"That's it for today's training. Finally, everyone will run five kilometers. And while you're running, shout as loud as you can!" Todoroki Raizo announced.
"That's all? Today was way too easy. This Great Master Mishima still has plenty of energy!" Mishima Yuta said, looking puzzled.
Today was already the third day of the training camp, with only one day remaining.
During the previous two days, the Yakushi High School Baseball Team had practically been worked to death. Compared to that, today's training volume was noticeably lighter.
Although most of the players weren't nearly as energetic as Mishima claimed, they still had some strength left. Because of that, many of them didn't quite understand Todoroki Raizo's decision.
"I've arranged a practice match for you tomorrow afternoon," Todoroki Raizo explained calmly. "So today's workload is enough. Get a good night's rest and recover your strength."
"Ohhh! Finally, we get to play a game!"
"Tomorrow just watch This Great Master Mishima's magnificent performance! I'm going to smash the opposing pitcher!"
"Ka hahaha! I can't wait to hit!"
As soon as they heard the news, the Yakushi players' fighting spirit instantly ignited.
"Alright, that's enough chatter. Line up!" Todoroki Raizo shouted.
"Yakushi High School!"
"Go for it!"
"Yakushi High School!"
"Go for it!"
The third day of training camp ended with the team's final five-kilometer run.
Even so, the players who were used to doing extra batting practice at night still gathered under the lights elsewhere to continue practicing their swings.
The Next Day — Final Day of Training Camp
The morning practice mainly focused on recovery and light training.
Soon, the long-awaited practice match finally arrived.
"Now I will announce today's batting order."
All the Yakushi players fell silent and listened carefully to Todoroki Raizo.
"First batter, second baseman — Fukuda Daiki!"
"Second batter, left fielder — Akiba Kazuma!"
"Third batter, first baseman — Mishima Yuta!"
"Cleanup hitter, third baseman — Todoroki Raichi!"
"Fifth batter, right fielder — Kitamura Kou!"
"Sixth batter, center fielder — Yamauchi Yutaka!"
"Seventh batter, catcher — Watanabe Tatsuya!"
"Eighth batter, shortstop — Kobayashi Keisuke!"
"Ninth batter, pitcher — Mino Hayato!"
"The rest of you stay ready. Everyone will get playing time today. Don't embarrass yourselves when you get on the field!"
"Yes!" the entire team shouted in unison.
Soon after, the 22 members of the Yakushi High School Baseball Team arrived at Metropolitan Hiyori High School.
"Are you the Yakushi High School Baseball Team?"
A man who appeared to be in his thirties approached them while the Hiyori players were training on the field.
"I'm Takeuchi Itsuki, the coach of Metropolitan Hiyori High School."
"Yes. I'm Todoroki Raizo, coach of Yakushi High School's baseball team. Please take care of us during today's match," Todoroki Raizo said, stepping forward to shake his hand.
"Not at all. I hope your team will go easy on us," Coach Takeuchi replied politely.
They exchanged their lineups.
"If there are no problems, you may choose to bat first or second. After warming up, we'll begin the game."
"This is our starting lineup," Todoroki Raizo said while handing over the sheet. "I'll choose to bat second."
After warming up, the practice match officially began.
The umpire was one of Hiyori High School's substitute players.
Yakushi's defense took their positions.
Hiyori's lead-off batter stepped into the batter's box, while the second batter waited in the on-deck circle.
"Go all out, Mino!"
"Come on, Senior Mino!"
Standing on the pitcher's mound, Mino Hayato took a deep breath as he listened to his teammates cheering behind him.
Then he swung his arm.
The first pitch of the game flew toward the plate.
Whoosh!
Thwack!
"Ball!"
The pitch missed slightly outside the strike zone.
Don't underestimate me. My pitch recognition is the best on the team. Don't think you can fool me with junk pitches, the Hiyori lead-off batter thought.
Didn't even flinch. Looks like he's not easy to trick.
Mino remained calm.
Then he threw the second pitch.
Ping!
Seeing an outside strike, the batter swung decisively.
But the contact wasn't clean.
The ball bounced weakly into the infield.
Shortstop Kobayashi Keisuke fielded it easily and threw to Mishima Yuta at first base.
Although Hiyori's lead-off batter was quick, he was still thrown out.
"Tch… Yakushi's pitcher isn't bad," the batter muttered as he returned to the dugout.
"How's his pitch?" the next batter asked.
"The speed is decent — around 140 km/h. The ball has some power too. But it's definitely hittable."
"Got it."
"One out!" Mino shouted, raising his index finger.
"One out!!!" the Yakushi players echoed together.
Whoosh!
Ping!
The second batter didn't bother observing the first pitch and swung immediately.
The ball shot toward the gap between second base and third base.
Todoroki Raichi rushed over in time, but the ball took an unlucky bounce and changed direction.
It slipped past him.
The batter safely reached first base.
"Don't worry, Senior Mino! Let them hit it — we'll back you up with our defense!" his teammates shouted.
The third batter stepped in and immediately showed a bunt stance.
A sacrifice bunt? As expected from a metropolitan school, Mino thought.
If that's the case, I'll just take another out.
Whoosh!
Thwack!
"Ball!"
Seeing it was outside the zone, the batter quickly pulled the bat back.
Behind the plate, catcher Watanabe Tatsuya picked up the ball and feigned a throw toward second base while watching the runner at first.
Seeing the runner wasn't moving, he calmly tossed the ball back to Mino.
"Off! Off! Off! Off! Off!"
The runner at first base took a two-step lead and kept dancing off the bag, applying constant pressure.
Mino quickly attempted a pickoff throw.
The runner dove back headfirst.
"Safe!"
"Tch. Lucky," Mino muttered.
He attempted three pickoff throws, but none succeeded.
They're trying to distract him, Watanabe realized.
If we keep throwing over, we'll only fall behind in the count.
He quickly gave a sign.
Ignore the runner. Focus on the batter. Leave the runner to me.
Whoosh!
The moment Mino delivered the pitch—
The runner at first took off for second base.
At the same time, the batter suddenly pulled back from the bunt stance and swung.
Clang!
The ball shot cleanly into the outfield.
It was an extra-base hit.
The runner from first had already passed second and was racing toward third.
The batter safely reached first base.
A perfect hit-and-run play.
By the time center fielder Yamauchi Yutaka retrieved the ball, his only safe option was to throw home to catcher Watanabe to prevent a run.
Now the situation was extremely dangerous for Yakushi.
One out.
Runners on first and third.
Yakushi High School had suddenly been pushed into a major crisis.