I'm a bit behind in team reviews - got the 1st two games in, but I'm still hoping to enjoy today - especially after yesterday's games.
Tsuruoka Higashi (Yamagata)
CF (17)Kudou Daisuke (工藤 大輔)
2B Tai Kento (太居 建人)
RF Maruyama Dai (丸山 大)
1B Satou Yoshi (佐藤 要)
LF Nasu Tsubasa (奈須 翼)
3B Igamatsu Tsubasa (伊賀松 飛翔)
C Kishi Daisuke (岸 大輔)
P (18)Kobayashi Kazuki (小林 一輝)
SS Hagiwara Takahito (萩原 誉人)
Inabe Sougou Gakuen (Mie)
CF Okumura Touki (奥村 拓希)
RF Miyazaki Yuuto (宮崎 大和)
2B Kanda Shouji (神田 将嗣)
LF Fujii Ryouma (藤井 亮磨)
C Watanabe Yuuta (渡辺 雄太)
SS Morita Ryouma (守田 良真)
P (16)Akagi Sousuke (赤木 聡介)
1B Fukase Ryoutarou (深瀬 凌太郎)
3B Fujita Ryouga (藤田 涼雅)
____________________________________________________________
09:00 - First pitch
Top 1st
Kudou gets a favorable bounce when a chopper goes off Akagi's glove and dribbles to the left side for a base hit. He's of course bunted over.
Akagi a bit shaky here in the opening frame, hitting Maruyama. Satou grounds one to the right side, advancing the runners, but Nasu grounds to 3rd to end the threat.
Bottom 1st
Inabe Sougou gets a leadoff runner of their own when Kobayashi issues a leadoff walk. They show bunt but elect to swing away. And that is paid off as he takes a letter high pitch and lines it down the left field line for a base hit! Early chance!
And there is still no bunt from them either as Kanda drives one, but right to left for the first out.
Kanda meanwhile draws a walk and the bases are loaded. And for Kobayashi, who doesn't throw hard, he has to live off of his control and it's just not there.
He does manage to full up the count after falling behind Watanabe 3-0.
But Watanabe connects on one, except that Igamatsu makes a great catch and dives back to 3rd, beating Okumura for the double play!
Top 2nd
Meanwhile Igamatsu turns right around and hits a ball to left center for a leadoff double! That's compounded by Akagi when his pickoff throw goes awry,
Kishi punishes that immediately with a ball past a drawn in Fujita! 1-0 to the Yamagata champs!
After a failed bunt attempt, Akagi puts himself in a bit deeper water walking the #9 batter Hagiwara.
He almost gets out of the inning, but instead Tai shoots a ball though the right side and Kishi is able to scurry home to make it 2-0!
That's all they get, but they strike first in the battle of relief starters!
Bottom 2nd
Morita gets a favorable bounce as he gets a high hop that Hagiwara can't adjust for.
ISG meanwhile continues the no-bunting strategy, instead electing for the hit-and-run which sends him to 2nd on the grounder from Akagi.
Kobayashi gets his 2nd out with Fukase chasing a slider outside. A grounder to 2nd and the side is retired.
Top 3rd
That's also it for Akagi as ace Yamauchi comes in to take the hill.
And it's a relatively easy inning for the ace has he retires the heart of the Tsuruoka lineup in order.
Bottom 3rd
Inabe Sougou continuing to get baserunners. Okumura bloops one down the left side and Miyazaki not bunting either puts one almost in the same place giving them a great scoring chance,
Kanda not bunting as well, but hits a short chopper to the left side. Hagiwara's throw to 1st is high! That allows Okumura to score and it's 2-1!
Fujii swinging away, but is ahead of a slider for the 2nd out.
And now Ozaki-kantoku calls for the bunt!
Watanabe lays it down, but it goes right back to Kobayashi! He shovels home and Miyazaki is out!
WIth Morita flying out to center, Kobayashi holds onto their slim lead.
Top 4th
A decent opportunity seemed to be starting when Kishi blooped one to left. However, only Kudou could do anything with it with a similar blooper to left. Tai would end up stranding both runners on a flyout to center.
Bottom 4th
The inning was a bit of a mess on both sides. After 2 out Fujita gets on when Igamatsu airmails a throw allowing him to take 2nd.
Okumura with a ball up the middle, and Hagiwara boots that one. Problem is, Fujita strays too far from 3rd and is caught stranded! He races home, but is retired 6-5-2 to end any chance to tie the game.
