Ace of Diamond: Return of the Pitcher

If Coach Ochiai were to analyze why the Tokyo team won so easily in that exchange match, the reason would be very simple.

'There were only three factors.'

The first was that the American team underestimated them.

In the beginning, they didn't use their main players. The first pitcher they put on the mound wasn't even one of their strongest.

The second reason was that Tokyo's three pitchers—Yoh Shunshin, Narumiya Mei, and Sawamura Eijun—showcased exceptionally impressive performances during their relay.

'The last reason was because of Sawamura Eijun.'

No matter where gold is placed, it will always shine.

This phrase fits Sawamura Eijun perfectly.

He is the type of player who, no matter where he is, cannot be ignored when others see him.

His brilliance is just too dazzling.

It was precisely because Sawamura's abilities far exceeded those of players at his level that he was able to break through the situation and completely crush the American Los Angeles team.

'But if the game had started differently, with both teams going all-out from the beginning…'

'If both sides had a certain understanding of each other's abilities…'

'Perhaps the Tokyo team would still have won in the end, but the process would certainly not have been as smooth.'

The Los Angeles team, one of America's top teams, had that kind of strength.

Not to mention Texas, one of the top 8 teams, who occasionally even made it to the Final Four.

The brutal elimination system often results in a massive gap between rounds.

Especially with teams like Los Angeles Wind Youth Academy, who are regulars in the top 16, and Texas Lone-Star Academy, who are consistently in the top 8 and occasionally break into the top 4.

The gap between them is not small.

Seidou High School's baseball team challenged such formidable opponents right from the start, and they hadn't even used their full strength...

'Why is that?'

Coach Ochiai just couldn't understand this no matter how hard he tried.

Although they had arranged a lot of games, the truly important ones were two: one against Texas today, and the last one against the New York Dream Team.

The other matches were just friendly games with American high school teams. While those teams were strong, they were nothing like the representatives from these two regions.

According to the usual practices of Seidou High School's baseball team, for such important games, the most valued players would naturally be the ones selected to play.

In other words, the core players.

Whoever had the chance to play in such a scenario would have the opportunity to stay on the main roster, and might even earn a starting position.

This was the usual routine.

But today, Kataoka didn't play by the rules.

Sawamura, Miyuki, and Kominato.

These three mainstay players didn't take the field!

The match between Seidou High School and North America's Texas Lone-Star Academy Team was exceptionally brutal.

At the start of the game, Seidou High School took to the offense. Faced with the formidable Lincoln, the batters sent up by Seidou High School seemed completely out of sync.

On the one hand, the opponent's strength far exceeded their expectations.

On the other hand, they also weren't quite comfortable with their new batting order.

If there hadn't been role models like Sawamura Eijun and Miyuki Kazuya leading the way in the past, the standards for Seidou High School's third and fourth batters wouldn't have been so clear.

But now, without such shining examples before them, the newly adjusted lineup was clearly inferior by comparison.

The difference was startling.

Especially Nishiyama, who was filling in for Sawamura's spot.

At first, Nishiyama was full of ambition, hoping to move into a core position on the team. Even if he couldn't become the ace immediately, he wanted to become one of the main pitchers.

He had beautiful ideas, but standing in the Batter's Box, replacing Sawamura's spot, things were far from simple!

When you're standing on the sidelines, you might think it looks easy.

But when you're the one doing it, you'll realize just how difficult it truly is.

The cleanup batting positions of the mighty Seidou High School were not easy to take!

Now, Nishiyama was experiencing this reality firsthand.

He was overwhelmed by the pitching.

Although he tried desperately to hit Lincoln's pitches, he simply couldn't manage.

On the surface, Lincoln's pitches didn't seem to have any special tricks—just simple fastballs.

But the beauty was in the purity of that fastball.

The ball came at him like a raging missile, leaving him unable to adjust to it.

