54 Inashiro Vocational Vs. Seido High 5
Harada sighed he knew that Narumiya wasn't in good condition and after throwing 4 balls his condition seems to have gotten worse.
Kadota came to bat next.
"STRIKE!", said the umpire as Narumiya threw the first pitch.
'All the 1st years are performing so well. I…I am embarrassed to be their senpai. I must help them by hitting the ball', thought Kadota.
Narumiya threw a fastball and Kadota successfully hit it even though it rolled on the ground. It didn't go that far.
"OUT!", said the umpire. Kadota couldn't make it to the base, but Rei and Masuko moved up a base.
"Don't mind. KADOTA SENPAI", yelled Sawamura.
Hearing this Kadota smiled as he went back to the dugout.
"One more out!"
"Narumiya, you can do it"
Cheered Inashiro's fans.
Back in the field.
The cheering brought the cheeky smile back on Narumiya's face.
"Pupupupu…l'm fine now. Harada senpai. Don't worry I'll strike them out", said Narumiya giving him a thumbs up.
"Who was worried about you?", said Harada pissed.
A few minutes later, Shirasu came to bat.
'Unfortunately, you're going to have to go out for me', thought Narumiya as he pitched to Shirasu.
The next moment, Shirasu swung his bat, hitting the ball straight to the center, Leaving Narumiya dumbfounded.
Rei made it to the 3rd base and Shirasu made it to the 1st base safely.
"AHHHH MASUKO SENPAI", cheered the audience seeing Masuko touch the home plate.
Masuko did a guts pose as he headed to the dugout. He was bombarded with praise as soon as he went back.
'Why? Why? Just Why?', thought Narumiya frustrated with his head down standing on the mound alone.
Kuramochi came to bat next and unfortunately; he was struck out by Narumiya.
"3 OUTS! CHANGE!", yelled the umpire.
In Inashiro's Dugout.
"If you let a run score then I'm going to switch you out", said Hiroshige.
Narumiya was left in shock after receiving the warning from his coach.
Harada who overheard their conversation just shook his head sighing.
Back in the field.
Top of the 8th inning.
Rei and Miyuki were ready in their positions.
"Yoshizawa Hideaki. The third baseman is starting", said the announcer.
Hideaki came to bat.
Rei struck him out with a fork.
'Damn it…', thought Hideaki walking back to the dugout. He was irritated not being able to score off the 1st year after trying his best for so long.
Inashiro's fans cheered seeing Harada come to bat next.
Rei pitched when Miyuki gave the signal.
Harada hit the ball to the outfield.
Rei's heart jumped out of his chest seeing how powerful Harada's swing was.
"OUT!", said the umpire disappointing Inashiro. Shirasu caught the ball while doing a quiet pose.
"OOOOOO…SHIRASU SENPAI DID HIS POSE!", yelled Sawamura shocked.
Harada clicked his tongue finding out that the ball was caught.
"Too bad", said Rei smirking.
The smirk irritated Harada a lot.
"Why are we having trouble hitting his pitch", said Narumiya.
"It's not just Rei's pitching but it's also Miyuki's guidance that they are striking us out one by one", said Harada.
"Kazuya?", said Narumiya.
Narumiya came to bat a few minutes later.
"I don't regret not joining you guys", said Miyuki smiling at Narumiya in front of him.
Narumiya didn't say anything back to him but then Miyuki saw how focused he was.
Miyuki signaled Rei and he pitched.
First pitch Narumiya swung and missed. 2nd pitch he fouled and 3rd it was a strike.
"3 OUTS! CHANGE!", yelled the umpire.
Before Narumiya walked back to his dugout, Rei said smirking, "Inashiro losing is inevitable".
In the Audience.
"HE'S, MY SON!", yelled Chiaki with twinkling eyes seeing Rei strike out a player.
"Calm down, Chiaki", said Reiji.
"HAHAHA…I knew it my grandson is awesome", said the grandfather. "Finally have something to brag about with those old men", he muttered.
"What are you talking about!", said Chiaki glaring at Reiji's father.
"N…nothing", said grandfather. 'Chiaki's glares aren't good for my health', he thought.
