Chapter 35: 35: Consecutive Victories in Battle
The initial victory in the first game truly boosted Eijun's confidence. Following that, in the consecutive practice matches that followed, as long as the opponent wasn't exceptionally strong, Coach Kataoka generally sent out the second string. Eijun, who had performed excellently in the first game, became the starting pitcher in every practice match.
Teams from the Tokyo metropolitan area, as well as neighboring counties in the Kanto region, frequently visited Seidou High School in May for exchange matches and warm-up games. Especially during this golden period, teams from even farther regions, like Shikoku and Kyushu, came to Seidou.
However, most of these visiting teams were strong local powerhouses and prestigious schools. Seidou's first string usually faced them, while the second string handled teams of slightly lower caliber.
During this streak of games, Eijun consistently maintained his performance as the starting pitcher, impressing everyone. He pitched into the fifth inning in every match, and although there were occasional issues with his control that led to walks and runs, he rarely allowed hits beyond the infield.
It could be said that genuine hits that got past the infield could be counted on one hand.
Indeed, while it's true that some of the opposing teams may not have been very strong, Eijun's personal excellence was clearly evident.
Including the first practice match against Komadai, Eijun participated in a total of four practice matches in May. In each of these matches, he started and pitched until the fourth or fifth inning.
He gave up a total of eleven hits, walked six batters, and allowed four runs. For a first-year pitcher in the second string, these were impressive statistics, and it raised the expectations of many at Seidou High School for Eijun's future.
Eijun was quite satisfied with his own performance, and his teammates were growing increasingly confident in him. In many ways, Eijun could now be considered the ace of the second string.
If he continued at this pace, Eijun was confident that he would follow the trajectory of the original story and make it to the main roster before the summer. This wasn't arrogance but rather a confident judgment based on rational analysis.
What Eijun didn't know was that beneath his splendid performance, there was someone else closely watching him—a figure whose bright eyes always shone when she saw him on the pitcher's mound.
Every time she saw Eijun's lively figure on the pitcher's mound, her bright eyes always seemed to gleam with a radiant light.
However, beneath the surface, subtle changes were occurring, and these changes were destined to bring a different kind of trouble for Eijun in the future.
Nevertheless, Eijun was unaware of these complexities. At this moment, all that mattered to him were the summer tournament and the two remaining spots in the first string.
Seidou High School's first string team currently had only eighteen members. According to the Koshien rules, during the regional qualifiers, Tokyo teams were allowed to have twenty players on their roster. This meant that Seidou was still lacking two spots, and these spots were expected to be filled from the current members of the second string.
The performance in regular training and practice matches were the most direct criteria for selection. In the eyes of many, including the upperclassmen in the second string, there was a growing consensus that there was only one spot left among those two, and the other was highly likely to go to Eijun Sawamura.
This wasn't to say that Eijun's promotion to the first string was guaranteed, but his chances were significant. This conclusion was based on various factors, including Seidou's need for a strong pitcher in their first string and Eijun's impressive performance in the recent practice matches.
Especially in the most recent practice match that had just concluded, Eijun had started as the pitcher and held the opponents scoreless until the fifth inning, with just one walk and two hits allowed.
His performance was nothing short of remarkable, leaving most of the upperclassmen in the second string without any desire to compete for that remaining spot.
In their eyes, and in the eyes of spectators watching the game, it was only a matter of time before Coach Kataoka announced Eijun Sawamura's promotion to the first string.
Due to Eijun's outstanding performance, even some scouting teams from other schools were keeping a close eye on him.
After all, Seidou's batting lineup was already considered top-tier nationally, and if they could plug the only hole in their roster - the pitching mound - then Seidou's overall strength would become truly frightening.
Naturally, pitchers like Eijun, who showed such potential, including Haruichi who had been active in the second string, drew attention from these scouting teams. Particularly teams from the same region, who were meticulous in their analysis.
For the sake of their team's victory, no detail could be overlooked. Eijun Sawamura had quietly entered the radar of many teams, even though the opponents he faced weren't top-tier and he wasn't yet a member of Seidou's first string. Still, he was noted as a potential reinforcement, and teams took note of his performance for future reference.
It's only when the summer season kicks off, and Eijun Sawamura truly sweeps through the summer baseball frenzy, becoming the center of everyone's attention, that he'll receive the maximum spotlight.
At this moment, Eijun still falls into the category of a relatively minor figure. His presence and recognition are somewhat lacking compared to Furuya. After all, Furuya had already appeared in the Kanto tournament and was a legitimate member of Seidou's first string. His incredible fastball, gifted by nature, rightfully earned the attention of strong opponents.
As Seidou continued to rack up wins in their consecutive practice matches, the team was gradually adjusting its lineup in preparation for the upcoming summer tournament.
In late May, on the verge of entering June and with the countdown to the summer tournament underway, teams across the region were gearing up for battle.
Inside Seidou High School, in the Seidou dormitory, in Coach Kataoka's office:
"Tomorrow's practice match against Koukaidai, leave it to the second string. And regardless of how it goes, tomorrow, let's have Sawamura pitch a complete game."
"But..." Minister Ota furrowed his brow, feeling a sense of unease in his heart. Even if it's a test, does it really require a complete game? Moreover, based on Eijun Sawamura's current performance, joining the first string should be sufficient. There doesn't seem to be a need for a specially arranged complete game to test him, right?
Could it be that Coach Kataoka has other plans in mind?
Minister Ota couldn't quite grasp Coach Kataoka's thoughts. Of course, even if you gave him ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to question Coach Kataoka's decisions.
"In any case, the most important thing is the summer. Depending on the outcome of tomorrow's practice match, we'll select the final two players for the first string. The remaining time will revolve around the core of the first string with 20 players. Make preparations for everything else," Coach Kataoka said, his focus entirely on the upcoming main tournament.
"Yes, sir!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone