Day 11 - Game 1 - Imabari Nishi Koukou vs. Bunsei Gaidai Fuzoku

In a repeat of a second round match during last year's Koshien, Imabari Nishi would square off against Bunsei Gaidai Fuzoku. In that match-up a year ago, the game was tied 2-2 until Imabari scored 8 in the 4th and cruised to a 12-3 win.

While the players on the field may be different, you can bet that Bunsei was looking to even the score. It would be ace against ace as Bunsei's Satoh-kun and Imabari's Kumashiro-kun would take the hill.

Going into this game, it was Kumashiro who looked solid and therefore favorite to advance. But like everything else this tournament, things get turned upside down.

In the first half of the game, it's Satoh-kun who plays the part of the dominant ace. Through 5 innings he strikes out 8 and allows only one runner on an error.

Kumashiro, on the other hand, has early control issues. In the second, he gives up a hit and hits a batter with 2 out before getting a pop out.

In the third, he walks lead-off batter C Akagawa. Bunsei decides on the hit and run and Arai blasts it past the third baseman and down the line putting runners at the corners. Then he hits 3B Katoh loading the bases. With the count 1-1 to P Satoh, Kumashiro throws a wild pitch and Akagawa scores! Later in the at bat, Satoh would ground to the pitcher leaving the runners at second and third. But not for long! Cleanup batter Kikuchi takes the first pitch to left field scoring one and giving Bunsei a 2-0 lead!

As the innings progressed Kumashiro would continue to let runners get on base, but get out of the jam each time, keeping his team within striking distance.

In the sixth inning, Imabari gets its first tangible scoring opportunity. With one out, #9 batter Takeuchi would get the first hit for Imabari with a base hit to left field. With lead-off batter Usami ineffective, Imabari elects to go with #13 Sogame, but he strikes out. Hamamoto takes an early pitch to left, putting Takeuchi in scoring position for SS Fukuoka!

And on a 1-2 pitch, it's a grounder through the right side! Takeuchi and Sogame are off, and what's this? The ball gets past the outfielders and goes straight to the fence. Takeuchi scores! Sogame rounds third, ..., he scores! Fukuoka's in with a triple and has tied the game!

In the top of the seventh, Imabari would get a two-out double by CF Mizuyasu, but get picked off soon after by C Akagawa.

Bottom of the seventh, C Akagawa starts with a single to center. Two batters later, Katoh grounds up the middle putting runners at the corners with Satoh coming up! The count goes to 2-2 and he squeezes! But no, it's foul! He's out!

Ninth inning rolls around with the game still tied. Fukuoka for Imabari strikes out. Kumashiro is up and ping ...

The left fielder is running back, the announcer is screaming, he reaches the fence, and it's gone! Kumashiro's done it! He's given his team the lead!

With two outs, and a runner on second, Mizuyasu steps up. Satoh strikes him out, but the ball gets away. Akagawa gets the ball, but the throw is away! Ah! The runner Kasahara is coming home from second! The throw, not in time! Imabari is up by 2!

And that would effectively open the flood gates for Imabari who would score 2 more to win 6-2.

One of the final pictures is of Satoh-kun, who is trying to hold back his tears while talking to the other team. He wasn't able to make it through 9 innings.