Seido High School was in trouble.
As the game neared its end, Raichi Todoroki of the Yakushi High School Baseball Team hit a clean Homerun.
The score on the field became 8:6.
Yakushi High School could very likely get two consecutive hits and directly change the outcome of the game.
This was not the most serious issue; the most serious issue was the Seido players themselves.
Only one night of rest was definitely not enough for the Seido players, who were severely overexerted.
Previously, they had held the absolute initiative on the field, so it was natural for them to suppress their opponents.
Driven by their inner spirit, they should have no problem persevering until the end of the game in one go.
But there was a prerequisite: no accidents or setbacks could occur during this process.
Baseball games are different from basketball or soccer games; there are no strict time limits.
Once an unexpected event occurs in the middle, even in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs, complications can arise.
This was precisely the situation now.
Their physical strength was already starting to fail, and at this moment, they were facing a double ordeal. On one hand, their physical strength was being consumed more and more, and on the other hand, they didn't know when this game would finally end.
Sweat streamed down the players' foreheads and cheeks.
They were parched, their muscles ached all over…
All sorts of unfavorable factors instantly weighed down on all the Seido High School Baseball Team players.
In the dugout of the Yakushi High School Baseball Team.
Previously disheartened, they now stood tall and proud, feeling as if they had grown 10 centimeters taller.
Mishima looked at Raichi Todoroki returning and excitedly raised his hand to high-five Raichi Todoroki.
"Clap!"
"Well done! Now, leave the situation to this genius."
Originally, the Yakushi High School Baseball Team players saw almost no hope.
But now, with Raichi Todoroki as a guiding light, plus Coach Todoroki Raizou constantly encouraging them, the Yakushi High School Baseball Team players had gradually figured out the patterns of the Seido High School Baseball Team.
Especially Zhang Han's pitch patterns.
Before Raichi Todoroki hit, many players in the Yakushi High School Baseball Team had even deified Zhang Han's pitch.
In their eyes, that guy was not only handsome but also had an unrivaled pitch.
For these ordinary people, let alone hitting the ball, just trying to touch it was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
But just now, Raichi Todoroki cleanly hit the ball out.
Although their skill level could not be compared with Raichi Todoroki, through Raichi Todoroki's performance, they still confirmed one thing.
That was: Zhang Han's pitch was not invincible either.
As long as they tried hard, although they might not be able to hit a Homerun like Raichi Todoroki, perhaps, if they were lucky, they could also get a nice hit and then score runs.
Just like that, the entire momentum of the Yakushi High School Baseball Team underwent a tremendous change.
Their players behaved more and more actively.
These guys were like beasts unleashed from their shackles, eager to compete against Zhang Han.
Leading the charge was Mishima, who had been struck out directly when he faced Zhang Han previously.
Although Raichi Todoroki was the hitting star of the Yakushi High School Baseball Team, Mishima never believed his own strength was inferior to Raichi Todoroki.
So, in his view, this was simply a golden opportunity.
He could not only hit Zhang Han's pitch beautifully, helping the team turn the tide of the game in one fell swoop.
Mishima was very excited; he believed his chance had come.
And the subsequent progress of the game was almost exactly as he had envisioned.
The Seido players, already at the end of their rope, were clearly crushed by this last straw.
Raichi Todoroki's Homerun had a catastrophic impact.
Even though Zhang Han and his teammates tried everything they could to get outs, Akiba and Sanada were not to be trifled with either.
Seido was cunning; when Zhang Han realized his pitch speed wasn't easily getting outs, he immediately changed his strategy.
When dealing with Akiba, he used a bait pitch.
This handsome, fair-faced guy was quite skilled at schemes, and his scheme was about to succeed…
Akiba hit the ball to the side of the Third Baseman.
Normally, this ball would have at least a 90% chance, if not 100%, of being stopped.
However, this time, Masuko's muscles were really too sore, and he wasn't an agile player like Kominato Ryosuke or Kuramochi.
So his movements were inevitably a beat slower.
It was this one beat that left his glove about five or six centimeters short of the baseball.
The baseball flew past him.
The ball that should have been stopped became a ball behind the Third Baseman.
Although the distance it flew was not far, because no one was defending, this ball easily turned into a super long hit.
Akiba ran to second base in one breath.
The Seido High School Baseball Team's carefully prepared plan fell through, and the situation worsened for them.
Facing a crisis with no outs and a runner on second base.
The Seido High School Baseball Team players changed their strategy again.
Zhang Han's pitch was very powerful, but ultimately, it was all Fastballs.
Next up was their team's Third Batter, also the only trustworthy senior in the second year, Sanada Shunpei.
Senior Sanada was best at hitting Fastballs.
What Akiba could do, Senior Sanada had no reason not to be able to do.
"Ping!"
The white baseball was hit out again.
Zhang Han, who had been invincible before, gave up three consecutive hits.
Sanada successfully ran to first base, and Akiba ran directly back to home plate.
No outs, runner on first base.
This was not over yet; the Yakushi High School Baseball Team successfully scored their seventh run.
The score between the two sides became 8:7, with only a one-run difference remaining.
