"It's heads. Decision goes to Zama High."
The muscular figure of Makoto was on the field, flanked by the umpire and another player dressed in the Purple Zama High uniform.
"We'll field first." The Zama High player said with a smile, his eyes subconsciously moving to their tall pitcher Hiroshi.
"Bring it on."
Makoto offered his hand, only to be ignored by the opposing captain.
The umpire frowned, however he said nothing. Inwardly he was displeased with the lack of respect from the Zama High captain.
Yet Makoto didn't seem too upset and made his way back to the dugout. He had expected this much from their opponent in this game, especially since they'd knocked them out in the previous years tournament.
"Let's give em' hell." Makoto announced with a grin.
"Yeah!"
The players shouted out, feeling their blood pumping in response.
The Aoyama twins headed onto the field, performing some warm ups and getting limber while the pitcher warmed up his arm.
"This pitcher isn't as fast as you, but he's got at least 3 breaking balls." Yuta said to Ken whose eyes were on the tall player upon the mound.
"Oh?" Ken was surprised.
It was odd that such a young player would have so many different pitches.
Since the pitcher was a 3rd year and he had not played against Zama High in his first year of High School, he did not know the guy. However, he wasn't too worried.
Tatsuya was the first up to bat, looking as flashy as ever. He was prone to swinging on the first pitch, especially during the first innings when the pitcher had yet to get into a rhythm.
DONG
This time was no different as he sent the ball in between the 1st and 2nd baseman for an easy single. He struck a pose on 1st base, however since there weren't many spectators, it failed to elicit the response he was looking for.
"Tch." He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
'Wait till I get to Nationals…'
As his mind was fantasizing about all of the cheers and attention he would be receiving on the grand stage of Koshien, his brother Jun stepped up to the plate for his turn.
The two locked eyes for a moment, not even needing to speak a word between them to know what to do next.
Tatsuya took a lead off first base, shuffling stealthily as he waited for the tall pitcher to begin his pitch.
DASH
The moment Hiroshi began his wind up, Tatsuya was already sprinting towards second base.
DONG
"TWO!"
Jun yelled, accelerating to first base with breakneck speed.
Since Tatsuya already had a lead, he quickly rounded second base and flew towards 3rd. He could hear the shouts from the Zama High players, along with the 3rd base coach's rushed signals for him to slide, telling him it would be close.
In one smooth motion he slid towards the bag with his hands, touching it just before the glove came and tapped him on the arm.
"Safe!"
"ORYAAA! Nice one Tatsu!"
"Nice run!"
Cheers came from the Yokohama dugout, praising him for his heroics.
Next up to bat was Makoto who made his way up to the batters box. The Zama High captain who had refused his handshake happened to be the catcher, part of the deadly battery the coach had referred to.
"Hmph, you guys don't seem to be off to a good start." Makoto said, a small grin creeping onto the side of his lips.
"Heh. Hiroshi is a slow starter, don't think you'll continue to be so lucky." The catcher sneered, placing his face mask back on.
As if to back up his words, Hiroshi's next pitch was sharp and seemed to creep its way inside. Makoto didn't swing, allowing the ball to almost graze his elbow on its way to the catcher.
"Ball."
"Tch." Hiryu clicked his tongue in annoyance. He was hoping to shake the confidence of the opposing captain by having him back off from the pitch, yet the muscle brain ignored the danger and stayed still.
He threw the ball back and squatted down once more, signaling the next pitch.
Hiroshi nodded and threw the ball forwards.
Makoto's eyes lit up as he felt the ball looked slower than the last. He loaded up and sent his bat billowing forward, trying to send it out of the park.
DING
'Crap!'
The pitch had curved downward thanks to the forward spin placed on the ball, causing him to hit the top of the ball and send it towards the pitcher after ricocheting off the dirt.
"Home!"
Hiroshi who was originally going to send it to first base to secure the out, suddenly heard the shout from Hiryu and picked up the ball in one smooth motion, sending it right into his glove.
Tatsuya did his best to avoid the tag, however the wily captain Hiryu had closed off all opportunities. He tried to quickly slow down and run back to third, but he was promptly tagged in the middle of the back by the catcher.
"Out!"
"Hehe. Not so fast now are ya?"
"Huh!?"
Tatsuya felt his anger stir, feeling the urge to throw his glove at the catchers face with his hand still inside of it. However, he saw Hiroki coming up to bat out of the corner of his eye and instantly calmed down.
"We'll see who is laughing soon."
'Hmm?'
Hiryu was surprised. He thought that he'd be able to get this player to lash out but it seemed like he was wrong.
He made his way back to home plate and looked at the next batter curiously. He recognized him from when they faced Yokohama last year, but he didn't remember anything that stood out.
Hiryu couldn't be blamed since Hiroki was only a first year back then and had just made the first squad. He'd also been placed further back in the batting order since he was still new.
'I'll waste a couple of pitches before we beat him inside with some breaking balls.'
The catcher gave the sign to the tall pitcher on the mound who in turn nodded in confirmation.
He completed the wind up and sent the ball towards the outside of the strike zone as per Hiryu's instructions. Seeing the speed of the ball, a smile crept onto the catchers face.