Top 5th
Yamauchi gives up a leadoff walk, but shortens the inning with a textbook double play and a kick save to his 3B who makes the throw to 1st.
Bottom 5th
Another error from Tsuruoka Higashi. This time it's Kai who makes a great running pick up the middle, but throws it away. Kanda finally makes them pay with a single through the right side and we'e tied at 2-2!
One down now and Watanabe lines one to right for a base hit putting runners at the corners. Chance as Morita, but he pops it up! Tai goes back to make the catch, but Kanda races home! Throw in is not in time and Inabe Sougou takes the lead 3-2! I saw the CF nearby, he probably should have taken it so he could make the throw home with momentum, but it's too late now!
Yamauchi can't build on that, striking out to retire the side, but his team has put him ahead as we hit the break!
Bottom 7th
Momentum seems to be with Inabe Sougou at this point having taken the lead, and despite not scoring in the 6th they had baserunners.
And leading off the inning was Miyazaki who was 3-3 on the day.
Unfortunately for Kobayashi, he puts one middle-middle and Miyazaki sends it over the RF wall to make it a 4-2 ballgame.
And instead of slowing down he speeds up. The TV coverage can't even show the HR as Kanda singles to left. That's followed up by another single by Satou and Inabe Sougou threatens to put the game out of reach.
With one down, Ozaki-kantoku calls once again for the squeeze, this time it's laid down perfectly and the lead expands a little more to 5-2.
Top 8th
Maruyama tries to get his team on track with a double to the right field wall. But neither Satou or Nasu can drive him in, moving him only to 3rd.
2 down and runners at the corners, #12 Kawakami comes in to hit.
After thinking that he had him retired not once but twice, Yamauchi has him on a fly ball to center.
Bottom 8th
#11 Yoshizumi comes in for Watanabe to take the hill, Kawakami stays in at C, Matsumoto moves to left and #8 Abe is in now in for Kudou in center.
Yoshizumui gets a clean frame in his inning of work, but the team needs runs now.
Top 9th
Yamauchi gets a quick out, but after hitting Hagiwara and falling behind Abe 3-0, #11 Yoshizumi comes in. It's understandable that he walks Abe to continue the inning.
But Yoshizumi not faring any better and he walks Tai! Manrui as Ozaki-kantoku calls time. What seemed like it was going to be a routine 1-2-3 is anything but.
Maruyama pops one way up in foul territory, Kishi and Satou converge... and it falls in! They really needed that out.
And now Yoshizumi walks in a run to make it 5-3 with cleanup hitter Fujii coming up!
But he swings on the first pitch! 6... 4... 3... double play! The game is over!
And somehow, with all the trouble, Inabe Sougou Gakuen survives 5-3!
For me, it's another example of a team failing to let a P struggle on the mound. 1 HBP and 3 walks, and you attack the first pitch? You have to let them continue to struggle, especially with an out to give. The pressure is on the mound not at the box.
But, Inabe Sougou survives and advances.
Showing posts with label Tsuruoka Higashi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tsuruoka Higashi. Show all posts
Monday, August 8, 2016
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Day 10, Game 2 - Tsuruoka Higashi (Yamagata) v Hanasaki Tokuharu (Saitama)
The next game will be hard for me to handicap because one team I only saw halfway.
Hanasaki Tokuharu I could only watch half of because the prior game (Iwamichisuikan v Kounan) ran so long due to the numerous P changes. Of course, by the time I had to shut it down, they were well on their way to annihilating Misawa Shougyou 15-3. Because of said annihilation though, there isn't a whole lot you can take from the game. About the only thing is that ace Kamakura still only struck out 5, so the dominance wasn't complete per se.
As for Tsuruoka Higashi, the big issue is if ace Fukutani is feeling comfortable on the mound. He had been hit by a liner later in the game and them proceeded to give up several runs thereafter. The only issue is that the pitching of Tottori Jyouhoku wasn't all that spectacular.
