Apologies, I didn't have enough time to get the pregame writeup done here. But Kounan is off a very mentally draining game against Iwamichisuikan to start the tournament. They won't see many nearly as many pitching changes in this game, but they will face an offense in Toba that like to get singles, and a lot of them.
Toba (Kyoto)
LF Tabuchi Kouichirou
3B Iwakiri Kaito
CF Ina Kasumi
1B Kozono Shinnosuke
C Umetani Seigo
SS Minami Musashi
2B Nakajima Kouhei
RF Miyanishi Jyunya
P Matsuo Daiki
Kounan (Okinawa)
SS Higa Tatsutoshi
2B Naka Hibiki
LF Gushiken Taiki
1B Kina Chouki
RF Ishikawa Ryou
C Sakumoto Kazuki
CF Sunagawa Kento
3B Ganaha Makoto
P Hiyane Masaya
____________________________________________________________
15:40 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Good start for Hiyane as he gets 2 quick groundouts before Ina flies out to right for a clean inning.
Bottom 1st
It's just as quick for Matsuo. He needs just 8 pitches to get 3 groundouts.
2nd Inning
More of the same for Kounan in the 2nd. Hiyane just needs 9 pitches to get another clean frame.
Same cannot be said for Toba as Nakajima airmails a throw on Kina's ground ball. Ishikawa singles to left and there's runners at the corners!
Ishikawa takes off for 2nd, but no throw! Toba looking for double steal perhaps?
And Sakumoto singles to center Kina comes home! Ishikawa waved around! Throw from Ina... On a line! Umetani with the tag... OUT!
Kounan tries for 2 runs, but a great throw from Ina gives them just 1!
Matsuo escapes the inning without any further damage, but Kounan is on the board.
Top 3rd
Hiyane's perfect game is gone, he hits Miyanishi with one down.
Now that they have a baserunner, they send him to 2nd! Miyanishi takes and steals the bag!
But Matsuo flies out to right.
Huh, and it's raining now. with 2 down.
Tabuchi with the safety bunt! Ganaha throw to 1st... not in time!
Tabuchi takes off for 2nd! With the bunt play no one was covering 2nd and Tabuchi takes it without a challenge! That's heads up by Tabuchi!
Iwakiri works the count full, and just does get the walk. It's manrui, but with 2 outs.
Hiyane trying to pound Ina inside, but he's missing and now behind 2-0.
Tries again, but Ina whips it back over Ganaha and down the left field line!! 2 runs will score and Toba has the 2-1 lead!
Kosono walks on 4 straight, and it's manrui again. This time though Umetani flies out to right and the side is retired.
Bottom 3rd
One down and Higa doubles to right center! Douten runner on for Naka, but he flies out to shallow left.
Matsuo leaves one over for Gushiken and he singles to left! But Higa has to hold at 3rd!
And that proves costly! Kina grounds to 3rd! Iwakiri with a strong throw to 1st gets the out! Side retired!
4th Inning
It was almost 3 up, 3 down for both sides but strangely with 2 outs and a Sunagawa grounder to 2nd, no one was at 1st to receive the throw.
Yet Kounan gives it right back to Toba as Sunagawa is caught stealing 2nd.
Top 5th
Matsuo a leadoff single for Toba. Tabuchi lays down the bunt, Kina crashes, throws to 2nd, but it's high and wide! Everyone's safe!!
Another bunt! Kina crashing again! But he can't field it cleanly! Has to go to 1st and the bunt succeeds!
And Ina gets his job done! He hits a fly to center that easily gets Matsuo home and it's 3-1 Toba!
Kozono strikes out, but the lead is extended!
Bottom 5th
#16 Ninomiya comes in to hit for Ganaha.
And Matsuo issues his first walk of the game to Ninomiya. Hiyane tries to lay down the bunt, but he three bunts his way to a K.
Higa shot to short, but Minami makes the leaping catch! Tries to double off Ninomiya, but the throw is short and gets by Kozono! Ninomiya takes 2nd!
Naka can't capitalize! He grounds to short and the side is retired! We head to the break with Toba having the lead over the Okinawan champs!
Top 6th
Umetani with a ball to the right side, Nakajima runs it down, but has no play at 1st. Minami bunts him over.
Nakajima working the count, takes a couple close pitches inside to run the count full, but can't hold off the last one for the K.
Miyanishi grounds to 1st, and strands Umetani at 2B.
Bottom 6th
I don't really understand. It seems like Kounan is averse to taking a walk. Up 3-1 on the count, Gushiken swings away and grounds out.
Ishikawa lines a ball to right center! That''ll go for extra bases! Kina holds at 3rd, but now a base hit can tie this game right up! Toba calls for time.
Sakumoto grounder to short! He looks at home and 3rd, but rifles to 1st and just gets Sakumoto out. One run scores though and its 3-2.
But Sunagawa can't drive in the douten run! He grounds to 2nd and the side is retired!
Top 7th
2 down and Iwakiri almost makes it a 4-2 ball game just pushing a ball foul down the left field line.
He then is patient enough to draw the walk. Though he later tries to steal 2nd and is thrown out.
Bottom 7th
Ninomiya with a drive to deep center! That's over Ina's head and to the wall! Douten runner on in scoring position!
Hiyane tries to bunt the runners over, but he bunts through the ball for the K.
Higa comes through with a single to center! The throw goes home and allows Higa to go to 2nd!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They put on the squeeze but Naka bunts right through it! Ninomiya is run down and there 2 outs! Is Matsuo going to get out of this jam?
NO!
Naka drives the very next pitch to left and it'll go over the drawn in outfield! Naka makes it all the way to 3rd and we're tied at 3-3!!
Now Matsuo hits Gushiken! Now the question is, is Matsuo breaking down late?
