Chapter 88: Ultra-Long Return Throw!

Seeing Nanjo Taishi choose to face the challenge head-on, Tanaka Wataru nodded and immediately gave the sign: an outside cutter.

A ball flying toward the edge of the outside corner, one that would veer out of the strike zone after entering home plate—it was perfect for testing Ishii Yohei.

Twirling the baseball in his hand, Nanjo Taishi was not overly nervous; with a runner on second and the opponent being a powerful fourth batter, he had encountered this situation before, and more than once.

The first pitch had to be good; the trajectory had to aim for the edge of the outside corner so the batter couldn't tell if it was a strike or a ball. If the opponent swung, it would very likely be a swing and a miss, and even if they managed to make contact, it would be difficult to hit well.

And if they didn't swing, it would just be a ball, which wasn't a big problem.

Having made his decision, Nanjo Taishi threw the ball with all his might.

The trajectory was precise and sharp; as soon as it left his hand, it flew straight toward the outside corner. Ishii Yohei's thick arms suddenly swung the bat violently, a low roar escaping his mouth, his entire presence as intimidating as a male lion.

Just as the bat was about to strike the baseball, the little white ball entered home plate and quickly veered outward, landing in Tanaka Wataru's glove.

"Strike!"

Hmph! Ishii Yohei let out a cold snort and pulled back his bat; he had missed by just half a ball's distance.

Tanaka Wataru swallowed hard; although he had expected it, the momentum of that guy's swing was truly terrifying. The swinging bat was like a cannon; if that had been blasted out, an extra-base hit would have been guaranteed.

Quickly returning the ball to Nanjo Taishi, Tanaka Wataru squatted down and glanced at Ishii Yohei. That guy's unhesitating swing just now fully demonstrated his desire to hit. Should he throw another ball?

Tanaka Wataru felt a bit uncertain. After thinking about it, he gave the sign for an inside fastball. Outside first, then inside—it was a very traditional way to sequence pitches. Moreover, most players of such large stature were not very good at handling inside pitches. As long as the trajectory didn't deviate and the angle was sharp enough, it would still be difficult for the opponent to hit well.

Old partners only needed a glance to understand each other's intentions, and Nanjo Taishi decisively threw the second pitch.

The trajectory was fine, the angle was tricky, and Nanjo Taishi's own pitch speed wasn't bad either.

Yoshi, no problem!

Tanaka Wataru's glove was already prepared to catch this high inside fastball.

Just at this moment, Ishii Yohei shifted his body slightly, and the bat in his hands swung out violently!

"Haya!"

With a roar, the bat slammed into the baseball, forcefully carrying the pitch that was very close to his body out.

The baseball soared over the infield, flying right over the shortstop's head.

"Left Fielder!" By the time Tanaka Wataru reacted, the ball had already landed.

What was worse, the black international student on second base, Kundi Galka, was already approaching third base; looking at him, it was clear he intended to charge home in one breath.

"Huangqian!!"

His teammate's shout reached him. As Huangqian Yangyi scooped up the ball, Kundi Galka had already crossed third base and was charging toward home plate. At this point, throwing to the infield and then back to home plate would be too late.

Was a run about to be lost? The spectators' gazes were all gathered on Kundi Galka now; everyone wanted to know if he could make it back to home plate.

Only the people from Seido were looking toward the outfield at this moment. If there was still a miracle, it could only be him!

Haa~

After scooping up the ball, Huangqian Yangyi used the momentum of his body moving forward, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and whipped his arm out like a lash, leaving an afterimage as he threw the ball.

Whoosh!

The baseball shot out from the outfield like a precision-guided cannonball, instantly passing between second and third base, entering everyone's field of vision, and heading straight for home plate!

The baseball returned to home plate before Kundi Galka!

Tanaka Wataru immediately turned and successfully forced out Kundi Galka, who was a step too slow.

The entire stadium was silent for a full few seconds.

"Wow!!"

"Laser Beam!"

"Too strong, Huangqian!"

"Kirin Arm!!"

"Great throw!"

All sorts of shouts came from the stands, and the guys from Seido were screaming and roaring like baboons.

The speed display screen in the corner of the field also showed the speed of that return throw just now.

The appearance of the three large digits caused the cheers of the entire stadium to rise to another level.

156!

156 kilometers per hour, and still able to accurately return the ball to home plate.

It was too crazy!

Such an ultra-long return throw might not be rare in the Major Leagues, but in high school baseball, it was definitely something to be proud of.

Huangqian Yangyi smiled and waved his hand; he was really sorry, but he had managed to steal the spotlight from his upperclassmen even from the outfield.

On the pitcher's mound, Nanjo Taishi nodded at Huangqian Yangyi. This return throw could be said to have saved his life. He had thought that run was definitely going to be lost, but he hadn't expected to be saved; his luck was truly good.

The cheering continued. After securing three outs, the Seido players headed off the field. Ishii Yohei, who had reached first base, glanced at Huangqian Yangyi as he left the field; it was this brat who had made his efforts go to waste—so annoying.

Just as he returned to the dugout, Kuramochi Yoichi was grabbed by Isashiki Jun: "Hahaha, kid Kuramochi, not bad, not bad! That throw was amazing. That guy Ishii's face turned black just now."

"And Nanjo, I thought you were going to give him a base on balls. Facing him head-on—you truly are our Seido's former ace!"

Dong Qingguo seemed to be in a very good mood, pulling the players who had come off the field and praising them lavishly.

In the bottom of the first inning, Seido's first batter, Zhitian Jiangtai, stood in the batter's box.

Kenda Takasaki's third-year ace, Suzuki Yu, was already prepared on the pitcher's mound.

Hm?

Zhitian Jiangtai held up his bat. Was it his imagination, or did he sense contempt in Suzuki Yu's eyes? Or was it disdain?

This guy, looking down on me?

What an annoying guy, Zhitian Jiangtai muttered to himself, but he became even more focused. According to the information they had obtained, all the breaking balls that Suzuki Yu mastered were vertical-breaking.

Forkball, vertical slider, vertical curveball—he seemed to really like the feeling of making batters hit ground balls.

And that was indeed the case; most batters, when facing Suzuki Yu, would lose their psychological balance due to hitting too many ground balls and failing to reach base. Most importantly, this guy would always look at you with that provocative gaze, like a cat playing with a mouse.

How will he pitch, the first ball.

Zhitian Jiangtai's lips parted slightly, feeling a trace of curiosity toward this Pitcher with the strange habit.

Lifting his chin slightly, Suzuki Yu slowly raised his leg, and the baseball in his hand was whipped out in an instant.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhitian Jiangtai swung his bat toward the bottom of the Strike zone; he guessed right! It was a Forkball!

Bang!

The bat struck the top of the baseball, and the small ball bounced on the ground, flying toward the Third Base position.