Ichiro vs Kominato Haruichi
Ichiro threw a fastball low and outside, which was in the strike zone. Haruichi did not swing.
Umpire: Strike one!
Haruichi was however unfazed and resumed his stance.
Todoroki brought his mitt on the outside of the strike zone, but Ichiro shook his head in denial. Todoroki was alarmed but understood that Ichiro wanted to be aggressive.
Ichiro threw a high fastball on the inside, which nearly missed the strike zone, making the count 1-1.
Ichiro threw another fastball to the inside, missing the strike zone again by a narrow margin.
Umpire: Ball!
Count was 2-1 in favour of Haruichi, but Ichiro knew he had to be aggressive. He threw a cutter inside. Haruichi postured up and hit the ball over first base...
Umpire: Foul!
The Horikoshi team sighed in relief.
Todoroki brought his mitt to the outside and this time Ichiro nodded. He threw another cutter just on the outside of the strike zone, but it broke inside suddenly alarming Haruichi, who was forced to swing late.
Umpire: Strike! Batter out!
The Horikoshi dugout erupted, as they knew the pressure Ichiro was under.
Ichiro: Lets go!
Todoroki: Nice pitching!
Hiroki: Nice pitching!
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Man A: Woah! Did you see that, a perfect cutter?!
Man B: Hmm, he's good. Who is he?
Woman: Thats their newly appointed ace Ichiro Watanabe!
Man A: You certainly know a lot about him, hehe!
The woman blushed in response.
While the crowd was excited, their was a certain high school journalist sitting on the right flank of the stands, making vigorous notes.
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With the newly gained momentum from striking Haruichi out, Ichiro took two balls get the next batter out from a groundout at first base.
Things were looking up, until a bulky tall boy looking like he was a high school student came up to bat. It was one of their star players: Shiro, the catcher.
Ichiro started by throwing an intentional ball to the outside, trying to get a response. Shiro did not swing, showing his eye for the game.
Ichiro threw a series of fastballs on the outside, to which Shiro did not respond, getting the count to 1-2, in favour of the pitcher. Ichiro then suddenly sensed something, it was like every ball of his was being analysed, he realized that he had played into Shiro's hands.
For the first time in an actual game, Ichiro threw his much improved power curve ball. Shiro thinking it was a fastball swung with power but missed, as the ball broke to his right.
Umpire: Strike! Batter out!
With that the top of the first inning was over, and Ichiro pitched without conceding any runs or hits.
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Haruichi POV
Akira, the captain and cleanup: That was a power curve ball, am I correct?
Shiro: Indeed cap, sharp as always.
Akira: *smirk* This pitcher is not bad, its going to be interesting facing him.
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Makase, the Teitou pitcher walked to the mound calmly and looked straight at his opponent. He then released an aura, which took Ichiro by suprise.
Makase struck all the three batters out, including Daiki, who was their best batter after Hiroki.
[Batting ability shown]
Contact: D-
Power: D-
Bunt: C+
Ichiro and the team took the field as the second innings started with both pitchers not allowing a run or hit.
A boy with dark brown hair and cat-like green eyes took the stage, with cheers of girls reverbrating around the field.
Akira took his stance with a smile plastered on his face, but released his aura, which seemed exponentially more intimidating than the one exerted by Shiro.
In response Ichiro, passive aura automatically released, clashing with that of Akira's.
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Journalist: Better record this, I have a feeling this matchup may be one that people talk about this in the years to come.