In the dugout of the Seido High School Baseball Team.
Manager Ota wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, then rubbed his hands.
He hesitated, and after glancing at Zhang Han with concern, Manager Ota secretly gritted his teeth and actively approached Coach Kataoka.
"We can't continue like this, Coach. Zhang Han's training volume is 20% more than the third-year players, and he hasn't relaxed for a moment in today's game and has pitched so many innings. His stamina is already exhausted; continuing is meaningless. I still suggest letting…"
Ota turned back, looking for Kawakami.
Kawakami and Tanba sat together, intently watching the match on the field.
Neither of these two had prepared in advance.
This…
"Does Zhang Han look exhausted to you?"
Kataoka asked.
Manager Ota fixed his gaze on the pitcher's mound.
Zhang Han's condition was not great, but because he had always used technical pitches, his physical exhaustion was not as severe as Ota had initially thought.
His breathing rhythm was not even disturbed.
Each breath was very long, and even the amount of sweat on his forehead was not the most among all the players.
The reason he was struggling was not due to lack of stamina, but simply because his pitch pattern had been figured out.
Ota opened his mouth, wanting to say something more…
Even if Zhang Han still had some stamina left, if this continued, how could they hope to win?
"This is just a practice game; there's no need to be so competitive. We don't have to win."
Takashima Rei proactively stepped forward to clarify for Manager Ota.
Coach Kataoka had his own considerations for not making a substitution.
"On the contrary, this is perfect…"
Coach Ochiai said with a smile.
Ota turned his head in disbelief, staring at Ochiai.
Are you devils?
You should know that if this game were lost like this, it could very likely affect Zhang Han's future pitching career. How could it be called better?
"To take responsibility, you must have the ability to take responsibility. This is a very good test, and it depends on how the players choose."
When the team encountered difficulties, the several giants in the dugout did not show any reaction.
Squatting in the catcher's position, Miyuki, wearing glasses, pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose with his finger, turned his head, and called out to the umpire for a timeout.
"Timeout!"
After giving up three consecutive hits, Seido High School Baseball Team finally took action.
In the eyes of the great genius Mishima, their approach was completely useless.
It was nothing more than a dying struggle.
Mishima, at the batter's box, kept swinging his bat while Seido High School Baseball Team players discussed tactics.
He had ample power, and although his swing was not as astonishing as Raichi Todoroki's, it could still produce a deep whooshing sound.
These whooshing sounds were like a series of death knells, striking the hearts of Seido High School Baseball Team players on the field.
Coach Todoroki Raizou nodded in appreciation when he saw it.
"Mishima, this guy, is quite good at seizing the moment."
Seido High School Baseball Team wanted to change their strategy, but it might not be that simple…
On the pitcher's mound, Miyuki covered his mouth with his hand, racking his brain for what he should say.
Zhang Han was taking deep breaths.
He was using this method to recover his physical strength.
"Do we go all out, head-on?"
Miyuki asked.
Zhang Han was different from those two first-year newcomers; he was a pitcher with a lot of ideas.
So when Miyuki communicated with him, he often wouldn't give direct orders but would inquire and discuss.
Speaking of which, it wasn't easy for him; pitchers were all self-centered guys, and to guide them well, Miyuki had to adapt his approach.
"My condition won't last until the end of the game!"
Zhang Han didn't try to be strong.
This was something he had learned in life: pretending to be strong wouldn't solve problems, nor would it save face.
Moreover, his muscles were also sore.
Moving even a little bit hurt like hell.
Zhang Han was very doubtful if, in his current state, he could throw his peak Fastball.
Even if he could, it would probably only be one or two pitches.
Aside from bluffing, it wouldn't have any effect at all.
Miyuki nodded.
Zhang Han's answer did not surprise him; it was exactly what he had expected.
He also didn't think that Zhang Han, in his current state, could truly throw his peak Fastball speed.
However, this meant that there seemed to be only one path left for them to choose.
"Coach doesn't intend to make a substitution, which means you have to hold on no matter what. A regular Fastball doesn't seem to be an option, and even that up-and-down drifting Fastball, you probably can't control well now. We can only rely on control, any problem?"
Control plus pitch selection.
This was the only remaining option for Zhang Han and Miyuki now.
Zhang Han nodded.
"Let's give it a try!"
He said it lightly, as if he didn't have much confidence himself.
But Miyuki, upon hearing it, unconsciously smiled.
He knew Zhang Han well; when he said that, it meant he had already decided to do it.
"Go for it!"
"You too!"
Their gloves gently touched each other, and at this moment, their hearts were connected.
The infielders who had gathered around hadn't said a word the entire time.
However, after seeing the interaction between Zhang Han and Miyuki, they gained a bit more confidence.
Even though they were only leading by one run now, it didn't matter; Seido High School Baseball Team players still firmly believed that they would be the ones to win the game in the end.
The game resumed.
No outs, runner on first base.
Seido High School Baseball Team's opponent was Yakushi High School Baseball Team's Fourth Batter, Mishima Yuta.
The threat from this man was very strong.
Especially at this moment, his difficulty was even comparable to Raichi Todoroki.
