Chapter 67: No Need To Panic

Bottom of the 8th inning, the freshmen attack!

The score on the field remains 14:4. In the 6th inning, the freshmen have been on fire, scoring three consecutive points.

Up until now, neither the freshmen nor the Senpais have been able to score again after that.

The situation has reached a deadlock.

In terms of overall team coordination and combined abilities, the veteran team still holds a slight advantage.

However, this advantage was completely neutralized by the difference in pitching strength.

In short, neither team was able to score off the other, and this situation continued until the 8th inning when it was again the freshmen's turn to bat.

Itou Taiga, who was the leadoff batter, had learned from his previous mistakes, and this time he swung decisively.

Ping!

The small ball was hit and flew toward second base.

The Senpai team's second baseman rushed to the spot where the ball was about to land, grabbed it, and threw it to first base.

"OUT!"

Itou in the Batter's Box could only grit his teeth in frustration, unable to do anything.

His skills were still somewhat lacking compared to the star players around him. When everyone practiced together, the difference wasn't as obvious.

But once the actual game started, the gap could not be hidden.

One Out, no runners on base.

Faced with the freshmen team's surprise attack, the veteran team didn't back down. They used their excellent teamwork to cover up their lack of individual strength.

They played well against the freshmen team.

In the freshmen's dugout, Yui Kaoru, who was about to bat, and the third batter, Nishiyama, exchanged a glance.

Although they didn't say anything, their understanding was enough to convey their intentions.

The pitcher, Kaneda, was strong and low-key, but he wasn't unbeatable.

What really made them feel challenged was the perfect defense system Kaneda had paired with.

The smooth defensive rhythm they had created.

The rhythm was so perfect that they completely controlled the flow of the game, leaving the freshmen struggling to figure it out.

"This can't go on like this!" Yui Kaoru, with a determined expression, stepped into the Batter's Box.

Before today's orientation game, they had done some research. For example, last year's orientation game was remarkable because of Senior Sawamura Eijun's participation, and the freshmen played impressively.

Although the final score was 18-3, and the freshmen were crushed, they still had a moment of glory after Sawamura entered the game.

These freshmen, determined to surpass Sawamura, of course, couldn't let their Senpai take the spotlight, so they also aimed to take the lead.

Not counting the previous score, since they entered the game, the score was 1-3, a two-point lead.

But that wasn't enough.

If they wanted to surpass Sawamura, they needed to produce more impressive results.

Even purely from the score, they hadn't caught up with Sawamura. Not to mention, they weren't the only ones fighting for success.

Around them, many other talented teammates were also competing for the spotlight.

If the score difference couldn't exceed the gap Sawamura created back then, they'd feel ashamed.

They had to find a way to hit the ball and create favorable conditions for their teammates about to bat.

With this thought, Yui focused intently on the pitcher's mound.

Kaneda didn't make him wait long, and the ball was quickly delivered.

Whoosh!

From Yui Kaoru's perspective, he immediately noticed the change in the veteran team's defensive formation.

'Now!'

Realizing this, Yui felt his chance had come.

By delaying his swing after making contact, he forcibly changed the trajectory of the baseball.

Ping!

The ball, which was originally aimed toward third base, was suddenly hit over the shortstop's head.

'Nice!'

Yui was pleased with his performance. He dropped the bat and prepared to sprint toward first base.

Not only Yui himself but the senpais watching from the sidelines were also amazed.

"This little guy actually changed the direction of the ball by delaying his swing. He's not just good as a catcher, but also a great batter."

Miyuki, pushing up his glasses, remarked.

Kuramochi next to him muttered.

"It is not such a big deal!"

In truth, Kuramochi wasn't too thrilled. As a member of Seidou High's baseball team, he certainly hoped for talented rookies, but when such players actually emerged, Kuramochi felt conflicted.

To be honest, what Yui just did, Kuramochi couldn't replicate easily.

Simply put, this freshman had already surpassed him in this aspect.

No wonder Kuramochi felt conflicted.

Just as the ball seemed about to fly out, a figure suddenly jumped up.

This person's feet were nearly a meter off the ground, and after being lifted into the air, his body was fully stretched out. He used his mitt to catch the ball.

