Day 5 - Game 2 - Karyou Koukou (Yamaguchi) vs. Keiou Koukou (Kanagawa)

Game 2 showcased a team from Kanagawa NOT named Yokohama in Keiou Koukou, and a newcomer to the Koushien scene in Karyou Koukou via the 21st century team bid.

Karyou
CF Yamano
LF Moriyama
RF Nishiyama
P Uno
3B Tamai
1B Kaimori
SS Ishizaka
C Morikawa
2B Nishioka

Keiou
RF Naitou
3B Fukutomi
2B Yamazaki
LF Suzuki ?
1B Ogawa
CF Mizoguchi
P Tamura
C Suzuki Ryousuke
SS Saitou

Karyou comes out of the gates early. Yamano singles through the right side. With one out, he takes 2nd on the first pitch to Nishiyama. Then with 2 down, Uno gives himself the early lead with a single to LF.

Keiou would look to answer in the bottom half of the frame. With 2 down, Yamazaki singles through the right side. He promptly steals 2nd himself on the first pitch. Suzuki (LF) then singles up the middle, but it's hit too hard and Yamazaki can't score. That's too bad for Keiou as Ogawa would ground to 1st ending the inning.

Not to worry though, they'd have another chance in the 2nd. With one out, Tamura hits one to 2nd, but Morikawa bobbles the ball allowing him to reach. Suzuki Ryousuke then singles up the middle giving them a great opportunity. But then Saitou grounds to the P. Instead of turning 2 though (1-6-3), he instead goes to 3rd to get the lead runner. But the throw is wide! Tamai has to go off the bag to get the ball and everyone's safe! What's more, the lineup's turned over and Naitou has a chance to give Keiou the lead. The count goes to 1-2 and the next pitch is behind the batter! Morikawa makes a great stop and prevents a wild pitch tying the game. That's fortunate, as on the next pitch, Naitou grounds into the 6-4-3 DP ending the threat and preserving the 1 run lead for Karyou.

It doesn't end there. In the 3rd, Fukutomi would lead off the inning with a walk. Yamazaki would single up the middle once again putting pressure on Uno and Karyou's defense. After a strikeout and a flyout to center, up comes Mizoguchi. He grounds one to Ishizaka at short, but as he throws the ball slips out of his hand! Again, everyone's safe and the bases are loaded! But Uno bears down again, striking out Tamura to avoid yet another bullet.

The chances keep on coming for Keiou. Leading off the 4th, Suzuki Ryousuke would double to the LCF wall. He's moved over by Saitou. But once again, Keiou cannot advance him the final 90 feet as Naitou would ground to 1st, and Fukutomi would fly to right.

Well, now wait a minute, Karyou scored first but Keiou's had the opportunities. What's happened to Karyou? Nothing really. They've just been going down in order every inning after the 1st. In the 5th, they'd get their first runner since the opening inning with a leadoff double fropm Kaimori to the LCF wall. But in a momentary lapse of judgement, he's picked off 2nd by C Suzuki no less and that basically was that.

Back to Keiou though. They would get another chance in as many innings in the bottom half of the 5th. Yamazaki would double down the RF line. Unlike the 4th though, he's not moved over and instead cleanup batter Suzuki is allowed to swing away. But he lines out to center and then Ogawa strikes out. Uno looks to get out of the jam, but then he walks Mizoguchi on 4 straight. Needing some type of spark in any way just to get the run home, the Keiou's manager pinch-hits for their ace, bringing in #15 Agata. And he delivers with a hit to RF! Yamazaki rounds 3rd and heads home! Nishiyama fields a ball and throws home! It's a laser to the plate! Morikawa makes the grab and he collides with Nishiyama! And he holds onto the ball for the inning ending out!! What a play by Nishiyama and Morikawa!!! Keiou has got to be frustrated that they cannot bring any runner home from scoring position.

With that PH in the 5th, Keiou brings in #1 Tadano to pitch. And immediately he runs into trouble. Last batter Nishioka singles through the right side. With one out Morikawa singles to CF and Tadano hits Nishiyama to load the bases. Karyou looks to break this one open and put Keiou down for the count. Uno connects on the first pitch, but it's to Ogawa at first! He throws home for the force there and Suzuki completes the DP with a return throw to Yamazaki covering 1st keeping them in the game.

The chances keep coming for Keiou. Moving to the 7th, Yamazaki singles to LF with one out. Two down now, and a WP to Ogawa sends him to 2nd. But Ogawa strikes out to end the inning. Next inning, Mizoguchi leads off with a walk. But he's caught stealing there, and that ends that early threat.

Defensively, they continue to keep it close. Karyou leads off the 9th with an error by Naitou allowing Nishiyama to reach. After a fielder's choice by Uno, Tamai comes up to bat. He pops one foul and Fukutomi gives chase, and he dives into the camera well and makes the great catch!

Keiou would get one last chance in the 9th. Naitou would start with a walk. He's moved over by Fukutomi, bringing up Yamazaki who's been 4-4 today. Surely he can bring him in, right? Sadly though, the woes for Keiou would continue. He grounds a 2-0 pitch to the Nishioka at 2nd and Suzuki would pop up to 2nd ending the game.

Keiou had their chances throughout the game, but could not get that crucial timely hit to tie it up.

Player Lines
Uno (Karyou) - 1-4, RBI
Uno (Karyou) - CG SHO, 8H, 6K, 5BB
Yamazaki (Keiou) - 4-5, 2B
Suzuki Ryousuke (Keiou) - 2-3, 2B, BB