(Well, that answers my question. #10 Matsuzaki is taking the hill)
Tsuruoka Higashi (Yamagata)
2B Tanabe Kazu
1B Fujii Shunsuke
CF Kakizaki Kou
LF Abe Hiroshi
SS Ajiki Kanta
RF Maruyama Hiroshi
3B Kurokawa Hiroto
C Takemoto Daiki
P Matsuzaki Yoshihiro (#10)
Hanasaki Tokuharu (Saitama)
LF Kuguu Ryuuya
2B Oota Kousei
SS Okazaki Daisuke
CF Ootaki Aito
RF Satomi Haruki
3B Kusumoto Kouki (#15)
C Sasaya Takumi
P Kamakura Tomoya
1B Kamimura Kouta
____________________________________________________________
10:55 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Leadoff walk by Kamakura to start the game isn't a good sign, but gets some help as Fujii bunts into the 1-6-3 double play.
And that double play is a shame because Kakizaki and Abe ring base hits to center and left respectively.
Ajiki flies out to left, and despite 3 baserunners, Tsuruoka Higashi gets 0 runs.
Bottom 1st
Well, Tanabe being kept busy in the 1st as all three groundballs go to him. He makes a great play for the last one as the side is retired.
Top 2nd
Once again Tsuruoka Higashi gets baserunners thanks to Kamakura. He walks Kurokawa and then hits Takemoto with one down.
But quickly thereafter Matsuzaki pops out and Tanabe flies out to left.
Bottom 2nd
Ootaki gets a leadoff single and after a bunt Hanasaki Tokuharu is on the verge of opening the scoring.
But Matsuzaki gets Kusumoto to chase a slider for the 2nd out.
Sasaya a hard shot to short, but Ajiki makes the pick! It puts on the seat of his pants, but he gets up and makes the throw to 1st for the 3rd out!
Top 3rd
Fujii a rip shot that bounces off Kusumoto and deflects all the way behind 2nd base for a single. He's bunted over, but Abe strikes out.
Sasaya though makes an error trying to pick him off, and ends up hitting Fujii! The ball goes to the outfield and Fujii takes 3rd!
But Ajiki weakly grounds to 2nd and another runner is left on base.
Bottom 3rd
Matsuzaki issues his first walk to Kamakura, but when they go for the hit-and run Kamimura strikes out and Kamakura gets thrown out.
Kuguu gets on base via an error on the throw by Tanabe, but a fly to right makes it a non-issue.
Top 4th
Maruyama with a drive to deep right center and he's in with a double!
Kurokawa lays down the bunt, but Maruyama doesn't advance! Maybe he thought he might be thrown out at 3rd, but either way the bunt fails!
Takemoto flies out to left so it's up to Matsuzaki.
Matsuzaki hard shot at Kusumoto! He blocks it, picks it up, and make the throw to 1st for the 3rd out!
Bottom 4th
Okazaki gets a leadoff 4-pitch walk. Ootaki not bunting, but succumbs to Matsuzaki's slider.
It's a bunt and run as Kuguu lays it down! Matsuzaki still tries to go to 2nd, but the runner is safe. They still get Kuguu at 1st, so all is not lost.
Kusumoto hits one right to Maruyama, and the side is retired.
Top 5th
Another walk! Kamakura walks Tanabe to start the inning.
AH!!! But he strays too far from the base on the bunt attempt and Sasaya guns him down!
And with that momentum is lost for the inning. Fujii and Kakizaki are retired soon after and the side is retired.
Bottom 5th
Sasaya wiht a single to center and Hanasaki Tokuharu has their 4th leadoff runner on.
But Kamkura can't lay down the bunt and three bunts his way to an out!
Kamimura grounds into a fielder's choice and there's quickly 2 down.
AH!!! Matsuzaki throws to 1st and they pick off Kamimura for the 3rd out!
We hit the break deadlocked at 0, but both sides have had opportunities they couldn't take advantage of, and not to mention that there has been baserunning errors everywhere. Can't tell if it's pressure or what, but whomever can put it together first will probably win this game.
Top 6th
Kamakura perhaps settling down post-break. He does not give up a leadoff runner, striking out Abe looking. And while Maruyama singles through the right side, with 2 outs they can do little with it.
Bottom 6th
Same can be said for Matsuzaki as he strikes out Kuguu on a tough fastball inside. After that it's 2 groundouts and the inning is over.
Top 7th
One down, Matsuzaki singles back up the middle.
And now Tanabe with a single through the left side! Best chance for Tsuruoka Higashi in a while!
Hanasaki Tokuharu changing pitchers! #18 Takahashi comes in relief.
And now Tsuruoka Higashi makes a change! Brings in righty #13 Sakamoto to face him!
But he strikes out on 3 straight!
Takahashi strikes out Kakizaki on an outside fastball and the side is retired!!
