The first game of the day sadly looks like a lopsided affair. Sendai Ikuei has watched as other title contenders have fallen by the wayside. Meanwhile, they annihilated Meihou in the 1st round 12-1 behind 20 hits. The pitching was not dominating behind ace Satou Sena, but could certainly be considered at least above average.
Takigawa Dai-ni on the other hand, struggled with Chuuetsu and was only able to win in the bottom of the 9th. The team did get 15 hits, but couldn't push the runs across. As for the pitching, Tomoi was far from dominating, yielding as many walks as Ks (4), and 11 hits in 8 innings.
With the draw falling the way it has though, there is a 2 in 3 chance they will have a tough matchup as either Kounan or Hanamaki Higashi may await. Otherwise, it's another soft matchup with Akita Shougyou.
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
Takigawa Dai-ni (Hyogo)
CF Negoro Shouta
LF Ooshima Masato
3B Kawakita Akihiro
1B Tatehata Ryouta
SS Yuuki Takara
RF Aoki Eiji
2B Yamane Takahiro (#14)
C Shibamoto Yuuki
P Tomoi Hiroto
__________________________________________________
09:30 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
One down and Aoki gets a bloop single just fair down the right field line.
Aoki then goes for 2nd during Hirasawa's AB and then he steals 3rd during Gunji's AB, however he can't get home as Gunji grounds out to end the inning. Odd that they're more stealing bases than getting hits.
Bottom 1st
Negoro gets a leadoff hit against Sena, a hard hit ball to left for a single.
But they push it by having him steal 2nd, and Gunji guns him down.
Sena being worked early, with Takigawa working the count full twice. But it ends up a 1-2-3 inning as both Ooshima and Kawakami ground out to 2nd.
Top 2nd
Kii draws a leadoff walk and is bunted over.
Yatsu can't get the run in and so it'll be to the ace to help his own cause.
And he does! Tomoi misses high on his pitch and Sena softly singles to center scoring Kii! 1-0!
Bottom 2nd
Sena almost gets a quick 1-2-3 inning after retiring the first two in just 5 pitches. But he walks Aoki on 4 straight and has to throw extra pitches. Yamane fouls out to end the inning, but it could have been easier.
Top 3rd
Sendai Ikuei giving Tomoi an easy time of it it seems with swinging away early and often in counts. 9 pitches later, he has a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 3rd
Shibamoto leads off the 3rd directing a ball through the right side for a leadoff hit and is bunted over.
Negoto with a chipper up the middle. Sena leaps and the pal tips off the glove and higher into the air! Yatsu with it quickly and fires to 1st... just in time! Shibamoto advances to 3rd.
Ooshima comebacker right to Sena! Goes to 1st and the inning is over!
Top 4th
Ryousuke leads off the inning with a ball to left center! Ooshima and Negoro converge, but somehow it falls in! Both were not running as fast as I though they should and the ball falls in!
Now a wild pitch from Tomoi moves the runner to 3rd!
Kii scored the first run, now he drives in the run! It's a rip shot past the drawn in infield and Ryousuke scores! 2-0!
Tooya does his 2nd sac bunt, moving Kii to 2nd.
Yatsu with a screamer, but it's right to Kawakita for the 2nd out.
Tomoi could have gotten out of the inning, but instead he walks Sena on a pitch not even close and turns the lineup over!
And now Shouta singles through the left side! Kii goes to 3rd and holds up. Aoki grounds out to short and 1 run is all they get.
Bottom 4th
Now Takigawa swinging at everything themselves. I can barely get ready for the inning when 5 pitches later, it's over!
Top 5th
Hirasawa with a drive to left! Aoki going back, going back... makes the catch with his back to the wall!
Gunji with a drive to left! Now it's Ooshima going back to the wall, but he pulls up!!
HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This time they don't miss! Gunji gives his team the 3-0 lead!
And now things start getting out of hand.
2 down, Kii singles through the left side. Another wild pitch from Tomoi moves him to 2nd. Then a walk.
Then Yatsu hits one hard off the wall for a double, and that scores both runners making it 6-0.
Sena gets a seeing eye single past Yamane, and Shouta rips one back past Tomoi.
And with that #18 Mori relieves Tomoi.
And then walks Aoki, meaning that Hirasawa gets to bat for a 2nd time.
He strikes out looking, but after holding on for 4 innings, Sendai Ikuei breaks through in big way.
Bottom 5th
Sena though not taking advantage of the lead, walks Aoki. And when he does his defense lets him down! Yamane hits a grounder to 1st, but Ryousuke boots the ball! All safe! And with Shibamoto moving the runners over they have a chance to cut the big deficit.
But they do a contact play! Mori hits it right to Shouta and he gets Aoki in a rundown! 2 out!
And Negoro flies out to center and the inning is over! A small scare for Sendai Ikuei, but at the break the game seems in hand.
Top 6th
It's a 1-2-3 inning for Mori, but Sendai Ikuei is more than happy to accelerate the game now.
Bottom 6th
Takigawa still hacking away, but its' an easy 3 outs for Sena.
Rest of game
I had/am having an emergency with my phone but in the meantime nothing really significant happens with the game. Takigawa Dai-ni avoids the shutout when Ooshims delivers a 2-out single to make it 7-1 and that's where the game ends. Nothing surprising other than it took a while for Sendai Ikuei to get started.
Showing posts with label Takigawa Dai-ni. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Takigawa Dai-ni. Show all posts
Friday, August 14, 2015
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Day 4, Game 3 - Chuuetsu (Niigata) v Takigawa Dai-ni (Hyogo)
Well, that was a very normal and competitive game. Something we've not really had. Hopefully this one will also be competitive.
Chuuetsu comes in after a 12 year hiatus, having defeated Hokuestu and the ever present Nihon Bunri for the title. The team batted 0.357 during their run, though the pitching did give up a couple of runs each time out.
Takigawa Dai-ni comes back after 3 years off. batting just 0.330 while facing none of the major Hyogo teams. Perhaps Akashi Shougyou in the finals or Suma Shoufuu in the quaterfinals, but they appear untested.
Niigata tends to be weak, even with Nihon Bunri, but the form reads an advantage to Chuuetsu.
Chuuetsu (Niigata)
LF Irisawa Takehiro
SS Nagai Kaito
CF Kobayashi Fumiya
C Namikata Ryou
1B Hatta Takeshi
3B Kobayashi Hiroki (#9)
RF Sekigawa Reo (#15)
P Takai Ryou (#10)
2B Iguchi Shuuichi
Takigawa Dai-ni (Hyogo)
CF Negoro Shouta
LF Ooshima Masato
3B Kawakita Akihiro
1B Tatehata Ryouta
2B Yamana Hiromu
SS Yuuki Takara
RF Aoki Eiji
C Shibamoto Yuuki
P Tomoi Hiroto
____________________________________________________________
13:40 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Irisawa with a blooper just out of the reach of Yamana to start the game. After that Tomoi walks Nagai which allows Fumiya to bunt the runners over.
Namikata grounds to 2nd, and it was another contact play. Yamana goes home and the runner is meat. He stays in rundown until Namikata can reach 2nd.
Hatta comes thtough though! Single back up the middle and it's 1-0 Chuuetsu!
Hiroki flies out to end the inning, but the Niigata champs are on the board!
Bottom 1st
Negoro with either what was a check swing bunt or a real check swing, beats out the chopper for a base hit. Although a wild pitch sends him to 2nd, Ooshima can't bunt him over and three-bunts his way to a K.
Kawaand Tatehata both grounds to 1st and the threat is neutralized.
