Entering the Day 4 of the tournament, it is now approaching to the quarterfinal part. All the best eight teams—Aoyama Gakuin, Chukyo, Tenri, Teikyo, Waseda, Kyushu Sangyo, Joubu, and Higashi Nihon International are now fighting their own to be qualified as best four teams.
In the first game, Chukyo University facing against the All Japan 2023 winner Aoyama Gakuin University in such a tight game with an early tied score of 2-2. Although Chukyo leads first on 3-2, Aogaku not losing on their pride as ‘Tohto team’ and the winner from last year, catching the lead to tie the game with a score of 3-3.
Then the game’s moving on 8th bottom, when the chances comes to Aogaku with one out base-loaded. And the seventh-hole batter, Watabe Kai (catcher, 2nd year) launched a timely hit to lead his team with another two runs ahead, 5-3. Followed with another timely by Nakata Tatsuya, Aogaku succeeded to add more the run gap into 6-3.
 |
| Aoyama Gakuin University's Watabe Kai |
Coming up to the top of 9th, Chukyo managed to create a chance once more, but then got collapsed by a liner to the third baseman, and Aogaku taking on the last out. Game set, and Aoyama Gakuin passed first to the best four list.
Although Chukyo’s starting pitcher Takagi Hayato RHP losing 5 runs while throwing for about more than 130 pitches, he managed to stole 10 K from Aogaku and topped at 146 kmh today. He still on his third year, but I have an expectations on him as the next year’s draft candidate soon.