Couple more Super-regionals to go...
Okayama
Kanzei apparently was a one-shot deal and they're back to rebuilding as they lost in their first game in the prefecturals to Okayama Ridai Fuzoku 8-0...
Filling the gap is a familiar name - Soushi Gakuen. They dominated the prefecturals with their closest game being the final against Kurashiki Shougyou 8-4. And with Okayama hosting, it might be some good home cooking and a 2nd straight fall champion coming from Okayama.
Okayama Ridai Fuzoku made it to the semifinals, narrowly losing to Kurashiki Shougyou, and because Okayama is hosting they sneak in as the 4th team despite losing the consolation game to Okayama-ken Kyouei 9-6.
Hiroshima
Setouchi, whose ace Yamaoka Daisuke carried the team to their first Koushien, couldn't repeat the feat without him as they suffered a mercy rule loss in the 3rd round of the prefecturals to Hiroshima Shougyou.
Kouryou and Jyousuikan somehow drew each other in the first round with Kouryou winning easily 7-1. Interestingly, run prevention - not run scoring was the MO for Kouryou, but they couldn't keep it up losing in the semifinals to Hiroshima Shinjyou 6-2. Hiroshima Shinjyou would win the title, defeating fellow C Team Soutoku 6-2.
Kouryou being sent to the consolation game almost guaranteed that they would go as the final team. And sadly (for me anyways) it came at the expense of Onomichi. They narrowly lost to Soutoku 5-4 in the semifinals and then got blown out 8-2, missing out on the super-regionals.
Tottori
Man, just 23 schools participating in the Aki Taikai...
Tottori Jyouhoku, the natsu representative, after a slow start in a 3-2 win over Tottori Ikuei blew through the rest of the field, defeating Tottori Shougyou 9-3 in the finals.
Iwami claims the 3rd spot, defeating Kurayoshi Higashi 5-3.
Shimane
Iwami Chisuikan, who finally made it to Koushien after a long hiatus, will not be coming back for the fall. They advanced out of the 1st stage, but was soundly defeated 10-4 to Izumo Nishi in the first game of the 2nd stage.
Kaisei didn't even get out of the 1st stage, and Risshoudai Shounan lost to Yasugi in the quarterfinals, meaning that there was an opportunity for 3 new schools to reach the super-regionals.
Sadly, Yasugi actually wound up being the odd team out! They were narrowly defeated by Taisha 3-2 in the semifinals and then were shutout by Daitou 2-0 in the 3rd place game! As for Taisha, they would defeat the aforementioned Izumo Nishi 4-3 (their 3rd straight 1-run game) to claim the title.
Yamaguchi
Tottori would wind up being the only prefecture to send their natsu representative to the super-regionals as Iwakuni Shougyou would not get past the 2nd round of the regionals.
Filling the void would be fellow school Iwakuni. They did struggle with a 1-0 win over Hikari in the quarterfinals, then allowed Takagawa Gakuen to almost come back from a 6-0 deficit before winning the title 8-6. Takagawa Gakuen is an enigma, having used a 7-spot in the 8th to pull away from Tokuyama Shoukou then turning around to defeat Nanyou Kougyou 4-3.
Joining the two in the super-regionals will be Ube Shougyou. They almost let Saikyou come back in their first game, did not look too impressive, but reversed a 6-0 loss to Takagawa Gakuen and defeated Sakuragaoka to advance.
Showing posts with label Yamaguchi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yamaguchi. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Remaining prefectural titles recap (Part 1)
All right, for all the remaining prefecutures (well part of them anyways):
Fukushima - Seikou Gakuin (10th title, 7th consecutive)
With Chiben Wakayama's loss, the longest current consecutive streak to reach Koushien belongs to Seikou Gakuin who had 6 straight coming into this year.
The interesting thing is, despite Fukushima not necessarily being known as a strong prefecture, Seikou Gakuin has been able to hold their own at Koushien (even to my surprise). If we looked at their last 8 appearances over the last 9 years, they have reached the Best 8 twice, and only exited after their first game just one in 2009. They actually have a winning record (11-8) during that time span.
With that in mind, we enter the taikai. But it so came to pass that one of the seeded teams would fail to reach the Best 8. #7 seed Shouin Gakuen Fukushima would lose to Hobara 7-6 in their very first game.
But the remaining teams needed to see if Seikou Gakuin would falter. And against #8 Gakkouhoujin Ishikawa it looked like they might. Starter Ishii was rocked for 8 runs in just 1.1 innings and Seikou trailed 8-4. The lead however would be short-lived as Seikou would respond with 5 unanswered runs to overtake. Reliever Ima would shut the door (just) to win 10-9.
In comparison the #5 seed Odaka Kougyou was a breeze advancing to the finals yet again.
Their opponent would be #6 Nichidai Tohoku. They had relatively little opposition in reaching the finals, including an 8-2 win over #2 Fukushima Higashi.
Seikou Gakuin would actually be in jeopardy again. Nichidai Tohoku got out to a 2-0 lead, and then when Seikou leveled the score in the 6th, Nichidai would score a pair in the top of the 8th to perhaps seal the upset.
But as is the case when you are dealing with a dynasty of any sort in kokoyakyu, the team trying to break through has not learned how to win the big game (because if they did, well... there'd be no dynasty, right?).
And so it was that in the 8th, Seikou would claim one of those runs back. Bottom 9, yep, you guessed it - they tied the game.
Once you lose the lead, the underdog is pretty much doomed unless they can immediately reply.
Nichidai Tohoku did not, and Seikou bid farewell to them just one inning into enchousen.
*One thing I did want to note, there has been a combined team consisting of the players from Futaba, Haramachi and Souma Nougyou borne out of the earthquake and tsunami of 2011. Referred to as Sousou Fukushima (相双福島), they successfully won their first game, a 6-4 win over Adachi Higashi. In their next game against #5 seed Odaka Kougyou, they went 12 innings before the pitching finally gave up in the 13th as they fell 4-1. But it was a rather great effort in my opinion and wanted to give them their due credit.
Miyagi - Sendai Ikuei (24th title, 2nd consecutive)
Sendai Ikuei felt like a disappointment in the Haru Koushien. Having won the Meiji Jingu Tournament and earning their super-region an extra bid, they looked rather average up until their quarterfinal loss to Kochi.
Did that wake them up? Well, they won the Spring Tohoku Super-Regional tournament, though in their Miyagi taikai , had a real close call versus Shibata, then later was in a brawl versus Rifu.
Now in the Natsu taikai, they continue to soldier forward. Yes, there was a quick scare when they spotted Oosaki Chuo 5 runs in the 1st during their quarterfinal game, but they quickly recovered and went on to win 9-5.
Before we proceed though, I want to give credit to Kesennuma. Considering what their city has had to deal with since the 2011 earthquake & tsunami, the fact that they got to the quarterfinals - while defeating Tohoku (yes, I know they're not as good nowadays, but still) is an accomplishment to be proud of. I hope for future success for their school in the years to come.
Remember I mentioned Shibata earlier, in that they gave Sendai Ikuei a scare in the Haru Taikai?
Well, what do you know, they worked their way through the bracket. An enchousen game against Tohoku Gakuin did scare them, but otherwise they reached the finals in a revenge match against Sendai Ikuei - but this time it really mattered.
Shibata made a statement right off the bat, battering relief starter Baba for 5 runs in the 1st inning. I was watching other games, but thought that perhaps Sendai Ikuei were getting their just desserts. But when I checked the score again it was 5-3 after 6 and now we were in the danger zone where the underdog could collapse due to the pressure. (see Fukushima)
Next thing I know I see that Uebayashi has hit a HR, I switch to the game just to see Sendai Ikuei tying the game in the bottom of the 8th.
Shibata ace Iwasa looked done. But after a scoreless top of the 9th, he'd be sent out again for the 9th.
Leadoff batter Kumagai would get on base. Kikuna would bunt him along, but in a complete lapse of judgement there was no one covering 3rd and Kumagai would take it outright.
Iwasa and Shibata had no choice but to put Kikuna and Uebayashi on to create the force. Any successful sac fly or squeeze would end the game. PH Abe would come in, but Iwasa induced a foul fly up the 1st base line that would be caught for the 2nd out.
That would bring up C Kobayashi Ryou. Iwasa would fight, but the count would run full. The payoff pitch... would be thrown high.
An oshidashi sayonara walk would end Shibata's season - perhaps one of the saddest, most heartbreaking ways to lose.
Nishi Tokyo - Nichidai-san (16th title, 4th consecutive)
Ugh, I refuse to recap in detail this taikai. Nichidai-san outscores their opponents 75-9 and are not contested.
AT ALL.
Hino reached the finals looking really good, and had a statement game in the semfinals. In the same manner as Nichidai Tohoku, Hino blows a 6-1 lead in the final 2 innings, but unlike Nichidai Tohoku scores 3 in the 10th to defeat Kokushikan. But they get 2-hit in the finals, and it's all for naught.
Ugh.
Nagano - Ueda Nishi (1st appearance)
Nagano is another random place where I have an interest in. Now, they're not known for their baseball. In the last decade, representatives from Nagano have won a total of 3 games - Matsushiro one in 2009, and a pair for Nagano Nichidai in 2009.
But I take an interest because I've traveled there several time thanks to anime. As a result of being there and how beautiful it is, I root for the area. Specifically, I root for both Ueda-Chikuma and Ueda Nishi because they're near where my friends runs a ryokan. Both are actually above average teams, but neither have been to Koushien despite the fact that only Matsushou Gakuen has been the only team in the past decade to have gone to Natsu Koushien more than once.
Nonetheless, Ueda Nishi was the #1 seed, while Ueda-Chikuma was a 5-8 seed.
Now, despite the fact that there has been generally a lot of flux in the Nagano representative, of the 8 seeded teams, only 5-8 seeds Ina Yayoigaoka and Nagano Higashi would fall before the Best 8 to Tagawa and Iida OIDE Osahime respectively.
However, the roads for almost all of the seeded teams were not without some games a bit too close for comfort. Ueda Nishi almost lost in their first game against Matsumoto Dai-ichi if not for a 3-run 9th. After that was a 1-0 nail-biter against Anan. Interestingly, after that the games were actually a little easier for him, even against #4 Chikyuu Kankyou in the semifinals - and they probably looked like one of the more impressive teams up until the loss.
Interestingly their finals opponent would be someone they would be very familiar with. Defending champs and #3 seed Saku Chousei actually was scheduled to be the game after Ueda Nishi up until the quarterfinals. As Ueda Nishi progressed, so did Saku Chousei, which included a mercy rule win over Ueda-Chikuma. Yet in the semifinals, against unknown Nagano Shougyou, they somehow managed to win despite scoring just 1 run on 4 hits.
The finals would be just as offense starved. However, Ueda Nishi would make the most of their 6 hits, scoring 3 runs while the tandem of Yanagaizawa and Urano combine for a 4-hit shutout - thus securing their first ever title!
Mie - Mie (11th appearance, 1st in 4 years)
Mie has been a rather chaotic prefecture over the past decade. No school has claimed the title more than twice (Mie, Komono, Uji-yamada Shougyou), and as a result of no team dominating has done rather poorly at Natsu Koushien. Ujiyamada Shougyou would be the only team to not initially lose to Saga Kita (they played to a 4-4 draw), and Mie had defeated Kumamoto Kougyou in extras back in 2009 before being wiped out by Miyakonojyou Shougyou.
And yet even still, the 3 schools that had the most success wound up in the Best 4. Mie went off to a slow start in a 2-0 win over Matsusaka Shougyou, then were able to upset seeded Inabe Sougou Gakuen 2-1 in the very next round. It was smooth sailing after that to the semifinals. Komono had a similar stumble edging Yokkaichi Minami 4-3, but was fine otherwise. Uji-yamada Shougyou had no such hiccups, incurring 4 mercy rule wins - even one against seeded Kinkidai Koutousen.
The final team to make it was seeded Tsu Shougyou. They wound up playing one less games after Ishiyakushi forfeited to them in the first round, then broke ties in the 9th against Shiroko and Kaisei to get to the semis.
Mie's Wakabayashi would shut down Uji-yamada Shougyou in their game cruising to a 6-0 win. Komono would score 5 straight unanswered runs in the middle innings to reverse a 3-0 deficit as Yamanaka made the lead stick winning 5-4.
The final however would be a bit of a letdown. Mie scored 5 in the 4th to put the game into an eventuality as they would win 7-1.
Nara - Sakurai (1st appearance)
So I'll just remind you anyways that in Nara, Tenri (7) and Chiben Gakuen (5) have claimed the title the last 12 years. Being a school from Nara looking up at these two behemoths must be rather discouraging.
But if there seemed to be a chink in the twin towers, it was this year. It was Yamato Kouryou, not either of the stalwarts, who represented Nara in senbatsu, and Tenri wasn't even seeded for the natsu taikai! So the rest of Nara probably had one eye on their game and another to see if the two would fall and finally open the gates for someone else to walk through.
Tenri would be the first to fall, losing 12-4 to Naradai Fuzoku in the 3rd round. Only Chiben Gakuen remained, and perhaps in a bit of irony, lost in sayonara fashion to senbatsu representative Yamato Kouryou 4-3 in the quarterfinals!
Which meant that the spell would be broken and all would be up for grabs! But by the time Chiben Gakuen lost, just 3 other teams would remain - Sakurai and Yamato Kouryou who already advanced, and soon thereafter the only seeded team left in Naradai Fuzoku, and Nara Suzaku who soundly defeated seeded Kashihara 7-2.
You'd think that Yamato Kouryou would be the favorite now -they did go to Senbatsu after all. But before that Chiben Gakuen upset, they had endured two 11 inning games. And so it was against Sakurai that C Shimada would deliver the sayonara hit in the 10th inning to send them home. In the other semifinal, Naradai Fuzoku would keep Nara Suzaku at bay long enough to wear out Suzaku's ace Iwaki to score 6 runs late winning 11-6, guaranteeing that we would have a first time winner out of Nara.
The final would not be dominated by Sakurai as the triumvirate of Takeno, Kinoshita and Kaji would clamp down the 4-1 and claim their first title!
Hiroshima - Setouchi (2nd appearance, 1st in 13 years)
Hiroshima, for most of the past decade has been dominated by either Jyosuikan or Kouryou. They account for 7 of the last 10 titles. It's not to the level of say a Chiben Wakayama or a Tenri/Chiben Gakuen, but it's pretty impressive nonetheless.
Last year Hiroshima Kougyou was able to break through. Could a team breach the twin towers for the 2nd straight year?
Well, both were one of the 8 seeded teams assigned by the baseball federation. And once we had reached the Best 8 where if all went scratch it would be populated by seeded teams, they were still around. Jyosuikan did need late runs to defeat Shiritsu Kure in their first game, while Gion Kita kept the game close against Kouryou in the 2nd round.
There were 3 casualties. Onomichi (who I'm guessing will need to reload now to make another run at Koushien), Kouyou Higashi, and Hiroshima Kokusai Gakuin. The former 2 were eliminated in their very first game.
Replacing the three were (in order), Eishin (who isn't a bad team at all), Kinkidai Fukuyama (which is out of my friend's city, but he's teaching in Daimon), and Gokou.
Oddly enough, while Gokou looked the best score-wise getting to the Best 8, they were the worst routed, losing 12-0 in 5 to Hiroshima Kougyou. Eishin didn't play bad, but lost 4-1 to Hiroshima Shinjyou. And Kinkidai Fukuyama did best of all, actually holding a 6-4 lead over Jyosuikan... until they scored 5 in the 6th to take the lead for good.
The only fully seeded matchup was Setouchi and Kouryou. Kouryou was having a devil's of a time, and when Setouchi took a 3-1 lead with a pair in the top of the 8th, Kouryou was done for! They'd fall 3-2 and one of the pillars had fallen.
The 2nd pillar would fall unceremoniously as Jyosuikan went through 7 (yes 7!) pitchers as they flailed for 7 runs in a 7-2 loss to Hiroshima Shinjyou! In fact, only 2 pitchers actually went over 1 inning, and 3 of them actually just recorded 1 out!
So we would have a first time winner in Hiroshima Shinjyou, or Setouchi going for just their 2nd time.
But something happened on the way to the title. Setouchi's Yamaoka would pitch a one-hit shutout, striking out 15 batters while walking 3. Hiroshima Shinjyou's ace Taguchi would give up 13 hits while striking out 19.
The only problem? He also gave up no runs!
That's right, somehow with all the opportunites Setouchi had, and the performance their ace gave them, the teams actually played to a 0-0 draw! And so the game would have to be replayed - though the game was not scheduled for the next day, but the day after.
Certainly, in the replay the pitchers would not be as sharp, and they werent. Both aces did take the hill to start the game, and Yamaoka struck out just 6 while Taguchi only 3. Both aces gave up just 5 hits, though Yamaoka offered 3 free passes to Taguchi's 0. And as the game progressed, I bet the attendees were wondering if they were watching the same game - because the game was again deadlocked at 0 through 7!
In the bottom of the 8th though C Oomachi would actually drive in a run with his only hit of the game. Yamaoka managed to record the final 3 outs to finally claim the title.
Yamaguchi - Iwakuni Shougyou (4th appearance, 1st in 27 years)
For as few teams as there are in Yamaguchi, the top teams dominated the field once again (well, almost).
1-4 seeds Hayatomo, Iwakuni Shougyou and Takagawa Gakuen all advanced to the semifinals without much resistance. The only exception was Ube Kougyou who had played several low scoring affairs before being unable to rally against 5-8 seed Iwakuni falling 3-2.
Iwakuni would try to give Takagawa Gakuen a run for their money with a 5-run 3rd. However, ace Azuma would soon fritter that lead away, and with their own 5-run inning, Takagawa would take a 9-5 lead and never relinquish it. That would actually be the close game of the bunch as Hayatomo was completely railroaded by Iwakuni Shougyou. 10 runs, and a 3-hit shutout later, Iwakuni Shougyou was in the finals.
The final was delayed a day due to rain, but Takagawa Gakuen, looking for their first Natsu title, surely gave Iwakuni Shougyou a run for their money. Ace Hamamoto struck out 11, and only gave up a pair of runs in the 4th. However, his offense could fare no better as they could just claim back one of those runs 2 innings later. Iwakuni Shougyou would be able to follow up their senbatsu appearance with a return here in the summer.
Fukushima - Seikou Gakuin (10th title, 7th consecutive)
With Chiben Wakayama's loss, the longest current consecutive streak to reach Koushien belongs to Seikou Gakuin who had 6 straight coming into this year.
The interesting thing is, despite Fukushima not necessarily being known as a strong prefecture, Seikou Gakuin has been able to hold their own at Koushien (even to my surprise). If we looked at their last 8 appearances over the last 9 years, they have reached the Best 8 twice, and only exited after their first game just one in 2009. They actually have a winning record (11-8) during that time span.
With that in mind, we enter the taikai. But it so came to pass that one of the seeded teams would fail to reach the Best 8. #7 seed Shouin Gakuen Fukushima would lose to Hobara 7-6 in their very first game.
But the remaining teams needed to see if Seikou Gakuin would falter. And against #8 Gakkouhoujin Ishikawa it looked like they might. Starter Ishii was rocked for 8 runs in just 1.1 innings and Seikou trailed 8-4. The lead however would be short-lived as Seikou would respond with 5 unanswered runs to overtake. Reliever Ima would shut the door (just) to win 10-9.
In comparison the #5 seed Odaka Kougyou was a breeze advancing to the finals yet again.
Their opponent would be #6 Nichidai Tohoku. They had relatively little opposition in reaching the finals, including an 8-2 win over #2 Fukushima Higashi.
Seikou Gakuin would actually be in jeopardy again. Nichidai Tohoku got out to a 2-0 lead, and then when Seikou leveled the score in the 6th, Nichidai would score a pair in the top of the 8th to perhaps seal the upset.
But as is the case when you are dealing with a dynasty of any sort in kokoyakyu, the team trying to break through has not learned how to win the big game (because if they did, well... there'd be no dynasty, right?).
And so it was that in the 8th, Seikou would claim one of those runs back. Bottom 9, yep, you guessed it - they tied the game.
Once you lose the lead, the underdog is pretty much doomed unless they can immediately reply.
Nichidai Tohoku did not, and Seikou bid farewell to them just one inning into enchousen.
*One thing I did want to note, there has been a combined team consisting of the players from Futaba, Haramachi and Souma Nougyou borne out of the earthquake and tsunami of 2011. Referred to as Sousou Fukushima (相双福島), they successfully won their first game, a 6-4 win over Adachi Higashi. In their next game against #5 seed Odaka Kougyou, they went 12 innings before the pitching finally gave up in the 13th as they fell 4-1. But it was a rather great effort in my opinion and wanted to give them their due credit.
Miyagi - Sendai Ikuei (24th title, 2nd consecutive)
Sendai Ikuei felt like a disappointment in the Haru Koushien. Having won the Meiji Jingu Tournament and earning their super-region an extra bid, they looked rather average up until their quarterfinal loss to Kochi.
Did that wake them up? Well, they won the Spring Tohoku Super-Regional tournament, though in their Miyagi taikai , had a real close call versus Shibata, then later was in a brawl versus Rifu.
Now in the Natsu taikai, they continue to soldier forward. Yes, there was a quick scare when they spotted Oosaki Chuo 5 runs in the 1st during their quarterfinal game, but they quickly recovered and went on to win 9-5.
Before we proceed though, I want to give credit to Kesennuma. Considering what their city has had to deal with since the 2011 earthquake & tsunami, the fact that they got to the quarterfinals - while defeating Tohoku (yes, I know they're not as good nowadays, but still) is an accomplishment to be proud of. I hope for future success for their school in the years to come.
Remember I mentioned Shibata earlier, in that they gave Sendai Ikuei a scare in the Haru Taikai?
Well, what do you know, they worked their way through the bracket. An enchousen game against Tohoku Gakuin did scare them, but otherwise they reached the finals in a revenge match against Sendai Ikuei - but this time it really mattered.
Shibata made a statement right off the bat, battering relief starter Baba for 5 runs in the 1st inning. I was watching other games, but thought that perhaps Sendai Ikuei were getting their just desserts. But when I checked the score again it was 5-3 after 6 and now we were in the danger zone where the underdog could collapse due to the pressure. (see Fukushima)
Next thing I know I see that Uebayashi has hit a HR, I switch to the game just to see Sendai Ikuei tying the game in the bottom of the 8th.
Shibata ace Iwasa looked done. But after a scoreless top of the 9th, he'd be sent out again for the 9th.
Leadoff batter Kumagai would get on base. Kikuna would bunt him along, but in a complete lapse of judgement there was no one covering 3rd and Kumagai would take it outright.
Iwasa and Shibata had no choice but to put Kikuna and Uebayashi on to create the force. Any successful sac fly or squeeze would end the game. PH Abe would come in, but Iwasa induced a foul fly up the 1st base line that would be caught for the 2nd out.
That would bring up C Kobayashi Ryou. Iwasa would fight, but the count would run full. The payoff pitch... would be thrown high.
An oshidashi sayonara walk would end Shibata's season - perhaps one of the saddest, most heartbreaking ways to lose.
Nishi Tokyo - Nichidai-san (16th title, 4th consecutive)
Ugh, I refuse to recap in detail this taikai. Nichidai-san outscores their opponents 75-9 and are not contested.
AT ALL.
Hino reached the finals looking really good, and had a statement game in the semfinals. In the same manner as Nichidai Tohoku, Hino blows a 6-1 lead in the final 2 innings, but unlike Nichidai Tohoku scores 3 in the 10th to defeat Kokushikan. But they get 2-hit in the finals, and it's all for naught.
Ugh.
Nagano - Ueda Nishi (1st appearance)
Nagano is another random place where I have an interest in. Now, they're not known for their baseball. In the last decade, representatives from Nagano have won a total of 3 games - Matsushiro one in 2009, and a pair for Nagano Nichidai in 2009.
But I take an interest because I've traveled there several time thanks to anime. As a result of being there and how beautiful it is, I root for the area. Specifically, I root for both Ueda-Chikuma and Ueda Nishi because they're near where my friends runs a ryokan. Both are actually above average teams, but neither have been to Koushien despite the fact that only Matsushou Gakuen has been the only team in the past decade to have gone to Natsu Koushien more than once.
Nonetheless, Ueda Nishi was the #1 seed, while Ueda-Chikuma was a 5-8 seed.
Now, despite the fact that there has been generally a lot of flux in the Nagano representative, of the 8 seeded teams, only 5-8 seeds Ina Yayoigaoka and Nagano Higashi would fall before the Best 8 to Tagawa and Iida OIDE Osahime respectively.
However, the roads for almost all of the seeded teams were not without some games a bit too close for comfort. Ueda Nishi almost lost in their first game against Matsumoto Dai-ichi if not for a 3-run 9th. After that was a 1-0 nail-biter against Anan. Interestingly, after that the games were actually a little easier for him, even against #4 Chikyuu Kankyou in the semifinals - and they probably looked like one of the more impressive teams up until the loss.
Interestingly their finals opponent would be someone they would be very familiar with. Defending champs and #3 seed Saku Chousei actually was scheduled to be the game after Ueda Nishi up until the quarterfinals. As Ueda Nishi progressed, so did Saku Chousei, which included a mercy rule win over Ueda-Chikuma. Yet in the semifinals, against unknown Nagano Shougyou, they somehow managed to win despite scoring just 1 run on 4 hits.
The finals would be just as offense starved. However, Ueda Nishi would make the most of their 6 hits, scoring 3 runs while the tandem of Yanagaizawa and Urano combine for a 4-hit shutout - thus securing their first ever title!
Mie - Mie (11th appearance, 1st in 4 years)
Mie has been a rather chaotic prefecture over the past decade. No school has claimed the title more than twice (Mie, Komono, Uji-yamada Shougyou), and as a result of no team dominating has done rather poorly at Natsu Koushien. Ujiyamada Shougyou would be the only team to not initially lose to Saga Kita (they played to a 4-4 draw), and Mie had defeated Kumamoto Kougyou in extras back in 2009 before being wiped out by Miyakonojyou Shougyou.
And yet even still, the 3 schools that had the most success wound up in the Best 4. Mie went off to a slow start in a 2-0 win over Matsusaka Shougyou, then were able to upset seeded Inabe Sougou Gakuen 2-1 in the very next round. It was smooth sailing after that to the semifinals. Komono had a similar stumble edging Yokkaichi Minami 4-3, but was fine otherwise. Uji-yamada Shougyou had no such hiccups, incurring 4 mercy rule wins - even one against seeded Kinkidai Koutousen.
The final team to make it was seeded Tsu Shougyou. They wound up playing one less games after Ishiyakushi forfeited to them in the first round, then broke ties in the 9th against Shiroko and Kaisei to get to the semis.
Mie's Wakabayashi would shut down Uji-yamada Shougyou in their game cruising to a 6-0 win. Komono would score 5 straight unanswered runs in the middle innings to reverse a 3-0 deficit as Yamanaka made the lead stick winning 5-4.
The final however would be a bit of a letdown. Mie scored 5 in the 4th to put the game into an eventuality as they would win 7-1.
Nara - Sakurai (1st appearance)
So I'll just remind you anyways that in Nara, Tenri (7) and Chiben Gakuen (5) have claimed the title the last 12 years. Being a school from Nara looking up at these two behemoths must be rather discouraging.
But if there seemed to be a chink in the twin towers, it was this year. It was Yamato Kouryou, not either of the stalwarts, who represented Nara in senbatsu, and Tenri wasn't even seeded for the natsu taikai! So the rest of Nara probably had one eye on their game and another to see if the two would fall and finally open the gates for someone else to walk through.
Tenri would be the first to fall, losing 12-4 to Naradai Fuzoku in the 3rd round. Only Chiben Gakuen remained, and perhaps in a bit of irony, lost in sayonara fashion to senbatsu representative Yamato Kouryou 4-3 in the quarterfinals!
Which meant that the spell would be broken and all would be up for grabs! But by the time Chiben Gakuen lost, just 3 other teams would remain - Sakurai and Yamato Kouryou who already advanced, and soon thereafter the only seeded team left in Naradai Fuzoku, and Nara Suzaku who soundly defeated seeded Kashihara 7-2.
You'd think that Yamato Kouryou would be the favorite now -they did go to Senbatsu after all. But before that Chiben Gakuen upset, they had endured two 11 inning games. And so it was against Sakurai that C Shimada would deliver the sayonara hit in the 10th inning to send them home. In the other semifinal, Naradai Fuzoku would keep Nara Suzaku at bay long enough to wear out Suzaku's ace Iwaki to score 6 runs late winning 11-6, guaranteeing that we would have a first time winner out of Nara.
The final would not be dominated by Sakurai as the triumvirate of Takeno, Kinoshita and Kaji would clamp down the 4-1 and claim their first title!
Hiroshima - Setouchi (2nd appearance, 1st in 13 years)
Hiroshima, for most of the past decade has been dominated by either Jyosuikan or Kouryou. They account for 7 of the last 10 titles. It's not to the level of say a Chiben Wakayama or a Tenri/Chiben Gakuen, but it's pretty impressive nonetheless.
Last year Hiroshima Kougyou was able to break through. Could a team breach the twin towers for the 2nd straight year?
Well, both were one of the 8 seeded teams assigned by the baseball federation. And once we had reached the Best 8 where if all went scratch it would be populated by seeded teams, they were still around. Jyosuikan did need late runs to defeat Shiritsu Kure in their first game, while Gion Kita kept the game close against Kouryou in the 2nd round.
