches with a leadoff double and is moved to 3rd by Sugiura.

And perhaps they are walking Himi to get to the righty Takakuwa.

It works!  Takakuwa grounds to 2nd!  Inoue starts the 4... 6.... 3... double play to retire the side!

Top 7th
One down for Riseisha, and Yoshida hits a clean single through the left side.

And then Tanaka hits Nakayama!  Oh boy, he's not looking sharp at all.

Nishiyama clean single through the left side!  Yoshida rounding 3rd, being waved home!  Throw goes to the cutoff and just like that Riseisha has the lead!  It's 3-2!

Hatta base hit to center!  Nakayama holds at 3rd and it's manrui for Riseisha!

Imai-kantoku desperate to find an answer, calls time.

Kinuta has the answer for them!  He singles through the gap at 2nd!  Nakayama scores!  Hatta waved around, he scores!  Riseisha blowing Tanaka up here in relief!  They lead 5-2!!

Things continue to get worse as Tanaka walks Kanaoka on 4 straight and it's manrui yet again!!

Nagatani with a hard grounder to short!  Takakuwa bobbles it, but fires home to just get Hatta for the 2nd out.

Tanaka's inning finally comes to a close when Tsuji flies to left.  But Riseisha jumps not on Abe, but Tanaka!!

Bottom 6th
Itou tries to start a rally with a ball up the middle.  Takeichi showing bunt, but goes for the buster hit... flies out to right.

And the inning comes to a screeching halt as Yamada grounds into the 4-6-3 double play!

Top 7th
Imai-kantoku seeing the writing on the wall, puts in #13 Sugita to replace Tanaka on the mound.

Tries to work Inoue away, but leaves the fastball just over the plate. Inoue hits one to shallow left center!  Sugiura coming in , can't get there!  Inoue busting it out of the box, gets to 2nd!  Yoshioka bunts him along to 3rd.

Now #17 Tsujii comes to hit for Nakayama.  But he pops out to 1st.

Nishimura comes through again!  Base hit to left scores one more to make it 6-2.

Sugita trying to bring the game home, is struggling as well and walks Hatta...

Kinuta grounds to short to end the inning, but it looks like the game has been decided.

Bottom 8th
#16 Furutani comes in for PH Tsujii and goes to center.  Kanaoka moves to LF.

#18 Yamamoto to hit for Sugita, base hit to right.

One down for Nakamura and he gets his 4th hit of the game with a single through the left side.  Though after a pop out from Sugiura, it looks like another 0.

But Himi with a single through short scores Yamamoto to make it a 6-3 ballgame.  But there's still down 3.

Takakuwa first pitch single up middle into center!  Tokumoto whiffs on the ball!  He has to double back and Nakamura scores to make it 6-4!  That gets Okada-kantoku's attention, and he calls for time.

Itou looking to keep the momentum going.

Pops it up!  Tsune an Nakaguchi converging on the ball in foul territory, but no one calls for it!  It drops in foul and Itou's AB continues!

(Apologies for the commentary afterwards, I was trying to do my bowling league and my normal blogging.  So much happened in the last 2 innings of regulation, I lost track... and my mind.

My reactions are in italics...)

WHAT?????

Itou swings on the next pitch and hits a gapper to left center!!  Himi scores!  Takakuwa running, takes 3rd on the double by Itou and it's 6-5!!

IT'S FREAKING 6-5!!!

Toyokawa is only one run behind with the douten run just 90 feet away!  And the gyakuten run is at 2nd!!

And the Toyokawa ouen-dan, already loud, gets even louder as they can sense the comeback completing itself...

Takeichi taking his hacks, but behind 1-2...

Liner!!  It's back up the middle and into center!  Takakuwa scores!  Takeichi being waved around!  Throw from Tateishi.... NOT IN TIME!!!!

NO WAY!!! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!!!!!

Toyokawa has somehow with 2 outs put together 5 runs and has taken the lead!!!!

IT'S 7-6 TOYOKAWA!!!!!!!!!

Yamada pops up to 2nd to end the inning, but Toyokawa is now 3 outs away from advancing to the final!!

Top 9th
Imai-kantoku sends in #17 Ookouchi to pitch.  But I look at my roster and he's an OF??  What about Ochiai?? (I learned later that he was sick and unavailable to pitch)

So if Ookouchi is pitching... does that mean they have no pitchers left??   I remember my first trip to Natsu Koushien back in 2006.  Teikyou trailed Chiben Wakayama 8-4 going into the top of the 9th.  They somehow went and scored 8 in the top of the 9th capped off with a PH 3-run HR.  That PH was for their pitcher.  And they had none left.  Try as they might, they couldn't find one to close the game.  Chiben Wakayama went on to win in sayonara fashion 13-12.

