The game seemed to have reached a fever pitch after Ken put an end to the 4th innings. The crowd was enamored as the two teams battled back and forth. While it wasn't a high scoring game, the outstanding pitchers brought loads of excitement.
Both Ken and Yatsuo were flawless throughout the next 2 innings, not letting a single player onto base. Of course a large part of their success could be attributed to the calls and leads of their respective catchers.
Soon enough it was the top of the 7th innings with the score still sitting at 1-0 in favor of Yokohama. There were many who had counted out their team even before the match had started, yet these people were silent now.
Back in Yokohama, Tetsu was at the edge of his seat as his eyes were glued to the TV. He had learned to block out Yuki's nervous blabbering in the background since the last time he said something he had almost died.
"I didn't know your other son was also talented at baseball Yuki." Naomi's sweet voice broke through the silence.
Yuki couldn't help but smile, "Yes, he and Ken trained together all of last year before Daichi went to Osaka. I wish he was still home, but he looks like he's having fun."
Her attention turned to the TV where she could see his figure behind home plate.
She didn't know a lot about baseball, though she tried because of her husband. Yuki knew enough that she could hold a conversation about it, but never an in depth one.
"He's pretty good, but Ken is playing better." Tetsu commented matter-of-factly.
At some point in the last few weeks, Tetsu's attitude towards Ken had flipped completely. It was to the point that even he himself had not noticed such a shift.
Yuki wore a look of shock as she heard the grouch compliment Ken. From what she knew, Tetsu was the biggest opposition to the carefully crafted matchmaking that her and Naomi had been planning out for the longest time.
She turned to Naomi with a questioning look, only to receive a shrug in response. Even she did not know what sparked the changes within her husband, and she hadn't had the heart to ask him all this time.
Naomi tried to broach the subject, seeing as the time had presented itself.
"Honey, what's changed lately? How come you like Ken now?"
"Shhhh! Yokohama are battin' and Ken's comin' up soon."
He ignored the question, even waving off his own wife as the announcer called up the next batter.
"Batting 3rd, 3rd base, Makoto"
Naomi could only roll her eyes, a small chuckle escaping her lips at her husbands attitude. For a moment she thought of poking the bear, but she thought better of it while they had a guest over.
Back on the field, the beginning of the 7th innings was upon them.
Makoto made his way into the batters box, his muscular frame bursting with eagerness to make a contribution this game. While the score was at 1-0 in their favor, it did not leave him with enough confidence leading into the latter innings.
This time he would make sure to get a hit, no matter what.
With Hiroki and Ken coming up in the lineup, he could add more pressure by at least getting onto base.
Yatsuo stood upon the mound and took a deep breath in through his nose before exhaling through his mouth. His fingers were feeling a little numb and tingly, yet he had managed to keep his composure through the last two innings.
'Just a little bit more.' He chanted inwardly, just like a mantra.
Daichi had a serious expression on his face. With the clean up batters coming up soon, they needed to make sure that there were no more runs added onto the board.
The problem was, this was the 3rd time the Yokohama batters were facing Yatsuo. Generally this was where the most runs could begin to leak as they got accustomed to his pitches.
However, it just meant that he had an important job to do.
Outsmart the batters.
Daichi took in a deep breath and made the signal. He wanted to get ahead in the count and put some pressure early on.
Yatsuo nodded, checking on his grip before turning his attention forward once more.
Using his quick pitching motion, he sent the ball flying to the inside.
"Ah!"
The moment it left his hand, he knew that he'd messed up.
The ball which was supposed to be a four-seam to the inside, veered off target and landed directly onto the lead arm of Makoto.
The dull thud of the leather ball hitting the dense muscles of Makoto's arm echoed on the field, causing everyone in the arena to suck in a cold breath of air.
"Hit by pitch. Take your base."
The umpire made the call, his eyes focusing on Makoto who had yet to move. Just as he was about to check on him, the muscular guy harrumphed in annoyance before placing his bat on the ground and advancing to 1st base.
"Man… He took that pitch like a beast." Tatsuya exclaimed, cringing internally.
"N-Nice work Captain!"
A few more calls came out from the dugout, yet they also felt a little weak after witnessing the pitch.
Daichi felt a little flustered at the moment, since the pitch had been so wild. He hadn't expected Yatsuo to lose control over the ball, let alone hit the opposing player.
His eyes moved to the coach, as if to ask him what to do next.
Coach Narukami's eyes narrowed before he called for a timeout from one of the umpires.
Seeing this, Yatsuo panicked. He did not want to get taken out of the game, not just yet.
Both Daichi and Coach Narukami walked up to the mound and approached Yatsuo. Daichi had a look of concern, while the coach had his usual calm mask on.
"What happened there Yatsuo?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.