Bottom 3rd
The teams were quickly changing sides until Shibamoto doubled past Fumiya. Tomoi's bunt failed when Takai looked the runner back.
But back to the top of the lineup and Negoro gets his 2nd hit, a single that goes off Nagai into center. Since the ball almost was fielded Shibamoto had to hold for an extra second.
Ooshima though completes the round! He singles to center and that scores Shibamoto to make it 1-1!
Kawakita with a hard hit ball back up the middle! It's off Takai and right to Nagai who goes to 2nd for 1, but Kawakita beats out the throw. Inning still alive, but a bad break for Takigawa.
Tatehata grounds to 2nd, but we have a new ballgame!
Bottom 4th
Takigawa Dai-ni seems to have the momentum now. Yamana doubles down the right field line and is bunted over. Aoki gets some hard luck when his liner goes right to Iguchi, and Shibamoto groudns to short to end the inning.
5th Inning
Takai leads off the inning with a single past Yamana. After a sac bunt, Irisawa gets hit.
Nagai with a comebacker up the middle, but it's too hard and Takai has to hold.
No matter though becasue Fumiya does the exact same thing and plates the run! 2-1!
Despite setting up the middle of the order, neither Namikata or Hatta can dive in more runs. Instead they both pop out.
As for Takigawa, Takai gives up another hit to Negoro, but he runs himself out at 2nd. We hit the break with Chuuetsu leading, but Takigawa within striking distance.
Bottom 6th
Tatehata with a leadoff single, and they go with the hit-and-run! Yamana singles to right and it's runners at the corners!
Yuuki grounds to 2nd, throw to 2nd for 1, relay... OH NO!
The throw goes off of Yamana and there's immediate time called. Yamana is down and a camera shot of him shows blood dripping down. The stretcher is out and he's going to the hospital for sure.
Good news is that the kantoku comes back pointing to above his eye. Still going to hurt, but hopefully it's not as serious as it could have been.
Back to the game, it's another hit-and-run as Aoki rifles a ball back up the middle, that'll score Tatehata and it's all tied at 2-2!
Shibahata with a ball to center, and there will be no throw home! Yuuki walks in and Takigawa has the 3-2 lead!
After another hit by Tomoi, ace Kamimura enters the game for Chuuetsu. He walks a batter, but gets out of the inning.
7th Inning
Irisawa gets a 1-out hit for Chuuetsu, but they can't do anything with it. The offense can only seem to find it in spurts, but they're running out of time.
Meanwhile although Kawakita gets a leadoff walk, it's wasted with a poor sac bunt. That gets compounded later when Tatehata tries to steal 2nd and is thrown out in spectacular manner as the SS does a twirl reaching down and makes the tag.
Top 8th
2 outs, and Hiroki scorches a bouncer past Kawakita and all the way to the fence for a double.
Sekiguchi with a grounder to the left side, Yuuki runs it down! Throw over as Sekiguchi faceplants his head-sliding!
It's wide!!
The throw is wide and goes into foul territory! Hiroki can walk home and we're tied once again!
Now Kamimura walks and could Takigawa be giving up the lead?
Iguchi single to center! They're waving Sekiguchi home! THrow from Negoro to Tatehaha home....
OUT!!!
Chuuetsu prolly rightly went for it, but sadly Takigawa made a great play to get the runner out.
Bottom 8th
Yuuki a grounder up the middle for a leadoff hit! He bunted over.
And they're relieving the ace! #11 Yukino comes in to handle Shibamoto! Will this pay off?
Grounder to 1st, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
It gets by Hatta into right! Yuuki goes to 3rd and will that be the dagger for Chuuetsu?
#13 Yoshii bats for Tomoi looking for the timely hit.
SANSHIN!!!!! Yoshii goes down swinging and there's 2 out!
Another strategy call! With 2nd open, they're going to intentionally walk Negoro to pitch to Ooshima. Will it work?
Liner! Right to Nagai! Inning over!
Top 9th
Nagai one-out single! No bunt and Fumiya, he singles to right! Nagai has to hold at 2nd.
But Namikata grounds to 2nd! Yamane can't get the ball out of the glove and they can only get 1. Will that hurt them?
No! Hatta grounds to 2nd and the inning is over!
Bottom 9th
Kawakita a liner to right to start the 9th for Takigawa! He's bunted over.
YAMANE single to left! Kawakata holds at 3rd! Well we have our 2nd sayonara game?
YES!
Yuuki lines one past a diving Iguchi and that's the ballgame! Chuuetsu fought hard the entire game, but in the end it just wasn't enough as Takigawa Dai-ni pulls it out in the end.
Chuuetsu comes in after a 12 year hiatus, having defeated Hokuestu and the ever present Nihon Bunri for the title. The team batted 0.357 during their run, though the pitching did give up a couple of runs each time out.
Takigawa Dai-ni comes back after 3 years off. batting just 0.330 while facing none of the major Hyogo teams. Perhaps Akashi Shougyou in the finals or Suma Shoufuu in the quaterfinals, but they appear untested.
Niigata tends to be weak, even with Nihon Bunri, but the form reads an advantage to Chuuetsu.
Chuuetsu (Niigata)
LF Irisawa Takehiro
SS Nagai Kaito
CF Kobayashi Fumiya
C Namikata Ryou
1B Hatta Takeshi
3B Kobayashi Hiroki (#9)
RF Sekigawa Reo (#15)
P Takai Ryou (#10)
2B Iguchi Shuuichi
Takigawa Dai-ni (Hyogo)
CF Negoro Shouta
LF Ooshima Masato
3B Kawakita Akihiro
1B Tatehata Ryouta
2B Yamana Hiromu
SS Yuuki Takara
RF Aoki Eiji
C Shibamoto Yuuki
P Tomoi Hiroto
____________________________________________________________
13:40 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Irisawa with a blooper just out of the reach of Yamana to start the game. After that Tomoi walks Nagai which allows Fumiya to bunt the runners over.
Namikata grounds to 2nd, and it was another contact play. Yamana goes home and the runner is meat. He stays in rundown until Namikata can reach 2nd.
Hatta comes thtough though! Single back up the middle and it's 1-0 Chuuetsu!
Hiroki flies out to end the inning, but the Niigata champs are on the board!
Bottom 1st
Negoro with either what was a check swing bunt or a real check swing, beats out the chopper for a base hit. Although a wild pitch sends him to 2nd, Ooshima can't bunt him over and three-bunts his way to a K.
Kawaand Tatehata both grounds to 1st and the threat is neutralized.
Bottom 3rd
The teams were quickly changing sides until Shibamoto doubled past Fumiya. Tomoi's bunt failed when Takai looked the runner back.
But back to the top of the lineup and Negoro gets his 2nd hit, a single that goes off Nagai into center. Since the ball almost was fielded Shibamoto had to hold for an extra second.
Ooshima though completes the round! He singles to center and that scores Shibamoto to make it 1-1!
Kawakita with a hard hit ball back up the middle! It's off Takai and right to Nagai who goes to 2nd for 1, but Kawakita beats out the throw. Inning still alive, but a bad break for Takigawa.
Tatehata grounds to 2nd, but we have a new ballgame!
Bottom 4th
Takigawa Dai-ni seems to have the momentum now. Yamana doubles down the right field line and is bunted over. Aoki gets some hard luck when his liner goes right to Iguchi, and Shibamoto groudns to short to end the inning.
5th Inning
Takai leads off the inning with a single past Yamana. After a sac bunt, Irisawa gets hit.
Nagai with a comebacker up the middle, but it's too hard and Takai has to hold.
No matter though becasue Fumiya does the exact same thing and plates the run! 2-1!
