The August sun is always the harshest time of the year.
Under this scorching sun, even the fans sitting in the stands cannot help but sweat profusely.
On the stands of Koshien, sweat has already begun to gather in tiny droplets on the fans' bodies.
For those who are a little plump, the sweat has already turned into beads, rolling down their bodies.
At this time, they should be using a handkerchief to wipe it off, or at the very least, fanning themselves with the cheering props they have.
No matter what these props are originally for, as long as there is airflow, they would feel much more comfortable.
But strangely, right now, those fans are so engrossed in the game that they don't even have the time to do these things. Their eyes are fixed on the field, watching the pitcher and batter's showdown.
Yuuki Masashi has been placed in the cleanup spot, as the fourth batter.
Although this was mainly because the main players from the Seidou High School baseball team couldn't play, even so, competing against a group of second- and third-year substitutes, he still has a certain advantage.
He became the fourth batter for the team.
This meant that Yuuki Masashi's abilities were undoubtedly strong.
The prestigious Seidou High School baseball team has its own dignity. No matter what, they would never make a mockery of their team's reputation.
And they would never easily hand over such a critical position as the cleanup batter to someone they didn't trust.
So, any person with even a slightly normal train of thought, after seeing Seidou High School's arrangement, would never underestimate Yuuki Masashi.
After all, no matter how you look at it, he's the fourth batter for Seidou High School.
But Jouyou High School went the opposite way.
Instead of choosing to face the relatively weaker third batter, Ono, head-on, they opted to face off against the fourth batter, Yuuki, after implementing a bases-loaded strategy.
From the perspective of an observer, it's clear that these two teams are determined to clash head-on.
"It's so exciting!"
"This is what a game is supposed to be like!"
If both teams' players were to remain calm and composed throughout, what fun would there be in the game?
It's precisely because they are at odds that the audience gets so into it.
Although they haven't had the chance to appreciate the talents of the main players from Seidou High School, the audience is still thrilled by this real and intense competition.
Because they are so excited, they haven't even noticed the sweat pouring down their foreheads.
The game is too tense!
Especially this next confrontation, which will directly determine the direction of the game.
The first-year rookie, who is being highly anticipated by Seidou High School's baseball team, will he be able to live up to their expectations?
This moment is about to reveal the answer.
From the outside, Jouyou High School's decision seems almost unthinkable.
How could they pass up a chance to face the third batter, Ono, and instead choose to confront the fourth batter, Yuuki, head-on?
Doesn't Seidou High School's Coach know who has the superior skills in their team?
But from the perspective of Jouyou High School's own players, making such a choice is perfectly understandable.
Each player has their own strengths.
They considered all of this before making the decision.
The players of Seidou High School are indeed strong, and Yuuki Masashi, the fourth batter, is definitely no push-over.
They are fully aware of this—perhaps even more clearly than the spectators on the sidelines.
But even so, Yuuki Masashi has his own weaknesses, things he isn't good at.
As long as they seize those weaknesses, they'll be able to take him down.
Facing the bases-loaded crisis, Yuma, the pitcher, feels immense pressure.
This is a feeling he has never experienced before in his baseball career. Even the air he breathes feels warm.
It feels like just inhaling could burn his internal organs.
"No wonder Seidou is the champion!" Yuma sincerely exclaims. Such an opponent makes every one of his cells tense up.
At the same time, it makes him feel alive.
The reason he chose to play baseball in the first place was to experience this feeling.
The combination of movement and stillness!
In action, baseball's instantaneous reactions are unmatched by any other sport.
Yet, for the most part, baseball also allows players to calmly experience this blood-pumping sensation.
'To be able to play baseball at Koshien is truly amazing!'
Yuma genuinely feels lucky.
At this moment, he feels an immense surge of power within him.
Facing the imposing Yuuki, he decisively throws the ball.
The baseball travels across the distance, appearing right in front of Yuuki.
Yuuki, standing in the Batter's Box, looks a little nervous. Facing this sudden pitch, he anxiously swings his bat.
However, the bat misses the ball by five or six centimeters, and the two pass by each other.
Snap!
"STRIKE!"
