"What exactly is that guy from Osaka Kiryuu doing?"
Many fans in the stands were completely confused. They could not understand why a powerhouse like Osaka Kiryuu High School Baseball Team would repeatedly show bunt in such a situation.
Whenever confusion spread, knowledgeable voices naturally rose to explain. For those watching on television, the commentator quickly provided analysis. For those inside the stadium who could not hear clearly, veteran fans nearby took it upon themselves to clarify.
"There are three main bunt directions," one experienced spectator explained patiently. "First Base side, Third Base side, or directly in front of the pitcher. If the angle and speed are controlled well, even a bunt straight back to the pitcher can result in a high chance of reaching base. If the pitcher hesitates or stays planted, that chance increases dramatically. That's why the pitcher has to charge forward. Even if he doesn't handle the ball, the repeated forward bursts and sudden stops drain stamina quickly. This is a classic baseball tactic. The goal isn't just to get on base. It's to wear down the pitcher and disturb his rhythm."
"What if the pitcher ignores it?" someone else asked.
"If he ignores it once or twice, the fake bunt can become real. This tactic damages both sides. Osaka Kiryuu also sacrifices good pitches by doing this. But if they can wear the pitcher down, the trade is worth it."
Even the television commentator sounded emotional. He had not expected Seido's Ace to be treated with such caution that Osaka Kiryuu was willing to pay a price just to exhaust him.
"That's shameless."
"They have no bottom line."
"They call themselves the Cosmic Team?"
Some neutral fans openly shifted their support. They joined Seido's supporters in booing Araki, expressing their dissatisfaction with Osaka Kiryuu's approach.
A veteran fan nearby shook his head and sighed. "You can't explain baseball to amateurs."
The tactic might not be glamorous, but it was entirely within the rules. Baseball philosophy differed from person to person. From a competitive standpoint, Osaka Kiryuu's decision made sense. To win, they had to neutralize the biggest threat.
Among Seido's players, Hidezawa was the most vulnerable at this stage. His stamina was visibly declining. If he broke down, the impact would be devastating. Targeting him was the most cost-effective strategy.
Osaka Kiryuu understood this clearly.
And they did not care about boos.
Their players remained composed, unaffected by the growing noise. Approval from the crowd meant nothing. Victory was everything.
After falling behind with two strikes, many spectators assumed Araki would abandon the bunt and engage in a direct duel. Araki did pull his bat back and adjusted his stance.
It looked like a straightforward confrontation.
No one anticipated what happened next.
When Hidezawa delivered the pitch, Araki decisively squared around again.
"Ping!"
The bat tapped the ball cleanly.
The white baseball rolled sharply toward Third Base.
Azuma Kiyokuni was caught completely off guard. He had not expected Araki to bunt with two strikes. If the ball went foul, it would have been a strikeout. The risk was enormous.
By the time Azuma reacted and charged forward like a charging tank, scooping the ball with all his weight behind him, it was already too late.
He planted his feet and threw toward First Base, but the throw lacked the necessary time.
"Safe!"
Before the ball reached Miyuki's glove, Araki had already stepped on First Base.
No outs. Runner on First.
The stadium fell into stunned silence.
After employing such a controversial tactic, Osaka Kiryuu had successfully reached base with a bunt. It felt like a direct slap to Seido's face.
And it hurt.
Araki's decision to bunt with two strikes demonstrated absolute confidence. The result proved that this was not desperation. It was calculation.
It was as if Pandora's Box had been opened. Once opened, consequences would follow one after another.
When Osaka Kiryuu's sixth batter stepped up and immediately showed bunt again, the situation became even more ominous.
Everyone could see Hidezawa's condition deteriorating.
He was breathing heavily. Sweat poured from his body. The temperature exceeded thirty degrees Celsius, and the heat drained him mercilessly.
In Seido's dugout, Manager Ota could barely watch. Hidezawa, already near his limit, was forced to sprint forward repeatedly. His once straight back had begun to curve slightly from exhaustion.
When the score was narrowed further and tension escalated, Ota could no longer remain silent. He approached Coach Kataoka.
"Director, let's make a change."
His voice trembled. This was no longer just pitching. It looked like suffering.
But Kataoka shook his head.
There was pity in his eyes, but there was also resolve.
"Hidezawa would not want to come out. Not in this inning. And we do not have anyone who can immediately stabilize the situation."
If a new pitcher entered with runners already on base, the risk of collapse was extremely high. Seido could not afford that.
In this inning, Hidezawa had to endure.
No matter how many runs were conceded, as long as he did not mentally collapse, Kataoka would not make a change.
Even if they lost because of this decision, so be it.
If Seido was destined to lose, changing pitchers would not alter that outcome.
By now, this was not merely a contest of technique. It had become a test of stamina, endurance, and willpower.
Although the situation looked bleak, Kataoka still believed in the players he had trained.
He believed in their fighting spirit.
And above all, he believed in Ace Hidezawa.
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