"The next three batters are all first-years."
"Haruichi, this is your chance."
"Narumiya Mei is proud and emotional. The moment he sees a first-year using a wooden bat against him, he'll take it personally."
"Once you're in the batter's box, use that."
"Lure him into throwing the pitch you want."
"This inning could decide whether we reach Koshien."
"It could also decide whether you and your brother get to play there together."
"The pressure is enormous."
"But that's exactly why you have to seize this opportunity."
As Seidou's ace, Ushijima Wakatoshi calmly explained the strategy to Kominato Haruichi.
Haruichi gripped his wooden bat tightly.
The pressure was indeed overwhelming.
But Ushijima's final words gave him strength.
Koshien.
Playing alongside my brother.
Just imagining it filled him with anticipation.
Bat in hand, Haruichi stepped out of the dugout.
On the bench, Ryosuke watched his younger brother's back and smiled.
Haruichi...
If it's you, you can definitely do it.
This first-year class has been extraordinary.
You've simply been overshadowed by two monsters.
It's not because you're lacking.
It's because they're too outstanding.
And our infield defense requires experience and chemistry.
Otherwise, you would've been a starter long ago.
Now go.
Use your bat to make Inashiro despair.
No one heard Ryosuke's thoughts.
At that moment, the stadium announcement echoed through the stands.
"Seidou High School is making a substitution."
The announcement surprised everyone on Inashiro's side.
"A substitution now?"
They hadn't expected that.
"Isn't Kominato Ryosuke supposed to be batting?" Harada asked in confusion.
"Second baseman Kominato Ryosuke is leaving the game."
"Pinch hitter: Kominato Haruichi."
The announcement immediately caused several Inashiro players to exchange glances.
Haruichi stepped into the batter's box with his wooden bat resting on his shoulder.
On the mound, Narumiya Mei watched him carefully.
"Pinch hitter Kominato Haruichi currently has a perfect batting average, going three-for-three."
"You could call him Seidou's lucky charm."
The announcer's voice rang throughout the stadium.
Haruichi looked toward the mound.
At shortstop, Shirakawa narrowed his eyes.
They're replacing Kominato Ryosuke with his younger brother?
His mind immediately began analyzing the situation.
Was Ryosuke injured?
Our first hit came after a defensive mistake.
And Carlos reaching base was partly due to a delayed reaction in the middle infield.
Looking back...
Was Kominato already injured then?
Shirakawa's eyes sharpened.
So that's it.
I was right.
Ryosuke is hurt.
Nearby, Yamaoka stretched his neck and studied Haruichi.
Seidou trusts this first-year that much?
Carlos focused on the wooden bat in Haruichi's hands.
That bat...
This kid doesn't look simple.
Behind the plate, Harada was also evaluating the situation.
A pinch hitter getting on base would be huge for Seidou's momentum.
He glanced toward the mound.
We have to stop them here, Mei.
If Seidou scores again, this game could get out of reach.
Meanwhile, Narumiya lowered his head and dug the toe of his cleat into the dirt.
"A first-year..."
"Using a wooden bat..."
His lips curled upward.
Then his eyes locked onto Haruichi.
Do you really want me to break it?
The hostility was obvious.
Haruichi noticed immediately.
Instead of being intimidated, however, he remembered Ushijima's advice.
This is exactly what he meant.
Mei's mentality changes when he gets emotional.
This is my opportunity.
Haruichi stepped closer to the plate.
Very close.
His positioning sent a clear message.
I'm protecting the outside corner.
You don't have the guts to come inside.
Because if Narumiya missed his spot, it would result in a hit-by-pitch and a free baserunner.
The challenge was obvious.
His intentions couldn't have been clearer.
"He's standing awfully close to the plate."
A spectator muttered in surprise.
"He's trying to bait the pitcher into attacking inside."
The duel began.
Behind the plate, Harada thought calmly:
No need to throw a strike.
Narumiya nodded inwardly.
I know.
And I hope you regret this.
Whoosh!
Narumiya unleashed a 148 km/h fastball.
An aggressive inside pitch aimed directly at Haruichi.
The moment the ball left his hand—
Haruichi's eyes opened beneath his bangs.
Too slow.
The thought flashed through his mind instantly.
Whoosh!
His bat exploded forward.
Crack!
The sound echoed throughout the stadium.
The wooden bat met Narumiya's fastball perfectly.
Back in the dugout, Ryosuke smiled.
I knew you could do it.
After all, you're one of the few players acknowledged by Ushijima.
You've faced his pitches more than anyone else.
Your bat control may even rival Tetsuya-san's.
You aren't physically strong.
You don't have overwhelming power.
But you possess something special.
You're one of the only players capable of driving Ushijima's 155 km/h fastball into the outfield.
On the field, Haruichi's swing completed.
CRACK!
At the exact moment of contact—
The wooden bat shattered.
But the baseball had already been launched.
Whoosh!
The ball soared into left field.
The entire stadium fell silent.
Narumiya's mouth hung open.
"What?!"
The Inashiro fielders stared in disbelief.
Even Ushijima smiled from the dugout.
"I knew he could do it."
Thud!
The ball landed safely in front of the left fielder.
A clean hit.
Haruichi sprinted toward first base.
As he ran, he carefully watched Inashiro's defense.
By the time he reached first, the outfielder had already recovered the ball.
Without hesitation, Haruichi stopped there.
No unnecessary risks.
At this stage of the game, advancing one base was enough.
Because every runner mattered.
And Seidou's offense was only just beginning.