There were 3 casualties. Onomichi (who I'm guessing will need to reload now to make another run at Koushien), Kouyou Higashi, and Hiroshima Kokusai Gakuin. The former 2 were eliminated in their very first game.
Replacing the three were (in order), Eishin (who isn't a bad team at all), Kinkidai Fukuyama (which is out of my friend's city, but he's teaching in Daimon), and Gokou.
Oddly enough, while Gokou looked the best score-wise getting to the Best 8, they were the worst routed, losing 12-0 in 5 to Hiroshima Kougyou. Eishin didn't play bad, but lost 4-1 to Hiroshima Shinjyou. And Kinkidai Fukuyama did best of all, actually holding a 6-4 lead over Jyosuikan... until they scored 5 in the 6th to take the lead for good.
The only fully seeded matchup was Setouchi and Kouryou. Kouryou was having a devil's of a time, and when Setouchi took a 3-1 lead with a pair in the top of the 8th, Kouryou was done for! They'd fall 3-2 and one of the pillars had fallen.
The 2nd pillar would fall unceremoniously as Jyosuikan went through 7 (yes 7!) pitchers as they flailed for 7 runs in a 7-2 loss to Hiroshima Shinjyou! In fact, only 2 pitchers actually went over 1 inning, and 3 of them actually just recorded 1 out!
So we would have a first time winner in Hiroshima Shinjyou, or Setouchi going for just their 2nd time.
But something happened on the way to the title. Setouchi's Yamaoka would pitch a one-hit shutout, striking out 15 batters while walking 3. Hiroshima Shinjyou's ace Taguchi would give up 13 hits while striking out 19.
The only problem? He also gave up no runs!
That's right, somehow with all the opportunites Setouchi had, and the performance their ace gave them, the teams actually played to a 0-0 draw! And so the game would have to be replayed - though the game was not scheduled for the next day, but the day after.
Certainly, in the replay the pitchers would not be as sharp, and they werent. Both aces did take the hill to start the game, and Yamaoka struck out just 6 while Taguchi only 3. Both aces gave up just 5 hits, though Yamaoka offered 3 free passes to Taguchi's 0. And as the game progressed, I bet the attendees were wondering if they were watching the same game - because the game was again deadlocked at 0 through 7!
In the bottom of the 8th though C Oomachi would actually drive in a run with his only hit of the game. Yamaoka managed to record the final 3 outs to finally claim the title.
Yamaguchi - Iwakuni Shougyou (4th appearance, 1st in 27 years)
For as few teams as there are in Yamaguchi, the top teams dominated the field once again (well, almost).
1-4 seeds Hayatomo, Iwakuni Shougyou and Takagawa Gakuen all advanced to the semifinals without much resistance. The only exception was Ube Kougyou who had played several low scoring affairs before being unable to rally against 5-8 seed Iwakuni falling 3-2.
Iwakuni would try to give Takagawa Gakuen a run for their money with a 5-run 3rd. However, ace Azuma would soon fritter that lead away, and with their own 5-run inning, Takagawa would take a 9-5 lead and never relinquish it. That would actually be the close game of the bunch as Hayatomo was completely railroaded by Iwakuni Shougyou. 10 runs, and a 3-hit shutout later, Iwakuni Shougyou was in the finals.
The final was delayed a day due to rain, but Takagawa Gakuen, looking for their first Natsu title, surely gave Iwakuni Shougyou a run for their money. Ace Hamamoto struck out 11, and only gave up a pair of runs in the 4th. However, his offense could fare no better as they could just claim back one of those runs 2 innings later. Iwakuni Shougyou would be able to follow up their senbatsu appearance with a return here in the summer.
Monday, July 15, 2013
7/14 Update - Out of the blocks (Chuugoku & Shikoku)
Most of Chuugoku and Shikoku have started along with most of the other prefectures. Let's see where they're at.
Tottori
Nothing really of note so far in the 6 games played. The closest game was Yonago Higashi rallying from down 5-0 to Tottori Nishi to pull within 2, but lost 6-3. Tottori Jyouhoku has advanced easily past the first round.
Okayama
Much like Tottori, not many close games in Okayama to start either. Okayama Gakugeikan and Okayama Shoudai Fuzoku both advanced on day 1. Kanzei's attempt to return to 甲子園 started off with a 5-0 win over Okayama Housen.
The only really close games was at Acorn Stadium. Tamano holding off Konkou Gakuen 5-4, and Okayama outscoring Wakeshizutani to win 9-6.
Shimane
An exciting opening game in Shimane on the 14th as Mitoya and Matsue Kougyou traded runs every other inning, with Matsue Kougyou leading 5-4. But just 3 outs from advancing, they cannot close it out and Mitoya scores 2 in the bottom of the 9th for the sayorara win!
Hiroshima
Opening day at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium was interesting for several reasons. First Soutoku and Hiroshima Shougyou would fight for 13 innings with Soutoku pulling off the 4-3 sayonara win in 13 innings. The other interesting fact was that the pitcher used for Hiroshima Shougyou was #10 Inosencio Wilson. From what I've been able to discern, his father was Filipino and was actually studying back in the Philippines before coming to high school in Japan.
Anyways, the first couple of days have the seeded teams watching as the rest of the field fights it out in the lower levels. It's a mixed bag, but there are quite a few close games starting out.
In Kure Nikou, Kure Mitsuta led Kumano 7-0 but the tandem of Maeda and Sugimoto barely held Kumano off winning 7-6. At Shimanami, Kure Shouwa also holds on, turning a 3-0 lead into a 3-2 win over Mihara.
Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi doesn't mess around on opening day. 10 games across 4 stadiums. Honestly though, I believe they had their opening ceremonies the day before.
Anyways, in opening action Ube Tousen trades blows with Ube Frontier Kagawa and wins 10-8. Takamori continually chases Kudamatsu, and just falls short 5-4. A 5-run 8th gives Shimonoseki Nishi the 7-4 win over Ootsu Ryokuyou.
Meanwhile, the seeded teams that did not manage to draw a bye played the next day. How a 5-8 seed gets a 1st round bye while a 1-4 seed doesn't is beyond me. No upsets thus far, though Ube Kougyou did not look especially sharp against Houhoku winning 3-1. Yanai Gakuen and Karyou both advance, but will be facing 5-8 seeded teams in their next matchup (Iwakuni and Nanyou Kougyou respectively).
Kagawa
Opening round games have been completed, and seeded teams are queued up. One school has already played and that's Jinsei Gakuen. They had an easy first game and will face a Kanonji Chuo squad who uncharacteristically almost lost in their first round game against Sakaide, recovered to mercy rule Mitoyo Kougyou.
Otherwise, Kasada used late-game heroics to score 2 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Takamatsu Sakurai and will face Iiyama next.
Tokushima
Not much to report in Tokushima, all games were pretty much one-sided. About the only interesting game was Wakimachi scoring 11 unanswered to turn a 6-1 loss into an eventual 12-7 win over Komatsushima Nishi. Otherwise Kawashima, Tomioka Nishi, Tokushima Shougyou and Jyounouchi all advance.
Ehime
Interestingly, very low scoring games dominate early action. Yet only a handful were contested. Iyo Nougyou used a run in the 1st and 9th to defeat Yoshida 2-0. Niihama Higashi outlasted Kita-Uwa 3-2 in 11 innings. And Minami-Uwa used a run in the lucky 7th to get by Matsuyama Kougyou 4-3.
Kochi
Much like Tokushima, mostly lopsided games. Seeded teams do not get later games and as such, Kochi, Kochi Shougyou and Meitoku Gijyuku have all played and advanced.
But Kochi Tousen had their dreams crushed when they could not close a 6-2 lead in the top of the 9th. 6 runs later and Aki Sakuragaoka would advance. And Kochi Ootemae would fight but lose in the bottom of the 13th 2-1 to Nakamura.
Tottori
Nothing really of note so far in the 6 games played. The closest game was Yonago Higashi rallying from down 5-0 to Tottori Nishi to pull within 2, but lost 6-3. Tottori Jyouhoku has advanced easily past the first round.
Okayama
Much like Tottori, not many close games in Okayama to start either. Okayama Gakugeikan and Okayama Shoudai Fuzoku both advanced on day 1. Kanzei's attempt to return to 甲子園 started off with a 5-0 win over Okayama Housen.
The only really close games was at Acorn Stadium. Tamano holding off Konkou Gakuen 5-4, and Okayama outscoring Wakeshizutani to win 9-6.
Shimane
An exciting opening game in Shimane on the 14th as Mitoya and Matsue Kougyou traded runs every other inning, with Matsue Kougyou leading 5-4. But just 3 outs from advancing, they cannot close it out and Mitoya scores 2 in the bottom of the 9th for the sayorara win!
Hiroshima
Opening day at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium was interesting for several reasons. First Soutoku and Hiroshima Shougyou would fight for 13 innings with Soutoku pulling off the 4-3 sayonara win in 13 innings. The other interesting fact was that the pitcher used for Hiroshima Shougyou was #10 Inosencio Wilson. From what I've been able to discern, his father was Filipino and was actually studying back in the Philippines before coming to high school in Japan.
Anyways, the first couple of days have the seeded teams watching as the rest of the field fights it out in the lower levels. It's a mixed bag, but there are quite a few close games starting out.
In Kure Nikou, Kure Mitsuta led Kumano 7-0 but the tandem of Maeda and Sugimoto barely held Kumano off winning 7-6. At Shimanami, Kure Shouwa also holds on, turning a 3-0 lead into a 3-2 win over Mihara.
Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi doesn't mess around on opening day. 10 games across 4 stadiums. Honestly though, I believe they had their opening ceremonies the day before.
Anyways, in opening action Ube Tousen trades blows with Ube Frontier Kagawa and wins 10-8. Takamori continually chases Kudamatsu, and just falls short 5-4. A 5-run 8th gives Shimonoseki Nishi the 7-4 win over Ootsu Ryokuyou.
Meanwhile, the seeded teams that did not manage to draw a bye played the next day. How a 5-8 seed gets a 1st round bye while a 1-4 seed doesn't is beyond me. No upsets thus far, though Ube Kougyou did not look especially sharp against Houhoku winning 3-1. Yanai Gakuen and Karyou both advance, but will be facing 5-8 seeded teams in their next matchup (Iwakuni and Nanyou Kougyou respectively).
Kagawa
Opening round games have been completed, and seeded teams are queued up. One school has already played and that's Jinsei Gakuen. They had an easy first game and will face a Kanonji Chuo squad who uncharacteristically almost lost in their first round game against Sakaide, recovered to mercy rule Mitoyo Kougyou.
Otherwise, Kasada used late-game heroics to score 2 in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Takamatsu Sakurai and will face Iiyama next.
Tokushima
Not much to report in Tokushima, all games were pretty much one-sided. About the only interesting game was Wakimachi scoring 11 unanswered to turn a 6-1 loss into an eventual 12-7 win over Komatsushima Nishi. Otherwise Kawashima, Tomioka Nishi, Tokushima Shougyou and Jyounouchi all advance.
Ehime
Interestingly, very low scoring games dominate early action. Yet only a handful were contested. Iyo Nougyou used a run in the 1st and 9th to defeat Yoshida 2-0. Niihama Higashi outlasted Kita-Uwa 3-2 in 11 innings. And Minami-Uwa used a run in the lucky 7th to get by Matsuyama Kougyou 4-3.
Kochi
Much like Tokushima, mostly lopsided games. Seeded teams do not get later games and as such, Kochi, Kochi Shougyou and Meitoku Gijyuku have all played and advanced.
But Kochi Tousen had their dreams crushed when they could not close a 6-2 lead in the top of the 9th. 6 runs later and Aki Sakuragaoka would advance. And Kochi Ootemae would fight but lose in the bottom of the 13th 2-1 to Nakamura.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Day 5 - Game 3 - Hayatomo (Yamaguchi) vs. Chiben Gakuen (Nara)
Our final game puts the winner of the Chuugoku/Shikoku floating bid Hayatomo versus the Kinki champions Chiben Gakuen.
Hayatomo won the Yamaguchi prefecturals then got fortunate in some ways to be paired in the same quadrant as Tottori. They defeated Yasu, then fellow Yamaguchi school Nanyou Kougyou before losing to Kurashiki Shougyou 6-3.
The team relies heavily on their starting 9 as only 3 other players have any ABs (and they all have 1 each). The team batting average as a whole is poor (0.279) but they do have a lot of extra base hits.
Ace Aidzu strikes out a batter per inning, while allowing <1 H+BB per inning at the same time. But you'll have to remember the context of the Chuugoku region as well.
Opposing them is the new reigning team in Nara, and for this year at least Kinki - Chiben Gakuen.
I remember last year when they came back on Yokohama to win, and while that may have been fluky, they have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with now.
This fall they defeated Tenri twice, last year's representative from Osaka - Higashi-Osakadai Kashiwara, and Riseisha.
Chiben's numbers aren't that impressive on paper. A 0.315 batting average with some extra base hits. Ace Aoyama's K rates are about average, but he doesn't allow many runners.
Hayatomo's going to have a hard time in this game against the Kinki champs.
Hayatomo (Yamaguchi)
CF Nakamura Nozomu
LF Nagahisa Kimiharu
SS Miyazaki Ryuunousuke
3B Kimura Yuuma
RF Aidzu Yuusa (#1)
1B Fujita Shouki
2B Yamamoto Tatsuya
C Harada Shouji
P Horita Taiki (#10)
CF Urano Jyunya
P Aoyama Daiki
RF Ono Youhei
LF Komeda Shintarou
1B Koike Masahiro
3B Uenishi Ryouki (#12)
2B Yamaguchi Yuuki (#6)
SS Takeda Ichiya (#13)
__________________________________________________
13:42 - First pitch!
It was drizzling earlier, but now it's raining enough people are evacuating for higher and more importantly covered ground.
Top 1st
Hm? Hayatomo has no band?
Aoyama off to a good star, getting an infield groundout and pop fly to Yamaguchi at 2B.
Finally, there's the band but it soon stops when Miyazaki pops out to 2nd.
Bottom 1st
Interesting Ookoshi-kantoku is going with Horita to start.
Nakmichi with a blast to left. Nagahisa running back, reaches up and makes the running catch!
But they give it right back when Yamamoto throws away the ball on a routine grounder from Urano. Urano takes 2nd on the play.
Horita walks ace Aoyama on 4 straight, and now it's cleanup batter Ono.
And now I've seen the second instance of the ball hitting the end of the bat. This time it goes foul.
Horita gets Ono swinging on a ball in the dirt! 2 outs!
Both runners take off! The ball is in the dirt and they have no play! Now a base hit scores 2!
But Komeda grounds to 2nd! Yamamoto's throw is good this time and they're out of the jam!
Top 2nd
So I get to see Hayatomo's oen-dan, and we have the battle of the letters! Of course if you know kokoyakyu, you know if Chiben's red "C" on a white background. Well, Hayatomo has a white "H" on a blue background!
Kimura up just lines one foul down the right field line. But he is caught looking with some good framing to boot on a fastball outside.
Aoyama retires Aidzu on a grounder to 1st and Fujita, after a few stubborn foul balls, flies out to left.
Bottom 2nd
Koike is frozen on a slider for strike 3. Horita is showing good control for someone who was only used for 2 innings in one game this past fall.
According to the announcers, he has a fastball in the mid-upper 130s with a slider, curve and shuuto.
Yamaguchi reaches on a dead ball, but is stranded when Takeda flies out to left.
Top 3rd
Hayatomo's bottom of the order are stubborn, but all three are retired. Still no baserunners for Hayatomo yet.
Bottom 3rd
Nakamura making a great running catch in left-center to rob Urano of extra bases! A groundout by Aoyama makes it a 1-2-3 inning. Through 3, neither team has a hit.
Top 4th
Nakamura with a grounder to the right side! Yamaguchi with the great diving stop, but the throw is late! 1st base hit for Hayatomo!
And predictably, a sac bunt to move him into scoring position for Miyazaki and Kimura.
Aoyama gets him to bite on a ball in the dirt for the 2nd out.
Kimura with a first pitch blast to left center! Urano running back, but that's against the wall! Nakamura scores easily and just like that Hayatomo has not only the first hit in the game, but the first run! 1-0!!
And Aidzu is hit in the back by Aoyama! Fujita now to try and get another run in.
Fujita makes contact with a pitch low, but grounds out to 3rd to end the inning. But I'm sure the Chiben oen-dan is a bit shocked to see Hayatomo leading 1-0!
Bottom 4th
But I'm also sure they know that their team can score runs too.
Yet while Chiben's batters make contact, they're fly balls that are caught by the defense. Two flyouts to Aidzu and a K mean that Chiben is still without a hit!
Top 5th
Man, it looks like some of the Hayatomo players are mad at times. When Aidzu got hit it looked like he stared Aoyama down. And when Aoyama pitched inside to Harada, he kinda did the same.
I like that.
Though Harada goes down looking. And then Horita as well to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
Bottom third of the order for Chiben.
Huh, Uenishi goes down swinging on three straight off-speed pitches.
And the no-hitter is gone. Yamaguchi revenges getting hit by blowing one past Kimura into left for a single. Takeda bunts him over as the lineup cycles back to leadoff hitter Nakamichi.
Wild pitch! Harada can't find it and fortunately for him it went out of play. Yamaguchi has to hold at 3rd.
Nakamichi can't hold his swing and falls behind 1-2!
K, wild pitch? No, foul! 2-2 on Nakamichi...
And now he hits Nakamichi! (Though he really didn't get out of the way). The task of getting the runners home falls to Urano now.
Horita falls behind Urano 3-0. You don't want to go manrui with Aoyama up.
But he does! He loses him on the 3-1 pitch and now Ookoshi-kantoku calls time.
Key AB here. No place to put Aoyama.
Continues to pitch down in the zone, but after getting the first strike, falls behind 2-1.
Inside, and now it's 3-1! Does he give in?
Yes! And Aoyama singles through the left side! Nagahisa's throw is cut off and 2 runs score! Gyakuten Chiben Gakuen! They lead 2-1!
And they continue to apply the pressure! Double steal on the first pitch and both are safe!
And with the count 2-2, they show Horita's face. It looked like the one of someone who was rattled.
And just as I think that... Ono connects on a ball.
And I don't have to think about it.
HA-I-TA. Nagahisa barely gives chase.
5-1 Chiben Gakuen and even though it's early, that's a backbreaker.
Komeda grounds out to 2nd, but the damage has been done several times over. Hayatomo will have to pull off one heck of a comeback to overcome this deficit.
Top 6th
But playing from behind against a better team is never easy. Hayatomo goes down in order and they'll need to relax.
Bottom 6th
The rain seems to coming down a bit more now, but not affecting play.
Nakamura makes a great dive on a ball hit by Koike for the first out.
#15 Oosaki comes in to hit for Uenishi and goes down swinging.
And after a balk by Horita, I finally hear the first playing of "Jock Rock".
But Horita's struggling a bit. He walks Takeda now and the lineup turns over. Fortunately, for Horita, he finally strikes out Nakamich to end the inning.
Top 7th
Kimura leads off the lucky 7 with a single to center. However, Aidzu grounds into a fielder's choice. Furthermore, he tries and unsuccessfully steals 2nd.
(Why? That run doesn't even matter!)
Fujita flies out to center and that's the inning.
Bottom 7th
Horita shuts down the Chiben offense again in order, but they need help.
Top 8th
Yamamoto pulls a ball down the left field line... fair! He in with a leadoff double.
Harada tries to bloop one in up the middle, but Yamaguchi runs it down.
#9 Yamahito comes in to hit for Horita. His day is done. Horita strikes out swinging.
Nakamura with a ball back up the middle, goes through! Yamamoto scores and Haytomo has one of the runs back! 5-2.
But Nagahisa pops out to short, and that's the inning.
Bottom 8th
Kawahito stays in and goes to right, and ace Aidzu takes the mound.
After a routine grounder to start, Koike lines one over Miyazaki for a base hit. #5 Odahara comes to pinch run.
Oosaki grounds into a fielder's choice, and Yamaguchi to 3rd, and it's a smooth inning for Aidzu.
Top 9th
But they need at least 3 to extend the game.
Defensively, Odahara goes to 3rd, and Oosaki to 1st.
Miyazaki with a blast to right center! That falls in at the base of the wall for a double! But that's just one runner. You need a couple more.
Kimura with a ball to the left side. Takeda makes a nice grab and throw to get Kimura out.
It abruptly comes to an end as a liner by Aidzu is caught by Yamaguchi, and he tosses to Takeda to double off Miyazaki.
Hayatomo may have lost 5-2, but their pitchers combined to give up just 4 hits. 3 of those came in that fateful 5th inning. If not for that when Horita lost his composure, Hayatomo may have had a chance.
Hayatomo gave a great effort today and has nothing to be ashamed about. They easily earned their invitation here today. Hopefully they'll make a run in the summer.
Chiben Gakuen will have to wait until tomorrow to see who their opponent is, but 4 hits today has to be a bit concerning going forward.
Notable Players
Horita Taiki (Hayatomo) - 7 IP, 5 ER, 3 H, 6 K, 6 BB
Nakamura Nozomu (Hayatomo) - 2-4, R, RBI, K
Kimura Yuuma (Hayatomo) - 2-4 RBI
Aoyama Daiki (Chiben Gakuen) - CG, 2 ER, 7 H, 8 K, BB
Ono Youhei (Chiben Gakuen) - 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, K
Yamaguchi Yuuki (Chiben Gakuen) - 1-2, R, BB, HBP
Hayatomo won the Yamaguchi prefecturals then got fortunate in some ways to be paired in the same quadrant as Tottori. They defeated Yasu, then fellow Yamaguchi school Nanyou Kougyou before losing to Kurashiki Shougyou 6-3.
The team relies heavily on their starting 9 as only 3 other players have any ABs (and they all have 1 each). The team batting average as a whole is poor (0.279) but they do have a lot of extra base hits.
Ace Aidzu strikes out a batter per inning, while allowing <1 H+BB per inning at the same time. But you'll have to remember the context of the Chuugoku region as well.
Opposing them is the new reigning team in Nara, and for this year at least Kinki - Chiben Gakuen.
I remember last year when they came back on Yokohama to win, and while that may have been fluky, they have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with now.
This fall they defeated Tenri twice, last year's representative from Osaka - Higashi-Osakadai Kashiwara, and Riseisha.
Chiben's numbers aren't that impressive on paper. A 0.315 batting average with some extra base hits. Ace Aoyama's K rates are about average, but he doesn't allow many runners.
Hayatomo's going to have a hard time in this game against the Kinki champs.
Hayatomo (Yamaguchi)
CF Nakamura Nozomu
LF Nagahisa Kimiharu
SS Miyazaki Ryuunousuke
3B Kimura Yuuma
RF Aidzu Yuusa (#1)
1B Fujita Shouki
2B Yamamoto Tatsuya
C Harada Shouji
P Horita Taiki (#10)
Chiben Gakuen (Nara)
C Nakamichi KatsushiCF Urano Jyunya
P Aoyama Daiki
RF Ono Youhei
LF Komeda Shintarou
1B Koike Masahiro
3B Uenishi Ryouki (#12)
2B Yamaguchi Yuuki (#6)
SS Takeda Ichiya (#13)
__________________________________________________
13:42 - First pitch!
It was drizzling earlier, but now it's raining enough people are evacuating for higher and more importantly covered ground.
Top 1st
Hm? Hayatomo has no band?
Aoyama off to a good star, getting an infield groundout and pop fly to Yamaguchi at 2B.
Finally, there's the band but it soon stops when Miyazaki pops out to 2nd.
Bottom 1st
Interesting Ookoshi-kantoku is going with Horita to start.
Nakmichi with a blast to left. Nagahisa running back, reaches up and makes the running catch!
But they give it right back when Yamamoto throws away the ball on a routine grounder from Urano. Urano takes 2nd on the play.
Horita walks ace Aoyama on 4 straight, and now it's cleanup batter Ono.
And now I've seen the second instance of the ball hitting the end of the bat. This time it goes foul.
Horita gets Ono swinging on a ball in the dirt! 2 outs!
Both runners take off! The ball is in the dirt and they have no play! Now a base hit scores 2!
But Komeda grounds to 2nd! Yamamoto's throw is good this time and they're out of the jam!
Top 2nd
So I get to see Hayatomo's oen-dan, and we have the battle of the letters! Of course if you know kokoyakyu, you know if Chiben's red "C" on a white background. Well, Hayatomo has a white "H" on a blue background!
Kimura up just lines one foul down the right field line. But he is caught looking with some good framing to boot on a fastball outside.
Aoyama retires Aidzu on a grounder to 1st and Fujita, after a few stubborn foul balls, flies out to left.
Bottom 2nd
Koike is frozen on a slider for strike 3. Horita is showing good control for someone who was only used for 2 innings in one game this past fall.
According to the announcers, he has a fastball in the mid-upper 130s with a slider, curve and shuuto.
Yamaguchi reaches on a dead ball, but is stranded when Takeda flies out to left.
Top 3rd
Hayatomo's bottom of the order are stubborn, but all three are retired. Still no baserunners for Hayatomo yet.
Bottom 3rd
Nakamura making a great running catch in left-center to rob Urano of extra bases! A groundout by Aoyama makes it a 1-2-3 inning. Through 3, neither team has a hit.
Top 4th
Nakamura with a grounder to the right side! Yamaguchi with the great diving stop, but the throw is late! 1st base hit for Hayatomo!
And predictably, a sac bunt to move him into scoring position for Miyazaki and Kimura.
Aoyama gets him to bite on a ball in the dirt for the 2nd out.
Kimura with a first pitch blast to left center! Urano running back, but that's against the wall! Nakamura scores easily and just like that Hayatomo has not only the first hit in the game, but the first run! 1-0!!
And Aidzu is hit in the back by Aoyama! Fujita now to try and get another run in.
Fujita makes contact with a pitch low, but grounds out to 3rd to end the inning. But I'm sure the Chiben oen-dan is a bit shocked to see Hayatomo leading 1-0!
Bottom 4th
But I'm also sure they know that their team can score runs too.
Yet while Chiben's batters make contact, they're fly balls that are caught by the defense. Two flyouts to Aidzu and a K mean that Chiben is still without a hit!
Top 5th
Man, it looks like some of the Hayatomo players are mad at times. When Aidzu got hit it looked like he stared Aoyama down. And when Aoyama pitched inside to Harada, he kinda did the same.
I like that.
Though Harada goes down looking. And then Horita as well to end the inning.
Bottom 5th
Bottom third of the order for Chiben.
Huh, Uenishi goes down swinging on three straight off-speed pitches.
And the no-hitter is gone. Yamaguchi revenges getting hit by blowing one past Kimura into left for a single. Takeda bunts him over as the lineup cycles back to leadoff hitter Nakamichi.
Wild pitch! Harada can't find it and fortunately for him it went out of play. Yamaguchi has to hold at 3rd.
Nakamichi can't hold his swing and falls behind 1-2!
K, wild pitch? No, foul! 2-2 on Nakamichi...
And now he hits Nakamichi! (Though he really didn't get out of the way). The task of getting the runners home falls to Urano now.
Horita falls behind Urano 3-0. You don't want to go manrui with Aoyama up.
But he does! He loses him on the 3-1 pitch and now Ookoshi-kantoku calls time.
Key AB here. No place to put Aoyama.
Continues to pitch down in the zone, but after getting the first strike, falls behind 2-1.
Inside, and now it's 3-1! Does he give in?
Yes! And Aoyama singles through the left side! Nagahisa's throw is cut off and 2 runs score! Gyakuten Chiben Gakuen! They lead 2-1!
And they continue to apply the pressure! Double steal on the first pitch and both are safe!
And with the count 2-2, they show Horita's face. It looked like the one of someone who was rattled.
And just as I think that... Ono connects on a ball.
And I don't have to think about it.
HA-I-TA. Nagahisa barely gives chase.
5-1 Chiben Gakuen and even though it's early, that's a backbreaker.
Komeda grounds out to 2nd, but the damage has been done several times over. Hayatomo will have to pull off one heck of a comeback to overcome this deficit.
Top 6th
But playing from behind against a better team is never easy. Hayatomo goes down in order and they'll need to relax.
Bottom 6th
The rain seems to coming down a bit more now, but not affecting play.
Nakamura makes a great dive on a ball hit by Koike for the first out.
#15 Oosaki comes in to hit for Uenishi and goes down swinging.
And after a balk by Horita, I finally hear the first playing of "Jock Rock".
But Horita's struggling a bit. He walks Takeda now and the lineup turns over. Fortunately, for Horita, he finally strikes out Nakamich to end the inning.
Top 7th
Kimura leads off the lucky 7 with a single to center. However, Aidzu grounds into a fielder's choice. Furthermore, he tries and unsuccessfully steals 2nd.
(Why? That run doesn't even matter!)
Fujita flies out to center and that's the inning.
Bottom 7th
Horita shuts down the Chiben offense again in order, but they need help.
Top 8th
Yamamoto pulls a ball down the left field line... fair! He in with a leadoff double.
Harada tries to bloop one in up the middle, but Yamaguchi runs it down.
#9 Yamahito comes in to hit for Horita. His day is done. Horita strikes out swinging.
Nakamura with a ball back up the middle, goes through! Yamamoto scores and Haytomo has one of the runs back! 5-2.