Bottom 7th
Ootaki leadoff single to left! He's bunted over and Hanasaki Tokuharu threatening again as Tsuruoka Higashi calls time.
Kusumoto grounder to left side, Ajiki makes another great stop! But is throw to 1st is not in time and everyone's safe!!
2-1 and Kusumoto takes off for 2nd, but the throw from Takemoto is in time! But as they run him down Ootaki edges towards home! And they give up on the out!
And Sasaya back up the middle... Ajiki can't get it! It'ts through to center and Ootaki comes home! 1-0 Hanasaki Tokuharu in the Lucky 7!!!
Takahashi ends up grounding into the 1-6-3 double play, but he now has a lead to work with!
Top 8th
Tsuruoka Higashi playing against the clock now as Abe pops out.
Ajiki without a hit still, but draws a 4-pitch walk.
Maruyama grounder up the 1st base line... past Kamimura and into right! Ajiki takes 3rd and a big chance for Tsuruoka Higashi to tie!
Hanasaki Tokuharu meanwhile calls time.
Kurokawa up the 3rd base line, but Kusumoto has it! It's a contact play and Ajiki's hung out to dry! 2 outs and Tsuruoka Higashi continues to struggle!
#16 Kosunagawa(?) enters to run for Maruyama (who was 3-4 on the day)! They're going for broke.
And they busted out!
Takemoto flies out to center and I think that's going to be it for Tsuruoka Higashi!
Bottom 8th
Hanasaki Tokuharu looking for that insurance run!
After a walk and a single by Okazaki, ace Fukutani finally enters.
Ootaki with a rip shot to 3rd! Kurokawa with it! Throw to 2nd.. in time! 3 out!
Top 9th
But now they're down to their final 3 outs.
Fukutani grounds to 1st for the first out.
Tanabe is frozen for strike 3.
And Sakamoto strikes out on the high fastball for the final out.
It was a hard fought game, with both sides making mistakes. However Hanasaki Tokuharu is able to push through a run, and that's all they needed.
I can't tell if it was just the teams were pressing, or they just couldn't find that timely hit, but for the team from Yamagata, it's another exit before the Best 8...
Hanasaki Tokuharu I could only watch half of because the prior game (Iwamichisuikan v Kounan) ran so long due to the numerous P changes. Of course, by the time I had to shut it down, they were well on their way to annihilating Misawa Shougyou 15-3. Because of said annihilation though, there isn't a whole lot you can take from the game. About the only thing is that ace Kamakura still only struck out 5, so the dominance wasn't complete per se.
As for Tsuruoka Higashi, the big issue is if ace Fukutani is feeling comfortable on the mound. He had been hit by a liner later in the game and them proceeded to give up several runs thereafter. The only issue is that the pitching of Tottori Jyouhoku wasn't all that spectacular.
(Well, that answers my question. #10 Matsuzaki is taking the hill)
Tsuruoka Higashi (Yamagata)
2B Tanabe Kazu
1B Fujii Shunsuke
CF Kakizaki Kou
LF Abe Hiroshi
SS Ajiki Kanta
RF Maruyama Hiroshi
3B Kurokawa Hiroto
C Takemoto Daiki
P Matsuzaki Yoshihiro (#10)
Hanasaki Tokuharu (Saitama)
LF Kuguu Ryuuya
2B Oota Kousei
SS Okazaki Daisuke
CF Ootaki Aito
RF Satomi Haruki
3B Kusumoto Kouki (#15)
C Sasaya Takumi
P Kamakura Tomoya
1B Kamimura Kouta
____________________________________________________________
10:55 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Leadoff walk by Kamakura to start the game isn't a good sign, but gets some help as Fujii bunts into the 1-6-3 double play.
And that double play is a shame because Kakizaki and Abe ring base hits to center and left respectively.
Ajiki flies out to left, and despite 3 baserunners, Tsuruoka Higashi gets 0 runs.
Bottom 1st
Well, Tanabe being kept busy in the 1st as all three groundballs go to him. He makes a great play for the last one as the side is retired.
Top 2nd
Once again Tsuruoka Higashi gets baserunners thanks to Kamakura. He walks Kurokawa and then hits Takemoto with one down.
But quickly thereafter Matsuzaki pops out and Tanabe flies out to left.
Bottom 2nd
Ootaki gets a leadoff single and after a bunt Hanasaki Tokuharu is on the verge of opening the scoring.