I began to wonder if this might end up the same way...  I felt helpless for Teikyou back then when I blurted out (much to the surprise of everyone) that they had no pitchers left.  I really didn't want to see that again now.

First two pitches are balls and same goes the 3rd.  Not terrible, but not in the zone either.

Finally a strike.

Oh no....

Kanaoka drives a ball to left!  Yamada going back to the fence!

No....

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First batter for Riseisha confirms my fears.  It's a douten HR for Kanaoka and we're at 7-7...

The question will be now, can they somehow find 3 outs?

There's one as Nagatani pops out to 2nd...

But each batter is a battle... After falling behind 3-0, he works the count full.

Yet still walks him...

There's 2... Inoue reaches out and pops a ball up to 3rd.  Nakamura makes the catch.

Yoshida up to try his hand at Ookouchi.

Tsuji takes off for 2nd!!  Throw in... not in time!  Gyakuten runner in scoring position!

So, Imai-kantoku elects to intentionally walk Furutani to get to Furutani.

But it's not Furutani, but #15 Fukuyama.  Okada-kantoku playing the lefty-righty matchup.

And like as if Imai-kantoku had a full bullpen, he makes a change!  It's 1B Itou who takes the hill!  #16 Satou comes in for reliever Ookouchi and goes to 1B.

What in the world is Imai-kantoku doing?  It's obvious he has no real pitchers left...  And yet he's laughing!  Really??  I guess maybe if you know you're already in this situation, and you put yourself in it, then I suppose you can.  But this is for a place in the finals!

And perhaps as expected, he's struggling - and yet having some success against the PH.  Count goes to 2-2 as Fukuyama fouls off a pair...

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

I have no idea what that pitch is, but Fukuyama chases it outside and somehow, someway, Toyokawa has gotten out of the inning!!

Bottom 9th
But given the bullpen stuations, it is tenuous at the very best.  If Toyokawa wants to win this game, they have to win now.  There's no way these emergency pitchers can hold on for much longer, and yes I know it's been just 1 inning, but it's the truth - especially against an offensively minded team such as Riseisha.

The bad part is that Toyokawa has their 8-9-1 hitters up. And looking at their roster, they are very low on options.  Imai-kantoku will have to run with what he has...

Riseisha on the other hand, has their bullets to use.  PH Fukuyama goes to 1B, Kinuta goes to 2B.  Inoue goes to RF, and Nishimura goes to CF.

First up, new 1B Satou.  He doesn't look totally outmatched, but the count falls to 1-2.

SANSHIN!  Nagatani goes inside with a fastball and Satou cannot catch up!

Shima first pitch swinging!  It's a dying ball to center..  Nishimura charging in... makes the running catch.  Quickly 2 down.

Last chance really in Nakamura, he's gotten on base all 5 times today.

Ball to left!  Kanaoka ranging to his right, in foul territory... makes the catch!

Side retired for Toyokawa, and they will have to survive another half inning.  But judging from the 2 bench players left, I don't think there's much they can do at this point.

Top 10th
And the inning ominously begins with Nishimura taking the first pitch through the left side, he's 5-5 with a walk now.  Hatta squaring to bunt, but Itou not giving him anything so far buntable.  And now Itou is behind 3-0....

Ball 4...  Oh boy....

Kinuta now squaring to bunt.  Lays it down.  Ah....

Nakamura slips charging in!  Throw to 1st, not in time!  Bunt base hit for Kinuta on the slip by Nakamura and Toyokawa is really in a world of trouble...

Time for Toyokawa as Tanaka comes out for Imai-kantoku.

*sighs*

The first pitch from Itou hits Kanaoka on the head, and that brings in a run.  8-7 Riseisha and a game that already appeared over, probably is now.

Imai-kantoku firing probably his last bullet.  Itou is leaving the mound, but who is replacing him? Even his own players are standing around wondering what's going on...

And it appears that C Himi will actually take the hill!  Itou goes back to 1B, and #12 Imai goes in Satou's place to work behind the plate.  The players are all laughing, and I suppose by this time now that's about as much as you can do given the circumstances.

At this point the only bench player left is IF #14 Yoshimura (Remember that Ochiai is unavailable due to illness).

Perhaps as expected, Himi struggles on the mound, falling behind Nagatani 3-1, but manages to fill up the count.

But his full count pitch goes way up and in, and it's a 9-7 game.

Tsuji chopper up middle!  Over Himi's head, and through the drawn in infield!  One run scores, Kanaoka being waved around!  Throw from Sugiura... not in time and it's 11-7...

Inoue tries to lay down the bunt, but Himi goes to 3rd and easily gets Nagatani for just the 1st out...

Yoshida chopper to left side.  Nakamura tries to play the hop, but it gets by him for a base hit.  Manrui yet again for Riseisha.

#12 Nakamura in to hit for Fukuyama.

First pitch fly down the right field line!  Takeichi sprinting over... reaches out... makes the catch!  He slips and falls, but Tsuji was going to tag up anyways.  12-7.

Nishimura up for his 2nd AB this inning. Yoshida takes off for 2nd, no throw.

Count runs full on Nishimura, chopper in front of the plate.  Himi charging in, quick throw... gets Nishimura to end the inning.  But as expected, Riseisha has blown it open.

Bottom 10th
Nakamura stays in to play 1B.

Sugiura trying to start the long road back with a single back up the middle.

Despite the deficit, the ouen-dan playing Ama-chan, and about as vocal as ever.  Just in case, #18 Honjyou for Riseisha is warming up.

Himi jammed inside, pops it up!  Kanaoka coming in to shallow left center, makes the catch for the 1st out.

Takakuwa at the plate now... he pops it up!  Nakamura under it in foul territory, and there's 2 down.

Itou the last chance for Toyokawa...

Fly to center.  Nishimura going back, still going back... stops...and makes the catch to end the game.

Toyokawa gave just about all it could give in this game, but just ran out of options at the end and thus fell short to Riseisha 12-7 here in 10.

It's too bad really as Toyokawa really did have a title contender on their hands.  But everything started when Imai-kantoku oddly enough put his ace pitcher in relief.  You can't fault him though, relief starter Abe had been playing with fire during all 5 innings of work.  You didn't want to keep him in the game too long, so putting in your ace to work the last 4 innings made sense.

What perhaps he might have though about in hindsight is that Riseisha could have been preparing for Tanaka all along.  And if so, putting him in would have been the worst thing he could have done.

It certainly seemed to be the case as Riseisha jumped n him for 5 runs.  And with Nagatani on the mound, it seemed like they had no shot.

Credit Toyokawa though, they didn't give up, they got to Nagatani and actually took the lead!

But it came at a high price...

Bringing back memories of a famous games 8 years ago, Imai-kantoku had pinch-hit for his last official pitcher as he was already down a pitcher due to illness.  He tried to patch a staff together with what he had left, and while they had given up lead, still had a chance to win the game in regulation.

And much like the Meitoku Gijyuku-Chiben Wakayama game, Toyokawa needed to win it in regulation.  This time around though it was not to be.  And Riseisha put the game away in enchousen.

I do hope to see Toyokawa back at Koushien again, but with Aichi as it is, it might be a tough thing to ask for.

As for Riseisha, they are the first team to enter the finals.  They certainly got their biggest scare today, and the more reliable Nagatani has shown his first cracks of weaknesses.  Will they be able to hold on for one more game to win the title??

Ikeda (Tokushima)

CF Satou Masahiro
2B Takai Katsuya
C Miyake Shun
3B Okamoto Masaya
1B Kimura Shun
RF Kita Masashi
LF Hosoda Konan
P Nanishi Yuuto
SS Jyoutoku Yoshiki

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09:03 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Two well located balls and Satou behind 0-2.  Satou the fighter, fouls off a couple of pitches.  But Tanaka pulls out the splitter and that's his first K.

Takai with a drive to right!  Takeichi running back to the foul pole, and it's foul!

And now Tanaka with the slider away gets his 2nd K.

Miyake avoids 3 straight Ks, but grounds the first pitch back to Tanaka for the 3rd out.

Bottom 1st
Already problems for Ikeda as Jyoutoku slips on the grass fielding Nakamura's popup and it falls in for a base hit.  Sugiuchi bunts him along.

Hm... Nanishi early getting a lot of towering popups.  Himi hits such a ball and Okamoto catches it near the Toyokawa dugout for the 2nd out.

More problems for Jyoutoku.  He's shielded somewhat by the runner Nakamura, but he can't field the grounder by Takakuwa and Toyokawa is already threatening.

He's bailed out when Ren grounds a ball to 3rd.  Okamoto throws to 1st, and Kimura makes a good pick off the bounce for the 3rd out.

Top 2nd
Tanaka playing it unexpectedly safe against Okamoto, winds up issuing the leadoff walk.  Kimura follows with obligatory bunt.

Kita makes decent contact, or so I though until Yamada has to come in quite a bit to make the catch.

Hosoda with a ball to deep center, Sugiura ranging to his left, stretches out... and makes the catch!  That saves a run for Toyokawa!

Bottom 2nd
Toyokawa still struggling to find solid contact against Nanishi.  Takeishi grounds to 1st, and while Yamada hits a flyball to left, Hosoda is there for the catch.

But Nanishi can't get the clean inning after he walks Tanaka on 4 straight.

Shima follows that up with a crisp liner to left and Toyokawa has something brewing here.

I guess I spoke too soon about Nanishi.  Nakamura with a drive to right center.  That goes all the way to the wall and both runners will come in to score.  It's a 2 RBI triple and Toyokawa opens the scoring at 2-0. That brings a timeout from Okada-kantoku.