But Nagahisa pops out to short, and that's the inning.
Bottom 8th
Kawahito stays in and goes to right, and ace Aidzu takes the mound.
After a routine grounder to start, Koike lines one over Miyazaki for a base hit. #5 Odahara comes to pinch run.
Oosaki grounds into a fielder's choice, and Yamaguchi to 3rd, and it's a smooth inning for Aidzu.
Top 9th
But they need at least 3 to extend the game.
Defensively, Odahara goes to 3rd, and Oosaki to 1st.
Miyazaki with a blast to right center! That falls in at the base of the wall for a double! But that's just one runner. You need a couple more.
Kimura with a ball to the left side. Takeda makes a nice grab and throw to get Kimura out.
It abruptly comes to an end as a liner by Aidzu is caught by Yamaguchi, and he tosses to Takeda to double off Miyazaki.
Hayatomo may have lost 5-2, but their pitchers combined to give up just 4 hits. 3 of those came in that fateful 5th inning. If not for that when Horita lost his composure, Hayatomo may have had a chance.
Hayatomo gave a great effort today and has nothing to be ashamed about. They easily earned their invitation here today. Hopefully they'll make a run in the summer.
Chiben Gakuen will have to wait until tomorrow to see who their opponent is, but 4 hits today has to be a bit concerning going forward.
Notable Players
Horita Taiki (Hayatomo) - 7 IP, 5 ER, 3 H, 6 K, 6 BB
Nakamura Nozomu (Hayatomo) - 2-4, R, RBI, K
Kimura Yuuma (Hayatomo) - 2-4 RBI
Aoyama Daiki (Chiben Gakuen) - CG, 2 ER, 7 H, 8 K, BB
Ono Youhei (Chiben Gakuen) - 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, K
Yamaguchi Yuuki (Chiben Gakuen) - 1-2, R, BB, HBP
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
93rd Koushien Qualifying - Chuugoku/Shikoku Update
Tottori
Yazu seemed to have the game in control after scoring 4 in the 3rd. But they had other opportunities to extend the lead and was not able to. That would hurt them in the end as Sakai would score a pair of runs in the 7th and 8th for a gyakuten 5-4 victory!
Sakai's opponent in the championship would be Tottori Shougyou as ace Hashimoto throws a 4-hit shutout over Tottori Ikuei.
In the finals, Sakai would have to play catchup, not once, but twice. Right after Tottori Shougyou scored their 2nd run in the 5th, Sakai scored a pair of their own. Same thing happened right after Tottori Shougyou scored a run in the bottom of the 6th. While it gave them the tie once again, they were unable to take the outright lead.
And Tottori Shougyou would ensure Sakai would have no time to rally. They score the sayonara run for the win and only their 2nd title - the first being 7 years ago.
Okayama
Kanzei and Okayama Rikaidai Fuzoku was easily the most competitive game of the 4 quarterfinal games. Both teams struggled to get hits, though Rikaidai did get the opening run in the 1st on a HR by Fujioka. Kanzei tried fighting back throughout the game, and finally broke through in the 8th scoring the douten run. In the 9th, they would get to reliever Fujioka and score the gyakuten run. Rikaidai was not able to mount a 9th inning rally and fell 2-1.
Outside of that game, Okayama Gakugeikan, Sakuyou and Konkou Gakuen all advanced with little difficulty.
And the semifinals were actually much of the same. Okayama Gakugeikan got mercy ruled in 5 by Okayama 12-2, and while Sakuyou managed to get a 2-0 lead early, a 10-1 run by Konkou Gakuen in the 3rd-6th innings made the game out of reach.
So it'll be Kanzei and Konkou Gakuen for the final.
Shimane
It seemed to be getting easier for top seed Iwamichisuikan. In the quarterfinals they won 11-0 over Iinan in 5 innings. Their opponent would be #4 Taisha, though it didn't seem that way at first. Masuda Higashi scored 7 unanswered to take a 8-1 lead going into the 5th. Then suddenly Taisha went on their own run the next two innings, scoring 10 unanswered!! Masuda wouldn't give it up that easily as they scored 3 to tie the game at 11! Taisha would finally put Masuda Higashi away with 2 in the 9th for the 13-11 win!
On the other half of the bracket, 2 seed Kaisei under the managing of Nonomura-kantoku again helped rally the troops against Yasugi. 3 runs in the 5th would tie the game, and a pair of runs in the 7th and 8th gave them the win. 3 seed Matsue Shougyou would make it a scratch bracket as they used a 4-run 5th to defeat Izumo 7-5.
The semis have been postponed to today due to rain.
Hiroshima
Our 3rd seeded team in Hiroshima was to fall in the 4th round. Hiroshima Kokusaidai Gakuin after building a 4-1 lead on Shiritsu Kure, saw that lead turn into a one-run deficit before tying it at 6 in the 8th. But it would be Kure who would have the final laugh, scoring the sayonara run in the 11th.
Kinkidai Fukuyama who had beaten Kouryou, got mercy ruled by Hiroshima Kougyou 11-0 after they scored 10(!) in the 5th.
Hiroshima Sougyou Gijyutsu for the 2nd game in the tournament showed offense, scoring 10 runs in a 10-5 win over Miyajima Kougyou. They did give up the runs late which could be worrysome against harder competition.
Miyoshi, who had upset Hiroshima Shougyou was soundly defeated by Hiroshima Shinjyou 13-5.
Soutoku went from mercy rule to enchousen back to mercy rule as took take care of Aki Minami 10-0 in 6.
Onomichi Shougyou would be the next to fall by the wayside. They trailed 2-1 to Hatsukaichi Nishi in the bottom of the 9th when they were able to force extras. Yet they still had trouble getting to ace Nakai. And in the 13th it would be Hatsukaichi who would get to ace Maeda, scoring a run in the 13th. With no response from Onomichi they would fall 3-2.
And finally Jyousuikan advances with a 4-2 win over Onomichi Higashi.
So moving onto the quarterfinals at Shimanami Stadium, Soutoku stayed with Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu responding to each score that they put on the board. But when Sougou Gijyutsu scored a run in the 6th to take the lead, not only did they tie it in the 7th, they scored again in the 8th to take their first lead! Down 1 with just 3 outs to go, Sougou Gijyutsu was unable to plate the tying run.
In the matinee game, Jyousuikan and Hiroshima Kougyou battled it out in the middle innings, with Jyousuikan maintaining the one-run lead they held in the first. An insurance run in the 7th to make it 6-4 is enough for a ticket to the semis.
Over at Kure Nikou, Sanyou completely had their way with Hatsukaichi Nishi, getting their 4th mercy win in as many games, 15-0!
The field would be rounded out by Hiroshima Shinjyou who only trailed 0-1 in the 1st inning. 7 innings later, they had a 15-8 mercy win.
Yamaguchi
The round of 16 was predominantly dominated by low-scoring affairs.
Yanai Gakuen woke up to find themselves in a pitchers' battle with Suou-Ooshima. Making things worse was that Suou-Ooshima tied the game at 1 in the 8th. In the end though they would pull it out, but not until the bottom of the 9th. Fellow B seed Onoda had the same issue with Ube Kougyou, except for the fact they were actually down 1! They won the game by scoring a run in the final 2 innings.
We would have an upset though, Shimonoseki Kougyou ace Matsumoto would limit A seed Shimonoseki Shougyou to just 1 run on 8 hits in a 4-1 win.
And despite getting just 2 hits, Shimonoseki Kokusai makes those count as LF Fujita hits a home run in the 7th to give them a 1-0 win over Hayatomo!
The quarterfinals would see every single favorite lose save for one.
Kagawa
After blowing a 6-1 lead to Miki in the 3rd round, Sakaide Shougyou scores more runs in the 13th inning then they did the entire game. They win 15-6.
Shoudoshima, down 1 in the 9th ties the game then wins it in 12 against Takamatsu.
Onto the quarterfinals and Eimei, though unseeded, advances with at 5-1 win over Takamatsu Shougyou. Sakaide Shougyou comes from behind against Shoudoshima to win 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th. Marugame uses a 5-run 5th and uses it to hold onto a 6-5 win over Sangawa. And finally, Kanonji Dai-ichi just takes Marugame Jyousei to task, mercy ruling them 8-0 in 7!
Tokushima
After rain washes out a couple of days, play get back on track on the 21st. Tomioka Nishi allows Anan Nishi to tie the game in the 9th, but it only extends it for one more inning.
In the quarterfinals, Jyounan gets shocked by Seikou Gakuen (no, not Seikou Gakuin) who despite getting just 4 hits, scores the one and only run in the ballgame!
Naruto Kougyou's bid gets derailed by Komatsushima as they score a run in the bottom of the 8th and 9th for the win.
And the remaining seeded teams, Naruto and Tokushima Shougyou advance with ease.
Ehime
Let's see, what to note...
Matsuyama Kougyou gets its 2nd close game in as many played. Up 6-1 after 1 they allow Niihama Minami to tie the game, the after taking the lead, they give it up. Down 10-8, they score 3 to take the lead this time for good.
Teikyou Dai-go scores just 1, which is enough to beat Yawatahama, though it's not a great start.
Tanbara not only upsets #2 Kawanoe, they mercy rule them in 8 innings 9-2!
Either Nitta likes the score 7-5, or they like the game close. Up 6-0, they allow Saijyou (albeit a good team) to score 5 in the last two innings. An insurance run in the 9th gives them their 2nd 7-5 win.
Saibi ends Teikyou Dai-go's season early yet again with a 6-2 win. And Uwajima Higashi will be their next opponent as they defeat Matsuyama Kougyou 2-1.
Kochi
Well, things were pretty much going as planned, with games not really being a tug of war so to speak. Meitoku Gijyuku advances to the semis, though they did have a bit of a scare against Kochi Chuo. They didn't win that game until the bottom of the 8th.
Okou and Tosa played to a scoreless draw in regulation, and it wouldn't be until the 11th when Kakehi would drive in the sayonara run for Tosa and send their team to the semis.
Joining them would be Kochi and Kochi Shougyou. That should setup to be an amazing game.
But as is the case during this time of year, rain gets in the way again.
Yazu seemed to have the game in control after scoring 4 in the 3rd. But they had other opportunities to extend the lead and was not able to. That would hurt them in the end as Sakai would score a pair of runs in the 7th and 8th for a gyakuten 5-4 victory!
Sakai's opponent in the championship would be Tottori Shougyou as ace Hashimoto throws a 4-hit shutout over Tottori Ikuei.
In the finals, Sakai would have to play catchup, not once, but twice. Right after Tottori Shougyou scored their 2nd run in the 5th, Sakai scored a pair of their own. Same thing happened right after Tottori Shougyou scored a run in the bottom of the 6th. While it gave them the tie once again, they were unable to take the outright lead.
And Tottori Shougyou would ensure Sakai would have no time to rally. They score the sayonara run for the win and only their 2nd title - the first being 7 years ago.
Okayama
Kanzei and Okayama Rikaidai Fuzoku was easily the most competitive game of the 4 quarterfinal games. Both teams struggled to get hits, though Rikaidai did get the opening run in the 1st on a HR by Fujioka. Kanzei tried fighting back throughout the game, and finally broke through in the 8th scoring the douten run. In the 9th, they would get to reliever Fujioka and score the gyakuten run. Rikaidai was not able to mount a 9th inning rally and fell 2-1.
Outside of that game, Okayama Gakugeikan, Sakuyou and Konkou Gakuen all advanced with little difficulty.
And the semifinals were actually much of the same. Okayama Gakugeikan got mercy ruled in 5 by Okayama 12-2, and while Sakuyou managed to get a 2-0 lead early, a 10-1 run by Konkou Gakuen in the 3rd-6th innings made the game out of reach.
So it'll be Kanzei and Konkou Gakuen for the final.
Shimane
It seemed to be getting easier for top seed Iwamichisuikan. In the quarterfinals they won 11-0 over Iinan in 5 innings. Their opponent would be #4 Taisha, though it didn't seem that way at first. Masuda Higashi scored 7 unanswered to take a 8-1 lead going into the 5th. Then suddenly Taisha went on their own run the next two innings, scoring 10 unanswered!! Masuda wouldn't give it up that easily as they scored 3 to tie the game at 11! Taisha would finally put Masuda Higashi away with 2 in the 9th for the 13-11 win!
On the other half of the bracket, 2 seed Kaisei under the managing of Nonomura-kantoku again helped rally the troops against Yasugi. 3 runs in the 5th would tie the game, and a pair of runs in the 7th and 8th gave them the win. 3 seed Matsue Shougyou would make it a scratch bracket as they used a 4-run 5th to defeat Izumo 7-5.
The semis have been postponed to today due to rain.
Hiroshima
Our 3rd seeded team in Hiroshima was to fall in the 4th round. Hiroshima Kokusaidai Gakuin after building a 4-1 lead on Shiritsu Kure, saw that lead turn into a one-run deficit before tying it at 6 in the 8th. But it would be Kure who would have the final laugh, scoring the sayonara run in the 11th.
Kinkidai Fukuyama who had beaten Kouryou, got mercy ruled by Hiroshima Kougyou 11-0 after they scored 10(!) in the 5th.
Hiroshima Sougyou Gijyutsu for the 2nd game in the tournament showed offense, scoring 10 runs in a 10-5 win over Miyajima Kougyou. They did give up the runs late which could be worrysome against harder competition.
Miyoshi, who had upset Hiroshima Shougyou was soundly defeated by Hiroshima Shinjyou 13-5.
Soutoku went from mercy rule to enchousen back to mercy rule as took take care of Aki Minami 10-0 in 6.
Onomichi Shougyou would be the next to fall by the wayside. They trailed 2-1 to Hatsukaichi Nishi in the bottom of the 9th when they were able to force extras. Yet they still had trouble getting to ace Nakai. And in the 13th it would be Hatsukaichi who would get to ace Maeda, scoring a run in the 13th. With no response from Onomichi they would fall 3-2.
And finally Jyousuikan advances with a 4-2 win over Onomichi Higashi.
So moving onto the quarterfinals at Shimanami Stadium, Soutoku stayed with Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu responding to each score that they put on the board. But when Sougou Gijyutsu scored a run in the 6th to take the lead, not only did they tie it in the 7th, they scored again in the 8th to take their first lead! Down 1 with just 3 outs to go, Sougou Gijyutsu was unable to plate the tying run.
In the matinee game, Jyousuikan and Hiroshima Kougyou battled it out in the middle innings, with Jyousuikan maintaining the one-run lead they held in the first. An insurance run in the 7th to make it 6-4 is enough for a ticket to the semis.
Over at Kure Nikou, Sanyou completely had their way with Hatsukaichi Nishi, getting their 4th mercy win in as many games, 15-0!
The field would be rounded out by Hiroshima Shinjyou who only trailed 0-1 in the 1st inning. 7 innings later, they had a 15-8 mercy win.
