NOVEL SIMPLE V6_Chapter 14: Haruichi’s Insight!
V6_Chapter 14: Haruichi’s Insight!
“The Swallow’s Homecoming!”
When Sawamura raised his mitt high and securely caught the white ball in it, the entire stadium fell silent.
Then, an unprecedented wave of applause and cheers erupted.
Fans who had watched the Koshien game videos before were already amazed by this moment.
They hadn’t expected to witness the famous stunt so quickly in today’s game between Seidou and Teito.
The ball was thrown by the pitcher, hit by the batter, flew too high, and then caught by the pitcher, all in a display that seemed like a magic show.
Sawamura didn’t invent this stunt; he learned it from a Koshien opponent.
However, Sawamura is the one who has popularized it.
Now, he used this pitch to shut out Kengo Inui cleanly.
Kengo Inui’s mind was once again struck by lightning. (Mr. Lightning is sure to like to visit this guy.)
His brain seemed to be easily overwhelmed, but there was no doubt that this was the most intense Out he had ever experienced.
‘This world really does have a genius even greater than Taiyou!’
He looked at Sawamura in shock, his mind blank for a moment.
“Senpai, it’s our turn!”
Taiyou himself wasn’t surprised. Sawamura had created so many miracles before that he was becoming numb. At this point, no matter how impressive Eijun’s performance was, he wouldn’t be too concerned.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Seidou High School was up to bat.
This was already Seidou High’s top lineup facing Taiyou for the second time.
“First batter, shortstop Kuramochi.”
Previously, Miyuki had managed a hit, but due to his stolen base, he was tagged out at home plate.
So, Seidou High School hadn’t pushed the line forward.
Kuramochi was determined to make up for it this time.
However, reality did not meet his expectations.
Faced with Taiyou’s sudden 3D pitching, he could only hurriedly swing.
Ping!
The white ball was hit and immediately bounced back into the field.
The baseball rolled a few times before landing in the first baseman’s mitt.
“OUT!”
‘Damn it!’
Kuramochi was frustrated but helpless. Taiyou’s pitches were all corner balls, and even when they were hit, they generally landed right in front of the fielder.
Additionally, Teito High School’s defense was outstanding, making it hard to get a solid hit off them.
One Out, no one on base.
“Second Batter, Second Baseman, Kominato-kun.”
The second at-bat was noticeably different from the first.
This time, Kominato Haruichi was clearly well-prepared.
He had observed an interesting pattern and wanted to verify it himself before sharing it with his teammates.
‘In crucial situations, especially the last pitch, Mukai’s pitching often became very unpredictable, even difficult for Eijun-kun to handle.’
‘Conversely, the first pitch wasn’t as sharp.’
‘Previously, Seidou High’s only hit was on Miyuki-senpai’s first pitch. Did this mean that there’s a difference between the first pitch and the final decisive pitch?’
Unintentionally, Kominato Haruichi discovered the truth!
Indeed, Taiyou’s final pitch was a 3D Mirage Ball.
The others were just ordinary corner balls.
If Taiyou knew what Kominato was thinking, he would be shocked.
Despite their careful preparation, Seidou High’s batters had still figured out his rhythm.
Ping!
With this understanding, Haruichi decisively hit the inside corner ball beautifully.
The ball landed and bounced into the outfield, and Kominato sprinted to first base.
One Out, runner on first base!
Now, it was Sawamura’s turn to bat third.
Sawamura faced Taiyou’s 3D Mirage pitch from the very first throw.
He had a premonition about his swing. Although he saw the pitch clearly, he felt it would be difficult to hit well, and there was even a chance of a double play.
As an experienced player, Sawamura trusted his instincts.
‘Forget it. I’ll just focus on this pitch!’
Sawamura decided to bunt.
Ping!
The white ball was knocked and rolled towards first base!
The ball rolled at just the right speed.
Due to the rain, Sawamura increased the bunt’s power, maintaining the usual bunt level.
Haruichi advanced to second base.
Sawamura was Out at first base by a mere three steps.
