Chapter 250: Records, New Records!
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Inashiro Industrial High School was up to bat.
From the current situation at the field, it seemed that Inashiro Industrial had no hope left.
However, the players on their team obviously didn't think so.
After returning to the dugout, Narumiya Mei collapsed onto the bench.
Although this wasn't the first time he had faced such hardships, this time, the impact on him was visibly greater.
During the Kanto Tournament finals, they had lost, but at that time, the players of Inashiro Industrial had reasons they could cite.
They hadn't expected Seidou High School's fighting spirit to be so strong or their preparation so thorough.
Especially Furuya.
This meteoric player had completely disrupted all of Inashiro's plans.
But today's game was different.
As the losers of the Kanto Tournament, Inashiro Industrial had made extensive preparations before this game.
Bluntly put, they had prepared everything they could think of and everything they could prepare.
But it was still in vain.
As the game progressed, the gap had widened to three runs.
Seidou's displayed strength continually reset everyone's expectations.
Inashiro Industrial High School's performance was not bad either.
It's just that in this clash of titans, they inevitably became the backdrop.
"It's too early to be disheartened now, we still need your strength for extra innings."
Harada's voice carried through the air.
Hearing this, tears uncontrollably welled up in Narumiya Mei's eyes.
"Do we really have a future?"
Today, they only had one last chance to attack.
"As long as the game isn't over, anything is possible. If your stamina has reached its limit, our opponents are not much better off..."
Harada spoke solemnly.
Hearing their captain's words, a renewed spirit of fight flickered in the eyes of Inashiro Industrial's other teammates.
"Ah!!!!"
The players from Inashiro Industrial roared with indignation before taking the field.
Today's game was destined to be remembered.
But the players of Inashiro Industrial were clearly not content to just be side characters.
Even if hope was slim, they intended to make a final effort.
In the bottom of the ninth, Inashiro Industrial was on the offensive.
"Second batter, number six, shortstop, Shirakawa!"
Shirakawa was the first to step up to the plate.
This player wasn't physically imposing.
Such a physique, in the world of high school baseball, is undoubtedly discriminated against.
Yet, he had become Inashiro Industrial High School's main shortstop and second batter through sheer effort.
He had become a star player for Inashiro Industrial High School!
Even in today's game, this star player from Inashiro Industrial had performed brilliantly.
He seemed to glow.
The previous change in the game had started with Shirakawa.
It was because he was hit by a pitch that Inashiro Industrial had the chance to score the run that tied the game.
Now, as this player once again stood at the plate,
the fans in the stands were incredibly excited.
For Inashiro Industrial High School's die-hard fans, they had initially been ready to give up.
The reality was there; they simply couldn't see any hope for a turnaround.
Under such circumstances, what could they do if they didn't give up?
Inashiro Industrial High School's players were extremely confused.
But now, that was no longer the case...
They no longer had the bad feelings they had before; they placed all their hopes on this young man.
Seeing this, Seidou High School's die-hard supporters, of course, found it unbelievable.
From their perspective, they once thought the players of Inashiro Industrial High School must be out of their minds.
Otherwise, why would they be so excessively exuberant?
Could they really believe that in today's game, they still had a chance?
The die-hard supporters of Seidou High School couldn't understand the actions of their opponents.
On the other hand, Inashiro Industrial had no intention of making Seidou understand.
For them, they were already significantly behind.
How much worse could it get?
Since their situation couldn't possibly become more precarious,
what they should be considering now was how to make a final stand and change everything.
"Being at rock bottom isn't entirely without its benefits. For Inashiro Industrial High School's baseball team, their situation can only improve from here, it certainly can't get any worse."
Sitting in the stands, a senior reporter from Baseball Kingdom magazine provided a very fair assessment.
"Senior, are you saying Inashiro Industrial High School still has a chance?"
Hearing Fujio's comment, Akiko, a tall and beautiful reporter, was incredulous.
She had originally thought the outcome between the two teams was decided and there would be no more twists.
But now, it seemed her thoughts might have been overly optimistic.
Fujio shook his head.
"Whether they have a chance depends on the players' performance on the field. But theoretically, as long as the last out hasn't occurred, either side has a chance."
Baseball differs fundamentally from basketball and soccer.
Both basketball and soccer are limited by a fixed time.
Even with overtime added.
The end time for these sports is still within a certain range.
Baseball's end rules, however, are completely different.
The end of a baseball game has nothing to do with time.
Theoretically, as long as the players are able to play and the conditions for ending the game are not met,
they can keep playing indefinitely!
And the condition for ending the game is the last out of the inning for the team that is behind.
Only when that out occurs, can the two teams be definitively separated in terms of victory and defeat.
That's when a baseball game truly concludes.
Inashiro Industrial High School is trailing by three runs, with only one inning left to attack.
To anyone, it seems they no longer have a chance.
But according to baseball rules, Inashiro Industrial High School still has the opportunity to turn defeat into victory.
From Inashiro Industrial High School's players' perspective, they surely wouldn't believe their team was out of the game just yet.
Everyone at the stadium was focused on the confrontation unfolding on the field.
There was a general sense that the game wouldn't end so easily.
The players from Inashiro Industrial were bound to make their final efforts on the field.
