Chapter 187: Chapter 73: Complete Cycle Hit (Double-Length)
"Waseda Industries’ offensive is like an unending tide—at the bottom of the third inning, they’ve scored another 3 runs off Tokai University Sagami! It’s undeniable that when this team’s batting lineup finds its rhythm, it’s really hard to beat them."
In the commentators’ box, the two commentators responsible for broadcasting today’s game discussed the current situation on the field, their words full of praise for Waseda and Lin Guanglai.
"Indeed, especially their core player Lin Guanglai, his performance in today’s game has been nothing short of perfect—when the team was trailing, it was his home run that quickly leveled the score, stabilizing the entire team and igniting the ferocious offensive surge of Waseda in the subsequent two innings!"
"Yes, if Waseda wins this game, Lin Guanglai will definitely be the biggest hero of the day—with the current score, Waseda has a pretty high probability of winning!"
When Lin Guanglai was sent back to home plate by the seventh batter Uesugi Yasuyuki, the score on the field had already reached 6:1. The gap widened to a point where Tokai University Sagami could no longer bear it.
At the top of the fourth inning, Tokai University Sagami’s offense showed some promise. Their center batsmen, the third batter Tanaka Shunta and fourth batter Sato Daikun, both hit consecutively, putting pressure on Waseda’s infield defense;
With runners on first and second, next up for Tokai University Sagami was their fifth batter Sugano Goushi—despite his short stature, pre-game data shows that Sugano Goushi is a powerful contact hitter, very adept at seizing mistakes from pitchers, using long hits to advance bases or even score runs for the team.
Facing such a destructive batter, Lin Guanglai once again displayed his prowess as the tournament’s top starting pitcher—right as the batter came up, he quickly gained an advantage with two nearly perfect pitches; then using an outside pitch, he successfully deceived Sugano Goushi into swinging.
The baseball was hit as a ground ball, rolling towards the gap between second and third base; Waseda’s infield, ready and waiting, quickly got into position and forced out the runner from first before he could reach second base; they then threw to first base, also putting out Sugano Goushi as he ran.
With a simple double play, Waseda easily resolved the crisis on the field.
Following that, at the bottom of the fourth inning, Waseda’s offensive couldn’t continue, as starting from the ninth batter Sato Ken, three players were consecutively put out by Tokai University Sagami, ending the inning hastily.
It was from the end of this half-inning that the game entered another stage of deadlock—Tokai University Sagami needed time to adjust and find their hitting rhythm; on the other hand, after two consecutive powerful offenses, Waseda also needed some breathers.
At the top of the fifth inning, known for their strong and rapid offense, the high school team finally breached Waseda’s defense once more, snatching another run from Lin Guanglai—but only one run.
After conceding the run, Waseda’s defense quickly composed themselves, with Lin Guanglai striking out two batters in a row, completely ending Tokai University Sagami’s hopes of further widening the score.
At the bottom of the fifth inning, the first up to bat was Kenshu Yasuda, who was struck out by Nagata Ryudou, bringing Lin Guanglai back to bat for the third time in this game.
As the game progressed, Tokai University Sagami’s Nagata Ryudou’s pitching form became increasingly impressive:
Facing Lin Guanglai this time, Nagata Ryudou quickly gained the upper hand—with three pitches, the situation on the field came to 1 ball and 2 strikes, putting the pitcher in a position of absolute advantage, able to advance or defend.
On the mound, Nagata Ryudou and catcher Sato Daikun exchanged signs for quite a while, finally deciding to use the upcoming pitch as the decisive one for this at-bat.
With a slight nod, Nagata Ryudou leaned forward, and as his arm swung forward, the baseball shot out from his grip.
However, the sound of a baseball crashing into a catcher’s mitt didn’t echo as expected; instead, the shrill noise of a bat striking the ball abruptly resonated.
"Clang—!!"
The baseball, heading for the lower part of the strike zone, was strongly scooped and hit out by Lin Guanglai, landing in the deep outfield, an unguarded area of Tokai University Sagami, before any of their players could reach it.
Taking advantage of his height and long legs, Lin Guanglai sprinted to second base before the baseball could be thrown back, standing firm.
While Waseda’s players were still celebrating their captain’s successful advance to the base, the commentator in the box was the first to realize something.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I think we are about to witness the birth of another historic record in this game!"
"Before this at-bat, Waseda’s Lin Guanglai had already hit a home run and a triple—taking into account this recent double, Lin Guanglai is now just one single shy of completing the ’Hitting for the cycle’ record!"
"Since the Senbatsu High School Baseball Tournament began in the 13th year of the Taisho era (1924), in the past 93 tournaments, only Kitano Toshifumi from Jishima High School achieved this record in the 1979 final—even looking across both Koshien tournaments in spring and summer, only 6 people have managed to achieve this feat."