Yamaguchi
The round of 16 was predominantly dominated by low-scoring affairs.
Yanai Gakuen woke up to find themselves in a pitchers' battle with Suou-Ooshima. Making things worse was that Suou-Ooshima tied the game at 1 in the 8th. In the end though they would pull it out, but not until the bottom of the 9th. Fellow B seed Onoda had the same issue with Ube Kougyou, except for the fact they were actually down 1! They won the game by scoring a run in the final 2 innings.
We would have an upset though, Shimonoseki Kougyou ace Matsumoto would limit A seed Shimonoseki Shougyou to just 1 run on 8 hits in a 4-1 win.
And despite getting just 2 hits, Shimonoseki Kokusai makes those count as LF Fujita hits a home run in the 7th to give them a 1-0 win over Hayatomo!
The quarterfinals would see every single favorite lose save for one.
- Yanai Gakuen would limit Ube Koujyou to just one run in a 2-1 win.
- Nanyou Kougyou and Shimonoseki Kokusai are in a close game until Nanyou gives up 4 in the 8th for the upset!
- Iwakuni never takes the lead over Onoda and falls 5-2!
- The only favored team to win is Sakuragaoka, who defeats Shimonoseki Kougyou 12-1 in 8.
Kagawa
After blowing a 6-1 lead to Miki in the 3rd round, Sakaide Shougyou scores more runs in the 13th inning then they did the entire game. They win 15-6.
Shoudoshima, down 1 in the 9th ties the game then wins it in 12 against Takamatsu.
Onto the quarterfinals and Eimei, though unseeded, advances with at 5-1 win over Takamatsu Shougyou. Sakaide Shougyou comes from behind against Shoudoshima to win 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th. Marugame uses a 5-run 5th and uses it to hold onto a 6-5 win over Sangawa. And finally, Kanonji Dai-ichi just takes Marugame Jyousei to task, mercy ruling them 8-0 in 7!
Tokushima
After rain washes out a couple of days, play get back on track on the 21st. Tomioka Nishi allows Anan Nishi to tie the game in the 9th, but it only extends it for one more inning.
In the quarterfinals, Jyounan gets shocked by Seikou Gakuen (no, not Seikou Gakuin) who despite getting just 4 hits, scores the one and only run in the ballgame!
Naruto Kougyou's bid gets derailed by Komatsushima as they score a run in the bottom of the 8th and 9th for the win.
And the remaining seeded teams, Naruto and Tokushima Shougyou advance with ease.
Ehime
Let's see, what to note...
Matsuyama Kougyou gets its 2nd close game in as many played. Up 6-1 after 1 they allow Niihama Minami to tie the game, the after taking the lead, they give it up. Down 10-8, they score 3 to take the lead this time for good.
Teikyou Dai-go scores just 1, which is enough to beat Yawatahama, though it's not a great start.
Tanbara not only upsets #2 Kawanoe, they mercy rule them in 8 innings 9-2!
Either Nitta likes the score 7-5, or they like the game close. Up 6-0, they allow Saijyou (albeit a good team) to score 5 in the last two innings. An insurance run in the 9th gives them their 2nd 7-5 win.
Saibi ends Teikyou Dai-go's season early yet again with a 6-2 win. And Uwajima Higashi will be their next opponent as they defeat Matsuyama Kougyou 2-1.
Kochi
Well, things were pretty much going as planned, with games not really being a tug of war so to speak. Meitoku Gijyuku advances to the semis, though they did have a bit of a scare against Kochi Chuo. They didn't win that game until the bottom of the 8th.
Okou and Tosa played to a scoreless draw in regulation, and it wouldn't be until the 11th when Kakehi would drive in the sayonara run for Tosa and send their team to the semis.
Joining them would be Kochi and Kochi Shougyou. That should setup to be an amazing game.
But as is the case during this time of year, rain gets in the way again.
Friday, July 22, 2011
93rd Koushien Qualifying - July 13th-21st (Chuugoku Region)
Well, I'm heading towards the middle, mostly because I know updating the Kinki and Chuubu regions will be a pain in the...
Yamaguchi
Day 1 of games at Yamaguchi featured Shimonoseki Nishi giving up the tying run in the bottom of the 9th against Ube Nishi, but winning 1 inning later and Houfu responding to Ooshima Shousen Tousen's 3 runs in the 6th with 3 of their own in the 7th and a sayonara run in the 9th.
Day 2 (17th) had Tokuyama Shoukou holding on against Iwakuni Kougyou 4-3. Saikyou and Keishin were tied at 3 after Keishin scored 2 in the bottom of the 9th. Saikyou though tripled their run total in the 11th scoring 6 out of nowhere to win 9-3. Top 4 seed Shimonoseki Shougyou got the short end of the seeded teams having to play an extra game, but breezed against Seiryou 14-4. And finally Tokuyama and Hikarigaoka were scoreless through 9, but the game wouldn't need to go further into extras. Tokuyama scores the sayonara run in the bottom of the 9th for the win, this despite Tawara and Yasuno combining for 9 free passes.
Day 3 rounded out 1st round play. 5-8 seed Yanai Gakuen advances easily over Shin-Nanyou and will play neighbor Yanai Shoukou. Fellow seed Onoda has no trouble with the transition team of Ootsu Ryokuyou/Yamaguchi Suisan. They'll play Nagato (no, not that Nagato - although I bet she could beat a team all by herself) who pulled it out in 11 against Yamaguchi-ken Koujyou.
We did have our first upset in day 3 when 5-8 seed Shimonoseki Chuo Kougyou was actually shutout by Hayatomo 5-0 (in fact they were 5-hit!). And in another minor upset, Karyou loses their 1st round game when Takamizu scores 3 in the bottom of the 8th to take a 3-2 lead.
Round 2 was slated to start on the 19th, but in a repeating story Typhoon Ma-on delayed things a bit. Games finally got underway 2 days later, and with the few teams that are participating the entire 2nd round was played on the 21st so all teams were in play.
Busicom Yanai
Round 2 (16th-17th)
Round 1 came and went, with little that was notable outside of Risshoudai Shounan winning their first game against Matsue Kougyou.
Round 2 got the majority of teams involved, including the favorites.
Round 3
Hm. In the time range I'm recapping, Okayama has gone all the way from starting to the Best 8.
Oy. There's a lot to go through.
Tottori in just one week has already reached the quarterfinals. Such is the case with a rural prefecture where populations continue to migrate to cities.
Round 1
Then things finally got interesting...
Tottori Shougyou, who had just gone down 1-0 to Kurayoshi Higashi, scores 4. Kurayoshi Higashi immediately replies with 3 to tie the game. It stayed that way until the 8th when Tottori Shougyou got to the 3rd pitcher, Ishikawa for the winning run.
And in the last quarterfinal, Tottori Jyouhoku got a 3-2 lead in the 1st inning. They maintained it after trading a run in the 3rd. But Tottori Chuo Ikuei scored 2 in the 5th to take the lead. An insurance run in the 7th proved to be the difference as Tottori Jyouhoku scored a run in the 8th to pull within 1.
Yamaguchi
Day 1 of games at Yamaguchi featured Shimonoseki Nishi giving up the tying run in the bottom of the 9th against Ube Nishi, but winning 1 inning later and Houfu responding to Ooshima Shousen Tousen's 3 runs in the 6th with 3 of their own in the 7th and a sayonara run in the 9th.
Day 2 (17th) had Tokuyama Shoukou holding on against Iwakuni Kougyou 4-3. Saikyou and Keishin were tied at 3 after Keishin scored 2 in the bottom of the 9th. Saikyou though tripled their run total in the 11th scoring 6 out of nowhere to win 9-3. Top 4 seed Shimonoseki Shougyou got the short end of the seeded teams having to play an extra game, but breezed against Seiryou 14-4. And finally Tokuyama and Hikarigaoka were scoreless through 9, but the game wouldn't need to go further into extras. Tokuyama scores the sayonara run in the bottom of the 9th for the win, this despite Tawara and Yasuno combining for 9 free passes.
Day 3 rounded out 1st round play. 5-8 seed Yanai Gakuen advances easily over Shin-Nanyou and will play neighbor Yanai Shoukou. Fellow seed Onoda has no trouble with the transition team of Ootsu Ryokuyou/Yamaguchi Suisan. They'll play Nagato (no, not that Nagato - although I bet she could beat a team all by herself) who pulled it out in 11 against Yamaguchi-ken Koujyou.
We did have our first upset in day 3 when 5-8 seed Shimonoseki Chuo Kougyou was actually shutout by Hayatomo 5-0 (in fact they were 5-hit!). And in another minor upset, Karyou loses their 1st round game when Takamizu scores 3 in the bottom of the 8th to take a 3-2 lead.
Round 2 was slated to start on the 19th, but in a repeating story Typhoon Ma-on delayed things a bit. Games finally got underway 2 days later, and with the few teams that are participating the entire 2nd round was played on the 21st so all teams were in play.
Busicom Yanai
- Top 4 seed Iwakuni started play but didn't pull away until late defeating Kumage Minami 10-6. Yanai will be their opponent as they beat Tokuyama Shoukou 9-4.
- Yanai Gakuen gets its second shutout in as many games. Suou-Ooshima is next on the docket.
- Top 4 seed Ube Koujyou finds themselves immediately in the trenches against Onoda Kougyou. Onoda ties the game at 3 in the 9th sending it into extras. Ube Koujyou survives scoring the sayonara run in the 11th. Saikyou steps up to take them on in the round of 16.
- Onoda moves on defeating Nagato 6-1. Ube Kougyou, who scores its 2nd mercy win will be up next.
- Shimonoseki Shougyou gets some trouble from Shimonoseki Nishi, winning only by the margin of 2-0. They must be feeling like this is preseason because they'll face another Shimonoseki school in Shimonoseki Kougyou, who kept up with Toyora and pulled ahead when it matted with a sayonara run in the 10th.
- Hayatomo continues their run with another shutout, this time over Hagi Shoukou. Shimonoseki Kokusai, who edged Nishiichi will try to stop the Cinderella run.
- Nanyou Kougyou gets through its first game, defeating Seikou 5-0. They play Takagawa Gakuen, who had to survive a late charge from Houfu.
- 5-8 seed Sakuragaoka trailed Iwakuni Shougyou for much of the game. But again, it's not how you start, but how you finish. Sakuragaoka takes a 1-run lead in the top of the 9th with a pair of runs, and after Iwakuni tied it up, put them to the test again with a run in the 10th. Iwakuni had no response this time and Sakuragaoka survives. Takamizu and Tokuyama were involved in an offensive affair with Takamizu coming back and winning 9-8.
Round 2 (16th-17th)
- The 16th saw the first of the seeded teams take the field. Personal favorite Kouryou handled Shoubara Jitsugyou with ease 10-1. Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu, who made a decent showing at Koshien, and is seeded this year beats Numata 13-6. Sanjyou mercy ruled Yoshida in 5.
- The biggest shock happened at Miyoshi Kinsai. Seeded Hiroshima Shougyou scored 2 in the 8th to take a 4-2 lead over Miyoshi. Then out of nowhere it appears Hiroshima Shougyou suddenly forgot how to play baseball. Despite relievers Tasaka and Shimotake giving up just 5 hits, the defense fails them as Miyoshi scores 8 in the top of the 9th! Hiroshima Shougyou shocked tries to rally, but down 6 can only muster 2.
- In other games on the 16th, Funairi scores the go-ahead run in the 8th against Kannabe to win 2-1. Takeda manages just 6 hits but gets the only run in their game versus Kannabe Asahi. Fukuyama Myououdai blows a 3-0 lead to Sera but recovers to win the game 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th. Onomichi moves on with a 7-1 win over Fukuyama Kougyou. Kinkidai Fukuyama almost blows a 5-0 lead in the top of the 9th to Fukuyama Shougyou but win a nailbiter 5-4.
- Moving along to the 17th and Onomichi Shougyou and Jyousuikan win their first game with little resistance while Hiroshima Kokusai Gakuin just gets a 5-2 win over Mihara.
- Fukuyama Seishikan scores 7 unanswered runs late to defeat Hiroshima Kanon 8-7. Hasukaichi Nishi responds to Gokou's 3 runs early with 4 runs late for a 4-3 win.
- Hiroshima Sougyou Gijyutsu continues on its march of redemption defeating perennial power Onomichi 2-1. Sanyou has no problem with Saijyou Nougyou.
- Miyoshi continues their run by defeating Hiroshima Kokutaiji 7-2.
- Well, #^$*... Kouryou struggles against Kinkidai Fukuyama, and when Kinkidai scores 3 in the 7th, to take a 5-3 lead Kouryou has to scramble. Unfortunately for them, they can only manage 1 run and their summer end prematurely. At least I have Hiroshima Sougou Gijyutsu to root for.
- Hatsukaichi Nishi makes a comeback to defeat Kamo 5-4 in 10.
- Jyousuikan advances easily, but Soutoku is pushed into extras by Eishin before winning 5-2 in 10.
- Shiritsu Kure defeats Kure Shougyou 2-1 in 10.
Round 1 came and went, with little that was notable outside of Risshoudai Shounan winning their first game against Matsue Kougyou.
Round 2 got the majority of teams involved, including the favorites.
- Top seed Iwamichisuikan shuts out Hamada 4-0 as Kawano throws a 4-hitter.
- #2 seed Kaisei struggles against Izumo Koigyou but advances 4-3.
- Masuda Higashi ekes out a 1-0 win over Matsue Higashi.
- Goutsu uses a 6-run 5th to defeat Matsue Minami 9-7.
- #4 seed Taisha mercy rules Hirata 8-0.
- Jyouhou Kagaku, down 6-1 mounts a comeback capped by a 2-run bottom of the 9th to defeat Matsue Nourin 7-6.
- Daitou scores 3 in the top of the 9th to reverse the game against Matsue Kita and win 6-5.
- #3 seed Matsue Shougyou wins 5-2 over Ooda.
Round 3
- Iwamichisuikan gets back on track as a #1 seed defeating Masuda Shougyou 8-1 in 7.
- Iinan gets the gyakuten victory as 4 in the 8th gives them the 7-6 victory over Izumo Shougyou.
- Masuda Higashi matches Masuda run for run, but breaks free at the right time, scoring a run in the bottom of the 9th for the win.
- Masuda Higashi will play Taisha who score 8 runs for the 2nd consecutive game in a 7-inning win over Goutsu.
- Kaisei too gets on track with a 10-1 win over Meisei. They get Yasugi next.
- Matsue Shougyou survives a 2-1 win over Daitou. They'll need to get their act together before playing Izumo.
Hm. In the time range I'm recapping, Okayama has gone all the way from starting to the Best 8.
Oy. There's a lot to go through.
- Oddly enough, B seed (5-8 seed) Kurashiki Kougyou plays on the first day. No matter as they beat Okayama Hakuryou 7-3.
