Osaka Toin High School has the dream of winning back-to-back Senbatsu titles. Commenting on the game's inability to defend a five-run lead, captain MAEDA Yugo expressed his frustration, saying, "It was a sluggish match, and that's where our weaknesses show."
Osaka Toin, who were on the verge of winning their second consecutive title for the first time in the history of this tournament, advanced to the semi-finals, but in their first match against Tsuruga Kehi, they conceded a goal immediately after taking the lead in the early stages and were unable to score as many additional goals as they wanted.
Captain and ace pitcher Maeda raised the issue before the tournament, saying, "Even in practice matches, the team sometimes loosens up after the middle of the game."
In the semi-final on the 31st, they seemed to take the lead by scoring five runs in the third inning, but they could not handle the first batter's throw to third by Hotoku Gakuen, and although the record became a hit, they immediately gave up two runs in a pinch that spread in the wake of this.
After the fourth inning, the batting line was limited to four hits, and he could not even step on third base, and the tide gradually tilted to the opponent.
As a result, in the seventh inning, pitcher Maeda, who relieved from the middle, could not stop, leading to a late comeback loss.
Coach NISHITANI Koichi reflected, "It was a typical development in which if we don't bat thoroughly, we will struggle in the second half of the match."
Pitcher Maeda expressed his frustration, saying, "It was a sluggish match, and that's where our weaknesses lie."
On top of that, he left Koshien with a determination that "we want everyone to be able to get into the game until the game is set for the summer."