Chapter 225: The Advancing Kaidou High School Baseball Team (2)

The development of the game that followed could be described as both expected and unexpected.

At the beginning, everything unfolded exactly as Yakushi High School had predicted.

Kaidou High School’s fifth Batter, Maruo, immediately chose to use a bunt.

With one precise sacrifice bunt, he successfully advanced Sengoku Masato from second base to third base.

One out.

Runner on third.

Kaidou High School once again found themselves in an excellent scoring position.

And compared to before…

This opportunity was even more dangerous.

Because standing on the Pitcher’s Mound now was no longer Kitamura Kou.

The terrifying Ace who had completely suppressed Kaidou’s lineup and left them struggling to breathe.

Instead, it was Sanada Shunpei.

The sixth Batter, Yakushiji, stepped into the Batter’s Box.

Seeing this, everyone from Yakushi High School immediately became tense.

They were certain that Kaidou would use their strongest weapon in this situation—

A squeeze play.

The infield defense quickly moved forward, preparing to prevent the runner from scoring.

However…

What happened next completely exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Yakushiji did not use a sacrifice bunt.

He did not attempt to force the run home.

Instead…

He firmly held the bat.

His eyes locked onto the pitch.

Sanada Shunpei’s ball came toward the high inside corner.

The moment it entered his hitting zone…

Yakushiji swung.

Clang!

A sharp sound echoed throughout the stadium.

The baseball that had been flying aggressively was struck cleanly.

It instantly changed direction.

Like a streak of lightning, it shot toward left field.

“Great! It landed!”

“Wow! That ball went so far!”

Seeing this powerful hit, the Kaidou players could no longer remain calm.

Their dugout exploded.

They rushed out, shouting and cheering at the top of their lungs.

“Sengoku-senpai! Run!”

“Yakushiji! Beautiful hit!”

Their voices merged together into a massive wave of cheers.

The entire stadium seemed to tremble under their excitement.

Akiba Kazuma lived up to his reputation as one of Yakushi High School’s most complete players.

His reaction speed was extraordinary.

Although he could not stop the ball from landing, he immediately moved.

His footsteps were fast and precise.

In just a moment, he reached the ball’s landing point.

He stretched out his right hand and successfully stopped the baseball before it could roll any farther.

However…

It was already too late.

Sengoku Masato had already started running.

Like a charging cheetah, he raced toward home plate.

With the cheers of Kaidou High School’s players and supporters echoing around him, he crossed home plate.

The first run belonged to Kaidou.

“Safe!”

The umpire’s loud call announced the result.

Akiba Kazuma clenched the baseball tightly.

A trace of frustration appeared in his eyes.

He was unwilling to accept it.

However, he quickly calmed himself.

As a player with strong mental strength, he understood that there was no time to complain.

The most important thing now was preventing Kaidou from continuing their attack.

Just as he prepared to throw toward first base—

“Akiba!”

“Throw to second base!”

Kitamura Kou’s voice suddenly reached his ears.

Akiba Kazuma reacted instantly.

Without hesitation, he changed his throwing direction.

His arm swung violently.

The baseball shot toward second base.

Whoosh!

Fukuda Daiki received the throw.

Meanwhile, Yakushiji had already rounded first base.

Seeing Yakushi’s quick reaction and decisive defense, he immediately understood.

If he tried to advance to second base…

He would definitely be eliminated.

Unable to do anything, Yakushiji could only glare toward Kitamura Kou standing in center field.

Then, with unwillingness written across his face, he returned to first base.

One out.

Runner on second base.

Kaidou High School finally broke through Yakushi’s defense in the fifth inning.

They scored one run.

The score difference was reduced to two runs.

More importantly…

Their offensive momentum had completely recovered.

Two consecutive hits against the high inside corner.

Even the slowest members of Yakushi’s defense understood what Kaidou was targeting.

Sanada Shunpei’s inside pitches.

They were waiting for them.

They were attacking them.

Akaishi Osamu immediately called for time.

He quickly approached the mound.

The Yakushi players gathered together.

“We need to change our strategy.”

Akaishi spoke first, his expression serious.

“It’s obvious that Kaidou has studied Sanada-senpai’s pitching style.”

“They’re specifically waiting for his inside pitches.”

“Shouldn’t we adjust our pitch selection immediately?”

“I completely agree.”

Fukuda Daiki immediately nodded.

“Sanada, if we continue throwing inside after they’ve already figured it out, we’re just giving them opportunities.”

“We’d basically be handing them the game ourselves!”

Several Yakushi players around them also nodded.

“Yeah.”

“We definitely need to change.”

“We can’t let them keep attacking the same spot.”

However…

Sanada Shunpei, who had remained silent until now, suddenly raised his head.

“I have no objection to changing our strategy.”

“But…”

“Has everyone considered something?”

The others looked toward him.

Sanada continued.

“What if Kaidou has already predicted that we would make this adjustment?”

“What if they are waiting for us to move our focus away from the inside corner?”

His eyes became sharper.

“If we suddenly start attacking the outside corner…”

“Wouldn’t we just be walking directly into their trap?”

Sanada’s words were like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone.

The excitement and urgency instantly disappeared.

Everyone fell silent.

“Sanada does have a point…”

Akaishi frowned.

“We can’t ignore that possibility.”

“But if we refuse to change our strategy…”

“Are we just supposed to watch them slowly close the gap?”

“How is that any different from waiting for defeat?”

“This way won’t work.”

“That way won’t work.”

“Then what exactly are we supposed to do?!”

Mishima Yuta shouted in frustration.

The players looked at each other.

The previously lively mound conference became completely silent.

Everyone was thinking.

Everyone was hesitating.

No one could find the perfect answer.

Just as everyone lowered their heads, struggling with the difficult choice…

A calm yet extremely firm voice suddenly broke the silence.

“…”

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice.