章節 195: [195] The Curtain Falls
Chapter 195: The Curtain Falls
Seven innings pitched, three hits allowed, no walks, and no runs conceded.
In addition, Eijun contributed offensively with a hit and two RBIs.
Against Yokohama Kouhoku Academy, Eijun's performance was nothing short of perfection.
To be honest, it wasn't just Yokohama Kouhoku's side or the tens of thousands of spectators in the stadium who were surprised—even Seidou High's team and Eijun himself were taken aback.
Eijun believed he could suppress Yokohama Kouhoku's offense, but he had anticipated the possibility of conceding a run or two.
However, his performance on this day was exceptional.
His control was nearly flawless, with no wild pitches or missed throws.
By the middle and later innings, Eijun's focus intensified, his control became sharper, and the impact of each pitch grew stronger.
This exceeded even the expectations of Coach Kataoka, Miyuki, and Chris.
For seven consecutive innings, Eijun kept Yokohama Kouhoku—one of Kanagawa's traditional powerhouse schools—scoreless. In the end, Yokohama Kouhoku couldn't do anything against him.
Even in the seventh inning, when they managed to put runners on first and third with no outs, they still failed to score.
This missed opportunity became the final straw that broke Yokohama Kouhoku's back.
With only two innings left, most of their players had already given up on the idea of overcoming Eijun.
All they hoped for was to score at least one run to salvage their pride as a prestigious team.
Unbeknownst to them, however, Coach Kataoka had already decided to bring in a relief pitcher.
Yokohama Kouhoku never got another chance to challenge Eijun.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Seidou's offense resumed.
Yokohama Kouhoku's second-string pitcher, who had entered in the sixth inning, couldn't suppress Seidou's batting lineup.
Despite his defense's efforts, Seidou managed to score another two runs.
In the top of the eighth inning, Seidou officially announced a pitching change.
With an eight-run lead and the main relievers available on the bench, Coach Kataoka boldly substituted Eijun out.
Tanba Koichiro, the relief pitcher, took the mound without faltering and gave Yokohama Kouhoku no significant chances.
Aside from allowing one hit, the eighth inning ended with Yokohama Kouhoku once again failing to score.
In the bottom of the eighth, Seidou added yet another run, further widening the gap.
At this point, both the Yokohama Kouhoku supporters in the stands and their players in the dugout were engulfed in an air of despair.
The top of the ninth inning marked Yokohama Kouhoku's final opportunity.
But facing a nine-run deficit, they had no chance of overcoming the gap.
Their third-year players, driven by sheer willpower, managed to scrape out one run against Tanba, but that was the extent of their resistance.
"Game over!"
"Line up!"
"Salute!"
"Thank you for the game!"
As Tanba recorded the final out, the game concluded.
The final score: 9-1. Seidou High School secured an overwhelming victory.
While Seidou's players celebrated with cheers, the Yokohama Kouhoku players were in tears.
Their summer had come to an end, eliminated in the second round of the tournament.
For their third-year players, this marked a bittersweet finale to their final national competition.
Eijun watched as Yokohama Kouhoku's ace, Ino, tightly gripped his right hand.
His eyes were red, and he was holding back tears.
In his heart, Eijun let out a quiet sigh.
Victory and defeat often come with such cruel outcomes.
"You've already won this game... so please, make sure to keep winning!" Ino's voice cracked with emotion as he choked out those words.
With a solemn expression, Eijun gripped Ino's hands firmly in return and nodded deeply. "Yes, we will."
"Clap, clap, clap!"
"Seidou! Seidou!"
"Ahaha! That was amazing! You've proven you're the champions—now go all the way to the top!"
"You've already played so well; don't cry!"
"Come back next year! We'll always support you!"
"Charge forward to victory, Seidou High!"
Thunderous applause echoed across the Koshien stadium.
While the audience applauded Seidou High School's dominance and victory, their faces showed a mix of awe and regret.
From the balanced start of the game to the intense middle innings, few could have predicted that Yokohama Kouhoku Academy would fall so decisively.
The turning point began in the bottom of the fourth inning and was solidified by Eijun's heroic pitching performance in the top of the fifth inning.
What started as a match filled with suspense ultimately ended in a one-sided conclusion.
The spectators witnessed the exit of a prestigious team and the rise of one of this summer's most promising pitchers—Seidou High's true ace, the first-year southpaw, Sawamura Eijun.
Through this game and his outstanding performances during the regional tournament, Eijun had firmly entered the national spotlight.
He wasn't just a pitcher with potential; he was a pitcher with undeniable skill.
The audience's perspective had shifted.
In the first game, much of the praise had been directed at Furuya, but after this second game, that attention turned decisively toward Eijun.
While Furuya's potential and talent were still acknowledged, Sawamura had earned his recognition through sheer strength and consistency.
Seven innings, no runs allowed, and only three hits conceded.
Combined with his performance in the regional final against Inashiro Industrial, Eijun had undoubtedly secured his place on the watchlists of powerhouse teams nationwide.
For the rest of this summer tournament, he would face intense scrutiny and strategic targeting.
This would serve as both a valuable opportunity for growth and a significant challenge.
Moving forward, it would likely become increasingly difficult for Eijun to replicate such dominant performances.
The remaining teams were stronger, and a pitcher targeted and analyzed extensively would inevitably struggle to maintain peak performance.
Moreover, form and momentum couldn't always be summoned on command.
However, "the stronger the opponent, the stronger I become" was Eijun's creed.
Especially after this game against Yokohama Kouhoku, it was clear that Eijun was beginning to show his true brilliance.
...
In Seidou's dugout:
"Once everyone has packed up their gear, we're heading back immediately. Over the next few days, we'll focus on preparing for our next match. Understood?" Coach Kataoka's voice carried authority.
"Yes, Coach!"
...
August 12th, Hanshin Koshien Stadium, Second Round.
Seidou High School vs. Yokohama Kouhoku Academy. Final score: 9-1.
Seidou High advanced with ease, securing their place in the top sixteen!
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