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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65629796417376964952014-10-27T10:51:46.128+09:00高校野球 (Kokoyakyu)Goro Shigenohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-35090134383475997112014-10-20T03:56:00.001+09:002014-10-20T03:56:58.595+09:00The road to senbatsu - Hokkaido champion decided!Well, guess who's on a roll now?

After finally getting back to Koushien this past summer, Toukai Dai-yon decided that they liked it there enough to go back there again in the spring!

Oddly, they had trouble in the quarterfinals of the super-regional against Kitami Kougyou, as they rallied from down 2-0 in the final 2 innings with 2 in the bottom of the 9th to walk off to the semifinals. Compare that to the very next game where they mercy-ruled Komadai Tomakomai 14-7 in 7 innings!

They would have to face a Hokkai squad looking to wipe the bad taste of the summer from their mouths, and having to face Hokkaido Sakae, Hokushou and Sapporo Nichidai just to reach the finals - certainly more difficult that what Toukai Dai-yon had to face,

And yet, while the game was close, Toukai Dai-yon never trailed - scoring a run in the first on their way to a 3-2 win for their 5th title and 1st in 14 years. This guarantees them a bid at senbatsu and a chance to earn the region one more bid at the Meiji Jingu tournament.Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-69080766164539597972014-09-24T12:11:00.001+09:002014-09-24T12:12:11.080+09:00The road to senbatsu - Aki Taikai - HokkaidoSo we're well underway in the Aki Taikai's - the fall tournaments that will give the best indicators who will be invited to Senbatsu.

Here's where things stand in the Hokkaido Super-Regionals:

Hokkaido only gets 1 allocated bid, so all of Hokkaido competes in their own super-region. Before that, teams have to qualify out of their regionals.

Hakodate Regionals - Hakodate Kougyou, Hakodatedai Yuuto

 Hakodate Kougyou did face difficulty in the A block, while Hakodatedai Yuuto faced almost none.

Muroran Regionals - Komadai Tomakomai, Hokkaido Sakae

Both schools won their games very easily.

Sapporo Regionals - Sapporo Nichidai, Hokkai, Sapporo Dai-ichi, Toukai Dai-yon

Sapporo only gets 4 spots given the combined taikai. None of the schools here are surprising, though Toukai Dai-yon is certainly weaker than where they were in the summer.

Otaru Regionals - Hokushou

Otaru Chouryou almost did it again. Facing Hokushou in the semifinals, they took a 5-4 lead in the 5th, but ace Chiba couldn't hold it, giving up 2 as Hokushou revenged the summer loss with a 6-5 win. That was their only opposition

Asahikawa Regionals - Asahikawa Kougyou, Asahikawa Ryuukoku

This region was much more competitive, though admittedly Asahikawa Kougyou did have to face Asahikawa Jitsugyou and Asahikawa Meisei.

Nayoro Regionals - Wakkanai Ootani

Wakkanai Ootani got a great performance from ace Endou, shutting out Shibetsu Shouun 2-0 to win the regionals.

Kitami Regionals - Kitami Kougyou, Kitami Hokuto

Kitami Kougyou came from behind to defeat Engaru in the opening round 3-2. After that, the rest was a breeze in Block A. Kitami Hokuto after obliterating Kuneppu 32-0 stumbled a bit thereafter in the immediate game thereafter, but otherwise was unchallenged.

Tokachi Regionals - Obihiro Sanjyou, Shirakaba Gakuen

No Obihiro Ootani this year either, they were mercy ruled by Obihiro Sanjyou in the Block A final. Shirakaba Gakuen had no issues getting through in Block B.

Kushine Regionals - Kushiro Hokuyou, Nakashibetsu

Kushiro Hokuyou took out one of the regulars in the Block A final, defeating Bushuukan 9-5 in the final. Nakashibetsu comes through with close games versus Kushiro Koryou, Betsukai and a 10-inning final against Kushiro Konan.

Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-18519009055151612142014-08-25T15:45:00.001+09:002014-08-25T16:11:51.133+09:00Final ThoughtsTo carry my thoughts on the final to my final thoughts on this Koushien...

I for one was happy so many powerhouses were left out of Koushien this year. If I had my way, Komatsu Ootani and Sekine Gakuen would have been here instead of Seiryou and Nihon Bunri respectively. I root for the underdog whenever I can because I think 甲子園 should not be reserved for the top schools who can recruit and bring in talent. There is so much being made about that there are 3917 schools that compete for the right to get to Koushien every spring and summer.

But realistically, only a fraction of those realistically has a chance. Maybe around 200-300, or about 2.5% of the schools realistically have a chance at just getting to Koushien. Once you get here, the chances of winning it are even slimmer - remember, just by location alone, 20 prefectures have not yet even won 1 Natsu Koushien title.

And so if you're talented ballplayer, what do you think when you live in say Tottori, where no one has won a title, and you aspire to win one?

Of course, you go to a school that has a track record of winning titles - and an already weakened prefecture gets even more so.

You want an immediate example? Ace Fukushima, 3B Katsuki and LF Nakamura all hail from... Fukuoka - where the last title won from there was back in 1992 with Nishi-Nippon Tankidai Fuzoku.

And so the stronger get stronger, and the rest, well... who cares because they're not winners.

It's why I now almost despise the powerhouses with a passion. Their brand name carries them so far, from recruiting all the way to in-game play where the no-names have to fight the constant whipping they receive just to have a chance. And even then, like in the case of Komatsu Ootani and Sekine Gakuen this year and like Kakunodate and Kasumigaura last year, getting the final 3 outs is mentally more tough than anything out there.

And yet, it's Seiryou that's lauded for their comeback because they're Seiryou and they showed their power when I argue that no, it's poor Komatsu Ootani who couldn't overcome the victim mentality when things started to go wrong.

I think my best comparison is saying the powerhouse schools are say the Big 5 conferences in college football, and the rest of the schools are the other Division 1 schools. Yes, they're there, but no, they're rarely if ever going to be considered for the title.

Think about this. With Osaka Touin's win today, they have won 3 of the last 7 Natsu Koushien titles.

Okay, but one could argue to me.. "Well you rooted for Komadai Tomakomai in 2006 and they were going to their 3rd straight Natsu title? What about that?"

Well, for one, they're from Hokkaido - and until they won back in 2004, no team had won from Hokkaido. So I wanted them to make the most of their run while they had it. You can see that they went to Koushien one more year, but after that has faded into almost anonymity.

"And what about rooting for Kouryou back in 2007?"

That's a fair question. And my answer is it was during that time that I still had not seen 高校野球 the way I do now. And I rooted for Kouryou because they seemed like a strong team that deserved to win.

Of course, while I still like Kouryou, if I were to go back to 2007 knowing what I know now, I probably would root for Saga Kita.

And that's why this year I was happy to see the non-powerhouses have their day. Kasukabe Kyouei defeating Ryuukokudai Heian right off the bat, Toyama Shougyou, Mie, Jyouhoku, Moriokadai Fuzoku amongst others. It was fun to see their fanbases be able to cheer for a victory as opposed to just being there.

But in the end Osaka Touin won - and I can understand it because of the dynamic that exists today. But the pessimist in me sees that one tactic in the 7th as something that made the win unbearable - because since they were losing - to Mie no less, they would resort to things like that to gain an advantage and "rightly" claim the title.

In America - I wouldn't doubt it at all. In Japan, in 高校野球, I would have said in the past "Never.". But now I can't discount the possibility, and that is what saddens me and puts a even bigger shadow on something that I liked so much.Goro Shigenohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-28272846871970079332014-08-25T12:47:00.002+09:002014-08-25T14:59:09.097+09:00Kesshou - Mie (Mie) v. Osaka Touin (Osaka)And so here we are...

It's been a topsy-turvy tournament to say the least, with the tone being set in the very first game setting the one as senbatsu champs Ryuukokudai Heian was shown the door. From there we saw two regions not known for strong baseball - Tohoku and Hokushinetsu, go almost clean through to the 3rd round. We even had a possibility of an all-Hokushinetsu final has the results yesterday been different!

In the end though, we have none of that. Instead, we have a perennial Koushien team trying to play David to one of the - if not the - most dominant powerhouses in recent years, the Goliath that is Osaka Touin.

Osaka Touin was supposed to be here - especially given the dearth of other powerhouses in this year's field. They went and routed Riseisha, they went and routed PL Gakuen.

The road here at Koushien though was anything but smooth. The Kaisei gamei, the Kendai Takasaki game, and last but not least facing a team that was trying to not only emulate, but surpass them. They have certainly been tested.

They've perhaps gotten things together at the right time versus the right opponent. Tsuruga Kehi for the first half of the game traded blows before they just plain ran out of gas.

There are consequences of course. Ace Fukushima threw 160 pitches yesterday. They did rest him for a game earlier against Yazu, where #10 Tanaka would throw a 3-hitter.

Still though, 160 pitches is 160 pitches. What will they have left? And do they feel arrogant enough to start Tanaka throwing down the challenge to Mie?

Because this is Mie's first trip to the finals, their first trip even just to the Best 4. They're in a position that they've never been in before with a chance to win the title.

Mie was tested right off the bat as they had to comeback against Kouryou eventually winning in 11. Then they had to face Oogaki Nichidai, upstart Jyouhoku, before seemingly hitting their stride defeating both Okinawa Shougaku and Nihon Bunri soundly.

They have always felt to me like the ultimate blue-collar team. Never the big-name talent, just players who put their nose to the grindstone and were never cheated in a game, no matter how the opponent.

Ace Imai Shigetarou has been through this before. He was the last line of defense against Anraku and Saibi last year, allowing 1 ER in 2 innings. This year, he has carried the team through all the games and threw around 130 pitches in his effort against Nihon Bunri, though near the end it wasn't as stressful.

I could analyze this game to death, but there's something about this Mie team that just throws all that out the window. They'll be in it for sure, whether or not they can win... well I guess we'll find out.

Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Inaba Ryuuya
3B Yamai Tatsuya (#16)
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou

Osaka Touin (Osaka)
LF Nakamura Makoto
2B Minemoto Takumi
3B Katsuki Kazuya
1B Shouzui Yuuya (#8)
RF Aoyagi Kouki (#13)
C Yokoi Yuuya
CF Mori Shinnosuke (#9)
SS Fukuda Kouki
P Fukushima Kousuke

Home Plate Umpire - Furukawa
1st Base Umpire - Tachibana
2nd Base Umpire - Ootsuki? (大槻)
3rd Base Umpire - Doi

______________________________________________________

13:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Nagano liner back at Fukushima! He gets his glove on it, deflects it straight up and makes the catch for the first out! Bad luck there for Nagano, but a nice play from Fukushima.

Sada gets ahead 3-0 before Fukushima puts in 2 strikes. He takes an easy swing and lines a ball to center for a single. However, Utsunomiya can't do anything and grounds to short. Fukuda tries to go for the double play, but Utsunomiya beats out the throw at 1st.

Nishioka with a liner, but right at Katsuki and he makes the catch to retire the side! Some good defense by Osaka Touin, but Mie is making good contact on Fukushima's pitches early, and that is something to watch out for.

Bottom 1st
But there's a problem for Mie. Imai is maxing out at 130. Which means he's lost significant velocity from yesterday.

Nakamura with a liner to left, but Inaba - making the start today makes the catch.

Minemoto with a ball up the middle, Sada makes the stop, tries the jump throw, but it's offline and late. Nishioka snags it, but can't make the tag. Good try though.

Hit-and-run from Nishitani-kantoku! Katsuki grounds to 2nd, and working to plan Sada's only play is to 1st. 2 down though as Shouzui steps in.

Grounder to 3rd! Yamai with the great pick on the short hop! Throw to 1st low, but Nishioka makes a great pick on his end to secure the out. Scoreless through 1.

Top 2nd
Inaba makes the most of his start! He hits a gapper to right center that splits the defense for a leadoff double!

But Yamai wastes the chance! He pops his bunt, Fukushima secures it and it's like any normal base hit+bunt scenario.

Fukushima though falling behind Seko 3-0, but then firing strikes in once again to fill the count. He ends up walking him, but it also creates the force.

Nakabayashi drive to left! Nakamura going back to the fence! It falls in front of the wall! Inaba scores! Seko being waved around! Throw in... he scores!! #8 batter Nakabayashi helps out his battery mate and gives Mie the 2-0 lead!

Imai tries to help his own cause, but he fouls out to Katsuki near the camera well.

Nagano working the count as a base hit could mean a 3rd run. Count goes full...

And he walks Nagano! Creates a force, but with 2 out I don't think that was the idea this time.

Sada jammed and hits a bouncer up the 3rd base line. Katsuki makes the throw to 1st and the side is retired. Mie though strikes first with a timely double from Nakabayashi! Though 2 runs is still really meaningless at this point.

Bottom 2nd
Aoyagi waiting for his pitch, lines a ball to left. Seko coming in, slides.. makes the catch for the 1st out!

Yokoi clean liner to left for a single, Inaba waits for the bounce into his mitt.

Mori chases a slider way away for the 2nd out. The ball gets away from Nakabayashi and Yokoi can take 2nd.

Imai playing exclusively away from Fukuda, but gets the count full after falling behind 3-0.

But Imai gives him too much of a strike! He lines it to right for a basehit! Relay throw in not nearly enough and it's a 2-1 ballgame!

Fukushima chases the slider as well. Nakabayashi throws to 1st to complete the play, but already Osaka Touin has one of the runs back.

Top 3rd
Both pitchers having to work. Fukushima 36 pitches through 2 innings so far.

Utsunomiya gets the bat around on an inside fastball and puts it past Fukushima's feet into center.

Nakamura-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run, but Nishioka fouls it up the 3rd base line.

Nishioka goes down and drives a ball, but it's more of a golf swing as Mori is there near the wall for the catch.

Inaba meanwhile is on fire at the right time! He bloops a ball to left and Nakamura has no play on it. Runners on 1st and 2nd for Yamai.

Unlike Imai, Fukushima's velocity doesn't seem to have dropped. His fastball is in the upper 130s.

But Yamai is having no luck! He's jammed, chops one to 3rd and Katsuki starts the 5-4-3 double play to end the inning!

Bottom 3rd
Nakamura slicer down the left field line... fair! Inaba has to run it down, but Nakamura is in with a leadoff double!

AH! Imai throws a wild pitch and the douten runner is 90 feet away! Nakamura-kantoku calls time.

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

Minemoto chases the slider down and away and Imai dodges 1 bullet. But still 2 to go.

And that's it. Katsuki with a fly to deep left center. The throw just goes into the infield and we're douten at 2-2!

Shouzui flies out to right, but as expected, Osaka Touin has tied the game.

Top 4th
Seko ball up the middle, Fukuda makes the pick, takes a couple of steps.. fires from 2nd and is there for the out.

Nakabayashi can't repeat his first AB and skies a ball to Fukuda for the 2nd out.

The bottom of the lineup this time around proves to be easy as Imai goes down looking to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
Aoyagi gets under a high fastball and pops out to short. Yokoi goes after the first pitch and drives it to center. Nagano running back towards right center makes the catch.

And Mori helicopters a swing, but merely grounds out to Nishoka for the 3rd out. Both aces get a 1-2-3 inning this frame.

Top 5th
Nagano on a ball just inches from the ground hits a liner to center! What the??!!

Sada with the bunt, Fukushima goes to 2nd... AHHHHH!!!

He throws it wide and Fukuda can't snag it! It goes into center and Nagano takes 3rd!

Utsunomiya overswinging at his AB when he just needs at minimum a sac fly.

But then he just goes down and makes contact on a pitch and bloops it to center! Mori coming in, but he can't get there! Nagano comes in and Mie retakes the lead! 3-2!

Nakatani-kantoku calls time...

Nishioka tries to lay down the bunt, but he pops it up! Shouzui makes the charging catch and goes to 1st to double off Utsunomiya! Big mistake, and while it's often seen, the cleanup batter bunting backfires for Mie and what was a great scoring opportunity leads to just 1 run.

Bottom 5th
Bottom of Osaka Touin's lineup trying to attack Imai early this inning. But neither Fukuda nor Fukushima can make any headway and there's 2 out.

Nakamura works the count, but chases the changeup for the 3rd out! The game going at a quick pace, and Mie holds a fragile 3-2 lead over Osaka Touin heading into the break!

Both teams certainly having opportunities against the aces on the mound. Mie though has squandered good scoring opportunities with poor bunting fundamentals. Will that hurt them later?

Top 6th
#5 Uchida (who apparently is injured) to hit for struggling Yamai and it pays immediate dividends! He singles to left! Seko successfully bunts him along.

Nakabayashi with a ball off the end of the bat, flies out to right. Uchida makes it to 3rd, but there's 2 out for Imai. He's quickly down 0-2...

He has to swing away, and hits one right to Fukuda. Throw to 1st and Uchida is stranded at 3rd.

Bottom 6th
Uchida, despite the injury will stay in to play 3B...

Minemoto with a clean single through the left side.

Katsuki not bunting, but he hits it right to short! Utsunomiya to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st as Minemoto slides in... DOUBLE PLAY!!!

Sada hanging in there makes the throw to 1st as Katsuki dives short to 1st! 2 out!

(Cue Docomo mushroom sliding into first...)

Shouzui tries to check his swing, but makes contact with the ball and hits it right back to Imai! He goes to 1st and the side is retired!!

Top 7th
Nagano proving his worth as a leadoff batter as he gets his 2nd base hit to center! 4 quality ABs so far today!

Hit-and-run!! Nagano takes off on the 0-1 pitch, Sada swings and misses, but Yokoi airmails the throw!

Sada further helps the throw as he just throws the bat at the ball and hits it to the right side advancing him to 3rd.

SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But it's a pitchout!!!!!

Utsunomiya has no chance to foul it off and Nagano is run down! 2 out!

Oh, is Nakamura-kantoku trying to give Osaka Touin a chance? He's playing traditional 高校野球 which is completely failing him! It's when he lets his players play that they do their best.

Utsunomiya does draw the walk. But Nishioka lines out to Nakamura in deep left for the 3rd out.

Bottom 7th
Aoyagi leading off the inning, tries to appeal for a dead ball that clearly wasn't. But head ump Furukawa confers. No dead ball is given, but it seems strange.

He eventually draws a walk. Yokoi bunts him along.

But Imai seems to be affected as he hits Mori...

And now Fukuda singles to center! Manrui for Osaka Touin!

Nakamura-kantoku calls for time...

Fukushima does the best thing he can. He avoids the double play at least by striking out swinging and rotates the lineup.

Nakamura jammed, bloops one to center! Nagano charges in, dives... but can't make the catch! 2 runs score and Touin takes the 4-3 lead.

Minemoto grounds out to Imai, but Touin does take the lead with just 2 innings to go.

Top 8th
Mie though is playing desperate. Inaba, Uchida and Seko all fly out and they'll be down to their final 3 outs.

Bottom 8th
Apparently that is it for Imai on the mound for now. He goes to RF as #12 Mori replaces Seko and takes the hill.

Katsuki starts him off with a single to center. Shouzui bunts him along.

Now #11 Setoue comes in to pitch for Mori, and #18 Matsumura comes in for Inaba to play LF.

And he hits Aoyagi...

Settles down a bit, fires a couple of strikes and gets Yokoi to pop up to center. Nagano charges in... makes the running catch for the 2nd out.

He then fires 2 strikes in to Mori.. and he pops it up! Matsumura with the catch and the side is retired.

Top 9th
But it's Osaka Touin that has the 4-3 lead going into the 9th...

And it's the 8-9-1 batters up for Mie. Nagano may get to bat with 2 outs...

Nakabayashi completely different from last inning's ABs. Tries to take pitches, drives a ball to center and Mori is there for the out.

Imai will stand in to hit, despite his poor BA.

But he fouls off pitches staying alive...

And singles up the middle to set it up for Nagano.

Nagano with a liner to left and that's in for a single. Imai as the douten run is in scoring position.

Nakatani-kantoku calls for time.

Now Nakamura-kantoku goes with a PH? #13 Suzuki stands in to hit for Sada.

SANSHIN!!!!

Suzuki too eager perhaps chases the changeup inside and there's 2 out.

Utsunomiya grounder to short, Fukuda throws to 1st, and a diving Utsunomiya can't stop the inevitable. Osaka Touin claims the title with a 4-3 win over Mie.

I'm sorry, but while my alliances are clearly against Osaka Touin, I wouldn't have minded them winning because well... they're Osaka Touin and they're a powerhouse, and etc. etc.

But I have issue with this win. Yes, Mie did themselves no favors during the game. The failed bunt in the 2nd... the failed squeeze in the 7th. If Mie had just played the game straight up - especially in the 7th, they could certainly be in a better position.

I can't really get over the dead ball request that Aoyagi made in the 7th though. It clearly wasn't a dead ball, he knew it, but he got the umpires to confer and it wound up throwing off Imai's rhythm as Osaka Touin would score the douten and gyakuten runs.

And as I was clearly reminded, the saying goes, "You play to win the game."

Sure, of course you do.

But I would rather it be done the right way. One that doesn't require seemingly underhanded tactics. I'm no optimist, let me tell you - otherwise why would I be thinking this? But when I first started watching 高校野球, it was because I thought the premise was pure and wholesome.

As you've read my thoughts on it in recent years, I have found that that vision is far from reality.

As I see the interviews going on with Fukushima and Nakamura, they are crying because they won. And of course there can only be one winner. But more often than not, like in real life - it's the big cats that generally rule the day.

Life isn't fair, and I know that. It's just sad to think that it applies to the extent that it does here.
Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-15952055307925267092014-08-24T13:13:00.002+09:002014-08-24T16:08:57.510+09:00Jyunkesshou Game 2 - Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui) v. Osaka Touin (Osaka)And now onto our game of the day.

Osaka Touin had to smile even before reaching Koushien, seeing a lot of the powerhouses from other prefectures not even qualify. It just meant that they had less competition to face to get to and win the finals.

But the road has been far from easy. First was a ridiculous game versus Kaisei that they barely won 7-6. Then came facing Meitoku Gijyuku, for the 3rd straight year, and holding on to win that game. After an easy time against Yazu, they slowed down Kendai's running attack enough (with some fortunate events) to reach the semifinals.

And that resume presents a problem. Because their opponent appears to be a team that can beat them at their own game - Tsuruga Kehi.

Now, their offense slowed down last game as they only scored 7 runs against Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei, but they still average over 12 runs a game so far and do not have any signs of stopping. In fact, given some of their actions, they'd rather continue pummeling their opponents if given the opportunity.

If I were Mie, I honestly don't really know who I'd want to face. A seemingly weaker Osaka Touin squad (their team average is under 0.300!) that has done it before, or a ridiculously strong team (only Nakamoto has an average UNDER 0.300) that's never been there before...

Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui)
1B Shinohara Ryou
3B Shimomura Takamasa
SS Asai Kouya
C Okada Kouta
CF Mine Kentarou
RF Oyana Shou
P Hiranuma Shouta
LF Yamamoto Akihiro
2B Nakamoto Takahiro

Osaka Touin (Osaka)
LF Nakamura Makoto
2B Minemoto Takumi
3B Katsuki Kazuya
1B Shouzui Yuuya (#8)
CF Mori Shinnosuke (#9)
RF Aoyagi Kouki (#13)
C Yokoi Yuuya
SS Fukuda Kouki
P Fukushima Kousuke

______________________________________________________

13:28 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Good start for Fukushima as he gets Shinohara to hit a weak grounder to 2nd. Shimomura though hits an easy single to right.

Asai with a lines single through to left, and could the engine already be revved up??

Okada almost takes out Fukushima with a hard liner back at him and he can only spin out of the way... Manrui for Tsuruga Kehi!!

Mine single to left! Shimomura scores as everyone moves up a station., 1-0 Kehi already!

OH MY.

Oyana just CRUSHED a ball to right. Aoyagi going back to the wall!!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DEAR LORD.

Who the heck can stop this team? They took the challenge of facing Osaka Touin and just stepped all over it.

5-0 TSURUGA KEHI.

Hiranuma and Yamamoto groundout to 2nd, but this is beyond ridiculuous.

Bottom 1st
NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Nakamura drive to left center!!!

Mine going back to the wall! He looks up!!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, then is it going to be this type of game? It's only 1 run, but it's a statement nonetheless. 5-1!

And now Minemoto draws a walk! Katsuki follows that up with a single to right! Nishitani-kantoku calling for the bunt from Shouzui! He fouls 2 off but lays the 3rd one down!

Mori scorcher up the 1st base line... FAIR!!!!!!! It gets past Shinohara and into right! Both runners are going to score and it's a 5-3 ballgame!! What the heck is going on here?!!

Huranuma retires Aoyagi and Yokoi to retire the side, and while Osaka Touin got the wrong end of that inning, it could have gone much worse.

Top 2nd
The engine goes into action again. Nakamoto singles back up the middle for a leadoff hit. Shinohara lays down a bunt to move him over to murderer's row.

Fukushima avoids one bullet as Shimomura flies out to center. But then he adds pressure to himself by throwing a wild pitch moving Nakamoto to 3rd. And then he walks Yokoi...

SANSHIN!!!

Fukushima comes out unscathed as he gets Okada to chase the cut ball for the 3rd out!

