Three people, three runs.
Azuma Kiyokuni, Yuuki Tetsuya, Zhang Han, and Isashiki Jun who supported them.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, when almost no one remained optimistic about them, Seido High School Baseball Team launched a fierce counterattack. Against all expectations, they clawed back three crucial points.
The scoreboard now read 13:11.
Osaka Kiryuu High School Baseball Team was still ahead. Yet at this moment, no one could confidently declare, as they had before, that Osaka Kiryuu would inevitably be the final victor.
Not necessarily.
Every possible outcome had suddenly become uncertain.
Even a seasoned professional from the baseball world, watching this intense offensive exchange, could only sigh in admiration. Asking such a person to predict who would ultimately prevail would be nothing short of absurd. No one would risk making a bold claim that might immediately backfire.
At this stage, the two sides were competing not only in skill and physical endurance, but also in luck.
A slight stroke of misfortune could drastically alter the situation on the field. Conversely, a bit of good fortune might enable a miraculous comeback.
In a very short time, public opinion in the stands shifted dramatically.
However, inside the dugout of Osaka Kiryuu High School Baseball Team, Matsumoto Takahiro appeared composed. His expression remained steady, as if the tightening score had not shaken him at all.
"Still a little short," he murmured quietly.
In the stands, a few observers shared the same view.
On the surface, Seido High School Baseball Team seemed unstoppable, riding a wave of momentum. But in reality, they relied heavily on their three core hitters.
In the next inning, if those three were to come up again, the remaining five batters would first need to secure at least one hit.
It sounded simple.
In practice, it was far from easy.
Nearly eighty percent of Seido's scoring so far had come from their three core hitters. The other players posed limited threat to Osaka Kiryuu High School Baseball Team's defense.
Especially now that Osaka Kiryuu had brought in a new pitcher. Although Tachi Hiromi had been heavily pressured by Seido's three core batters, he performed quite steadily against everyone else.
What did that imply?
As long as Tachi maintained his composure and rhythm against the rest of the lineup, securing outs would not be particularly difficult.
And reality soon confirmed this assessment.
Miyuki and Kou Shunmin both tried their best, but neither managed to produce a hit.
Miyuki sent a ground ball into the infield and was forced out at first. With no runners on base and limited information on the pitcher, he had little room to maneuver. He was known for delivering in critical moments, yet this time he simply could not make it happen.
Kou Shunmin fared no better. He was fortunate just to make contact with the ball. Otherwise, he might have been struck out cleanly. The ball he barely touched popped straight up, drifting high above home plate rather than into fair territory.
Shibata rose from his crouch, opened his glove, and calmly positioned himself.
"Pop!"
The ball settled neatly into his mitt.
"Out!"
Three outs, side retired.
Seido's offense in the bottom of the eighth had started with explosive force but ended on a weaker note.
Three runs were undeniably significant. Yet failing to place another runner on base at the end left their fate in the ninth inning hanging in uncertainty.
The final out had a noticeable psychological effect on Seido's players.
Perhaps their three core hitters had performed too brilliantly. For a moment, it had seemed as though Seido's overall strength was equal to that of their opponent.
But the truth was more complicated.
There remained a gap in overall strength between Seido and Osaka Kiryuu. Aside from the three core hitters, it was difficult for the others to assert themselves in this game.
Whether in experience or in refined skill, many of Seido's players were still some distance behind these elite athletes gathered from across the country.
"The difference in overall strength will likely determine the outcome of this game," Fujio, a senior reporter from Baseball Kingdom Magazine, said thoughtfully.
This was not an impulsive comment. He genuinely believed it.
On the surface, Seido High School Baseball Team appeared to have turned the tide at the last moment.
Yet their resurgence was a combination of skill and fortune.
And luck never stays on one side forever.
What if the goddess of fortune chose to smile upon Osaka Kiryuu in the coming innings?
In that case, Seido's situation could quickly become dire.
Even if they managed to secure another hit in the ninth, it might not provide much advantage. If their core hitters came up again, it would most likely be after two outs.
Could a single remaining opportunity decide the entire game?
Did all three of Seido's core hitters possess the mental strength to shoulder such pressure?
Furthermore, Osaka Kiryuu High School Baseball Team still had to bat in the ninth inning.
Their batting order had already cycled deep into the lineup. The upcoming inning would begin from the second batter, marking essentially their sixth round through the order.
From a purely offensive standpoint, Osaka Kiryuu still held the edge over Seido. In both total hits and total runs, they were ahead.
Now, facing Seido's relief pitcher and standing in a situation that felt close to life and death, Osaka Kiryuu had every reason to fight with everything they had.
Anyone with even basic understanding could predict that Osaka Kiryuu High School Baseball Team would not hold back.
"Ping!"
Their second batter, who also served as their ace pitcher, Komochi, swung decisively at the incoming pitch.
Miyuki, crouched behind home plate, felt a flicker of disbelief. He had not expected such an aggressive response, especially to a pitch designed to tempt a swing outside the strike zone.
What shocked him even more was that the ball was struck solidly.
The baseball sailed past Yuuki Tetsuya and landed in a classic extra-base hit zone.
Fortunately, Kou Shunmin had positioned himself close to the foul line after his earlier batting mistake. Because of that adjustment, he managed to reach the ball quickly after it bounced and cut it off before it could roll further.
There was no time to attempt a force out at first base. However, his quick recovery prevented Komochi from advancing to second.
No outs. Runner on first base.
Osaka Kiryuu High School Baseball Team's offense began just like that, sharp and aggressive. Their intensity and agility were no less formidable than Seido's.
Seido, still trailing by two runs, could not afford to concede any additional points.
If they allowed more runs, mounting a comeback would become almost impossible.
The gap between the two teams was comprehensive. It was not limited to pitching alone. Across the field, Osaka Kiryuu's players held slight advantages in stability and stamina.
If the game extended into extra innings, Seido would face a severe disadvantage.
Their physical endurance simply would not allow them to sustain a prolonged battle.
Should it reach that point, Seido High School Baseball Team would almost certainly lose.
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