Miyuki was in an exceptionally good mood. He even sang along to his own tune. Opportunities like this did not come often. If he hit it out, those guys in the dugout would have nothing to say about him again.
"Miyuki! Bring all the runs home!"
"Senior Miyuki, it's fine if you can't hit it! Let me bring the seniors on base home!" Kōshū was up next.
No way!
"Play!"
The first pitch was a curveball grazing the outside line. Miyuki did not swing.
"Strike!"
Damn, that accuracy.
The second pitch was an Inside High Straight Ball. Miyuki could not get his bat through cleanly and only sent it into foul territory.
After an outside changeup came an inside high fastball. So what's next? Miyuki kept using the opponent's choices to predict the next pitch.
The third pitch was an Inside Corner Ball coming straight at his face. Miyuki dodged it.
"Ball!"
So it was an inside ball about one ball off? Miyuki reset his stance. The count was now two strikes and one ball, heavily favoring the pitcher. If I were calling the pitching strategy, after two straight inside high fastballs, I'd use an Outside Low Corner changeup to finish him off!
Come on, outside low. Strike him out! The pitcher and catcher were of one mind. Kōshū, batting next, was also troublesome. If they could take care of the sixth batter here, they might get through this half-inning without allowing a run.
Crack— The catcher could only stare as the sixth batter swung without hesitation, meeting the ball squarely and driving it far toward the outfield wall.
"How could that be?"
The situation on the field shifted rapidly. While the outfielder dealt with that troublesome ball, the runners on second and third reached Home Plate one after another.