Whoosh
Clang!
As the first pitch flew in, Kuramochi didn't hesitate and chose to bunt.
The ball bounced forward, and in an instant, Kuramochi's speedy figure shot down the baseline, leaving Nanagamari Tech's infielders in a state of panic.
By the ti their third baseman picked up the ball, Kuramochi was already standing safely on first base.
"Safe!"
At the sound of the umpire's call, every spectator in the Hanshin Koshien Stadium gasped. That speed—was it even human?
Three seconds?
In just three seconds, he had dashed from ho plate to first base.
Kuramochi's opening act left the audience in awe, and Nanagamari Tech's players stared in disbelief.
They knew Furuya's pitch was fast, but they hadn't expected it to be this fast.
They knew Seidou's leadoff hitter was incredibly quick, but they hadn't anticipated that he could be this fast.
They had assud Seidou's mobility was comparable to Hakuryuu High, but it seed Seidou had set a whole new standard. Was this even fair?
For the second ti this inning, Nanagamari Tech's players felt a sense of frustration.
Their captain and first baseman, Hiroyuki Sawano, was the most stunned. He had watched, almost in disbelief, as Kuramochi flew from ho plate like a gust of wind, reaching his base before he even had ti to react.
In the dugout, Coach Sakata observed this with a grim expression.
"Batting second, second baseman, Kominato."
On the third-base side, Coach Kataoka stood at the front of Seidou's dugout, making a subtle hand gesture. Ryousuke in the batter's box and Kuramochi on first both nodded with a smile, adjusting their caps.
"Infield, stay alert for a steal. Outfield can shift slightly forward—this batter doesn't have much power," Nanagamari's catcher, Yoshihiro Fujitake, instructed calmly.
Pitcher Ichirou Miki nodded lightly, and the fielders began adjusting their positions.
In the batter's box, Ryousuke watched their movents with a faint smile.
Sotis, even when you know what's coming, you can't stop it. That's the kind of gap in skill that can't be bridged, no matter what.
Whoosh
The ball flew toward the plate, and Kuramochi took off from first base instantly.
"Steal!" yelled Sawano, Nanagamari's first baseman, his eyes flashing with shock and anger.
Even though they were guarding against it, Kuramochi still dared to run!
Crack
To Nanagamari Tech's surprise, Seidou High executed their play with fierce confidence. Ryousuke lowered his stance and firmly connected with the ball, producing a loud crack as he swung.
"Hit-and-run!"
Catcher Fujitake's eyes widened in alarm as he shouted, "Center field!"
The ball shot out to center field, landing just ahead of the fielder.
Taking advantage of this, Kuramochi sped to third base, while Ryousuke casually reached first. With no outs and runners on first and third, Seidou High was set up perfectly for their powerful cleanup hitters.
Coach Sakata's expression darkened.
They could afford to allow one run, but they absolutely needed to get so outs. They couldn't let Seidou's lineup keep up this relentless attack—they had to break Seidou's montum here.
With a solemn look, Coach Sakata gave new instructions to Fujitake on the field.
Fujitake nodded with a serious expression, fully understanding the gravity of the situation.
With runners on first and third and Seidou's powerhouse lineup at bat, the chances of not conceding a run were slim. So, Coach Sakata's instruction was to prioritize getting outs.
Given Seidou's formidable lineup and the current ga situation, this was a practical tactical decision.
Crack!
But lineups don't operate according to the opponent's wishes.
Coach Sakata's plan was solid and well-organized. However, he made two critical errors: first, he overestimated his team's defensive abilities; and second—and most importantly—he underestimated the sheer firepower of Seidou's lineup.
The third batter, Jun Isashiki, sent a powerful hit toward right field.
Unfortunately, the hit was a bit shallow, landing in front of the left fielder. Yet, standing on third base was none other than Kuramochi.
Despite the close proximity to the left field, Kuramochi took off without hesitation.
To Nanagamari Tech's dismay, Kuramochi sped back to ho plate, scoring safely while the ball was still on its way from left field.
Seidou scored the first run!
And with no outs and runners still on first and second, cleanup hitter Yuuki stepped up and sent a powerful hit into the right-field stands for a ho run, leaving the players from Nanagamari Tech utterly stunned.
A three-run hor pushed the lead to four, and Seidou's relentless onslaught left Nanagamari Tech rattled and panicked.
Even the most composed players began to waver at this point.
Losing runs was one thing, but failing to secure a single out—that was what the Nanagamari players found most unacceptable. Ace pitcher Ichirou Miki's face had gone pale.
Behind ho plate, catcher Fujitake's expression had also turned grim.
They had never encountered such a terrifying lineup in their region.
And Seidou's offense was far from over. Fifth batter Masuko smashed a double into the outfield, advancing to second base.
Though Miyuki stumbled, hitting a grounder straight to the pitcher and resulting in a double play, Nanagamari Tech felt a brief sigh of relief, only for Seidou's two-way pitchers to give them a chilling shock once again.
This was the true aning of a sumr refresher, a sensation that chilled them to the core.
Crack!
Seventh batter, left fielder Eijun, stepped into the batter's box after Miyuki and quickly locked onto Miki's fastball, driving it deep into center field and reaching second base.
This was enough to shake Nanagamari Tech.
After all, a re first-year rookie—and a pitcher, no less—had just sent a clean hit against their ace in his very first at-bat.
And then ca Furuya's turn in the eighth spot, demonstrating what it ans to be a pitcher with prowess in both pitching and hitting.
With a powerful stride and an unwavering swing, the "Monster of Koshien" Furuya Satoru, in his first at-bat, hamred a ho run straight over the plate, sending shockwaves through the entire stadium amidst a chorus of gasps and screams.
Seidou scored another two runs, widening the lead to a daunting six in the first inning!
The players from Nanagamari Tech were completely shaken. Team captain Hiroyuki Sawano and catcher Yoshihiro Fujitake looked as dark as thunderclouds.
An overwhelming pressure—a strength they couldn't hope to counter.
This was the might of the West Tokyo powerhouse, the reigning champions—Seidou!
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