Ichidai Third's catcher saw the fighting spirit in his ace's eyes once more. He said nothing else, only patted his shoulder with his mitt. "No matter what, I'll be with you! And the teammates behind you—we're all one. Don't think you're carrying all of this alone!"
"Haha, you're right." Amakuhisa turned back and called out to his worried teammates, "From here on, let's take them down one at a time!"
"Yeah, one at a time!"
"Hang in there, Amakuhisa!"
"Coach, are you really not sending a messenger out there?" A coach quietly asked Ichidai Third's head coach.
"No, there is no need!" Watching the team regain its composure, he felt immensely gratified. Amakuhisa Boy, can you feel your own transformation? As your coach, I'm honored to witness you moving forward!
"Out!"
"Safe!" *2
Number-nine batter Asou hit a sacrifice fly, allowing Seido to take another step forward.
Top of the second inning, one out, runners on second and third. The score was 1–0, with Seido in the lead.
"First batter, shortstop, Kuramochi."
Seido's lineup had already cycled back to the leadoff hitter in the second inning.
"Train—train—" In the Bullpen, Eijun spontaneously began singing a cheer song for the senior from Room 5.
Has he gotten back into form? The steadily livelier pitching gave every Seido player watching the same feeling.
Once he regained his form, it would be difficult to find another opening. Kuramochi, come on! Hit it now! Score quickly!
"Thump—" But two minutes later, a ball that struck the opposing third baseman squarely in the chest was stopped.
"Damn it, get back to second!"
Shirazu had already left the base.
"Out!" He was just a little too slow as he dove back.
"Three outs, sides retired!"
Shirazu slammed the ground hard atop second base. He wanted to