Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 244: Advancing to the Final Four

"Whoosh!"

"Pop!"

"Out!"

"Game over!"

In center field, Jun Isashiki firmly caught the high fly ball speeding in from home plate.

With this final out, the quarterfinal match reached its conclusion. The umpire's voice echoed across the field as the game officially ended.

On Seidou High's side, thunderous cheers erupted, a stark contrast to the somber and pained expressions of Ikuei High's players and supporters.

The scoreboard, displaying the glaring numbers, told the story—a harsh reality for Ikuei High.

Both the players and their supporters, including head coach Natsume, could only watch silently as Seidou High's players gathered in celebration at the center of the field.

They were the victors—nothing more needed to be said.

"Game over! With Furuya Satoru closing the game by securing the final out, Seidou High wins this battle of powerhouses with a score of 7-3! They advance to the semifinals, where they will face Osaka Kiryuu High the day after tomorrow to compete for a spot in the final!"

"Line up!"

"Salute!"

"Thank you for the game!"

Ultimately, Seidou High defeated Ikuei High and secured the last ticket to the semifinals.

In the top of the seventh inning, after Ikuei High was tied and faced a bases-loaded situation against Seidou's cleanup hitter, they managed to strike out Jun Isashiki with grit.

However, they couldn't withstand the fierce attack of Seidou's captain, Yuuki.

A direct hit to the outfield fence resulted in two runs, despite Ikuei's center fielder's desperate effort to return the ball. Seidou High scored three runs in that inning, firmly taking control of the game after a grueling battle in the early innings.

In the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings, Seidou's ace, Eijun, delivered an outstanding pitching performance, leaving Ikuei's batters in despair.

His unpredictable five-seam fastballs, deceptive changeups, aggressive cutters, and exceptional control made it nearly impossible for Ikuei's lineup to make solid contact.

Eijun's unique pitching style left a lasting impression on the spectators, once again elevating their perception of his talent.

Many speculated that if Eijun had started the game, Seidou might have secured an even more decisive victory.

The strength of Seidou's pitching rotation has proven to be the cornerstone of their success.

To defeat Seidou High, opponents must have batters capable of challenging Eijun head-on—a quality Ikuei High lacked. While their pitchers performed admirably until the seventh inning, they were ultimately overwhelmed.

In the ninth inning, Seidou extended their lead by scoring two more runs, widening the gap to four points.

To manage Eijun's fatigue and ensure his best condition for the next game, Seidou sent Furuya to close the game, providing him with valuable experience in high-stakes situations.

To play it safe, Eijun was shifted to left field rather than being completely taken out of the game.

However, Ikuei High's last-ditch effort was shattered by Furuya's 153 km/h fastballs. Except for their cleanup hitter, Yanagishita, who managed a double, the rest of Ikuei's batters were no match for Furuya, who secured three strikeouts to end the game.

The Furuya-Miyuki battery sealed the victory, leading Seidou High to triumph in this clash of titans.

Clap clap clap clap clap!

At the center of the field, Seidou High celebrated their hard-earned victory, advancing to the semifinals.

As the players from both teams exchanged handshakes, thunderous applause erupted from the stands.

While this game might not have been the most thrilling, Ikuei High's exceptional strategy in the first inning had briefly caught Seidou High off guard.

However, for most of the match, Ikuei High struggled to take control. In the face of Seidou High's overwhelming strength, they fell short.

The challenges Ikuei posed to Seidou paled in comparison to the threats from Seihou High in the round of 16.

"If Sawamura had started the game, Ikuei High wouldn't have stood a chance," one spectator remarked.

"True. The difference in skill levels was too obvious," another replied.

"Ikuei might have had a chance if they had held firm in the seventh inning."

"Even without Sawamura, Seidou still had Furuya. Did you see his performance in the final inning?"

"Exactly. Whether it's defense or offense, Ikuei High simply can't match Seidou High."

"It was exciting at first, but it's a pity Ikuei couldn't sustain it."

"Making it to the quarterfinals is about right for them. At best, they might have reached the semifinals. Facing Seidou High earlier than expected made their defeat inevitable."

"So, the final four are set."

"Indeed. The Northern powerhouse and dark horse, Komadai Fujimaki; the Yamanashi powerhouse with the Kotari brothers, Yamamori High; last year's runner-up from Osaka, Kiryuu High; and Tokyo's champions, Seidou High, making their return to Koshien after six years. The semifinals are shaping up to be spectacular."

"The first semifinal is Osaka Kiryuu High versus Seidou High? That's definitely more anticipated than the second match."

"I can't wait for it!"

As the game concluded, players from Ikuei High and Seidou High began leaving the field.

With the day's matches over, spectators also exited in an orderly manner, reminiscing about the game while eagerly anticipating the next three matchups: two semifinals and the final.

This summer, the final mystery that had captured the nation's attention was about to be unveiled.

On the southern stands, a group of figures lingered briefly before leaving.

One individual, however, remained, his gaze fixed on the blue and white jerseys in Seidou High's dugout.

A peculiar glint flickered in his eyes.

"Let's go, Hongou. Coach is calling for us," said a bespectacled boy, who bore a striking resemblance to Miyuki, as he noticed his companion still standing there.

"Hmph," the boy replied with a light scoff.

This was Hongou Masamune, the prodigious pitching talent from the north.

His silence spoke volumes, his determined gaze revealing his thoughts.

After a brief pause, he turned and strode away.

The bespectacled boy smirked faintly, understanding all too well.

He knew his partner had been deeply provoked—by Seidou High's pitchers, no less.

"Two more matches, huh? This is getting interesting," the bespectacled boy murmured, adjusting his glasses before following Hongou.

Not just Komadai Fujimaki High, but also the other semifinalists—Yamamori High and Osaka Kiryuu High—departed the stadium with their own thoughts and strategies in mind.

Each team prepared themselves for the intense battles that lay ahead.

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