Despite setting up the middle of the order, neither Namikata or Hatta can dive in more runs. Instead they both pop out.
As for Takigawa, Takai gives up another hit to Negoro, but he runs himself out at 2nd. We hit the break with Chuuetsu leading, but Takigawa within striking distance.
Bottom 6th
Tatehata with a leadoff single, and they go with the hit-and-run! Yamana singles to right and it's runners at the corners!
Yuuki grounds to 2nd, throw to 2nd for 1, relay... OH NO!
The throw goes off of Yamana and there's immediate time called. Yamana is down and a camera shot of him shows blood dripping down. The stretcher is out and he's going to the hospital for sure.
Good news is that the kantoku comes back pointing to above his eye. Still going to hurt, but hopefully it's not as serious as it could have been.
Back to the game, it's another hit-and-run as Aoki rifles a ball back up the middle, that'll score Tatehata and it's all tied at 2-2!
Shibahata with a ball to center, and there will be no throw home! Yuuki walks in and Takigawa has the 3-2 lead!
After another hit by Tomoi, ace Kamimura enters the game for Chuuetsu. He walks a batter, but gets out of the inning.
7th Inning
Irisawa gets a 1-out hit for Chuuetsu, but they can't do anything with it. The offense can only seem to find it in spurts, but they're running out of time.
Meanwhile although Kawakita gets a leadoff walk, it's wasted with a poor sac bunt. That gets compounded later when Tatehata tries to steal 2nd and is thrown out in spectacular manner as the SS does a twirl reaching down and makes the tag.
Top 8th
2 outs, and Hiroki scorches a bouncer past Kawakita and all the way to the fence for a double.
Sekiguchi with a grounder to the left side, Yuuki runs it down! Throw over as Sekiguchi faceplants his head-sliding!
It's wide!!
The throw is wide and goes into foul territory! Hiroki can walk home and we're tied once again!
Now Kamimura walks and could Takigawa be giving up the lead?
Iguchi single to center! They're waving Sekiguchi home! THrow from Negoro to Tatehaha home....
OUT!!!
Chuuetsu prolly rightly went for it, but sadly Takigawa made a great play to get the runner out.
Bottom 8th
Yuuki a grounder up the middle for a leadoff hit! He bunted over.
And they're relieving the ace! #11 Yukino comes in to handle Shibamoto! Will this pay off?
Grounder to 1st, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
It gets by Hatta into right! Yuuki goes to 3rd and will that be the dagger for Chuuetsu?
#13 Yoshii bats for Tomoi looking for the timely hit.
SANSHIN!!!!! Yoshii goes down swinging and there's 2 out!
Another strategy call! With 2nd open, they're going to intentionally walk Negoro to pitch to Ooshima. Will it work?
Liner! Right to Nagai! Inning over!
Top 9th
Nagai one-out single! No bunt and Fumiya, he singles to right! Nagai has to hold at 2nd.
But Namikata grounds to 2nd! Yamane can't get the ball out of the glove and they can only get 1. Will that hurt them?
No! Hatta grounds to 2nd and the inning is over!
Bottom 9th
Kawakita a liner to right to start the 9th for Takigawa! He's bunted over.
YAMANE single to left! Kawakata holds at 3rd! Well we have our 2nd sayonara game?
YES!
Yuuki lines one past a diving Iguchi and that's the ballgame! Chuuetsu fought hard the entire game, but in the end it just wasn't enough as Takigawa Dai-ni pulls it out in the end.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Day 8, Game 3 - Takigawa Dai-ni (Hyogo) vs. Urasoe Shougyou (Okinawa)
Urasoe Shougyou did not disappoint me in their opening round game against Aikoudai Meiden. They jumped on ace Haamda very quickly for a 2-0 lead, then Meiden's defense helped them with 3 more. Now, both ace Miyazato and reliever Teruya had their own issues that day each giving up 2 runs apiece, and the fact that Urashou's offense stalled after going up 5-0 managing just 2 hits and 2 walks over the last 6 innings.
Takigawa Dai-ni played a level match against Kita-Ootsu, falling behind 4-1 before leveling the score before the mid-game break, and pushing through the winning run in the 8th.
Admittedly, I was concerned about the game for Takigawa Dai-ni because early on it didn't look good for them (I had favored them in the matchup). Kita-Ootsu had baserunners in scoring position in each of the first 7 innings so ace Satou was under some stress for a good portion of the game.
The fact that both teams played close games, but that Urasoe Shougyou defeated Aikoudai Meiden probably gives them an advantage. The question will be if the tandem of Miyazato/Teruya can hold up for the entire game.
Takigawa Dai-ni (Hyogo)
2B Matsuo
SS Mori
LF Fujikawa
1B Baba
RF Oshibe
CF Sawada
C Oosugi
3B Takeue
P Satou
Urasoe Shougyou (Okinawa)
1B Agarie
CF Ooshiro Rishuu
LF Goya
P Miyazato
2B Touma
C Iraha
RF Tamaki Daijirou
3B Kise
SS Uchima
____________________________________________________________
13:25 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Miyazato starting off nicely with a flyout to right by Matsuo, and a foul fly near the camera well by Mori. Fujiwara making it a little difficult filling up the count and fouling off a couple before flying out to center to end the inning,
Bottom 1st
Agarie with a drive to left center that completely splits the defense ! Agarie flying around the bases and he slides in with an easy leadoff triple!
Rishuu up looking for a way to get the run in. Hits one to left center. Sawada running over and back, makes the catch, and Agarie scores without a throw to make it 1-0 Urashou right off the bat!
Goya goes down on the slider for the 2nd out, but Urashou still finding the bat on Satou's pitches as Miyazato singles to right.
Touma grounds into the fielders choice at short, but Urashou's bats look good early dealing the first strike in the battle!
Top 2nd
Miyazato fighting control issues? He walks Baba on 4 straight.
Oshibe not bunting here, falls behind 1-2. And gets rung op on a fastball on the way outside corner.
Sawada up and now Shibutani-kantoku calls for the bunt. He lays it down and it's up to Oosugi to deliver the hit.
But Oosugi is fooled as Iraha frames outside, but the fastball is over the plate for strike 3! Miyazato out of the inning.
Bottom 2nd
One down and Daijirou singles to right.
Miyara-kantoku with the hit-and-run! Kise delivers a single to center! Daijirou goes for 3 as Sawada tries to gun him down! Throw is just a little late and Daijirou is safe! Meanwhile Kise continued on to 2nd and reaches safely!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Uchima lays down the squeeze bunt! Satou there to field the ball, but has no play at home! Goes to first and Urashou has the 2-0 lead!
Agarie flies out to left to end the inning, but Urashou pings Takigawa Dai-ni for another run!
Top 3rd
After getting ahead of Takeue 0-2, he runs the count full before getting him to chase a high outside fastball for the K.
Satou a stubborn thorn for Miyazato at the plate, fouling off pitch after pitch. But on the 9th pitch he finally gets him to wave at a slider away for the K.
Matsuo with a shot past a diving Agarie into right for a single. He takes off on the 1-0 pitch and slides in under the throw.
But Mori gets under one and flies to left and ending the inning.
Bottom 3rd
Goya with a liner to left. Fujikawa running back, and it's off the end of the glove! He chases it to the foul pole and Goya's in with a double!
Miyazato with a drive the other way! Sawada running back, chases it, one bounds to the wall! Goya scores to make it 3-0 Urashou!
After a ball to Touma, Shibutani-kantoku calls for time.
Touma with a ball to center! Sawada running in, dives, and misses it!!!!!!!
