Chapter 427: Ouya Battle - A Desperate Counterattack
"In the last play, he chose a sidearm pitch to throw an inside fastball. It resulted in a ground ball toward third base, which was easily intercepted by the shortstop from Ouya High School. Three outs, and the sides switched. Despite conceding four runs in the previous inning, Ouya High School's ace, Gou Wakabayashi, remained resolute and tough, pulling off a three-up-three-down inning. It was a clear declaration that the game was far from decided!"
"Wow, nice pitch, Gou!"
"Incredible, Wakabayashi-kun!"
"That's the spirit we need!"
"There are still five innings left; we still have a chance."
"Let's claw back one run at a time."
"We've always believed in you; come on!"
"Let's go, Ouya High School!"
After completely shutting out Seidou High this inning, the momentum on the Ouya side had once again surged.
The crowd was visibly impressed.
Originally, they thought the upcoming innings would just be Ouya struggling until the end, perhaps only lasting until the seventh or at most until the ninth inning.
However, what they hadn't expected was this kind of performance after such a dismal fourth inning.
It must be said, Gou Wakabayashi's pitching had won over most of the audience.
For a high school ace to perform to this extent was indeed remarkable.
"The opponent is really tough," said Sakai, with a tone of admiration.
"Yeah, we thought we could have knocked out that pitcher this inning," added Yamazaki, shaking his head.
"Just one hit short," Tetsu's eyes also showed a hint of regret.
If only Seidou High School had managed another hit in the fourth inning.
They might have completely broken the pitcher, but, of course, hindsight is 20/20, especially since they scored four runs in the previous inning.
Almost everyone, including Tetsu and Chris, thought the game was nearly secured.
Or perhaps, they might have even ended the game in five innings, albeit a low probability, but not impossible.
Unexpectedly, here was a dramatic turn in the plot.
Wakabayashi's pitching performance in the top of the fifth inning had completely stabilized the situation, at least bringing Ouya back from a disadvantage.
If this continued, Seidou High School's hopes for a quick victory were certainly dashed.
"However, the rhythm of the game is still in our hands," senior Chris said, his eyes conveying a serious tone, though he maintained a calm demeanor on the surface.
As he himself pointed out, the rhythm of the game was still controlled by Seidou High School.
That four-run lead was not fictional but a real and tangible advantage.
Naturally, Seidou did not need to rush.
Sakai, Monta, and Yamazaki were taken aback for a moment before slowly nodding in agreement.
Indeed, it was not Seidou that needed to panic.
They could just continue to play steadily with a significant lead of four runs.
Such was the judgment on Seidou High School's side.
After witnessing such a bold performance by Wakabayashi in the top of the fifth inning.
It was only natural for coach Kataoka to make tactical adjustments based on the situation. This series of outs could significantly demoralize the team, affecting the continuity of their batting.
Holding a four-run lead, they must fully utilize it.
There was no way they could afford to slow down the offensive pace.
But the strategy could be adjusted to further threaten the opponent's defense while squeezing Ouya High School's breathing room.
This was the change Seidou High School made after the fifth inning.
But, little did they expect,
Ouya High School was like flipping the table, starting a new game with renewed vigor in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Under the fierce momentum led by their ace, Gou Wakabayashi, Ouya High School's batting lineup finally began to capitalize on Kawakami's pitches at the start of this inning.
"Whoosh"
"Bang!"
Batting fifth, Yamazato, who had been toyed with by Miyuki's sliders and forkballs in the previous inning, decisively abandoned the sinking forkball this time.
Instead, he set his sights squarely on the fastball.
Successfully compressing Kawakami's outside fastball with his bat,
He launched a powerful hit.
As one of the most distinctive hitters in Ouya High School's lineup,
Yamazato swept the ball towards left field.
"Ping!"
Eijun had already reacted a step ahead, but such a perfectly timed hit, unless one could perfectly anticipate and start moving as the hitter swings,
Would be impossible to catch once the ball soared high from home plate.
Despite Eijun's best efforts to sprint,
He was still too late.
Watching helplessly as the ball landed in front of him.
Just barely scooping up the ball, he threw it towards second base.
"Snap!"
By the time Kuramochi caught the ball,
"Safe at second!"
Yamazato had already successfully reached second base.
"Did he catch on to the slider's trajectory?"
At home plate, Miyuki slightly furrowed his brow; while a single hit wasn't a big deal, the batter's action signaled potential trouble.
"Batting sixth, the center fielder, Kato-kun."
"Be cautious, aim for an outside pitch."
Miyuki subtly signaled with his fingers, indicating the strategy.
Kawakami nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Meanwhile, on the third-base side, Ouya High School's coach Araki watched intently, his eyes flickering with a subtle expression.
On the field, Yamazato's eyes gleamed with a cunning look.
His left leg lifted high,
And his right arm moved in tandem.
"Whoosh!"
"Boom!"
Amidst a flash of light,
At second base, Yamazato suddenly sprinted, charging towards third base.
"Stealing!"
Kuramochi's expression changed as he shouted loudly.
But this was no simple steal.
As the light flickered,
At the batter's box,
Kato's expression turned fierce as he boldly stepped forward.
"Swoosh"
The bat swung violently.
"Bang!"
The next second,
A loud collision sounded.
"Whoosh"
The brilliant white light soared into the air once again, blazing towards left field.
"Left field!"
Damn it, why have these guys started swinging so aggressively this inning!?
Miyuki abruptly stood up, shouting loudly towards left field.
At this moment,
Eijun, too, showed a look of shock.
Had these guys suddenly taken some kind of stimulant?
Watching the dazzling white light racing overhead,
Eijun gritted his teeth.
He gathered all his strength and sprinted at full speed.
As he neared the spot where the ball was expected to land,
The rapidly descending arc of the ball came into Eijun's view.
Eijun bit down hard,
Leaping forward in a diving attempt, as a normal defensive play would be too slow.
It was a desperate gamble.
His glove stretched out.
The falling ball.
Everyone's breath hitched in that moment.
In the flurry,
A split second of misalignment.
"Whoosh"
A sound, neither too loud nor too soft, rang out crisply.
The ball grazed Eijun's glove.
As Eijun's expression darkened,
"Thud!"
The ball hit the ground.
The shadow of the ball rebounded.
A counterattack from the underdog.
The crowd instantly erupted into murmurs of astonishment.
-----------------
If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.
Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Leonzky