Take, for example, the player named Shirakawa.
Despite not being tall, he raised his bat high and his eyes, filled with a provocative glare, were fixed on Furuya.
He was determined to hit the ball and get on base.
This hitter, known for his exceptional skills and keen vision, was also filled with fierce determination and resolve.
"At the last moments of the game, these madmen will definitely go all out! Last year, we lost due to their comeback…"
Last year, when their senior was still with Seidou High School, they had also formed a strong team and faced Inashiro Industrial in the semifinals.
Frankly speaking, at that time, they weren't without hope.
That Seidou High School team was also notably strong.
Plus, Inashiro Industrial wasn't as formidable then as they are now…
Back then, Seidou High School even dominated the game until the final innings, leading by one run.
But in the last moments of the game, they were caught off guard by Inashiro Industrial's fourth batter.
That powerful fourth batter, when his team needed him the most, unexpectedly chose to bunt.
The tactic was fast, fierce, and accurate!
It hit Seidou right where it hurt, and they eventually lost the lead.
For Miyuki, who was already the main catcher of the team at the time, this was a haunting memory.
Now, at this critical stage,
It seems the troublesome players of Inashiro Industrial want to repeat their old tricks.
This undoubtedly caused waves of shock in Miyuki s heart.
Last year, their ace was broken by such tactics.
Furuya...
Considering their team's ace, who likely hasn't seen such a scenario before, especially being a freshman,
One could imagine how likely it was for him to fall into the opponent's trap.
As Miyuki silently worried and pondered strategies,
The boy on the pitcher's mound suddenly moved.
His foot stepped forward, boldly advancing!
It seemed no matter what was ahead, he was determined to step through it.
"He's too anxious!!"
Crouching at the catcher's position, Miyuki felt a pang of worry.
Furuya's actions were too fast!
This could very well signal to their opponents that Seidou High School's ace was also at his limit.
He was so eager to get an out.
Once the players from Inashiro Industrial harbor such a delusion,
They will inevitably make the game even more difficult and troublesome for Seidou High School.
Just as this thought crossed Miyuki's mind, the white baseball was already howling towards the plate.
"Boom!!"
A massive roar erupted suddenly.
At that moment, it was as if some unknown monster had appeared!
Standing at the batting area, Shirakawa felt both his palms trembling.
So fast!!
The white baseball shot towards him like a bolt of lightning.
Shirakawa's brain wanted to react.
But his hands didn't follow his commands.
He couldn't react in time as the baseball flew past him.
"Snap!"
The sound of the baseball hitting the glove was crisp and pleasing.
The die-hard supporters of Seidou High School in the stands were overjoyed.
"Strike!!"
"Look at the big screen, 155 km/h!!!"
Fans quickly noticed how astonishing the speed of that pitch was.
The sensation was exhilarating!
Their opponent's ace was now too exhausted to continue the fight.
In contrast, their own ace, Furuya, still displayed remarkable energy and ease on the mound.
"Furuya is still so fierce! The people from Inashiro Industrial must be shocked, right?"
In the Seidou High dugout, the teammates couldn't help but praise their ace.
They didn't intend to be so outspoken.
But their ace's performance was truly exceptional.
So much so that even if they wanted to keep a low profile, it was simply not possible.
"Keep going, push through with all your might!"
No reminder was necessary for Furuya; he was well aware of his responsibilities at this moment.
He geared up fully, putting all his strength into his pitch.
"Boom!"
The moment the baseball was pitched, the whooshing sound it made was enough to stun the entire stadium.
Seidou High's ace seemed like a monster with unfathomable stamina.
The pitches he threw were always beyond everyone's reach.
The players and supporters of Inashiro Industrial were dumbfounded at that moment.
So strong!
They could distinctly feel the terrifying intensity of Furuya's pitches.
"The game is almost over, and he can still increase his pitch speed to over 155 km/h?"
The second pitch at 154 km/h, the third at 155.5 km/h!
Shirakawa, standing at the plate, exhausted all his strategies and efforts to hit the ball.
But all he could do was think about it.
When the white baseball flew towards him, he was utterly helpless.
A ball you can't hit, is simply unhittable!
"Strike!"
"Strikeout!!!"
As the strikeout was called, the stadium erupted in enormous cheers.
"Sixteen!!"
Sawamura, gradually regaining his composure, heard the cheers of the fans and looked puzzled.
"What sixteen?"
"You silly boy, pay attention to the game. Furuya has just secured his 16th strikeout! This isn't just a record for this tournament, but probably the only one since the start of the Tokyo Summer Tournament."
Chris explained patiently.
"That impressive??"
Sawamura appeared enlightened.
The young player quickly recovered his fighting spirit from the gloom.
Looking towards the mound at Furuya, his eyes sparkled with intense fighting spirit.
"One day, I'm going to break that record!"
Just as the young player voiced his ambitious dream, there was a new development on the field.
"Boom!"
"Snap!"
"Strike!"
"Strike!!"
"Strike!!!"
"Strikeout!!!"
Two outs, bases empty.
"Seventeen!!!"
In the stands, the voices of Seidou High's hardcore supporters grew hoarse from excitement.
Chris smiled, turning to Sawamura and said,
"It looks like the new record doesn't need you to break it!"
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