Bottom 2nd
Both pitchers having success against the bottom of the lineups. Hiranuma strikes out Fukuda on a changeup inside, while Fukushima flies out to center.

But he wants nothing to do with Nakamura and he walks him.

Minemoto with a drive to left.

Naw...

Can't be...

Mine going back to the wall.

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hiranuma leaves it over the plate and Minemoto knows exactly what to do with it! Amazingly... we're tied at 5-5!!

Katsuki grounds out to 1st, but Osaka Touin has already made up the 5-run deficit!!

Top 3rd
Mine goes down swinging and perhaps Fukushima has settled down.

NOPE! NOT AT ALL!!!

OYANA DRIVE TO RIGHT! Does he have his 2nd HR???

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He does! It can get more ridiculous! Oyama with 5 RBIs already and he gives Tsuruga Kehi the 6-5 lead!!

And then he walks Hiranuma! Oh boy.

But once again, there is respite at the bottom of the lineup. Yamamoto strikes out, and Nakamoto pops up to Minemoto to end the inning.

But these teams are trading haymakers like there's no tomorrow!

Bottom 3rd
Shouzui working a long AB against Hiranuma but Hiranuma finally wins on the 12th pitch with a groundout to short.

Mori meanwhile gets his 2nd hit with a seeing eye-single to right.

But both Aoyagi and Yokoi uppercut two balls into 2 infield flies and Hiranuma finally as a clean frame.

Top 4th
In this type of game you cannot give the other team free runners. Yet Fukuda does just that as he bobbles the ball on Shinohara's groundout. Shimomura bunts him over.

But Shinohara goes on contact and Asai's grounder goes to short. But Fukuda goes to 3rd and he's caught! Asai doesn't even have time to get to 2nd.

Okada flies out to left and Fukushima holds serve.

Bottom 4th
Fukuda chopper up middle... it gets through! He finally gets his first hit of Koushien! Fukushima bunts him over.

Nakamura will not take another walk (though he should) and hits a hard bounder to 2nd. Nakamoto goes to 1st, and the runner advances.

Minemoto with his own liner slicing past Hiranuma into center! Fukuda scores and we're level again at 6-6!!

Katsuki earns a walk and that means Hiranuma has to face Shouzui - though he's 0-1 so far.

Shouzui with a fly to right, but the defense is playing in???!!

Mine and Oyana have to scramble back as the ball goes all the way to the wall! Minemoto scores! Katsuki comes around.. he scores!!! Osaka Touin takes the lead on Shouzui's triple!! It's 8-6!!!

うそ!うそだろう!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mori with a drive to right! Oyana going towards the foul pole!!!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mori with a 2-run HR gives Osaka Touin the 10-6 lead!!!

Aoyagi strikes out to end the inning, but Shouzui and Mori land back-to-back blows and is Tsuruga Kehi on the ropes?

Top 5th
Mine chases a slider outside for the first out.

Oyana will not get 3 consecutive HRs, but he does bloop a single to left.

おっと。。。

Fukushima hits Hiranuma on his right leg...

Yamamoto revenges that with a liner to right! Oyana comes around from 2nd to score and it's 10-7!!!

Nakamoto lifts a ball to right! Aoyagi having to scramble back! That's over his head as it bounds to the wall! Hiranuma scores on the double and it's 10-8!!

Shinohara oddly struggling at the top of the lineup. He goes down swinging on a changeup for the 2nd out.

And Shimomura grounds to 3rd! Katsuki with it, takes his time and makes the throw to 1st for the 3rd out!

Tsuruga Kehi doesn't get all the runs back, but cuts the deficit to 2!

Bottom 5th
Shimomura makes a great play on a short hop to reture Yokoi.

Fukuda chases a shoulder-high fastball and flies out to right.

And Hiranuma flies out to deep center and we hit the break.

ドン。。。

Top 6th
Asai shut down after the 1st as he grounds to 3rd.

Okada with a grounder to the left side, Fukuda sells out and dives, but it's out of his reach.

But Mine groudns to short! Fukuda goes to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st... double play!!! 6-4-3 double play and Tsuruga Kehi fails to gain ground!

Bottom 6th
Both pitchers are over the 100 pitch mark now, with Hiranuma at exactly 100.

Even now, he still wants nothing to do with Nakamura, he walks him to start the inning.

Wild pitch from Hiranuma! Nakamura heads to 2nd!

Another wild pitch! It bounces in front and then goes all the way to the backstop and Nakamura heads to 3rd!

Minemoto draws a 4-pitch walk.

And that's it for Hiranuma. But he's still in the game.

But it's not #11 Umino, it's LF Yamamoto!! He and Hiranuma switch places!

Katsuki rudely welcomes him with a drive to left! That's over Hiranuma's head! Nakamura comes to score, Minemoto heads to 3rd, he's given the wave around! Katsuki has a 2-RBI double and Osaka Touin leads 12-8!!

Shouzui liner, but Asai makes the snag for the 2nd out!

Mori makes poor contact, but hits it to the right side to advance the runner to 3rd.

Aoyagi grounder to short, throw to first is short and goes off of Shinohara's glove! Katsuki scores and it's 13-8!!

And it looks like Aoyagi needs some treatment as his head slide into first scraped him up in some way, I think his arm.

It looks like they're thinking about an injury-runner, but I'm not sure the umpires will let that fly. After a delay, he comes out to 1st.

However, he gets caught off 1st and is run down to end the inning.

Top 7th
Tsuruga Kehi trying to hit their way out of the deficit.

Oyana with a sharp drive to center, but Mori sprinting back makes the catch.

Hiranuma with a liner to left, but Aoyaji makes the catch there too.

Yamamoto tries a different strategy with a safety bunt! Katsuki charges in, but his throw is late!

And Nakamoto pays that off! He drives one to left center and that'll go over the drawn in defense and to the wall! Yamamoto scores to make it 13-9!!

Shinohara flies out to left to end the inning, and now it's time that Tsuruga Kehi's enemy...

Bottom 7th
Yokoi draws a leadoff walk and Osaka Touin would like to play add-on. But Fukuda pops up his bunt and Okada makes the catch.

Fukushima flies out to left, and that brings out Nakamura again, who is actually just 1-2 with 2 BB and that HR.

Nakamura with a popup to shallow right center... Everyone converges on it, and it's Nakamoto who makes the sliding catch for the 3rd out!

Top 8th
Fukushima leaves a ball too close to the plate and Shimomura singles past a diving Fukuda.

Shimomura takes off for 2nd! Throw from Yokoi not even close! Through remember they're down 4.

Asai tries to stay alive, but flies out to right.

Nakatani-kantoku calling for time, Fukushima is sitting at 132 pitches.

Fukushima can't throw a strike! He falls behind Okada before getting a ball in. But he still winds up walking him and that brings up Mine who is 1-3 on the day with 2 Ks and a double play to his name.,

Mine drive to left, but it's not nearly deep enough. Nakamura is there for the catch.

And that brings up Oyana... he may be their last real chance in this game....

At first it looks like they're going to pitch around him, but two strong swings level the count.

Comebacker! Fukushima squats and squeezes the ball! Goes to 1st and Tsuruga Kehi comes up snake eyes!!

Bottom 8th
Minemoto with a single through the right side. Katsuki on the very next pitch hits a gapper to right center past the outfielders. Minemoto comes all the way around from 1st to score and make it 14-9.

Wild pitch from Yamamoto sends him to 3rd and this could be it. He then walks Shouzui, they get that back after he's caught trying to steal 2nd.

Still, Mori hits a sac fly to right to make it 15-9.

The day officially ends for Hiranuma. #10 Taniguchi comes in for him to take the hill while Yamamoto goes back to left. And while he hits the first batter, he gets Yokoi to fly to center to end the inning.

Top 9th
#17 Matsuoka hits for RP Taniguchi, and gives a pretty good AB. However Fukushima wins as he flies out to left.

Yamamoto with a grounder to the right side. Shinohara grabs the ball, tosses to Fukushima who barely beats Yamamoto to the bag for the 2nd out.

Nakamoto gets hit to flip the lineup over to the top and Yonemitsu.

And he singles through the right side. Nakamoto goes to 3rd, but they're still a long ways from a tie game.

Shimomura now steps in to try and keep the dream alive. Down 0-2, he takes two pitches Fukushima tries to paint the corner with.

But on the 3-2 pitch, Shimomura hits a liner to left! Nakamura is there for the catch and on his 160th pitch Fukushima closes out the game!! Osaka Touin prevails 15-9!!

Yet even in this crazy game, you have to feel for Tsuruga Kehi. They went through this entire tournament being the proverbial bully, and I even proclaimed then to be wearing the black hats. Yet, those words were spoken in hyperbole and we have to remember they are still kids.

And perhaps you need that confidence, that arrogance - whether visible or not, is necessary to win the tournament. For Tsuruga Kehi, it was more apparent and hence the black hat comments.

You can perhaps question not relieving Hiranuma in prior games to rest his arm - especially the Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei game. But in the end they played a great tournament and just ran into a team that could finally keep up with them.

And so we have our final set. It's an all central affair with Osaka Touin trying to win their 4th title against Mie who is trying to win their 1st. Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-83264881846001805222014-08-24T10:56:00.000+09:002014-08-24T12:42:22.945+09:00Jyunkesshou Game 1 - Nihon Bunri (Niigata) v. Mie (Mie)And now, the stretch run...

The first game many consider as the warmup game. With the offensive power teams playing in the second semifinal, people look at this final as one where a team can say they at least made the final - though in Nihon Bunri's case they made the final in that instant classic versus Chuukyoudai Chuukyou.

Nihon Bunri has played 4 close games - even their last game against Seikou Gakuin was close until the top of the 9th. Their key victory in this run was perhaps their comeback win against Toyama Shougyou because of the comeback and the fact that Toyama Shougyou had some quality wins of their own.

Iidzuka is the only pitcher for Bunri they're willing to use it seems, so we'll see how he does in the possible last 2 games.

Mie actually played out of character in their last game. They had gone out to a 3-2 lead against Okinawa Shougaku before in character giving up 2 runs. Out of nowhere they scored 5 immediately thereafter and did NOT let Okinawa Shougaku back into the game.

Mie's record looks rather impressive having defeated 3 known participants in Kouryou, Oogaki Nichidai, and their last opponent Okinawa Shougaku.

Mie too depends on their ace Imai Shigetarou. But despite the lopsided win over Okishou, he did give up 12 hits and 3 walks and was immensely helped by the defense.

So both aces already showing some chinks in the armor and could be taken advantage of - and is the reason why I think a lot of people think the 2nd semifinal is really the final.

What's more, ace Hiranuma still looks strong as in their last game he gave up just 4 hits while striking out 10.

Nihon Bunri (Niigata)
RF Hoshi Kenta
SS Kurodai Naito
1B Kodachi Otowa (#8)
3B Ikeda Takamasa
2B Arai Makoto
C Kamakura Wataru
LF Kobayashi Masaya
CF Takeishi Ryou (#16)
P Iidzuka Satoshi

Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Yamamoto Youma (#10)
3B Uchida Ren
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou

____________________________________________________________

11:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Right off the bat, Hoshi gets Nihon Bunri's offense going with a single up the middle. The speed on the fastball though is at 130 which I think is a touch slower than in previous games.

Kurodai pops his bunt! Nakabayashi makes the catch, fires to 1st, but throws it away! It goes into left and Hoshi gets to 2nd after all!

And then he hits Kodachi! Is Imai already out of gas??

Ikeda grounder to 2nd!! Sada to 2nd for 1, throw to 1st... DOUBLE PLAY!!!

Imai's defense gives him yet another assist! And in what appeared could be a disastrous start ends up with nothing at all!

Bottom 1st
Nagano with a grounder off the end of the bat goes the other way through the infield for a leadoff single. As Sada bunts the runner along, Iidzuka's velocity appears down as well! He's down to the low-mid 130s!!

And Utsunomiya with a clean single through the left side! Nagano being waved home, throw from Kobayashi... is cutoff! Mie quickly leads 1-0!

Yamamoto with a bit of an indignant look as he gets rung up the home plate umpire on a ball that seemed clearly outside (and you wonder why the HS players and Japanese LL team pitches outside the way they do...)

Uchida grounds out to end the inning, but the drop in Iidzuka's velocity is very concerning.

Top 2nd
Opportunities again for Nihon Bunri. Arai draws the leadoff walk and is bunted over.

But Kobayashi pulls his grounder to the left side, preventing Arai from advancing to 3rd.

Takeishi flies out to right, and Nihon Bunri can't seem to get that timely hit.

Bottom 2nd
Okay, perhaps he was just warming up because Iidzuka is back in the high 130s. But he still gives up a leadoff hit as Seko singles to right. Nakabayashi moves him along.

Imai with a hard liner back up the middle, Seko scrambles back to 2nd as Kurodai goes for him, but then goes to 1st to get Imai.

And no timely from Nagano as he goes after the first pitch and grounds out to 2nd.

Top 3rd
Change defensively as #16 Yamai comes in for Uchida.

Imai finally retires his first leadoff batter as Iidzuka flies out to right.

Hoshi though looking to make him pay! Drive down the left field line! Yamamoto going towards the foul pole... FOUL!!!

That was close.

But he's not deterred! He pulls a ball through the right side and he's already 2-2 on the day!

Kurodai trying to lay down the bunt can't, but hits a short chopper that acts like one to move Hoshi to scoring position.

Kurodai goes down and slices a ball to center! That's in for a base hit, but Hoshi has to hold up at 3rd! Nihon Bunri once again seemingly ready to jump on Imai!

But Ikeda hits a grounder to short! Utsunomiya with it, goes to 1st... and Nihon Bunri is denied again!!

Bottom 3rd
Iidzuka, despite the slight velo loss, appears to have settled down. The top of Mie's lineup attacking pitches in the zone, hit into 3 groundouts in just 8 pitches.

Top 4th
Nihon Bunri with another baserunner as Kamakura draws a 1 out walk.

SANSHIN!!!

Kobayashi just turns away in disgust as he sees a fastball get called on the outside edge for strike 3! 2 down.

Takeishi can't do anything either as he grounds to short. Utsunomiya's throw is high and takes Nishioka off the bag, but he gets the tag on despite a minor collision.

Bottom 4th
Yamamoto's struggles at the plate continue as he chases a slider away for the first out.

Yamai with a chopper just outside of Ikeda for a base hit.

Hit-and run!!

Seko singles to left! Uchida heading for 3rd, and Kobayashi's throw is cut off! Mie threatening big time against Iidzuka!!

SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nakabayashi lays down the squeeze and Iidzuka has no play at home! He has to go to 1st and Mie leads 2-0!!

Imai with a chopper in front of the plate, he thinks it's a foul ball, but Kamakura pick it up and goes to 1st for the 3rd out, but Mie is slowly extending their lead.

Top 5th
Nihon Bunri needs the break to regroup and fast, because they're completely scuffling at the plate.

Iidzuka hits a ball right back to Imai for the first out. Hoshi gets retired for the first time on a slider, and Kurodai quickly chops one to short for an easy play from Utsunomiya...

Bottom 5th
But they can still play defense! Already 1 down, Sada hits a ball to the left side - Kurodai makes a great running pick and throw for the 2nd out!

It's not a complete clean inning though as Iidzuka hits Utsunomiya.

Nishioka with a chopper out in front of home and Kamakura fields and throws for the 3rd out.

We hit the break and both teams have had their opportunities. However, Mie has been the one to capitalize on them so far building a 2-0 lead. Can Nihon Bunri regroup to mount a comeback?

Top 6th
The only concern for Mie is that Imai is already at 84 pitches.

But he seems to be getting better. He goes changeup inside on Kodachi for his 3rd K.

Ikeda grounder up 1st base line past a diving Nishoka into right! He's booking it and gets his double!

Arai can't deliver a base hit and can only move him 90 feet with a short chopper up the 3rd base line. 2 down and they need a base hit from Kamakura.

But he hits a grounder to short! Utsunomiya gets rid of it quickly, but it takes what seems like infinite bounces before Nishioka can glove it for the 3rd out! Bunri again shutout!

Bottom 6th
Nakamura-kantoku has seen enough of Yamamoto and sends in #7 Inaba to hit.

Sadly for him, that spot seems to be a black hole has he strikes out swinging!

Yamai grounder to short, Kurodai runs that one down too! Throw to 1st, AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kodachi for some reason can't secure the ball and the inning continues!

Nakabayashi with a single to left!

And now things really going wrong as Iidzuka walks Imai to load the bases!!! And for Nagano no less!

Nagano, chopper, through the left side!! Seko scores! Nakabayashi being waved in! Throw home... not in time!! Captain Nagano comes through again and gives Mie a 4-0 lead!!

Sada grounds out to short, but Mie may very well be on their way to the final!!

Top 7th
Nihon Bunri trying to fight as Takeishi fights of a pitch to right for a base hit.

But Iidzuka hits a grounder right to 2nd! Sada starts the 4-6-3 double play and just like that Bunri is down to their final 6 outs!

Bottom 7th
Mie fine to leave things as is, go down in order to speed up the game.

Top 8th
#18 Matsubara now in LF for Inaba.

But Nihon Bunri just can't hit themselves out of the funk. Hoshi and Kurodai are quickly retired before Imai issues his 3rd walk.

After ball one to Ikeda, Nakamura-kantoku calls time.

Ikeda a drive to left! Matsubara going back! Still going!

But he stops in front of the wall and makes the catch for the 3rd out! Ikeda can only look out to left as he turns back to his dugout... Mie is just 3 outs away from the final!!

Bottom 8th
Yamai drive to left!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As if to say to Ikeda, "That's how it's done!" he blasts one to about the same place, but the difference is that his ball leaves the field! 5-0 Mie!!

Seko grounder to the gap in the left side, but Kurodai runs that one down too!! Throw to 1st, just not in time to get Seko, but man this guy can field his position.

Nakabayashi bunts him along for Imai to try and add on even more.

But Iidzuka strikes out both Imai and Nagano to retire the side. Still, his team is 3 outs away from elimination...

Top 9th
Imai with a drive to center, but Nagano is there for the catch.

Kamakura flies out to right, and they're down to their final out!

Kobayashi grounds out to 3rd! Yamai to 1st, and Mie advances to the final!!

What a performance by Mie! Even through Imai gave Nihon Bunri opportunities the defense was all but perfect as Imai would pitch a shutout! Not only that, but the offense took advantage of the opportunities it was given - and that was clearly the difference as it put Nihon Bunri on the defensive early.

It's really sad for Nihon Bunri. I really like both of these schools in general and it was sad to see that one of them had to lose. And their players can't help but cry at the fact that they fell one game short of the final. I'm sure that they also remember that final when they almost completed the comeback, and how it would be great to head there once more and revenge that final.

But sadly it is not to be. Nihon Bunri has to be one of the stronger teams out of the Hokushinetsu region annually, and I really do hope one day they get that title.

For Mie, their time is now. They are in the finals, and while the odds are certainly stacked against them, they have the chance, and that's all they can ask for.Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-75719507149295758312014-08-22T15:32:00.001+09:002014-08-24T10:05:31.011+09:00Jyunjyunkesshou Game 4 - Nihon Bunri (Niigata) v. Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima)()

Nihon Bunri (Niigata)
RF Hoshi Kenta
SS Kurodai Naito
1B Kodachi Otowa (#8)
3B Ikeda Takamasa
LF Kobayashi Masaya
2B Arai Makoto
CF Takeishi Ryou (#16)
C Kamakura Wataru
P Iidzuka Satoshi

Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima)
LF Yaoita Takumaru
2B Fujiwara Issei
3B Yaginuma Kentarou
1B Yasuda Kouki
CF Isagi Shun
SS Ishigaki Mitsuhiro
RF Harada Genki (#17)
C Takano Kouki
P Funabasama Taiga

___________________________________________________________

15:30 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Funabasama walks leadoff batter Hoshi, and is promptly bunts the runner over.

Kodachi with a ball to left center splits the defense! Hoshi comes in on the double and Nihon Bunri leads 1-0!

Ikeda singles to left! Kodachi has to hold at 3rd, but things looking dire already. Saitou-kantoku calls for time.

Kobayashi pops it up! Yaginuma under it for the 2nd out!

But Funabasama goes and walks Arai to load the bases! Big chance for bench starter Takeishi!

SANSHIN!!!!

He just watches as the slider goes over the plate for strike 3! Nihon Bunri leads but it could have been more!

Bottom 1st
Yaoita grounder to left side, Kurodai chases it down, quick throw to first goes off Kodachi's glove! Infield single to start for Seikou! And as expected he's bunted over.

Yaginuma with a single to right center! Yaoita comes home and just like that we're all tied at 1-1!

2 down now and Yaginuma takes off for 2nd! He's in safely and Seikou looks to take the lead!

But Isagi grounds to 1st! Kodachi makes the play to retire the side.

A bit shaky for the converted outfielder and Seikou has tied the game!

Top 2nd
Kamakura needs a moment after an attempted bunt hits him in the hand.

But he'll feel much better after he singles past Funabasama to center!

Iidzuka with a pop fly to left. Yaoita running towards the line, still running! It falls in! Kamakura goes to 3rd, but Nihon Bunri is threatening again!

But on Hoshi's grounder to 2nd, Kamakura gets himself hung up! He's run down, but perhaps prevents the double play instead. Still runners on 2nd and 3rd, 1 down.

Kurodai pops it up! Ishigaki behind the mound makes the catch, 2 out!

Kodachi delivers again! He singles to center and Iidzuka can score giving Nihon Bunri the 2-1 lead!

Ikeda flies out to right, but now we know why they're keeping him in the lineup!

Bottom 2nd
One down and bench starter Harada lines a ball down the left field line all the way to the wall for a double!

Takano single to left! Harada holds up at 3rd, but it's clear opportunities are to be had on both sides!

Grounder to 2nd! Arai goes for the double play, 4-6-3 and Iidzuka is out of the inning!

Top 3rd
Funabasama finally has a clean inning. Bunri hits a couple of fly balls but nothing of consequence.

Bottom 3rd
Yaoita with his 2nd hit in as many ABs with a single up the middle. Fujiwara moves him over, but then puts Yaginuma on with a free pass.

Yasuda can't get the timely as he pops out to Kodachi in foul territory.

Isagi grounder to 2nd, Arai has trouble fielding it, but does go to 1st for the 3rd out.

Top 4th
Kamakura with a basehit back up the middle, but neither Iidzuka, Hoshi or Kurodai can do anything to get him around. More specifically Hoshi his a hard shot to the left side, but Ishigaki makes the diving catch.

Bottom 4th-6th
I had nodded off with 2 outs, but apparently I had missed out on an exciting inning, because there was an error by Arai on a grounder by Takano. Funasako then hit an infield single to short. Iiduka then walked Yaoita to load the bases for Fujiwara.

However Fujiwara would ground out to short and Seikou's chance was left begging.

The next 2 innings would be almost uneventful. Nihon Bunri had the best chance in the 6th as Takeishi had a 1-out triple to center - but Kamakura was swinging at anything in the zone and wind up chasing a slider for the 2nd out and Iidzuka fouled out to end the inning.

Top 7th
Hoshi with a chopper up the middle got the Bunri offense again as Kurodai moved him into scoring position. But with 2 down, after Ikeda drew a walk, Kobayashi would bloop one to the right side. All the fielders converged on the ball, but no one could get to it. Hoshi scored from 2nd and extended their lead to 3-1.

Bottom 7th
Yaoita tried to jump-start the Seikou offense with a base hit up the middle. Saitou-kantoku elects to go with the hit-and-run, but Fujiwara fouls out.

The rally would stall because after Yasuda drew a 2-out walk, Isagi grounded to 2nd and that was that.

Bottom 8th
After Funabasama got a 1-2-3 inning, Seikou got another leadoff runner as Ishigaki lined a single to left. But after a sac but to at least get 1 run. PH Fujita and Satou completely wasted the opportunity in just 4 pitches.

Top 9th
Saitou-kantoku having almost sold out send in #18 Imaizumi.

But after 2 outs it all collapsed. After he gave up 2 singles, Imaizumi hit 3 straight batters, driving in 2 and extending the lead to 5-1.

Bottom 9th
Yamagumi would get a 2-out base hit for Seikou, but otherwise the game was over as Nihon Bunri would win 5-1.

Seikou Gakuin had chances early, had chances late while the game was still close, but they were 2-12 with runners in scoring position and could only push 1 run across.

And so one of the better runs for a Fukushima squad ends in the quarterfinals. Nihon Bunri meanwhile gets one step closer to another final and perhaps a chance at a title.Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-31486249738520346162014-08-22T13:10:00.000+09:002014-08-22T15:10:16.125+09:00Jyunjyunkesshou Game 3 - Osaka Touin (Osaka) v. Kendai Takasaki (Gunma)People may not realize that back in 2012 these two teams faced off. Kendai back then was like the Kendai now, free running and exciting the crowd.

But when they faced Osaka Touin, they got thrown out once and we never saw them try again as they fell 3-1.

If they have to running game, they are lost. That's all I think it really boils down to.

