Judging from the Kanto Tournament match against Inajitsu, Seido's batting lineup had become increasingly accustomed to Kanzaki Ryou's Straight ball, hitting several base hits and even scoring runs.
From that game until today, Inajitsu's research and understanding of him would only deepen. At this point, if he couldn't produce new pitches to complement his Straight ball, it would be very difficult to suppress the opposing lineup. Considering this, Kanzaki Ryou and Miyuki Kazuya had discussed that if the Slider wasn't effective, for the sake of ultimate victory, they would have to resort to the Changeup if necessary.
The game continued. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Seido was on offense.
After Tanaka Wataru, the 5th batter, successfully got on base, Isashiki Jun, the 6th batter, and Araki Keita, the 7th batter, were struck out by Matsumoto Takumi. The turn came to the 8th batter, Yoshikawa Junpei, who stood in the batting box and glanced at Kanzaki Ryou.
As long as he could successfully get on base, the next batter would be Kanzaki Ryou. At that time, with runners on first and Koshien, Yoshikawa Junpei believed that Kanzaki Ryou would definitely be able to perform well.
Soon, the baseball flew towards home plate, and Yoshikawa Junpei swung his bat without hesitation.
"Strike!"
Missing the first pitch, Yoshikawa Junpei didn't get discouraged and prepared himself again.
"Strike!!"
"Strike!!!"
"Strikeout!!"
Yoshikawa Junpei swung and missed three times, almost grinding his teeth.
Walking off the batting box unwillingly, Yoshikawa Junpei looked at Kanzaki Ryou with some embarrassment. Although the other party didn't know what he was thinking just now, he himself was determined to create a batting opportunity for Kanzaki Ryou, but ended up striking out, which made him feel a bit ashamed.
"Huh? Senior, why are you looking at me like that?" Kanzaki Ryou asked curiously.
Yoshikawa Junpei waved his hand. "Nothing, my eyes are a bit dry."
Kanzaki Ryou hummed in confusion, always feeling that something was strange.
The game reached the fifth inning, with the score tied at 1:1.
At this time, Kanzaki Ryou and Miyuki's warm-up had also finished, just waiting to go on in the next inning.
Meanwhile, Nanjo Taishi had already stepped onto the pitcher's mound. This was his last inning today, and he was about to face Inajitsu's lower batting lineup.
He took a deep breath; no matter what, he had to have a perfect finish.
In the catcher's position, Tanaka Wataru felt the same as Nanjo Taishi at this moment. As Seido's pitcher and catcher, both of their positions were impacted, one by Kanzaki Ryou and the other by Miyuki Kazuya.
Some said they were unlucky, having such excellent juniors; their pressure was immense. Nanjo Taishi even had his Ace number taken away. Tanaka Wataru was a bit better; although Miyuki was excellent, the catcher's position, compared to the pitcher's, was not as urgent for Seido currently.
The two were old partners and had worried about this together, until later, Kanzaki Ryou and Miyuki repeatedly contributed to Seido in games, helping the team win, and only then did the two gradually feel relieved.
Come on, end this inning!
Tanaka Wataru's eyes were firm, and he quickly gave the signal. Nanjo Taishi nodded, took a deep breath listening to the cheers, and then slammed the baseball in his hand towards home plate!
Up to now in the game, Nanjo Taishi's stamina had also decreased, yet the ball he threw showed no signs of weakening at all.
Inajitsu's 6th batter, Yoshizawa Hideaki, had decent batting skills, yet he swung and missed three consecutive times, getting struck out cleanly.
Then the 7th and 8th batters also failed to get hits off Nanjo Taishi. Three up, three down, securing three consecutive outs, Nanjo Taishi and Tanaka Wataru held this inning.
"Phew~ It's over."
Nanjo Taishi's lips curved. Today's mission was perfectly completed. If there was any regret, it was Shinkawa Kenichi's home run.
Returning to the dugout, Nanjo Taishi immediately received praise from his teammates.
"Nanjo, rest well. The rest is up to the juniors," Coach Kataoka said, placing his hand on Nanjo Taishi's shoulder.
"Yes, Coach!"
After speaking, Nanjo Taishi turned to look at Kanzaki Ryou and Miyuki Kazuya, who were already prepared.
"I'm counting on you," Nanjo Taishi said solemnly.
The two exchanged glances; Kanzaki Ryou nodded heavily, and then said, "Senior, don't worry, we won't disappoint you."
Miyuki also brought an ice pack and handed it to Nanjo Taishi. "Leave it to us."
Nanjo Taishi took the ice pack, smiled, and sat down on the chair.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, Seido was on offense.
Kanzaki Ryou was the first to step into the batting box. This was his second at-bat of the game. Although he hit a base hit in the previous round, he failed to score. This time, he also had to get on base.
"Seido! Seido!"
"Kanzaki! Kanzaki!"
In the stands, Seido fans were shouting and cheering with all their might.
Amidst the uniform chants, Seido's brass band and cheerleading squad were also passionately making noise.
Amidst the waves of cheers, Inajitsu's catcher Harada Masatoshi once again decided to confront him head-on, and even more aggressively than before.
Seeing the signal, Matsumoto Takumi gripped the baseball in his hand.
Inside corner, and at the very edge! A slight misstep could result in a hit by pitch.
Such an aggressive pitch selection made Matsumoto Takumi feel a surge of hot blood boiling within him. Although dangerous, as long as he threw it in, it would definitely make Kanzaki Ryou hesitate!
Whoosh!
Matsumoto Takumi didn't hesitate at all. The white baseball, like a sharp arrow, flew straight towards Kanzaki Ryou's chest.
"Dangerous!!"
"Get out of the way!!"
In the Seido dugout, the teammates' faces changed drastically.
Coach Kataoka's usually calm face had become somewhat contorted. This was his Ace; if he got injured here, the loss would be too great.
Even Matsumoto Takumi, who threw this ball, had his pupils dilated. "Oh no!"
In the batting box, Kanzaki Ryou's gaze followed the baseball. After the small white ball entered the home plate and grazed his clothes as it flew past, Kanzaki Ryou remained motionless.
The field was silent at this moment. A few seconds later, the umpire finally spoke.
"Hit by pitch!!"
Phew~~
Everyone on the field simultaneously gasped.
At this moment, everyone ignored the hit by pitch and focused their attention on Kanzaki Ryou.
That pitch just now was very dangerous. Although Kanzaki Ryou seemed unharmed now, that was just a guess.
Coach Kataoka even walked out of the dugout at this moment, looking at Kanzaki Ryou with a serious expression.
Just as everyone was tense, Kanzaki Ryou suddenly turned his head to look at Harada Masatoshi, narrowing his eyes and smiling: "Lucky! On base!"
After saying that, Kanzaki Ryou happily jogged towards First Base.
"Phew~~"
Everyone on the field simultaneously exhaled again. This guy was too good at stirring up emotions; he scared them to death!