Not yet! He gets Kina to chase the slider in the dirt and gets the 3rd out! But Matsuo needs to survive 2 more innings yet he's given up a run in each of the last 2!
Top 8th
Toba if nothing else likes to grind out ABs. Ina does so and draws a leadoff walk.
Kozono not bunting, but in a long AB with Hiyane.
Liner! Right to Ishikawa! Throws to 1st... they tag Ina for the double play!!
And with Umetani flying out to right Kounan gets the chance to take the lead!
Bottom 8th
Full count to Ishikawa and Matsuo leaves one up! Ishikawa singles past a diving Iwakiri for a base hit!
Sakumoto lays down the bunt, it stays fair! They make the tag but the ball comes out! However, it was after the tag, so the out stands. However, Ishikawa advances to 3rd on the play!
Sunagawa slices a ball to left! That falls in and Ishikawa scores! 4-3 Kounan!
Matsuo gets his final 2 outs, but the damage is done. Now they have just 3 outs to score a run of their own.
Top 9th
#14 Kawai to hit for Minami to start the 9th. But he flies out to right, 1 down.
Nakajima flies out to left, and there's 2 down.
Miyanishi flies out to center, and that's the ballgame! Kounan advanves with the 4-3 win at the end!
Showing posts with label Toba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toba. Show all posts
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Friday, August 14, 2015
Day 9, Game 2 - Tsu Shougyou (Mie) v Toba (Kyoto)
Well, with that game out of the way, we focus on the last 4 teams to try and qualify for the 3rd round. Tsu Shougyou and Toba both are not experienced at Koushien but get an opportunity to move on.
Tsu Shougyou perhaps ended Takashima's tenure at Chiben Wakayama with a sound 9-4 win. Chiben may not have been the team it once was, but to put runs up in each of the final 6 innings was impressive.
Same goes for Toba, whose MO was to just base hit a team to death, actually used a HR to open the scoring en route to a dominant 7-1 over Okayama Gakugeikan.
It's difficult to handicap this game because the Chiben win for Tsushou has to be discounted based upon the end result and how weak Chiben felt. And as for Toba, Okayama Gakugeikan was no world beater either, so some of their results should be taken with a grain of salt.
I would like Tsu Shougyou to win, but I see Toba's strategy and I like it very much.
Tsu Shougyou (Mie)
3B Ogouchi Kengo
CF Maeda Yuuta
1B Mastuba Kanou
LF Tsuji Yuuki
SS Egawa Yuuto
2B Takahashi Tomoki
RF Kuritani Taichi
P Sakakura Makoto
C Masuoka Akira
Toba (Kyoto)
LF Tabuchi Kouichirou
3B Iwakiri Kaito
CF Ina Kasumi
1B Kozono Shinnosuke
C Umetani Seigo
SS Minami Musashi
2B Nakajima Kouhei
RF Miyanishi Jyunya
P Matsuo Daiki
____________________________________________________________
12:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Ogouchi with a liner to right, but Nakajima highpoints the ball and makes the catch.
Maeda does the same thing to Minami, but this time Minami can't get it! Maeda books it and gets into 2nd ahead of the throw!
Matsuba with a loud out to center does move Maeda to 3rd, but Tsuji hits a routine grounder to 2nd and that's it for Tsushou.
Bottom 1st
Tabuchi liner up the middle, but Takahashi runs it down for the out!
And Iwakiri sees what Maeda did and rips a ball back up the middle, this time out of Takahashi's reach.
Yamada-kantoku goes for the hit and run over the bunt, and it prevents the double play as Ina hits it to short.
Kosono flies out to left and the inning is over.
Top 2nd
Egawa tries to put a ball through the gap in left, but while Iwakiri can't get it Minami will, and throws out Egawa.
On the next pitch, Takahashi grounds to 2nd.
It's not a 3 pitch inning, but it's close as Matsuo needs just 5 pitches to record a clean inning.
Bottom 2nd
Umetani single to right to start the inning. After a sac bunt, Nakajima singles to right! Runners at the corners and Toba with a chance to score the first run.
Yamada-kantoku goes for the hit and run again! But Miyanishi strikes out and Nakajima is a dead duck! He's run down and the inning is over!
Top 3rd
Outside of that double from Maeda in the first, the Tsushou offense has struggled. Matsuo records 2 strikeouts in a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 3rd
Meanwhile Toba continues to hit. Last batter Matsuo punishes a hanging fastball and drives it deep to right center for a double. He's bunted over by Tabuchi.
SQUEEZE!!!!
But Iwakiri misses! Matsuo in a rundown.. but the 3rd base ump says he avoids the tag from Sakakura and is safe!!
So instead Iwakiri singles through the left side and scores Matsuo! 1-0 Toba!
Ina liner to center, and that's in front of Maeda for a base hit! Miyamoto-kantoku calls time.
Kosono single to center! Here we go! Manrui for Toba!!
Single to right for Umetani! 2-0 now!
MINAMI A SINGLE BACK UP THE MIDDLE! 5th straight single and it's 3-0!!
Another timeout from Miyamoto-kantoku.
Nakajima soft liner... Egawa jumps and makes the catch! Umetani the easy double off and the inning is over. But we see the singles engine in action from Toba and if a team isn't prepared, they'll bleed to death.
Top 4th
Maeda trying to get Tsushou back in the game drives a ball to right for a double!
But it looks like it'll be wasted as Matsuba and Tsuji are soon retired for 2 outs.
Egawa comes through! He singles to left and Tsuhou is on the board at 3-1!
Ah~~~~ but he's picked off of 1st to end the inning.
To break
The teams settle down from there with only Iwakiri getting a hit between both teams. Toba has the 3-1 lead and a 10-3 lead in hits.
