[148] Eijun’s Resilience in the Battle Against Inashiro!
Chapter 148: Eijun's Resilience in the Battle Against Inashiro!
"Batting ninth, right fielder, Shirasu-kun."
With one out and a runner on first, the game remains in a balanced state. But given that Narumiya is still in top form, it's difficult for Seidou to break through his defense and add more runs.
Shirasu, batting for Seidou, is fighting hard against Narumiya's fastballs.
Yet, unexpectedly, Inashiro shifts their pitch selection—throwing a slider, followed by two change-ups, completely avoiding the fastball.
This strategy successfully gets Shirasu to strike out. Facing Kuramochi's at-bat, Inashiro sticks to the same tactic.
It's as if Inashiro is warning Seidou about Narumiya's dominance with his decisive pitches.
Three pitches, three strikes, all change-ups.
Eijun, standing on first base, is left stranded, unable to make any move.
Seidou misses another chance in the top of the fifth, ending their offensive with a lone runner left on first.
Kuramochi's second strikeout in the game leaves Seidou's "Cheetah" wearing a somber expression as he returns to the dugout.
"Narumiya's control keeps getting sharper..." Chris mutters gravely as he takes notes. The underlying meaning of his words is clear to Coach Kataoka, who stands nearby.
But what can Kataoka say at this point?
All he can do is maintain silence, although his slightly trembling fingers reveal his own growing anxiety.
Meanwhile, Inashiro's lineup is gradually adapting to Eijun's pitches. Their hits are becoming more precise, making it a matter of moments between keeping them scoreless or giving up a hit.
With five more innings of defense and four more opportunities to bat, Coach Kataoka faces a tough choice.
"We'll leave the judgment to the players on the field."
Coach Kataoka's sudden statement surprises Chris, who then nods in understanding as he watches Eijun and Miyuki return to the field. Yes, at this point, judgment has to be left to the players.
Especially Miyuki, as the team's strategist on defense, holds the front-line perspective and will make the most fitting decisions.
"Bottom of the fifth, Inashiro's turn. Batting eighth, left fielder, Sugi-kun."
The fifth inning... There are still four more, at least two rounds of their lineup.
Eijun exhales, a flicker of determination shining in his eyes.
No matter what, he must hold out. Hits don't matter as long as he doesn't give up runs. Just no runs!
His left hand tightens, and sweat beads on his forehead, exposing the immense pressure he's under on the mound. Facing Inashiro's powerful lineup, the tension is overwhelming.
Whoosh
Pop
"Strike!!!"
No matter how many times he sees it, this guy's pitching form still throws Sugi off.
Sugi takes a deep breath, his gaze sharp as he mentally prepares.
Don't worry about the pitcher's breaking balls—focus on fastballs that count. Swing with all you've got, not for a deep hit, but just to place it somewhere tough for him to field!
Whoosh
Crack!
The metal bat swings with all its might, producing a piercing collision sound that echoes like a symphony.
The ball bounces off the field.
Again, it lands near the side of the pitcher's mound.
Don't think you can always catch me off guard!
Eijun gritted his teeth, swiftly darting down from the mound. He positioned himself right in front of the bouncing ball and lunged forward, stretching his arm as his glove securely enveloped it.
Upon seeing Eijun's swift and clean movement, Sugi's expression changed.
Whoosh
A white flash streaked toward first base.
Yuuki's glove firmly caught the throw.
Pop
"Out!"
"Darn it, just a little closer, and I would've been on base!" Sugi thought with a hint of frustration as he returned to his dugout. While Eijun had managed to get him out, Sugi noticed Eijun's movements were still a bit stiff—a sign of lack of experience, which validated his team's strategy.
What Sugi didn't realize, however, was that the slight stiffness in Eijun's movement wasn't due to inexperience, but something much deeper.
"Good play, Sawamura!"
"One out, one out!"
"Keep it up, Sawamura! Let's go!"
"Ninth batter, right fielder, Saotome-kun!"
The lower part of Inashiro's lineup didn't pose much of a threat to Eijun—not just in terms of technique and power, but also the sheer dominance he displayed on the mound. Each pitch held them firmly in check.
In fact, if it weren't for that brief moment of stiffness, Sugi wouldn't have even gotten as far as he did.
The next batter, the ninth, posed even less of a threat. After his experience in the game against Yakushi, Eijun now approached every batter with complete focus and no underestimating.
Whoosh
Clang
Smack
"Foul!"
Miyuki chose a straightforward and forceful pitch sequence for this one—pure fastball domination.
Whoosh
Pop
"Ball!"
Whoosh
Clang
Smack
"Foul!"
Whoosh
Pop
"Strike! Batter out!"
Eijun was determined not to give Inashiro any extra chances and quickly secured two outs.
"First batter, center fielder, Kamiya-kun!"
"This is trouble. That pitcher just keeps getting better," Carlos muttered to himself, stretching his arms as he eyed Eijun on the mound with a newfound respect.
He couldn't help but think Eijun was like last year's Narumiya—but without the flaws.
Whoosh
Clang
Smack
"Foul!"
Whoosh
Pop
"Ball!"
Whoosh
Clang
Smack!
"Foul!"
Now, even in the middle innings, his speed hadn't dropped. If anything, his pitch power was increasing, which Carlos found almost comical.
He glanced at Seidou's infielders, noticing how they were clearly cautious of him. This realization made Carlos furrow his brows, a slight shadow crossing his gaze.
"Kid, don't think you can hold me down that easily!" Carlos licked his lips, his eyes flashing with a fierce, chilling intensity that exuded danger.
Eijun met his gaze head-on, feeling the overwhelming pressure but standing firm.
As long as he trusted that glove—as long as he trusted Miyuki-senpai's calls—he knew he could throw an even better pitch. Better than before, better than the last—an even sharper pitch!
His figure radiated with a shimmering golden light.
Whoosh
With a swift motion, he released a blazing fastball. In that half-second clash, Eijun would never back down. He would never surrender the glory of victory!
A fastball right down the middle!?
Carlos, taken by surprise, whipped his bat around.
The ball shot forward, carrying the weight of Eijun's will—the mark of an ace! The pitch narrowly avoided the bat's edge and landed perfectly in Miyuki's glove.
Pop!
"Strike! Batter out! Three outs, switch!"
Carlos blinked, momentarily stunned. As realization sank in, he took a deep breath, gave Eijun a lingering look, then shook his head and walked back to the dugout.
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