But Matsuzaki gets Kusumoto to chase a slider for the 2nd out.
Sasaya a hard shot to short, but Ajiki makes the pick! It puts on the seat of his pants, but he gets up and makes the throw to 1st for the 3rd out!
Top 3rd
Fujii a rip shot that bounces off Kusumoto and deflects all the way behind 2nd base for a single. He's bunted over, but Abe strikes out.
Sasaya though makes an error trying to pick him off, and ends up hitting Fujii! The ball goes to the outfield and Fujii takes 3rd!
But Ajiki weakly grounds to 2nd and another runner is left on base.
Bottom 3rd
Matsuzaki issues his first walk to Kamakura, but when they go for the hit-and run Kamimura strikes out and Kamakura gets thrown out.
Kuguu gets on base via an error on the throw by Tanabe, but a fly to right makes it a non-issue.
Top 4th
Maruyama with a drive to deep right center and he's in with a double!
Kurokawa lays down the bunt, but Maruyama doesn't advance! Maybe he thought he might be thrown out at 3rd, but either way the bunt fails!
Takemoto flies out to left so it's up to Matsuzaki.
Matsuzaki hard shot at Kusumoto! He blocks it, picks it up, and make the throw to 1st for the 3rd out!
Bottom 4th
Okazaki gets a leadoff 4-pitch walk. Ootaki not bunting, but succumbs to Matsuzaki's slider.
It's a bunt and run as Kuguu lays it down! Matsuzaki still tries to go to 2nd, but the runner is safe. They still get Kuguu at 1st, so all is not lost.
Kusumoto hits one right to Maruyama, and the side is retired.
Top 5th
Another walk! Kamakura walks Tanabe to start the inning.
AH!!! But he strays too far from the base on the bunt attempt and Sasaya guns him down!
And with that momentum is lost for the inning. Fujii and Kakizaki are retired soon after and the side is retired.
Bottom 5th
Sasaya wiht a single to center and Hanasaki Tokuharu has their 4th leadoff runner on.
But Kamkura can't lay down the bunt and three bunts his way to an out!
Kamimura grounds into a fielder's choice and there's quickly 2 down.
AH!!! Matsuzaki throws to 1st and they pick off Kamimura for the 3rd out!
We hit the break deadlocked at 0, but both sides have had opportunities they couldn't take advantage of, and not to mention that there has been baserunning errors everywhere. Can't tell if it's pressure or what, but whomever can put it together first will probably win this game.
Top 6th
Kamakura perhaps settling down post-break. He does not give up a leadoff runner, striking out Abe looking. And while Maruyama singles through the right side, with 2 outs they can do little with it.
Bottom 6th
Same can be said for Matsuzaki as he strikes out Kuguu on a tough fastball inside. After that it's 2 groundouts and the inning is over.
Top 7th
One down, Matsuzaki singles back up the middle.
And now Tanabe with a single through the left side! Best chance for Tsuruoka Higashi in a while!
Hanasaki Tokuharu changing pitchers! #18 Takahashi comes in relief.
And now Tsuruoka Higashi makes a change! Brings in righty #13 Sakamoto to face him!
But he strikes out on 3 straight!
Takahashi strikes out Kakizaki on an outside fastball and the side is retired!!
Bottom 7th
Ootaki leadoff single to left! He's bunted over and Hanasaki Tokuharu threatening again as Tsuruoka Higashi calls time.
Kusumoto grounder to left side, Ajiki makes another great stop! But is throw to 1st is not in time and everyone's safe!!
2-1 and Kusumoto takes off for 2nd, but the throw from Takemoto is in time! But as they run him down Ootaki edges towards home! And they give up on the out!
And Sasaya back up the middle... Ajiki can't get it! It'ts through to center and Ootaki comes home! 1-0 Hanasaki Tokuharu in the Lucky 7!!!
Takahashi ends up grounding into the 1-6-3 double play, but he now has a lead to work with!
Top 8th
Tsuruoka Higashi playing against the clock now as Abe pops out.
Ajiki without a hit still, but draws a 4-pitch walk.
Maruyama grounder up the 1st base line... past Kamimura and into right! Ajiki takes 3rd and a big chance for Tsuruoka Higashi to tie!
Hanasaki Tokuharu meanwhile calls time.
Kurokawa up the 3rd base line, but Kusumoto has it! It's a contact play and Ajiki's hung out to dry! 2 outs and Tsuruoka Higashi continues to struggle!