But Sugiura connects on a ball and send that down the left field side for a double to make it 3-0.  Himi with a single scores Sugiura and just like that it's 4-0.  Takakuwa flies to center to end the inning, but as expected Toyokawa jumps on Ikeda.

Top 3rd
Nanishi catches a break when his comebacker is deflected by Tanaka to the left side, forcing Takakuwa to go back to field it.  That allows Nanishi to reach base.

Jyoutoku tries to bunt the runner over, but pushes both attempts foul.

But before that, Nanishi is caught sleeping at 1st, and is way too late in getting back to the bag.  1 out.

Which becomes a shame because Jyoutoku draws a walk.

And then is caught off 1st too!  Boy Jyoutoku looked bad there too.

Throw in a groundout by Masahiro and that's a definitive case of getting in your own way.

Bottom 3rd
Nanishi gets his first K of the game when Ren waves on the forkball.

2 down, and Nanishi's defense is completely failing him.  Yamada with a grounder up the middle, Jyoutoku gets there, but can't make the clean grab.  E6 and the inning continues.

Tanaka singles to right on the first pitch and could they be putting in for another big inning?

It almost looks like Shima hits the ball off the ground!  He flies out to left though and at least for now, the deficit stays at 4.

Top 4th
Ikeda making some good contact on the ball, but can't find the holes.  Takai booms one to center, but Sugiura is already back there to wait for it.

Miyake has to defend the plate on the full count, and unfortunately keeps one in play for Yamada to catch near the fence in foul territory.

Shima finishes off the inning charging a grounder from Okamoto.  He takes a couple extra steps, but crossfires back to 1st for the out.

Bottom 4th
Nakamura with his 3rd hit of the day, with a base hit to center.  He then takes off for and successfully steals 2nd!  Down 1-2 though Sugiura goes down swinging.

Nanishi retires the next 2 batters in order and he's settled down since the 2nd hoping to keep his team in it.

Top 5th
Kita gets Ikeda's second hit, a liner back up the middle that whizzes by Tanaka's glove.

Okada-kantoku tries to put on the hit-and-run, but Hosoda hits it right to Shima.  He gives it to Takakuwa who finishes the double play to end the inning.

Bottom 5th
Ren continues to struggle against Nanishi as he strikes out for the 2nd straight AB.  Takeichi also remains hitless after he skies a ball to Jyoutoku behind the bag at 2nd.

And it's Nanishi's first lean inning as Yamada pops out to Miyake near the his own on deck circle and we hit the break.  Toyokawa up as expected, but outside of the 2nd inning, Nanishi has held his own.

Top 6th
One down for Ikeda, Jyoutoku with a chopper back up the middle.  Tanaka tips it with his glove and as a result deadens the ball preventing Takakuwa from making a play on it.

Masahiro goes down on the slider for Tanaka's 5th K.

It looks like Ikeda might leave a runner stranded again, but Takai with a solid single to the left side keeps the inning going.

Well, for one more pitch anyways.  Miyake goes after the first pitch and flies to left.  Yamada secures it and there goes another chance.

Bottom 6th
Well, Nanishi has continued to stop the Toyokawa offense.  He strikeout of Shima is bookended with two groundouts, so and he has his 2nd clean inning.

Top 7th
Sadly Ikeda continues to be unable to do anything on offense as they are retired in order.

Bottom 7th
Sugiura with a ball into the gap for a leadoff double.  That's the first big hit since the 2nd.

2 batters later, it's Takakuwa with a ball to right center!  That's down for a double, but Sugiura holds up late at 3rd!  Miyake starts the rundown, and although there's a slight hiccup they get the out.

#3 Itou hits for Ren, but fares no better in the spot grounding out to 3rd.

Top 8th
Itou stays in the game at 1B.

One down #11 Hayashi comes in to hit for Nanishi, and promptly puts a ball down the right field line for a double!  And then steals 3rd!

Jyoutoku absent of a base hit, chops the ball to short.  Takakuwa has only one play and Ikeda avoids the shutout. 4-1 now the margin.

#14 Oonishi hits for Masahiro, but he hits a grounder back to Tanaka to end the inning.

Bottom 8th
#10 Watanabe comes in for PH Oonishi and takes the mound.  #13 Tomikawa comes in for PH Hayashi and takes over in CF.

There's a lot of balls going off the pitchers as Takeichi has one go off the glove of Watanabe.  Once again it deflects to the left side and SS Jyoutoku has no chances as he has to backtrack to the ball. Tanaka advances him another 90 feet with a deep fly to center.

Shima though flies out to shallow left, but his team is just 3 outs away from advancing.

Top 9th
Takai tries to get the offense started, but he's way in front of a slider and flies out to right.  Miyake gets a green light on a 3-0 count, but he grounds one back to Tanaka.  And Okamoto ends the game with a flyout to center.

