Bab 98: 98. Friendly Match (V)

The 3rd inning started off with one of the club players who was on third base. Not expecting much out of him, Rei continued to look at the match. Suzaku threw his first pitch and the batter could only miss his timing and foul it.

Suzuki continued with his next pitches and struck him out. Rei shook his head seeing the expected happen and looked at Akamine who was the next batter. Rei hoped Akamine would do better than the previous player and get onto a base.

The first pitch was fouled along with the next 2 too. Akamine was standing in the box, clutching the bat as he waited for an easier pitch to hit rather than foul it. The pitch he was waiting for came straight down the middle. Akamine swung his bat and noticed the ball passing the first baseman and falling between him and the right fielder.

He took off to the 1st base and came to a halt when the right fielder had the ball in his hand. Feeling satisfied with the hit, he took a bit of a lead trying to steal. He then slowly observed as Suzaku suddenly attempted a pick-off, which failed as he made it back on time.

Getting up, exhaled in relief and Suzaku simply ignored him and took on the next batter. Akamine observing this takes a lead once again. Suzaku threw the first pitch for the next batter, who was able to connect the ball. Akamine took off as soon as he noticed the ball connecting.

But sadly, the ball fell into the right fielder's hand, and luckily Akamine was able to successfully steal the base. With a runner or 2nd and two outs, it was a chance to score for the team. Next up was Daichi, and Rei had enough confidence that Daichi could make it to a base.

With Daichi up for bat, Rei stood in the deck circle observing the field for any changes to the fielding pattern. Daichi knew the severity and the opportunity to score this inning and was completely set on getting to the base to bring up Rei to the plate. Suzuki was a bit tense at the situation and went with a relatively safe way to get some strikes and asked for a pitch to the outside.

Suzaku simply nodded and pitched it to where he asked. But he couldn't control the ball and it went inside then the place he wanted it to be. Daichi was quick to act on this and bought his bat down and the ball found a gap between the first and second base. He could get on the base and push Akamine to third.

Rei slowly got into his place and the tense atmosphere kicked up a notch with him in the box. Gripping his bat tighter, he was completely focused on bringing Akamine home this inning. Suzaku was also visibly tense with the situation and noticed Suzuki asking for an inside pitch.

Getting a hold on himself, Suzaku pitched exactly where he was asked to. This was a very good pitch, but it was Rei who was in the box and completely predicted it. He swung the bat a bit earlier than usual and sent the ball flying to the right-field.

Running off to first base, Rei kept his eye on the ball and after noticing it crossing the fielder he went towards the 2nd base for an easy double. Before the fielder could throw the ball back, Rei was safely on 2nd and Daichi on the 3rd.

Successfully bringing him back home, Rei felt excited. He knew they had one more chance to score as their next batter was Akira. Suzaku simply received the ball and tried to remain calm. He was a bit shaken but got back to his senses when he noticed Akira in the box.

He decided to stop them here and will not give up more runs. He quickly took a deep breath and relaxed. He showed his experience at this moment and decided to go all or nothing. He noticed Suzuki asking for the pitch a bit up in the zone and nodded to his decision.

Suzaku quickly pitched to the place he was asked, and Akira let it pass by. He did not have any intention to swing right on the first ball. Gripping the bat tighter, he waited for his next pitch. This time it was to the right, and Akira did not miss this chance.

He swung his bat and was able to find a gap between Tanaka and the third base for an easy single. Daichi could make it home and Rei to third. Rei felt satisfied with the lead and had some hope that the next batter could extend it.

But his hope remained as a hope as the person got overwhelmed by Suzaku's pitching and Rei couldn't make a move from the 3rd base. Getting 3 outs, both the teams made their way back to their bench and Akira was a bit satisfied with the result of this inning and clapped his hand gaining attention, "Now that we had the lead, let us keep it this way and not give up any runs."

All of them nodded, and Rei changed into his gear and got out to his position. Rei wanted to keep this lead that they got as it is and noticed the first batter, a club member, and unconsciously thought little of him. He asked for a normal pitch and it got hit to an easy single.

Rei cursed himself for underestimating him and noticed the next batter was Tanaka. Taking a deep breath, he asked a pitch more to the edge of the zone to shake Tanaka a bit. But Tanaka was able to hold back from swinging, and the pitch was called a strike because of Rei's framing skills.

Rei asked the next pitch to be above, and Izumi was able to deliver it. But luckily, Tanaka could connect to the ball, and it went over the 3rd baseman for a nice single. With runners on 2nd and 1st, the next batter was Suzuki.