08/17/2023
The Keio Senior High School baseball team defeated Hokuriku High School, the representative of Fukui Prefecture, in the second round (their first game) on Friday, August 11, and Koryo High School, the representative of Hiroshima Prefecture, in the third round on Wednesday, August 16, securing a spot in the quarterfinals for the first time in 15 years, since 2008. They will compete for a place in the semifinals against Okinawa Shogaku High School, the representative of Okinawa Prefecture, in the first game on Saturday, August 19 (scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m.).
In the game against Hokuriku High School on August 11, the team scored the first run in the bottom of the first inning with a timely hit by Kato, the fourth batter, and continued to score in every inning through the fifth, building a nine-point lead. Although Hokuriku High School scored four runs in the top of the ninth, Keio won the game 9-4.
In the game against Koryo High School on August 16, Keio took an early two-run lead in the top of the first inning with a timely hit by Enosue, and added another run in the top of the third. However, Koryo High School scored in the bottom of the third, sixth, and seventh innings, tying the game at 3-3 and sending it into extra innings. In the top of the tenth, which was played under the tie-break rule just like their first game in the spring Senbatsu tournament, Keio scored three runs to take the lead with aggressive baserunning and hitting. In the bottom of the tenth, pitcher Matsui held Koryo scoreless, striking out two consecutive batters, to win the close game 6-3.
We have received a great deal of warm support from everyone in the local Hiyoshi area, as well as from Keio University alumni and other affiliates. If the team advances to the semifinals, it will be a historic achievement, the first in 103 years since 1920. We ask for your continued passionate support.
Photo: Akisue Takematsu
*Photo courtesy of Kyodo News