His fighting spirit was also high, with a burning flame of aggressive hitting in his eyes.
It was as if no matter what pitch Zhang Han threw, he would definitely hit it.
Miyuki didn't dislike this kind of opponent, so he directly signaled Zhang Han for a ball.
Zhang Han nodded slightly and then decisively made the pitch.
Here it comes.
The speed of the baseball didn't seem to be affected much; it was still as fast as ever.
In a blink of an eye, it arrived in front of him.
Mishima knew it was a ball, but he didn't let it go. With an extremely awkward posture, he forced himself to hit the ball.
"Ping!"
"Foul ball!"
The baseball was hit outside the third base line.
Zhang Han and Miyuki, including all the Seido High School Baseball Team infielders, had grim expressions.
If it was speculation before, now they could basically confirm it.
Zhang Han's pitch, which was meant to disrupt the batter's vision, had already been neutralized by Yakushi High School Baseball Team's players. Within one or two offensive opportunities, these guys had completely adapted to Zhang Han's pitch.
But neither Zhang Han nor Miyuki seemed to have felt it at all, as their next pitch flew out very quickly.
This time, the baseball was aimed at the extreme outside corner.
So far.
Mishima, who had originally intended to strike a pose and show off to Zhang Han of the First string, found that he was completely wasting his efforts.
Facing his challenge, Zhang Han seemed to have no interest in accepting it at all.
He still followed his routine and used an outside pitch.
"Do you think you can defeat this genius with such control? You are too naive!"
Facing this outside pitch, Mishima did not swing.
The difference between the inside and outside was too great, and the baseball was very fast, making it difficult for him to guarantee a good hit.
In that case, it was better to let it go.
The great genius Mishima chose to play it safe.
Then, this pitch, without any obstruction, directly landed in Miyuki's open glove.
"Pop!"
"Ball!"
The baseball actually deviated from the strike zone?
Mishima had originally thought that Zhang Han and Miyuki wanted to get more strikes quickly.
Unexpectedly, these two guys were so cunning; one ball wasn't enough, they even planned to use two consecutive balls.
If he had swung, wouldn't he have fallen right into the trap of these two villains?
Mishima, who hadn't been able to swing, suddenly felt as if Lady Luck was standing behind him.
This time, whether it was the timing, the location, or the people, everything was on his side.
He had to hit the ball no matter what.
Miyuki's heart tightened.
A wild pitch?
Reaching the physical limit, his body, operating under overload, affected not only the pitch speed but also the control.
Zhang Han's control began to waver.
Although the deviation was not very large, it was no longer realistic to solve the batter with such corner pitches.
Miyuki frowned and decisively signaled a Fastball to the bottom of the strike zone.
After seeing the signal, a flash of surprise crossed Zhang Han's face.
Clearly, he hadn't expected Miyuki to make such a decision.
But since the decision had been made, there was nothing for him to avoid.
Zhang Han nodded slightly and gently threw the baseball in his hand.
No need to throw too hard, just gently send it out with your fingers.
"Whoosh…"
The baseball whistled out, appearing faster than any previous pitch.
Seeing this, Mishima bit his lip tightly.
The decisive pitch has arrived…
A Fastball at the bottom of the center is a good position for a Homerun.
He cannot miss it.
Aiming at the incoming baseball, Mishima decisively swung.
"Ping!"
The bat solidly hit the baseball, sending it flying.
However, the baseball did not fly as high and far as Mishima had expected.
The baseball flew less than ten meters before landing on the ground and then bouncing up.
Fooled?
Mishima bore the full brunt of it alone.
But he didn't give up; he still ran towards first base with all his might.
It's just a pity that this hardworking child was destined not to reach first base safely.
Zhang Han watched the baseball flying towards him and directly opened his glove to catch it.
"Pop!"
Seeing this, the Seido teammates couldn't help but jump up and cheer.
That catch was too beautiful.
After Zhang Han caught the ball, he turned and threw to second base.
"Hee-haw…"
Kuramochi had already run there; despite his extreme fatigue, his speed was still the fastest, as if unaffected.
After catching the ball, he stepped on the second base bag and then threw to first base.
"Pop!"
"Out!"
"Pop!"
"Out!"
Seido High School Baseball Team got a double play.
They were only four outs away from winning the game.
And for Seido High School Baseball Team, these four outs were incredibly easy.
Zhang Han was like he had a cheat code, striking out Yakushi High School Baseball Team's Fifth Batter, Sixth Batter, Seventh Batter, and Eighth Batter in succession.
He updated his strikeout count for today's game to eleven.
Eleven strikeouts.
The only players in Yakushi High School Baseball Team who truly had the ability to break Zhang Han's vision-disrupting Fastball were the three first-years personally coached by Todoroki Raizo, plus Sanada.
The other players, despite being third-years, had limited talent and skill.
They still couldn't do it, at least not in a single game.
Thus, Seido High School Baseball Team successfully won their first practice game after the training camp.
Even though they only led their opponent by one run, this was a genuine good start.
************************************
Upto 50 Chapters In Advance At: P@treon/Vividreader123