Chapter 18: Battle Of Gamblers!

When the fifth inning of the game ended, although the Seidou High School baseball team didn't manage to score that last point and finish the game early, it was slightly unfortunate.

However, for the fans at the scene, they felt only a slight regret.

Before this, they had never imagined that this game would take such a turn. When the players from Minori Shigeru started scoring, they were a bit dumbfounded.

First, the second batter from Minori Shigeru, who seemed to have stepped in some animal dung, managed to get a clean single.

Just that alone far exceeded everyone's expectations.

Then, Seidou High School's pitcher, Kawakami, seemed to have been affected. This caught them off guard!

Tekuno and Hanayama.

These two powerful players managed to get consecutive hits, which caused the score to change dramatically.

Originally, Seidou High School was leading 11-2, a nine-point lead.

At that moment, it seemed almost impossible for Minori Shigeru to make a comeback.

The score difference was too large, and they were likely to not even make it to the seventh inning.

But at that moment, they managed to recover two points, and the score became 11-4.

Seidou High School's lead was reduced to seven points!

This score was now quite awkward.

Although Seidou High School could still eliminate their opponent early if they maintained this lead until the seventh inning, if Minori Shigeru managed to score just one more point, the situation could dramatically change.

The score difference would be reduced to six points.

Minori Shigeru could hold on for two more innings!

If the score really got that close, it would no longer be accurate to say that Minori Shigeru's players were merely clinging to life. They would truly have a chance to challenge Seidou High School.

Would this game really change like that?

The crowd at the scene was mostly made up of Seidou High School supporters, and the majority of them were fans of Sawamura.

They, of course, genuinely hoped that Seidou High School would win the game.

But even so, there was still a curiosity growing in their hearts.

In other words, they were secretly expecting something.

They were waiting for that moment to happen!

The loud cheers that had been like a tidal wave gradually quieted down.

More and more people focused their attention on the game.

Though Sawamura's fans felt that without their Demon King on the field, the game wasn't as interesting, they didn't leave. The game still intrigued them.

They were genuinely curious to see if Minori Shigeru could create a miracle.

"As long as we take one step at a time, the miracle will come!"

The audience might have been hoping from deep within.

After all, they were fans of Seidou High School's baseball team, and it wasn't easy to betray them.

They would definitely not cheer for Minori Shigeru!

At most, they just found this opponent interesting.

Deep down, they were still firmly supporting Seidou, and they believed Seidou would ultimately emerge victorious.

Hanayama was different!

He wasn't a fan of Seidou. For him, there was only one thing he could do right now.

That was to trip up this colossal opponent.

Trying to trip up the king, Seidou High School's baseball team, wasn't going to be easy.

Every step had to be perfect, every move had to be cautious, with no room for mistakes.

The game between Minori Shigeru and Seidou High School was like a match between two gamblers with ten times the difference in chips.

If Minori Shigeru wanted to beat the stronger team, they couldn't afford to make any mistakes. One wrong move would lead to a disastrous situation.

Every step needed to be calculated precisely!

Whoosh!

Kawakami Made his stride and pitched. The fifth batter from Minori Shigeru, bent down, preparing for a bunt.

At second base, Hanayama almost simultaneously started running, heading straight for third base.

Forced score!

Their intentions were crystal clear.

Seidou High School's attempt to stop them was already too late.

Kawakami wasn't Sawamura, and he didn't have the Last Moment Adjustment.

Ping!

The baseball was knocked and rolled toward the space between the third base and the pitcher's mound.

Kawakami stepped forward and yelled, "I got it!"

He went to field the ball, while Kanemaru retreated back to third base.

Snap!

Kawakami grabbed the ball and was preparing to throw it to third base.

"Throw To First!"

The catcher, Miyuki, instructed him to throw to first base.

At this point, throwing to third base was no longer an option!

Ready for this, Hanayama was already close to third base.

Whoosh!

Kawakami obeyed and threw the ball to first.

Snap!

"OUT!"

The result was clear— the runner was tagged Out.

Miyuki had been keeping a keen eye on third base from his peripheral vision.

'Unfortunately, he didn't take the bait.'

Miyuki originally thought Hanayama would be bold enough to steal another base, but to his surprise, he stayed calm and decided to stop, not advancing further.

This meant Miyuki couldn't face Hanayama at home plate.

'What a shame...'

One Out, runner at third!

The game reached the sixth inning, and Minori Shigeru's lineup began to show their strength.

In fact, their batting strength wasn't bad at all, and their overall offensive system was well-organized.

However, they had been unable to show their abilities when facing Sawamura.

Now that the opponent had changed, they began to explode with potential.