Osaka Touin (Osaka)
LF Nakamura Makoto
2B Minemoto Takumi
3B Katsuki Kazuya
1B Shouzui Yuuya (#8)
RF Aoyagi Kouki (#13)
C Yokoi Yuuya
CF Mori Shinnosuke (#9)
SS Fukuda Kouki
P Fukushima Kousuke

Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi (Gunma)
CF Hirayama Takayuki
2B Hoshino Yuusuke
RF Wakimoto Naoto
1B Nagashima Ryouhei
C Tsuge Sena
LF Yamagami Takashi
3B Shibahiki Ryousuke (#15)
SS Yokomizo Takuto
P Kawai Tomoya (#11)

______________________________________________________

13:10 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Kawai gets an easy popup from Nakamura to start.

Minemoto hot shot to 3rd, Shibahiki with a great stop and throw gets him out.

Katsuki high chopper up middle, Yokomizo ranges, gets it, spins, throws.. but not in time!

He took an extra step and that probably cost him the out.

Shouzui with a single through the left side and could they be in trouble like Kousei?

No! Kawai snaga the comebacker from Aoyagi and goes to 1st to retire the side!

Bottom 1st
We'll see if they can run right off the bat as Fukushima walks Hirayama!

And he does! Throw from Yokoi is high and he's in safely!

Hoshino with the bunt! Yokoi can only go to 1st. 1 down.

Wakimoto does his job! He hits a ball to center! Mori catches, fires home as Hirayama tags up, but it's not in time! Kendai leads 1-0!

Nagashima bloops a ball to center that falls in front of Mori.

But Fukushima with a quick toss to 1st gets Nagashima to end the inning!

Top 2nd
Yokoi hot shot to 3rd! Shibahiki with a wave of the hand picks the high bounce! He loses it on the way down, but gathers it and throws to 1st... out! Nice play by the 2nd year!

Mori with a liner to center, but Nakamura comes in and is there to make the catch.

Fukuda a bit early on the ball, controls his swing, but grounds to 1st. Nagashima takes it to the bag for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
So the only thing that can derail Kendai is simply not having any baserunners.

And I'm not sure if they'll be able to hit for one, because here in the 2nd both Tsuge and Yamagami both are fooled on Fukushima's pitches and ground out while Shibahiki can't hold up his swing on a ball in the dirt.

Top 3rd
Osaka Touin not having as hard of a time getting on base. Fukushima singles back up the middle, and is bunted along to 2nd.

Kawai climbs the ladder on Katsuki and he swings! Yokomizo camps under it for the 2nd out.

Shouzui liner to center, Hirayama charging in, reaches out.. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hirayama misses the ball and it gets by! Fukushima scores! Minemoto being waved around and he scores on the lucky triple! Osaka Touin leads 2-1!

Aoyagi fouls out to Nagashima, but that decision to go for it by Hirayama costs them the lead!

Bottom 3rd
2 Ks at the bottom of the lineup and we're back to Hirayama.

He tries the safety bunt! Katsuki charging in and fires to 1st... SAFE!! He barely head slides in ahead of the throw.

And then he takes of for 2nd! Yokoi's throw... Fukuda can't secure it! Hirayama trying to manufacture another run on his own.

Hoshino with a ball to right, Aoyagi backing up makes the catch to retire the side.

Top 4th
Osaka Touin is playing small ball??!!

After Yokoi singles to center, Mori bunts him over! This feels odd coming from them.

Because Fukuda strikes out swinging on a slider in the dirt, and Fukushima simply grounds out to 1st for the 3rd out. I guess they figure those 2 can't normally hit.

Bottom 4th
Wakimoto with a slicer down the right field line! Aoyagi runs it down, but he's in with a double! Nagashima with the push bunt forces Katsuki to field it and Wakimoto advances to 3rd.

Tsuge takes a pitch the other way... and that's in for a basehit! Wakimoto can walk home and we're all tied at 1-1!

2 down for Kendai and Aoyagi-kantoku calls the hit-and-run! Shibahiki takes the ball to right and there's runners at the corners!

Shibahiki takes off to 2nd! Yokomizo swings and misses! Throw to 2nd and Tsuge takes off for home! Minemoto's cuts the ball but loses the grip! Tsuge scores!!

NO!

The home plate umpire calls Yokomizo for batter's interference on the throw and he's out! We're still tied at 2-2!

(Personally, I don't know if that was the right call...)

Top 5th
Aoyagi-kantoku figures 4 innings is enough for Kawai and #10 Matsuno comes in to take over.

But he walks Nakamura to start the 5th.

Minemoto not bunting, but kinda throws the bat at the ball down 1-2 and dribbles it to the left side like a bunt. He advances the runner nonetheless.

AH! Pitch from Matsuno is high and deflects off Tsuge's glove! Nakamura takes off for 3rd and reaches with no throw!

Katsuki hits a ball to left, but it's too shallow and Nakamura can't score.

Matsuno gets out of the pinch as Shouzui grounds out to short! Yokomizo's completes the play at 1st and Kendai holds serve.

Bottom 5th
Hoshino with a 2-out liner to center brings up Wakimoto. But will Hoshino run?

Wakimoto swings!!!

Drive to right! Aoyagi heading towards the foul pole! Still going! He's in front of the fence!

Makes the catch!!!

The hamakaze finally wins a match and it's at the expense of Wakimoto!

We hit the break and so far Kendai has been able to run, but not to the extent of other games, but some bad luck has prevented them from taking the lead. But they have proven that they will try the double steal!

Top 6th
Aoyagi becomes Matsuno's 1st K victim as he chases the slider. Yokoi becomes the 2nd after swinging at a ball in the opposite batters box!

Mori flies out to left, and it's another scoreless inning for Kendai!

Bottom 6th
Kendai's batters continue to mostly struggle against Fukushima. 2 down, Yamagami gets on base as a short chopper forces Minemoto to charge in and his underhand flip is too high and takes Shouzui off the bag.

Yamagami takes off for 2nd but Yokoi tries to frame the pitch for the K instead! Doesn't get the call and Yamagami is in scoring position!

But Shibahiki flies out to right and that ends things in the 6th.

Top 7th
Matsuno on the verge of walking leadoff batter Fukuda, but gets him to chase the slider inside for the out.

Fukushima with a single to right turns the lineup over for Nakamura.

He hits a drive to left! Yamagami heading to the fence, but he's pulling up!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leadoff batter Nakamura puts Osaka Touin ahead with one swing! 4-2!

Ah! And now Matsuno hits Minemoto! Aoyagi-kantoku quickly scrambles the bullpen.

Minemoto takes off for 2nd! Throw from Tsuge... not in time!! Katsuki with a flyout to right advances the runner to 3rd.

Oy, Matsuno walks Shouzui.

After an 0-1 pitch up and in, Aoyagi-kantoku calls time.

It doesn't help! (I think) Matsuno walks Aoyagi and the bases are loaded! Perhaps they figure that marginal run they would score is worth getting a force at any base.

Yokoi swings on the first pith though and hits a pop fly to Nagashima for the 3rd out.

Bottom 7th
One down and #17 Kinjyou hits for Matsuno, but he goes down on 3 pitches all on the slider it seems. Really a waste of an AB.

2 down, and while Hirayama draws a walk, his run would only make it a 1-run game.

He goes for 2nd, and with it ties the record for SB at Koushien!

The record is nice, but I think he wants the win.

Liner to right side, Shouzui dives, makes the catch!! That denies them the run!

Top 8th
Grounder to short, AHHH!!!

It takes a high hop and hits him in the head! Mori is safe, but how is Yokomizo?

Oh, the replay shows the ball hitting his neck, but that still hurts.

Fukuda grounder up middle! Yokomizo knocks it down but can only go to 1st.

Mori advances to 3rd with a fly ball to right.

Nakamura shot at 3rd... And Shibahiki can't pick it! It goes to left and Mori scores to make it a 3-run margin at 5-2.

Takahashi gets Minemoto to end the inning, but 3 runs in 2 innings is a lot to ask of Kendai.

Bottom 8th
Hoshino liner up right side, but Shouzui snags that one too!

2 down, Tsuge with a shallow fly to left center. Mori charges in, dives but can't get there. It kicks awa and Tsuge is in with a double.

Yamagami with a drive to center, but Mori going back easily fields it and Kendai may fall once again to the powerhouse.

Top 9th
#5 Nakasuji comes in for Yokomizo.

Takahashi retires the side in order, but his team is against the wall.

Bottom 9th
Kendai goes quietly in 9th and Osaka Touin defeats Kendai Takasaki once again 5-2 to advance to Best 4.

Kendai didn't deviate from their plan, but you could say they were partially a victim of bad luck. The batter's interference on the double steal, Wakimoto's deep fly that just missed being a HR, the two liners that Shouzui were able to snag. It just wasn't their day.

And it's too bad because their baseball is so fun to watch and something you just don't see everyday. There are parts of their team that are young, so perhaps we'll see this team again soon. Goro Shigenohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-78226330803937438822014-08-22T10:50:00.001+09:002014-08-22T12:48:45.629+09:00Jyunjyunkesshou Game 2 - Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori) v. Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui)Mie makes their first foray into the Best 4, who will join them next?

Kousei has barely survived their two games, needing some help from Bushuukan to win late, then only prevailed against Seiryou in 10 innings. It certainly doesn't feel like the teams from several years ago that reached 3 consecutive calendar finals.

And worse yet, they're facing the offensive juggernaut this year.

No, not Osaka Touin (again), but Tsuruga Kehi!

The Fukui representative have outscored their opponents 42-2! And simply put, until a team can prove that they're not who we see they are, they have to be considered one of, if not the favorite.

Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori)
3B Houjyou Hiroyuki
SS Adachi Yuuya
1B Moriyama Hiroki
2B Fukae Taisei
RF Arai Katsunori
LF Nakazaki Jyukiya (#16)
CF Arai Katsutaka
C Baba Ryuusei (#12)
P Goya Kai (#11)

Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui)
1B Shinohara Ryou
3B Shimomura Takamasa
SS Asai Kouya
C Okada Kouta
CF Mine Kentarou
RF Oyana Shou
P Hiranuma Shouta
LF Yamamoto Akihiro
2B Nakamoto Takahiro

____________________________________________________________

10:55 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Interesting! After Houjyou grounds out to 3rd, he walks up to Moriyama in the on-deck circle and relays info about Hiranuma!

Meanwhile, Adachi draws a 4-pitch walk.

Moriyama not bunting.. works the count, and he draws a walk!

Fukae decides to go for it, but uppercuts the 2-1 pitch. Shimomura in foul territory makes the catch for the 2nd out.

SANSHIN!!

Hiranuma gets out of the inning as Katsunori is twisted on a fastball down and in for the 3rd out! Kousei certainly trying to work the count against Hiranuma, but can't get the timely to drive in the run.

Bottom 1st
Goya getting the bench start, definitely a bit tentative, but still attacking the Kehi batters.

Shinohara liner, but right at Moriyama. Shimomura with a foul fly, and Moriyama makes that catch near the fence for the 2nd out.

But then he walks Asai and Okada bak to back and without having to swing a bat they have a chance to score.

Ah, well....

Mine with a drive to right. Nakazaki not even moving.

That, my friends is a no-doubter. 3-0 Tsuruga Kehi.

Oyana follows that up with a single to center.

But thankfully for Goya, he strikes out Hiranuma to retire the side. But the Tsuruga Kehi offense is already up and running.

Top 2nd
Looks like the bottom of the lineup has abandoned the patient strategy. 9 pitches Hiranuma needs to retire the side in the 2nd.

Bottom 2nd
Yamamoto with a single to right to start the inning.

Ah.... Goya hits Nakamoto on the head. He looks ok, but is replaced at 1st for an injury runner in Oyana.

Goya meanwhile makes way for #10 Yagi.

And including a sac bunt, Yagi retires the side in order!

Top 3rd
10 pitches to retire the side - this game feels like it's over already.

Bottom 3rd
And one down, Mine and Oyana both single to left, Nakazaki's defense a bit shaky.

Yagi gets out of the inning as Hiranuma lines to 2nd and Fukae doubles off Oyana.

Top 4th
Fukae grounder up the 3rd base line... fair!! Shimomura can't make the diving catch and he's in with a double!

AH! And now a balk is called on Hiranuma! He never gets set.

But Hiranuma comes right back to get Katsunori to chase a slider in the dirt and jams Nakazaki into a short fly that he catches himself.

Bottom 4th
Yamamoto comes around to score when after a leadoff hit and a bunt+groundout move him to 3rd, Shimomura singles to center. 4-0.

Top 5th
More of the same from Kousei. Sadly nothing of note.

Bottom 5th
Leadoff single from Okada comes in after a bunt and double off the wall in center. 5-0.

Yamamoto with 2 down goes to deep right center and off the wall for a triple, 6-0.

Ace Nakagawa comes in for Yagi.

Nakamura welcomes him with a single through the right side, 7-0.

Shinohara grounds out to end the inning, and as we hit the break the only question left to ask is can Kousei prevent Kehi from scoring double digits?

Top 6th
3 up, 3 down...

Bottom 6th
#17 Takaku in for Nakazaki in LF.

Kehi is on the verge of scoring another run when Asai gets hit by Nakagawa, steals 2nd and takes 3rd on Baba's throwing error. Mine grounds to 3rd, so no run.

Top 7th
Fukae with the leadoff walk. One down, Takaku singles through the right side.

2 down and Takaku goes for 2nd and gets no throw from Okada.

Baba with a single to left, Fukae and Takaku score preventing the shutout at 7-2.

Bottom 7th
Nakagawa walks his counterpart, but otherwise pitches a clean frame. Kehi still siting at 7 runs.

Top 8th
Moriyama gets a 2-out single, but that's all that Kousei can muster.

Bottom 8th
#7 Kitanuki getting playing time in RF for Arai Katsunori.

PH #17 Matsuoka, in for Shinohara, draws a walk and is replaced by #16 Yonemitsu.

With 2 outs, #18 Matsmoto comes in for Katsutaka and goes to 1B, Moriyama goes to LF and Takaku goes to CF.

Top 9th
Didn't even need notice it was raining at Koushien.

Yonemitsu stays in to play 1B.

Captain Chiba gets an AB in the final frame, but like so many other innings, they go down in order as Tsuruga Kehi wins 7-2.

Sadly for Kousei their run ended about as quickly as it could have as Mine hit the 3-run HR in the 1st inning. After that they played a catchup game they couldn't win.

And so the same story repeats itself...

Kehi perhaps looked a little more "vulnerable" with Nakagawa shutting them down, but it could also be because they know they're playing in 2 days.Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-54748431055198622332014-08-22T08:07:00.001+09:002014-08-24T10:06:25.432+09:00Jyunjyunkesshou Game 1 - Mie (Mie) v. Okinawa Shougaku (Okinawa)And then there were 8. The contingent of Tokoku and Hokushinetsu teams are still there, though depleted over the last couple of days.

Mie, though not in those regions, probably shares some of the hopes they do in that they're not a prefecture known for strong baseball. And yet they're here in the Best 8 and got there their own way - by making sure they grinded their way there. Whatever the score, they will wind up playing a close game.

Okinawa Shougaku showed it had some backbone when stood up by Nishougakushadai Fuzoku. There has always been a feeling of not performing to their potential, but this year they've seemed to buck that by defeating not Nishougakushadai Fuzoku and in the first round Sakushin Gakuin.

But there's still something that makes me a non-believer. Whether it was the fact they couldn't keep their lead, or the fact that they've shown promise before. Winning this game might start pushing people towards believers.

Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Yamamoto Youma (#10)
3B Uchida Ren
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou

Okinawa Shougaku (Okinawa)
CF Akamine Ken
2B Nakamura Masaki (#13)
LF Nishihira Daiki
3B Asato Takeru
RF Kubo Shuuto
1B Uehara Kouta
SS Sunagawa Osamu
P Yamashiro Daichi
C Irabu Shouta

____________________________________________________________

08:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Nagano with a base hit past a diving Nakamura into center. Sada bunts him along.

おっと! Yamashiro hits Utsunomiya (who hasn't done a lot at the plate!) Okishou in some trouble early!

Nishioka single to right! Nagano being waved home! Throw goes to 3rd and Mie leads 1-0!

SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yamamoto tries the squeeze, but bunts it foul! That puts him at 2 strikes and probably swinging.

Perhaps he should have three-bunted....

He makes a very poor swing on a slider almost in the other batter's box for the 2nd out.

Uchida does the same, and perhaps wishes he didn't make contact as he just rolls a ball to short where Sunagawa just tosses it to 2nd for the 3rd out.

Yamashiro prevents further damage, though even if Mie scored runs, they'd probably give them back in the name of grinding out the game.

Bottom 1st
Akamine hits a ball to right for a base hit, but Seko is a bit lazy in getting the ball in, allowing Akamine to take 2nd!

After a sac bunt, Imai making things really hard on himself as he hits Nishihira.

Asato grounder to 3rd! Akamine going home stops and he's in a rundown! But he's alertly smart about it and gives the runners enough time to advance as far as they can before being tagged out.

So a base hit is still dangerous.

First base is still open, but Imai decides to fight against Kubo. Count runs full..

SANSHIN!

Kubo sprints out of the box but the home plate umpire rings him up for the 3rd out! Imai wiggles out of another one!

Top 2nd
Seko can't help out at the plate right now either as Yamashiro puts one at the knees for the first out.

Nakamura simply hits a ball back to Yamashiro for the 2nd out, and then Mie's batters need to know the proper way to stay alive as he just take a slow swing and hits it right to Sunagawa.

Bottom 2nd
Imai also having an easier time of it after the opening frame. Uehara strikes out on the outside slider, and then he gets 2 groundouts for a 1-2-3 inning.

Top 3rd
2 down and Utsunomiya singles to right. Yamashiro tries to be careful with Nishioka, but winds up walking him.

Small chance for Mie, but Yamamoto can't get the base hit as he grounds to 3rd to end the inning.

Bottom 3rd
Akamine with his 2nd hit of the game, a one-out single to left. But Imai gets himself out of the inning quickly as Kubo grounds into the 6-4-3 double play.

Top 4th
Yamashiro and his control again coming into play as he gives up a one-out walk to Seko. Nakabayashi not bunting with 1 down, bloops one to shallow center. Ken coming in, but he won't get there in time! It falls in and everyone's safe as Seko scrambles into 2nd.

That gets Higa-kantoku to call time.

Iimai grounder to 1st, Uehara goes to 2nd for 1, but Sunagawa sees no play at 1st and snap throws to 3rd just in case Seko went too far (he didn't).

Nagano drive to right! Kubo sprinting back to the wall! It'll fall in near the wall! Seko scores, Imai all the way from 1st scores on the 2R triple! 3-0 Mie!

Sada grounds to 3rd, but Mie's captain giving his team some insurance runs!

Bottom 4th
Which Imai starts giving back!

Asato with a deep drive to left! Yamamoto back towards the left field foul pole...

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mie is never comfortable with a big lead and Asato helps dent that large lead a little. One out solo HR from Okishou's cleanup batter and it's 3-1!

Kubo follows that up with a single to center! And then Uehara with a seeing-eye single sends Uehara to 3rd and Okishou threatens again!

Nakamura-kantoku calls for time.

But Sunagawa hits a drive to left! Yamamoto scrambling back to the wall, turns, and makes the catch right at the wall!

Kubo tags up and it's a 3-2 ballgame!

Imai strikes out his counterpart for the 3rd out, but once again, Mie makes it a tenuous situation for itself.

Top 5th
Utsunomiya having a great game at the plate so far, gets his 2nd hit of the game with a single through the left side.

Then promptly gets himself thrown out by a very wide margin at 2nd. Boy that looked odd.

Nishioka with a drive to left! Nishihira going back to the wall! He gives up!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not to be outdone, Mie's cleanup batter says to Asato, "Hey, I can do that too!" And the ball goes up about 10 rows for a 4-2 lead!

And now Yamamoto finally gets his basehit when there's no runners in scoring position (sic). Single to center and Yamashiro is getting hit hard - not to mention he's already at 94 pitches!!

Uchida with a blooper to left, Nishihira comes in, but has to play it on a hop!

Seko chopper to 3rd, Asato has it goes to AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He loses the ball on the transfer! And by the time he picks it back up everyone's safe!!

But Yamashiro comes right back and blows a ball past Nakabayashi for the 2nd out.

Imai drive to left center! Nishihira won't get this one! Everyone will come around to score on the bases clearing triple by Imai! 7-2 Mie!!

Nagano single to center! Imai being sent home and Mie takes a 8-2 lead! Nagano takes 2nd on the throw and it certainly looks like they're trying to break that cycle!

Well, we'll see. Sada grounds out to short, so we'll see if this lead can stick, or like all the other ones they start giving it right back.

Bottom 5th
Well... Irabu leadoff single to left...

Imai gets Akamine to regrettably swing on a slider for strike 3.

Nakamura with a short liner to left, but Yamamoto is there for the catch for out number 2.

And at least for an inning Mie seems to have held the large lead... Nishihira swings over the slider for strike 3.

So, we hit the break with Mie all over Okishou ace Yamashiro. But their penchant for close games makes any lead seem unsafe.

Top 6th
Higa-kantoku makes the pitching change. Kubo comes in from right to take the hill while Yamashiro goes to take Kubo's position in RF.

Utsunomiya with a soft liner up the middle, his counterpart Sunagawa stretches out and makes the leaping catch.

Mie's batters seem to be swinging way too early on Kubo's pitches as evidenced by their repeated reaching out to the ball. Yamamoto is able to take a pitch down the right side for a double, but Uchida right afterwards is early too and just pops it up for Sunagawa.

Bottom 6th
Well, Imai walks leadoff batter Asato, thought that's understandable.

Kubo chopper to 2nd, Sada charges turns and backpedal flips to 2nd for one, Utsunomiya to 1st for the double play.

Uehara rolls a ball to 1st and it's another clean inning.

Top 7th
Seko with a blooper to center that falls in for a base hit. Nakabayashi tries to bunt the runner along, but winds up with 2 strikes. Goes for the bust-and-run, singles through the open left side.

Now Imai is able to get a bunt down, but it's not good at all. Kubo goes to 3rd and they almost double off Imai at 1st.

Nagano fares worse as he hits into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

Bottom 7th
Leadoff batter reaches yet again as Sunagawa singles up the middle.

あ。 #10 Kinjyou hits for Yamashiro, officially ending his nightmare day. Kinjyou though goes down swinging.

Irabu, ahead 3-1 lines a single to left and they're in business here in the Lucky 7.

Akamine with a liner to right, but right at Seko for the 2nd out.

Nakamura liner up middle, off Imai's glove! Utsunomiya there to pick it up, fires to first for the 3rd out!

Top 8th
Kinjyou stays in the game to play RF.

Sada with his first basehit of the game, lines a single to left. Utsunomiya bunts him along.

With first base open, they're careful with Nishioka and wind up walking him.

Yamamoto liner, but right to Nakamura. Sada straying a bit too far is doubled off at 2nd and the side is retired.

Bottom 8th
Again, Okishou gets the leadoff runner on. This time Nishihira's hot shot eats up Uchida and it goes into foul territory.

Asato grounder to 2nd, AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Sada just whiffs on the ball and it goes to right! Nishihira takes 3rd on the error!

Kubo with another grounder to 2nd! Sada has this one, goes to 2nd for one, but Utsunomiya double clutches and the throw to 1st isn't in time! Nishihira scores to make it 8-3.

Uehara grounder to 1st, but Nishioka has it! Tags 1st, throws to 2nd where Utsunomiya tags Kubo for the 3rd out.

Top 9th
Higa-kantoku sends another person to the hill, this time 1B Uehara. Kubo goes back to RF and Kinjyou goes to 1B.

Uchida with a really awkward swing on a ball inside hits it to right. Kubo going back towards he foul pole??!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That ball went out? That didn't even look like a HR swing to me, it felt more like a stay alive swing.

Uehara only yields a 2-out walk to Imai, but gets out harmless otherwise.

Bottom 9th
#18 Matsumura in the game now to play RF.

2 down, Irabu gets a base hit up the middle, and is replaced by #12 Akamine Taku.

Ken grounds to 1st, Nishioka goes to the bag, and Mie is in the Best 4 for the first time in school history with a 9-3 win!!

Mie, long a participant at Koushien, has never been able to make a deep run until now. Starting with their win over Kouryou they have persevered through the field and are now into the Best 4 with this win. This win seemed uncharacteristic in that Mie was actually able to keep a big lead. One would hope that doesn't mean that they've peaked too early. They are after all just 1 game from the finals!

Alas, for Okinawa Shougaku the run falls short yet again. It's odd, they've had the team to challenge for the Koushien title, but whether it be the schedule or the weather, they just not been able to break through. That'll be it for this team of players, the kouhai's will have to step up and sooner rather than later because aki taikais are underway.Goro Shigenohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-83715967814095973412014-08-21T15:51:00.000+09:002014-08-21T17:55:13.725+09:00Day 11, Game 4 - Yamagata Chuo (Yamagata) v. Kendai Takasaki (Gunma)()

Yamagata Chuo (Yamagata)
2B Takahashi Yuusuke (#14)
LF Takahashi Ryuusei
RF Nagai Daichi
3B Aoki Riku
1B Takahashi Kazuki
SS Nakamura Ryuu
CF Takahashi Ryousuke
C Abe Koutarou
P Satou Ryousuke (#11)

Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi (Gunma)
CF Hirayama Takayuki
2B Hoshino Yuusuke
RF Wakimoto Naoto
1B Nagashima Ryouhei
C Tsuge Sena
LF Yamagami Takashi
3B Shibahiki Ryousuke (#15)
SS Yokomizo Takuto
P Ishige Rikito (#18)

__________________________________________________

15:50 - First Pitch

Top 1st
After Yuusuke strikes out looking, Ryuusei hits one clean back up the middle for a single. But while Nagai also hits one back up the middle, it's much slower and Yokomizo starts the 6-3 double play to end the inning.

