Chapter 33: Intensification

The situation on the field suddenly became runners on first and second with no outs; Ichidai Sanko faced the danger of potentially giving up runs at any moment.

"Zhenzhong Boy, your expression is too stiff."

In the first-base dugout, Manager Tahara of Ichidai Sanko looked at Zhenzhong Yao on the pitcher's mound with a worried expression.

If he didn't adjust his state of mind, this inning would very likely become the turning point of the entire game; in battles between powerhouses, the difference often lies within a hair's breadth.

"Jun! It's up to you!"

"Blast it out!!"

"Home run!"

The sixth batter, Isashiki Jun, stepped into the batter's box, and the Seido supporters in the stands shouted loudly.

Isashiki Jun politely bowed to the umpire, then suddenly whipped his head around and roared at Zhenzhong Yao: "Ha!!"

"Senior Isashiki's habit of being polite before the attack is really something; he's quite a character," Huangqian Yangyi couldn't help but quip upon hearing the roar.

Miyuki caught the incoming pitch, and both looked toward the field; with runners on first and second and no outs, this was a great scoring opportunity, and both couldn't help but want to see the moment of scoring.

Bang!

The high-speed curveball that Zhenzhong Yao threw with all his might toward the outside corner was fiercely smashed away by a big swing from Isashiki.

"Run!!"

The Seido team shouted at the top of their lungs, while on the pitcher's mound, Zhenzhong Yao stared blankly, looking at the small white ball flying into the sky in disbelief.

For three consecutive at-bats, he had actually been hit by Seido three times in a row; no matter how strong-hearted Zhenzhong Yao was, his mentality was on the verge of collapse at this moment.

"The ball is out!! Home run!!"

"Three runs! Bottom of the second! The Seido High School batting lineup explodes, instantly piercing through Ichidai Sanko's defense!"

"Seido looks quite terrifying today. I wonder how Ichidai Sanko will respond? Will they change pitchers?"

The commentator's voice was somewhat excited; clearly, he hadn't expected such a scene to appear in today's game.

"A-Jun! Great hit!"

"You did it, Isashiki!"

"Haha, MVP of the second inning."

The three runners returned to the dugout and were immediately met with praise from their teammates, especially Isashiki Jun, who had hit the home run and was laughing wildly outside the dugout.

Unlike the cheers and shouts on the Seido side, the entire Ichidai Sanko cheering squad fell silent at this moment; no matter what, they could not have imagined that in just a single half-inning, Ichidai Sanko would be standing on the edge of a cliff.

"A-Yao! Don't mind it, it's only the second inning!"

"Focus on getting the outs!"

"Let him hit it, leave the rest to us behind you!"

Behind Zhenzhong Yao, his defensive teammates spoke up one after another to cheer him on; at this time, they had to let their ace know that he was not fighting alone!

Hearing the cheers from his teammates, Zhenzhong Yao slowly regained his senses and turned his head to look around.

"A-Yao!"

Zhenzhong Yao looked toward home plate.

"Next pitch!" the catcher said calmly.

"Hoo~"

Zhenzhong Yao forced himself to calm down; now was not the time for self-reproach. He had to get those outs!

After regrouping, facing Seido's lower batting order, Zhenzhong Yao finally managed to get 3 outs with the cooperation of his teammates.

Returning to the dugout, Zhenzhong Yao's mood was very low, and he walked silently to his seat and sat down.

"Zhenzhong Boy, don't mind it. This is the game. No situation on the field is unexpected. Pull yourself together; the game is still ongoing," Manager Tahara said in a deep voice with his back to Zhenzhong Yao.

The game reached the third inning, and it was Ichidai Sanko's turn to attack.

"Boys, attack aggressively, show some spirit! The game has only just begun!" Manager Tahara said to the players heading out to bat.

"Yes, Manager!" everyone shouted.

"A-Yao, watch, we're going up there right now to get those runs back!"

"It's just three runs, don't take it to heart."

"Let's go!"

The Ichidai Sanko batters walked into the batter's box with aggressive momentum.

On the Seido side, hearing the roars coming from the other side, everyone also looked over with sharp gazes.

"The game is still ongoing. Ichidai Sanko will definitely counterattack at all costs. We must not let our guard down; we must defend until the end of the game!" Manager Kataoka said.

"Understood!" everyone shouted in unison.

Competing on volume? As if we could lose to you.

In the bullpen, feeling the atmosphere of the two teams, Huangqian Yangyi and Miyuki couldn't help but stop their warm-up and look at the field; this feeling was something they had never experienced when facing other schools before.

A duel between powerhouses is indeed more intense and cruel.

The third inning was also full of ups and downs; in the top half, Ichidai Sanko launched a fierce offensive, and even though Nanjo Taishi used all his strength, he still gave up two runs.

As a result, before Ichidai Sanko could be happy for long, Seido scored another run in the bottom of the third inning thanks to a stolen base.

Both sides went back and forth; in the top of the fourth, the Ichidai Sanko batting lineup hit consecutive base hits, scoring 4 runs in one go to overtake Seido and change the score to 4:6.

Coming down from the pitcher's mound, Seido's ace pitcher Nanjo Taishi remained silent; in just a single half-inning, under the explosion of Ichidai Sanko's center batting lineup, his pitching performance was completely unsatisfactory. Not only was he hit for consecutive base hits, but he even threw 2 balls.

Fortunately, Seido's batting lineup had been performing well today; facing Ichidai Sanko, whose morale had soared due to the comeback, they scored another 2 runs in the bottom of the fourth, bringing the score to 6:6 and returning to the same starting line.

"Today's game has clearly turned into a slugfest. Ichidai Sanko and Seido are refusing to give an inch. Can the aces of both sides hold on until the end? This might be the key to deciding the outcome of this game!"

Listening to the commentator's words, neither Nanjo Taishi sitting in the Seido dugout nor Zhenzhong Yao on the Ichidai Sanko side looked good.

"Yangyi, get ready."

Manager Kataoka turned his head and said to Huangqian Yangyi, who had finished warming up beside him.

"The outcome of this game depends on whether you can suppress the Ichidai Sanko batting lineup. Do you have confidence?"

Once these words were spoken, let alone Huangqian Yangyi, the person involved, even the others around them became nervous.

"Co—Coach~"

Department Head Ota's face turned green; he was already worried about sending Huangqian Yangyi up in such a tense situation, so how could the coach be putting pressure on him right before he takes the field?

According to custom, newcomers are only sent onto the field to gain experience when Seido has a large lead.

Even if Huangqian Yangyi's strength has already earned their recognition, that is only strength; a game isn't worry-free just because you have strength, there is also mentality. Haven't you seen that even our Seido ace is struggling to hold up under such great pressure?

The second and third-year seniors around them all cast their gazes over at this moment, and their hearts couldn't help but grow nervous as well.

Unlike the last match against Donghe, this time Huangqian Yangyi is essentially being ordered into the fray during a crisis, facing the formidable enemy Ichidai Sanko. If he performs poorly, the team will stop here. With such great pressure, can a First Year newcomer really shoulder it?

If, just if they end up losing, won't this kid be crushed directly and never recover from this?

Coach, what a ruthless heart.

Even Dong Qingguo couldn't help but gasp at this moment.