Top 6th
Ogouchi gets hit to start the frame, but again no bunt as Maeda flies out to center.
Ah, more poor baserunning as Matsuba lines out to short, and Minami rifles to 1st for the double play.
Bottom 6th
Minami ball up middle, but Egawa runs it down! Tries to twirl and throw, but it's not in time! Nakajima bunts him over.
Miyanishi tries the safety bunt, but just gets beaten out.
Matsuo up the middle. Egawa there again an AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
He can't pick it and that means Minami scores to make it 4-1!
Top 7th
Matsuba leadoff single to center. Wild pitch from Matsuo moves him to 2nd.
Tsuji grounds to 2nd to move him to 3rd, Takahashi grounds to 2nd to score the runner, 4-2. They're still behind, but they're chipping away.
Top 8th
Kuritani gets hit by Matsuo, and now #17 Imai will hit for Sakakura as his day is done. But he grounds into the 4-6-3 double play which kills the raly...
Bottom 8th
#10 Ishikawa enters the game to take the hill. He gets a 1-2-3 inning, but now the offense must deliver.
Top 9th
Instead Tsu Shougyou goes down in order and Toba moves onto the round of 16 with a 4-2 win!
Toba's dink and dunk method I've been waiting for a team to do, and Toba so far has executed. Now, the real test will be when they face a stronger team if they will be able to do that. As for Tsu Shougyou, defeating Chiben Wakayama should be an accomplishment in and of itself.
Tsu Shougyou perhaps ended Takashima's tenure at Chiben Wakayama with a sound 9-4 win. Chiben may not have been the team it once was, but to put runs up in each of the final 6 innings was impressive.
Same goes for Toba, whose MO was to just base hit a team to death, actually used a HR to open the scoring en route to a dominant 7-1 over Okayama Gakugeikan.
It's difficult to handicap this game because the Chiben win for Tsushou has to be discounted based upon the end result and how weak Chiben felt. And as for Toba, Okayama Gakugeikan was no world beater either, so some of their results should be taken with a grain of salt.
I would like Tsu Shougyou to win, but I see Toba's strategy and I like it very much.
Tsu Shougyou (Mie)
3B Ogouchi Kengo
CF Maeda Yuuta
1B Mastuba Kanou
LF Tsuji Yuuki
SS Egawa Yuuto
2B Takahashi Tomoki
RF Kuritani Taichi
P Sakakura Makoto
C Masuoka Akira
Toba (Kyoto)
LF Tabuchi Kouichirou
3B Iwakiri Kaito
CF Ina Kasumi
1B Kozono Shinnosuke
C Umetani Seigo
SS Minami Musashi
2B Nakajima Kouhei
RF Miyanishi Jyunya
P Matsuo Daiki
____________________________________________________________
12:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Ogouchi with a liner to right, but Nakajima highpoints the ball and makes the catch.
Maeda does the same thing to Minami, but this time Minami can't get it! Maeda books it and gets into 2nd ahead of the throw!
Matsuba with a loud out to center does move Maeda to 3rd, but Tsuji hits a routine grounder to 2nd and that's it for Tsushou.
Bottom 1st
Tabuchi liner up the middle, but Takahashi runs it down for the out!
And Iwakiri sees what Maeda did and rips a ball back up the middle, this time out of Takahashi's reach.
Yamada-kantoku goes for the hit and run over the bunt, and it prevents the double play as Ina hits it to short.
Kosono flies out to left and the inning is over.
Top 2nd
Egawa tries to put a ball through the gap in left, but while Iwakiri can't get it Minami will, and throws out Egawa.
On the next pitch, Takahashi grounds to 2nd.
It's not a 3 pitch inning, but it's close as Matsuo needs just 5 pitches to record a clean inning.
Bottom 2nd
Umetani single to right to start the inning. After a sac bunt, Nakajima singles to right! Runners at the corners and Toba with a chance to score the first run.
Yamada-kantoku goes for the hit and run again! But Miyanishi strikes out and Nakajima is a dead duck! He's run down and the inning is over!
Top 3rd
Outside of that double from Maeda in the first, the Tsushou offense has struggled. Matsuo records 2 strikeouts in a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 3rd
Meanwhile Toba continues to hit. Last batter Matsuo punishes a hanging fastball and drives it deep to right center for a double. He's bunted over by Tabuchi.
SQUEEZE!!!!
But Iwakiri misses! Matsuo in a rundown.. but the 3rd base ump says he avoids the tag from Sakakura and is safe!!
So instead Iwakiri singles through the left side and scores Matsuo! 1-0 Toba!
Ina liner to center, and that's in front of Maeda for a base hit! Miyamoto-kantoku calls time.
Kosono single to center! Here we go! Manrui for Toba!!
Single to right for Umetani! 2-0 now!
MINAMI A SINGLE BACK UP THE MIDDLE! 5th straight single and it's 3-0!!
Another timeout from Miyamoto-kantoku.
Nakajima soft liner... Egawa jumps and makes the catch! Umetani the easy double off and the inning is over. But we see the singles engine in action from Toba and if a team isn't prepared, they'll bleed to death.
Top 4th
Maeda trying to get Tsushou back in the game drives a ball to right for a double!
But it looks like it'll be wasted as Matsuba and Tsuji are soon retired for 2 outs.
Egawa comes through! He singles to left and Tsuhou is on the board at 3-1!
Ah~~~~ but he's picked off of 1st to end the inning.
To break
The teams settle down from there with only Iwakiri getting a hit between both teams. Toba has the 3-1 lead and a 10-3 lead in hits.
Top 6th
Ogouchi gets hit to start the frame, but again no bunt as Maeda flies out to center.
Ah, more poor baserunning as Matsuba lines out to short, and Minami rifles to 1st for the double play.
