Ace of Diamond: Return of the Pitcher

"It is good!"

"Nice job!"

"As expected of Demon-lord of the middle school, he is really awesome."

"it is hard to believe he was a middle school student a month ago."

…

The alumni and seniors of Seidou High School, who had seen Furuya already very surprised, were all excited and incoherent at this time.

For Seidou, who lacked pitchers, Sawamura's appearance was undoubtedly like a savior.

Although Furuya's pitching was also very pleasant, looking at his form, he knew that Furuya belonged to that kind of wild pitcher. Sawamura is different. Sawamura's every move is full of professionalism.

This is a very experienced, very mature pitcher. Drag him to the field and he'll be of use!

Not to mention Furuya, by the summer of this year, Sawamura will undoubtedly become the main force of Seidou.

Sawamura didn't have stage fright, he smiled and waved at the seniors and alumni. He naturally carried such a star aura. He had 10 years of experience as a Pro after all.

Seeing Sawamura's response, the audience also became more enthusiastic.

In an instant, Sawamura became the focus of the audience.

"Tsk, this stinky boy, he is really in the limelight."

Isashiki said in annoyance.

"Jun-san, Sawamura is already a big star. Not to mention those who just entered high school this year, even in the entire high school circle, there are only a handful of people whose fame can be compared with Sawamura."

On the surface, Kuramochi explained for Sawamura, but in fact, he harbored evil intentions.

As roommates in the same dormitory, although they get along well normally, Kuramochi is naturally hostile to geniuses like Sawamura. (It's the same reason that the rich second-generation are displeased with self-made businessmen. It's not that the rich second-generation are disgusting, they just think you are better, and they can't do anything about it.)

Seeing that Sawamura was envied, Kuramochi didn't mind adding fuel to the fire.

'Scum!'

Looking at the popularity of Sawamura, Isashiki, Kuramochi, and Ryosuke immediately felt the same hatred.

Tetsuya glanced at the three of them helplessly but said nothing.

In this regard, even as the Captain of the team, Yuuki is helpless.

"Watch the game well."

In the first half of the fourth inning, the freshmen attacked.

Because the freshman team had not scored any hits before, they started this inning from the first batter.

Sawamura replaced Toujou as the second player of the freshman team. (In the first batch of players to play, the pitcher was Kaneda. This second Batter position belongs to Kaneda, and he was replaced until it got to Eijun)

"The defense has gradually stabilized, and the next step is to think about how to score."

Sawamura called all the new students together and began to arrange tactics.

"This inning is a good opportunity for us. It's the top line's turn to play. Most of you have seen Tanpa-senpai's pitching before, and I think we are mentally prepared. The first thing we have to do is to adapt to him. The speed of the ball, find a way to hit the ball first. Once someone hits the base, use the safest way to score. By the way, who of you has practiced bunts?"

When asked by Sawamura, several freshmen shook their heads.

Don't look at these people who were beaten badly by the seniors of Seidou now, but when they were in middle school, they were the fourth batters, and they were beaten hard?

They are all the cleaners in the team, why would they go to hone tactical bunts?

"Uh~"

Sawamura was speechless for a while.

"Forget it, just hit and run when necessary. Although the success rate is lower this way, as long as we reduce the swing range, it should not be difficult to hit the ball. Whether the ball is caught or hits the ground, we have to run with all our strength. The opponent's strength is not as strong as we imagined. Remember one thing, don't be too ambitious, thinking about getting the score back in one breath, the most important thing is to show your own skills and strength. Our opponents are not just the Senpais, Our opponents are also ourselves."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

Hearing Sawamura's order, a few players couldn't help but answer.

After answering, he saw the Players around were looking at them stupidly.

'So embarrassing~'

Before they knew it, the first-year players had begun to regard Sawamura as a real coach.

In the first half of the fourth inning, the freshmen attacked, and this time it was the first turn.

For two consecutive swings, the first-year player missed Tanpa's pitch. It was not until the third throw that he barely touched the ball and hit it into the field.

The ball flew to the side of the third base, and the third baseman stepped forward to catch the ball and then passed it to the front of the first base.

"OUT!"

The freshman who didn't hit a hit had a hint of disappointment on his face.

"It's alright, we starting to touch the ball gradually, isn't it?"

Sawamura walked opposite to him, smiled, and comforted.

'Um?'

The freshman was stunned for a moment, then relieved.

It seems that this is the case, he has gradually started to touch Tanpa-senpai's ball. Unlike the first inning, he felt like he couldn't touch the ball at all.

Now, he no longer has that kind of despair.

Once out, no one got on base, and it was Sawamura's turn to Bat.

Sawamura entered the strike zone like a spring breeze.

A curved ball as if it suddenly fell from a high altitude!

"Please let me see your curveball, Tanpa-senpai!"

Sawamura, who was standing in the box, held the bat high in his hand, and his entire hitting form was extremely formal.

'Bring it on!'

The Catcher, Miyauchi, frowned and Tanpa on the pitcher's mound was in high spirits.

The Catcher felt that the momentum of the first-year team began to rise, whether it was attacking or defending, they all began to show their fighting spirit. And now Tanpa's fighting spirit is also very high!

'You got it then!'

The first ball: a Straight to the inside corner.

With an idea, Miyauchi decided to give Tanpa a sign for a straight ball from the inside corner.

Snap!

"STRIKE!"

Snap!

"STRIKE!"

Two consecutive pitches, two consecutive Strikes, Sawamura did not swing.

From the corner of his eyes, he glanced at Miyauchi strangely.

All straight balls, not a single change ball!

"Is it intentional, or is it a coincidence?"

Sawamura was a little unsure. He had originally made up his mind to play Tanpa's Winning Shot, but Tanpa just didn't do it.

It seems that Tanpa and Miyauchi seem to have made up their minds to use straight balls to fight Sawamura!

'These Senpais really look down on me. They haven't even studied my pattern at all.'

Neither Miyauchi nor Tanpa were good actors, and Sawamura realized their purpose with little attention. They were clearly determined to use a straight ball to deal with Sawamura.

This means that they haven't studied Sawamura's attack pattern, and Sawamura doesn't believe it.

'Tsk! Do you think I can't do anything with straight balls?' it is not like I was focusing only on pitching in my middle school.

Whoosh!

The white ball whizzed.

On the strike zone, Sawamura's body turned like a windmill, and the bat in his hand slammed on the flying white ball.

Sawamura was not only the Ace and also the coach at Akagi Middle School.

Ping!

He was also the Fourth Batter, with a big record of home runs.

The white ball was pumped out and landed behind the second baseman.

After the baseball was hit, Sawamura threw away his bat and started running forward. He ran to second base in one breath and stopped when the outfielder picked up the ball.

"Safe!"

The first hit of the freshman appeared, producer Sawamura Eijun.

Standing on the second base's bag, Sawamura clenched his fists somewhat uncomfortable.

The ball is heavier than he thought!

Tanpa has not been in Seidou for the past two years in vain. His ball speed and ball power have been honed well.

But even so, Sawamura sounded the horn call for the freshmen to fight back.

...

T/N: The Third Chapter!

That's it for today.