Day 5 - Game 1 - Tsuruga Kehi Koukou (Fukui) vs. Tenri Koukou (Nara)

Day 5 began with a matchup featuring a perennial team to Koushien (both Spring and Summer) in Tenri Koukou. Interestingly enough, this was the first time they've been here in 3 years. For their opponents, Tsuruga Kehi Koukou, this was only their 2nd appearance, and 10 years in coming.

The interesting thing coming into this match was Tenri's ace, Iguchi-kun. This was the first time I remember seeing a true submariner. I'm talking like Chad Bradford type here.

Tsuruga Kehi
CF Nishikiori
SS Tsuji
3B Li
C Yamamoto
LF Oki
1B Hayashi
P Yamada
2B Takabatake
RF Kitamura

Tenri
C Suzuki
RF Tachibana
1B Gesu
CF Okuda
1B Furuta
2B Maeda
LF Kitayama
SS Yamashita
P Iguchi

As with matchups like this, Tsuruga Kehi looked a little shaky at first. After being retired in order in the top of the first, Tenri's leadoff batter would reach after Takabatake can't get a hold of the chopper. Tachibana can't move him over, pop bunting to the P. Gesu grounds into a fielder's choice. Cleanup batter Okuda singles through the right side putting runners at the corners, but Furuta pops the first pitch to Hayashi to end the inning.

Tsuruga Kehi looked to have trouble hitting the submariner, and in fact didn't get their first runner until the 4th where leadoff batter Nishikiori lines one to right. But that would be fleeting as the next batters couldn't bring him home.

Tenri's offense was also lacking early as well. Their next scoring opportunity came also in the 4th. Gesu would line a single to RCF. But fundamentals would fail them again as Okuda popped a bunt to the P again. Gesu would advance to 2nd anyways after the 1-0 pitch to Furuta goes in the dirt. Furuta would later walk on 4 pitches, putting runners at 1st and 2nd with only one out. However, neither Maeda or Kitayama could bring them home, grounding into fielder's choices.

The breakthrough would come in the 5th. With two outs for Tenri, leadoff batter Suzuki would double down the LF line. Tachibana makes up for his earlier mistake by putting down the safety bunt and reaching 1st, putting runners at the corners! Then, with the count 1-1 to Gesu, Tachibana would steal 2nd. Fast forward to a 2-2 count and Gesu grounds to the 3B. But Li can't get a hold of the bounding ball and Gesu is safe at first and Suzuki scores from 3rd!

Tenri continues the running parade as while Okuda is at bat, Gesu steals 2nd. His hustle pays off as Okuda bloops one down the RF line scoring both Tachibana and Gesu, giving Tenri a 3-run lead - all with 2 outs!

Tenri would continue to get opportunities after that. In the 6th, again with 2 outs, they would get 2 consecutive base hits and a hit batter would load the bases. And while Tachibana drove the ball to deep center, the park would hold the ball.

Tsuruga Kehi would finally get another chance in the 7th. Tsuji would single to RCF, followed by Li with a single through the left side. Cleanup batter Yamamoto would bunt them over, but they too would be left stranded.

Tenri would add on two more in the 8th and would cruise to a 5-1 victory.

Player Lines
Tsuji (Tsuruga Kehi) - 2-3, R
Suzuki (Tenri) - 2-4, HBP, 2R
Okuda (Tenri) - 3-4, 4 RBI, HBP
Iguchi (Tenri) - CG, 6H, ER, 4K, 2BB.