Kanto Daiichi’s nine heads toward the Alps seats after winning against Kamimura Gakuen at Koshien Stadium.
On the 21st, two semi-final matches were held at Koshien Stadium (in Nishinomiya, Hyogo) for the National High School Baseball Championship. Kanto Daiichi (Tokyo) edged out Kamimura Gakuen (Kagoshima) 2-1, securing a spot in the finals for the first time. If there are no schedule changes due to bad weather, they will face Kyoto International (Kyoto), also making their first finals appearance, on the 23rd at 10 AM. (Kō Sato)
Kanto Daiichi, maintaining a solid defense and utilizing their pitching, reached their first semi-final in nine years. On this day, second baseman Shunsuke Echigo (2nd year) made a spectacular jumping catch of a sharp liner in the third inning, contributing to their strong defense and tight contest. Echigo’s father, Masahiro (51), watching from the third-base side stands, smiled and said, “The results of their practice are showing.”
Starting pitcher Takahiro Ougo (3rd year) allowed a lead-off run in the fourth inning but performed well, limiting them to minimal runs over five innings. His father, Masahiro (48), praised him, saying, “He pitched well at Koshien, which he has admired since childhood,” and added, “I believe they will turn this around from here.”
And just as expected, the batting line, which had been held to no hits until then, rallied in the seventh inning. With one out and a runner on second, catcher Shunosuke Kumagai (same year) hit a timely double down the first base line, successfully achieving a comeback aided by an opposing error. In the ninth inning, relief pitcher Ryo Sakai (same year) allowed a hit with two outs and runners on first and second, but center fielder Yugo Tsubata (same year) threw out the runner attempting to score from second, ending the close match.
◆ “Aggressive Defense” – A Growing Excellent Throw by Yugo Tsubata (3rd year)
Yugo Tsubata shows a smile after winning against Kamimura Gakuen.
Faced with a ground ball that got through the infield, Tsubata, playing shallow in center field, charged forward fiercely. He smoothly handled the ball and, with momentum, swung his right arm. He made a perfect no-bounce throw that seemed to be sucked into his glove. Kumagai adjusted his body and stretched his mitt to tag out the runner trying to score. It was a dramatic ending that fittingly matched the intense contest.
With just a one-point lead going into the ninth inning and facing a two-out situation with runners on first and second, any errant throw could lead to tying the game and possibly taking the lead. Nevertheless, he said there was no hesitation. “With their pitcher performing well, if they catch up, it would become difficult. I wanted to get him out,” he stated.
A relay throw might have allowed for a successful out as well. However, manager Takamitsu Yonezawa reflected, “In that situation, what he did was right.” On the well-maintained Koshien field, the odds of a ball taking an unpredictable bounce are low, allowing players to come forward without hesitation. Connecting could increase chances of mistakes. In that split second, he determined that the best course of action was a direct throw.
While the infield’s solid defense shone during this tournament, the stars of the day were the outfielders. In the seventh inning, Shintaro Sakamoto (2nd year) made a diving catch on a shallow fly to left. Tsubata proudly stated, “Even if we don’t have the same level of defensive skills as the infield, if we do what we need to, we can make good plays.”
Their solid defense has also shown growth throughout the game. In the fourth inning, when they allowed the opening run, Tsubata’s movement was slow against a timely hit to center, prompting manager Yonezawa to point out, “Your charging was not aggressive enough.” They built momentum with a big play that took advantage of their reflections, and Kanto Daiichi will challenge the finals for the first time. (Kō Sato)