[Score:
Seido-2-0-0-0-2-1-1-
Inashiro-0-0-0-2-0-0-0]
Bottom of the 8th inning.
"Inashiro has called for a pitcher change. Narumiya Mei to Iguchi Yuudai", announced the announcer shocking everyone.
Inashiro's fans were shocked at this and wanted to protest since part of them were only watching this because of Narumiya, especially the girl fans.
In Seido's Dugout.
"Yaahaa…we took Narumiya out", said Kuramochi.
"It's because we are awesome", said Jun.
Yuuki nodded agreeing.
"It looks like we aren't that far from winning", said Chris.
"Our wishes can finally come true. Even though I couldn't pitch till the end", said Tanba.
"Don't mind. Bald-san", said Sawamura.
Tanba blushed in embarrassment hearing the ridiculous name.
Ryosuke and Kuramochi were holding in their laughter.
Sitting on the bench, Rei chuckled as he wasn't expecting Hiroshige to switch Narumiya. This match might be a unique opportunity for some people.
"Silence!", said Kataoka catching everyone's attention.
"Rei, I'm switching you out next inning", said Kataoka shocking everyone.
Before anyone complained, Kataoka explained, "The match is coming to an end and since Inashiro has switched their ace out why don't you rest up as well. You have been pitching for a few innings".
Hearing this everyone nodded as it seemed reasonable.
"Who would be going to pitch instead of Rei", said Harucchi.
"Kawakami because He's been warmed up already and because of his experience as a closer", said Kataoka.
Sawamura and Furuya turned gloomy as they knew they couldn't pitch in this match anymore.
"It's ok", said Harucchi cheering them up.
Back in the field.
Iguchi came to the mound, and he struck out Ryosuke.
Seeing the new pitcher come out Seido was still on guard since you never know how the game could be turned around.
Yuki came to bat next and scored a home run off Iguchi.
"A HOME RUN NEAR THE CLOSING OF THE GAME!"
"YUKI-SAN WE LOVE YOU"
Cheered the audience.
Yuki touched all the bases and went back to the dugout.
The home run did leave a mark on Igauchi, but he continued to pitch for the next batter.
"Oh, shit", he thought seeing Miyuki come to bat next.
Harada and Iguchi agreed to walk Miyuki. He didn't have the nerves left to deal with Miyuki.
"Oh, what a letdown", said Miyuki walking to the 1st base.
Masuko and Jun came to bat next and were struck out.
"Thank God. Their swings were sure powerful', thought Iguchi.
"3 OUTS! CHANGE!", said the umpire.
In Inashiro's Dugout.
"Don't worry it isn't your fault", said Harada to the distressed Iguchi.
"It's just your bad luck that you had to face Seido's cleanup", said Harada.
Iguchi nodded still distressed.
Back in the field.
Bottom of the 8th inning.
"Seido has also made a player substitution. Fujikawa Rei to Kawakami", announced the announcer.
Now people were getting the gist of who is going to be the winner of the tournament.
Kawakami pitched exceptionally during the inning only allowing 3 hits.
Seeing Kawakami pitch, Sawamura and Furuya's aura oozed as they wanted to pitch.
Top of the 9th inning.
Mei struck the next batters out. Jun, Kawakami, and Kadota. His pitching was getting aggressive.
Seido didn't get a chance to score this inning.
Bottom of the 9th inning.
1 runner was on the 1st base and there was 1 out.
The current batsman was Shirakawa.
"If I score now, we could get a chance for a comeback', thought Shirakawa getting in his batting stance.
Unfortunately, Kawakami's exceptional slider struck him out.
In Inashiro's Dugout.
All the players were crying remembering the effort they put into their training.
"You have no right to be an ace. When we get back, we are going to have a meeting", said Hiroshige coldly and left, leaving Narumiya with his head low.
Narumiya was crying as he was upset and frustrated with himself.
Even Inashiro's managers were crying and the player's families in the audience were crying as well. They knew how much effort they put into the tournament.
In the Field.
Seido's players jumped on each other in celebration.
"Lineup!", yelled the umpire.
Both teams bowed to each other despite how each team was feeling.
West Tokyo Tournament Final. Seido Vs. Inashiro: 7-2
Winning School: Seido High School.
