The Old Baseball Player System
Chapter 60: Shoto VS Hokuto (6)

WOOSH

DOOONG

"Damn!" - Shun cursed as he watched the hit to center field turn into a double. The boy stared at the sixth batter stepping into the batter's box with fire in his eyes, eager to redeem himself after being thrown out.

WOOSH

DOONG

Unfortunately, Shun wouldn't be able to do anything. He watched the ball get hit hard to left field. He could only watch from a distance as the runner from second base crossed home plate with ease, while the sixth batter reached second base safely.

Just like that, Hokuto Junior High opened the scoring. But they weren't content with just one run.

WOOSH

DONG

The seventh batter hit a double over the shortstop's head to center field, once again allowing the runner on second base to score, bringing the score to 2-0 in favor of Hokuto.

"Damn it! We can't keep giving up runs like this!" - Captain Kazuki was starting to panic. This wasn't an issue of Sora's lack of control, nor was there anything wrong with his lead. In fact, the problem was something that had haunted Kazuki for a long time, the difference in skill.

Sora simply wasn't good enough to strike out Hokuto's batters. The only reason they managed to escape the first inning without giving up any runs was due to the miraculous defensive plays from Shun and Ren.

But you can't expect miracle plays all the time. In fact, even if they were willing to do so, the batters were simply avoiding hitting to their area.

"What should I do?" - Before Kazuki completely lost it, he saw Coach Yamada stand up from the dugout steps and give a signal.

"Already? Well, I guess there's no other choice." - Kazuki was surprised by the coach's action, but this was really their only option at the moment.

"Pitcher change!" - Coach Yamada announced, as a tall and skinny boy appeared behind him, climbing the dugout steps. The boy had neatly combed brown hair and wore large, round glasses. Most of the people in the stadium were confused, watching as the nerdy-looking boy ran to the mound.

"Jiro!" - Shun shouted excitedly from right field. Even though it was a bit early, Shoto Junior High would need their true ace pitching to win this game.

"Good luck!" - Sora placed the ball firmly in Jiro's glove, looking him in the eye. He was frustrated, this feeling of powerlessness and defeat was something Sora was experiencing for the first time. Even though he had to root for Jiro, his rival for the ace position, he would cheer for him. He wanted another chance to prove to his captain and all the senpais that he was worthy of the number 1.

"Leave it to me!" - Jiro took the ball and said with determination, surprising everyone gathered on the mound. Sora walked back to the dugout with his head down while the players gathered on the mound continued to talk.

"Hey, Jiro, are you okay?" - Kenta asked, concerned. This was clearly a very difficult situation to come into the game. Especially for Jiro, who had only recently started playing and was pitching while already behind on the scoreboard for the first time in his life.

"Yes, Senpai, don't worry about me!" - Jiro replied respectfully, his eyes showing an unshakable determination that sent chills down the spines of the infielders gathered on the mound.

"Hm, good. We're counting on you, Jiro!" - Kazuki gave a small smile and began to return to his position behind home plate. On his way, he couldn't help but think about Jiro's determined expression and thought, 'This kid... he has the qualities of an ace.'

Meanwhile, in the batter's box, the eighth batter showed signs of panic in his eyes. He had expected to face the former pitcher and get an easy hit, but now he had to face a new pitcher with no defined strategy.

"Hahaha, they've already changed pitchers! What a shame, that nerd on the mound is your true ace, right? Don't blame me for destroying him too, hahahaha!" - The white-haired maniac, Sugawara, laughed in the dugout. He gave a signal to the eighth batter in the box while smiling confidently.

"Huh? That play now? Is it really necessary?" - The eighth batter hesitated for a moment but nodded after thinking about the consequences of disobeying an order from that maniac.

Kazuki signaled for a fastball on the outside part of the zone. Jiro nodded and delivered the pitch.

"Perfect!" - Kazuki felt chills down his spine when he saw the pitch's trajectory, it was exactly the pitch he had called for. However, before the ball reached his glove, he saw the batter change his stance, leaning toward home plate while holding the bat horizontally with both hands.

TONK

"Damn it! Throw it to first!" - Kazuki was surprised by the bunt but quickly analyzed the situation and saw that the runner was already close to third base. He then gave the instruction to Jiro, who was running toward the ball.

PAH

"Out!"

Jiro managed to secure the first out at first base, but he was clearly bothered by the runner advancing to third. The boy knew they were facing an incredible battery, and it wouldn't be easy to score runs, so he didn't want to give up any more runs either.

The ninth batter stepped into the box, having already received a signal from Sugawara, so he knew exactly what to do. He focused, and as soon as he saw Jiro's first pitch, he didn't hesitate.

WOOSH

DONG

The fastball flew into center field. The ball was high and was easily caught by the center fielder.

PAH

"Out!"

"Back home!" - Before the center fielder could even breathe, he heard Kazuki's shout. He looked toward third base and saw the runner charging toward home plate. The center fielder quickly threw the ball as hard as he could to Kazuki.

PAH

Kazuki caught the ball high, but as he turned and lowered his glove to tag the runner diving toward home plate, he heard the umpire's voice behind him.

"Safe!"

"Damn it!" - Kazuki cursed, realizing he was too late. He then looked at Jiro on the mound, worried.

"Hahahaha, nice run! That was perfect! Perfect!" - Sugawara was laughing like a maniac in the dugout, congratulating everyone involved in the play.

"Phew, this guy is really something else..." - Kohei sighed as he watched his friend laugh like a madman. He knew Sugawara had no mercy, not even for a rookie first-year pitcher.