The ball quickly heads to the wall as Touma flies around the bases! Oshibe with the ball and Touma's being waved home! Relay throw not in time and it's an inside the park HR! The gamble from Sawada does not pay off and now Takigawa Dai-ni is really behind the 8-ball as Urashou takes the 5-0 lead!
Iraha and Daijirou are quickly retired, but instead of just being pinged for one run, Takigawa felt the pressure, gambled and lost and now has taken a direct hit.
Top 4th
After two easy infield out for the defense, Oshibe reaches down and lightly singles to left.
Sawada patient at the plate, and draws the walk. Iraha goes to talk with Miyazato and then Miyara-kantoku makes it a full conference.
Miyazato continues to have control issues as he misses badly falling behind 3-1 before getting Oosugi to foul one off.
But Oosugi chases the slider and goes down, leaving a pair on base.
Bottom 4th
One down and Uchima singles to center. Miyara-kantoku tries for the hit-and-run, but Agarie misses and Uchima is thrown out by a wide margin for the 2nd out.
Agarie then replaces the runner back on the bases with a base hit down the left field line for a double.
But a liner by Rishuu is snowconed by Mori to finally put up a zero for Urashou.
Top 5th
Satou taking that outside slider the other way past a diving Agarie into right for a one-out single.
Matsuo with a pop just outside the infield in left, and Uchima going back makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Mori again takes a pitch the opposite way and now Takaigawa has runners on 1st and 2nd for Fujikawa, but with 2 down.
Miyazato wiggles out of this one with another swinging miss on a slider to Fujikawa.
Bottom 5th
Goya, ahead 3-1 lines one to right for a single.
After a flyout by Miyazato, Touma hits a grounder up the middle. Mori makes the short toss to Matsuo for the force, but can't turn the backend of the double play.
Iraha flies out to left to end the inning, and we head to the break with Urasoe Shougyou holding on to the early 5-0 lead it built.
Top 6th
It's a quick 1-2-3 inning for Miyazato after the break as he just needs 8 pitches to retire the side.
Bottom 6th
Field temperature has hit over 105F. That's hot.
One down, Kise checks in with his 2nd hit, a single to left. Uchima lays down the bunt again looking for a timely hit from Agarie - who already has a triple and double.
He doesn't get to try and get one step closer to the cycle as he's hit.
Rishuu goes down swinging, and it's another 0 for Satou. But his offense needs to start narrowing the gap and quickly.
Top 7th
Oosugi with a slicer down the right field line fair! Daijirou with the ball, but Oosugi in with a leadoff double! Miyara-kantoku calls for time.
Takeue with a drive to right center! Rishuu running back, makes the catch on the fly! Oosugi tags up on the play.
Now #12 Abe comes to hit for Satou as his day is finished. He hits a grounder to short that bounces off and in front of Uchima! He gathers it in and throws to 1st for the out, but Oosugi held at 3rd!
Now there's 2 down and Matsuo needs to deliver the run here.
He does! He lines a single right and Oosugi walks in to make it 5-1!
Mori with a fly foul down the 1st base side. Daijirou runs over, leaps at the padding, collides with the fence, AND MAKES THE CATCH! Now that's selling out there because he jumped over the padding and collided with the fence.
Bottom 7th
#12 Ushio comes in for PH Abe and will take over in relief of Satou. He's a side-thrower with not much velocity.
Goya reaches out and pokes a ball back up the middle past Mori into center.
After a popout and a sac bunt, Miyara-kantoku sends in #13 Kinjyou Kai to hit for Iraha.
Kai with a drive to left center! Sawada chasing back after it, it's over his head! Goya scores easily as Kai slides in with a PH triple! It's 6-1 Urashou!
#16 Arazaki comes in to run for Kai.
But Daijirou grounds to 2nd to end the inning.
Top 8th
Pitching and defensive changes for Urashou.
Oshibe with a liner to right. Miyazato with a late break back, reaches up and makes the catch! Miyara-kantoku with the expression of "What were you doing??"
Fumika has to defend himself as Sawada hits one back to him. He makes the grab and toss to 1st to retire the side.
Bottom 8th
Kise draws a leadoff walk. Miyara puts on the hit-and-run and Uchima hits one into the hole in left. But Mori makes a great stop! And he throws to 2nd where Kise took too big of a turn and he's thrown out! One down.
The next two batters ground out and it's closing time for Urasoe Shougyou.
Top 9th
Oosugi with a groundout to short. #15 Enomoto in to hit for Takaue pops out to Touma in shallow center.
Last chance in #13 Tanaka Yuuji who is hitting for Ushio. But he grounds to short and the game is over.
Urasoe Shougyou right from the get-go put the foot on the gas putting Takaigawa Dai-ni down early. The pressure lead to a inside the park HR and a large uphill climb. Miyara-kantoku managed a good game in that he wanted to keep the pressure on, but wanted to shorten the game to rest his players, especially relieving his battery after 7.
So Urasoe Shougyou is again poised to make a deep run at Koushien and is one win away from the Best 8, though their sights are set just a little higher than that.
Takigawa Dai-ni just couldn't keep up with Urasoe Shougyou. But they had an impressive comeback win with against Kita-Ootsu, so on the overall while they didn't go as far as they'd like, they still made a good showing.
Notable Players
Miyazato Taiyuu (Urasoe Shougyou) - 7 IP, ER, 6 H, 6 K, 2 BB
Agarie Kyousuke (Urasoe Shougyou) - 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, HBP
Goya Yoshihiro? (Urasoe Shougyou) - 3-4, 2B 2 R, K
Touma ? (Urasoe Shougyou) - 1-3, Running HR, 2 RBI
Kise Yuuki (Urasoe Shouyou) - 2-3, K, BB
Matsuo Kouhei (Takigawa Dai-ni) - 2-4, RBI, SB
Oosugi Yuuto (Takigawa Dai-ni) - 1-4, 2B, 2K
Takigawa Dai-ni played a level match against Kita-Ootsu, falling behind 4-1 before leveling the score before the mid-game break, and pushing through the winning run in the 8th.
Admittedly, I was concerned about the game for Takigawa Dai-ni because early on it didn't look good for them (I had favored them in the matchup). Kita-Ootsu had baserunners in scoring position in each of the first 7 innings so ace Satou was under some stress for a good portion of the game.
The fact that both teams played close games, but that Urasoe Shougyou defeated Aikoudai Meiden probably gives them an advantage. The question will be if the tandem of Miyazato/Teruya can hold up for the entire game.
Takigawa Dai-ni (Hyogo)
2B Matsuo
SS Mori
LF Fujikawa
1B Baba
RF Oshibe
CF Sawada
C Oosugi
3B Takeue
P Satou
Urasoe Shougyou (Okinawa)
1B Agarie
CF Ooshiro Rishuu
LF Goya
P Miyazato
2B Touma
C Iraha
RF Tamaki Daijirou
3B Kise
SS Uchima
____________________________________________________________
13:25 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Miyazato starting off nicely with a flyout to right by Matsuo, and a foul fly near the camera well by Mori. Fujiwara making it a little difficult filling up the count and fouling off a couple before flying out to center to end the inning,
Bottom 1st
Agarie with a drive to left center that completely splits the defense ! Agarie flying around the bases and he slides in with an easy leadoff triple!
Rishuu up looking for a way to get the run in. Hits one to left center. Sawada running over and back, makes the catch, and Agarie scores without a throw to make it 1-0 Urashou right off the bat!
Goya goes down on the slider for the 2nd out, but Urashou still finding the bat on Satou's pitches as Miyazato singles to right.
Touma grounds into the fielders choice at short, but Urashou's bats look good early dealing the first strike in the battle!
Top 2nd
Miyazato fighting control issues? He walks Baba on 4 straight.
