Chapter 32: 32: Because That's a Monster
"Oh, it's 6 to 3, and Seido is in the lead!"
"Well, even though it's the sixth inning, we can't necessarily say that Seido has secured the victory. Yokohama's lineup has gradually caught up to Tanba's pitches."
"Yeah, just look at how much Tanba is sweating."
The spectators outside the stadium were all engaged in discussions about the match between Seido and Yokohama. The spotlight was on those who had the potential to make it to Koshien!
In the second inning, Yokohama's pitcher was caught off guard by the hitting prowess. The string of unexpected hits left Yokohama's pitcher struggling to readjust. Starting with Yuuki's double, the hits just kept coming, putting even those sidewinding pitchers in a tough spot.
However, these are quite normal occurrences. It's not unusual for a pitcher to experience occasional moments of instability. The key lies in promptly readjusting one's state—this is what makes a good pitcher.
It's not feasible, nor will I allow myself to keep faltering repeatedly.
After two years of experience, the ace of this caliber isn't likely to crumble easily, and even after just a single inning, Yokohama's ace pitcher managed to recalibrate.
In the third inning, due to ongoing adjustments, Seido still managed to score two runs. This time, Alejandro hit a ball to the right field, successfully reaching first base and securing an additional score!
But from that point onward, things weren't as straightforward. Yokohama's trump card managed to stabilize his form after those initial two rounds.
With precise ball control and a resilient slider, Yokohama's ace made it challenging for Seido's lineup to make solid contact from the fourth inning onward.
He even chose to intentionally walk Yuki, foregoing a head-to-head duel, and proceeded to walk Yuki consecutively during the at-bats that followed. Even if a hit occasionally slipped through, they only resulted in runners left stranded on base, failing to translate into runs. As a result, the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings all registered zeros on the scoreboard.
Meanwhile, Yokohama's lineup slowly but surely began to catch up to Tanba's pitches.
With each of the past three innings resulting in one run each, and three innings remaining in the game, following this pattern, Yokohama could very well close in on the score. After all, they currently held the game's momentum in their hands.
The match had now reached its final stretch, hinging on the outcome of this pivotal round. Could Seido seize the opportunity to extend their lead or stifle Yokohama's offensive drive? If they failed to do so and the game dragged on, the situation might become quite unfavorable for Seido.
"As we enter the first half of the seventh inning, Seidou High School announces a player change. Replacing Tanba on the mound is Satoru Furuya!" In the seventh inning, Supervisor Kataoka's decision to finally substitute ace pitcher Tanba with Furuya surprised all those in attendance.
"Even though Yokohama has started to figure out Tanba's pitches, Seido is making a change now?"
"And that's Kawakami from the second year, right? Can he really keep Yokohama's lineup in check?"
Among those outside the stadium, discussions were rife. They were unsure of what Seido's substitution entailed. If the team's trump card was replaced, what would happen to their defense in the coming three innings? If it were to crumble easily under Yokohama's pressure, it could spell irreparable damage.
"That guy is finally getting a chance to play!" In the stands, two figures who had recently arrived exchanged words. One of them wore a displeased expression, his emotions complicated, even bordering on envy, though he hesitated to admit it.
"Furuya is finally stepping onto the field, No. 18, part of the first-string lineup, that's awesome!" The person beside him, clad in pink, whispered softly. These two individuals were Sawamura Eijun and Kominato Haruichi!
While Haruichi's feelings might be purely rooted in envy, Sawamura experienced a sense of unwillingness, as if something had been snatched away from him.
Just as the two harbored contrasting sentiments, Furuya's entrance onto the field triggered an explosion of reactions.
"A first-year student, it's actually a first-year student! Seido is truly daring!" Furuya's appearance caused a stir among the spectators, and the expressions on the faces of the Yokohama players turned sour. To them, this move by Seido felt like a provocation and a display of contempt!
"A first-year punk, yet another first-year! Supervisor Kataoka sure has his own way of doing things!" The Yokohama supervisor's words were laced with a smile, but the trembling of his hands belied his true mood. He was quite agitated.
"How could they make substitutions like this, Supervisor Kataoka! They're truly underestimating our Yokohama!"
"You guys! Make that first-year kid understand the harsh reality of high school baseball! Crush him!" The Yokohama supervisor nearly ground out this sentence through clenched teeth.
"Yes!" The Yokohama players responded loudly, their gazes all turned ice-cold as they stared at Furuya, who strolled up to the mound with a demeanor that seemed like they were going to devour him alive.
"Hey, don't look so thrilled, just act like it's a normal day." Despite Furuya's outwardly composed demeanor, I know him too well. We've practiced throwing and catching balls in the bullpen countless times.
The kid looked dazed, eyes practically sparkling. Miyuki had to remind him to not throw any wild pitches. Well, that guy seemed to be ignoring him, leaving Miyuki a bit speechless.
"You guys at Seido sure have guts. Even though it's just the Kanto competition, you're putting a first-year on the field again. Forget about the outfielders, you're handing over the pitcher's mound to a first-year." Standing at the batter's box, the Yokohama's ninth batter, also their ace pitcher, remarked with an odd tone, "You don't even have a full head of hair, you brat!"
Ahaha, have mercy, please." The ace playfully swung the bat a few times, but he didn't catch the deeper meaning behind Miyuki's words.
"Seido has its challenges every year."
"Today, let this guy's name echo throughout Tokyo! Let his name be etched in the minds of everyone in Kanto!" Miyuki thought to himself.
"Put all your power into your swings! Don't worry, I'll be ready to catch your pitches!" Miyuki extended his arms, fixing Furuya with an intense gaze, and Furuya gave a slight nod.
As the referee's "Start!" resounded, Furuya surged forward, swinging his right arm with full force.
"Hoo!" To the Yokohama ace, it was as if a laser beam had been unleashed. In an instant, Furuya was right in front of him. The Yokohama ace's pupils contracted, and he instinctively swung his own bat.
"Crack!" Unlike the usual sound of a ball meeting a bat, the sound of this ball resembled a roaring wild beast!
Both on and off the field, silence reigned for three seconds due to Furuya's pitch. Time felt as if it had frozen in that instant. Apart from Seido, everyone wore stunned expressions, as if witnessing something beyond belief, something extraordinary.
"Oh!!!!"
"This is a first-year student!"
"Wow, what's the speed of this pitch? Does anyone have a speedometer?"
"It must be 150, right? Qingdao made a huge blunder this time. What a monster!"
The spectators outside the field, including players from various colleges and universities who were watching the game, stared at the composed and unemotional Furuya on the mound in sheer disbelief!
Even those who were versed in sidewinding pitches, from the coach to the players, had their faces turn slightly pale.
A pitch that pierces the soul!
In this moment, the boy named Satoru Furuya utterly ignited the atmosphere in the stadium!
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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