This curveball is something the Seidou High School players hadn't anticipated.
The reliable Yuuki, who's always been unshakeable, seems a little nervous.
This isn't too surprising. After all, as a rookie standing on such a big stage for the first time, it's completely natural to feel nervous.
Only a few players, like Sawamura, are able to showcase their full strength in Koshien right from the start.
Most players, at first, cannot escape the tension.
And Yuuki is just like most players.
"Still nervous!" Miyuki laments.
Why does Coach Kataoka place such importance on Nishiyama and Yuuki?
The reason is simple: these two players have already experienced big games during middle school.
Apart from their technical skills, their mental fortitude is also very strong.
In contrast, the other players... not so much.
"STRIKE!!"
Two consecutive Strikes, and Yuuki swings and misses both.
He is now completely cornered.
The situation is extremely dangerous.
On the mound, Yuma breathes a huge sigh of relief.
Yuuki's swing is truly impressive. Even from the mound, Yuma can feel the immense power in his swing.
If that ball had made contact with the bat, the consequences would have been catastrophic.
Now, Yuma fully understands.
But, the intelligence they had gathered before was correct.
Yuuki's swing power is monstrous, definitely not like that of a first-year rookie.
'However, his precision is not that great.'
If they can control the ball's position and variation, getting him to miss is definitely possible.
'It's over!'
With that determination, Yuma sets up and throws his final pitch.
Whoosh!
The baseball comes flying toward Yuuki.
His reaction seems a bit slow. He fails to swing the bat in time.
The Jouyou catcher's eyes light up with joy.
This is great!
Maybe the previous two swings had shaken Yuuki's confidence, and now he seems to be distracted.
Though it may not be right to take advantage of a first-year like this, for Jouyou High School, their top priority right now is to secure an out.
And they are about to accomplish that.
This opponent is about to be out!
The catcher smiles happily.
But before that smile can fully form, something unexpected happens!
It seems like Yuuki was a little slow on the last pitch, but suddenly, he swings his bat.
This time, his swing is much faster than the previous ones.
PPAAAAANNNGGGGG!!!!!
With a resounding pang, the bat makes solid contact with the ball, sending it soaring far away.
The baseball sailed through the sky.
It left a huge arc in the sky, crashing on the scoreboard of Koshien and falling back into the stand.
After the ball hit the ground, the kids in the stands were so stunned that they forgot to pick up the ball, which had considerable value, right away.
They just stared at the field, watching the burly figure in the Batter's Box.
Although he was a first-year student, the physique of Yuuki Masashi was among the best in the entire Seidou High School baseball team.
His tall frame made him look even more imposing at that moment.
The field was silent for about seven or eight seconds, and then the stands suddenly erupted in a frenzy of cheers.
"Amazing!"
"You guys are the best!"
"Seidou!"
"Even if the players on the field are substitutes and rookies, we'll still crush you!!"
"King Seidou!!"
"Who was that batter just now?"
"It's on the electronic board, can't you just look for yourself?"
"Yuuki Masashi!"
"Is he related to Yuuki Tetsuya!"
"He is his younger brother!"
"Really? What a blessed lineage!"
"Who is really blessed is Seidou, to get all of those good newcomers!"
From all corners of the stands, various voices erupted.
People hurriedly expressed their astonishment and joy to those around them.
Gradually, these voices gathered together, forming a cheer.
"Seidou!"
"Seidou!!!"
Tens of thousands of people shouted in unison, shaking the entire stadium.
As Yuuki Masashi hit the ball out of the park, the runners on the Seidou High School baseball team, one after another, ran home.
Nishiyama!
Kijima!
Ono!!
With every runner crossing home plate, there was a round of applause from the stands.
It felt as if they were welcoming the heroes' triumphant return.
When Yuuki Masashi finally returned to home plate, the entire stadium exploded.
The cheers and applause reached their peak at that moment.
A grand slam home run, helping the Seidou High School baseball team take 4 runs in one go.
This score was already enough to decide the outcome of the game.
Moreover, based on the performance of both teams so far, the Seidou High School baseball team had a clear and significant advantage.
This meant that it was almost impossible for the Jouyou High School team to recover the lead.
…