Chapter 46: Opportunity

At this moment, Chris, who was sitting to the side recording something, also spoke up: "Our strategy today is centered on changing pitchers. As long as Nanjo can suppress Inashiro's batting lineup for the first 4 innings, his mission will be considered complete; there is no need to save the Cutter for later."

Upon hearing this, Department Head Ota nodded in sudden realization, then walked forward to lead the returning Nanjo Taishi to a chair to sit down.

"Really amazing, Nanjo. Your Cutter even scared the Inashiro guys." Department Head Ota praised him with great excitement; his earlier worry was genuine, but Nanjo's performance was also enough to be heartening.

"This is only the first inning; what follows is the real challenge." Nanjo Taishi did not feel any pride or complacency because of his excellent performance in the first inning.

He knew very well in his heart that being able to be so relaxed in the first inning was entirely due to the advantage in information; the opponent did not know he had a Cutter.

Further on, it would not be this easy.

On the other side, Huangqian Yangyi also felt his eyes light up after watching; the pitch trajectory was sharper than before, and the ball speed was even a bit faster.

Did Nanjo Taishi have a sudden epiphany?

"Senior Nanjo's pitching just now looked much more imposing than before," Huangqian Yangyi said.

"It is indeed better than before. Perhaps it is the confidence brought by mastering a new pitch type," Miyuki said, expressing his own view.

Huangqian Yangyi nodded slightly. That was indeed possible. As a pitcher, even a slight change in mentality would be reflected in the pitching and would result in a huge difference.

The Nanjo Taishi of the past, as the Ace of Seido, actually had quite a lot of pressure. The outside world's evaluation of him was also mostly negative: barely usable, unable to shoulder heavy responsibilities, neither good enough to be top-tier nor bad enough to be bottom-tier.

Having heard such things too often, even though his teammates told him not to mind, how could he himself truly feel nothing in his heart? As time went on, he naturally lost his confidence, and once he encountered difficulties in a game, it was very easy for him to self-destruct.

Nanjo Taishi himself was also very clear that relying on just one High-speed Slider, no matter how well he pitched, the scenario of "one trick winning everything" could not happen. Facing strong enemies in the same region, his pitching appeared so pale and powerless; once people got used to it, it was very easy to be hit.

However, now, with the addition of a Cutter that could be put to use in a game, Nanjo Taishi's confidence had finally been regained to some extent.

In a game, an increase in pitch types could make the diversity of a Catcher's pitch calling increase exponentially, making it even harder for the opposing Batter to track the pitch trajectory. With the Cutter as cover, his High-speed Slider could also exert a greater effect.

In the bottom of the first inning, Inashiro's Ace Pitcher Matsumoto Takuhai also performed excellently, getting three consecutive outs to end the first inning.

"Didn't throw a single Forkball in the first inning."

"This guy must know we would pay extra attention to his Forkball, so he deliberately didn't throw one."

"Going against the grain—what a good scheme. We were completely calculated."

After the third-batter Yuki Tetsuya came off the field, the Seido players discussed it one after another.

As the person with the strongest hitting ability among the second-years, Yuki Tetsuya being easily struck out made everyone feel the pressure.

Fortunately, in the following second inning, Nanjo Taishi continued the state he had in the first inning. Facing Inashiro's heart of the order, although he gave up a hit, he still relied on his own pitching and his teammates' tight defense to cut off Inashiro's offensive, forcing them to return empty-handed.

The game remained deadlocked like this until the third inning, with the score between the two sides still 0:0.

The game reached the top of the third inning, and the deadlocked situation was finally broken.

When it was Inashiro's heart of the order's turn again, one of Nanjo Taishi's Cutters was blasted by Inashiro's 4th batter to the corner of the Left Fielder, and the Batter successfully reached Second Base.

Following that, Inashiro's batting lineup exerted force continuously, scoring two runs before Nanjo Taishi could secure three outs.

Coming down from the Pitcher's Mound, Nanjo Taishi's fighting spirit was still burning; he did not feel panicked because of giving up runs.

"Nanjo, you're doing well now. If it were before, how could you be like this and not take giving up runs to heart?" Dong Qingguo stood to the side laughing loudly; it was not easy to see such a spirited side of Nanjo Taishi.

"The past is the past, and now is now."

Nanjo Taishi did not mind Dong Qingguo's teasing and joked around with everyone easily.

Noticing his change, those familiar with him at Seido all felt some surprise. Is this really the confidence brought by learning one more pitch type? Is it really that magical?

"It seems that you getting the Ace number won't be that easy either," Miyuki said after bumping his elbow against Huangqian Yangyi.

Huangqian Yangyi himself did not think that much. "Seido's Ace was never a mediocre person to begin with. That Cutter—Senior Nanjo must have practiced it in private for a long time. Being able to have today is just a natural result of his efforts."

"You see things quite clearly." Miyuki waved his hand and smiled. Seeing Nanjo Taishi's performance, he had wanted to take the opportunity to provoke Huangqian Yangyi, but who would have thought this guy didn't look pressured at all by his senior's performance.

In other words, this guy was also quite confident. No matter who the opponent was or how strong they were, he had the confidence to snatch the Ace number.

"Let's go, it's time to warm up." Huangqian Yangyi turned and walked toward the Bullpen. It was already the bottom of the third inning; soon after the fourth inning ended, Nanjo Taishi would be moved to the outfield, and Tanba Koichiro would stand on the Pitcher's Mound.

If he continued to give up runs, perhaps he would be sent on earlier.

Unlike Huangqian Yangyi, Tanba Koichiro's mood at this moment was quite complicated. Watching his teammates on the field trying hard to hit, Tanba felt a sense of pressure inexplicably.

Must score, Tanba muttered to himself.

If he were sent on in a trailing situation, Tanba felt nervous just thinking about it.

Fortunately, the teammates on the field were capable. After Inashiro scored two runs in the top half, Seido's lower-order batters actually performed well in this inning, successfully clawing back one run.

Then in the fourth inning, both sides each scored, reaching 3:3, with the two sides tied.

According to the original plan, it should have been time for Tanba to go on, but Manager Kataoka did not seem to have any intention of making a substitution.

Today's Ace was performing quite well, and he was currently full of fighting spirit; his pitching performance had not declined. Facing an opponent like Inashiro, giving up runs was inevitable. As long as he could stabilize his emotions, maintain a good state, and pitch aggressively, this was the performance of an Ace Pitcher that Kataoka wanted to see.

Tanba watched eagerly for a long time, but Manager Kataoka still did not speak of making a substitution. Nanjo Taishi looked at Manager Kataoka with surprise.

"Nanjo."

"Here!" Nanjo Taishi shouted.

"Continue. The fifth inning is also entrusted to you." Manager Kataoka smiled. When a player showed performance, he would also give the other party a chance, not to mention that Nanjo was the team's Ace Pitcher to begin with.

"Yes!" Nanjo Taishi's voice sounded a bit excited. He had been Seido's Ace for half a year, but it seemed that only at this moment had he truly gained the Manager's trust.

Seeing Nanjo Taishi's appearance, the seniors of Seido all seemed to be somewhat moved.