In the Seidou dugout, with only two innings left in the game, if the score wasn't maintained, everything they had fought for would disappear.
Coach Kataoka gave his final instructions, his voice filled with weight and urgency.
"Inajitsu, who is behind, will try every possible way to get on base. Whether we can hold onto this one-run lead until the end will be the key to victory."
He scanned the determined eyes of the players before him.
"All fielders must stay alert. This game belongs to all of you. Don't put all the pressure on Miyuki and Kanzaki Ryou. In a baseball game where one pitch can decide the outcome, the more critical the moment, the less you can relax.
"You've endured such tough training. Think about it—if you lose points due to carelessness, are you worthy of your efforts? Are you worthy of your teammates?"
The players straightened. He was right. This was the semifinals. If they lost due to something preventable, they would never forgive themselves.
Earlier, both Nanjo Taishi and Kanzaki Ryou had suppressed the opponent's lineup beautifully. The others barely had to defend and conserved plenty of energy. Now, at the most important moment, they had to be prepared for anything.
"Go! Boys!"
"Yes, Coach!!"
Top of the 8th inning — Inajitsu batting.
Standing on the mound once again, Kanzaki Ryou watched Inajitsu's 6th batter, Yoshizawa Hideaki, step into the box. From the man's eyes, Kanzaki could tell—he intended to fight desperately. If Inajitsu failed to score this inning, they would have only one more chance.
Kanzaki took a long breath and met Miyuki's gaze.
First pitch — inside four-seam fastball.
No hesitation. At crucial moments, the more anxious the opponent was to score, the more mistakes they made.
The 150 km/h fastball blazed toward home.
Yoshizawa swung immediately—
Swish!
The bat sliced the air.
Thwack!
"Strike!"
He couldn't keep up.
His expression hardened. I must get on base… as long as I do, the batting order advances…
Second pitch — straight fastball!
Another powerful swing—
Bang!
A hit!
The ball flew toward right field. Araki Keita sprinted backwards, eyes locked on the ball.
"Land!"
"Catch it!!"
Fans on both sides screamed.
Even Kanzaki turned his head—he didn't expect Yoshizawa to time it that well.
The ball dropped. Araki couldn't reach it.
Yoshizawa bolted toward second—
Safe!
Inajitsu's crowd erupted with joy.
Araki threw the ball back with a troubled expression. They had been guarding against bunts; he didn't expect a long hit from the lower lineup.
Kanzaki gave him a calm nod—Not your fault.
Now facing the number 7 batter, Hirai Tsubasa, Kanzaki's mindset didn't waver.
Just strike out the next one.
Miyuki gave the signal.
Inside two-seamer.
Thwack!
"Strike!"
Swing and miss.
Second pitch—another two-seamer, low.
Thwack!
"Strike!"
0–2.
Now Miyuki called for the cutter slider.
Kanzaki smirked faintly.
He'd been waiting for this pitch.
He exhaled slowly, lifted his leg, raised his hands—
—and unleashed the pitch.
To the batter, it looked just like another fastball.
Hirai swung confidently—
But before reaching home plate, the ball suddenly veered hard sideways.
Thwack!
"Strike! Strikeout!!"
Hirai froze, staring in disbelief before trudging off. No one could have reacted to that pitch without preparation.
In the Inajitsu dugout, silence fell. Even Narumiya Mei stared intensely, desperate to understand that pitch. Was it a cutter? A slider? Something else? How did it move so violently at that speed?
Pressure.
That's what everyone in red felt pressing on their backs.
The number 8 batter stepped up—
And was struck out just as helplessly.
Two outs. Runner on second.
The next batter:
Narumiya Mei.
The blond first-year stepped up with his head low, expression dark, silent… but seething with pressure and pride.