79th Spring Koshien Game 15

From BR Bullpen

Miyakonojyou Izumigaoka Koukou surprised Kiryi Daiichi showing that it is more important when you execute a suicide squeeze than just simply doing it.

Miyakonojyou's Suwa-kun dominated Kiryi Daiichi with pitching that threw them off-balance. Miyakonojyou in the early inning fared no better early, and the teams were locked in a pitching battle.

As the game progressed, Miyakonojyou would develop opportunities. In the top of the 5th P Suwa-kun would leadoff with a single to right. Moved along to second on a sacrifice bunt, the next batter 3B Mukai-kun would reach on after being hit. Surprisingly, the coach would elect to sacrifice once again, sending the runners along to second and third. Last batter Hayashi-kun would strike out looking, but Kiryi Daiichi had to sense that Miyakonojyou was playing for one run.

They would have another chance in the 6th when with one out, LF Kuwaki-kun would be hit, and RF Haraguchi-kun would follow with a line single to right. Kiryi's P Fujioka-kun would get out of the inning though by striking out the next 2 batters.

Their efforts would finally be paid off in the 7th. SS Takewaki-kun would single to right and advance on a sacrifice bunt. With the count 2-2, he would steal third just beating the throw by C Takizawa-kun. On the next pitch, CF Doukyou-kun would execute a perfect squeeze bunt, scoring Takewaki and giving Miyakonojyou the lead 1-0.

In the 9th, looking to secure that extra run, Mukai-kun would send a ball to the gap in right-center starting the inning with a double. Moved once again by a sacrifice bunt to third, it seemed inevitable that Miyakonojyou would sacrifice again. After two pitches wide of the zone anticipating a squeeze, Hayashi-kun would swing away and foul it off. As Fujioka-kun began his delivery, Hayashi squared to bunt, taking a high pitch and placing it in front of the pitcher. By the time Fujioka got to the ball, Mukai had already scored.

With Suwa-kun's pitching, Kiryi Daiichi's comeback appeared difficult. But with two outs, Suwa would walk Takenouchi-kun, and after letting an 0-2 become a 3-2 count, give up a single to Itou-kun. Clearly, Suwa and Miyakonojyou were trying to play it safe. Suwa would finally close the game getting a ground ball by Watanabe-kun, giving Miyakonojyou the victory.

Game Summary