"Thump, smack!"
The moment Takatsu caught the ball, Kuki, who was running the bases, clenched his teeth.
"Smack!"
"Out!
Three outs, change of field!!"
"All right!!" Takatsu's gaze turned ferocious, making it easy to imagine just how firm his Fighting Spirit was.
"All right!!" Senior Kawashima on the Pitcher's Mound also shouted in celebration.
"OH!!"
"They stopped them!!"
"What a thrilling exchange of offense and defense!!"
The spectators at the side of the field also burst into startled cries.
"Damn it!
Their defense is solid too!" Kuki ran past first base, gritted his teeth, and looked up with an indescribable expression.
"Not bad!
If you ignore the score gap, it's starting to feel a little like a tense showdown!
If only Youhei wasn't so tired... right?" Sendou said quietly as he walked along the concrete path and glanced at the field.
"As expected of the upperclassmen trained by Kataoka Coach—they have far better coordination than the first-years!
They clearly understand their own responsibilities!" Coach Ochiai muttered thoughtfully.
"Kawashima!!
Your pitches are still too easy to hit!!
You were only saved because the batter failed to hit the sweet spot, plus the defense!
Pitch one more inning!!" Kataoka Coach finally began intervening in the game to give instructions.
After all, this was a game meant to select players who could be immediately useful.
"Yes!!"
"Starting with the defense in the fourth inning, replace the first baseman and left fielder!!"
"Yes!!"
"First-years!!
It's time to start changing the battery and defense too!
Pitcher, Asada!"
"!!!" Asada jumped when he suddenly heard his name.
"Get on the Pitcher's Mound!!"
"Yes!!" Asada answered, drenched in sweat, his voice even cracking...
"Catcher, Okumura!!"
"...!" Okumura said nothing.
"Third baseman, Itou!!" Kataoka Coach spoke without pause and continued before waiting for a response.
"Yes!"
"Second