Kendai Takasaki prepares for first finals ahead of match against Chiben Wakayama

(21st, 108th National High School Baseball Championship, rest day)

In the summer, Kendai Takasaki, who advanced to the finals for the first time, sweated out knocking and batting practice at the field in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture.

Coach Hirofumi Aoyagi said of Chiben Wakayama, ``Our opponent is superior in every respect, and there is a significant difference in strength.We want to play low-scoring and fight tenaciously.''

The key will likely be how the pitchers, who have pitched in five games and allowed just two runs, can hold back the opponent's powerful batting lineup.

Sophomore ace Satoshi Ishigaki, who allowed one run in 20 and one-third innings in this tournament, said, ``I just need to be able to pitch to evade opponents with my characteristic slightly moving cut balls and two-seam pitches.'' During the tournament, he received a message from Genki Ishigaki (Lotte), the ace who won the 2024 selection tournament, saying, ``I'm looking forward to it.'' ``In the end, it's a matter of spirit. I want to focus on winning,'' he said flatly.