Among Akikawa's nine batters, seven were left-handed.
At that moment, Coach Kataoka suddenly realized something.
Should Sawamura pitch today?
When he arranged the rotation earlier, he hadn't thought much about it — the previous game used Furuya and Sawamura, so this one naturally went to Tanba and Kawakami.
After all, with their overall strength, there was no need to overcomplicate things. And if trouble arose, Kanzaki Ryou was still available as backup.
But thinking again… letting Sawamura face a lineup like this might be excellent training.
Kataoka glanced toward the bullpen.
Even though he wasn't scheduled to play, Sawamura was still energetically warming up with Kawakami, practically begging for attention.
That was his best trait — he never stopped fighting for opportunity.
Before long, Akikawa's second and third batters, Hashimoto and Oonishi, were retired — strikeout and groundout.
Tanba suppressed the lineup beautifully.
"Nice pitch, Tanba!"
"Keep it up!"
"Don't give them a chance!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
In left field, Kanzaki Ryou walked back toward the dugout yawning. The heat was suffocating today — he couldn't help feeling sleepy.
Bottom of the 1st — Seidou offense
Before Kuramochi and Ryousuke Kominato stepped out, Kanzaki suddenly spoke:
"You Shunshin's control is extremely precise. He can put the ball exactly where the catcher wants. That might influence the umpire's calls. Unless it's obviously outside, don't ignore edge pitches."
Kuramochi smirked and walked out.
Kominato paused, looked at Kanzaki, and said softly:
"Thanks."
He understood immediately the advice was meant for him.
Kuramochi's aggressive style wouldn't suffer much, but Kominato's strength was pitch selection. If the umpire got guided by precision framing, he could be put at a disadvantage.
On the mound, You Shunshin glanced at Seidou's dugout.
Even with his confidence, he didn't truly believe Akikawa would win today.
But he had to force Kanzaki Ryou onto the field.
First batter — Kuramochi
Kuramochi entered the box.
High probability of a bunt, You Shunshin calculated instantly.
Swish!
He delivered quickly.
Suddenly someone in the stands shouted:
"Third base! Watch the bunt!"
Akikawa's third baseman rushed forward.
Kuramochi had no choice but to redirect the bunt — but his timing was broken. The ball rolled weakly near the mound.
You Shunshin fielded and threw to first.
Out.
"Damn it!" Kuramochi fumed.
Without the warning, he would've reached safely.
Second batter — Kominato
Kominato stepped in with a faint smile.
He respected You Shunshin — but as opponents, he planned to make him suffer.
Pitch after pitch after pitch…
The count stretched.
8 pitches.
You Shunshin was surprised.
This kind of technical hitter was the most troublesome type for pitchers — pure stamina drain.
Interesting…
He intentionally threw a wide ball outside.
Kominato frowned.
Intentional.
He remembered Kanzaki's advice:
Throw a clear ball first — make the batter relax.
Then paint the edge — the umpire may call strike.
The next pitch came — perfectly on the edge.
Kominato swung.
Bang!
You Shunshin's pupils shrank.
He swung at a ball?!
Foul!
Another foul.
Even calm as he was, You Shunshin felt his rhythm slipping.
Kominato simply reset calmly.
More pitches…
14 pitches total.
Finally — groundout.
Akikawa's players groaned.
"So annoying!"
"How can someone pick pitches like that?"
"Shunshin's getting drained…"
They got the out — but it felt terrible.
Third batter — Isashiki
BANG!
Despite a messy stance, Isashiki yanked an outside curve into right field.
Single.
"Yahahaha!" he laughed from first base.
You Shunshin tightened his grip on the ball.
Seidou's lineup was frightening even bad mechanics produced hits.
And now…
Cleanup hitter Tetsuya Yuki stepped in.
Just standing there created pressure.
Plan: outside pitch → inside finisher.
First pitch — low outside.
Strike.
Good. No swing.
Second pitch — inside.
You Shunshin fired toward the chest.
Yuki swung decisively.
BOOM!!
Even slightly jammed, the ball rocketed toward center field.
Kanzaki looked up.
Is that… gone?
Since training with weighted bats, Yuki's power had grown terrifying.
Everyone stared into the sky.
You Shunshin froze.
It's out!!
Home run!
"Yuki! Amazing hit!"
The stadium erupted.