- Kanzei plays on day 2 (and isn't seeded), and defeats Okayama Daianji 10-0 in 6.
- Okayama Rikaidai Fuzoku, who made some good runs recently starts off scoring in every inning aginast Tamano Shougyou en route to a 10-0 win in 5.
- Tsuyama allows Tsuyama Higashi to tie the game in the top of the 9th but win in the bottom half.
- Wakeshizutani get the one and only run in the bottom of the 9th over Meisei Gakuin.
- Kurashiki Washuu scores all 5 runs in the last 4 innings to defeat Mimasaka 5-3.
- B seed Kurashiki Kougyou will be Rikaidai Fuzoku's next opponent, though they scored just one run in the bottom of the 9th to beat Kasaoka Kougyou.
- Kurashiki Shougyou almost fell out right from the start. Kouyou's ace Takada held them scoreless for 10 innings. But there's only so far a pitcher can go sometimes, and Takada's limit was the 11th. 4 runs later and Kouyou was eliminated.
- B seed Tamano Kounan has little trouble winning 9-0 in 7 over Tsuyama.
- Kanzei moves on with a 1-hitter against Higashi-Okayama Kougyou.
- Kasaoka Shougyou breaks a 3-all tie against Okayama Higashi Shougyou in the top of the 9th to win 4-3.
- A seed Mizushima Kougyou responds after Okayama Jyoutou scores a run to tie it at 1 in the bottom of the 8th. Mizushima scores 2 in the top of the 9th for the win, but it's not comfortable at all of a start.
- A seed Sakuyou has no problems with Soujya Minami, winning 7-1.
- B seed Okayama Kyousei gives up 2 in the first to Kurashiki Washuu, but dominates thereafter winning 14-2 in 8.
- Closing out round 2, A seed Soushi Gakuen rallies to go extra innings against Katsuyama, but it's Katsuyama who wins in the bottom of the 12th!
- The upsets continue as Kanzei upsets Kurashiki Shougyou, shutting them out 4-0 (though this isn't a real "upset" considering Kanzei's status in Okayama. They'll play Okayama Rikaidai Fuzoku who mercy ruled B seed Kurashiki Kougyou 7-0. (Not a good day for Kurashiki it seems)
- The other quarterfinal will be the status quo as A seed Okayama Gakugeikan and B seed Tamano Kounan will square off.
- On the other side of the bracket, Sakuyou beats out Okayama Minami late 3-1, and will play Okayama Kyousei, though they needed 3 in the top of the 9th just to tie before winning it in the 10th.
- Katsuyama's high from beating Soushi Gakuen ends after Konkou Gakuen spoils the party with a 10-0 rout. They play Mizushima Kougyou who won 2-0 despite giving up 9 hits and walking 4.
Tottori in just one week has already reached the quarterfinals. Such is the case with a rural prefecture where populations continue to migrate to cities.
Round 1
- Sakai, after scoring 2 in the first to Yonago Higashi, give up 5 to fall behind. But they had the rest of the game to catch up and they did. They'd tie the game in the 6th and take the lead in the 7th winning 7-5.
- Tottori Kouryou just beats out Yonago Kita 3-2.
- Tottori Shougyou in a back and forth game versus Kurayoshi Kita, and score the go-ahead run in the 8th for a 6-5 win.
- Sakai continues to look strong as ace Inori throws a 3-hit shutout over Tottori Kougyou.
- Tottori Higashi scores 3 in the bottom of the 8th to separate themselves from Tottori Nishi 5-2.
- Tottori Shougyou 3-hits Kurayoshi Sougou in a 4-0 win.
- Outside of these games, most were uncontested.
Then things finally got interesting...
Tottori Shougyou, who had just gone down 1-0 to Kurayoshi Higashi, scores 4. Kurayoshi Higashi immediately replies with 3 to tie the game. It stayed that way until the 8th when Tottori Shougyou got to the 3rd pitcher, Ishikawa for the winning run.
And in the last quarterfinal, Tottori Jyouhoku got a 3-2 lead in the 1st inning. They maintained it after trading a run in the 3rd. But Tottori Chuo Ikuei scored 2 in the 5th to take the lead. An insurance run in the 7th proved to be the difference as Tottori Jyouhoku scored a run in the 8th to pull within 1.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
7.29 Prefectural Finals
26 bids have been awarded so far. 21 remain and 10 of those will be awarded today. So, let's review the upcoming matchups today!
(my internet connection died where I was at yesterday, so I was unable to update after reporting that Seibou had succeeded in securing Saitama's bid. I will update the rest of the games later today).
Ibaraki
Tsuchiura Nichidai could only manage 3 hits against Jyousou Gakuin's Ogumo. And thanks to errors by Jyousou's defense and the strength of their own staff, they were only down 2-1... until the 8th. Jyousou scored 3 runs and pulled away 5-2.
In the other semi, Mito Sakuranomaki's staff also threw a 3-hitter against Mito Kiryou as they cruised 6-1. They'll look to get their first championship against the defending champions.
Both teams have used a fair number of different pitchers to get here, although Jyousou has relied more heavily on their ace Ogumo. Both teams have done a good job in limiting their opposition's runs. Both teams have been able to score runs regardless of opponents. In that sense, it could be a good game. But looking at the history, it automatically favors Jyousou Gakuin.
Saitama
Neither offense could really put their offense together in the Seibou Gakuen-Kasukabe Higashi game. But Kasukabe's defense behind Igarashi failed him, committing 4 errors. Seeing that statistic reminded me of the errors committed by Urawa Gakuin in their game against Seibou. So under ace Satou, they reach the finals with a 3-1 win.
As for Kawaguchi Seiryou, they tried to continue their magical run against Saitama Sakae. But sadly, like most cinderella teams, they were rudely awakened. Shimano and Serizawa yield only 3 hits and 2 walks en route to a 2-0 win.
So Seibou will look for their 3rd summer appearance while Saitama Sakae will look for their 2nd.
On the surface, looking at the box scores (and Deanna's accounts), Seibou has been the benefactor of some poor plays by the defense (Holy Hopes indeed!). Saitama Sakae has had strong pitching by their tandem of pitchers, which has kept them in games - especially early on where they had close games. Given that Deanna wasn't overly impressed by Seibou (although she was rooting for Urawa ;p), I imagaine this being a pitching matchup and a low scoring affair.
That is of course, unless the (baseball) gods shine upon Seibou and Saitama Sakae starts throwing errors left and right.
Higashi Tokyo
Meiji Jingu will be home to an interesting matchup. Teikyou, whom I will remember for the absolutely crazy and unbelievable 9th inning in the quarterfinals of the 2006 Koshien against Chiben Wakayama, will look for their 4th bid this decade. Their opponent will be Yukigaya, who made their only appearance ever back in 2003.
If there's one thing I noticed, and perhaps its just because of their compeition, it's that Teikyou has thrown out on the mound a lot of different pitchers. Is it a by-product of 2006? You've got me. In fact, of the 5 runs given up by the pitching staff, 4 was given up by Takeuchi in the last inning of their opening game. He hasn't been seen since.
Yukigaya on the other hand has depended on ace Sakamoto for the entire tournament. He's managed to throw the team past Kokushikan, but is there one more game left in him?
Kanagawa
Do you believe in Yohohama Hayato? Because I do!
After Imaoka gives up a run in the top of the 1st to top seed Toukou Gakuen, he shuts the door on their offense. Meanwhile, Hayato's offense scored 3 in the bottom of the 2nd to take the lead and added 2 more in the 8th for a 5-1 win and a spot in the finals!
They'll look for their first apperance against Touin Gakuen, who was involved in a slugfest against top seed Yokohama Sougakukan. After trading a pair of runs in the first inning, Sougakukan scores 4 unanswered to take a 6-2 lead. Touin pulls within 2 in the 5th, and then down 3 in the 6th they score 4 against ace Nakajima! An insurance run in the 8th gives them a 9-7 win. The teams combined for 22 hits and 5 homeruns, 2 by leadoff batter 2B Tabata!!
Hayato will look for their 1st ever apperance, while Sougakukan will looking for their 7th summer appearance.
Gifu
Championship was rained out yesterday.
Shiga
Oumi easily clears Hieizan 7-0 in the semifinals and is poised to become a 3-time defending champion.
In the 2nd game, Shiga Gakuen got the jump on Kita Ootsu scoring 2 in the top of the 1st. But Kita Ootsu climbed back and by the 7th, they had a 3-2 lead. They looked poised to reach the finals, that is until the 9th. Shiga bookends the game with 2 runs in the 9th, and relief pitcher Miyagi closes out the the 4-3 win!
So Shiga Gakuen will join the list of schools looking for thei 1st ever prefectural championship, but like all the others will have one heck of a test ahead of them in the finals...
Mie
Championship was rained out yesterday.
Wakayama
Chiben Wakayama had one of those weird games against Kihoku Kougyou. They moved on to the finals 4-0, but their ace Okada gave up more hits than Kihoku's ace Tsujimoto (4 to 3)! The difference? Okada gave up no walks. Tsujimoto? 10.
Minabe, in the 2nd semifinal against Wakayama Shougyou score 2 in the 3rd and after Uemura gives way to Iguchi after Wakayama scores a run, they make the lead stick, winning 2-1.
So Chiben Wakayama will look for the 8th title this decade against Minabe looking for their 1st title since 1982.
It's no wonder the makers of Kokoyakyu wanted to film Chiben. Since their 1st title in 1987, they have won 16 more since then. That 16 out of a possible 23!
Okayama
Kurashiki Shougyou will have the chance to defend their title after beating Sakuyou 5-1 thanks to a 4-run 1st inning.
It looked early on that it might be an all-Kurashiki final as Kurashiki Kougyou led Tamashima Shougyou 2-0. but Tamashou scored 1 in the 3rd and 1 in the 7th to tie it up. But in the 8th, Tamashou blows Kurashiki out of the water with 6 runs and that was that.
Tamashima hopes to use the dual arms of Sasaki and Tsuda to get their first bid since 1974. Kurashiki will look to their ace Oka to push them to victory.
Yamaguchi
Sadly for Ube and Houfu Shougyou, their runs ended in the semifinals with a thud. Karyou shutout Ube 6-0, while Iwakuni Shougyou beats Houfu Shougyou 5-1.
Karyou looks for their 1st summer appearnce (they do have one spring appearance last year), while Iwakuni Shougyou hasn't been there since 1986.
Can't tell if it's the competition, but Karyou has yet to yield a run so far this tournament. Both teams have shown a good amount of offense, so it may come down to which pitcher can shut the opposition down.
Kagawa
Samukawa delivers on their top seed, scoring 3 in the 1st inning against Jinsei Gakuin en route to a 5-3 semifinal win.
Takamatsu Kougei had held a fragile 1-0 lead, but Takamatsu Shougyou tied it in the 8th. 3 innings later, they'd push through the winning run a a spot in the finals.
Interestingly enough Samukawa, with their top seed, is playing for their 1st trip to Koshien. Takamatsu Shougyou was a dominating force until the early 1980's. But they haven't been to Koshien since 1996. Samukawa has trailed for all of 2 innings in this tournament, while Takashou has had to rally from behind on multiple occasions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1:25 PM - In Ibaraki, Mito Sakuranomaki and Jyousou Gakuin remain scoreless after 2 innings. It's Yoshikubo vs Oguma on the mound.
Seibou Gakuin scores 3 in the 2nd inning versus Saitama Sakae. Shimano has left and Serizawa has taken the mound. The game is in the bottom of the 6th with Seibou at bat.
Teikyou has dominated the game over Yukigaya. 6 runs in the first equals no chance. Even the ace Hirahara has hit a homerun. The game is in the top of the 6th with Teikyou looking for blood.
At Baystars Stadium, teams are scoring left and right. Touin Gakuen and Yokohama Hayato traded a run in the first and Touin has scored 3 in the top of the 2nd. It's 4-1 Touin for Hayato at the bottom of the 2nd. Are they out of gas?
Yamada homers for Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou in the bottom of the 3rd and they have the 1-0 lead over Kakamigahara in the bottom of the 5th.
Shiga Gakuen jumped early on Oumi with a run in the bottom of the 1st and 3rd, and then exploded for 5 in the 4th. It's 7-0 in the top of the 5th.
In Mie, Mie has scored a run in the 1st and 2nd and they're holding the 2-0 lead as Kaisei bats in the top of the 6th.
Wakayama is already in the 9th inning. Minabe trails 3-0 to Chiben Wakayama with 3 outs to go.
Kurashiki Shougyou just scored 5 in the top of the 3rd and they lead by that score with Tamashima Shougyou batting in the bottom of the 3rd.
And in Kagawa, Samukawa scored 5 in the bottom of the 1st, but Takamatsu Shougyou has scored 3 in the 3rd to pull within 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2:04 PM - Mito Sakuranomaki and Jyousou Gakuin remain tied in the middle of the 5th.
Saitama Sakae has scored a run in the 7th and 8th to make it 3-2, but they're now at their final 3 outs.
Have mercy on Yukigaya... It's the top of the 8th and it's 20-0 Teikyou...
Yokohama Hayato scores 3 in the bottom of the 3rd and ties it up against Touin Gakuen! They're up at bat in the bottom of the 4th now.
Gifu Shougyou extends the lead to 2 with a run the bottom of the 5th. They're at bat in the 6th.
The score remains 7-0 Shiga Gakuen over Oumi in the bottom of the 6th.
Kaisei has clawed back a run in the top of the 6th. Mie clings to the one-run lead in the bottom half of the inning.
It's over in Wakayama! Chiben Wakayama has indeed received their 8th bid this decade! Minabe falls 3-0!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2:19 PM - Seibou Gakuen holds up again! Saitama Sakae's run falls short as Seibou wins 3-2!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
So with the internet connection down, I'll just run through the remaining prefectures.
Ibaraki
The post I would have done right after had Jyousou Gakuin scoring 2 in the bottom of the 6th to break the stalemate with Mito Sakuranomaki. They added an insurance run in the 8th, and boy did they need it! Sakuranomaki finally gets to Oguma and they draw within one! But the rally would end there and Jyousou earns their 4th consecutive title and 7th this decade!
Higashi Tokyo
都立雪谷かわいそうな... (Poor Toritsu Yukigaya). It must have been great to get to get to the finals, but to lose 24-1 isn't fun no matter how you look at it. Teikyou scored in every inning except the 3rd.
Kanagawa
My post that I wasn't able to post b/c of the internet issue had Touin Gakuin pulling ahead with a run in the 5th. Things looked bleak for my Yokohama Hayato squad...
But then in the bottom of the 8th, Hayato ties the game! Neither team could score in the 9th and the game went into extras! And in the 11th, Yokohama Hayato is able to score the winning run and they indeed earn their 1st ever bid! おめでとう!!!!!
