Best 8 Update!

Unfortunately, the 2nd and 3rd games of the day have not been all that interesting with the favorites Teikyo and Ohgaki Nichidai advancing easily.

They have, however, drawn the brackets for the best 8 matches.

Day 12 - Game 1 - Saga Kita Koukou vs. Teikyo Koukou
Saga Kita will definitely have their work cut out for them. Some advice? Minimize walks, go after the batters (even if you know they can hit), and be as patient as possible with their pitchers as that is probably their only weakness.

Day 12 - Game 2 - Imabari Nishi Koukou vs. Koryo/Seikou winner
If Koryo advances, I think they have a shot to beat Imabari from what I've seen from them. Should Seiko advance, I think it'll be a close game. Imabari has some history behind it, but they've looked far from dominating so far in the tournament.

Day 13 - Game 1 - Nagasaki Nichinan vs. Yoshikan
I guess this match-up is nice because it guarantees one of them advancing on to the Best 4. But I kinda wish they weren't playing each other now because one of them will definitely get eliminated (note how I like the underdog teams). I've been impressed with what I've seen from Nagasaki Nichinan, especially in their game against Kyoto Gaidai Nishi. Yoshikan has also shown some stuff as well, beating perennial Kochi Shogyo. It's kind of hard to say, but I'd look for Nagasaki to advance.

Day 13 - Game 2 - Tokoha Gakuen Kikugawa vs. Ohgaki Nichidai
One word. WOW. I was hoping for a Tokoha-Ohgaki final in this Koshien as well, but I guess we get the guaranteed game now. These teams have been very cozy with each other this past year. They played in the regional tournament to qualify for the Spring Koshien (Tokoha won), and in the championship game of the Spring Koshien (Tokoha won).

All bets are off here. Ohgaki has had solid pitching. Tokoha has, well they have pinch hitting sensation Itoh-kun amongst other things. I'll just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Netto Koshien! Mata ashita!