Day 3 – Game 3 – Nagano Nihon Koukou vs. Imabari Nishi Koukou

The final game of the day had perennial Imabari Nishi versus yet another Nihon University team, this time from Nagano Prefecture. While Nagano Nihon is known for its sports programs, this was its first appearance in the spring Koushien Tournament.

But Nagano Nihon showed no newcomer jitters. Top of the 1st, leadoff hitter Ikeda reaches on a walk. 2B Chino moves him along to 2nd, but 3B Itou K's, it's up to cleanup batter 1B Kobayashi. On a 0-1 count, he grounds one up the middle. SS Moriyama makes a fine stop, but rushes the throw to 1st. 1B Sogame can't make the grab and Ikeda scores!

Imabari's miscues continue into the 2nd inning. With 1 down, CF Nagato puts down a safety bunt. The C, P and 3B converge on the ball that's heading foul. But it stops on the line and he's safe at first! On the very next pitch to RF Koide, Nagato steals 2nd! After a hard fought AB, Imabari ace Mizuyasu gets Koide to strike out bringing last batter P Uemura. With a 1-1 count, he lines one to left, but it's too hard to get Nagato in. But he comes in soon thereafter as a 1-1 pitch to Ikeda is down and away from the C allowing him to score! Nagano Nihon finds themselves up 2-0 and it's Imabari Nishi that seems like the inexperienced team!

But they would get their chances soon enough. Bottom of the 3rd, 1B Sogame would walk. Last batter SS Moriyama is hit on the first pitch. 2B Higaki moves them along to scoring position with only 1 down. Uemura works the count to 2-2 to RF Yagi and then hits him to load the bases! Where has his control gone? But instead of forcing him to pitch 3B Takino swings at the first pitch and lines out to 2nd leaving the job to C Usami to bring them home. He appears patient, working the count 2-0, but then swings away and pops up to 2nd to get Uemura off the hook.

In the 4th, LF Ono would hit an infield single to the SS. P Mizuyasu follows that up with a laser past 1B Kobayashi down the RF line and Ono heads for home and is safe! Then LF Kanou drives one over a drawn in outfield for a triple and scoring Mizuyasu for the tying run, and there are still no outs! Have they figured out Uemura?

Sogame can't bring Kanou in grounding to 1st. Then Moriyama walks to put runners at the corners and enables the possibility of a double play. It's back to the top of the lineup though and 2B Higaki. He hits a blooper up the middle and SS Ikeda seems to have a beat on it. But the wind knocks it down and he overruns the ball! Everyone's safe and Imabari has the lead 3-2!

But Imabari's defensive woes still plague them. Koide gets on base as 1B Sogame stretches out too far to get the ball sooner and pulls himself off! P Uemura hits a blooper to right and the wind again plays a factor knocking it down before the fielders can get to it putting the runners at the corners with no down with the lineup once again flipping back up to Ikeda. He takes the first pitch to left. Oono charges at the ball and makes the sliding catch! But since he had to slide, Koide makes a mad dash for home and scores! Tie game!

With one down, Chino moves Uemura to 2nd into scoring position looking to reclaim the lead. But 3B Itou is up and he's 0-2 on the day. But he drives one to center, and the outfield is playing in! CF Kanou runs back, but it's over his head! Uemura scores and Itou is in at 3rd! Then Kobayashi grounds one past Sogame to right field scoring Itou and Nagano Nihon has grabbed back all 3 runs!

And that seemed to take all the wind out of Imabari Nishi's sails as they could never put together another scoring opportunity. "Newcomer" Nagano Nihon upsets Imabari Nishi 6-3 and moves on to face the Yokohama-Kita Ootsu winner.