章 93: Yakushi High Vs. Seido High (Conclusion)

5th inning, the bottom was about to start and all the players wearing their gear walked towards their positions in the field. Everyone held different expectations from this inning. Everyone in Seido's dugout was walking towards the field except Sawamura who was staring dazed at the scoreboard.

"Sawamura, go to the mound", said Miyuki walking up to him.

Sawamura's thoughts were shattered, and he nodded. He hurriedly grabbed his glove and walked to the mound.

'Is he ok? He looked fine to me a few minutes ago', thought Miyuki.

'Why are my hands shaking? We have to hold them down this inning or else we won't even get a chance to score', thought Sawamura on the mound gathering his thoughts.

Miyuki looked concerned as he walked toward his position.

The siren rang signaling the start of the game. Masuda came to the batter's oozing determination, the only thought in his mind was that he had to get the time off if he didn't, he couldn't imagine joining a training camp right after the finals.

Taking a deep breath, Sawamura pitched.

"Ball!", yelled the umpire seeing the ball was not in the strike zone.

Sawamura's anxiousness grew, his hands were shaking since the beginning of the inning. The realization had hit him seeing the scoreboard that they were going to lose the finals if he couldn't hold Yakushi back this inning. He realized the pressure and responsibility of being on the mound.

'What's going on? Something's wrong. I think his control is not good enough right now for numbers. We can always go back to fastballs.', thought Miyuki. He signaled for a fastball and Sawamura nodded.

Sawamura threw fastballs for the 2nd pitch but Masuda who had an exceptional eye today hit the pitch towards the left field. "Harucchi!", yelled Sawamura looking back. Haruichi dove and caught the ball, he hurriedly threw it to Maezono.

"Out!", yelled the umpire. Sawamura sighed a sigh of relief. It was safe he just needed 2 more outs for this inning.

As soon as Masuda reached Yakushi's Dugout, the players felt pity for him since he would have to join the training camp. "Welcome to the camp", said Rei smirking at him as he sipped on his juice. Masuda almost fainted because of his own misfortune.

"Don't worry I got this!", said Mishima as he finished chewing on his snack. He walked to the batter's box confidently. He gripped his bat tightly ready to swing.

'Let's try the numbers again, what happened to his control? Sawamura, what are you thinking?', thought Miyuki full of questions seeing Sawamura's state. He had never seen him like this.

Sawamura nodded and threw the pitch toward the umpire. Seeing the ball come towards him the umpire skillfully evaded it, but he seemed angry. "Ball", he said.

After a few minutes, "Ball 4!", said the umpire. Mishima chuckling dropped the bat and walked toward the first base.

Sawamura stared at his hands shocked. The slight pressure he was feeling grew at an exceptional rate. The next batter, Raichi came to the batter's box. His eyes widened seeing him as if he had forgotten.

"Time out", said Miyuki. The umpire clicked his tongue annoyed but nodded. Miyuki ran towards Sawamura. Meanwhile, Seeing that Miyuki called a time-out worried all the players on the field and in the dugout.

All the teammates gathered at the mound. They could feel the tension. Kuramochi kicked Sawamura behind, waking him up from the shock. "Just 2 more outs!", said Haruichi. "Yeah, relax. If you are having problems, we can call Kawakami. You don't have to pressure yourself", said Miyuki trying to relax him.

"G-guys. I'm fine. It's just shocking that we made it to the finals", said Sawamura chuckling awkwardly. Everyone relaxed seeing his smile. "Yeah, I can't believe myself", said Haruicchi. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? BAKAMURA! THE GAME ISN'T OVER YET!", yelled Kanemaru smacking his head from the back. Everyone laughed witnessing this. "I think that's enough now let's get back", said Miyuki and everyone nodded agreeing with him. 'I hope this relaxes Sawamura', he thought as he walked back.

Meanwhile, Rei in Yakushi's Dugout. 'Don't run away, Sawamura, Be aggressive', he thought seeing Sawamura struggle on the field.

Back on the mound. 'This is fine… I have all my reliable teammates behind me. I can do this!', thought Sawamura pumping his hand. He looked at Raichi and took a deep breath.

Raichi took his position and grabbed his bat tightly. 'Hit! Hit! Hit!'.

'Pitch, Just like you normally do, Sawamura. Now give me an inside', thought Miyuki signaling him. Sawamura nodded and pitched.

Raichi grinned and swung his bat. A clashing sound was heard as the ball flew and hit the backboard.

Seeing the ball hit the backboard, Sawamura was horrified and stood there defeated, his head hung low. The world had stopped for him.

"You've got to be kidding me", muttered Asou seeing the ball hit the backboard. He clenched his jaw, 'NO! NO!'.

"KEHAHAHAHA!!", laughed Raichi as he touched all the bases and made it home. Mishima also made it home.

"Yakushi Scores! Raichi has hit a home run again! GAME SET! The match is called, Yakushi has dominated this match!", said the announcer.

As soon as Yakushi heard 'Game Set!', they jumped on each other in celebration. While all the players from Seido had tears overflowing. They fell to the ground crying and pathetically defeated.

In the Audience, Wakana, and all of Sawamura's acquaintances cried seeing this match. Though Chiaki and Reiji cheered for their son at the top of their lungs. While Seido's 3rd years who had come to watch this match sighed and left since they couldn't watch Seido get utterly defeated.

West Tokyo Tournament Finals. Yakushi Vs. Seido: 11-1. Winning School: Yakushi High.