Bottom 6th
Minami ball up middle, but Egawa runs it down! Tries to twirl and throw, but it's not in time! Nakajima bunts him over.
Miyanishi tries the safety bunt, but just gets beaten out.
Matsuo up the middle. Egawa there again an AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
He can't pick it and that means Minami scores to make it 4-1!
Top 7th
Matsuba leadoff single to center. Wild pitch from Matsuo moves him to 2nd.
Tsuji grounds to 2nd to move him to 3rd, Takahashi grounds to 2nd to score the runner, 4-2. They're still behind, but they're chipping away.
Top 8th
Kuritani gets hit by Matsuo, and now #17 Imai will hit for Sakakura as his day is done. But he grounds into the 4-6-3 double play which kills the raly...
Bottom 8th
#10 Ishikawa enters the game to take the hill. He gets a 1-2-3 inning, but now the offense must deliver.
Top 9th
Instead Tsu Shougyou goes down in order and Toba moves onto the round of 16 with a 4-2 win!
Toba's dink and dunk method I've been waiting for a team to do, and Toba so far has executed. Now, the real test will be when they face a stronger team if they will be able to do that. As for Tsu Shougyou, defeating Chiben Wakayama should be an accomplishment in and of itself.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Day 5, Game 2 - Okayama Gakugeikan (Okayama) v Toba (Kyoto)
Our last game of round 1 features a first-timer that has been close in recent years versus a team I believe who last appeared in 2012 senbatsu as a 21st century team.
Okayama Gakugeikan has done well in recent years, but continued to run into Kanzei and Kurashiki Shougyou. They advanced without having to face either of those teams which while allowed them to get here, also means their form coming in doesn't look all that good. They did play against Soushi Gakuen and Tamano Kounan, but they like Okayama Gakugeikan are Tier 3 schools. And in both of those games, they came back from behind in the 9th to win those games by just a single run. The team did bat 0.364, but against weaker competition.
Toba's road was not all that easy, having to face Tier 3 school Kyoto Subaru, former Koshien participant Kyoto Shouei, and then Ritsumeikan Uji in the final. Amazingly, the team batted 0.439, and 0.567 in the final 3 games! The team doesn't get many extra base hits though, so that can be a big red flag. But I do always say, there's nothing like being pelted to death slowly.
Okayama Gakugeikan (Okayama)
1B Okamoto Shougo
CF Fujiwara Shingorou
LF Ushiro Daiki
RF Kina Satoshi
SS Ujiwara Kaito (#1)
C Hataguchi Yuuta
2B Mitsunari Daisuke
3B Ueoka Tatsuya
P Ookita Yuusuke (#10)
Toba (Kyoto)
LF Tabuchi Kouichirou
3B Iwakiri Kaito
CF Ina Kasumi
1B Kozono Shinnosuke
C Umetani Seigo
SS Minami Musashi
2B Nakajima Kouhei
RF Miyanishi Jyunya
P Matsuo Daiki
____________________________________________________________
12:05 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Hit batter to lead off the game advances to 3rd via bunt and groundout, but is stranded when Satoshi pops out to 2nd.
Bottom 1st
Iwada with a clean single through the right side. Toba goes for the hit and run, and Ueoka does good to give way to Ujiwara who had the better play, and just gets the out at 1st.
So much for being pelted to death! Kozono blasts a ball to left and Ushiro's not moving! It's 2-0 Toba!
And now here are the base hits. Umetani up the middle, Minami clean through the left side. They get no more runs, but the offense early on is there.
Top 2nd
Ujiwara single sneakes just past Minami.
Hit and run! Ball right to Nakajima's flip to 2nd pulls Minami off the bag, all safe! Now the bunt to move them over for Ueoka.
Top 3rd
Chance for Gakugeikan again. Grounder to short goes off of Minami and Fujiwara is aboard. The middle of the lineup though can't deliver as Fujiwara hits a weak comebacker to Masuo and Ujiwara fouls out.
Ueoka singles to left and there's runners at the corners.
SQUEEZE!
Ookita sells out for the squeeze, but the ball is wide and he has no chance! Umetani runs Hataguchi down for the 2nd out as Ueoka takes 3rd.
But Ookita strikes out and the inning is over.
Bottom 4th
Some nice defense from Okayama Gakugeikan 1 out, runner on 1st, Nakajima hits a ball to 1st. Okamoto steps on the bag, then throws to 2nd where they get the tag for the double play.
Bottom 5th
Tobe had a good chance with a runner on 2nd, 1 out but Miyanishi was too quick anticipating the throw to 1st on a grounder to 3rd and was subsequently run down. And that was pretty much the inning.
Bottom 6th
Ujiwara finally takes the hill with #6 Tanigawa taking SS.
Might not have been the best choice as he gives up a leadoff single to Ina and then after a balk, walks Kosono. Minami bunts the runners over.
And now Toba with the squeeze!! But Ujiwara glove tosses the ball home and it's an easy out! 2- down!
Nakajima delivers for Toba! He dumps a ball in right center for a base hit and that scores Kosono! 3-1 Toba!
Okamoto saves more runs when he smothers a grounder from Miyanishi, but Okayama Gakugeikan is under a lot of pressure right now.
Top 7th
Leadoff single for new S Tanigawa. But Okamoto goes swinging and strikes out instead of a bunt, and Fujiwara grounds back to Matsuo for a 1-6-3 double play. Not sure they can find any answers here.
Bottom 7th
Toba gets another runner in scoring position via hit and run when Iwada singles with Tabata on base. Iwada though is caught trying to take the extra base on the throw. The very next pitch is a wild one and scores the run for 4-1.