Toyokawa not as dominating offensively as I was expecting, with most of their hits coming in that 2nd inning.  Tanaka was pretty much on his game from the get go and never let Ikeda get back in the game.  He gave up the shutout, but nothing else.

Ikeda can at least say that after a long time away they still won a game.  But it'll take some work for Okada-kantoku to bring the school back to their olden days.

Toyokawa meanwhile moves on in their first go at Koushien.  They do look like a contender, but the offense is bit of a concern.

Side note: Imai-kantoku had played against the Yamabiko Ikeda teams of old and lost.  So this is said to be his revenge as a manager.  Sort of.

Notable Players
Tanaka Sora (Toyokawa) - CG, ER, 5 H, 7 K, 2 BB
Sugiura Kenta (Toyokawa) - 2-3, 2 2B, R
Nakamura Kazuya (Toyokawa) - 12-4, 3B, R, 2 RBI
Nanishi Yuuto (Ikeda) - 7 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 4 K, BB
Hayashi Ryouhei (Ikeda) - 1-1, 2B, R
Nanishi Yuuto (Ikeda) - 1-2

Top 1st

Tanaka firing strikes and gets Hoshi on a slider that just drops out for the first out.  Kurodai falls victim to the same pitch and Tanaka has 2 quick Ks.

Kodachi with a chopper up the middle, Takakuwa with the great play by the bag, but the throw isn't in time to beat the speedy Kodachi...

But Ikeda rolls over another slider and grounds out to 2nd for the 3rd out.  Satou looks darn good.

Bottom 1st
Iidzuka up all business as he gets Nakamura to chase the fastball up and away for the first out.

Sugiura can't get level on another high fastball and chops one to Arai.

And then a 142 fastball down and away is waved at by Himi for the 3rd out.  Yeah, this looks good to start.

Top 2nd
After a hard groundout to 2nd by Iidzuka, Kobayashi almost takes out Tanaka's legs on a ball up the middle.

Bust-and-run!  Takeishi hits a grounder to the left side!  Yamada has it, but has to go back slightly and as a result the ball trickles out!  All safe!  Chance early for Nihon Bunri!

Kamakura with the chopper over Tanaka!  Takakuwa charges in, only has the play at first and takes it.  2 down with both runners in scoring position now!

Tanaka shuts the door!  He pulls the slider on Arai for his 3rd K!

Bottom 2nd
Toyokawa's ouen-dan a bright red with a white TK logo.

Iidzuka and his counterpart Tanaka harder throwers than most, as Iidzuka can hit upper 130s and Tanaka the lower 140s.

But it's the offspeed pitches the batters are going for.  Takakuwa goes on the slider, hitting a weak chopper to the left side.  Ikeda cuts in front of Kurodai and makes the throw for the out.

Satou with a laser shot to center, but Takeishi has to move very little to field it.

And Takeichi lifts a change to the lower atmosphere as Kurodai makes the catch for the 3rd out.

Top 3rd
Back to the top of the order and Hoshi.  He hits a grounder to Takakuwa near 2nd and his quick throw is picked by Itou for the out.

I can barely keep up as Kurodai grounds on the first pitch and grounds to 2nd.  Kodachi looks to have crushed the ball, but it was really off the end of the bat and Sugiura is there to make the catch.

Bottom 3rd
The game is moving quickly, but this time because the batters are just overmatched by the strong pitching.  Shima just watches the fastball go by for Iiduzka's 3rd K.

After a groundout by Tanaka, Yamada finally gets Toyokawa a baserunner when his ball sneaks by Ikeda and Kurodai for a base hit.

But wouldn't you know it, he gets caught off stealing early and is run down 1-6-3...

Top 4th
Ikeda becomes another K victim as he chases the slider.  Tanaka tries Iidzuka further and further away before Iidzuka finally says enough.  Tanaka comes back just enough for Iidzuka to roll it over to 2nd.

And a 142kph 2-seamer comes back over the plate for strike 3 on Kobayashi!  That's 5 K's for Tanaka!

Bottom 4th
Nakamura goes after the first pitch and flies out to left.  Iidzuka finally makes a mistake as he hits Sugiura to give Toyokawa a baserunner.  This as #3 batter Himi steps in.

Ah, but Imai-kantoku calls for the bunt! Himi lays it down and advances the runner for Takakuwa.

Iiduzka gets away with a high slider that Takakuwa swings under.  Then he gets him to offer on a ball up the ladder.  And to finish him off?  A fastball down when Kamakura calls for it up.  Devious that.

Top 5th
Oh man, we have a pitcher's duel going on.

Takeishi is just made to look silly as he screws himself on a slider.  Kamakura is way out in front of a slider, but Takakuwa makes the acrobatic quick throw for the 2nd out.

Arai finally makes contact, but grounds to Shima for the 3rd out.  That's 3 clean innings now for Tanaka.

Bottom 5th
Satou lifts a slider down the right field line, Hoshi makes the flashy sliding catch for the first out.

Takeishi catches a ball down the 1st base side, and Kodachi just can't get it as it goes to right for a base hit.

Shima with the pop bunt down the 1st base side.  Kodachi goes to field it, but he boots it!  Uh oh, chance for Toyokawa as Ooi-kantoku calls time!

Ama-chan! And again a different part than what we heard in the summer.

Tanaka with a ball up the middle, Arai with it... loses it!  Makes the desperate shovel to Kurodai and they get the runner at 2nd, but Toyokawa gets one more chance as last batter Yamada steps in.

But Iidzuka can't find the plate and falls behind 3-0.. and walks him!  Manrui for Toyokawa!!

Worse yet, it's back to the top of the lineup and Nakamura!!

But Nakamura is swinging away and fouls off the first 2 pitches quickly finding himself fighting at 0-2.

Just fouls one off up the 1st base line...

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

Nakamura can't lay off the "obvious" high fastball and Iiduzka is out of the jam!  We hit the break in a neat 50 minutes with the score deadlocked at 0 - perhaps for the foreseeable future because these aces are dealing.

Top 6th
There is that pop in the catcher's glove that make one take notice.  Tanaka has that pop.

And he locates really well...

Hoshi goes down swinging for the 2nd time, this time on the fastball just outside his bat.  Kurodai quickly down 0-2 after a couple of pitches outside.  Tanaka nibbles once, then pulls the slider and gets Kurodai twisting in the wind.

And Kodachi goes down on the hard slider inside and it's 3 more Ks for Tanaka.  Good lord, 9 Ks through 6.

Bottom 6th
Iiduzka is having to play catchup to Tanaka it seems, and outside of the shaky 5th is matching him.

Nakamura with a solid comebacker, but Iidzuka's glove is right there to pick it for the out.

Toyokawa is making more contact, that's for sure - and it can force problems, such as Himi's grounder to 2nd that Arai just flat flubs.

Takakuwa given the bunt signal at 2-1, but he fouls it off!  So it's back to swinging away as he slowly works the count full.

Hit and run!  But Takakuwa lines it right to Arai who tosses to first for the easy L4-3 DP!

Top 7th
Tanaka continues to paint the edges and then some making the Nihon Bunri batters swing at anything close.  Ikeda chases the slider away for Tanaka's 10th K.

Iidzuka with a drive to left center!  Yamada and Sugiura already back converge... and it's Yamada who makes the sliding catch for the out!  Close, but yet so far...

Kobayashi rolls over a pitch for the 3rd out, and we continue to be scoreless!

Bottom 7th
Satou becomes a K victim as he chases an outside fastball that was too close to take...

Takeichi guesses right on the slider and hits one to left center!  That's in the gap for a double and Toyokawa has their 2nd chance of the game!

Shima trying to advance the runner, 3B umpire says he didn't check his swing and falls behind 1-2.  Fastball away brands him with a 2nd K.

Against his counterpart, Iiduzka works outside and way in to get ahead 1-2 before going way away to level the count.  But Tanaka falls to his own strategy as he chases the splitter down and in.  That's 3 more K's for 8 on the day!

Top 8th
Takeishi's squaring of the ball with the bat works as he slashes the fastball back up the middle for a leadoff hit!

There's a small time out as Takeishi has to work out a supposed cramp.  After a little stretching, he fine as Kamakura steps in.

Kamkura looks to bunt and offers on the first pitch but misses.  Tanaka making it very difficult to do it, pitching outside to Kamakura.

SWING!  It's a hit-and-run!  But the ball is buried and Kamakura misses!  Doesn't matter because Takeishi takes 2nd!

Tanaka exacts revenge by getting Kamakura to chase on a change inside.

Sensing a rare chance, Ooi-kantoku sends in #15 Takeuchi to hit for Arai.

Takeuchi isn't biting on anything outside and goes 3-0 before a border line ball comes for a strike.  Eventually it's a unintentional intentional walk to create the force as Imai-kantoku calls time.  #14 Hagino meanwhile takes over for Takeuchi at 1st.

Back to the top of the order and Hoshi.  Can he break the deadlock?

Not when you swing at a fastball in the opposing batters box... (kinda joking)

AH!!!!  Tanaka leaves one over and Hoshi is all over it!  Takeichi sprinting back.... near the wall... can't get there!  It drops in as Takeishi is being sent home!  The throw is not nearly in time and Nihon Bunri finally breaks the tie here in the 8th! 1-0 Nihon Bunri!!

Imai-kantoku with another timeout to settle the team down...

Kurodai looking to lift a ball instead hits one off the end of his bat right to Shima who checks the runner and goes to 1st for the 2nd out.

