Koshien: Summer 2006 Round 5 - Semi Finals

I joined the game late today. If anyone can contribute a game recap, that'd be great.

Trailing by a score of 4-7, and with the rain just starting, Chiben had runners at first and second with one out in the top of the 8th, but stranded them both there.

Komadai's ace Tanaka has thrown exactly 100 pitches through 8 innings, and is going to the 9th with a 3 run lead. The last three outs, though, are the toughest, as we've seen several times over the past few days.

Tanaka gets the first batter swinging for out number one.

The second batter fails to check his swing at a ball in the dirt and outside. The catcher tags him out still standing in the batter's box. Two away. Chiben is down to their last out.

The final batter grounds out to second base, and Komazawa advances to the final for the third summer in a row, going for a first ever three summer victories in a row.

Kagoshima fails to put two hits together against new Koshien idol Saitoh, dropping the semi-final 5-0. The following are my jotted notes on the game. Any other recaps are most welcome.

Waseda starts the scoring off in the bottom of the first as their #4 batter hits a 3-run with 1 out and runners at first and second. Waseda goes up 3-0.

Waseda adds a run with a double to left-center with two down and a runner at second. That makes it 4-0 in favor of Waseda.

In the top of the third, Kagoshima gets the leadoff runner on. The sacrifice bunt (why? You're down by 4!) goes back to the pitcher. The pitcher turns, fires to second to cut down the lead runner, but throws the ball into center! The base runner advances to third on the error.

Waseda had a chance to get out of the inning when the pitcher faked to third and got the first base runner in a run down. The runner at third broke for home, so the throw was to there. The catcher chased the runner back, but the throw to third hit the runner - everyone safe!

The batter did help out in the end, though, grounding out to the pitcher. Kagoshima comes up empty.

Kagoshima retires the leadoff runner for the first time this game in the bottom of the 3rd. In fact, they go on to retire Waseda in order for the first time as well.

But Kagoshima goes down in order as well in the top of the 4th.

Three up, three down again in the bottom of the 4th and top of the 5th. Hey, this is turning into a pitchers duel.

A sharp grounder to third (ruled an error as it bounced off his chest) to lead off the bottom of the 5th saw the first base runner for either team in a few innings. He's sacrificed to second. After the next batter is struck out, we have a change in pitchers to face #4 batting Gotoh, who hit the three run home run in the first.

However, he's hit by a pitch, putting runners at first and second with two down.

Waseda's #5 batting Funabashi fouls out to left to end the threat.

A one out double drives in the 5th Waseda run in the bottom of the 8th. A single through the left side puts runners at first and third, still with one down. Waseda is trying to put this game as far away from Kagoshima's grasp as possible.

A ground ball to third base is thrown to second for one, the relay to first just gets the diving batter for out number two. The double play is successful, and no further damange is done. Going to the top of the 9th, though, Kagoshima trails 0-5.

The first Kagoshima batter in the 9th goes down swinging on three pitches. That's the 12th strike out for Saitoh this game. In fact, Saitoh has not given up a single base on balls this game, either.

The 2-2 pitch is grounded right back to Saitoh on the mound. He throws to first, and Kagoshima is one out away from elimination.

That brings up Samejima, who has struck out twice and grounded out to short so far. The count goes full. Saitoh's shoubu pitch is low and in, but swung on and missed, strike three. Game over.

Waseda goes on to the final to face Komadai.