Aside from the first pitch, which he didn't swing at, Nishiyama swung at the other two but missed both times.

He was Struck Out in the end.

The series of Strikeouts immediately dampened Seidou High School's momentum.

In the dugout, the players couldn't help but start complaining.

"This isn't fair, we just got off the plane and haven't even adjusted…"

"We haven't even warmed up properly!"

"Their team is all ready for us…"

Finding excuses and reasons wasn't difficult.

Objectively speaking, the location and timing of today's game were indeed harsh for Seidou High School's players.

They weren't in peak form, hadn't prepared properly, and with the different environment, they were struggling a bit.

Also, the game had started so hastily that it wasn't surprising they couldn't fully demonstrate their abilities.

But the players on the field didn't plan to forgive themselves with such excuses.

On the contrary, their expressions grew more focused and determined.

Apart from a few fixed starters, many of the players on the field were in competition for positions.

No matter how tough the external circumstances were, their own situation had remained unchanged from the beginning.

Especially the battery duo, Nishiyama and Yui Kaoru.

When they first joined the team, they brought a fresh, best-newcomer energy and showed great potential and value.

It seemed that if any first-year player could stay on the first string during the summer, it would surely be them.

But that situation was before Sawamura and Miyuki had participated in the exchange games.

After those games, in the subsequent practice matches, the two of them hadn't performed outstandingly. Now, their positions had become quite awkward.

It was hard to say, but before the summer tournament, they were very likely to be cut from the first-string lineup.

This game was critical for Seidou High School, and the pressure was equally intense for the two of them.

Faced with such pressure, of course, they both wanted to perform well when they took the field.

At first, their performances were pretty good.

It was as though Seidou High School's players couldn't adapt to the American pace, and the Texas Lone-Star Academy Team's players were similarly struggling to adjust to Seidou High School's rhythm.

This was where Nishiyama and Yui Kaoru's strength showed.

Although their performances in prior practice matches weren't stellar, this didn't mean they lacked ability.

Take today's match against the Texas Lone-Star Academy Team, for example: in such a disadvantageous situation, they managed to stabilize things quickly. This was something even many second- and third-year players couldn't achieve.

They had the experience to handle big moments, and their ability to stabilize the game was impressive.

"OUT!"

"OUT!!"

After stabilizing the situation, they managed to secure two Outs.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and they were on track to close the first inning with three Outs.

Nishiyama's Gyro ball, even against the older American players, still had some effect.

But before they could relax, when the third batter came up, everything changed.

The third batter from the Texas Lone-Star Academy Team was a tall, well-built African American player.

He looked a bit carefree, and it was hard for the opponents to be cautious against him.

But this very player, facing Nishiyama's Gyro ball, took a full swing.

Shuuuuuuu!

PAAK!

The third batter from the Texas Lone-Star Academy Team was clearly a huge threat.

His power was on a completely different level compared to the first two batters.

With a swing like thunder, even though he didn't hit the sweet spot, he managed to drive the ball far.

The baseball flew into the field.

Kijima, who was subbing instead of Haruichi at second base, rushed to intercept it.

It was his first defensive play, and what a difficult challenge it was.

At that moment, picking up the ball and throwing it to first base wasn't an option anymore.

He could only dive to intercept the ball, managing to stop it mid-air.

Afterward, he saw a fast figure darting toward him!

'NOW!'

Though they hadn't practiced much together, Kijima had seen such scenes many times during previous games.

Seeing the figure, he immediately understood.

It was Kuramochi, coming to back him up!

Seeing Kuramochi rush in to cover, Kijima quickly threw the ball in his mitt to him.

Snap!

The throw to Kuramochi wasn't clean.

It was awkward, but Kuramochi quickly adjusted his posture and threw the ball to first base.

By the time the baseball reached first base, the batter had already stepped onto the bag.

After two Outs, a Texas player reached base for the first time.

The situation now was two Outs, with a runner on first.

…