Bottom 8th
Toba adds on more runs, knocking Ujiwara back to SS and cementing their place in the 2nd round. Final damage sits at 7-1.
That's where the game ends with Toba's plan of hitting singles all over the place works to perfection. It is yet to be seen if it works against stronger competition.
Okayama Gakugeikan has done well in recent years, but continued to run into Kanzei and Kurashiki Shougyou. They advanced without having to face either of those teams which while allowed them to get here, also means their form coming in doesn't look all that good. They did play against Soushi Gakuen and Tamano Kounan, but they like Okayama Gakugeikan are Tier 3 schools. And in both of those games, they came back from behind in the 9th to win those games by just a single run. The team did bat 0.364, but against weaker competition.
Toba's road was not all that easy, having to face Tier 3 school Kyoto Subaru, former Koshien participant Kyoto Shouei, and then Ritsumeikan Uji in the final. Amazingly, the team batted 0.439, and 0.567 in the final 3 games! The team doesn't get many extra base hits though, so that can be a big red flag. But I do always say, there's nothing like being pelted to death slowly.
Okayama Gakugeikan (Okayama)
1B Okamoto Shougo
CF Fujiwara Shingorou
LF Ushiro Daiki
RF Kina Satoshi
SS Ujiwara Kaito (#1)
C Hataguchi Yuuta
2B Mitsunari Daisuke
3B Ueoka Tatsuya
P Ookita Yuusuke (#10)
Toba (Kyoto)
LF Tabuchi Kouichirou
3B Iwakiri Kaito
CF Ina Kasumi
1B Kozono Shinnosuke
C Umetani Seigo
SS Minami Musashi
2B Nakajima Kouhei
RF Miyanishi Jyunya
P Matsuo Daiki
____________________________________________________________
12:05 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Hit batter to lead off the game advances to 3rd via bunt and groundout, but is stranded when Satoshi pops out to 2nd.
Bottom 1st
Iwada with a clean single through the right side. Toba goes for the hit and run, and Ueoka does good to give way to Ujiwara who had the better play, and just gets the out at 1st.
So much for being pelted to death! Kozono blasts a ball to left and Ushiro's not moving! It's 2-0 Toba!
And now here are the base hits. Umetani up the middle, Minami clean through the left side. They get no more runs, but the offense early on is there.
Top 2nd
Ujiwara single sneakes just past Minami.
Hit and run! Ball right to Nakajima's flip to 2nd pulls Minami off the bag, all safe! Now the bunt to move them over for Ueoka.
Top 3rd
Chance for Gakugeikan again. Grounder to short goes off of Minami and Fujiwara is aboard. The middle of the lineup though can't deliver as Fujiwara hits a weak comebacker to Masuo and Ujiwara fouls out.
Ueoka singles to left and there's runners at the corners.
SQUEEZE!
Ookita sells out for the squeeze, but the ball is wide and he has no chance! Umetani runs Hataguchi down for the 2nd out as Ueoka takes 3rd.
But Ookita strikes out and the inning is over.
Bottom 4th
Some nice defense from Okayama Gakugeikan 1 out, runner on 1st, Nakajima hits a ball to 1st. Okamoto steps on the bag, then throws to 2nd where they get the tag for the double play.
Bottom 5th
Tobe had a good chance with a runner on 2nd, 1 out but Miyanishi was too quick anticipating the throw to 1st on a grounder to 3rd and was subsequently run down. And that was pretty much the inning.
Bottom 6th
Ujiwara finally takes the hill with #6 Tanigawa taking SS.
Might not have been the best choice as he gives up a leadoff single to Ina and then after a balk, walks Kosono. Minami bunts the runners over.
And now Toba with the squeeze!! But Ujiwara glove tosses the ball home and it's an easy out! 2- down!
Nakajima delivers for Toba! He dumps a ball in right center for a base hit and that scores Kosono! 3-1 Toba!
Okamoto saves more runs when he smothers a grounder from Miyanishi, but Okayama Gakugeikan is under a lot of pressure right now.
Top 7th
Leadoff single for new S Tanigawa. But Okamoto goes swinging and strikes out instead of a bunt, and Fujiwara grounds back to Matsuo for a 1-6-3 double play. Not sure they can find any answers here.
Bottom 7th
Toba gets another runner in scoring position via hit and run when Iwada singles with Tabata on base. Iwada though is caught trying to take the extra base on the throw. The very next pitch is a wild one and scores the run for 4-1.
Bottom 8th
Toba adds on more runs, knocking Ujiwara back to SS and cementing their place in the 2nd round. Final damage sits at 7-1.
That's where the game ends with Toba's plan of hitting singles all over the place works to perfection. It is yet to be seen if it works against stronger competition.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Day 5 - Game 2 - Toba (Kyoto) vs. Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima)
Our matinee game will be another one of those possible David vs. Goliath type matchups.
Sorry Toba, but that's kinda what you are. I believe they basically qualified by process of elimination. of the 4 quarter-finalists that lost Osaka Touin was almost guaranteed a bid. Naradai Fuzoku would lose out because they would be the 3rd team from Nara. And Mizoguchi eliminated themselves with a 15-3 loss to Riseisha.
So Toba, sorry but you were by default the last team from the Kinki region invited. Though for what it's worth, you did beat Fukuchiyama Seibi.
Seikou Gakuin made the Tohoku super-regional finals by defeating Hanamaki Higashi. But that's the only notable win on their schedule. They did limit Kousei Gakuin to 3 runs though, so that has to mean something. Problem is, we just don't know what - especially considering the below-average performance Hanamaki Higashi put up compared to prior years.
Seikou Gakuin, by their performance and schedule should be the favorite in this game. Though with little else to go on, it's just a paper David vs. Goliath.
