<86> A New Speed Record
Chapter 86: A New Speed Record
Top of the second inning, Inashiro Industrial High School baseball team is up to bat.
Seidou High School's baseball team did not opt for a pitching change. Their starting pitcher, Furuya Satoru, remained on the mound.
Seeing this, there was a noticeable reaction in the dugout of Inashiro Industrial High.
A middle-aged man with a square face stretched his neck, producing a crackling sound.
"Coach!"
The head of the Inashiro Industrial High baseball team was a middle-aged man with a receding hairline.
He looked at their coach, filled with confusion.
"It should be three innings, then a pitching change. Seidou High is planning to use a rotation strategy!"
Coach Kunitomo said in a deep voice.
Using a pitching rotation has its pros and cons.
Clearly, Seidou's coach was fully aware of this.
However, Inashiro's coach and players also understood this.
Originally, Inashiro's players might not have cared.
But now, with Furuya performing so well, the Inashiro batters had no way to deal with him.
This meant Seidou's rotation strategy was already halfway to success.
Once Seidou High controlled the pace of the game, it would be extremely difficult for Inashiro to score.
Moreover, there was another troubling aspect about this monstrous freshman from Seidou.
That is, Furuya also had considerable batting ability.
Besides being a pitcher, he was also a decent outfielder.
Seidou wouldn't let Furuya leave the field easily. In other words, even after he pitched his three innings, he could return at any time.
This immediately disrupted Inashiro's initial game plan.
They had planned to use a stamina-draining tactic to wear Furuya out, forcing him off the mound, but that now seemed like an impossible task.
At this point, it was Inashiro's fourth batter, the second baseman and team captain, Harada Masatoshi's turn at bat.
Harada wasn't just Inashiro's cleanup hitter; he was also the team captain.
In addition, Harada, along with Seidou's Tetsuya Yuuki and Ichidaisan's Oomae, were known as the three powerhouse hitters of West Tokyo.
Originally, Harada's task after stepping up to the plate was the same as everyone else's—focus on wearing down Furuya's stamina.
But now, the situation had clearly changed.
Coach Kunitomo signaled to Harada, instructing him to change the strategy and go all out against Furuya.
"The situation has shifted!"
They had to break Seidou's pitching rotation rhythm.
Whether it was by defeating Furuya or disrupting Seidou's rotation, it was crucial for Inashiro to seize this opportunity.
Now, with their cleanup hitter at bat, followed by the fifth and sixth hitters, who could clear the bases, even if the chances were slim, Coach Kunitomo and the Inashiro players decided to give it a shot.
Upon receiving the command, Harada instantly understood his coach's intent.
"Go all out, huh?"
Harada wasn't the least bit surprised by this order; in fact, he felt an overwhelming sense of anticipation.
Opportunities to face a pitcher like Furuya don't come around often.
Especially considering Inashiro and Seidou were archrivals in the same region.
This meant that if either team had any hidden aces up their sleeve, they wouldn't show them easily.
Once they reveal that hidden card, it becomes useless.
After all, if used wisely, that ace card could easily lead them to qualify for Koshien.
Especially for Seidou High, the temptation is greater than anything.
From this perspective alone, Seidou wouldn't let Inashiro's players face Furuya before they meet in the Summer Tournament.
A fastball over 150 km/h, rumored to reach up to 155 km/h.
Even Inashiro's batters would feel dizzy when encountering it for the first time.
That's why Inashiro was considered lucky.
This was the finals of the Kanto Tournament, and the winner would be crowned the Kanto champion.
It was an honor that Seidou couldn't afford to give up.
Even if they were reluctant, Seidou had no choice but to bring Furuya to the mound.
"This is a rare opportunity. Bring it on!"
Harada's aura exuded power.
He raised his bat high.
Miyuki, crouching behind the plate, felt his breathing quicken.
He glanced seriously at his partner. "The batter in front of you is one of the nation's best sluggers, on par with Yuuki-senpai. Do you understand what that means?"
Initially, Miyuki worried that his rookie pitcher might feel nervous facing a batter of Harada's caliber.
But he quickly realized this was just his own concern. Furuya, standing tall on the mound, showed no sign of fear.
On the contrary, Furuya's aura seemed even stronger.
Third-year seniors? West Tokyo's three top sluggers? None of that mattered to Furuya!
As long as he stood on the mound, Furuya had an overwhelming, "I'm the one in charge here" presence.
"Great, bring it on!"
Seeing Furuya's display of confidence, Miyuki's belief in him surged.
Just as Miyuki finished setting up, Furuya began his motion.
Whoosh!
The ball, like an unknown monster, appeared in front of Harada in an instant.
Harada, who had just resolved to give his all against Furuya, felt the blood drain from his face, turning it pale.
How could it be so fast?
Before Harada could react, the ball had already passed him.
Pop!
"Strike!"
Not only Harada, but the entire Inashiro dugout fell silent.
Was it their imagination?
It felt like Furuya's pitch was even faster than in the first inning.
In fact, Inashiro's players weren't wrong.
This pitch was indeed faster than before.
"155.5 kilometers per hour!!!"
The massive electronic scoreboard clearly displayed the number.
The moment Inashiro's players and their supporters saw this figure, they felt a chill run down their spines.
"What was this kid's previous top speed again?"
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