The first hit for the first-years was delivered by Zhou Hui!
A solid long hit to right field.
At least now, the first-years wouldn't end the game completely hitless.
"Sorry, that was my fault. My pitch call was too predictable."
Ono quickly ran up and admitted his mistake.
Kawakami had just been subbed in and got blasted with a hit right away. No one would feel good in that situation.
"It's alright. That guy's not on the same level as the other first-years," Kawakami said, glancing at Zhou Hui.
Ono was stunned for a moment.
So it wasn't just him who noticed Zhou Hui's extraordinary ability—Kawakami had sensed it too.
Ono didn't say anything further and ran back to crouch behind the plate.
"Strike!"
"Strike!"
"Strike! Batter out!"
"This is bad! Even if someone gets on base, there's no one to continue the batting lineup!"
Kanemaru from the dugout clutched his head in frustration.
What's the difference between that and not getting on base at all?
"Strike! Batter out!"
"Strike! Batter out! Change sides!"
Just like Zhou Hui had expected—though he got on base, he still couldn't make it back home.
The team's biggest problem was that no one else could follow up with a hit.
"What a shame."
"But for Seidou High, that kid who got the hit is quite a find."
"Maybe he's this year's version of Miyuki."
Coach Kataoka didn't say a word but turned around and stared intently at Zhou Hui.
He really was a promising seedling.
If the rookie test only proved that his fundamentals were solid, then this match—this confrontation with Kawakami—proved he could be a key player in Seidou's future core lineup.
Next, it was time to see how good his defense was.
According to the info provided by the Hawks, Zhou Hui's defense was like an impenetrable wall.
Top of the 7th inning, Second Team at bat.
"First-years changing pitcher, outfielder, and second baseman."
Three substitutions at once?
That wouldn't even be allowed in an official game.
As soon as he heard "pitcher change," Sawamura jumped up in excitement.
"Heh heh, it's finally my turn!"
He ran toward the mound gleefully.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Huh? Aren't we changing pitchers?"
Sawamura said awkwardly.
"You're going to the outfield. The pitcher is Furuya, second base is Kominato."
"What?!"
Sawamura couldn't believe it—he looked as if the sky had fallen.
"Furuya?"
Zhou Hui remembered that name and turned to look.
A tall, thin boy stood up from the dugout.
It really was him!
The friend he met on the bullet train.
Back then, he only knew the guy was a pitcher—not how skilled he was.
Now, he'd finally get to see it.
Sawamura dejectedly ran toward the outfield.
He still wished he could be on the mound and prove himself.
"Furuya."
Zhou Hui called out from behind Furuya Satoru. Furuya turned his head and saw a familiar face.
"It's you?"
"Just realized, huh…"
"What is it?"
Furuya didn't answer Zhou Hui's question directly.
They'd been sitting together on the train, so the fact that he only just recognized Zhou Hui was a bit odd.
"You totally weren't listening to me just now…"
"Well, since we're teammates now, just do your best out there. If you can't hold them off, let them hit it—I'll back you up!"
"No need for that."
Furuya replied bluntly.
That left Zhou Hui momentarily speechless. He wasn't sure what he said that provoked such a response.
"What I meant is, I won't let them hit the ball."
Furuya deliberately raised his voice, clearly speaking loud enough for the Second Team to hear.
"Furuya!"
Before Zhou Hui could respond, he noticed the Second Team players glaring in their direction.
Many of them had eyes wide open, staring at Furuya with murderous intent—like they wanted to eat him alive.
They had no idea where Furuya got the confidence. Was he looking down on them?
If that's the case, they had to teach this arrogant brat a lesson!
"That first-year punk sure talks big!"
The next batter coming up was visibly irritated. If Coach Kataoka weren't nearby, he probably would've exploded and said something much worse.
In short, Furuya had really pissed off the upperclassmen.
"Sigh…"
Zhou Hui shook his head and headed to his defensive position.
First base!
This was the place he was most familiar with.
Ever since middle school, he'd always been the team's starting first baseman, never changing positions.
But now, he wasn't worried about whether he could hold down this position—he was more concerned about whether Furuya would get rocked.
Still, Zhou Hui had reason to believe—if Furuya dared to say something like that, then he must have the ability to back it up.
Otherwise, he would never have said it.
"Everyone, stay sharp! From now on, we can't let them score another run! Got it?!"
Zhou Hui shouted from first base.
At this moment, he looked more like the leader of the first-years!
He was the only one on the team who had managed to get a hit. Everyone respected his words and no one dared to talk back.
And in a tough situation like this, someone who still had the confidence to rally the team was no ordinary player.
Coach Kataoka was growing more and more impressed with Zhou Hui!
"Stop underestimating us. Don't cry when you lose!"
The Second Team's next batter stepped up to the plate.
In his eyes, there were only two interesting people on the field now.
One was Furuya on the mound, and the other was Zhou Hui at first base.
Both of them had big mouths.
While victory was assured, he couldn't let those two rookies steal the spotlight.
If, after the game, everyone only remembered the two brash first-years and ignored the fact that the Second Team won—that would be unacceptable!
"Play ball!"
"Whew."
Furuya took a deep breath and began his pitching motion.
Whoosh!
All his power concentrated into two fingers, and he hurled the ball with full force.
The moment the baseball left his hand, everyone's eardrums felt like they were about to explode!
The one who suffered the most was the first-year catcher, Kariyama Wataru. As the ball closed in fast, he shut his eyes instinctively.
With that terrifying pitch speed, not even ten lives would guarantee he could catch it!
"Ahhh!"
A scream rang out. Kariyama fell backward—and took Coach Kataoka, the umpire, down with him.