In the third game of All Japan quarterfinal on Thursday (13/6), the remarkable Waseda University shows an overwhelming presence on this tournament with a continuous victory against Kyushu Sangyo University today. The rise of Waseda after their latest glorious era since 2020 somehow looks more dominnating with the lead of their captain and main catcher Inde Taichi (印出太一), who also become one of the most notable draft candidate this year. Not only by menacing offense in their lineup, they completely controlling the game with such a tough defense as well.
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| Waseda University's captain Inde Taichi |
Two early innings looks fine, when both teams playing in their own rhythm and allowing no run, until they approach the bottom of the 2nd. By a timely hit from Ishigooka Taisei, Waseda managed to score their very first run of the game, leading on 1-0 against Kyushu Sangyo. And then everything still looks fine in the next inning.
The trouble occurs in the bottom of 4th. After Waseda making the chance within one out and runner on third, again, Ishigooka scored the another run by a fielder's choice on second-grounder. As it never ends, the chance always repeating on two out with runner on first and third, and a timely added more run to them. As Kyushu Sangyo records an error, Waseda has been scoring again within a total of 4 runs per inning.
Even though Kyushu Sangyo scored their first run on the top of 6th, they still have to faced the thrills of base-loaded pinch and a forced-walk to give Waseda another runs. But then they managed to survive the bottom of 6th. And Kyushu Sangyo didn't give up easily as their fourth batter and catcher Kikuchi Souma launched a solo homerun to the left side. Yet their offense eventually ends up right after that homerun, only allowed to score 2 runs only. The game ends with a result of 6-2.
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| Waseda University's Yamagata Shu |
Among those players who are playing on the field, Yamagata Shu was giving the spectators in the stand such a mesmerizing performance as he is also one of the most noted draft candidate this year. Not only by a brilliant stats in offense with a result of 4 AB 2 H and 1 RBI, his firm defense as shortstop was so unbelievable it is succeeded to make the spectators overwhelmed until the end of the game. With such a flexibility of defense as shortstop, he would likely become one of the most anticipated draft prospect this year for sure.