Bab 138: [138] Inashiro Match – Debut in the Finals
Chapter 138: Inashiro Match – Debut in the Finals
"Whoosh!"
"Pop!"
"Out! Three outs, switch sides!"
"He's done it! Ace Narumiya Mei didn't allow himself to give up another run. After that walk, he successfully shut down Seidou High's batters, keeping the score within two runs!"
Narumiya's unshaken presence slightly dampened the joy in Seidou High's dugout. Narumiya remained as formidable as ever; one home run wasn't enough to rattle him. To completely conquer this monster and win this game, they would need to overcome even greater challenges ahead.
At least for now, Seidou High had taken control of the opening phase of the game.
"As expected from Mei, Kanto's number one lefty," Miyuki said, looking toward third base where Narumiya stood, with a faint, knowing smile.
"Miyuki-senpai, provocations don't work on me." Eijun adjusted his cap, tapped his glove with his left hand, and looked at Miyuki with determined eyes. "I won't lose to him as a pitcher!"
Miyuki chuckled, unbothered. "Got me, huh?"
"Narumiya-senpai is Narumiya-senpai. I'm me. I'll definitely beat him as a pitcher!" Eijun's eyes gleamed with a golden resolve, his firm words drawing a smirk from Miyuki.
"Alright then, let's go, partner!"
"Yes, Miyuki-senpai!"
"In the bottom of the first inning, representing Seidou High on the mound is first-year lefty pitcher, number 11, Sawamura Eijun! In this tournament so far, he has yet to allow a single run. It's a battle of lefties! What kind of performance will this first-year bring against Inashiro's lineup?"
"Let's go, Sawamura!"
"We believe in you! Go, Sawamura!"
"Take them down, Sawamura!"
"Go for it, Eijun!"
"Pitch carefully, Sawamura!"
"Take it one batter at a time."
"Let them hit it; we've got your back!"
"Go aggressive, Sawamura!"
"Seidou! Seidou! Seidou!"
As Seidou's players took the field, the stadium erupted in cheers once more, especially when Eijun took the mound.
In the dugout and cheering section, Seidou High's fans roared with excitement, countless eyes fixed on the mound, all eager to see how this first-year pitcher would fare against Inashiro's lineup.
"Do your best, Sawamura-kun!"
"Eijun, you have to win!"
Two pairs of bright eyes looked on, filled with pride, admiration, trust, and a hint of worry. In this moment, the only figure in those two girls' eyes was the young man standing proudly on the mound.
He was their hero.
"Bottom of the first, Inashiro's attack. Batting first, center fielder, Kamiya-kun!"
A figure clad in black, gripping his bat, walked confidently to the batter's box.
Inashiro's leadoff hitter, as fast as Kuramochi—Kamiya Carlos Toshiki.
On the mound, Sawamura took a deep breath, focusing like never before as he locked eyes with Carlos, now stepping up to the plate.
The best strategy against this batter? Don't give him a chance to take off.
Otherwise, a simple grounder could be enough for him to reach first. Kuramochi was proof enough of Carlos' unmatched speed on the bases.
Those long strides were a clear testament to Carlos' superior base-running speed.
"Sawamura, no need to hold back from the start. Go all out and establish our rhythm first," Miyuki subtly gestured with his fingers behind the plate.
Sawamura slightly bent forward and nodded.
"First pitch, inside fastball—let's show our spirit right off the bat!"
A powerful aura of competition, an intense sense of pressure.
This is the pitcher's mound in the finals, the heart of the battlefield.
Deep within, a thrill, a surge of excitement.
Eijun's eyes sparked with the fire of combat.
Raising his right leg high, he whipped his left arm like a lash. His flexible joints moved fluidly, his solid stance pressing all his weight down. Eijun hid his arm perfectly behind his body.
Ready to unleash his pitch, Carlos in the batter's box focused with a serious expression, his gaze locked on the mound, not daring to look away for even a second.
Then, a sudden flash.
"Whoosh!"
A sharp gleam shot from the mound before Carlos had time to react.
By the time he registered the pitch, the ball was already racing toward home plate.
Carlos had no time to make a decision.
In this split-second duel of less than 0.5 seconds, his brief moment of hesitation already left him at a disadvantage.
He could only swing instinctively.
"Crack!"
The ball collided fiercely with his swinging bat.
But the timing and angle were off.
The impact from the bat made Carlos' expression change instantly.
No good. This pitch went badly!
"Whoosh!"
Reacting on instinct, Carlos knew the moment the ball and bat met that he'd missed this chance.
The biggest problem was the angle—it was precisely what he wanted to avoid.
Sure enough, in the next moment…
"Whoosh!"
The ball bounced out from home plate.
Eijun dashed off the mound, while Carlos sprinted toward first base the moment the ball left the bat.
But in the end, Eijun had anticipated this, seizing the advantage in their matchup.
With a slide, he scooped up the ball, then swiftly threw it.
"Pop!"
At first base, Yuuki firmly caught the throw in his glove.
"Out!"
"Nice one, Sawamura!"
"Quick reflexes, huh? Seems like you're not nervous at all!"
"Keep it up! Keep pressing them, Sawamura!"
"Go, Eijun!"
"Sigh..."
Halfway to first, Carlos halted as he saw Yuuki make the catch, letting out a quiet sigh as he glanced back at Eijun on the mound.
He shook his head slightly and walked back toward his dugout.
"How was it?" Shirakawa asked, his face as grim as ever.
"I couldn't see the release point at all. The speed seems around 135 km/h to the naked eye, but it's likely a bit slower. And this kid's pitch has a strong finish; it's tough to control the movement near the plate," Carlos replied quietly. "I'd suggest watching a few pitches first—don't go for a bunt. With that kind of movement, it'll be hard to make precise contact."
"Really? High praise from you," Shirakawa responded, expressionless as he nodded.
"Heh, just wait—you'll see," Carlos shrugged, heading back to the dugout.
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