Diamond Ace: Monster Slayer

Chapter 269 The beginning is always not good

Maezono returned to the lounge helplessly.

Whether it was putting the ball back into the barrel, taking off the batting gloves or the batting helmet, the action seemed very unwilling.

This might be the only time he plays, but he performs like this.

You don't even need to look at Director Kataoka's expression to know that he himself is not satisfied.

Maezono will not be satisfied no matter how much others praise her because she cannot convince herself of her performance.

Perhaps after this blow, his journey to the autumn competition will come to an end.

Qingdao High School's batting line-up is not short of talent, and he is no match for Zhou Hui in the competition for the first baseman.

After much difficulty, he made it to the first team, but was unable to become a main player of the team.

Maezono also knew that his future might not be so bright.

"Zhou Hui, do you have your outfield gloves with you?"

Supervisor Kataoka turned around and asked.

Zhou Hui nodded slightly and took out his outfield gloves from his bag.

This outfield glove has accompanied him through the two major campaigns of the Summer Games and Koshien. You can see that it has some marks on it, but he has maintained it very well.

"Director Kataoka..."

Maezono was a little bit unbelievable.

If he was right, he would be guarding first base next.

But given his terrible performance just now, can he really go on stage?
"If you don't want me to, I'll let Zhou Hui take back the outfielder's gloves."

"Of course I am willing. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

Qian Yuan's eyes were full of excitement.

This is an opportunity given to this veteran by Coach Kataoka!
"Snapped!"

"Out! Three outs! Attack and defense switch!"

The ball hit by Shirasu landed in the glove of the center fielder.

The offense and defense switched, and Hakushu ran back to the dugout and put on the outfielder's glove.

He and Kuramochi, as the first and second batters, have not had any particularly good performance on the batting end in this game.

If it were Ryosuke, these things might not have happened.

Baizhou himself thinks so too.

He knew that his strength was not on the same level as Senior Ryosuke's.

"Notification of substitutions from Seidou High School. Pitcher Sawamura-san is going to rest, and he will be replaced by Furuya-san. Left fielder Aso-san is going to rest, and he will be replaced by first baseman Zhou-san. The first baseman will be replaced by Maezono-san."

Qingdao High School's defensive position underwent a major reshuffle.

The left fielder was replaced by Zhou Hui, the first baseman was replaced by Maezono, and the pitcher was replaced by Fōtani Akira.

Director Okamoto's attitude towards this adjustment also changed at this time.

He used to think he was humiliated, but now he doesn’t think so.

Because compared to Sawamura, Furuya Akira's level is not weak either.

The outside world has always believed that the new ace pitcher of Seidou High School will be Akira Fōtani, but Sawamura's appointment was beyond their expectations.

Although Sawamura performed better than Fōgiya Akatsuki in Koshien, in terms of talent and visual impact, Fōgiya Akatsuki is the strongest in Seidou High School.

Not to mention Seidou High School, perhaps no one in the entire West Tokyo can compare with him.

Therefore, no team dares to underestimate Akira Fōtani.

Moreover, the offensive capability of Qingdao High School's lineup seems to be even stronger.

Replacing Aso Takashi with Maezono allowed their already powerful attack to be even more powerful.

This lineup may become the new starting lineup of Qingdao High School in the future.

The first to be hit was the ninth batter of Teito High School.

Miyuki was squatting in the catcher's box, with no intention of pitching.

"Just go all out."

He also knew that it was useless to give the ball to Akira Fōgani at this time.

When Akira Fōgani first came on the field, his ball control ability was generally at the beginner's level.

The position is almost always in the upper middle of red, no matter how it is matched.

All the pitchers who have pitched for Akira Fōgaya know this, so most of them have given up.

"boom!"

The power of Fōgani Akira's pitching is still as strong as ever. Not only the power of the ball, but also the sound is so loud that it is almost loud enough to shatter the eardrums.

This kind of ball power and speed, hitting you is really a torture. It may not shatter you, but it may break two bones in your shoulder.

All in all, it won't be a very pleasant experience.

"Snapped!"

The sound was so loud that the fans in the audience gritted their teeth.

Although they have watched Fōgiya Xiao pitch many times, some people still can't adapt to it.

Whenever they looked at Yuki's gloves, they would always feel a burning pain on their hands.

"Bad ball."

The ninth batter of Teito High School didn't even swing at the straight ball from Fūya Akira. One can imagine what kind of training they had gone through.

In the first few at-bats, as long as they didn't swing the bat, there was absolutely no way that Kouyou Akira could do anything to them.

Right now, Akihiro Jōgō has not gotten into the state yet.

The first ball was a bad ball, but Miyuki was not too surprised. He just told Fōgaya Akatsuki to adjust his state.

Adjusting your state is the most important thing now!
"You must adjust your status."

Yuki continued to place the gloves in the middle position.

"boom!"

"Snapped!"

For the second pitch, the baseball still flew past with great force, but the position was still not very good.

The ball didn't float up at all, but went straight into the bad ball zone at a higher position.

"Bad ball."

Two bad balls.

"Bad ball."

"Ball. Ball. Walk."

The umpire calmly pointed to first base, and the batter naturally dropped the bat and ran over.

Fōgiya Akira on the pitcher's mound subconsciously swallowed his saliva.

This was a situation he didn't want to see.

But what could he do?

"Very good, that's it, just don't swing at it, great!"

Director Okamoto put his hands on his waist and laughed.

It was not difficult to see the surprise on his face.

This game is far from over.

Replacing the ace pitcher would be the worst decision coach Kataoka has ever made.

The new champion of Koshien is no more than this.

"First batter, center fielder, Kigami-san."

"Kugami, did you see how Yamahara played just now? Play the same way as him, and get on base."

Director Okamoto had an especially bright smile on his face.

One family is happy and the other is worried.

Director Kataoka's face did not have this expression.

His expression was extremely serious, and he looked at Sawamura from time to time.

If he hadn't been replaced, this result would not have happened.

"Bad ball."

"Bad ball."

"Bad ball."

"Ball. Ball. Walk."

Xiao Jiangu tried hard to swing his arms, but in the end it was all in vain.

After four consecutive bad balls, Mugami was sent to first base.

No one out, one and two bases occupied.

Teito High School entered the scoring circle.

This time, Akira Jōgō’s start was really not very good.

……

(End of this chapter)