Oshibe not bunting here, falls behind 1-2. And gets rung op on a fastball on the way outside corner.
Sawada up and now Shibutani-kantoku calls for the bunt. He lays it down and it's up to Oosugi to deliver the hit.
But Oosugi is fooled as Iraha frames outside, but the fastball is over the plate for strike 3! Miyazato out of the inning.
Bottom 2nd
One down and Daijirou singles to right.
Miyara-kantoku with the hit-and-run! Kise delivers a single to center! Daijirou goes for 3 as Sawada tries to gun him down! Throw is just a little late and Daijirou is safe! Meanwhile Kise continued on to 2nd and reaches safely!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Uchima lays down the squeeze bunt! Satou there to field the ball, but has no play at home! Goes to first and Urashou has the 2-0 lead!
Agarie flies out to left to end the inning, but Urashou pings Takigawa Dai-ni for another run!
Top 3rd
After getting ahead of Takeue 0-2, he runs the count full before getting him to chase a high outside fastball for the K.
Satou a stubborn thorn for Miyazato at the plate, fouling off pitch after pitch. But on the 9th pitch he finally gets him to wave at a slider away for the K.
Matsuo with a shot past a diving Agarie into right for a single. He takes off on the 1-0 pitch and slides in under the throw.
But Mori gets under one and flies to left and ending the inning.
Bottom 3rd
Goya with a liner to left. Fujikawa running back, and it's off the end of the glove! He chases it to the foul pole and Goya's in with a double!
Miyazato with a drive the other way! Sawada running back, chases it, one bounds to the wall! Goya scores to make it 3-0 Urashou!
After a ball to Touma, Shibutani-kantoku calls for time.
Touma with a ball to center! Sawada running in, dives, and misses it!!!!!!!
The ball quickly heads to the wall as Touma flies around the bases! Oshibe with the ball and Touma's being waved home! Relay throw not in time and it's an inside the park HR! The gamble from Sawada does not pay off and now Takigawa Dai-ni is really behind the 8-ball as Urashou takes the 5-0 lead!
Iraha and Daijirou are quickly retired, but instead of just being pinged for one run, Takigawa felt the pressure, gambled and lost and now has taken a direct hit.
Top 4th
After two easy infield out for the defense, Oshibe reaches down and lightly singles to left.
Sawada patient at the plate, and draws the walk. Iraha goes to talk with Miyazato and then Miyara-kantoku makes it a full conference.
Miyazato continues to have control issues as he misses badly falling behind 3-1 before getting Oosugi to foul one off.
But Oosugi chases the slider and goes down, leaving a pair on base.
Bottom 4th
One down and Uchima singles to center. Miyara-kantoku tries for the hit-and-run, but Agarie misses and Uchima is thrown out by a wide margin for the 2nd out.
Agarie then replaces the runner back on the bases with a base hit down the left field line for a double.
But a liner by Rishuu is snowconed by Mori to finally put up a zero for Urashou.
Top 5th
Satou taking that outside slider the other way past a diving Agarie into right for a one-out single.
Matsuo with a pop just outside the infield in left, and Uchima going back makes the catch for the 2nd out.
Mori again takes a pitch the opposite way and now Takaigawa has runners on 1st and 2nd for Fujikawa, but with 2 down.
Miyazato wiggles out of this one with another swinging miss on a slider to Fujikawa.
Bottom 5th
Goya, ahead 3-1 lines one to right for a single.
After a flyout by Miyazato, Touma hits a grounder up the middle. Mori makes the short toss to Matsuo for the force, but can't turn the backend of the double play.
Iraha flies out to left to end the inning, and we head to the break with Urasoe Shougyou holding on to the early 5-0 lead it built.
Top 6th
It's a quick 1-2-3 inning for Miyazato after the break as he just needs 8 pitches to retire the side.
Bottom 6th
Field temperature has hit over 105F. That's hot.
One down, Kise checks in with his 2nd hit, a single to left. Uchima lays down the bunt again looking for a timely hit from Agarie - who already has a triple and double.
He doesn't get to try and get one step closer to the cycle as he's hit.
Rishuu goes down swinging, and it's another 0 for Satou. But his offense needs to start narrowing the gap and quickly.
Top 7th
Oosugi with a slicer down the right field line fair! Daijirou with the ball, but Oosugi in with a leadoff double! Miyara-kantoku calls for time.
Takeue with a drive to right center! Rishuu running back, makes the catch on the fly! Oosugi tags up on the play.
Now #12 Abe comes to hit for Satou as his day is finished. He hits a grounder to short that bounces off and in front of Uchima! He gathers it in and throws to 1st for the out, but Oosugi held at 3rd!
Now there's 2 down and Matsuo needs to deliver the run here.
He does! He lines a single right and Oosugi walks in to make it 5-1!
Mori with a fly foul down the 1st base side. Daijirou runs over, leaps at the padding, collides with the fence, AND MAKES THE CATCH! Now that's selling out there because he jumped over the padding and collided with the fence.
Bottom 7th
#12 Ushio comes in for PH Abe and will take over in relief of Satou. He's a side-thrower with not much velocity.
Goya reaches out and pokes a ball back up the middle past Mori into center.
After a popout and a sac bunt, Miyara-kantoku sends in #13 Kinjyou Kai to hit for Iraha.
Kai with a drive to left center! Sawada chasing back after it, it's over his head! Goya scores easily as Kai slides in with a PH triple! It's 6-1 Urashou!
#16 Arazaki comes in to run for Kai.
But Daijirou grounds to 2nd to end the inning.
Top 8th
Pitching and defensive changes for Urashou.
- Miyazato moves from the mound to RF.
- #12 Kuninaka comes in for PR Arazaki and takes over at C.
- #11 Kinjyou (Fumika?) comes in for Daijirou and takes over on the mound.
Oshibe with a liner to right. Miyazato with a late break back, reaches up and makes the catch! Miyara-kantoku with the expression of "What were you doing??"
Fumika has to defend himself as Sawada hits one back to him. He makes the grab and toss to 1st to retire the side.
Bottom 8th
Kise draws a leadoff walk. Miyara puts on the hit-and-run and Uchima hits one into the hole in left. But Mori makes a great stop! And he throws to 2nd where Kise took too big of a turn and he's thrown out! One down.
The next two batters ground out and it's closing time for Urasoe Shougyou.
Top 9th
Oosugi with a groundout to short. #15 Enomoto in to hit for Takaue pops out to Touma in shallow center.
Last chance in #13 Tanaka Yuuji who is hitting for Ushio. But he grounds to short and the game is over.
Urasoe Shougyou right from the get-go put the foot on the gas putting Takaigawa Dai-ni down early. The pressure lead to a inside the park HR and a large uphill climb. Miyara-kantoku managed a good game in that he wanted to keep the pressure on, but wanted to shorten the game to rest his players, especially relieving his battery after 7.
So Urasoe Shougyou is again poised to make a deep run at Koushien and is one win away from the Best 8, though their sights are set just a little higher than that.
Takigawa Dai-ni just couldn't keep up with Urasoe Shougyou. But they had an impressive comeback win with against Kita-Ootsu, so on the overall while they didn't go as far as they'd like, they still made a good showing.
