22 The key of the Saigo's game

Falling ball shadow.

The speeding figures.

"Safe, Safe!!!"

With a perfect hit from Saigo High School's ninth batter, the runner on the first base, Jonouchi, quickly rounded the second base and successfully stepped on the third base when Isashiki-senpai in the center field would picked up the ball and flung it towards the infield, Saigo High School burst out in the top of the fifth inning after almost half of the game, with no outs and runners on the second and third base, followed by a new round of Saigo High School's top of the lineup.

Inoue-senpai on the pitcher's mound had a slight change in his face.

A runner on third base ushered in a new round of up-and-coming batters down the line.

Still, no one is out.

It doesn't matter if it's a high-flying sacrifice fly or a forced fetch.

Or to put up such a stance and use normal batting to earn hits is quite a safe way to score runs and is the most offensive tactic that can put pressure on the defending team.

Close to half of the game was a fierce battle.

Facing Seidou High School's lineup that inning is comparable to an inning to be a terrible suppression power.

In the top of the fifth inning, Saigo High School finally made a comeback.

"Wow, Saigo High School is planning to turn the game around in this set."

"Tsk, the difference of five points, according to reason there no need to rush, give up a point to get a solid number of outs, will be able to control the loss to a minimum, but this choice also has a risk, if you let Saigo High School too easily get a point, not only to ease the situation does not help, but also may grow the flame on Saigo High School side."

"And more, as long as they can get more than two points, the flow of the game, which was completely down to Seidou's side, will be brought back a little to Saigo High School."

"Haha, it's going to be the most exciting match in the middle set."

"Will Saigo High School pull off a comeback or will Seidou High School press hard!"

"Heh heh!!!"

The audience, who originally thought that the victory had been decided, were all in high spirits when they saw the strong comeback of Saigo High School in the top of the fifth inning, for them.

The long-set scripted abuse game is a joy to watch, except for the iron fans.

The rest of the audience is not able to raise the slightest interest.

It has to be the kind of game that has some repetition and ups and downs in the middle of the game that most neutral viewers want to see the most exciting game.

"Don't pay too much attention to the runner on third, the infield, the middle guard, you can give up a run, but you have to get an out to come, and the infield has to be ready for a double play."

On the dugout, Coach Kataoka made a slight gesture with his right hand and looked at the infielders of Seidou High School on the field with a serious look.

"Yes!"

Especially in the case of Azuma-senpai who is the third baseman.

More than that, his eyes were wide, that a hideous look, so the runner that stood near the base bag with Azuma-senpai had a feeling of being topped by some ferocious beast, the back of his head can not help but have a burst of cold.

"There's a runner on third base, and on the batting box is Saigo High School's first baseman Captain Tanaka-Kun, and Seidou High School has chosen to guard the middle here. Will Saigo High School break through the Seidou defense and score a run, or will Seidou High School succeed in stopping Saigo High School's strong attack! First pitch!!!

"Let go of the pitch a bit, Inoue-senpai, we'll keep an eye on the runner, you can just focus on the batter."

From the one that just hit.

It is clear to Chris-senpai that the old problem of Inoue-senpai is back, or should I say a problem under the merits, pitchers should indeed be cautious to pitch at the moment of pitching, however, too much caution and conservatism, will become a constraint at some critical moments.

Inoue-senpai was in a situation where his strength itself was different from the top pitchers.

There is another such habit that is not a disadvantage in most cases but can be a disadvantage at the necessary moment.

It is the biggest problem for Inoue-senpai.

Or should I say so, because too much self-awareness, recognize their strength, which led Inoue-senpai to choose this a cautious way of pitching, because carrying the back number of the ace because carrying the expectations of the whole team, so do not want to, and can not make mistakes, the glory of the team as a whole, the trust of all teammates, are carried on his own body, Inoue-senpai clear behind himself the meaning and weight of this back number, for Inoue-senpai, such a choice, is his only choice, and this does not seem to be a wrong choice, except that this is the reality in front of you

In the game repeatedly encountered the most important knotted moments.

Inoue-senpai's way of pitching, unable to lead the team to break through the predicament, but instead was besieged by the opponent to death, especially in last year's summer tournament, because of their own mistakes, resulting in the team losing unnecessary points, even if the subsequent senpais tried their best to salvage the situation, because the difference is too large, and was defeated, has become a lingering haze in the heart of Inoue-senpai forever.

Last year's fall competition started.

Not to mention the big mistakes, the probability of small mistakes is almost close to 0.

This cannot be said, is not an advantage.

However, because of this, the success is also cautious, and the defeat is also cautious, Seidou High School still lost to Kurotokan High School in last year's fall competition.

After that one game.

Chris-senpai realized this problem that existed in Inoue-senpai.

Today is the first round of this spring competition.

This old problem of Inoue-senpai broke out once again.

Faced with such a situation, Chris-senpai does not seem to have any other choice, the only thing he can do is to give more trust to Inoue-senpai, in his way, to inspire him.

Coach Kataoka, who was on the dugout, had a slight frown on his face at this time.

Chris-senpai opened his arms at home plate, hammered the mitt lightly with his right hand, and looked at Inoue-senpai on the pitcher's mound with a resolute expression.

"Go on, Inoue-senpai."

"Ace-sama, I'll leave it to you here."

"Break them down."

"Koji, take the batter and come on."

"Don't be a limp dick here, Koji!!!"

In the first base stands, the supporters of Seidou High School erupted in a loud cheer at this moment.

Raucous stadium.

An intense atmosphere.

One point.

One ball.

One hit.

It's all a battle that needs to be fought every second!!!

Being on top of the bleachers.

All of those first-year students who came to watch the game are now coming with nervous and excited faces, and this is the high school baseball they long for.

This is the pitch they were expecting.

At this time.

Even this soulless guy, Kazuya.

Deep inside is also slightly swept up a slight ripple.

So eager to get on the field!!!

I want to play so badly!

Looking at the wide stadium in front of him, Kazuya's eyes showed a touch of uncontrollable eagerness.

"playball!!!"

The high-pitched words of the presiding judge rang out behind them.

Tight standing Saigo High School batter.

"First ball, high inside fastball."

At the home plate, Chris-senpai did not hesitate to place the ball in the high inside corner and gestured to Inoue-senpai on the pitcher's mound with a code word.