Bottom 1st
The last thing you want to do is give Kendai a free baserunner... and yet Ryousuke walks Hirayama!

But instead of stealing, with a lefty on the mound, Hoshino bunts the runner along.

But now on 2nd, Hirayama breaks for 3rd! Abe tries to be too quick and the ball goes all the way to the backstop!

Wakimoto grounds to short, and Nakamura goes to 1st ceding the run! Wakimoto is barely beaten out, but his team leads 1-0! Nagashima fouls out to Abe to end the inning.

Top 2nd
えええええええええええええ?????????

Aoki with a drive to right center! Hirayama going back to the wall!!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where did this power come from?? Aoki completely laughs at the hamazake and drives a douten HR to the right side of the field! 1-1!

Ishige needs just 7 pitches to retire the next 3 batters, but Yamagata Chuo immediately gets the run back!

Bottom 2nd
Ryousuke is apparently going between his fastball and slow curve to try and throw off the batters.

Seems to be working as Kendai's batters are unable to make good contact on the ball and thusly reach base.

Top 3rd
Meanwhile, Yamagata's batters are having a hard time with Ishige's slower fastball (he only hits the high 120s). Koutarou and Satou Ryousuke both strike out.

Yuusuke hits a chopper to the right side, Nagashima tosses to Ishige but Yuusuke beats him out to the bag!

Ryuusei with a single down the left field line! Yamagami is up with it quickly and Yuusuke can only take 2nd on the hit.

Nagai giving Ishige a long AB, spoiling pitch after pitch.

Finally on the 11th pitch, Ishige gets him to pop it up! Tsuge in foul territory on 1st side makes catch!

Bottom 3rd
Well, this isn't good. Satou Ryousuke is giving free passes! First he hits Yokomizo... and then walks Ishige!!

Hirayama with the bunt, Aoki with it fires to... nobody!!!

Nobody is covering 1st! All safe!!

Shouji-kantoku calls for time. And Aoyagi-kantoku sends in #16 Mochida to run for Ishige, his day is done!

Hoshino grounder to 1st, Kazuki double clutches but goes home! They get the force. 1 down.

Wakimoto down 1st base line.. FAIR!!!! It gets by Kazuki and the runners are off to the races! One in..2 in! AHHH!!!

Nagai throws the ball away! Hoshino comes in and it's 3 runs to the good! 4-1 Kendai on Wakimoto's triple!

That's it for Satou. Ace Ishikawa comes in to take the hill.

He gets the second out by getting Nagasima to line out to left.

Tsuge with a ball back up the middle! Wakimoto scores and its 5-1.

Yamagami with a ball through the left side, and that's for a base hit.

Ishikawa re-loads the bases! He walks Shibahiki and it really can be an early end for Yamagata Chuo!

He falls behind Yokomizo 3-1 before filling up the count. Grounder to 3rd, Aoki takes it himself for the 3rd out.

Top 4th
Ace Takahashi Kazuki takes over on the hill. And already he makes a bid for best Takahashi in the game as he strikes out Aoki, the other Takahashi Kazuki, then gets a groundout from Nakamura.

Bottom 4th
Kendai's Kazuki gets a base hit to center, but he doesn't try to steal a base, and Ishikawa retires the next 3 batters.

Top 5th
Takahashi Ryousuke sends a ball down the right field line for a double.

Koutarou reaches down and lines a ball down the left field side! Yamagami has to chase after it and Ryousuke scores! 5-2!

Yuusuke singles through the left side! Koutarou goes to 3rd, but halts there.

Ryuusei with a ball back up middle! Ryousuke scores and its a 2-run ballgame! 5-3!

Big chance for Yamagata Chuo to pull within 1 or tie it, but Nagai hits one to short! Yokomizo starts the 6-4-3 double play to finish the inning.

Bottom 5th
Ishikawa playing with fire again. He walks Nagashima to lead off the inning, and the Yamagami with one down! But Kendai is not doing their running game at all with Ishikawa on the hill! He gets the next 2 batters out and we hit the break with Kendai Takasaki playing a much different game but tentatively still ahead.

Top 6th
It's a quick inning for Kazuki as he retires the side in just 8 pitches.

Bottom 6th
Hirayama with a one out single to right, and now they start running! He takes off for 2nd, but Koutarou gives no throw!

Hoshino singles to center and that will score Hirayama! Kendai gets back one of the runs and lead 6-3!

And he takes of for 2nd, and again with no throw!

Ishikawa retires the next 2 batters but Kendai starting to show their speed.

Top 7th
Kazuki gives up a one out walk to Koutarou, but Yuusuke's bid for a basehit with 2 outs is robbed by Yokomichi.

Bottom 7th
Yamagami with a ball to the left side. Nakamura runs it down, quick throw to 1st, but Kazuki's stretch can't quite get the ball!

Shibahiki follows that up with a single up the middle and they threaten to open the game up!

But Yokomizo grounds into the 4-6-3 double play and the deficit remains at 3.

Top 8th
Nagai with a 1-out bloop single, but they're hitting everything into the air but not hard. They're easy plays for the defense and Yamagata Chuo is running out of time.

Bottom 8th
(I held on as long as I can, but it's pretty much it for me today)

Besides, it kinds of goes awry as Kendai adds on 2 more runs and should be on their way to the Best 8.

Top 9th
Yamagata Chuo goes quietly in order and Kendai Takasaki hits the best 8 with an 8-3 win.Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-39921720090315689902014-08-21T13:15:00.000+09:002014-08-21T15:25:48.054+09:00Day 11, Game 3 - Oumi (Shiga) v. Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima)()

Oumi (Shiga)
LF Horiguchi Yuuka (#9)
CF Oda Kaito
SS Ueda Kai
3B Hibi Ryousuke
2B Nakaya Jyunpei
1B Yamamoto Daichi (#18)
C Minobe Naoki
P Ogawa Ryouken
LF Sasaji Kenta (#17)

Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima)
LF Yaoita Takumaru
2B Fujiwara Issei
3B Yaginuma Kentarou
1B Yasuda Kouki
CF Isagi Shun
RF Iijima Tsubasa
SS Ishigaki Mitsuhiro
C Takano Kouki
P Imaizumi Keita (#18)

____________________________________________________________

13:20 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Horiguchi with a chopper up the middle, Imaizumi leaps but it goes off his glove! He loses where the ball went to and Horiguchi is on with an infield single!

Taga-kantoku goes for the bust-and-run, but Oda fouls it off. 2 strikes, but he's still showing bunt.

It's another hit-and-run, but Oda goes down swinging. Horiguchi is able to take 2nd.

But he's left stranded there after Ueda hits a comebacker to Imaizumi and Hibi feebly waves at a pitch well outside for Imai's 2nd K.

Bottom 1st
Yaoita with a single back up the middle. Fujiwara with the push bunt and Ogawa takes a bad angle! He falls behind, but Nakaya charging in makes the quick throw... just gets him!

Things get slightly easier after that as Yaginuma chases a low slider, and he snags a quick chopper back up the middle from Yasuda.

Top 2nd
The top of the 2nd has been brought to you by Ishigaki. Because he records/assist on all three outs from the Oumi lineup.

Bottom 2nd
2 down and Ishigaki hits a single to the left side that Ueda runs down, but can't finish the throw to 1st. But Ishigaki tries to steal 2nd and a nice swipe tag from Ueda.

Top 3rd
Sasaji gets on the board with a 1-out single to left, and Taga-kantoku elects to go for the one-timer as Horiguchi moves him along.

SANSHIN!!!!

After a prolonged AB, Ogawa freezes Oda on a changeup!

Bottom 3rd
One down and Imaizumi hits one back at Ogawa! He deflects it with the glove towards short, but Ueda can't do anything with it!

Yaoita with a drive to right center Sasaji running back, loses his hat and it falls in! He barehand the ball, fires it back in! Imaizumi being waved home! Nakaya to Yamamoto to Minobe... OUT!!!

It's a perfect relay for Oumi as they get Sasaji at the plate! 2 out!

Fujiwara grounds to 1st and they successfully defend the 0!

Top 4th
Ueda hard shot at 3rd, Yaginuma can't keep it in front of him and it bounces into left for a basehit!

Hibi swinging, right at Imaizumi! He makes the reflex catch! Boy, not much time to react there!

Nakaya blooper to center, Fujiawara, Ishigaki and Isagi converge, but it falls in! Oumi with a great chance with one out!

AH!!!! Yamamoto hits a grounder to short! Ishigaki starts the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning and Oumi comes away with nothing (except for a very dirty jersey for Yamamoto now).

Bottom 4th
Isagi gets another 2-out single for Seikou, but once again the next batter is retired and nothing comes out of it.

Top 5th
Imaizumi seems to be back on track after the last couple of innings. Also helps facing the bottom of the lineup as well. He retires the side in order and has righted the ship.

Bottom 5th
Ogawa with a wide pitch hits a ducking Ishigaki in the helmet. Not serious thankfully.

The temporary baserunner gets 2nd on a sac bunt and 3rd on a groundout.

But Yaoita can't plate him as he grounds out to Nakaya.

It's scoreless at the break, but Seikou has had a better time of it getting baserunners.

Top 6th
Horiguchi with his 2nd single, a lined shot to left center. Isagi is shaded that way and fires it in, leaving Horguchi with a long single.

AH! Imaizumi is called for a balk! On a pickoff throw he's called for the balk and Oumi has a runner in scoring position!

Saitou-kantoku calls for time, but can't stop the bunt from Oda.

Ueda with a drive to deep left!! Yaoita running back to the fence, still running! Leaps!

Makes the catch as he runs into the fence! Horiguchi will score, but Yaoita prevents more damage! 1-0 Oumi!

Hibi with a clean hit to center and Seikou could be in trouble.

Saitou-kantoku senses it too and sends in ace Funabasama to hold the line.

And he does striking out a frustrated Nakaya on a slider to end the inning. But Oumi has the lead as we emerge from the break!

Bottom 6th
Ogawa just needs 5 pitches to retire the side as the Seikou batters are swinging early and often.

Top 7th
Yamamoto earns a leadoff walk but Minobe pops up his bunt and Yasuda makes the running catch! Taga-kantoku has Ogawa lay one down as well - that goes down successfully.

Sasaji with a liner to left, but it's too hard as Yamamoto has to hold at 3rd. 2 down but Oumi challenging again!

Funabasama jams Horiguchi! He skies one to rigt and Iijima secures it for the out!

Bottom 7th
Ishigaki with 2 outs again for Seikou hts a deep ball to left! That bounces in front of the fence and he has a double!

Takano with a grounder to left side, Ueda charges, throws to 1st... and they get the out!

Top 8th

Oda with a lingle to left to start the inning, but Taga-kantoku tries the bunt and run! Ueda misses the ball and Takano throws to 2nd and they have Ishigaki easily!

Ueda and Hibi can't do anything after that and the side is retired.

Bottom 8th
Ogawa walks Imaizui and now the gyakuten runner steps into the box.

No bunt, but Yaoita hits it back to Ogawa! He goes to 2nd, Ueda doubletaps the bag and throws to 1st to complete the double play!

Ogawa walks another batter and that gets Taga-kantoku's attetion. Saitou-kantoku sends in #16 Minemura to run at 1B.

And they try to do it again! Minemura tries to steal 2nd, but Minobe cuts him down with an excellent throw once again!

Top 9th
#14 Fujita in for PR Minemura to play 2B.

Funabasama going on a quick pace retires Oumi in order, and allows his team one last chance to equalize.

Bottom 9th
Yaginuma gets his first hit of the game, a clean single through the right side and the douten runner is on base! Will Yasuda bunt?

He does! It's a safety bunt! Hibi charges, fires to 1st, but not nearly in time! Sayonara run in scoring position!!

Taga-kantoku calls for time.

Isagi bunts the runners along and it's #13 Ebinuma to hit for Iijima. With the runner on 2nd being the only runner that counts, I would walk the batter.

But they fight! Ebinuma grounds to 2nd, Nakaya fires home, but the throw delays Minobe's tag and everyone's safe! 1-1!

SQUEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ishigaki lays down the squeeze, Yamamoto fields it, but it's too late! Yasuda scores and Seikou Gakuin wins 2-1!

Oh, how a great game goes awry so quickly. Oumi perhaps failed to grasp the situation and play it differently. With Ebinuma in as the PH and runners and 2nd/3rd, walking him would have created a force play at any base. It would also have opened the possibility of a double play which would have ended the game.

Seikou Gakuin played that final inning to perfection and as a result are moving on.Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-4031116437065301962014-08-21T10:25:00.000+09:002014-08-21T13:06:22.416+09:00Day 11, Game 2 - Osaka Touin (Osaka) v. Yazu (Tottori)I don't have time for a writeup, but god speed Yazu...

Osaka Touin (Osaka)
LF Nakamura Makoto
2B Minemoto Takumi
3B Katsuki Kazuya
1B Masazui Yuuya (#8)
RF Aoyagi Kouki (#13)
C Yokoi Yuuya
CF Mori Shinnosuke (#9)
SS Fukuda Kouki
P Tanaka Seiya (#10)

Yazu (Tottori)
CF Nishihara Tomoya
2B Oomoto Takahisa
SS Nakao Naoya
1B Ookubo Ryouhei
C Nishigaki Masaki
LF Takeuchi Shun
RF Kawada Kenichirou
3B Fujiwara Naoki
P Kamatani Kouhei

______________________________________________________

10:40 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Well, Kamatani going after Nakamura and gets him looking on a fastball on the inner half!

Minemoto grounder to short, Oomoto with the throw, but just not enough on it to get the out.

Katsuki a simple fly to left and there's 2 out.

Minemoto takes off for 2nd! Nishigaki's throw to 2nd... In time! 3 out!

Bottom 1st
Nakao gets Yazu their first base hit after 2 quick outs. But he tries to steal 2nd... and backpedals as he's tagged.

Top 2nd
Masazui looks like he waited until the last minute to decide on swinging, flies out to center.

Aoyagi clean single through the left side.

Tokunaga-kantoku must have done a great coaching job on Kamatani as he's going right after Osaka Touin! Yokoi strikes out on a changeup on the outside edge!

Mori with a liner, but right to Takeuchi and it's another clean inning!

Bottom 2nd
Yazu's batters to start are stubborn at least. Nishigaki goes 7 pitches before he strikes out. Takeuchi goes 8 before finally placing one in right center for a base hit.

Kawada sharp shot up 1st base line, but Masazui makes a great backhanded stop! Goes to 1st for 3rd out.

Yazu in the early stages is holding their own. But this is a marathon and there are many innings to go.

Top 3rd
Kamatani getting 2 quick outs from the bottom of the lineup. He's have a clean inning, but an irregular bounce on a ball up they middle by Nakamura catches Nakao off guard and it goes into center.

Kamatani walks Minemoto... could this be where Osaka Touin strikes?

No! Katsuki gets jammed and he just rolls an easy ball to Ookubo! Tags 1st and Kamatani is out of the mini-pinch!

Bottom 3rd
Yazu meanwhile, cannot get any traction against relief starter Tanaka and go down in order.

Top 4th
One down for Osaka Touin and Aoyagi hits a single right in front of Takeuchi.

Yokoi with a blooper to center, Nakao and Nishihara converge, but it falls right in between them!

AH! Mori liner to left for a base hit! It's manrui for Osaka Touin! There's no place to put Fukuda as he steps in.

And Kamatani bends down as he thought for sure he had Fukuda on the 2-2 slider inside.

OSHIDASHI! His slider just misses outside and he walks in a run! Osaka Touin takes a 1-0 lead!

Tanaka grounder to 1st! Ookubo goes home and they get the lead runner. 2 down and Kamatani can still get out of the jam.

No!! His full count pitch to Nakamura goes low and he walks in another run! 2-0 Osaka Touin!

And now he hits Minemoto on the elbow! That brings in another run! 3-0 Osaka Touin and the dream for Yazu is crashing down hard.

Katsuki grounder up middle, Oomoto with a diving attempt, but can only deflect it! 2 runs are going to score on the play and they've blown it open now leading 5-0.

Masazui up for the 2nd time, records the 1st and 3rd outs of the inning, grounding out to short. But Kamatani, who had been strong all game has finally broken.

Bottom 4th
Trailing big now, Yazu still goes with their patience strategy, but it's still not producing any results. They are retired in order.

Top 5th
C Nishigaki removes the gear and will take the hill! Ace Kamatani gives way for #12 Ooishi who will do the receiving work now.

First up he strikes out Aoyagi on a fastball on the outer half. And then it's back-to-back flyouts from Mori and Yokoi! The C has a 1-2-3 inning! Good for him!

Bottom 5th
Sadly it's much of the same for Yazu. 3 up, 3 down.

It was a great first couple of innings as Yazu held serve with Osaka Touin, but with the 5 runs and the inability to get any hits by the Yazu offense the game looks all but over.

Top 6th
Nishigaki not exactly with great control either, as he walks Fukuda to start the inning. 2 down, he walks Nakamura as well.

And he can't keep a clean sheet. Katsuki singles to right scoring Fukuda from 2nd without a throw.

He does get the 3rd out after that, but it really does feel like formalities.

Bottom 6th
Nishihara with the one of the harder hits by a Yazu batter, but he lines out to Fukuda for the 3rd out. Bench starter Tanaka with a 2-hit shutout going.

Top 7th
Runner on 3rd, no out, Nakao makes a great sliding stop on a hard shot from Yokoi. He's able to hold the runner and make he play at 1st.

Mori iwth a ball right at Ookubo. He looks the runner back and goes to the bag for the 2nd out.

And Nishigaki strands the runner! Fukuda pops up the first pitch and Nakao is there on the foul line to make the catch!

Bottom 7th
16 straight retired by Tanaka after he finishes up his 5th consecutive clean inning.

8th-9th Innings
More players come in, Osaka Touin scores more runs. Final score 10-0.

To be honest, asking Yazu to win would be like asking any AA squad to beat a major league team. Sure, it's possible, but not probable. But you should dream for at least a little that you could beat them. But I'm sure there was a collective groan when they found out they were facing them. All you can do is shrug your shoulders, go out there and do what you can. Goro Shigenohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-34500142065514171362014-08-21T07:52:00.000+09:002014-08-22T15:11:42.008+09:00Day 11, Game 1 - Toyama Shougyou (Toyama) v. Nihon Bunri (Niigata)While perhaps these teams on this side of the bracket were worried about having to face Osaka Touin, perhaps they're relieved they didn't have to play Tsuruga Kehi.

Our 2nd half of Round of 16 games starts with another regional matchup, this time from the Hokushinetsu region. It's mainstays Nihon Bunri, versus a team stronger in their older days Toyama Shougyou.

Of course, don't let them hear me say that. They've actually done well so far slaying two big prefectures out of the tournament Nichidai Tsurugaoka and Kanzei giving up just 1 run in the process.

Now, they've scored only 5 runs in those games so that may be an issue later on if the pitching starts to falter a bit (They've only used Morita so far and he's starting today).

Nihon Bunri's had a slightly easier time of it, defeating Oita then coming back to edge out Touhou. Iidzuka looked much more in control in the 2nd game than the first lending some evidence that perhaps the walks were planned after all.

They have roughly the same offensive issues as Toyama Shougyou, so Iidzuka will need to do heavy lifting as well.

So on paper 2 similar squads.

Toyama Shougyou (Toyama)
CF Shiina Kouhei
2B Yokomichi Eiji
RF Sakamoto Jyunichirou
LF Kutsuwada Takuma
1B Katou Daisuke
C Tomikawa Seiya
3B Iwase Daiki
SS Yanase Kazuya
P Morita Shunya

Nihon Bunri (Niigata)
RF Hoshi Kenta
SS Kurodai Naito
CF Kodachi Otowa
3B Ikeda Takamasa
LF Kobayashi Masaya
2B Arai Makoto
1B Kataoka Yuuto
C Kamakura Wataru
P Iidzuka Satoshi

___________________________________________________________

08:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Not a great start for Iidzuka as he hits Kouhei, giving Tomishou a chance for a run early.

Maekawa-kantoku going for the hit-and-run instead of the bunt, but Yokomichi fouls it off.

Kouhei takes off for 2nd! Yokomich watches the fastball down the middle and he strikes out! Throw from Kamakura in time for the strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play!

Iidzuka though hits another batter in Sakamoto, but it doesn't wind up hurting him as Kutsuwada grounds to short to end the inning.

He's wild again today to start. Is there a plan in place?

Bottom 1st
Morita also starts off with a walk to the leadoff batter. Ooi-kantoku though has Kurodai bunt the runner over.

Kodachi perhaps expecting a slider outside, sees a slider go over the inner half and just freezes. 2 down.

But Morita gives 4 straight balls to Ikeda in a possible unintentional intentional walk to bring up Kobayashi.

He flies out to right and the inning is over. But both pitchers have throw quite a few pitches early.

Top 2nd
Katou with a single to center. Tomikawa showing bunt, but fouls a pair off and has to swing away it seems. A slider down and away sets him down.

Iwase grounder to short, Kurodai flips to 2nd from one knee, Arai's relay as Katou comes in.... and a great pick from Kataoka complete the 6-4-3 double play!

Bottom 2nd
Morita with another leadoff walk here in the 2nd.

Kataoka not bunting, but ends up surprised when he's rung on a changeup called on the outside edge.

Kamakura goes down swinging, but when Tomikawa throws to 3rd, Morita takes off and reaches 3rd!

Iidzuka a little early on the swings, actually slows the bat down and he single to right! Arai scores and Nihon Bunri leads 1-0!

Maezaki-kantoku calls for time.

Hoshi grounds out to Katou, and they almost blow it as Morita takes a little too much time to make it slightly uncomfortable.

Top 3rd
So this must be a plan. He walks the leadoff runner this game apparently and try to get Tomishou to bunt. This time around they do.

But Iidzuka comes back with the slider outside to nail Kouhei, and then Yokomichi get a slider in the middle, but he just grounds to 1st.

Bottom 3rd
No leadoff walk this time, instead he goes straight to retiring the 2-3-4 batters with no issues.

Top 4th
Neither side making any type of decent contact. Tomishou can't get the ball out of the infield and they're just switching places back and forth.

Bottom 4th
Kobayashi ball back up middle. Yanase runs it down, but his throw to 1st short hops Katou and unfortunately brings him into a running Kobayashi. He takes a tumble past the bag, but seems to be ok. As expected, he's bunted to 2nd.

Morita though continues to go to the hammer that is his slider, and it continues to work. Kataoka and Kamakura go down swinging for what is now Morita's 6th K!

Top 5th
Tomikawa ball up middle, Iidzuka stops it with his foot! throws to 1st and he gets the out! Now that's new! And it looks like he did it on the bottom of his cleat where there is a lot of protection.

2 down, Morita tries to hit a ball through the right side, but Arai runs it down near the grass, and makes a spin throw to 1st to retire the side.

Bottom 5th
Hoshi with a high chopper up middle, Yokomichi charges, makes throw, but not in time!

Kurodai shows bunt, but Morita puts it in the dirt! Tomikawa can't block it cleanly and Hoshi takes off for 2nd and reaches safely!

Kurodai still without a hit as he buster hits a ball to 2nd, though he advances he runner.

Kodachi with a single to left! That'll score Hoshi and Nihon Bunri tacks on another run to make it 2-0!

Ikeda fouls out to C Harada near the netting and we're at the mid-game break. Nihon Bunri has done the most with the little opportunities they've been given and it'll be up to Iidzuka to bring them home!

Top 6th
Morita with a drive to center! Kodachi has to turn back and chase after as it take a bounce to the wall! He's in with a double!

He's bunted to 3rd, and with Yokomichis fly to center he's able to tag up and score! Tomishou is still in the game here at 2-1!

Sakamoto drive to deep left center! The fielders won't get to this one either! He's flying around the bases and is in with a triple! Tomishou threatens to tie the game with a base hit!

Liner to left! Kobayashi coming in, dives... makes the catch! Kobayashi prevents the douten run from scoring!

Bottom 6th
Kobayashi singles to center to start off the inning. Arai though can't lay down the bunt and there's 2 strikes! He goes for the three-bunt but fouls it off! One down.

Ooi-kantoku sending in #16 Takeishi to hit for Kataoka. He grounds to short though and Yokomichi goes to 2nd for the force! 2 down.

Kamakura with a single past Iwase for a base hit! Takeishi holds at 2nd.

And Morita doesn't want to deal with Iidzuka and walks him, but it does make it manrui for Burri.

The plan works as Hoshi hits one back up the middle where Yokomichi awaits, he tosses to 2nd and Morita's out of the inning!

Top 7th
Takeishi stays in to play CF, Kodachi goes to 1B.

Iidzuka showing that he had a slider too, takes Katou and Tomikawa down. He jams Iwase but his blooper falls in the right side and almost dies like a chip shot! No one can get to it in time and Iwase's on with a base hit!