Notable Players
Miyazato Taiyuu (Urasoe Shougyou) - 7 IP, ER, 6 H, 6 K, 2 BB
Agarie Kyousuke (Urasoe Shougyou) - 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, HBP
Goya Yoshihiro? (Urasoe Shougyou) - 3-4, 2B 2 R, K
Touma ? (Urasoe Shougyou) - 1-3, Running HR, 2 RBI
Kise Yuuki (Urasoe Shouyou) - 2-3, K, BB
Matsuo Kouhei (Takigawa Dai-ni) - 2-4, RBI, SB
Oosugi Yuuto (Takigawa Dai-ni) - 1-4, 2B, 2K
Friday, August 10, 2012
Day 3, Game 2 - Takigawa Dai-ni (Hyogo) vs. Kita-Ootsu (Shiga)
Our elevenses (≈brunch time) matchup today features Kita-Ootsu, who almost reached the Best 8 two years ago, versus Takigawa Dai-ni whose last appearance before the turn of the century resulted in a quarterfinal appearance.
Hyogo baseball is back on the upswing. After years of first game eliminations, the representatives from Hyogo have appeared in the Best 8 3 out the last 4 years and 4 of the last 6.
Given though, it was done solely between Touyoudai Himeji and Houtoku Gakuen, but it still is rather impressive.
This year though, Takigawa Dai-ni takes advantage of the elimination of both prefectural stalwarts to earn just their 3rd ever appearance. The road wasn't a total piece of cake as they had to play Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku (won 5-1), the aforementioned Houtoku Gakuen (2-1), and Kakogawa Kita in the finals (6-2).
A 0.298 batting average doesn't inspire too much confidence in the team's offense, but if there's one player that the opposition will probably have to worry about, it's #3 batter Fujikawa. He makes consistent contact on the ball, and isn't afraid to take a walk.
On the mound, Shibutani-kantoku depended on ace Satou to carry them the last couple of games. #10 Ushio and #11 Tanaka Kenta were used, but sparingly. Satou though won't strike out a lot of batters, so the defense will be pressed into action early and often.
Meanwhile, Kita-Ootsu makes their 3rd ever Natsu appearance after beating Oumi, Yachiman Shougyou, and Yasu in consecutive games for the title.
What's concerning is that as soon as they started facing tougher competition, their offensive production dropped. So that team batting average of 0.331 in prefecture is probably inflated. It also means that Miyazaki-kantoku will have to turn to ace Sakurai along with relievers Norimoto and Takemoto to give them a chance.
All this probably means that we're looking at a low scoring game with Takigawa Dai-ni getting the advantage thanks to a stronger prefecture.
Takigawa Dai-ni (Hyogo)
2B Matsuo
SS Mori
LF Fujikawa
1B Baba
CF Sawada
RF Oshibe
C Oosugi
3B Takeue
P Satou
Kita-Ootsu (Shiga)
SS Momohara
CF Morii
RF Higashi
1B Houjyou
LF Matsukawa
2B Yamazaki
3B Yamada
P Norimoto (#10)
C Kitagawa
__________________________________________________
10:35 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Matsuo leads off the game with a walk. Shibutani-kantoku sends Matsuo and Kitagata drops the ball! Now at 2nd, Mori's bunt moves him 90 feet away.
SQUEEZE!
Fujikawa is able to lay down the bunt on a curve and Norimoto has no play at home! He goes to 1st as Matsuo scores to make it 1-0 Takigawa! They get a run without the benefit of a hit!
Baba does get the first hit of the game a hot shot past Yamada into left. He's stranded as Sawada strikes out looking, but Takaigawa Dai-ni has drawn first blood!
Bottom 1st
Momohara works the count full, but flies out to center.
The announcers for the game state that Satou carries a slider, curve, changeup, splitter and 2-seam fastball.
Morii checks in with a base hit as his grounder scoots by Matsuo into center. He takes off for 2nd as Higashi strikes out. The throw from Oosugi is in time, but low and Mori can't field it.
Houjyou gets around on an inside pitch and drives it to the right center field gap! Morii comes around to score and just as quickly Kita-Ootsu finds the douten run!
But Houjyou presses his luck as he tries to take 3rd on a wild pitch. But it's not as far away which allows Oosugi to gun him down at 3rd. Still he drives in the douten run and we're back to square 1.
Top 2nd
Norimoto against the bottom half of the lineup, is faring better as he just needs 8 pitches to retire the side in order. Much better than his first inning.
Bottom 2nd
Matsukawa leads off with a single to right. A bunt and groundout advance him all the way to 3rd, but Norimoto fails to drive him in, instead grounding back to Satou.
Top 3rd
Norimoto continues to work efficiently as he retires the side in order yet again. Takigawa's batters continue to have trouble making contact on Norimoto's offerings.
Bottom 3rd
Satou retires the first two batters before Morii hits a soft liner to left. Fujikawa comes in and Satou goes for 2! Fujikawa hurries up, but the throw is way late! Nice hustle by Morii.
And now Higashi with a ball to deep right center! That falls in front of the wall as Morii scores.
AH! Matsuo's throw is wild and Higashi runs home on the error making it now a 3-1 lead!
Houjyou grounds out, but it's clear Kita-Ootsu has the advantage.
Top 4th
Baba collects his 2nd hit of the day on a one-out single to left! However he's left stranded as Sawada pops out and while Oshibe finally makes good contact, he lines out to right.
Bottom 4th
Matsukawa collects his 2nd hit as welll on a grounder to right. He's bunted along to 2nd.
Yamada with a base hit to right! Matsukawa thinks about home but scurries back just in time. Miyazaki-kantoku sends Yamada but it's a delayed double steal! Except Oosugi isn't fooled! He catches Matsukawa heading home and runs him down.
AH!!!!!!!!!
Takeue's throw back home goes over everyone! Matsukawa scores on the error and it's 4-1!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!
Miyazaki-kantoku has Norimoto try for the free bunt, but fouls out! Satou retires Kitagawa to limit the damage, but they're now down 3.
Top 5th
One out again for Takigawa and Takeue singles to right. Shibutani-kantoku elects to have last batter Satou bunt the runner along for a one-timer.
But Matsuo grounds to short. Momohara though doesn't field it cleanly! His throw is late and everyone's safe!
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now it's Norimoto with a wild pitch! Takeue comes in to score and it's a 4-2 ballgame!
Norimoto seems a bit rattle as he struggles with his control and walks Mori to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Fujikawa up next and he bloops one to center! Yamazaki and Momohara converge, and collide! The ball pops out of Yamazaki's glove and Matsuo comes in to score! It's 4-3!!
And now Norikawa is called for a balk! He drops the ball which in the set position and the runners are awarded a base! Mori comes home and we're all tied at 4-4!!!
What the heck is happening here??!!
Baba with a base hit to left! They decide to send Fujikawa home on the shallow hit! Matsukawa fires home and easily gets Fujikawa for the 3rd out.
But a strange turn of events here in the top of the 5th leave the game all square at 4!
Bottom 5th
Emboldened by the 3-run inning, Satou retires the first 2 batters. But Higashi proves to be too stubborn as a laser past the infield into right center leads to a triple after Sawada takes a bad angle!
With 2 down, Satou walks Houjyou on 4 straight?? That brings up Matsukawa who's 2-2 on the day!
And despite that, they pitch to him! Satou falls behind 3-1, then gets a foul ball to fill up the count.
The gamble pays off as Matsukawa grounds to 2nd! Matsuo flips to 2nd and they get out of the pinch!
So we hit the break with Takigawa Dai-ni fortunate to have the game tied through 5. Can they build on the momentum? Or will Kita-Ootsu regain control of the game?
Top 6th
A bit shaky to start as a grounder to short is bobbled by Momohara, but he is still able to make the play at 1st.
Oshibe with a popup to left, Matsukawa charges in, slows up, and it falls in! Did he lose it in the sun? Misjudge it perhaps??
Either way the go-ahead runner is on and Shibatani-kantoku elects to go for the one-timer by bunting him over.
