Chapter 171: A Rematch Once More

It's over!

At this angle and this speed, it is almost impossible to throw it back to home plate.

Sure enough, as a runner returned to home plate, Yoshikawa Junpei finally picked up the baseball and threw it toward First Base in an attempt to get an out, but unfortunately, it was a step too late; Yuki Tetsuya caught the ball and immediately threw it to home plate.

Giving up a run, Nanjo Taishi clenched his fists, his palms already covered in sweat before he knew it.

And now, the situation remained two outs, bases loaded.

Seido was still on the verge of giving up more runs.

"Focus on the Batter!"

"You can do it, Nanjo!"

"Don't be nervous!"

"Just pitch it for him to hit!"

His teammates behind him called out one after another to cheer him on.

Nanjo Taishi gripped the baseball tightly, and after exchanging a look with Tanaka Wataru, he began to pitch to the Batter again.

This time, after two strikes, Nanjo Taishi used a cutter to make the Batter swing and miss, securing the third out and ending the first inning.

Whew~

When the first inning ended, everyone in the stadium, whether Seido fans or Osaka Kiryu supporters, breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

This was only the first inning, yet the batting order for both sides had already reached the Seventh Batter!

It's too intense!

Don't look at the score of 1:3 with Osaka Kiryu trailing; that was only because of that miraculous flyout by Huangqian Yangyi, otherwise, it's hard to say what the score would be now.

Looking at the score, Seido was leading, but looking at the flow of the game, it was actually Osaka Kiryu that held the initiative.

In the Seido Dugout, as soon as Huangqian Yangyi returned, he was immediately grabbed tightly by the shoulder by Nanjo Taishi to express his gratitude.

"Hehe, Senior, if you want to thank me, treat me to a big meal after Koshien ends," Huangqian Yangyi laughed.

Hearing this, Nanjo Taishi patted his chest generously: "Small problem! Eat, eat three meals!"

"Hahaha, Nanjo, you guy almost couldn't hold on, right?" Dong Qingguo said loudly.

"Yeah." Nanjo Taishi nodded; he did not deny the fact that he was having a hard time holding up on the Pitcher's Mound against the Osaka Kiryu batting lineup.

"The people from Osaka Kiryu, not to mention their power, are also quite good at pitch selection; many times they picked the pitch and hit it directly," Tanaka Wataru said.

"Just do your best. Their batting lineup is strong, but we will be even stronger! Let's see who scores more!" Zhitian Jiangtai patted Nanjo Taishi on the shoulder to comfort him.

At this moment, Manager Kataoka turned to look at everyone, his gaze finally landing on Nanjo Taishi.

"Don't be nervous, and don't feel pressured. Just do your best. The key to winning today's game lies in the batting lineup. Feel free to pitch, it doesn't matter if you give up runs!"

Hearing this, Nanjo Taishi nodded heavily, "I understand."

Then, Manager Kataoka turned his head to look at Huangqian Yangyi, who was sitting on a chair chatting and joking with Miyuki.

He had wanted to praise him for the flyout that took away Tahara Kazuki's Home Run, but seeing that Huangqian Yangyi wasn't paying any attention to the conversation here, he decided to let it go.

The game continued.

Top of the second inning, Seido on offense.

After Matsuki Musashi recovered his form, his pitching was fierce, striking out the Eighth Batter Yoshikawa Junpei and the Ninth Batter Nanjo Taishi in succession.

Subsequently, Zhitian Jiangtai, who stepped into the Batter's Box again, got an Infield Hit!

Then, Kominato Ryosuke was struck out.

Bottom of the second inning, it was Osaka Kiryu's turn to attack.

Although Nanjo Taishi did not have the obvious dominance of Matsuki Musashi, he worked with his teammates behind him to retire three Batters in a row.

Afterward, the game reached the third inning, and the goddess of luck did not help Yuki Tetsuya this time; after swinging and missing three times in a row, he was struck out.

The batting order reached Dong Qingguo; Matsuki Musashi had no intention of giving a Base on Balls. He chose to face Dong Qingguo head-on, and the first pitch was a Vertical Curveball that made Dong Qingguo swing and miss.

Next, Matsuki Musashi threw a low, inside Two-seam Fastball, hoping that Dong Qingguo would hit a ground ball, but this time Dong Qingguo didn't swing at all.

After two strikes, Matsuki Musashi frowned and thought for a moment, then threw the baseball according to the Catcher's pitch calling; it was a High-speed Slider on the outer edge, or rather, a ball!

"Ha!!"

Dong Qingguo let out a "yah" and swung his bat to chase this High-speed Slider. Bang! The metallic sound rang out.

The baseball flew toward Left Fielder, and Dong Qingguo reached First Base thanks to this outfield hit.

Damn it!

To be able to hit it so far from such a corner!

Matsuki Musashi clicked his tongue hard; there was a runner on base, and next was that annoying First Year!

Hehehe.

Huangqian Yangyi stood in the Batter's Box with a sly grin.

This smile looked like a complete provocation to Matsuki Musashi.

Calm down! Calm down!

Matsuki Musashi kept muttering to himself not to be impulsive and not to lose his head.

Oh?

Seeing that the opponent didn't fall for it, Huangqian Yangyi secretly felt it was a pity.

However, with the lesson from the previous inning, Matsuki Musashi should no longer insist on throwing a Super High-speed Fastball at him.

In this way, both sides returned to a pure test of strength.

Come on, no matter what you throw, be prepared to get hit!

Soon, Matsuki Musashi threw the baseball.

Huangqian Yangyi swung his bat decisively, sweeping toward the outside corner.

Bang!

A High-speed Slider was hit into Jianjie.

As expected, this guy's ability to track the ball is truly monstrous! Matsuki Musashi gritted his teeth inwardly.

Since that's the case, let's try this then; I refuse to believe I can't strike out a First Year like you!

After receiving the return throw from the Catcher, Matsuki Musashi made another decision: since a high-speed pitch couldn't finish off his opponent, he would use different pitch types to disrupt Huangqian Yangyi's hitting rhythm.

The second pitch, a Vertical Curveball.

Seeing the ball's trajectory clearly, Huangqian Yangyi swung his bat without the slightest hesitation.

Bang!

The baseball flew out; it didn't have much height, but its speed was extremely fast, instantly piercing through the infield defense and landing in the outfield.

"Whoa!!"

Amidst the cheers, the slow-running Dong Qingguo reached Second Base narrowly, and Huangqian Yangyi naturally reached First Base as well.

Standing on the First Base bag, Huangqian Yangyi grinned, showing his white teeth as he looked at Matsuki Musashi, even wiggling his eyebrows, which immediately infuriated the latter.

Bastard! Idiot!

Matsuki Musashi had almost ground his teeth flat, so he vented his anger on the Sixth Batter, Tanaka Wataru, resulting in a Strikeout.

With two outs and runners on First and Second Base, Isashiki Jun stood in the Batter's Box, baring his teeth and looking like he wanted to show Matsuki Musashi what he was made of.

Matsuki Musashi was truly speechless; were all these people from Seido this eccentric?

Whoosh!

"Strike!"

Swish!

"Ball!"

Pop!

"Strike!"

The count quickly reached two Strikes and one Ball; Isashiki Jun just swung at whatever came, regardless of what pitch was thrown, he intended to hit every single one.

This is a reckless brute, nothing to worry about!

Matsuki Musashi thought to himself, then threw a Fastball aimed at Isashiki Jun's chest.