2B Kanzaki Tomoki
RF Isaka Tomonori
P Gomi Takuya
CF Hanada Keisuke
SS Arai Kouji
LF Matsuzawa Kazuki
3B Matsumiya Yoshiki
C Kitagawa Rukiya
SS Hirano Yuuma
C Nagai Ryou
1B Sonobe Satoshi
RF Anzai Satoshi
LF Sekine Ryou
3B Kyouda Seiki
2B Minowa Masato
P Okano Yuuichirou
__________________________________________________
11:20 - First pitch!
Top 1st
I'd be interested to see how Okano carried a sub-1.00 ERA this past fall. I wonder if part of it is because teams lost players or lost teams altogether due to last year's disaster...
After Okano assists on the first two outs, he walks Isaka in front of cleanup batter Gomi.
But Gomi looks at strike 3 and that's the inning for Okano.
Bottom 1st
Saitou with a comebacker that is about to go under Gomi, but he deflects it with the glove! It goes to his SS, but Arai has no play at 1st.
Hirano tries laying down the bunt, but can't and the count goes to 0-2.
Hit-and-run is put on and Hirano singles through the left side! Saitou holds at 2nd, but a chance developing for Seikou.
Bunt is put on and the runners advance.
Sonobe walks and now it's manrui for Anzai as Yamada-kantoku calls for time.
Gomi gets Anzai to swing at a garbage pitch (sorry, had to put that pun in there) and the infield fly is called.
Sekine flies out to center, and Toba's out of the jam!
Top 2nd
So apparently the KSMS on their left sleeve, and the ones that some of the older folk at the top of oen-dan represents "Kyoto Secondary Middle School", which was the original name of the school.
And in the time it took me to write that, Toba goes 1-2-3
Bottom 2nd
And in the time it took me to fix parts of this entry, Seikou Gakuin goes down 1-2-3. Boy, that was a quick 1-2-3 inning.
Top 3rd
Ok, so about Okano. Stuff-wise, it's about the same as most others. Fastball in the mid 130s with a slider & shuuto. But he exhibits good control, which is more than what others could say.
But Eda gives Toba their first hit, a single under the diving Hirano for a 2-out single.
Yamada-kantoku tries the hit-and-run, but Kanzaki again hits a comebacker to Okano, ending the inning.
Bottom 3rd
So from what I can see, Gomi has a fastball in the high 120s occasionally hitting 130-131 and a slider in the 110s and a change of some sort in the 100s.
Hirano collects his second hit on another single to left.
Nagai hits a grounder to short. Arai starts the 6-4-3 double play, but Kanzaki's throw is high and wide and Eda can't get the sweep tag. 2 down.
Sonobe with a base hit just past the dive of Arai and will that failed DP cost them?
No! Anzai can't check his swing on a slider in the dirt and the inning is over!
Top 4th
2 quick outs for Toba, and Hanada with a hard liner to left! Sekine running back, leaps...
and makes the catch! WOW! Otherwise that's a double (it was getting close to the wall, but still)
Bottom 4th
This game is going about as fast as the first one. 4 innings in the books, and were averaging 10 minutes per inning!
Gomi is showing good control and mix of pitches. Seikou's batters are unable to make good contact right now as Sekine-Kyouda-Minowa go down in order.
Top 5th
In an interesting play, Okano's pitch hits the bottom of Arai's bat and stays in fair territory. He's thrown out 2-3.
Toba still cannot put any pressure on Okano and go down in order yet again.
Bottom 5th
We finally get a baserunner when Saitou collects his second hit, this one to center.
Hirano isn't called on to bunt like so many other times, but the hit-and-run does the same thing as he grounds out to 2nd.
And Nagai grimaces as he hits a fly ball to center. Hanada camps under it for the out, and we hit the break with a scoreless draw so far and just 5 hits between both teams!
Top 6th
Eda with a blast to center! Saitou running back, but it's over his head! Eda settles in with a 1-out double!
No bunt from Kanzaki yet. Instead he grounds out to 2nd, but does advance the runner. Up to Isaka to deliver a one-timer to take the lead.
He takes a good hack, but misses on the 3-1. But on the full count pitch he flies out to left. The best scoring opportunity on both sides since the 3rd, and it goes begging.
Bottom 6th
Now it's Seikou's turn for a chance! Anzai lines a hanging fastball into left center! It goes all the way to the wall for a one-out double!
Sekine with a comebacker to Gomi. But he sees Anzai caught in between and starts the rundown! Gomi to Matsumiya to Arai to Gomi to Kanzaki...
But Sekine's slide tangled himself with Kanzaki and he's called out and Anzai goes back to 2nd! Gomi needs one more out.
Kyouda with a ball of the end of his bat back up the middle! It gets past Gomi and goes into center! Anzai's being sent home! The throw from Hanada isn't in time and Seikou Gakuin finally score the first run of the ball game! It's 1-0!
Minowa flies out to left, but Toba needs to find enough offense for one run with just 3 innings left to go.
Top 7th
And who better than their cleanup batter (and ace) Gomi to start the inning!
Gomi's hit to SS is bobbled by Hirano and Gomi dives in with a single (he really didn't have to do that, but yes, showing one's guts etc.)
Hanada up and he's swinging away. Wouldn't this be one of those times bunting would be a good idea?
Instead, Hanada grounds into the 6-4-3 double play...
And Arai can't check his swing on a high full count fastball, and Toba is turned away.
Bottom 7th
Gomi may be leaving pitches in the zone now as Okano hits a solid single past a diving Eda.
But Saitou-kantoku has Saitou swing away, and he twirls himself into a K on a slider in the dirt.
Now they try the bust-and-run, but Hirano fouls it off. He then lays down the bunt successfully as Saitou-kantoku looks for the insurance run.
