<52> Thoroughly Outplayed by Seido!

Chapter 52: Thoroughly Outplayed by Seido!

The score is 7:0!!!

Even though the game has just begun, it feels as if the outcome is already decided.

The ace of Nada High School's baseball team has already thrown nearly thirty pitches in this inning alone. Ryosuke Kominato, by himself, managed to use up a third of those pitches.

For the ace pitcher of a prestigious team, thirty pitches might not seem like a major issue. With their stamina, throwing eighty or ninety pitches—or even over a hundred—in a single game isn't uncommon.

But the current situation is different. It isn't about throwing that many pitches over several innings, but rather within a single inning. It's akin to being capable of running a 3000-meter race but being asked to sprint the entire distance—can you really do that?

This is precisely the challenge facing the ace of Nada High School's baseball team right now. Sweat is forming on his forehead, and even his breathing rhythm is erratic. Observers can clearly see that he's on the verge of collapse.

Adding to his troubles, he has already allowed 7 runs.

"It's over! Seido High School's baseball team might just create an incredible miracle today!"

A fan in the stands couldn't help but exclaim.

At the beginning, without losing any outs, they scored a total of 7 runs. Seido High School's performance so far has been nothing short of explosive.

They dare not think too deeply about it.

If Seido High School continues to score...

Tomorrow's headlines in all the baseball newspapers might very well read about how Seido crushed Nada High School from the start! Nada High School is, after all, a team with elite national power, and in Chiba Prefecture, they are considered a prominent team.

What if they were to be decimated by Seido?

People can hardly imagine such a scenario.

The game continues.

The ace of Nada, expected by many to crumble, did not collapse as anticipated. When they decided to go all out, it seemed like the ace of Nada High School's baseball team was finally unburdened. Simultaneously, he showcased his sharp breaking balls.

The batters from Seido, in the 8th and 9th spots, faced such fierce pitching and clearly couldn't hit the ball as dominantly as the previous batters. They had to grit their teeth and hang in there.

Eventually, after struggling for a few pitches, both batters were successively dealt with by Nada's ace.

Even though they lost two outs, the players from other teams who had come specifically to watch the game didn't underestimate these two players from Seido at all.

"They fought for seven pitches combined, and Nada's ace has now thrown 36 pitches consecutively."

"His stamina..."

For those familiar with baseball, they understand what such a demand on stamina means.

"The game is already decided; it's just a question of how long Nada High School can hold out."

"It probably won't be much longer..."

By this point, external opinions about the game have completely shifted. Everyone now believes that Nada High School no longer has any hope.

But the players of Nada High School clearly don't think so.

At this moment, they are completely fired up.

"Just one more out!"

"Take them down!"

"The game isn't over yet."

The fiery determination in Nada's eyes leaves little room for pride. At this moment, they have just one thought.

And that is, at any cost, to continue playing this game.

Only by playing on do they have a sliver of hope to regain the face they've lost.

Otherwise, Nada High School's baseball team would become a laughingstock throughout the entire Kanto region.

"Haha, admirable courage! But don't think for a second that we'll go easy on you because of that!"

Kuramochi raised his bat high.

With two outs, the lineup cycled back to Seido's leadoff batter.

Standing at the plate for the second time, Kuramochi assumed a full-powered stance.

Due to having thrown too many pitches, Nada's ace inevitably saw a decline in both his pitch speed and accuracy.

If Kuramochi's success at getting on base the first time had an element of luck, this time, he was clearly confident in his ability to make it.

"Whoosh!"

Facing the fast-approaching pitch, Kuramochi gripped the bat tightly and swung with all his might.

"Ping!"

Although the ball didn't connect perfectly with the bat's sweet spot, it was still sent flying.

Nada High School's catcher watched with gritted teeth.

"Damn it, these baseball gorillas!"

Though Kuramochi did not appear particularly robust, his batting power was remarkable. As his hands swung the bat, the muscles in his abdomen were sharply defined, even through his clothing.

What sort of training has Seido High School's team gone through in private to achieve such physiques?

Nada High School's main catcher couldn't fathom it.

Fortunately, the ball hit by Kuramochi was eventually intercepted by their second baseman.

"Snap!"

"Out!"

"Three outs, switch offense and defense!"

Nada High School finally got a chance to catch their breath.

After conceding seven runs, they finally managed to halt Seido's offensive, dragging the game into the second inning.

"Don't swing at the first two pitches, wait until the last pitch to strike. If that monster first-year throws a bad pitch during this process, we'll benefit."

Nada High School's coach swiftly adapted their strategy.

They currently had no effective solution for Furuya.

They could only try to wear him down, hoping to exhaust his stamina prematurely.

Once Furuya was worn out, Nada High School could see a glimmer of hope.

However, this strategy was destined to fail.

"Seido requests a substitution: Player number 20, Satoru Furuya, to the outfield. Kusonoki Fumiya, off the field! Number 1, Koichiro Tanba, is coming in."

After only one inning, Seido decided to replace Furuya, bringing in their original ace.

Nada's coach hadn't even had time to adjust his tactics before their fourth batter was at the plate, ready to hit.

"What is going on?"

Nada High School's coach appeared utterly bewildered, a reaction caught by the fans in the stands.

"Interesting, really interesting!!"

"They're completely outplayed by Seido."

"Bringing Furuya down at this moment both prepares them for future games and catches their opponents off guard."

"Coach Kataoka!!"

"He's quite the strategist."

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