Day 7 - Game 1 - Nichinan Gakuen vs. Toko Gakuen

The first game of the 7th day highlights Nichinan Gakuen of Miyazaki-ken versus Toko Gakuen of Yokohama. This looks to be another advantage for the Yokohama squad.

Indeed, Toko would take the lead in the 1st as 2B Tsutsui-kun gets a one out walk. Moved along by captain Masano-kun, he would score on a timely two base hit down the right field line by 1B Ueda-kun!

Meanwhile, Nichinan can't put anything tangible to threaten Toko other than runners at 1st and 2nd with two out in the 3rd.

Toko would extend its lead in the 4th. After a lead-off walk to Ueda-kun, LF Akiyama-kun grounds to third starting the apparent wheel to clear the bases. But Ueda is called safe at second and now there's a runner in scoring position! SS Nishikawa would take advantage of that on the next pitch, doubling to deep center and scoring Ueda!

Nichinan awakens right afterwards. With 1 out, last batter Kawashima would walk on 4 straight pitches. With a 1-0 count to CF Mochida-kun, the pitch goes wild sending Kawashima to second. Later in the at bat, Mochida would hit one to 3B Tateba-kun. But a high bounce off the infield means that it goes off his glove. SS Nishikawa gets it but by that time it's too late, and now there are runners at the corners with 1 out. SS Ohhara gets a timely hit through the left side, scoring Kawashima with Mochida running to third. Up by one, there's still nothing to worry about until P Tachiki-kun throws another wild pitch scoring Mochida and tying the game! He then beans C Hatanaka, and on a 1-0 count to Nakamoto, the runners perform a double steal! What is happening to Toko? Tachiki settles down, striking out the next batter, but is replaced in favor of RP Maruyama. He strikes out the next batter, but the damage has been done.

On Nichinan's side, ace Arima would be replaced by LF Nakazaki. Nakazaki and Maruyama are dominant over the final innings of regulation, and the game goes into extra innings.

And just like the Kyoto Gaidai Nishi - Jyoso Gakuin game the previous day, the sparks would begin to fly.

Nichinan starts the top of the 10th with a single to left by Hatanaka. Nakamoto follows that up with a bloop to left field. Ohmatsu bunts to advance the runners, but Ueda elects to throw to third and it's not in time! It's hard to say from the replay though, but it was really close. Big chance now for Nakazaki, and he hits a falling liner to center. But Ohishi makes the charging catch, and with him coming in, the runners can't tag up! No matter, says Sakai. He takes a 1-2 pitch to center again. Ohishi charges again and has to dive, but he's too early and the ball goes over his outstretched glove! 2 runs score on the double! PH Hori would strike out and it looked like Toko would get out of it. But Maruyama would throw a wild pitch to Kawashima and Ohmatsu scores, extending their lead to 3 runs!

Toko won't give up, though! Last batter Ohishi starts the inning with a single to left. After Tateba flies to left, Tsutsui grounds one up the middle, and Masano bloops one down the left field line scoring Ohishi and bringing cleanup hitter Ueda up to bat. On an 0-2 pitch he pops it up in foul territory, but neither the catcher nor third baseman can get to it. Ueda makes the most of the opportunity by lining one to left field and scoring both runners! Akiyama would ground to third, putting the winning run 90 feet away, but that's as far as he would go as Nishikawa grounds out to second to end the threat. But they've done it! They've scored 3 to tie the game!

Top 11, Ohhara and Hatanaka are out quickly and captain Nakamoto is up. On a 1-1 pitch he hits the ball to left field. The left fielder runs back, runs back, looks up, and it's gone! Nakamoto has given Nichinan the lead once again! But it's not over yet! Ohmatsu lines one to center. Nakazaki also hits one to center and Ohmatsu goes for 3! The throw is there first, but it's to the outfield side of third base. Ohmatsu slides on the inside of the bag and is safe! Nishii next takes one hard to right - Masano runs in, he's there - it's off his glove! Ohmatsu and Nakazaki score! Three run lead now for Nichinan. Interestingly, with an 0-1 count to the next batter (#15 – didn't get his name), he's pinch hit for by Hori-kun. On the very next pitch he bloops it to center scoring Nishii! And now Nichinan is up by 4!

That would prove to be too much for Toko as they can only manage 1 in the bottom frame as their Koshien summer comes to an end.