As Tandate Ryoki stepped onto first base and halted his advance after an unsuccessful attempt to move forward, the substitute bench and stands for Osaka Tsubaki erupted into a thunderous cheer.
After being locked down by Lin Guanglai for a full eight innings, in the bottom of the ninth, fourth batter Tandate Ryoki hit a single right as he stepped up, greatly boosting Osaka Tsubaki's morale and granting them more tactical space to work with.
Before fifth batter Yasui Kouki entered the batter's box, outside of Osaka Tsubaki's player zone, Nishikawa Koji gestured at him several times, signaling players to execute a small-ball tactic.
As soon as he stepped into the batter's box, Yasui Kouki turned the bat sideways, assuming a bunting stance: it's worth knowing, he's Osaka Tsubaki's fifth batter, and this decision by Osaka Tsubaki is certainly shocking.
