Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 258: Secure the Lead

"Ping!"

"Whoosh!"

As a streak of brilliance flashed across the sky, the crowd couldn't suppress their gasps of astonishment, their gazes fixed on the dazzling trail piercing through the heavens.

"Center fielder!!!"

At home plate, Kyohei Shibata couldn't afford to focus on anything else.

His face turned grim as he jumped up, shouting toward center field.

The blazing white streak in the sky was clearly beyond what Kiryuu High's outfielders could defend against.

This hit was an exceptionally precise strike—its speed and height both perfectly calculated.

The radiant white streak streaked through the infield skies, heading straight toward center field's deepest territory.

Under the center fielder's shocked gaze, it slammed hard against the outfield wall.

"Bang!!!"

A thunderous sound echoed.

A super long-distance hit to deep center field!

Kiryuu High's center fielder didn't even have time to react.

Seizing the opportunity, Yuuki sprinted past second and third base, heading straight for home.

By the time the center fielder retrieved the ball and threw it back to the infield…

"Tap!"

Yuuki's steady strides landed firmly on home plate.

"An incredible hit! Seidou's starting pitcher and No. 10 batter, Sawamura Eijun, capitalized on a full-count opportunity, precisely targeting the final curveball. A direct hit to the center field wall! Seidou High takes the lead!!!"

"Ha ha, what a fantastic hit!"

"Sawamura, you're stealing the spotlight!"

"Damn it, don't take our jobs, man."

"Eijun-kun, that was so cool!"

"Are you planning to become the cleanup hitter too? Seriously, though, great job!"

"Sawamura! Sawamura! Sawamura!!!"

The stunning play, with Eijun casually stepping onto third base and raising his right hand in triumph, set off wild cheers from Seidou's bench and the support section.

From the stands, Haruno and Wakana gazed at Eijun with soft, admiring eyes, a hint of infatuation visible in their expressions.

"Sawamura, you're really amazing," Haruno murmured.

Up in the stands, Ochiai also nodded at Eijun's hit but quickly shook his head.

Eijun's performance had thoroughly won over even the critical Ochiai.

However, it also made him feel a tinge of pity for Furuya.

As long as Eijun remains, it would be nearly impossible for Furuya to claim the ace number at Seidou.

Not to say it's entirely out of reach, but the odds are slim.

A dual-threat pitcher and batter like Eijun is an asset no powerhouse team can resist.

This was the most genuine thought running through Ochiai's mind at the moment.

Unsurprisingly, Eijun had captured the spotlight entirely.

Spectators couldn't hide their amazement as they watched, many murmuring in awe.

"This first-year from Seidou is unbelievable."

"Is he aiming to follow Kiryuu's ace model, becoming both the cleanup hitter and ace pitcher?"

"You know, that might actually be possible."

"Exactly! A first-year with this level of batting skill and pitching ability? Wow, are first-years these days all this insane?"

"Unreal. Where did Seidou High even find such a gem?"

While the spectators marveled and Kiryuu High wore grim expressions, there was one exception—Eijun standing confidently at third base.

Deep inside, Eijun still felt a flicker of relief amidst the excitement.

That hit was undoubtedly a testament to Eijun's skill, but he was also keenly aware that the umpire's strict low-ball calls had played a role.

Without those calls, he knew he likely would have been struck out.

After all, swinging at such pitches carried a significant risk of injury, and Eijun wasn't about to take unnecessary chances.

This laid the groundwork for his subsequent success.

By calculating the trajectory of the breaking ball with precision and leveraging its momentum, he delivered a deep, powerful hit.

Even Eijun himself hadn't expected it to go as far as it did, allowing Yuuki to score from first base.

Of course, this was also aided by Kiryuu High's outfielders lacking the ability to execute a precise throw to home plate.

Still, it further highlighted the exceptional depth of Eijun's hit.

"Damn it, that swing..."

Shibata gritted his teeth.

Eijun's swing had clearly been deliberate, with just the right amount of force applied.

The angle, timing—everything was perfect. It was a serious oversight on their part.

From the third-base dugout, Coach Matsumoto shook his head. "Still a bit young," he murmured to himself.

"Don't panic. It's just one run. There's still a runner on third. Stay composed and focus on getting the next out," Matsumoto instructed his pitcher and catcher, ensuring they remained grounded.

Although he trusted his players, he recognized the need to manage the emotions of young athletes, offering guidance at critical moments.

On the field, Shibata took a deep breath, calming himself.

Both he and ace pitcher Tachi nodded in unison at Matsumoto's signal.

One run was disappointing, but it wasn't catastrophic.

The game had just begun, and Kiryuu High still had plenty of opportunities to turn the tide.

"Batting eighth, left fielder, Sakai-kun."

"Whoosh."

"Pop!"

"Strike!"

"Whoosh."

"Ping!"

...

"Whoosh."

"Pop!"

"Strike! Batter out!!!"

Having reset their strategy, Kiryuu's battery, led by ace Tachi, remained unfazed by Eijun's earlier hit.

A combination of powerful fastballs, high-arcing curveballs, and skillful forkballs helped them retire Ichiro Sakai, the No. 8 batter, without issue.

"Three outs! Change of sides!"

With this, Kiryuu High successfully ended Seidou's offensive push, stranding Eijun at third base and limiting the damage to just one run.

For Seidou, however, this early score was an unexpected bonus, giving them a slight edge in the opening stages of the game.

Back in the dugout, Eijun was met with affectionate head pats from his seniors, a clear acknowledgment of his growing importance within the team.

Truth be told, Eijun had already established himself as a core figure in Seidou High.

Whether in offense or defense, he was a player his teammates could trust and rely on.

There was no doubt that Seidou's success up to this point owed a great deal to Eijun's contributions.

"That was a fantastic hit, but don't forget your primary role, Sawamura," Miyuki teased with a smile.

"Ah, I know, Miyuki-senpai. Scoring runs is just the beginning—what comes after is what truly matters!" Eijun replied firmly, his golden eyes flashing briefly with determination.

Miyuki's lips curled into a subtle grin, his expression carrying a unique sense of admiration.

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