Maezaki-kantoku decides to send Iwase, but Kamakura makes another strong throw and Tomishou has just 2 innings left!

Bottom 7th
Another leadoff walk as Kurodai takes 1st. He goes for 2nd! Throw from Tomikawa to 2nd is wide and Yanase can't stop it! It goes to center and Kurodai takes 3rd!

Maezaki-kantoku calls for time...

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

Morita throws a ball in the dirt and Tomikawa can't block it! Kurodai comes all the way home by himself and it's 3-1 Nihon Bunri!

2 down now after Morita racks up 2 more K's and Kobayashi takes a ball the other way to right for a base hit. Arai follows that up with a single through the left side! Nihon Bunri threatens again, but Takeishi's liner is snagged by Katou for the 3rd out.

Top 8th
#12 Shiina Kouhei comes in to hit for Yanase. Iidzuka hits him to start the inning!

Another PH! And it's for Morita! #14 Ookura comes in to swing the bat!

And its a bounder to the left side, Kurodai ranges to his right, dives, but it gets by! The pinch hitters are bringing Tomishou back!

Kouhei lays down a bunt to move the runners along, and Ooi-kantoku calls for time. Maekawa-kantoku sends in #18 Koshiba to run for Ookura.

Yokomichi grounder up first base line, FAIR!!!! It's fair as it gets by a diving Kataoka! Hoshi running it down but both runners will come into score!! Yokomichi hustling around the bases slides into 3rd... SAFE!!!

In almost no time flat Tomishou has come back and tied the game at 3-3!!

GYAKUTEN!!!!!

Kutsuwada with a comebacker up the middle and drawn in infield has no chance! Yokomichi scores and Tomishou has the 4-3 lead!!!!

Katou flies out to center, and that's just the 2nd out.

Tomikawa single to left! Sakamoto has to hold at 3rd and it's manrui for Tomishou!!

Iwase single through left side! Sakamoto scores! They're sending in Kutsuwada! Throw from Kobayashi... in time! Kamakura makes the tag and the side is finally retired!

But not before Tomishou rocks Iidzuka and takes a 5-3 lead with just 2 innings to go!

Bottom 8th
#16 Wakagi comes in for Kyouhei and takes over at SS. #10 Iwaki comes in for PR Koshiba and takes over on the hill.

Kamakura liner to center, Kouhei charging in, dives but can't secure the ball! Leadoff hit for Bunri!

Iidzuka not swinging, hits one back to Iwaki! He starts the 1-6-3 double play and there's quickly 2 down!

Hoshi not giving in, takes a slider down the right side for a double!

And now Iwaki walks Kurodai! Douten runner on base!

Kodachi drives a ball to left center! Kouhei running over, but can't catch it! Hoshi scores! They're sending in Kurodai! Relay throw from Yanase....

OUT!!!

Tomikawa comes over and makes the tag! Kurodai slams the helmet into the ground while Tomikawa looks injured! He's holding his glove hand that collided with Kurodai on that slide! He's finally helped up, but his play preserves the lead! Tomishou leads 5-4!

Top 9th
Kouhei gets a 2-out single, but otherwise Iidzuka sets down the Tomishou offense...

Bottom 9th
...but they're down to their final 3 outs!!

Tomikawa is coming out for the last, but if Bunri gets a baserunner, they WILL test him.

4-5-6 batters up for Bunri starting with Ikeda.

He takes a ball off the end of his bat to center for a leadoff single! Kobayashi is not bunting!

But he flies out to right! Just 2 outs left...

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arai with a drive to left! Kutsuwada isn't chasing it!!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SAYONARA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ball lands almost 20 rows up and Nihon Bunri pulls it off again right at the end 6-5!

It's a time to celebrate, but at the same time, the cameras point to Iwaki tasked with holding the lead, and it's a slow disintegration as he uncontrollably sobs...

And sadly that is the world that we enter into when we watch these games. It's great to celebrate, but when it comes to these types of endings, I tend to remember more the side that loses....
Goro Shigenohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-42831760719551046832014-08-20T16:13:00.001+09:002014-08-21T00:42:43.210+09:00Day 10, Game 4 - Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui) v. Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)Moriokadai Fuzoku had a really tough matchup against Toukaidai Sagami and then had to play in less than desirable playing conditions. They held on 4-3, but there's not much you can take given that the conditions could have affected play.

Tsuruga Kehi has had no such trouble in their first two games, seemingly bucking the trend that scoring double digits leads to a letdown the next game as they defeated Sakaide Shougyou 16-0, then Kasukabe Kyouei 10-1.

Hiranuma has been shutting down the offenses inducing bad contact while also still striking out a fair number of batters. Moriokadai Fuzoku, and more specifically Matsumoto should provide a good challenge for a team that hasn't apparently seemed to have faced one yet.

Winner goes to Best 8, but faces Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei. Go!

Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui)
1B Shinohara Ryou
3B Shimomura Takamasa
SS Asai Kouya
C Okada Kouta
CF Mine Kentarou
RF Oyana Shou
P Hiranuma Shouta
LF Yamamoto Akihiro
2B Yonemitsu Nagisa (#16)

Moriokadai Fuzoku (Iwate)
LF Takahashi Ryou
RF Itou Wataru
CF Nabana Hiroki
P Matsumoto Yuuki
2B Endou Makoto
1B Makishima Kento
SS Tachinami Ukyuu
3B Shibuya Yuuya
C Kozaki Fuuga

____________________________________________________________

16:15 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
One down for Tsuruga and Shimomura lines a single to left.

Asai not bunting, hits a deep drive to left. Ryou back against fence makes the catch. 1 down.

Having not advanced, Shimomura takes it upon himself and steals 2nd! That becomes redundant though when Matsumoto walks Okada.

But he avoids damage when Mine chases the 3-2 fastball outside of the zone.

Bottom 1st
Morioka's first couple of batters can't even get the ball past the mound. Two quick outs for Hiranuma, before he turns around and walks Nabana.

Matsumoto can't do anything with it though as he flies to 2nd to end the inning.

Top 2nd
Oyana with a blooper to shallow left. Ryou charging in makes, but can't make catch. Oyana hustles and is in with a double.

One down now after a foul fly and Yamamoto hits a ball down the 1st base line... fair! Oyana will score on that and Tsuruga Kehi takes a 1-0 lead!

Yonemitsu lays down the bunt, Matsumoto throws it away! Itou backs up so runners can't advance.

And now Shinohara gets hit by Matsumoto! He's in deep trouble early!

Liner! But Shibuya snares it, tags on 3rd and it's a 5 unassisted double play to end the inning! But Tsuruga Kehi takes the early lead!

Bottom 2nd
Endou drive to deep left! He's pumping his fist! Yamamoto looks up!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One pitch is all Endou needs to tie the game at 1-1!

2 down now, and Shibuya singles to center looking for the gyakuten run.

But Sekiguchi-kantoku has him try to steal 2nd, but Okada throws him out to retire the side. However, Endou ties the score!

Top 3rd
Asai with a ball to left. Ryou running back to the fence! He looks up!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And with one swing Asai takes the lead back for Tsuruga Kehi! 2-1!

They're not done yet! One down Mine singles back up the middle. He tries to steal 2nd, but on the hit-and-run, Oyana's bat hits Kozaki's glove! Catcher's interference is called and Oyana is awarded 1st!

Hiranuma single back up the middle! Mine being waved around! He'll score and it's 3-1!! Still only one out for Matsumoto!

Yamamoto another single up the middle! Nabana already playing up, gets it in quickly. Manrui for Tsuruga Kehi.

AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Matsumoto hits Yonemitsu! That'll drive in a run and it's 4-1!

Shinohara sharp grounder up 1st base line! Makishima makes stop, twirls, fires home... AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

He throws it too high! 2 runs will score on that error and it's 6-1!

Shimomura flyball to left, Ryou stumbles, but makes catch! Yonemitsu tags up and scores and its 7-1!

Asai up again, and he blasts one to right center! That's all the way to the wall for a triple and it's 8-1!

The last straw is Okada's blooper just fair down the right field line. 9-1 and he is relieved. He goes to RF while #11 Sakurakouji comes in for Itou and takes the hill.

Mine liner to right, Matsumoto makes the leaping catch to finally retire the side. But Tsuruga Kehi once again puts the hurt on their opponents!

Bottom 3rd
Kozaki tries to help get Moriokadai back in the game with a single to center. But soon enough there's down after Ryou strikes out and Sakurakouji grounds into a fielder's choice.

Nabana gives the team a shot when he doubles to right center.

But nothing is going right for Matsumoto as he flies out to center to end the inning.

Top 4th
The woes continue for Moriokadai. Oyana's grounder to 2nd is flubbed allowing him to reach base. After a sac bunt, Sakurakouji hits Yamamoto and then walks Yonemitsu, making it manrui.

Shinohara with another ball to 1st, but this time Makishima is ready and he goes home for the force.

Sakurakouji though hits Shimomura and that will force in a run. 10-1.

Moriokadai finally get 3 ours after Asai grounds to 2nd, but the long game is getting longer.

Bottom 4th
I'm having a hard time staying awake for some reason.

Back-to-back singles by Makishima and Tachinami provide some hope. But Hiranuma retires the next 2 batter and they're back to where they started.

(At this point my body basically said you're not staying up any longer, which was fine considering that by the time I opened my eyes it was 12-1, and then before I had put everything away and hit the sack it was 14-1. Needless to say Tsuruga Kehi is wearing about the blackest hat I've seen at Koushien having defeated scored double digits in 3 straight games and not letting up - even when sending in their bench players. Yikes.)Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-72176055529962194762014-08-20T13:46:00.000+09:002014-08-20T15:56:44.095+09:00Day 10, Game 3 - Jyouhoku (Kumamoto) v. Mie (Mie)Mie is the ultimate blue collar team, and perhaps can't be comfortable with a big lead. In their most recent game against regional for Oogaki Nichidai, they broke out to a 4-0 lead, immediately gave up 2 runs afterwards and then grinded the rest of the way. And as mentioned before against Kouryou in the first round they came back from 2-run deficits twice to win 5-4.

Heck, even their pitcher embodies that too. Imai with only 3 K's last game made his defense work. There was nothing easy about the game on either side of the ball. And while it put the team under continuous stress, I don't think they'd have it any other way.

Jyouhoku won a miserable, rain-soaked, muddy game against Toukaidai Bouyou. They certainly took advantage of the field conditions when they placed the suicide squeeze to tie the game and then used that momentum to take the lead. Conditions won't be like that again, so we can't use that game as a complete comparison, despite the fact the offense did manage 10 hits. And we won't know if the conditions affected the pitching either.

But given that this is Mie, this will be a hard-fought game.

Jyouhoku (Kumamoto)
CF Adachi Yuuki
SS Adachi Rei
1B Yamaguma Takumi
3B Narahara Isamu
LF Oyama MasatomoRF Kurumi Rintarou
C Yoza Kouhei
P Yasutake Yuuki (#10)
2B Tsujigami Akimasa

Mie (Mie)
CF Nagano Hayato
2B Sada Taiki
SS Utsunomiya Touma
1B Nishioka Musashi
LF Yamamoto Youma (#10)
3B Uchida Ren
RF Seko Ren
C Nakabayashi Kengo
P Imai Shigetarou

______________________________________________________

13:50 - First Pitch!

Top 1st

Yuuki hard grounder to 1st. Nishioka fields it for the out,

No one's going to get this one though! On the fly anyways. Rei booms one over the drawn in defense and he races around for a triple! Early chance for Jyouhoku!

Yamaguma shot at 1st! Again Nishioka blocks it! Tags Yamaguma and Rei can't score.

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

Imai out of an early jam as he gets Narahara to chase the slider in the dirt for the 3rd out!

Bottom 1st
Nagano with a fly to center to start.

Sada comebacker off Yasutake's left leg and pops over short into left!

Yasutake took a shot there. But he says he's fine. Just in case, Oonishi is warming up.

But he seems fine as he gets Utsunomiya to fly out to center and strikes out Nishioka to retire the side.

Top 2nd
One down and Kurumi slices one over Uchida and down the left field line! He's in for a double!

Yoza grounder to short, Utsunomiya going to 3rd and they get Kurumi on the contact play! 2 down!

Yasutake grounds to 1st and the inning is over.

Bottom 2nd
4 pitch walk to Yamamoto to start the inning. Uchida bunts him along.

Uh oh, 4 pitch walk to Seko. Could he be hurt or that liner affecting him? Suetsugu-kantoku calling for time.

Nakabayashi single though the left side! Yamamoto being sent home and there's no throw! Mie leads 1-0!

Imai with a base hit to left! That's by a diving Oyama! Yuuki has to run it down as Seko and Nakabayashi scores! 3-0 Mie!

And that's it for Yasutake. Perhaps being hit affected him as his timing may have been off after that. #11 Oonishi comes in to take the hill.

He gets Nagano to fly out to left for the 2nd out, but Sada singles through the right side. Imai scores and tumbles but he seems to be ok. 4-0.

Sada then goes and steals 2nd, and on the next pitch, Utsunomiya drives it over Yuuki for a double scoring Sada to make it 5-0.

Nishoka pops out to end the inning, but Mie finds themselves with a big lead!

Top 3rd
Tsujimoto with a ball back up the middle. Utsunomiya gets there, but Tsujimoto hustles up the line and beats the throw.

Yuuki manages to advance the runner with a hard grounder to 1st, but Jyouhoku can't do anything with it thereafter as Rei K's on 3 straight, and Yamaguma flies out to center.

Bottom 3rd
Yamamoto with a single to right to leadoff. He's bunted to 2nd, but can't advance to 3rd when Seko grounds to 3rd.

Nakahara hits grounder to 3rd, but Narahara whiffs on the ball! It goes through his legs and into left allowing Yamamoto to score. 6-0 Mie.

Imai flies out on the next pitch, but Mie tacks on another run.

Top 4th
#14 Makino comes in to hit for Narahara. Hopefully it's not for the error, but I bet it is.

Jyouhoku goes down in order and it really doesn't look that great for them.

Bottom 4th
#18 Tomita comes in for Makino to play 3B.

Nagano with a single to right, and then promptly steals 2nd. Sada with the sac bunt, but Tomita stumbles! But he turns around and fires to 3rd where Nagano overran the ball! He's tagged out, but Sada does advance to 2nd.

But after that he hits Usunomiya and puts himself in a jam after Nishoka hits a slow roller to 1st advancing the runners.

At this point Suetsugu-kantoku sends in ace Morodomi to relieve Oonishi.

And he gets Yamamoto to ground to 3rd to end the inning.

Top 5th
Imai hits Yoza to start the inning and needs a bit of itai spray on his right elbow.

Morodomi with a single splitting the defense into left. Nakamura-kantoku calls for time.

But Imai walks Tsujigami on 4 straight! Manrui for Jyouhoku!

And Yuuki hits a chopper up the middle for a base hit! Everyone moves up a station and its 6-1.

One down now after Rei strikes out.

Yamaguma grounder to 1st... AH!!!!!!!!!

Nishioka fails to field the ball cleanly and it gets past him! Morodomi and Tsujigami both come in to score and it's 6-3!!

Tomita grounder to 2nd, but Sada throws to 2nd instead of tagging the runner! Throw to 1st not in time and Yuuki scores! 6-4! Mistake there by Sada!

Oyama grounds to 2nd to end the inning, but Jyouhoku has closed the gap significantly!

Bottom 5th
Seko draws a one out walk, and promptly takes 2nd! Throw from Yoza... not in time!

With 2 outs, it's funny to see Imai walk to 1st on a 3-1 pitch only to be called back, then Morodomi walk off the mound on the next pitch only to find it's ball 4.

Nagano liner to left for a base hit, but it's right to Oyama and Seko can't go home!

Suetsugu-kanoktu calls for time.

And Sada pops it up! Rei under it, makes the catch, and we hit the break!

Mie had taken a commanding lead, but Mie being Mie, they've let Jyouhoku back into it and they'll have to grind it out again.

Top 6th
Now that the game is close, Imai is comfortable again and retires the side in just 7 pitches. Assist goes to Utsunomiya who runs down a ball up the middle by Yoza and makes the running throw for the out.

Bottom 6th
Looks like we're entering an entrenchment period. Utsunomiya falls behind 0-2 and grounds to 2nd. Nishioka watches a slider for strike 3 and it's a 7 pitch inning.

Yamamoto drive to left center! Oyama sprinting back, dives.. and makes the catch! Great play by Oyama to end the inning!

Top 7th
I can barely keep up with how fast the innings are going. Trying to catch up again, Imai once again retires the side in 10 pitches!

Bottom 7th
Both teams free swinging at this point. Morodomi also needs just 10 pitches to retire the side.

Top 8th
Yamagami the first batter to take pitches in a while, and draws the leadoff walk!

But instead of bunting, Suetsugu-kantoku sends in #16 Abe to hit for Tomita, which means he's swinging?

He swings on the first pitch but pops it up! Nishoka makes the catch on the line for the first out.

Oyama comebacker to Imai! He goes to 2nd for one, relay throw... not in time! Oyama prevents the double play.

And now he takes off for 2nd! Pitchout! But it's too far out and Nakabayashi 's late with his throw!

Kurumi single to center! Oyama rounding 3rd, throw to Imai and he holds onto it! 6-5!!

Yoza hits back to Imai and he throws to 1st for the 3rd out, but Jyouhoku pulls within 1!

Bottom 8th
#15 Tsutsumi comes in for Abe and takes over at 3B.

Imai grounder to 2nd, but Tsujigami throws it away! Imai hustles to 2nd. He gets to move to 3rd when Nagano hits a hard grounder to Tsujigami and all he can do is block it and go to 1st.

Sada with a fly to left! Oyama with the catch and Imai takes off for home! Throw in... not in time! 7-5 Mie!

Utstunomiya with a scorcher to 3rd! Tsutsumi can't field it and it kicks to foul territory! Utsunomiya takes 2nd and Mie is threatening again as Suetsugu-kantoku calls time.

Nishioka single up the middle! Yuuki is on the ball quickly, and that makes Utsunomiya hold up at 3rd.

But Morodomi can't seem to buy a strike when he wants one and walks Yamamoto on a full count!

Uchida fly ball to right, Kurumi running towards the foul pole, still running.... Makes the catch at the padding! 3 out! He saves several runs, but they've got one more to make up.

Top 9th
Morodomi turns around in frustration after he strikes out looking on a pitch on the outer half of the plate.

Tsujigami flies out on the next pitch and they're down to their final out.

Yuuki falling behind 1-2, fouls one off, then another, then checks his swing.. and fouls off another.

But the war is lost as Yuuki chops one to short. Utsunomiya fires to 1st and Mie holds on (what's new?) to win 7-5!

Mie has another one of their type of games. Despite taking a big lead, they for some reason or another let their opponent back in the game. And yet when they do that, they tend to play better. Go figure.

Give credit to Jyouhoku for not giving up. Mie let them back into the game, they took it and almost found their way back to level. They fell short, but shouldn't be disappointed with their play.
Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-78650246172407113412014-08-20T10:44:00.000+09:002014-08-20T13:31:40.317+09:00Day 10, Game 2 - Nishougakushadai Fuzoku (Higashi Tokyo) v. Okinawa Shougaku (Okinawa)One of the big powers enters the field now and faces a team that still has something to prove.

Okinawa Shougaku made Sakushin Gakuin look just silly. 1 run on 3 hits and 14 strikeouts. Sakushin Gakuin is not one of those teams that's strong in prefecture and then weak at Koushien. At worst, they're generally middle of the road. For me, on the mound that has to be their best performance in recent years where I've always believed they've underperformed their talent.

Now, on offense... that's another story. They managed just 4 hits but was able to patch together 3 runs in the effort. So once again, the offense will be a glaring issue because you can't win a game 0-0.

Nishougakushadai Fuzoku helped me a little prove to the JHBF they had made a mistake in defeating Kaisei (Nagasaki) 7-5. They put up runs in each of the first 5 innings as every starter registered a base hit.

The only question that remains might be the pitching staff. Ookuro cruised through the first 4 innings, but struggled in the 5th and had to be bailed out by fellow kousai Ooe who completely shut down the Kaisei offense. Not a strikeout pitcher, just recorded outs. This will be a great test for Nishougakushadai and could be an indicator how strong the team may be.

Nishougakushadai Fuzoku (Higashi Tokyo)
CF Suematsu Yuuya
3B Kitamoto Kazuki
SS Takehara Yuuta
1B Komine Eisuke
LF Miyamoto Yuuki
RF Hata Shoutarou
C Imamura Daiki (#12)
P Kishida Yuuta (#17)
2B Miguchi Eito (#15)

Okinawa Shougaku (Okinawa)
CF Akamine Ken
2B Nakamura Masaki (#13)
LF Nishihira Daiki
3B Asato Takeru
RF Kubo Shuuto
1B Uehara Kouta
SS Sunagawa Osamu
P Yamashiro Daichi
C Irabu Shouta

____________________________________________________________

10:45 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Suematsu draws a walk to start the game against ace Yamashiro.

Kitamoto showing bunt, but it's a bust-and-run! Chopper to left side, but Asato is there to make the play, but can only throw to 1st.

Yamashiro through gets Takehara to fly out to left for out #2.

But Yamashiro goes to the slider and Komine swings and misses for the 3rd out!

Bottom 1st
Kishida starts off with a walk as well. Nakamura with a bunt, but Kishida throws it away! Ken moves to 3rd base and Okinawa Shougaku is threatening!

Nishihira with a ball through the left side, the defense playing in has no chance and it just rolls its way to left! Ken scores to make it 1-0!

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Kishida throws a wild pitch and Nakamura scores to make it 2-0!

Nishihira moves to 3rd on the flyout by Asato.

Kubo single to center! Nishihira can walk home and it's 3-0!

Kishida can only record 1 out as he is relieved by ace Ookuro...

And now Kubo takes off for 2nd! Throw is late!

Uehara with a ball to deep right! Hata has to chase it to the wall and Kubo scores on the double! 4-0!

Ookuro retires the next 2 batters, but the damage is more than done. Okishou has a commanding 4-0 lead!

Top 2nd
Miyamoto slow grounder to right side, Nakamura charging, tries to make throw, but it's late! Leadoff runner on for Nisshougakusha!

Hata grounds to 3rd, but with no play at 2nd goes to 1st.

Miyamoto goes to 3rd on a pitch in the dirt! No throw from Irabu!

And Imamura with some weird swing slices the ball through the right side for a base hit! Miyamoto scores and Nishougakusha gets a run back. 4-1.

Ookuro with a bunt, but Asato inexplicably picks it up as it's rolling foul! All safe!

But with #9 batter Miguchi up, Ichihara-kantoku calls for the bunt hoping that Suematsu can get the timely.

Yamashiro though limits the damage as he gets Suematsu to fly out to right for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
Ookuro getting to work keeping his team in it, gets Irabu to ground out to short to start the inning.

Ken then strikes out on a high change... and Nakamura flies to right! Ookuro might be able to do it!

Top 3rd
Kitamoto with a seeing eye single through the left side. Takehara bunt up 1st base line, Uehara's throw to 1st is wide towards foul territory and pulls Nakamura off the bag! All safe!!

Komine with the push bunt into the gap in left! Yamashiro runs it down! He fires to 1st for the out!

Miyamoto to try and get the run in...

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

Yamashiro freezes him with a slider inside and there's 2 out!

Hata drive to deep center right!!

Ken running, running! Collides with the wall!! But the ball bounces off the top of the padding as he's stunned! Both runners will score on Hata's triple and it's 4-3!!

Wow! Nishougakusha is playing the smartest ball I've seen!

Imamura draws a walk and the inning continues!!

Ah, but Yamashiro gets Ookuro looking on a fastball that paints the edge! 3 out but we have a ballgame!

Bottom 3rd
Okinawa Shougaku not taking it lying down. Nishihira gets his 2nd base hit much like the first - with a single through the left side.

But the Nishougakusha battery guesses right! Nishihira takes off and it's a pitchout! Imamura's throw to 2nd is on line and they nail him for the out!

Ookuro replaces him on the next pitch as he walks Asato. Higa-kantoku calls for the bunt and Kubo lays it down.

But Uehara flies out to left and once again Ookuro puts up a 0!

Top 4th
Miguchi a drive to left center! But the defense is playing in! Ken has to sprint back again as Miguchi flies around the bases and slides in with a triple!!

Suematsu chopper over Yamashiro, and Sunagawa can't play it off the hop! It kicks to the right side and Miguchi scores! Nishougakusha douten just 3 innings after giving up 4 runs! It's 4-4!!!

Kitamoto bunts the runner over and they're threatening to take the lead!

Ball gets away from Irabu! Suematsu goes to 3rd!

SQUEEZE!!!

They try for the squeeze but Takehara pushes it just foul!

Takehara takes a borderline 3-2 pitch and earns the walk!!

Takehara takes off for 2nd, but Irabu won't throw! Now a base hit could score 2!

SQUEEZE!!!!!!

But Komine misses! Suematsu is left hanging! He's trying to stay alive... 2-5-1-6-3... NO!!!!

Suematsu goes wides and simultaneously slides into home! SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uehara misses the tag and Suematsu scores!!!! Nishougakusadai Fuzoku has the lead at 5-4!!!

