Chapter 480: Seiko Match – The Determined Pitchers on Both Sides
"Safe!"
"Ohhhh! A sharp hit—perfectly read that inside fastball and drove it cleanly past the first and second basemen! Sawamura makes it home from third with ease. After giving up a run, Seidou answers right back—cutting the lead back to two! What a display of firepower from their golden duo!"
"Wow, that was brilliant."
"Wait, wasn't that pitch out of the strike zone? Miyuki still swung?"
"He didn't even step in—he knew it was coming?"
"Elbow dropped perfectly, a textbook mix of power and precision. He earned that hit."
"A clutch swing, a daring steal, a well-placed hit—damn, these two really are Seidou's golden duo. Defense or offense, they're unstoppable."
"Seidou! Seidou! Seidou!"
As Eijun crossed home and Miyuki took his place on first base, Ogawa Tsunematsu on the mound felt a sudden jolt—as if struck hard by something unexpected.
Just a moment ago, he'd thought he could wrap up the inning with three straight outs.
But in the blink of an eye, Seidou's No. 3 and No. 4 hitters had connected for back-to-back hits—and a run scored.
The shift in momentum had been so abrupt, Ogawa could hardly register it.
It wasn't like he was mentally shaken—Ogawa wasn't exactly the type to overthink.
But even still, being taken down so cleanly by a cleanup hitter rattled him. Not devastating, but fast and forceful—like a tornado.
Seiko's rising star was left momentarily stunned.
"Ogawa!"
The shout snapped him back to reality.
He turned to the plate, where catcher Masu Shinichirou locked eyes with him.
"Now you understand, right? This is the strength of a national championship team. They're the kind of opponents we have to overcome. Show me the grit and talent you claim to have—weren't you the one saying you're just as good as the ace of diamond? Then prove it to me—now!"
A serious intensity shone in Masu's eyes.
Ogawa's left hand clenched tightly.
In the depths of his gaze, a flame of determination began to burn.
"Yeah! I'll show you, Masu-san!"
"Batting fifth, first baseman, Maezono!"
With the momentum back on Seidou's side, many expected another explosion from their batting lineup, especially after the Eijun-Miyuki combo delivered.
But—
Whoosh!
Ping!
Thump!
"Foul!"
Ogawa Tsunematsu, showcasing the full force of his fastballs, didn't waver after giving up a run. With precision and speed, he quickly worked Seidou's No. 5 into a two-strike count.
Those fastballs, even fiercer than in his last at-bat, forced power hitter Maezono into a grimace.
"Stay calm, Maezono. Losing your cool is exactly what they're aiming for."
In the stands, Yuuki muttered quietly.
Beside him, Chris wore a thoughtful expression.
"Damn it—crush it, Kenta! It's your time to shine!" roared Jun Isashiki from the dugout, practically screaming his lungs out.
The support was strong.
Unfortunately, baseball doesn't run on cheering alone.
Whoosh!
Ping!
Ogawa's decisive pitch—a spiral ball—proved too tricky.
Maezono launched it toward left field...
But Seiko's left fielder Ikuta made a routine catch and cleanly closed the inning.
Thwack!
"Out! Three outs! Change!"
Ogawa's aggressive style shut down Seidou's power hitter.
They held Seidou to just one run.
No further opportunities were allowed.
With a two-run difference, the game now entered its mid-game phase.
And as the teams switched sides, the dugouts refocused once more...
Ochiai shook his head slightly as he watched Maezono jog back with a frustrated expression.
Although it seemed Maezono had somewhat grasped the knack for hitting, he still failed to deliver in the most crucial moments.
If he continued in this inconsistent, half-baked state…
He might still keep his spot as a starter,
but the cleanup hitter role…
Ochiai's eyes gleamed with a subtle shift of intent.
...
Over at Seidou's dugout near first base:
"We're entering their cleanup lineup now. Furuya, stay sharp. First things first—shut down their leadoff batter," Miyuki said, his expression tense as he strapped on his catcher's gear.
The reason?
That No. 4 hitter from Seiko.
Though they got him out in the last at-bat, it was barely so. Now that he's seen Furuya's pitch pattern once, this at-bat would likely be even tougher.
Ideally, they needed to face him with the bases empty.
That was the least risky option.
"I understand, Miyuki-senpai," Furuya replied with a determined glint in his eyes, nodding firmly.
One run.
He vowed not to give up another run—not one more.
Blue flames of resolve flickered in his gaze.
This was the steel will of a power pitcher: Furuya Satoru.
...
Meanwhile, on Seiko's bench:
"You must bite down on that fastball and don't wait too long before swinging. Whether it's a forkball or slider, don't let it fully break—swing early. Even if the timing's a little off, just crush it with brute force."
Coach Oga spoke gravely to his batters.
"Ohhhhhhh!"
Kojima, Nagata, Tamaki, and the rest responded loudly in unison.
...
Top of the 4th inning – Seiko High School on offense.
Batting third, center fielder – Kojima!
The run I let in… I'll get it back myself.
Kojima Ryuhei cracked his neck as he stepped into the batter's box, each twist of his neck letting out a sharp pop. He marched forward with purpose.
Let's go, you damn brat.
This time, I'll show you what I'm made of.
As their eyes locked, Kojima made no attempt to hide the fierce and violent aura pouring from him.
Once he was set in position—
"Play ball!" the umpire declared.
Behind the plate, Miyuki's eyes gleamed with focus.
Whoosh—
The flash of motion.
The pitch came without hesitation, surging forward with ferocious speed.
A razor-sharp fastball.
The fierce energy radiating from the spinning ball could practically be felt in the air.
Step—
Kojima stepped in, fearless. His stance screamed aggression.
As the pitch came in close, he swung hard.
Clang!
A brutal clash at the plate.
The sound of bat on ball echoed through the field.
Power met power.
"Get outta here!!"
With a vicious expression, Kojima brutally swept the pitch away.
Whoosh!
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