Huh, I didn't notice until now, but there's a guy wearing a Toba uniform in the first row behind home just 2 seats away for Laga-san.
Whoops. Didn't pay attention there. Gomi loses Nagai after getting ahead 1-2.
Sonobe with a ball back up the middle. Just like Kyouda's it goes through to center! Okano is sent home, and the throw is again late! Seikou gets the insurance run to make it 2-0!
Anzai flies out to right to end the inning, but they get that all important run.
Top 8th
Yamada-kantoku goes to the bench early here in the 8th calling #12 Kuramuro to PH for Matsuzawa.
He's lucky a pitch was called a ball when he called time, but didn't notice. He ends up hitting a soft liner back to Okano.
Okano's pace is speeding up now as Matsumiya looks at a fastball on the outside corner for strike 3.
Kitagawa flies out to right, and time is running short for Toba.
Bottom 8th
#18 Oooka comes in for PH Kuramuro and takes over in LF.
Sekine with a grounder to 1st, but Eda can't field it cleanly. Sekine hustles down the line and they have no play. Kyouda plays a game of chicken after bunting down the 1st base line, but no further advancement than 2nd for Sekine.
Gomi though retires the next two batters, and if this is his final line, it's not bad at all. It's just bad that the offense is unable to do anything.
Top 9th
Though I suppose it's one of the reasons why Okano carried that sub-1.00 ERA.
Well, it's the top of the order and Eda, who's 2-3 on the day. Swings on the first pitch, but gets under it and pops out to center.
#17 Uchida comes in for Kanzaki, and flies out to left on the first pitch.
And Iisaka pops up to short, and Okano shuts out Toba!
It's a great performance by Okano has he lives up to his fall rep. And if not for some timely hits, Toba could have had a chance for the upset.
Gomi did a great job on the mound, just left a couple of pitches too fat and gave up 2 runs. But 2 over 8 is nothing to be ashamed of. It was a good game, just not good enough.
Notable Players
Gomi Takuya (Toba) - CG, 2 ER, 8 H, 3 K, 2 BB
Eda Yuuki (Toba) - 2-4, 2B
Okano Yuuichirou (Seikou Gakuin) - CG, 0 ER, 2 H, 5 K, BB
Saitou Yuuki (Seikou Gakuin) - 2-4, 2 K
Sonobe Satoshi (Seikou Gakuin) - 2-3, RBI, BB
Sorry Toba, but that's kinda what you are. I believe they basically qualified by process of elimination. of the 4 quarter-finalists that lost Osaka Touin was almost guaranteed a bid. Naradai Fuzoku would lose out because they would be the 3rd team from Nara. And Mizoguchi eliminated themselves with a 15-3 loss to Riseisha.
So Toba, sorry but you were by default the last team from the Kinki region invited. Though for what it's worth, you did beat Fukuchiyama Seibi.
Seikou Gakuin made the Tohoku super-regional finals by defeating Hanamaki Higashi. But that's the only notable win on their schedule. They did limit Kousei Gakuin to 3 runs though, so that has to mean something. Problem is, we just don't know what - especially considering the below-average performance Hanamaki Higashi put up compared to prior years.
Seikou Gakuin, by their performance and schedule should be the favorite in this game. Though with little else to go on, it's just a paper David vs. Goliath.
Toba (Kyoto)
1B Eda Yuuki2B Kanzaki Tomoki
RF Isaka Tomonori
P Gomi Takuya
CF Hanada Keisuke
SS Arai Kouji
LF Matsuzawa Kazuki
3B Matsumiya Yoshiki
C Kitagawa Rukiya
Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima)
CF Saitou YuukiSS Hirano Yuuma
C Nagai Ryou
1B Sonobe Satoshi
RF Anzai Satoshi
LF Sekine Ryou
3B Kyouda Seiki
2B Minowa Masato
P Okano Yuuichirou
__________________________________________________
11:20 - First pitch!
Top 1st
I'd be interested to see how Okano carried a sub-1.00 ERA this past fall. I wonder if part of it is because teams lost players or lost teams altogether due to last year's disaster...
After Okano assists on the first two outs, he walks Isaka in front of cleanup batter Gomi.
But Gomi looks at strike 3 and that's the inning for Okano.
Bottom 1st
Saitou with a comebacker that is about to go under Gomi, but he deflects it with the glove! It goes to his SS, but Arai has no play at 1st.
Hirano tries laying down the bunt, but can't and the count goes to 0-2.
Hit-and-run is put on and Hirano singles through the left side! Saitou holds at 2nd, but a chance developing for Seikou.
Bunt is put on and the runners advance.
Sonobe walks and now it's manrui for Anzai as Yamada-kantoku calls for time.
Gomi gets Anzai to swing at a garbage pitch (sorry, had to put that pun in there) and the infield fly is called.
Sekine flies out to center, and Toba's out of the jam!
Top 2nd
So apparently the KSMS on their left sleeve, and the ones that some of the older folk at the top of oen-dan represents "Kyoto Secondary Middle School", which was the original name of the school.
And in the time it took me to write that, Toba goes 1-2-3
Bottom 2nd
And in the time it took me to fix parts of this entry, Seikou Gakuin goes down 1-2-3. Boy, that was a quick 1-2-3 inning.
Top 3rd
Ok, so about Okano. Stuff-wise, it's about the same as most others. Fastball in the mid 130s with a slider & shuuto. But he exhibits good control, which is more than what others could say.
But Eda gives Toba their first hit, a single under the diving Hirano for a 2-out single.
Yamada-kantoku tries the hit-and-run, but Kanzaki again hits a comebacker to Okano, ending the inning.
Bottom 3rd
So from what I can see, Gomi has a fastball in the high 120s occasionally hitting 130-131 and a slider in the 110s and a change of some sort in the 100s.