Miyamoto hits a soft liner to short to end the inning, but who saw this coming from the first-timers??!!

Bottom 4th
Miyamoto with a base hit to right center putting the douten runner on. Yamashiro bunts him to 2nd.

Irabu grounder to the left side, Takehara with the pick and quick throw! Komine up the 1st base line, makes the tag on a diving Irabu for the out!

Ken flies to right and the side is retired!

Top 5th
Hata with a ball to center, Ken moves in a little late and it falls in!

Imamura looking to bunt, but he three bunts and it goes foul! One down.

Ookuro bunting, but he falls to 2 strikes.

Grounds to short! Sunagawa goes to 2nd for 1, throw to first, wide!! Uehara goes off the bag, but has enough time to reestablish for the 3rd out!

Bottom 5th
Yamashiro works the count and draws the leadoff walk! Nishihira moves him into scoring position.

Asato gives a ball a ride but foul. Still he works the count full and too draws the walk!

Kubo flies out to right, Nakamura tags to 3rd. 2 out.

And Ichihara-kantoku goes to the bullpen! #18 Ooe enters the game! 1st year Ooe enters in a high leverage situation!

Uehara grounder up middle! Takehara with it, tags 2nd! 3 out!! Ooe gets Nishougakusha out of the jam and they have the 1-run lead going into the break!

From doing the bust-and-run, to trying push bunts in holes left open by a bunt, Nishougakusha has been a joy to watch.

Top 6th
Miguchi with a single to left! He's 2-2 on the day!

But Suematsu puts down a poor bunt and Yamashiro throws out Miguchi at 2nd!

Kitamoto punches the ball, but right to Yamashiro who goes for the 1-6-3 double play to end the inning!

Bottom 6th
Okinawa Shougaku continues to threaten! Sunagawa with a leadoff single through the right side! He's bunted along to 2nd by Yamashiro, and then to 3rd by a fly ball to right by Irabu.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a 0-2 pitch to Ken, he throws it 50 feet and it gets away from Imamura! Sunagawa easily scores and we're douten at 5-5!!

Ken pops out to end the inning on the very next pitch, but Nishougakusha's work has been erased with one bad pitch!

Top 7th
One down and Komine gets his first hit, a seeing eye single between Asato and Sunagawa. He advances to 2nd on a wild pitch from Yamashiro while pitching to Hata.

And Hata works the count full and earns the walk.

But Imamura can't pull the trigger! Imamura watches the fastball on the outside corner for strike 3 and the side is retired!

Bottom 7th
Nakamura with the safety bunt, but Ooe's undertoss to 1st is high! Nakamura slides in safe! Are the nerves getting to the young pitching staff?

Nishihira with the bunt, Ooe's throw to 1st... AH!! That was close to throwing it away, but Miguchi secures it.

Ichihara-kantoku calls for time...

Ooe jams Asato and he skies it! Suematsu secures it for the 2nd out!

He goes inside to Kubo! He's jammed and grounds to 3rd! Kitamoto to 1st and Ooe is out of his own jam!

Top 8th
Ooe not so handy with the bat as he goes down swinging on the outside slider.

Yamashiro showing he can go inside, spins Miguchi on a fastball for the 2nd out.

Suematsu hits a 2-out single to left, but there's a lot of work to be done.

He takes off for 2nd, but the throw one hops Sunagawa and he has the base!

But once again Kitamoto gambles on an outside pitch and loses! Yamashiro paints the corner and the side is retired!

Bottom 8th
One down and Sunagawa with a single on a high pitch through the right side. Higa-kantoku will go for the one-timer as Yamashiro bunts him to 2nd.

Irabu single through the left side! But Miyamoto playing in and Sunagawa has to hold! Runners at corners as Ichihara-kantoku calls time!

Ooe gets out of it! Ken flies out to right and once again they escape unscathed!

Top 9th
Komine one out single back up the middle. Ichihara-kantoku plays for the one point and Miyamoto bunts him along.

SANSHIN!!!!! Yamashiro with the guts pose as once again he strikes out the final batter of the inning! Hata had no chance on the inside fastball!

Bottom 9th
Once again, the leadoff runner gets on! Nakamura with a single back up the middle! No doubt the bunt is coming, especially since Ooe has been shaky at times fielding.

Imamura fields the bunt instead, but it does it's job.

Asato drive to left!!! Miyamoto is playing in! It will fall in as Nakamura scores! Sayonara!!!!

Okinawa Shougaku comes back late to win 6-5!

Oh it started so terribly for Nishougakushadai Fuzoku as they went down 4 runs. But they didn't give up, they fought and played what seemed like smart baseball to tie the game and actually take the lead. But once they did it felt like they went back to regular baseball. And that's when things seemed to stall and Okinawa Shougaku was allowed to catch back up as they started putting pressure every inning on the 1st year relief ace until he finally broke.

Still, I was pleasanly surprised with how Nishougakushadai fought early, even though they seemed to stray later. While they exit here, I hope to see them again, a year later and wiser.

For Okinawa Shougaku, this was a good performance from Yamashiro's point of view. The defense was very sketchy and will need to be fixed, otherwise they will be lost. But, they move on and that's what matters.
Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-48832962387999747192014-08-20T08:07:00.002+09:002014-08-20T10:22:38.622+09:00Day 10, Game 1 - Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori) v. Seiryou (Ishikawa)And so we're into the round of 16. All winners of games today may only play each other in Day 12, so no Osaka Touin for anyone! Hooray!

At least not until the Best 4.

But that's later, this is now!

And first up, yet another matchup between the two surprise regions in this year's tournament - Tohoku and Hokushinetsu.

Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (fka Kousei Gakuin - and no I don't know why they changed it) has only played one game so far, and almost lost against a very game Bushuukan if not for their plan faltering in the 8th inning due to defensive miscues. The team as whole managed just 7 hits and 4 of those came in that aforementioned 8th inning.

Ace Nakagawa had held Bushuukan hitless for the majority of the game, but was not dominant in terms of racking up strikeouts (he only had 2). His job will get much more tougher against the offense-minded Seiryou.

They had looked much improved in their first game where they had to comeback to beat Shizuoka. Kanoya Chuo really stood little to no chance of defeating them as they even went so far as to use their backup pitchers in for the final innings - up until it got hairy and they reinserted ace Iwashita to end the nonsense.

So, we know they can beat the teams they're supposed to. But Kousei doesn't quite fit that mold. They're probably more like a Shizuoka but maybe better.

It's certainly not going to be an easy game for either team. You'd think that'd be the case now that we're in the round of 16, but no, not yet.

Hachinohe Gakuin Kousei (Aomori)
3B Houjyou Hiroyuki
SS Adachi Yuuya
1B Moriyama Hiroki
2B Fukae Taisei
RF Arai Katsunori
LF Nakazaki Jyukiya (#16)
CF Arai Katsutaka
P Nakagawa Masashi
C Baba Ryuusei (#12)

Seiryou (Ishikawa)
CF Tanigawa Touma
SS Nakamura Hayato (#4)
LF Fukushige Tatsumi
1B Murakami Kazuma
3B Yanase Takeshi
RF Satake Kaito
P Iwashita Daiki
C Yokoyama Shouta
2B Muranaka Takeya (#10)

____________________________________________________________

08:00 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Good start for Iwashita as he strikes out Houjyou on 3 straight.

But with two down he tries to hit the edges of the zone and winds up walking Moriyama and Fukae. Hayashi-kantoku calls time.

No harm done as Katsunori grounds to 2nd and the walks don't hurt Iwashita.

Bottom 1st
Tanigawa with an opening single through the right side. Nakamura bunts him along.

Fukushige fooled a little bit on the change butt still pushes it to the right side to advance the runner. 2 out, Tanigawa at 3rd.

But Murakami grounds right to Houjyou! Takes his time, fires a strike and the side is retired.

Top 2nd
Nakazaki unable to inside out a ball, weakly grounds to 2nd.

Katsutaka with a slow grounder up the middle. Nakamura ranges over to get it, but it's so slow that his throw to 1st can't beat a belly flopping Katsutaka.

Not to mention he has a wardrobe malfunction and needs his belt replaced.

Nagawa tries the bunt, but pops it up. The fielders don't actually get to it, but Katsutaka had to freeze in case he got caught, in which then he got thrown out at 2nd.

And Baba grounds to short and the inning is over.

Bottom 2nd
Looks like Nakagawa is on his game today as he's hitting the glove. After another ground out to 3rd, he gets Satake on a slider, and Iwashia on a forkball to close the inning.

Top 3rd
Iwashita not quite as accurate, and ends up plunking Houjyou to start the inning.

Hit and run, and that prevents the double play as Adachi hits it right to Muranaka.

Moriyama's knees break on a changeup that hits the bottom of the zone and there's 2 out.

Fukae though swings at a slider outside and skies it. Murakami there to make the catch for the 3rd out.

Bottom 3rd
Yokoyama with a poke to the right side goes past a chasing Fukae for a base hit. He's bunted over by Muranaka.

Tanigawa with a grounder to short, Adachi goes to 3rd and Houjyou makes the tag for the out! 2 down

Nakagawa gets his 3rd out as Nakamura swings and misses on the slider.

Top 4th
Katsunori becomes Iwashita's 3rk K victim after he swings over a slider inside.

And after a flyout, he gets yet anther K as Katsutaka goes down swinging for his 2nd clean inning.

Bottom 4th
One down, Nakagawa leaves a ball up an Mrakami takes it into the gap. But Katsunori is there quickly and he's limited to a single.

And Murakami spaces out! Baba snap throws to 1st and he realizes he's in a pickle! He's run down for the 2nd out.

Yanase goes down on the changeup and side retired once again.

Top 5th
After 2 quick groundball outs, Houjyou draws a 4-pitch walk.

But Adachi weakly waves on the change and it's another easy inning for Iwashita.

Bottom 5th
2 down, Nakagawa appears to be on his way to a clean inning, but he hits Yokoyams on the lower ankle. He hobbling to 1st, but the itai spray always helps.

Muranaka grounder to short, Adachi goes to 2nd, but Yokoyama beats the toss! Kousei's not out of the inning! Will the defensive hiccup hurt them?

In a word, yes.

Tanigawa first pitch single to left and Yokoyama comes home! Throw from Nakazaki... not in time! Kousei inattention on defense gives Seiryou the 1-0 lead!

Top 6th
Defensive change as #15 Takeya comes in for Satake in RF.

Moriyama with a routine grounder t1st, Fukae quickly follows flying out to left.

And finally Katsutaka goes down swinging on the fastball and the Kousei just can't do anything versus Iwashita.

Bottom 6th
Seiryou has the gift run from Kousei because their offense is scuffling too. Nakagawa just needs 6 pitches to get through the 6th inning.

Top 7th
It's a horrible swing, but Nakazaki hits a letter high pitch to right for a base hit. It's just their 2nd of the game. Katsutaka goes for the bunt, but it's too short and that allows Yokoyama to fire to 2nd for the force.

After Nakagawa chases yet another slider from Iwashita, he in turn walks Baba to turn over the lineup. Hayashi-kantoku calls time.

Grounder up middle, Nakamura with it, fires to 1st and Kousei can't find the timely hit!

Bottom 7th
Nakagawa racking up the K's as he continues to retire Seiryou in order. Only problem is... K's wont by themselves win you a game.

Top 8th
Adachi fouls off a couple of balls, but feebly swings on an outside fastball for the 1st out.

Moriyama can't catch up to a fastball down in the zone, and that's 9 Ks for Iwashita.

お!

Fukae connects with a hanging change! Fukushige back to the wall, looks up!

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That ball was crushed what seemed like halfway up the lower half of the bleachers! We're all level at 1-1!

Katsunori grounds back to Iwashita to end the inning, but we've got a new ballgame!

Bottom 8th
Seiryou striking back! Muranaka with a single through the left side. Tanigawa moves him over.

Nakamura liner back up middle! Nakagawa can't get it! But Muranaka can't move ahead as he though that was going to be caught and doubled back!

Nakai-kantoku calls time...

AH! Nakagawa hits Fukushige and it's manrui for Seiryou! A sac fly now will give Seiryou the lead!

Murakami chopper back up middle! Nakagawa snags it! Goes home for 1, throw to 1st...

DOUBLE PLAY!!!!

Nakagawa gets the 1-2-3 double play to get out of the pinch! Will they be able to turn it into momentum?

Top 9th
Nakazaki has to protect behind 2-2 and flies out to right.

Katsutaka golfs a ball inside up and Yanase in foul territory makes the catch for the 2nd out.

Unfortumately it's more of the same Nakamura grounds out to NO! Nakamura boots the ball! E6!

And what's this? Iwashita walks Baba on 4 straight and the gyakuten run is in scoring position! Hayashi-kantoku calls time yet again.

The lineup turns over for Houjyou, though he has yet to get a hit.

And he wastes the bottom of the order's efforts as he swings on the first pitch and flies to center.

Bottom 9th
Does Seiryou have the momentum now with a chance to walk off?

Now it's Kousei's turn to give a gift. Grounder to 2nd, Fukae waits for the ball to come instead of fully charging and that allows Yanase to reach base! Takeya obviously bunts the runner over.

Iwashita gets 2nd life as Houjyou can't work his way around the bullpen mound on a foul fly.

From 1-2 the count goes to 3-2...

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

Iwashita goes to a knee as he can't make contact on the slider! 2 down!

Nakai-kantoku calls for time as Yokoyama will be stepping into the box.

Yokoyama grounder to 2nd... Fukae on the grass throws to 1st...

We're headed to enchousen! Another defensive brain fart doesn't cost Kousei, and the game continues!

Top 10th
Uh oh! Iwashita walks Adachi on 4 straight? Is he tiring on the mound? Moriyama bunts him over for Fukae, but remember with that bunt... first base is open.

And after a pitch inside, they intentionally walk him!

Hayashi-kantoku wants time to reset the defense.

Katsunori, hitless with 2 K's and 2 groudouts steps in.

But Iwashita isn't throwing a strike! He's behind 2-0... and now 3-0!

Finally gets a change over for a strike... and a fastball over too!

Katsunori drive to right! Takeya back to the wall, leaps!

Can't make the catch! But he does get it in quickly and Adachi can only get to 3rd! He had to wait to see if it would be caught and as a result it's a very loud single!

And so they need one more hit to score the run!

Nakazaki up takes 2 balls before Iwashita puts in a strike.

Slider over the middle for strike 2!

Forkball... ball 3! Iwashita bends down as he thought surely he had it!

Liner to left! But Fukushige is there! And it's too shallow for Adachi to tag up! 2 outs!

Katsutaka now must get the run in, but he's 1-3 and the single was all the way back in the 1st.

He's behind 2-0... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

The ball goes off Yokoyama's leg and towards the 1st base dugout! Adachi breaks for home and there's no throw! Kousei takes the lead 2-1!!

Katsutaka liner off Iwashita and deflects to the left side! There's no play as Fukae scores and they lead 3-1!

Nakagawa walks and it's manrui yet again for last batter Baba.

Iwashita at 158 pitches, is he tired?

Baba single through left side! Katsunori and Katsutaka score! It's 5-1!

Baba gets thrown out looking at what he did (a la Taishou Yakyuu Musume) and is tagged out, but a wild pitch opens the flood games

Bottom 10th
Muranaka quickly grounds to short, one down as he pounds the ground. 1 down!

Tanigawa comeback to Nakagawa! He fields it and tosses to 1st! 2 down!

Grounder to short! Adachi with it, throws to 1st and there will be no comeback! Kousei advances with a 5-1 win!

It was a great pitcher's duel for a majority of the game. Nakagawa and Iwashita traded blows and 0's throughout. And it almost looked like a defensive brain cramp would cost Kousei the game.

But cleanup batter Fukae needed just one pitch to give new life to his team, and Iwashita, already with a high pitch count, finally gave in the 10th inning.

The final score may not reflect it, but it was a great game as Iwashita and his team can't hold back the tears. But they had a magical run to get to Koushien, it's just that it couldn't last forever.

Kousei meanwhile moves on to the Best 8. They've been in this position before recently more times than they can count. How will they do moving forward?Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-11044978159182424122014-08-19T17:20:00.000+09:002014-08-19T17:20:00.261+09:00Continuing to surpriseEntering the Round of 16, here's where we stand now:

Hokkaido - 0/2

Tohoku - 4/6

Kanto - 2!/9

Hokushinetsu - 4!/5

Toukai - 1/4

Kinki - 2!/6

Chuugoku - 1/5

Shikoku - 0/4

Kyushu - 2/8

Hokkaido and Shikoku have been eliminated, Chuugoku could follow soon after as Yazu is facing Osaka Touin, Toukai only has Mie left.

Compare that to the fact that half the field are schools from either the Tohoku or the Hokushinetsu regions!

Also, remember that list of schools that have not won a Natsu Koushien?

Tohoku

Aomori (0.432)

Akita (0.364)

Iwate (0.304)

Yamagata (0.274)

Miyagi (0.496)

Fukushima (0.350)

Kanto

Saitama(??!) (0.500)

Yamanashi (0.437)

Hokushinetsu

Niigata (0.303)

Toyama (0.308)

Ishikawa (0.368)

Fukui (0.415)

Kinki

Shiga (0.397)

Chuugoku

Okayama (0.517)

Tottori (0.352)

Shimane (0.337)

Kyushu

Miyazaki (0.471)

Nagasaki (0.379)

Kumamoto (0.509)

Kagoshima (0.500)

10 prefectures are still alive, though now that we're entering the round of 16, that list will start shrinking quickly.
Goro Shigenohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-74251054886279632532014-08-19T14:21:00.000+09:002014-08-19T16:51:18.122+09:00Day 9, Game 3 - Meitoku Gijyuku (Ehime) v. Osaka Touin (Osaka)So now we know the the unlucky team that will have to face the winner of this game is Yazu out of Tottori... God speed...

Osaka Touin was involved in a bizarre game against Kaisei (Shimane) where they scored 7 runs on 5 hits thanks to balks, wild pitches, just about anything that wasn't normal. But the thing is, they only got 5 hits. If it were any other school, I'm sure they'd figure out a way to dirty up the game like Kaisei did.

The thing is, this is Meitoku Gijyuku, and they have Kishi Jyunichirou and chances are they won't do that. Their game against Chiben Gakuen was close to start, but Chiben's pitching fell apart at the end and that allowed Meitoku to cruise to a 10-4 win.

But Kishi did give up 4 runs on 9 hits. So I wonder if they can play it straight and still have a chance...

Osaka Touin (Osaka)
LF Nakamura Makoto
2B Minemoto Takumi
3B Katsuki Kazuya
1B Masazui Yuuya (#8)
CF Mori Shinnosuke (#9)
C Yokoi Yuuya
RF Fujii Kenpei (#11)
SS Fukuda KoukiP Fukushima Kousuke

Meitoku Gijyuku (Kochi)
RF Takano Kouhei
CF Ootani Yuuki
LF Tada Tougo (#18)
P Kishi Jyunichirou
1B Nishioka Souta
2B Mori Shouma
SS Yasuda Takayuki
C Mizuno Katsuya
3B Ozaki Yuuto (#7)

____________________________________________________________

14:25 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Kishi puts a fastball in the inner half, freezing Nakamura.

Minemoto with a grounder up the middle. Ootani running it down, Minemoto's going full speed into 2nd! Throw from Ootani.. not in time!

Oy....

Katsuki with a drive to right, Takano going back to the wall, going back...

HAITAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Katsuki beats the hamakaze and puts it over the wall! Just like that Osaka Touin leads 2-0!!

And now Masazui singles back up the middle! Kishi might already be in trouble!!

He is throwing a lot of pitches here in the first as Shinnousuke fouls off pitches. He eventually draws a walk and Mabuchi-kantoku calls for time.

Osaka Touin I think wants to send a message to Kishi this time around, Nishitani-kantoku sends the runner on a hit-and-run though Yokoi fouls it off.

Kishi gets his 2nd K on a cut ball that Yokoi swings and misses on.

Fujii screamer down 1st base line, picked by Nishioka! Goes to the bag and he saves 2 runs! But Katsuki's 2-run HR puts Kishi and Meitoku Gijyuku in an immediate hole!

Bottom 1st
Takano pitched inside by Fukushima, gets around on it, but skies it to left. Nakamura there for the catch near the left field foul pore.

Ootani with a grounder to the right side, Minemoto can't run it down and it goes through for a base hit.

Tada grounder to 2nd, but Minemoto loses the ball! Quick throw to 1st, not in time and everyone's safe! He may have been anticipating the ball there...

...because despite being hot and cold, Kishi steps into the box.

But Fukushima gets him to chase a high fastball! He can't get level and pops it up! Masazui under it in foul territory and there's 2 out! Might be the cold Kishi today at the plate.

Nishida ahead 3-1 after taking a close pitch, but he swings and just hits a fly to center for the 3rd out. Meitoku with a chance to cut into the deficit, but come up with nothing.

Top 2nd
Much cleaner inning for Kishi against the bottom of the lineup. Fukuda grounds to 2nd and Fukushima strikes out swinging.

Nakamura with a hard chopper to the left side, Yasuda makes a great pick on the short bounce and throws to 1st for the 3rd out.

Bottom 2nd
Mori goes down looking on a fastball for the first out.

Yasuda with a drive to right center! Mori and Fujii going to the fence! They're looking up!!

HAITAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These guys are just spitting on the hamakaze at Koushien and hitting it out to right field! Yasuda on the netting and it's 2-1!

Fukushima retires Mizuno and Ozaki to end the inning, but despite my doubts they're going to butt heads for better or worse.

Top 3rd
Minemoto with a sharp liner to right for a base hit, bringing up Kazuki... again...

Katsuki with a liner to center and Minemoto takes 3rd! Kishi in trouble again!

Masazui racking up the pitches on Kishi, goes 8 pitches before Kishi finally gets an infield fly.

Kishi gets the popup, but it's into shallow left! Tada charging in, but he can't get there in time! Unlucky for Kishi and he gets the popup, but not the out. 3-1 Osaka Touin.

Yokoi line single to left, that scores Katsuki and it's 4-1!

Finally out of the heart of the Osaka Touin lineup, Kishi gets the 2nd and 3rd outs. But he continues to lose ground to the heart of the lineup...

Bottom 3rd
Takano chopper up first base line, Masazui with the ball. But Fukushima is late covering and Takano is safe.

Ootani tries to get 2 runs back with one swing, but the hamazake wins this time. Fujii makes the catch for the out.

Meitoku going about this the wrong way as they're trying to get the runs back with one swing. Tada with a ball to right center, but it's very much in play for Mori to make the catch.

Fujishima hits Kishi on his left hand (his non-throwing hand) and is on base for Nishioka.

But Fukushima can't find the strike zone and walks Nishioka to load the bases for Shouma!

Shouma bails him out swinging on an outside pitch and grounding to short. Meitoku loses another opportunity.

Top 4th
Ootani misjudges a ball hit at him, his late sprint forward costs him a chance at the catch and Nakamura has a leadoff double.

Kishi finally retires Minemoto as he fouls out on the 3rd base side. But that still brings up Katsuki.

Behind 3-1, they decide to walk him to create the force and hopefully get a double play from Masazui.

Kishi's pitch count already at 80. His 81st Masazui sends it back past Kishi into center. Nakamura scores to make it a 5-1 ballgame.

Shinnosuke flies out to Tada to end the inning, but suffice it to say that Kishi is in bad shape.

Bottom 4th
Mabuchi-kantoku apparently had his voice raised, not sure if it was yelling, but Meitoku's batters are seemingly swinging away more now. Unsurprisingly, they go down in order.

Top 5th
Kishi, away from the heart of the lineup is fine as he retires the side in order. But they're more than happy to speed up the tempo if Meitoku is going to start hacking away.

Bottom 5th
Meitoku is trying to hit their way out of the deficit when he's walked and hit batters. 2 quick outs before Tada gets hit by Fukushima.

Kishi swings on the first pitch and grounds to 2nd. 3 outs and as we hit the break, I'm declaring this game over in favor of Osaka Touin. I think Mabuchi-kantoku told them to swing the bats, and they are...

and they'll lose.

Top 6th
Kishi with his 100th pitch strikes out Fukushima to start the 6th.

Nakamura and Minemoto quickly follow in order and not lost on me is that if this score held, it would be the same score that Meitoku Gijyuku beat them last year.

Bottom 6th

Nishioka with a single to center gives them just their 2nd leadoff runner.

#12 Namura hits for Shouma, but grounds right to 1st. Masazui cuts down the lead runner.

2 down and Mizuno gets a base hit up the middle.

#14 Sanada to hit for Ozaki, but first pitch grounds to short, inning over.

Top 7th
Namura stays in to play 2B, #5 Oonishi comes in for Sanada to play 3B.

Osaka Touin is retired in order without incident.

Bottom 7th
So Ootani works the count and gets a walk.

Tada doesn't appear to be discriminantly swinging, and is able to single through the right side for a base hit.

And now Kishi is patient at the plate... He lines a ball to center and the bases are loaded.

Is it possible they're finally learning?

But Nishioka hits a fly ball to left. Nakamura fields it, but Ootani can't go home.

Mabuchi-kantoku pulls his last card in #11 Tanaka to hit for Namura.

He's getting several lives in the AB. A pop foul is just missed by Katsuki. A pitch inside he just fouls off.