#16 Kosunagawa(?) enters to run for Maruyama (who was 3-4 on the day)! They're going for broke.
And they busted out!
Takemoto flies out to center and I think that's going to be it for Tsuruoka Higashi!
Bottom 8th
Hanasaki Tokuharu looking for that insurance run!
After a walk and a single by Okazaki, ace Fukutani finally enters.
Ootaki with a rip shot to 3rd! Kurokawa with it! Throw to 2nd.. in time! 3 out!
Top 9th
But now they're down to their final 3 outs.
Fukutani grounds to 1st for the first out.
Tanabe is frozen for strike 3.
And Sakamoto strikes out on the high fastball for the final out.
It was a hard fought game, with both sides making mistakes. However Hanasaki Tokuharu is able to push through a run, and that's all they needed.
I can't tell if it was just the teams were pressing, or they just couldn't find that timely hit, but for the team from Yamagata, it's another exit before the Best 8...
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Day 6, Game 1 - Tsuruoka Higashi (Yamagata) v Tottori Jyouhoku (Tottori) v Tottori Jyouhoku (Tottori)
We're now getting into the meat of the schedule as Round 2 is underway. The games have certainly gotten better in recent days, so let's hope that carries over to today.
Tottori Jyouhoku started strong, but then were tasked in their final 2 games versus Yonago Nishi and Tottori Nishi. 0.345 is not a great batting average with respect to the competition.
Sadly, Tsuruoka Higashi's form doesn't read much better. They almost lost to Yonezawa Chuo if not for a 5-run 9th and barely edged by Yamagata Chuo. They didn't have to play either Sakata Minami or Nichidai Yamagata, which is a big minus.
Tsuruoka Higashi (Yamagata)
2B Tanabe Kazu
1B Fujii Shunsuke
CF Kakizaki Kou
LF Abe Hiroshi
SS Ajiki Kanta
RF Maruyama Hiroshi
3B Kurokawa Hiroto
C Takemoto Daiki
P Fukutani Yuuya
Tottori Jyouhoku (Tottori)
LF Terasaka Rei
3B Kanagawa Satoshi
2B Fujiwara Takehiro
CF Hotei Shouta
P Tsujii Yuuya
SS Nishimura Kenta
RF Enoki Katsuya (#15)
1B Okada Kensei (#9)
C Takami Yukiha
____________________________________________________________
08:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Tanabe with a slice shot past a diving Nishimura for a base hit. Fujii bunts him over as usual.
And now Tsujii walks Kakizaki. There's already activity in the bullpen with #10 Nishisaka.
2 down though as Abe is ahead of a slider and lunges a ball out to center.
Ajiki lines up a ball outside, but lines it right to Hotei for the 3rd out.
Bottom 1st
Wow, Fukutani doesn't throw that hard at all. Mid 120s for the fastball? But he can locate it seems, pitching all low to Kanagawa before getting to chase a letter high fastball and ground to 1st.
1-2-3 inning. Good start for him too. Would like to see if he can continue locating.
Top 2nd
With the dead wind, Maruyama goes deep to right. Not deep enough though and Enoki has it in front of the wall.
2 outs and Tsuruoka Higashi continuing to put on the hits! Last batter Fukutani singles, and so does Tanabe with a soft liner to right. That gets a time out from Yamaki-kantoku.
Fujii grounds out to end the inning, but The Yamagata representatives draw first blood!
Bottom 2nd
Well, I see what Fukutani is trying to do, he hides the ball behind him to gain some extra time that he loses with his lower pitches.
And while he walks Nishimura after 2 quick outs, he strays too far from the bag and is picked off by Takemoto.
Top 3rd
Kakizaki going for the fences! Enoki going back.. leaps.. off the wall! He hustles and is all the way at 3rd!
One down and they put on the contact play! But it's right to Okada who rifles home and gets Kakizaki by a good margin.
That kills the chance for Tsuruoka Higashi, but there's some power to be had.
Bottom 3rd
Enoki with a ball to the right center field gap for a double! He's bunted over.
But there's no need! Takami blasts it to the other gap and that scores Enoki to tie the game at 1-1!
Top 4th
2 down and what is Fukutani doing at the bottom of the lineup! He hits one deep to right center for a double and he's 2-2 on the day!
Tanabe comebacker! Off the rubber! It pops up and out of the reach of the middle infield! That'll score Fukutani and a bad break gives Tsuruoka Higashi the lead back at 2-1!
