Shoto VS Hoshizora (1)

Shun watched the opposing team take the field and then focused on their pitcher. He was a third-year student, right-handed, with a common height and appearance. Shun asked the system to display his stats.

[Haruto Mori

Overall: B-

PITCHING: B+

BATTING: C+

FIELDING: B

RUNNING: C+

GAME IQ: B+

Overall Potential: A+]

"Oh? The captain said this team didn't give up many runs even in the games they lost, so this guy must be the reason. He's good." - Shun was a bit impressed. This Haruto Mori was a solid pitcher, possibly even better than some pitchers in the Kanto tournament.

The first batter for Shoto Junior High stepped into the batter's box as Haruto threw the game's first pitch.

PAH

"Strike!"

A fastball right down the middle, and the batter stood frozen.

"It looks like they knew we wouldn't swing at the first pitch" - Captain Kazuki remarked.

It's common for batters not to swing at the first pitch of the game, the reason being to ensure that the opposing pitcher throws more pitches, avoiding an out with just one pitch, for example. Of course, there are also strategies that target the first pitch, this is baseball after all, with multiple strategic possibilities for every play.

The pitcher threw again.

WOOSH

DING

"Foul!"

A fastball on the inside corner, and the batter tried to make contact but couldn't get a solid hit.

The third pitch came.

WOOSH

PAH

"StrikeOut!"

"A curveball, huh?" - Kenta commented.

"This will be tough. It breaks sharply, and the break happens right before it reaches the plate" - Captain Kazuki added.

"It seems like this is his best pitch. If we want to win, we'll need to beat this pitch" - Coach Yamada concluded while watching his players.

The second batter stepped into the batter's box, while Kenta moved to the on-deck circle as the next batter.

The first pitch of the duel came.

WOOSH

DING

A curveball that dropped into the zone, the batter made contact but not well enough. The ball headed toward the shortstop, who easily threw to first base.

PAH

"Out!"

Kenta walked toward the batter's box. Although he threw right-handed, he batted left-handed since he always had good speed, making it even faster to reach the bases from the left side. The first pitch of the duel came.

PAH

"Ball!"

A fastball low and outside, just off the zone. Kenta didn't move. The second pitch came.

PAH

"Strike!"

A high curveball that dropped into the zone. Kenta remained still.

"So that's his curveball, huh?" - Kenta thought as the third pitch of the duel came.

WOOSH

DONG

"Foul!"

A fastball on the inside corner, Kenta was a bit late but still sent the ball flying, unfortunately, into foul territory. The next pitch came.

WOOSH

DONG

"Foul!"

A fastball on the outside corner this time, Kenta made solid contact, but his swing was still slightly late. The next pitch came.

PAH

"Ball!"

Kenta didn't move as he watched the fastball above the zone.

"This guy is good. He made solid contact with both fastballs in the zone, but he didn't even flinch when they were slightly outside. The count is 2 balls and 2 strikes. The next batter is the best hitter on their team, so it's better to finish this here. This guy only watched your curveball unable to do anything last time, so throw me another one Haruto! Let's get him out!" - The opposing catcher thought as he signaled to his pitcher.

The pitch came.

"Finally" - Kenta gave a slight smile as he identified the pitch.

WOOSH

DONG

A hit to left field, and Kenta safely reached second base.

"Nice hit, Kenta!"

"Good job, Kenta!"

Cheers came from the dugout. Kenta waved to his team but quickly turned bright red when he heard a girl's voice cheering.

"Yeeeaaaahhhh!! That's my Kenta!! Great hit!!" - The lovely Mio Shimizu cheered excitedly.

"That bastard!" - Ren had a pained expression on his face. He wanted to leave the dugout and go punch his lucky friend. It wasn't enough that Kenta was good at baseball, he was also lucky with girls. The young samurai-haired boy was nearly in tears, thinking about how unfair the world was.

Meanwhile, the captain stepped into the batter's box.

The first pitch came.

WOOSH

DONG

Kazuki felt something odd when he made contact, but he ran to first base as he saw the ball head toward center field.

PAH

Unfortunately, the ball went straight into the center fielder's glove.

"Out! 3 outs, changeover!"

The captain was frustrated as he returned to the dugout. There were three outs, and now it was their turn to defend. Kenta, who was also heading back to the dugout, spoke.

"Hey, captain, did that ball move?"

"Huh? Hm, I'm not sure. I thought I made perfect contact, but I felt something strange when I hit it."