But he pops it up! Minemoto charging out, Mori charging in... Minemoto makes the catch and the side is retired!

It took a great play, but Meitoku's margin of error they made razor thin. This was probably their best chance.

Top 8th
#17 Takamura comes in for PH Tanaka and goes to 2B.

Fujii checks in with a base hit, their first since the 4th, though that's inconsequential.

Bottom 8th-9th Inning
The rest of the game goes without incident and without anything of note. Well, except for the fact that a well timed error on a ground ball by Tada meant that Kishi could get one more AB.

Kishi gives the crowd one last thing to remember him by as he blasts a 2-run HR to left, ruining the poetic 5-1 finish that perhaps would have been fitting in their eyes.

Nishioka takes the next pitch to left for a base hit, prompting a visit from Nakatani-kantoku as Mabuchi-kantoku sends in #11 Abeki.

But he strikes out to end the game...

The middle of the lineup gave Kishi fits early and often and put his team in the deficit they faced the entire game. Mabuchi-kantoku wanted his team to hit themselves out of it, but given his control issues it was the wrong strategy to employ and cost his team outs and innings that they needed to catch up.

By the time Kishi had hit his 2-run HR, it was with the game out of reach - yes, even despite the fact it was a 2-run ballgame after that.

So Kishi goes away with a 1-1 record at Koushien versus Osaka Touin (his first year he came in relief when his team was behind). He certainly can be considered as one of the better pitchers at Koushien and may have a career beyond 高校野球, but his time at Koushien ends here.

As for Osaka Touin, handicappers probably have them now as the odds on favorite to win it all given the field remaining. It will have to be up to the rest of the field to stop them - starting with Yazu.Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-63366733958672698632014-08-19T11:58:00.001+09:002014-08-19T13:59:01.435+09:00Day 9, Game 2 - Saku Chousei (Nagano) v. Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima)Our middle game again is between the two regions dominating Koushien so far - Tohoku and Hokushinetsu!

Seikou Gakuin played about as offensively bereft of a game as you could play against Kobe Kokusaidai Fuzoku. The duo of Imaizumi and Funabasama did not dominate batters at all, striking out 3 batters combined, but they also kept them off the basepaths as well combining for a 1.00 WHIP. I don't believe that can hold up, but you never know.

Saku Chousei had a similar game against Toukaidai Koufu. The offense managed just 5 hits but wound up scoring 3 runs.

That would wind up being enough as Terazawa and Morozumi struck out 10, while just allowing 8 baserunners. Unlike Seikou Gakuin, the K's mean that perhaps it might hold up in the long term.

Give the results, this should be yet another low scoring game with both teams working hard to manufacture runs.

Seikou Gakuin (Fukushima)
LF Yaoita Takumaru
2B Fujiwara Issei
3B Yaginuma Kentarou
1B Yasuda Kouki
CF Isagi Shun
RF Iijima Tsubasa
SS Ishigaki Mitsuhiro
C Takano Kouki
P Funabasama Taiga

Saku Chousei (Nagano)
3B Motoyama Hiyuu (#17)
SS Morii Koutarou
CF Wada Osamu
1B Tanabe Naoki (#5)
LF Takeuchi Kousei
2B Hama Ryuutarou
RF McCarthy Ryumikku (#16)
C Kanazawa Ren
P Terasawa Seiya (#10)

____________________________________________________________

12:05 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Not a good start as Terasawa hits Yaoita. Fujiwara bunts him along.

Yaginuma with a soft fly to center, Hama runs it down, and Yaoita doesn't realize it was caught. He's doubled off the inning is over.

Bottom 1st
Motoyama in a prolonged AB with Funabasama but loses the battle swinging at a slider on the outside edge.

Morii catches a slider off the end of the bat and just puts it out of Ishigaki's leap for a base hit.

Fujiwara-kantoku going for the safety bunt as Wada puts it to the left side! Yaginuma charges in, and his throw just beats Wada. 2 down.

AH! Tanabe with a drive to right center and that will bounce all the way to the wall! Morii comes in to score on the timely double from Tanabe! Saku Chousei leads 1-0!

Takeuchi clean single through the left side! Tanabe has to hold at 3rd as Yaoita gets the ball in.

Hama gives the ball a ride, but Yaoita has time to go back and field it for the 3rd out. But Saku Chousei with the first strike!

Top 2nd
Yasuda slider down the left field side, goes all the way to the wall for a double! Seikou threatening to tie it up immediately!

Isagi not bunting, but hits it to the right side to advance the runner.

Iijima grounder to the right side! Infield in, but Hama backpedals to get the ball! His only play is to 1st and Yasuda scores to level it at 1-1!

Ishigaki pops up to end the inning, but Seikou comes right back!

Bottom 2nd
McCarthy ahead of Funasama 3-1, gets green light but rolls one to 2nd for the 1st out.

Kanazawa hits a ball to deep left, but didn't get enough as Yaoita is in front of the fence for the catch.

Terasawa goes down on the slider and Funabasama gets healthy on the bottom of the lineup.

Top 3rd
Two quick outs for Seikou, but Yaoita squares up a hanging slider and sends it to the left center field gap for a double.

But Terasawa makes a great pick on a chopper back up the middle. Runs it to 1st and the side is retired.

Bottom 3rd
Funabasama might be settling down now. 1-pitch groundout to Motoyama, then Morii chases the slider tailing away. Wada pops the sidearm offering up and Takano makes the catch for the 3rd out.

Top 4th
Yaginuma with a ball to deep center! Wada running back, but can't get there! It takes a bounce off the wall and he's in with a leadoff double!

Yasuda with a deep fly to right, McCarthy runs it down, but Yaginuma can advance to 3rd on the play.

Oy, and now Terasawa hits Isagi.

Iijima clearly up at the plate with a plan, and he hits a fly to center! Wada is there for the catch, but Yaginuma can score easily taking a 2-1 lead.

Ishigaki locks into Terasawa's fastball and drives that to deep left center! The outfielders have to run back and Isagi can score to take a 3-1 lead! Takano ends the inning on a groundout, but Saku Chousei might be in trouble.

Bottom 4th
2 down for Saku Chousei, and Hama hits a ball down the right field line.. Iijima makes a dive for it, but can't reach it! Hama rounding 2nd, reaches 3rd!

But McCarthy swings on the first pitch and flies out to Isagi in left center for the 3rd out.

Top 5th
Yaoita with his 2nd base hit with a comeback to center. Saitou-kantoku has his go for 2nd, and Kanazawa's throw is offline! It goes into center and Yaoita takes 3rd!

Fujiwara flies out to right, but it's deep enough to score Yaoita to make it a 4-1 game!

Yaginuma flies out to 2nd and the inning is over.

Bottom 5th
Kanazawa draws a leadoff walk. #3 Totsuka PH for Terasawa so his day is done. He flies out to right.

Motoyama with the hit and run grounds to 1st. Yasuda thinks better of it and goes to 1st for the safe out.

Morii with a looper over Fujiwara and that's down for a base hit! Kanazawa score to make it 4-2!

Morii tries to steal 2nd, but Takano throws him out and the side is retired. Seikou Gakuin having the better of it right now, but Saku Chousei has some momentum going into the break.

Top 6th
Ace Morozumi comes in for PH Totsuka to take the hill.

Yasuda almost makes it 5-2 with a booming shot down the left field side, but the strong hamakaze pushes it foul. He winds up striking out looking on a splitter left up in the zone.

Morozumi though then walks Isagi after filling up the count.

But he takes off too early to steal 2nd! Morozumi turns around and throws to 2nd and he almost sneaks in with a dance, but can't quite reach the base.

Iidzuka with a single back up the middle replaces Yasuda on the basepaths. But he tries to steal 2nd and he's thrown out by Kanazawa to end the inning.

Bottom 6th
Saku Chousei's batters continue to chase after the slider way outside. Wada and Tanabe both fall victim to it and look silly doing it.

Takeuchi swings at the first pitch not outside, but it jams him. Yasuda makes the catch in foul territory and the side is retired.

Top 7th
Ishigaki with his 2nd hit, a clean single through the left side.

Takano gets a pitch way up an in, and yet still puts the bunt down.

AHH!! They did it again! Ishigaki takes off too early and Morozumi has him! Throw back to 2nd and he's out!

Morozumi throws the splitter and gets Funabasama, but Saku Chousei is running out of innings.

Bottom 7th
One down and #9 Hikigi hits for McCarthy. He draws a walk, though he doesn't realize it for a little bit and needs to be nudged by the umpire.

Kanazawa fooled on another slider, but pops it up to shallow center. Isagi charges in, makes the wide slide... and makes the catch.

Morozumi first pitch swings and flies out to Ishigaki. Until they can solve how not to hit Funabasama's slider, they're lost. If they can even crowd the plate maybe. I don't really know.

Top 8th
Hikigi stays in the game to play RF.

1 down, Fujiwara with a ball to the right side. Hama makes a great diving stop at the outfield grass, but his throw one hops Tanabe and he can't secure it. Infield base hit for Fujiwara.

Morozumi quick throw to 1st and they pick off Yaginuma! 2 down!

Yaginuma liner, snagged by a dashing Tanabe for the 3rd out!

Bottom 8th
Motoyama falls behind 0-2, and just pokes a grounder on yet another outside slider to short.

Morii at the edge, but not crowding the plate and not attacking balls down the middle. Instead he swings on a slider away and grounds to short aided by a head-first slide.

Wada flies out to right and Saku Chousei looks to be going down in defeat.

Top 9th
One down, Morozumi hits Isagi with a fastball. Iijima lays down the bunt, but it's right in front of the plate! Kanazawa goes to 2nd for one, relay to 1st for the double play.

Bottom 9th
Tanabe hits a drive to deep center, Isagi sprinting back, makes the running catch for the 1st out.

Takeuchi pops out to Fujiwara and Saku Chousei down to their final out.

Funabasama hits Hama and so that allows the douten runner to step into the plate.

And now Funabasama hits Hikigi. The douten runner is on base and Saitou-kantoku calls for time.

But Kanazawa quickly behind 0-2 swinging on the outside slider.

He gets a hack at it, but hits it well foul.

They go inside, and Kanazawa is able to get around and foul it off.

But the pitch that has plagued Saku Chousei gets them one last time. Kanazawa twirls around and strikes out to end the game. Seikou Gakuin defeats Saku Chousei 4-2.

Saku Chousei struggled with the outside slider from Funabasama all game, and as a result struck out or hit playable balls for the fielders. That's pretty much what it boiled down to.

Seikou Gakuin moves on, but the question will be if the opposition can solve that sweeping slider. In addition, 3 of the 4 runs scored by Seikou were done in the course of an out (groundout/sac fly). It will be left to see when if they need a base hit they can deliver.Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-12652538799432004702014-08-19T09:28:00.000+09:002014-08-19T11:40:03.902+09:00Day 9, Game 1 - Yamagata Chuo (Yamagata) v. Toukai Dai-yon (Minami Hokkaido)Today finishes up the 2nd round and begins the acceleration towards the final. 3 spots on Day 11 are left and Yazu, Oumi and Kendai Takasaki await their opponents. My guess is, all 3 would like to know their opponent sooner rather than later, because those 3 are playing musical chairs with the winner actually being the loser. Because the last one standing draws the winner of Meitoku Gijyuku and Osaka Touin.

But we're getting a little ahead of ourselves. First up, two rather unlikely teams in Yamagata Chuo and Toukai Dai-yon battle it out for a spot in the round of 16.

Toukai Dai-yon shocked a lot of us when they outplayed Wakao-kantoku and Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku to the tune of 6 runs and tossing a 5-hitter. Yes, Fukuoka is uncharacteristically weak for a metropolitan prefecture, but coming from Hokkaido? And from a tier 3 school in Toukai Dai-yon?

Yikes.

The biggest surprise? Ace Nishijima Ryouta. Not only was it a 5-hitter he throw, but he struck out 12 while walking 3.

12!

Those are number that you would expect to see when they're in prefectural play. Not at Koushien. It's not like he throws hard - in fact his velo is average for an ace pitcher (~mid-130s fastball). 9 were swinging, so perhaps it was due to poor plate discipline, but we'll just have to see if he can repeat his performance.

As for Yamagata Chuo, that was one of the days my body was pretty much shutting down on me. But from what I remember, I questioned whey they replaced Hayasaka when he was so effective. And it was that in the 9th inning, with Komatsu having gone to their 4th pitcher, that they completely collapsed as they watched as Yamagata Chuo score 4 runs to take the lead - and eventually win 9-8.

Suffice it to say, this team has flaws. Ace Ishikawa was responsible for putting his team in the hole giving up 6 runs in less than 4 innings of work. Their 2nd year reliever Satou was far more effective, despite the fact he gave up 6 free passes (he did only give up 2 hits in his 5.1 IP of work).

On offense, yes they scored 9 runs, but it was thanks to the bottom of the lineup. That's nice to see, but at the same time having the heart of your order go 3-13 looks really bad.

Yamagata Chuo (Yamagata)
2B Takahashi Yuusuke (#14)
LF Satou Miharu (#13)
RF Nagai Daichi
3B Aoki Riku
1B Takahashi Kazuki
SS Nakamura Ryuu
CF Takahashi Ryousuke
C Abe Koutarou
P Satou Ryousuke (#11)

Toukai Dai-yon (Minami Hokkaido)
CF Takahashi Iwami
2B Ookawara Akira
SS Fukuda Ryouta
LF Ookouchi Wataru
1B Abe Yoshi
RF Takada Shou
P Nishijima Ryouta
C Ueno Jyunki
3B Wakahara Shunnosuke

____________________________________________________________

09:30 - First pitch!

Top 1st
Nishijima already working on his K count. Yuusuke goes down on 3 straight with the finisher being a fastball on the outside edge.

2 down, and Nagai gets the first base hit as he just aims the ball and bloops it into left for a base hit. Aoki grounds to short though, and the inning is over.

Bottom 1st
And as expected, Satou takes the hill first instead of in relief. He strikes out Iwami on a slider to start the inning.

After that he gets 2 easy groundouts and its a scoreless first.

Top 2nd
Kazuki with a drive to deep left center, Iwami sprinting to the wall.. makes the running catch! One down.

2 quick outs now as Nakamura grounds to 1st.

And 2 K's for Nishijima as he gets Ryousuke looking on yet another fastball.

Bottom 2nd
Ookouchi goes after the very slow curve, but can't get a level swing, grounding to 3rd.

There are a lot of batters just looking. Yoshi becomes another such K victim as Ryousuke paints the edge of the zone.

Takada grounds to 1st, Yoshi tosses to Nishijima for the 3rd out.

Top 3rd
More struggles on offense. Koutarou and Satou Ryousuke ground to short.

Ishiakwa tries the slow curve, but Yuusuke pounds it to right field for a base hit.

Koharu then singles past a chasing Ookawara into right.

Nishijima clamps down and gets Nagai on a slider in the dirt for the 3rd out.

Bottom 3rd
Satou allows his first baserunner after walking Nishijima to start the inning. Ueno bunts him along.

And just to show you how low-scoring of an environment this is, Wakahara is also showing bunt.

He hasn't offered yet and gets ahead 2-0. He may not have been meaning to bunt at all as he tries to poke a ball somewhere at 2-1. Does it again at 2-2 and hits a soft liner to Nakamura behind 2nd.

Iwami swings and misses on the outside fastball and the side is retired.

Top 4th
I think Nishijima, knowing this will be a low-scoring game, isn't going for K's but instead bad contact. That would in general use less pitches and save him for later.

And he gets 3 groundouts in 12 pitches. Not bad considering normal pitch counts for a full game starter can go easily into the 120s.

Bottom 4th
Satou hasn't given up a hit, but he issues his 2nd walk to start an inning. Ookawara is the recipient and Fukuda looks to bunt him along.

Even with 2 strikes he tries the bunt, but he pushes it foul and goes down for the first out.

Ookouchi swings away, but flies out to right for the 2nd out.

Ookawara takes things into his own hand and breaks for 2nd! Throw is in the dirt and Koutarou has no play!

SANSHIN!!!

But the ball gets away from Koutarou, and Yoshi reaches safely! The opening run stands 90 feet away now as Shouji-kantoku calls time.

SANSHIN!!!

Satou gets Takada on another slider and this time Koutarou stays with it and tags Takada for the 3rd out!

Top 5th
More futility at the plate Takahashi Ryousuke hits an easy grounder to 2nd. Koutarou gets ahead 3-1, but winds up chasing the slider for a K.

And Satou Ryousuke swings on the first pitch and flies out to Iwami in left center for the 3rd out.

Bottom 5th
Nishijima too tries going on the first pitch, but its a routine fly to left.

Satou Ryousuke finally gets a strike on a slow pitch to Ueno, and strikes him out on a fastball.

Wakahara tries for the drag bunt, but that doesn't work. The teams have combined for 3 hits, and one team has all of them. There are only two walks, and the other team has both of them.

I see enchousen coming.

Top 6th
Yuusuke continues the futility at the plate swinging at a slider outside for another K.

Koharu hits a foul fly to left, Ookouchi has space to make the catch for the out.

And Nagai with a very weak swing grounds right to Yoshi for the 3rd out.

Bottom 6th
Questionable call here, though Satou has thrown a lot of pitches.

#4 Okuyama comes in for Yuusuke and goes to 2B. Ishikawa comes in for Koharu and takes the hill. Satou Ryousuke goes to LF.

And immediately Iwami gets a base hit - a sharp grounder through the right side.

No bunt for Ookawara, but he goes down swinging lunging at a ball outside.

Oowaki-kantoku elects for the hit and run, but Fukuda flies out to right. And while Toukai Dai-yon finally gets their first hit, they can't do anything with it as Ookouchi hits a hard grounder to 3rd to end the inning.

Top 7th
Nishijima finally tries the eephus with 2 out to Nakamura, but it's a ball. Nakamura actually considered bunting it before realizing it was too far away.

But regardless, Nishijima not surprisingly sets down the side in order.

Bottom 7th
#16 Imagawa hits for Yoshi. And hits the first pitch sharply past Aoki for a base hit!

Takada bunts him along, but now you're asking for a base hit, and Nishijima can't oblige. He pops out to Nakamura for the 2nd out.

Ishikawa blows a 148 kph fastball by Ueno for the 3rd out. Toukai Dai-yon is getting more opportunities with Ishikawa on the hill, but still can't do anything about it.

Top 8th
#13 Tomita comes in for PH Imagawa and takes over at 1B.

Oh? Nishijima gives up his first walk to Koutarou with 1 out!Ryousuke bunts him along to 2nd hoping for a one-timer from Okuyama.

Nishijima not even at 100 pitches, but on his 95th he walks Okuyama on 4 straight.

And he misses again to Ishikawa to start his AB! And again!

And again!!! 3-0 to Ishikawa!

Finally a fastball down the middle for a strike. And another to fill up the count.

SANSHIN!!!!

On his 101st pitch Ishikawa can't make contact on the fastball and the side is retired!

Interesting note - whenever he's thrown the eephus, his control as gone away for a little while...

Bottom 8th
They will go with Ishikawa for the rest of the game. #7 Takahashi Ryuusei comes in for Satou Ryousuke and takes over in LF.

Wakahara tries the safety bunt, but Aoki charges in and makes a great throw for the out.

Iwami screamer up the 3rd base line... fair!! Aoki can't get this one and Iwami has a double!

Ookawara not bunting, but Oowaki-kantoku has the hit and run! Ookawara strikes out but Koutarou doesn't throw to 3rd! 2 down, but a run stands 90 feet away!

Ishikawa falling behind Fukuda, count goes to 3-1. But he pops it up! Ryousuke comes in, then has to make a last minute adjustment - but still makes the catch for the 3rd out!

Top 9th
Nagai singles past a diving Wakahara! Yamagata Chuo with only their 2nd leadoff runner!

AHH!! Aoki pops up his bunt! Koharu makes the running catch for the first out!

Kazuki grounder to the left side, Wakahara goes to 2nd for the out.

And with Nakamura grounding out to 2nd, Yamagata Chuo will have to play for enchousen!

Bottom 9th
Ookouchi tries to work the count and get on base, but Ishikawa gets the outside corner for strike 3!

Tomita grounds out to 2nd and we may be headed to enchousen.

Takada ball up the 1st base line... fair!!! Koharu can't get it and it's down the line! He's in with a double and the sayonara run is in scoring position!

Shouji-kantoku calls time as Oowaki-kantoku sends in #17 Yamamoto to run for Takada.

Liner! But Ishikawa snags it and Nishijima can only give a wry smile as we're headed to enchousen!

Top 10th
Yamamoto stays in the game at RF.

Nishijima perhaps running low on gas as he walks Ryousuke to start the inning.

Snap throw from Ueno, WIDE!!!! It goes into right as Ryousuke goes to 2nd! Yamamoto throws to 2nd... HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ooukouchi has to run it down and Ryousuke has 3rd base! Oh, what were they thinking??

Oowaki-kantoku calls time, though they're in bad shape.

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

Nishijima strikes out Koutarou looking for the first out! Can he get the team out of this big pinch?

NO!

Ryuusei singles through the left side and Yamagata Chuo takes the 1-0 lead!

And now Ryuusei takes off for 2nd! Throw from Ueno... short and goes into center!!

Ryuusei taking off for 3rd, throw from Iwami... HIGH!!!!!!!

It goes off Wakahara's stretched out glove and into Toukai's dugout! Ryuusei score on another pair of errors and they lead 2-0!!

Okuyaam singles to center and Toukai may be finished! Shouji-kantoku taking no chances has Ishikawa bunt the runner over to try and get on more run.

But Nishijima strikes out Nagai swinging. Destruction complete though and their ship is left in critical condition.

Bottom 10th
Ueno strikes out swinging on 3 straight.

Wakahara chopper to right side. Kazuki with it, tosses to Ishikawa, but he can't find the bag! Wakahara beats him out and they can bring the douten runner to the plate.

Iwami barely avoids strike 3 once, but gets completely frozen when a change goes over for strike 3. Wakahara takes 2nd, but his run doesn't matter.

Last chance in Ookawara.

But Ishikawa can't (isn't?) throwing a strike?! He falls behind 3-0, and then finally fires one in. Fastball fouled off and the count runs full...

Fouled off...

Grounder to 2nd, Okuyama fumbles it slightly, but goes to 1st and the game is over! Yamagata Chuo survives in enchousen 2-0!

I joked about the lack of offense in the game, but in reality both teams were desperate to score a run and conversely knew that they would need to prevent 1 run. And it was that thinking, that pressure in enchousen that finally got to Toukai Dai-yon and allowed Yamagata Chuo to advance.

Some people would joke that neither team should win given how awful the offenses were. But that's not fair to the kids. They can only play with the talent they're given and if that results in a game like this - so be it.

But you can tell from the Dai-yon player's faces that it's no laughing matter. 21 years they waited only to have it end in this matter? They weren't even alive the last time Dai-yon went. It's a painful way to go.

Yamagata Chuo survives yet again. But for how much longer is debatable. Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-37720648780507172372014-08-18T15:11:00.000+09:002014-08-18T17:34:17.390+09:00Day 8, Game 4 - Rifu (Miyagi) v. Kendai Takasaki (Gunma)Last up is one of the last Kanto representative in Kendai Takasaki facing Tohoku representative Rifu out of Miyagi.

Kendai Takasaki went back to their calling card that worked so well for them a couple of years ago. Speed.

They would be aggressive on the basepaths and at the plate, continuously putting pressure on Iwakuni until they finally took the lead for good in the 5th.

What helps is ace Takahashi who came in relief and fired 7 strong innings striking out 9 while giving up just 2 hits and walking 1.

Rifu for most of the game was struggling against Saga Kita, scoring runs thanks to some defensive errors in the 5th, and then a timely hit by Manjyoume in the 6th. But otherwise, the offense was ineffective, and the pitching behind ace Nasuno was average at best. And against this Kendai squad, that might be a problem.

Rifu (Miyagi)
LF Manjyoume Kouta
CF Ueno Mikio
2B Hamada Keita
1B Seto Miki
C Ono Keita
RF Takeuchi Mikiya
3B Suzuki Yuuto
P Nasuno Seiya
SS Katsuramaki Kouta

Takasaki Kenkoudai Fukushi (Gunma)
CF Hirayama Takayuki
2B Hoshino Yuusuke
RF Wakimoto Naoto
1B Nagashima Ryouhei
C Tsuge Sena
LF Yamagami Takashi
3B Shibahiki Ryousuke (#15)
SS Yokomizo Takuto
P Kawai Tomoya (#11)

__________________________________________________

15:20 - First Pitch

Top 1st
Rifu's offensive struggles continue as Manjyoume and Ueno hit weak grounders for the first two outs. Hamada puts a 2-out single to left, but Seto flies out to right to end the inning.

Bottom 1st
Nasuno will have to his best to prevent runners from reaching base as that's when Kendai does their work.

Of course, with one down he walks Hoshino...

And so it begins... Hoshino takes off for 2nd, ball in dirt, no throw.

Wakimoto does his best to get on base by any means, works the count full and fouls off any close pitches.

He is completely jammed, but he hits a small looper over Nasuno! Hamada charges to the ball, but his only play is to try and fire to 3rd!

Kokuta-kantoku calling for time as it's like they didn't see this coming.