“OUT!”
Two Outs, runner on second base.
Sawamura returned to the dugout, feeling dejected.
He replayed the course of the ball he just bunted in his mind.
‘It was strange!’
Even though he had hit the ball, Sawamura couldn’t fully grasp the break in the ball’s course.
It was the first time he had seen a ball that he couldn’t even fully comprehend with a bunt.
In reality, he had leaned down, which unintentionally altered his angle of vision.
Thus, he didn’t fully grasp the true nature of the Mirage ball.
“Fourth Batter, Catcher, Miyuki-kun!”
Despite the two Outs, the batter was Miyuki, who was considered invincible, with a runner on base.
Seidou still had a good chance to score.
Moreover, Miyuki had previously made a nice hit.
“Time!”
At this moment, a young player from Teito called for a timeout and grouped on the mound.
Unexpectedly, Teito High School sent someone to relay orders.
After a brief discussion, all the players scattered and returned to their place.
Then, Taiyou Walked Miyuki with Four Balls.
Two Outs, runners on first and second base.
After walking Miyuki, Teito High School faced the fifth batter, Maezono.
Ping!
The ball flew high at home plate and then fell.
In the catcher’s position, Kengo Inui effortlessly caught the ball in his Mitt.
“OUT!”
Three Outs, offense and defense exchange.
“Damn, these spineless cowards!” Kuramochi grumbled angrily.
Mukai, Teito’s Ace, had a sharp pitch and was the star player of a prestigious school. Yet, he was too afraid to face Miyuki head-on—what a coward.
But no matter how much Kuramochi despised their actions, the result remained the same. Seidou’s excellent scoring opportunity vanished.
Not only that, with the conclusion of the upper-lineup and core-lineup attacks, it marked the likely end of Seidou’s second round of offense.
In the top of the fifth inning, Teito High School was up to bat.
At this point, it was their fifth batter’s turn. As the game resumed, the rain began to lighten, easing Sawamura’s previously irritated mood.
He started to showcase his terrifying prowess as a Koshien-winning pitcher.
Whoosh!
The ball shot out like a flash, catching the opponent off guard.
In the batter’s box, Teito High’s fifth batter looked at Sawamura Eijun on the mound with a complex expression.
A question popped into his mind:
‘Is this guy really a high school student like us? And he’s even younger!’
‘How can first-year students be so scary?’
They couldn’t afford any mistakes, as one error could potentially destroy their last hope of winning.
If they fell behind, their chances of recovery would be slim.
‘Damn! How can he be so strong?’
Reluctant to concede, he gripped his bat tightly. As the core batter of a powerful team, he had his own pride. He had to hit this ball, no matter what.
It seemed like luck was favoring him, as Sawamura threw a very hittable pitch next.
The batter, cornered, had no choice but to aim for the ball and swing. Even though he knew subconsciously that the seemingly sweet pitch could be a trap, he had to take the risk.
Ping!
The moment the ball was hit, the batter’s face went ashen.
‘It is a trap!’
The ball suddenly floated strangely before reaching him!
When his bat made contact, it only grazed the top of the ball.
Snap!
The hit ball bounced off the ground and headed straight for Sawamura.
He caught it and immediately threw it to Maezono at first base.
Snap!
“OUT!”
Just like that, the batter was easily Out.
With the fifth batter Out, the sixth and seventh batters followed, also struck out by Sawamura.
“STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!”
“STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!”
Three Outs, offense and defense exchange.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Seidou High School took their turn at bat.
Shiratsu was the starter.
Ping!
Shiratsu hit the ball, sending it rolling accurately into the gap in the defense. Seizing the opportunity, Shiratsu sprinted to first base.
“Safe!”
No Outs, with a runner on first base. Seidou High School’s lower lineup finally had a chance to show their skills.
On the mound, Mukai glanced anxiously at Shiratsu on first base.
Although he didn’t use his three-dimensional pitching for that ball, the pitch’s location was tricky.
He hadn’t expected that pitch to be hit.
“Damn, that ball was tough to hit!”
...
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