The score was 6:5.
Entering the ninth inning, Seido High School Baseball Team was still at a significant disadvantage. The gap was only one run, but with Narumiya Mei in his current state, scoring that one run would not be easy. And they weren't the only ones with an offensive opportunity. Inashiro Industrial still had their turn at bat as well.
In the top of the ninth, Seido first had to make sure they didn't concede. In the bottom, they had to score two or three runs. Only then would they have any chance of winning.
Incredibly difficult. But their chances were still alive. The game wasn't over yet.
When Zhang Han stepped onto the mound, the fans in the stands erupted.
"Zhang Han! Zhang Han!!!"
Even with Inashiro at bat, the vast majority of the stadium was cheering for Seido's pitcher. It was a rare sight. A reporter immediately pulled out his phone and recorded it, sensing it had the makings of something that would spread widely. He was right. The video was shared many times later, though more often than not, people were sharing it for the pitcher himself rather than the crowd.
Zhang Han's presence was difficult to match. Appearance alone was a shallow thing to note, but the reality was that standing on that mound, he had become the undeniable center of the entire stadium.
Watching him, Carlos found himself thinking back to what Coach Kunitomo had said in the dugout.
"Were you scared by a paper tiger?"
The paper tiger, of course, was Zhang Han.
Carlos and his teammates couldn't fully agree with that. They acknowledged that Zhang Han's pitching still had immature aspects, still had rough edges. But with Miyuki's coordination behind him, his speed and workable control were already a serious threat. It was only natural that Inashiro's batters had struggled.
"Your eyes have all been on the opponent's strengths. Have you ever considered what you've overlooked?"
Coach Kunitomo's words had cut through the fog.
They had been almost bewitched, every bit of their attention fixed on Zhang Han's fastball. But wasn't that fastball also Zhang Han's weakness? When they stepped into the batter's box, they didn't need to think about anything else. Just aim for the fastball. Zhang Han wouldn't throw anything else.
"We hold an absolute advantage. Even if we don't score this inning, our ace will hold the lead and we will win. But wouldn't it be embarrassing to play it that way? No reservations. Aim for the fastball and hit it."
Coach Kunitomo's voice hadn't been loud. Every word had landed.
The director was right. They were in the lead. They had no need to worry. They could simply act.
Seeing the white ball come in, Carlos didn't hesitate. He swung directly.
"Ping!"
The bat connected hard. The ball soared into the outfield. Isashiki Jun and Asou ran desperately but couldn't get there. Carlos moved like a black whirlwind, storming to first base. He wanted second, but Isashiki Jun's return throw was too fast and cut him off.
Miyuki frowned, watching Carlos at first.
That had been decisive.
Carlos on base was already a concern on its own. And there were no outs yet. But beyond that, something else was unsettling Miyuki. After several innings of observation, Inashiro seemed to have found their approach against Zhang Han. Miyuki didn't know whether to be relieved it had taken this long, or troubled that it had come now.
The Seido players had always understood that Zhang Han's pitching would eventually be figured out. They had even expected it to happen sooner. But inning after inning, Inashiro hadn't adjusted. Seido's players had gradually, almost unconsciously, let their guard down. Maybe Inashiro wouldn't work it out at all.
Then, in the final inning, they did.
"The rest of this won't be easy."
Almost as if to confirm it, Carlos made his move immediately. He broke for second on a stolen base attempt. Miyuki caught the pitch and fired to second.
A step too late.
"Safe!"
Kuramochi received the ball just as Carlos's hand touched the bag. A runner on first had become a runner on second.
The failed throw couldn't really be blamed on Miyuki or Zhang Han. From their read of the situation, Carlos and his teammates had no logical reason to take that risk. But they took it anyway, and without hesitation.
The problem facing Seido had just become more severe.
When Zhang Han pitched again, Shirakawa didn't hesitate either. He swung directly.
"Ping…"
Kuramochi stopped the ball, but it didn't matter. Shirakawa's goal hadn't been a hit. He wanted to advance Carlos.
It worked. Carlos moved to third base.
One out, runner on third.
Seido was on the verge of giving up another run. Zhang Han and Miyuki thought through every possible angle, trying to find a way to prevent it. They came to the same unhappy conclusion: it was nearly impossible.
Unless Yoshizawa had a change of heart and abandoned strategies like a bunt or hit-and-run. Otherwise, with Carlos's speed, as long as Inashiro was willing to sacrifice an out, the run would score. There was no way to stop it.
Just as the two of them reached that dead end, a messenger arrived from the dugout and came directly to the mound.
************************************
Upto 50 Chapters In Advance At: P@treon/Vividreader123