The score on the field was 10 to 7.
With just one explosive inning, Osaka Kiryuu High School Baseball Team had completely reversed the game. They had been trailing by three runs. Now they led by three.
Hidezawa had been targeted, worn down, and ultimately outmaneuvered. His stamina was nearly depleted. Anyone familiar with Seido High School Baseball Team understood what that implied.
It meant Seido's chances of victory had become extremely slim.
The only reason hope still existed was that the gap remained within three runs. If the deficit expanded to four or five, the difficulty facing Seido would multiply several times over.
A three-run difference was significant, but not insurmountable. One solid offensive inning could flip the momentum again.
Coincidentally, the next batter was Zhang Han.
In his previous three at-bats today, he had reached base each time.
In this particular game, Zhang Han seemed unstoppable.
Even players who claimed not to believe in superstition found themselves hoping. If anyone could spark a reversal, it would be him.
Inside Osaka Kiryuu's dugout, Komochi was equally aware of that reality.
"Compared to the previous two games, this kid is even more dangerous today," he muttered quietly.
In terms of immediate threat, Zhang Han now surpassed even Azuma Kiyokuni and Miyuki. If Osaka Kiryuu wanted to shut the door on Seido completely, they had to deal with him decisively.
If they could retire Zhang Han here, it would strike a heavy blow to Seido's morale.
Komochi believed he could do it.
Part of that confidence came from his own strength. Another part came from his understanding of human psychology.
Teams at a disadvantage tend to press.
The more desperate they become, the more likely they are to overreach.
And when players overreach, they make mistakes.
Mistakes create openings.
Osaka Kiryuu was accustomed to this pattern. Most of their games involved suppressing opponents and watching them struggle. They were comfortable in this mode.
Earlier, when they were the ones trailing by three runs, it had felt unfamiliar. That was not their natural state.
Now the rhythm had returned to something they understood.
In this mode, Osaka Kiryuu's confidence sharpened. Their defense tightened. Their offense felt relentless.
Komochi had already prepared his plan.
The first pitch came whistling toward the plate.
It was not in a friendly location.
Zhang Han did not expect anything generous. Komochi was not Hidezawa. Osaka Kiryuu had depth. Although Komochi had appeared in previous games, his pitch count had remained low. He had entered today in the third inning and had not even thrown fifty pitches yet.
There was no fatigue to exploit.
In full condition, Komochi possessed top-tier strength. His velocity, ball weight, and control were all excellent. Easy pitches would not appear.
The ball sailed toward the edge of the strike zone.
Zhang Han held back.
"Strike!"
From Osaka Kiryuu's dugout, several players exhaled in relief. They had already seen Zhang Han swing aggressively three times earlier. Each time, the result had hurt.
They feared seeing that same flash again.
Feared the ball exploding off his bat.
Feared watching it soar beyond reach.
Now, with the first strike secured, their confidence steadied.
Komochi quickly received the return throw and delivered the second pitch.
The ball shot forward even faster than the first.
Zhang Han was not rattled by the velocity. His eyes tracked the ball carefully.
Before Komochi even released it, Zhang Han had sensed something about the trajectory. As the pitch traveled, a strange realization surfaced.
It did not feel as fast as it looked.
Compared to earlier pitches, this one seemed slightly slower in his perception.
The feeling was subtle, almost intangible.
But Zhang Han trusted his instincts.
The slower the ball felt, the clearer its path became.
There was no late break.
No deceptive drop.
Just pure velocity.
Zhang Han tightened his grip and committed fully.
He swung hard.
"Ping!"
The sound was crisp and decisive.
The baseball rocketed forward like a laser beam, slicing between infield defenders before they could complete their reactions. By the time gloves moved, the ball had already passed.
The outfielders shifted quickly, but they were a step late. The ball landed sharply in front of them, skipped once, and continued rolling deeper.
"Safe!"
Zhang Han rounded First Base without hesitation. His stride was long and powerful. Seeing the ball roll further away, he accelerated toward Second.
The throw came in late.
Zhang Han slid cleanly into the bag.
Stand-up double.
The stadium buzzed again.
Seido had not surrendered.
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