Chapter 32: Seidou High Vs. Maimon High
"We will now begin the second round of the West Tokyo Qualifiers, between Seido High School and Maimon West High School", said the announcer.
On the mound. Number 10 was the starting pitcher for this match, not their southpaw ace.
"Number 10, Minamidaita Mamoru, senior. He played as a pitcher in his 1st year, but he hasn't been a pitcher in an official game since then. It's almost unthinkable, he must have practiced 2 years for this summer", said Chris.
Kuramochi was up to bat. "Well, what should I do? It's my job to get on base but I should show the team his pitches".
Mamoru pitched, "STRIKE!", yelled the umpire as the ball hit the strike zone.
Kuramochi found that number 10's pitch is even lower and slower than Kawakami's.
"It's a really good battery", commented Rei in the dugout.
Kuramochi was struck out trying to show his team the kind of pitcher number 10 is.
Ryosuke was up to bat next, and the coach ordered him to hit easy pitches. He wasn't going to aim for the low pitches.
Ryosuke hit the only easy pitch the pitcher threw, and it went straight to the third.
"Not my lucky day", said Ryosuke walking back to the dugout.
"It's fine. Let's get a run to ease the pressure on our newbie pitcher", said Yuuki walking to the batter's box.
"Arigato, YUKI SENPAI", said Rei smiling.
Yuuki looked back and nodded toward Rei.
"You cheeky bastard, go warm up", said Miyuki approaching him.
Rei nodded and went to warm up.
The audience was getting worried that Seido was anxious and not prepared because they still hadn't hit a ball. But seeing Yuuki come up to the batter's box the audience got riled up.
"Why is Yuuki coming up to bat?"
"Was he the 3rd batsman?"
"Oh, I think Kataoka Coach is trying something new with the lineup this year".
Discussed the audience.
The catcher felt the untouchable aura Yuuki was emitting. He knew this batter was on a different level than the previous one.
The catcher changed the position of his mitt for the out-course to test the waters. Mamoru pitched a low submarine pitch to the out.
"It goes pretty low", thought Yuuki.
"STRIKE!", said the umpire.
Yuuki nodded and became more focused on the next pitch.
"He seems dangerous", thought the catcher. To make it difficult for Yuuki the catcher signaled for an in-course.
Mamoru pitched a low submarine pitch at 130 KM towards the in.
As soon as Yuuki saw the ball coming toward him without hesitation he hit the ball in the in-course with his powerful swing.
The ball went over the outfield resulting in a home run.
"A home run in the first inning!"
"What a good start to the game"
"CAPTAIN YUUKI!"
Cheered the audience.
"Oh, that's rare, a home run in the first inning", said Jun in the dugout as Yuuki walked back from touching the home plate.
"I wanted to show our cute 1st years how good the 3rd years are. I'm glad it went out.", said Yuuki smiling.
"You're too perfect captain!", said Jun.
All the players jumped on Yuuki, and they celebrated their home run.
Kataoka was smiling in the dugout because he knew this home run would take pressure off the pitchers and it would increase the player's confidence.
"It's a good change with the lineup, isn't it", said Takashima.
Kataoka and Director Oota nodded.
Hearing Takashima's comment Chris smiled and looked toward Rei. He couldn't wait for how Rei would pitch this game.
Mamoru, the pitcher for Maimon High was feeling really bad right now, all the confidence he had built up by practicing the submarine pitch for 2 years had shattered. He had his head lowered disheartened.
In Maimon High's Dugout.
"Mamoru should have just walked him. Now he doesn't look like he can pitch", said Chiba Coach.
"Should we call for a pitcher change", said the assistant.
"NO! we just started, and I don't think we should put our ace on the mound yet", said Chiba Coach.
His assistant nodded obediently.
In the Field.
Miyuki was up to bat now. The catcher analyzed Miyuki's posture and was extremely cautious with the batters now because of the previous home run.
Mamoru threw a strike to an out course.
Miyuki didn't react.
The catcher thought he figured Miyuki out and asked for an in-course. He thought that this team's batters swung wider.
Mamoru pitched a low pitch to an in-course.
Miyuki reacted and swung at the very low pitch which was a few inches above the ground.
It went past and Miyuki ran to the first base safely.
The catcher was flabbergasted and thought that the team can also swing for contact.
"Freaking Miyuki. He was totally aiming for that pitch that I struck out on", thought Kuramochi standing in the dugout.
Next Jun was up to bat.
"Roar! You're the spitz of seido!"
Yelled the audience.
"Who's a spitz?!", yelled Jun as he swung his bat powerfully totally missing the first pitch.
"Calm down, Isashiki" yelled players from the dugout.
Jun made contact with the 2nd pitch which was a fly to a right fielder.
"OUT!", said the Umpire.
"Damn. He only threw outside pitches", thought Jun walking back to the dugout.
Since it had been 3 out's, it was now Rei's turn to pitch.
[Score:
Seido: 1
Maimon:-]
"Rei let's go", said Miyuki.
"Haii", said Rei.
"We didn't underestimate them. Our guys were all just trying to do their jobs. Thank God we scored a home run, thanks to Yuuki Senpai. He really is amazing, but he still sucks at Shogi", thought Miyuki chuckling.
"Aren't we going, why are you standing there and laughing by yourself", said Rei suddenly appearing beside Miyuki.
Miyuki looked at Rei speechless coming out of his daze.
"Let's just go", said Miyuki pushing Rei towards the mound.
In Seido's dugout.
Sawamura and Furuya were sulking that they didn't get to pitch.
"You know that Rei is not going to pitch the whole 9 innings, right?", said Chris.
Sawamura and Furuya looked at Chris dumbfounded.
Chris sighed and said, "Focus on the match".
Sawamura and Furuya obediently nodded and watch the match happily as they now knew they had a chance to pitch in this match.
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