34 34: Oh, This Is the Thrill!

Alejandro recalled Supervisor Kataoka's words and exhaled slowly. "The next situation on the field will determine which way you choose to hit. You have already adapted to Yokohama ace's curveball, so aim for that pitch. If the next step is..."

As Yokohama's ace pitched a powerful inside curveball, Kenjiro, originally in a crouched position, abruptly straightened up and assumed a regular hitting stance.

A hint of satisfaction appeared in the Yokohama catcher's eyes.

Sure enough, as the ball approached, when Kenjiro swung the bat, the ball's trajectory suddenly changed, curving from the inside to the lower part of the center.

Normally, breaking balls pitches like curveballs and sliders break away towards the outside corner.

However, in the hands of Yokohama's ace, the curveball was intentionally aimed at the inside corner.

As it changed, the ball curved and traveled toward the lower part of the center.

Kenjiro's eyes displayed astonishment. He hadn't expected this pitcher to throw a curveball!

It's worth noting that, in general, when facing a batter in a bunt position, using a change-up pitch is not common.

Typically, the breaking balls increases the ball's trajectory, making it difficult to bunt, but it also reduces the pitch's velocity.

To deal with bunts, pitchers usually opt for straight fastballs to challenge the batter directly.

Using the power of the fastball to suppress the batter is a common strategy, and using a change-up can indeed be a risky choice.

However, it was precisely this choice that put Kenjiro at a disadvantage.

The ball's trajectory suddenly shifted, but Kenjiro wasn't the type to take it lightly.

He swiftly adjusted his grip on the bat, letting it slide down by two inches.

"Pong!"

In the eyes of the astonished Yokohama players, Kenjiro connected with the curveball, sending it towards center field.

"Nice hit! But it landed in an interesting spot!"

As Kenjiro swung, the forced change in his stance meant that the contact with the ball wasn't optimal.

The incorrect posture caused a slight stinging sensation in Kenjiro's right arm, and a brief expression of pain crossed his face.

However, his professionalism as a skilled player allowed him to quickly drop the bat the moment the ball took flight.

He sprinted quickly in the direction of first base.

Due to the power behind the hit, the ball soared over the second baseman's head.

The second baseman kept retreating while the center fielder charged forward.

Originally, it seemed like a catchable ball.

But, almost miraculously, at that very moment, it was as if the ball had been influenced by the wind or some unknown force, and it suddenly dropped from the air!

It landed right in the gap between Yokohama's center fielder and second baseman!

Kenjiro successfully reached first base, and Miyuki, who was at second base, advanced to third. In the fourth, fifth, or sixth inning, Yokohama once again found themselves in a critical situation, while Seido once again seized a golden opportunity!

No one was out, and there were runners on first and third base!

"Batting eighth, left fielder, Alejandro!" The mellifluous voice on the radio announced the players' names on the field with a distinct accent.

Alejandro slowly rose from the on-deck circle, taking his place in the batter's box.

For some reason, as he stepped into the batter's box this time, Alejandro unexpectedly felt an unusual calmness.

The metal bat he held aloft gleamed under the brilliant sunlight, and Alejandro's eyes seemed to shimmer with determination.

"Watch for forced plays!" The Yokohama catcher made a series of subtle signals.

Yokohama's infielders nodded in unison, their bodies tense.

They couldn't afford to allow any runs this inning.

If the point gap widened again, Yokohama would only have two innings left to try and mount an offensive in the remaining eight or nine innings.

It would become an incredibly challenging task!

Indeed, that first-year player with the sturdy build appears relatively inexperienced, but it doesn't seem like he'll easily score points.

A three-point deficit is still manageable. Once the point difference grows wider, it will indeed pose a significant challenge for us.

"Do your best at the plate, trust in your swing!" Coach Kataoka patted his chest and offered these words.

Alejandro couldn't tell if it was a trick of the light, but in that moment, it felt like Coach Kataoka had given him a slight smile.

A smile that conveyed recognition, perhaps even trust?

Alejandro shook his head, thinking it couldn't be true.

How could a mere first-year player earn the trust of Coach Kataoka, the stern, almost devilish supervisor?

What could he do? He had to fully commit to his swing philosophy!

"This kid has exceptional visual perception. Don't use the change-up pitch lightly against him. It's better to go with a fastball!" The Yokohama catcher signaled to the pitcher.

"Yeah!" The Yokohama ace nodded slightly. Finally, he found himself on the edge of a precipice.

Logically, with no outs and runners on first and third base, the risk of giving up runs was high.

However, it was also the ace pitcher's responsibility to overcome this crisis!

"The first pitch, outside edge, be careful not to chase a bad pitch!"

A small white flash, and Yokohama's pitcher delivered the pitch.

Although his speed wasn't exceptionally fast, it still clocked in at over 135 kilometers per hour.

In high school baseball, that speed was respectable.

It was an outside corner pitch!

Alejandro bit down on his resolve and adjusted his bat.

However, due to his slightly shorter grip on the bat, reaching the outside corner was a challenge.

"Swing!"

"Nice try!"

The timing was nearly perfect, but the swing missed, and the bat failed to make contact with the ball.

Watching the first pitch go by, Alejandro gritted his teeth and exhaled gently, refocusing himself.

Alejandro took a deep breath, practiced a few swings, and repositioned himself.

"Very good, that previous pitch got him to miss, and now with the high outside pitch, we can aim for a more deceptive angle, ideally getting him to chase!" Yokohama's pitcher nodded in agreement, staring at Alejandro intently, while the Yokohama ace pitcher swung his right arm vigorously.

"Outside corner! This pitch is a bit tricky!"

With his sharp dynamic vision, Alejandro instantly tracked the ball's trajectory.

The pitch location might have been a bit tricky, but Alejandro ultimately held back his swing and didn't take a swing at it.

"Ball!"

"Hey, didn't you take a swing?" Yokohama's catcher shot Alejandro a slightly displeased glance.

He was surprised that he hadn't tempted him into taking a swing.

This pitch was indeed a ball, but his ace's previous pitch was quite subtle, making it difficult to judge without enough experience whether it was a good or bad pitch.

Typically, against a first-year player like Alejandro, he would have expected him to swing, but he hadn't anticipated that he'd hold off.

"It's alright, the next one will be an inside high pitch, aim it right at his chest!"

"Thud!"

"Ball!"

"Ball!"

Alejandro clenched his teeth as Yokohama's pitcher mixed up good and bad pitches.

The situation was starting to look unfavorable for Alejandro.

"He's quite challenging, this kid," Yokohama's catcher commented with surprise.

He hadn't expected this much trouble from a Seido first-year player.

This was the ninth pitch of the at-bat.

"Heh, heh, heh..." Yokohama's pitcher wiped the sweat from his brow on the mound, breathing heavily.

Troubles were brewing.

The pitch count had crossed 120, and there were still two innings to go.

Yokohama's catcher shifted his gaze towards the dugout.

Should they consider a substitution?

The Yokohama supervisor glanced at Alejandro and then at his ace pitcher on the mound.

He shook his head slightly, realizing that this challenge had to be handled by their ace.

"We'll confront him head-on, this little first-year kid. Crush him with your pitching!" Yokohama's catcher nodded in agreement.

"Come on, use your most confident curveball on the next pitch. After seeing so many fastballs, he won't have time to react to this one. Make sure the angle is perfect, and the pitch speed is high!"

"Hmm!" The Yokohama ace pitcher agreed. The next pitch would be the deciding factor.

He couldn't afford to get out now. Furuya had already shown his worth.

If he failed here, what was the point of joining Seido? How would Director Kataoka see the value of promoting him to the First String?

"We have to score! We have to get Miyuki-senpai back to home plate!" Alejandro's eyes flashed with determination as he stared at the pitcher on the mound.

In the next instant, a determined resolve filled him.

The sharp sound of the swinging metal bat.

It all came down to this!

The pitch would decide it all!