Chapter 109: Hit by Pitch

Judging from the Kanto Tournament match against Inashiro, their batting lineup has become increasingly accustomed to facing Huangqian Yangyi's Fastball, hitting several base hits and even scoring runs.

From that game until today, Inashiro's research and understanding of him will only have deepened; if he cannot bring out a new pitch to complement his Fastball at this time, it will be very difficult to suppress their lineup. Considering this, Huangqian Yangyi and Miyuki discussed that if the Slider's effect is poor, for the sake of final victory, they may have to resort to the Changeup when necessary.

The game continues; bottom of the fourth, Seido on offense.

After Tanaka Wataru (5th Batter) successfully reached base, Isashiki (6th Batter) and Shinoki Keita (7th Batter) were struck out by Matsumoto Takuhai, and the batting order moved to the 8th Batter; Yoshikawa Junpei stood in the Batter's Box and glanced at Huangqian Yangyi.

As long as he could successfully reach base, the next batter would be Huangqian Yangyi; at that time, with runners on first and second, Yoshikawa Junpei believed that Huangqian Yangyi would surely be able to perform.

Soon, the baseball flew toward Home Plate, and Yoshikawa Junpei swung without hesitation.

"Strike!"

Swinging and missing the first pitch, Yoshikawa Junpei did not lose heart and prepared himself once again.

"Strike!"

"Strike!"

"Strikeout!!"

Yoshikawa Junpei swung and missed three times, his teeth nearly grinding to pieces.

Walking off the Batter's Box in frustration, Yoshikawa Junpei looked at Huangqian Yangyi with some embarrassment; although the other party did not know what he had been thinking just now, he himself had been firmly determined to secure a batting opportunity for Huangqian Yangyi, yet he ended up striking out, which made him feel a bit ashamed.

"Hm? Senior, why are you looking at me?" Huangqian Yangyi asked curiously.

Yoshikawa Junpei waved his hand: "It's nothing, my eyes are a bit dry."

Huangqian Yangyi gave a puzzled "hm," feeling that something was a bit strange.

The game reached the fifth inning, with both sides tied at 1:1.

At this time, Huangqian Yangyi and Miyuki's warm-up had also ended, just waiting to take the field in the next inning.

Meanwhile, Nanjo Taishi had already stepped onto the Pitcher's Mound; this was his final inning of the day, and he was about to face Inashiro's lower batting order.

Taking a deep breath, no matter what, he had to have a perfect finish.

At the Catcher position, Tanaka Wataru's mood was the same as Nanjo Taishi's; as Seido's pitcher and catcher, both of their positions had been impacted—one by Huangqian Yangyi, the other by Miyuki.

Some said they were unfortunate, having such excellent juniors, and their pressure was immense; Nanjo Taishi had even had his ace jersey number snatched away, while Tanaka Wataru's situation was slightly better—although Miyuki was excellent, the Catcher position was not as urgent for Seido compared to the pitcher.

The two were old partners and had worried about this together, until later, when Huangqian Yangyi and Miyuki built merit for Seido time and again in games, helping the team secure victories, only then did the two gradually find relief.

Come on, end this inning!

Tanaka Wataru's gaze was firm as he quickly gave the signal; Nanjo Taishi nodded, took a deep breath while listening to the cheers in his ears, and then smashed the baseball in his hand toward Home Plate!

By this point in the game, Nanjo Taishi's stamina had declined, yet this pitch showed absolutely no sign of weakening.

Inashiro's 6th Batter, Yoshizawa Hideaki, had decent batting ability, yet he swung and missed three times in a row, being cleanly struck out.

Following that, the 7th and 8th Batters also failed to get a hit off Nanjo Taishi; three up, three down, securing three consecutive outs, Nanjo Taishi and Tanaka Wataru held the line for this inning.

"Whew~ it's over."

The corners of Nanjo Taishi's mouth curled up; today's mission was successfully completed, and if there was any regret, it was that Home Run by Shinkawa Kenichi.

Returning to the Dugout, Nanjo Taishi was immediately met with praise from his teammates.

"Nanjo, get some good rest; leave the rest to the juniors," Coach Kataoka said, placing his hand on Nanjo Taishi's shoulder.

"Yes, Coach!"

After speaking, Nanjo Taishi turned his head to look at Huangqian Yangyi and Miyuki Kazuya, who were already prepared.

"I'm counting on you," Nanjo Taishi said solemnly.

The two looked at each other, and Huangqian Yangyi nodded heavily, then said: "Don't worry, Senior, we won't let you down."

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 a chair.

Bottom of the 5th, Seido on offense.

Huangqian Yangyi was the first to step into the Batter's Box; this was his second at-bat of the game, and although he hit a base hit in the previous round, he failed to score, so he had to reach base this time as well.

"Seido! Seido!"

"Huangqian! Huangqian!"

In the stands, Seido's fans were shouting and cheering at the top of their lungs.

Amidst the synchronized chants, Seido's brass band and Cheerleading Squad were also passionately creating a stir.

In the wave-like cheers, Inashiro Catcher Harada Masatoshi once again made the decision for a head-on confrontation, and it was even more aggressive than before.

Seeing the signal, Matsumoto Takuhai gripped the baseball in his hand.

Inside corner, and at the very edge! A slight carelessness could result in a Hit by Pitch.

Such an aggressive pitch selection made Matsumoto Takuhai feel his blood boiling; although dangerous, as long as he threw it in, he would surely make Huangqian Yangyi wary!

Whoosh!

Matsumoto Takuhai did not drag it out at all; the white baseball flew like a sharp arrow, straight toward Huangqian Yangyi's chest.

"Danger!!"

"Get out of the way!!"

In the Seido Dugout, the teammates' faces changed drastically.

Coach Kataoka's calm face had become somewhat distorted; this was his ace, and if he were injured here, the loss would be far too great.

Even Matsumoto Takuhai, who threw the ball, had his pupils dilated—oh no!

Huangqian Yangyi, in the Batter's Box, kept his eyes on the baseball until the small white ball entered the Home Plate area and flew past, brushing his uniform, yet Huangqian Yangyi remained motionless.

The field was silent; a few seconds later, the umpire finally spoke up.

"Hit by Pitch!!"

*Huu~~*

The entire stadium gasped in unison.

At this instant, no one cared about the Hit by Pitch; instead, they focused all their attention on Huangqian Yangyi.

That pitch just now was very dangerous; although Huangqian Yangyi looks uninjured at the moment, that is only a guess.

Manager Kataoka even walked out of the Dugout at this moment, looking at Huangqian Yangyi with a serious expression.

Just as everyone was feeling nervous, Huangqian Yangyi suddenly turned his head to look at Harada Masatoshi, squinting his eyes into a smile: "Lucky! I'm on base."

After saying this, Huangqian Yangyi happily jogged toward First Base.

"Whew~~"

The entire stadium let out a breath in unison again; this guy is too good at stirring up emotions, he scared the life out of everyone!