Mukai scatters his pitches offensively, but Tojo puts up a good fight and gets on base. Kuramochi follows after, and the Teito battery walks Haruichi to load the bases. It`s two outs and bases loaded at the bottom of the eighth. Immense pressure is on Maezono.

It`s Seido vs Nanamori, and Coach Kataoka has made a big roster change. Haruichi, Furuya, Tojo, and Kanemaru — four first-years are in the starting lineup. To top it off, the starting pitcher is Sawamura. Now that he`s gained confidence in his outside pitch, Miyuki feels that Sawamura needs his inside back.