One out, runner on third base, down by one run. Now in the middle of the fifth inning, we were desperate to tie the score. As the game nears the end, the opposing team will likely bring in their winning pitchers.
Feeling nervous but trying to stay calm, I took a deep breath, stepped into the batter's box, and looked at the sign from the bench. The sign was "Wait." In this situation, the opponent would be wary of a squeeze play. That meant the first pitch should be a ball.
However, pitcher Takita threw a straight fastball right down the middle, as if mocking the situation. I glanced at the bench, keeping my expression neutral. The sign changed to "hit it."
The second pitch was a low cutter. I judged it as low and let it pass. "Strike," the umpire called. I kept my face emotionless, but anxiety was creeping in. Two strikes. I was cornered. Striking out would be the worst possible scenario.
*I need to hit the ball. Even if it's just a grounder, Takeshita's speed on third could get him home.* I took a step back to clear my head. The sign remained "Hit it." No squeeze play.
*Will the next pitch be a strike or a ball?* Normally, he'd throw a ball, but facing an inexperienced player like me, he might go for a quick strikeout.
I made up my mind. *Another strike is coming. Believe in it. The worst thing you can do here is hesitate. It's all or nothing. No regrets.*
Takita shook off two signs from the catcher. *This is it. A strike is coming.*
He threw the third pitch—a forkball, one of his specialties. It started in the strike zone and then dipped. I swung with everything I had.
The ball hit the tip of the bat, rolling weakly past Takita's right side toward shortstop. I sprinted as fast as I could. The shortstop opted to throw to first instead of home. "Out."
I saw Takeshita dash towards the plate. He slid in safe, tying the game. The bench and stands erupted. It wasn't a perfect hit, but it got the job done. My first RBI as a professional.
Returning to the bench, Takeshita and Sugisawa greeted me with high-fives. "Well done," Takeshita said. "Congrats on your first professional RBI," Sugisawa added, with a slightly awkward smile. Taniguchi just grinned silently.
The inning ended when Arai flied out to center field. During the mid-inning break, Shizuoka Oceans' dolphin mascots, Doru-kun and Fin-chan, and the cheerleaders, Team Oceans, entertained the crowd. I stretched behind the bench, mentally preparing for the next defensive inning.
In the top of the sixth, Tokyo Chariots' Furuma led off. He swung at the first cut fastball, grounding weakly to second. I fielded it cleanly and threw him out at first. One out.
Next was Okatani, who had lined a strong hit towards me in his previous at-bat. With two balls and one strike, he connected solidly on the fourth pitch. The ball came straight at me. *It's a gamble.* I jumped and caught it with the tip of my glove. The crowd roared. Okatani looked skyward in disbelief.
The leadoff batter, Sakai, was up next. With two balls and two strikes, he hit a hard grounder towards me. *Stay low, keep it in front.* I fielded it cleanly and threw him out at first. Three outs, and I was involved in all of them this inning.
*Were they targeting second base as a weak spot?* In the bottom of the sixth, our lineup couldn't push a run across despite a hit from Gooden. The Tokyo Chariots' seventh inning, their "lucky seven," was approaching quickly.