<73> Seido is Getting Serious!

Chapter 73: Seido is Getting Serious!

As the game reached the top of the 8th inning, Seido High School's baseball team took their turn at bat.

The score remained 1-0. Despite being reputed for their strong offensive capabilities, Seido hadn't managed to score many runs in this game.

At this point, the frustration among Seido's players was palpable.

Their desire to score was evident and unabashed. Supporters familiar with Seido's players saw this and felt a surge of excitement. "Seido is getting serious now!"

Knowing Seido well, both their supporters and opponents understood that Seido was gearing up to make a move.

"There are only two innings left, six outs to get! If we can secure these six outs, we have a chance to turn the tables," mused Oda, Kokai U Sagara High School's ace. From a momentum perspective, they had been on the back foot against Seido for much of the game. But so what?

Regardless of how poorly they performed or how many hits they surrendered before, the score was just one run apart.

This meant that if Kokai U Sagara's players could seize an opportunity later in the game, they could potentially tie or even surpass Seido.

Having persevered to this point, Kokai U Sagara's players were not about to give up.

Objectively speaking, they knew it wasn't impossible.

After all, Seido's ace, Tanba, has also been pitching continuously and might be on the brink of exhaustion, increasing the likelihood of errors.

Furthermore, as the game progressed, Kokai U Sagara's players were becoming more accustomed to Tanba's pitches. "We have a chance. If I can effectively deal with Seido's batters and secure the outs, we'll definitely have an opportunity!" Oda muttered to himself, almost as if trying to psych himself up.

Facing Seido's formidable cleanup hitter, Oda didn't opt for a head-on challenge. Instead, he intentionally threw four balls, allowing Yuuki to walk to first base. No outs, and a runner on first.

Far from being pleased by their opponent's retreat, Seido's players and supporters were anxious, even feeling the hairs on their necks stand on end. "What a ridiculous strategy! These are the last two innings, and they haven't even secured an out! Kokai U Sagara's ace dares to walk Yuuki?"

Oda's move demonstrated immense confidence. It seemed as though, without Yuuki, he believed he could easily handle the remaining Seido batters.

"Arrogant! Insolent!!!" The Seido bench was fired up with indignation. The players' anger was almost palpable.

"Teach him a lesson, Masuko-senpai!!!"

Next up was Seido's fifth batter, the remarkably burly Masuko. Seido's players hoped their power hitter would deliver a significant blow to Kokai U Sagara's team, proving that underestimating Seido came at a price.

However, their hopes were not realized. Observing the situation, Coach Kataoka decisively gave Masuko an unexpected order.

"Bunt!"

This was a move Kokai U Sagara's players clearly did not anticipate.

Kokai U Sagara's ace, Oda, was so focused on delivering his pitch with precision that he didn't consider the possibility of Masuko bunting. When Masuko suddenly crouched for the bunt, Oda momentarily doubted his eyes, thinking such a move was absurd.

"Ping!"

Masuko's bunt didn't get him on base, but that wasn't the point. Seido had achieved their goal. Yuuki, who had started running early, made it safely to second base. The situation now was one out with a runner on second. Yuuki was now in scoring position.

"What is Seido High School trying to accomplish? Allowing a walk at this point?" a puzzled fan wondered aloud from the stands.

The game's commentator, a gentleman with a calm and orderly style, perceived the fans' confusion and explained, "After seven intense innings, Seido High School has finally calmed down and started to play strategically. As for why Coach Kataoka didn't let them face off directly and opted for a bunt instead, it's quite simple: it increases their scoring chances. Based on previous encounters, Coach Kataoka probably already knows what the outcome would be if their fifth batter faced the opponent's ace directly."

In this case, choosing the higher probability action was smarter than opting for a potentially lower success rate.

With one out and a runner on second, Miyuki stepped up to bat.

Facing this sixth batter, Kokai U Sagara's leading catcher felt a bit stumped.

They had a good read on the personalities and habits of other Seido batters, based on intel and experience from the game so far.

But Miyuki was different.

Miyuki had an uncanny approach.

He would intentionally avoid easy pitches, yet seemed to relish hitting difficult ones with sharp angles and high speed.

Overall, he wasn't particularly threatening, just very unconventional.

Miyuki's batting average was only average among Seido's starters, so why was Coach Kataoka relying on him to score now?

The Kokai catcher felt a whirlwind of confusion but couldn't figure it out.

"Never mind, no point overthinking it," the Kokai U Sagara catcher decided, shaking his head and focusing back on the game.

He crouched and prepared to receive the pitch. At the same time, Oda readied and delivered his pitch.

"Whoosh!"

As the white baseball zoomed towards him, Miyuki Kazuya's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Just as I expected, an outside pitch!" Seeing the pitch align perfectly with his prediction, a smile appeared at the corner of Miyuki's mouth.

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