Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 279: The Dominance of the Champion in the Finals

"Safe on base!"

Although Ryousuke was out, his sacrifice allowed Kuramochi to successfully advance to third base.

Seidou High's aggressive, storm-like offense had created a prime scoring opportunity with a runner on third base after just two batters.

And up next were Seidou's most powerful cleanup hitters.

The crowd couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

"Wow, this pace is insane!"

"They already have a runner on third? Is Seidou planning to end this game quickly right from the start?"

"This must be the first time Komadai has been forced into a situation like this."

"Seidou is really living up to their name."

"Next up is their third batter, Isashiki Jun, followed by their cleanup hitter, Yuuki Tetsuya. With Kuramochi's speed on third, even a ground ball might allow him to force his way home."

"Yeah, unless they strike out all three batters, Seidou is in a great position."

"Komadai is in trouble right at the start."

"Starting off this intense—can this really be good?"

"Seidou! Seidou! Seidou!"

The mix of astonished murmurs and the cheers from Seidou's supporters added a sense of tension to the Komadai bench.

While giving up a run in the first inning wouldn't necessarily decide the game's outcome, it could very well dictate the momentum of the match.

If Seidou managed to score here, they could control the game's pace early on—something Komadai Fujimaki High couldn't afford to let happen.

"Now batting, third hitter, center fielder, Isashiki-kun!"

A roar erupted from the crowd.

Isashiki Jun carried an aura of ferocity and power.

As he strode confidently to the batter's box with his bat in hand, the Komadai battery could feel the intensity of his presence.

A man as wild and relentless as a wolf.

Seidou's third batter—Isashiki Jun.

"Bring it on, you bastard!"

With a shout, Isashiki unleashed all his energy in a single instant.

Behind home plate, catcher Kanemoto, and on the pitcher's mound, Iguchi, both grew visibly tense.

The likelihood of allowing a run in this inning was becoming more and more real.

Kanemoto glanced at Kuramochi, who was aggressively leading off from third base, making it clear he was ready to sprint home at the slightest opportunity.

Internally, Kanemoto warned himself.

Iguchi, stay sharp. These guys are nothing like the ones we've faced before. Even a ground ball will allow that runner on third to charge home with sheer determination. Be prepared to give up a run, but don't back down. Aim for consecutive strikeouts!

"Got it!"

Iguchi's eyes flashed with determination as he gave a firm nod, his expression hardening.

Seidou's early assault had caught Komadai by surprise. But more importantly, Kanemoto hadn't yet pinpointed the key to the problem.

In the dugout, Komadai's coach, Nitta, seemed to sense something amiss, his brow furrowing slightly.

Yet even he couldn't clearly determine the exact issue at this critical moment.

Until...

"Whoosh!"

A flash of brilliance streaked through the air, the metal bat glinting coldly as it swung.

"Ping!"

The moment Isashiki Jun connected with the pitch, Kanemoto finally realized the key issue—Seidou High had deliberately targeted Iguchi's low-pitch zone!

Kanemoto's face twisted with a mix of shock and anger.

"Whoosh!"

The ball shot skyward, its brilliant arc lighting up the expressions of everyone watching.

On the pitcher's mound, Iguchi wore a grim expression, unable to hide his frustration as the ball soared past the infield and into right field.

The Komadai Fujimaki right fielder rushed to intercept but was too late.

"Thud!"

The ball landed safely.

Though the ball's power was slightly suppressed by its tailspin, preventing it from traveling farther, it was enough.

With this hit, Isashiki Jun safely reached first base, and Kuramochi, without any difficulty, dashed home to score.

In the very first inning, Seidou High's sharp sword had pierced Komadai Fujimaki's sturdy shield, earning the first run of the game!

"Ohhhhh! A precise hit on the outside fastball! A single to right field, and the runner on third easily crosses home plate! Seidou High takes the lead in the first inning! The unstoppable force of Seidou's legendary batting lineup strikes again!"

"What the heck? They scored already?!"

"No way! Is this script for real?"

"Is Komadai really this easy to score against?"

"Hmm, this is just Seidou's superior skill showing."

"Incredible! Truly incredible—Seidou High!"

"They've taken the lead, and there's still only one out with a runner on first. The scariest part is, their most fearsome batters are still coming up."

"Komadai is in serious trouble now."

...

"Now batting, cleanup hitter, first baseman, Yuuki-kun!"

The crowd's amazement turned into tension as a commanding aura swept through the stadium. The strongest batter on the field stepped up to the plate.

Seidou High's cleanup hitter and captain—Yuuki Tetsuya.

The aura of a champion radiated from him, leaving no doubt about his dominance in this inning. Seidou had no intention of stopping at just one run.

Standing in the batter's box, Yuuki's expression was one of determination. His bat gleamed coldly under the stadium lights, exuding a pressure that weighed heavily on Komadai Fujimaki's players.

However, Komadai's renowned defense wasn't just for show.

"Whoosh!"

"Ping!"

"Thud!"

"Foul ball!"

Realizing Seidou's strategy, Komadai's battery adjusted their pitch selection, denying Yuuki any easy opportunities.

Iguchi's powerful pitches, with their sharp movement and tailspin, made it extremely difficult for Yuuki to find an opening.

"Whoosh!"

"Ping!"

"Thud!"

"Foul ball!"

Komadai's pitchers and catchers seemed to have regained their composure.

Every pitch was placed with pinpoint precision, forcing Yuuki into tough spots and making it harder for him to swing decisively.

...

"Whoosh!"

"Pop!"

"Strike! Batter out!"

"Three outs! Change sides!"

"Ohhh! The final pitch was a slider, delivered with pinpoint control, striking out Masuko Tooru, the fifth batter. After allowing one run, Komadai Fujimaki High quickly recovered, taking out both the fourth and fifth batters consecutively. The runner on first base was stranded, and Seidou High ended the inning with just one run. Three outs—change sides."

"Nice pitch, Iguchi!"

"Gakuto-kun, don't worry about that run. Shake it off!"

"Taking down the fourth and fifth batters back-to-back—well done, Ace! Keep this momentum going!"

"The game has just begun. Stay focused, and don't let that run bother you."

"Let's go, Komadai!"

"Victory is ours!"

...

It must be said that Komadai Fujimaki High displayed extraordinary patience and resilience.

Despite conceding a run, they remained composed when facing Seidou's fourth batter, methodically shutting him down.

Every pitch was carefully placed on the edges of the zone.

Even though Yuuki, Seidou's captain, stubbornly held on and fought off fastballs to extend the count to nine pitches, Komadai wasn't fazed.

They were more than willing to engage in a battle of endurance. After all, they had always relied on their strategy of rotating pitchers.

Who's afraid of who?

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