Tanaka being careful with Kodachi with 1st base open, falls behind 3-1.  Doesn't completely give in and makes Kodachi foul off a couple of pitches.

Comebacker to Tanaka!  It's off his glove!!  The ball fortuitously goes toward 1st allowing Tanaka to field it and fire for the 3rd out!!  But one mistake from Tanaka gives Nihon Bunri the lead!!

Bottom 8th
Now can Iidzuka make it stick?  #16 Kaidzu comes in for Hagino to take over at 2B.

And after a bathroom break by Takeishi, we're back up and running.

9-1-2 for Toyokawa as Ama-chan plays.  Will they press?

Doesn't look like it as Yamada takes his time, but chops a splitter to 2nd.  Kaidzu flips to 1st for the out.

As the new guy, the ball is finding Kaidzu as Nakamura also hits one right to him.  No problem as he fields it cleanly for the 2nd out.

Sugiura trying to be the thorn in Iidzuka's side works the count full.  But he can't lay off the chin high fastball and he hits a roller to Iiduzka that he can just leisurely throw to 1st for the 3rd out!  Toyokawa's running out of time!!

Top 9th
Ikeda first pitch gets down and drives the ball to right center for a leadoff single!  Iidzuka not bunting in this situation, they're going all out.

Though Iidzuka could learn not to hit the change.

Grounder by Iiduzka... gets past Shima!!  Ikeda on his horse heads to 3rd, but what is Iiduzka doing going to 2nd?! Shima fires to 2nd and easily gets Iidzuka for the out.  That made no sense.

Kobayashi scorcher to 3rd!  Nakamura makes an amazing stop!  Ikeda has to hold as Nakamura goes to 1st for the 2nd out!

And there's no timely for Takeishi as his attempt as the buster hit rolls to short where Takakura goes to 1st to retire the side!  Will that baserunning mistake hurt?

Bottom 9th
Well, there's 3 outs to go... and the 3-4-5 batters are up...

There might be a kph or 2 off his fastball now..  Himi with a half swing fouls a pitch off to make it 2-2..

And Iiduzka has to duck for his life as Himi lines one right past his head.

#18 Yamamoto comes in to run for Himi as they look for the douten run.

What's more, #4 Takakuwa is bunting!  Lays it down... Iiduzka goes to 2nd??!!  He gets the out (barely!), goes to 1st... safe!  Man that was close to being a total disaster for Iidzuka..

Satou with a short chopper.  Iidzuka takes his time (almost too much) for the 2nd out!

Takeichi with a ball to the right side, through!  Hoshi fires home and Takakuwa holds up!  Kamakura fires to 3rd... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHY IN THE WORLD DO YOU THINK THAT IS NECESSARY!!!

Kamakura throws it away off of Ikeda's glove allowing Takakura to score making it 1-1!!!

After some tense pitches against Shima, Iidzuka gets Shima to swing and miss on a high fastball, but a poor decision by Kamakura costs Nihon Bunri the win (for now).

Onto enchousen!

Top 10th
So we're back at square 1 with max 5 innings to go.

Kamakura doesn't help his cause going 0-4 now with a grounder to 2nd.

Kaidzu in for his first AB of the game, has a swinging bunt up the 1st base line.  Itou comes in to take it, but no one covers 1st!

Back to the top of the lineup and Hoshi.  I doubt Tanaka will make the same mistake.

Instead, he turns one over to the right side right between Itou and Shima for a base hit!  Kaidzu makes it all the way to 3rd and Nihon Bunri comes right back to threaten!  Imai-kantoku calls time as Kurodai comes up.  A sac fly will suffice if he can do it.

Tanaka pitching to the low part of the zone to prevent that, gets ahead 1-2 after Kurodai fouls one off himself.

Kurodai with a slow grouner to the right side... Shima charging in fields it... double clutches!! He has to go to 1st as Kaidzu scores and Nihon Bunri just like that retakes the lead at 2-1!!

Kodachi with a blooper to left!  Yamada charging in... can't get there!  Hoshi being waved around running at top speed!  Throw from Yamada.... SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hoshi slides in just under the tag and it's a 3-1 lead for Nihon Bunri!!

Ikeda flies out to left, but Nihon Bunri gets the lead back with interest.  Toyokawa down to their final 3 outs yet again!

Bottom 10th
This time though it's the 8-9-1 batters.

But Tanaka shows maturity as he just puts the bat on the ball and places one in center for a base hit!

Yamada with a dive to left center!!  Kobayashi running over... stretches... can't get it!  Tanaka easily scores as Yamada comes in with a triple!  It's 3-2 and the douten run is 90 feet away with no out!

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nakamura shoots one off the drawn in Kaidzu and into right!  Yamada scores and we're all tied up again!!  It's 3-3!!!!!