Snap!

The ball was caught but fell to the ground, not securely gripped.

However, the figure's reflexes were quick. After landing, he lunged forward, picked up the ball, and threw it to first base.

The entire sequence of movements was clean and precise.

This person was none other than the veteran shortstop, Takatsu.

"Cool!"

"Takatsu!"

"Takatsu!!!"

The veteran team's dugout went wild.

Even Sawamura, smiling, gave Takatsu a thumbs up.

'Today, Takatsu is on fire.'

Normally, this guy was strong, but he wasn't nearly as formidable as he was now.

Now, it was no longer just about being strong—he was outstanding.

In the corner, Kanemaru and Toujou exchanged surprised glances.

"Was his defense always this good?"

Kanemaru's tone was tinged with bitterness.

Toujou, thoughtful, replied.

"We've all been promoted to the first string, but he's still in the second string. I guess he's gone through a lot this past year."

When they first joined the team, the three of them were the biggest rookie stars after Sawamura Eijun.

Each of them had their strengths.

Toujou was a pitcher, Takatsu was a batter, and Kanemaru was a fielder.

Opportunities in life differ. Toujou and Kanemaru were promoted early. After the third-year seniors retired, they became core players in the team.

But Takatsu took a different path.

He stayed in the second string, quietly working hard. Now, his position in the second string was second to none.

He had surpassed several powerful third-year seniors and become the fourth batter in the second string.

His body had grown stronger, his hitting had improved, and even his defense, once his weak point, had become brilliant.

"Good thing we don't play the same position, or I might not be able to beat him."

Kanemaru thought bitterly.

Speaking of which, Kanemaru was feeling unstable. This year's star players included four big names and two rising stars.

In other words, there were only six players who had truly made a mark.

They were Sawamura, Furuya, Kominato, Toujou, Kanemaru, and Takatsu, still grinding in the second string.

Kanemaru originally thought that he was good enough, but now it seemed he had overestimated himself.

Unknowingly, he had become one of the weakest players in his year.

Clenching his fists, the unwilling Kanemaru silently swore.

He had to work harder.

Two Outs, no runners on base.

The Senpais defended their dignity with their strength.

The people around them also believed they would hold the situation.

An unexpected event occurred.

Nishiyama, stepping up to the plate, casually swung his bat and sent the ball flying.

Ping!

The ball fell into the gap in the defense.

"SAFE!"

Nishiyama made it safely to first base.

Two Outs, runner on first.

Nishiyama's personal strength was at a level that left people speechless.

Kaneda's pitching, the Senpais defense—none of it seemed to matter to him.

In the veteran team's dugout, Sawamura shook his head in amazement.

While there were many impressive freshmen, if one had to choose the best, whether one liked it or not, it was Nishiyama.

The next batter, Yuuki Masashi, walked up to the plate.

After Yuuki Masashi, it was Hirota, who had once hit a home run.

Faced with this situation, Kaneda did not back down. Instead, he chose to confront his opponent head-on, without hesitation.

Whoosh!

As he pitched, Kaneda put all his strength into it, taking a front that indicated he would take down his opponent.

Previously, Kawashima-senpai had solved Yuuki, so Kaneda believed he could do the same.

The batter, Yuuki, looked incredibly calm.

But beneath his calm exterior, there was a surging fiery heart.

He watched as the ball came toward him.

Yuuki swung his bat.

Buuuzzzzzz!

The swing cut through the air with a low hum, like distant thunder, catching everyone off guard.

The catcher, Kariba, felt as if the air in front of him had been sucked out.

'It had to be said—this newcomer's swing was impressive.'

'But as long as they didn't let him hit the sweet spot, he wasn't particularly difficult to handle.'

'There is no need to panic…'

PIIIINNNNGGGG!!!!

The ball was struck and flew high into the air.

It continued flying all the way to the fence until it passed it.

The previously calm Kariba was now panicking…

"WHAT?!?!?!"

'How is that possible?!'

'That ball hadn't even hit the sweet spot—how could it fly out of the park?!'

No matter how hard he tried to accept it, the facts spoke for themselves.

The ball flew out and became a two-run home run.

…