On the eighth day of the summer national high school baseball tournament, Takasaki Kenko Fukuushi University Takasaki High School from Gunma lost to Chiben Gakuen from Nara with a score of 1-2 in the first match.
The school’s attempt for a historic eighth spring and summer consecutive championship has ended in failure.
Aiming for a consecutive championship in spring and summer, Kenko Takasaki scored first with a timely hit from Yujiro Takayama in the first inning, but was quickly tied in the top of the second inning.
In the defense in the sixth inning with two outs and runners on first and second, catcher Haruto Hakoyama made a quick footwork play, getting the first base runner out with his strong arm, avoiding a crisis.
The match remained tied 1-1 as they entered the ninth inning.
In a pinch with one out and runners on first and second, once again Hakoyama’s good play prevented a sacrifice bunt, but the following batter hit a timely single, allowing the opposition to take the lead by one run.
This became the winning run, and Kenko Takasaki lost 1-2 to Chiben Gakuen, exiting the tournament in the second round.
Their ambition for a historic eighth consecutive title in spring and summer was dashed.
Second-year pitcher Genki Ishigaki from Takasaki Kenko Fukuushi University Takasaki High School expressed his frustration after letting the winning run score in the ninth, saying, “It was my responsibility as my pitch was not good and I got hit. I threw well in the first match, but I feel sorry for the seniors with my poor pitching in this game.”
Looking ahead, he said, “I want to become a pitcher who can lead the team to victory and doesn’t lose.”
The team captain, Haruto Hakoyama, reflected on being kept to just one run by the opposing pitcher, stating, “I expected a lot of breaking balls, but the opponent was tall and threw some balls with trajectories I wasn’t used to, which caused difficulties. Losing by one run makes me think that there was something lacking or something we couldn’t do.”
He also looked back on his high school life, saying, “I think this experience and feelings will be a lifelong treasure, something I can never again experience in life.”
Coach Hirofumi Aoyagi from Takasaki Kenko Fukuushi University Takasaki High School expressed his deep regret, saying, “It’s very frustrating. Our signature attacking power has decreased. The opposing pitcher was throwing low, and although I instructed the team not to hit low pitches, we couldn’t follow through. I think our pitchers did well according to our ideals.”
Regarding their victory in the Spring Senshu and subsequent loss in the second round of the summer Koshien, he remarked, “We won one game in the summer Koshien, but given this team’s strength, they were a team that could have won one more step ahead, so it’s very disappointing.”