Chapter 117: [117] The Ace's Resolve in the Yakushi Match
Chapter 117: The Ace's Resolve in the Yakushi Match
The swings became increasingly precise.
Miyuki's eyes flickered with a serious expression; he knew that the batter in front of him was gradually adjusting his stance, aiming to find the sweet spot at the optimal moment.
Should we just walk this batter?
No, this isn't the time to choose a walk, and Sawamura's pitches can handle this guy!
That's the most critical prerequisite!
In a split second, a special glint shone in Miyuki's pupils as he weighed the pros and cons.
Break him!!!
At the same time, on the mound, Eijun was exuding an exhilarating presence.
The growing pressure also deepened Eijun's resolve, igniting a primal instinct within him: the ambition of an ace that refuses to yield to any batter!!!
Miyuki-senpai, take him down with this pitch! I have trained hard for this throw; it's not just for show! This moment is the perfect stage! Right here, a face-off to take down Raichi!!!
This is the silent understanding between pitcher and catcher.
Let's crush this guy's offense with a stronger approach!!!!
In that instant, Miyuki showcased the commanding presence of a strong catcher.
"I've already shown him the trajectory of my quirky pitches."
"The deciding pitch—a changeup. Sawamura, since you have such confidence, show me your best pitch!"
Use your most reliable pitch to take care of this batter!!!
Yes!!!
The will to fight, the resolve of an ace.
In a moment.
His body moved, his arm swung, and he gripped the ball firmly, the flexible joints whipping like a whip.
"Whoosh!"
With a flick of his wrist, all of his force exploded forth.
It was as if all of Eijun's energy was infused into that pitch.
As the blazing light soared, the audience collectively held their breath, their eyes tracking the swiftly approaching ball.
Right-handed batters leaned away to the outside, while left-handed batters descended toward the inside.
Raichi, at the left-handed batter's box, put everything on the line for this moment!!
Here it comes, an inside pitch!!!
It arrived suddenly, emanating an overwhelming pressure.
This pitch was the culmination of Eijun's effort.
In that moment, Raichi could intuitively feel the sharp presence radiating from the approaching pitch.
At that moment.
The strongest and most central presence in the Yakushi lineup had no intention of backing down.
"Swish!"
With an aggressive stride, Raichi swung his bat with all his might.
But unfortunately...
In that instant, time collapsed.
Raichi's eyes widened in shock as he watched the ball—now seemingly further away, almost out of reach—zoom past. He put all his effort into stopping it, trying to halt his swinging bat.
However, it was too late.
The bat whiffed through the air as the ball danced past, perfectly avoiding the sharp edge of the pitch.
Time felt frozen at that moment.
Coach Todoroki's incredulous expression on the Yakushi bench, and the beaming smiles from Chris and Coach Kataoka on Seido's bench.
Everyone watched as Raichi swung and missed, and the small ball landed perfectly in the catcher's glove.
"Pop!"
With a crisp sound echoing.
"Strike! The batter is out!!! Three outs, change of sides!!!"
The atmosphere surged, and the crowd erupted with cheers and gasps.
"Whoa!!!!"
"A strikeout!? It was actually a strikeout?"
"Sawamura, that was incredible!!!"
"Eijun-kun, great pitch!!!!"
"Wow, that pitch earlier was a changeup, right?"
"Did he really have such a decisive pitch?"
"This is amazing; now Seido High has completely taken control of the game!"
"Sawamura! Sawamura! Sawamura!"
"Great pitch, Sawamura!!!!"
"Haha, I knew you could do it, kid!!!"
The astonished expressions of the audience and the thunderous applause from Seido High School's bench filled the air in the top of the seventh inning.
Eijun faced off directly against Raichi, and not only did he record an out, but he also struck out Raichi in three pitches!!!!
Back-to-back strikeouts in consecutive at-bats!!!!
Eijun's raised right hand was a striking image that deeply impressed everyone present.
In the batter's box, Raichi showed a hint of disbelief. He had expected fastballs, yet the pitch came at him in such a manner.
To be honest, he was somewhat dazed at that moment.
"Damn it, that pitcher can even throw a changeup! The variation in his speed and his precise control—it's really dangerous now!!!" For the first time in this game, Coach Todoroki displayed an extremely serious expression, murmuring this to himself.
If it were just a matter of control, Coach Todoroki believed that his son could definitely suppress that pitcher's speed and tailing effect with sheer power.
With Raichi's beast-like instincts and his superhuman swing speed, he could respond accurately to any pitch. But if this level of pitching were combined with the ability to judge variations in speed...
That would elevate the challenge to an entirely new level.
If that was true for Raichi, it was even worse for the other batters in the lineup. No, one could say that this game had already reached a near-death state.
With only two innings left, what could they do!?
Coach Todoroki's gaze remained fixed on Sawamura on the mound, a hint of anxiety creeping into his thoughts.
"Great pitch, Sawamura!!!"
"Haha, I knew you could do it, Sawamura!"
"Eijun-kun, that was beautiful!"
"Sawamura~~~~!!!!"
"Yahaha, I won't even have to practice my techniques when I go back today!"
The subdued, tense atmosphere surrounding Yakushi High contrasted sharply with the jubilant spirit of Seido High's bench.
However, not everyone wore expressions of joy.
While Furuya and Tanba shared in the team's happiness, their expressions also revealed a complex mixture of emotions.
Watching the other pitchers thrive on the mound stirred an unnatural feeling within them.
Especially for Tanba, the ace who had been substituted out.
This game held a very different significance for him.
Regret, bitterness, and even a hint of envy surfaced—feelings that were completely natural for an eighteen-year-old.
Coach Kataoka took a deep look at Tanba but said nothing. The barrier he faced in his heart needed to be crossed by himself. If he didn't understand or was unwilling to confront and solve his own issues, then no amount of advice from others would be meaningful.
Tanba had sufficient strength and experience as an ace.
Yet the internal strength and composure expected from an ace had been overshadowed by Eijun, a mere first-year student. True inner strength is the foundation necessary to truly unleash one's abilities.
If Tanba didn't realize this, then his career as a player would end here.
"Great pitch, Sawamura."
Returning to the bench, Miyuki took off his catching gear and said with a smile.
At this point, even Miyuki couldn't help but express his admiration. In the seventh inning, two consecutive strikeouts of Raichi meant that, to put it exaggeratively, this game was essentially in their hands.
In the next two innings, as long as they didn't have any unforeseen mishaps, even if they didn't score again, the two-run lead would surely carry them to the end.
What about a miracle in the bottom of the ninth?
Yes, that was a possibility.
However, since it was referred to as a miracle, the odds were extremely low.
Naturally, at this moment, Miyuki was generous with his praise.
After this confrontation, Miyuki clearly recognized Eijun's true caliber and demeanor as the ace of their team!!!
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