But Norimoto gets Takaue to pop it up! Yamazaki gets under it for the 3rd out.
Bottom 6th
Yamazaki, not bunting for the first time this game hits a ball to the left side. Mori runs it down but his throw doesn't have enough oomph to get there in time. Now it's Yamada's turn to bunt him over.
But the opportunity goes for naught as Norimoto quickly flies out to center, and Kitagawa fouls out to thend the inning.
Top 7th
Neither pitcher is looking rather impressive, rather the batters just aren't making contact. Norimoto is topping out in the low 130's with the splitter in the mid-high 120s, slider in the low 120's/high 110s and a possible curve in the 100s.
And yet Satou flies out and Matsuo offers on a pitch in the dirt.
Mori gives some life in the lucky 7 with a walk, then straight steals 2nd while Norimoto is in the set position!
But he gives it all back when Norimoto picks him off for the 3rd out!
Bottom 7th
Momohara finally collects his first hit as he takes one back up the middle. Morii successfully bunts him to 2nd. Higashi up and he can give his team the lead.
Instead, he pops it up! Matsuo comes in to the mound to make the catch for the 2nd out.
By the way, as for the side-throwing Satou he throws only up to the mid 120's, so you'd think they'd be able to get some solid hits off of him.
Instead Houjyou works the walk to put more pressure.
And a wild pitch has the runners taking off! But the ball isn't far away and Oosugi guns down Momohara at 3rd to end the inning!
Top 8th
Fujikawa with a deep fly to left! Matsukawa running backwards, still backpedaling, turns around, stumbles and the ball drops in! Fujikawa in with a double!
And the fielding issues for 1st-year Matsukawa continue...
Bunt from Baba catches the defense off-guard! Norimoto fields it, but Yamada is off the bag and his only play is to 1st. Now the go-ahead run is 90 feet away with Sawada showing bunt.
Count at 2-1 and he swings away! It's a ball to center! Morii is under it, but it's deep enough that Fujiisawa can tag up giving Takigawa Dai-ni the 5-4 lead here in the 8th!
Oosugi grounds out to short, but Takigawa has completed the comeback and now needs to hold for 6 outs.
Bottom 8th
Matsukawa up to start the inning, but he can't redeem himself grounding out to 2nd. Yamazaki follows that up with a high pop to Matsuo as well.
Yamada hits a weak grounder up the 1st base line and Baba applies the tag for the 3rd out!
Top 9th
Looking for an insurance run Takaue lines a high fastball to center for a base hit. Satou lays down a beautiful sac bunt down the 1st base line.
After losing leadoff Matsuo to a walk, Miyazaki-kantoku sends in ace Sakurai to relieve Norimoto.
Mori though doesn't care who's on the mound! He singles to right loading the bases!
Sakurai gets one of the 2 outs as Fujikawa pops out!
Baba with a ball to shallow right! Higashi charging in, dives... AND MAKES THE CATCH!!!!
Higashi saves the game with a great catch! Now can the offense deliver?
Bottom 9th
New P Sakurai goes down swinging on 3 straight.
#13 Kitai comes in to hit for Kitagawa, and he goes down swinging, 2 out! It's up to Momohara now, but he too falls behind 0-2!
Momohara reaches down and pokes one past Takaue into left! There's still life for Kita-Ootsu as Morii steps in, and Higashi is on deck!
But Morii hits a fly to center! Sawada gets under it... and makes the catch to end the game!
Kita-Ootsu was certainly the better team in the early going, but lapses in the 5th inning gave Takigawa the momentum it needed to make a comeback and eventually win the game.
It certainly wasn't clean on either end with errors made leading to runs, but Kita-Ootsu can't be too disappointed with their performance. Despite losing the lead, they have numerous chances to retake the lead, but couldn't capitalize.
Takigawa Dai-ni will need to regroup after this win as next up they'll get Urasoe Shougyou. And they'll get all they can handle.
Notable Players
Baba Shouhei (Takigawa Dai-ni) - 3-4
Fujikawa Kouki (Takigawa Dai-ni) - 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Higashi Akio? (Kita-Ootsu) - 2-4, 2 3B, R, RBI, K
Hyogo baseball is back on the upswing. After years of first game eliminations, the representatives from Hyogo have appeared in the Best 8 3 out the last 4 years and 4 of the last 6.
Given though, it was done solely between Touyoudai Himeji and Houtoku Gakuen, but it still is rather impressive.
This year though, Takigawa Dai-ni takes advantage of the elimination of both prefectural stalwarts to earn just their 3rd ever appearance. The road wasn't a total piece of cake as they had to play Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku (won 5-1), the aforementioned Houtoku Gakuen (2-1), and Kakogawa Kita in the finals (6-2).
A 0.298 batting average doesn't inspire too much confidence in the team's offense, but if there's one player that the opposition will probably have to worry about, it's #3 batter Fujikawa. He makes consistent contact on the ball, and isn't afraid to take a walk.
On the mound, Shibutani-kantoku depended on ace Satou to carry them the last couple of games. #10 Ushio and #11 Tanaka Kenta were used, but sparingly. Satou though won't strike out a lot of batters, so the defense will be pressed into action early and often.
Meanwhile, Kita-Ootsu makes their 3rd ever Natsu appearance after beating Oumi, Yachiman Shougyou, and Yasu in consecutive games for the title.
What's concerning is that as soon as they started facing tougher competition, their offensive production dropped. So that team batting average of 0.331 in prefecture is probably inflated. It also means that Miyazaki-kantoku will have to turn to ace Sakurai along with relievers Norimoto and Takemoto to give them a chance.
All this probably means that we're looking at a low scoring game with Takigawa Dai-ni getting the advantage thanks to a stronger prefecture.
Takigawa Dai-ni (Hyogo)
2B Matsuo
SS Mori
LF Fujikawa
1B Baba
CF Sawada
RF Oshibe
C Oosugi
3B Takeue
P Satou
Kita-Ootsu (Shiga)
SS Momohara
CF Morii
RF Higashi
1B Houjyou
LF Matsukawa
2B Yamazaki
3B Yamada
P Norimoto (#10)
C Kitagawa
__________________________________________________
10:35 - First Pitch!
Top 1st
Matsuo leads off the game with a walk. Shibutani-kantoku sends Matsuo and Kitagata drops the ball! Now at 2nd, Mori's bunt moves him 90 feet away.
SQUEEZE!
Fujikawa is able to lay down the bunt on a curve and Norimoto has no play at home! He goes to 1st as Matsuo scores to make it 1-0 Takigawa! They get a run without the benefit of a hit!
Baba does get the first hit of the game a hot shot past Yamada into left. He's stranded as Sawada strikes out looking, but Takaigawa Dai-ni has drawn first blood!
Bottom 1st
Momohara works the count full, but flies out to center.
The announcers for the game state that Satou carries a slider, curve, changeup, splitter and 2-seam fastball.
Morii checks in with a base hit as his grounder scoots by Matsuo into center. He takes off for 2nd as Higashi strikes out. The throw from Oosugi is in time, but low and Mori can't field it.
Houjyou gets around on an inside pitch and drives it to the right center field gap! Morii comes around to score and just as quickly Kita-Ootsu finds the douten run!
But Houjyou presses his luck as he tries to take 3rd on a wild pitch. But it's not as far away which allows Oosugi to gun him down at 3rd. Still he drives in the douten run and we're back to square 1.
Top 2nd
Norimoto against the bottom half of the lineup, is faring better as he just needs 8 pitches to retire the side in order. Much better than his first inning.
Bottom 2nd
Matsukawa leads off with a single to right. A bunt and groundout advance him all the way to 3rd, but Norimoto fails to drive him in, instead grounding back to Satou.
