The Japanese team came off the field for possibly the last time in this match, their confidence at an all time high. With Ken at the mound, no one was even close to hitting his monster pitches.
Of course they still had a tall task in front of them, which was getting at least a single run in this next inning.
Once they returned, Coach Takashi stood up and addressed the players. He'd been silent for most of the game, trusting the players and not giving too much direction. Yet with the game on the line, it was now his duty to speak up.
"Well done everyone for making it this far. Last time I asked you to watch as many pitches as possible and try to understand the courses. Well this inning you'll need to go for broke."
His expression was stern, yet his eyes held belief in his team. It was this duality that gave the Head Coach a certain air about him, like he was always in control of everything.
"Yes sir!"
The team yelled back in response.
"Hiroki, you're up first. How confident are you?"
"100% sir!"
"Hehe, good. Now go get on base for us." He replied with a chuckle.
"Let's go Hiroki, you got this."
"Show em how it's done." Ken placed his hand on his friends shoulder, sending him some words of encouragement.
As long as either of their next 3 batters got a hit or a walk, Ken would have a chance to bat afterwards.
Daichi followed Hiroki onto the field with his helmet and bat equipped. He had fouled off quite a few pitches earlier, filling him with confidence.
"Batting 3rd, 1st base, Hiroki."
When Hiroki stepped into the batters box, he immediately took his position and stared intently at Antonio upon the mound. His body felt loose and he was filled with supreme confidence, despite not being able to land a hit from him this game.
Since Antonio had pitched a full 7 innings, he had become a little fatigued. Many people argued that while submarine pitches helped ease the tension on a pitcher's elbow, it put a lot of strain on one's back.
This was particularly the case in older pitchers.
Of course Antonio was still young, but he often got back spasms if he pitched for too long.
Guillermo called for the first ball, a sinker to the outside.
PAH
"Strike."
Hiroki chose to observe the first ball, as if to confirm the course in his mind. After seeing the pitch so many times now, he was filled with confidence.
His eyes lit up as the next pitch came roaring out, a deadly slider.
PAH
"Strike."
Once more he patiently watched the ball. It was not the pitch he was looking for.
WHOOOSH
"Heh."
He couldn't help but grin as he locked onto the ball headed his way. It was a sinker that dipped below the strike zone, yet it lacked the usual flair of the previous pitches.
DONG
Hiroki quickly dropped the bat and ran to first base, watching as the ball sailed in between the 1st and 2nd base fielders.
"Alright Hiroki!"
The Japan dugout shouted in excitement. This was the first base hit they'd gotten over Antonio ever since he entered the game in the 2nd inning, thus it was a great time to celebrate.
He stood upon first base and grinned widely. While it wasn't a home run like he was capable of, he was only aiming to get onto base. If either Daichi, Ichiro or Ken could send him home, then they could at least tie the game.
"Batting 4th, Catcher, Daichi."
Seeing Hiroki get onto base, Daichi smiled. As long as he didn't hit a terrible grounder which resulted in a double play, they were in a good position to possibly score some runs here.
Antonio seemed a little annoyed that he'd broken his streak, but he quickly recovered his composure. Cuba only needed 3 more outs in order to close out the game, something he'd done plenty of times during his career.
'I won't let you guys come back.' He thought, quickly entering his low wind up.
Daichi's expression flashed and he swung without hesitation.
WHOOOOSH
DOOONG
The ball sailed into the air, flying off into the outfield. Hiroki turned his head, but it was hard to tell if it was going to beat the fielder, leaving him in an awkward position.
'Damn it.'
He quickly sped off towards 2nd base, praying that the fielder wouldn't get there in time.
"Go back!"
The third base coach screamed at him, forcing him to pause the moment he stepped onto second base. Just as he turned around, he saw the outfielder catch the ball, causing his eyes to bulge.
"Out!"
He quickly ran as fast as he could back to first base. If he didn't get back in time, it would be a double play.
Thankfully, the outfielder had to dive to catch the ball, which gave him enough time to return without being run out.
"Ah damn it!" Daichi cursed. They could have at least got a double if the fielder didn't get to it in time.
"Don't mind, I got this." Ken consoled him on his way back, placing his hand on his shoulder.
Daichi nodded, though he was still a little disappointed at the missed opportunity.
"Batting 5th, 2nd base, Ichiro."
The serious looking Ichiro was now up to bat, his eyes locked onto the pitcher. He hadn't had much success outside of the first inning, much like the rest of the Japanese team.
Inwardly however, he wasn't satisfied with his play today.
He watched as two strikes flew past, biding his time. He wanted to be the hero, the one to give Japan the winning runs in the final hour.
Just imagining himself being tossed up by the team made him subconsciously smile for the first time this match.
However, caught up in his imagination, he failed to gauge the next pitch well enough.
PAH
"Strikeout!"
"Huh? That was a strike?"
He could have sworn that it was outside the strike zone, yet there was nothing he could do to refute it since the plate umpire had already made the call.
"1 more out! Let's go Antonio."
With the final batter approaching, Cuba felt the game was just in reach. As long as they got this final out, the game would be over.
However, they still had a worthy foe to overcome before that happened.
"Batting 6th, Pitcher, Ken."