Wakimoto takes off for 2nd, throw cut off in case of double steal.

Nagashima fly to left, easily scores Hoshino. 1-0 Kendai Takasaki.

And guess what... Wakimoto steals 3rd without a throw.

Tsuge liner over Seto's outstretched glove! Wakimoto can stroll home as Tsuge has a double! 2-0 Kendai!

Tsuge steals 3rd and the throw is late. That's 4 stolen bases, and 2 steals of 3rd!

Yamagami with a drive over Manjyoume to the wall in left! Tsuge scores and it's 3-0! I'm laughing my ass off right now at how they're running circles around Rifu.

Shibahiki grounds to short to end the inning, but I think Rifu's learned the lesson that they needed to have kept the runners off the bases.

Top 2nd
Takeuchi hits a single to left with one down, and having to manufacture it the normal way, Kokuta-kantoku has Suzuki bunt the runner along.

Nasuno with a base hit back up the middle! Takeuchi being waved home! Throw from Hirayama cut off by Kawai, relay home...

OUT!!!! Tsuge with the block of the plate and the swipe tag and Rifu is denied at home!

Bottom 2nd
Even the outs are close. Yokomizo makes Suzuki rush his throw, though they make the play.

Two down, Hirayama hits a ball up the middle. Yokomizo has to rush his throw and it short hops Nagashima! It's a hustle single!

Hirayama takes off for 2nd, throw late!

He takes off for 3rd, throw... not in time! That's 6 steals now for Kendai!

Hoshino though can't get him in as he grounds to 1st for the 3rd out.

Top 3rd
Katsuramaki with a single back up the middle to leadoff the frame.

Manjyoume not bunting, and works the count full.

But he grounds to 2nd and Hoshino can go to 2nd to cut down the lead runner.

Ueno unable to bunt with one out winds up watching a slider over the plate for the 2nd out.

And Hamada makes good contact, but it's a liner right to Takeuchi for the 3rd out.

Bottom 3rd
Wakimoto with a drive to right! Takeuchi having to turn tail, sees it hit the base of the wall! He's in with a double!

Nagashima bunts him over to 3rd instead of a steal this time around. Perhaps saving energy for the RF?

SQUEEZE!

Aoyaki-kantoku tries the squeeze, but Tsuge hast to lay out just to foul it off.

No matter! With 2 strikes Tsuge just gets an old fashioned base hit through the left side to score Wakimoto! 4-0!

Yamagami fooled, but just points the bat at the ball! It's just out of the reach of Hamada and into right! Tsuge might as well just be given 3rd.

SQUEEZE!

But Shibahiki fouls it off! No go there. (Wait, they're playing Haisai Oji-san in the ouen-dan?!!)

Groudner to short! Goes to 2nd for one, NO! He's off the bag! Throw to 1st... NO! The throw pulls Seto off the bag!

Oh wow, Rifu is all messed up.

Yokomizo grounder to 2nd, throw home... Yamagami slides... but he misses the base! Ono tags him and he's out! Not sure, and I don't have an angle for it.

Kawai grounds out to 3rd to end the inning, but Rifu should be fortunate to have given up only 2 that frame.

Top 4th
Well, that's a concern. Kawai walks Seto on 4 straight, and then after a sac bunt, he walks Takeuchi on 4 straight! Ace Takahashi warming up in the bullpen.

But Kawai gets Suzuki to hit a lazy fly to left. And then Yamauchi grounds to 1st. Nagashima makes the tag and the side is retired!

Bottom 4th
One down, Hoshino gets hit by Yamauchi.

Rifu still affected by the speed of Kendai. Wakimoto grounds to 1st, Seto want to turn 2, but rushes and bobbles the ball! He has to go to 1st for the out.

Nagashima almost pokes a ball down the left field line, but it falls just foul.

Instead, it's a clean single to right and Hoshino can waltz home to a 6-0 lead!

Tsuge grounds to 3rd, and it's better for Suzuki to go the short way to 2nd for the out. 3 out, change!

Top 5th
And the more pressure Kendai puts on Rifu on defense, they have to somehow score runs on offense that they're just don't appear capable of doing.

Katsuramaki hits a chopper that Kawai snags and goes to 1st for the 1st out.

Manjyoume meanwhile gets fooled on a slider up and in for the 2nd out.

And though Ueno draws a walk, Hamada merely grounds into a fielder's choice at short to end the inning.

Bottom 5th
One down, Shibahiki grounder to left side. Katsuramaki makes diving catch, rushes throw to 1st but Shibahiki not even close to the bag! The throw is offline and he's on safely! Haha, the speed is totally in RIfu's heads!

Yokomizo with the sac bunt, but Seto and Hamada are near 1st and neither knows who's taking the bag! Hamada does, but the throw pulls him off!

#5 Nakasuji comes in to hit for Kawai but grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. That's rare.

So, needless to say Rifu is totally in stun mode and has no idea how to combat Kendai.

Top 6th
Rifu goes down in order. The offense that struggled last game is having less luck today.

Bottom 6th
Defensive change as #13 Inomata in for Seto to play 1B.

Hirayama grounder to right side, Inomata can't get it, Hamada does in the outfield grass, fires to Yamauchi for the out, just.

Hoshino tries to take 2nd, but with a lefty, can't get the same jump. Ono fires to 2nd and they just get him for the out.

They're showing the record for steals at 13 by Tosa. With a lefty on the mound and a big lead, I don't know how much they'll be trying it.

Wakimoto walks, so we'll find out.

He finally takes off on the 1-1 pitch and the throw is offline! 10 total.

A pitch goes off Ono's glove and Wakimoto takes 3rd.

And after Yamauchi walks Nagashima, Kokuta-kantoku makes a change. #11 Watanabe enters for Inomata and takes the hill. Yamauchi goes to 1B.

Tsuge with about as free a swing as you'll see splits the defense in left center. Wakimoto and Nagashima score easily and it's 8-0.

Seriously, Rifu needs a white flag.

Yamagami gives it to them with a flyout to center to end the inning.

Top 7th
Suzuki with a liner to left for a leadoff single. #15 Takahashi comes in to run for him.

AH! And he gets picked off! That just adds insult to injury.

The side gets retired in order after that and Rifu can't even buy a run at this point.

Bottom 7th
Shibahiki drive to center, Ueno running back, running back... makes the catch! Nice scramble there by Ueno!

Ah, but Watanabe hits Yokomizo.

Kendai will go to their next pitcher as #17 Kinjyou will hit for Takahashi.

Liner to center, Ueno charges... makes the shoestring catch! Yokomizo running on play and he's doubled off easily to end the inning!

Top 8th
#18 Ishige enters the game for PH Kinjyou and takes the hill. He retires the first 2 batters before Watanabe bloops one into right for a base hit.

But just 1 pitch later Ono grounds into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

Bottom 8th
#14 Oyama comes in for Takahashi to get work in at 3B.

Wakimoto collects his 3rd base hit with 2 down, lining a ball past Watanabe into center.

Wakimoto steals his 4th base, and 11th for the team.

Nagashima goes down on a ball away and drive it to deep left center. What?! They have power too? He's in with a triple! 9-0 Kendai!

And now there's a full battery change. #17 Kikuchi in for Watanabe, and #12 Gotou in for Ono.

Tsuge with one last indignity singles the first pitch into center to score the 10th run. 10-0.

Tsuge gets thrown out and for Rifu, the nightmare game is almost over.

Top 9th
#16 Mochida comes in for Yamagami to play LF, #14 Hayashi comes in for Shibahiki to play 3B, and #10 Matsuno comes in for Ishige to finish the game.

Kokuta-kantoku finished emptying the bench for Rifu. Hayashi hits for Takeuchi and grounds out to 2nd. And with 2 down #16 Abe hits for Yamauchi and grounds to short to end the game.

This was an utter dismantling of a team if I've ever seen one. It's one thing to just be dominant like say Seiryou over Kanoya Chuo. It's another to get into a team's head, break their spirit, and then crush it even more.

That's what Kendai did. They had Rifu paranoid about every play on defense. And that carried over to their already ineffective offense. Does it hurt? Of course it does. To be dominated on offense, you just shrug your shoulders and say what can you do. But when it is made so apparent, so raw... when it questions your ability as a team. That's what hurts. Kokuta-kantoku will have some work to do with some of his starters who will return for next year.

For Kendai Takasaki this is probably a statement game because back in 2011, they strayed from this strategy for 1 game and that was the game they lost. They're out to show they've learned from their mistakes and will not give in next time.Goro Shigenohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-8457723400073137412014-08-18T12:46:00.001+09:002014-08-18T14:45:29.820+09:00Day 8, Game 3 - Seiryou (Ishikawa) v. Kanoya Chuo (Kagoshima)Kanoya Chuo caught one of the biggest (and most heartbreaking for the opponent) breaks in it's first round game. After tying the game in the 8th to send it to enchousen, in the 12th with runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out, Shiritsu Wakayama's 2B Yamane accidentally goes to 1st on a contact play and they sayonara run scores, shocking everyone in the stadium and completely crushing Yamane.

Nanashima and Yonezawa were effective enough on the mound, but this will be a tougher task in Seiryou.

For their part Seiryou was involved in a close game with Shizuoka though on the losing end. But poor defense from Shizuoka let ace Tsujimoto down, and when you're a contact pitcher that is the worst feeling to have.

Seiryou was far from stellar. The 3-4-5 hitters went a combined 2-11, and ace Iwashita gave 5 free passes.

Seiryou (Ishikawa)
LF Fukushige Tatsumi
2B Nakamura Hayato
CF Tanigawa Touma
3B Murakami Kazuma (#3)
RF Satake Kaito
P Iwashita Daiki
1B Imamura Haruki (#11)
SS Toratani Takaya
C Yokoyama Shouta

Kanoya Chuo (Kagoshima)
LF Kawasaki Kenshirou
SS Hakiai Shunichirou
3B Tokushige Jin
RF Kihara Satoshi
C Kawauchi Daiki
1B Oota Takeshi
2B Kanda Kouta
CF Yamashita Ryouta
P Nanashima Takuya

____________________________________________________________

12:50 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
One down for Seiryou and Nakamura hits a blooper to right. Kihara charges in, dives, but it's off the end of his glove for a single.

Tanigawa swinging away, but grounds to short. Hakiai gets the force at 2nd.

Hit and run! Murakami takes a fastball left up the other way as Tanigawa goes into 3rd. Small chance for Seiryou here in the 1st.

Satake grounder past diving Tokushige! Tanigawa comes in and Seiryou takes the lead right off the bat 1-0!

Iwashita goes down swinging, but they have done something they haven't done in 2 games, take an early lead!

Bottom 1st
Iwashita begins the game with hitting Kawasaki. Hakiai bunts him along to 2nd.

But, despite the full count he strikes out Tokushige on a slider inside at his feet, 2 down.

Kimura sharp hit to the right side, Nakamura makes a dive for it, but can't get it! Kawasaki rounding 3rd and scores without a throw! We're tied at 1-1!

Kawauchi goes down swinging on another inside slider, but Kanoya Chuo strikes right back!

Top 2nd
Imamura with a huge fly to left, Kawasaki has to wait for it near the foul pole before making the catch.

Toratani with a ball back up the middle, Hakiai makes the diving stop behind 2nd, but his throw from the grass is easily not in time.

Hayashi-kantoku goes for the hit and run, but Yokoyama flies out to center.

Nanashima not out of the pinch yet as he walks Fukushige to continue the inning.

Nakamura slow grounder to short, Hakiai charging in, throw to 1st... Oota with the nice pick gets the out!

Bottom 2nd
Oota completely swings over the forkball for the first out. Kanda with a weak grounder back up the middle. Nakamura charges it down, throws and beats a diving Kanda. *sighs*

Iwashita closes out the frame by freezing Yamashita on an outside fastball.

Top 3rd
Tanigawa turns on an inside fastball (that was meant to be outside) and singles through the left side.

Murakami lays down the bunt, Kawauchi goes to 2nd, but that's late! Throw to 1st, over everything! It's into the camera well and everyone advances a base!

The umpires confer again, and award the runner home! 2-1 Seiryou! Since the runner was on 2nd when the throw was made, the 2-base award sent him home.

With one down, Seiryou starts the engine again. Iwashita with a sharp hit to 3rd that Tokushige can block, but not field cleanly. Imamura follows that with a clean single through the left side.

Nanashima gets out of the inning though when he gets Toratani to hit into the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

Bottom 3rd
Nanashima can't lay off the outside slider and becomes Iwashita's 4th K victim. After a groundout to 2nd by Kawasaki, Iwashita gives up a walk to Hakiai. It leads to nothing as Tokushige also grounds to 2nd to end the inning.

Top 4th
Yokoyama starts the inning with a slicer down the right field line for a single. He's bunted to 2nd, and a slow grounder to short by Nakamura moves him to 3rd.

Tanigawa can't get the timely hit as he grounds to Hakiai as well to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
Just when you think Kanoya Chuo is getting some traction, Seiryou takes it right back.

Kawauchi with a grounder back up the middle for a base hit, but Oota grounds into the inning-ending 6-4-3 double play...

Top 5th
After Murakami goes down swinging, Satake takes the first pitch deep to left center. The fielders have to chase the ball to the wall and he's in with a double.

Iwashita tries to check his swing, but winds up hitting the ball. It's effectively a bunt as it dies in front of the plate and Kawauchi goes to 1st.

Imamura with a sharp liner, but right at Tokushige who makes the catch for the 3rd out.

Bottom 5th
Kanoya Chuo manages a runner when Nanashima reaches base on a wild pitch on his K.

And Nanashima's day is done! #15 Okadome comes in to run for him!

Kawasaki strikes out to end the inning, but Nanashima is done, and so far so does Kanoya Chuo.

Top 6th
#10 Yonezawa comes in for PR Okudome to take the hill.

Seiryou rudely welcomes him. After he gives up a leadoff walk and is bunted over, Fukushige singles to center scoring Toratani to make it 4-1.

Nakamura lays down a bunt and Yonezawa can't field it cleanly. Throw to 1st not in time.

Thankfully he gets out of the inning as Tanigawa grounds into the 4-6-3 double play.

Bottom 6th
Well to sum up the game, Kimura hits 2-out double to left center. Kawauchi hits a ball hard to 3rd, Yanase fumbles the ball. But Kimura is heading to 3rd and Yanase just tags him for 3rd out.

Going through the motions...

7-9th InningsThis game is pretty much over, so here are just some changes that happened.

Bottom 7th
Seiryou rest's Iwashita's arm, they send him to LF. Fukushige goes to center and Tanigawa takes the hill.

At least I get to hear Cruel Angel's Thesis (With Justin.tv no more hearing the ouen-dan it's a little harder)

Bottom 8th
With #10 Nakamura running for Imamura, he takes 2B, Nakamura goes to SS and #5 Yanase comes in for Toratani and goes to 3B

Top 9th
With Nishimura hitting for Yonezawa (and subsequently Hiromori running for him), #11 Sorachi comes in to finish out the game for Kanoya Chuo.

Bottom 9th
Fukushige comes in from CF to take the hill, Tanigawa goes back to CF and now #15 Takeya comes in for Satake in RF.

Well, I guess after Fukushige gives up a walk, a loud line out to short, and then a gapper to left center to put the douten runner at the plate, Hayashi-kantoku stops messing around.

Iwashita takes the hill and Fukushige goes back to LF.

One last timeout by Hayashi-kantoku and Iwashita will close out the game.

And so he does.

Seiryou decided to get some work in with their players at Kanoya Chuo's expense knowing that if things went bad like it did in the 9th, Iwashita could close it out.

And it did and he did.

That's really about it. Kanoya Chuo was just outmatched in the game, and unfortunately heads home. But at least they were able to enjoy a victory before going home. Goro Shigenohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562979641737696495.post-70610905057409245592014-08-18T10:14:00.000+09:002014-08-18T12:18:14.157+09:00Day 8, Game 2 - Nihon Bunri (Niigata) vs. Touhou (Aichi)More teams from the central regions here in Game 2 as Nihon Bunri and Touhou do battle.

Nihon Bunri got a gift of a game from Oita in the first round. Despite having multiple scoring chances, miscommunication on the basepaths led to key outs that kept them off the scoreboard. When Nihon Bunri scored 3 in the 7th, that just broke Oita.

Ace Iidzuka may have had a clever game plan as well, though we'll need to see if it was truly the case. He walked 6, but 4 of those came with 1 out. And in all but the last case, Oita bunted. So every time it was 2 outs, runner on 2nd. Perhaps they did it intentionally so they would get an easy out. But like I said, it will depend on how he pitches today.

Touhou meanwhile, just ran roughshot over Nichinan Gakuen, amassing 20 hits and 11 runs with every starter getting on base. So in that respect, it wasn't much of a game.

But there are concerns. Two of the players at the top of the lineup, Okada and Miyazawa went hitless. #5 hitter Mine only got 1 hit. That has to be concerning considering the offensive output.

The other was bench starter Fujishima. He went 8 strong innings, scattering 9 hits. But he walked 3 and struck out just 2. That is a lot of pressure to potentially put on a defense. We saw a little of this last year in Nobeoka Gakuen, but it can't the main calling card of the pitching staff. Well, it can, but it's very, very tough.

Nihon Bunri (Niigata)
RF Hoshi Kenta
SS Kurodai Naito
CF Kodachi Otowa
3B Ikeda Takamasa
1B Kawaguchi Tatsurou (#13)
2B Arai Makoto
LF Yamaguchi Naoki (#17)
C Kamakura Wataru
P Iidzuka Satoshi

Touhou (Aichi)
SS Suzuki Daisuke
1B Kodama Daiki
CF Kudou Shun
LF Mizoguchi Yoshichika
3B Miyazawa Kazushige
C Mine Kouhei
P Fujishima Kento (#10)
2B Matsubara Matsunori
RF Okada Satoshi

____________________________________________________________

10:23 - First Pitch!

Top 1st
Good start for Fujishima. After filling up the count, he blows a 143 fastball by Hoshi for the first out.

Kurodai though sends a ball back up the middle past a diving Matsubara for a base hit.

Clothing malfunction as Matsubara needs to have his belt replaced.

Fujishima gets contact, and good one at that.

For him. Kodachi grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning!

Bottom 1st
Iidzuka seeming better with his control. Suzuki with a weak comebacker to 1st. Kodama tries to sell the walk, but has to double back after being rung up.

And Kudou skies a ball in foul territory, Kamakura makes the catch for the out.

Top 2nd
Nihon Bunri trying to make Fujishima throw strikes, and he's happily obliging.

Ikeda strikes out looking on a fastball outside...

Kawaguchi strikes out looking on a fastball outside...

Arai avoids the same fate, but grounds to short. When I said that he only struck out 2 it means there are pitches to hit. The operative word being hit.

Bottom 2nd
One down, and Miyazawa gets Touhou in the hit column with a solid single through the left side. Ooi-kantoku goes for the hit-and-run, but all Mine can do is advance the runner to 2nd.

Fujishima can't help his own cause, hitting a grounder to the left side that Ikeda takes and throws for the out.

Top 3rd
Yamaguchi springs the safety bunt! Miyazawa charges in, but by the time he gets it he has to eat it! Leadoff single for Nihon Bunri!

It's a pitchout and Yamaguchi was taking off! Throw to 2nd and he's caught in no-man's land! He's rundown for the 1st out!

After that the bottom of the lineup can't make solid contact, and Kamakura and Iidzuka are retired with little trouble.

Bottom 3rd
Touhou's offense having a much harder time as Matsubara goes swinging on a forkball.

Okada with a routine grounder to 1st and Kawaguchi takes that himself.

And it's not until the 3rd that we see a walk from Iidzuka as Suzuki walks on 4 straight.

Kodama with a rip to the right side, but it's right at Arai who makes the pick and throw to 1st for the 3rd out.

Top 4th
Hoshi making better contact the 2nd time around though he lines out to Suzuki.

2 down, and Kodachi lines one to the left side! Miyazawa leaps, but it's off his glove and into left! Kodachi sees the slowed down ball and takes off for 2nd! Throw from Mizoguchi not in time!

But Ikeda can't pull the trigger again! Fujishima puts a ball down the middle for strike 3 and the side is retired!

Bottom 4th
Kudou with a ball to keft. Kobayashi coming in, now starts dashing in! But he's too late and the ball falls in! Kudou running all the way reaches 2nd on the blooper!

And now he walks Mizoguchi on 4 straight! If he wanted to set up the force, it doesn't work because Miyazawa lays down the bunt.

Huh, I have a hunch about the next batter. Iidzuka might unintentionally intentionally walk him.

Mine didn't get anything to hit at that AB, and yet, he swings away and strikes out!

Fujishima not getting anything in the zone, he ends up with a walk...AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ball gets under Kamakura and to the backfence! The plan backfires as Kudou comes in to score! 1-0 Touhou!

Matsubara goes down on 3 straight, but the mistake by Kamakura fouls their strategy!

Top 5th
Kawaguchi not seeing the ball at all. He watches another ball paint the outside edge for strike 3. Ikeda and Kawaguchi are 0-4 with 4 K's looking.

Arai first pitch singles past the infield into left.

Yamaguchi swings and grounds into a tailor-made 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Bottom 5th
Okada tries the safety bunt, but Arai charges in, and undertosses to Kawaguchi to just get Okada.

Suzuki gets his first hit with a liner over Kurodai.

And he takes off for 2nd! Kamakura loses the ball and there's no throw!

Kodama with a liner to left, Kobayashi there, AHHH!!!

The ball bounces over Kobayashi and he has to scramble back! Suzuki scores and Kodama slides into 3rd! 2-0 Touhou on the error!

Kudou grounder to 3rd, it's a contact play! Ikeda goes home and they get Kodama for the out.

But now Kudou goes for 2nd! Throw from Kamakura not in time!

Iidzuka strikes out Mizoguchi to end the inning, but Touhou adds a key run as we hit the break! Fujishima is in full control right now while his offense is putting pressure on Iidzuka and the defense!

Top 6th
Kamakura with a ball to right center! The outfield is drawn in and Kudou has to chase it to the wall! He's in with a leadoff double!

Iidzuka not bunting! He inside-outs a ball to the left side and that's in for a base hit! Runners at the corners with no down!

Hoshi a ball the other way!! That's through the left side and Kamkura scores! It's now just a 2-1 lead!

Ooi-kantoku calls for the sac bunt and Kurodai obliges. Gyakuten runner in scoring position!

Kodachi playing the waiting game, and Fujishima can't put the ball in the zone! He walks him to load the bases! Morita-kantoku calling for time, but though the 4-5 batters for Nihon Bunri are coming up, both of them have done nothing but strike out looking.

Base hit through the left side!!!

Ikeda attacks the first pitch and singles past the drawn in infield! And the relay throw goes to no one and the runners advance another base! 3-2 Nihon Bunri!

And that's it for Fujishima. Ace Ooi comes into the game as Ooi-kantoku sent in #18 Araki to hit for Kawaguchi.

Araki with a grounder to 3rd. It's a contact play and Miyazawa goes home! Mine makes the tag and there's 2 down.

Arai fouls out to end the inning but damage has been done. 3 runs after the break and Nihon Bunri has the lead!

Bottom 6th
Araki stays in to play LF. Yamaguchi goes to CF and Kodachi goes to 1B.

One down for Touhou and Mine hits a ball just out of the reach of Kurodai into center.

Hit-and-run for Touhou, Ooi grounds to short, advancing the runner. But Matsubara grounds to 3rd, Ikeda makes the play and Mine is left stranded.

Top 7th
One down, Kamakura lightly plunked by a changeup.

Iidzuka not bunting, but goes down looking on the fastball outside.

Hoshi, though showing they can hit the other way gets his 2nd single through the gap.

Kurodai though can't quite get to the ball on the outside edge and goes down swinging. Not everyone apparently is quite able to yet.

Bottom 7th
Okada ball back up middle. Kurodai there to field and throw to 1st, 1 down.

Suzuki another grounder to Kurodai. He handles the scooting ball and throws to 1st, 2 dow.

Kodama ball into the gap in left! Kurodai springs and males the pick! Throw from the outfield grass.. not in time! Couldn't quite make the 3rd plat as Kodama dives into the bag.

Kodama takes off for 2nd! Kamakura's throw not nearly in time!

But Kudou hits a grounder back to Iidzuka! He fields it, tosses to 1st and the side is retired!

Top 8th
With Ooi in the game, Nihon Bunri's offense goes silent again. Iidzuka will have to make the 3 runs hold.

Bottom 8th
Touhou's offense appears to be pressing now. Ahead 2-0 Mizoguchi swings away and lines out right to Yamaguchi. Miyazawa ahead 2-1, skies a popup that Kodachi catches for the 2nd out.

Mine tries to work the count, at 2-2 he hits a routine fly to center and ends the inning!

Top 9th
Outside of a hit batter, the Bunri offense lies dormant.

Bottom 9th
#16 Hosoya to hit for Ooi. But he goes down swinging on a forkball. One down.

Matsubara hacking away, chases a slider outside and they're doing to their final out.

#15 Morishita the final chance for Touhou.

Trying to find a way on, he tries to work the count, but the count runs full...

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

Iidzuka blows a 143 fastball by him and Nihon Bunri holds on!Goro Shigenohttp://email@example.com