Chapter 139: The First Match of Koshien

Sigh~

Director Takagi of the Seika Academy Baseball Club didn't know how many times he had sighed to himself; having coached for over a decade, this was his first time entering Koshien, which had caused their school to celebrate from top to bottom for a full half-month.

When the drawing ended and they learned they had a bye in the first round, they felt a sense of mission that destiny was on their side.

And then, well, their second-round opponent was Seido.

Director Takagi's heart died, and the sky collapsed.

How could they play this? No matter which aspect one looked at, they were inferior to Seido; their only advantage might be in intelligence.

"Everyone, do not lose your footing because of the opponent's strength. Don't forget, we also fought through round after round to finally stand here. We must believe that we are no worse than them. Think about it, if we can topple Seido here, how surprised those people outside who don't favor us will be!"

"Besides, the opponent is a high school student, and you are also high school students. No matter how strong they are, there is a limit. Why can they win, and you can't?!"

Director Takagi's words immediately made the Seika Academy players feel their blood and passion burning. That's right, everyone is a high school student, who is afraid of whom?

"Fengdao, I'm counting on you."

"Yingtai, it's all up to you."

The Seika Academy players pinned all their hopes for victory on Fengdao Yingtai.

Fengdao Yingtai shook his head and gave a bitter smile; he wasn't the arrogant type. It was simply too difficult for his pitching to suppress Seido's batting lineup, but he would give it his all—everything for his senior!

"And..."

Director Takagi picked up the file on Huangqian Yangyi and patted it.

"Seido's ace, Huangqian Yangyi, was injured in the West Tokyo finals. If I'm not mistaken, his injury shouldn't have healed yet. Seido absolutely cannot send him onto the field in the match against us!"

"Therefore, it's not as if we have no hope of winning. We have already reached the second round of Koshien; we must not admit defeat easily. Even if the opponent is a powerhouse, we must tear a piece of meat off them!"

"Oh!!!"

August 9th, the third day of the Summer Koshien, the first round of matches had all concluded.

In the afternoon, the Seido High School Baseball Club arrived at the stadium by bus.

As one of the top powerhouses in the country, although Seido High School Baseball Team had failed to enter Koshien for several consecutive years, their fans had not decreased in the slightest.

This time, Seido charging into Koshien with the momentum of a king returning had attracted a large number of fans to watch the game in person.

The student groups organized by Seido High School alone numbered over a thousand. These people formed various formations; some played drums, some danced... the Cheerleading Squad and the brass band also came along with the team.

"Seido!!"

"Seido!!"

"Go Seido!"

Compared to Seido's cheering squad, the momentum of Seika Academy was much smaller.

"This is a powerhouse, not just in the team's strength, but even in logistics, the momentum is so grand."

"Yeah, if we can win the match, the expressions on these people's faces will definitely be wonderful."

"Alright, alright, stop looking. The match is about to start, hurry up and warm up!"

On Seido's side, they were greeted with enthusiastic cheers the moment they entered.

"Huangqian, how is your condition today?"

Director Kataoka's sudden question made the entire Dugout go quiet.

No way, is the director going to let Huangqian play in this match? But wasn't the starting lineup announced last night?

Huangqian Yangyi was also stunned for several seconds, "My condition is quite good, my waist doesn't hurt anymore."

"Hmm, very good. Later during the match, go to the Bullpen to warm up," Director Kataoka said with the corner of his mouth curled up.

Hmm?

Huangqian Yangyi instantly understood the director's intention. Seika Academy must think he won't play, but if he warms up in the Bullpen, it will definitely make the opponent wary, and might even disrupt their tactical planning.

"Hehe, the director is quite black-bellied too," Miyuki said in a low voice.

"What do you know? This is called tactics!" Dong Qingguo glared at Miyuki.

Soon, the players from both sides went onto the field to warm up. Since both were teams that had entered Koshien, the warm-up session alone was enough to satisfy the audience in the stands.

"It's Huangqian!"

"He's warming up!"

"Is he going to play too?"

"Did his injury heal that fast?"

The audience noticed the figure of Huangqian Yangyi on the field, and there was an immediate commotion.

Director Takagi of Seika Academy also noticed this scene, and his brows were already furrowed.

No way!

The warm-up session ended, the players from both sides shook hands and chose sides; Seika Academy would bat first.

"Please treat us well!"

Afterward, the players returned to their respective Dugouts.

"Dong, the first match of Koshien, shall we do it once?" Director Kataoka turned his head and looked at Dong Qingguo with a smile.

Everyone was stunned at the same time, and then expressions of extreme excitement appeared on their faces.

"Yes!" Dong Qingguo shouted.

For the first match entering Koshien, it would be too regrettable if they didn't do it once.

Seido's slogan must be known by everyone!

"Then go, and make the atmosphere even more heated," Director Kataoka said.

Perhaps because entering Koshien had fulfilled a long-cherished wish of many years, the current Director Kataoka was a bit easier to talk to than before.

"Yes!" the First String members shouted in unison.

Soon, under the curious gazes of the audience, the Seido players walked out of the Dugout and formed a large circle.

"This is!?"

"It's coming!"

"The roar of the kings!"

The fans of Seido all stood up, and other spectators who were unclear about the situation also sensed that Seido was about to do something, looking toward their direction with anticipation.

"Who are we?!"

"The kings, Seido!!"

"Who sweats the most?!"

"Seido!!"

"Who sheds the most tears?!"

"Seido!!"

"Are you ready for battle?!"

"Oh!!"

"Bearing the glory of the entire school, we have only one goal! To conquer the nation!"

"Aoooooo!!!!"

The stirring slogan instantly ignited the atmosphere of the entire stadium, and the television broadcast also very sensibly used its cameras to broadcast this scene to the whole world.

"Go for it!!"

"Too cool!"

"I've got goosebumps!"

"From today on, I am a fan of Seido!"

After the slogan was finished, Seido's dashing slogan immediately won over another batch of fans.

"Summer Koshien, second round, third game, the match between West Tokyo representative Seido High School and Fukushima representative Seika Academy, officially begins!"

The 9 starting players of Seido entered the field; they are as follows.

First batter, Shortstop, Zhitian Jiangtai.

Second batter, Second Baseman, Kominato Ryosuke.

Third batter, First Baseman, Yuki Tetsuya.

Fourth batter, Third Baseman, Dong Qingguo.

Fifth batter, Catcher, Tanaka Wataru.

Sixth batter, Center Fielder, Isashiki Jun.

Seventh batter, Right Fielder, Shinoki Keita.

Eighth batter, Left Fielder, Yoshikawa Junpei.

Ninth batter, Pitcher, Nanjo Taishi.