(And in looking at the pictures, I find it interesting that Touin's uniforms matched Osaka Touin, while Yokohama Hayato's uniforms and hats basically mirror the Hanshin Tigers!)
Gifu
It was the all-Yamada show in the Gifu final. He opens the scoring in the 3rd with a homerun, and throws a 5-hit shutout for Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou! They'll once again represent Gifu in less than 2 weeks!
Shiga
Oumi scores a meaningless run in the 9th as Shiga Gakuen in a dominating performance wins 7-1 for their 1st ever apperance!
Mie
Kaisei drew within 1 in the 6th inning right after I had made my last post and I thought they were going to make a game of it! Mie tried to shut the door with 2 of their own in the 6th, but once again Kaisei pulls within 1 yet again in the top of the 7th!
Mie finally pulls away thanks to a 5-run 8th inning and they get their 1st appeance since I saw them live in 2006!
Okayama
Tamashima Shougyou was just no match for Kurashiki Shougyou. Kurashiki cruises to a 10-1 win to successfully defend their title!
Yamaguchi
Karyou and Iwakuni Shougyou were washed out. No, not literally (although the weather there has been god awful).
Kagawa
Samukawa finally delivers! They pull away from Takamatsu Shougyou for an 8-4 win and they earn their 1st Koshien appearance!!
(my internet connection died where I was at yesterday, so I was unable to update after reporting that Seibou had succeeded in securing Saitama's bid. I will update the rest of the games later today).
Ibaraki
Tsuchiura Nichidai could only manage 3 hits against Jyousou Gakuin's Ogumo. And thanks to errors by Jyousou's defense and the strength of their own staff, they were only down 2-1... until the 8th. Jyousou scored 3 runs and pulled away 5-2.
In the other semi, Mito Sakuranomaki's staff also threw a 3-hitter against Mito Kiryou as they cruised 6-1. They'll look to get their first championship against the defending champions.
Both teams have used a fair number of different pitchers to get here, although Jyousou has relied more heavily on their ace Ogumo. Both teams have done a good job in limiting their opposition's runs. Both teams have been able to score runs regardless of opponents. In that sense, it could be a good game. But looking at the history, it automatically favors Jyousou Gakuin.
Saitama
Neither offense could really put their offense together in the Seibou Gakuen-Kasukabe Higashi game. But Kasukabe's defense behind Igarashi failed him, committing 4 errors. Seeing that statistic reminded me of the errors committed by Urawa Gakuin in their game against Seibou. So under ace Satou, they reach the finals with a 3-1 win.
As for Kawaguchi Seiryou, they tried to continue their magical run against Saitama Sakae. But sadly, like most cinderella teams, they were rudely awakened. Shimano and Serizawa yield only 3 hits and 2 walks en route to a 2-0 win.
So Seibou will look for their 3rd summer appearance while Saitama Sakae will look for their 2nd.
On the surface, looking at the box scores (and Deanna's accounts), Seibou has been the benefactor of some poor plays by the defense (Holy Hopes indeed!). Saitama Sakae has had strong pitching by their tandem of pitchers, which has kept them in games - especially early on where they had close games. Given that Deanna wasn't overly impressed by Seibou (although she was rooting for Urawa ;p), I imagaine this being a pitching matchup and a low scoring affair.
That is of course, unless the (baseball) gods shine upon Seibou and Saitama Sakae starts throwing errors left and right.
Higashi Tokyo
Meiji Jingu will be home to an interesting matchup. Teikyou, whom I will remember for the absolutely crazy and unbelievable 9th inning in the quarterfinals of the 2006 Koshien against Chiben Wakayama, will look for their 4th bid this decade. Their opponent will be Yukigaya, who made their only appearance ever back in 2003.
If there's one thing I noticed, and perhaps its just because of their compeition, it's that Teikyou has thrown out on the mound a lot of different pitchers. Is it a by-product of 2006? You've got me. In fact, of the 5 runs given up by the pitching staff, 4 was given up by Takeuchi in the last inning of their opening game. He hasn't been seen since.
Yukigaya on the other hand has depended on ace Sakamoto for the entire tournament. He's managed to throw the team past Kokushikan, but is there one more game left in him?
Kanagawa
Do you believe in Yohohama Hayato? Because I do!
After Imaoka gives up a run in the top of the 1st to top seed Toukou Gakuen, he shuts the door on their offense. Meanwhile, Hayato's offense scored 3 in the bottom of the 2nd to take the lead and added 2 more in the 8th for a 5-1 win and a spot in the finals!
They'll look for their first apperance against Touin Gakuen, who was involved in a slugfest against top seed Yokohama Sougakukan. After trading a pair of runs in the first inning, Sougakukan scores 4 unanswered to take a 6-2 lead. Touin pulls within 2 in the 5th, and then down 3 in the 6th they score 4 against ace Nakajima! An insurance run in the 8th gives them a 9-7 win. The teams combined for 22 hits and 5 homeruns, 2 by leadoff batter 2B Tabata!!
Hayato will look for their 1st ever apperance, while Sougakukan will looking for their 7th summer appearance.
Gifu
Championship was rained out yesterday.
Shiga
Oumi easily clears Hieizan 7-0 in the semifinals and is poised to become a 3-time defending champion.
In the 2nd game, Shiga Gakuen got the jump on Kita Ootsu scoring 2 in the top of the 1st. But Kita Ootsu climbed back and by the 7th, they had a 3-2 lead. They looked poised to reach the finals, that is until the 9th. Shiga bookends the game with 2 runs in the 9th, and relief pitcher Miyagi closes out the the 4-3 win!
So Shiga Gakuen will join the list of schools looking for thei 1st ever prefectural championship, but like all the others will have one heck of a test ahead of them in the finals...
Mie
Championship was rained out yesterday.
Wakayama
Chiben Wakayama had one of those weird games against Kihoku Kougyou. They moved on to the finals 4-0, but their ace Okada gave up more hits than Kihoku's ace Tsujimoto (4 to 3)! The difference? Okada gave up no walks. Tsujimoto? 10.
Minabe, in the 2nd semifinal against Wakayama Shougyou score 2 in the 3rd and after Uemura gives way to Iguchi after Wakayama scores a run, they make the lead stick, winning 2-1.
So Chiben Wakayama will look for the 8th title this decade against Minabe looking for their 1st title since 1982.
It's no wonder the makers of Kokoyakyu wanted to film Chiben. Since their 1st title in 1987, they have won 16 more since then. That 16 out of a possible 23!
Okayama
Kurashiki Shougyou will have the chance to defend their title after beating Sakuyou 5-1 thanks to a 4-run 1st inning.
It looked early on that it might be an all-Kurashiki final as Kurashiki Kougyou led Tamashima Shougyou 2-0. but Tamashou scored 1 in the 3rd and 1 in the 7th to tie it up. But in the 8th, Tamashou blows Kurashiki out of the water with 6 runs and that was that.
Tamashima hopes to use the dual arms of Sasaki and Tsuda to get their first bid since 1974. Kurashiki will look to their ace Oka to push them to victory.
Yamaguchi
Sadly for Ube and Houfu Shougyou, their runs ended in the semifinals with a thud. Karyou shutout Ube 6-0, while Iwakuni Shougyou beats Houfu Shougyou 5-1.
Karyou looks for their 1st summer appearnce (they do have one spring appearance last year), while Iwakuni Shougyou hasn't been there since 1986.
Can't tell if it's the competition, but Karyou has yet to yield a run so far this tournament. Both teams have shown a good amount of offense, so it may come down to which pitcher can shut the opposition down.
Kagawa
Samukawa delivers on their top seed, scoring 3 in the 1st inning against Jinsei Gakuin en route to a 5-3 semifinal win.
Takamatsu Kougei had held a fragile 1-0 lead, but Takamatsu Shougyou tied it in the 8th. 3 innings later, they'd push through the winning run a a spot in the finals.
Interestingly enough Samukawa, with their top seed, is playing for their 1st trip to Koshien. Takamatsu Shougyou was a dominating force until the early 1980's. But they haven't been to Koshien since 1996. Samukawa has trailed for all of 2 innings in this tournament, while Takashou has had to rally from behind on multiple occasions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1:25 PM - In Ibaraki, Mito Sakuranomaki and Jyousou Gakuin remain scoreless after 2 innings. It's Yoshikubo vs Oguma on the mound.
Seibou Gakuin scores 3 in the 2nd inning versus Saitama Sakae. Shimano has left and Serizawa has taken the mound. The game is in the bottom of the 6th with Seibou at bat.
Teikyou has dominated the game over Yukigaya. 6 runs in the first equals no chance. Even the ace Hirahara has hit a homerun. The game is in the top of the 6th with Teikyou looking for blood.
At Baystars Stadium, teams are scoring left and right. Touin Gakuen and Yokohama Hayato traded a run in the first and Touin has scored 3 in the top of the 2nd. It's 4-1 Touin for Hayato at the bottom of the 2nd. Are they out of gas?
Yamada homers for Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou in the bottom of the 3rd and they have the 1-0 lead over Kakamigahara in the bottom of the 5th.
Shiga Gakuen jumped early on Oumi with a run in the bottom of the 1st and 3rd, and then exploded for 5 in the 4th. It's 7-0 in the top of the 5th.
In Mie, Mie has scored a run in the 1st and 2nd and they're holding the 2-0 lead as Kaisei bats in the top of the 6th.
Wakayama is already in the 9th inning. Minabe trails 3-0 to Chiben Wakayama with 3 outs to go.
Kurashiki Shougyou just scored 5 in the top of the 3rd and they lead by that score with Tamashima Shougyou batting in the bottom of the 3rd.
And in Kagawa, Samukawa scored 5 in the bottom of the 1st, but Takamatsu Shougyou has scored 3 in the 3rd to pull within 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2:04 PM - Mito Sakuranomaki and Jyousou Gakuin remain tied in the middle of the 5th.
Saitama Sakae has scored a run in the 7th and 8th to make it 3-2, but they're now at their final 3 outs.
Have mercy on Yukigaya... It's the top of the 8th and it's 20-0 Teikyou...
Yokohama Hayato scores 3 in the bottom of the 3rd and ties it up against Touin Gakuen! They're up at bat in the bottom of the 4th now.
Gifu Shougyou extends the lead to 2 with a run the bottom of the 5th. They're at bat in the 6th.
The score remains 7-0 Shiga Gakuen over Oumi in the bottom of the 6th.
Kaisei has clawed back a run in the top of the 6th. Mie clings to the one-run lead in the bottom half of the inning.
It's over in Wakayama! Chiben Wakayama has indeed received their 8th bid this decade! Minabe falls 3-0!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2:19 PM - Seibou Gakuen holds up again! Saitama Sakae's run falls short as Seibou wins 3-2!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
So with the internet connection down, I'll just run through the remaining prefectures.
Ibaraki
The post I would have done right after had Jyousou Gakuin scoring 2 in the bottom of the 6th to break the stalemate with Mito Sakuranomaki. They added an insurance run in the 8th, and boy did they need it! Sakuranomaki finally gets to Oguma and they draw within one! But the rally would end there and Jyousou earns their 4th consecutive title and 7th this decade!
Higashi Tokyo
都立雪谷かわいそうな... (Poor Toritsu Yukigaya). It must have been great to get to get to the finals, but to lose 24-1 isn't fun no matter how you look at it. Teikyou scored in every inning except the 3rd.
Kanagawa
My post that I wasn't able to post b/c of the internet issue had Touin Gakuin pulling ahead with a run in the 5th. Things looked bleak for my Yokohama Hayato squad...
But then in the bottom of the 8th, Hayato ties the game! Neither team could score in the 9th and the game went into extras! And in the 11th, Yokohama Hayato is able to score the winning run and they indeed earn their 1st ever bid! おめでとう!!!!!
(And in looking at the pictures, I find it interesting that Touin's uniforms matched Osaka Touin, while Yokohama Hayato's uniforms and hats basically mirror the Hanshin Tigers!)
Gifu
It was the all-Yamada show in the Gifu final. He opens the scoring in the 3rd with a homerun, and throws a 5-hit shutout for Kenritsu Gifu Shougyou! They'll once again represent Gifu in less than 2 weeks!
Shiga
Oumi scores a meaningless run in the 9th as Shiga Gakuen in a dominating performance wins 7-1 for their 1st ever apperance!
Mie
Kaisei drew within 1 in the 6th inning right after I had made my last post and I thought they were going to make a game of it! Mie tried to shut the door with 2 of their own in the 6th, but once again Kaisei pulls within 1 yet again in the top of the 7th!
Mie finally pulls away thanks to a 5-run 8th inning and they get their 1st appeance since I saw them live in 2006!
Okayama
Tamashima Shougyou was just no match for Kurashiki Shougyou. Kurashiki cruises to a 10-1 win to successfully defend their title!
Yamaguchi
Karyou and Iwakuni Shougyou were washed out. No, not literally (although the weather there has been god awful).
Kagawa
Samukawa finally delivers! They pull away from Takamatsu Shougyou for an 8-4 win and they earn their 1st Koshien appearance!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
How lucky do you feel?
Yamaguchi is home to one of the main fishing grounds for Fugu. Interestingly enough, the people in Yamaguchi-ken call it Fuku for good luck. And you're not really in any danger as those who prepare it have to be certified - and that takes 2-3 years.
We're not here for the fish though, we're here for the qualifiers. A healthy 59 teams make up the field. Ube Koujyou and Shimonoseki Shougyou joins the duo of Iwakuni and Nanyou Kougyou (who have gone 5 of the last 9 years) as the top 4 seeds. The 2nd tier belongs to last year's participant Shimonoseki Kougyou, along with Karyou, Yamaguchi-ken Kougyou, and Iwakuni Shougyou.
Nanyou Kougyou played a solid all-around style of baseball at the spring Senbatsu. I would figure them to be the favorite to advance. If they do, they could very well match Ube Shougyou's 2005 run.
In the interest of getting all the prefectures that start play this weekend, I'm going to jet back across the country through those prefectures, backtracking to the rest after I finish those.
Next stop, Hiroshima!
We're not here for the fish though, we're here for the qualifiers. A healthy 59 teams make up the field. Ube Koujyou and Shimonoseki Shougyou joins the duo of Iwakuni and Nanyou Kougyou (who have gone 5 of the last 9 years) as the top 4 seeds. The 2nd tier belongs to last year's participant Shimonoseki Kougyou, along with Karyou, Yamaguchi-ken Kougyou, and Iwakuni Shougyou.
Nanyou Kougyou played a solid all-around style of baseball at the spring Senbatsu. I would figure them to be the favorite to advance. If they do, they could very well match Ube Shougyou's 2005 run.
In the interest of getting all the prefectures that start play this weekend, I'm going to jet back across the country through those prefectures, backtracking to the rest after I finish those.
Next stop, Hiroshima!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)