Ace of Diamond: Return of the Pitcher

Chapter 59: 1 More Point

When Ino first joined Yokohama, he did not show any high talent, and he was not a special recruit of Yokohama. 

In powerhouse teams, there are often a lot of such situations, that is, the Ace pitcher does not match their team’s strength, or they are not of the same level. (In fact, it is extremely rare for a team like Inashiro in the original to have a strong pitcher, strong lineup, and strong defense. Instead, it is like Seidou, who has a strong lineup and a strong defense, but not a top-class pitcher. It is normal for these high schools.)

Yokohama-North High School was like that in this generation and didn’t have a main Ace pitcher.

In baseball in general, skills trumps physical talent.

But for the pitchers, it’s not quite the case. Skill is important, but sometimes individual talent is just as important if not more.

Ball speed, power, and mental strength

At the time of the initial tests, Ino did not have any of the abilities of these pitchers.

Everyone around him said he wasn’t fit to be a pitcher.

Even Ino himself sometimes wonders if he is really suitable to be a pitcher.

Until his own Coach discovered him.

“You are very talented!”

When the Coach said this, Ino didn’t believe it. The people around him clearly told him that he had no talent, so how could the Coach say that?

“You control the ball very well, which is also a talent in itself! Although you only have the control, if you can’t hone a Breaking-ball, it will be difficult to be recruited in the professional baseball leagues, but as the winning pitcher of Koshien, it is still possible.”

The winning pitcher of Koshien!

Not every high school player is working hard for a career in baseball. Many people simply want to enter Koshien and want to reach the top in Koshien. (In fact, the ratio of winning pitchers in Koshien who are in professional baseball is not high, and it can even be said to be scary low.)

Ino never thought about professional baseball, but the title of the winning pitcher in Koshien deeply attracted him.

For this great goal, he passed countless hard training, and finally represented the team and stood on the mound.

Such Ino has a calm heart, unyielding fighting spirit, and absolute trust in his friends.

Facing Kuramochi’s provocation and stealing bases, facing the most difficult Kominato Ryosuke.

Although Ino felt a great headache, he never thought of giving up the fight.

For himself, and for the team, he did not hesitate to contribute all his strength.

'Very well, step by step, we are in the lead anyway.'

Haku felt Ino’s fighting spirit and gave Ino a sign.

In the strike area, Kominato Ryosuke also felt Ino’s fighting spirit and the strict defense of Yokohama. At this time, be safe, In the dugout, Kataoka gave a sign.

'Kominato, cooperate with Kuramochi and look for an opportunity to steal the base.'

'Think together!'

Kominato laughed, the score was two points short, if you always think about chasing the score back in one breath, you may be greedy and biting more than you can chew, which is counterproductive. Rather than that, it is better to play steadily and chase it back point by point.

After all, this is not the last inning, and it is not to the point of breaking the boat.

There are still three innings left!

The two were instructed to act together. Kuramochi stole the base, and Kominato swung his bat to cooperate.

After Haku received the ball, he passed the second base directly.

However, with the cooperation of Kominato and Kuramochi, Haku was still a step behind.

Kuramochi steals the base successfully!

No one is out, runner at second base.

On the strike zone, Ryosuke smiled.

In doing so, the situation is reversed.

Ping!

The ball was hit, and Kominato walked Kuramochi to third base.

One Out, there’s someone at third base!

“The third batter, Center, Isashiki-kun.”

“Come on, brat!”

First, he politely greeted the referee and Haku, and then Isashiki immediately returned to his vicious appearance.

On the mound, Ino frowned at Kuramochi at third base.

Haku’s face was cautious, and he also looked at Seidou, who was bound to win.

'For now, let’s pitch with the determination to drop a run.'

Kuramochi is not simple, his speed is too fast. If he’s intent on stealing bases, he’ll probably run, even on infield grounders. At this time, it would be unrealistic to want to deal with him in the same way as before.

Despite the current situation, one point is extremely important.

But considering the next in line, instead of taking the risk of getting Kuramochi out at this time, it is likely to be self-defeating, not only they will be unable to stop Kuramochi but also send Isashiki to first base.

Then it will be a duel with one Out, runner at first base!

With Yuuki Tetsuya as the Batter!

After Yuuki, there will be Masuko, Miyuki, and Sawamura!

If you think about it, it’s too dangerous!

On the contrary, if you take a step back, if you take the number of Outs on Isashiki first, it will be two Outs and no one on base.

In this case, Miyuki and Sawamura, who had their turn later, were also cut off.

These thoughts slid through Haku’s mind in an instant, and then he decisively gave Ino a sign.

The Pitcher nodded and pitched the ball.

Ping!

Isashiki swung his bat, and Kuramochi at third base followed suit.

Hit and run!

Although the position was not good, after the ball bounced, it was caught by the third baseman. Kuramochi, who started one step ahead, is already close to home plate.

“No!”

The third baseman was going to pass the ball to home plate.

The Catcher knew that it was too late, and immediately stopped him.

“Pass first base!”

Kuramochi made it back to home plate and helped the team score a point.

The total score is 5:4!

The score between the two sides is still one point away.

Isashiki was blocked and out, with two outs and no one on base.

“Fourth batter, first baseman, Yuuki-kun.”

Ping!

After he hit the ball out, he was caught by the shortstop and passed to first base.

“OUT!”

Three outs, offense, and defense exchange.

Seidou’s Players all returned to the bench, put on gloves, and prepared to go to the field.

Kataoka looked happy.

“One more point!”

Uh?

The players all looked at Kataoka strangely, not understanding what their Coach meant.

Seidou is still one point behind now. If you want to win, you have to get at least two points, right?

“It doesn’t have to be two points. In the next two innings, it’s good to have one run. As long as the points are tied and we play extra inning, we will be the winner in the end.”

After Kataoka said this, all the Players of the Seidou First String were stunned.

The most terrifying thing is that no one doubted him.

Sawamura stood on the pitcher’s mound, including Kataoka, everyone in Seidou didn’t even think that Sawamura would lose points.

Especially the main force of the third grade!

They have a personal experience of Sawamura’s strength, and it is difficult for them to score points from Sawamura, let alone Yokohama, who knows almost nothing about Sawamura.

“Will you use the Moving?”

Before playing, Miyuki asked Sawamura.

“Right now, let's fight with the determination to Strikeout all the batters.”

Sawamura’s answer made Miyuki both excited and anxious.

Sawamura wants to strike out everyone in Yokohama?

There is Furano in Yokohama!

Thinking about it, it is quite exciting.

…

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