The score difference was seven points, with Seidou leading by seven.

At this moment, Minori Shigeru's players' goal was to score just one more point.

Reducing the gap to six points was crucial for them.

This was incredibly important for Minori Shigeru.

In fact, it could be said that it directly determined their fate.

One Out, runner at third.

In this situation, allowing the opponent to score one more point seemed almost inevitable.

However, If they could deal with the runner on third, Minori Shigeru's offensive lineup useless for the rest of the innings.

So Miyuki wasn't going to let them have their way.

If he could end the game early, he wasn't going to shy away from making the effort.

'Move Forward!'

Before the opponent could act, Miyuki commanded his infielders to move in.

This was a complete seal on Minori Shigeru's ability to force a run.

Seidou was not Minori Shigeru!

Even though Seidou's players had managed to break through Minori Shigeru's defensive setup before, if Minori Shigeru's players tried to do the same, they'd be signing their own death warrant.

Seidou High School was a powerhouse with a renowned defense.

Even if Minori Shigeru's batters managed to pull off a short hit, would it matter?

Facing Seidou's ironclad infield defense, it would be very difficult for Hanayama to make it home.

Though Seidou's players wouldn't dare claim they could 100% stop every ball, Minori Shigeru definitely didn't have the guts to take such a risk.

Seidou High School could afford to play this way because they were still leading by a large margin. Even if they failed to stop their opponent, it wouldn't hurt them too much.

Or perhaps, they could bear that small loss.

Minori Shigeru, on the other hand, couldn't afford to lose this opportunity. If they missed this chance to close the gap, they might never get another.

In the seventh inning, Seidou only had to face Minori Shigeru's lower batters.

Even though Kawakami's form was a bit unstable, Miyuki still had confidence in leading the team to take care of them.

Not to mention, Seidou still had a great offensive chance.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, their offense began with a small rally…

This was how Seidou pressured the opponent, forcing them to play by Seidou's rules!

Thinking about this, Miyuki smiled faintly.

He never expected they would reach this point one day.

If their seniors, like Tetsu-san, saw this, they would probably be very proud.

Miyuki's intention was already clear.

It was completely contrary to Minori Shigeru's original plan.

But there was nothing they could do— they had to play by these rules.

This was the helplessness of being a weaker team!

Minori Shigeru could only put their hopes in their batters.

Ping!

No one expected that Minori Shigeru's sixth batter would strike the ball cleanly.

The baseball fell into the gap in the defense.

Hanayama at third base quickly sprinted toward home plate.

Even the batter advanced to first base.

The situation became one out, runner on first!

The score had dramatically changed.

11:5!

The gap between the two teams had narrowed to six points.

Kawakami's poor pitching was worse than anyone had imagined.

In the Seidou High School dugout, Coach Kataoka's expression was as grim as death.

He sincerely hoped that Kawakami could pull himself together.

Minori Shigeru was tougher than they had initially expected. This was a strong opponent.

They had indeed caused Seidou High School, and especially Kawakami, a lot of trouble.

If Kawakami could get through this crisis on his own, his strength would surely reach new heights.

Otherwise, his presence on the Seidou High School pitching staff would only become weaker.

As a Coach, Kataoka had to trust Kawakami and give him the opportunity.

But Kataoka wasn't just Kawakami's Coach. He was also in charge of Seidou High School's baseball team.

He had to consider the team's interests.

The crucial first game couldn't afford any unexpected twists.

"Furuya, Nishiyama, both of you, go warm up! If the score drops to five points, you two will take the field!"

Seidou had the strength of a powerhouse. There was no way they would allow Minori Shigeru to catch up by six points in the last few innings!

Not to mention, there was still the offense to consider!

The points they lost would have to be regained with their bats.

This was one of Seidou High School's commandments.

Ping!

Minori Shigeru's seventh batter hit an infield ground ball.

Though Kawakami's pitching wasn't in great form, his defense was flawless.

He dashed forward, scooped up the ball, and threw it to second base.

"Hyaa-ha-haa!"

It was as if they had rehearsed this a thousand times— shortstop Kuramochi was already in position.

After catching the ball, Kuramochi stomped heavily on second base, then immediately threw to first base.

"OUT!!"

"OUT!!!"

In this inning, under persistent targeting and bad luck, Kawakami gave up three points, which dramatically changed the game's momentum.

But in the end, he redeemed himself with a beautiful double play, completing the inning defense.

…

T/N: Well, That's it for now!

As always, Thank you all for reading guys!

Have a good day!

You also can check my Patre0n for extra Chapters.

https://www.patre0n.com/ColdColt

There are +170 Chapters there.