Ah!!  Sugiura gets unlucky with a fastball going off his bat as he ducks. It goes right to Iidzuka for the 1-6-3 DP!!

Of course we're headed to another inning as Imai flies out to center...

Top 11th
One down and Kobayashi hits a ball up the middle.  Takakuwa with another fine play and throw to 1st for the 2nd out!  Takeishi flies out to right to end the inning, and now it's Toyokawa's turn!!

Bottom 11th
And it's the 4-5-6 batters for Toyokawa due up!

Takakuwa does what he should and just pokes the ball to center for a base hit.  Satou bunts him along into scoring position.

Iiduzka trying to buckle down as best he can, gets Takeichi twisted on a slider away for the 2nd out.

He's being careful with Shima, falling behind 2-0, but two swings on splitters bring him level.  He might be tiring as he's flying open, but he gets Shima to ground to 1st.  Kodachi has it and goes to the bag to end the inning!!

Top 12th
Kamakura with a scorcher up the 3rd base line... just foul!  And the slider from Tanaka puts him away.

Kaidzu looking for a spark tries the safety bunt, but rolls it foul.  And again he's behind 0-2. He certainly was put in for defensive purposes...

Uh oh, is Tanaka having cramping issues?  He's taking extra time out there.  Kaidzu winds up grounding to 2nd.

Hoshi with a base hit past Takakuwa's glove for a base hit!  He's pressing for 2nd (WHY?) and Yamada throws to 2nd.. OUT!

*sighs*

Bottom 12th
Tanaka up to start the inning, and considering the cramping issues might now want to run.  But Iidzuka decides to run the count full....

And now Tanaka is doing his best to waste pitches from Iidzuka, but his swing certainly looks stiff.  He winds up flying out to left.

Yamada looking to get on base, woks the count, but also ends up with a groundout (Ikeda just a tad high on the throw, but it's fine...)

What momentum Toyokawa has seems to be dissipating as the batters flail away at Iidzuka's pitches..  Nakamura waves and misses and were on to the 13th.

Top 13th
It's a 3 inning game, and neither team wants to replay the game.  Tanaka sits at a whopping 170 pitches.

Kurodai with a slow grounder to short, Takakuwa fires, beating a diving Kurodai (again, WHY the diving?)

Kodachi barely staying alive just fouling off Tanaka's offerings before grounding to 1st.  But Itou is expecting Tanaka to cover, forgetting he has the cramping issues!  Kodachi beats out the confused duo and Nihon Bunri has a runner!

And Kodachi takes off for 2nd!  Imai fires to 2nd, but is way too late!  Nihon Bunri with a chance!

Ikeda with a ball back up the middle... past a diving Takakuwa!  Kodachi thinks about it, but Sugiura's throw home makes him think otherwise.

Imai-kantoku calls time as Iidzuka steps in...

Iidzuka with a grounder up the 1st base line!  It stays fair as Itou tags 1st!  Goes home!!!

OUT!!!!  Kodachi broke for home and is thrown out by Itou!  Nihon Bunri's chance goes begging and momentum may be back with Toyokawa!

Bottom 13th
One down, Iidzuka falls behind Imai 3-0 and eventually draws a walk bringing up Takakuwa.  Who bunts the runner along...

So Toyokawa will play for the one chance with Satou...

And that does it!  Satou drives the ball to deep left center where no one can get it!  Imai can walk home as Toyokawa pulls off the victory 4-3 over Nihon Bunri!

Augh....

The game was as close as I expected, but did not go as I expected.  For 8 innings it was a complete pitchers' duel, and then suddenly the bats opened up on both sides.  And for every punch Nihon Bunri delivered, Toyokawa had a reply.  Is there some remnant of the Okinawa Shougaku game?  Maybe, but they had 2 chances to close the game, and failed both time.  And some key mistakes for Bunri on the basepaths due to pressing perhaps contributed to the loss.

With the loss of Nihon Bunri, Toyokawa becomes no secret to anyone anymore.  Ikeda should be a piece of cake with the time off, but after that will probably be Okinawa Shougaku.  If they can get past that game, a spot in the title game looks quite possible.

*sighs*  There goes one of my teams again...

Notable Players
Tanaka Sora (Toyokawa) - 13 IP, 3 ER, 13 H, 12 K, BB
Takeichi Keishi (Toyokawa) - 3-5, 2B
Yamada Daichi (Toyokawa) - 2-4, 3B, R, RBI, BB
Satou Ren (Toyokawa) - 1-5, GW RBI
Iidzuka Satoshi (Nihon Bunri) - 12.2+ IP, 3 ER, 10 H, 11 K, 2 BB, HBP
Hoshi Kenta (Nihon Bunri) - 3-6, 2B, R, 2 K
Kodachi Otowa (Nihon Bunri) - 3-6, RBI, K
Takeishi Ryou (Nihon Bunri) 2-5, R, SB