LRAB Chapter 177: Sixth Round (26)
Chapter 177: Sixth Round (26)
The Shoto players returned to the dugout as Kasuga's players took their positions on the field, preparing for what could be their last inning of the summer.
Kasuga's ace, Shota Imai, took his place on the mound to start the top of the ninth inning, facing Shoto Junior High's captain, Kenta, who stepped into the batter's box, ready to hit.
"Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga!"
"Sho- to! Sho- to! Sho- to! Sho- to!"
"Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga!"
"Sho- to! Sho- to! Sho- to! Sho- to!"
The cheers from the stands were loud, and with only a one-run difference on the scoreboard, it was impossible to say that this game was already won for Shoto. Imai looked calmly at Kenta as he focused, doing his best to stay steady after giving up a run to Shun.
Kasuga's ace understood well that as long as he held off Shoto's offense in this inning, his team would have a chance to tie or even take the lead in the bottom of the ninth. Kasuga's catcher signaled for a cutter high and inside, clearly intending to force Kenta into poor contact. Imai nodded at the sign.
"HA!" - Imai shouted as he threw hard toward home plate.
WOOOSH
DOOONG
"Damn!" - Kasuga's catcher cursed as he saw how Kenta connected with the ball. He didn't need long to realize that ball was going to soar over the right-field fence.
"YEEEEAAHHH!!" - A loud cheer from the crowd echoed through the stadium as the ball finally landed in the right-field stands.
"Yeeahhh! Nice homer, Kenta!" - Shun shouted excitedly from the dugout as his other teammates cheered and celebrated Kenta's home run.
Kenta trotted quickly around the bases before returning to the dugout, thrilled. The captain was greeted with applause and praise from the coach and his teammates as he walked back into the dugout.
DING
PAH
"Out! 3 outs, changeover!" - After swinging at an inside cutter, Hisashi was retired as the ball landed easily in the left fielder's glove.
"YEEEEAAHHH! Ka-Su-Ga! Ka-Su-Ga!" - Kasuga's crowd roared at the end of the top of the ninth inning. Although they had given up another run in this inning, the score was still 2-0, and neither the fans nor the players would give up on this game so easily.
Imai returned to the dugout, clenching his fists tightly. He was frustrated with himself for allowing another run, but at that moment, all he could do was cheer and have faith in his teammates. After all, they still had a chance to bat.
"Can you do it, Shun?" - Coach Yamada asked as he looked at the boy. Although Shun's fatigue was obvious, not only the coach but everyone in the stadium wanted to see Shun finish this game. Because of this, if Shun said he could close it out, Coach Yamada would trust him.
"Hehe! Of course!" - Shun said with a smile as he walked past his coach and climbed the dugout steps. At that moment, there wasn't a single person who could stop him from finishing this game.
"Let's go, Shoto!" - As a good captain, Kenta shouted, encouraging the rest of the team as he followed Shun onto the field.
"Yeeeahhh!" - All of Shoto's players shouted as they climbed the dugout steps one by one, taking their positions on the field. Only three more outs stood between them and the long-awaited Kanto tournament.
"Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga!"
"Sho- to! Sho- to! Sho- to! Sho- to!"
"Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga!"
"Sho- to! Sho- to! Sho- to! Sho- to!"
The cheers from the crowd echoed through the stadium as Kasuga's seventh batter stepped into the batter's box, marking the start of the bottom of the ninth inning. Meanwhile, Shun calmly observed the seventh batter. He couldn't hide his smile, he was excited to pitch again, but at the same time, it felt like he didn't want this moment to end.
In the stands, everyone watched the field with anticipation as they cheered. Some hoped for a Kasuga comeback to return to the Kanto tournament, while others wanted to see Shun complete his perfect game, leading Shoto Junior High School to the Kanto tournament for the very first time.