Top 3rd
Norimoto continues to work efficiently as he retires the side in order yet again. Takigawa's batters continue to have trouble making contact on Norimoto's offerings.
Bottom 3rd
Satou retires the first two batters before Morii hits a soft liner to left. Fujikawa comes in and Satou goes for 2! Fujikawa hurries up, but the throw is way late! Nice hustle by Morii.
And now Higashi with a ball to deep right center! That falls in front of the wall as Morii scores.
AH! Matsuo's throw is wild and Higashi runs home on the error making it now a 3-1 lead!
Houjyou grounds out, but it's clear Kita-Ootsu has the advantage.
Top 4th
Baba collects his 2nd hit of the day on a one-out single to left! However he's left stranded as Sawada pops out and while Oshibe finally makes good contact, he lines out to right.
Bottom 4th
Matsukawa collects his 2nd hit as welll on a grounder to right. He's bunted along to 2nd.
Yamada with a base hit to right! Matsukawa thinks about home but scurries back just in time. Miyazaki-kantoku sends Yamada but it's a delayed double steal! Except Oosugi isn't fooled! He catches Matsukawa heading home and runs him down.
AH!!!!!!!!!
Takeue's throw back home goes over everyone! Matsukawa scores on the error and it's 4-1!
SQUEEZE!!!!!!
Miyazaki-kantoku has Norimoto try for the free bunt, but fouls out! Satou retires Kitagawa to limit the damage, but they're now down 3.
Top 5th
One out again for Takigawa and Takeue singles to right. Shibutani-kantoku elects to have last batter Satou bunt the runner along for a one-timer.
But Matsuo grounds to short. Momohara though doesn't field it cleanly! His throw is late and everyone's safe!
AH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now it's Norimoto with a wild pitch! Takeue comes in to score and it's a 4-2 ballgame!
Norimoto seems a bit rattle as he struggles with his control and walks Mori to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Fujikawa up next and he bloops one to center! Yamazaki and Momohara converge, and collide! The ball pops out of Yamazaki's glove and Matsuo comes in to score! It's 4-3!!
And now Norikawa is called for a balk! He drops the ball which in the set position and the runners are awarded a base! Mori comes home and we're all tied at 4-4!!!
What the heck is happening here??!!
Baba with a base hit to left! They decide to send Fujikawa home on the shallow hit! Matsukawa fires home and easily gets Fujikawa for the 3rd out.
But a strange turn of events here in the top of the 5th leave the game all square at 4!
Bottom 5th
Emboldened by the 3-run inning, Satou retires the first 2 batters. But Higashi proves to be too stubborn as a laser past the infield into right center leads to a triple after Sawada takes a bad angle!
With 2 down, Satou walks Houjyou on 4 straight?? That brings up Matsukawa who's 2-2 on the day!
And despite that, they pitch to him! Satou falls behind 3-1, then gets a foul ball to fill up the count.
The gamble pays off as Matsukawa grounds to 2nd! Matsuo flips to 2nd and they get out of the pinch!
So we hit the break with Takigawa Dai-ni fortunate to have the game tied through 5. Can they build on the momentum? Or will Kita-Ootsu regain control of the game?
Top 6th
A bit shaky to start as a grounder to short is bobbled by Momohara, but he is still able to make the play at 1st.
Oshibe with a popup to left, Matsukawa charges in, slows up, and it falls in! Did he lose it in the sun? Misjudge it perhaps??
Either way the go-ahead runner is on and Shibatani-kantoku elects to go for the one-timer by bunting him over.
But Norimoto gets Takaue to pop it up! Yamazaki gets under it for the 3rd out.
Bottom 6th
Yamazaki, not bunting for the first time this game hits a ball to the left side. Mori runs it down but his throw doesn't have enough oomph to get there in time. Now it's Yamada's turn to bunt him over.
But the opportunity goes for naught as Norimoto quickly flies out to center, and Kitagawa fouls out to thend the inning.
Top 7th
Neither pitcher is looking rather impressive, rather the batters just aren't making contact. Norimoto is topping out in the low 130's with the splitter in the mid-high 120s, slider in the low 120's/high 110s and a possible curve in the 100s.
And yet Satou flies out and Matsuo offers on a pitch in the dirt.
Mori gives some life in the lucky 7 with a walk, then straight steals 2nd while Norimoto is in the set position!
But he gives it all back when Norimoto picks him off for the 3rd out!
Bottom 7th
Momohara finally collects his first hit as he takes one back up the middle. Morii successfully bunts him to 2nd. Higashi up and he can give his team the lead.
Instead, he pops it up! Matsuo comes in to the mound to make the catch for the 2nd out.
By the way, as for the side-throwing Satou he throws only up to the mid 120's, so you'd think they'd be able to get some solid hits off of him.
Instead Houjyou works the walk to put more pressure.
And a wild pitch has the runners taking off! But the ball isn't far away and Oosugi guns down Momohara at 3rd to end the inning!
Top 8th
Fujikawa with a deep fly to left! Matsukawa running backwards, still backpedaling, turns around, stumbles and the ball drops in! Fujikawa in with a double!
And the fielding issues for 1st-year Matsukawa continue...
Bunt from Baba catches the defense off-guard! Norimoto fields it, but Yamada is off the bag and his only play is to 1st. Now the go-ahead run is 90 feet away with Sawada showing bunt.
Count at 2-1 and he swings away! It's a ball to center! Morii is under it, but it's deep enough that Fujiisawa can tag up giving Takigawa Dai-ni the 5-4 lead here in the 8th!
Oosugi grounds out to short, but Takigawa has completed the comeback and now needs to hold for 6 outs.
Bottom 8th
Matsukawa up to start the inning, but he can't redeem himself grounding out to 2nd. Yamazaki follows that up with a high pop to Matsuo as well.
Yamada hits a weak grounder up the 1st base line and Baba applies the tag for the 3rd out!
Top 9th
Looking for an insurance run Takaue lines a high fastball to center for a base hit. Satou lays down a beautiful sac bunt down the 1st base line.
After losing leadoff Matsuo to a walk, Miyazaki-kantoku sends in ace Sakurai to relieve Norimoto.
Mori though doesn't care who's on the mound! He singles to right loading the bases!
Sakurai gets one of the 2 outs as Fujikawa pops out!
Baba with a ball to shallow right! Higashi charging in, dives... AND MAKES THE CATCH!!!!
Higashi saves the game with a great catch! Now can the offense deliver?
Bottom 9th
New P Sakurai goes down swinging on 3 straight.
#13 Kitai comes in to hit for Kitagawa, and he goes down swinging, 2 out! It's up to Momohara now, but he too falls behind 0-2!
Momohara reaches down and pokes one past Takaue into left! There's still life for Kita-Ootsu as Morii steps in, and Higashi is on deck!
But Morii hits a fly to center! Sawada gets under it... and makes the catch to end the game!
Kita-Ootsu was certainly the better team in the early going, but lapses in the 5th inning gave Takigawa the momentum it needed to make a comeback and eventually win the game.
It certainly wasn't clean on either end with errors made leading to runs, but Kita-Ootsu can't be too disappointed with their performance. Despite losing the lead, they have numerous chances to retake the lead, but couldn't capitalize.
Takigawa Dai-ni will need to regroup after this win as next up they'll get Urasoe Shougyou. And they'll get all they can handle.
Notable Players
Baba Shouhei (Takigawa Dai-ni) - 3-4
Fujikawa Kouki (Takigawa Dai-ni) - 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Higashi Akio? (Kita-Ootsu) - 2-4, 2 3B, R, RBI, K
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