At last, Shin Koshigaya is facing off Ryoyukan. Is Yoshino’s strategy enough to break through? At a glance, it’s already an uphill battle.
Obviously, it’s not going to be easy for Shin Koshigaya to beat Ryoyukan is because they have a lot of skilled players. Sure, the pressure is on Shin Koshigaya, but Yoshino has a plan. As she finds out shortly, her strategies didn’t quite work out.
As expected, while Tama made it, Sumire didn’t. Ryo barely made it to first base. Nozomi managed to hit Kazumi’s pitch, but sadly the opposing team caught it. Rei managed to break through and score a point for the team. Sure, Shin Koshigaya couldn’t score any more afterwards, at least it’s not zero. This makes Yoshino hopeful that things will work out a bit better.
Now, it’s time for Shin Koshigaya’s turn on the field. While Yomi’s pitches are impressive as You, Ryoyukan’s first batter didn’t take the first pitch. She manages to hit the second, but it’s a foul ball. The third pitch catches her by surprise as she doesn’t know what it is. After striking out, she describes Yomi’s pitch to Shirai. Shirai basically bided her time to find the perfect pitch on the fourth try. She manages to reach first base before the first base catcher can catch it.
They eventually managed to score one point, but that’s it. Thanks to the nice save as Rei manages to throw it to third base to get the third out. Still, it’s pretty nice to see the reactions on Tama’s, Yoshino’s, and Ms. Fuji’s face as Rei does the big save for the team.
As expected, Shin Koshigaya has a hard time scoring a point. While Ibuki made it to first base by chance, Yomi’s plan to blunt the hit fails. At least this gives Ibuki a chance to run to second base. Tama manages to hit the ball but didn’t quite make it to first base. Yes, she sees how much Kazumi changed, but of course, this doesn’t change her preferences of who she prefers at all.
Now, it’s Ryoyukan’s turn to bat. Kasumi sees Yomi’s pitch firsthand. She couldn’t hit any of the pitches and strike out. She sees Tama acting differently as she shouts to her team. Sure, Kazumi seems impressed by Yomi’s pitching skills. She is confident that she will hit her pitch next time. Aside from that, Ryoyukan didn’t score at all.
In the third inning, Yoshino starts to doubt her strategy. Ryo blunted the ball, but Ryoyukan saw though their strategy and second base caught the ball. With Nozomi making it to first base, Rei tried to be the cleanup hitter. Of course, Ryoyukan outsmarted them and done a double play. Now, Yoshino is distraught that she made a terrible miscalculation. Will she be able to turn the tables or will Ryoyukan regain control of the game? We have to see next time.
As expected Ryoyukan lived up to the hype. Our heroines are hanging in there but we don’t know for how much longer. Considering Japan doesn’t like going with miracle victories in sports fiction as much as the West I don’t like their chances.
Poor Yoshino. Hopefully she’ll recover in the 2nd part.
When Tama said “Kazumi’s really good but my heart belongs to…” and we saw the adorkable Yomi she made me laugh out loud. Bless Yomi.
Yes, Ryoyukan definitely lived up to its name. Still, I wonder how Yoshino will manage to try to get out of this debacle, even if its possible.
But yes, it’s obvious where Tama’s heart lies.