79th Spring Koshien Game 4

Imabari Nishi Koukou looked to have the better of it against 21st Century Team Tsuru Koukou. Indeed in the 2nd, a leadoff double by P Kumashiro-kun would score after a sacrifice bunt and fly. But the game would stay scoreless after that until the top of the 5th where a leadoff safety bunt by LF Mineo-kun would be rewarded with a double by CF Hashimoto-kun. An error on the play by the LF left Tsuru Koukou with a runner on 3rd and one out, but they could not capitalize any further. The momentum continued onto the 6th where P Kobayashi-kun led off with a single through the right side. After a sac bunt by Masada-kun, 3B Nara-kun would take a 2-2 pitch up the middle, taking a 2-1 lead. As the 6th and 7th inning passed, perhaps Tsuru Koukou would play Cinderella.

But in the 8th Imabari Nishi, sensing time running out, would wake up. With one out an error by SS Tachibana-kun, one-hopping the throw to first, would open the flood gates. RF Takeuchi-kun would take a 1-1 pitch to right with captain SS Fukuoka-kun taking a 1-2 fastball pitch up the middle to load the bases. P Kumashiro-kun hit a short fly to center and a charging Hashimoto prevented the runner from tagging up. Tsuru and Kobayashi-kun looked to get out of the jam, but 3B Kasahara-kun would come through with a hit just above SS Tachibana's head plating two runs before getting thrown out at 2nd. That would prove to be the game winning hit as Tsuru just had nothing left and went quietly in the 9th.

Game Summary

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Tsuru Koukou (Yamanashi)	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	2	7	1
Imabari Nishi Koukou (Ehime)	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	X	3	6	2