79th Spring Koshien Game 11

From BR Bullpen

This game came down to a matter of execution. Both teams had opportunities throughout the game, but could never seem to convert. Kouryou Gakuen would open the scoring in the top of the 2nd. One out and bases loaded, SS Uemoto-kun hits a ball up the middle, glancing off P Karakawa-kun's glove just enough to slow it down preventing the double play. In the bottom of the inning, Narita Koukou would come back with a two-out hit by RF Matsubara-kun which became a triple when CF Tochiura-kun decides to dive for the ball, missing it and getting past him. An error by Uemoto on the throw to 1st on the next batter plates the run.

Kouryou would have a chance in the 3rd. A bobble on a ball hit to left allowed leadoff batter Yamashita-kun to get to second. After advancing to 3rd on a sac bunt, they looked to score. But a miss on a suicide squeeze left Yamashita out to dry and Kouryou as well. In the 5th, Kouryou would have another chance. Uemoto and Habu-kun would single to start the inning, advancing on a double steal. But another failed squeeze bunt would put an end to that opportunity.

As the game reached the end of regulation, it was Narita who had the chances. 3B Suzuki-kun would lead off the 8th by being hit, but LF Katayama-kun pushed his bunt right to the 3B who threw Suzuki out. But a single and another hit batter would load the bases. But Katayama would try tagging up from third on a shallow fly ball, and was thrown out at home. In the 9th, Narita would have runners on first and second with one out, but could do nothing more than ground out to 2nd.

Once the game went into extra innings, the teams rushed to get that one run to win the game. In the 10th, a one out single by Habu would open the inning for Kouryou. He would steal second, but subsequently got caught off base and run down. In the bottom of the inning C Nishida-kun would get a one out single. He advanced to second on a passed ball and advance to 3rd on a shot through the SS and 3B by Hirota-kun. After a meeting on the mound, Orimizu-kun would be replaced in right by #17 Okada-kun. Kouryou would intentionally walk Kawamura-kun to load the bases. Fujita-kun took the first pitch just foul on the right side. On the next pitch, he lined one right at 2B Hayashi-kun, easily doubling off Kawamura at first and ending the inning.

Fukuda-kun would leadoff the 11th for Kouryou with a single to the SS, advancing on a sac bunt to second. After P Nomura-kun struck out, Okada and Hayashi-kun would be hit but Karakawa-kun, loading the bases. But Tochiura would weakly fly out to 2nd to end their rally. 1B Fujii-kun would lead off the inning with a single to center. Usami-kun would walk thereafter putting runners on first and second with none down. But Karakawa could not put the bunt down and Fujii was left out to dry at 2nd. Karakawa would almost get Usami thrown out at second as well, but looked to redeem himself as he pulled back his bunt and swung. Sadly the bloop would be caught by CF Tochiura who easily doubled up Usami at first.

Kouryou would once again have another chance as Habu-kun took a pitch to the wall in right-center, and when the throw by Usami missed the cutoff, Habu would take 3rd. Narita would take the chance by pitching to the next batters rather than creating a double play opportunity through a walk. It looked to pay off as Yamashita grounded sharply to 2nd. But Uemoto-kun would find himself on the fortunate side of a dribbling hit up the third base line, beating the throw to first and scoring Habu-kun from third.

Narita would have one last chance as captain Nishida-kun would double to left with two out. It would be to no avail as Hirota would ground out to second, ending Narita's tournament.

Game Summary