Bottom 4th
Wow, that control that was there early in the game seems gone.
Fukutani walks Fujiwara, but after he's bailed out with a 4-6-3 double play, Tsujii singles to left, then he walks Nishimura and hits Enoki to load the bases!!
Okada grounds to short though and Fukutani slips out of that jam.
Top 5th
Change at P with #11 Nishisaka to relieve Tsujii. But he walks the first 2 batters and is immediately relieved by #11 Sawada.
Ajiki bunts, Kanagawa charging, throws.. SAFE! Ajiki beats it out! Manrui!
Maruyama chopper up the middle for a base hit! 1 run score and it's 3-1!
Kurokawa can't get the run in, grounds to short! They go home for 1 but can't get 2.
Takemoto also to the left side, but Kanagawa balks on where to go! He goes to 2nd, but it's way too late to get 2! Ajiki scores and it's 4-1!
Fukutani now 3-3 on the day! He singles to center and extends the lead to 5-1! as Tanabe grounds out to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
Takami with his 2nd hit of the day, a clean single through the right side. The #9 batters for both teams are 5-5 on the game!
After a sac bunt, Kanagawa singles through the left side and there's no throw home! Takami scores to make it 5-2.
And with 2 down Hotei drives one to the right center field gap! Kanagawa being waved around, scores all the way from 1st! Hotei slows into 2nd with an RBI double to make it 5-3 as we hit the break!
Top 7th
After a single by Maruyama and a failed bunt attempt, Tsuruoka Higashi gets 3 hits in a row, including another one from Fukutani.Those score 2 to make it 7-3. Toss in a sac fly and it's 9-3.
Bottom 7th
Only concern is for Fukutani, who is hit on the ankle by a comebacker for Takami. Tottori Jyouhoku does score a runwithout the benefit of a hit, but it's 9-4.
Bottom 8th
Hm. we might have a situation here. After a foulout, Fukutani walks Tsujii, hits Nishimura, and then gives up a double off the top of the fence to Enoki! One run in and 2 more waiting as #3 Kakiuchi hits for Sawada.
But he hits a fly to right. It gets one home, but they need more this late.
And turnabout is fair play! If Fukutani can't be perfect on the day, neither can Takami! He strikes him out looking to end the inning!
__________________________________________________
The game eventually ends with Tsuruoka Higashi winning 9-6. Once again a team's summer is over and it's players cry that their summer is over. But, they did fight for as long as they could, which given the score at one time is more than you could say for most teams. So a good job should be given to them for their work to get here.
As for Tsuruoka Higashi, I doubt the offensive outburst will continue, but even more importance is getting Fukutani right before the next game. That liner off his landing ankle definitely affected him near the end so it'll be important to get him comfortable on it without fear. Or else they may be in trouble.
Tottori Jyouhoku started strong, but then were tasked in their final 2 games versus Yonago Nishi and Tottori Nishi. 0.345 is not a great batting average with respect to the competition.
Sadly, Tsuruoka Higashi's form doesn't read much better. They almost lost to Yonezawa Chuo if not for a 5-run 9th and barely edged by Yamagata Chuo. They didn't have to play either Sakata Minami or Nichidai Yamagata, which is a big minus.
Tsuruoka Higashi (Yamagata)
2B Tanabe Kazu
1B Fujii Shunsuke
CF Kakizaki Kou
LF Abe Hiroshi
SS Ajiki Kanta
RF Maruyama Hiroshi
3B Kurokawa Hiroto
C Takemoto Daiki
P Fukutani Yuuya
Tottori Jyouhoku (Tottori)
LF Terasaka Rei
3B Kanagawa Satoshi
2B Fujiwara Takehiro
CF Hotei Shouta
P Tsujii Yuuya
SS Nishimura Kenta
RF Enoki Katsuya (#15)
1B Okada Kensei (#9)
C Takami Yukiha
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08:00 - First pitch!
Top 1st
Tanabe with a slice shot past a diving Nishimura for a base hit. Fujii bunts him over as usual.
And now Tsujii walks Kakizaki. There's already activity in the bullpen with #10 Nishisaka.
2 down though as Abe is ahead of a slider and lunges a ball out to center.
Ajiki lines up a ball outside, but lines it right to Hotei for the 3rd out.