Hirano collects his second hit on another single to left.
Nagai hits a grounder to short. Arai starts the 6-4-3 double play, but Kanzaki's throw is high and wide and Eda can't get the sweep tag. 2 down.
Sonobe with a base hit just past the dive of Arai and will that failed DP cost them?
No! Anzai can't check his swing on a slider in the dirt and the inning is over!
Top 4th
2 quick outs for Toba, and Hanada with a hard liner to left! Sekine running back, leaps...
and makes the catch! WOW! Otherwise that's a double (it was getting close to the wall, but still)
Bottom 4th
This game is going about as fast as the first one. 4 innings in the books, and were averaging 10 minutes per inning!
Gomi is showing good control and mix of pitches. Seikou's batters are unable to make good contact right now as Sekine-Kyouda-Minowa go down in order.
Top 5th
In an interesting play, Okano's pitch hits the bottom of Arai's bat and stays in fair territory. He's thrown out 2-3.
Toba still cannot put any pressure on Okano and go down in order yet again.
Bottom 5th
We finally get a baserunner when Saitou collects his second hit, this one to center.
Hirano isn't called on to bunt like so many other times, but the hit-and-run does the same thing as he grounds out to 2nd.
And Nagai grimaces as he hits a fly ball to center. Hanada camps under it for the out, and we hit the break with a scoreless draw so far and just 5 hits between both teams!
Top 6th
Eda with a blast to center! Saitou running back, but it's over his head! Eda settles in with a 1-out double!
No bunt from Kanzaki yet. Instead he grounds out to 2nd, but does advance the runner. Up to Isaka to deliver a one-timer to take the lead.
He takes a good hack, but misses on the 3-1. But on the full count pitch he flies out to left. The best scoring opportunity on both sides since the 3rd, and it goes begging.
Bottom 6th
Now it's Seikou's turn for a chance! Anzai lines a hanging fastball into left center! It goes all the way to the wall for a one-out double!
Sekine with a comebacker to Gomi. But he sees Anzai caught in between and starts the rundown! Gomi to Matsumiya to Arai to Gomi to Kanzaki...
But Sekine's slide tangled himself with Kanzaki and he's called out and Anzai goes back to 2nd! Gomi needs one more out.
Kyouda with a ball of the end of his bat back up the middle! It gets past Gomi and goes into center! Anzai's being sent home! The throw from Hanada isn't in time and Seikou Gakuin finally score the first run of the ball game! It's 1-0!
Minowa flies out to left, but Toba needs to find enough offense for one run with just 3 innings left to go.
Top 7th
And who better than their cleanup batter (and ace) Gomi to start the inning!
Gomi's hit to SS is bobbled by Hirano and Gomi dives in with a single (he really didn't have to do that, but yes, showing one's guts etc.)
Hanada up and he's swinging away. Wouldn't this be one of those times bunting would be a good idea?
Instead, Hanada grounds into the 6-4-3 double play...
And Arai can't check his swing on a high full count fastball, and Toba is turned away.
Bottom 7th
Gomi may be leaving pitches in the zone now as Okano hits a solid single past a diving Eda.
But Saitou-kantoku has Saitou swing away, and he twirls himself into a K on a slider in the dirt.
Now they try the bust-and-run, but Hirano fouls it off. He then lays down the bunt successfully as Saitou-kantoku looks for the insurance run.
Huh, I didn't notice until now, but there's a guy wearing a Toba uniform in the first row behind home just 2 seats away for Laga-san.
Whoops. Didn't pay attention there. Gomi loses Nagai after getting ahead 1-2.
Sonobe with a ball back up the middle. Just like Kyouda's it goes through to center! Okano is sent home, and the throw is again late! Seikou gets the insurance run to make it 2-0!
Anzai flies out to right to end the inning, but they get that all important run.
Top 8th
Yamada-kantoku goes to the bench early here in the 8th calling #12 Kuramuro to PH for Matsuzawa.
He's lucky a pitch was called a ball when he called time, but didn't notice. He ends up hitting a soft liner back to Okano.
Okano's pace is speeding up now as Matsumiya looks at a fastball on the outside corner for strike 3.
Kitagawa flies out to right, and time is running short for Toba.
Bottom 8th
#18 Oooka comes in for PH Kuramuro and takes over in LF.
Sekine with a grounder to 1st, but Eda can't field it cleanly. Sekine hustles down the line and they have no play. Kyouda plays a game of chicken after bunting down the 1st base line, but no further advancement than 2nd for Sekine.
Gomi though retires the next two batters, and if this is his final line, it's not bad at all. It's just bad that the offense is unable to do anything.
Top 9th
Though I suppose it's one of the reasons why Okano carried that sub-1.00 ERA.
Well, it's the top of the order and Eda, who's 2-3 on the day. Swings on the first pitch, but gets under it and pops out to center.
#17 Uchida comes in for Kanzaki, and flies out to left on the first pitch.
And Iisaka pops up to short, and Okano shuts out Toba!
It's a great performance by Okano has he lives up to his fall rep. And if not for some timely hits, Toba could have had a chance for the upset.
Gomi did a great job on the mound, just left a couple of pitches too fat and gave up 2 runs. But 2 over 8 is nothing to be ashamed of. It was a good game, just not good enough.
Notable Players
Gomi Takuya (Toba) - CG, 2 ER, 8 H, 3 K, 2 BB
Eda Yuuki (Toba) - 2-4, 2B
Okano Yuuichirou (Seikou Gakuin) - CG, 0 ER, 2 H, 5 K, BB
Saitou Yuuki (Seikou Gakuin) - 2-4, 2 K
Sonobe Satoshi (Seikou Gakuin) - 2-3, RBI, BB
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