Chapter 116: Top of the Inning!

Seido Dugout, there are two innings left until the end of the game, provided the score isn't caught up.

Manager Kataoka is also giving his final instructions to the Seido players, "In this final stage, a trailing Inashiro will surely try everything they can to get on base. Whether we can hold onto this one-run lead until the end will be the key to victory."

Looking at the determined players before him, Manager Kataoka continues, "All defensive players must stay sharp. This game belongs to all of you; you must not place all the pressure on Miyuki and Huangqian. In a baseball game where a single pitch can decide the outcome, you must not let your guard down, especially in these final critical moments. You have endured such grueling training; think about it—if you lose runs due to your own lapses in concentration, can you face your own efforts, can you face your teammates!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits are jolted. That's right, it's the semi-finals; if they lose the game due to carelessness, they will never be able to forgive themselves for the rest of their lives.

Moreover, whether it was Nanjo Taishi or Huangqian Yangyi earlier, both have suppressed the opponent's batting lineup well. The others have had almost no pressure on the defensive end and have conserved their stamina well. If any accidents occur in the final moments of the game, they will need to step in to save the situation.

"Go, boys!"

"Yes, Manager!!"

The game continues, top of the 8th inning, Inashiro on offense.

Standing on the Pitcher's Mound again, Huangqian Yangyi looks at Inashiro's Sixth Batter, Yoshizawa Hideaki. He can clearly feel the opponent's resolve to fight with their backs against the wall. Come to think of it, if they can't score in this inning, Inashiro will only have one chance left to counterattack.

Taking a deep breath, Huangqian Yangyi exchanges glances with Miyuki, then sees Miyuki's sign.

The first pitch, an inside Four-seam Fastball.

Huangqian Yangyi does not intend to give the Batter too much time to think; the more anxious the opponent is to score, the easier it is for them to make mistakes. A ball with a speed exceeding 150 km/h flies toward home plate.

Yoshizawa Hideaki swings immediately. Whoosh! The sound of the bat swinging sweeps past Miyuki's ears.

Pop!

"Strike!"

The swing still couldn't keep up. The expression on Yoshizawa Hideaki's face grows increasingly gloomy. No, I must get on base! As long as I get on base, I can advance the batting order!

The second pitch is quickly thrown by Huangqian Yangyi, another Fastball!

Yoshizawa Hideaki swings the bat forcefully again, letting out a shout.

Bang!

He hit it!

Yoshizawa Hideaki radiates an unyielding aura like a fighter. The baseball flies out, and Yoshizawa Hideaki sprints toward First Base.

The baseball flies over the infield toward Right Fielder, Shinoki Keita, who runs back quickly, looking back at the ball as he runs.

"Drop!"

"Catch it!!"

Fans from both sides shout at the same time. If it drops, Yoshizawa Hideaki successfully gets on base; if it is caught, it will be a Flyout.

On the Pitcher's Mound, Huangqian Yangyi also looks back at the ball. He didn't expect the opponent to hit the ball so far, or rather, he didn't expect Yoshizawa Hideaki to swing so early, and to have aimed exactly at the outside pitch.

It was a lucky guess on his part.

The baseball finally falls; Shinoki Keita couldn't reach it in time!

Yoshizawa Hideaki takes this opportunity to dash toward Second Base!

"Yes!!"

Inashiro's fans are ecstatic. The game is nearing its end, and they didn't expect their Sixth Batter to give them such a surprise.

In Right Field, Shinoki Keita picks up the ball and throws it back with frustration. In the end, Yoshizawa Hideaki successfully reaches Second Base.

Looking at Huangqian Yangyi with an apologetic expression, Shinoki Keita feels a bit embarrassed. Their defense earlier was positioned relatively forward to prevent Inashiro from using a Bunt to force their way on base. Who knew this guy would blast an Extra-base Hit? It was completely unexpected.

Huangqian Yangyi shakes his head to show it isn't Shinoki Keita's fault, then turns to look at Inashiro's Seventh Batter, Hirai Tsubasa, in the Batter's Box.

It will be enough to just retire the next person.

Huangqian Yangyi is very calm; it's just getting on base, not a big deal. If Yoshizawa Hideaki were the first or second batter, getting on base might put some pressure on him, but the upcoming batting order is Inashiro's lower lineup, and their hitting ability isn't enough to threaten him. This isn't arrogance, but a fact.

At the Catcher position, Miyuki smiles helplessly before quickly giving the sign.

An inside Two-seam Fastball. Huangqian Yangyi throws the ball without a word.

"Pop!"

"Strike!"

Hirai Tsubasa swings and misses.

Then the second pitch, another Two-seam Fastball, right at the bottom of the strike zone!

"Pop!"

"Strike!"

Having quickly secured two strikes, Miyuki glances at the Batter and then calls for that Cutter Slider.

The corner of Huangqian Yangyi's mouth curls up; he has been waiting for this pitch for a while.

Adjusting his breathing, Huangqian Yangyi exhales a long, steady breath, then slowly lifts his left leg and raises his hands gently.

The next second, Huangqian Yangyi whips his right arm, and the baseball flies out with a whoosh. At first glance, the speed is almost indistinguishable from the previous two fastballs.

Hirai Tsubasa clearly thinks the same, swinging his bat along the path of a Fastball. The timing is perfect!

However, just before entering home plate, the baseball suddenly shifts laterally, the arc completely exceeding Hirai Tsubasa's swing range.

Pop!

"Strike!"

"Strikeout!!"

Hirai Tsubasa, having swung and missed, looks at the baseball with unwillingness, then slowly walks off the Batter's Box. How could it be at a time like this? He had no chance of hitting such a pitch suddenly; he wasn't prepared at all.

In the Inashiro Dugout, ever since Adu saw this strange pitch, everyone has fallen silent. Narumiya Mei stares fixedly at Huangqian Yangyi; he is desperate to know whether this pitch was a Cutter or a Slider.

How could such a high speed produce such a large displacement in the final stage? Narumiya Mei is very curious about this.

As for the others, their hearts feel as if they are being crushed by a giant mountain, and even breathing has become heavy.

Returning to the dugout, Hirai Tsubasa hangs his head in self-reproach. Captain Haneda Kazuki steps forward and pats him on the shoulder.

"It's okay, no one could have expected that pitch."

"Yeah, I know," Hirai Tsubasa says.

It was just a strikeout, nothing major, but at this moment it made him very annoyed; failing to let Yoshizawa Hideaki advance to the base, this was an opportunity that had been hard-won.

Missing this opportunity, the probability of Inashiro wanting to catch up to the score or even overtake it would become even lower.

On the field, the Inashiro Eighth Batter, just like Hirai Tsubasa, was unable to find even the slightest opportunity and was struck out.

With two outs recorded and a runner on Second Base, the next batter to take the field was the Inashiro First Year Pitcher, Narumiya Mei.

He was seen walking to the Batter's Box with his head lowered and without saying a word, his whole person exuding an aura of low pressure.