CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 77: THE ELITE EIGHT

In the top of the ninth inning, spurred by Lin Guanglai’s inside-the-park home run, Waseda Jitsugyo not only completed a score reversal but also took a one-point lead.

The Kantou Number One team, which had led the entire game, was utterly stunned by Waseda Jitsugyo’s sudden offensive surge—they had been leading throughout the game, practically brushing the edge of victory with half a hand, only to be reversed by their tenacious opponent in just half an inning.

In the player area on the third base side, the players of Kantou Number One looked bewildered and at a loss—no one could stay clear-headed after experiencing such a nightmare: victory had once been so close, almost within reach; but now it seemed as distant as parallel lines that would never meet.

Miyashita Akira raised his head and looked at the scoreboard above the central field: bottom of the ninth inning, two outs, Waseda Real 7:6 Kantou Number One.

"Dad, if it were you, what would you do at this moment?" Miyashita Akira looked up at the sun high in the sky and whispered softly.

In the stands, holding a photo of her deceased husband, Miyashita Akira’s mother clasped her hands together, constantly praying to the heavens:

"Dear, if you are watching from the heavens, please bless Akira to hit the ball!"

As the main umpire announced the start of the game, Miyashita Akira slowly walked into the right batter’s box on the left side of home plate, raising the bat high and getting into the batting stance.

In the live TV broadcast of the game, Tanaka Shuji was also narrating based on the scene on the field:

"With two outs, the batter for Kantou Number One in this at-bat is their ace fourth batter, third baseman Miyashita Akira—Akira comes from a baseball family, his father was the late former professional baseball player Miyashita Masahiko-san."

"This is Akira’s fifth at-bat today—he performed quite well in the previous four at-bats, twice being walked to base by four balls, once hitting a single, and once being struck out."

"Sa—will this be the last half-inning of summer for Kantou Number One? Or can they create an even bigger miracle than their opponent?"

"Ace pitcher versus ace batter, in the fated bottom of the ninth inning—what will be the outcome, dear audience, let’s open our eyes and watch closely!"

Tanaka Shuji’s enthusiastic words spread through the televisions into every household, under his encouragement, all of Japan’s baseball fans turned their attention to the game.

With everyone’s attention focused, Lin Guanglai pitched the first ball.

A fastball cut sharply towards the inside of Miyashita Akira.

Miyashita Akira didn’t swing, and the baseball went "pop" into Tsuchiya Ryouta’s mitt.

"A fastball with a speed of 145 km/h!" Takumi Tanchisha exclaimed instantly, "Subarashii, truly a subarashii young man!"

"Under the heavy pressure of the bottom of the ninth inning, Lin Guanglai could still securely place this fastball over 140 km/h into the inside corner for the batter, it’s really impressive!"

The stands also erupted in cheers and noise, clearly they were equally surprised by Lin Guanglai’s strength and courage.

In the batter’s box, even when faced with an inside good ball, Miyashita Akira did not back down from the outside space, maintaining his usual indifferent expression, standing still.

The second pitch, still the same inside corner, still the same fastball.

Miyashita Akira still didn’t swing.

balls 2 strikes.

For the third pitch, after exchanging signals with Tsuchiya Ryouta, the pitcher-catcher duo of Waseda Jitsugyo both agreed there was no need to stalemate with the opponent at the end of the game, it would be bad if the opponent picked up on the pitch.

A signal between the legs—Tsuchiya Ryouta called for an outside low forkball.

Lin Guanglai understood, then in a graceful pose pitched the baseball towards home plate—as he pitched, Miyashita Akira in the batter’s box also moved, with a determination to hit the ball, he swung the bat hard.

"How many times have I told you! When batting, always keep your balance steady, and keep your eye on the baseball!"

"Swinging wildly like that, like a fan—it’s just helping the opponent’s pitcher build stats!"

"Swing another five hundred times today! If you don’t change this bad habit, you won’t have dinner tonight!"

"Koshien champion? With your current level, you still want to win the Koshien championship? Finish the exercises I assigned you first!"

"Akira, did you enjoy today’s game—do you want to become like those great professional players?"

Scenes from the past with his father flashed through Miyashita Akira’s mind, his strictness, his reprimands, and the occasional tenderness he showed, those cherished or long-forgotten memories suddenly became so clear.

"Clang—" The bat collided with the baseball with a sharp explosion; under immense force, the line drive baseball headed strongly towards the pitcher’s mound.

Miyashita Akira dropped the bat and sprinted towards first base with all his might; his steps were swift as the wind, as if an invisible force was pushing him from behind.

However—

"Pop."

The baseball, fiercely hit towards the pitcher’s mound, was intercepted in time by the quick-reacting Lin Guanglai, catching it even before it hit the ground.

The batter was caught out.

Miyashita Akira, who had already crossed first base, slowly came to a stop, raising his head to hold back the tears—it’s over, everything is over.

"It’s over! The game is over!"

"7:6!!! Waseda Industries, top eight!"

"A grand reversal in the top of the ninth inning!!!"

"The summer for the famed West Tokyo team is not over yet!!"

In the player areas on both sides of the field, on the Alps Stand belonging to both teams, the emotions of the players and supporters were distinct at this moment—separated by the field dirt and grass were two completely different emotions, the joy and sadness on both sides were not the same at this moment.

Despite the different emotions, the result of the game is already a foregone conclusion—with the main umpire’s hand held high, this game has already been settled.

Waseda Real 7:6 Kantou Number One.

The players began to form lines, and the end-of-game siren sounded once again.

After both sides exchanged post-game greetings, the Waseda Jitsugyo players stood in a line at home plate, singing their school anthem once more, enjoying their victorious moment.

The live camera panned across these young faces full of youthful energy, finally stopping on Lin Guanglai:

Sweat flowed down his forehead, glistening under the sun; his off-white jersey was already stained with dirt, almost completely covering the team name on the chest—that thick layer of dirt like a warrior’s medal, making his youthful face shine even brighter.

Despite being just a first-year, at this moment, Lin Guanglai had already become a baseball star born at Koshien Stadium—all the records for first-years needed to be rewritten for him.

After the post-game interview, the Waseda Jitsugyo players were all extremely excited—making it to the top eight in their first Koshien is not a feat just anyone can achieve;

And as the game reached this stage, dreams that once seemed untouchable now had a tangible shape.

Returning to the hotel, under the urging of Mr. Izumi and Minister Sasaki, the players began post-game stretches and recovery—after today’s game, they would face the quarterfinals tomorrow, in such a high-pressure schedule, timely recovery is especially important.

The game against Kantou Number One lasted a total of three hours, starting at 11:30 and going until 2:30 in the afternoon; and at 11 a.m. the next morning, Waseda Industries would face their opponent in the quarterfinals:

Chiba Representative, Narita High School, led by ace pitcher Nakagawa Ryosuke.