In the stands of the stadium, tens of thousands of spectators raised their arms and cheered.
What an incredible game!!!
Initially, this match involving Seidou High School had been heavily hyped by the media.
However, the fans weren't exactly buying into it.
After all, the so-called "battle between mentors and disciples"—Coach Kataoka versus Coach Sakaki—was not a showdown between the players themselves.
Moreover, Yura Sougou was merely a recently emerging team. They were nowhere near the level of the powerhouse Seidou High School baseball team.
To put it bluntly, the two teams were simply not on the same level.
So, from any angle, this was destined to be a one-sided crushing victory.
But… they were wrong!
The excitement and intensity of today's game far exceeded their expectations.
Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they would have scoffed if someone had told them that Yura Sougou played such a thrilling match against Seidou.
They'd probably roll their eyes and spit in that person's face.
Sure, people brag, but this was just ridiculous.
A no-name team from some random corner dares to challenge Seidou High School?
Have they even looked at themselves in the mirror?
But the result was 11-2.
Maezono delivered a walk-off Grand Slam, ending the game with a single swing and securing the victory for his team.
Just looking at the result—Seidou leading by nine runs after seven innings, invoking the mercy rule—this quarterfinal match in the West Tokyo tournament was a demonstration of Seidou's absolute strength.
Seidou had proven themselves worthy of their title as champions.
During the match, Seidou's offense was relentless, creating multiple bases-loaded opportunities.
This further demonstrated their dominance as a powerhouse team!
Seidou's supporters were overjoyed, feeling that their team had truly lived up to their reputation.
The players had not let their prestigious name down.
Especially Maezono—his final swing redeemed his earlier shame.
Before this game, many people doubted Maezono's ability.
They believed that placing him in Seidou's core lineup was a mistake.
Some extreme fans even called for Maezono to be kicked off the first-string team.
Watching from their screens or the stands, they had no way of understanding the pressure Maezono faced within the team. They couldn't comprehend the weight he carried on his shoulders.
All they saw was his performance.
As the fifth batter in Seidou's core lineup, Maezono's skills were noticeably inferior to the third and fourth batters.
But, to be fair, anyone placed in Seidou's fifth spot would look weak compared to those two monsters.
Take Shiratsu, the player most fans clamored for. Kataoka had promoted him to that position before.
The result? Shiratsu's performance wasn't particularly groundbreaking either.
That's the reality!
It's not Maezono's fault; it's just that Sawamura Eijun—the Demon King—and Miyuki Kazuya—the Hero Of Seidou—are simply too terrifying.
If you were to search the entire high school for players on par with those two, you might find a few.
But the problem is, those players are already the cleanup hitters for their own teams. Why would they come to Seidou just to bat fifth?
That's just absurd.
So, whether you call it "picking the tallest from a group of short ones" or "when there's no general, even a peasant can lead the army," at this stage, Maezono is still the best choice for Seidou's fifth batter.
His technique may not be exceptional, but his fighting spirit is twice that of an ordinary person.
In crucial matchups, this kind of tenacity can decide the outcome of a game.
Just like today—Maezono had been suppressed by Higashiyama the entire time. Anyone else would have likely crumbled under such targeted pressure.
But Maezono didn't break. Not only did he endure, but he also delivered the final blow, sealing the victory.
This alone proves that he is worthy of being Seidou's fifth batter.
Inside Seidou's dugout, the players were visibly ecstatic, their smiles blooming like flowers.
On the other side, the defeated players were in tears.
Especially the third-year students of Yura Sougou—they were crying uncontrollably.
The summer tournament is ruthless. Once you lose, for third-year players, it marks the end of their high school baseball careers.
It wasn't just the defeat that made them sad; it was the realization that their high school journey had ended.
Several third-year players gathered around Coach Sakaki.
Crying as they bowed repeatedly to express their gratitude.
When they first joined Yura Sougou, they never imagined they would experience such a glorious moment in their high school baseball careers.
Although they ultimately lost to Seidou, it didn't matter—they lost to the National Champions.
For Yura Sougou, this result was acceptable.
They were genuinely grateful to their coach for guiding them and leading them to this stage.
Coach Sakaki, having experienced this many times, didn't cry.
His eyes were slightly red as he comforted his players, thanking them as well.
"Thank you all for listening to me and training hard until now. Carry this experience with pride that you lived your youth the best you can!"
If Seidou's players heard these words, their eyes would likely well up with tears, too.
Coach Sakaki truly lived up to his reputation as Seidou's founding father. His words were nearly identical to what Coach Kataoka had once said.
After Seidou's first-string team was finalized, Coach Kataoka said something similar to the retired third-year players.
He thanked them for their three years of hard work, for believing in him, and for giving their all until the end.
He also asked them to carry their time with Seidou with pride!
Perhaps this was something Kataoka had inherited from Coach Sakaki.
No matter how different their personalities were, there were always similarities between master and apprentice.
That is the influence a mentor has on a student.
Coach Kataoka might be a bit more stubborn and prideful, but deep down, he had undoubtedly been shaped by his mentor.
It was the most significant influence on his life.
After the game ended, something rare happened—both coaches approached each other.
This is uncommon in high school baseball.
After a match, it's usually the players who exchange greetings. Coaches typically just wave at each other or exchange a brief glance.
Actual conversations between coaches are rare.
For the players, especially those for whom this was their final game, they often have a lot they want to say to their victorious opponents. They may even entrust their hopes to the winning side.
But Coaches are different.
They face off every year, constantly competing as rivals.
So, it's not common for Coaches to develop close friendships.
They might admire or respect each other, but genuine friendships are few and far between.
However, this did not apply to Coach Kataoka and Coach Sakaki.
They were master and apprentice.
Not greeting each other after the match would have been awkward.
"You're a lucky one, leading such an outstanding group of players!"
"Thank you!"
Coach Kataoka looked over at his team, his eyes filled with gentle pride.
To be honest, he felt lucky himself. To be able to coach such a group of players—what more could he ask for?
"You've grown a lot, Tesshin. I believe that under your leadership, Seidou will only get better."
Coach Sakaki rarely praised Kataoka like this.
During Kataoka's student days, he had been Seidou's Ace early on.
But Sakaki's coaching back then had been harsh.
As a result, their relationship had been quite tense.
Now, after all these years, it brought a sense of nostalgia.
"It's all thanks to your teaching back then!"
"Haha, you've become more articulate!"
People's words change as their roles and status evolve.
Kataoka had once been a stubborn, ignorant, and unruly boy.
Now, he was a competent Coach leading Seidou High School.
Although Coach Sakaki had appreciated Kataoka's younger self more, from Seidou's perspective, the current Kataoka was undoubtedly the better fit.
…