Diamond No Ace: The Monster

Chapter 18: Preview of a Classic Scene!

With two outs and no runners on base, the momentum of the rookie team surged. Their eyes regained their sparkle as they felt a renewed sense of hope.

"We can't let that kid dominate the field like this," the upperclassmen said, their frustration palpable.

"Swing with all your might!"

The second- and third-year players, filled with righteous anger, were determined to turn the game around.

Meanwhile, the last two batters who had just been out were visibly distressed. They were certain they had given their all during their at-bats and even performed above their usual level. Yet, the outcome was not what they had anticipated.

"There must be something fishy going on here!"

They wanted to explain their concerns to their teammates but were at a loss about what exactly went wrong. Even if they did share their thoughts, what difference would it make?

In the batter's box, the new batter had no idea about the troubles faced by his predecessors. His fighting spirit was still high.

As Sawamura threw his pitch, the batter swung his bat with determination.

"I won't hold back!"

Despite his loud declaration, the batter's swing missed the ball entirely.

The ball and bat crossed paths without making contact.

This batter was supposed to be a key player for Seidou's second string. How could he miss a 130-kilometer-per-hour straight ball?

His face turned red with embarrassment. If it were possible, he would have wanted to hide.

Coach Kataoka, observing from behind, was intrigued by what he saw.

At that moment—

Snap!

The ball glanced off the edge of the catcher's glove, bouncing away. The catcher, Kariba, was stunned.

He had missed the catch!

What was happening?

Kariba's surprise was fleeting as he quickly refocused on the ongoing game.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault!"

With a pitch like that, missing the catch was inexcusable from any perspective.

"It's okay, it happens!" Sawamura said, unaffected. He had given it his all on that pitch.

When Sawamura was pitching in the countryside of Nagano, his full-powered throws often overwhelmed his teammates, who could barely catch them.

The batter, standing in the box, was filled with embarrassment and frustration. He silently vowed to hit the next pitch.

Soon, Sawamura's second pitch came in. Despite his previous miss, the batter resolved to give it his all.

"Ping!"

The bat made contact with the ball, but the batter's expression remained grim.

He watched as the ball floated aimlessly towards third base, as if it were deliberately placed there.

As a rookie who had played youth baseball before, he knew that a ball like this should have been an easy catch. If they couldn't handle it, they would truly be hopeless.

Snap!

The rookie third baseman caught the ball effortlessly.

"Out!"

Three outs, and the sides switched.

Sawamura managed to get three outs with just four pitches and didn't let a single run in during his debut.

"Great job! Now it's time to look for our offensive opportunities!" Sawamura, back in the dugout, was still full of enthusiasm. He clapped his hands and rallied his teammates.

"The score gap has widened to over 20 points. Doesn't this guy feel any pressure?"

"How big is his heart, anyway?"

Takashima Rei, adjusting her glasses, was perplexed by Sawamura's calm demeanor despite the constant errors from his teammates. She marveled at Sawamura's resilience.

Sawamura, who previously led a team of amateur players, had dealt with numerous setbacks without losing his composure, displaying a determination that stood out.

Takashima Rei saw Sawamura's resilience and adaptability as key qualities, which is why she made the exceptional decision to recruit this newcomer with little formal training into the Seido High School baseball team.

"During his time playing with his previous teammates, Sawamura must have become accustomed to handling crises," Takashima reflected. "While Furuya's talent is unparalleled, I firmly believe that Sawamura will be an indispensable asset to our team."

The game continued, and at this point, the slightly smaller Haruichi was substituted in as the team's second baseman, completing the trio of new players on the field.

The second and third-year pitchers had been replaced by Kawakami, a backup for the first-string team. Coach Kataoka's strategy was clear: in addition to honing his ace, he wanted to develop his backup pitchers.

Kawakami's control was precise, and his array of sharp breaking balls proved challenging for the new players. His sidearm delivery added to the difficulty, making it nearly impossible for the freshmen to handle.

Their rare offensive opportunities were quickly squandered.

"Strikeout!"

"Strikeout!"

"Strikeout!"

With three consecutive strikeouts, the sides switched once again.

"It's okay! We still have a chance!" Sawamura clapped his hands and continued to boost his teammates' spirits. It was evident that he was not daunted by the situation, embodying the composure of a future ace.

Kanemaru Shinji, frustrated, snapped, "When did you become the team's captain?"

Although Sawamura's pitching had been effective, his lack of experience showed in his lack of strategic understanding. It was hard for Kanemaru, a core player from the Matsukata senior league, to accept instructions from someone he considered an outsider.

Despite this, Sawamura's performance remained strong. Even though the upperclassmen could make contact with the ball, they struggled to hit it effectively. Two of them were quickly retired.

The next batter, a second or third-year player, gave it his all, hitting the ball with power. While it wasn't a perfect hit, its placement was tricky.

"Opportunity!"

However, before the batter could capitalize, a quick figure darted from the corner and expertly fielded the ball.

Snap!

The ball was swiftly relayed to first base.

"Out!"

With three outs, the sides changed once more, and it was once again the newcomers' turn to bat.

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