On the pitcher's mound, Sawamura Eijun no longer had to worry about the opponent's stolen bases.
He could just focus on dealing with the batter and the runner on third base.
Behind the plate, Miyuki slightly bit his upper lip, continuously recalling the strategy he and Sawamura had devised in his mind.
It wasn't bad. At least the initial plan had been implemented smoothly.
Now they just had to proceed step by step, and it shouldn't be too difficult to resolve the situation.
At least their chances of winning had increased!
So, they began the second step.
Without any delay, Miyuki signaled to Sawamura with the second signal.
'Speed was essential, and we needed to be decisive.'
Now, they had essentially put all their chances on the showdown between pitcher and batter.
The more critical the moment, the less room there was for carelessness.
This was clearly something both Sawamura and Miyuki had thought of together.
After receiving the ball, Sawamura didn't hesitate and pitched once more.
At this point, he no longer had to worry about the runners on base.
He could focus entirely on dealing with the batter.
Although Allen was the 6th batter for the Dream Team, his hitting ability was far from limited to just that level.
The reason he was placed here by Coach Walter was twofold.
First, it was to conserve his stamina. After all, batters in the core lineup carry more pressure, so this position was less demanding.
Secondly, it was to add more runs. If the core lineup managed to get on base, someone would need to bring them home.
From this perspective, Coach Walter had high expectations for Allen.
These expectations weren't limited to just pitching.
He was also highly anticipated in terms of batting!
However, Allen who was under the spotlight, appeared somewhat flustered at this moment.
Sawamura's pitches were so tricky, that last Forkball was particularly devilish!
In desperation, Allen could only try to find an opening.
But where could he find one?
Since Allen started playing baseball, the genius aura surrounding him had never faded.
Except for a few players much older and more famous than him, he had never felt inferior when facing players his age.
But now, Allen couldn't help but doubt himself.
Was it possible that he really wasn't good enough?
Otherwise, why had he failed to read Sawamura's pitches even after facing them a second time?
Paak!!
Giving up the bunt, Allen used his all to hit the ball.
Unfortunately, he didn't have Bill's ability.
Even though the ball was hit, he couldn't control its speed.
He could only watch helplessly as the ball slowly dropped above second base.
Haruichi effortlessly caught the ball.
Snap!
"OUT!"
There was no suspense. It was clean and swift.
The situation became one Out, with runners on second and third.
Behind the plate, Miyuki sighed in relief, silently.
No matter what, they had made it past the second hurdle.
Of course, the next hurdle was the most difficult one.
Realizing that a direct confrontation would only increase their chances of getting Out, what would the Dream Team's players choose?
The answer wasn't complicated at all.
If they were in the shoes of the Seidou High School team, they would undoubtedly make the same choice.
A bunt!
Force the run!
This logic was well understood by the Seidou team, and the players of the Dream Team weren't any different.
They knew clearly that the most advantageous option for America was to get that one run.
Whether they chose a bunt or a hit-and-run, the strategy was the same.
There was no other choice but this.
Paak!
The 7th batter, Mason Cruz, decisively went for a bunt.
And this, the Seidou High School team had already anticipated.
After the pitch, Sawamura Eijun sprinted at full speed.
He caught the ball the moment it was thrown to him and quickly passed it to home plate.
Snap!
In a lightning-fast exchange, Miyuki narrowly tagged Bill out at home.
"OUT!!"
This kept the Seidou team's one-run lead intact.
Though Cruz and Mike had taken the opportunity to steal first and third bases, the situation for the Seidou team was much more manageable now.
At this point, they had already recorded two Outs, with a runner on first and third.
"STRIKE!"
"STRIKE!!"
"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!!!"
Next, facing the Dream Team's 8th batter, Dylan Hayes, Sawamura unleashed his full power and successfully struck him Out.
They finally secured the third Out.
The crisis of having runners on first and third with no Outs had been resolved.
At this moment, the over 60,000 spectators' eyes were filled with awe as they looked at Sawamura Eijun.
They never expected things to turn out this way in the end.
"Unbelievable!"
"Is he really a high school student?"
"Even some Major League pitchers wouldn't have such skill?"
"He is called 'The Demon King' by the media in Japan."
Finally, the name "Great Demon King" began to echo across America.
Although the vast majority of American baseball fans have no idea who Eijun Sawamura is, that doesn't mean no one knows about him.
Some people who are interested in Japanese baseball or the Koshien tournament are familiar with Sawamura's name.
On baseball websites in America, Sawamura's name occasionally appears. However, most people aren't interested in this unfamiliar name.
They only vaguely know that Sawamura is quite famous in Japan.