Bottom 1st
Wow, Fukutani doesn't throw that hard at all. Mid 120s for the fastball? But he can locate it seems, pitching all low to Kanagawa before getting to chase a letter high fastball and ground to 1st.
1-2-3 inning. Good start for him too. Would like to see if he can continue locating.
Top 2nd
With the dead wind, Maruyama goes deep to right. Not deep enough though and Enoki has it in front of the wall.
2 outs and Tsuruoka Higashi continuing to put on the hits! Last batter Fukutani singles, and so does Tanabe with a soft liner to right. That gets a time out from Yamaki-kantoku.
Fujii grounds out to end the inning, but The Yamagata representatives draw first blood!
Bottom 2nd
Well, I see what Fukutani is trying to do, he hides the ball behind him to gain some extra time that he loses with his lower pitches.
And while he walks Nishimura after 2 quick outs, he strays too far from the bag and is picked off by Takemoto.
Top 3rd
Kakizaki going for the fences! Enoki going back.. leaps.. off the wall! He hustles and is all the way at 3rd!
One down and they put on the contact play! But it's right to Okada who rifles home and gets Kakizaki by a good margin.
That kills the chance for Tsuruoka Higashi, but there's some power to be had.
Bottom 3rd
Enoki with a ball to the right center field gap for a double! He's bunted over.
But there's no need! Takami blasts it to the other gap and that scores Enoki to tie the game at 1-1!
Top 4th
2 down and what is Fukutani doing at the bottom of the lineup! He hits one deep to right center for a double and he's 2-2 on the day!
Tanabe comebacker! Off the rubber! It pops up and out of the reach of the middle infield! That'll score Fukutani and a bad break gives Tsuruoka Higashi the lead back at 2-1!
Bottom 4th
Wow, that control that was there early in the game seems gone.
Fukutani walks Fujiwara, but after he's bailed out with a 4-6-3 double play, Tsujii singles to left, then he walks Nishimura and hits Enoki to load the bases!!
Okada grounds to short though and Fukutani slips out of that jam.
Top 5th
Change at P with #11 Nishisaka to relieve Tsujii. But he walks the first 2 batters and is immediately relieved by #11 Sawada.
Ajiki bunts, Kanagawa charging, throws.. SAFE! Ajiki beats it out! Manrui!
Maruyama chopper up the middle for a base hit! 1 run score and it's 3-1!
Kurokawa can't get the run in, grounds to short! They go home for 1 but can't get 2.
Takemoto also to the left side, but Kanagawa balks on where to go! He goes to 2nd, but it's way too late to get 2! Ajiki scores and it's 4-1!
Fukutani now 3-3 on the day! He singles to center and extends the lead to 5-1! as Tanabe grounds out to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
Takami with his 2nd hit of the day, a clean single through the right side. The #9 batters for both teams are 5-5 on the game!
After a sac bunt, Kanagawa singles through the left side and there's no throw home! Takami scores to make it 5-2.
And with 2 down Hotei drives one to the right center field gap! Kanagawa being waved around, scores all the way from 1st! Hotei slows into 2nd with an RBI double to make it 5-3 as we hit the break!
Top 7th
After a single by Maruyama and a failed bunt attempt, Tsuruoka Higashi gets 3 hits in a row, including another one from Fukutani.Those score 2 to make it 7-3. Toss in a sac fly and it's 9-3.
Bottom 7th
Only concern is for Fukutani, who is hit on the ankle by a comebacker for Takami. Tottori Jyouhoku does score a runwithout the benefit of a hit, but it's 9-4.
Bottom 8th
Hm. we might have a situation here. After a foulout, Fukutani walks Tsujii, hits Nishimura, and then gives up a double off the top of the fence to Enoki! One run in and 2 more waiting as #3 Kakiuchi hits for Sawada.
But he hits a fly to right. It gets one home, but they need more this late.
And turnabout is fair play! If Fukutani can't be perfect on the day, neither can Takami! He strikes him out looking to end the inning!
__________________________________________________
The game eventually ends with Tsuruoka Higashi winning 9-6. Once again a team's summer is over and it's players cry that their summer is over. But, they did fight for as long as they could, which given the score at one time is more than you could say for most teams. So a good job should be given to them for their work to get here.
As for Tsuruoka Higashi, I doubt the offensive outburst will continue, but even more importance is getting Fukutani right before the next game. That liner off his landing ankle definitely affected him near the end so it'll be important to get him comfortable on it without fear. Or else they may be in trouble.
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