Chapter 28: Once In A Lifetime Coordination

With one Out and runners on first and third base, the All-Tokyo team's offense surged like a sudden summer storm. There had been no prior signs, and suddenly, it exploded, catching everyone off guard.

Score: 2-1.

They were already leading by one point, and now, they had such a great opportunity to extend their lead.

It seemed that the All-Tokyo team's offense would continue relentlessly, like a machine gun firing in succession...

Whether it was the players from Tokyo University or the professional players helping out, everyone's face looked grim.

Most of these players were in their third and fourth year of university, at least two or three years older than these high schoolers.

Yet, they had been outplayed and overtaken.

It was hard to maintain their dignity as seniors like this in front of others...

This couldn't continue!

Everyone shared this consensus. Some even had dangerous thoughts crossing their minds—maybe they should change the pitcher on the mound?

Of course, this idea appeared only for a brief moment before they suppressed it.

In fact, they all knew in their minds that the current situation wasn't entirely the fault of Fumei.

In reality, Tokyo University couldn't even find anyone who could replace Fumei.

The head Coach of Tokyo University, who had come to play this practice match with a relaxed attitude, had no idea this would happen.

When Coach Kunitomo first invited him to this practice match, Tokyo University's Coach didn't immediately agree.

As the head of Tokyo University's baseball club, he understood very well what the current state of high school baseball in Tokyo was like.

Geniuses everywhere, monsters emerging one after another.

In such an environment, a team made up of these "monsters" didn't guarantee that his team would win, even if his players were a few years older than these high schoolers.

He didn't want to refuse, but couldn't quite find the right words to do so.

Finally, when Coach Kunitomo suggested bringing in some professional players with the help of the organizers, Tokyo University's Coach readily agreed.

With these strong reinforcements, he didn't think his team would collapse even if they were up against actual professional teams.

Let alone facing a group of high school players.

He was determined to win! He had come with that mindset.

What he never expected was how fierce these high schoolers would perform.

The pitching strength of the two pitchers—Narumiya and Sawamura—was such that, compared to university pitchers, and even to professional baseball pitchers, they held their own without being overshadowed.

As for the batting lineup…

The Coach of Tokyo University felt that the high schoolers had been playing fairly normally.

Against Fumei, the rising star in professional baseball, they did show some flashes of brilliance, but for the most part, they were lacking. Fumei hadn't exerted much effort before handling them.

Everything had been going smoothly…

The only exception was Sawamura, who was currently on third base.

Despite hearing Sawamura's name being mentioned repeatedly before the game, Tokyo University's coach had never expected that Sawamura's strength would be this formidable.

The two points scored by the All-Tokyo team so far were created entirely by Sawamura.

A home run and a timely hit.

Even though it couldn't all be credited to him, at least seventy to eighty percent of the credit belonged to Sawamura.

And it wasn't over yet. Sawamura, being such an experienced player, could pose a threat to other players once he reached third base, something no one else could match.

"How could such a player be in high school?"

The Coach of Tokyo University was completely baffled.

However, at the same time, a new thought formed in his mind.

After the game, perhaps he could try to get closer to Sawamura.

Even though he knew players like Sawamura were typically aiming straight for professional baseball, what did it matter?

As long as Sawamura had the heart to study, he could always consider playing baseball after graduating from university, or even balance both at the same time.

In this regard, Tokyo University was ahead of all the top universities in the country. They were extremely experienced, to the point where they could brag about it.

As long as the player wasn't academically too weak, there was always room to negotiate.

Who would refuse a diploma from a prestigious university?

While the Coach of Tokyo University was lost in such thoughts, the situation on the field took another turn.

The sixth batter, Hoshida, suddenly went for a bunt without any warning.

As a power hitter, Hoshida had set up in a strong stance. The sudden switch to a bunt was completely unexpected.

Paak!

Only after the ball was hit did the Tokyo University players react.

"First baseman!!"

Catcher Harada quickly called for support.

Tetsuya, who had been ready, immediately sprinted forward as soon as the ball was hit.

His speed was quick, but there was someone faster than him.

In fact, even before Fumei had prepared to throw, Sawamura at third base and Nagata at first base had already begun to move.

When exceptional players like them were on the field together, sparks naturally flew.

Sawamura, positioned at third base, gave Hoshida a signal.

Sawamura wasn't expecting a reply. He simply believed that it was better to take an opportunity to increase the score rather than hold back. If they tried for too much, they might fail.

Of course, encouraging others to take the lead and assist wasn't easy.

Sawamura didn't have high expectations, but he did present the idea.

Whether to act on it or not was up to Hoshida.

What he didn't expect was that Hoshida quickly and decisively nodded in agreement.

This muscle-bound player, who seemed to be all brawn and no brain, surprisingly understood Sawamura's intentions instantly and gave an affirmative response.

When the sign reached Nagata at first base, he smiled widely and quickly followed suit.

No matter what the final outcome was, this would be a once-in-a-lifetime coordination opportunity.

Thinking of this, Nagata acted with even more boldness.

Once they all agreed, they began to act.

The moment Fumei pitched, Sawamura and Nagata sprang into action without missing a beat.

Sawamura's legs moved in perfect rhythm, channeling his inner Kuramochi.

In the blink of an eye, he covered more than ten meters, and the muscle tank Nagata was surprisingly as fast as him.

Tetsuya was fast, and his reactions were sharp.

They quickly reached the spot where the ball was falling and picked it up.

Tetsuya then looked toward Harada, the catcher.

At this moment, Sawamura was already close to home plate, less than seven meters away.

'It is too late!'

The coordination was flawless, and their actions were so timely that if the ball hit the ground, stopping Sawamura would be nearly impossible.

Catcher Harada also realized this.

His eyes were wide open, veins showing.

He had never beaten Sawamura back in high school.

And now, even after entering professional baseball, he still couldn't defeat this high schooler.

A sigh escaped Harada as he pointed toward first base.

At this point, it was clear stopping Sawamura was impossible.

This point was bound to be lost.

The players from Tokyo University and the professionals felt a sense of gloom.

But life had to go on. No matter how they felt, the upcoming games were something they had to face.

Harada pointed toward first base, signaling for Tetsuya to secure the Out there.

After a slight nod, Tetsuya threw the ball to first.

Fumei, already positioned at first base, easily caught the throw.

Snap!

"Out!"

Hoshida, who had been performing his supporting role, was now out.

His task was complete, as he had successfully advanced Sawamura to home plate.

Nagata was also safely on second base.

The situation was now two Outs with a runner on second.

At the same time, with Sawamura crossing home plate, the All-Tokyo team scored their third point.

Of these three points, two were directly tied to Sawamura's efforts, and the final point also had a large share of his contribution.

To be honest, the players from Tokyo University, when paired with professional baseball players like Tetsuya and Fumei, were incredibly formidable.

Even Fumei couldn't stop their offense. They had already scored a point in just three innings.

Yet, despite their strength, every move they made was being countered by Sawamura.

Total Score: 3-1.

After just four innings, it seemed the All-Tokyo team had gained a clear advantage.

On the mound, Fumei's expression had completely changed.

At first, although he looked serious, it was more like a Senpai trying to teach his Kohai a lesson.

But now, that feeling was entirely gone.

Fumei shed all pretense, revealing his true, menacing face.

The face of a true professional Ace!

…