After the second inning, the score was 4–8. Yakushi High School had managed four points, but Ichidaisan maintained a comfortable lead.
In Ichidaisan's dugout, Coach Tahara observed the field closely.
"Their second-year ace, Sanada Shunpei, hasn't even warmed up yet. We don't know if he's holding back. To be safe, we need to score as many points as possible now," he analyzed. Turning to the Yakushi players approaching the plate, he commanded, "Their ace hasn't made a move yet. Go up there and crush that third-year pitcher. Force him into the game."
"Hai!!!"
Top of the third inning. Ichidaisan High's offense.
"Batter, pitcher, Hanamichi-kun."
Mino Hayato's expression was serious as he faced Hanamiya. "We can't afford to lose any more points. I trust Raichi and Kou, but I can't keep letting the team down."
"Mino-senpai, they're their lower-ranked batters now. With your strength, we can control them. Let's take them down together," Tatsuya Watanabe communicated with a quick code.
Though Mino Hayato wasn't as physically dominant as Shunpei Sanada or Yoru Manaka, his experience and mental fortitude were unmatched. Half a year of facing fierce lineups had toughened him beyond measure.
He gripped the ball and unleashed his first pitch: a fast curveball.
It didn't have the vertical drop of Seido High's Koichiro Tanba, nor the lateral deception, but it carried speed—130 km/h. For a first-time Ichidaisan batter, connecting cleanly was no easy task.
Snap!
The ball landed in Hanamiya's glove.
"Nice shot!"
Hanamiya immediately adjusted to a short-sleeved stance, preparing herself.
"Is he planning to bunt and steal a base, or bait Mino-senpai into a fastball?" Tatsuya Watanabe analyzed the pitcher's intent.
"Don't worry about him," Mino said firmly to Watanabe. "Stick to our pitching. Even in a short game, my teammates behind me can handle it."
He set his gloves at the outer corner, ready.
Mino's second pitch: another curveball.
Hanamiya considered aiming at the rookie third baseman, trying to force a hit.
Ping!
Though slightly off in timing, Hanamiya sprinted after the ball, determined.
"Raichi!" Watanabe shouted.
"I'm on it!" Todoroki Raichi replied, racing to intercept the rolling ball.
With a smooth motion, Raichi fielded it and fired toward first base, where Mishima Yuta caught it cleanly. Hanamiya was still two steps away from the bag.
"Out!" the umpire called loudly.
The Yakushi dugout exhaled collectively, relief washing over them.
Todoroki Raizo slumped into his chair, patting his chest. "Ah… nearly gave me a heart attack. Thank goodness nothing happened."
"Well done, Raichi!" Mishima Yuta laughed. "I think this is the first time you haven't made a mistake in defense!"
"Shut up, Mishima!" Raichi shouted, face red.
Mino Hayato, who had run forward to prevent any slip-ups, patted Raichi on the shoulder. "Well done."
"Out, Mino-senpai!"
"Keep going!"
"You're getting better at throwing, Mino!"
The energy surged.
"Nine batter, right fielder, Manaka-san."
Facing Manaka Kaname—the likely weakest starter in Ichidaisan's lineup—Mino Hayato didn't falter. He mixed fastballs and curveballs with precision. Despite Manaka's tenacity, he was struck out in six pitches.
Next up: Takahiro Hirakawa.
Mino's confidence radiated as he prepared his pitch.
Snap!
Hirakawa swung—and missed.
"…This guy's like an unkillable cockroach. We've scored so many runs, and he hasn't wavered. His pitching… it's only getting sharper." Hirakawa clenched his bat, thinking bitterly of Kaname Manaka, who hadn't even survived the first inning before being sent to right field.
Watanabe Tatsuya noticed Hirakawa's frustration. "Mino-senpai, throw a bad ball on the outside corner."
Without hesitation, Mino obeyed.
Enraged, Hirakawa swung recklessly.
Ping!
The bat barely grazed the lower half of the ball, sending it behind Tatsuya Watanabe.
"Out of bounds!"
"Perfect! Now we have more room to maneuver!" Watanabe cheered, adding another intentional ball inside.
Snap!
"Ball!"
Hirakawa seemed to calm, now wary.
Undeterred, Watanabe added two more balls—but Hirakawa held his ground.
"Good choice, Mino!" Watanabe encouraged.
The Ichidaisan students cheered for their teammate.
Two outs. Two strikes. Three balls. Full count.
Tatsuya Watanabe passed the ball back to Mino.
Mino's eyes hardened. "His curveball may be fast, but we crushed Tanba's in the Spring Tournament. Don't underestimate us!"
Hirakawa swung hard at the curveball.
Clang!
The metal bat connected, sending the ball screaming toward the gap between center and right field.
Yutaka Yamauchi, whose speed wasn't exceptional, couldn't keep up.
"Get down! Get down!" Hirakawa shouted, charging after it.
"Landing…"
Everyone at Ichidaisan High shouted in unison:
"Catch it!"
Meanwhile, the Yakushi team prayed for a miracle.