108th National High School Baseball Championship Final: Chiben Wakayama defeats Kendai Takasaki to win the championship

(22nd, 108th National High School Baseball Championship Final Chiben Wakayama 4-3 Kendai Takasaki)

In the top of the 8th inning, the mood in the stadium was clearly tilted toward Kendai Takasaki, who turned the game around with a two-run comeback.

Rika Kitada, a second-year left-handed pitcher who had been pitching scoreless games since the sixth inning, clenched her fist and thought to herself. “We will win this way.” Protection immediately after. I have no intention of letting my guard down. However, I was too conscious of being ``strict and strict.'' His finger got caught on the ball, giving him a hit by a pitch.

In contrast were the players from Chiben Wakayama. Ryusei Kusumoto is at bat, no matter how bad he is. "I'm sure everyone in the audience thought we were going to lose. But we've seen developments like this many times since the local tournament."

It doesn't matter if two bunts result in a foul. "There have been tougher matches. I'm sure I can do it." Skim the low part and go to the middle. A sacrifice hit by the next batter opened up opportunities for second and third base with one out.

The tide begins to change. Kazumasa Kawahara, who entered the batter's box, tried to squeeze the first pitch, but was fouled. While the game was suspended due to an injury to the opposing catcher, his teammates called out to him, saying, ``You're too nervous.''

``We were able to make the switch without any drag,'' Kawahara said. After restarting, squeeze again. He made a perfect roll before pitching, inviting a sacrifice hitter to tie the game.

The volume of the Alps seat's ``Jock Rock,'' also known as ``Magic Song,'' increases even further.

``I was distracted by Chiben-san's cheering,'' said Shota Ishida, third baseman for Kendai Takasaki, who pitched from first and third base after one death. He throws a slider when he sees a sign of a fastball. A wild pitch that missed the outside corner led to the winning goal.

On the big stage that will determine the pinnacle of the summer, it was Chiben Wakayama who maintained their composure. A slight tremor in his heart made the difference between victory and defeat.

``Soulful bunt'' Kotaro Matsumoto, supported by the director's words

His sacrifice hit made Chiben Wakayama coach Hitoshi Nakatani, who was watching from the bench, groan.

“It was a great, soulful bunt that even looked like it was going to turn around.”

In the 8th inning with no outs and 1st and 2nd base chasing one point, Torataro Matsumoto went to bat as a pinch hitter. The sign from the bench is "Okuri Bunt". First pitch, roll a high fastball before pitching. With one out and players on second and third base, he produced a come-from-behind play.

The final battle. The eyes of 44,700 people converge on one point. Even when I was at bat, thinking about the ups and downs I had overcome gave me courage.

He has been participating in Koshien since the summer of 2012, but this spring, he was so poor that he asked the manager to quit being the captain. ``Torataro is the one I have the strongest feelings for,'' he said, pushing me back and stopping me.

At the end of June, he underwent hip surgery and was not included in the starting lineup at the Wakayama tournament. The director's words really supported me. ``Because I'm imagining Torataro holding the championship flag.''

During his first at-bat that day, he said, ``I was able to have a mental conversation with the manager.'' Holding the championship flag in my hand, I couldn't help but smile. “I’m glad I’ve kept going this far.”