Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 285: Seidou's Majestic Presence in the Finals

With a runner on third, Komadai Fujimaki found themselves in yet another precarious situation.

It was a delicate moment where opting for a pitching change wasn't the best choice.

Bringing in a new pitcher with a runner on third could lead to disastrous consequences—giving up a run before the reliever had even settled into the game.

Of course, if it was certain that runs would be conceded, a change would be inevitable to minimize the damage.

However, at this point, a pitching change would risk exposing the new pitcher to immediate pressure.

If the reliever gave up a hit before finding their rhythm, it could lead to a complete collapse.

Such a scenario would be catastrophic for Komadai Fujimaki.

Having multiple pitchers available didn't mean they could be used recklessly.

The relay pitching strategy demanded precise judgment from the coaching staff.

It required bold yet cautious decision-making, something Komadai Fujimaki had excelled at throughout the tournament.

But in this final match, Coach Nitta found himself in a dilemma.

"Batting sixth, catcher, Miyuki-kun."

With the runner on third, various strategies were in play—aggressive hitting, sacrifice bunts, or fly balls—all of which weighed on the pitcher's mind.

Even if the pitcher tried to focus solely on his pitch, the psychological pressure was unavoidable.

In the on-deck circle, Eijun sat crouched, a faint smile flashing across his face as he thought to himself:

If we can solidify our advantage here, this game will be within reach.

He subtly glanced at his left shoulder, squeezing and releasing his left hand.

Eijun let out a quiet breath.

He knew his condition was slipping and that he could be broken through at any moment.

This inning was critical for Seidou, and equally so for Komadai Fujimaki.

After weighing the risks, Coach Nitta decided against a pitching change, opting instead to trust his ace, Iguchi.

As previously mentioned, the risk of switching pitchers was too high in this situation.

Better to believe in the ace.

After all, baseball was never about 100% guarantees.

Seeing the coach's signal, Iguchi on the mound and Kanemoto behind the plate both nodded solemnly.

First pitch.

A fastball to the inside corner, to gauge the runner's movements.

Even though Miyuki was in the left-handed batter's box and Kanemoto could clearly monitor the runner on third, he couldn't afford any carelessness.

Allowing Seidou to take an easy run here would be disastrous.

Iguchi nodded in agreement, straightened his slightly crouched posture, and delivered the pitch.

Whoosh.

The ball zipped forward like a streak of light, the sharpness of its trajectory reflecting Miyuki's calm expression in the batter's box.

The next moment, his pupils narrowed slightly.

Swish.

The bat cut through the air, but the ball narrowly avoided the swing and landed precisely in Kanemoto's glove with a crisp sound.

"Strike!"

Haha, throwing an inside fastball with a runner on third?

That's bold. And such a sharp angle. This catcher deserves another look.

Miyuki's eyes lit up with excitement, a glint of predatory sharpness flashing in them as he tightened his grip on the bat.

The runner didn't move?

Kanemoto noticed, a faint flicker of relief passing through his eyes.

Good.

That allows us to focus entirely on the batter. But this batter…he's a predator when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities.

Kanemoto subtly moved his fingers to signal the next pitch. Iguchi nodded in acknowledgment.

Second pitch.

Another inside pitch, this time with a slider from a slightly lower arm slot.

Whoosh.

The white ball streaked through the air, carrying a biting chill.

Miyuki's eyes sharpened as he took a sudden step forward, violently swinging the bat.

Swish.

Ping!

The bat and ball collided with tremendous force, creating a loud and resounding crack.

Whoosh.

However, it was clear that Miyuki's swing didn't hit the sweet spot of the ball.

The glimmering white light veered noticeably off its intended path.

Bang!

The ball flew swiftly past the first base foul line, landing in foul territory with a dull thud.

"Foul ball!"

After that full-force swing, the muscles in Miyuki's arms, exposed under his summer short sleeves, trembled slightly.

Kanemoto's eyes narrowed; he realized he had underestimated the catcher's strength.

If that swing had been a little more precise, it would have been a base hit.

For Komadai Fujimaki, even one base hit was unacceptable.

Their baseline strategy dictated that, at the very least, they would trade an out for a single run.

Even that result was hard to swallow, let alone allowing a clean hit.

Kanemoto thought silently to himself: Looks like I need to change up the pitch sequencing a bit.

What Kanemoto didn't know was that at that moment, Miyuki's lips curved into a slight smile, a glint of amusement flashing briefly in his eyes before quickly disappearing.

"Let's see if this guy can live up to my expectations..."

Kanemoto took a deep breath and signaled the next pitch.

Whoosh.

A flash of light streaked toward the plate.

In the batter's box, Miyuki's eyes flickered with a faint glimmer. Holding his bat firmly, he remained motionless, letting the pitch fly straight into Kanemoto's glove.

Snap.

"Ball!"

As expected, the catcher is starting to mix things up, Miyuki thought, a faint glint of understanding in his eyes.

He subtly adjusted his grip, shortening his hold on the bat—a small action that made Kanemoto furrow his brow.

Does this guy really have that much confidence?

No... the strength behind his last swing couldn't be underestimated.

This is the right call, Kanemoto reassured himself, unaware that he was stepping straight into Miyuki's carefully laid trap.

With sharp instincts, exceptional judgment, and refined skills and strength, Miyuki had been undergoing a transformation this summer.

Whoosh.

Another icy white streak of the ball raced forward, met by the forceful swing of Miyuki's bat.

Swish.

The oppressive chill of the swing sent a shiver down Kanemoto's spine, his expression shifting dramatically.

A deep sense of unease surged through him.

But by the time he realized it, it was already too late to regret.

Ping!

A loud, thunderous crack echoed across the field, the gleaming metal of the bat catching the ball perfectly.

Whoosh.

The white streak soared past the infield, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Komadai Fujimaki's players stared in shock.

The second baseman leapt into the air, but the ball sailed over his head effortlessly.

Thud.

The unstoppable hit pierced through the infield and landed in the right-center field gap, far beyond the reach of Komadai Fujimaki's center and right fielders.

"Ohhhhhhhh!!!!"

Cheers erupted from the stands as Yuuki Tetsuya on third base jogged home easily.

Thanks to Miyuki's clutch outfield hit, Seidou scored another run, extending their lead to 2-0.

Seidou High was unstoppable, their momentum overwhelming and undeniable!

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