Bottom of the Fifth Inning.
After barely escaping Seidou's scoring threat in the top half, Inashiro was eager to strike back.
Passively taking hits wasn't their style.
As long as even a sliver of hope existed, they'd fight for it — even push for a coback.
At the plate stood Inashiro's cleanup hitter.
His stance — bat slung behind his back like a samurai's sword — radiated confidence.
He was ready to cut down the next pitch that ca his way.
Yoshida, on the mound for Seidou, was locked in.
He knew this battle wouldn't be easy. He and the other second- and third-years had trained with only one thing in mind:
"If we can't beat Inashiro… we'll never make it to the top."
As Seidou's Ace, the pressure on Yoshida was imnse — heavier than on any other player.
For this ga alone, he'd visualized the matchup a thousand tis.
He'd faced imaginary Inashiro batters over and over again in his mind —
Refining each pitch, sharpening every scenario.
"I have to lead this team forward!"
With that resolve, he reared back and fired.
Whoosh!
In Seidou's dugout, Miyuki frowned.
"Wait… no!"
Behind the plate, Chris — acting as catcher — also noticed sothing was wrong.
Yoshida had ignored the sign.
He threw what he thought was the right pitch — his signature weapon, one he'd practiced specifically for Inashiro's batters.
But that pitch had already been exposed.
Inashiro had likely anticipated it.
Their cleanup hitter's eyes glead as the ball approached.
Like a beast pouncing on its prey—
Ping!
He crushed it.
Seidou's fielders scrambled, but it was too late.
The ball landed and rolled deep into the outfield.
Cold sweat trickled down Yoshida's back.
Even in the sumr heat, he felt a chill.
He had missed the catcher's signal. He had relied on instinct — and paid for it.
"Safe!"
The batter sprinted past first and safely slid into second base.
No outs. Runner on second.
From Inashiro's dugout to the stands — the crowd exploded.
"AHHHHHH!"
This hit wasn't just about bases.
It was a lifeline.
Until now, Inashiro hadn't even recorded a solid hit.
Any other team might've broken by now.
But Inashiro?
They held strong.
And finally — they caught a break.
Next up: Inashiro's fifth batter.
Chris looked unsure for a mont.
Should he call a tiout?
Should he guide Yoshida?
No — he paused.
"Yoshida's not a kid anymore."
If Yoshida could recognize his own mistake and adjust mid-ga...
Then he had what it took to be great.
Chris gave him a chance.
Yoshida let out a deep breath, readjusted his form, and nodded at the sign.
He pitched again.
It felt slightly off, but Chris believed in it.
"I gambled on him... and I think I was right."
A mont of relief.
But then—
Ping!
The fifth batter sent the ball flying again.
The landing zone was… odd.
"Zhou Hao!"
The ball was heading toward Zhou Hao's territory — but just barely.
It was too far from his original position.
From the stands, all eyes turned to Seidou's incredible first-year outfielder.
They'd seen Zhou Hao pull off miracles.
They believed he could predict the landing point.
But Miyuki quickly analyzed the trajectory.
"No... that's too far. Even Zhou Hao can't be there in ti."
The ball dropped and bounced!
The batter reached second base safely.
The previous runner, who had been on second, rounded third and sprinted for ho.
Seventy ters.
That's how far Zhou Hao was from ho plate when he picked up the ball.
"There's no way he throws that far accurately…"
"Even if he gets it off — it won't make it in ti."
The third base coach waved the runner on.
"GO!"
This was Inashiro's mont.
Their first run was about to be scored.
Zhou Hao set his stance.
He had one shot.
The stadium held its breath—
Would it be enough?
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