Chapter 186: Chapter 72: Barrage of Furious Hits (Double-Length)
In this give-and-take battle, the states of both teams seemed to polarize—supporters of Waseda Real finally saw the scene they’ve been longing for in the following match:
It was the relentless hits from Waseda Real’s lineup!
After Nagata Ryudou got hit for a home run, his performance on the field visibly became somewhat constrained, allowing Hagiyama Mitsuo of Waseda Real to seize that chance and hit a double towards right-field after catching the opposing pitcher’s unstable throw.
In step with Hagiyama Mitsuo, Yagaki Kentaro and Uesugi Yasuyuki, the sixth and seventh hitters, also consecutively hit safely, occupying first and second base while successfully bringing Hagiyama Mitsuo back to home plate.
"The score is 2:1! Waseda Industries hit safely in four consecutive at-bats!"
"The lead of Tokai University Sagami High School only lasted for one and a half innings before being completely overtaken by their opponents, and now they even find themselves falling behind!"
"Indeed, as expected of the prestigious team from the West Tokyo region—under the lead of Lin Guanglai, Waseda Industries’ lineup responded in a timely manner and tilted the balance of the match once again!"
Soon after, the defensive players of Tokai University Sagami High School gradually snapped out of their panic and successfully executed an impressive double play, eliminating two players of Waseda Real in one fell swoop.
But what happened next was unexpected—aided by his solid defense as the team’s mainstay left fielder, Sato Ken, usually not known for batting achievements, surprisingly hit an RBI single on the championship stage!
His hit successfully allowed Yagaki Kentaro, who had reached third base, to return home, expanding their lead by 2 points!
Following the end of the bottom half of the second inning, Sato Ken returned to the player area, greeted by teammates with thunderous cheers and applause, making him blush with embarrassment.
The team’s supervisor, captain, and all the players celebrated with him one by one with high-fives—there was no better reward than this coveted RBI hit for Sato Ken, who had diligently contributed to the team!
The scoreboard high above Koshien Stadium’s outfield once again changed. Where once was the lonely number by Waseda Real, now boasted a large number 3.
Watching Sato Ken surrounded by teammates and the bold 3:1 on the scoreboard, Lin Guanglai’s confidence in winning the match grew even more robust.
In the top of the third inning, fueled with momentum, Waseda Real also found their defensive form again, with Lin Guanglai intentionally inducing stable fly balls to the outfield and grounders in the infield all securely caught, along with a strikeout of Ushida Tetsuya when facing him at bat—one more time, Waseda Real delivered a three-up-three-down experience to Tokai University Sagami High School; even better, Lin Guanglai’s pitch count was kept under control, with just 7 pitches used this inning.
In the bottom half of the third inning, the offensive thrust of Waseda Industries continued unabated.
When Lin Guanglai, as the cleanup hitter, stepped up for his second at-bat, the situation on the field was already at one out with players on first and third base.
This inning, the rotation started again from the second hitter, Matsunaga Kenta—normally, Matsunaga Kenta played the role of advancing runners with bunts, but that doesn’t mean his hitting skills were weak.
Against Nagata Ryudou, Matsunaga Kenta eyed the incoming ball and struck it straight through the infield defense of Tokai University Sagami High School with a force like a spear piercing a yellow dragon, propelling him directly to second base.
Kenshu Yasuda, the third hitter, originally hadn’t intended to sacrifice bunt—kidding, as the vice-captain and the third batter, he took pride in his core line-up position, and without explicit signals from the supervisor, he would never easily assume a bunting posture;
However, after Nagata Ryudou with a sudden breakout quickly gained an advantage with two strikes, Kenshu Yasuda wasn’t stubborn, swiftly switching his batting strategy this at-bat:
Seeing all of Tokai University Sagami High School expecting him to continue batting, Kenshu Yasuda caught them off guard with a bunt, fully disrupting Tokai University Sagami High School’s arranged defense. Most critically, the quality of his bunt was quite high, as the baseball traveled closely along the third base line.
By the time Tokai University Sagami High School’s catcher Sato Daikun hastily threw off his mask, ran inside to retrieve the ball, and threw to first base, it was too late—
Amid the cheers from the players on the first base side of Waseda Real, Kenshu Yasuda managed to put his foot on the base bag right before the ball flew into the first baseman’s glove, successfully getting on base; at the same time, Matsunaga Kenta, who was on second base, seized the opportunity to advance to third base—if not for the swift reaction of Tokai University Sagami High School, this hit might have even been enough for him to try scoring from home plate.
"Guanglai, give us another one! Help us clear those bases!"
"Lin Guanglai! Lin Guanglai! Ole~ Ole~ Ole!!!"
"Show the opponents what we’re made of!!!"
When Lin Guanglai stepped up to bat, the cheering section of Waseda at first base resembled an active volcano, erupting with enthusiasm;
while on the third base side, Tokai University Sagami High School, both players and fans, had a look of determination in their eyes:
"Please, make sure to hold them off!!!"
"Just as long as you can suppress Lin Guanglai—even just once!!!"
"Everyone, come on, we can do it!"
Half a minute later—
"Bang—!!!"
The baseball collided with the bat swung by Lin Guanglai, resulting in a massive sound— to the ears of Waseda Real supporters, it was the most delightful sound in the world; while for Tokai University Sagami High School’s fans, it made many of them painfully shut their eyes.
"The ball is flying high and fast, what’s it going to be, will it go out???"
"Ah, what a pity, it was stopped by the outfield home run wall, just a little short, this should be a double—"
"No, no, Lin Guanglai didn’t stop, he’s still sprinting!!!"
Previously on base, Matsunaga Kenta and Kenshu Yasuda had already returned home ahead of time, adding 2 more runs for Waseda Real.
In the infield, Lin Guanglai, who hit was currently making great strides forward, felt a bit breathless from running at full speed, but it didn’t affect his aim to reach the third base bag.
Meanwhile, almost simultaneously, Tokai University Sagami High School’s outfield also retrieved the ball from the ground, throwing it vigorously towards Ishikawa Yuudou at third base.
Lowering his center of gravity, Lin Guanglai bent his left leg inward under his hip, stretching his right leg straight towards third base—when there was still a short distance to third base, Lin Guanglai threw himself towards the ground, trying to reach the base before the ball with a slide.
At the moment his foot touched the third base bag, the baseball, passed from the outfield, landed almost simultaneously in the glove of Ishikawa Yuudou and was laid against his body.
At third, both Lin Guanglai and Ishikawa Yuudou kept their eyes fixed on the third base umpire, seeking the decision for this at-bat—under the scrutiny of all, the third base umpire straightened his arms wide and declared resolutely:
"Safe!"
"Yes!!!" Confirming his successful advance to third, Lin Guanglai pumped his fists to his chest in vigorous celebration; whereas Ishikawa Yuudou, having failed to get the batter out, looked somewhat dejected, sighing before lowering his head.
At this point in the match, Sugano Tomoyuki, spectating from the stands, looked somewhat solemn—even the most die-hard supporters of Tokai University Sagami High School sensed their unfavorable situation on the field:
The impact of Lin Guanglai’s triple was significant, not only clearing the bases and extending Waseda Real’s lead to 4 runs; most crucially, the inning had just started, with not even one of Waseda Real’s batters out—under such circumstances, Tokai University Sagami High School was virtually on the brink of losing.
A short while ago, the lively white-green cheering section now fell silent:
The Tokai University Sagami High School supporters with some understanding of the game knew well, this match—
The time left to them was running short.