Occasionally, some people who don't know their place compare Sawamura to Allen.
American fans overlook such opinions.
Those people in Japan love to boast.
They often talk about once-in-a-decade geniuses or once-in-a-century talents. Their stories sound compelling, but their credibility is low.
The truth is, there are very few Japanese players who can make a name for themselves in the Major Leagues.
If you count them, you'll realize just how rare they are.
This Sawamura, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, is probably just another exaggerated product of the media in Japan!
Although there are videos of Sawamura's games available online, after watching them, people objectively concluded that Sawamura is indeed skilled.
But that's about it.
The common opinion was still to question his opponents.
Because Sawamura plays in Japan, the quality of his opponents is understandable.
In such circumstances, no matter how well Sawamura performs, his overall evaluation is inevitably discounted.
To compare Sawamura to the Son of Baseball Allen is an insult to Allen.
This opinion wasn't held by just a few people—it was the prevailing view in American mainstream baseball circles.
Even the professional scouts who had done in-depth research on Sawamura and had a clearer understanding of his abilities never believed he could be compared to Allen.
In their eyes, Allen is untouchable!
But just at that moment, whether they were players, scouts, or fans from America—professional or not—everyone was stunned.
Their entire worldview completely collapsed.
Sawamura had taught these overconfident individuals a lesson with his overwhelming power.
What does it mean to be truly strong?
What does it mean to be at the top level among all your peers worldwide?
With no Outs and runners on first and third, the batters were the star players from the Dream Team...
In such a crisis, if you put Allen on the mound, could he guarantee that no runs would score?
But Sawamura did it!
And he did it beautifully.
This forced everyone to admire him, to silently give him a thumbs up.
If one were to conclude that Sawamura's ability is superior to Allen's based on this performance, it would certainly be an overstatement.
After all, every pitcher has their own style, and they excel in different areas.
It's impossible to compare their abilities based on simple statistics.
But in terms of current performance,
Sawamura's showing is absolutely on par with Allen's.
Though their styles are completely different, both have demonstrated overwhelming strength beyond their peers.
To summarize with the words of a professional scout present at the scene:
"Putting them both in a high school game is a mistake in itself."
Eijun Sawamura!!!
The Demon King!!!
After today, these two names, even if they don't quite live up to their full significance, at least gained some recognition in America.
Next time people talk about Sawamura, it's unlikely anyone will casually respond with "Who?" as they did before.
After today's game, if someone still claims they don't know Sawamura,
It will only prove their ignorance, not that Sawamura has no recognition.
From that moment on, Sawamura has made a name for himself in America.
Though this recognition may seem small compared to his future achievements,
It's a good start.
And a crucial turning point.
But that's a story for later.
For now, let's talk about the players from the Dream Team.
Seeing Sawamura, with no Outs and runners on first and third, calmly and skillfully dismantle their offense,
They were all left speechless.
In the dugout,
Coach Walter's eyes were wide open, so wide that if his eyelids weren't in the way, his eyeballs might have popped out.
If anyone from the Dream Team was having the hardest time accepting the result, it was probably him.
He had set up an elaborate strategy, thinking that even if they couldn't turn the game around,
They could at least use this opportunity to tie the game.
Once the game was tied, Seidou's weaknesses would begin to surface one by one.
It wasn't about that one point.
It was about shattering Seidou's players' confidence.
By showing them, through action, that their pitcher wasn't invincible.
Even with Sawamura on the mound, they couldn't stop runs from scoring.
Once that happened, the Dream Team would have full control.
By then, Seidou High wouldn't even need the Dream Team to launch a full attack—the Seidou players would collapse on their own.
But the final result was the complete opposite—trying to cheat ended up backfiring.
Not only did they fail to achieve their goal, but Seidou used this opportunity to assert their dominance over the game.
Sawamura, with his actions, made it clear to the Dream Team players
Just how solid Seidou's pitching mound is.
No matter what tricks the Dream Team players tried,
They couldn't change this fact.
In the bottom of the fifth, Seidou's offense began.
Allen, almost out of control, fired up.
The Seidou High players at the lower part of the lineup were no match for him.
"STRIKE!"
"STRIKE!!"
"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!"
"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!!"
"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!!!"
They were easily struck out three times in a row.
Back in the dugout, the Seidou players were all downcast.
Though Sawamura had given them a breath of relief, Allen's actions made it clear to them.
What the gap truly meant.
Some people are just born unequal.
It's a frustrating truth, but it's reality.
What Allen showed Seidou's players was just this reality!
It was like flaunting his unique talent, leaving the Seidou players with nothing but wide eyes.
…
T/N: The crisis have been averted…for now at least…