Chapter 11: Chapter 10
It was top of the first inning and Todoroki Raichi from Yakushi was at bat. Their clean up hitter was batting at number 1. It was an unorthodox strategy, but, I knew that Yakushi's coach was known for his unorthodox and brutal strategies that focused on breaking the will of the opposing pitcher.
I took my position in the outfield and stretched my shoulders and arms. Raichi was at the home plate and Furuya got ready at the mound.
"Playball!!"
Furuya wound up is arms and twisted his torso. The ball left his hand like a rocket and..
*Bang*
It hit Miyuki's mitt. Raichi didn't even swing. The crowd went wild at the pitch... even though it was a ball.
Meanwhile, I stood silent.
'Pitch properly, you dumbass. The only thing saving you is your speed.'
"Nice pitch! Furuya!"
Keep it up!!"
Raichi laughed with excitement on the home plate. He hadn't moved a single muscle during the pitch. He wasn't scared of the speed.
Next pitch, Miyuki asked for an SFF.
*Bang*
"Ball!"
Raichi didn't swing again.
"Kahahaha!!! It sunk! Great, great great!!!"
'Dude's too excited. Keep a check on his pants, people!' The ball wasn't coming towards me so I was entertaining myself with my stupidity.
When Furuya threw the next pitch, it went high. That was when Raichi decided to swing.
*Clang*
His monstrous swing overpowered the pitch and sent it flying. Thankfully, it hit the fence and wasn't a home run. Raichi made it to the second base.
The next batter was Akiba. He didn't swing at the first two pitches that were balls. The next pitch that went high, he slammed his bat into it and sent it along the line.
"Back home!!" Miyuki yelled as Raichi ran like a beast, laughing as he crossed the third base. The left out fielder managed to get the ball and threw it back to the home plate. Sadly, it was too late. Raichi slid to reach the plate before the ball could be caught by Miyuki.
[The runner from second-base comes home!! Yakushi high scores the first point!!!]
The senpais gathered around the mound to encourage Furuya while I silently fumed standing at my position. 'I wouldn't have let them get such a hit on me!!'
I looked at Kataoka, my body oozing with eagerness.
'Let me pitch! Boss!!! Furuya is a lost cause!!!'
He saw me looking and the expression on his face conveyed his denial. 'You'll pitch when I want you to pitch. Till then, stay put. And stop calling me boss!'
I blew air out of my nostrils and nodded, 'Yes, boss!!!'
Everyone went back to their positions and the next batter took his place at the home plate. Mishima swung at the first pitch and the hit went long. Luckily, it was a foul.
On the next pitch, Miyuki asked for another SFF and Yakushi went for a base steal. In an incredible show of aggressive gameplay, Miyuki quickly took action and threw the pitch to thw third base before Akiba could make it.
"Out!!!"
The crowd roared in excitement.
Mishima was then struck out and it was out turn to bat.
The Seido batters didn't hold back and in response to Yakushi's run and hits, we tied the score with Kuramochi making it home. Yuki's hit went straight to Raichi at third base and he barely managed to catch it.
Next was Masuko and much to my surprise, he hit the pitch with a compact seing and sent it over the fence. With no runners on the bases and Miyuki at-bat, the devil incarnate decided to go for a big hit and and got himself out.
'Typical.'
Furuya performed well in the next inning. He got all of them out with field plays. It was out turn to bat again and I was up.
I took my position and got into my batter stance.
[Batter stance: Full swing- lvl 3]
The battery decided to go with a four-seam and that was a big mistake.
[Four-seam hunter- lvl 3]
[Target sighted- lvl 2]
The speed of the pitch was average and I seung hard with confidence.
*CLANG*
[It's gone over the fence!!! What an amazing home-run hit by Sawamura!!!]
I took my victory lap and returned to the bullpen.
"Why are you always hitting home runs!!"
"That was good hit, Sawamura!"
Kataoka nodded as Sakai went to bat next.
I looked at coach and said, "Boss! I doubt they will use the same pitcher for the next inning! We should be ready to face their ace, boss!!"
Kataoka simply nodded as everyone else grew serious.
Sakai failed to create an opportunity by making it to the base. Furuya went after Sakai and hit a home-run. He was performing decently well.
"Miyuki, it's a bit earlier than planned, but, we're switching Furuya out for the second come around of their order."
Furuya was startled and immediately became depressed. Kataoka then said to him, "Furuya, Yakushi's number 8 and 9 and important before their clean-up hitter Todoroki comes up to bat. Hold down the last two properly!! After that, you're playing right-fielder. Be prepared to get back on the mound any time."
'I am going to pitch soon.'
Kuramochi failed to land a successful hit after his hit was caught by the first baseman of Yakushi.
At the start of the third inning, it was our turn to pitch again. Furuya stood up to everyone's expectations and got the number 8 and 9 out. When Todoroki came out of the bullpen...
"Time.. We want to chanhe pitcher, please." Miyuki said to the umpire.
Everyone in the stadium, except our team, was taken aback by the early change. I ran to the bullpen and got my glove while I gave my fielding glove to Furuya. I took a few deep breaths and practiced my throws with Miyuki.
After I was done warming up...
I raised my finger to the sky and yelled, "I'll be going all out!!! So, everyone, I'm counting on you to have my back!!!"
It was my first match against an opponent like Raichi and I was ready to strike him out.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone