Chapter 334: Trying Too Hard

After two innings, Toyosaki High School adjusted their tactics in time under the direction of their manager, but it was to no avail.

In the third inning, Seido scored 4 runs.

In the fourth inning, Seido scored 6 runs.

In the fifth inning, Seido scored 5 runs.

A slaughter!

A naked slaughter; Toyosaki High School had not a shred of resistance in front of Seido.

As today's starting Pitcher, Sawamura not only kept Toyosaki High School from scoring a single run, but even their hits were pitifully few.

In the end, Seido ended the game early in the 5th inning with a massive 24-0 lead, securing the new team's first victory in the Autumn Tournament.

In this match, the strength and attitude displayed by Seido put the Seido fans in the stands at ease; they had originally thought that with the retirement of the third-years, the new team might have to go through a period of instability.

After all, every year's Koshien champion team goes through this; compared to other schools, the champion team has a month less time to adjust, and the integration of the new team is also an issue, which is the main reason why champion teams have historically crashed in the Autumn Tournament.

Judging from this game against Toyosaki High School, Seido's new team still maintains a fairly powerful scoring ability in their batting lineup, though this is also partly because the opponent was too weak.

Moreover, in this game, Seido's defense had almost no eye-catching performances, or rather, no opportunity to show them; the new team's coordination and chemistry on the defensive end need to be tested by a truly strong team.

For instance, Teito High School, Inashiro Industrial High School, or Ichidai Sanko High School.

The batting lineups of these strong schools are not something a team like Toyosaki High School can compare to; once the slightest gap or error appears in the defense, the opponent will seize it to deliver a heavy blow, and at critical moments, it could even affect the outcome of a game.

However, the new team has only just been built, and the team still needs to slowly integrate; fortunately, every player in the game was serious and responsible, and even if Maezono Kenta performed poorly in several at-bats due to nervousness, it was not something he did intentionally.

After the game, everyone returned to school, and Manager Kataoka and Coach Ochiai conducted a brief review of the match.

Among them, regarding Maezono Kenta's performance, Manager Kataoka only criticized him a couple of times and urged him to adapt to the game as soon as possible and regain his form.

Ochiai Hiromitsu, however, clearly stated that he did not have high hopes for Maezono Kenta.

Regarding this, the teammates could only feel worried for Maezono Kenta, and he himself had nothing to say.

After the meeting ended, the 20 members of the First String returned to their dormitories.

"Arima, want to go take a bath together?" Huangqian Yangyi asked, holding his washbasin.

"Sure."

The two went out and headed toward the bathhouse, encountering a sullen Maezono Kenta on the way, who was also carrying a basin.

Arriving at the bathhouse, after rinsing off, Huangqian Yangyi entered the pool, only to find Maezono Kenta soaking in the pool, sulking by himself.

"Alright, stop wearing that sour face; your performance today was indeed not very good," Huangqian Yangyi said leisurely.

Maezono Kenta raised his head and looked at Huangqian Yangyi with a mix of depression and irritation.

"Your problem right now is that you were too nervous during your first time on the field, leading to a subpar performance; this is easy to solve, you'll get used to it once you play more games."

"But your biggest flaw is that there is a problem with your actual batting."

Hearing this, Maezono Kenta was stunned; there was no doubt about how strong Huangqian Yangyi's batting was, and since he said there was a problem with his batting, then there must be one—this was the sense of trust that Huangqian Yangyi's formidable strength brought to others.

Consequently, Maezono Kenta immediately asked, "What problem?"

"You're trying too hard," Huangqian Yangyi said slowly.

"Trying too hard?" Maezono Kenta looked puzzled; is trying hard not good? Only by trying hard can you hit the ball, can you hit it far.

Huangqian Yangyi sighed; this is a misconception many people fall into, especially among those who have been unable to enter the First String or play in games for a long time. Because they are anxious to become stronger and want to get on the field, they unconsciously exert too much force during training, to the point that this problem also appears in games.

Clearly, Ochiai Hiromitsu also saw this, which is why he didn't hold out hope for Maezono Kenta; after all, this kind of habit issue cannot be changed overnight, and rather than giving Maezono Kenta time to adjust, it is better to let others do it.

After all, this is Seido; if one person isn't up to it, there are plenty of others who are. The capable rise, the mediocre fall; even if Manager Kataoka is giving Maezono Kenta a chance to adjust now, if he continues like this, being replaced is only a matter of time.

"Yeah, swinging too hard makes your batting motion stiff, and you end up missing many balls you could have hit," Huangqian Yangyi continued.

"Then, what should I do?" Maezono Kenta stood up abruptly and asked.

Huangqian Yangyi shook his head: "I've already told you the problem; as for exactly what to do, you should go ask the Manager and the Coach."

Hearing this, Maezono Kenta looked deeply at Huangqian Yangyi.

"Thank you, Captain!"

Having said that, Maezono Kenta didn't continue soaking and soon left the bathhouse.

In the training over the following week, Huangqian Yangyi noticed during practice that Maezono Kenta's batting was changing little by little, clearly having received guidance from the Manager and the Coach.

It was another Saturday.

At nine in the morning, Seido welcomed their second opponent in the Autumn Tournament qualifiers, Sanya High School.

And the night before, Manager Kataoka had announced today's starting lineup.

First batter, Shortstop, Kuramochi Yoichi.

Second batter, Second Baseman, Kominato Ryosuke.

Third batter, Catcher, Miyuki Kazuya.

Fourth batter, Left Fielder, Huangqian Yangyi.

Fifth batter, Right Fielder, Shirasu Kenjiro.

Sixth batter, Pitcher, Furuya Satoru.

Seventh batter, First Baseman, Maezono Kenta.

Eighth batter, Third Baseman, Higasa Shoji.

Ninth batter, Center Fielder, Tojo Hideaki.

For this game, Manager Kataoka's requirement for Furuya Satoru was also a complete game.

After seeing Sawamura's excellent performance in the previous game, Furuya Satoru was now also fired up, vowing to produce even better pitching!

In addition to the change in Pitcher, the Third Baseman was also switched from Arima Kazusa to the second-year Higasa Shoji, and the batting order had slight changes as well.

Shirasu, who was originally the 7th batter, had his spot adjusted from 7th to 5th, entering the heart of the batting order, while Maezono Kenta became the 7th batter, and the 6th batter was Furuya Satoru.

Clearly, this was Manager Kataoka and Coach Ochiai trying out some things.

Having performed poorly in the last game and still getting a starting opportunity in this one, Maezono Kenta couldn't even afford to be nervous right now; if he couldn't make a contribution in this game, he would likely be kicked out of the starting lineup by the next one.

You must know that behind him, Yamaguchi Ken, who is also a First Baseman, is eyeing this First Base position covetously.